Illinois bookkeeper employment contract template

Illinois Bookkeeper Employment Contract

This Illinois Bookkeeper Employment Contract (the "Agreement") is made and entered into as of [Date] by and between [Employer Legal Name], a [State] [Business Type] with its principal place of business at [Employer Address] ("Employer"), and [Employee Legal Name], residing at [Employee Address] ("Employee").

1. Employment

The Employer hereby employs the Employee, and the Employee hereby accepts employment with the Employer as a Bookkeeper.

Option A: This is a full-time employment agreement.

Option B: This is a part-time employment agreement.

2. Job Title and Duties

The Employee's job title shall be Bookkeeper.

The Employee's core duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Maintaining general ledgers.
• Reconciling bank accounts.
• Processing accounts payable and accounts receivable.
• Generating financial statements.
• Preparing payroll.
• Withholding and filing relevant taxes (including federal, state, and local).
• Compiling expense reports.
• Handling petty cash.
• Monitoring cash flow.
• Performing month-end and year-end closing tasks.
• Maintaining financial records in accordance with Illinois recordkeeping statutes.
• Assisting with external audits.
• Ensuring compliance with Illinois Department of Revenue rules.

Option A: The employee will use [Software/Systems e.g., QuickBooks, Sage, Microsoft Excel].

Option B: The employee will be provided training on [Software/Systems].

Option C: Employee possesses [Certifications e.g., Certified Bookkeeper] and will maintain certification.

3. Performance Standards

The Employee shall perform all duties with accuracy and diligence.

The Employee shall maintain the confidentiality of all financial information.

The Employee shall adhere to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).

The Employee is required to participate in continuous professional development to stay current with accounting practices.

Option A: Specific performance metrics include [list specific metrics].

4. Supervision and Authority

The Employee's immediate supervisor is [Supervisor Name].

The Employee reports to [Reporting Hierarchy].

Option A: The Employee's authority limit for financial approvals is [Dollar Amount].

The Employee shall immediately report any suspected fraud or discrepancies to [Reporting Procedure].

The Employee will collaborate with HR and tax professionals as needed.

5. Place of Work

The Employee's principal place of work is the Employer's business location at [Employer Address].

Option A: Remote work is permitted under the following conditions:

• Access to financial records will be secured via [Security Measures].
• The Employee shall comply with the Illinois Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA).
• The Employer will provide secure IT equipment, including [List Equipment].

Option B: Hybrid work is permitted, with [Number] days in the office per week.

6. Work Hours

The employment is full-time.

The standard work week is [Number] hours per week.

The Employee's typical work schedule is [Start Time] to [End Time], Monday through Friday.

Meal and rest breaks will be provided in accordance with Illinois Wage and Hour Law.

Attendance will be recorded using [Attendance Method].

7. Overtime

Employee is [Exempt/Non-Exempt] from overtime under the Illinois Minimum Wage Law and Federal FLSA.

Option A: If non-exempt, overtime is paid at one and one-half (1.5) times the Employee's regular rate for hours worked exceeding 40 in a workweek.

Overtime must be pre-approved by [Manager's Title].

8. Compensation

The Employee's base [wage/salary] is [Dollar Amount] [per hour/per year].

Payment will be made via [Payment Method e.g., direct deposit].

Pay frequency is [Pay Frequency e.g., bi-weekly], compliant with the Illinois Pay Day and Wage Payment Law.

Option A: The Employee is eligible for a bonus of [Bonus Amount or Criteria].

Business-related expenses, such as travel for offsite audits, will be reimbursed per company policy.

Statutory deductions, including federal, state, and local taxes, will be withheld from each paycheck.

9. Benefits

The Employee is eligible for the following benefits:

• Health insurance.
• Dental insurance.
• Vision insurance.
• Retirement plan [e.g., 401(k)].
• Paid time off (vacation, personal, sick leave) per company policy.
• Illinois state holidays.
• Parental leave (per Illinois law).
• Bereavement leave per company policy.
• Short-term disability insurance.
• Workers' compensation insurance as required by Illinois law.

Option A: Professional development or bookkeeping certification reimbursement up to [Dollar Amount] per year.

10. Confidentiality

The Employee acknowledges that they will have access to sensitive company and client financial information.

The Employee shall comply with the Illinois Identity Protection Act.

The Employee shall not disclose any confidential information during or after employment.

The Employee shall safeguard all paper and electronic records.

11. Intellectual Property

All intellectual property and work product created by the Employee during employment, including spreadsheets, reports, and financial tools, shall be the property of the Employer.

Upon termination of employment, the Employee shall return all company-issued documentation, records, and devices.

12. Compliance

The Employee shall comply with all applicable Illinois financial and employment regulations, including requirements for accurate recordkeeping, anti-money laundering reporting, and prompt payment.

13. Non-Compete and Non-Solicitation

The employee acknowledges that non-compete agreements in Illinois are subject to the Illinois Freedom to Work Act and limited by income thresholds.

Option A: The Employee agrees not to solicit the Employer's clients for a period of [Number] years following termination of employment.

Option B: The Employee will maintain the confidentiality of all company proprietary data.

14. Gifts and Gratuities

The Employee shall not accept or solicit gifts, bribes, or kickbacks from vendors or clients.

15. Standards of Conduct

The Employee shall maintain professional standards of conduct in interacting with coworkers, clients, and third parties.

The Employer maintains a zero-tolerance policy for harassment, discrimination, and retaliation, in accordance with the Illinois Human Rights Act.

Protected categories include race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, military status, and arrest record.

16. Training

The Employee is required to participate in training on privacy, fraud prevention, and ethics.

The Employee will receive ongoing compliance updates as Illinois law changes.

17. At-Will Employment

The employment is at-will, meaning either party may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause, subject to applicable Illinois law.

Option A: Notice of termination or resignation requires [Number] days' written notice.

Final pay will be provided in accordance with the Illinois Wage Payment Act.

Accrued but unused vacation will be paid out in accordance with Illinois law.

The Employer will provide COBRA/continuing benefits notice.

The Employee shall return all confidential material and company property upon termination.

18. Dispute Resolution

Any disputes arising from this Agreement shall be resolved through good-faith negotiation and mediation.

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois.

The exclusive jurisdiction for any legal action related to this Agreement shall be the courts located in [County] County, Illinois.

19. Whistleblower Protection

The Employee is protected by the Illinois Whistleblower Protection Act for reporting financial irregularities or legal violations.

20. Miscellaneous

Severability: If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

Entire Agreement: This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous communications and proposals, whether oral or written.

Amendment: Any amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement must be in writing and signed by both parties.

Modification: The Employer reserves the right to adjust duties, compensation, or work location in compliance with Illinois law.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

[Employer Legal Name]

By: [Employer Representative Name]

Title: [Employer Representative Title]

[Employee Legal Name]

Signature: ____________________________