Louisiana accounting independent contractor agreement template

Louisiana Accounting Independent Contractor Agreement

This Accounting Independent Contractor Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of [Date] by and between:

[Client Name], located at [Client Address], [Client City], Louisiana [Client Zip Code] (“Client”), and

[Contractor Name], located at [Contractor Address], [Contractor City], Louisiana [Contractor Zip Code] (“Contractor”).

WHEREAS, Client desires to engage Contractor as an independent contractor to provide certain accounting services; and

WHEREAS, Contractor is qualified and willing to provide such services;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein, the parties agree as follows:

1. Services

The Contractor agrees to provide the following accounting services (the “Services”) to Client:

• Option A: Bookkeeping services, including recording financial transactions, reconciling bank statements, and maintaining the general ledger.
• Option B: Financial statement preparation, including preparing balance sheets, income statements, statements of cash flows, and statements of retained earnings in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Option C: Payroll processing, including calculating payroll taxes, preparing payroll checks, and filing payroll tax returns (including Louisiana state and parish taxes).
• Option D: Tax preparation and filing, including preparation of federal and Louisiana state and local tax returns.
• Option E: Audit support, including assisting with the preparation of audit schedules and responding to auditor inquiries.
• Option F: Internal controls review and consulting.
• Option G: Compliance consulting with Louisiana business entity requirements.
• Option H: [Industry-specific regulatory tasks relevant to Client’s Louisiana business]

2. Deliverables

The Contractor shall provide the following deliverables to the Client:

• Option A: Monthly financial statements in [Reporting Format, e.g., PDF, Excel].
  • Due Date: [Date] of each month following the reporting period.
• Option B: Quarterly payroll tax returns filed electronically.
  • Due Date: As required by the IRS and Louisiana Department of Revenue.
• Option C: Annual federal and Louisiana state income tax returns filed electronically.
  • Due Date: As required by the IRS and Louisiana Department of Revenue.
• Option D: [Specific report or document] in [Reporting Format].
  • Due Date: [Date]

All deliverables must adhere to technical standards relevant to Louisiana law and Client’s industry.

3. Term and Termination

This Agreement shall commence on [Start Date] and shall continue until [End Date], unless earlier terminated as provided herein.

• Option A: This Agreement shall automatically renew for successive [Number]-year terms unless either party gives written notice of termination at least [Number] days prior to the end of the then-current term.
• Option B: Either party may terminate this Agreement for cause upon [Number] days’ written notice to the other party. "Cause" shall include, but not be limited to, a material breach of this Agreement.
• Option C: Client may terminate this Agreement for convenience upon [Number] days’ written notice to the Contractor. Contractor may terminate this Agreement for convenience upon [Number] days' written notice to the Client.

Post-termination obligations: Contractor will provide a final accounting and return all client data. Contractor must continue to maintain confidentiality obligations even after termination of this agreement according to Louisiana law.

4. Compensation

Client shall compensate Contractor as follows:

• Option A: [Dollar Amount] per hour.
• Option B: [Dollar Amount] per project.
  • Project: [Define the project]
• Option C: [Dollar Amount] retainer per month.
• Option D: Other: [Describe the compensation structure]

Minimum billable increment: [Number] minutes.

Invoice frequency: [Weekly, Bi-weekly, Monthly].

• Itemized invoices are required.
• Payment method: [Check, Wire Transfer, ACH].
• Payment terms: Net [Number] days from invoice date.

Late payment interest rate: [Percentage] per month, to the extent permitted by Louisiana law.

Client shall reimburse Contractor for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, including [Specific expenses, e.g., travel, software subscriptions], upon presentation of receipts.

Responsibility for Louisiana sales/use tax: [State who is responsible for paying and remitting any applicable sales/use tax].

5. Independent Contractor Status

Contractor is an independent contractor and not an employee, partner, or agent of Client. Contractor is solely responsible for all federal, Louisiana state, and local tax filings, self-employment taxes, insurance, and any required licenses and certifications. Contractor acknowledges their responsibility for worker classification compliance under Louisiana law.

6. Ownership of Work Product

All work product, records, and client data created by Contractor in connection with the Services shall be the property of Client. Contractor retains no rights to such work product, except as may be required by Louisiana law or professional ethics. All deliverables, work-in-progress, and any underlying documentation become the property of the client.

7. Confidentiality

Contractor shall maintain the confidentiality of all Client information and shall not disclose such information to any third party without Client’s prior written consent, in accordance with Louisiana and industry-specific privacy laws and ethical obligations under the Louisiana State Board of CPAs. Upon termination of this Agreement, Contractor shall return or destroy all Client information.

8. Data Protection and Security

Contractor shall implement and maintain reasonable data protection and cybersecurity procedures to protect Client’s information from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure, in compliance with Louisiana’s Database Security Breach Notification Law.

9. Subcontracting

Contractor shall not subcontract or delegate any of the Services without Client’s prior written consent, and shall ensure that any subcontractors comply with all terms of this Agreement, including confidentiality and data protection requirements, as needed or restricted by Louisiana law.

10. Representations and Warranties

Contractor represents and warrants that:

• Contractor is qualified and competent to perform the Services.
• Contractor holds all necessary Louisiana professional and business licenses (if applicable), and will maintain them during the term of this agreement.
• Contractor will comply with all applicable federal, Louisiana state, and parish laws and regulations.
• Contractor maintains professional liability insurance in the amount of [Dollar Amount].
• Contractor's work meets professional standards and is compliant with the Louisiana State Board of CPAs requirements.

11. Indemnification

Contractor shall indemnify and hold harmless Client from and against any and all claims, losses, damages, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including attorney’s fees) arising out of or relating to Contractor’s performance of the Services, including but not limited to missed deadlines, errors or omissions, negligent acts, violation of Louisiana or federal law, confidentiality breaches, and data loss. Remedies, cure periods, and damages will be in accordance with Louisiana rules.

12. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Louisiana, without regard to its conflict of laws principles. Any dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be resolved through:

• Option A: Negotiation.
• Option B: Mediation in [City, Louisiana].
• Option C: Arbitration in [City, Louisiana], in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association.
• Option D: Litigation in the courts of [Parish] Parish, Louisiana.

13. Notices

All notices under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered personally, sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, or sent by reputable overnight courier service, to the addresses set forth above.

14. Compliance with Laws

Contractor shall comply with all applicable federal, Louisiana state, and parish-level laws and regulations, including but not limited to IRS regulations, Louisiana Department of Revenue rules, anti-money laundering, anti-fraud, and other relevant professional conduct standards.

15. Other Requirements

• Louisiana-specific requirements: [List any client-specific Louisiana requirements, such as special reporting, additional insurances, bonding, or regulatory disclosures].
• Secure data handling and disaster recovery procedures meeting Louisiana requirements for accounting professionals.

16. 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.
• Force Majeure: Neither party shall be liable for any delay or failure to perform its obligations under this Agreement due to any cause beyond its reasonable control.
• Waiver: No waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be effective unless in writing and signed by the waiving party.
• Assignment: This Agreement may not be assigned by either party without the prior written consent of the other party.
• Amendment: This Agreement may be amended only by a written instrument signed by both parties.
• Entire Agreement: This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous communications and proposals, whether oral or written, and any Louisiana-specific requirements for electronic signatures or record retention.

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

____________________________

[Client Name]

____________________________

[Contractor Name]