Louisiana bookkeeper employment contract template

Louisiana Bookkeeper Employment Contract

This Louisiana Bookkeeper Employment Contract ("Agreement") is made and entered into as of [Date] by and between [Employer Name], located at [Employer Address] ("Employer") and [Employee Name], residing at [Employee Address] ("Employee").

Employer Contact Information:

• Physical Address: [Employer Address]
• Email: [Employer Email]
• Phone: [Employer Phone]

Employee Contact Information:

• Physical Address: [Employee Address]
• Email: [Employee Email]
• Phone: [Employee Phone]

Position

• The Employer hires the Employee as a full-time Bookkeeper for its operations in Louisiana.
• The Employee accepts the position and agrees to perform the duties and responsibilities outlined below.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Option A: General Bookkeeping Responsibilities
  • Maintaining general ledgers.
  • Processing accounts receivable and accounts payable.
  • Preparing bank reconciliations.
  • Supporting payroll processing.
  • Documenting journal entries.
  • Producing monthly and annual financial reports for CPA review.
  • Managing petty cash.
  • Organizing and archiving all financial documents in compliance with Louisiana recordkeeping periods.
  • Preparing documentation for Louisiana state tax filings.
  • Reconciling sales tax accounts where applicable and ensuring compliance with Louisiana’s Uniform Local Sales Tax Code.
  • Ensuring compliance with applicable industry-specific regulations.
• Option B: Specific Responsibilities
  • [List specific duties tailored to the company]
  • * Example 1: Managing inventory costing and reconciliation.
  • * Example 2: Overseeing fixed asset accounting.
• The Employee will use [Bookkeeping Software, e.g., QuickBooks, Sage] and follow the Employer’s prescribed internal control standards and financial policies.

Reporting Structure

• Option A: Direct Reporting
  • The Employee will report directly to the [Controller Name or Business Owner Name].
• Option B: Delegated Authority
  • In the event of the Employee's absence, [Name of designated person] will be delegated the Employee's duties.

Work Site

• Option A: On-Premises
  • The primary work site is located at [Physical Address in Louisiana].
• Option B: Remote/Hybrid
  • The primary work site is the employee's home office, but employee may be required to come into the office in [City, LA] [Number] times per week/month.
  • Remote/Hybrid Work Policy: [Detailed policy regarding secure electronic file transfer, data privacy measures compliant with Louisiana law, and handling of sensitive client financial information]

Full-Time Status and Work Hours

• The Employee is a full-time employee.
• The standard workweek is [Number] hours per week.
• Option A: Overtime Compensation
  • Overtime will be paid at a rate of one and one-half (1.5) times the Employee's regular rate of pay for all hours worked over 40 in a workweek, as required by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and Louisiana law. Overtime must be pre-approved by [Name of Supervisor].
• Option B: No Overtime Compensation
  • The employee will not be paid for overtime, given their position qualifies as exempt under the FLSA.
• Meal and Rest Breaks: The Employee is entitled to meal and rest breaks as required by Louisiana state law.

Compensation

• Option A: Annual Salary
  • The Employee's annual salary is [Dollar Amount], payable [Pay Frequency, e.g., bi-weekly, semi-monthly].
• Option B: Hourly Wage
  • The Employee's hourly wage is [Dollar Amount], payable [Pay Frequency, e.g., bi-weekly, semi-monthly].
• Method of Payment: [Direct deposit or Check].
• [Details of any company-specific wage supplement practices common in Louisiana industries, such as annual bonuses or profit sharing]
• All payments will be made in compliance with the Louisiana Wage Payment Act.

Benefits

• The Employee is eligible for the following benefits, subject to the terms and conditions of the Employer's benefit plans:
  • Health Insurance: [Details of employer-sponsored health coverage]
  • Vision Insurance: [Details of employer-sponsored vision coverage]
  • Dental Insurance: [Details of employer-sponsored dental coverage]
  • Retirement Plan: [Details of 401(k) or Louisiana-specific retirement plan]
  • Paid Vacation: [Number] days per year.
  • State-Recognized Holidays: [List of holidays]
  • Sick Leave: [Number] days per year. (Note: Louisiana has no statutory paid sick leave requirement)
  • Leave for Jury Duty or Voting: In accordance with Louisiana law.
  • Unpaid Leave: Entitlements under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
  • Optional Allowances: [Mileage reimbursement for offsite banking, continuing education, etc.]

Confidentiality

• The Employee agrees to hold confidential all employer and client financial records, personal data, trade secrets, and proprietary information.
• This obligation extends perpetually beyond termination of employment.
• This includes, but is not limited to, information covered under Louisiana Revised Statutes on trade secrets and confidentiality.

Ownership of Work Product

• All records, reports, and work products created during the Employee's employment are the Employer's property.
• The Employer has exclusive rights to use and access such materials in accordance with company policies.

Financial Record Handling

• The Employee shall adhere to the Employer’s policies for the use, storage, and authorized disposal of physical and digital financial records.
• Retention periods will align with Louisiana and IRS requirements.

Professional Conduct

• The Employee will maintain high standards of professional conduct, data integrity, and compliance.
• Compliance with the Louisiana Board of Accountancy guidelines (essential where the bookkeeper interfaces with licensed accountants/CPAs) is required.
• Falsification or unauthorized manipulation of financial data is strictly prohibited.
• The Employee is responsible for reporting suspected fraud or discrepancies as required by Louisiana law.

At-Will Employment

• The Employee's employment is at-will, meaning that either the Employee or the Employer may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice, subject to the provisions of the Louisiana Wage Payment Act.

Termination

• Option A: Voluntary Resignation
  • The Employee must provide [Number] weeks' written notice of resignation.
• Option B: Employer-Initiated Termination
  • The Employer may terminate the Employee's employment at any time, with or without cause, subject to applicable law.
  • Grounds for dismissal include, but are not limited to, [List Grounds].
• Upon termination, the Employee will return all Employer property, and the final wage payment will be made as required by the Louisiana Wage Payment Act.

Non-Solicitation/Non-Compete

• Option A: No Non-Solicitation/Non-Compete Agreement.
• Option B: Non-Solicitation Agreement.
  • Employee agrees not to solicit clients of employer for a period of [Number] years, within a [Number] mile radius of [Business Location].
• Option C: Non-Compete Agreement.
  • Employee agrees not to work for a competitor within a [Number] mile radius of [Business Location], for a period of [Number] years after termination of employment. *Important:* *Note that Louisiana law demands strict geographic, duration, and scope limitations for enforceability, and specifies mandatory statutory language for non-compete provisions under LA R.S. 23:921.*

Compliance with Laws

• The Employee agrees to comply with all applicable Louisiana state and federal workplace regulations.
• This includes, but is not limited to, workers' compensation coverage, OSHA safety and health requirements, wage and hour postings, and anti-harassment and anti-discrimination policies consistent with Louisiana Civil Rights statutes and federal law.

Training

• The Employee is required to participate in annual training relevant to bookkeeping, such as continuing education on Louisiana sales tax or regulatory updates.

Dispute Resolution

• Option A: Mediation
  • Any disputes arising from or related to this Agreement shall be resolved through mediation in [City, Louisiana], before resorting to litigation.
• Option B: Arbitration
  • Any disputes arising from or related to this Agreement shall be resolved through binding arbitration in [City, Louisiana], in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association.
• Governing Law and Venue: This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Louisiana. The venue for any legal action arising out of this Agreement shall be in [Parish], Louisiana.

Acknowledgment of Policies

• The Employee acknowledges receipt of and agrees to abide by the Employer's policy manuals, code of conduct, and any updates affecting financial procedures in Louisiana.
• Employee hereby consents to the terms and conditions of those documents and all policies encompassed therein.

Entire Agreement

• This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous communications and proposals, whether oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof.

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

____________________________
[Employer Name]

By: ____________________________
[Employer Representative Name and Title]

____________________________
[Employee Name]