Michigan bookkeeper employment contract template

Michigan Bookkeeper Employment Contract

Effective Date: [Date]

Employer: [Company Name], located at [Company Address]

Employee: [Employee Name], residing at [Employee Address]

Position: Full-Time Bookkeeper

Job Description:

The Employee is hired as a Full-Time Bookkeeper. Job duties include, but are not limited to:

• Accounts payable and receivable management.
• General ledger updates.
• Daily and monthly bank reconciliations.
• Payroll processing in compliance with Michigan laws.
• Preparation of financial reports.
• Assistance with tax filings.
• Maintenance of digital and physical financial records.
• Compliance with Michigan-specific employer tax, wage, and reporting obligations.
• Ensuring records comply with Michigan's Department of Treasury and Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) standards.

Supervision and Reporting:

The Employee will report to [Supervisor's Job Title].

The Employee will collaborate with [Department, e.g., Accountant, CPA, HR, Management].

Work Location:

Option A: The Employee will primarily work on-site at [Company Address].

Option B: The Employee will primarily work remotely. The Employee must adhere to strict Michigan data privacy and security protocols, including secure handling of sensitive client and employee information in accordance with the Michigan Identity Theft Protection Act and local record retention rules.

Employment Status and Hours:

Option A: Non-Exempt, Full-Time Hourly. Standard work hours are [Number] hours per week, [Start Time] to [End Time], Monday through Friday.

Option B: Exempt, Full-Time Salaried. Standard work hours are [Number] hours per week, [Start Time] to [End Time], Monday through Friday.

Required presence during key financial events (monthly/quarterly/year-end close).

The Employee is required to use [Clock-In/Out System, e.g., Physical, Remote] for tracking work hours, as per Michigan Wage and Hour laws.

Overtime:

Option A (For Non-Exempt Employees): Overtime will be compensated at a rate of one and one-half (1.5) times the Employee's regular hourly rate for all hours worked over 40 in a workweek, in compliance with Michigan law.

Option B (For Exempt Employees): No overtime will be paid.

Michigan requires compliance with minimum wage, overtime pay rules, and mandated rest/meal periods. The employer must maintain state-specific recordkeeping.

Compensation:

Option A: Hourly Rate: The Employee will be paid at an hourly rate of [Dollar Amount].

Option B: Annual Salary: The Employee will be paid an annual salary of [Dollar Amount].

Pay Frequency: [Pay Frequency, e.g., Bi-weekly].

Payment Method: [Payment Method, e.g., Electronic, Check].

Wage Deductions: All applicable tax deductions, garnishments, and benefit deductions will be made in accordance with Michigan law.

Expense Reimbursement: The Employee will be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary work-related expenses, such as travel to Michigan government offices, supplies, or software subscriptions, upon submission of proper documentation and approval by [Approving Authority].

Benefits:

Eligibility for health, dental, and vision insurance after [Number] days of employment.

Paid sick leave [If Applicable, specify details as per local ordinances].

Holidays: [List of observed holidays in Michigan].

Paid Vacation/PTO: Accrual and carryover policies are detailed in the Employee Handbook.

Short- and long-term disability [If applicable, specify details].

Participation in employer-sponsored retirement plans [If applicable, specify details].

Professional Development: A budget of [Dollar Amount] is allocated annually for Michigan-specific bookkeeping or accounting certifications.

[If Applicable] Mileage stipend of [Dollar Amount] per month.

[If Applicable] Cell phone stipend of [Dollar Amount] per month.

Confidentiality:

The Employee agrees to maintain the confidentiality of all company and client financial data, trade secrets, payroll, tax, and account information.

Sharing of confidential information is strictly prohibited and may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination, and may also result in legal action under Michigan law.

This confidentiality obligation survives termination of employment.

Data Security and Compliance:

The Employee must adhere to all general accounting controls and Michigan-required encryption and safeguarding measures for sensitive financial records.

The Employee must follow protocols for electronic data retention/destruction and collaborate with IT/security to prevent data breaches.

The Employee must comply with applicable federal (GLBA, HIPAA if healthcare-related) and Michigan state financial regulations.

Intellectual Property:

All financial templates, reports, reconciliations, and process documentation generated by the Employee during employment are the sole property of the Employer.

Non-Solicitation and Non-Compete:

Option A: (No Non-Compete) There is no non-compete agreement associated with this contract.

Option B: (Non-Solicitation Only) The Employee agrees not to solicit the Employer's clients or employees for a period of [Number] months following termination of employment.

Option C: (Non-Compete) The Employee agrees not to engage in any similar bookkeeping/accounting work within a [Number] mile radius of the Employer's business location for a period of [Number] months following termination of employment. This clause is in strict compliance with Michigan statutes.

External Financial Employment:

The Employee must obtain written consent from the Employer before engaging in any outside bookkeeping/accounting work to avoid conflicts of interest or violation of Michigan fiduciary duties.

Compliance with Laws:

The Employee must comply with all applicable Michigan and federal anti-fraud, anti-money laundering, and records retention statutes as they pertain to financial personnel.

Bonding/Licensing:

[If Applicable] The Employee is/is not required to maintain a surety bond or specific licensing due to the nature of the Employer's business under Michigan law. Details are provided in Exhibit A.

Behavioral Standards:

The Employee is expected to maintain professional conduct in all financial dealings, ensure accuracy and honesty in records entering, and practice responsible stewardship of petty cash. The Employee must promptly report any errors, loss, or suspected fraud.

Anti-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity:

The Employer is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, height, or weight, as protected by Michigan's Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act.

Onboarding:

The Employee consents to a background check.

The Employee must complete I-9 and E-Verify compliance forms.

The Employer will comply with Michigan New Hire Reporting requirements.

Termination:

Employment may be terminated by either party at any time, with or without cause, subject to Michigan's at-will employment standard.

Resignation: The Employee must provide [Number] weeks' written notice.

Discharge: The Employer may terminate the Employee's employment at any time.

Layoff: The Employer may lay off the Employee due to economic reasons.

Final Wage Payment: The Employee will receive their final wage payment in accordance with the Michigan Wage Payment and Fringe Benefits Act.

The Employee must surrender all company property and return all physical/digital books and records upon termination. The Employer will remove the employee's account access to all systems.

Post-Termination Obligations:

Continued confidentiality as outlined above.

Non-disparagement of the Employer.

[If Applicable] Non-solicitation as outlined above.

Dispute Resolution:

Any disputes arising out of this Agreement shall first be addressed through internal resolution.

If internal resolution fails, the parties agree to attempt mediation.

If mediation is unsuccessful, any legal action shall be brought in a court of competent jurisdiction in [County Name], Michigan, and governed by the laws of the State of Michigan. This does not preclude claims under federal employee protection laws.

Workers' Compensation, Unemployment Insurance, and Occupational Safety:

The Employee is entitled to workers' compensation, unemployment insurance, and occupational safety benefits as set forth under Michigan law.

Industry-Specific Regulations:

[If Applicable] This Agreement is subject to additional Michigan financial regulations specific to [Industry, e.g., Nonprofits, Municipalities, Medical Practices].

Integration Clause: This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous communications and proposals, whether oral or written, between the parties with respect to such subject matter.

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

Employer Signature: ____________________________

Employer Printed Name: [Employer Name]

Employee Signature: ____________________________

Employee Printed Name: [Employee Name]