Minnesota bookkeeper employment contract template

Minnesota Bookkeeper Employment Agreement

This Full-Time Bookkeeper Employment Agreement is made and entered into as of this [Date] day of [Month], [Year], by and between [Employer Legal Name], a [State] [Business Entity Type] with its principal place of business located at [Employer Address] (“Employer”), and [Employee Full Legal Name], residing at [Employee Address] (“Employee”).

1. Position:

• The Employer hereby employs the Employee as a Bookkeeper, and the Employee hereby accepts such employment.
• Job Description: The Employee’s duties shall include, but are not limited to:
  • Daily ledger entries
  • Accounts receivable and payable management
  • Reconciliation of bank and credit card statements
  • Payroll processing
  • Preparation of sales tax filings
  • Generation of financial statements
  • Maintaining and organizing financial records consistent with Minnesota-specific reporting obligations
  • Compliance with state and local tax laws
  • Supporting audits
  • Adherence to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) as applied in Minnesota
  • Use of designated bookkeeping/accounting software
  • Following data backup protocols
  • Adhering to document retention schedules following Minnesota legal standards
  • Compliance with industry best practices for data accuracy and timeliness
  • Other duties as assigned by the Employer.
• Reporting:
  • Option A: The Employee will report directly to the [Job Title of Supervisor].
  • Option B: The Employee will report to a Minnesota-licensed CPA or financial manager designated by the Employer.

2. Work Location:

• Primary Work Location: The Employee’s primary work location shall be at the Employer’s office located at [Employer Address].
• Remote Work:
  • Option A: Remote work is not permitted under this agreement.
  • Option B: Remote work may be permitted on a [Number] day per week basis, subject to Employer approval and adherence to company policies. Secure access requirements, including [Specific Security Protocols], will apply to remote work.
  • All work, whether on-site or remote, must comply with Minnesota data privacy regulations, including Minnesota Statutes Chapter 325E.
• Employer will provide all technology required for the employee to perform their duties, including [List of Provided Technology].

3. Employment Status and Hours:

• Full-Time Employment: This is a full-time employment position.
• Normal Weekly Hours: The normal work week shall consist of [Number] hours per week, typically worked between [Start Time] and [End Time], Monday through Friday.
• Overtime:
  • Option A: The Employee is not eligible for overtime pay. (If the position meets the criteria for exemption under Minnesota law)
  • Option B: The Employee is eligible for overtime pay at one and one-half (1.5) times their regular rate of pay for all hours worked over forty (40) in a workweek, as required by Minnesota law.
  • All overtime must be pre-approved by [Job Title of Supervisor].
• Compliance with Minnesota wage and hour laws, including Minnesota Statutes Chapter 177, is required.

4. Compensation and Benefits:

• Wages:
  • Option A: The Employee shall be paid a salary of [Dollar Amount] per year, payable [Bi-weekly/Semi-monthly].
  • Option B: The Employee shall be paid an hourly rate of [Dollar Amount] per hour, payable [Bi-weekly/Semi-monthly].
• Pay Period: Pay periods are [Bi-weekly/Semi-monthly], and payments will be made in accordance with Minnesota legal requirements.
• Overtime Pay: Overtime pay, if applicable, will be paid at one and one-half times the regular rate as mandated by Minnesota law.
• Performance Incentives:
  • Option A: The Employee may be eligible for performance-based bonuses at the discretion of the Employer, based on [Specific Performance Metrics].
  • Option B: There are no performance-based incentives for this position.
• Benefits: The Employee shall be eligible for the following benefits, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and policies:
  • Employer-sponsored health insurance
  • Dental insurance
  • Vision insurance
  • Life insurance
  • Disability insurance
  • Participation in employer retirement plans (including Minnesota State-mandated retirement options if applicable)
  • Paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and Minnesota state holidays
  • Time off for Minnesota’s statutory paid family leave and voting leave
• Professional Development:
  • Option A: The Employer will reimburse the Employee for reasonable expenses related to ongoing professional education or certification costs for bookkeeping courses, MNCPA events, or CPE credits, up to a maximum of [Dollar Amount] per year.
  • Option B: The Employer will not reimburse the Employee for ongoing professional education or certification costs.
• Industry Memberships:
  • Option A: The Employer will cover the cost of industry-related membership fees (e.g., AIPB, MNCPA).
  • Option B: The Employer will not cover the cost of industry-related membership fees.
• Business Expenses: The Employee will be reimbursed for job-specific business expenses, such as continuing education, notary licensing (if required), and mileage for offsite deposit or audit-related travel, according to company policy.

5. Confidentiality and Data Security:

• The Employee shall maintain the confidentiality of all Employer and client financial data and comply with Minnesota’s trade secret statutes (Minnesota Uniform Trade Secrets Act).
• The Employee shall adhere to all documentation handling and financial record storage requirements in accordance with the Minnesota Department of Revenue record retention policies.
• The Employee agrees to protect sensitive financial information according to Minnesota data privacy regulations, including Minnesota Statutes Chapter 325E.
• The Employee shall adhere to the company's IT policies for handling sensitive financial software, remote database access protocols, and periodic cybersecurity training.

6. Outside Activities:

The Employee shall not engage in any secondary employment or outside accounting activity that creates a conflict of interest with the Employer’s business, including working for Minnesota-based businesses that compete with the Employer.

7. Termination:

• At-Will Employment: This is an at-will employment relationship, meaning that either the Employer or the Employee may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause and with or without notice, subject to the following:
• Notice of Termination:
  • Option A: The Employee shall provide the Employer with [Number] weeks’ written notice of resignation.
  • Option B: The Employer shall provide the Employee with [Number] weeks' written notice of termination, unless terminated for cause.
• Final Wage Payment: Final wage payment will be made no later than the next regularly scheduled payday, in accordance with Minnesota Statutes Section 181.13 or 181.14.
• Return of Property: Upon termination, the Employee shall immediately return all financial records and other Employer property.
• Exit Support: Upon termination, the Employer will provide the employee with information regarding COBRA and state health continuation rights.

8. Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity:

The Employer is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law, in accordance with the Minnesota Human Rights Act (Minn. Stat. Ch. 363A).

9. Company Policies and Standards:

The Employee shall adhere to all company policies and standards regarding accurate and timely recordkeeping, ethical handling of financial data, professional conduct, and reporting of suspected financial irregularities, and whistleblower protection as required by Minnesota law.

10. Non-Compete, Non-Solicitation, and Confidentiality:

• Non-Compete: Any non-compete clause in this agreement shall be limited as permitted by Minnesota law, considering enforceability standards developed by state courts.
• Non-Solicitation: The Employee agrees not to solicit the Employer’s clients or employees for a period of [Number] years following termination of employment.
• Confidentiality: The Employee shall maintain the confidentiality of all Employer and client information indefinitely.

11. Workplace Safety and Workers’ Compensation:

• The Employer complies with Minnesota-specific workplace safety, ergonomics, and workers’ compensation requirements (Minn. Stat. Ch. 176).
• The Employee shall immediately report any work-related injury or illness to [Designated Contact Person].

12. Dispute Resolution:

• The parties agree to attempt to resolve any disputes arising out of or relating to this Agreement through good-faith internal complaint resolution procedures.
• If internal procedures are unsuccessful, the parties agree to consider mediation or arbitration within Minnesota.
• This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Minnesota.

13. Performance Reviews:

• The Employee’s performance will be reviewed periodically, based on objective metrics relevant to bookkeeping, such as error rates, P&L timeliness, and audit findings.
• The Employer will provide support for career development and advancement in the accounting field.

14. Legal Notices:

The Employer complies with all required federal legal notices (FLSA, FMLA, etc.) and Minnesota-specific notices (Minnesota Wage Theft Prevention Act written notice, workplace posters, etc.).

15. Entire Agreement and Amendment:

• 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.
• This Agreement may be amended only by a written instrument signed by both parties.

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

[Employer Legal Name]

By: [Name of Authorized Representative]

Title: [Title of Authorized Representative]

[Employee Full Legal Name]

[Employee Signature]

[Date]

Attachments: Company Policies