Missouri bookkeeper employment contract template

Missouri Bookkeeper Employment Contract

This Missouri Bookkeeper Employment Contract is made and entered into as of this [Date] by and between:

[Employer Full Legal Name], a [State of Formation] [Entity Type] with its principal place of business at [Employer Address], hereinafter referred to as "Employer,"

and

[Employee Full Legal Name], residing at [Employee Address], hereinafter referred to as "Employee."

1. Employment

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

• Option A: The position is full-time.
• Option B: The position is part-time.

This position is designated as non-exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and Missouri labor law.

2. Job Duties

The Employee's job duties shall include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Managing accounts payable and accounts receivable.
• General ledger entries.
• Daily bank reconciliations.
• Processing payroll in compliance with Missouri wage and hour laws and mandatory state/local tax deductions.
• Preparing monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements.
• Maintaining accurate records for audit and compliance with Missouri Department of Revenue and IRS requirements.
• Processing sales tax filings as required by Missouri statutes.
• Maintaining and organizing supporting documentation for all transactions to meet local audit standards.
• Preparing 1099s for Missouri-based contractors.
• Filing Missouri-specific unemployment and workers' compensation reports.
• Supporting the preparation for annual external audits as may be required by Missouri business regulations.
• Other duties as assigned by the Employer.

3. Reporting Relationship and Approval Processes

The Employee shall report directly to the [Job Title of Supervisor].

Internal document approval processes will be as follows: [Describe Internal Approval Processes].

4. Work Location and Remote Work

The Employee's primary work location shall be at the Employer's place of business located at [Employer Address].

• Option A: Remote work is not permitted.
• Option B: Remote work is permitted according to the Employer's Remote Work Policy. [Reference Remote Work Policy Document Name]

The Employee agrees to comply with the Employer’s policies regarding the use of employer systems, privacy, network security, and protection of sensitive financial data in line with Missouri’s data breach notification statutes.

5. Work Hours

The Employee's regular work hours shall be [Number] hours per week, generally from [Start Time] to [End Time], [Days of the Week].

The Employee is entitled to meal and rest breaks as required by federal law. Missouri law does not specify rest breaks for non-minors.

• Option A: Overtime is not authorized without prior written approval from the Employee's supervisor.
• Option B: Overtime may be required from time to time. Overtime will be paid 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, as required by Missouri and federal law.

6. Compensation and Benefits

The Employee's starting salary/hourly wage shall be [Dollar Amount] per [Pay Period].

The Employee shall be paid [Weekly/Bi-weekly/Monthly].

Payment will be made via [Direct Deposit/Check].

The Employee is eligible for statutory benefits including workers' compensation insurance and unemployment benefits as provided by Missouri law.

Voluntary Benefits:

• Option A: The Employee is eligible for the following benefits: [List Benefits: Health Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Retirement Plan (e.g., 401k)].
• Option B: The Employee is not eligible for voluntary benefits at this time.
  • Employee will accrue paid vacation time at a rate of [Number] days per year.
  • Employee will accrue sick leave at a rate of [Number] days per year.
  • The Employer observes the following paid holidays: [List Holidays].

7. Confidentiality

The Employee acknowledges that all financial records, client and vendor information, payroll details, and other sensitive business data are strictly confidential and must not be disclosed except as necessary to fulfill job functions or as required by Missouri or federal law. This includes information protected under the Missouri Uniform Trade Secrets Act.

This confidentiality obligation continues after the termination of employment.

8. Intellectual Property

All financial reports, templates, checklists, and procedural manuals developed by the Employee during the course of employment shall be the property of the Employer.

9. Outside Employment/Non-Solicitation

• Option A: The Employee is prohibited from engaging in any outside employment or freelance bookkeeping work without prior written consent from the Employer.
  • During the term of employment and for a period of [Number] months following termination of employment, the Employee shall not solicit or attempt to solicit any clients or vendors of the Employer for the purpose of providing bookkeeping services or other related services.
• Option B: The Employee is permitted to engage in outside employment, provided it does not conflict with the Employee's duties to the Employer.

The parties acknowledge that Missouri law disfavors overly broad non-compete agreements. Any non-compete provision must be narrowly limited in geographic scope, time, and to protecting legitimate business interests in alignment with Missouri law.

10. Standards of Conduct

The Employee shall comply with all applicable laws, ethical standards for handling funds, and the Employer's policies.

The Employee is prohibited from engaging in embezzlement, theft, acceptance of kickbacks, or fraudulent bookkeeping.

The Employee shall adhere to the Employer's anti-fraud and anti-corruption policies.

11. Records Management and Retention

The Employee shall follow the Employer’s procedures for records management and retention to comply with Missouri’s recordkeeping and document destruction laws.

• The procedure for archiving and transfer of paper and electronic records will be [Describe Procedure].

12. Compliance

The Employee shall comply with all internal controls, participate in staff training on Missouri accounting rules, tax changes, and data security updates.

13. Disciplinary Action

Grounds for disciplinary action, including warnings and termination, include material errors, neglect, breaches of financial policies, and violation of company policy.

The Employee is required to report any suspected fraud or violations per Missouri whistleblower protections.

14. Employment-at-Will

This is an employment-at-will relationship, as defined under Missouri law.

The Employer or Employee may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause and with or without notice.

Final paycheck timing shall comply with Missouri law, requiring payment no later than the next regular payday.

Upon termination, the Employee shall return all company property.

• Option A: Severance pay will not be provided upon termination.
• Option B: Severance pay will be provided according to the Employer's severance policy.

15. Dispute Resolution

In the event of a dispute, the parties agree to first attempt to resolve the dispute through the Employer's internal grievance process.

If the dispute is not resolved through the internal grievance process, the parties agree to attempt to resolve the dispute through voluntary mediation.

If mediation is unsuccessful, the parties may pursue binding arbitration or litigation in Missouri courts, applying Missouri law.

16. Anti-Discrimination

The Employer is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable anti-discrimination laws, including the Missouri Human Rights Act.

The Employer prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, disability, age, or any other protected category.

17. Workplace Safety

The Employer will provide a safe and equitable workplace and comply with Missouri Occupational Safety and Health standards for office environments.

The Employer maintains workers’ compensation coverage.

18. Performance Reviews and Professional Development

The Employee's job performance will be reviewed at least annually.

The Employer will provide feedback and opportunities for professional development.

• Option A: The Employer will reimburse the Employee for professional certifications related to bookkeeping.
• Option B: The Employer will not reimburse the Employee for professional certifications at this time.

19. Company Credit Cards and Bank Account Access

• Option A: The Employee will be issued a company credit card with a spending limit of [Dollar Amount].
• Option B: The Employee will not be issued a company credit card.
  • Option A: The Employee will have check-writing authority up to [Dollar Amount].
  • Option B: The Employee will not have check-writing authority.
    • The Employee will have access to the Employer's bank accounts for the purpose of [Specify Purpose].

20. Fidelity Bond/Employee Dishonesty Insurance

• Option A: The Employee is covered under a fidelity bond or employee dishonesty insurance policy.
• Option B: The Employee is not currently covered under a fidelity bond or employee dishonesty insurance policy.

The Employee agrees to maintain eligibility for such bonding if required.

21. Background Checks and Employment Eligibility

The Employee's employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check, reference checks, and verification of employment eligibility (I-9 compliance).

• Option A: The Employee is required to submit to a drug test.
• Option B: The Employee is not required to submit to a drug test.

22. Accommodation for Disabilities

The Employer will provide reasonable accommodations for disabilities as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and similar Missouri state statutes.

23. Severability

If any provision of this Contract is held to be invalid or unenforceable under Missouri law, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

24. Entire Agreement

This Contract 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.

25. Amendment

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

26. Electronic Signatures

• Option A: Electronic signatures are accepted as valid and binding.
• Option B: Original signatures are required.

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

[Employer Full Legal Name]

By: [Employer Signature]

[Employer Printed Name]

[Employee Full Legal Name]

[Employee Signature]

[Employee Printed Name]