New Jersey bookkeeper employment contract template

New Jersey Bookkeeper Employment Contract

1. Agreement Overview

This is a New Jersey Full-Time Bookkeeper Employment Agreement, effective as of [Date].

Between:

[Employer Full Legal Name], located at [Employer Business Address], hereinafter referred to as "Employer",

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

2. Position

The Employer hires the Employee as a Bookkeeper.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Accounts payable/receivable management
• Bank reconciliation
• Bookkeeping data entry
• Ledger maintenance
• Payroll processing
• Invoice preparation
• Cash flow reporting
• Month-end/year-end closing tasks
• Document retention and compliance
• Generation of financial statements
• Support for external audits
• Knowledge of and adherence to federal and New Jersey state tax regulations
• Familiarity with relevant accounting software (e.g., QuickBooks, Xero, [Specific Software])
• Proficiency in MS Excel or other company-required tools ([Specific Tools])
• Data privacy maintenance
• Confidential handling of financial records

3. Supervision and Collaboration

The Employee will report to [Supervisor Title/Name].

The Employee is expected to collaborate with [List of Departments/Teams].

Participation in finance meetings is required as necessary.

4. Work Location

Option A: The Employee's primary work location is [Employer Business Address] in New Jersey.

Option B: Hybrid Work Arrangement: [Specify days onsite/remote and any requirements]

Option C: Remote Work Arrangement: [Specify any remote work requirements]

The Employer will provide the Employee with necessary equipment, including a computer and [List of Equipment].

If working remotely, the Employee is responsible for securing reliable internet access.

The Employee must secure sensitive data in accordance with New Jersey's Identity Theft Protection Act (N.J.S.A. 56:11-44 et seq.) and industry best practices.

5. Employment Status and Hours

This is a full-time position.

Regular work hours are [Start Time] to [End Time], [Days of the Week].

Option A: The Employee is eligible for overtime pay.

Option B: The Employee is not eligible for overtime pay due to [Reason, e.g., exempt status].

Overtime will be calculated for hours worked over 40 per week, in accordance with New Jersey Wage and Hour Law (N.J.A.C. 12:56 et seq.).

The Employee is entitled to meal and rest breaks as per New Jersey law and company policy. [Specify break times and durations].

6. Compensation

Option A: Salary: The Employee's annual salary is [Salary Amount], payable [Pay Schedule: weekly, biweekly, semi-monthly].

Option B: Hourly Wage: The Employee's hourly wage is [Hourly Wage Amount], payable [Pay Schedule: weekly, biweekly, semi-monthly].

Payment will be made via [Method of Payment: direct deposit, check].

Overtime pay will be at least 1.5 times the Employee's hourly rate.

Option A: The Employee may be eligible for a performance bonus based on [Bonus Criteria]. The bonus, if awarded, is discretionary.

Option B: No bonus is offered as part of this agreement.

7. Benefits

The Employee is eligible for the following benefits, subject to the terms and conditions of the Employer's benefit plans:

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• New Jersey Paid Sick Leave (N.J.S.A. 34:11D-1 et seq.)
• Paid vacation days: [Number]
• Unpaid vacation days: [Number]
• Statutory holidays
• New Jersey earned sick leave
• New Jersey Paid Family Leave (NJ Family Leave Insurance)
• Employer's short-term disability insurance
• 401(k) or pension plan
• Option A: Tuition reimbursement for accounting courses, up to [Amount] per year.
• Option B: CPE expense reimbursement, up to [Amount] per year.
• Flexible spending plans
• Transportation/commuter benefits [Specify details]

Benefits are subject to change with notice.

8. Confidentiality and Data Privacy

The Employee agrees to maintain the confidentiality of all Employer information, including financial data, client lists, banking details, tax records, and payroll data.

The Employee must handle all data securely and in accordance with New Jersey regulations on financial and personal data.

This obligation continues even after termination of employment.

9. Document Retention and Destruction

The Employee will adhere to the Employer's document retention and destruction policies, which comply with industry standards and state regulations (e.g., IRS, DOL, New Jersey DCA requirements).

Secure disposal of physical and electronic records is required.

10. Intellectual Property

All work product created by the Employee during employment, including spreadsheets, tools, templates, and documentation, remains the property of the Employer.

11. Outside Employment

Option A: The Employee is prohibited from engaging in outside employment or freelance bookkeeping for the Employer's clients, vendors, or competitors during and after employment.

Option B: The Employee is permitted to engage in outside employment as long as it does not conflict with their duties to the Employer or violate any confidentiality obligations.

This clause is subject to New Jersey law regarding non-compete and non-solicitation agreements (A-3715 Law). Any restrictions must be reasonable in geographic scope, duration, and necessary to protect legitimate business interests.

12. Compliance

The Employee will adhere to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), relevant IRS/tax authority guidelines, New Jersey state agency regulations (Division of Taxation, NJDOL), and internal audit/compliance procedures.

13. Behavioral Standards

The Employee will not engage in financial fraud, embezzlement, personal use of business accounts, failure to report discrepancies, or unauthorized access to other employees' payroll/tax data.

14. Anti-Discrimination/Anti-Harassment

The Employer is committed to a workplace free of discrimination and harassment, in compliance with the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (N.J.S.A. 10:5-1 et seq.).

Protections include age, gender, race, sexual orientation, disability, and any other category recognized by state law.

15. Termination

Unless otherwise agreed, this is an employment-at-will relationship, which means that Employee or Employer may terminate the employment relationship at any time, for any reason not prohibited by law.

Option A: Either party may terminate this agreement with [Number] days written notice.

Option B: No written notice is required for termination.

Permissible grounds for termination include misconduct, breach of confidentiality, and gross financial negligence.

Upon termination, the Employee will receive final wage payment as required by NJSA 34:11-4.3 (due by next regular payday after discharge), payout of accrued benefits, and must return all company records and tools.

16. Dispute Resolution

The parties will attempt to resolve any disputes internally.

If internal resolution is unsuccessful, the parties agree to [Mediation/Arbitration] in New Jersey under New Jersey law.

Venue and jurisdiction for any legal action shall be in [County, New Jersey].

17. Workers' Compensation and Safety

The Employee acknowledges that the Employer provides New Jersey Workers' Compensation coverage.

The Employee will adhere to workplace safety obligations, including ergonomic workstation practices.

Option A: The Employer offers access to mental health support. [Specify details]

The Employee will comply with New Jersey Office of Public Employees' Occupational Safety and Health requirements (if applicable).

18. Mandatory Reporting

The Employee is required to report any suspected financial misconduct in line with federal and New Jersey statutes.

19. Certifications and Licenses

The Employee represents that they hold and will maintain any certifications or licenses required for bookkeeping in New Jersey [Specify certifications/licenses, e.g., Registered Municipal Accountant].

20. Entire Agreement

This contract, together with the employee handbook (if applicable), constitutes the entire agreement between the parties.

This contract and the employee handbook complement but do not conflict with New Jersey labor laws and regulations.

21. Amendment, Assignment, and Severability

This contract may be amended only by a written agreement signed by both parties.

This contract may not be assigned by the Employee without the Employer's written consent.

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

Signed:

____________________________
[Employer Representative Name], [Employer Title]
Date: [Date]

____________________________
[Employee Full Legal Name]
Date: [Date]