Ohio bookkeeper employment contract template

Ohio Bookkeeper Employment Contract

This Ohio Bookkeeper Employment Contract (the "Agreement") is made and entered into as of [Date], by and between:

• [Employer Legal Name], a [State of Incorporation] corporation with its principal place of business at [Employer Address, City, State, Zip Code, Ohio] ("Employer"), and
• [Employee Legal Name], residing at [Employee Address, City, State, Zip Code, Ohio] ("Employee").

1. Position and Responsibilities

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

• Option A: Job Title: Bookkeeper
• Option B: Job Title: Senior Bookkeeper
• Option C: Job Title: Accounting Specialist

The Employee's primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Processing and reconciling accounts payable and receivable.
• Maintaining general ledgers.
• Preparing financial statements and reports.
• Payroll processing in accordance with Ohio wage and hour statutes.
• Bank statement reconciliation.
• Handling sales tax filings per Ohio Department of Taxation requirements.
• Supporting annual audits.
• Ensuring compliance with GAAP and company financial controls.
• Collecting and documenting source receipts.
• Assisting with budget preparation.
• Other duties as assigned by the Employee's supervisor.

2. Qualifications

The Employee represents and warrants that they possess the following qualifications:

• Option A: Education: High school diploma or equivalent.
  
  • Preferred: Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Accounting or related field.
• Option B: Certification: Relevant Ohio bookkeeping certifications (e.g., Certified Bookkeeper).
• Option C: Experience: [Number] years of relevant bookkeeping experience.
• Option D: Proficiency in accounting software such as QuickBooks or Ohio-localized ERP systems (e.g., [Software Name]).
• Option E: Other: [List other qualifications]

3. Reporting Relationship

The Employee shall report directly to [Supervisor Name and Title]. The Employee will also adhere to internal controls and audit policies as directed by the [Department/Role overseeing internal controls].

4. Workplace Location

The Employee's primary workplace location is [Address, City, State, Zip Code, Ohio].

• Option A: On-site work arrangement.
• Option B: Hybrid work arrangement: [Number] days on-site, [Number] days remote.
• Option C: Remote work arrangement, subject to the Employer's remote work policy and Ohio wage and hour tracking rules.
  
  • The Employee is responsible for maintaining secure remote access to sensitive financial data.

5. Employment Status and Work Hours

The Employee's employment status is full-time.

• Option A: Work Hours: [Number] hours per week, generally from [Start Time] to [End Time], Monday through Friday.
• Option B: Overtime: The Employee is/is not (choose one) eligible for overtime compensation in accordance with the federal FLSA and Ohio law.
• Option C: Meal and Rest Breaks: The Employee is entitled to meal and rest breaks as required by Ohio law.
• Option D: The Employer will maintain accurate records of the Employee’s hours worked, as mandated by Ohio Revised Code 4111.

6. Compensation

The Employer shall compensate the Employee as follows:

• Option A: Base Salary: [Dollar Amount] per year, payable [Frequency, e.g., bi-weekly].
• Option B: Hourly Wage: [Dollar Amount] per hour, payable [Frequency, e.g., bi-weekly].
• Option C: Method of Payment: [Method, e.g., direct deposit].
• Option D: Overtime: 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 forty (40) in a workweek, in accordance with Ohio and federal statutes.
• Option E: Performance-Based Bonus: The Employee may be eligible for a performance-based bonus, as determined by the Employer, based on accuracy and timeliness of work.
  
  • Bonus criteria and payout schedule will be outlined separately.
• Option F: Commissions: The Employee is/is not (choose one) eligible for commissions. If eligible, commission structure will be outlined in a separate agreement.

7. Benefits

The Employee may be eligible for the following benefits, subject to the Employer's policies:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Short- and long-term disability insurance.
• Employer contributions to 401(k) or Ohio PERS (if applicable).
• Paid vacation and sick leave, in compliance with any applicable Ohio local paid leave ordinances.
  
  • Accrual rate: [Accrual Rate]
• Public holidays observed by the Employer.
• Option A: Tuition reimbursement for courses at Ohio public institutions, subject to Employer policy.
• Option B: Other benefits: [List other benefits]

8. Business Expenses

The Employer shall reimburse the Employee for reasonable and necessary business-related expenses, including:

• Professional membership fees for relevant Ohio organizations (e.g., Ohio Society of CPAs).
• Continuing education costs.
• Work-related travel.
• Supplies.
• All expenses are subject to the Employer's expense reimbursement policy and require proper documentation.

9. Mandatory Training

The Employee is required to participate in mandatory training, including:

• Ohio CPA in-house ethics training (if the Employee assists with audit preparation).
• Ongoing updates on Ohio tax law and best practices.
• Other training as required by the Employer.

10. Confidentiality

The Employee acknowledges that they will have access to confidential financial and client data.

• The Employee agrees to maintain the confidentiality of all such information and will not disclose it to any third party without the Employer's prior written consent.
• This obligation extends to client trade secrets and proprietary internal practices.
• The Employee will safeguard records pursuant to applicable Ohio and federal privacy laws.
• This confidentiality obligation shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

11. Intellectual Property

The Employee acknowledges that all bookkeeping systems, templates, process documentation, and related work product developed during the Employee's employment are the sole property of the Employer.

12. Behavioral Standards and Code of Conduct

The Employee shall adhere to the Employer's code of conduct and maintain high ethical standards, including:

• Maintaining bank secrecy.
• Safeguarding checks and cash.
• Following internal control rules.
• Adhering to anti-fraud protocols.
• Immediately reporting any suspected irregularities.

13. Compliance with Laws

The Employer and Employee shall comply with all applicable Ohio and federal laws on workplace anti-discrimination and harassment, including Ohio Revised Code 4112.

• Protected categories include race, color, religion, sex, military status, national origin, disability, age, and ancestry.
• The Employer maintains anti-harassment and equal employment policies adapted for financial personnel.

14. Non-Competition

This Agreement does not create a non-compete restriction except where permitted by Ohio law. Any such clause will be narrowly tailored to protect specific, protectable employer interests.

• Option A: Non-Solicitation Clause: The Employee agrees not to solicit the Employer's clients for a period of [Number] months following termination of employment.
  
  • This restriction applies to clients with whom the Employee had direct contact during the [Number] months preceding termination.
• Option B: Non-Disclosure Clause: The Employee agrees not to disclose the Employer's confidential information to any third party for a period of [Number] months following termination of employment.

15. 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 terms outlined below.

• Option A: Voluntary Resignation: The Employee shall provide [Number] weeks' written notice of resignation.
• Option B: Employer-Initiated Termination: The Employer may terminate the Employee's employment for any lawful reason, with written notice.
  
  • Progressive discipline may be applied where applicable, according to company policy.
• Option C: Termination for Cause: The Employer may terminate the Employee's employment immediately for cause, including but not limited to gross negligence, theft, embezzlement, or data breach.
• Option D: Upon termination, the Employer shall pay the Employee all wages due in accordance with Ohio law.
• Option E: The Employee shall return all company or client property upon termination.

16. Workplace Safety

The Employer shall maintain a safe workplace in accordance with Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation rules.

17. Mandated Reporting

The Employee acknowledges their obligation to comply with mandated reporting to management of suspected financial misconduct as required by Ohio and federal anti-fraud laws.

18. Dispute Resolution

Any disputes arising from this Agreement shall be resolved through the following procedures:

• First, the parties shall attempt to resolve the dispute through good faith negotiation.
• If negotiation is unsuccessful, the parties shall attempt to resolve the dispute through mediation.
• If mediation is unsuccessful, the parties may pursue arbitration or litigation as a last resort.
• This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio. Venue for any legal action shall be in [County Name] County, Ohio.

19. Record Retention

The Employee shall comply with the Employer's document destruction and archiving procedures under Ohio state law.

20. Technological and Cybersecurity Policies

The Employee shall comply with the Employer's technological and cybersecurity policies, including:

• Specific encryption protocols.
• Access protocols.
• Regular system updates.
• The Employee shall immediately notify the Employer of any loss or compromise of financial records or suspected cyber incident.

21. Continuing Education on Tax Laws

The Employee shall maintain up-to-date knowledge of Ohio state and municipal tax law, regulatory reporting deadlines, and changes to relevant compliance obligations.

22. Entire Agreement

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 only be amended in writing, signed by both parties.

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

____________________________

[Employer Legal Name]

By: ____________________________

[Employer Representative Name]

Title: [Employer Representative Title]

____________________________

[Employee Legal Name]