Vermont bookkeeper employment contract template

Vermont Bookkeeper Employment Contract

1. Parties and Date

Option A: This Vermont Bookkeeper Employment Contract ("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] ("Employer"), and [Employee Full Legal Name], residing at [Employee Address] ("Employee").

Option B: This Vermont Bookkeeper Employment Contract ("Agreement") is made and entered into as of [Date], by and between [Employer Legal Name], an individual/partnership/LLC with its principal place of business at [Employer Address] ("Employer"), and [Employee Full Legal Name], residing at [Employee Address] ("Employee").

2. Position and Duties

Option A: The Employer hereby employs the Employee as a Bookkeeper. Employee’s primary duties include:

• Recording financial transactions accurately in accordance with Vermont law.
• Preparing and reconciling accounts, including bank reconciliations.
• Handling accounts payable and receivable.
• Processing payroll in compliance with Vermont's wage and hour laws.
• Maintaining general ledgers.
• Preparing monthly and annual financial statements.
• Assisting with Vermont state-specific tax filings (e.g., VT-400, WHT-436).
• Supporting year-end audits.
• Complying with the Vermont Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act (if applicable).
• Maintaining records in accordance with Vermont’s data retention requirements.

Option B: The Employee shall perform such other duties as are reasonably assigned by the Employer.

3. Qualifications and Reporting

Option A: Employee must possess the following qualifications:

• Proficiency with Vermont-approved accounting software (e.g., QuickBooks, Xero).
• Knowledge of current Vermont state tax codes.
• Experience with Vermont business tax forms (e.g., VT-400, WHT-436).
• Familiarity with prevailing wage reporting, if applicable.

Option B: Employee will report to [Reporting Manager Title] at the Employer’s Vermont office. Employee will communicate with internal and external accountants as necessary.

4. Work Location and Remote Work

Option A: The Employee's principal work location shall be [Employer Address] in Vermont.

Option B: The Employee will work remotely, subject to the Employer's remote work policy, which requires:

• Maintaining a secure workspace in compliance with Vermont data privacy laws.
• Vermont resident tax withholding.
• Compliance with Vermont’s data privacy and consumer protection laws.

Option C: The Employee’s work location will be hybrid.

5. Employment Type and Hours

Option A: This is a full-time position. The Employee's regular work schedule will be [Number] hours per week, from [Start Time] to [End Time], [Days of the Week]. Employee shall be provided with meal and rest breaks in accordance with Vermont Department of Labor regulations.

Option B: This is an exempt full-time position. The employee’s work schedule will be approximately [Number] hours per week.

6. Overtime

Option A: Non-exempt employees will be paid overtime 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 Vermont law.

Option B: Exempt employees are not eligible for overtime pay.

7. Compensation

Option A: The Employer shall pay the Employee a base salary of [Dollar Amount] per year, payable [Frequency, e.g., bi-weekly].

Option B: The Employer shall pay the Employee an hourly rate of [Dollar Amount] per hour, payable [Frequency, e.g., bi-weekly]. Employee’s pay will not be less than the Vermont minimum wage.

Option C: The employee is eligible for a year-end bonus based on accurate record keeping or successful completion of tax deadlines at the discretion of the employer.

Option D: The employer will provide assistance with CPA exam preparation.

8. Benefits

The Employee shall be eligible for the following benefits:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance as per Vermont employment regulations.
• Retirement plan options (e.g., 401(k) or Vermont's Green Mountain Secure Retirement Plan).
• Paid sick leave in compliance with the Vermont Paid Sick Leave Law.
• Vacation policy: [Number] days of paid vacation per year.
• Vermont statutory holidays.
• Family leave rights under the Vermont Parental and Family Leave Act.
• Support for professional development: [e.g., CPA review courses, Vermont Society of CPAs membership].

9. Expense Reimbursement

The Employer shall reimburse the Employee for reasonable and necessary business expenses incurred in connection with the performance of their duties, including:

• Business travel within Vermont.
• Mileage allowance at the current IRS and Vermont rates.
• Required continuing education.
• Membership fees in local bookkeeping/accounting associations (upon approval).

10. Intellectual Property and Work Product

All ledgers, spreadsheets, financial statement templates, and any customized accounting procedures developed by the Employee during the term of employment shall be the sole and exclusive property of the Employer.

Procedures for use and backup storage shall conform to Vermont legal standards for business records.

11. Confidentiality

The Employee acknowledges that they will have access to confidential information belonging to the Employer and its clients, including:

• Financial data.
• Tax identification information.
• Bank account details.
• Sensitive business information.

The Employee agrees to maintain the confidentiality of all such information and to comply with Vermont’s data privacy statutes and the safeguarding of non-public personal information.

The Employee shall not disclose, copy, or use any confidential information for any purpose other than in the performance of their duties for the Employer. This obligation of confidentiality shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

The employee shall comply with Vermont’s consumer and business data security guidelines.

12. Behavioral Policies

The Employee agrees to:

• Conduct themselves professionally in handling confidential financial matters.
• Comply with all Vermont state and federal tax reporting deadlines.
• Promptly flag any suspected financial irregularities or fraud as required by Vermont law.
• Adhere to the Employer's code of ethics.

13. Audits and Investigations

The Employee shall cooperate fully with any internal audits conducted by the Employer or any audits or investigations conducted by Vermont state tax authorities or the Vermont Department of Labor.

14. Non-Solicitation and Non-Compete

Option A: During the term of this Agreement and for a period of [Number] months following termination, the Employee shall not solicit any clients of the Employer located in Vermont.

Option B: Employee agrees not to compete with the Employer during the term of this Agreement.

Option C: This agreement does not contain non-solicitation or non-compete provisions.

15. At-Will Employment and Termination

Option A: This is an at-will employment relationship. Either party may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause, upon [Number] days' written notice to the other party.

Option B: This is not an at-will employment relationship.

Upon termination, the Employer shall pay the Employee all wages and accrued leave owed in accordance with Vermont law. The Employee shall return all Employer property, including financial records and equipment.

16. Anti-Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunity

The Employer is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or HIV-status, or any other characteristic protected by Vermont law. The Employer prohibits unlawful harassment and retaliation.

17. Workplace Safety

The Employee shall comply with the Vermont Occupational Safety and Health Act and all applicable workplace safety regulations. The Employer shall provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities.

18. Dispute Resolution

Any disputes arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be resolved through:

• Good faith negotiation.
• Mediation.
• Arbitration in Vermont prior to litigation.

Vermont law shall govern this Agreement, and venue for any legal action shall be in Vermont.

19. Compliance

The Employer shall comply with Vermont’s workers’ compensation laws and unemployment insurance coverage requirements.

Option A: The Employer has a drug-free workplace policy. Employee agrees to abide by this policy.

Option B: Employee agrees to undergo a background check.

The Employee shall participate in periodic job performance reviews and ongoing training in Vermont accounting practices.

20. 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.

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

____________________________

[Employer Legal Name]

By: ____________________________

[Employer Representative Name]

[Employer Representative Title]

____________________________

[Employee Full Legal Name]