Washington accountant employment contract template

Washington Accountant Employment Contract

This Washington Accountant Employment Contract (the "Agreement") is made and entered into as of [Date] by and between [Employer Name], a [State of Incorporation] corporation with its principal place of business at [Employer Address] ("Employer"), and [Employee Name], residing at [Employee Address] ("Employee").

1. Position and Responsibilities

Option A: The Employer hereby employs Employee as a full-time Accountant.

Option B: The Employer hereby employs Employee as a part-time Accountant.

Employee shall be responsible for the following core duties:

• General ledger accounting
• Accounts payable and receivable management
• Payroll processing
• Preparation and verification of financial statements
• Monthly/quarterly/annual closing procedures
• Maintenance of supporting documentation
• Internal and external audit assistance
• Compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Washington-specific accounting standards
• Management of state excise tax returns (including Washington B&O tax, sales/use tax, and city/local returns)
• Coordination with external CPAs and regulatory bodies (e.g., Washington State Board of Accountancy, Department of Revenue)
• Strict adherence to applicable state and federal financial reporting requirements

2. Credentials and Professional Standards

Option A: Employee is required to maintain a valid CPA license issued by the Washington State Board of Accountancy.

Option B: Employee is required to obtain a CPA license from the Washington State Board of Accountancy within [Number] months of employment.

Employee shall complete required continuing education (CPE) and maintain good standing with relevant professional bodies.

Employee shall attend annual/quarterly ethics training and comply with all applicable ethics standards.

3. Reporting Structure and Independence

Option A: Employee will report directly to the Controller.

Option B: Employee will report directly to the CFO.

Employee shall interact with other finance staff and adhere to client contact rules.

Employee must maintain independence and objectivity in accordance with industry ethics standards.

4. Work Location and Remote Work

Option A: The primary work location is [Employer Address].

Option B: Employee is eligible for remote/hybrid work according to the company’s remote work policy.

Employee shall ensure secure access to confidential data and comply with IT security measures.

5. Work Hours and Scheduling

Employee's work schedule is full-time, consisting of [Number] hours per week, typically from [Start Time] to [End Time], Monday through Friday.

Option A: Core work hours are from [Start Time] to [End Time].

Option B: Employee’s work schedule will be determined based on the company’s needs, with as much advanced notice as practicable, consistent with Washington law.

Employee is entitled to meal and rest periods in accordance with Washington labor regulations.

Overtime will be calculated according to the Washington Minimum Wage Act. Overtime is paid at 1.5 times the regular rate.

6. Compensation

Option A: The Employee’s base salary is [Salary Amount] per year, payable [Payment Frequency].

Option B: The Employee’s hourly rate is [Hourly Rate].

Payment will be made via [Payment Method].

Option A: Employee is eligible for a performance bonus as outlined in the company's bonus plan.

Option B: Employee is eligible for profit-sharing/incentive pay.

All wage deductions and payroll withholdings will comply with Washington law, and Employee will receive itemized pay statements in compliance with RCW 49.48.010.

7. Benefits

Employee is eligible for the following benefits, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plans:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Retirement plan ([Plan Name]: 401(k))
• WA Cares Fund and Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) coverage as required by Washington law.
• Paid time off (PTO)
• Washington-recognized public holidays
• Parental leave
• Option A: Reimbursement of professional license fees
• Option B: Support for continuing education/CPE
• Option C: Job-related training reimbursement

8. Intellectual Property and Work Product

All accounting records, spreadsheets, analyses, tax filings, reports, and proprietary tools created during employment are the property of the Employer.

Employee shall comply with data protection and Washington records retention requirements.

9. Confidentiality

Employee shall maintain the confidentiality of all sensitive financial, payroll, shareholder, or tax information, as well as confidential methods and client details, consistent with Washington state and federal law.

Employee shall comply with mandatory data breach notification processes.

The confidentiality provisions of this agreement survive termination of employment.

10. Outside Activities

Employee shall not perform personal or external bookkeeping, tax preparation, or financial services for outside entities without the written consent of the Employer.

11. Professional Conduct

Employee shall adhere to the AICPA Code of Conduct and Washington-specific professional requirements.

Employee shall report suspected errors, fraud, or legal violations immediately.

Employee shall adhere to internal controls and segregation of duties.

12. Non-Solicitation and Conflict of Interest

Employee shall not solicit clients or employees of the Employer during or after employment.

Employee shall avoid conflicts of interest and maintain the confidentiality of financial information.

13. Non-Competition

Option A: Employee agrees to not compete with the employer [during the employment].

Option B: Employee agrees to not compete with the employer [during the employment and within [number] months of termination].

• This non-competition agreement is subject to the limitations set forth in RCW 49.62.
• This provision may not be enforceable if the Employee earns below the statutory threshold or if the period exceeds 18 months.

14. Termination

Employee's employment is at-will, meaning either party may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause, subject to the following:

• Option A: Employee shall provide [Number] days written notice of resignation.
• Option B: The Employer shall provide [Number] days written notice of termination, unless terminated for cause.
• Upon termination, Employee will be paid all final wages within one pay period, as required by RCW 49.48.
• Severance pay, if offered, will be subject to a release of claims.
• Employee shall return all company equipment, records, and confidential property upon termination.

15. Grievance Procedure and Whistleblower Protection

The Employer provides an internal complaint, grievance, and whistleblower protection procedure as described in the company handbook, consistent with Washington’s Retaliation and Whistleblower laws.

16. Dispute Resolution

The parties will first attempt to resolve any disputes internally. If unsuccessful, the parties will attempt mediation.

If mediation is unsuccessful, the parties may pursue arbitration or litigation.

Washington law governs this Agreement, and venue for any legal action shall be in [County Name] County, Washington.

17. Required Notices and Policies

Employee acknowledges receipt of all Washington statutory employee notices and agrees to comply with occupational health and safety requirements.

Employee acknowledges updates to employment policies.

18. Anti-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity

The Employer is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable anti-discrimination laws, including RCW 49.60 et seq.

The Employer prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

19. Professional Registrations and Licenses

Employee shall maintain all necessary Washington professional registrations and licenses throughout employment and immediately report any changes in license status.

Employee shall comply with all CPE and ethics training requirements for CPA/Accountant status under state law.

20. Amendments

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 Name]

By: [Employer Representative Name]

Title: [Employer Representative Title]

[Employee Name]