Hire a bookkeeping professional: Bookkeeping Contract
What is a Bookkeeping Contract?
A Bookkeeping Contract enables a bookkeeper to outline the terms of an arrangement with a client. Signed by both the client and the bookkeeper, this essential document helps to set expectations and reduce the risk of conflicts.
When to use a Bookkeeping Contract:
- You're a bookkeeper entering into a business arrangement with a new client to provide accounting or bookkeeping services, and you want a contract in place before you start working.
- You represent an accounting firm that's about to handle the bookkeeping for a new client, and you would like to define each party's responsibilities in a contract.
- You're an individual looking to hire an accountant to handle your personal accounting needs, and you want a written agreement outlining the scope of the services.
- You're a business owner hiring an accountant, bookkeeper or accounting firm to handle certain aspects of your business' finances, and you want to specify the services you need in a written contract.
How do I get my Bookkeeping Contract reviewed?
If you already have a Bookkeeping Contract and want to have it reviewed, or if you have questions about creating or using one, there are a few ways to get help.
Use Rocket Copilot to ask questions or review your document; this helps you better understand what it says and identify anything that may need a closer look.
If you are looking for help from a Legal Pro, you can also ask a question and receive a response within one business day, or request a more in-depth document review.
Sample Bookkeeping Contract
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This CONTRACT is made and entered into on by and between, ("Accountant"), duly licensed in the as a certified public accountant, and having a principal place of business at , , , and ("Client"), of , , .
In consideration of the mutual promises contained in this Contract, the contracting parties agree as follows:
. CONTRACT TERM.
This Contract shall become effective on . It shall remain in effect until the services required hereunder have been completed satisfactorily by Accountant unless sooner terminated as provided in this Contract.
. ACCOUNTING SERVICES.
Under the terms and conditions stated in this Contract, Accountant agrees to perform the following specific accounting services for Client:
Preparation of journals and ledgers
. FEES FOR SERVICES.
In consideration of the services to be performed by the Accountant, the Client agrees to compensate the Accountant for the services rendered as follows:
at Accountant's standard hourly rate of per hour.
. CLIENT'S COOPERATION.
The Accountant is hereby authorized to communicate with the Client's custodian regarding the Client's account and other relevant financial data. The Client takes sole responsibility for the acts or omissions of its custodian and will have by the effective date of this Contract instructed its custodian, and will instruct any future custodian of the Client to provide the Accountant with custodian's reports and other information of the Client that the Accountant requires to perform its Services. The Client will provide the Accountant with true and complete information necessary for the Accountant to perform its services. The timely performance of the Services will depend on the timely receipt of complete Client data.
. MUTUAL REPRESENTATIONS.
(a) Representations by the Client: The Client represents and warrants that:
(i) it will comply with applicable law in its use of the Services;
(ii) execution, delivery, and performance of this Contract have been duly authorized and shall not conflict with any obligation of the Client, whether arising by contract, operation of law, or otherwise;
(iii) this Contract constitutes a valid, binding obligation of the Accountant; and
(iv) the Client has all rights necessary and power necessary to appoint the Accountant as its accounting agent.
(b) Representations by the Accountant: The Accountant represents and warrants that:
(i) it will comply with applicable law in its performance of the Services;
(ii) execution, delivery, and performance of this Contract have been duly authorized and shall not conflict with nature of the Client's business, whether arising by contract, operation of law, or otherwise;
(iii) this Contract constitutes a valid, binding obligation of the Accountant; and
(iv) the Accountant has all rights necessary to provide the Services contemplated herein.
. CONFIDENTIALITY.
Any confidential information (including all technology, processes, trade secrets, contracts, proprietary information; the nature of the information and the manner of disclosure are such that a reasonable person would understand it to be confidential) exchanged between the Accountant and the Client in connection with the performance of the Services shall be held by the Accountant in trust for the benefit of the Client only, and the Accountant will not divulge or authorize anyone to divulge during the term of this Contract, or any period thereafter, any information or knowledge acquired in the course of its performance.
. TERMINATION.
This Contract may be terminated as follows:
(a) This Contract may be terminated by either party by giving 30 days advance written notice to the other party.
(b) Either party has the right to terminate this Contract where the other party becomes insolvent, fails to pay its bills when due, goes out of business, or there is a death of a party.
(c) If either party breaches any provision of this Contract and if such breach is not cured within thirty (30) days after receiving written notice from the other party specifying such breach in reasonable detail, the non-breaching party shall have the right to terminate this Contract by giving written notice thereof to the party in breach, which termination shall go into effect immediately upon receipt.
. NOTICES.
Any notices to be given under this Contract by either party to the other may be effected either by personal delivery in writing or by mail, registered or certified, postage prepaid with return receipt requested. Mailed notices shall be addressed to the addresses of the parties as they appear in the introductory paragraph of this Contract, but each party may change the address by written notice in accordance with this paragraph.
. MISCELLANEOUS.
(a) Governing Law: This Contract shall be construed under and in accordance with the laws of .
(b) Parties Bound: This Contract shall be binding on and inure to the benefit of the parties to this Contract and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives, successors and assigns as permitted by this Contract.
(c) Severability: If one or more of the provisions contained in this Contract shall for any reason be held invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any respect, that invalidity, illegality, or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision. This Contract shall be construed as if the invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision had never been contained in it.
(d) Prior Contracts Superseded: This Contract constitutes the sole and only agreement of the parties and supersedes any prior understandings or written or oral agreements between the parties respecting the subject matter of this Contract.
(e) Entire Agreement: This instrument contains the entire agreement between the parties relating to the rights granted and the obligations assumed in it. Any oral representations or modifications concerning this instrument shall be of no force or effect except any amendment by the parties by a written agreement.
(f) Attorneys' Fees: If any action at law or in equity is brought to enforce or interpret the provisions of this Contract, the prevailing party will be entitled to reasonable attorneys' fees in addition to any other relief to which that party may be entitled.
. SIGNATORIES.
This Contract shall be signed by and by .
| By: | Date: |
| By: | Date: |
Bookkeeping Contract FAQs
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Do bookkeepers always need to write a Bookkeeping Contract?
Even if your bookkeeping business is brand new, it is crucial to record the details of your work in a contract. You may decide that you want this document due to the fact that, when done properly, it presents these benefits:
- Both parties know when invoicing will happen
- Roles and responsibilities are understood by all
- There are no surprises about how long the engagement will last
Anyone opting not to make a Bookkeeping Agreement, in many cases, should anticipate common issues like questions about timing and uncertainty about fees.
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What details are required in a contract for bookkeeping services?
Specifics that you should plan to include are:
- Your client's contact information
- What tasks you are committed to performing
- Whether the work will be ongoing or if it will last for a set period of time
- What fees will be charged and when
As expected, your agreement will also include typical language in relation to the non-employer relationship between the bookkeeper and client, confidentiality, indemnification, and lastly, dispute resolution methods. When you make your agreement, you'll also be able to select which state's jurisdiction it will be subject to. Using the document tool, you are able to add further custom alterations, as necessary. For the sake of understanding the scope of services provided, it will be important to outline the responsibilities and liabilities of each party. For example, an accountant may be responsible for just an individual's taxes, or for maintaining all the corporate financials, bookkeeping and taxes of an entire business.
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Is anything else required once my Bookkeeping Services Contract is created?
After drafting your Bookkeeping Contract, review it carefully. You may also want to review it with the other party to ensure all parties fully understand and agree to the terms of the agreement. Once all parties agree to the terms, the next step is to have all parties sign it, and each party should keep a copy for their records. It’s also a good idea to store it in a safe, accessible place in case you need to reference it later.
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Where can I have my Bookkeeping Contract evaluated by an attorney?
It’s smart to have an important agreement reviewed before you sign, so you fully understand the terms and avoid potential risks.
While some attorneys may review documents they didn’t draft, others may decline or require a retainer, hourly billing, or a flat fee. This can make getting a legal document review of your Bookkeeping Contract less predictable and more time-consuming.
Rocket Lawyer makes the process simpler. With a Rocket Lawyer membership, you can request a review from a Legal Pro or ask questions about your Bookkeeping Contract. You can also use Rocket Copilot to quickly review your agreement, spot potentially risky terms, and make sure everything looks accurate before signing.
Once you’re ready, you can sign your document online with RocketSign—all in one place.
