Bookkeeping Contract Templates

This 16-page Bookkeeping Services Agreement Template is a detailed, attorney-drafted client agreement for bookkeepers and bookkeeping businesses that work with business clients in the United States. It’s designed as a U.S. base form, so it isn’t tied to the law of just one state. The template includes a detailed Schedule A that lets you identify the client, select the bookkeeping services you’ll provide, set the service period and fees, address third-party communications, identify software responsibilities, and add special terms for each engagement. It also includes a Customization and Compliance Guide that explains how to complete the agreement and identifies the main state-law issues you should confirm before using it. These include finance charges, returned-payment fees, data breach requirements, jury and class action waivers, shortened claim periods, liability limitations, indemnification, governing law, venue, public accountancy rules, and tax-preparer requirements. This template is designed for business-to-business bookkeeping engagements. It isn’t intended for personal, family, or household bookkeeping services. What’s Included - Key Sections and Provisions: • Scope of Services and Schedule A. Defines the bookkeeping services you’ll provide, lets you select them from a detailed service menu, and helps prevent scope creep. • Services Not Included. Clearly excludes tax preparation, payroll, audits, reviews, compilations, legal advice, forensic accounting, and other services unless separately agreed and legally permitted. • Client Responsibilities. Requires the client to provide accurate records, timely information, approvals, software access, and prompt review of reports and deliverables. • Fees and Payment. Covers fees, retainers, invoice deadlines, finance charges, returned payments, disputed invoices, collection costs, and fee adjustments. • Suspension and Termination. Gives you the right to pause or end services for nonpayment, lack of cooperation, suspected misconduct, or other stated causes, while addressing final payment and transition obligations. • Confidentiality and Data Security. Protects sensitive client information and addresses electronic communications, cloud platforms, security safeguards, and breach-notification responsibilities. • Third-Party Communications and Authority Limits. Lets you define whether you may communicate with vendors, customers, lenders, or other third parties while making clear that you can’t bind the client without specific authorization. • Records Ownership and Return. Confirms that client records remain the client’s property while preserving your right to retain copies for legitimate business, legal, tax, insurance, and defense purposes. • Reliance on Client Information. Lets you rely on information supplied by the client and other authorized sources without taking on an obligation to audit or independently verify it. • No Fraud-Detection Duty and No Third-Party Reliance. Clarifies that bookkeeping services aren’t an audit, aren’t designed to detect fraud, and aren’t intended for reliance by lenders, investors, buyers, or other third parties. • Limitation of Liability and Indemnification. Limits financial exposure and allocates responsibility for claims arising from client information, decisions, tax and payroll obligations, third-party claims, and other specified risks. • Dispute Resolution and Claim Limits. Includes negotiation, mediation, forum selection, jury waiver, class action waiver, collection-cost provisions, and a shortened claim period subject to applicable law. • Independent Contractor and Standard Contract Terms. Confirms independent contractor status and includes governing law, notices, force majeure, assignment, electronic execution, and signer authority. • Customization and Compliance Guide. Includes step-by-step buyer instructions, fields to complete, state-law confirmation items, and practical guidance for preparing the Agreement for use. Stop piecing together your client terms from short engagement letters and generic online forms. This attorney-drafted Bookkeeping Services Agreement gives you a detailed starting point you can customize for each business client using the included Schedule A and Customization and Compliance Guide. Download the template, complete the fill-in fields and service selections, and start your next bookkeeping engagement with clearer written expectations.