Professional Contract Template

Free Bookkeeper Contract Template

Set clear terms before work begins. Cover scope, payment, IP ownership, and termination in one document.

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This bookkeeper contract template is provided for informational purposes only. It is not legal advice. Tidybill does not guarantee that this template is suitable for any particular situation or enforceable in any particular jurisdiction. Before signing or relying on any contract, consult a qualified solicitor or attorney in your jurisdiction. Laws differ between countries and regions.

What is a Bookkeeper contract?

A bookkeeper contract is a written agreement between a bookkeeper and a client that documents what will be delivered, how much it will cost, when payment is due, and what happens if either side wants to end the arrangement. A clear contract prevents most disputes by setting expectations on paper before work begins. This template is a starting point only: it is not legal advice, and you should have a qualified solicitor review it before relying on it for anything serious.

What to include in a Bookkeeper contract

Common bookkeeper contract line items

Service Typical Rate Unit
Monthly Bookkeeping (small business, up to 150 transactions) $200 - $500 per month
Payroll Processing (up to 10 employees) $100 - $250 per month
Accounts Payable Management $75 - $150 per month
Catch-Up Bookkeeping $50 - $150 per month of backlog
QuickBooks Setup and Chart of Accounts $300 - $800 per project
Year-End Cleanup and Reconciliation $500 - $2,000 per project

How to write a bookkeeper contract

Before sending a bookkeeper contract, talk the work through with the client in plain language so the document simply records what you already agreed verbally. List deliverables specifically rather than using generic terms. Set payment clearly: a common pattern is a deposit (25 to 50 percent), a milestone payment, and a final payment on delivery. Decide up front who owns the work. Include a termination clause so either side can step away if needed. Have both parties sign before work starts. For anything material, get a solicitor to review before you rely on this template. This template is not legal advice.

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This bookkeeper contract template is provided for informational purposes only. It is not legal advice. Tidybill does not guarantee that this template is suitable for any particular situation or enforceable in any particular jurisdiction. Before signing or relying on any contract, consult a qualified solicitor or attorney in your jurisdiction. Laws differ between countries and regions.

Frequently asked questions

Is this template valid in the UK, US, or South Africa?
This template is provided for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Contract law differs between countries and even between states or provinces within a country. What is standard or enforceable in one jurisdiction may not be in another. Before relying on this template for any real project, have a qualified solicitor or attorney in your jurisdiction review and adapt it. Tidybill does not guarantee that this template is suitable for any particular situation or enforceable in any particular jurisdiction.
How many revision rounds should I include in a bookkeeper contract?
Most bookkeepers include two to three rounds of revisions in the base fee. A revision round is typically defined as one consolidated set of feedback, not a series of individual requests sent piecemeal. Define "revision" specifically in your contract: what counts as a revision, what counts as a new deliverable, and what you charge for additional rounds. Being specific here prevents misunderstandings and protects your time. Some bookkeepers charge a flat fee per additional round; others bill at their hourly rate.
Should the contract specify a governing law?
Yes. A governing law clause states which country's or state's law applies to the contract and which courts have jurisdiction if there is a dispute. For most freelance and small business contracts, this is the bookkeeper's home jurisdiction. Clients in other countries may push back, but it is generally in your interest to use your own jurisdiction. Without a governing law clause, both parties may disagree about which rules apply, making any dispute significantly more complicated and expensive to resolve.
What is a liability cap and should I include one?
A liability cap limits the total amount either party can claim from the other in the event of a dispute or loss. For example, a contract might cap the bookkeeper's liability to the total fees paid under that contract. Liability caps protect freelancers and small businesses from disproportionate claims. They are standard in professional service contracts. However, the specific wording matters greatly: overly broad or poorly worded caps may be unenforceable. This template is a starting point only and is not a substitute for qualified legal advice.
Do I really need a written contract, or is email enough?
Email exchanges can form a binding agreement in many jurisdictions, but they are far harder to rely on when a dispute arises. A written contract in a single document sets out the full scope, payment, IP ownership, and termination terms in one place. If anything is disputed, you point to one signed document rather than hunting through a thread. For any project above a few hundred pounds or dollars, a proper written contract is worth the time. This template provides a starting point, but it is not legal advice: have a solicitor review it before use for anything material.
What should the deposit be for a bookkeeper contract?
A common pattern is a deposit of 25 to 50 percent of the total project fee, paid before work begins. The deposit protects you against a client who disappears after you have invested time, and it signals that the client is serious. Some bookkeepers use a tiered structure: a deposit at signing, a milestone payment at 50 percent completion, and a final payment on delivery. For very large projects, three or four milestone payments spread the financial risk for both sides. Whatever you agree, write it clearly in the contract.
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