---
# contracts.md starter: accounting-engagement. Every name, number and date is an example, and the wording is sample wording for drafting only; have a qualified person review it before relying on any of it. A record in a plain format, not a contract or a signature, and not legal advice.
format: contracts.md/2
contract: bookkeeping-payroll-hb-2027
title: Bookkeeping and payroll engagement
version: cv_b69fe832386f95f0
parents: none
status: proposed
signers: hb, lp
---

# Bookkeeping and payroll engagement

Sample wording for drafting only, from the contracts.md clause library. Have a qualified person review it before relying on any of it.

## Parties

- id: hb; role: client; kind: org; name: H.B., a family-owned bakery
- id: lp; role: firm; kind: org; name: L.P., an accounting firm

## 1. Services {#c-services}

L.P. provides these services to H.B.: monthly bookkeeping, payroll for up to 12 staff, quarterly sales tax returns and year-end financial statements for H.B.

## 2. Deliverables {#c-deliverables}

L.P. delivers each item below by its due date.

- 2027-02-15: January books closed and payroll report
- 2027-04-20: first quarter sales tax return prepared for H.B. to review

## 3. Not included {#c-not-included}

The services do not include audit, income tax returns or legal advice. Work outside the services needs a written change that both parties accept.

## 4. Client responsibilities {#c-client-duties}

H.B. is responsible for its records, for the accuracy and completeness of the information it gives L.P., and for its own business decisions. H.B. sends what the services need in good time.

## 5. Fees and payment {#c-fees}

H.B. pays L.P. 950 USD per month. L.P. invoices at the end of each month, and each invoice is due 15 days after its date.

## 6. Records {#c-records}

L.P. keeps its working papers for this engagement for the period the law or its professional rules require, and returns H.B.'s original documents when the engagement ends.

## 7. Confidentiality {#c-confidentiality}

L.P. keeps H.B.'s information confidential and uses it only for this engagement, except where the law or its professional rules require disclosure.

## 8. Service levels and limits {#c-service-levels}

These service levels apply: response time at most 2 business days; month end close time at most 10 days. These limits apply: total spending at most 11400 USD; written approval first for any single amount over 250 USD.

## 9. Term and ending {#c-term}

This engagement runs from 2027-01-01 to 2027-12-31. Either party may end it early with 30 days' written notice. At the end of the term it renews for a term of the same length, unless either party gives notice before the end.

## 10. Disputes and governing law {#c-disputes}

If a dispute arises, the parties follow this path: talk first, then mediation. The law of the place where L.P. has its office governs this agreement, and a dispute that is not settled is heard there.

## Terms

- currency: USD
- scope: Monthly bookkeeping, payroll for up to 12 staff, quarterly sales tax returns and year-end financial statements for H.B.
- in_scope: bookkeeping, payroll, sales-tax-returns, year-end-statements
- out_of_scope: audit, income-tax-returns, legal-advice
- deliverables:
  - 2027-02-15: January books closed and payroll report
  - 2027-04-20: first quarter sales tax return prepared for H.B. to review
- price: 950 USD per month
- payment: net 15
- term: 2027-01-01 to 2027-12-31
- notice: 30 days
- renewal: auto
- dispute: talk first, then mediation; law and forum: the place where L.P. has its office
- service_levels:
  - response_time: at most 2 business_days
  - month_end_close_time: at most 10 days
- limits:
  - spend_cap: 11400 USD
  - approval_over: 250 USD

## History

```jsonl
{"acting_for":"lp","author":"lp-agent","created":"2026-10-21T13:00:00Z","id":"cv_b69fe832386f95f0","message":"First draft from the accounting engagement letter in the clause library","parents":[],"redlines":[],"template":"library:accounting-engagement"}
```

## Invitations

```jsonl
{"acting_for":"lp","contract":"bookkeeping-payroll-hb-2027","created":"2026-10-21T13:15:00Z","expires":"2026-11-04T13:15:00Z","id":"ci_f0b5cd68e0b922db","invited_by":"lp-agent","invitee":"hb","may":["read","comment","propose","decide","assent"],"role":"signer","version":"cv_b69fe832386f95f0"}
```