Protect Your Bookkeeping or Accounting Firm With These Lawyer-Approved Contracts Drafted Specifically for Your Services
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As bookkeepers, tax preparers, and accountants, we’re often telling our clients to outsource what’s outside of their zone of genius (aka the stuff we’re amazing at!). So when it comes to outsourcing the thing I don’t have any business DIY-ing — it’s the legal side of running a business.
If you’re running a business and taking on clients, the MOST important thing you need to do is get solid contracts in place for all the services you offer. And sometimes I’ll see other bookkeeping business owners using templates they found on Google or something they copied from another bookkeeper.
But please, PLEASE consider purchasing high-quality contracts drafted by actual lawyers! In my experience, it’s soooo much better to have legit contracts that adequately protect you and your business from any potential sticky situations.
The peace of mind I have when I’ve consulted a lawyer is worth EVERY penny I pay, because I know it’s saving me wayyy more in the long run.
That’s why I reached out to Linsey over at Linsey Shae Consulting to ask if she’d be willing to create contracts for people who offer bookkeeping, accounting, and tax services. And she did just that — plus a guest expert lesson in our group coaching program Breakthrough!
So in this blog, we’ll share all the details on:
Why it’s important to protect yourself with solid contracts
The two products Linsey created specifically for firm owners like you
The best way to learn all about building the firm of your dreams
Ready to get pumped about contracts and legal documents for your business? Let’s get into it!
Why Are Contracts So Important?
When a client agrees to work with you, you should both sign something to officially start the relationship. Once you get it in writing, you can enforce your policies and procedures, terms of payment, scope of work, etc.
Contracts protect both you and your client with legally binding terms that you can easily reference if you don’t remember what was included in the initial agreement. That way, if there’s ever a conflict that needs to be resolved — you have proof!
We HIGHLY discourage our students from winging it with a generic template or writing a contract themselves. At a minimum, you could have a lawyer look over your contract to help fill the gaps if you don’t want them to write one from scratch for you.
When Should You Invest In Lawyer-Approved Contracts?
We know, legal stuff isn’t the most fun part of starting your very own firm. But honestly, we’d recommend getting your contracts in place before you take on any clients. Getting everything set up right off the bat is the best way to avoid any confusion later on!
If you’ve already started taking on clients, and your contracts could use a refresher, it might be a good time to review your current contracts OR replace them with a new and improved version. Keep in mind: You’ll probably have to have your existing clients sign new contracts to make sure everyone has updated information… but make sure to talk to a lawyer about the specifics and what you should do!
The Legal Documents You Absolutely Need In Your Firm
A lot of firm owners get nervous at the thought of hiring a lawyer to draft full contracts for their services, which is why these templates from Linsey Shae Consulting are SUCH a game changer! The beauty of these templates is that once you buy them, all you have to do is customize them to fit your services. BUT, if you want to include something else, you can just hire a lawyer to help you with the verbiage of whatever you want to add!
These two products were created specifically for firm owners like you, and we’re so EXCITED to share Linsey’s incredible offers with you!
Bookkeeper Services Agreement
This template includes verbiage for bookkeepers and accountants that goes FAR beyond general bookkeeping services! In this template, you’ll get:
Tax Services Agreement Template (including clauses for automatic payments, confidentiality, record retention, and more)
Tax Preparation Services Exhibit A Template
Monthly Bookkeeping Services Exhibit A Template
Payroll Services Services Exhibit A Template
Accounting Setup Services Exhibit A Template
Basically, this template covers all the services most of us offer in this industry — which is a HUGE help when you’ve been piecing together other random contracts up to this point!
Bookkeeper Services Business Bundle Agreement Template
Okay so THIS is where Linsey really went above and beyond, because she put together a bundle of all the essential legal documents you need as a business owner AND bookkeeping professional. Inside this product, you’ll get everything mentioned above in the Bookkeeper Services Agreement AND:
Website Policies Templates (Privacy Policy + Terms and Conditions)
Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) Template for Third Parties
Referral Partnership Agreement Template
Independent Contractor Template
I seriously can’t believe how much amazingness is included in this bundle! The fact that she’s included everything you need to legally protect your website is a HUGE value add.
Plus, Linsey offers tons of other contract templates in her shop, so if you’re ready to upgrade your contracts, you can save 10% by using the code WFQ10!
Get Access to Tons of Guest Experts
If you think you’d get a lot of value out of a guest expert lesson with someone like Linsey, then you’d LOVE our group coaching program, Breakthrough for Bookkeepers & Accountants! We’ve had experts come in and share about things like:
HR consulting
Branding and design
Elevating your skills
Legally protecting your firm
And we’re not stopping there!
It’s our mission with this high-touch group coaching program to make sure that you have access to all the information you need to propel your business as a whole to the next level. We’ve included everything from how to hire and train your team members, to how to set up your systems and remove yourself from the day-to-day. And sooo much more in between!
Take advantage of the knowledge and experience of our team of experts by joining Breakthrough for Bookkeepers & Accountants! We’re excited to support you and welcome you to our INCREDIBLE community, so what are you waiting for?
