Accounting Retainer Agreement Template for United States

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Key Requirements PROMPT example:

Accounting Retainer Agreement

"I need an Accounting Retainer Agreement for my tech startup that covers monthly bookkeeping, quarterly financial reporting, and annual tax preparation services, with a focus on protecting our intellectual property and maintaining strict confidentiality of our financial data."

Document background
The Accounting Retainer Agreement serves as a foundational document for establishing long-term professional accounting relationships in the United States. This agreement is essential when businesses or individuals require ongoing accounting services, including bookkeeping, tax preparation, financial reporting, or advisory services. The document complies with federal regulations, state-specific CPA requirements, and AICPA professional standards. It typically includes detailed service descriptions, fee structures, confidentiality provisions, and professional liability terms, while ensuring alignment with both IRS requirements and state-specific accounting regulations.
Suggested Sections

1. Parties: Identification of the accounting firm and client, including full legal names and addresses

2. Background: Brief context of the engagement and relationship between parties

3. Definitions: Key terms used throughout the agreement including accounting-specific terminology

4. Scope of Services: Detailed description of accounting services to be provided under the retainer

5. Term and Termination: Duration of agreement and conditions for termination by either party

6. Fees and Payment Terms: Retainer amount, billing rates, payment schedule, and invoicing procedures

7. Confidentiality: Obligations regarding protection of client information and compliance with professional standards

8. Professional Standards: Commitment to follow relevant accounting standards, GAAP, and regulatory requirements

Optional Sections

1. Additional Services: Terms and conditions for services outside the standard retainer scope

2. Intellectual Property: Rights to work products, custom reports, and materials developed during the engagement

3. Force Majeure: Provisions for unforeseen circumstances affecting service delivery

4. Insurance: Professional liability insurance requirements and coverage details

Suggested Schedules

1. Schedule A - Detailed Service Description: Comprehensive list of specific accounting services included in the retainer

2. Schedule B - Fee Schedule: Detailed breakdown of fees, hourly rates, and payment terms

3. Schedule C - Key Personnel: List of key team members and their roles in providing services

4. Appendix A - Required Documentation: List of documents and information client must provide for service delivery

5. Appendix B - Service Level Agreement: Response times, service standards, and performance metrics

Authors

Alex Denne

Head of Growth (Open Source Law) @ Genie AI | 3 x UCL-Certified in Contract Law & Drafting | 4+ Years Managing 1M+ Legal Documents | Serial Founder & Legal AI Author

Industries

Federal Tax Law Compliance: Internal Revenue Code (IRC) requirements governing tax preparation, reporting, and compliance obligations for accounting services

Sarbanes-Oxley Compliance: Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (SOX) requirements for corporate accountability, financial disclosure, and audit independence

AICPA Professional Standards: American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Code of Professional Conduct, including ethical requirements and professional standards

State Accountancy Regulations: State-specific CPA licensing requirements, practice regulations, and professional standards for accounting services

GAAP Compliance: Generally Accepted Accounting Principles requirements for financial reporting and accounting practices

Privacy and Data Protection: Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and state-specific data privacy laws governing the protection of client financial information

Client Confidentiality Requirements: Accountant-client privilege regulations, IRS Circular 230 requirements, and confidentiality obligations

Fee Structure Regulations: State regulations and AICPA guidelines governing professional fee arrangements and retainer agreements

Professional Liability Requirements: State-specific insurance requirements and limitations of liability provisions for accounting services

Document Retention Rules: IRS and state-specific requirements for maintenance and retention of accounting records and client documentation

Teams

Employer, Employee, Start Date, Job Title, Department, Location, Probationary Period, Notice Period, Salary, Overtime, Vacation Pay, Statutory Holidays, Benefits, Bonus, Expenses, Working Hours, Rest Breaks,  Leaves of Absence, Confidentiality, Intellectual Property, Non-Solicitation, Non-Competition, Code of Conduct, Termination,  Severance Pay, Governing Law, Entire Agreemen

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