Bookkeeper -Exempt or NonExempt ???

njjel

We have two employees who have the title of "bookkeeper" One basically does payroll and makes journal entries and the other is accounts payable. One works full time, one works part time. At the present time they are classified as non-exempt hourly employees. The controller wants to change them to salaried and I do not believe they meet the exempt responsibilities section of the test. Neither of them has a degree or supervises anyone. Your thoughts please.

sonny

I agree with you but what is the controller's rationale?

Shadowfax

Check the regs: most junior CPAs who go in the field to do field audits arn't exempt, I don't know how a bookeeper would ever be exempt unless manager of a department or a policy assistant or something. Not exempt.

marc

I would disagree, the CPA's get to exempt through the professional designation.

Shadowfax

Sorry Mrac, unless there's been a recent change. I agree that generally, CPAs should meet the requirement. However, Professional designation doesn't just hinge on an advanced degree. E/ee must in addition meet duties and discretion tests. It is the discretion test that fails for CPAs out in field just transferring numbers into columns for some auditor back at the office to manipulate with discretion. A couple of years ago I had to check this out and there were a ton of cases and opinions non-exempting CPAs. It is a duty/discretion fact specific issue. I simply urge anyone to be careful with this type of designation.(541.301(f) and 308.

njjel

Sonny - The controller thinks because they are a part of administration they should be exempt.

mushroomHR

They could be changed to non-exempt salaried employees. They would receive a salary but still be entitled to overtime. In my opinion they would not qualify as exempt salaried employees. Our bookkeepers/accountants are non-exempt salaried employees.

mwild31

Hi Njjel -

Here's a couple of links that may be helpful - they are federal links - not state specific (I would check with your state before implementation):

[url]http://www.dol.gov/dol/allcfr/ESA/Title_29/Part_541/29CFR541.2.htm[/url]

[url]http://www.dol.gov/dol/allcfr/ESA/Title_29/Part_541/Subpart_B.htm[/url]

I hope this helps in your decision making process.

marc

I have tied several times to get bookkeepers into this category and have been turned down everytime. The bookkeeper does not rise to the level necessary. You could go the way of salaried non-exempt, but OT is paid then. I think you are out of luck if you are trying to get extra hours for the same pay.

Don D

The Controller's premise is flawed from the outset. Because they are, as he says, "part of administrative" has nothing to do with it. The Accounts Payable Clerk is "part of administrative" as well. This is yet another fine example of people with accounting training nudging over into the world of "HR Think".

Rockie

Agree with Don. The controller's ulterior motive is to save the company overtime, but a bookkeeper in no, way, shape or form would qualify as an exempt level employee.

njjel

Thanks everyone. This information will hopefully help prove my point! Have a good day!