Ireland - Community Response: Invitation to Tender - External Auditors 2019

Description

Tender Document for External Auditors – 2019
Community Response is inviting tenders for our annual audit. The successful firm / individual will carry out the audit for an initial four year period commencing for the financial year ending 31st December 2019.
Name of Organisation: Community Response
Address: 14 Carman's Court, Carman's Hall, Dublin 8
Website: www.communityresponse.ie
Phone: 01 454 9772
Email Address: info@communityresponse.ie
Contact name and number: Emma Beatty, Project Administrator, 01 454 9772
Principal Business: Community Response Ltd is a primary alcohol and hepatitis C service, established in 1990, in the Liberties in the South Inner City of Dublin. We offer a variety of different services, including group and 1-1 support, to help to empower our clients to make and maintain healthy lifestyle changes in relation to alcohol, poly-drug misuse and Hepatitis C/liver health.
CRO: 200177
Charities Regulatory Authority Number: 20029548
Charity Number: CHY 11087
Principle Funding Sources

Canal Communities Drugs Task Force
South Inner City Drugs Task Force
Health Service Executive Addiction Services

Number of Employees
Approximately 10 employees
Governance: Voluntary Board of 7 directors
Community Response offers a variety of different services, including group and 1-1 support, to help to empower our clients to make and maintain healthy lifestyle changes in relation to alcohol, poly-drug misuse and Hepatitis C/Liver Health.
Additional information about Community Response can be found at www.communityresponse.ie
Request
Community Response wishes to appoint auditors for the coming years and is now inviting interested parties to tender for its statutory audit.
Work to be carried out by Auditors contracted to conduct the Annual Financial Audit to include:

The Audit of the Directors (Trustees) Report and Financial Statements in accordance with Charities SORP requirements, Company and Charity Law, Current Accounting and Auditing Standards, Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Circulars, the HSE and other funder requirements
Preparation of Independent Audit Report
Preparation of the Financial Statements i.e. balance sheet and profit and loss.
The Auditors will be expected to present their Audit Report and Management Letter to the Finance and Risk Sub-committee
Filing of B10 and B1 CRO returns
The Auditors will be expected to report to statutory funders if and when required
The Auditors will be expected to make themselves available to the staff, management and/or Directors of Community Response for advice and information from time to time
The Auditors should ideally have expertise and experience in auditing and providing professional advice to the non-profit/charities sector
The Auditors should be familiar with the tax implications as a registered charity and be able to give advice on same.
Completion of any additional financial reports as required by funders e.g. AMFR

Community Response will provide:

Draft Annual Report in accordance with Charities SORP
Management accounts for the year
Information on prior year comparatives
Workings for main notes and working papers
Details of requests from funders re the formatting of Financial Statements

Community Response would welcome comments from the Auditor in the following areas:
1. A review of internal financial and governance systems to improve compliance in line with best practice
Timetable for the audit year:

Financial year end is 31st of December each year
Draft accounts will be available for audit by end of February each year
Auditors will present final draft audit report to Audit Committee by end of May
Audit should be completed and signed off by Board by mid-June
The main day to day contact with the auditors will be with our administrator

The tender document should:

Determine audit strategy and present an audit plan for the Financial Year 2019
Detail experience with other charity clients along with public sector funding
Fees – details of proposed fees should include:

Fee for basic charity audit
How fees will be set and agreed in future years
Two references from two previous audit clients

Selection Criteria
Each tender received will be reviewed and evaluated against agreed criteria with further clarification being sought if required. Shortlisted candidates will then be brought to the Board of Management who will a recommendation to the Board of their preferred tenderer.
In order to be successful, there must be clear demonstration of the following:

Understanding the Charity – there must be clear evidence of understanding of the Charity, the issues faced and the emerging industry trends.
Organisational & Cultural Fit – the audit firm must be engaging, personable, credible and demonstrate good organisational fit. A good working relationship with management is crucial.
Technical Competency – strong technical knowledge and ability to address technical issues. This should include details of your approach to resolving accounting and financial reporting issues.
Charity Sector Experience – experience supporting not-for-profit organisations is crucial. Please supply details of current client base.
Value for Money – this is a value for money exercise and the lowest bid is not always the one selected. The added value that the audit firm can bring will be considered so please give details of other services offered by your firm, including free-of-charge added value services.
Time Commitment –This should include the level of input from the audit partner and senior staff as well as succession planning and steps to ensure staff continuity for future years.
Availability – ability to carry out audit work as well as attend any necessary meetings as required.
Audit Approach, Methodology & Timescale – details of the audit approach to ensure audit services are customised, responsive and aligned to the Charity’s specific needs.
Independence, Objectivity & Quality Assurance – details of your procedures to ensure independence and objectivity as well as the internal procedures used for quality control and continuous improvement.

Process
Should you require further information in order to complete your application please email recruitment@communityresponse.ie
Please submit your final proposal electronically to the above email address no later than 5.00pm on 24th November 2019

Opportunity closing date

24 November 2019

Value of contract

to be confirmed