REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS – CPA & General Accounting Services
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
CPA & General Accounting Services
December 21, 2022
PDF of RFP – SeOPA CPA & General Accounting Services
RFP Purpose
The Southeastern Ohio Port Authority (SeOPA) is seeking Certified Public Accountant (CPA) firms to perform annual audit and assurances; prepare the annual Compilation Report; perform annual tax preparation services as necessary; and provide management consulting services for a two (2) year period, beginning with the Fiscal Year 2022 (January 1, 2022, through December 31, 2022) through the Fiscal Year 2023 (January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2023).
The CPA firm will prepare the financial statements of SeOPA, which are comprised of the Statement of Net Position as of December 31, 2022, and the related statements of revenues, expenses, and changes in net position and cash flows for the year then ended, management’s discussion and analysis, and the related notes to the financial statements and perform a compilation engagement with respect to those financial statements.
The CPA firm will also determine all amounts related to Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) Statement No. 68, Accounting and Financial Reporting for Pensions (GASB 68) and GASB Statement No. 75, Accounting and Financial Reporting for Postemployment Benefits Other than Pensions (GASB 75).
SeOPA invites CPA firms meeting the qualifications described below, to submit a proposal to SeOPA for consideration.
RFP Submission Period: Open through January 22, 2023
No proposals will be accepted after the deadline of 11:59PM on January 22, 2023.
Background of the Southeastern Ohio Port Authority and Project Description
SeOPA is an independent unit of local government formed pursuant to §4582.01 to §4582.20, inclusive, of the Ohio Revised Code (ORC), by Resolution of the Washington County Board of Commissioners. The mission of SeOPA is to enhance the economic competitiveness in Washington County and to be a catalyst for job creation and investment by business, industry, and local entrepreneurs.
Qualifications of CPA Firms
SeOPA is seeking a CPA firm that provides a full range of capabilities and specialized expertise, including, but not limited to, audit and assurance, tax and accounting services, business advisory services, training services, and has a long-standing reputation of integrity, independence, and professional excellence. The CPA firm shall be committed to providing quality audit and assurance tax preparation services and shall demonstrate that all engagements are conducted in accordance with standards set by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) with a philosophy based on integrity, independence, and objectivity. The CPA firm shall be registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) and be a member of the AICPA. The CPA firm should demonstrate sound quality control systems comprised of internal inspections, peer reviews, and regular audits by the PCAOB. Audit partners and managers shall demonstrate expertise and experience in audits, reviews, and compilations of financial statements, as well as tax returns for corporate clients, including exempt organizations. The CPA firm shall demonstrate that firm partners and managers have professional affiliations/membership with the AICPA and the Ohio Society of CPAs. Additionally, audit partners and managers shall have an “active” license status with the Accountancy Board of Ohio.
Services Required of CPA Firm
SeOPA is seeking a CPA firm that has experience working with public or nonprofit organizations. The CPA firm should also have significant experience with Government Auditing Standards, Office and Management Budget (OMB) Circular A-133, and Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) 117-2-01.
- The following services are required of the audit firm:
- Annual audit and assurances
- Reports required under GASB 68, GASB 75, OMB Circular A-133, and OAC 117
- Management consulting services
- Annual presentation of financial statements for SeOPA’s Board of Directors
- At the conclusion of the audit, the following published reports or information returns are required:
- Independent auditors’ report
- Financial statements and footnotes
- Schedule of expenditures of federal awards in accordance with the Uniform Guidance
- Independent auditors’ report on internal control over financial reporting and on compliance and other matters based on an audit of financial statements performed in accordance with government auditing standards
- Independent auditors’ report on compliance with requirements that could have a direct and material effect on each major program and on internal control over compliance in accordance with OMB Circular A-133
- Schedule of findings and questioned costs
- Schedule of prior year recommendations
- The desired schedule for the Fiscal Year 2022 (January 1, 2022, through December 31, 2022), and in the subsequent fiscal year(s) thereafter, is as follows:
- Books closed and trial balances ready by January 31st
- Fieldwork during February/March
- Draft financial statements and audit reports presented to SeOPA on March 31st, or the next business day
- Final financial statements and audit reports presented to SeOPA on April 30th, or the next business day
- Final financial statements and audit reports provided to the Ohio Auditor of State/Hinkle no later than May 31st pursuant to GAAP per ORC §1724.05, ORC §1726.11, ORC §3345.72 and OAC §126:3-1-01(A)(2)(a), respectively.
- Annual Financial Statement training to SeOPA on the fourth Wednesday during the month of May
Information to include in Proposal
- Statement of the CPA firm’s understanding of the services to be provided to SeOPA
- The CPA firm’s experience and qualifications in working with public or nonprofit organizations similar to SeOPA
- CPA firm’s organization, qualifications, and experience of audit partners, managers, and staff who would be responsible for this engagement
- Peer review and registration information
- Description of the CPA firm’s approach to the audit, including a proposed time schedule
- Fees for the services requested for the Fiscal Year 2022 and Fiscal Year 2023 and guarantees that can be given regarding increases in future years. The proposal should contain the maximum fees to be charged for services during each fiscal year.
- A per-hour rate for consulting services requested outside the scope of work as defined herein.
Proposal Preparation
The following information is provided to assist the CPA firm in preparing their proposal:
- Attachment A: SeOPA’s Audited Financial Statements for the Fiscal Year Ended 12/31/2020
- Attachment B: Engagement Letter between SeOPA and Ohio Auditor of State for Fiscal Year Ended 12/31/21
Selection Timetable
- Proposals are due by 11:59PM on Sunday, January 22, 2023.
- Consideration of RFPs at the SeOPA Board of Directors meeting on January 25, 2023.
- Selection of applicant no later than January 31, 2023.
- The CPA firm selected should be ready to provide services beginning February 1, 2023.
Submission of Proposals
- The applicant must submit the completed proposal by the deadline established in Section B.
- Proposals must be emailed or mailed to SeOPA as follows:
Southeastern Ohio Port Authority
223 Putnam Street
Marietta, OH 45750
Attention: Hannah Schaffer, Executive Coordinator
Email: hannah@seohioport.com
Please direct any proposal inquiries to:
Hannah Schaffer, Executive Coordinator at 740-336-8591 or hannah@seohioport.com
Evaluation Criteria
Each proposal shall be organized into the following five (5) sections. Each section will receive a maximum score as follows:
| Proposal Section | Maximum Score |
| CPA firm experience & qualifications in working with nonprofit and governmental organizations | 25 |
| Organizational chart and qualifications and experience of audit partners and managers and audit staff | 10 |
| Peer review and registration information | 20 |
| Description of CPA firms approach to audits, including a proposed time schedule | 25 |
| Fees for the services and reports outlined in the RFP | 20 |
| Total Maximum Points | 100 |
The SeOPA Board of Directors will use the above criteria to rate proposals submitted by CPA firms.
Eligible Applicants
All CPA firms meeting the qualifications as identified in the RFP are eligible to apply. Applicants, including members of the applicants governing board, must be in good standing with the Ohio Board of Accountancy. Applicants must disclose any potential conflicts of interest.
Selection Procedures
All proposals received by the deadline will be reviewed and scored by the Executive Committee appointed by SeOPA’s Board of Trustees. Proposals will be reviewed for timeliness, completeness, experience, qualifications, fiscal stability of the applicant, the reasonableness of costs, and the ability of the applicant to provide identified services required by SeOPA.
Reservation of Rights
SeOPA reserves the right to request or negotiate changes in a proposal, to accept all or part of a proposal, or to reject any or all proposals. SeOPA may, at its sole and absolute discretion, select no CPA firm for these services, if, in its determination, no applicant sufficiently meets the service need. SeOPA reserves the right to withdraw this RFP and/or any item within the RFP at any time without notice. SeOPA reserves the right to disqualify any proposal which does not adhere to the RFP guidelines. This RFP is being offered at the discretion of SeOPA.
Acknowledgment
By submitting a response to this RFP, the applicant certifies that all information provided is accurate and reliable and that no conflict of interest exists, or will exist, because of its participation. Applicants understand that submissions are voluntary and do not guarantee future business with the Southeastern Ohio Port Authority.