Accountant and Financial Consulting Services

The City of East Orange, New Jersey, is actively seeking comprehensive proposals from qualified individuals and firms to provide Accountant and Financial Consulting Services for its municipal financial records. This contract is slated to span a full twelve-month period, commencing on January 1, 2022, and concluding on December 31, 2022. The extensive scope of work encompasses providing essential accounting, budgetary, financial, and tax guidance to the City. Key responsibilities include the meticulous inspection of financial transactions and records to ensure strict adherence to all relevant regulations and accounting procedures, alongside advising on legislative changes that may necessitate adjustments to record-keeping throughout the year. The selected contractor will also be required to dedicate a minimum of one part-time employee, three times weekly, to assist the City’s Finance Division with checking account reconciliation and statement preparation, as directed by the City Administrator. Furthermore, a part-time employee, two times weekly, will support the Police Department with similar reconciliation and statement tasks under the Chief of Police’s direction. Additional duties involve reviewing and recording expense invoices, generating various financial reports and summaries, maintaining the General Ledger and all books of account, and ensuring compliance with grant funding and state record-keeping requirements. The consultant will also assist in annual budget preparation, support the City’s retained auditor, utilize City information systems, perform property-by-property analysis of PILOT agreements, and manage fiscal administration for tax-abated/exempt projects, including revenue reporting. Prospective contractors must meet stringent qualification criteria to be considered for these critical financial services. Mandatory requirements dictate that all respondents must hold a valid Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license and a valid Registered Municipal Accountant (RMA) license, both issued by the appropriate authority within the State of New Jersey. Furthermore, firms must demonstrate a substantial track record, with a minimum of ten (10) years of experience specifically in providing auditing services to municipalities within the State of New Jersey. The proposal must outline that senior staff members assigned to the City’s account possess at least ten (10) years of experience in audit services and other specified tasks within this RFP. It is also a prerequisite for the consulting firm to maintain a current principal office located within the State of New Jersey. Beyond these core licenses and experience, respondents are expected to showcase profound knowledge of municipal auditing laws and regulations, as well as proven expertise in advising municipal entities on records compliance, budget development processes, and labor negotiations, particularly within a municipality comparable in size to East Orange. No mandatory pre-bid meetings or site visits are indicated in the provided documentation. Proposals for these Accountant and Financial Consulting Services must be submitted to the City of East Orange’s Purchasing Committee by Tuesday, November 9, 2021, at precisely 2:00 p.m. prevailing time. Submissions will be publicly opened and read aloud at the East Orange City Hall, Council Chamber. Detailed Request for Proposals packets are available for download from the City’s website, www.eastorange-nj.gov, or can be obtained in person from the Division of Procurement on the 1st floor of City Hall for a non-refundable fee of $25.00, payable to the City of East Orange. All proposals must be securely enclosed in a sealed envelope, clearly marked with the consultant’s name and the title "ACCOUNTANT AND FINANCIAL CONSULTING SERVICES," and addressed to the PURCHASING AGENT, City of East Orange, City Hall, 44 City Hall Plaza, East Orange, NJ 07018. Required submission components include one unbound original, four additional hard copies, and one compact disc (CD) of the complete submission. Consultants must also include various standardized forms such as a Non-Collusion Affidavit, Disclosure of Ownership Form, and a valid New Jersey Business Registration Certificate, among others. Proposals must remain firm for sixty (60) days following the opening. For any inquiries, prospective bidders may contact Lisa L. Jackson, QPA, the Purchasing Agent, at (973) 266-5162. No specific bid security or performance bonds are mentioned, though professional liability insurance is required.