Accountant and Financial Consulting Services

The City of East Orange is actively soliciting qualification proposals for comprehensive Accountant and Financial Consulting Services to manage the financial records for the period of January 1, 2022, through December 31, 2022. This Request for Qualifications (RFQ) seeks experienced persons and/or firms to provide a broad range of services including accounting, budgetary, financial, and tax guidance; inspection of financial transactions for regulatory compliance; advice on legislative changes impacting records; and assistance to both the City’s Finance Division and Police Department with checking account reconciliation and statement preparation, necessitating dedicated part-time staff (three times weekly for Finance, two times weekly for Police). The scope further extends to reviewing expense invoices, preparing financial reports, maintaining the General Ledger and books of account, compiling financial statements, preserving essential financial records in compliance with grant funding and state requirements, assisting in annual budget preparation, and supporting the City’s retained auditor. Specialized tasks involve utilizing City information systems, conducting property-by-property analysis of PILOT agreements, processing reports for tax-abated/exempt projects, and overseeing their fiscal administration, including tax calculations, invoice review, and dispute resolution. The successful contract will be for a duration of twelve (12) consecutive months. Prospective contractors must demonstrate robust professional, financial, and administrative capabilities, as well as agree to compensation terms beneficial to East Orange taxpayers. Mandatory qualifications include possessing a valid Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license and a valid Registered Municipal Accountant (RMA) license, both issued by the appropriate New Jersey authority. Firms must have a minimum of ten (10) years of experience delivering auditing services to municipalities within New Jersey. Furthermore, the RFQ requires the assignment of senior staff members, each with at least ten (10) years of experience in audit and other specified services, to serve as regular support for the City. A critical requirement is maintaining a current principal office within the State of New Jersey. Respondents should also articulate their knowledge of municipal auditing laws and regulations, coupled with experience advising municipal entities on records compliance, budget development processes, and labor negotiations, particularly for municipalities of a similar size to East Orange. No mandatory pre-bid meetings or site visits are indicated in the document. Qualification Proposals must be submitted in a sealed envelope clearly marked with the consultant's name and the title “ACCOUNTANT AND FINANCIAL CONSULTING SERVICES” on the exterior, addressed to the Purchasing Agent. Submissions are due on Tuesday, March 29, 2022, at 12:00 p.m. prevailing time, at the East Orange City Hall, Division of Procurement, where they will be publicly opened and read aloud. Proposals can be mailed, deposited in the City’s “Drop Box” located in front of City Hall, or hand-delivered at the specified time and location; mailed or drop-box submissions must arrive before the deadline. Each submission package must include one (1) unbound original, four (4) additional copies, and one (1) thumb drive. A comprehensive list of required accompanying forms includes a Non-Collusion Affidavit, Disclosure of Ownership Form, Insurance Requirement Acknowledgement Form, EEO/Affirmative Action Compliance Notice, Mandatory Equal Employment Opportunity Notice Acknowledgement, Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 form, Certificate of Employee Information Report, Business Registration Certificate, Professional Services Entity Information Form, Qualification Affidavit, Submission Form, Acknowledgement of Corrections, Additions or Deletions Form, Disclosure of Investment Activities in Iran, Business Entity Disclosure Certification, Statement of Indebtedness, Agreement for Payment of Commodity/Service, Letter of Intent, and Letter of Qualification. Professional Service Contractors must adhere to various New Jersey statutes concerning Affirmative Action, Contract Compliance, Equal Employment Opportunities, Business Registration, and Disclosure of Ownership. Proposals must remain firm for sixty (60) days after the opening. For any questions, contact Racquel C. Ferguson, QPA, at (973) 266-5162.