ACCOUNTANT AND FINANCIAL CONSULTING SERVICES

The City of East Orange is soliciting proposals from qualified individuals and firms for comprehensive Accountant and Financial Consulting Services. The selected contractor will provide critical support to the City's financial operations, encompassing a wide range of responsibilities for financial records. Key services include providing expert accounting, budgetary, financial, and tax guidance; diligently inspecting financial transactions and records to ensure compliance with relevant regulations and accounting procedures; advising on legislative changes that may necessitate record modifications throughout the year; and assigning dedicated part-time employees to assist both the City's Finance Division and Police Department with account reconciliation and statement preparation as determined by respective City officials. Further scope involves reviewing and recording expense invoices, preparing cost reports and financial summaries, maintaining the General Ledger and all books of account, compiling various financial statements, and meticulously maintaining essential financial records and files in accordance with sound financial recordkeeping practices, including grant funding and all state public agency requirements. Additionally, the consultant will assist in annual budget preparation, support the City’s retained auditor by supplying necessary financial information, and utilize or learn the City's electronic and manual information systems. A critical component involves property-by-property analysis of PILOT agreements and annual service charge comparisons, reviewing and processing reports, financial statements, and documents related to tax abated/exempt projects, overseeing their fiscal administration—including tax and fee calculation, invoice review, financial analysis, quality assurance, and dispute resolution—and maintaining an ongoing revenue reporting system for these properties. The contract term for these services will be for a period of twelve (12) months. Respondents must demonstrate robust professional, financial, and administrative capabilities to effectively deliver the requested services. Mandatory minimum requirements include possession of a valid Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license and a valid Registered Municipal Accountant (RMA) license, both issued by the appropriate authority of the State of New Jersey. Furthermore, firms must possess a minimum of ten (10) years of experience specifically in providing auditing services to municipalities within the State of New Jersey. The RFP also mandates that senior staff members assigned to the City must have at least ten (10) years of experience in delivering audit services and other specified financial consulting tasks, including any specialized services identified. A crucial qualification is maintaining a current principal office located within the State of New Jersey. Prospective contractors are expected to exhibit comprehensive knowledge of municipal auditing laws and regulations, coupled with proven experience in advising municipal entities on records compliance issues. Demonstrated experience in supporting municipalities through the budget development process, labor negotiations, and other financially relevant tasks for a municipality comparable in size to East Orange is highly valued. Sealed proposals must be submitted by Tuesday, November 10, 2020, at 2:00 p.m. prevailing time. Submissions will be publicly opened and read aloud at the East Orange City Hall, Council Chamber, located at 44 City Hall Plaza, East Orange, NJ 07018. All proposals must be enclosed in a sealed envelope, clearly marked on the outside with the consultant's name and the title "ACCOUNTANT AND FINANCIAL CONSULTING SERVICES," and addressed to the Purchasing Agent. Submissions can be sent via mail, placed in the City’s designated "Drop Box" in the City Hall's rear parking lot, or hand-delivered at the scheduled date and time. A comprehensive submission packet is required, including but not limited to, a Non-Collusion Affidavit, Disclosure of Ownership Form, Insurance Requirement Acknowledgement Form, various EEO/Affirmative Action compliance notices, a Business Registration Certificate, a Professional Services Entity Information Form, a Qualification Affidavit, a Submission Form detailing qualifications and cost, an Acknowledgement of Corrections, Additions or Deletions, a Disclosure of Investment Activities in Iran, a Business Entity Disclosure Certification, a Statement of Indebtedness, an Agreement for Payment of Commodity/Service, a Letter of Intent, and a Letter of Qualification. For any questions regarding the RFP or submission requirements, interested parties should contact Lisa L. Jackson, Q.P.A., Purchasing Agent, at (973) 266-5162. No bid security or bonds are explicitly required for proposal submission.