Accountant and Financial Consulting Services

The City of East Orange is soliciting proposals from qualified firms for Accountant and Financial Consulting Services for the period of January 1, 2019, through December 31, 2019. This comprehensive Request for Proposal (RFP) covers financial records for both the City of East Orange and the East Orange Water Commission. The extensive scope of work includes providing accounting, budgetary, financial, and tax guidance; inspecting financial transactions to ensure compliance; advising on legislative changes impacting records; assigning part-time employees to assist the City’s Finance Division (three times weekly) and the Police Department (two times weekly) with reconciling checking accounts and preparing statements; reviewing and recording expense invoices; preparing financial reports; maintaining the General Ledger and all books of account; compiling financial statements; maintaining essential financial records in accordance with grant funding and state requirements; assisting in annual budget preparation; supporting the City’s retained auditor; and utilizing municipal electronic and manual information systems. Furthermore, the selected firm will conduct property-by-property analyses of PILOT agreements, review and process reports for tax abated/exempt projects, and oversee the fiscal administration of these projects, including calculation of taxes, service charges, fees, invoice review, financial analysis, quality assurance, and dispute resolution. The contract term is twelve (12) consecutive months. Contractors must demonstrate robust professional, financial, and administrative capabilities, including a valid Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license and a valid Registered Municipal Accountant (RMA) license, both issued by the appropriate New Jersey authority. A minimum of ten (10) years of experience in providing auditing services to municipalities within the State of New Jersey is mandatory. Proposals must assign senior staff members as regular support, each possessing at least ten (10) years of experience in audit and other requested services. Maintaining a current principal office within the State of New Jersey is also a critical requirement. Respondents should highlight knowledge of municipal auditing laws and regulations, experience in advising municipalities on records compliance, and expertise in supporting budget development and labor negotiations for similar-sized municipalities. Required documentation includes proof of compliance with N.J.S.A. 10:5-33 et seq. (Affirmative Action), N.J.S.A. 52:32-44 (Business Registration of Public Contractors), and N.J.S.A. 52:25-24.2 (Disclosure of Ownership). Proposals must be submitted to the Purchasing Committee in the East Orange City Hall, Council Chamber, by TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2019, at 12:00 p.m. prevailing time, when they will be publicly opened. Each submission must be enclosed in a sealed envelope, clearly bearing the consultant's name and the title "ACCOUNTANT AND FINANCIAL CONSULTING SERVICES" on the outside, addressed to the PURCHASING AGENT, City of East Orange, City Hall, 44 City Hall Plaza, East Orange, NJ 07018. Required submission components include one (1) unbound original, four (4) additional sets, and one (1) compact disc (CD) of the sealed submission, along with a comprehensive checklist of documents such as a Non-Collusion Affidavit, Disclosure of Ownership Form, Insurance Requirement Acknowledgement Form, various EEO/Affirmative Action compliance notices, 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. For questions, contact Lisa L. Jackson, Q.P.A., Purchasing Agent, at (973) 266-5162.