Accountant and Financial Consulting Services

The City of East Orange Board of Water Commissioners (EOBWC) is soliciting competitive proposals for comprehensive Accountant and Financial Consulting Services. The selected firm will provide crucial operational and financial advisory support, adhering to utility industry standards. This encompasses managing metered revenue, customer service billing and collection systems, work order utility practices, and capital project execution and monitoring at a financial level. Furthermore, the scope includes supporting capital financing and existing debt management in collaboration with bond counsel and the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank (NJIB), as well as working with the Commission’s engineers and financing advisors on capital projects and funding. The services extend to providing accounting, budgetary, financial, and long-term plan advisory, producing monthly and balance-of-year forecasts for revenue, expenses, and cash flow, inspecting financial transactions and records for compliance, advising on legislative changes affecting records, and assisting the Commission’s Finance Team with statements and audit reporting. The engagement also requires attending EOBWC Monthly Commissioner’s meetings and committee calls, reviewing expense invoices, preparing financial reports, maintaining the General Ledger, reconciling accounts, assisting in annual budget preparation, and maintaining essential financial records in accordance with state requirements and grant funding. Additionally, the consultant will support auditors, the NJIB, City Administrator, or Chief Finance Officer, and review/process reports for tax abated/exempt projects, with a contract term of twelve (12) months from January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2023. Prospective contractors must demonstrate a profound understanding of municipal auditing laws and regulations, along with extensive experience advising municipal entities on records compliance issues. Mandatory minimum requirements 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 providing auditing services to municipalities within the State of New Jersey and must assign senior staff members with at least ten (10) years of experience in audit services and the other requested services as regular support for the City. It is also required that the firm maintain a current principal office within the State of New Jersey. Submissions should detail individual qualifications, education, and experience, documented past performance, references, ability to provide timely services, and cost details including hourly rates and expenses. There are no mandatory pre-bid meetings or site visits specified in the document. Sealed proposals are to be received by the Purchasing Agent in the East Orange City Hall, Division of Procurement, and will be publicly opened and read aloud on Wednesday, February 22, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. prevailing time. Submissions 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. One unbound original, four additional sets, and one thumb drive of the sealed submission are required. Proposals can be mailed or hand-delivered to the Division of Procurement, First Floor, City Hall. Essential submission documents include 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, Russia and Belarus, Business Entity Disclosure Certification, Statement of Indebtedness, Agreement for Payment of Commodity/Service, Letter of Intent, and Letter of Qualification. For questions, contact Racquel C. Ferguson, QPA, at (973) 266-5162. Proposals will remain firm for sixty (60) days after opening.