ACCOUNTANT AND FINANCIAL CONSULTING SERVICES (2nd Request)

The City of East Orange, New Jersey, is soliciting qualification proposals for comprehensive Accountant and Financial Consulting Services through a Fair & Open Public Solicitation Process. This Request for Qualifications (RFQ) seeks to secure a qualified firm for a twelve-month contract period, spanning from January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025. The extensive scope of work includes providing expert accounting, budgetary, financial, and tax guidance to the City. Key responsibilities entail inspecting financial transactions and records to ensure adherence to regulations and accounting procedures, advising on legislative changes that may necessitate record modifications, and deploying a minimum of one part-time employee, three times per week, to assist the City’s Finance Division with checking account reconciliations and statement preparations. Additionally, the selected firm will supply one part-time employee, twice weekly, to support the Police Department with similar financial reconciliation tasks. Further requirements for the engaged consultant include reviewing and recording expense invoices, preparing various financial reports and summaries, meticulously maintaining the General Ledger and all books of account, and generating checks from reconciled accounts. The firm will be responsible for compiling financial statements using basic data, maintaining essential financial records and files in accordance with sound financial practices, complying with grant funding stipulations, and adhering to all state record-keeping requirements for public agencies. Assistance in preparing the Annual Budget and providing financial information to the City’s retained auditor are also critical. Specialized services extend to property-by-property analysis of PILOT (Payment In Lieu Of Taxes) agreements, comparing annual service charges, and reviewing, processing, and overseeing financial reports and documents associated with tax-abated/exempt projects, including the calculation of taxes, service charges, fees, invoice review, and maintaining an ongoing revenue reporting system for these properties. Contractors must demonstrate robust professional, financial, and administrative capabilities, possessing a valid Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license and a valid Registered Municipal Accountant (RMA) license issued by the appropriate New Jersey authority. A minimum of ten (10) years of experience in providing auditing services to New Jersey municipalities is mandatory, and assigned senior staff members must also possess at least ten (10) years of experience in auditing and the specific services outlined in this RFQ. Maintaining a current principal office within the State of New Jersey is also a prerequisite. Qualification proposals are due by Thursday, December 12, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. prevailing time, and must be submitted to the Purchasing Agent, Division of Procurement, East Orange City Hall, 44 City Hall Plaza, East Orange, NJ 07018. Submissions require one unbound original, two additional copies, and one thumb drive, presented in a sealed envelope clearly labeled with the consultant’s name and the project title, “ACCOUNTANT AND FINANCIAL CONSULTING SERVICES.” Inquiries should be directed to Racquel C. Ferguson, QPA, Purchasing Agent, at (973) 266-5162.