Accountant and Financial Consulting Services

The City of East Orange, located in Essex County, New Jersey, is soliciting qualification proposals through a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Accountant and Financial Consulting Services. This fair and open public solicitation process aims to secure professional services for the financial records of the City for the period of January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024. The comprehensive scope of work includes providing accounting, budgetary, financial, and tax guidance; inspecting financial transactions and records for compliance; advising on legislative changes affecting records; providing part-time staff assistance to the City's Finance and Police Departments for account reconciliation and statement preparation; reviewing and recording expense invoices; maintaining the General Ledger and books of account; preparing financial statements and reports; maintaining essential financial records for grant funding and state requirements; assisting in annual budget preparation; supporting the City's retained auditor; utilizing city-specific information systems; conducting property-by-property analysis of PILOT agreements; reviewing and processing reports for tax-abated/exempt projects; overseeing fiscal administration of such projects; and maintaining an ongoing revenue reporting system for these properties. The selected firm(s) will demonstrate professional, financial, and administrative capabilities, agreeing to compensation terms beneficial to East Orange taxpayers. Prospective contractors must meet stringent qualification requirements to be considered. Mandatory minimum requirements include possessing a valid Certified Public Accountants license and a valid Registered Municipal Accountants license issued by the appropriate New Jersey authority. Firms must also have a minimum of ten (10) years of experience providing auditing services to municipalities within the State of New Jersey. Furthermore, proposals must assign senior staff members with at least ten (10) years of experience in audit services and other requested services, including specialized areas, to serve as regular staff support for the City. Maintaining a current principal office within the State of New Jersey is also a prerequisite. Respondents should detail their knowledge of municipal auditing laws, regulations, and experience in advising on records compliance, budget development, labor negotiations, and other financially relevant tasks for municipalities comparable in size to East Orange. Submissions require a detailed description of abilities, including staffing and key staff location, and, if applicable, cost details with hourly rates and expenses. Qualification Proposals must be submitted to the Purchasing Agent in the East Orange City Hall, Division of Procurement, by Thursday, January 4, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. prevailing time, when proposals will be publicly opened and read aloud. Detailed RFQ documents are available for review at the Division of Procurement or can be downloaded from www.eastorange-nj.gov. Submissions must be enclosed in a sealed envelope, bearing the consultant's name and the title “ACCOUNTANT AND FINANCIAL CONSULTING SERVICES,” addressed to the Purchasing Agent, City of East Orange, City Hall, 44 City Hall Plaza, East Orange, NJ 07018. The submission package must include one (1) unbound original, three (3) additional sets, and one (1) thumb drive. Required 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, Business Entity Disclosure Certification, Statement of Indebtedness, Agreement for Payment of Commodity/Service, Letter of Intent, and Letter of Qualification. All Professional Service Contractors must comply with N.J.S.A. 10:5-33 et seq., N.J.S.A. 52:32-44, and N.J.S.A. 52:25-24.2. For questions, contact Racquel C. Ferguson, QPA, at (973) 266-5162.