Accountant and Financial Consulting Services

The City of East Orange, County of Essex, New Jersey, is actively soliciting Qualification Proposals for comprehensive Accountant and Financial Consulting Services through a Fair & Open Public Solicitation Process. This Request for Qualifications (RFQ) seeks experienced firms to provide crucial financial expertise for the city's financial records, covering a contract term from January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024. The extensive scope of work includes, but is not limited to, providing accounting, budgetary, financial, and tax guidance; inspecting financial transactions and records for regulatory compliance; advising on legislative changes impacting record-keeping; and assigning part-time employees to assist both the City’s Finance Division and Police Department with checking account reconciliation and statement preparation. Additionally, the selected consultant will manage expense invoice review and recording, prepare financial summaries, maintain the General Ledger, compile various financial reports, ensure compliance with grant funding and state recordkeeping requirements, assist in the annual budget preparation process, support the City’s retained auditor, utilize existing electronic information systems, perform property-by-property analysis of PILOT agreements, and oversee the fiscal administration of tax abated/exempt projects, including revenue reporting. This critical service ensures the financial integrity and operational efficiency of the municipality. Prospective contractors must demonstrate robust qualifications, including in-depth knowledge of municipal auditing laws and regulations specific to New Jersey, coupled with extensive experience in advising municipal entities on records compliance issues. Essential experience also encompasses supporting municipalities in critical areas such as budget development and labor negotiations, particularly for a public entity comparable in size to the City of East Orange. Mandatory minimum requirements stipulate that all respondents must possess 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 are required to have a minimum of ten (10) years of experience in providing auditing services to municipalities within New Jersey. It is mandatory to assign senior staff members who will serve as regular support for the City, with these individuals having at least ten (10) years of experience in audit services and the other specialized services outlined in this RFQ. A current principal office maintained within the State of New Jersey is an additional prerequisite for all submitting entities, reinforcing local expertise and accessibility. Qualification Proposals are due and will be publicly opened by the Purchasing Agent in the East Orange City Hall, Division of Procurement, on Thursday, January 4, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. prevailing time. Submissions must be securely enclosed in a sealed envelope, clearly bearing the consultant's name and the precise title “ACCOUNTANT AND FINANCIAL CONSULTING SERVICES” on the exterior, and addressed to the PURCHASING AGENT, City of East Orange, City Hall, 44 City Hall Plaza, East Orange, NJ 07018. A comprehensive checklist of required submission documents includes 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. For any inquiries regarding the RFQ or the submission process, interested parties may contact Racquel C. Ferguson, QPA, Purchasing Agent, at (973) 266-5162.