Accountant and Financial Consulting Services

The City of East Orange, in Essex County, New Jersey, is soliciting Qualification Proposals for Accountant and Financial Consulting Services for a contract period spanning January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025. The comprehensive scope of work includes providing expert accounting, budgetary, financial, and tax guidance; inspecting financial transactions and records to ensure compliance with regulations; advising on legislative changes impacting recordkeeping; and assisting the City’s Finance Division and Police Department with account reconciliation and statement preparation by providing dedicated part-time employees. Furthermore, the selected entity will be responsible for reviewing and recording expense invoices, preparing various financial reports and summaries, maintaining the General Ledger and all books of account, managing checking account reconciliations and check preparations, compiling financial statements using basic data, and ensuring essential financial records comply with grant funding and state requirements. The consultant will also assist in annual budget preparation, support the City’s retained auditor by supplying necessary financial information, and utilize or learn the City’s electronic and manual information systems. Additional responsibilities encompass property-by-property analysis of PILOT agreements and annual service charge comparisons, reviewing and processing reports related to tax-abated/exempt projects, overseeing the fiscal administration of these projects including tax calculations, invoice processing, and dispute resolution, and maintaining an ongoing revenue reporting system for such properties. Prospective contractors must demonstrate deep knowledge of municipal auditing laws and regulations, coupled with proven experience in advising municipal entities on records compliance issues. Essential qualifications include a strong background in supporting municipalities through the budget development process, labor negotiations, and other financially relevant tasks for localities similar in size to East Orange. Mandatory minimum requirements specify that respondents must hold a valid Certified Public Accountants license and a valid Registered Municipal Accountants license issued by the appropriate authority in the State of New Jersey. Firms are also required to possess a minimum of ten (10) years’ experience in providing auditing services specifically to municipalities within New Jersey and must assign senior staff members, each with at least ten years of experience in the requested auditing and specialized services, to serve as regular support for the City. Furthermore, maintaining a current principal office within the State of New Jersey is a prerequisite for consideration. There are no mandatory pre-bid meetings or site visits explicitly stated in the provided text. Qualification Proposals must be submitted by Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. prevailing time. Submissions will be received by the Purchasing Agent in the East Orange City Hall, Division of Procurement, 1st floor, located at 44 City Hall Plaza, East Orange, NJ 07018, where they will be publicly opened and read aloud. Each proposal must be enclosed in a sealed envelope, clearly bearing the consultant’s name and the title "ACCOUNTANT AND FINANCIAL CONSULTING SERVICES" on the exterior. Respondents are required to provide one (1) unbound original, two (2) additional copies, and one (1) thumb drive containing the complete submission. Required documentation includes a comprehensive checklist of forms such as a Non-Collusion Affidavit, Disclosure of Ownership Form, Business Registration Certificate, Professional Services Entity Information Form, Qualification Affidavit, Letter of Intent, and a Letter of Qualification. Questions regarding the RFQ should be directed to Racquel C. Ferguson, QPA, at (973) 266-5162.