Accountant and Financial Consulting Services

The City of East Orange Board of Water Commissioners, located in Essex County, New Jersey, is soliciting qualification proposals through a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Accountant and Financial Consulting Services. This professional service contract aims to secure expertise 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 operational and financial advisory services aligned with utility industry standards, covering metered revenue capture, customer service billing, capital project execution and monitoring, debt management support with bond counsel and NJIB, and collaboration with engineers and financial advisors. Additionally, the selected firm will provide accounting, budgetary, financial, and long-term plan advisory services, produce monthly revenue and expense forecasts, inspect financial transactions, advise on legislative changes, and provide part-time on-site and remote employee assistance to the Commission’s Finance Team. The role also entails attending EOBWC Monthly Commissioner’s meetings, reviewing and recording expense invoices, preparing checks, maintaining the General Ledger, assisting with the Annual Budget, supporting the City’s retained auditor, maintaining essential financial records, and processing reports related to tax-abated/exempt projects, among other duties as directed by the EOBWC and Executive Director. The contract term for the successful respondent will be for twelve (12) consecutive months. Prospective contractors must meet stringent qualification requirements to be considered for these critical financial services. Applicants must possess a valid Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license and a valid Registered Municipal Accountants license, both issued by the appropriate authority of the State of New Jersey. A minimum of ten (10) years of experience in providing auditing services to municipalities within New Jersey is mandatory. Furthermore, firms must assign senior staff members as regular support for the City, with each senior staff member demonstrating at least ten (10) years of experience in audit services and the other requested services. Maintaining a current principal office within the State of New Jersey is also a prerequisite. Respondents should also demonstrate strong knowledge of municipal auditing laws and regulations, coupled with experience advising municipal entities on records compliance, budget development processes, and financially relevant tasks for municipalities of similar size to East Orange. Documented past performance and references for similar services are crucial components of the qualification assessment. Qualification proposals must be submitted in a sealed envelope, clearly bearing the consultant’s name and the title “ACCOUNTANT AND FINANCIAL CONSULTING SERVICES” on the outside. Submissions are to be addressed to the Purchasing Agent, City of East Orange, City Hall, 44 City Hall Plaza, East Orange, NJ 07018. The deadline for receipt of proposals is **Thursday, January 4, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. prevailing time**, at which point they will be publicly opened and read aloud. Required submission documents include, but are not limited to, a Non-Collusion Affidavit, Disclosure of Ownership Form, Insurance Requirement Acknowledgement Form (with Professional Liability Insurance minimums of $1,000,000.00 per claim and $3,000,000.00 aggregate), EEO/Affirmative Action Compliance Notice, Americans With Disabilities Act compliance, a copy of the Certificate of Employee Information Report, a Business Registration Certificate from the State of New Jersey, Professional Service Entity Information Form, Qualification Affidavit, Submission Form, Acknowledgement of Corrections, Disclosure of Investment Activities in Iran, Statement of Indebtedness, Agreement for Payment of Commodity/Service, Letter of Intent, and Letter of Qualification. For questions, contact Racquel C. Ferguson, QPA, Purchasing Agent, at (973) 266-5162. One unbound original, three additional sets, and one thumb drive of the submission are required.