Certified Public Accountant to Perform Forensic Audit

The Township of West Orange is soliciting proposals from Qualified Certified Public Accounting Firms to perform a comprehensive forensic audit of its municipal revenue collection for the fiscal years 2021, 2022, and 2023. This critical professional service aims to provide an independent opinion on the Township’s revenue collection practices in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The core scope of work involves identifying the causes, trends, and projections contributing to the municipal deficit, specifically detailing areas where projected revenue is lost and accounting for discrepancies between anticipated and collected values. The scope may be expanded based on initial findings and the discretion of the Township Council, requiring the successful firm to deliver a detailed Forensic Report in both electronic and hard-copy formats. This initiative is vital for the Township of West Orange to attain fiscal well-being and enhance financial transparency. Prospective contractors must satisfy stringent qualification requirements, including holding a valid license as a Registered Municipal Accounting Firm from the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, Division of Local Government Services, for a minimum of ten years. Firms need demonstrable experience spanning at least a decade in multi-disciplinary accounting practice focused on New Jersey local governmental accounting and finance. Essential knowledge encompasses the rules, regulations, and processes of the NJ Department of Community Affairs and the Local Finance Board, pertaining to various public entities like local/county governments and authorities. Furthermore, mandatory experience with the Township’s specific electronic payroll and financial management systems, including Munidex, Kronos, and Primepoint, is required. Firms must also submit a recent quality control review opinion and provide detailed resumes for all key employees proposed for the project. There are no mandatory pre-bid meetings or site visits; all questions must be submitted in writing via email to the Purchasing Agent. Sealed Requests for Proposals must be submitted no later than March 31, 2026, at 11:00 AM, to the Township of West Orange, 66 Main Street, West Orange, NJ 07052, Attn: Panayiota Reynolds, QPA. Envelopes must be clearly labeled with the RFP title, the submitting party's name, and address, and can be mailed or hand-delivered to the Purchasing Office, Room 111. The bid opening will occur in the Council Chambers at the specified address. Mandatory submission documents include a completed Disclosure of Ownership (N.J.S.A. 52:25-24.2), a valid NJ Business Registration Certificate (P.L. 2004, c57), and compliance with Equal Employment Opportunity requirements (N.J.S.A. 10:5-31 et seq. and N.J.A.C. 17:27). Other critical forms, such as the Affirmative Action Employee Information Report, Non-Collusion Affidavit, Investment Activities in Iran certification, and Russia-Belarus Certification, are also required. Proposers must provide one original paper package and one copy on an external hard drive (USB stick/flash drive). The designated contact for all inquiries related to this RFP is Panayiota Reynolds, Purchasing Agent, who can be reached via email at preynolds@westorange.org. UNLOCK