Call for Expression of Interest [EoI] for External Audit

Call for Expression of Interest [EoI] for External Audit

April 28, 2016

INTRODUCTION:

JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc./Chlorhexidine Navi Care Program is an international organization working in Nepal to support the Ministry of Health, Department of Health Services for maternal and newborn health and is funded by USAID. We are looking an experienced external auditor of national reputation to undertake a financial audit of the organization for the financial period October 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015 (9 months), in accordance with the statutory requirements, national reporting standards and guidelines of auditing.

Scope of the Assignment:

The audit will be conducted in accordance with the relevant donor guidelines. The audit for financial transactions during year 2014/15 (9 months). The auditor will pay special attention to the following:

• Whether the project funds were used in accordance with the donor requirements, and consonant with the cooperative agreement;
• Whether goods and services financed have been procured in accordance with the relevant procurement procedures and as required by the cooperative agreement.
• Whether the relevant and necessary supporting documents, records, and books of accounts have been kept and in line with the standard accounting system. Or whether there is a clear linkage between the accounting records and the financial reports prepared and shared with the donor.
• Whether the designated accounts have been used and maintained in accordance with the provisions of the relevant general conditions and cooperative agreement.
• Whether the accounting records have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and practices and relevant to donor guidelines. The auditor will be expected to give a true and fair view of the financial position (resources and expenditure) of the program.
• Whether there was compliance with the financial covenants as per the cooperative agreement with the donor.

Audit Reports:

The external auditor (s) will express an objective opinion on JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc./Chlorhexidine Navi Care Program’s financial statements and prepare a “Management Letter," that will highlight the following among others:

• Comments and/or observations on the accounting records, systems, and internal controls that were examined during the audit;
• Deficiencies or weakness in the accounting systems and internal controls and make recommendation for improvement;
• Compliance with each financial covenant in the relevant financing agreement;
• Matters that have come to their attention during the audit which might have a significant impact on the operations of the organization; and
• Management's comments on the audit report.

Deliverables and timeline:

The external audit is expected to be conducted in the 3rd week of May 2016 and the final report presented to the Senior Management Team during the last week of May 2016. The audit firm shall first submit a draft audit report to the Project Director in both hard and electronic copies duly signed within seven (7) days upon completion of the assignment. The final audit report shall be submitted to the Project Director in five (5) hard copies and an electronic version within seven (7) days of receipt of the management’s comments.

Location of Assignment:

• The assignment will be carried out at the JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc./Chlorhexidine Navi Care Program office.

Duration of Assignment:

• It is expected that the examination of the books of accounts, supporting documents and the cooperative covenants will take 10 working days, in accordance with the Nepal Government statutory regulations and the audit requirement.

REQUIREMENTS:

• The Lead Consultant- external auditor should be a nationally qualified accountant or auditor (with the qualification of CA, FCA or its equivalent) with experience in donor accounting and with I/NGOs, multiple project auditing and financial management, and a minimum of five years’ experience. The audit firm must have strong knowledge and experience in performance and system audit. Applicants are expected to suggest total fees for the assignment in the EoI.

APPLICATION:

Qualified audit firms should send (via e-mail) EoI and comprehensive profile of the audit firm to vacancy@cncp.org.np addressed to “The Project Director, JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc./Chlorhexidine Navi Care Program" by close of business hours on Sunday, May 8, 2016. Only successful audit firms will be contacted.