REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
The Texas State University-San Marcos Development Foundation
Our organization is accepting proposals from CPA firms to provide audit and tax services for our organization in the future. We invite your firm to submit a proposal to us by May 30, 2010, for consideration. A description of our organization, the services needed, and other pertinent information follows:
Background
Texas State University-San Marcos Development Foundation (Foundation) is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization under sections 509(a)(1) and 170(b)(1)(A)(iv) of the internal revenue code—an organization operated for the benefit of a college or university that is owned or operated by a governmental unit. Annual revenues have ranged from $5 million to $20 million over the last three years. The foundation maintains a website (http://www.developmentfoundation.com). The foundation has an August 31 fiscal year end...
Services to Be Performed
Your proposal is expected to cover the following services:
1. Annual audit to be completed in accordance with United States generally accepted auditing standards and meetings with audit committee and or board of directors, as necessary.
2. Tax filings for the organization.
Key Personnel
Following are key contacts for information you may seek in preparing your proposal:
Mrs. Prince |
Executive Director |
|
rp33@txstate.edu |
Mr. Lauderdale |
Accountant |
|
kl17@txstate.edu |
Prior audit reports, forms 990 and policies can be found at our website. Please return the completed proposal to Development Foundation, 601 University Drive, JCK 960, San Marcos, TX 78666..
Relationship with Prior CPA Service Provider
These services have been provided by Carneiro, Chumney & Co., L.C. As far as we know this provider is willing to continue to provide these services. This request is not as a result of any dissatisfaction with the services provided in the past. We are making this request in accordance with a policy to seek proposals every three years.
Your Response to This Request for Proposal
In responding to this request, we request the following information:
1. Detail your firm’s experience in providing auditing and tax services to companies in the not-for-profit sector, as well as foundations of a comparable size to the foundation, including those with University relationships.
2. Provide information on whether you provide services to any related foundations or Universities.
3. Discuss the firm’s independence with respect to the foundation.
4. Discuss commitments you will make to staff continuity, including your staff turnover experience in the last three years.
5. Identify the five largest clients your firm (or office) has lost in the past three years and the reasons. Also discuss, in instances where loss of the client was due to an unresolved auditing or accounting matter, the process of attempting to resolve the issue(s).
6. Identify the partner, manager, and in-charge accountant who will be assigned to our job if you are successful in your bid, and provide biographies. Indicate any complaints against them that have been leveled by the state board of accountancy or other regulatory authority, if any. Indicate any corrective actions that have been taken by the firm with respect to these people.
7. Describe how your firm will approach the audit of the organization, including the use of any association or affiliate member firm personnel and the areas that will receive primary emphasis. Also discuss the firm’s use of technology in the audit. And finally, discuss the communication process used by the firm to discuss issues with the management and audit committees of the board.
8. Set forth your fee proposal for the 2010 audit, with whatever guarantees can be given regarding increases in future years. Provide your proposed fee for the required tax preparation.
9. Furnish standard billing rates for classes of professional personnel for each of the last three years.
10. Provide the names and contact information for other, similarly sized clients of the partner and manager that will be assigned to our organization for reference purposes.
11. Describe how and why your firm is different from other firms being considered, and why our selection of your firm as our independent accountants is the best decision we could make.
12. Include a copy of your firm’s most recent peer review report, the related letter of comments, and the firm’s response to the letter of comments.
Evaluation of Proposals
The foundation will evaluate proposals on a qualitative basis. This includes our review of the firm’s peer review report and related materials, interviews with senior engagement personnel to be assigned to our organization, results of discussions with other clients, and the firm’s completeness and timeliness in its response to us.
Please submit your response to this request for proposal by May 30, 2010. We would also appreciate a response if you decline to submit a proposal.
Sincerely,
Ms. Becky Prince
Executive Director