Auditing Services Procurement Tender

Summary

The Countrywomen’s Trust invites tender submissions from interested Auditing Services Suppliers to provide auditing and associated professional services to the organisation from the year ending 31 December 2025. This will comprise of planning and conducting the annual statutory audit and any related professional services.

NAME	The Countrywomen’s Trust The Countrywomen’s Trust and the Irish Countrywomen’s Association are finalising the legal restructure arising from the anomaly existence of a dual structure operating as one.
ADDRESS	58 Merrion Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4
WEBSITE	www.ica.ie
CONTACT DETAILS	Tel: 01 6680002 office@ica.ie
COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER	16219
FINANCE SOFTWARES	Sage 50 Thesaurus
SUMMARY AUDIT REQUIREMENTS	The successful firm will carry out the audit, initially for the financial year ending 31st December 2025. Preparation of annual Financial Statements. – Financial year end is 31st December each year. In line with organisational timelines, any audit field work and final financial statements be completed in the first quarter of the year. The Auditor may be required to attend and present their Audit Report/Financial Statements at Directors’ Meeting and AGM. Preparation and filing of relevant forms/returns and accounts in the Companies Registration Office. As part of good governance in financial procedures, The Countrywomen’s Trust may require our auditor to provide advice and assistance to ensure that our financial statements are compliant with relevant statutory regulations, including Charities SORP. It is desirable for the firm to have expertise and experience in auditing and providing professional advice to the non-profit /charities sector.
TENDER TIMEFRAME	Please include: Audit procedure and scope. Experience of audit, particularly with other charities/not for profits (if any). A detailed breakdown of costs, including hourly or daily rates for involved staff, and the overall annual cost (Year 1, Year 2 and Year 3), specifying VAT costs. Reference of at least 3 other audit clients, ideally in the not-for-profit sector. Tender submissions are to be sent via email to: Eileen Fallon: accounts@ica.ie Closing Date: 5pm – Friday 16^th May 2025

General Requirements & Responsibilities

The Countrywomen’s Trust CLG is seeking to engage an experienced Auditing Services Supplier who will provide the full range of auditing services required to fulfil its statutory obligations, to comply with relevant accounting and reporting standards and best practice.

Audit responsibility will be to report to the Directors and Charity Trustees in accordance with the Companies Act 2014 whether, in your expert opinion, the financial statements:

give a true and fair view of assets, liabilities and the financial position as at the end of the financial year on 31 December;

are prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) for charities; and,
are prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2014, Charities Act 2009, and any other relevant legislation.

Based on the work undertaken during the audit, the auditors will have a statutory duty to report whether, in your opinion:

The information given in the directors’ report is consistent with the financial statements; and
The directors’ report has been prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 2014.

Annual Auditing Services required:

The range of services for which the successful firm may be responsible include, but are not restricted to:

Auditing

Conduct an annual financial audit in accordance with the relevant Standards applicable in Ireland and applicable law.

Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements.
Design audit procedures that are appropriate to the internal controls relevant to the audit.
Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used.
Conclude on the appropriateness of the directors’ use of the going concern basis for the preparation of the accounts.
Prepare the financial statements, including processing client amendments as required.

Evaluate and advise on the overall presentation, structure and content of the financial statements.
Identify if other non-financial information included in the annual report is materially consistent with the financial statements.
Carry out pre-audit and post-audit meetings as required.

Confirm, in writing, matters discussed and any agreed actions.
Present draft audited accounts to the Finance committee and the board, including any audit findings, as and when required. Furthermore, it may be required for a representative of the firm to attend the AGM to present audited accounts to members.
Preparing and lodge returns with the Companies Registration Office and any other filing requirements.

Duration of contract

The contract will commence from and include the year ending 31 December 2025 and continue for three years (to year ending 31 December 2027), subject to the services being satisfactorily delivered each year. It is open to the organisation and contractor to terminate the contract earlier, if so agreed.

Retention of records

During the course of the audit, the firm will have access to various documentation. You will be required to only take copies of any documentation required for audit purposes and any such documentation must be destroyed after 7 years, except for documentation that is agreed to be of continuing significance.

Other requirements

The successful firm must have a valid tax clearance certificate for the contract’s duration. Auditing practice certificate and the related professional insurance must also be held.