REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR INDEPENDENT AUDITING SERVICES

Key facts

About the role

Highlights

• REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR INDEPENDENT AUDITING SERVICES
• American Friends Service Committee (AFSC)
• The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) invites qualified and reputable independent audit firms with significant and relevant accounting and auditing experience to submit proposals for the provision of independent auditing services for its Horn of Africa Office in Ethiopia.
• There is no expressed or implied obligation for AFSC to reimburse auditors for any expenses incurred in preparing or submitting proposals in response to this RFP.
• The requirements, specifications, terms, and conditions contained in this RFP shall constitute the minimum requirements unless otherwise stated and shall govern any resulting contract unless otherwise approved in writing.
• Organization Overview
• The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) is a Quaker organization comprising people of different faiths who are committed to social justice, peace, and humanitarian service.
• AFSC promotes nonviolent approaches to conflict resolution and works to transform cultural and societal norms, values, and behaviors to reject violence.
• The organization’s core values include Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equality, and Stewardship.
• AFSC is primarily funded through charitable contributions, grants, and bequests from individuals, corporations, and foundations.
• AFSC is an international NGO registered with the Authority for Civil Society Organizations in Ethiopia under Certificate of Registration No. 6166, dated April 5, 2022.
• AFSC currently implements projects in the Horn of Africa and maintains an office in Addis Ababa, Bisrate Gebrel.
• The audit forms part of the statutory audit requirements applicable to AFSC in Ethiopia.
• Purpose of the Engagement
• AFSC seeks to engage and retain a reputable independent audit firm to conduct the statutory audit of its Horn of Africa Office in Ethiopia.
• Audit Objective
• Obtain reasonable assurance regarding the truth and fairness of the financial statements and accompanying notes to the accounts.
• Conduct the audit in accordance with International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and International Standards on Auditing (ISA).
• Issue an Independent Auditor’s Report expressing an audit opinion on the financial statements.
• Assess the organization’s compliance with applicable laws and regulatory requirements, including relevant Charities and Societies Organizations (CSA) proclamations, income tax proclamations, and directives issued by relevant government authorities.
• Scope of Work
• This engagement is limited to the AFSC Ethiopia Office and is not an agency-wide audit.
• Conduct a financial and compliance examination of the AFSC Ethiopia Office in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, IPSAS, ISA, and other relevant requirements.
• Perform the minimum audit procedures required under applicable standards and regulations.
• Assess and test the existence, adequacy, and effectiveness of the organization’s internal control systems.
• Identify and report strengths and weaknesses in the internal control environment.
• Provide practical recommendations for improving internal controls and addressing identified weaknesses.
• Review accounting systems and identify areas requiring improvement.
• Provide recommendations for accounting and financial management improvements and explain their potential implications.
• Present audit findings and recommendations in a clear and appropriate manner.
• Incorporate management responses and comments into the audit findings and recommendations where applicable.

Required qualifications

• Eligibility Criteria
• Legally registered and licensed audit firm.
• Experience conducting audits under IPSAS and ISA.
• At least three relevant audit references from the past five years.
• Submit audit methodology, work plan, and CVs of key audit personnel.
• Disclose any actual or potential conflict of interest.
• Deliverables
• Audited Financial Statements with an independent audit opinion.
• Management Letter covering significant control and accounting issues and recommendations.
• Submission Guidelines
• Maximum proposal length: 20 pages, excluding statutory documents.
• Submit statutory documents separately by email.
• Email Subject: “EOI: EXTERNAL AUDIT AND ASSURANCE SERVICES”
• Email: MChasieh@afsc.org and FMugo@afsc.org
• Copy: BKassa@afsc.org
• Deadline: 21 October 2026.
• Questions may be directed to the same email contacts.
• Failure to meet RFP requirements or provide required documents may result in disqualification.
• AFSC reserves the right to reject bids, waive technicalities, and make the final selection.
• First Section – Technical Proposal
• Number and levels of personnel assigned to the audit.
• Personnel available for year-round support.
• Relevant non-profit and international audit clients, including grant audits.
• Quality-control and peer-review arrangements, with latest report.
• Experience and roles of senior audit personnel, including on-site availability.
• Relevant non-profit and sector-specific audit experience.
• Annual employee turnover rate.
• Three to four client references with contact details.
• Professional liability insurance or financial guarantee arrangements.
• Details of any regulatory actions against the firm.
• Second Section – Cost Proposal
• Audit team structure and estimated time allocation.
• Year-round availability of audit personnel.
• Management Letter coverage.
• Proposed audit schedule.
• Cost basis and confirmation of whether fees are “not-to-exceed.”
• Hourly rates for partner, manager, senior, staff, clerical, and other personnel.
• Itemized additional costs.
• Any other relevant information.

How to apply