INTERNAL AUDIT SERVICES FOR 3 YEARS

Description

Thetford Town Council is currently exempt from an annual full external audit but due to its size is required to have a limited assurance review by the external auditor appointed to do such reviews. The Town Council and its external auditor rely on a detailed review of internal controls as well as the adequacy of accounting procedures by an internal auditor appointed by the Town Council. This requires the appointed internal auditor to complete an internal audit certification for the Accountability and Governance Annual Return (AGAR). The purpose of this tender is to request an internal auditor to provide this service. In the case that the internal audit is not able to confirm compliance in the AGAR, there is the expectation that these instances of non-compliance will be included in an internal audit report containing practical recommendations for improvement. It will be expected that the internal audit service provider will be effective and add value. In addition to the work required to sign the relevant section of the AGAR (see Part A above), it is expected that the internal auditor service provider will: - 1. Prepare an annual audit plan which will be discussed with the Town Clerk and tabled at a Finance Committee meeting so that there can be additional input and oversight into the internal audit procedures that need to be carried out. 2. Have significant experience of auditing local and parish councils' sector and will be able to highlight latest best practice in the sector. 3. Have sufficient capacity to complete their work by no later than 31 May each year. The written tender response should contain the following information: - 1. Details of registration to a professional organisation. 2. Experience in auditing local and parish councils. 3. Details of professional indemnity insurance. 4. Sample internal audit plan for the annual internal audit with timeframes. 5. The fee for undertaking the work for each of the 2021/22, 2022/23 and 2023/24 years. 6. The tenderer's own environmental strategy. Sealed inner envelopes to be marked 'Internal Audit Services" for the attention of the Town Clerk, Thetford Town Council. Electronic submissions cannot be accepted due to restrictions in our Financial Regulations. The closing date for the tenders is 12 noon, Friday 22nd October 2021. Submission Address: The Carnegie, Cage Lane, Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 2DS