Audit Services

North Carolina seeks a vendor to provide three years of audit services for a government authority, starting with the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026.

Qualified independent auditors with governmental accounting and auditing experience
Audit in accordance with North Carolina laws/regulations, GAAP, GAAS, Government Auditing Standards (2018 revisions), Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200), and State Single Audit Implementation Act
Scope includes financial and compliance examination of CAFR, federal, state, and local funding
Audit opinion on governmental activities, business-type activities, major funds, discretely presented component units, and remaining fund information
Opinion on budgetary comparison information for General Fund, annually budgeted major and special revenue funds
Retain working papers for no less than three years
Pre-planning conference with Finance staff
Interim audit work prior to June 30th
Attendance at Board of Commissioners meeting in late October for presentation
Audit all funds and entity-wide activities in CAFR at 6/30/2026 and subsequent additions
Issue management letter to Board of Commissioners (if required)
Provide informal letter to Finance Officer with efficiency/internal control/accounting improvements
Advise County staff on applicability of accounting and reporting standards
Guidance on schedules/documents for proper format and content
Auditor is an independent contractor, responsible for services and supervision
Meet peer review and continuing education requirements of Government Auditing Standards
Provide copy of most recent peer review report with proposal
Prepare government-wide year-end adjusting entries and state pension balance allocations
Update and provide MD&A summary tables
Submit preliminary draft of audit and adjusting journal entries to Finance Director by November 15th
Responsible for preparation, typing, proofing, printing, and copying of completed audit report
Complete interim fieldwork in late May or early June
Begin year-end fieldwork by mid-August and complete by late September
Agreed upon post-closing trial balance by October 15th
Provide listing of requested information at preplanning, periodic, and exit conferences
Final completion of Financial Statements by November 30th or December 31st
Supply seven bound copies and one PDF of audit report, management letter, and other reports
Comply with LGC requirements for submitting audit and associated documents/forms
Complete data input sheet and electronically submit final Audit report/CAFR to State & Local Government Financial Division
Negotiate and approve amended contract for work exceeding original estimates
Manager or partner must present audit report at Board of Commissioners meeting
Prepare letter disclosing informal/non-material comments
Notify County of changes in key audit personnel prior to annual contract renewal
Furnish proof of insurance and list Cleveland County as additional insured
Execute 'Contract to Audit Accounts' (form LGC-205)
Firm must be registered with North Carolina State Board of CPA Examiners
Proposals must be physically signed by an authorized representative
Proposals in two sections: prior experience/qualifications and cost estimate sheets
Provide NC office location(s) handling the audit
Indicate number of people (by level) in local office handling audit
List current and prior government audit clients, services, and years served
Indicate experience in providing additional services to government clients
Describe participation in AICPA sponsored or comparable quality control programs
Describe professional experience of senior and higher-level personnel assigned to audit, years on job, position, and percentage of time on site
Describe relevant experience and education with new GASBS reporting requirements, seminars, courses
Describe professional experience in auditing relevant government organizations (e.g., Water/Sewer)
Describe specialized skills, training, or background in public finance
Provide names, addresses, and telephone numbers of governmental audit client references
Describe firm’s Statement of Policy and Procedures regarding Independence under Government Auditing Standards (Yellow Book), July 2018 Revision, and provide a copy
Describe liability insurance coverage arrangements
Describe any regulatory action taken by oversight body
Comment on knowledge of and relationship with NC Local Government Commission and UNC School Of Government
Specify type of audit program used (tailor-made, standard government, or standard commercial)
Specify use of statistical sampling
Specify use of automated processes and internal control testing methods
Specify use of computer audit specialists
Describe organization of audit team and approximate percentage of time spent by each member
Information to be contained in the management letter
Assistance expected from government’s staff, if other than outlined
Tentative schedule for completing the audit within specified deadlines
Specify costs using the provided format for FY 2026, and estimated costs for FY 2027 and FY 2028
Itemize personnel costs (category, rates per hour, estimated hours, total cost)
Itemize travel costs
Itemize cost of supplies and materials
Identify and itemize other costs
Note method of determining increases in audit costs year to year
Include Summary of Audit Costs Sheet

$180,000 – $300,000

RFP Release Date: March 19th, 2026

Deadline for RFP Questions: March 27th, 2026 by 5:00 pm

Questions to be Answered No Later Than: March 31st, 2026 by 5:00 pm

Deadline for Receipt of Proposals: April 22nd, 2026 by 4:00 pm

Notice of Recommended Firm: May 6th, 2026

BOCC Approval: May 19th, 2026

Board of Commissioners concurrence and authorization to consider entering into an agreement: June 2nd, 2026

Cleveland County

Organization overview and procurement intelligence available on paid plans.

A government authority in North Carolina is seeking to engage a qualified vendor to provide audit services. The selected auditor will conduct audits for a minimum term of three years, beginning with the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026.

All prospective vendors are invited to submit questions regarding this RFP. The deadline to submit questions is March 27, 2026.

Vendors should demonstrate a track record of providing reliable audit services for similar public sector clients.

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