Financial Audit Services

Columbia County, South Carolina seeks a vendor for a two-year contract to perform financial audit services across multiple governmental functions.

Perform annual financial statement audit for an initial term of three fiscal years, with an option for two additional one-year periods.
Conduct audits in accordance with GAAS, GAO Government Auditing Standards, Single Audit Act, Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200), and all applicable federal and state requirements.
Provide the first draft of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) no later than the Monday preceding Thanksgiving each year.
Submit final reports no later than December 1st of each year.
Demonstrate capacity, staffing stability, and project management practices capable of supporting consistent and timely audit completion.
Proposals must be straightforward, concise, and bound in a single volume.
Address qualifications, continuing education, staff qualifications, independence, professional care, and quality control.
Describe experience with financial, performance, and other types of government audits.
Adhere to reporting standards for financial audits, including AICPA and GAGAS.
Adhere to field work standards for financial audits, including planning, communication, and internal control.
Adhere to reporting standards for performance audits, including timeliness and report contents.
Adhere to field work standards for performance audits, including planning, supervision, and evidence.
Describe advantages and disadvantages of using the audit firm.
Explain how the firm can help the County improve its financial performance.
Describe the firm's Equal Employment Opportunity Program policy and goals.
Detail the firm's areas of practice and governmental specialization.
Provide information on the firm's peer review program, including the date and nature of the last report.
Describe internal and external quality control programs and their results.
Disclose any disciplinary actions registered against the proposer.
Outline the firm's audit approach, computer-assisted auditing procedures, and audit sampling approach.
Affirm that the firm does not have a record of substandard audit work.
Submit a work plan/schedule with time estimates for each significant segment and assigned staff levels, including names and titles.
Include a list of schedules required from County staff and explain how County staff can be utilized to reduce audit cost.
Describe any resource, manpower, or logistical assistance required from the County.
Provide recent (last ten years) audit experience with similar local government agencies.
Provide sample financial reports and specific government sector client references.
Submit a letter of transmittal stating understanding of services, firm's ability, and authorized representatives.
Clearly describe the scope of financial and compliance audit services.
Ensure the audit work plan demonstrates an understanding of audit requirements.
State the range of management and other consulting services offered without affecting independence.
Provide a proposed work plan with estimated completion dates for pre-engagement, planning, conducting, concluding, and reporting activities.
Describe experience in identifying potential sources of additional revenue.
Affirm non-discrimination in employment based on race, religion, sex, color, age, handicap, or national origin.
Proposer must have a license to practice as a certified public accountant in South Carolina.
Provide a profile of the independent auditor, including organization, size, office location, and staff capability to audit computerized systems.
Affirm proper licensing for practice as a certified public accountant in South Carolina.
Affirm meeting the independence requirements of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and Government Auditing Standards, 2011 revision.
Affirm meeting the continuing education and external quality control review requirements of Government Auditing Standards, 2011 revision.
Identify audit partners, managers, field supervisors, and other staff who will work on the audit, including résumés, relevant experience, and continuing education.
All assigned partners, managers, and supervisors must have CPA and CA certification, and show any other relevant certifications.
Describe any additional licenses attained, such as Licensed Municipal Auditors.
The opinion audit must include the general fund, agency funds, special revenue funds, enterprise funds, and debt service funds.
Adhere to auditing and reporting procedures required by AICPA, FASB, and GASB.
For federal assistance grant programs, adhere to Standards for Audit of Governmental Organizations, Programs, Activities and Functions; Single Audit Act Amendments of 1996; OMB Circular A-133; and OMB’s Compliance Supplement.
Provide a management letter reflecting internal control weaknesses.
State an hourly rate for special departmental audits outside the scope of the opinion audit.
All reports shall be addressed to the Richland County Council.
Render an opinion on compliance with applicable regulations.
Reports must include County comments and responses on all exceptions.
Draft reports must be reviewed with the County Chief Financial Officer and the Administrator.
Describe ACFR formatting and review experience.
Present reports to the Administrator, the Administration and Finance Committee, and the County Council.
For Single Audit Act audits, examine financial systems and records related to federal grants and issue reports on internal and administrative control and compliance.
Demonstrate knowledge of all requirements for annual financial reports of state and local governments in accordance with GASB Statements.
Explain whether there is anything about the firm's situations that might lead others to question their independence.
Certify compliance with the Drug-Free Workplace Act.
Certify compliance with the County's Prompt Payment requirements.
Certify compliance with Illegal Immigration requirements.
Certify Commercial Nondiscrimination.
Certify familiarity with the solicitation information.
Certify that the firm is not debarred, suspended, or proposed for debarment.
Upload a Certificate of Insurance indicating minimum coverages.
Upload a Technical Proposal.
Upload a Pricing Proposal.
Certify that the proposer is a properly licensed certified public accountant or a licensed public accountant.
Certify that the proposer meets the latest revision of the independence standards of the General Accounting Office Standards for Audit of Governmental Organizations, Programs, Activities and Functions.

$500,000 – $1,500,000

Release Project Date: March 11th, 2026

Question Submission Deadline: April 3rd, 2026, 3:00pm

Response Submission Deadline: April 14th, 2026, 3:00pm

Contract anticipated to begin with the fiscal year ending June 30th, 2026.

Interim audit work to begin in May each contract year.

Preliminary audit work to begin in late September or early October each contract year.

First draft of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) no later than the Monday preceding Thanksgiving each year.

Final reports must be submitted no later than December 1st of each year.

Richland County

Organization overview and procurement intelligence available on paid plans.

The county government authority located in Columbia, South Carolina, seeks qualified vendors to provide comprehensive financial audit services. The county delivers a wide range of governmental services including public safety, judicial operations, public works, community development, and administrative services, each managed across multiple funds and component units.

Financial management operations are centralized within the finance department, which has recently implemented a new enterprise financial management system. At this time, the county does not foresee significant operational or accounting changes, with only routine system enhancements expected to impact financial reporting. The selected vendor will enter into a two-year contract for the provision of these audit services.

Interested parties are required to submit any questions by April 3, 2026.

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