Terms of Reference (TOR)
Expression of Interest to Provide External Audit Services
for
College of Ophthalmology of Eastern, Central and Southern Africa
1. Background: The College of Ophthalmology of Eastern, Central and Southern Africa (COECSA) is a is a registered specialized virtual college whose aim is to address the chronic shortage of ophthalmologists in Eastern, Central and Southern Africa as well as improve the quality of eye care services in the region.
COECSA seeks to work in tandem with regional and global initiatives and this includes; supporting international commitments including Millennium Development Goals, WHO Vision 2020: the Right to Sight; WHO AFRO Road Map for scaling up Human Resources for Health; 4th East African Community Development Strategy; national eye care plans in the region, and national development plans.
Currently, COECSA works in nine (9) countries including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia, Zambia, South Sudan and Malawi.
It shall progressively seek to establish its presence in all 14 countries of Eastern, Central and Southern Africa (ECSA).
2. Objective: The objective of External Audits is to provide an independent professional opinion on the financial statements, which includes an opinion on the eligibility of expenditure and compliance with the relevant legal agreements, organizational policies and procedures.
3. Scope of the assignment
The audit should be carried out in accordance with the relevant standards of auditing and will include
such tests and controls as the auditor may consider necessary.
In conducting the audit, special attention should be paid on the following:
- All funds by different donors (supporters) and application with due attention to economy and efficiency, and only for the purposes for which the financing is provided.
- All necessary supporting documents, records, and accounts have been kept in respect of the financial transactions.
- The financial statements are in agreement with the books of accounts maintained as per the agreed accounting procedures & are in accordance with the applicable accounting standards.
4. Deliverables
4.1 Audit report
In addition to the audit report, the auditors should provide an opinion on the financial statements and
feedback on internal control system weakness and ways of strengthening these.
4.2 Management letter
In addition, the auditor will also provide a management letter summarizing the observations on the
accountability and internal control issues.
These would include the following:
- Comments and observations on the accounting records, systems and controls that were examined during the course of audit.
- Specific deficiencies and areas of weakness in systems and controls and recommendation for improvement.
- Matters that have come to the attention during the audit which might have significant impact on the implementation of Activities.
- The letter shall also state which measures have been taken as a result of previous audit reports/management letters and whether measures taken have been adequate to deal with reported shortcomings/ recommendations
- Any other matter that the auditor considers significant to report to the management.
- The observations in the management letter must be accompanied by the implications, suggested recommendations from the auditors and the management comments on the observations
5. Period of Appointment
The auditor will be initially appointed for a period of one year (2015-2016) and contract renewed in line with company’s Act (Cap 486) and satisfactory performance.
6. Role of COECSA
The auditor will be given access to any information relevant for the purposes of conducting the audit.
This would normally include all relevant legal agreements/ documents, correspondence and any other
information associated with the COECSA and deemed necessary by the auditor. Staff of COECSA will cooperate fully with the auditor and will make available to the auditor whatever records, documentation and other information is requested by the auditor in connection with the audit.
7. Reporting
The auditor(s) will report directly to the COECSA the Programme Manager.
The auditor(s) will be expected to respond in a timely manner, to all queries directed at him/her for purposes of ensuring effective communication and documentation within the provisions of the agreement.
Conversely, the Programme Manager will respond in a timely manner to all queries directed at him in pursuit of the objectives under the agreement.
8. Confidentiality
By accepting to take part in the invitation, you agree to keep in confidence all information provided to you, whether written or oral, in relation to the invitation and/or in relation to the organization’s
business generally which is not already in the public domain, to use it only for the purposes of this bid and for no other reason and not to disclose any of the said information to any third party.
9. Application
Interested Certified Public Accountant Firms should Submit a Technical and financial proposal in relation to these terms of reference indicating their interest and providing the following information and documents:-
- Detailed relevant experience;
- The firm should be registered with ICPAK;
- The partners must be full time audit practitioners and in good standing with ICPAK;
- Organization chart for the firm;
- Insert CV of partners and Key staff;
- At least 3 client references audited in the past three years.
Expressions of Interest by qualified audit firms may be submitted vide e-mail to info@coecsa.org or in hard copy addressed to:
The Programme Manager
College of Ophthalmology of Eastern, Central &Southern Africa
Regent Court, Block A, Suite A7
Argwings Kodhek Road, Hurlingham
P.O. Box 4539 00506
Nairobi
Kenya
Deadline: Friday 29th May 2015
0 Comments