Provision of External Audit Services for Fiscal Year 2024 At African Christian Health Association Platform

Background Information

The African Christian Health Associations Platform (ACHAP) is a regional faith-based organization providing a platform for advocacy, networking and capacity building for Christian Health Associations (CHAs) and Church Health Networks in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Established in January 2007 through a declaration of commitment by the 3rd Africa Christian Health Associations Biennial Conference held in Bagamoyo, Tanzania, ACHAP brings together about 40 national level faith-based networks providing services in 32 countries across Sub-Saharan Africa to share resources, establish technical working groups (TWGs), and provide ongoing training and technical assistance (TA) to its members. Members of ACHAP play a critical role in public health as they partner with their governments towards achieving equitable access to quality healthcare in Africa.

Most of ACHAPs’ work is implemented through member CHAs in their respective countries, with ACHAP providing technical guidance and general oversight on project implementation.

ACHAP seeks to engage the services of a reputable external audit firm to carry out an external audit of its Secretariat’s financial statements for fiscal year 2024 (January 2024 to December 2024).

Terms of Reference (TOR)

The auditor’s responsibilities shall include the following:

• Conducting independent audit of ACHAP’s Financial Statements in line with the International Standards on Auditing and International Financial Reporting Standards
• Expressing an opinion on whether the Financial Statements are prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with the applicable financial reporting standards and frameworks, whether ACHAP has maintained proper books of accounts, and whether the accompanying financial statements give a true and fair view of the financial position of the agency.
• Reviewing and evaluating the ACHAP’s internal control and risk management system and advising Management on the adequacy/effectiveness of the system, and recommendations for improvement

Deliverables

The expected deliverables are as follows.

1. Audit report for FY24
2. Management letter detailing any internal controls deficiencies.

Timelines

1. The audit is tentatively scheduled to commence in January 2025, to February 2025.
2. Draft Audit Report submission date: February 2025.

Required Profile of the Audit Firm

Bidding firms will be required to meet the following criteria:

• Be registered with the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK) and its partners must hold current practicing certificates.
• Partners must be of good standing with ICPAK, while the Firm and its Partners should not have been subject to any disciplinary action by ICPAK or other related professional bodies.
• Have a system of quality control in the provision of audit and assurance services.
• Should demonstrate that it has the capacity, capability and experience required to undertake the audit within required timelines.
• In addition, the Firm should demonstrate experience in auditing International Non-Governmental Organizations.
• Audit Firms submitting their proposals should be in the list of firms eligible to perform audits of USAID funds. The audit firms are expected to demonstrate their practical experience in auditing US Government grants in their proposal.

Tender Submission & selection Process:

ACHAP’s selection criteria involves an evaluation of the audit firm’s proposal for plans, skills, experience, commitment and understanding of the audit requirements and finally considers proposed audit fees as a basis. Firms meeting the above criteria are requested to submit their proposals in two sealed envelopes as follows:

a) Technical Proposal containing:

• Confirmation of the Firm’s understanding of the Terms of Reference and its capacity and capability to deliver on the TOR.
• The Audit methodology/approach, work plan and timelines for undertaking and completing the assignment, and deliverables.
• Appropriate references to demonstrate having the experience specified in the TOR.
• The CVs of the key staff proposed to do the assignment.

b) Financial Proposal indicating the proposed fees and expenses

Bidding firms should submit the following documents with their Technical Proposals:

• Proof of registration with ICPAK and Partners’ Practicing Certificates
• Provide references of recent similar experience in performing external audit services which should be a sample list of past clients including name of organization, contact person, contact number and email address, nature and value of service and period of the appointment.