SCH - Provision of Audit, Tax and Compliance Advice

Solihull Council established Solihull Community Housing (SCH) as an Arms Length Management Organisation (ALMO) in April 2004 to manage and maintain the Councils' housing stock. With the use of £63.3M of additional funding to help achieve the Decent Homes Standard, SCH transformed, improved and modernised the interiors of the housing stock as well as achieve a 3 star (excellent) rating by the Audit Commission in 2008. In 2012, the Council took on £69.566M of HRA debt in exchange for being released from the Housing Subsidy System. The HRA Medium Term Financial Strategy is currently being refreshed and will provide an intelligence led capital investment programme with a view to being in place during 2020/21. SCH is seeking proposals from firms wishing to be considered for appointment as statutory external auditors and advisors to the company. The current auditors, RSM UK Audit LLP have served a term of 10 years and we are required to re-tender this service in line with the Company's rules for contract. Experience Requirements All firms wishing to be considered for the award of this contract must be able to demonstrate at least three years' experience in the provision of finance auditing and tax services and general associated advice, including the preparation and provision of reports and correspondence to senior and executive officers. The audit must be carried out in accordance with published Auditing standards and given the need to consolidate the accounts within those of Solihull MBC, the Code of Audit Practice for Local Authorities. It should comprise such examination of the statements, underlying records and control systems as may be necessary for you to reach an opinion on the financial statements presented for audit. The contract will commence formally with the audit for the year ending 31 March 2020, although it would be expected that field work and discussion on key matters will start on 1 January 2020. The award of the contract will be for a period of 3 years, with an option to extend for a further two years, to be confirmed in writing within 3 months of the end of the third year. However, continuation of the contract will also be dependent on formal re-appointment at the Company's Annual General Meeting. The contract will be awarded following an open tender procedure. The submission deadline for tenders is 12:00 noon on Friday 13th September 2019.