Professional Auditing Services

04/02/2026 RFP BCFS-FY26-001
Professional Audit Services
Request for Proposal
The Board of Commissioners of Beaufort County (hereinafter called the "County") invites
qualified independent auditors (hereinafter called "auditor") having sufficient governmental
accounting and auditing experience in performing an audit in accordance with the specifications
outlined in this Request for Proposal (RFP) to submit a proposal.
There is no expressed or implied obligation for Beaufort County to reimburse firms for any expenses
incurred in preparing proposals in response to this request.
The specific details shown herein shall be considered minimum unless otherwise shown. The
specifications, terms, and conditions included with this RFP shall govern in any resulting contract(s)
unless approved otherwise in writing by Beaufort County. The bidder consents to personal
jurisdiction and venue in a state court of competent jurisdiction in Beaufort County, North Carolina.
Type of Audit
1,.The audit shall be performed in accordance with the laws and regulations of the State of North
Carolina, which include requirements for the minimum scope of the County's audit. The audit firm shall
comply with generally accepted auditing standards as required by the American Institute of Certified
Public Accountants and Government Auditing Standards, issued by the Comptroller General of the
United States. The audit firm shall apply auditing procedures necessary to render an opinion as to the
basic financial statements, taken as a whole, in conformance with generally accepted accounting
principles.
2. The scope of the audit and all fee quotes presented should include all approved and known
pronouncements through the date of proposal submission. This includes, but is not limited to
Governmental Accounting Standards Board statements and Government Auditing Standards.
Although some pronouncements will not be in effect until after the first year of the audit, estimates for
future years should include pronouncements that will become effective during that contract period. The
audit firm will be expected to advise appropriate County staff on the applicability of accounting and
reporting standards as they become effective.
3. The financial audit opinion will cover the financial statements for the governmental activities, the
business-type activities, each major fund and the remaining fund information, which collectively
constitutes the basic financial statements. The combining and individual financial statements,
schedules, and related information are not necessary for fair presentation, but will be presented as
additional analytical data. This supplemental information, as required by GASB 34, will be subjected
to the tests and other auditing procedures applied in the audit of the basic financial statements, and
an opinion will be given as to whether the supplemental information is fairly stated in all material
respects in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole. The auditor shall express an
opinion on the budgetary comparison information for the General Fund, the major funds and any
annually budgeted special revenue funds. An opinion will not be given on the Management Discussion
and Analysis.
The working papers shall be retained and made available upon request for no less than three years
from the date of the Audit report.
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04/02/2026 RFP BCFS-FY26-001
Professional Audit Services
4. The audit will also include the following:
a. Pre-planning conference with Finance staff in April/May timeframe where both the
auditor and Finance staff discuss their expectations of the audit.
b. Interim audit work prior to June 30th and/or prior to final close.
c. Attendance at the County Commissioner's Meeting in late October for presentation of
the financial statements by Manager or Partner of the Audit Staff with comments and
potential questions from Council as requested.
5. The audit should encompass all funds and entity-wide activities as reported in the County's Audit
report at June 30, 2025 and any additional funds or entity-wide activities that may be added
subsequent to that date.
6. If required, the audit firm will issue a management letter to the County Commissioners after
completion of the audit and assist management in implementing recommendations, as is practical.
County staff also request that an informal letter be addressed to the Finance Officer with any efficiency,
internal control or accounting improvements that could be made based on the audit staff's observation
during their fieldwork. All content must be discussed with the Finance Officer prior to issuance. The
audit firm is encouraged to discuss the content while the management letter is in draft form to ensure
that all parties fully understand the circumstances that lead to auditor comments.
7. The County staff may require the auditor's guidance or input on the completion of certain
schedules/documents as to proper format and content, so that they can be used in the audit process
as well as inclusion in the County's financial statements. Guidance may be required for new note
disclosures, all outstanding and effective authoritative standards and other reporting requirements at
June 30 year-end. Cost for providing these services should be included in the auditor's base fee quote
and will not be considered extra for additional billings. In cases, however, where services requested
would require a more in-depth scope and require work significantly above the original fee quote, such
additional fees must be negotiated prior to commencement of work.
Auditor Requirements
The audit firm is considered to be an independent contractor and will be wholly responsible for the
services and the supervision of its own employees and permitted sub-contractors.
A planning meeting will be held each year to determine schedules that the County will be responsible
for preparing. Estimated timeframes will be established and interim audit work will be planned.
Adequate notification will be given prior to any changes in estimated times.
If the County audit engagement is subject to the standards for audit as defined in Government
Auditing Standards, 2018 revisions, issued by the Comptroller General of the United States, then by
accepting this engagement, the Auditor warrants that he has met the requirements for a peer review
and continuing education as specified in Government Auditing Standards. The Auditor must
provide a copy of their most recent peer review report with their proposal.
County staff will prepare all standard year-end accruals and other adjusting journal entries. The
Financial Statement Preparer will prepare the government wide year-end adjusting journal entries as
well as any necessary entries to allocate the state pension balances. Beaufort County does not have
Other Post- Employment Benefits, therefore no OPEB entries are necessary. The County shall
designate an individual, such as the Finance Officer, with the suitable skills, knowledge, and/or
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04/02/2026 RFP BCFS-FY26-001
Professional Audit Services
experience (SKE) necessary to oversee the services and accept responsibility for the results of the
services performed. County management will ultimately be responsible for the preparation and fair
presentation of the financial statements, which includes the design, implementation, and
maintenance of internal control relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of financial
statements. The County will need the assistance of the Financial Statement Preparer for the
preparation, typing, proofing, printing, and copying of the Basic Financial Statements, supplementary
information and compliance reports. Beaufort County's Finance Officer will prepare the MD&A. A
preliminary draft of the audit and required adjusting journal entries must be submitted to the Finance
Officer by October 1 for proofing and reconciliation to the County's records to allow ample time for
review and corrections before it is sent to the Local Government Commission. The County's Finance
Officer will return the draft to the Financial Statement Preparer with proposed revisions within 10
working days. The financial statement preparer will be ultimately responsible for the preparation,
typing, proofing, printing, and copying of the Basic Financial Statement, supplementary information
and all applicable compliance reports.
Meeting LGC deadlines is a high priority for the County. Therefore, Beaufort County prefers interim
fieldwork be completed in early June. Year-end fieldwork should begin by or before mid-August
and be completed by late September. While many documents can be shared electronically, the
County expects that the audit firm staff will be onsite for fieldwork, including manager and partner
level staff for at least a portion of the onsite work. An agreed upon post-closing trial balance
must exist by September 30. The Finance Officer will expect a listing of requested information
needed for the audit at the preplanning conference, periodic conferences during the conduct of
the audit, as well as an exit conference prior to the completion of fieldwork.
The timing of the draft and review should insure final completion of the Financial Statements
by the annual October 31st deadline or no later than the annual grace period of December 1.
For every week the audit is late due to no fault of the Beaufort County, there will be a reduction
in the audit fee of $100.00.
Eight copies of each Audit report, management letter, and other applicable reports must be
supplied to the Finance Officer within the time frame cited above. In addition, the auditor is
responsible for complying with the requirements of the LGC for submitting the audit and all
associated documents and forms as required for the year under audit when (or prior to)
submitting the final invoice for audit services rendered to the Commission.
In the event that circumstances arise during the audit that require work to be performed in excess of
the original estimates, any additional costs will be negotiated prior to commencement of the work
and an amended contract will be approved by the governing board and forwarded to the staff of
the LGC for approval.
Either the manager or partner of the audit staff is required to present and attend the County Council's
meeting in which the Audit report is presented. Required communications to the Council can be
delivered at this point, as well as general comments regarding the audit process and the results of the
audit. Finance staff will coordinate this presentation and determine the date and time of the meeting,
typically held in late October following the audit completion.
Audit Contract: Period & Payment of Audit Fees
The County intends to continue the relationship with the auditor for no less than five years on the
basis of annual negotiation after the completion of the first-year contract. Each year after
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Professional Audit Services
negotiation has taken place an annual contract documenting the terms of the audit will be signed.
Since one governing board may not oblige future governing boards, the remaining years of the
agreement are subject to annual governing board's approval. Beaufort County reserves the right to
request proposals at any time following the first year of this contract. It is requested that proposals
be prepared for the following years, with year one being the only obligated year:
July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026
July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027
July 1, 2027 to June 30, 2028
July 1, 2028 to June 30, 2029
July 1, 2029 to June 30, 2030
The required current revision of the form "Contract to Audit Accounts" (form LGC-205) is required to
be executed as the contract document; however, the auditor and the County may also execute an
engagement letter and/or a County contract to include additional terms not addressed in the LGC-
205. The entire audit contract package must be approved by the staff of the Local Government
Commission. Invoices are subject to approval by the LGC prior to payment by the County. Interim
or progress billings for services rendered marked approved by the LGC will be paid up to
75% of the total fee prior to submission of the final audited financial statements to the staff of the
Local Government Commission. The final 25% of the Audit fees (final invoice) will be paid when the
financial statements, single audit (if applicable), management letter and amended contract (if
applicable) have been reviewed or approved by the LGC.
The LGC only approves invoices for audit related work. Requests for payment related to any
additional agreed upon procedures or AFIR work do not require LGC approval. Final invoices for
these services will be paid after the final report results and findings have been reviewed and deemed
satisfactory by County staff.
Description of Selection Process
The County requests that no County officials be contacted during this proposal process.
Submit questions regarding the RFP in writing via email to anita.radcliffe@beaufortcountync.gov .
Any additional information disclosed to participating audit firms prior to bid submission will be shared
with all interested parties
Proposals will be submitted in two sections and must be physically signed by an authorized
representative of the Audit firm. The first section will be comprised of the audit firm's prior
experience and qualifications of its personnel in performing governmental audits. The second
section will consist of completed cost estimate sheets. The Finance Office staff will evaluate the
auditor/firm on educational and technical qualifications. The firm best meeting the County's
expectations for experience, audit approach, and cost requirements will be selected.
Please keep in mind that cost, while an important factor will not be a sole determining factor.
Unusually low bids that are obviously out of line with other bidders or are significantly lower
than out current fees will raise concern. The lowest bid will not automatically be awarded
preferential consideration.
The County reserves the right to reject any or all bids, waive technicalities, and to be the sole judge
of suitability of the services for its intended use and further specifically reserves the right to make the
award in the best interest of the County.
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04/02/2026 RFP BCFS-FY26-001
Professional Audit Services
Failure to respond to any requirements outlined in the RFP, or failure to enclose copies of the
required documents, may disqualify the bid. Firms must be registered with the North Carolina
State Board of CPA Examiners.
Section 1 - Profile of the Firm
The first section should address the requested information below. The corresponding responses
should begin with the number below for the requested information.
1. Indicate the Audit firm's North Carolina office location(s) that will handle the audit.
2. Indicate the number of people (by level) located within the Audit firms local office that will
handle the audit.
3. Provide a list of the audit firms' local office's current and prior government audit clients,
indicating the type(s) of services performed and the number of years served for each.
4. Indicate the experience of the local office in providing additional services to government clients
by listing the name of each government, the type(s) of service performed, and the year(s) of
engagement.
5. Describe your audit organization's participation in AICPA sponsored or comparable quality
control programs (peer review). Provide a copy of the firm's current peer review.
6. Describe the professional experience in governmental audits of each senior and higher level
person assigned to the audit, the years on each job, and his/her position while on each audit.
Indicate the percentages of time each senior and higher-level personnel will be on site.
Relevant experience and education with the new GASBS reporting requirements should be clearly
communicated.
7. Describe the relevant educational background of each person assigned to the audit, senior
level and higher. This should include seminars and courses attended within the past three
years, especially those courses in governmental accounting and auditing.
8. Describe the professional experience of assigned individuals in auditing relevant government
organizations, programs, activities, or functions (e.g., Water/Sewer, Electric service function).
9. Describe any specialized skills, training, or background in public finance of assigned individuals.
This may include participation in State or national professional organizations, speaker or
instructor roles in conferences or seminars, or authorship of articles and books.
10. Provide names, addresses, and telephone numbers of personnel of current and prior
governmental audit clients who may be contracted for a reference.
11. Describe the firm's Statement of Policy and Procedures regarding Independence under
Government Auditing Standards (Yellow Book), July 2018 Revision. Provide a copy of the firm's
Statement of Policy and Procedures.
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04/02/2026 RFP BCFS-FY26-001
Professional Audit Services
12. Is the firm adequately insured to cover claims? Describe liability insurance coverage
arrangements.
13. Describe any regulatory action taken by any oversight body against the proposing audit
organization or local office.
14. Comment on your knowledge of and relationship with the NC Local Government Commission
and the University Of North Carolina School Of Government in Chapel Hill.
Section 2 - Audit Approach
Proposals should include completed cost estimate sheets and any other necessary cost information
in a separate, sealed envelope marked - "Cost Estimate." The County will evaluate the qualifications
of all firms submitting proposals before considering the Cost Estimate.
1. Type of audit program used (tailor-made, standard government, or standard commercial).
2. Use of statistical sampling.
3. Use of automated processes and internal control testing methods.
4. Use of computer audit specialists.
5. Organization of the audit team and the approximate percentage of time spent on the audit by
each member.
6. Information that will be contained in the management letter.
7. Assistance expected from the government's staff, if other than outlined in the RFP.
8. Tentative schedule for completing the audit within the specified deadlines of the RFP.
9. Specify costs using the format below for the audit year July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026. For the
two audit years, which follow, list the estimated costs. The cost for the audit year ending June
30, 2026 is binding, while the second and third years are estimated costs. Cost estimates must
indicate the basis for the charges and whether the amount is a "not-to- exceed" amount.
A. Audit firm personnel costs - Itemize the following for each category of personnel (partner,
manager, senior, staff accountants, clerical, etc.) with the different rates per hour.
1) Estimated hours: please categorize estimated hours into the following: on-site
interim work, year-end on-site work, and work performed in the auditor's office.
2) Rate per hour.
3) Total cost for each category of personnel and for all personnel costs in total.
B. Travel - itemize transportation and other travel costs separately.
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Professional Audit Services
C. Cost of supplies and materials - itemize.
D. Other costs - completely identify and itemize.
1) If applicable, note your method of determining increases in audit costs on a year to
year basis
10. Please list any other information the firm may wish to provide.
11. Please include the Summary of Audit Costs Sheet with your proposal.
Time Schedule for Awarding the Contract
RFP Release Date
Thursday April 2, 2026
Deadline for RFP Questions * Friday April 17, 2026
Deadline for Receipt of Proposals Monday April 20, 2026 by 5:00pm
** Beaufort County, Finance Department
Attn: Anita Radcliffe, Finance Officer
132 West 2nd Street Washington, NC
27889
Council Approval *** May 4, 2026
*Any questions should be directed to Anita Radcliffe, Finance Officer, at 252-946-7721 ext. 1079 or
anita.radcliffe@beaufortcountync.gov. Appointments may be scheduled to discuss further any
specific matters necessary in preparing your proposal.
** Proposals can either be submitted electronically (email) to anita.radcliffe@beaufortcountync.gov or
on paper by April 20th at 5:00pm. Envelopes containing proposals on paper should be clearly
identified on the front with the words "RESPONSE TO RFP FOR AUDIT SERVICES".
Please note your email should include two separate pdf attachments for sections 1 and
2
Envelopes should include Three copies of the bound proposal (clearly separating
section 1 and 2) should be delivered to: 132 West 2nd Street Washington, NC 27889
Anita Radcliffe, Finance Officer
*** The Finance Office will review the proposals and make a recommendation to the Board of
Commissioners on May 4, 2026 at which time the contract will be awarded.
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Professional Audit Services
Description of the Governmental Entity and Its Accounting System
A PDF copy of the most recent Audit Report is located on the County's website see below or by emailing
anita.radcliffe@beaufortcountync.gov.
https://www.co.beaufort.nc.us/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/155
Funds
Beaufort County maintains the following funds:
Major Funds
General Fund
Revaluation Fund
Opioid Settlement Fund
Eastern Elementary School Construction Fund
Special Revenue Funds
Fire and Rescue Tax Districts Fund
Emergency Telephone System Fund
State and Federal Seizures Fund
Healthcare Reserve Fund
One NC Grant Fund
Economic Development Initiatives
Representative Payee Fund
4H Fund
Cooperative Extension Fund
EMS Billing and Collections Fund
ADFPTF 19-035-4028 Grant Fund
ADFPTF 24-038-4030 Grant Fund
Revaluation Project Fund
NC Housing Financing Agency Single Family Housing Loan Pool
Beaufort County Sherriff's Office Boat Grant Fund
State Centric Model Grant Fund
Beaufort Promise Fund
Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Funds CFR 21.027 (ARPA Funds)
ADFPTF 21-003-4005 Grant Fund
IT Grant Project Fund
BRIC Grant Fund
Beaufort County EM Communications Grant Fund
NC Emergency Management Grant (#NCEM-LESCG2311)
NC Department of Commerce - Building Reuse Program - Agape Health Clinic
NC Department of Commerce - Building Reuse Program - Hometown Hall
Capital Project Funds:
Stream Debris Removal Fund
Voting Machine Capital Reserve Fund
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Professional Audit Services
Facility Capital Reserve Fund
Facility Improvements Capital Project Fund
Capital Project Fund
Wrights Creek PARTF Grant Fund
Soil and Water Storage Building Fund
EMS Storage Building Fund
NC Railroad Prep Grant Fund
NC Resilient Coastal Communities Program Fund
FEMA Flood Mitigation Assistance Grant #EMA-2020-FM-110-0005
State Capital Infrastructure Grant - WHS Athletic Facilities Grant
Enterprise Funds
Solid Waste
Water District Fund
Internal Service Fund
Worker's Comp
Custodial Funds
Municipal Tax Fund
Drainage Assessment Fund
Jail Inmate Pay Fund
Grants, Entitlements, and Shared Revenues
A copy of the Schedule of Federal and State Expenditures and a Summary of Auditor's Results
showing the major programs for the year ended (2025) can be found in the Audit Report located on
the County's website.
Budgets
The County's annual budget is adopted for the General Fund, Emergency Telephone System Fund,
Drug Seizure Funds, Economic Development Funds, EMS and Fire Service District Funds, and the 2
Enterprise Funds. Multiyear project ordinances are generally prepared for Capital Project Funds and
Special Revenue Funds, although some Special Revenue Funds are budgeted annually.
All budgets are prepared using the modified accrual basis of accounting. All appropriations are
made at the departmental level. The County also maintains an encumbrance system. Both the
budgetary and encumbrance systems are integrated with the accounting system to provide
comparison with actual expenditures.
Accounting Records
The County maintains all its accounting records at the finance office located at 132 West 2nd Street
Washington, NC. All accounting journals and subsidiary ledgers are maintained on Tyler Tech's Munis
software.
Assistance Available to Auditor
The County has designated the Finance Officer as a person with the suitable skills, knowledge, and/or
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