Professional Auditing Services

Location:	North Carolina
Posted:	Apr 6, 2026
Due:	Apr 20, 2026
Agency:	State Government of North Carolina
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	R - Professional, Administrative and Management Support Services
Solicitation No:	475-BCFS-FY26-001
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

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04/02/2026

RFP BCFS-FY26-001

Professional Audit Services

Beaufort County, North Carolina

Request for Proposals

For

Professional Auditing Services

April 2, 2026

Beaufort County Financial Services

132 West 2nd Street

Washington, NC 27889

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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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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- y e a r contract. Each year after

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RFP BCFS-FY26-001

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.

Page 5 of 14

This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.

Solicitation Number:	475-BCFS-FY26-001
Project Title:	Professional Auditing Services
Description:	Beaufort County invites qualified independent auditors 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.
Opening Date:	4/20/2026 5:00 PM
Posted Date:	4/6/2026
Status:	Open
Department:	COUNTY OF BEAUFORT


Solicitation Number * 475-BCFS-FY26-001	Department COUNTY OF BEAUFORT	Status Reason Open
Opening Date 2026-04-20T17:00:00.0000000	Posted Date * 2026-04-06T13:34:31.0000000Z	Primary Commodity Code Audit services
Mandatory Conference/Site Visit — —	Special Instructions —	Solicitation Type * Select RFP IFB RFI
Owner Hollie Jones
Description Beaufort County invites qualified independent auditors 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.