Expression of Interest - Details
- Eoi Name:
- Consultancy Service for the Independent Audit
- Pack #:
- GH-EPA-344234-CS-LCS
- Post Date:
- 28th February, 2023
- Submit Date:
- 14th March, 2023
- Tender Cat:
- Consultancy Services
- Agency:
- Environmental Protection Agency
- Industry:
- Auditing
- Description:
- Consultancy Service for the Independent Audit of the Landscape Restoration Option of the Ghana Landscape Restoration and Small-Scale Mining Project (GLRSSMP) at the EPA PCU.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through the Government of Ghana has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Ghana Landscape Restoration and Small-Scale Mining Project (GLRSSMP), and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.
The objective of this assignment is to recruit an external auditor to audit the financial statements of the World Bank Funded Ghana Landscape Restoration and Small-Scale Mining Project as is implemented by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI). It is expected that on completion of the assignment the Auditor shall issue an opinion on the financial statements and a Management Letter. The Project was signed on 19th January 2022.
The audit will be carried out in accordance with International Standards of Auditing (ISA)
The consulting services (“the Services”) shall include such tests and controls, as the auditors consider necessary under the circumstances. In conducting the audit, special attention shall be paid to the following: all Bank funds have been used in accordance with the conditions of the financing agreement, with due attention to economy and efficiency and only for the purposes for which the fund was provided; counterpart funds have been provided and used in accordance with the conditions of the financing agreement, with due attention to economy and efficiency and only for the purposes for which they were provided; goods and services financed have been procured in accordance with the grant agreement and in accordance with the Bank’s rules and procedures; all necessary supporting documents, records and accounts have been kept in respect of all project activities. Clear linkages should exist between the books of account and the financial statements presented to the Bank as well as level of disbursement and physical completion stage; where special accounts have been used, they have been maintained in accordance with the provisions of the grant agreement and in accordance with the Bank’s rules and procedures; the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standards (IAS) and Generally Accepted Accounting principles (GAAP) and give a true and fair view of the financial position of the project as at 31st December and of its receipts and expenditures for the period ended on that date; the auditor should carry out a comprehensive assessment of the adequacy and effectiveness of the accounting and overall internal control system to monitor expenditures and other financial transactions and ensure safe custody of project financed assets; the auditor should ascertain that the ledgers are maintained by the project as required by the Bank’s Disbursement Handbook as well as a fixed asset register.
The project financial statements should include a Statement of Receipts and Expenditures, showing the Bank and counterpart funds separately; a Balance Sheet showing accumulated funds of the project, bank balances, other assets of the Project and liabilities, if any; a summary of expenditures shown under the main project headings and by main categories of expenditure, both for the current fiscal year and accumulated to date; and a comprehensive list of all assets purchased, with given dates, values and condition of the asset.
In addition to the audit report, the auditors will prepare a “management letter,” in which they will indicate findings and observations on the accounting records, systems and controls that were examined during the course of the audit; identify specific deficiencies and areas of weakness in systems and controls and make recommendations for improvement; report on the degree of compliance of each of the financial covenants on the loan agreement and give comments, if any, on internal and external matters affecting such compliance; communicate matters that have come to their attention during the audit which might have a significant impact on the implementation and sustainability of the project; and bring to the borrower’s attention any other matters that the auditors consider pertinent.
The auditors shall be given access to all legal documents, correspondence and any other information associated with the Project and deemed necessary by them. Confirmation should also be obtained of amounts disbursed and outstanding at the Bank.
The estimated level of effort (professional staff-months) is 30-staff-months. The duration of the assignment is estimated at Three (3) Years and the assignment is expected to start in May 2023.
The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be accessed at
http://glrssmp.epa.gov.gh/documents.php.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) now invites eligible consulting firms (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required expertise, qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services. The shortlisting criteria are:
1. The core business of the firm should be in different aspects of audit and assurance, accounting, financial audits, management and advisory.
2. Firm should be legally registered and in good standing in Ghana (provide proofs of legal registration and operation of firm) for at least five years.
3. Proven track record of working with World Bank funded Projects that are implemented by multi-sectoral Agencies with central coordination.
4. Proven track record of working with Regional, International and Donor funded projects for at least five (5) years.
5. Experience in providing audit and assurance services within government and international organizations, and donor funded Projects in Ghana.
6. Proven track record of having successfully completed at least 3 assignments of similar nature and complexity on World Bank funded projects in the last twelve (12) years.
7. Proven track record of membership in good standing with a relevant professional body, especially within Ghana.
The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” July 2016 revised November 2017, August 2018 and November 2020 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. In addition, please refer to the following specific information on conflict of interest related to this assignment as per paragraph 3.17 of the Procurement Regulations. Any false declaration will result in disqualification.
Consultants may associate with other firms to enhance their qualifications, but should indicate clearly whether the association is in the form of a joint venture and/or a sub-consultancy. In the case of a joint venture, all the partners in the joint venture shall be jointly and severally liable for the entire contract, if selected.
A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Least Cost Selection (LCS) method set out in the Procurement Regulations.
Successful bidders shall be required to complete Beneficial Ownership Form
- Source of Funds:
- World Bank
- Region:
- Greater Accra
- District:
- Accra Metropolitan District
- Contact Person:
- The Project Coordinator Ghana Landscape Restoration and Small-Scale Mining Project Project Coordinating Unit Environmental Protection Agency Head Office Building, Room 306
- Email :
- icacquah@hotmail.com
- Tel :
- +233-302-664698/ 662465/ 667524/ 050-1301385
- Fax :
- Website: