Request for Proposal (RFP) For Audit Services.pdf

Request for Proposal (RFP) For

Financial Statement Audit Services

Hickman Mills C-1 School District

5401 E 103rd Street

Kansas City, MO 64137

816-316-7000

816-316-7084

Dennis L Carpenter, Ed.D., Superintendent Dawn Smith, Ed.D. Asst. Superintendent of Operations

Aigne’ CM Cox, MBA, SFO, Exec. Dir. of Business and Finance

Hickman Mills C-1 School District

May 29, 2026

PURPOSE

The Hickman Mills C-1 School District ("District") is soliciting proposals from qualified independent public accounting firms ("Consultants") to provide annual financial statement audit services. The selected firm will be responsible for conducting audits of the District’s financial statements in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards (GAAS), Government Auditing Standards, and all applicable federal and state requirements.

As part of the audit engagement, the Consultant will review and evaluate the District’s system of internal controls over financial reporting, perform testing necessary to support the audit opinion, assess compliance with applicable laws, regulations, grant requirements, and Board policies, and provide recommendations for strengthening financial processes and internal controls when appropriate.

The District seeks a firm with demonstrated experience auditing Missouri public school districts and governmental entities, a strong understanding of school finance and federal program requirements, and the ability to provide timely, accurate, and professional audit services that support the District’s commitment to fiscal accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement.

DISTRICT INFORMATION

The District serves approximately 5,200 students and 788 employees. The District utilizes a modified cash basis of accounting and administers multiple federal, state, and local funding sources.

The past five years of financial statement audits may be reviewed on the Business Services website at: https://www.hickmanmills.org/district/departments/department-of-business-services

SCOPE OF SERVICES

The selected firm shall provide:

• Annual financial statement audit.

• Single Audit in accordance with Uniform Guidance, when required.

• Review of internal controls over financial reporting and compliance.

• Testing of federal programs and grant compliance.

• Required communications to governance.

• Management letter with recommendations.

• Presentation of audit results to the Board of Education.

• Consultation regarding audit findings and corrective actions.

Audit work shall include all District funds, debt obligations, student activity funds, payroll, benefits, food service operations, federal programs, health insurance fund, transportation transactions, attendance and other areas required by law.

AUDIT REQUIREMENTS

The audit shall comply with:

• Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS)

• Government Auditing Standards (Yellow Book)

• Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200)

• Missouri Revised Statutes Section 165.121

• Missouri DESE requirements

• Applicable GASB pronouncements

Deliverables shall include audited financial statements, notes, auditor reports, management letter, Single Audit reports (if applicable), and required governance communications.

DISTRICT ENVIRONMENT AND DESIRED EXPERIENCE

The Hickman Mills C-1 School District seeks an audit firm with substantial experience providing audit and advisory services to Missouri public school districts and governmental entities of similar size and complexity.

The District is currently engaged in a multi-year financial stabilization initiative and has implemented enhanced financial oversight, internal control improvements, long-range financial forecasting, and operational efficiency measures. The selected firm should possess demonstrated experience in the following areas:

● Experience auditing Missouri K-12 school districts.

● Experience with federal compliance and Single Audits.

● Experience with employee benefit funds and internal controls.

● Experience with districts implementing financial stabilization or organizational restructuring initiatives.

PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS

The formal proposal response shall contain the following information, in the following sequence and format. Written and in-person presentations should follow this prescribed format:

Responses shall include:

1. Cover Sheet

The Consultant shall include a cover sheet that includes the following:

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS, HICKMAN MILLS C-1 SCHOOL DISTRICT

Financial Statement Audit Services Attn: Ms. Aigne’ CM Cox

5401 E 103rd Street Kansas City, MO 64137

Proposal Number: 6-2025-2026

2. Letter of Transmittal

The Consultant shall include a Letter of Transmittal signed by a person authorized to legally bind the Consultant to the proposal. The letter shall contain a brief executive summary demonstrating an understanding of the requested services and why the Consultant is best suited to provide the services.

3. Firm Background and Missouri School District Experience

The Consultant shall provide a brief history of the company including:

● Years in business

● Type of work performed

● Number of employees

● Description of experience with school districts or similar institutional moves

● Primary contact information

The Consultant shall demonstrate general competence, workload capacity, and experience with projects of similar scope.

4. Audit Approach and Methodology

● Audit methodology

● Risk assessment process

● Internal control review approach

● Single Audit approach

● Staffing plan

● Communication process

● Timeline for fieldwork and reporting

● Quality control procedures

5. Staffing Plan and Key Personnel

The Consultant shall identify all personnel proposed for the engagement and include the following information for each individual:

● Name and title

● Professional certifications and licenses (CPA, CFE, CGFM, etc.)

● Years of experience in public accounting

● Years of experience auditing Missouri school districts

● Years with the firm

● Proposed role and responsibilities for this engagement

● Relevant experience with K-12 public school audits

● Relevant experience with Single Audits and federal program compliance audits

● Relevant experience with internal control reviews and financial reporting

● Office location from which services will be provided

The Consultant shall identify the Engagement Partner, Audit Manager, and primary day-to-day contact for the District and provide an organizational chart illustrating the proposed engagement team structure. The Consultant shall also disclose any anticipated use of subcontractors and describe their role in the engagement.

6. Relevant School District Experience

The Consultant shall provide information regarding its experience auditing Missouri public school districts and other governmental entities of similar size and complexity.

Include the following:

● Number of Missouri public school districts currently audited by the firm

● Number of Missouri public school districts audited within the past five (5) years

● Experience auditing districts with enrollment of similar size or exceeding 5,000 students

● Experience conducting audits under Government Auditing Standards (Yellow Book)

● Experience performing Single Audits in accordance with Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part

200)

● Experience auditing federal programs, including Title I, Title II, Title III, Title IV, IDEA, Child Nutrition, Medicaid, and other federal grants

● Experience auditing employee benefit plans, health insurance funds, or internal service funds

● Experience auditing attendance and transportation transactions

● Experience with debt reporting, bond issuances, and related financial disclosures

● Experience assisting school districts with implementation of new GASB standards

● Experience presenting audit results to Boards of Education

7. Peer Review Report

The Consultant shall provide evidence of participation in an external peer review program as required by Government Auditing Standards.

The submission shall include:

● A copy of the firm's most recent Peer Review Report

● The firm's Letter of Response, if applicable

● Documentation of any corrective actions required as a result of the review

● A statement indicating whether the firm received a "Pass," "Pass with Deficiencies," or

"Fail" rating

● Disclosure of any disciplinary actions, investigations, sanctions, or license restrictions involving the firm or key engagement personnel within the past five (5) years

The District reserves the right to request additional information regarding peer review results or quality control practices.

8. References

Provide a minimum of three (3) references from current or recent public school district audit engagements of similar size and complexity.

For each reference, provide:

● School District Name

● Student Enrollment

● Contact Person

● Title

● Telephone Number

● Email Address

● Years the firm has provided audit services to the district

● Description of services provided

References should preferably include Missouri public school districts and may include districts with federal Single Audit requirements and enrollment comparable to Hickman Mills C-1 School District. The District reserves the right to contact any reference provided and any other clients known to have received services from the Consultant.

9. Cost Proposal

● FY 2025-26 Audit Fee

● FY 2026-27 Audit Fee

● FY 2027-28 Audit Fee

● Optional FY 2028-29 Extension

● Optional FY 2029-30 Extension

● Single Audit fee (if separate)

● Hourly rates for additional services

Identify any additional hourly rates or services not included in the fixed fee.

10. Value Added Services

Please describe any additional services, resources, or expertise that distinguish your firm and provide value to the District while maintaining auditor independence.

Examples may include:

● Educational resources and training opportunities.

● Regulatory and accounting updates affecting Missouri school districts.

● Technical assistance regarding financial reporting and GASB implementation.

● Federal grant and compliance resources.

● Technology tools that improve audit efficiency and communication.

● Other value-added services available to District staff and the Board of Education.

SUBMITTING YOUR RESPONSE

Your response should follow the outline above and be concise. Failure to follow any of the RFP’s instructions could nullify your response from consideration. It will be the responsibility of the Consultant to email a pdf file with bookmarks for each section described above to Ms. Aigne’ CM Cox or submit the Proposal on PlanetBids website. No hard copies of the submittal will be accepted. Parties are requested to sign the proposal and, when in the name of a company, by some officer whose title is shown.

The deadline for submitting your response will be no later than 2:00 PM on June 23, 2026.

Proposals received after this date and time will not be considered.

Proposal questions or clarification prior to submission may be directed to Ms. Aigne’ CM Cox Executive Director of Business and Finance, 816-646-1909, aigne.cox@hickmanmills.org.

Questions must be submitted by 2:00 pm on June 12, 2026. Board action is anticipated to be at the June 25, 2026 regular meeting.

EVALUATION CRITERIA

The Hickman Mills C-1 School District will evaluate proposals and select the firm determined to be best qualified and capable of providing the requested services. The District may consider, but is not limited to, the following criteria:

● Experience and technical competence in providing financial statement audit services to Missouri public school districts and governmental entities of similar size and complexity.

● Qualifications, experience, and availability of the proposed engagement partner, audit manager, and audit team.

● Demonstrated understanding of Missouri school finance, DESE reporting requirements, federal grant compliance, and Single Audit requirements.

● Quality of the firm's proposed audit approach, project management, communication plan, and ability to meet established timelines.

● Results of the firm's most recent peer review and overall quality control practices.

● References from current or recent clients, particularly Missouri public school districts.

● Cost and overall value of the proposed services.

● Any additional value-added services, resources, or expertise that benefit the District while maintaining auditor independence.

The District reserves the right to conduct interviews, request additional information, negotiate with one or more firms, and waive minor irregularities in proposals when determined to be in the best interest of the District.

RESERVATIONS

The Selection Team and the Hickman Mills C-1 School District Board of Education reserve the right to reject any and all proposals, waive informality and any technicalities or clerical error in any proposal as the interest of these entities may require, and they will select the proposal which, in their judgement, best meets the requirements of the project.

All costs incurred in the preparation of the response to this Request for Proposal will be the sole responsibility of and borne entirely by Vendor. All responses to this Request for Proposals become the property of Hickman Mills C-1 School District.

CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS

The Board shall select the firm considered best qualified and capable of performing the desired services and shall negotiate a contract. Should the Board be unable to negotiate a contract acceptable to the District with the firm first selected, the Board may negotiate a contract with another firm from the list or may direct the superintendent or designee to seek additional statements of qualifications from other firms and then submit a new list of qualified firms.

mailto:dawn.smith@hickmanmills.org