Accountant and financial consulting services

The City of East Orange, Essex County, New Jersey, is requesting qualifications for accountant and financial consulting services for the period January 1, 2027 through December 31, 2027, with proposals due December 9, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. Respondents must hold a valid Certified Public Accountant license and valid Registered Municipal Accountant license from New Jersey, possess minimum ten years of experience providing auditing services to New Jersey municipalities, and maintain a principal office within New Jersey — mandatory eligibility filters.

The scope encompasses accounting and budgetary guidance, financial transaction inspection, legislative compliance advice, part-time employee support to the Finance Division (minimum three times per week) and Police Department (minimum two times per week), expense invoice review and processing, general ledger maintenance, account reconciliation, budget preparation assistance, annual audit support, electronic and manual recordkeeping system utilization, and specialized analysis of PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) agreements and tax-abated or tax-exempt projects. Senior staff assigned to the engagement must have at least ten years of audit and related services experience.

The contract term is twelve months. No minimum payment is guaranteed; cost proposals must include hourly rates for each individual performing services and time estimates. Professional liability insurance with minimum limits of $1 million per claim and $3 million aggregate is required. Payment occurs bi-monthly except July and August, which are paid once monthly.

Award will be made within sixty days of the submission deadline, contingent upon Chief Financial Officer certification of available funds. The City reserves the right to reject any or all submissions, waive informalities, and award on a service-by-service basis. Questions are due November 30, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. All submissions must be electronic via the PlanetBids procurement portal. Respondents must submit nineteen required forms including non-collusion affidavits, disclosure of ownership forms, insurance acknowledgements, EEO/affirmative action compliance evidence, and various certifications regarding Iran investment activities, Russia/Belarus sanctions compliance, and indebtedness status.