Financial Auditing Services
1.0 General Information
1.1 Introduction
Tungasuvvingat Inuit (TI) is registered charity and a federally incorporated not-for-profit Inuit-specific service provider that offers a continuum of community-based programs, services and supports for Inuit of all ages living in Ontario, is currently searching for a third-party vendor to provide Financial Auditing Services and is inviting qualified organizations to respond.
1.2 What is Tungasuvvingat Inuit?
Tungasuvvingat Inuit is an Inuit-specific registered not-for-profit Ontario service provider offering social support, cultural activities, employment and education assistance, youth programs, counselling, crisis intervention and more. In total, TI offers over 30 integrated, front-line services. The goal is to be a one-stop resource and support centre to meet the rapidly growing, complex and evolving needs of Inuit in Ontario.
TI’s core values are anchored in the traditional principles of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (IQ), the Inuit way of “knowing.” These resilience-building principles invoke respecting others, relationships and caring for people; fostering good spirit by being open, welcoming, and inclusive; and serving and providing for family and community. IQ also calls for decision-making through discussion and consensus; development of skills through mentoring, practice, and effort; working together for a common cause; being innovative and resourceful; and having respect and care for the land, animals, and the environment.
TI is the only Inuit-specific service organization of its kind in urban Canada offering support through a person’s entire life cycle. As the population of Inuit living outside of Inuit Nunangat now exceeds 40%, Tungasuvvingat Inuit is recognized as a leading advocate for urban Inuit and is prominent within the framework of national Inuit organizations. Our comprehensive agency is a respected leader and the primary model for Inuit-specific service delivery, working in both urban and non-urban settings. Our agency has received mainstream recognition as a centre of excellence in several of our programs. Tungasuvvingat Inuit is supported by more than a dozen public and private funders, including all levels of government. We are governed by an elected, volunteer Board of Directors, consisting broadly of community leaders from across the province committed to fulfilling our vision.
1.3 Our Purpose
Like the traditional Inuit Blanket-Toss Game, Tungasuvvingat Inuit’s programs and services will “catch” anyone in the Inuit community who needs our support. When Inuit access our services, they are made aware of some of the other important supports that may be accessible. TI’s mandate is to assist Inuit adjust to southern urban culture and provide support every step of the way.
1.4 Our History
Ontario is home to a thriving Inuit community, which has grown significantly from less than 100 in 1987 to over 9,000, according to the latest census data. The National Capital Region is the largest concentration of Inuit outside of The North. Despite this growth, there is a need to improve data collection on the Inuit population across Ontario, as it is believed that the number is much higher than current records suggest. A number of factors contribute to inaccurate data collection that range from inaccessibility, homelessness issues, fear of authority, trauma and more.
Tungasuvvingat Inuit (TI) was established in 1987 to support the Inuit community in Ontario, with a modest budget of $80,000 and a small team of 1.5 full-time staff. Today, TI has grown into a thriving organization, employing over 100 dedicated staff members and partnering with numerous municipal, provincial, and federal organizations to secure funding.
The rapid growth and expansion of TI is a direct response to the growing Inuit population and their evolving needs in the urban environment. TI is committed to providing the resources and support needed to meet the changing demands of the Inuit community in Ontario.
1.5 Background
TI is proud to be at the forefront of serving the rapidly growing urban Inuit community. With over 30 frontline programs delivered across 6 sites in Ottawa and Toronto, TI is responding to the increasing numbers of Inuit relocating to Ontario. Our programs and services are designed to meet the unique needs of the urban Inuit community wherever they are in their journey.
However, with the growing demand for our services, TI recognizes that there is a need to address our organizational structure and seek additional funding opportunities to maintain and improve the quality of our programs. The most recent data from the 2020 Census confirms that the urban Inuit population continues to experience the largest population growth area of Inuit in the country. TI is now embarking on a strategic plan to enhance our efficiencies, explore new funding sources, and provide a sound infrastructure model to ensure we can continue to serve the community effectively and successfully. Join us in our mission to serve and empower the Inuit community.
As the community continues to grow, TI is committed to expanding our programs and services to meet their evolving needs. Our frontline offerings include:
- Cultural programming to preserve and celebrate Inuit heritage
- Homelessness prevention and housing support services to ensure a safe and stable living environment
- Training and employment services to promote self-sufficiency and career advancement
- Counselling and healing circles to provide emotional support and healing
- Mental health and addiction treatment to improve overall well-being
- Restorative justice and Gladue services to address the unique needs of the Inuit community in the justice system
- Service navigation to streamline access to resources and support
- Health promotion to encourage healthy lifestyles
- Food security programs to ensure access to nutritious food
- Pre- and post-natal supports and early years programs to promote the health and development of families
- Family wellbeing programs to strengthen family relationships and support
- Youth services to provide guidance and resources for the next generation
- Anti-human trafficking and support for victims of sexual exploitation to address the serious issue of exploitation and provide support for survivors.
- With these programs, TI is dedicated to serving and empowering the Inuit community.
TI has identified an urgent need to find a capable and compatible certified financial auditing services provider, to work with their Finance team and provide continued support during their growth. This third-party vendor will assist TI in:
- Ensuring consistent, up-to-date, detailed overviews of business workings.
- Providing additional perspectives to ensure on-going financial compliancy, through year round support
- Improving accuracy and reliability of financial statements.
- Creating certainty in regard to business projection and future decisions.
- Promoting accountability.
RFP process is intended to result in the award of a 1-year contract, with an option to extend up to 4 additional one-year terms based on set pricing for budgeting purposes.
2.0 Proposal and Proponent Requirements
2.1 Objective
TI invites qualified individuals and organizations to submit proposals to provide Financial Auditing services, to assist TI in:
- Initial Audit Planning
- Risk Assessment
- Initial Document Request List and Evaluation
- Reporting (i.e.: Financial statements, including charitable tax return, special reports to funders)
- Presentation
TI is seeking proposals from vendors with expertise in Certified Financial Auditing. The successful proponent will undertake organizational needs to assist TI in establishing priorities, focusing their energy and resources, strengthen their operations, while assisting employees and other stakeholders to work toward common goals. This project is intended to focus on outcomes/results to assess and adjust the organization’s current direction in response to a rapidly changing environment.
All submissions should include the following content:
- Cover Letter
- Proposal Summary
- Organization Profile
- Relevant Skills, Experience and Qualifications
- Resumes of proposed consultants
- Work Plan including estimated delivery timelines
- Detailed Project Budget and Fees – to include hourly or per diem rates for all personnel, and a detailed estimate of other project expenses inclusive of all applicable taxes.
- Sample of Checklists, Financial statements, process documents and other final deliverables
- References from previous clients for projects of a similar nature and scale
Please note that any travel costs must fall within the rates outlined in the travel directive of the National Joint Council: https://www.njc-cnm.gc.ca/directive/d10/en.
2.2 Proposal Submission Instructions
Proposals must be submitted by electronic mail in MS Word or PDF format to Charlene Hickman, Director, Funding and Procurement, at proposals@tiontario.ca. Please include “Financial Auditing Services
Proposal – 2023” in the subject line of the email.
The deadline for proposals is 5:00pm EST on Friday February 24th, 2023.
All proposals submitted prior to the deadline will be acknowledged. All proponents will be notified about the status of their application, whether rejected, successful or unsuccessful.
2.3 Questions/Inquires
TI will respond to questions submitted to proposals@tiontario.ca, prior to 5:00pm EST on Friday February 9, 2023. Please include “Questions: Financial Auditing Services Proposal – 2023” in the subject line of the email, to ensure you questions are addressed.
2.4 Proponents Qualifications
To be deemed successful, proponents must demonstrate the following:
- Work experience in a not-for-profit community-based organization or experience working with the community not-for-profit sector
- Previous experience in Auditing for organizations of a similar size and scale to Tungasuvvingat Inuit In addition to the above the successful proponent should demonstrate the following:
- Experience working with organizations who deliver programs in social services, health services and/or community services
- Previous experience working with Indigenous organizations or communities; previous experience working with Inuit organizations or communities is preferable.
- Knowledge of relevant legislation and regulations, and ability to interpret and apply these in an operational context
- Experience team in conducting stakeholder consultations and engagement
- Experience collaborating with diverse not-for-profit teams and stakeholders
- Critical thinking and researching skills
- Excellent writing and language skills relating to the articulation of clear and concise practices and requests
- Communicate effectively in both oral and written English
- Strong interpersonal skills, able to build consensus and resolve conflict
- Facilitation skills
- Excellent working of payroll systems
- Knowledge of Inuit culture, values, Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (IQ) and traditional practices
2.5 Project Requirements
The successful proponent will provide a proposal to deliver Financial Auditing Services that covers the entire Audit process using industry standard best practices. The successful proponent will be responsible for the following deliverables, and is asked to provide an estimated timeline, without unforeseen delays:
| Stage | Deliverable | Description |
| A | Kick-off Meeting |
|
| B | Initial Audit Planning |
|
| C | Risk Assessment |
|
| D | Initial Document Request List and Evaluation |
|
| E | Reporting |
|
| F | Presentation |
|
| G | Final Amendments |
|
It is estimated that project deliverables should be completed no later than June 30, 2023.
The selected provider may sub-contract any of the above deliverables to a third party but retains overall responsibility for the performance and completion of the task and any associated outputs.
3.0 Evaluation Criteria
All proposals will be reviewed by a team of a minimum of three members comprising representation from across the organization.
The following considerations will be used in the evaluations of the submitted proposals:
| Criteria | Weight | |
|
10% | |
|
40% | |
|
10% | |
|
20% | |
|
20% | |
4.0 Provisions
4.1 Confidentiality
Proposals will be used solely for the purpose of selecting the contractor and will be treated by Tungasuvvingat Inuit as confidential information.
4.2 Payment Schedule
The contractor’s proposed allocations of time and costs are to be clearly set out in the proposal.
A suggested payment schedule is set out below. Some flexibility in the payment schedule is possible and alternative payment proportions may be considered upon the request of the contractor.
– a 20% installment at the completion of Stage A: Kickoff Meeting
– a 10% instalment at the completion of Stage D: Evaluation
– a 30% instalment will be paid after the delivery and acceptance of Stage E: Reporting
– a 20% instalment will be paid after the delivery and acceptance of Stage F: Presentation
– a 20% final payment will be paid on the delivery and acceptance of Stage H: Final Amendments
4.3 The Rights of TI
Tungasuvvingat Inuit reserves the right to:
- reject any or all proposals received in response to this Request for Proposals.
- enter negotiation with one or more bidders on any or all aspects of their respective proposals.
- accept any proposal in whole, or in part.
- cancel and/or re-issue the modified version of a given RFP requirement at any time.
- award one or more contracts.
- verify all information provided with respect to a given RFP requirement, including the right to request a confirmation of the bidder’s legal status and signed documentation; and
- award contracts without competition for follow-up work, if any, to the selected bidder for a given project requirement.
- request interview with potential vendors prior to contract award.
TI retains proprietary rights over any and all materials developed, as a result of the contract.
