Audit Firm - Islamic Relief Lebanon
The purpose of these Terms of Reference is to set out the basis on which you are to act as auditors & to clarify your expected responsibilities.
Objectives of the audit
The objective of the audit of Islamic Relief Lebanon Program is to enable the auditors to express an independent professional opinion whether the financial reports prepared are in all material respect, in accordance with an identified financial reporting framework. The phrases used to express the auditor’s opinion are to give a true and fair view.
The core responsibility of the audit firm is to audit and express an opinion on the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and International Standards on Auditing as set out by recognised professional accounting regulators.
Audit Methodology
The audit methodology and the audit techniques to be used are those in accordance with international auditing standards.
Substantive testing procedures encompassing the following should be applied:
- Inspection of original support documentation;
- Inspection of inventory print outs and physical inspection of assets
- Financial accounting, monitoring and reporting
- Systems for recording and reporting on resources utilization
- (Where necessary) inspection of computer systems.
Expectations/output
Through the audit exercise, the auditor will give an independent audit opinion as to the truth and fairness of the accounts prepared. Islamic relief management will get, as a byproduct, a management letter which will help the management to improve its efficiency. The audit report will include Appendix I- IRW Consolidation Template. The audit report will also help to submit a return under any Taxation legislation and deposit the tax.
- It is expected that the audit will be undertaken in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (ISA’s), and International Financial Reporting standards (IFRS).
- The auditors are expected to undertake the audit in accordance with the highest professional standards which will include but not limited to tests of transactions, and of the existence, ownership and valuation of assets and liabilities.
- Ascertain the accounting system in order to assess its adequacy as a basis for the preparation of financial reports.
- Report on any significant weaknesses in, or observations on, the field office’s systems.
- Undertake an appropriate risk assessment of the office.
- The audit should include site visits to project areas and an assessment of these respective projects. When security situation allows.
- Where the field office is undertaking projects funded by institutional donors, the audit should include the verification of the expenditure on the project and the income received for the project, including the existence and ownership of any assets purchased for the project.
- A report is required to be sent to Islamic Relief International Headquarters and donors where applicable stating whether, in your opinion, the financial statements, which have been audited by your firm, give a true and fair view of the state of the field office’s affairs at the period end, and of its income and application of resources for the period then ended.
- The basic fundamentals for prospective auditors are:
- It is expected that the audit will be undertaken in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (ISA’s), and International Financial Reporting standards (IFRS).
- Credibility
- Professionalism
- Independence
- Quality of service
- Confidence
Audit Scope
The audit should involve obtaining evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements sufficient to give reasonable assurance that the financial statements are free from material misstatement, whether caused by fraud or error.
This includes an assessment of: whether the accounting policies are appropriate to the IRW and the charity’s circumstances and have been consistently applied and adequately disclosed; the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by the trustees; and the overall presentation of the financial statements.
The scope of the audit should also cover the accuracy and completeness of the IRW consolidation schedule.
- Legal & organisational aspects
- Legal positions of Islamic relief Lebanon.
- Adherence to legal requirements of the land.
- Right of disposal & decision-making levels.
- Attention paid to taxation laws.
- Adherence to laws of employment including termination benefit entitlement
- Accounting System
- Detailed bookkeeping.
- Supporting vouchers & other documents, including legal requirements in this regard.
- Income and Expenditure Account
- Balance Sheet.
- The use of all Bank Accounts and the regular reconciliation of bank & cash balances.
- Debtors
- Creditors
- Stock ( In Kind Donations)
Management reporting
- The auditors are expected to formally report on control weaknesses found during the course of the audit to local country management.
- This audited accounts with the audit opinion and the management letter should be directly sent to
Finance Director
Islamic Relief Worldwide
19 Rea Street South
Birmingham B5 6LB
United Kingdom
- Assessment of the system of internal control & the arrangement of the bank account signatories.
- Economic use of the resources.
- Assessment of the accounting system
- Assessment of the management & the administration.
- Adherence to Islamic Relief Financial Guidelines (copy available in the Office).
- Adherence to Donor Financial Guidelines (copy available in the Office).
- Assessment of compliance with staff contracts – e.g. are staff benefits and entitlements as stated in contract adequately provided for.
Audit Opinion
The opinion on the financial statements should give a true and fair view of the state of the Islamic Relief Country’s affairs as at 31 December 2014 and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the countries income and expenditure and cash flows, for the year then ended;
The opinion should also confirm that the financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.
4. IRW Consolidation
- In order to consolidate and compare local country accounts, IRW finance has prepared a consolidation template. Appendix II sets out the template and provides guidance on how this template should be completed.
The IRW consolidation template must be signed by the following to confirm its accuracy and consistency with the audited trail balance:
1. Country Director
2. Country Auditor
3. Country Finance Manager
Audit Report and Management Letter
Audit Report
- Audit Opinion on the Financial Statements of Islamic Relief Lebanon.
- Audit report and Financial Statements should be issued in both currencies (GBP & LBP) exchange rates to be used as per IRW guidelines.separately and each one has both versions (English & Arabic)
Management Letter
- An assessment of the organisation’s internal control system with equal emphasis on (i) the effectiveness of the system in providing management with useful and timely information for the proper management.
- Recommendations to resolve/eliminate the internal control weaknesses noted should be included.
It is expected that Auditors will maintain an open communication approach the respective Finance Manager and Country Director and ensure that there is no surprises at the end of the audit course.
Reporting
The Audited Financial Statements and the Management Letter should be sent as soon as possible on completion to:
Country Director
Islamic Relief Lebanon
Requirements for Proposals from prospective auditors
The prospective auditor is required to submit its understanding about the audit scope, methodology, client resource base and professional fee.
Audit Tender
- Introduction
Islamic Relief’s main objective is to promote sustainable social development by co-operating with local communities through relief and development programs. Islamic Relief has implemented a variety of relief and development programs, as well as launching several emergency responses since its inception, this includes; working with IDPs affected by floods and conflict through emergency and Relief programmes. In the period to be audited, IR Country Lebanon implemented projects funded by ECHO, SIDA, DFID, WFP and UN among others.
- Organisational Structure
Islamic Relief Lebanon is headed by a Country Director as the officer-in -charge with support staffs that include Head of Programme Human Resource Manager, Finance Coordinator, etc based at support office in Lebanon. The organization’s area offices are based in Lebanon, Beirut, Tawfic Tabbara Street, Tawfic Tabbara Center, 8th Floor and Saida as a branch office.
3 Auditors
Amongst the essential qualities Islamic Relief will consider are as follows:
Technical competency
Islamic Relief expects the auditors to have expertise in its area of charitable activity and being able to provide advice in specialist areas such as taxes, Payroll, NGO accounting and risk management.
Cultural fit
Islamic Relief expects the auditors that are appointed to understand and sympathise with the purpose, values and methodology of Islamic Relief.
Expertise and experience in the NGO sector
Islamic Relief is an International Relief and Development NGO, thus it expects its auditors to have NGO sector specialists within its audit team and an experience and portfolio of clients in the NGO sector.
Value for money
Islamic Relief expects its appointed auditors to be proactive in the relationship, sharing experience, knowledge and ideas so that the audit adds more value than just meeting statutory requirements.
Islamic Relief expects the audit to be cost competitive and balanced with a quality professional service. Islamic Relief will expect an open and clear approach to audit costs but will be considering overall value for money of the service provided in making its decision.
Partner and manager time
Islamic Relief expects in the proposal a realistic commitment of partner and manager time and consideration of how you will maintain consistent staffing levels.
Communication
Islamic Relief places strong emphasis on personal relationship and good communication. We hope that we can develop a free and open two way conversation including such areas as changes in accounting standards, fees, deliverables, timing of audit visits, staffing changes.
Risk based approach
We are also seeking to appoint auditors that take a risk based approach to financial audit and have an understanding of risk in a broader context than financial risks.
5 The financial and accounting year
Below are key dates in the accounting year for the preparation of accounts and audit reporting, we anticipate a similar pattern to each year in the future?
Islamic Relief
Financial year end
31st December
Draft accounts available for audit
25th Jan. 2019
Timing of the audit
1st March 2019
Draft Audit Report
20th March 2019
Final Audit Report
25th March 2019
Approval by Trustees
31st March 2019
The audit must be completed within the prescribed timelines above. The auditor must directly email IRW of any delays immediately on [email protected].
This email is must be used by auditors only.
- The tender proposal
Please provide the following information in the proposal, in the order identified in this section of the tender pack.
- Details of your firm
Your proposal should:
- Outline your structure, size and capabilities as relevant to us
- Identify your firm’s major NGO clients
- Describe your audit philosophy and methods
- Provide two references of other NGO’s that are your audit clients that can be taken up as required
- Staffing
Your proposal should identify:
- The partner and manager who will be assigned to the audit, including details of their relevant experience and qualifications
- The time which the partner and manager identified above will devote to the audit
- How you manage succession planning and staff continuity
- Audit approach
Your proposal should identify how you:
- Determine audit strategy and undertake audit planning
- Address matters of audit scope and materiality
- Identify and respond to critical audit issues
- Control and co-ordinate the audit process
- Ensure appropriate responsibility for decisions on the audit
- Conduct the reporting arrangements
- Approach the first year of the audit
- Fees
Your proposal should include separate estimates of your total audit fees for reporting:
In addition in your written proposal you should:
- Provide an analysis of hours by grade of staff that will be involved on the audit together with details of your hourly charge out rates
- Indicate the basis of charging expenses
- Provide your proposed billing schedule
- Outline your proposals for setting and agreeing fees in future years
Your proposal should also contain details of other additional relevant services that your firm would propose to provide, but are not a necessary and integral part of the statutory audit, and where appropriate include these in the ‘additional services’ section in the three-year fee schedule.
Appendix I Consolidation Template
Appendix II
As part of your written submission you are asked to submit your proposed fees schedule for 2018
Audit review
2018
Islamic Relief
Lebanon
NB: the fees quoted should include all chargeable time, out of pocket expenses (e.g. travel) and be all-inclusive fee only.
How to apply
Proposals shall be submitted on 22/10/2018 at the following address:
Islamic Relief Lebanon, logistic and procurement department
Sanayeh St. | Tawfic Tabbara center. 8th floor | Beirut- Lebanon
Tel: +961 1 748654
Mobile: 76111438
Email: [email protected]
Expired