Internal Audit Services

Award Criteria

The contract will be awarded on the basis of the most economically advantageous tender, taking into account the following criteria: Relevant experience and expertise Quality of methodology and understanding of requirements Value for money (price) References and track record Capacity and staffing Further details of the evaluation methodology will be applied by the Council during the assessment of tenders.

Description

Ivybridge Town Council invites tenders for the provision of Internal Audit Services for a three (3) year period from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2029. The contract is for the delivery of an independent internal audit function in accordance with the Accounts and Audit Regulations and the Practitioners' Guide for Smaller Authorities in England (JPAG). The Council is a parish-level local authority with annual expenditure of approximately £1.25 million, employing around 18 staff, and operating a combination of public sector and commercial activities. The appointed contractor will be required to undertake: - Two interim internal audits per financial year (typically October and February), involving risk-based testing of key systems including financial controls, income and expenditure, payroll, VAT, procurement, assets, banking arrangements, and governance. - One year-end internal audit per financial year (to be completed by 31 May), including review of accounting statements, completion of the Internal Audit Report section of the Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR), and provision of an annual audit opinion. The contractor must provide written reports following each audit visit, setting out findings, recommendations and agreed actions. The Internal Auditor must remain independent and must not prepare the Council's accounts or complete Sections 1 or 2 of the AGAR. The contractor must demonstrate relevant experience, provide suitably qualified personnel, maintain professional indemnity insurance (minimum £1,000,000), and comply with all relevant legislation. The contract comprises nine audit visits over the three-year period (six interim and three year-end). Tenderers are required to submit a fixed annual fee and total contract cost.

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