Tender

External Audit Services

SRUC

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Tender

12 Feb 2026 at 00:00

Planning

26 Jan 2026 at 00:00

Summary of the contracting process

Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) is inviting tenders for external audit services to support its operations relating to education, research, and consultancy. The procurement process, currently in the tender stage, aims to appoint a provider to deliver services including financial statement auditing and reporting on funding streams. Located in Edinburgh, the contract is valued at £450,000 and falls under the services category, specifically focusing on higher education and consultancy. Interested companies must submit electronically by 17 March 2026 at midday, with the award process beginning shortly thereafter. The initial contract duration is 36 months, with possible extensions of up to two additional years.

This tender presents a significant growth opportunity for businesses in the audit sector, especially those specialising in higher education financial regulations. Companies with expertise in financial statement auditing, adherence to Scottish legal requirements, and the ability to engage with governance structures would be well-suited to participate. The open procedure encourages a wide competitive field, favouring organisations with proven experience in contract management and effective stakeholder communication. Potential bidders should ensure their submission meets the financial and insurance criteria outlined by SRUC and take advantage of the online pre-tender briefing scheduled for 11 February 2026 to better understand the procurement process.

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Notice Title

External Audit Services

Notice Description

SRUC is a distinctive tertiary education institution with a national mission to support Scotland's rural economy and address global challenges in food, nutrition , and environmental sustainability. Operating across education, research, and consultancy, SRUC plays a unique role at the intersection of academic excellence, applied research, and industry engagement. SRUC seek to appoint a service provider to deliver external audit services to SRUC which will include: 1. Provide an opinion on the financial statements of the SRUC group of companies, in line with Company Law, Financial Reporting Standard 102 (FRS102), The Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, Regulation 8 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) and the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) relating to Higher Education Institutions; 2. Provide an opinion, where required, to be included in the independent auditor's report to the SRUC Board regarding SRUC's various funding streams and their use (including, but not limited to funds received from the Scottish Government, and the Scottish Funding Council). The wording of this opinion must meet any requirements of Financial Memoranda or contracts; 3. Provide reports (including the auditor's report to those charged with governance and management letter) to senior management and the SRUC Audit and Risk Committee. This requirement includes attendance and presentation of reports and findings at Committee meetings. Full details can be found in Schedule 2 of the attached Invitation to Tender document. It is anticipated that any resulting contract will operate for an initial period of 36 months, with the possibility of two extensions of 12 months, by mutual agreement.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Full details can be found in Schedule 2 of the attached Invitation to Tender document.

Renewal: The contract will commence on or around 13 April 2026 for a period of 36 months, with the possibility of two extensions of 12 months by mutual agreement, unless the contract is terminated earlier, in accordance with the provisions of the Terms and Conditions of Contract as noted in Schedule 9 of this tender.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-r6ebe6-0000821695
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=FEB549480
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
OJEU - F2 - Contract Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security


CPV Codes

79210000 - Accounting and auditing services

79212000 - Auditing services

79212100 - Financial auditing services

79212300 - Statutory audit services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£450,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
12 Feb 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
17 Mar 20263 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
16 Feb 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Every 3 to 5 years

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
SRUC
Contact Name
Claire Lorimer
Contact Email
claire.lorimer@sruc.ac.uk, procurement@sruc.ac.uk
Contact Phone
+44 1315354000

Buyer Location

Locality
EDINBURGH
Postcode
EH9 3JG
Post Town
Edinburgh
Country
Scotland

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM1 East Central Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM13 City of Edinburgh
Delivery Location
TLM75 City of Edinburgh

Local Authority
City of Edinburgh
Electoral Ward
Southside/Newington
Westminster Constituency
Edinburgh South

Further Information

Notice Documents

  • https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JAN548052
    External Audit Services - SRUC is a distinctive tertiary education institution with a national mission to support Scotland's rural economy and address global challenges in food, nutrition , and environmental sustainability. Operating across education, research, and consultancy, SRUC plays a unique role at the intersection of academic excellence, applied research, and industry engagement. SRUC seek to appoint a service provider to deliver external audit services to SRUC which will include: 1. Provide an opinion on the financial statements of the SRUC group of companies, in line with Company Law, Financial Reporting Standard 102 (FRS102), The Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, Regulation 8 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) and the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) relating to Higher Education Institutions; 2. Provide an opinion, where required, to be included in the independent auditor's report to the SRUC Board regarding SRUC's various funding streams and their use (including, but not limited to funds received from the Scottish Government, and the Scottish Funding Council). The wording of this opinion must meet any requirements of Financial Memoranda or contracts; 3. Provide reports (including the auditor's report to those charged with governance and management letter) to senior management and the SRUC Audit and Risk Committee. This requirement includes attendance and presentation of reports and findings at Committee meetings. Prior to the issue of the Invitation to Tender for this opportunity, SRUC shall be holding an on-line "Meet the Buyer" event on 11 February 2026 from 10.00 - 10.30. At this meeting we will provide an overview of SRUC and the procurement process. If you are interested in attending this event please email procurement@sruc.ac.uk and quote "External Audit Ref.27301" in the title of your email. Please provide the email address of the representative(s) who you wish to attend, and an invite shall be issued. Due to time constraints, this shall be the only pre-tender meeting that SRUC will be hosting. It is anticipated that any resulting contract will operate for an initial period of 36 months, with the possibility of two extensions of 12 months, by mutual agreement.
  • https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=FEB549480
    External Audit Services - SRUC is a distinctive tertiary education institution with a national mission to support Scotland's rural economy and address global challenges in food, nutrition , and environmental sustainability. Operating across education, research, and consultancy, SRUC plays a unique role at the intersection of academic excellence, applied research, and industry engagement. SRUC seek to appoint a service provider to deliver external audit services to SRUC which will include: 1. Provide an opinion on the financial statements of the SRUC group of companies, in line with Company Law, Financial Reporting Standard 102 (FRS102), The Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, Regulation 8 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) and the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) relating to Higher Education Institutions; 2. Provide an opinion, where required, to be included in the independent auditor's report to the SRUC Board regarding SRUC's various funding streams and their use (including, but not limited to funds received from the Scottish Government, and the Scottish Funding Council). The wording of this opinion must meet any requirements of Financial Memoranda or contracts; 3. Provide reports (including the auditor's report to those charged with governance and management letter) to senior management and the SRUC Audit and Risk Committee. This requirement includes attendance and presentation of reports and findings at Committee meetings. Full details can be found in Schedule 2 of the attached Invitation to Tender document. It is anticipated that any resulting contract will operate for an initial period of 36 months, with the possibility of two extensions of 12 months, by mutual agreement.

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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