--- title: "Soft Market Test - External Audit" ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-6c38193f-7f4e-4fdd-8a0b-a7ca497e82cf" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-6c38193f-7f4e-4fdd-8a0b-a7ca497e82cf" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-6c38193f-7f4e-4fdd-8a0b-a7ca497e82cf.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-6c38193f-7f4e-4fdd-8a0b-a7ca497e82cf.json" source: "Contracts Finder" current_stage: "Tender" buyer: "ASPIRE HOUSING" published: "2025-02-03" --- # Soft Market Test - External Audit Buyer: ASPIRE HOUSING Current stage: Tender OCID: ocds-b5fd17-6c38193f-7f4e-4fdd-8a0b-a7ca497e82cf [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-6c38193f-7f4e-4fdd-8a0b-a7ca497e82cf) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-6c38193f-7f4e-4fdd-8a0b-a7ca497e82cf.json) ## Summary Aspire Housing, a leading housing provider and property developer based in Staffordshire and Cheshire, is currently in the Tender stage for the "Soft Market Test - External Audit" procurement. This open procedure, classified under CPV 79200000 (Accounting, auditing and fiscal services), invites tenders for external auditing services for Aspire Housing and its subsidiaries. Interested businesses must submit their bids by 18th February 2025, and the resulting contract is expected to commence on 6th February 2026 and continue until 5th February 2029, subject to performance reviews and potential extensions. The contract will cover auditing financial statements in accordance with applicable laws and standards, liaising with internal auditors, and advising on legislative changes. This tender provides a significant opportunity for SMEs specialising in accounting and auditing services to engage with a reputable and financially robust organisation. Businesses with expertise in financial auditing and strong knowledge of auditing standards will be well-suited to compete. The open procedure and the potential for a long-term relationship with performance-based extensions present a stable and lucrative growth opportunity for businesses in the auditing sector. Aspire Housing's commitment to reinvesting profits in community revitalisation and innovative support services underscores their dedication to sustainable business practices and community development. ## Notice Aspire Housing is a leading housing provider, place shaper and property developer. We are a financially strong business. Profits are reinvested in new homes, in revitalising communities and in a comprehensive range of innovative support services, designed to transform lives. Our properties are in Staffordshire and Cheshire. The Group comprises the parent ('The Aspire Group'), Aspire Housing and its two subsidiaries, Durata and Incana (currently dormant). The Aspire Group is seeking to appoint an auditor for the provision of external audit services to the Group. The auditor will be required to audit the financial statements for the 3 Group companies. The audit must be carried out in accordance with applicable law, International Standards on Auditing, and any relevant Statements of Recommended Practice. The external auditor will be required to report to the Audit and Risk Committee and Group Board on the accounting and internal control systems in a management letter, and to review the Board's statement on internal controls. The external auditor will be expected to liaise with the internal auditor and place reliance on their work where appropriate. The external auditor will be required to guide and advise the officers of the Group on relevant legislative changes and changes to accounting standards, SORPs and treatments as part of the ongoing relationship. The external auditors will be expected to work closely with the officers of the Group in undertaking their responsibilities. The contract will be for a 3-year term subject to a satisfactory performance review after completion of the first year of the programme with the option to extend a further two years. Additional information: All tender documents available free of charge at - https://in-tendhost.co.uk/aspirehousing/aspx/Tenders/Current Is a Recurrent Procurement Type? : Yes ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Contracts Finder | | Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/4775edce-9423-4d9b-b911-d1d45108115b | | Notice type | Tender Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Open | | Procurement method details | Open procedure (above threshold) | | Tender suitability | SME | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Tender | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 3 Feb 2025 | | Submission deadline | 18 Feb 2025 | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 6 Feb 2026 - 5 Feb 2029 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | Not specified | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Active | | Lots status | Not specified | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | ASPIRE HOUSING | | Locality | N-U-L | | Post town | Stoke-on-Trent | | Postcode | ST5 0QW | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLG West Midlands (England) | | ITL 2 | TLG2 Shropshire and Staffordshire | | ITL 3 | TLG24 Staffordshire CC | | Local authority | Newcastle-under-Lyme | | Electoral ward | May Bank | | Westminster constituency | Newcastle-under-Lyme | | Delivery location | Not specified | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security ### Codes - 79200000 - Accounting, auditing and fiscal services - 79210000 - Accounting and auditing services - 79212000 - Auditing services - 79212100 - Financial auditing services ## Release History - 3 Feb 2025 at 18:52 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/4775edce-9423-4d9b-b911-d1d45108115b ## Documents - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/4775edce-9423-4d9b-b911-d1d45108115b 3rd February 2025 - Opportunity notice on Contracts Finder - https://in-tendhost.co.uk/aspirehousing/aspx/ Additional information on how to apply for this contract ## Notice URLs - https://in-tendhost.co.uk/aspirehousing/aspx/Tenders/Current ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-6c38193f-7f4e-4fdd-8a0b-a7ca497e82cf. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-6c38193f-7f4e-4fdd-8a0b-a7ca497e82cf.json.