--- title: "External Audit Services 2024" ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-f350383b-2a74-4d15-a1f9-a77919dda46e" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-f350383b-2a74-4d15-a1f9-a77919dda46e" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-f350383b-2a74-4d15-a1f9-a77919dda46e.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-f350383b-2a74-4d15-a1f9-a77919dda46e.json" source: "Contracts Finder" current_stage: "Tender" buyer: "UNIVERSITY OF CHESTER" published: "2024-10-03" --- # External Audit Services 2024 Buyer: UNIVERSITY OF CHESTER Current stage: Tender OCID: ocds-b5fd17-f350383b-2a74-4d15-a1f9-a77919dda46e [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-f350383b-2a74-4d15-a1f9-a77919dda46e) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-f350383b-2a74-4d15-a1f9-a77919dda46e.json) ## Summary The University of Chester has awarded a contract for "External Audit Services 2024" to Grant Thornton UK LLP. This tender fell under the UK Open Procedure aligned with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and amendments post-Brexit. The contract spans five years, starting from 1st January 2025, with options to extend for up to two additional 12-month periods, concluding on 31st December 2031. Located in Chester, North West England, this project is classified under the CPV code 79212000 for auditing services. The procurement stage was at "Award" with relevant deadlines including the tender period ending on 4th November 2024 and the award date on 13th December 2024. The awarded value was £900,000, which includes potential extension periods. This awarded contract presents significant growth opportunities for businesses specialising in auditing services. With an estimated value of up to £900,000, the engagement involves reporting on financial statements and compliance with terms from the Office for Students, UK Research and Innovation, and other educational bodies. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as well as voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs) were particularly encouraged to tender, highlighting inclusivity in the procurement process. Businesses proficient in compliance with audit standards, ethical and quality service orientation, and comprehensive reporting are well-suited to such opportunities, ensuring potential for long-term partnerships and service continuation. ## Notice The University of Chester is seeking tenders through the UK Open Procedure under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and The Public Procurement (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 to appoint an external audit service provider for a period of 5 years with an option to extend for up to two further periods of 12 months each, subject to satisfactory performance and the University's needs. The primary role of external auditors will be to report on the financial statements of the University of Chester and its subsidiary companies, and to carry out whatever examination of the statements and underlying records and control systems is necessary to reach an opinion on the statements. You will be required to report to the University Council by means of a management letter. University financial statements and management letter are submitted to the Office for Students by the end of December following the 31st July year end. They are scrutinised by the Audit and Risk Management Committee in mid-November and approved by University Council at the end of November. The on-site work final audit usually takes place during mid-September to mid-October, with interim audit being arranged earlier in the financial year. You will also be required to report on whether funds provided by the Office for Students, UK Research and Innovation (including Research England), the Education and Skills Funding Agency and the Department for Education have been applied in accordance with the relevant terms and conditions; and the financial statements meet the requirements of the Accounts Direction. The appointed provider will be required to: (a) operate in accordance with published audit and accounting standards; (b) meet professional, ethical and quality standards in completing its work; (c) comply with terms of reference approved by the Audit and Risk Management Committee, (d) provide suitably qualified and experienced staff; (e) endeavour to promote continuity of staffing; (f) ensure that the staff employed will receive appropriate ongoing training; (g) set out proposals for liaison with other auditors. The successful tenderer must be able to demonstrate they can provide a comprehensive service which will satisfy the University's requirement for an External Audit Service, as set out by the Office for Students or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). Further details are available in the tender documents which are available from our In-Tend site: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/universityofchester (https://intendhost. co.uk/universityofchester). Please note the estimated total value includes the optional extension periods. Additional information: Please note that where you may have previously registered with In-Tend, it will be necessary for you to ensure that your registration does include being registered to see opportunities for University of Chester. Registration for this site is free for suppliers. There is also Help/Guidance on how to use the supplier site on the 'Help' section at: https://intendhost.co.uk/universityofchester/aspx/Help ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Contracts Finder | | Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/58afd7e4-a0dc-4eb7-8282-8d13c35a1a10 | | Notice type | Tender Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Open | | Procurement method details | Open procedure (above threshold) | | Tender suitability | SME, VCSE | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Tender | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 3 Oct 2024 | | Submission deadline | 4 Nov 2024 | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 1 Jan 2025 - 31 Dec 2031 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £800,000 | | 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 | UNIVERSITY OF CHESTER | | Locality | CHESTER | | Post town | Chester | | Postcode | CH1 4BJ | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLD North West (England) | | ITL 2 | TLD6 Cheshire | | ITL 3 | TLD63 Cheshire West and Chester | | Local authority | Cheshire West and Chester | | Electoral ward | Chester City & the Garden Quarter | | Westminster constituency | Chester North and Neston | | Delivery location | TLD North West (England) | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security ### Codes - 79212000 - Auditing services ## Release History - 3 Oct 2024 at 13:29 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/58afd7e4-a0dc-4eb7-8282-8d13c35a1a10 ## Documents - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/58afd7e4-a0dc-4eb7-8282-8d13c35a1a10 3rd October 2024 - Opportunity notice on Contracts Finder ## Notice URLs - https://in-tendhost.co.uk/universityofchester - https://intendhost - https://intendhost.co.uk/universityofchester/aspx/Help ## 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-f350383b-2a74-4d15-a1f9-a77919dda46e. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-f350383b-2a74-4d15-a1f9-a77919dda46e.json.