---
title: "External Audit Services 2024"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-047d18"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-047d18"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-047d18.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-047d18.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "UNIVERSITY OF CHESTER"
published: "2025-01-03"
---

# External Audit Services 2024

Buyer: UNIVERSITY OF CHESTER  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-047d18

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[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-047d18.json)

## Summary

The University of Chester has undertaken a procurement process to secure External Audit Services for a five-year period, with an option to extend for up to two additional 12-month periods, subject to satisfactory performance and the University's ongoing needs. The procurement, conducted under the UK Open Procedure in line with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and The Public Procurement (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020, has concluded with the award of the contract to Grant Thornton UK LLP. The contract value is estimated at £900,000, and the services will primarily involve auditing the University's financial statements and reporting to the University Council. Significant dates include the contract signature on 13th December 2024 and the initial tender publication on 3rd October 2024. The contract will cover auditing services within the North West region (UKD), with the successful supplier required to start their work as outlined.

This tender provides significant growth opportunities for businesses specialising in auditing services, particularly those experienced with higher education institutions’ financial processes. Firms that can offer comprehensive, high-quality audit services, maintain professional and ethical standards, and have a track record of working with public sector organisations would be well-suited to compete. Additionally, companies must demonstrate their capability in delivering periodic financial reviews, compliance with funding organisations, and effective stakeholder communication. The competitive nature of the process, with nine bids received including one from an SME, underscores the high demand and the potential for establishing long-term relationships within the higher education sector.

## Notice

This Award Notice follows the University 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. The successful supplier will be required to report to the University Council by means of a management letter.Please note that all values in this notice have been rounded up.

### Lot Information

Lot 1

This Award Notice follows the University 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. The successful supplier will be required to report to the University Council by means of a management letter.Further details were available in the tender documents. This tender was not divided into Lots.Please note the estimated values in this Award Notice have been rounded up and include the optional extension periods.

Renewal: Period of Contract: 5 years with an option for the University to extend for up to two further periods of 12 months each, subject to satisfactory performance and the University's needs.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/000073-2025 |
| Notice type | Planning Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Planning, Tender, Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 3 Jan 2025 |
| Submission deadline | 4 Nov 2024 |
| Future notice date | 30 Sep 2024 |
| Award date | 13 Dec 2024 |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £800,000 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £900,000 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Cancelled |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Active |

## 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) |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | GRANT THORNTON |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

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

### Codes

- 79212000 - Auditing services

## Release History

- 3 Jan 2025 at 10:59 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/000073-2025
- 3 Oct 2024 at 13:14 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/031728-2024
- 12 Jul 2024 at 14:17 - Planning - Planning Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/021495-2024

## Notice URLs

- http://www.chester.ac.uk
- https://in-tendhost.co.uk/universityofchester

## 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-h6vhtk-047d18. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-047d18.json.