Request for Proposals and Quotes

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

This is a request for proposal (RFP) issued by Children’s Trust of South Carolina (Children’s Trust) for information. This RFP is requesting proposals from qualified certified public accountants that have experience with non-profit organizations and can deliver on the listed scope of services as outlined below.

Background

Children’s Trust was established as an eleemosynary organization by the State of South Carolina by Article 17, chapter 7, Title 20, as amended, of the South Carolina code of Laws. Children’s Trust was incorporated on September 25, 1984 as a not-for-profit organization and granted tax exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue code. Children’s Trust is the only statewide organization focused on preventing child abuse and neglect in South Carolina. We lead and support a network of community-based organizations which share our belief that all children should thrive, live in secure families, and be surrounded by supportive communities. As an intermediary organization focused on prevention, we serve as the statewide advocate for issues critical to South Carolina’s children, provide resources and technical support to our prevention partners, and create and share messages about prevention. We also support and fund proven prevention programs, conduct high-quality data and trend analysis, and offer training for professionals so they have the tools they need to help children and families in counties across the state. Please visit our website for additional information such as audited financial statements.

All proposals will be treated with the highest confidence and will be used internally in our decision- making process. All proposals are to be submitted to Mark Cameron at 1330 Lady Street, Suite 310, Columbia, SC 29201, or by email to mcameron@scchildren.org no later than Friday, March 14, 2025. A decision will be made as promptly as possible with immediate implementation. Questions may be submitted via email to mcameron@scchildren.org.

Scope of Services

The following represents an outline of potential services. These activities include the following and will be conducted under the direction, prioritization and approval of the Children’s Trust board, finance committee and/or Children’s Trust staff.

1. Conduct audits of the financial statements in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America and the standards applicable to financial audits contained in Government Auditing Standards, issued by the Comptroller General of the United States. Children's Trust is a non-profit entity; however, as a component unit of the State of South Carolina, Children's Trust financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP as promulgated by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board.
2. Conduct audits of compliance in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America; the standards applicable to financial audits contained in Government Auditing Standards, issued by the Comptroller General of the United States; and the audit requirements of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards.
3. Prepare Form 990 for review and approval by the Board of Directors by March 15th.
4. Prepare and present the audit report and single audit to Children’s Trust Board and finance committee at the January meeting. If any opinion is other than unmodified, it should be fully discussed with the Chief Executive Officer in advance of issuance. If for any reason the audit cannot be completed, a report will not be issued as a result of the engagement.
5. The audit report and tax returns will be completed and filed as appropriate the following year to the Federal Audit Clearing House and IRS.

Service providers submitting a proposal must include the following information:

• A statement regarding the ability to provide the above services.
• A timeline for completion of services.
• A complete pricing overview.
• Three references with names and addresses of not less than three business customers of similar size to Children’s Trust. References to other non-profits preferred.
• Any contractual terms your organization will require.

Children’s Trust will:

• Provide information required for the audits.
• Complete requests for confirmations.
• Assume responsibility for the financial statements to include the maintenance of adequate records and related internal control, the selection and application of accounting principles and the safeguarding of assets.
• Prior year’s audited financials and tax returns may be found on our website.

Terms and Conditions

Companies providing a proposal agree to the following terms and conditions:

• Successful bidder will not release records or information related to Children’s Trust unless an application for public information is submitted and approved by Children’s Trust Board of Directors.
• Children’s Trust reserves the right to reject any or all proposals received, to request clarification of any proposal, to request a face-to-face interview, to waive informalities or irregularities; and to select a service provider not based solely on the lowest cost.
• Pricing included in your proposal must be valid for at least 90 days and may not be modified, withdrawn or canceled.
• Children’s Trust will not pay for any information requested herein, nor is it liable for any costs incurred by the participant in responding to this request. All proposals submitted become the property of Children’s Trust and will not be returned.
• None of the information released either verbally or in writing shall be deemed binding to Children’s Trust in any manner.
• All proposals or offers must be signed by a duly appointed officer or agent of your company.