RFP – FOTR Seeks Auditing Firm

Friends of the Rouge is in search of an auditing firm to perform our annual audit and prepare our 990 tax return for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024. Proposals will be accepted from now until May 9, 2025.

Request for Proposal for Audit Services

I. INTRODUCTION

Friends of the Rouge (FOTR), a 39-year-old non-profit organization, is soliciting proposals from firms to provide audit and tax return services. This request for proposal contains background information on FOTR and specific information that must be included in the proposals submitted. The proposals must be submitted by no later than 5:00 PM on May 9, 2025, directly to our office at the following email address: khanna@therouge.org

• Friends of the Rouge is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation with an annual budget of $11,000,000
• Incorporated in 1986, we currently have 18 full-time and 5 part-time employees.
• Our mission is to restore, protect, and enhance the Rouge River watershed through stewardship, education, and collaboration.

II. AUDIT SCOPE AND TIMING

• Audited financial statements for 3 consecutive fiscal years ending December 31, 2024, December 31, 2025, and December 31, 2026.
• Preparation of management letter.
• Preparation of IRS Form 990 and applicable state forms for each year.
• Planning meetings in preparation for each audit.
• Presentation of final audited financial statements and management letter to our Board of Directors (if applicable).
• Availability to answer questions throughout the entire year.

III. PROPOSALS SHOULD INCLUDE

Please provide the following information in your proposal.

• Provide a description of your firm. (staff size, number of professionals, industries served, etc.)
• Describe engagements your firm currently conducts in the not-for-profit sector
• Describe the level of experience of the individuals who would be assigned to our account.
• Describe your firm’s basic approach to performing an audit.
• Identify the engagement team which would be performing our audit
• Indicate the expected timing and completion of the audit and the expected delivery of the financial statements and management letter.

Fees

Provide information regarding your audit and tax fees for each of the three years of this engagement, including the estimated number of hours to be spent by each person. Be sure to include out-of-pocket expenses in your fee structure and indicate how these are calculated.

Other Proposal Information

• Provide 3 professional references.
• Give any additional information, not specifically requested previously, considered essential to your proposal.
• It should be noted that either party may cancel the audit for the second or third year by written notice to the other party no later than six months after the start of the fiscal year.

The deadline for receipt of your proposal submission is May 9, 2025. Documents should be emailed to Karen Hanna at khanna@therouge.org. No proposals received after this date will be considered. All proposal submissions will be responded to once a decision has been made.

For any additional questions or clarifications, please contact Karen Hanna, Operations Director at 313.970.8372 or khanna@therouge.org.