The Town of Walden, Vermont, is requesting proposals from qualified firms of Certified Public Accountants to audit its financial statements for the fiscal year ending 2024. Proposals are to be submitted by 4:00 PM on September 17,2024 via Debbie Messier, Town clerk/treasurer 12 VT Rte 215 West Danville VT 05873 tc@waldenvt.gov The Town of Walden reserves the right to reject any or all proposals submitted. Proposals will be evaluated by the municipality based on firm experience and reputation, understanding of municipality’s requirements, and price. During the evaluation process, the Town of Walden reserves the right, where it may serve in the municipality's best interest, to request additional information or clarification from proposers. At the discretion of the municipality, firms submitting proposals may be requested to make oral presentations as part of the evaluation process. Please direct all questions regarding this request for proposals to: Debbie Messier 802-563-2220 tc@waldenvt.gov NATURE OF SERVICES REQUIRED Town of Walden Vermont, desires the auditor to express an opinion on the fair presentation of its general-purpose financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles for government entities as defined by the Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB). The municipality also desires the auditor to express an opinion on the fair presentation of the combining and individual fund financial statements and schedules in conformity with GASB generally accepted accounting principles. The audit shall be performed in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards as set forth by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants; the standards for financial audits set forth in the U.S. General Accounting Office’s Government Auditing Standards; the provisions of the Single Audit Act of 1984 and the Single Audit Act Amendments of 1996 (when applicable); and the provisions of the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 2 CFR, Chapter I, Chapter II, Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards. The municipality does not anticipate spending in excess of $750,000 in federal awards and will not require an audit in accordance with the Single Audit Act of 1984.It is expected that in determining the extent of test procedures, full consideration will be given to the apparent effectiveness of the system on internal accounting controls. The feasibility of recommendations for improvements in the accounting system and internal controls will be discussed during the course of the engagement. In the required report on internal control, the auditor shall communicate any reportable conditions found during the audit. Reportable conditions that are also material weaknesses shall be identified as such in the report. Non-reportable conditions discovered by the auditors shall also be reported in a separate management letter, which shall include all instances of noncompliance. The auditor will deliver an electronic copy of the auditor’s report and in addition to that shall print, bind and submit one copy of the audit report to the municipality. Additional copies of the report shall be submitted to the federal cognizant audit agency and any agencies of the State of Vermont, as required. All working papers and reports shall be retained for a minimum of three years, unless the firm is notified in writing by the municipality of the need to extend the retention period. DESCRIPTION OF THE GOVERNMENT The Town of Walden has a population of 956. The municipality provides the following services to its citizens: Volunteer Fire Department, Highway Department for road maintenance, Planning commission, Library, and Town Clerk/Treasurer and Assistant. The municipality has a total payroll of $309,415.70 covering three full-time and two part-time employees, sixteen appointed positions and eighteen stipend positions. Approved budgets for the most recent fiscal year are $ 338,125.68 for the General Fund and $586,631.80 for the Highway Fund. The municipality uses the following fund types in its financial reporting: • General Fund • Special Revenue Funds • Capital Projects Funds There is no expressed or implied obligation on the part of Town of Walden to reimburse responding firms for any expenses incurred in preparing or presenting proposals in response to this request. The Town of Walden reserves the right to retain all proposals and to use any ideas in a proposal regardless of whether the proposal is selected. Submission of a proposal indicates acceptance by the firm of the conditions contained in this RFP, unless clearly stated to the contrary and specifically noted in the proposal submitted and confirmed in the contract between the municipality and the selected firm. The Town of Walden reserves the right to accept or reject any proposal, at their sole discretion, and to award a contract based solely on their determination of the best proposal considering all of the circumstances.