Willow Domestic Abuse Services: Invitation to Tender - Accounting & Auditing Services

Willow Domestic Abuse Services: Invitation to Tender - Accounting & Auditing Services Invitation to Tender Annual Accounting & Auditing Services Closing Date: 4th December 2026 Summary Meath Women’s Aid Housing Association CLG t/a Willow Domestic Abuse Services invites tender submissions from interested Auditing Services Suppliers to provide auditing and associated professional services to the organisation from the year ending 31 December 2026. This will comprise of planning and conducting the annual statutory audit of Willow Domestic Abuse Services but will also include other occasional advice and services outlined later in this document. About Willow Domestic Abuse Services was founded in 1987 by a local voluntary women’s group based in Navan.

Until recently known as Meath Women’s Refuge & Support Services, our initial work was the provision of refuge accommodation for women and children experiencing domestic violence and abuse. Since our foundation, our refuge accommodation has increased, and our work has expanded to provide community-based outreach and court accompaniment, as well as specialist services to children and young people who are victims of domestic violence and abuse in their own right. Over the years we have worked closely with local and national partners to advocate for change and increase community understanding of the dynamics of domestic violence and abuse.

Our work is underpinned and informed by a commitment to human rights and gender equality. Meath Women’s Aid Housing Association CLG t/a Willow Domestic Abuse Services is a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee. Its employees 47 people and has an annual turnover of €2.3m.

Our Funding comes from both public and non-public sources. Our Core funders are CUAN, a statutory agency under the remit of the department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration. General Requirements & Responsibilities Willow Domestic Abuse Services seeks an experienced Accounting and Auditing Services Supplier to provide accounting and auditing services required to meet its statutory obligations and adhere to relevant accounting and reporting standards and best practices.

The firm itself must be eligible for appointment, and the individual within the firm who is responsible for the audit and signing the audit report must possess the necessary statutory Audit Qualification The firm must be registered with and supervised by a Recognised Accountancy Body and oversight authorities like the Irish Auditing and Accounting Supervisory Authority (IAASA) Proposed Approach and Timeline Tenders should provide a clear outline of their proposed approach and methodology for delivering the audit. As part of their submission, tenderers are required to provide a detailed timeline setting out the key stages of the audit, including: Proposed Commencement and completion dates; The anticipated time required to complete each stage; The level of time and resources required from staff; Key information and documentation required from the organisation and when this will be required; The expected date for presentation of the draft and final audit report. Successful Candidates The successful supplier will report to the Board of Directors in accordance with the Companies Act 2014 to confirm that, in their opinion, the financial statements: Give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, and financial position of Willow Domestic Abuse Services as of the financial year-end, Are prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) for charities; and, Comply with the Companies Act 2014, Charities Act 2009, and other relevant legislation.

Annual Auditing Services Required The range of services for which the successful supplier may be responsible include, but are not restricted to: Accounting Prepare SORP compliant Annual Accounts, segmented as required by funders. Auditing Conduct the annual financial audit in compliance with relevant Irish and EU standard Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements. Design audit procedures that are appropriate to the internal controls relevant to the audit.

Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used. Conclude on the appropriateness of the directors’ use of the going concern basis for the preparation of the accounts. Prepare the financial statements, including processing client amendments as required.

Evaluate and advise on the overall presentation, structure and content of the financial statements. Identify if other non-financial information included in the annual report is materially consistent with the financial statements. Communication Carry out pre audit meeting to discuss the forthcoming meeting Provide an overview of the planned scope and timing of the audit.

Conduct a follow up meeting, post audit, to discuss any significant findings. Confirm, in writing, matters discussed and any agreed actions. Maintain frequent communication regarding both auditing and other matters.

Present draft audited accounts to Willow Domestic Abuse Services finance, Risk and Governance sub-group and the board, including any audit findings, as and when required. Ensure a partner of the firm attends the annual general meeting of Willow Domestic Abuse Services and makes any necessary presentation of the audited accounts to the members. Other Services Prepare and lodge returns with the Companies Registration Office (CRO) and the Central Register of Beneficial Ownership of Companies (RBO).

Assist and advice on any other filing requirements e.g. Revenue Commissioners, AHBRA, Charites Regulator, Property Services Regulator. Duration of contract The contract will commence from and include the year ending 31 December 2026 and continue for four years (to year ending 31 December 2029), subject to the services being satisfactorily delivered each year.

It is open to Willow Domestic Abuse Services or the contractor to end the contract sooner should they so wish, with appropriate notice. Other considerations Applicants must be sufficiently familiar with the below items to carry out the work: The Charities Act 2009 and subsequent Regulation SORP for Charities Charities Regulator’s Code of Governance GDPR Compliance Willow Domestic Abuse Services Strategic Plan 2026 - 2030 Software packages used by Willow Domestic Abuse Services including Sage, Salesforce, Thesaurus, SharePoint Retention of records During your work with Willow Domestic Abuse Services, you will have access to various documentation. You will be required to only take copies of any documentation required for audit purposes and any such documentation must be destroyed after 7 years, with the exception of documentation that is agreed to be of continuing significance.

The successful contractor will be required to sign a Data Processor Agreement and adhere to Willow’s Data Protection policies which will be provided. Tenders The proposal should ideally provide the following information: Examples of Work: Three examples demonstrating: Range of services provided. Proven ability to conduct efficient and effective audits.

Communication strategies used to enhance outcomes. References: Provide two references with contact names, contact details, and email addresses. References will only be contacted with prior permission.

Audit Team and Experiences: Details of the proposed audit team to be provided, including the audit partner and key personnel with relevant CVs Qualifications. Tenderers should demonstrate the teams relevant experience and expertise in auditing charities and not for profit organisation. Approach: A concise proposal (maximum seven pages) detailing your approach to delivering the listed requirements over four years.

Fixed Annual Fee: The proposed fee should clearly set out what is included within the annual fee and identify any services, expenses or additional costs that are excluded. Any potential additional cost should be clearly identified and explained as part of the render submission. Other regulations The successful Tenderer must have a valid tax clearance certificate for the contract's duration.

Such a valid tax clearance certificate from the Irish Revenue Commissioners must be produced by a successful Tenderer before execution of the contract and any payments due. An auditing practice certificate and the related professional insurance must also be held. Scoring & Next Steps Tenders received will be marked out of 100 marks as follows: Proposals may be shortlisted after scoring.

Based on the above criteria, shortlisted Auditing Services Suppliers may be asked to interview with Willow Domestic Abuse Services later in the year to discuss their proposal in more detail. Not all proposals may be invited to interview. Requirements for this meeting will be forwarded upon selection. Closing Date Closing Date for receipt of Tender: 4th December 2026 Return Tender or Submit Queries to Selina Comaskey, Finance Manager: selina.comaskey@willowdas.ie Tenders Date Entered/Updated: 2nd Nov, 2026 Expiry Date: 4th Dec, 2026 Region: Co Meath Social links twitter facebook linkedin email pdf print Source URL: https://www.activelink.ie/vacancies/tenders/129855-willow-domestic-abuse-services-invitation-to-tender-accounting-auditing-services