Accountancy Services: Accounting, data collation, validation and consolidation services.

Accountancy services are required to undertake the collation, validation, consolidation and accounting for up to 3,200 Academy Trusts’ (ATs) accounts returns in order to produce the financial statements in the Sector Annual Report and Accounts (SARA) for the academic year 2015-16. This includes the provision of associated technical accounting advice and support.

The high level activities included in the scope of this contract are: (a) Provide accounting services capable of meeting the EFAs’ requirements. (b) Collate submission of accounts returns from the academy trusts via EFA, by end of January 2017.

These returns contain both financial and non-financial data. (c) Follow up on outstanding accounts returns, for approximately 3 weeks after the due date, by direct enquiry with the academy trusts.

It is expected that at least 15% of the returns will be outstanding on the due date and will require chasing these academy trusts. This includes contacting the academy trusts to confirm entries and request further information in their returns.

(e) Verification of information held by the EFA, for example revenue and capital funding, to the account returns. (f) Post any significant technical accounting entries and other adjustments under the consolidation process as required.

(g) Substitute the academy trusts’ entries for land and buildings with values obtained independently by the EFA. (h) Plan and deliver a review and adjustment of balances once aggregated results are available.

(i) Produce the consolidated extended trial balance and the financial statements of the SARA by end of March 2017. (j) Work as part of the wider project, attending and contributing to various meetings including project meetings, meetings with academy trusts, the DfE and EFA programme boards, technical panels and other sector representatives.

(k) Prepare and submit audit working papers required by the National Audit Office and facilitate the audit process scheduled for early April 2017. (l) Programme management for all aspects of the consolidation work with close liaison with EFA and departmental programme management including provision of management information and key performance indicators.

(m) Provide specialist advice, quality service and guidance to the EFA and the department when required. (n) Produce information required for the whole of government accounts return.

A procurement of these key delivery services is required to ensure business continuity and successful reporting of the academy trusts’ financial health. The contracts will be for one year.

This would ensure that sufficient experienced and skilled resources would be available to deliver the required services and provide expert advice. Additional information: This contract is subject to a one year extension, subject to the successful performance of the contract awarded supplier, availability of funding and the policy decision by the appropriate programme board.

Estimated start and end dates: 1 year from October 2016 and may extend by a further period of 12 months at the sole discretion of the contracting authority. Estimated total value including VAT: £2m for one year (potentially up to £3m if the option to extend is exercised).

Indicative timetable: Publish Invitation to Tender (ITT) Wednesday 10th August 2016 Clarifications questions until 5pm Thursday 1st September 2016 ITT Closes 5pm Thursday 8th September 2016 ITT Evaluation including Moderation from 9th September 2016 Award decision notified to respondents from 21th September 2016 Standstill Period Starts 21st September to 3rd October 2016 Contract Award 4th October 2016 subject to standstill and internal governance. To obtain tender documents: Register on the e-tendering portal at https://fasst.bravosolution.co.uk which will then allow you to access the ITTs' Open to All Suppliers page. - Express an Interest and then you can now access any attachments by clicking 'Buyer Attachments' in the ITT Details' box.

Responding to the tender - Click 'My Response' under ITT Details', you can choose to 'Create Response' or to 'Decline to Respond' (please give a reason if declining) - You can now use the 'Messages' function to communicate with the buyer and seek any clarification - Note the deadline for completion, then follow the onscreen instructions to complete the ITT - There may be a mixture of online & offline actions for you to perform (there is detailed online help available) You must then submit your reply using the 'Submit Response' button at the top of the page. See the Early Engagement advert https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/8e0df12...