March 8, 2024

Question:  Would the County be open to a staff augmentation model where we would place qualified accounting resources to perform the work in the RFP at the direction of the County?

Response:  Yes.  If proposing a staff augmentation model, proposers shall identify the primary, secondary, etc. resource that would be assigned to Lake County.

Question:  If so, our pricing would be in the form of hourly rates by position title/level, giving the County flexibility and control when it comes to timelines and budget. Would this be acceptable?

Response:  Yes.

Question:  For item #9 in the Company Background section of the RFP, the County asks for resumes of key professionals directly responsible for providing the services. Under our model, these professionals would be selected, with input from the County, at the time of project award. Would the County accept resumes of our account management and recruitment staff dedicated to this project instead?

Response:  Lake County is interested in identifying the key resources that would be assigned to the Lake County project.  Please include the resumes of the individual(s) who will be providing the resource directly to Lake County.

Question:  What factors led the County to issue this request for proposal?

Response:  The Deputy Finance Director was promoted to Interim Chief Financial Officer on January 1, 2024.  There is a contractual worker completing accounting supervision work until approximately mid-April 2024.  There is a need to continue accounting supervision work as an external search is completed for a Deputy Finance Director.

Question: Which contractor(s) is currently providing the services requested?

Response:  Comprehensive TTP, LLP

Question:  Which contractor, if any, assisted in audit preparation for the fiscal year 2022 audit? If applicable, approximately how many hours did the contractor spend on the audit preparation services?   

Response:  The FY2022 Audit was issued in 2023.  The work on the FY2023 Audit is being finalized.  Typically, the contractor provides accounting and audit preparation services and averages 40 hours per week for that combined work.

Question:  If a contractor is currently performing recurring monthly accounting services, approximately how many hours are spent by that contractor on these services each month?  

Response:  Typically, the contractor provides accounting and audit preparation services and averages 40 hours per week for that combined work.

Question:  Are the prior year audit workpapers available to assist in current year audit preparation?

Response:  The prior year workpapers are available.

Question:  The majority of the scope of services appears to be related to audit preparation; however, the following requests do not appear to be aligned with the other services requested.  Are these services expected to be completed during the 3-month engagement period, or are these monthly services that the County will need assistance with on an ongoing basis?

1. Reviews and approves employee travel and expense reports and supporting documentation in compliance with Lake County Policy.  Ongoing/daily activities.
2. Reviews and approves daily accounts payable invoices, requisitions, and supporting documentation.  Ongoing/daily activities.
3. Reviews and approves daily journal entries and supporting documentation.  Ongoing/daily activities.
4. Reviews monthly bank reconciliations to ensure balances articulated to the Trial Balance. Assists staff with reviewing reconciling items and is a liaison with Finance and the Treasurer’s Office.  Ongoing/daily activities.

Response:  The above services are ongoing/daily activities.

Question:  Is the time limit for services applicable to both audit preparation items and other services requested? 

Response:  Yes.

Question:  Are any services required to be performed on site, or can all services be provided remotely?  

Response:  100% on site.

Question:  Does the County have a dedicated full-time staff in the accounting department that would oversee the work of the vendor?  

Response:  No, the contractor supervises the work of the accounting division in Finance.