Engagement of External Audit for the period starting 2023 financial year for three financial years.

Assignment Title: Consultancy for the Engagement of the External Auditor for CCARDESA.

Reference No. (as per Procurement Plan): BW-CCARDESA-20230601-CS-LCS

The Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA) is a Sub-Regional Research Organization (SRO) established in 2010 by the Member States of the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Its headquarters are in Gaborone, Botswana. CCARDESA is a subsidiary organization of SADC Secretariat and has the mandate of coordinating agricultural research and development in the SADC region.

Its main funding is from SADC Member States and international cooperating partners (ICPs). Furthermore CARDESA Secretariat is implementing projects that are funded by different donors.

It is against this background that CARDESA Secretariat intends to engage an independent external audit firm for the three years. The year-end of CCARDESA is 31 December for each year.

The audit shall be carried out in accordance with international audit standards issued by International Organization Federation of Accountants (IFAC). The audit shall be carried out by an external, independent and qualified auditor (Certified Public Accountant/Authorized Chartered Accountant) accredited with Botswana Institute of Chartered Accountants (BICA) and Botswana Accountants Oversight Authority (BAOA).

The objectives of this audit are to enable the Auditor to express an audit opinion in accordance with ISA 800 (revised) on whether:-

• the general-purpose financial statements of CARDESA for the year ended 31 December 20xx presents, in all material respects, in conformity with the applicable Financial Reporting Standards.
• the Project financial statements or Statement of Expenditure for the year ended 31 December 20xx presents, in all material respects, in conformity with the applicable Terms and Conditions of the Financing agreements.
• The Secretariat books of accounts provide the basis for preparation of those financials statements and are established to reflect the financial transactions in respect of the Secretariat and that it maintains adequate internal controls and supporting documentation for transactions

The Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA) now invites eligible audit firms to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Firms should provide information demonstrating that they have the required experts with required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services.

The shortlisting criteria are:

QUALIFICATIONS AND WORK EXPERIENCE OF THE CONSULTANT FIRM