Consultancy-External Audit at Help Age International

Purpose

The main objective of the audit is to provide assurance on whether the funds utilized to the project activities have been used for their intended purposes.

Scope of the Audit

The audit should cover accounting and financial documents of HelpAge International in Kenya and Mozambique in relation to the following documents:

• Budget (Financial Plan).
• Final narrative and financial report.
• Subcontractors’ details – when relevant.

The audit must ascertain whether:

1. Expenses are adequately supported by original proofs and have been properly accounted for.
2. Appropriate supporting documents, records and books of accounts relating to all activities have been kept. Clear linkages should exist between the books of accounts and the financial statements presented to.
3. Expenses have been incurred during the project period.
4. Expenses charged to the project have been duly authorized.
5. The method applied for the conversion of local currencies into Pound Sterling is consistent with standard accounting practices. The audit must include clear and verifiable information on the type of currency exchange calculations and at the time of validity of the respective exchange rate. These are to be confirmed by the verifier.
6. The expenses are justified for attaining the project goal (use of funds in line with the designated purpose)
7. Additionally, the auditor(s) shall include in their reports an opinion on compliance with procedures designed to provide reasonable assurance of detecting misstatements due to errors or fraud that are material in the financial statements.

In addition to the audit report, the auditors will prepare a Management Letter on the following:

1. Give comments and observations on the accounting records, procedures, systems, and controls that were examined during the course of the audit.
2. Communicate matters that have come to their attention during the audit which might have a significant impact on the sustainability of the organization.
3. Bring to the Country Director and country Senior Management team’s attention any other matters that the auditors consider pertinent.
4. Irregularities or fraud identified (e.g. private use of Age International funds, forged documentation such as reports or invoices)
5. Aspects relating to a lack of collaboration on the part of the Member Organisation
6. Problems relevant to the financial monitoring of projects
7. Other aspects considered worthy of the Age international attention