NOTICE TO BIDDERS
The Board of Education for the Vernon-Verona-Sherrill Central School District, in accordance with section 103 of Article 5-A of the General Municipal Law and Article 119-0 of the General Municipal Law, will receive bids for:
Professional Auditing Services for the Annual Independent Audit
for the Vernon-Verona-Sherrill Central School District (Sherrill City School District). Bids will be received until 1:00 p.m. on the 11th day of January, 2027 at which time they will be opened and publicly read. Bids will be accepted at the Vernon-Verona-Sherrill Central School District Administration Building, 5275 State Route 31, Verona, New York 13478.
The Vernon-Verona-Sherrill Central School District reserves the right to reject any or all bids in whole or in part, and to waive any irregularities or informalities. Any bid submitted will be binding for 45 days subsequent to the date of opening. Bid forms and specifications are available at the Vernon-Verona-Sherrill Central School Administration Building, 5275 State Route 31, Verona, New York 13478 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, or by calling 315-829-2520, or via emailing Heather Meehan, Clerk of the Board at hmeehan@vvsschools.org.
Vernon-Verona-Sherrill Central school District
5275 State Route 31 Verona, New York 13478
Phone: (315) 829-2520
Date: Nov 1, 2026 By: Heather Meehan, District Clerk
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SHERRILL CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR PROFESSIONAL AUDITING SERVICES
SHERRILL CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
BUSINESS OFFICE
5275 STATE ROUTE 31, VERONA, NEW YORK 13478
I. INTRODUCTION
A. General Information
The Sherrill City School District (District) is requesting proposals from qualified firms of certified public accountants to audit its financial statements for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2027, 2028, and 2029.
The audit is to be performed in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America and the standards applicable to financial audits contained in Government Auditing Standards, issued by the Comptroller General of the United States, and the audit requirements of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance).
There is no expressed or implied obligation for the Sherrill City School District to reimburse responding firms for any expenses incurred in preparing proposals in response to this request.
An appointment and on-site inspection may be scheduled by any firm interested in submitting a proposal at the Business Office, 5275 State Route 31, Verona, New York to answer questions about the engagement. Any inquiries concerning the request for proposals should be addressed to Patrick Goodman, Director of Business Operations & Student Support Services.
During the evaluation process, the District reserves the right, where it may serve the District's best interest, to request additional information or clarifications from proposers, or to allow corrections of errors or omissions. At the discretion of the District, firms submitting proposals may be requested to make oral presentations as part of the evaluation process.
The District reserves the right to retain all proposals submitted and to use any ideas in a proposal regardless of whether that proposal is selected.
Submission of a proposal indicates acceptance by the firm of the conditions contained in this Request for Proposals, unless clearly and specifically noted in the proposal submitted and confirmed in the contract between the Sherrill City School District and the firm selected.
It is anticipated the selection of a firm will be completed by January 27, 2027, although bid prices are to remain firm for 45 days after bid opening.
B. Term of Engagement
Three years.
C. Subcontracting
No subcontracting will be allowed without the express prior written consent of the Sherrill City School District.
II. NATURE OF SERVICES REQUIRED
A. General
The Sherrill City School District is soliciting the services of qualified firms of certified public accountants to audit its financial statements for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2027, 2028, and 2029.
B. Scope of Work to be Performed
The Sherrill City School District desires the auditor to express an opinion on the fair presentation of its financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. In addition, the auditor is to express an opinion on the fair presentation of the District's Extra-classroom activity funds in conformity with another comprehensive basis of accounting (cash basis).
C. Auditing Standards to be Followed
The audit shall be performed in accordance with: auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America; Government Auditing Standards issued by the Comptroller General of the United States; and the audit requirements of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200, Uniform Guidance.
D. Reports to be Issued
Following completion of the audit of the fiscal year's financial statements, the auditor shall issue: Independent Auditor's Report on General Purpose Financial Statements; Independent Auditor's Report on Basic Financial Statements with Accompanying Required Supplementary Information and Supplementary Information; Management Discussion and Analysis (including preparation and context from management); Statement of Net Assets; Statement of Activities; Balance Sheet - District Funds and reconciliation(s); Statements of Revenues, Expenditures, and Changes in Fund Balances - District Funds; Reconciliation of District Funds Revenues, Expenditures, and Changes in Fund Balances to the Statement of Activities; Statement of Fiduciary Net Assets and Statement of Changes in Fiduciary Net Assets (if applicable); Notes to the Financial Statements; Required Supplemental Information including schedules for OPEB, pension (TRS, ERS), employer contributions, budgetary comparisons, and other supplementary schedules; Single Audit reports including Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards and related reports under the Uniform Guidance; and reports on internal control and compliance including schedules of findings and corrective action plans (if applicable).
The auditor shall communicate reportable conditions and material weaknesses found during the audit, verbally report non-reportable conditions to management, and make immediate written reports of irregularities and illegal acts or indications of such to the Audit Committee of the Board of Education. Auditors shall inform the District's governing board of specified matters including the auditor's responsibilities, significant accounting policies, management judgments, significant audit adjustments, disagreements with management, and difficulties encountered in performing the audit.
E. Special Considerations
The District has determined that the Department of Education will function as the cognizant agency in accordance with Uniform Guidance. The schedule of federal awards and related auditor's report, and reports on internal controls and compliance are to be issued separately. A list of findings and other weaknesses from the District's most recent financial statement audit are available upon request.
F. Working Paper Retention and Access to Working Papers
All working papers and reports must be retained, at the auditor's expense, for a minimum of three (3) years, unless the firm is notified in writing by the Sherrill City School District of the need to extend the retention period. The auditor is required to make working papers available, upon request, to the Sherrill City School District; U.S. Department of Education; U.S. General Accounting Office; parties designated by federal or state government or by the District as part of an audit quality review process; auditors of entities of which the District is a sub-recipient of grant funds; and to respond to reasonable inquiries of successor auditors.
III. DESCRIPTION OF THE DISTRICT
Contact: Patrick Goodman, Director of Business Operations & Student Support Services, 315-829-2520 ext. 7201.
Background: The District covers approximately 108 square miles, serves over 1,600 students Pre-K through Grade 12 at four locations, operates its own transportation, food service and maintenance programs, and has a fiscal year July 1 through June 30. The District has three bargaining units and total annual payroll of approximately $16,000,000. The total budget is approximately $48,000,000. The accounting and financial reporting functions are centralized and computerized.
Fund structure: General Fund; Special Aid Fund; School Lunch Fund; Debt Service Fund; Capital Fund; Miscellaneous Special Revenue Fund (Extraclassroom Activity Funds); Fiduciary Fund Financial Statements (Trust Fund and Custodial Fund).
Federal Awards: The District receives federal awards from the U.S. Department of Education (multiple programs listed) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (School Lunch, School Breakfast, Surplus Food Distribution), identified by Assistance Listing Numbers.
Pension plans: NYS and Local Employees' Retirement System and NYS Teachers' Retirement System; District also administers IRS Section 403(b) and 137 plans.
Component units and joint venture: No component units; participates with eight other districts in the Madison-Oneida BOCES joint venture.
Magnitude of finance operations: approx. 2,815 vendors, 1,700 purchase orders per year, 5,000 non-payroll checks per year, 400 paychecks per pay period.
Computer software: Business office uses a LAN, Finance Manager (nVision) on PC platform.
Availability of prior audit reports: Interested responders may review prior years' audit reports and management letters by contacting Patrick Goodman at the Business Office.
IV. TIME REQUIREMENTS
Notification and Contract Dates: Anticipated firm notification January 27, 2027.
Date Final Report is Due: Reports on financial statements, Single Audit and related reports, and Extraclassroom Activity Fund Reports are due September 30, 2027 and the same date in subsequent contract years. Final report and fifteen signed copies should be delivered to Patrick Goodman at the Business Office.
V. ASSISTANCE TO BE PROVIDED TO THE AUDITOR AND REPORT PREPARATION
Business office and supervisory personnel will be available during the audit to assist the firm. Preparation of confirmations is the responsibility of the auditor. EDP assistance will be provided to retrieve existing records. The District will provide reasonable workspace, telephones, photocopying and FAX access. Report preparation, editing and printing are the responsibility of the auditor.
VI. PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS
A. General Requirements
On-site inspections may be arranged. Inquiries must be made to Patrick Goodman, Director of Business Operations & Student Services, Sherrill City School District, 5275 State Route 31, Verona, New York, (315) 829-2520 ext. 7201.
Submission of Proposals: Proposals must include the following components:
(i) Title Page showing the RFP subject, firm name, contact person, address and telephone, and date of proposal;
(ii) Table of Contents;
(iii) Signed Transmittal Letter stating understanding of the work, commitment to perform within the time period, statement of qualifications and that the proposal is a firm and irrevocable offer;
(iv) Detailed Proposal following Section VI.B (technical proposal);
(v) Proposal Response Form (Appendix A);
(vi) Non-Collusive Proposal Certification (Appendix B).
B. Technical Proposal
The Technical Proposal shall demonstrate qualifications, competence and capacity to undertake the audit. It must not include dollar units or total costs. It must address independence, prior Single Audit experience, firm qualifications and experience, partner/supervisory/staff qualifications and experience (including NY licensure), similar engagements with other school districts, specific audit approach (work plan, segmentation, staffing levels and hours, sample size, internal control approach, laws/regulations to be tested, sampling approach), identification of anticipated potential audit problems and proposed resolutions, and sample report formats.
C. Dollar Cost Bid
The sealed dollar cost bid (Appendix C) shall contain all pricing information and the total all-inclusive maximum price for each year of the engagement, including all direct and indirect costs and out-of-pocket expenses. The first page of the sealed dollar cost bid should include firm name, certification of signing authority, and total all-inclusive maximum price for each year's engagement. The bid should also provide rates by partner/specialist/supervisory/staff level and rates for additional professional services. Manner of payment: progress payments based on hours and out-of-pocket expenses; 10% withheld pending delivery of final reports.
VII. FINAL SELECTION
It is anticipated that a firm will be selected by January 27, 2027. All proposals shall be binding for 45 days subsequent to proposal opening. The District reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, waive irregularities, and to terminate any service contract upon 5 calendar days written notice. The Non-Collusive Bidding Certification must be included with each proposal.
APPENDICES: Appendix A (Technical Proposal Response Form), Appendix B (Non-Collusive Proposal Certification), Appendix C (Sealed Dollar Cost Bid Proposal) with required elements and certifications.
