Consultancy Services for IPSAS Adoption and Financial Reporting Compliance

I. Organizational Overview

3iS is a non‑profit organization delivering information management (IM) services to humanitarian and development actors. IM solutions enable partners to effectively target assistance to vulnerable populations while strengthening the capacities of local authorities and institutions to manage internal data and IM activities independently. 3iS is formally registered as a foreign civil society organization with the Authority for Civil Society Organizations (ACSO).

2. Regulatory Compliance and Transition to IPSAS

In alignment with the Financial Reporting Proclamation and directives issued by the Accounting and Auditing Board of Ethiopia (AABE), 3iS is transitioning its financial reporting framework to International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS). To facilitate this transition, 3iS seeks to engage a Certified Audit Firm to lead the conversion of financial reporting systems to IPSAS and support the development of IPSAS compliant financial management policies and financial reporting structures.

3. Objective

The overall objective of the consultancy service is to prepare the 3iS Ethiopia Country Program for the adoption and transition to International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS). This transition will enable the production of IPSAS compliant financial reports and the development of a finance policy that guides financial management functions and processes in compliance with IPSAS and other relevant local legal frameworks.

4. Scope of Work

The consultancy service will encompass the following key tasks:

• Conduct a comprehensive assessment comparing the current financial accounting framework against IPSAS requirements.
• Develop clear roadmap outlining system adjustments, preparation of a finance policy manual, and identification of staff training needs.
• Assist in preparing opening balances and converting current financial statements to an accrual based IPSAS format.
• Deliver training and technical coaching to the country support team to ensure sustained IPSAS compliance beyond the consultancy period.
• Recommend an accounting software solution to be adopted by the country program. The recommendation must take into account the size and nature of operations of the office, as well as cost considerations.
• Provide ongoing advisory and technical assistance throughout the transition year.

5. Deliverables

The consultancy service will produce the following outputs:

• Inception report outlining the methodology, work plan, and timeline for the assignment.
• Gap analysis report highlighting key discrepancies between current practices and IPSAS requirements, with recommended policy adjustments.
• Finance policy for the country program aligned with IPSAS requirements and other relevant local legal frameworks.
• Tailored staff capacity building covering IPSAS principles, accrual-based accounting, financial reporting, and compliance with Ethiopian regulatory frameworks.

6. Timeline

The consultancy service is planned to be carried out starting from June 1, 2026, to be completed on mid-July 2026.

7. Requisite Qualification

The consulting firm must have and submit the following documents:

• A valid business license
• A renewed professional license from Accounting and Auditing Board of Ethiopia (AABE)
• A VAT and TIN certificate
• Adequate experience conducing similar assignments and IPSAS compliant audits with INGOs in the last 5 years,
• Qualified team leader with CPA/ACCA or equivalent qualification and extensive IPSAS adoption and NGO statutory audit experience

8. Evaluation Criteria

• Competitive consultancy fee (40%)
• Team experience (30%)
• Timeframe and delivery schedule (20%)
• Payment terms (10%)