VILLAGE OF HAWKINS, WISCONSIN

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS – AUDIT & NON-AUDIT SERVICES

SEPTEMBER 2, 2026

Contact Person:

Alicia Valentine

Village Clerk-Treasurer 715-585-6322

curbandgutter@centurytel.net

Proposals due: Wednesday, October 28, 2026 at 1:00pm CST

*Late Proposals will be rejected

VILLAGE OF HAWKINS

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS – AUDIT & NON-AUDIT SERVICES

Release date September 2, 2026

Closing Date and Time Wednesday, October 28, 2026 at 1:00pm CST

The Village of Hawkins, Wisconsin is issuing this Request for Proposal (RFP) to solicit proposals from qualified contractors/consultants to provide auditing and specified non-audit services for the Village of Hawkins. The purpose of this RFP is to select an auditor to provide auditing and specified non-audit services for the Village as detailed below. The agreement will be for a five-year period, to include audit years 2026-2030. The Village may terminate the agreement by providing sixty (60) days written notice prior to the end of the Village’s fiscal year, December 31st.

All correspondence, questions and additional information regarding this RFP should be sent via email to the Village Clerk-Treasurer, Alicia Valentine, curbandgutter@centurytel.net

To be considered, two (2) copies of the sealed proposal OR one (1) electronic copy must be received at the Village of Hawkins Clerk’s office, by 1:00pm on Wednesday, October 28, 2026. No late proposals will be accepted. No fax proposals will be accepted. Proposals should be delivered to:

Village of Hawkins

AUDIT SERVICES

509 Main St.

PO BOX 108

Hawkins, WI 54530

Or electronically to: curbandgutter@centurytel.net

Proposals shall be clearly marked on the envelope or in the subject line as “AUDIT SERVICES”. Proposals will not be reviewed until the RFP closing date and time. From the date the RFP is issued until a contract is executed, communication regarding this project between potential vendors and individuals employed by the Village of Hawkins, Wisconsin is prohibited. Only written communication via email to: curbandgutter@centurytel.net is permitted.

General Information

To meet the requirements of this request for proposal, the audit for the Village shall be performed in accordance with generally accepted auditing principles (GAAS) as set forth by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, in conformance with the statements issued by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB), the financial audit standards set forth by the General Accounting Office (GAO) Government Auditing Standards, and audit guides as amended or totally revised from time to time by the respective state, federal, or governing agency. The audit for the Village follows a modified accrual basis of accounting in effect prior to GASB Statement No. 34.

The Village of Hawkins, Wisconsin reserves the right to reject any or all proposals submitted, wholly or in part. Proposals submitted will be screened by the Village Clerk, Village President, and Village Board at the November 2, 2026 Village Board meeting.

The Village of Hawkins, Wisconsin, reserves the right, where it may serve the Village interest, to waive any deviations or errors that are not material and that do not improve the vendor’s competitive position, and to request additional information or clarifications from those submitting proposal. All awards will be made in a manner deemed in the best interest of the Village.

The Village of Hawkins, Wisconsin, reserves the right to retain all proposals submitted and to use any ideas in a proposal or presentation regardless of whether that proposal is selected. Submission of a proposal indicates acceptance by the firm of the conditions contained in this Request for Proposal, unless clearly and specifically noted in the proposal submitted and confirmed in the letter of engagement or contract between the Village of Hawkins, Wisconsin and the firm selected.

It is anticipated after the selection of a firm is completed that a contract or engagement letter, if necessary, will be executed between the parties.

There is no express or implied obligation for the Village of Hawkins, Wisconsin, to reimburse responding firms for any expenses incurred in preparing proposals in response to this request.

If a firm submitting a proposal intends to subcontract any portion of the audit, the name of the proposed subcontracting firm must be identified in the proposal.

Description of the Village Government

The Village of Hawkins, Wisconsin, serves approximately 325 citizens and is located in Rusk County. The Village is governed by an elected Village President and an elected Village Board consisting of four village board members. Financial operations of the Village are overseen by the Village Clerk, Village President and Board members. 

The Village’s 2025 General Fund revenue was $327,357.00, Fire Department revenue fund was $138,372.00, Library Fund revenue was $39,110.00, and Non-major Governmental Revenue Funds of $10,296.00. The Village of Hawkins provides water and sewer services to its residents. The Village’s utility is governed by the Village President, Village Board, and Public Works. The water utility is regulated by the Public Service Commission (PSC) of Wisconsin. The Village’s Utility has annual revenues of $235,316.00.

The Village’s Finance Department consists of one full time Clerk. The Village does not currently prepare an Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR).

Scope of Required Services

Base Quote

1. The Village desires a complete and comprehensive audit examination of the financial statements, related notes and supplemental information for each of the entities funds for each of the years ending December 31, 2026 through 2030 in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and Government Audit Standards, as required. The audit should cover all funds of the Village, including the general fund, utility, and special revenue funds for the Village.
2. Preparation and production of the Village of Hawkins, Wisconsin, financial statements, related notes, and supplementary information for review and approval by the Village. The Village will provide trial balances, detail ledger reports, certain statistical data, and other reports as required for the basis of the report.
3. Preparation of audit adjusting journal entries.
4. A management letter addressing reportable conditions, if needed, and any recommendations regarding improvement of internal controls, cost control or revenue enhancement suggestions, or other financial management issues should be provided.
5. The accounting firm is also expected to be available for occasional consultation on accounting, budget, or other related financial issues throughout the year. The cost of such consultation should be included in the base proposal.

Additional Services

The auditors will prepare the Municipal Financial Report Form (Form C) for the Village of Hawkins in accordance with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue’s requirements. The form and financial account groupings should be prepared for the Village’s review and approval prior to submission. The cost of preparing the Form C report should be shown as an additional audit services quote.

The auditors will prepare the annual Water Utility financial report in accordance with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin requirements. The form and financial account groupings should be prepared for the Village’s review and approval prior to submission. The cost of preparing the PSC report should be shown as an additional audit services quote.

The Village reserves the right to decline any “Additional Services” in a given year with at least 60 days’ notice prior to the close of the applicable fiscal year.

The audits should be an annual compliance audit covering the entire operations of the Village and shall include: a report cover, management representation letter, table of contents, independent auditor’s report, basic financial statements, required supplementary information, notes to basic financial statements and required supplementary information, supplementary information, auditor’s report on the study and evaluation of the systems of internal control and auditor’s report of compliance with laws and regulations. Audit reports are expected to be substantially similar to reports provided in previous years.

Audit Timing

Audit field work is to be conducted in February or March.

Preliminary draft financial statements, adjusting journal entries, management letter, auditor’s reports, and any reports prepared under “Additional Services”, if applicable, are to be reviewed and approved by the Village Clerk.

Six (6) copies of the audit report, to include components specified above, are required. An electronic PDF of the report is required.

Internal Assistance

The Village Clerk will render all possible assistance, will respond promptly to requests for information, and will provide opportunities to inspect the physical facilities and records as requested. Village staff will prepare all necessary account reconciliations, prepare account analyses, obtain general ledger account inquiries, and assist in locating audit documentation. The Village utilizes Workhorse software (General Ledger, Payroll, Accounts Payable, Cash Receipting, Utilities).

The previous audits of the Village and its various funds were conducted by Bakertilly. Copies of the audit reports are available for inspection at the office of the Village Clerk, Village of Hawkins, Wisconsin, 509 Main St., Hawkins, Wisconsin or by emailed request to curbandgutter@centurytel.net.

The Village will provide adequate conference room space to the selected auditing firm for the duration of the audits. Access to the internet and a copier/scanner machine will be available for use in connection with the audits at no charge for audit-related purposes.

Submittal Requirements Proposals are to be formatted as outlined in the “Information Requested from Applicants” below. Two (2) copies of the proposal OR one (1) electronic copy are due by 1:00pm on Wednesday, October 28, 2026 at the Village of Hawkins Clerk’s Office, addressed as follows:

Village of Hawkins

AUDIT SERVICES

509 Main St.

PO BOX 108

Hawkins, WI 54530

Or electronically to: curbandgutter@centurytel.net

Proposals shall be clearly marked on the envelope or in the subject line as “AUDIT SERVICES”. No late proposals will be accepted. No fax proposals will be accepted.

Evaluation

The Village will review the proposals submitted in response to this RFP. The evaluation team shall consist of the Village Clerk, Village President, and members of the Village board. 

If it becomes necessary to revise any part of the request for proposal (RFP) or otherwise provide additional information, an addendum will be issued by the Village and furnished to all firms that have emailed the Village Clerk indicating interest in submitting an RFP proposal.

The Village reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals and the Village is not liable for any costs incurred by the prospective bidders in responding to the request for proposals. All proposals received become the property of the Village of Hawkins.

Information Requested from Applicants

Title Page

Present the subject of your proposal, the name of your firm, local address of the office that will be performing the work, name of the contact person and the date. All proposals submitted are to remain in effect throughout the award.

Letter of Transmittal

A brief of transmittal is required. Within this letter, please address the following:

1. Your firm’s understanding of the work to be accomplished
2. Upon award of this contract, your firm will make a positive commitment to perform the audit work within the scheduled time period.
3. A summary of the cost-of-service fee(s) to be charged for the work, and a statement that these fees are fixed, complete and inclusive (See Audit Pricing Submission).
4. The name of the individuals who will be authorized to make representations for your firm, their titles, addresses, and telephone numbers.

Company Profile

1. Whether your firm is local, regional, national, or international.
2. The location of the office from which the engagement is to be performed and a brief narration of the number of professional staff (i.e. partners, managers, supervisors, etc.) employed at that office.
3. Describe the range of services provided by the office performing the engagement (e.g. auditing, tax, consulting).
4. A listing of three (3) other similar governmental auditing engagements performed by your firm, preferably in Wisconsin within the past two years. Please include length of engagement and reference contacts with phone numbers or email addresses.
5. Affirmation that your firm meets the independence requirements of the Government Auditing Standards issued by the Comptroller General of the United States.

Summary of Your Firms Qualifications

A summary of your firm’s qualifications is required. Provide an overview of audit and other services provided to government and utility clients, types of reports issued; and experience with state reporting, such as the PSC annual water utility report and the annual municipal state financial report. Emphasis should be placed on municipalities and Utility Districts who are similar in size and financial reporting complexity to the Village of Hawkins.

Include in the summary the identities of all senior administrative staff that will be assigned to this audit (i.e. partner, manager). Identify those individuals at the supervisory and staff levels that will be assigned to this engagement.

Approach to Scope of Services

Within this statement, present your firm’s plan to complete the scope of services defined in the “Scope of Required Services” section of this RFP. Outline your expected level of client assistance for both the interim and final audit work phases. Incorporate into this plan, estimates of the amount of time to accomplish each significant component of the engagement, as well as total work hours to complete the scope of all services.

Audit Pricing Submission

A proposed Audit Pricing Submission is required for each separate audit. The Audit Pricing is to be a fixed price or not- to-exceed price, based on hourly rates, and should be complete and all inclusive. It is to include all of the costs, prices, technology charges, inflation, expenses, overhead, labor, fringe, taxes, margin, markup, add-ons and any other fees you incur in completion of the audit engagement.

The accounting firm will contact the Village of Hawkins for written approval of any additional charges before exceeding these limits.

AUDIT FIRM NAME:

 

SERVICES	2026	2027	2028	2029	2030
Base Quote
Additional Audit Services:
Form C
PSC Report

 

The amounts for 2026 are based on the following calculations:

Classification	Hourly Rate	Estimated Hours	Total
Partner
Manager
Senior
Staff
Total Professional Fees
Additional Charges (describe and state amounts)
Total 2026 not-to-exceed bid

 

Firm Name:

Authorized Representative, Title:

Signature:

Date Submitted: