When Designing an RFP for Audit Services, Think Good First Impressions and Efficiency [SUBSCRIBERS-ONLY]

Think of your request for proposal (RFP) for audit services as your initial introduction and handshake. Your goal is to make a good first impression to the prospective audit firm. You want to convey a message that is positive, thoughtful, and efficient. If you can demonstrate that your organization will be the smoothest audit on the planet, the organization will be more likely to attract high quality audit firms to submit a proposal and obtain lower fee estimates.

Audit firms receive RFPs for audit services on a regular basis, and for them it is a quite standardized process. While many nonprofits like to think that an RFP is an opportunity for audit firms to compete for their business, the truth is that it’s largely the other way around. Designing your RFP to highlight how your organization shines will help you gain the audit firm’s attention and motivate them to offer their “best price” for audit services.