Request for Tender for the Provision of Accountancy Services to The Health Insurance Authority

The Health Insurance Authority

The Authority may, at its discretion, require the successful service provider(s) to assist in relation to some or all of the services described in this section. Again, at its own discretion, the Authority may at any time decide that different service provider(s) will assist with different services or that some of the services will be carried out internally without the input of external service providers or that some of the services are not or are no longer required.
2.1.1 The Health Insurance Authority Finances, Accounts and Financial Statements
Accounting services in respect of the day to day administration of the Authority:
— To prepare monthly management accounts,
— To prepare, review and update budgets,
— To prepare trial balances and financial statements from basic spreadsheet records of payments and income,
— To prepare reconciliations of income received,
— To identify and account for accruals and prepayments,
— To prepare reconciliations of debtors and creditors,
— To prepare reconciliations of bank accounts,
— To prepare, liaise and review the annual accounts with the Authority and the Comptroller & Auditor General (including his/her agents),
— To advise on developments in legislation as it affects the finances and governance obligations of the Authority; and,
— To advise on financial policy and provide technical expertise as required.
2.1.2 Governance and Control of Risk Equalisation System
The successful service provider(s) will work with the Authority to develop a Governance Structure and control mechanisms for the operation of the 2013 Risk Equalisation System and Fund.
2.1.3 Validation of Risk Equalisation System Returns
The following returns may be made under Risk Equalisation System 2013 by the open market registered undertakings to the Health Insurance Authority. The precise requirements of all of these information returns are subject to change.
(1) Half yearly information returns giving details of insured lives and claims. The data will be broken down under various categories. Such returns are provided under the current system in accordance with S.I. No 294/2009 which requires that each return is accompanied by:
— A statement setting out the details of the material assumptions used in preparing the return,
— A report from an independent accountant stating whether in their opinion the returns have been prepared in accordance with the Regulations in all material respects, the material assumptions used are appropriate, consistently applied and adequately disclosed,
— The returns have been prepared in accordance with the underlying books and records of the undertaking.
(2) Returns submitted as part of claims for payments from the Risk Equalisation fund.
(3) Financial Returns are filed with the Health Insurance Authority under Section 7F of the Health Insurance Act 1994 (as amended).
Scope of validation role.
The successful service provider may be asked to provide advice in relation to the appropriateness of the validation requirements and procedures.
In addition, it is envisaged that the successful service provider will assist in relation to periodic on-site inspections relating to returns filed by insurers. The validation work will be conducted on each registered undertaking filing returns. The work may involve on site sample testing of the accuracy of the returns made to the Authority. The on-site inspections will apply, particularly, in respect of returns submitted with claims for payments from any risk equalisation fund. The outcome of such work would be a report to The Health Insurance Authority in respect of each registered undertaking. This will include:
— assessing the principal risks to the accuracy of the returns,
— a view on the appropriateness of the material assumptions used in preparing the returns and whether they have been consistently applied,
— the results of the sample testing of the accuracy of the returns,
— whether the returns are in accordance with the underlying books and records of the registered undertaking,
— whether the returns are in conformity with the legislation; and,
— its views on the accuracy of the returns and making appropriate recommendations in relation to future steps that the Authority should take.
2.1.4 Management of Cash Flows in Respect of any Risk Equalisation Fund
To work with the Authority to manage and report on the cash flow accounts of the Risk Equalisation Fund for the Authority and to prepare reports for, and liaise with, the Internal and External Auditors in respect of the Fund;
2.1.5 Accounting for any Risk Equalisation Fund
To work with the Authority to prepare and report on the accounts of the fund for the Authority and to prepare reports for, and liaise with, the Internal and External Auditors in respect of the accounts;
2.1.6 Other Services
To provide such additional accountancy services as may be required during the term of the contract.
Note: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the eTenders Web Site at http://www.etenders.gov.ie/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=483212. />The awarding authority has indicated that it will accept electronic responses to this notice via a 'Tender Submission Postbox' facility. Further details of this facility are available at http://www.etenders.gov.ie/PostBox/Postbox_Explain.aspx?ID=483212. />Suppliers are advised to allow adequate time for uploading documents and to dispatch the electronic response well in advance of the closing time to avoid any last minute problems. The postbox closes precisely at the time stated.

• • The Health Insurance Authority

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