Tender calling for Expression of Interest
for the engagement of Agency for consultancy for improvement of the Accounting System at 
TNEPRP, Tamilnadu, India Grant no: TF 053162 under IDA
(PHRD Grant) 

The Project Director, Tamilnadu Empowerment and Poverty Reduction Project, Tamilnadu, Government of Tamilnadu has applied for a grant from the IDA and intends to apply part of the proceeds of this grant no: TF 053162 under IDA to payments under the contract for consultancy for improvement 
The Government of Tamil Nadu has sought World Bank assistance to provide additional support to help in reducing the incidence of poverty and a project named as the Tamil Nadu Empowerment and Poverty Reduction Project has been designed and the Project Implementation Plan has been appraised by the World Bank. The Project aims at social and economic empowerment of the poor and disadvantaged people in rural Tamil Nadu by addressing the poverty, livelihoods and empowerment issues of the rural poor.
  
The Tamil Nadu Empowerment and Poverty Reduction Project is proposed at a total outlay of about Rs.715 crores and the project period is for five years. The project is proposed to be implemented in fifteen districts of the State. The Project is about to launch shortly.  

1. Institutional set up.  

The Tamil Nadu Empowerment and Poverty Reduction Project is proposed to be implemented by the Tamil Nadu Puthuvazhvu Society at the State Level and the District Puthuvazhvu Society at the District level.

The Governing Body of the State Society consists of fifteen members including officials, Bank representatives, reputed NGO representative, representative from the academic community, representative from civil society organization, representative from industrial and business association, representative from community organisation, etc. The Society will have its own set up of State Unit officials for various functions.

The Governing Body of the District Society consists of fifteen members including officials, Bank representatives, PLF representatives, Village Panchayat Presidents, MLAs and MPs representing the project blocks, academic community etc. The District Society will have its own team of officials for various functions headed by the District Project Manager. 
  
2. Accounting system for TNPVS  

TNPVS is a new society and at present manual accounting system will be implemented. However considering the nature and scale of activities of the Society, there is a need to establish a computerized accounting system so as to enhance effectiveness and timeliness of financial management activities of the Society, particularly timely preparation of monthly accounts and consolidation of accounting information. 

The proposed system of manual accounting will not support or facilitate operation of multi projects, as accounting and reporting will become very time consuming and difficult to manage. 
  
3. Objective of the Assignment 
  
3.1 3.1. The purpose of the assignment is to review the operation of system and to provide professional inputs to TNEPRP in implementing an agreed action plan for implementing a computerised accounting system. The consultants would be required to assist TNEPRP in identifying options amongst existing ‘off the shelf’ accounting softwares, evaluate their financial implications and assist TNEPRP in deciding whether an off-the-shelf software can meet the requirements of TNEPRP or whether a new system needs to be developed to meet its requirements. If a new system needs to be developed, the consultants will agree on specifications of the system, develop it as per TNEPRP’s requirements and prepare a manual for the system. They will prepare an action plan for implementation of the new system (whether an off the shelf system or a new system). The assignment also includes providing on-site assistance in implementation of the system and training. The system should facilitate financial performance analysis, management control and fiscal integrity consistent with established accounting standards and principles in the context of its objective of improving the service levels and sustainability in empowerment and poverty reduction programs. 

4. Scope of work.      

4.1 The consultant is required to :  

· understand the nature of present activities as well as and its accounting requirements; evaluate the effectiveness of manual accounting system for preparing, consolidating and monitoring accounts; identify the weaknesses in the manual accounting system, particularly for consolidating and monitoring of accounting information and for its ability to incorporate accounts for new projects effectively;

· suggest appropriate software so as to consolidate accounts within the statutory time limit; facilitate financial monitoring and reporting; and have the ability to allow multiple projects to be handled, while maintaining a simple and efficient accounting system.

· if a new system is to be developed, agree on specifications of the system, develop the system and prepare a detailed manual for the system.

· develop a plan for implementation of the new accounting system, provide support to TNEPRP in installation of the new accounting system and training for TNEPRP staff for operating the new system.   

4.2 The methodology to be adopted for conducting this study will be based on an extensive study of the requirements of accounting system of TNEPRP, the TNEPRP procedures of accounting, financial reporting requirements of TNEPRP, the Government procedures, and participatory interaction with various stakeholders. The target groups will be consulted both at the level of planning the study and also at its finalization and as and when required for an Object Oriented Analysis.  

4.3 The consultant shall have in their team, Chartered Accountants with rich experience in devising accounting systems for corporate requirements and also IT professionals with good experience in the accounting field. 

Interested agencies/firms with required experience are requested to provide information indicating their qualifications to perform the services (brochures, description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, no. of officers / staff available and availability of appropriate skills among staff, Balance sheet for last three years, etc.).  

A consultant will be selected in accordance with the procedures set out the World Bank’s Guidelines Selection and Employment of Consultants by Bank Borrowers (May 2004).  Expression of interest must be delivered or mailed not later than 23-07-2005 to the address given below. The Project Director, 
Tamilnadu Empowerment and Poverty Reduction Project (TNEPRP), 
No: 100, Anna Salai, Guindy, Chennai – 600 032

Phone No.: 520 85 803 Email:tneprp@yahoo.com. The scope of work would include:
  
4.5 The time table for the outputs are as follows.  

4.6 The terms of payment would be as follows:  

- 10% of the contract value on submission and acceptance of the Inception Report;

- 30 % of the contract value on submission and acceptance of the Status Report;

- 20% of the contract value on submission and acceptance of Draft Final Report;

- 40 % of the contract value on completion of implementation of the action plan.
  
4.7 This assignment is funded by TNEPRP and it therefore shall be the owner of the assignment output. The consultant will have no right of claim to the assignment or its outputs once completed. Any reports/ research reports/ process documents produced as a part of this assignment shall be deemed to be the property of TNEPRP and the consultant will not have any claims and will not use or reproduce the contents of the above documents without the permission of TNEPRP.

Project Director