External Audit for EMERGE

Project: Empowering Microfinance and Enterprises for Resilience and Growth

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST(REOI)

COUNTRY: Afghanistan

NAME OF PROJECT: Empowering Microfinance and Enterprises for Resilience and Growth (EMERGE)

CONSULTING SERVICES: Consultancy Services for External Audit

Reference NO: AKF-A/EMERGE/CS-2

ARTF Grant No. TF0C4421

1. Aga Khan Foundation- USA has received a Grant from the International Development Association IDA, World Bank and intends to apply part of the grant proceeds to make payments under the contract for Consultancy Services for External Audit.
2. Project Background

The Project aims to support the demand for and supply of finance for micro and small enterprises in Afghanistan. The project is an important first step in facilitating private sector led job creation and growth through small businesses. The project’s primary beneficiaries will be the microfinance providers and their borrowers (both existing and future), as well as micro and small enterprises. The geographic focus will be 15 provinces across Afghanistan (including Badakhshan, Baghlan, Balkh, Bamyan, Daikundi, Faryab, Herat, Jowzjan, Kabul, Kunduz, Nangarhar, Parwan, Samangan, Sar-e-pol, and Takhar).

The project has two components: Component 1: Reviving microfinance providers (MFPs) and Component 2: Building a pipeline of bankable micro and small enterprises.

1. Scope of Work

The audit will be performed in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (ISA), as issued by the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) of the International Federation of Accountants. The scope includes, but is not limited to, compliance with ISA 800 (Special Purpose Audit Engagements) and addresses the following key aspects:

1. Verification that funds have been used in accordance with the terms and conditions of the grant agreement;
2. Assessment of project financial reports for agreement with underlying books of accounts;
3. Evaluation of procurement practices for goods and services;
4. Review of allocation of common costs and examination of supporting documents for all project activities;
5. Verification of revenues and income generated through the project;
6. Comments and observations on the accounting records, systems, and controls examined during the audit; and
7. Must be carried out by an independent Chartered/Certified Public Accountant.

The Audit Report shall include:

• Project name and agreement number.
• Identification of project expenses and total income, with details of Assets and Liabilities into the balance sheet
• The subject of the audit.
• The financial reporting framework applied.
• The auditing standards used.
• A statement on reasonable assurance regarding whether the financial statements are free from material misstatements.
• The auditor's opinion.

In addition to the audit report, the auditor must submit a Management Letter addressing governance issues, including any findings or recommendations for improvements in internal controls or financial management practices.

1. Qualification Requirements/Short listing Criteria:

The audit firm must meet the following qualifications:

1. The Consultant should be a registered legal entity, and the consultant should provide a copy of the certification of incorporation/ business license with its EOI
2. Independence: The audit firm must be fully independent, with no management, financial, or business ties to the entity being audited.

1. Experience:

• The audit firm must be in business for at least 10 years.
• Have completed at least three contracts of audits in compliance with International Auditing Standards (IAS), particularly in donor-funded projects with minimum value of USD 5000.

1. Knowledge of Afghan Context: The audit firm should have prior experience working in Afghanistan and be familiar with the local environment, with openness to traveling within the country to conduct fieldwork.
2. Method of Selection: A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Consultant Qualification Selection (CQS) method.

Submission of EOI: Expressions of interest must be submitted to the email address of Ms. Helaiy Nassriy, Procurement Officer (helaiy.nassriy@akdn.org ), Aga Khan Foundation-Afghanistan, Mohammad Jan Khan Watt, Kabul, by June 21th, 2026, at 4:00PM (Kabul Local Time). Copies must also be submitted to hikmatullah.asad@akdn.org, Khalilahmad.hamedi@akdn.org, ali.rawnaq@akdni.org and Abdulmalik.ghanizad@akdn.org

Interested consultants may obtain further information at the address below during office hours from 9:00am to 4:00pm local hours on any working day from Sunday to Thursday.

Aga Khan Foundation-Afghanistan

Address: P.O5773, House No.1003, 10th District, Madina Bazar, Beside Sharre Now Wedding Hall, Black Gate, Kabul

Attention: Helaiy Nassriy

Procurement Officer

Telephone: 00 93 (0) 782 810921

E-mail : helaiy.nassriy@akdn.org

CC: hikmatullah.asad@akdn.org, Khalilahmad.hamedi@akdn.org, ali.rawnaq@akdni.org and Abdulmalik.ghanizad@akdn.org

The TOR is attached to the REOI