Audit Services Invitation to Tender

The Clayoquot Biosphere Trust Society (CBT) is requesting tenders from qualified firms of public accountants to audit the financial statements of the CBT for the year ending December 31, 2021, and if a contract is assigned for each fiscal year ending during that period.

Any inquiries concerning the request for tenders should be directed to Rebecca Hurwitz, Executive Director. 

The tender must be received by Rebecca Hurwitz at PO Box 67, Tofino BC, V0R 2Z0 or electronically at rebecca@clayoquotbiosphere.org by 4:30 pm on Friday, November 19, 2021. Those presented will be evaluated by a special committee selected by the Board of Directors of the Society. 

It is anticipated the selection of a firm will be completed by Thursday, December 9, 2021.  Download a PDF of this Audit Services Invitation to Tender Document

1) About the CBT 

The Clayoquot Biosphere Trust (CBT), designated under the UNESCO Biosphere Program, was incorporated under the Society Act (British Columbia) to provide support for local projects related to increasing local capacity, knowledge, participation and innovation through research, education, and training initiatives for the sustainable development of the Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Region in 2000. The society is registered under section 149(1)(j) of the Income Tax Act (Canada) and is exempt from income taxes.  

The CBT is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, currently comprised of up to 10 Primary Directors, and up to 9 Alternate Directors which normally meets 7 times per year. 

2) Financial Position 

In 2000 CBT received a $12 million endowment fund (Canada Fund) which was provided by the Government of Canada. Pursuant to the Canada Fund Agreement dated May 5, 2000, the Canada Fund is legally obligated to maintain the equivalent level of the original $12 million over its life including annual cost-of-living adjustments for inflation. As of December 31, 2020, the Canada Fund Investment was valued at $17,717,775. 

Income from the Canada Fund is also the main source to support CBT programs and initiatives, aside from grants, and financial agreements with program partners. The annual operating budget is approved by the board of directors as part of the strategic/business planning process. Over the past decade, the operating budget has increased as the Canada Fund, and the capacity and programs of the CBT, grew from $590,450 in 2010, to $1,245,140 in 2020. 

As a community foundation, the CBT works with donors to create a diversity of endowment funds. As of 2020, the CBT administers nine funds with a total fund balance of 1,260,422 as of Dec 31, 2020. 

All endowment funds are managed by Vancouver-based Genus Capital Management and is invested using a fossil fuel free mandate. Genus meets regularly with the CBT’s investment committee, industry specialists who volunteer as CBT investment advisors. 

Audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020, and other governing documents can be found on the CBT website (https://clayoquotbiosphere.org/about-us/board-of-directors). 

3) Nature of services required and Key dates 

The CBT Board and Management desire the auditor to express an opinion on the fair presentation of the general-purpose financial statements in all material respects. The audit shall be performed in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards as set forth by the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants. The CBT follows Canadian accounting standards for not-for-profit organizations and uses Community Suite fund accounting software to prepare financial statements and to report on their various funds. 

Following the completion of the audit of the fiscal year’s financial statements, the auditor shall issue a report on the fair presentation of the financial statements. 

The auditor shall also communicate in a letter to management an evaluation of internal control and areas of concern or weaknesses encountered during the audit, as well as recommendations for improvement. 

Key dates: 

  • Financial year end – December 31st 
  • Submission of year-end financial reports and supporting documentation to auditor – mid-February 
  • Completion of field work – mid-March 
  • Delivery of draft audit report and draft financial statements, management letter and post audit report – late March/early April 
  • Presentation of audit report and findings to CBT board – late April 
  • Presentation of audit report and findings at AGM – late May 

4) Tender Format and Process 

The format and content of the tender submission is left to the discretion of the invited firm but must, as a minimum, address the requirements below. 

  • License to perform audits from the Public Accounting Board of British Columbia. 
  • A commitment for providing reasonable annual continuity of experienced and qualified personnel. 
  • A commitment to meeting all reporting deadlines. 
  • The resources available to address the scope of the audit services required. 
  • Not-for-profit sector experience and expertise. 
  • An efficient approach to the audit, including an annual review of internal controls. 

Selection of a suitable audit firm for appointment as auditor will be based upon the following criteria which should specifically be addressed in the tender submission: 

  • Provide a brief description of your firm. 
  • Describe your experience in auditing not-for-profit or charitable organizations. 
  • Provide names, qualifications and bios of personnel who would be assigned to the CBT, and where they would be located. 
  • Provide a description of your approach to the audit and any special conditions. 
  • Provide an estimate of the anticipated hours, broken down by individual to be assigned or by responsibility level. 
  • Provide the names of three references who we may contact. 
  • Please detail all fees, including expenses, associated with the services being proposed.  

Contact 

Proposals can be mailed to Clayoquot Biosphere Trust, Rebecca Hurwitz, PO Box 67, Tofino BC, V0R 2Z0 or send electronically to rebecca@clayoquotbiosphere.org. 

Deadline for submission is 4:30 pm on Friday, November 19, 2021 

Note that in the selection process the lowest tender in terms of all-inclusive maximum cost will not necessarily be accepted. 

New Signage: Welcoming You to the Haḥuułi of the Five Central Nuučaan̓uł (Nuu-chah-nulth) Nations

September 9, 2024
If you’ve driven from Port Alberni to the coast recently, you may have noticed a new sign 2km before you arrive at “the junction.” The sign welcomes you to the ḥaḥuułi of the five central region nuučaan̓uł (Nuu-chah-nulth) Nations — hiškʷiiʔatḥ (Hesquiaht), ʕaaḥuusʔatḥ (Ahousaht), ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ (Tla-o-qui-aht) Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ (Ucluelet), and tukʷaaʔatḥ (Toquaht) — where the biosphere region is designated. 

Announcing the 2024 Vital Grants

September 5, 2024
We are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2024 Vital Grants. This year, the CBT awarded $80,000 in funding to three inspiring projects in the region. These grants focus on addressing regional priorities and complex challenges that influence sustainability in the Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Region. They also aim to support meaningful, longer-term collaboration between organizations, communities, and cultures.

Announcing the Community Prosperity Fund Recipients

September 3, 2024
We are pleased to announce that $125,000 in funding was distributed to support three projects in the region through the Government of British Columbia’s Community Prosperity Fund. The Community Prosperity Fund is a $25 million investment from the Government of B.C. that advances poverty reduction and social inclusion. This fund is part of the Government of B.C.’s commitment to supporting the non-profit sector and empowering local communities to make decisions about what would most benefit them and their communities.

Announcing the 2024 Biosphere Research Award

August 29, 2024
We are excited to announce the recipients of the 2024 Biosphere Research Award. This year, the CBT awarded $20,000 in funding to Ha’oom Fisheries Society for their Coho Vitality Project.

Join our Team!

August 27, 2024
*This position has been filled!  The construction of the Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Centre creates an opportunity to exemplify the richness of the region’s cultures in a physical space, providing opportunities for all local artists to preserve culture and traditional knowledge, while creating accessible economic opportunities through art. The Art Program Coordinator engages community members and partners with the goal to plan, gather, and supervise the creation and installation of art in the future building in scale with available funding.

Newsletter Feature: World Network of Island and Coastal Biosphere Reserves/Regions

August 26, 2024
We’re honored to have been featured in the World Network of Island and Coastal Biosphere Reserves/Regions newsletter! This spotlight highlights the Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Center and the ongoing efforts in the region to reduce plastic pollution, alongside our collaborative stewardship initiatives. Read more!

Announcing the 2024 Arts & Culture Grants

August 20, 2024
We are excited to announce the recipients of the 2024 Arts and Culture grants. This year, eleven inspiring projects in our region have been awarded a total of $30,000 in funding. These grants focus on supporting arts and cultural activities that encourage inter-generational participation. They aim to promote cross-community and cross-cultural engagement, facilitate learning and teaching opportunities, and strengthen arts capacity through workshops, collaborations, and education. Additionally, these grants prioritize equity-seeking initiatives that address barriers to equal access and participation in the arts, focusing on BIPOC communities, LGBTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities, and other marginalized groups. 

Announcing the 2024 Youth & Education Grants

August 9, 2024
We're excited to announce the recipients of the 2024 Youth and Education grants. This year, the CBT awarded over $52,000 in funding to eleven inspiring projects in the region. These grants aim to address urgent needs for youth, as highlighted in CBT's 2023 Vital Signs report. They focus on building capacity, providing education and training opportunities, and fostering connections among youth across communities in the Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Region. Additionally, the grants support youth-driven projects and promote education and discussion around multiculturalism, inclusiveness, and diversity.

Join our Team!

July 24, 2024
*This position has been filled!  We’re looking for an Executive and Finance Assistant to support the CBT across all program areas. The successful candidate will coordinate the day-to-day administration and operations of the CBT office, creating a welcoming space, hosting events, updating administrative practices, and maintaining records. They will work closely with the Executive Director to support the Board of Directors, as well as work closely with the Finance Coordinator to assist with bookkeeping processes. The Executive and Finance Assistant will work across the CBT to support our programs and events. Apply now!

Announcing the 2024 Community Development Grants

July 23, 2024
We are excited to announce the recipients of the 2024 Community Development grants. This year, five outstanding projects in our region have been awarded a total of $24,000 in funding. These grants are dedicated to fostering accessible, inclusive, healthy, supportive, equitable, and sustainable communities, helping to build a stronger and more united region.

Announcing the 2024 Research & Environment Grants

July 17, 2024
We're excited to announce the recipients of the 2024 Research and Environment grants. This year, the CBT awarded over $36,000 in funding to six inspiring projects in the region. These projects address threats to key species and ecosystems and uplift nuučaan̓uł (Nuu-chah-nulth) ways of knowing. Efforts also focus on habitat conservation, restoration, and protection for ecologically and culturally important species and ecosystems.

Welcoming our 2024 Summer Intern

July 15, 2024
We're excited to welcome Zahur Ashrafuzzaman (she/he/they), our new summer intern who is already making valuable contributions to a variety of projects across the organization!

Our Team's Experience at EuroMAB 2024

June 11, 2024
In early June 2024, two members of the CBT team, Colin Robinson and Janessa Dornstauder had the opportunity to attend EuroMAB 2024 in the Elbe River Landscape, Germany – a UNESCO Biosphere. Because there are so few countries in North America, Canada, and the USA participate in the European network, while Mexico participates in the Latin network. Read more about their experience! 

Marcie Callewaert Reflects on her Leadership Journey

May 6, 2024
“Participating in LVI gave me back my leadership confidence that I had lost somewhere along the way. It was a great reminder of what I am capable of and provided me with tools to strengthen my skills as I move forward in new roles. Because of LVI, I took chances that I never would have taken just a few years ago and they paid off! I am so thankful for the community of support that LVI creates during the program and in the months and years afterwards."