Guide to Contracting

The Professional Audit Support Services(PASS) Supply Arrangement is designed to simplify and expedite the procurement of audit and financial management support services. Occasionally, however, a project's requirements will fall outside the expertise of suppliers pre-qualified under PASS. In other instances, a department may need to fill temporary staff shortages, rather than to obtain solutions-based services. In these situations, other contracting options should be considered.

Audit Services Canada

Audit Services Canada (ASC) is a federal agency that offers a wide range of assurance, audit and accounting services to meet the evolving needs of its government clients. Upon signing a memorandum of understanding, ASC can provide either temporary help services or a team to conduct more solution-based tasks, as required. More information is available on the ASC website.

Temporary Help Services

Temporary Help Services (THS) should be used only when there is a need for temporary employees to complement internal teams. In using the THS, a project authority commits to providing the strategic direction, oversight and monitoring of the work for which the resource is contracted. THS should not be used when a project authority seeks a solution to departmental business requirements and therefore needs support from a supplier with expertise in that area. More information on THS is available on Public Works and Government Services Canada's website.

Audit – Comprehensive Standing Offer

The Audit – Comprehensive Standing Offer was set up to meet the requirements of the Canadian General Standards Board to audit and certify various management systems. For example, this standing offer has been used to contract for food safety (HACCP) auditors, environmental (ISO 14001) auditors and quality management (ISO 9001) auditors.

If an audit project requires expertise that does not fit within the resource requirements listed in PASS, the Audit – Comprehensive Standing Offer may offer the best solution.