Invitation for Expression of Interest (EOI) – Annual Audit Services (2025 – 2028)

The Swallows India Bangladesh (Svalorna India Bangladesh) invites Expressions of Interest from qualified and experienced audit firms to conduct the annual audit of a multi-year development programme implemented in partnership with four civil society organisations in India.

About The Swallows India Bangladesh

The Swallows India Bangladesh is a non-profit development organisation headquartered in Lund, Sweden. Established in 1959, the organisation has been working in India since 1962 and in Bangladesh since 1973.

Our vision is a just world free from poverty, where people can influence their own lives and live in solidarity with each other and in long term, sustainable relationship with nature. We work to strengthen marginalised communities, including Dalits, landless people, indigenous communities, and women, enabling them to lead lives of dignity.

Our work focuses on three thematic areas:

• Food Sovereignty
• Women’s Rights
• Climate and Environmental Sustainability
  
  

In India, The Swallows supports four partner organisations based in Chennai, Kotagiri, Madurai, and Hyderabad. Together, we are implementing a Sida-funded programme (October 2025–December 2028) aimed at empowering marginalised communities to claim their rights to gender equality, food sovereignty, and climate-resilient, sustainable livelihoods through strengthened civil society engagement.

Assignment

The Swallows India Bangladesh seeks to engage an audit firm to undertake the annual audit of programme funds and financial statements for the period 2025–2028. The programme follows a calendar-year reporting cycle (January–December). However, the first audit will cover a 15-month period, from October 2025 to December 2026.

Scope of Work

The selected audit firm will:

• Conduct annual audits of financial statements for the four partner organisations in accordance with The Swallows’ requirements and Sida guidelines.
• Express an independent professional opinion on the financial position of the projects and the proper utilisation of project funds.
• Verify that resources have been used for their intended purposes and in line with approved budgets, agreements, and donor requirements.

• Perform audit engagements in accordance with:

           
 International Standard on Auditing (ISA) 805

International Standard on Related Services (ISRS) 4400 – Agreed-Upon Procedures

Eligibility Requirements

Interested firms should:

• Be a Chartered Accountancy and Audit Firm registered with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI).
• Have demonstrated experience in auditing development projects funded by international donors.
• Possess expertise in conducting audits under international auditing standards.
• Have adequate experience in auditing compliances applicable to development organisations.
• Have adequate professional staff and resources to complete assignments within the required timelines.
• Be able to provide references and details of similar assignments undertaken.
• Ability to speak Tamil and Telugu will be an added advantage

Submission Requirements

Interested firms are requested to submit:

• Company profile and registration details
• ICAI registration certificate
• Brief description of relevant experience and similar assignments
• Details of key personnel proposed for the assignment
• List of major clients and ongoing assignments
• Proposed audit fee quotation

Audit Timeline

• Audit fieldwork for each partner organisation must be completed by 30 January each year.
• Final audit reports must be submitted by 10 February each year.

Terms of Reference

A detailed Terms of Reference (ToR) will be shared with interested firms upon request.

For a copy of the ToR or additional information, please contact:

Email: info@svalorna.org

Submission Deadline

Expressions of Interest must be submitted via email on or before 15 August 2026.

We encourage qualified audit firms with relevant experience in the development sector to apply.