How have Programme Finance, Financial Management and Audit rules changed for the new 2021-2027 period? What are the key live issues for finance, control and audit at present and how are these likely to evolve in the new programming period? What do new Programmes look like and have they taken advantage of the new, extraordinary financial flexibilities?

This course over 3 half-days will address these questions and take a close look at a sample of programmes, as well as financial and reporting templates for the new programmes. There will be a special focus on extending the use of simplified cost options, the most frequent audit issues (eg. Eligibility of expenditure, public procurement) and how public procurement rules are being followed on the ground.

What will you learn:

Practical issues to be discussed will include:

financial tables and the flexibilities in 2021-2027
key issues for the eligibility of expenditure
the extended use of simplified cost options and how to choose between them
changes to the audit of accounts, systems and operations
dealing with irregularities, corrections, withdrawals
coordinating Cohesion and RRF funding
the link between finance and performance, using the Performance Framework
There will be keynote presentations from:

Dermot Byrne, a leading Member State audit practitioner
a senior official from the European Court of Auditors, specialising in public procurement.
Course methodology/highlights:

You will be guided by Marco Lopriore and Robin Smail, experienced Structural Funds experts who have worked in Brussels and across the EU, gathering numerous case studies and examples of good practice.

We aim to make the course as interactive as possible. Workshops and exercises will be used to help participants get to grips with practical tools and methodologies. Participants will also have ample opportunity to exchange views informally on the course topics.