About this course

This seminar will examine how Financial Management and Audit rules are changing between the 2014-2020 programming period and the 2021-2027 period. There will be a special focus on financial planning, increasing the use of Simplified Costs Options, anti-fraud measures and protecting the audit trail.

• Using ARACHNE may become a requirement for some projects in the future. Luc Molemans, the European Commission’s ARACHNE Project manager, will explain and illustrate how ARACHNE works and how you can use it.
• Dermot Byrne, a leading Member State audit practitioner, will highlight how control (including so-called “first-level control”) and audit differ, and look in detail at the audit of accounts, systems and operations for 2014-20 and planned changes for 2021-2027.
• We look at how to complete the Simplified Cost Options section of the new OP template.
• We examine the special link between finance and performance in current and future programmes, and the notion of Value for Money for projects and programmes. How will you report programme progress in the new template?

Who will benefit most?

This seminar is intended for:

• practitioners from national, regional and local authorities and from other public bodies of EU Member States (and associated countries) working with ESI Funds
• economic and social partners working with the Structural and Investment Funds, such as universities, NGOs, employers’ associations, consultants.

What you will learn in this course

Participants will work with live issues and practical solutions for challenges in the fields of financial management and audit. They will enjoy quality speakers from Member States and the European Commission, as well as EIPA’s own regional experts and consultants – who have worked with stakeholders from all Member States.

The seminar will include numerous workshops and exercise sessions where examples and case studies will be presented. Participants will be encouraged to exchange practical examples, experiences and good practice in managing EU Structural Funds.

Practical information

Course venue
INAP
Atocha 106
28012 Madrid (ES)

Programme Organiser
Ms Nancy Vermeulen
Tel: +31 43 32 96 212
n.vermeulen@eipa.eu

Fee
The fee includes documentation and refreshments. Lunches, a reception or dinner are included if mentioned in the programme. Accommodation and travel costs are at the expense of the participants or their administration.

Discounts
EIPA offers a 10% discount to all civil servants working for one of EIPA’s supporting countries, and civil servants working for an EU institution, body or agency.

Who are the supporting countries?
Civil servants coming from the following EIPA supporting countries are entitled to get the reduced fee: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom.

For all other participants, the regular fee applies.

Meals
Lunches and the reception will be served at a restaurant in town. Special dietary requirements (e.g. vegetarian, diabetic) can be indicated once you receive the confirmation of the seminar.

Payment
Prior payment is a condition for participation.

Cancellation policy
For administrative reasons you will be charged €150 for cancellations received within 15 days before the activity begins. There is no charge for qualified substitute participants.

EIPA reserves the right to cancel the activity up to 2 weeks before the starting date. In that case, registration fees received will be fully reimbursed. EIPA accepts no responsibility for any costs incurred (travel, accommodation, etc.).