About this course
This seminar will examine live issues of Programme and Financial Management, Financial Control and Audit for Operational Programmes in the 2014-2020 period and look forward at how the proposed Regulations will change and have an impact on these areas for 2021-2027. There will be a special focus on financial planning for programmes, extending the use of simplified cost options, and the most frequent audit issues – in particular – eligibility of expenditure and public procurement.
How we work
Participants will work with live issues and practical solutions for challenges in the fields of financial management, financial control and audit. They will enjoy quality speakers from Member States and the European Commission, as well as highly experienced EIPA experts and consultants.
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.
Participants are invited to send us their problems, issues and questions before the seminar, if they wish. We will do our best to address the problems / answer the questions during the seminar!
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
Practical issues to be discussed will include:
- new programme structures and priorities
- programme finance, financial tables and flexibility proposed for 2021-2027
- co-finance ceilings, the risks of automatic de-commitment
- changes to the annual accounting process and the calculation of the annual balance
- key issues for the eligibility of expenditure
- the new OMNIBUS regulation, simplification and the extended use of simplified cost options
- changes to the audit of accounts, systems and operations
- risk assessment, protecting the audit trail
- irregularities, corrections, withdrawals
- public procurement rules and good practice
- the link between finance and performance, using the Performance Framework
Practical information
Course venue
European Institute of Public Administration (EIPA)
O.L. Vrouweplein 22
6211 HE, Maastricht
the Netherlands
Programme Organiser
Ms Winny Curfs
Tel: + 31 43 32 96 320
w.curfs@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, the reception or dinner 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.
Hotel reservations
EIPA has special price arrangements with a number of hotels. All hotels are within 10 minutes walking distance from EIPA. Should you wish to make use of this possibility, please book directly via the links below. Payment is to be made directly and personally to the hotel upon checking out. At the time of booking, please mention in the requested field the EIPA project number for your course.
Confirmation
Confirmation of registration will be forwarded to participants on receipt of the completed online registration form.
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.).
The programme
| 08.30 | Registration of participants |
| 09.00 | Welcome of participants and opening of the conference
Marco Lopriore, Expert, EIPA Maastricht |
| Introduction to the draft New Regulations
Legislative developments |
|
| 09.15 | The new draft Regulations, 2021-2027: policy context and highlights
Marco Lopriore |
| Financial Management & Financial Control
Programme Finance, Financial Flows, Accounts, Simplification |
|
| 09.45 | Programme Structure and Finance, Financial Management and Control: moving from 2014-2020 to 2021-2027
Robin Smail, Visiting Expert EIPA, Consultant, UK (and former Detached National Expert, EC) |
| 10.45 | Coffee break |
| 11.15 | Programme Structure and Finance, Financial Management and Control: moving from 2014-2020 to 2021-2027 (contd).
Robin Smail |
| 11.45 | Exercises: financial planning; the accounting year
Robin Smail |
| 12.15 | Simplification and Simplified Cost Options
Marco Lopriore |
| 13.00 | Lunch break |
| 14.30 | Workshop: simplified cost options; treating irregularities in SCO
Marco Lopriore |
| 15.30 | Programme Finance, Financial Management and Control (contd.)
Robin Smail |
| 16.00 | Coffee break |
| Financial Control & Audit
Systems, biggest challenges and issues, simplification |
|
| 16.30 | Control and Audit of Structural Funds, 2014-2020 to 2021-2027
Dermot Byrne, ERDF Audit Authority, Department of Public Expenditure Reform, Dublin |
| 18.00 | Question and answer session |
| 18.15 | End of first day |
| 18.30 | Reception, Hotel Derlon |
| 09.15 | Audit of accounts, systems and operations
Dermot Byrne |
| 10.45 | Coffee break |
| 11.15 | Public Procurement rules and application to Cohesion Policy – new guidelines on corrections
Rafael Lopez Sanchez, Audit Directorate, DG Regional and Urban Policy, European Commission, Brussels |
| 12.30 | Question and answer session |
| 13.00 | Lunch break |
| 14.15 | Eligibility of Expenditure
Marco Lopriore, Expert, EIPA Maastricht |
| 15.35 | Monitoring and Reporting proposed changes for 2021-2027
Robin Smail |
| 16.35 | Evaluation of seminar |
| 16.40 | Close of seminar |
What people say
“‘We were delighted to participate, the educators were professional. We have learned a lot and we will be able to apply that knowledge to our work.’”
previous participant
“‘The exercises were interesting, through these, it was easier to understand the practical application.’”
previous participant
“‘I would not change anything.’”
previous participant