The Commission has recently announced a new strategy with respect to the financial audits of research projects. It's stated intention is to increase significantly the number of audits carried out for both FP6 and FP7 projects. Wider use will also be made of penalties and sanctions such as liquidated damages and extrapolation.This one day briefing organised by Berkley Associates and Walker Associates will look at the impact of these changes and how research projects and their advisers can deal with them.With the help of practical case studies and a group exercise, the presenters will show you how to prepare for and manage the audit process in the best possible way. The workshop will take you through all the various stages of the audit process, including dealing with the pre-audit questionnaires from the auditors, managing the audit visit, responding to the draft audit report and the implementation of the findings. It is an intensely practical course offering both insight and good practice suggestions.The briefing will be led by John Stringer, a UK Barrister and Simon Walker an experienced R&D funding professional. Both speakers have extensive experience of the management of FP6 and FP7 projects and of responding to audits by the European Commission.Fees: 300