The European Union has various funds and instruments to support stakeholders such as universities, research centres and companies in the fields of research and development and the commercialisation of research results. For the different funds different rules for financial accounting, reporting and auditing apply. In the last year, the European Commission has significantly increased the number of FP7 audits. Other EU funding instruments such as ERDF (including INTERREG), ESF, and CIP differ in the sets of eligibility rules and compliance requirements that they have to fulfill. Failure to follow these rules can result in hard financial consequences for the beneficiaryThe financial accounting and reporting of projects funded by FP7, ERDF (including INTERREG), ESF, and CIP are considered very time consuming and complex.Receive first-hand knowledge in the following crucial topics:How to successfully comply with financial requirements and duties of research fundingWhat are possible differences and common aspects of FP7 and Horizon 2020 (FP8)Which costs can be considered eligible in the different funding programmesHow to define direct and indirect costsHow to prepare for a Commission auditHow to use financial planning and financial spreadsheets most effectively