03 January 2019 Rachel Ward, Learning and Development Manager
Due Diligence and Post Award Assurance
For some time now, BUFDG has been seeking opportunities for colleagues working in research finance and we are pleased to announce that BUFDG has teamed up with ARMA (Association of Research Managers and Administrators) to deliver a one day event on Due Diligence and Post Award Assurance. The event moves beyond discussions of how we might conduct due diligence in theory, to the reality of experiences with funded projects and issues of assurance in post award finance and management. This is a joint event for the Research Management and Finance communities, aimed at sharing good practice in undertaking due diligence and providing/maintaining assurance over funded projects.
The day will provide an opportunity to share experience and expertise around managing financial issues in research projects, such as assuring that expenditure is in line with funders' terms and conditions and managing the process of making payments to high risk countries etc. The case studies and learning outcomes will be relevant to any research projects with overseas partners, with a specific focus on projects funded by UK Research & Innovation (UKRI). (Note that the event does not cover Overseas Development Aid compliance)
The day will outline UKRI post-award assurance and due diligence principles and requirements, and will recap the main learning points from previous ARMA events, such as approaches to making advance payments. With case studies from ARMA and BUFDG members we will further unpack a range of issues including post-award finance, the impact of due diligence on institutional risk management policy and the difficulties involved in communications with overseas partners where capacity and capability for the management of research finances may be very different to the UK.
There will be lots of opportunity for discussion, questions, and contributing ideas from your own experience, with a particular focus on how the research management and finance communities can work together in this important area.
By the end of the event participants will:
Target audience
This one day event is aimed at research managers and finance colleagues who are involved with research projects with overseas partners and those with responsibility for the overall control environment and risk management within organisations, for example senior finance colleagues, risk managers and those with an internal audit remit. This could also include those who support GCRF projects, post award and finance teams, project managers, those who are responsible for undertaking due diligence and those who determine department or institution policies and procedures for due diligence and broader research finance and grants management.
The event takes place on Tuesday 5th February and is open for booking. For any queries, please contact Rachel