Certification concept is new in FP7 and will be gradually introduced for those organisations that request it and the request is approved by the Commission. Only the most frequent participants will be so approved. · Certification will be provided on the basis of "Agreed Upon Procedure" (AUP) · AUP, the auditor provides information according to a specific format specified via agreed terms of reference (ToR) · ToR is annexed to the Grant Agreement (Annex VII) · AUP is derived from common practice in audits and corresponds to international audit standards · 2 types of AUP: Report of factual findings on - expenditure verification - system verification Certification on the methodology = AUP for system verification aims at certifying the methodology of calculating (average) personnel costs and overhead rates. Note that it is only as an option on this AUP for system verification that use of average salaries is possible. · Valid throughout FP7, on a voluntary basis, must be accepted by EC · Particularly aimed at legal entities with multiple participations. Waives the obligation of certificates for interim payments · Simplifies certificate for final payment Advantages for system verification · The EC will receive consistent certifications and cost claims cleaned from errors · Beneficiaries will gain legal security · Beneficiaries in many projects will have to submit less certificates · EC and beneficiaries will have less processes to handle: less certificates · EC gains significantly in terms of assurance on legality and regularity | Certificate on Financial Statements (CFS) | Certificate on the Methodology | Certificate on average personnel costs | Basis | Article II.4 | Article II.4 | Article II.14 | Who | Mandatory for all beneficiaries based on conditions set up in the GA | Optional and foreseen for a limited number of beneficiaries based on criteria to be defined by the Commission | Mandatory for beneficiaries which will use average personnel costs unless a certificate on the Methodology is provided. In this case, the certificate on the Methodology replaces the certificate on average personnel costs | Condition | If total contribution < 375,000 €, no certificate For projects > 2 years: Interim and/or final payment Each time that the cumulated EC contribution not yet certified > 375.000 € For projects = 2 years: If total contribution > €375,000 Only one CFS at the final payment. Exception: When Certificate on the Methodology is accepted by the Commission, CFS not required for interim payment. | For beneficiaries with multiple participations | The method has to be consistent with the management principles and usual accounting practices of the beneficiary The average costs cannot differ significantly from actual personnel costs. | Scope | The project and reporting periods concerned. It covers all eligible costs not yet certified | By default, all the beneficiary's projects throughout FP7 | By default, all the beneficiary's projects throughout FP7 | Timing | For projects = 2 years: at the final payment For projects > 2 years: When criteria are met | At any time of the implementation of FP7 but at the earliest 6 months after the start date of the first project signed under FP7 | At any time of the implementation of FP7 but at the earliest 6 months after the start date of the first project signed under FP7 | Form | Detailed description verified as factual by external auditor or competent public officer Independent report on factual findings (Annex VII form D) | Independent report on factual findings (Annex VII form E) | Independent report on factual findings (relevant part of form E) | Advantages | Applying the CFS will increase the certainty on the eligibility of costs for the beneficiary | When a Certificate on the Methodology is accepted by the Commission, no CFS required for interim payments If the Methodology is accepted, no risk of rectification after audit if the method is applied correctly | If the Methodology is accepted, the average costs are deemed not to differ significantly from actual costs. f the Methodology is accepted, no risk of rectification after audit if the method is applied |
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