Butt Miller provides independent grant audit services and accountants’ reports to help organisations meet funder requirements and maintain confidence in their claims.
Grant audits for compliance, reporting and assurance
Grant funding can provide valuable support for innovation and growth, but it can come with rigorous reporting obligations. An independent review is usually required to confirm that the money has been spent as per the terms and conditions set in the funding agreement.
At Butt Miller, we complete grant audits for companies across the UK. Our role is to provide assurance to the funder that your claim is valid, backed up with appropriate financial records, and submitted in the required format
As experienced Registered Auditors, we make the grant audit process clear, structured and manageable. We’ll help you collate and present your claim without disruption and meet your deadline with ease.
Speak to us today and approach your next grant audit with confidence
When is a grant audit required?
Many funding bodies, including Innovate UK and Horizon Europe, require grant recipients to provide an independent audit (or an independent accountant’s report), either before grant money is released or before continued funding is approved.
Whether you need a grant audit depends on the terms of your grant agreement. Your funding body may ask for a formal report for:
- Every claim submitted
- The first grant claim
- Annual claims
- The final claim
- Claims above a certain threshold
Your grant award letter should contain information on audit requirements. If you’re unsure, we can review the requirements and confirm the next steps.
What does a grant auditor check?
Our experienced grant audit team will assess whether your claim has been prepared correctly and that the costs claimed are supported by robust evidence.
Typically, we review:
- Payroll records, timesheets and employment contracts
- Supplier invoices
- Expense claims
- Evidence of authorisation and payment
- Project records and supporting schedules
- Staff costs and hourly rate calculations
The process also supports your own due diligence by highlighting areas for improvement, such as record-keeping, internal processes, and financial controls, before they become bigger issues. This helps strengthen governance, gives you better oversight of finances and protects future funding.
How our grant audit process works
Grant audits often have tight deadlines, but you can rely on our practical and organised approach. The work typically takes two to five days. From the outset, we’ll make it clear what is needed and when, and how the work will be managed.
| 1: Initial Review | 2: Evidence Checks | 3: Clear Findings | 4: Final Report |
| We’ll review the grant agreement to confirm the scope and timescale of the work, and let you know what we need from you. | We test your claimed costs against financial records to ensure they are eligible and evidenceable. | We’ll highlight any errors and correct them before submission, where possible. | We issue the audit report (or an independent accountant’s report) and remain available to help with any queries. |
Independent accountant’s reports for grant funding
Some grant providers ask for an independent accountant’s report rather than a full grant audit. It is usually narrower in scope and typically confirms particular figures, costs or information.
The purpose is the same: to provide assurance that the claim is supported by appropriate records and has been prepared in accordance with the grant conditions.
We can help you understand what your funder requires and provide the correct form of independent report.
Why choose Butt Miller?
Grant audits require technical accuracy, clear communication and an understanding of funder expectations. They also need to be completed efficiently, particularly where the timing of future funding is critical.
Our specialist team has extensive experience in grant audits, statutory audits, and SRA audits. We work with clients across a range of sectors, including innovation, research and technology.
You can expect a thorough and professional service without unnecessary disruption. We are proactive and collaborative, and will explain our findings clearly and support you if there are gaps in your records.
Beyond submission, we’ll be on hand to answer funder queries and can offer outsourced accounting and business advisory to help improve your reporting and financial processes.
“We have used Butt Miller Chartered Accountants, based in Surrey, as our independent auditors for Innovate R&D grant claims. They are fast, efficient and easy to work with and I highly recommend them.”
Keli Jones
Speak to us about grant audit services
If your organisation has received grant funding and needs an audit, an independent accountant’s report or guidance on reporting requirements, please contact our team.
Frequently asked questions about grant audit services
Who can conduct a grant audit?
Some funders specify that the grant audit be completed by a Registered Auditor registered with a Recognised Supervisory Body, such as ICAEW. But, even where a Registered Auditor is not strictly required, it provides greater credibility and assurance that the claim has been reviewed to a professional standard.
Can we use our existing accountant?
This depends on the grant terms or the funding body’s rules. Some funders require an independent external auditor, which may mean you cannot use your usual accountant or existing auditor. We can review the terms and advise you.
Where will the grant audit be completed?
We can complete grant audits remotely or at your office if feasible, depending on your requirements and how your records are kept. Most often, they are completed remotely from digital financial records.
How much does a grant audit cost?
The cost of a grant audit is not set in stone and depends on the size of the claim and the scope of the report. We will provide a detailed quote before work begins.
