When is a CFS certificate required?
The CFS obligation arises directly from the Grant Agreement. Check whether it applies to you.
EU contribution > EUR 430,000
Any beneficiary whose total EU contribution exceeds EUR 430,000 is required to submit a CFS — in accordance with Article 24 of the Grant Agreement.
ERC grants
For ERC grants the threshold is EUR 325,000 in cumulative claimed costs. The CFS is submitted when filing the next financial report after the threshold is crossed.
Grant agreement requirement
The Grant Agreement explicitly requires a CFS in Article 24 and specifies the report format and submission deadline.
Final financial report
The CFS is submitted together with the final financial report — or with a specified periodic report once cumulative costs have exceeded the threshold.
European Commission audit
Following an audit ordered by the EC or OLAF, the beneficiary must present a certificate confirming the correctness of declared costs.
Prevention before inspection
You want to confirm that costs will be approved by the EC before submitting the financial report — order a CFS proactively.
Scope of CFS certification
Verification covers all cost categories in accordance with Horizon Europe eligibility rules and the grant agreement.
CFS certification process
A transparent, four-stage process — from grant agreement review to the final certificate.
Review of the Grant Agreement, Article 24, required certificate format and verification scope. Preparation of the document checklist.
Verification of costs per category, source documents, timesheets and compliance with EC eligibility rules.
Presentation of findings, discussion of any comments and correction possibilities before the certificate is issued.
Delivery of the certificate in the format required by the EC — ready for submission together with the financial report.
Deliverables
Certificate and reports in formats accepted by the European Commission.
CFS Certificate
Certificate on the Financial Statements in the format required by the EC, confirming the reality and eligibility of declared costs.
Agreed-upon procedures report (ISRS 4400)
Detailed report on verification procedures — required by the EC alongside the CFS certificate in most Horizon Europe programmes.
Factual findings report
Description of the detailed verification results for each cost category — transparent documentation of the certification process.
Corrective recommendations
Where irregularities are detected — practical guidance on corrections before the financial report is submitted to the EC.
Approaching a financial report deadline?
Write or call — I will quote the CFS within 24 hours and discuss the scope tailored to your grant agreement.
Statutory auditor no. 12933 PANA · Response within 24h · No commitment