In Short
UK business grants such as Innovate UK Smart Grants, UKRI funding competitions and net zero schemes assess financial credibility alongside the technical case, and most require an accountant’s certificate — a formal letter signed by a qualified accountant confirming the accuracy of historic financials or the reasonableness of projections. This is not an audit, but it carries professional weight because the accountant is personally liable for its contents. Consult EFC’s ICAEW Chartered Accountants prepare financial projections, issue accountant’s certificates, and manage post-award grant claims for UK businesses, with a fixed fee agreed before work begins.
Why strong technical projects still get rejected on the financials
Grant assessors are not only judging the science or the technology. They are judging whether the financial case stacks up — and whether the business can actually deliver the project on the budget submitted.
due diligence is common on larger awards — many strong applications fail at the financial review stage, after the technical case is already approved
is what undocumented cost schedules and match-funding assumptions are worth to an assessor — every figure needs a clear basis
grant management is often more demanding than the application — claims must reconcile to the approved budget with full evidence
Additionality is the test most applicants miss
Most schemes require you to demonstrate the project would not happen, or would happen more slowly, without the grant. That means modelling the business with and without the funding — not just submitting one set of optimistic numbers. Assessors are trained to spot the difference.
Grant application support we provide
From financial projections to post-award grant claims, we handle the accountancy work that grant bodies require from applicants.
Innovate UK & UKRI
We support applications to Innovate UK Smart Grants, KTP (Knowledge Transfer Partnerships), and UKRI funding competitions. We prepare the financial sections, project cost schedules, and match-funding evidence.
Accountant’s Certificate
Many grant schemes require a qualified accountant to sign a certificate confirming the accuracy of your financial information. We issue ICAEW-signed certificates that meet the requirements of UK public funding bodies.
Financial Projections
Grant assessors scrutinise your revenue model, cost base, and funding assumptions. We build credible, assumption-backed projections that demonstrate you have thought through the commercial viability of your project.
Grant Claim Preparation
Post-award, you must claim your grant in tranches with supporting evidence. We prepare grant claims, reconcile project spend against approved budgets, and ensure your claims meet the funder’s audit requirements.
Horizon Europe & Innovate UK Global
We support international collaborative grant applications where a UK accountant must provide financial due diligence documentation acceptable to both UK and EU funding bodies.
Net Zero & Energy Grants
BEIS, DESNZ and local LEP-administered net zero grants often require detailed capex schedules and match-funding breakdowns. We structure the financial case for energy efficiency and green technology grant bids.
How we support your grant application
Initial Review
We review your grant scheme’s financial requirements and eligibility criteria. We confirm what financial information the funder needs and whether your business currently meets the financial thresholds.
Financial Projections
We build a detailed P&L, cash flow, and balance sheet projection for the grant period. All assumptions are documented and defensible. We model the project with and without grant funding to demonstrate additionality.
Accountant’s Certificate
Where required, an ICAEW-qualified partner signs the certificate confirming the accuracy of your historical financials and the reasonableness of your projections.
Application Support
We work alongside you or your bid writer to complete the financial sections of the application form. We review cost schedules for eligibility and ensure match-funding calculations are correct.
Post-Award Compliance
Once awarded, we set up your grant cost tracking, prepare your interim and final grant claims, and support any funder audit of project expenditure.
UK Coverage
Grant Application Support for Businesses Across the United Kingdom
National schemes like Innovate UK and UKRI are open UK-wide, and we support applicants wherever they are based.
Consult EFC supports grant applications and post-award compliance for businesses throughout the UK, covering Innovate UK, UKRI, Horizon Europe, net zero and local growth fund schemes. Every accountant’s certificate is personally signed by an ICAEW Chartered Accountant.
Grant Application Questions
Strong finances win grant funding.
Our ICAEW Chartered Accountants prepare the financial case that grant assessors need to say yes. Book a free consultation today.