Client Focus: Sheila Fry, University of Bradford
Sheila Fry is research grant manager at the University of Bradford Finance Department. As a forward-thinking, modern and student-orientated establishment, the University is committed to a future that continues to build on its foundations of academic excellence, providing all students with a world-class teaching and learning environment.
Consequently, the University is successful in receiving a wide range of government, charity and private company grants and financial awards, both from within the UK and European Union, and further afield. Depending on the rules and regulations associated with these grants, an external audit may be required, and this is where Watson Buckle can help.
When the previous Big Four accountants would not sign-off the audited accounts, Miss Fry needed to find a firm that would. A colleague recommended Watson Buckle, who were already taking care of the Students’ Union’s finances.
Since then, Watson Buckle has audited any grants for which this is a requirement, including funding from the European Commission Framework, TSB and occasionally the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills.
Furthermore, with the Seventh Framework Programme allowing the charging of permanent staff to European Commission projects for the first time, monthly timesheets are required for all the staff involved. Watson Buckle advised the University of Bradford on what needed to be included on these timesheets.
“Working with Watson Buckle means there is far less hassle,” says Miss Fry. “I only know if an audit will be needed once I have finished a claim, but I can email Watson Buckle to say I need an audit doing and they will always fit it in at the last minute. A large firm would require three or four notice before an audit could take place.
“We have a good working relationship, so I would have no problem in recommending Watson Buckle. However, as I deal with other universities which have the same problem with large firms not signing-off audits, but are quite a distance away, I have not had the chance to do so yet.”
