Service 09 of 11
Procurement, Contract & Project Cost Audits
Targeted reviews where money and risk concentrate: how you buy, whether contracts are honoured, and whether major projects deliver value.
- Focus
- Procurement, contracts and capital projects
- Scope
- One contract, supplier or programme
- Outcome
- Exceptions, recoveries and control fixes
- If fraud is found
- Escalated for independent investigation
Overview
What is a special review?
A special review is a focused, independent examination of a specific area of spend or risk, such as procurement and tendering, a major supplier contract or a capital project. It goes deeper than a routine audit and answers a defined question for the board or management.
Special reviews often identify overpayments that can be recovered, weaknesses in supplier management, and opportunities to improve value for money on future contracts and projects.
What it stands for
Who it’s for
When you need a focused, independent look
Procurement, major contracts and capital projects are where overpayments, weak controls and fraud are most often found. A special review gives you a focused, independent answer.
- Organisations with significant supplier or contractor spend
- Boards concerned about a specific contract or project
- Finance teams seeking recovery of overpayments
- Organisations reviewing procurement before growth
How it works
Focused reviews with clear outcomes
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Stage 1
Focus
We agree the contracts, suppliers, projects or processes in scope.
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Stage 2
Analyse
We review terms, invoices, variations, payments and procurement records.
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Stage 3
Validate
We confirm findings with evidence and discussions with the people involved.
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Stage 4
Report
We report exceptions, recovery opportunities and control improvements.
Where money and risk concentrate, a focused independent review pays for itself.
What you receive
Clear findings and next steps
Every deliverable is tailored to your organisation and written for the people who will use it.
Procurement review
Tendering, approvals and supplier selection.
Supplier due diligence
Checks on key or high-risk suppliers.
Contract compliance review
Billing against agreed terms.
Project cost review
Budgets, variations and value for money.
Exceptions schedule
Issues found and amounts involved.
Control improvements
Actions to prevent repeat issues.
Benefits
The value we add
Recovered overpayments
Billing errors and overcharges identified and quantified.
Value for money
Assurance that contracts and projects deliver what was paid for.
Stronger supplier management
Better tendering, due diligence and contract oversight.
Early warning
Project cost and delivery risks spotted before they escalate.
Fraud deterrence
Suppliers and staff know spend is independently reviewed.
Clear answers
A focused report on the question the board needs answered.
Senior-led
Delivered by chartered and certified professionals (ACA, ACCA, CIA).
Fixed fee
Scope and price agreed in writing before work starts.
Standards-aligned
Methodology aligned to the IIA Global Internal Audit Standards.
Frequently asked questions
Procurement & Contract Audits: your questions
How much does a procurement or contract audit cost?
It depends on the number of contracts, suppliers or projects and the volume of data. We agree a fixed fee for each review.
What is a contract compliance review?
A review of whether a supplier or contractor has billed and performed in line with the agreed contract terms, often identifying overpayments that can be recovered.
Can you review a single project or contract?
Yes. Special reviews are often focused on one contract, supplier or project of concern.
Will this disrupt our supplier relationships?
We agree how and when suppliers are contacted, and most work is done from your own records.
What happens if you find fraud?
We stop, inform you and agree next steps, which may include a formal independent investigation.
Page last updated 2 November 2026
Procurement & Contract Audits by sector
- Corporates & listed companies
- Private & family-owned businesses
- Public sector & local government
- Housing associations
- Education
- Charities & not-for-profit
- Healthcare & primary care
- Construction, real estate & energy
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