Road
and Rail
Sector

Chartered Accountants providing cost assurance on major open book contracts

Road
and Rail
Sector

The Orange Partnership

Roads and Rail

The Orange Partnership has provided assurance over costs on many significant UK road and rail capital investment programmes over the last twenty years and has deep knowledge in these sectors.

We are proud to be one of two providers on the National Highways Forensic Audit framework.  Most recently we are pleased to have won two further audit framework contracts on rail joint ventures supporting major capital programmes.  These contract awards have enabled us to develop strong relationships both client and contractor side, showcasing our skills and delivering exceptional results.

We understand the challenge around cost efficiency and the high level of public scrutiny which goes along with major public sector road and rail projects.  Our clients appreciate our risk-based assurance approach is agile and cost effective, responding to risk. Our review work is targeted, and we have strong collaborative relationships with client Commercial Managers.

By their nature, high levels of change management due to unexpected engineering requirements, legislation and other factors usually need to be taken into consideration. The Orange Partnership is experienced at working within such changeable circumstances and to identify where over-runs are acceptable or not.

The TOP Approach

Our risk-based, targeted approach is the antithesis of the “bum on seat” approach to cost assurance where resources are allocated to assuring costs on an arbitrary basis and remain employed, regardless of the risks of overcharging, what they are finding and what additional value they are adding.

We focus our specialist assurance resources in the areas that have the most risk and where we can add most value, so our client sees the greatest return for the lowest cost.

We work collaboratively with clients and their contractors and suppliers, often over a number of years to reduce the risk of mischarging and drive accuracy of “right first time” contractor applications for payment.

How we can help

  • Strategic reviews of current assurance provision
  • People actualisation audits
  • Project overspend reviews
  • Assurance over defined cost accuracy
  • Contractor set up and financial control reviews
  • Reviews of high value, high risk second tier subcontractors
  • Upskilling of in-house commercial staff and external Cost Consultants in best practice audit so as to conduct simple, low risk reviews in house

Recognised Experts

Specialist Services

Who we work with

Our Clients

National Highways
EDF Energy
Southern Water
Heathrow Airport
Sellafield

Key Contacts

Our People

John Taylor

"Data visualisation is an incredibly powerful tool. Used intelligently it can uncover insights and anomalies that might otherwise go unnoticed"

John Taylor

Director

Contact

T: 07811 128682 / 01926 358339
E: johntaylor@theorangepartnership.co.uk

Expertise

Complex data reconciliation and consolidation / Data analysis and visualisation
Audit programme development / NEC contracts

Darren Ward

"What makes us different to other consultants is that we understand numbers and financial controls as well as construction."

Darren Ward

Managing Director

Contact

T: 07970 809303 / 01926 358339
E: darrenward@theorangepartnership.co.uk

Expertise

Defined cost audit strategy / Complex commercial issues
Mega project audit programmes / Defined cost training and workshops