Eight2O is the largest alliance in the water sector. The partners involved are Thames Water and two design and build joint ventures (JVs) made up of Costain, Atkins, Black & Veatch (CABV); and Skanska, MWH and Balfour Beatty (SMB).

Eight2O was created to deliver Thames Water’s capital investment programme for the 6th asset management plan period (AMP 6). They developed and delivered projects, designed to meet Thames Water’s needs who then funded the actual cost of these projects.

Each project was commercially controlled by either a works or service order. These orders contained the contractual agreement between the design JVs and Thames Water. All costs associated with the orders were recorded by the JVs and paid by Thames Water.

After completion Thames Water required an audit of the project accounts before agreeing to the final value (the Final Account).

Our role was to follow the process and audit all final accounts due for agreement. After an initial period of understanding the Eight2O process we initiated discussions with the JVs to determine an optimal process.

To allow for a multiple stage approach to the Final Account agreement, we needed to amend the method used. We agreed to start the audit of actual costs after the take over of each section (rather than waiting for the last take over) we were able to bring forward large amounts of work that would have delayed the completion of the audit had they been left. This has now streamlined the process for future projects to come to a final agreement more efficiently.

To optimise the role we provided Thames Water, we took time to understand the value of work being performed rather than following the process already set in place throughout the whole commission. This allowed us to demonstrate that anomalies occurred at a lower rate than expected during the audit. Meaning the audit requirements could be reduced, saving Thames Water time and money.