Authorised signatory
Q: What is an authorised signatory?
A: An authorised signatory is the person who signs and submits formal documents (such as reports) to the North Sea Region Programme on behalf of his or her organisation.
Signing and submitting documents happens electronically through the online monitoring system.
Both lead beneficiaries and beneficiaries must have an authorised signatory.
Q: What is the difference between a project manager and the authorised signatory?
A: The project manager produces applications and reports while the authorised signatory signs and submits them in the online monitoring system.
For security reasons, the same person cannot both produce and submit documents to our Programme.
In reality, this is not any different from your normal working practice, where a project manager in an organisation draws up all project related documents while eg. a director not directly involved in the project has the authority to sign them on behalf of the organisation.
The only difference is that this procedure happens electronically through our online monitoring system.
Q: What are the responsibilities of the lead beneficiary's authorised signatory?
A: Besides the above-mentioned responsibilities of any beneficiary's authorised signatory, the lead beneficiary's authorised signatory is the person who signs and submits the project application, contract and compiled reports in the online monitoring system on behalf of the project partnership.
Q: What are the responsibilities of a beneficiary's authorised signatory?
A: A beneficiary's authorised signatory is the person who signs and submits documents, such as periodic reports, on behalf of an individual beneficiary organisation.
Q: How do I assign an authorised signatory to my organisation?
A: Both the lead beneficiary and beneficiary organisations of a project partnership must assign an authorised signatory to be able to submit formal documents to the North Sea Region Programme through the online monitoring system.
Assigning an authorised signatory is a process, which includes sending a signed version of the 'Appointment of authorised signatory' document by post. This document is available through the online monitoring system.
Once the Joint Secretariat has received the signed document, a pin code is issued and returned by post. The pin is used to activate the account in the online monitoring system. Once this is done, the authorised signatory can sign electronically on behalf of his or her organisation.
Q: Who can appoint the authorised signatory?
A: A superior officer who has the legal authority to appoint the authorised signatory to make financial commitments on behalf of the organisation.
Q: Can the same person be the authorised signatory for several NSR projects?
A: Yes. If your organisation has once appointed an authorised signatory, that same person can be the authorised signatory for any projects your organisation may have in the North Sea Region Programme. What you need to do for the following projects is invite the authorised signatory through the online monitoring system and he/she will automatically be connected to the project in question. Sending in papers only needs to be done the first time the person is appointed.
Q: Can a lead beneficiary or beneficiary have more than one authorised signatory at a time?
A: Yes. Please remember that each authorised signatory must be invited through the online monitoring system and appointed individually by filling in the 'Appointment of authorised signatory' form which can be found in the online monitoring system.
Q: What happens if your organisation needs to replace an authorised signatory?
A: The new authorised signatory will need to go through the full appointment process.
Please find further information and guidance material in our programme manual.