Not every draft benefits from an immediate financial audit of applications. We decline or postpone engagements when the packet is still a moving target, because findings would expire before you could act on them.
Placeholder totals
If major cost categories still say “TBD” or use round estimates that the team expects to replace, wait. An auditor marking every placeholder as a risk produces noise, not a filing plan.
Competing versions
Two live budget workbooks with different filenames and no freeze date are a red flag. Choose one source of truth, then book the review.
Missing rules excerpt
Without the programme or lender checklist, eligibility and category tests become guesswork. We ask for the rules before the clock starts — not as bureaucracy, but so findings cite the same text your reviewers will use.
If you are unsure whether your packet is ready, send the outline first. A short scoping reply is cheaper than a paused engagement mid-week.