ROYALTY AUDITING
Reveal Inconsistencies.
Identify missing revenue.
WHAT WE DO
End-to-End Royalty Audit expertise.
With over 80 years of combined experience across major labels, publishers, and PROs, our audit team understands the complexities of royalty flows. We run the most royalty audits of any UK practice, with 95% of cases resulting in claims.
We guide clients through the full process, from reviewing agreements and issuing audit notices, through to negotiations and settlement with labels and publishers.
We guide clients through the full process, from reviewing agreements and issuing audit notices, through to negotiations and settlement with labels and publishers.
CAPABILITIES
Traditional and advanced auditing techniques
Streaming-focused audits and DSP expertise
Tailored “desktop” or full scope approaches
Strong industry network and relationships
Decades of deal-reviewing experience
CASE STUDY
Reclaiming Value from a Legacy Catalogue
For globally established artists with careers spanning decades, royalty structures can become highly complex, often involving legacy contracts that were never designed for today’s digital landscape.
In this case, we were engaged to conduct a comprehensive audit across an iconic catalogue, navigating historic agreements and modern revenue streams to ensure the artist’s royalties were accurately reported, fairly allocated, and aligned with their true value.
In this case, we were engaged to conduct a comprehensive audit across an iconic catalogue, navigating historic agreements and modern revenue streams to ensure the artist’s royalties were accurately reported, fairly allocated, and aligned with their true value.
CHALLENGE
Complex legacy agreements
Multiple royalty audits covering recording, publishing, and more, for a musician and songwriter with a career spanning 6 decades and complex agreements covering the catalogue, including contracts that predate digital royalty income.
SOLUTION
Full catalogue audit
Audits were carried out covering the entirety of this high value catalogue to analyse the client’s royalties. This ensured contractual compliance while also aiming to secure the future legacy of the artist.
As well as reviewing royalty statements, we analysed source data, synchronisation income, costs, and deductions.
We carried out in-depth work on all areas to ensure that royalties were being correctly collected and distributed, and we created claims where the reporting did not comply with the contracts.
As well as reviewing royalty statements, we analysed source data, synchronisation income, costs, and deductions.
We carried out in-depth work on all areas to ensure that royalties were being correctly collected and distributed, and we created claims where the reporting did not comply with the contracts.
RESULTS
Seven-figure recovery & modernisation
In addition to submitting successful seven figure audit claims, the audit opened the door to contract negotiations to reflect fairer and more modern deals. Royalty rates, particularly for digital income, became commensurate with their success as one of the most iconic artists and writers in the world.
MEET THE TEAM
Decades of experience, united by one mission.
Y Royalties is guided by leaders who bring deep expertise across music, finance, and operations, ensuring we deliver innovation, integrity, and impact across everything we do.
Gary Groutage
Director, Head of Royalty Audit
Gary is a Director of Y Royalties, and leads the Royalty Audit team, overseeing audits across recording, publishing, distribution, joint venture, and merchandise and mechanical copyright agreements. With over 25 years’ experience in royalties, including 17 years at Universal Music and further senior roles at OJK and C.C. Young & Co., Gary brings deep insight from both sides of the creative industry.
Known for his meticulous and measured approach, he ensures every audit consistently delivers clarity for clients navigating complex royalty landscapes.
Known for his meticulous and measured approach, he ensures every audit consistently delivers clarity for clients navigating complex royalty landscapes.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
RECORDING ROYALTIES
DSP Audit Methodology
ROYALTY DATA ENGINEERING
RECORDING ROYALTIES
PUBLISHING ROYALTIES
MECHANICAL COPYRIGHT
MERCHANDISE ROYALTIES
MULTI-FORMAT AUDITING
Andy Elms
associate Director,
Royalty Audit
Andy is Associate Director at Y Royalties, leading the Royalty Audit team. He oversees audits spanning recording, publishing, distribution, merchandising, collection societies, and other income streams, helping clients navigate complex royalty and contractual arrangements with clarity and confidence.
Before joining Y Royalties, Andy was Head of Royalties and Associate Director at OJK Business Management (formerly YMU Business Management). Earlier in his career he held roles at Avalon, Sanctuary Records, Eagle Rock Entertainment, and Warner Music Group.
With over 20 years’ experience across the music and wider entertainment industries, Andy brings deep specialist knowledge into royalties and contract compliance. With a sharp eye for detail and a focus on practical outcomes, Andy translates complex financial data into clear, actionable insight for clients.
Before joining Y Royalties, Andy was Head of Royalties and Associate Director at OJK Business Management (formerly YMU Business Management). Earlier in his career he held roles at Avalon, Sanctuary Records, Eagle Rock Entertainment, and Warner Music Group.
With over 20 years’ experience across the music and wider entertainment industries, Andy brings deep specialist knowledge into royalties and contract compliance. With a sharp eye for detail and a focus on practical outcomes, Andy translates complex financial data into clear, actionable insight for clients.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
recording audits
collection societies
warner music group
contract compliance
Ready to unlock the full value of your data?
Whether you need a full data room audit, bespoke analytics dashboard, or an automated reporting pipeline, our team is ready to help.
Let's start the conversation.
Let's start the conversation.
Y Royalties Ltd. 3rd Floor, The Bloomsbury Building, 10 Bloomsbury Way, London, WC1A 2SL
Registered in England and Wales. Company Number: 13792346
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7291 1690026
© 2026 Y Royalties Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Registered in England and Wales. Company Number: 13792346
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7291 1690026
© 2026 Y Royalties Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
