Auditing Outsourced Audits

Many organizations have chosen to outsource the internal audits of their management system. They do this for a variety of reasons:

  • use of more competent and experienced auditors
  • no more training auditors and then replacing them
  • volunteer auditors can be kept at their regular jobs
  • more impartial, objective auditors and audit reports
  • emphasis on evaluating effectiveness of processes
  • focus on identifying opportunities for improvement
However, you still need to ensure that an outsourced audit meets requirements. The external auditor may ask for evidence that you’ve audited the outsourced audit. Consider verifying that:

  • all functional areas in the scope were covered
  • all applicable standard clauses were addressed
  • audit conducted on schedule and procedure followed
  • agenda considered importance, changes, and prior results
  • any open prior audit nonconformities were closed
  • auditor is competent, e.g., record of auditor certification
  • provider of outsourced audit is on approved supplier list
What about verification of a corrective action request from an outsourced audit? An authorized person can verify that the corrective action was effective in preventing recurrence of the nonconformity. The outsourced auditor can confirm and close the nonconformity through the remote review of evidence or at the next scheduled audit.

Want an outsourced audit?

If you’re tired of pleading for internal auditors to be made available, or weary of coaxing people to be trained as auditors, or question the value of your current audit program, then please request a quote from us for an outsourced internal audit.

We can maintain your audit schedule and assign experienced auditors to perform the internal audits. If an area needs to be audited longer or more often based on the results, we’ll adjust the audit schedule, but stay within the agreed to total number of audit days.

We’ll use your audit procedure and forms, or if preferred, we can use our audit forms. We’ll verify any corrective actions have been satisfactorily completed when we conduct your next audit. Our goal will be to find any process nonconformities before they are identified by your certification body, or worse yet, cause product or service failures. Of course, all audits are limited due to the sampling involved.

Our auditors will arrange to review the appropriate documents in advance and be well prepared to carry out an efficient and effective audit. We treat your employees with respect and focus on the business process being performed, not just the clauses of the standard. Our nonconformity reports identify the applicable requirements and clearly describe the objective evidence of the nonconformity.

To receive a quote, call Larry Whittington at 770-862-1766, or send him an email: larry@whittingtonassociates.com.