Can external quality consultant carry out internal audit?

[MVladimir]

I am an external quality consultant in company. Can I officially carry out internal audit in this company and sign internal audit documents during preparation for registrar audit? My doubts are: “Auditors can not audit their own work....”
Thanks!
MVladimir

[JRKH]

In Reply to Parent Post by MVladimir

I am an external quality consultant in company. Can I officially carry out internal audit in this company and sign internal audit documents during preparation for registrar audit? My doubts are: “Auditors can not audit their own work....”
Thanks!
MVladimir

It depends on what you did as a consultant. Do you have resposnsibility for any of the areas in the company? Any of the procedures and documents? Then there would be a conflict of interest and I would say no, you can't audit those areas.

If you are merely doing reviews and making suggestions, then I see no real impediment.

My main question would be why does the company want you to do the audits insteas of their own personnel?

James

[D.Scott]

Simple answer - Yes, you can do an internal audit for someone as a consultant. You are not auditing your own work while doing a normal audit. I guess there is a possibility this might happen though but it would have to be something unusual. If you feel there is a conflict, you could have someone else do that part of the audit for you. Let us know what you think might cause a problem and we can give you our opinion. I, and others here, conduct internal audits for a number of clients.

Dave

[MVladimir]

Thanks for your reply! I have not responsibility of any areas in the company, because I am not an employee of this company.
The root problem of company is: internal auditors have not sufficient experience.
MVladimir

[JRKH]

In Reply to Parent Post by MVladimir

Thanks for your reply! I have not responsibility of any areas in the company, because I am not an employee of this company.
The root problem of company is: internal auditors have not sufficient experience.
MVladimir

Will you be having internal auditors working with you?
Sounds like an excellent way to get them experience.

James

[MVladimir]

I agree.
Internal auditors are working with me.
MVladimir

[Don Palmer]

In Reply to Parent Post by MVladimir

Thanks for your reply! I have not responsibility of any areas in the company, because I am not an employee of this company. The root problem of company is: internal auditors have not sufficient experience. MVladimir

Some years ago, when my company was preparing for ISO certification, our consultant participated with us in several internal audits. These audits served multiple purpose. A form of 'gap analysis', and 'auditor training' for in company employees.

This was accomplished prior to registration. We were up front with our registrar auditors about it and they had no problem accepting these initial audit results, and how they were dealt with in management review. Our first audits, management reviews and internal auditor training were all considered effective at the time of our initial certification assessment.

We all have to start somewhere.

[D.Scott]

One thing you must bear in mind -

You, as a consultant, will not be allowed to participate in the certification audit. Your client will need someone with enough knowledge of the quality system to be able to represent them at the audit.

Dave