Obtaining a Certification for Internal Auditing

[AirdrieQPA]

I came into the auditing world through a backdoor, the Canadian Air force. When we (that is the royal we) chose to depart from our traditional QA functions and adopt the Air force version of ISO 9000, I was sent to the Edmonton Garrison for the following training, ISO Preparation and Policy Writing, Auditors course and Lead Auditors course. This course was run by QMI on behalf of the crown. As with all military courses, I was not awarded a certificate, that would have made me realize my true potential, but the military course certificate proved valuable when I was released from the CF due to an accident that left me somewhat disabled.

I was also given an SPC course by the university of Manitoba on behalf of the crown, again no certificate but I did get a military course document, that companies recognized. As for my technical experience, I was granted in excess of 1500 hours of experience above and beyond what Transport Canada required for AME licencing, I did not chose that route but their approval of my required hours and excess hours allowed me to be registered with CAMC as a recognized Avionics technician.

Now I have my ASQ Certification as an CQT, and my local cell said while having the auditors certification would be a nice addition, I have already met the requirements of Internal Auditing, and have more than enough IA's under my belt, over one hundred in the last five years.

The BSI registrar who certified our company stated that my auditing skills where outstanding and bordered on excessive, but said that I more than met the requirement of an Internal Auditor and had no concerns over my ability and suggested the professional certification may be beneficial if I ever wanted to join an organization like BSI, research states it would be mandatory.

My point is having a certificate and having the skills are sometimes miles apart.

[Sidney Vianna]

In Reply to Parent Post by AirdrieQPA

stated that my auditing skills where outstanding and bordered on excessive,

Excessive auditing skills? That is the first time I've heard of that...

[Jim Wynne]

Maybe the auditor said his auditing was excellent but bordered on excessive.

[Jennifer Kirley]

In Reply to Parent Post by Jim Wynne

Maybe the auditor said his auditing was excellent but bordered on excessive.

I believe I've been accused of that.

[AndyN]

In Reply to Parent Post by AirdrieQPA

The BSI registrar who certified our company stated that my auditing skills where outstanding and bordered on excessive, but said that I more than met the requirement of an Internal Auditor and had no concerns over my ability

If this is an accurate statement, what the heck were they thinking? "Outstanding" and 'bordering on excessive" seem to me to be diametrically opposite. "More than met the requirement" - compared to which requirement? doesn't the organization specify that in its QMS? Did the auditor mean that?

I sometimes think auditors say things that don't bear too much analysis (or action!)

[auditrookie]

Hi Andy, I'm studying for the ASQ CQA - I have the ASQ Auditing handbook but I want to buy a practice exam -
would you recommend the CQI Primer or the ASQ web-based Question Bank?

ASQ is more expensive but I have heard the CQI exam is good. I just talked to CQI and they said that their exam is outdated but still good. I like the idea of being able to bring the primer with me to the exam - don't know if you can do that w/the web-based question bank.

what would you recommend?

[fletch]

In Reply to Parent Post by auditrookie

I like the idea of being able to bring the primer with me to the exam - don't know if you can do that w/the web-based question bank.

lol, two lap tops!

[treesei]

I am not sure about the ASQ CQA. I had a colleague who was a very good (in statistics and data analysis) quality engineer, CQE of course. After self studying the materials, she went on to take the CQA exam and passed. While feeling glad for her, I had my doubt. She barely had any real life auditing (internal or external) experience. She passed because she was a good student of books IMHO.

So I echo what someone said here earlier: Having a cert and being a good auditor is miles apart. A cert only means someone has read and remembered the principles of auditing. A good auditor needs much more, including a right personality.