Working for multiple CB's (Certification Bodies)

A

Auditman64

Hi Gang,

I have a very direct question that may seem incredibly stupid to ask but I'm brand new to the world of contract work, and I'm very puzzled as to how you seasoned folks manage your time while being employed by multiple registrars.

I'm seriously considering signing a contract with one particular registrar at this time but I'd like to leave my options flexible.

I've been told by many auditors that they work for multiple CB's but now that I'm entering all of this for myself I'm not sure how they're able to do it.

There are only roughly 20 "available working days" per month.

If I commit to one CB for a guaranteed 14 days per month, that doesn't leave me much flexibility, time or room to work for anybody else.

How do guys manage this....?

Any & all answers are welcome, thanks....
 

dsanabria

Quite Involved in Discussions
Hi Gang,

I have a very direct question that may seem incredibly stupid to ask but I'm brand new to the world of contract work, and I'm very puzzled as to how you seasoned folks manage your time while being employed by multiple registrars.

I'm seriously considering signing a contract with one particular registrar at this time but I'd like to leave my options flexible.

I've been told by many auditors that they work for multiple CB's but now that I'm entering all of this for myself I'm not sure how they're able to do it.

There are only roughly 20 "available working days" per month.

If I commit to one CB for a guaranteed 14 days per month, that doesn't leave me much flexibility, time or room to work for anybody else.

How do guys manage this....?

Any & all answers are welcome, thanks....

To you question - the veterans have learned the following:

1. Go as a contractor - you are in charge of your schedule.

2. Not every CB has enough work to keep you busy 5 days a week.

3. Remember that you need to travel and write reports so a typical week is travel on Sunday work Monday or 2, 3 4 or 5 days and return.

4. Veterans have learn not to put all of your eggs into one basket - their is a hole in it and after 6 month you will see it.

5. Manage your schedule (take time off) so that you don't burn out.

6. Look for work as a consultant - it keeps the change of pace interesting and gives your brain a rest.

Hope this helped.
 
Last edited:

Randy

Super Moderator
Can you audit more than one scheme?

I'm so busy I have to turn down work myself
 
A

Auditman64

At present, I'm certified to audit AS9100 Rev D but the long term plan is to get into consulting, and being able to audit to other schemes as I grow my certification portfolio.

What you say strikes a chord though, in that, I assumed that auditors would have to turn work down if you're simultaneously working for more than one CB.

In other words, If I'm working for a particular CB at a certain rate per day, and that particular CB has guaranteed me so many days of "audit face time":

A.) How exactly do I fit other work in from other registrars during the slow periods, or when there is no work from my main source of income without appearing ineffective or unreliable?

B.) How does one do this without running the risk of aggravating either CB, and possibly losing work?

I would assume that all CB's would want available auditors to be ready & available for work whenever the occasion arises, and not just at the end of the month or a few days a month.

Forgive the questions & random thoughts but my brain is always in "overtime mode" when it comes to these types of dilemmas.

Thanks for the reply......
 

Sidney Vianna

Post Responsibly
Leader
Admin
Be aware some CB's are notorious for slow payments. Some CBs are notorious for non value added bureaucratic requirements. Just the fact you post this thread will get you some private messages from CB reps offering you jobs.

Good luck.
 

dsanabria

Quite Involved in Discussions
Be aware some CB's are notorious for slow payments. Some CBs are notorious for non value added bureaucratic requirements. Just the fact you post this thread will get you some private messages from CB reps offering you jobs.

Good luck.

Thanks Sidney

I would also add that they are desperate for auditors and they would promise the world - be careful.... you might spend hours in getting your documents up to speed so that it could be rejected by a zealous technical reviewer.

You might also think that you are getting your check in 15 days but 30 days or more - you are wondering where is it.

Your schedule is all over the place while you know you could do the guys next door without spending too much time away from family, home or friends.
 

Golfman25

Trusted Information Resource
All good information, and I promise I'm taking notes....

What our auditor did was treat us like clients. We would schedule our audits with here during our current audit. That we she basically had the next 6 months to a year mapped out. Do that enough times and you could schedule most of the year.
 

Sidney Vianna

Post Responsibly
Leader
Admin
We would schedule our audits with here during our current audit.
There is a huge risk when auditors manage the audit program, instead of the CB's. This very forum here has horror stories of auditors stopping working for a given CB and the "clients" are left hanging, as the CB had no idea of when audits were scheduled for.

Some CB's rely on the auditors, including independent contractors, to do a lot of admin work that should be done by the CB office personnel themselves. When the auditor becomes unavailable, for whatever reason, there is a crisis in their hands.

Registrants should understand they DON'T contract an auditor. They sign a contract with a CB. Even though the auditor might be the only CB representative they know the face of, having all the communication bottlenecked via the auditor is very risky, in my experience.
 
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