Internal Auditors Have Real Jobs

[Jackie Jolly]

We conduct audits 4 times a year, auditing in two man teams and covering 6 to 7 elements each time. Our company consists of aprox 150 people on two shifts. I have 12 active auditors, with only 6 (including myself)that don't have to be prodded along. You were right;it was a terrible miscommunication. I thought, "Only 6 audits in one year, what are we doing wrong?" We don't audit 4.4 or 4.19. Our results from our audits have been unbelivable. All of the auditors we have are great. I knew this already but it has been reemphasized by everyone who has visted our small plant. As I stated we only recently received our certification. We did it in 18 months. In those 18 months we did 2 full systems and 2 partials (about 62) This was because we had so far to go. I plan on increasing audits as we find problem areas. These audits don't include all of the Mini-Audits we do. We say it helps us create a measure of readiness.
Let me explain how I've gotten where I am. I think it will shed light on why I am not quite up to speed. I was promoted to this postion from the production floor in December, '98. I have the same training as my auditors. Everything else I've learned has come from much homework. I understand there is "formal" training on the way. I've taken it all in stride and done my best. I agree our system needs improvements. Any suggestions you or others have will be greatly appreciated.

[This message has been edited by Jackie Jolly (edited 06 December 1999).]

 

[barb butrym]

Its a tough road but the value ( ergo...fun) is in the journey, not the prize.

Feel free to ask away...the only dumb question is teh one not asked !!!! there is loads of experience here, use it.

all the best...you've done well

 

[Jackie Jolly]

This truly has been a great adventure! But I've received help from a lot of great people, including the Lead Auditor at our Corporate Office and my Management Rep. Without them I would have fallen on my face long ago.

 

[Dusty]

Well here we go.....have read this thread and others over the months. Took and passed the lead auditor course 5 months ago, and am now directed to be the lead auditor for next week besides my regular duties as machinist leaderman. Have mixed feelings about this, as the experience of one training audit during class, I feel, is not enough. When voicing my concerns to the MR, it was explained away as "We have to start somewhere." There were six of us that passed the exam and all have now been scheduled to do 1 week assignments with different auditors during the course of the coming year. Plan to give it my best attempt, learn from my mistakes and hope everything comes out for the good. Will keep all interested, posted. Any comments, suggestions, and/or words of advice from the veterans would be greatly appreciated. BTW, am scheduled to audit 4.1 and 4.2 in various areas within our depot maintenance center. (Government-Civil Service)

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Richard T.(Dusty)Rhoads, Jr.

 

[Kevin Mader]

Dusty,

Your concerns are valid. I also agree that having a course and sending you out without having done a series of audits as a support auditor, is't fair preparation. I also understand the concerns of management, being able to give you adequate time to prepare and the need for your services places them in a Catch 22.

Yet, who created this Catch? And if management is truly committed to the improvement of the organization, why not commit to giving auditors in training adequate time to prepare? Doesn't it make the most basic of sense?

I read a post here about grabbing the Bull by the Horns. This is just more of the same. For the record though Dusty, you received more training than do most Internal Auditors, at least it appears more intensive (5 day Lead Auditor training program). Many organizations hire groups who come in and give a day long seminar where candidates are placed into a position to learn it all in a matter of 8 hours (how ludicrous is that). But additionally, the fact that you are a thinker, aware of the shortcomings in the system, you are given an advantage. You realize the bounds that are placed on you, and I think that this will allow you to succeed and avoid the pitfalls others will make (such as boxing yourself into a corner).

I wish you all the best in your upcoming audit.

Kevin