Career Path of an Auditor

So, you have completed the first step of training Where can this training now take you? What opportunities are there out there, now and in the future?

It's Only the Beginning...

So, you’re interested in becoming an auditor and have completed the first step of training (see How to become an Auditor).

Where can this training now take you?

What opportunities are there out there, now and in the future?

There are various different career paths that can be taken which all provide rewarding and challenging career options.

1. Internal auditor

The role of an internal auditor can include the:

• • management of audit programmes/schedules
  • management of internal audit teams
  • conduct of audits to review the organizations own systems
  • completing audit reports
  • reporting audit results to management and staff

Essentially an internal auditor reviews the internal system of the organization they are auditing and conduct the audit on behalf of that organization.

2. Certification auditor

From a different perspective, certification auditors are conducting audits on behalf of a certification body to determine whether the organization is compliant (or not) to agreed criteria which is normally an international standard such as ISO 9001 Quality management systems or ISO 14001 Environmental management systems.  

3. Legislation auditor

Sometimes an auditor will be employed to conduct audits against stated legislation. This is normally conducted through regulators or government departments. This legislation will be the criteria that the audit is conducted against and may include Health & Safety legislation or environmental legislation.

4. Supplier auditor

Supplier audits can also be referred to as 2^nd party audits. When suppliers are contracted to provide specific goods or services, there is normally an Agreement or Contract of Requirements. A Supplier auditor will conduct an audit against this Agreement or Contract to determine compliance has been met or not.

5. Consultant

And finally, all of these types of audits can be provided if you are looking at working for yourself as a consultant and offering auditing as one of your services. All of the above audits can be conducted by a ‘consultant’ provided the training and competency requirements have still been met.

As you can see there are many opportunities for auditors at all levels and across all industry types. What a great way to learn something new every day!

For more information on training options and courses click here.

Image credits: iStockphoto.com