Where Can an ISO Auditing Career Take You?

Where Can an ISO Auditing Career Take You? More Places Than You Think.

Internal Auditor is a great start – now explore where your strengths can take you.

I started my ISO career as a quality manager and internal auditor, as I’m sure many of you have. I had already worked as a trainer in the company and was excited to step into the quality manager role. Starting as an internal auditor gave me a solid foundation for future opportunities. Since then, I’ve worked as a consultant, trainer, certification auditor and now a coach.

There are so many directions you can take in this field. Most people don’t realise how many career options exist because they only see the role they’re currently in. Let’s take a closer look at what’s possible for you.

“Careers are a jungle gym, not a ladder.”
– Sheryl Sandberg (former COO, Meta and author of Lean In.)

The demand for ISO professionals isn’t slowing down. Research has reported that the global market for ISO certification is forecast to reach US$13.1 billion in 2025 and keep growing to US$28.4 billion by 2032.

Organisations across the world are relying on management systems to improve performance, manage risk and meet customer expectations. More systems mean more audits, more expertise and more career opportunities for those who can lead the work.

What’s next in your ISO career?

You’ve got the skills … now get the clarity! Take the quiz now to uncover your next step in the iso world.

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Where Do You Sit Today? Where Could You Go Next?

So, what do your possibilities look like in practice?

There isn’t just one path in this industry. Your internal auditing experience can lead into different roles depending on your strengths, interests and where you want to make an impact. The most common career options include Internal Auditor, Lead Auditor, Certification Auditor and Consultant. Each role overlaps in skills, knowledge and responsibilities, but the focus and opportunities shift as you grow.

Below is a simple way to think about these paths and how they connect.

Internal Auditor

You focus on your own organisation, checking whether processes are being followed and where improvements can be made. This role builds your technical confidence, auditing skills and knowledge of the standard from the inside. It’s the starting point for most people because it gives you practical understanding before taking those skills out into the wider industry.

Lead Auditor

You progress to planning audits, leading audit teams and managing the audit program. You take responsibility for the full audit process. You can be a Lead Auditor internally or externally - what matters is the increased capability and leadership in audit delivery.

Certification Auditor

The role becomes external and independent. You work for a certification body and assess whether organisations meet the requirements of the standard. You still use your Lead Auditor skills, but now your decisions influence certification outcomes.

Consultant

You support organisations to design, implement and improve their management systems. Your experience from auditing becomes invaluable in helping others build systems that work well in practice and will stand up to assessment. Many consultants were once certification auditors — they’ve seen countless systems and know what good looks like.

You don’t have to stay where you started. With the right skills and the confidence to take the next step, your internal auditing experience can lead to new opportunities and new ways to contribute within the ISO industry.

Next Steps

1.    Decide where you want to grow.

Internal leadership? Audit delivery? Consulting? Certification? Pick one direction to explore first.

2.    Check your current competency.

Identify gaps in knowledge, experience or confidence. This could be training, shadowing, mentoring … whatever strengthens those gaps.

3.    Get the qualification that aligns with your next move.

• Internal Auditor → Lead Auditor qualification
• Lead Auditor → Certification Auditor or consulting skills
• Consultant → deeper practical and leadership capability

4.    Get experience that counts.

Volunteer for audits, lead part of an audit, assist a consultant or take on a project that stretches your skills.

5.    Build your professional profile.

Connect with people already in the role you want. Join the networks, conversations and visibility that support your next step. 

Lead Auditor Management Systems

AU$1,195.00

The Lead Auditor Management Systems course is designed for those aiming to conduct and lead audits across different sectors on a global scale. This comprehensive training covers skills for auditing in line with ISO Standards, suitable for work with Certification Bodies. Participants will learn through structured modules, encompassing all audit phases from initiation to reporting, complemented by the ATOL Extended Learning Program for enhanced understanding.

Learn more

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