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What’s Next? – 10 Steps to Becoming a Third-Party Auditor

Congratulations once again on successfully completing your CQI and IRCA Certified Lead Auditor course with SEQM Training.
This is a significant achievement and an important first step in your auditing career journey.

Many of our delegates naturally ask, “What’s next?”, particularly those looking to become third-party auditors with Certification Bodies (CBs).

This page will help you explore potential career pathways and take confident next steps.

Career Pathways May Include:

  • Third-Party Lead Auditor: Conducting certification audits on behalf of CBs.
  • Internal Auditor: Many organisations employ certified Lead Auditors to conduct internal audits of their ISO management systems to ensure that it remains suitable, compliant, and fully operational.
  • ISO Consultant: Supporting organisations in achieving or improving their ISO Management Systems.
  • Supplier Auditor: Some companies employ Lead Auditors to assess the ISO management systems of their suppliers to ensure they meet the required standard.
  • Freelance Auditor: Working independently with multiple clients or CBs, offering services requiring external support audits.

10 Steps to Becoming a Third-Party Auditor

  • Passing a CQI and IRCA Certified Lead Auditor Course and Exam is an essential step towards becoming a third-party Lead Auditor. 
    • It demonstrates your understanding of the standard, audit principles and practices, and this knowledge forms the foundation for your auditing competence.
  • Most certification bodies require you to have practical experience in the specific field or sector related to your chosen ISO standard. This may involve:
    • Working in a role that involves quality assurance, compliance, or management systems.
    • Understanding organisational processes and procedures.
    • Developing knowledge of the industry sector you wish to audit.
  • Maintain good professional relationships, especially with mentors/senior management teams who can validate your character and competence to prospective CBs.
  • Once you have sufficient experience, you are eligible to apply to become a registered auditor with the IRCA.
  • Apply for IRCA membership at a grade appropriate to your experience (e.g., Provisional Auditor, Auditor, or Lead Auditor). Visit: https://www.quality.org/irca
  • We’ve also included a helpful “IRCA Auditor Progression Pathway” infographic for your reference (see the block at the footer of this page).
    • This visual guide outlines the qualifications, experience requirements, and typical career progression for each auditor grade from Associate Auditor through to Principal Auditor.
  • Important Note:
    • Becoming an IRCA Registered Certified Auditor is not a mandatory requirement to conduct 3rd party audits, but adds weight and credibility to your CV or resume. That is optional and something you can apply for later once practical experience has been gained.
    • SEQM have trained many Lead Auditors who have passed the CQI and IRCA Lead Auditor Courses who are now working as successful auditors but are not IRCA Registered Certified Auditors.
    • However, we recommend referring to the “IRCA Auditor Progression Pathway” infographic to understand the knowledge and experience recommended by IRCA to perform at each level.
  • Begin gaining hands-on experience by participating in audits, even in supporting roles.
  • Practical exposure to real audit environments is essential for building confidence and competence.
  • Therefore consider:
    • Volunteering for internal audits at your workplace.
    • Assisting qualified auditors on external assignments.
    • Starting with smaller audits or low-risk clients to build up experience.
  • Experience at this stage is valuable regardless of the size or complexity of the audit. It helps you apply theory in practice and prepares you for more formal assessments later.
  • If you have no experience, then you may need to initially offer your services free of charge until you build up your portfolio.
  • Start maintaining a personal log of all audits you participate in, which should include the audit type, scope, your role, dates, and the CB and client names.
  • This serves as valuable evidence for your auditing career, IRCA progression and future employers.
  • Certification bodies typically require new auditors to undergo witnessed audits, where an experienced lead auditor observes and evaluates your performance during a live audit.
  • This step is crucial to demonstrate your ability to:
    • Conduct audits competently and professionally.
    • Apply ISO standards accurately and consistently.
    • Communicate findings clearly, constructively, and in alignment with audit objectives.
  • These witnessed assessments are often a gateway to becoming a formally recognised auditor with a certification body.
  • When applying for employment with certification bodies or employer auditing posts, it is essential to tailor your CV and cover letter to satisfy the exact role requirements.
  • Research the organisation thoroughly, including their specific requirements and selection process.
  • Emphasise sector-specific experience, technical knowledge, and relevant qualifications.
  • Highlight your soft skills (e.g., communication, impartiality, analytical thinking), which are crucial for auditors.
  • Attend local CQI and IRCA branch events, industry webinars, or ISO-related forums.
  • Join professional networks on LinkedIn, podcasts or auditing-specific groups to discover opportunities.
  • Stay up to date with ISO standard updates, sector-specific risks, and auditing best practices.
  • CPD demonstrates your commitment to staying relevant and is often a requirement for CQI and IRCA progression.
  • To audit effectively, it’s essential to not only understand the clauses of ISO standards but also how they are interpreted and implemented across different industries.
  • Consider:
    • Reading the relevant ISO standard(s) thoroughly and repeatedly.
    • Reviewing sector-specific guidelines and best practices (e.g., ISO 9001 in construction vs. manufacturing).
    • Following ISO-related publications, articles, and case studies.
    • Seeking opportunities to observe how management systems operate in different business environments.
  • Consider professional indemnity and public liability insurances to protect yourself when conducting audit activities.
  • This will cover auditors for negligence and protect against claims made for injury, property damage while on client premises, errors, or omissions in the advice or services provided.
  • It pays for legal fees as well as any compensation which you may be liable for in the event of an allegation of professional negligence.

Certification Bodies & Opportunities

  • To assist your search, please find below a reference table listing both UKAS and non-UKAS certification bodies and recruitment platforms where auditor opportunities are often listed.
  • The certification bodies listed are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement or recommendation from SEQM Training.
  • We strongly recommend that you contact certification bodies directly to obtain current and detailed information about their auditor registration programmes.
  • We encourage you to conduct your own research and due diligence when selecting a certification body.

IRCA Auditor
Progression Pathway

Auditor Progression Requirements Visual Guide
This visual guide outlines the qualifications, experience and other career progression requirements for each auditor grade from Associate Auditor through to Principal Auditor…

Find Out More >

Certification Bodies &
Opportunities List

Certification Bodies

Certification Bodies Contact List
This handy summary list provides both UKAS and non-UKAS certification bodies. It also references recruitment platforms where auditor opportunities are often listed. Its a great source of contacts for your career progression…

Find Out More >

CQI & IRCA
Membership

CQI and IRCA Membership

CQI and IRCA Membership Discount
Take your quality or auditing career to the next level by becoming a CQI & IRCA member today.
No application fee if you apply for CQI or IRCA membership within 16 weeks of completing your course…

Find Out More >

We hope you find this information helpful as you take the next step in your auditing career.
If you have any further general questions, please contact us.

We wish you every success in your auditing career and thank you for choosing SEQM Training for your professional development.