Internal Auditor Courses

What is an ISO Internal Auditor?

ISO Internal auditors play pivotal roles throughout the audit process, starting with the crucial responsibility of planning and preparation. 

In the initial audit phase, internal auditors define the audit’s scope, objectives, and criteria, laying the groundwork for a focused and efficient examination.  They then conduct risk assessments to identify potential areas of non-conformance and inefficiency within organizational processes.  This risk-focused approach guides their audit activities, ensuring a targeted and comprehensive evaluation.

Internal auditors gather evidence and assess compliance against established criteria in the actual audit phase.  This includes interviewing personnel, reviewing documents, and observing processes. They also discuss the audit objectives, expectations, and findings with auditees, encouraging collaboration and a constructive atmosphere throughout the audit process.

Once they’re done with the auditing, they conduct a thorough analysis and evaluation of collected evidence to determine the effectiveness and compliance of organizational processes.  With this, internal auditors make sure that they not only identify non-conformities but actively seek improvement opportunities.

Lastly, internal auditors make sure that they document results accurately and comprehensively so they can provide recommendations for corrective actions or improvements.  They may also participate in follow-up activities to verify the implementation of corrective actions.  As a result, organizational responsiveness to identified issues is ensured.

What is the Difference Between an ISO Internal Auditor and an Internal Auditor?

When people talk about internal auditors, they typically refer to auditors working in the financial sector. This association comes from internal auditors working in the financial sector, often having a visible and well-defined role due to the strict regulatory requirements and the critical nature of their industry’s financial controls and risk management.

However, the scope of internal auditing goes far beyond the financial sector.

ISO internal auditors can work in a wide variety of industries, from manufacturing to healthcare, automotive to energy services, and food services to information security, among other examples. They carefully assess whether the organization’s operations align with the strict criteria and principles set by international standards relevant to the said fields.

In contrast, non-ISO internal auditors examine a more comprehensive range of rules and systems. They check many different sectoral standards, internal rules, and industry-specific laws or unique quality systems requirements that a company may use. Their audits ensure the company follows all these rules and meets specific industry standards, not just ISO ones.

What Types of Industries do ISO Internal Auditors Work in?

ISO internal auditors can find work in various industries where adherence to international standards is critical for ensuring quality, compliance, and operational efficiency.

Some good examples of industries that frequently require the services of skilled ISO internal auditors are the following:

• Construction and Engineering: This sector heavily relies on ISO standards like ISO 9001 (Quality Management Systems) to improve processes and ensure quality in construction projects. Industries that can involve high-risk activities also prioritize ISO 45001 to ensure a safe work environment, reduce workplace accidents, and manage occupational health risks. Internal auditors help in maintaining compliance and improving operational efficiency in these industries.
• Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals: Compliance with ISO standards such as ISO 13485 (Medical Devices), ISO 9001 (Quality Management), and ISO 45001 are essential in ensuring patient and staff safety, quality healthcare services, and efficient management systems in these industries. ISO internal auditors make sure that this happens.
• Manufacturing and Industrial Sectors: Industries involved in manufacturing processes, production, and industrial operations need internal auditors who can successfully implement ISO 14001 to manage environmental impacts, reduce waste, and ensure sustainable practices.
• Information Technology (IT) and Cybersecurity: With ISO 27001 (Information Security Management) as a critical standard, the IT industry relies on ISO internal auditors to assess and enhance information security systems, data protection measures, and cybersecurity protocols.
• Financial Services: Adherence to standards like ISO 9001 (Quality Management) and ISO 27001 (Information Security) is crucial in financial institutions for ensuring service quality, risk management, and data security. ISO internal auditors help maintain compliance in these areas.
• Aerospace and Defense: Industries requiring strict quality control and safety standards, such as aviation and defense, adhere to ISO 9001 and AS9100 standards. ISO internal auditors are vital in ensuring compliance with these complex requirements.

• Energy and Utilities: ISO 50001 (Energy Management) and other ISO standards are crucial for efficient energy management and environmental sustainability in the energy sector. ISO internal auditors assist in monitoring compliance and implementing these energy-saving practices.
• Food and Beverage: Compliance with food safety standards like ISO 22000 is vital in ensuring the safety and quality of food products. ISO internal auditors verify adherence to these standards within the food and beverage industry.

What is ISO Internal Auditor Training?

ISO Internal Auditor Training is a program designed to teach learners how to conduct internal audits of management systems based on various ISO standards. The training typically covers the principles, procedures, and techniques of auditing, allowing participants to assess whether an organization’s management system complies with ISO standards and effectively identify areas for improvement.

What are Internal Auditor Courses?

Internal auditor courses are training solutions for management professionals. They’re specifically designed for those who wish to gain the necessary skills and certifications to audit their organization’s management system or carry out supplier audits.

Why is ISO Internal Auditor Training Important?

No matter how big or small an organization is, conducting regular internal audits is important.

For one, this ensures that its management adheres to its own standards of quality. Another is that they are also up-to-date when it comes to the recommended best practices in their specific industry.

Because of this, it is important for organizations to have properly certified internal auditors. This is so they can perform the necessary checks for them whenever necessary.

This is where internal auditor courses can help.

What are the Benefits of Being a Certified Internal Auditor or Having One?

In the ever-evolving landscape of quality management systems, having well-trained ISO internal auditors is beneficial and a necessity for organizations.

Because internal auditors play a crucial role in ensuring an organization’s processes align with ISO standards, investing in their training can yield several benefits.

First and foremost, training equips internal auditors with the knowledge and skills needed to understand and interpret complex ISO standards.  Because these standards are continuously subjected to updates and revisions, staying up-to-date on the latest changes is critical.

Proper training ensures that auditors are familiar with the current standards and prepared to adapt to future updates.

In addition, some standard requirements heavily emphasize different organizations’ unique nature, needs, and capabilities.  Because of this, trained internal auditors can tailor their auditing approach to align with their organization’s specific needs, ensuring that the audit process is not just a checkbox exercise but a valuable tool for continuous improvement.

Moreover, trained internal auditors are equipped with methodologies for planning, conducting, and reporting audits in a systematic and organized manner.  They also possess the interpersonal skills necessary to relay information clearly and constructively.  When all of these are combined, trained internal auditors not only help organizations save time but also enhance audits’ overall effectiveness, leading to more meaningful insights and actionable recommendations.

How to become an ISO Internal Auditor

In general, there are five steps that you need to take to become an ISO-certified Internal Auditor. 

1. Acquire the temperament and personal attributes needed to be a successful Internal Auditor. Ideal attributes for internal auditors include being ethical, open-minded, diplomatic, observant, perceptive, tenacious, decisive, culturally sensitive, able to act with fortitude, etc.
2. Gain the technical experience, subject expertise, supervisory and managerial experience needed to conduct an audit. See a list of 5 benefits of having trained internal auditors.
3. Complete an ISO-certified internal auditor training course. You can choose between a 2-day conventional course or a 12-hour online course.
4. Undertake internal audits as often as possible. Three times a year is considered the minimum number of internal audits needed to maintain auditing skills. 
5. Finally, have yourself evaluated as a competent internal auditor. Typically, this is done by a QHSE Manager or equivalent and recorded in your personal training/competency record.

What knowledge, skills, certifications, or characteristics do you need to become an ISO Internal Auditor?

Education

Although there are no specific academic requirements to become an ISO internal auditor, certain qualifications can give you an advantage if you are considering pursuing a career in this field. Below are some examples:

• Degree in Quality Management: A degree in Quality Management or Quality Assurance will give you foundational knowledge of quality principles, process improvement methodologies, and compliance frameworks, allowing you to understand ISO standards and auditing practices better.
• Engineering or Technical Degrees: Degrees in engineering disciplines or other technical fields offer a solid understanding of processes, systems, and technical aspects crucial in the operations of various industries. This knowledge base can be a big help when auditing technical processes and ensuring compliance with ISO standards.
• Environmental Sciences or Sustainability: Degrees in Environmental Sciences, Sustainability, or Environmental Management provide insights into environmental regulations, conservation practices, and sustainability principles that can be helpful in auditing compliance with ISO 14001 standards.
• Business Administration or Management: Degrees in Business Administration or Management offer a broader perspective on organizational structures, strategic planning, and operational frameworks. These are critical for understanding how ISO standards integrate into an organization’s management systems.
• Health and Safety or Occupational Health Sciences: Degrees in Health and Safety or Occupational Health Sciences can provide expertise in workplace safety regulations, risk management, and health-related standards aligned with ISO 45001 requirements.
• Laboratory Sciences or Metrology: Degrees in Laboratory Sciences, Metrology, or similar fields can greatly help aspiring auditors targeting ISO 17025 standards. Understanding laboratory procedures, testing methods, and quality control principles is essential in this field.

Specialized Training

Specialized training designed to provide comprehensive knowledge and practical skills aligned with the requirements of specific ISO standards is crucial for individuals aiming to become proficient ISO internal auditors. These can include the following:

• ISO Internal Auditor Training Courses: These courses offer fundamental knowledge of ISO standards, auditing principles, methodologies, and practices specific to various ISO standards like ISO 9001 (Quality Management), ISO 14001 (Environmental Management), ISO 27001 (Information Security Management), and others. They cover topics such as audit planning, execution, reporting, and corrective action procedures.
• Lead Auditor Training Programs: Lead Auditor training programs go beyond basic auditing techniques and explore the nuances of managing and leading audit processes. Aspiring auditors who participate in this training become proficient in conducting audits and effectively directing and supervising audit teams.

Note that both ISO internal and lead auditor training programs provide flexible learning options that allow individuals to attend traditional classroom-based classes or opt for on-demand, self-paced online training sessions via a learning management system. 

• Industry-Specific Training: Some training programs specialize in specific industries or sectors and build content around the unique challenges and requirements of those industries. For example, industry-specific training for healthcare, manufacturing, construction, or information technology sectors provides focused insights and case studies relevant to those industries.
• In-house Training by Certification Bodies or Consultancies: Some certification bodies and consulting firms offer in-house training programs to address an organization’s specific needs. These training sessions are conducted within the company’s premises or virtually for its employees. They typically involve in-depth discussions, case studies, and practical examples directly relevant to the organization’s operations.

Certifications

Several certification grades are available for individuals aspiring to become ISO internal auditors. These include:

• Internal Auditor Certifications: Specialist Training Providers offer internal auditor certifications tailored to specific ISO standards. These certifications validate individuals’ abilities to conduct internal audits, assess conformity, and drive continual improvement within organizations.
• Lead Auditor Certifications: Various Training Providers offer certifications for lead auditors in different ISO standards. These certifications emphasize advanced auditing techniques, leadership in audit processes, managing audit teams, and overseeing complex audits.
  
• Certifications in Industry-Specific Standards: Training Providers might provide certifications specific to certain industries or sectors built around the same principles as specific ISO standards.  Some examples include Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) for the healthcare industry (ISO 9001), IATF 16949 Certification for the automotive industry (ISO 9001), AS9100 Certification for the aerospace and defense industries (ISO 9001), and FSSC 22000 (Food Safety System Certification) for the food industry (ISO 22000).

Professional Development and Work Experience

Developing expertise as an ISO internal auditor requires a blend of professional development and hands-on experience. For example, regular participation in internal audits can get you valuable experience in compliance and process improvement.
Additionally, shadowing experienced auditors in the workplace can provide invaluable practical exposure to auditing methodologies and compliance frameworks.

Does Internal Auditor Certification Apply to All Standards?

No. An internal auditor trained in the requirements of ISO 9001, the quality system standard, is not equipped to audit against the requirements of, say, ISO 14001, the environmental management system standard. This is for the simple reason that the two standards have very different objectives and significantly different detailed requirements.
So, an ISO 9001 Internal Auditor would need additional training (an ISO 14001 Extension Course) before they were capable of conducting an ISO 14001 audit.

What are Extension Courses?

If you are already an internal auditor but would like to extend the scope of your certification, deGRANDSON Global also offers extension courses that would help you upgrade your skills.
See our Extension courses to learn about a cost-effective way to add new standards to the scope of your auditor certification.

Do You Have a Sample Lesson?

Yes. If you are interested in online auditor training but not ready to start yet, we got you covered.
We have a 5 min Trial Lesson that you can take to give you a quick overview of how our online training for ISO courses works.

This includes our e-training methods, our certification process, and the differences among our ISO courses.

It also contains tips on how to find out which course will be appropriate for your needs.

If you have more time and you want to take a closer look at our online courses, you can also check out our more detailed 30 min Trial Lesson.

It contains an actual lesson sample as well as a short sample test that you can try for yourself.

Where to Find More Information if You Want to Become an Internal Auditor

For more in-depth information about ISO internal auditors, we recommend you read ISO 19011:2018, especially:

• Part 7: Competence and evaluation of auditors, and
• Annex A: Additional guidance for auditors planning and conducting audits.

You will also find useful information ar Other ISO Courses.