Glossary

Applicant

Person or training organization seeking certification or approval from IRCA.

Approved training organization

A training organization that has been awarded approved status following successful evaluation against the IRCA approval criteria. (Ref. IRCA/2000)

Audit

A systematic, independent and documented process for obtaining audit evidence and evaluating it objectively to determine the extent to which audit criteria are fulfilled. (Ref. ISO 19011:2002)

Audit client

The person or organization requesting an audit.

(Ref. ISO 19011:2002)

Audit team

Two or more auditors performing an audit, one of whom is appointed as leader.

(Ref. ISO 19011:2002)

Auditee

The organization being audited.

(Ref. ISO 19011:2002)

Auditor

Person with competence to conduct an audit.

(Ref. ISO 19011:2002)

CQI

The Chartered Quality Institute. A membership organization for quality professionals. It is the only institute to recognize quality professionals in the UK.

Certificate

For auditors: a formal display document issued by IRCA (for a small fee) showing that the person named on the document complies with the auditor certification criteria.

For training courses: a formal display document issued by IRCA to IRCA approved training organizations showing that the named course complies with the training course certification criteria. A certificate of approval is also issued to training organisations following successful evaluation against the approval criteria.

Certification

The process by which the applicant is evaluated and awarded certification status.

Certified auditor

An individual auditor who has been evaluated successfully against the relevant certification criteria and whose name has been entered onto the IRCA register.

Certificated training course

An auditor training course presented by an IRCA approved training organization, that complies with IRCA certification requirements.

Certification card

The card we issue annually to all certified auditors. The card represents the formal evidence of current certification.

Certification period

The period for which an auditor's certification is valid, 3 years is the maximum.

Competence

Demonstrated personal attributes and demonstrated ability to apply knowledge and skills.

(Ref: ISO 9000:2000)

Code of conduct

A set of conditions that an auditor agrees to comply with while conducting auditing activities. (Download IRCA code of conduct)

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

A framework the auditor uses to continuously update professional knowledge, personal skills and competences to make him/her more effective as an auditor.

Desktop review

A review of documentation submitted in support of an application for approval or certification performed by reviewing officers. The review is used for training organizations who are applying for approval or for certification of a course.

First party audit

An audit performed within an organization by the organization's own auditing resource. Also referred to as an internal audit.

IATCA

The International Auditor Training and Certification Association, of which IRCA is a member.

Initial certification

The first period of certification following the successful application for certification. Applies to auditors, training organizations and their certificated training courses.

IRCA

The International Register of Certificated Auditors is a certification body for auditors of management systems and an approval body for training organizations.

 Lead audit

The audit performed whilst the auditor leads a team of at least one other auditor.

Lead auditor

An auditor who has been assessed and complies with the IRCA criteria for managing audits and leading audit teams.

Management

Coordinated activities to direct and control an organization.

(Ref: ISO 9000:2000)

Management system

To establish policy and objectives and to achieve these objectives. NOTE: a management system of an organisation can include different management systems, such as a quality management system or an environmental management system.

(Ref: ISO 9000:2000)

Near degree

A degree that falls short in content or duration when compared to a UK degree. For auditor certification purposes we accept these as equivalent to a degree.

OEA

Organization employing auditors: performs verification activities on behalf of IRCA with whom they have signed a formal agreement.  These organizations are located worldwide and generally consist of certification bodies.

Organization

Group of people and facilities with an arrangement of responsibilities, authorities and relationships.

(Ref: ISO 9000:2000)

  Provisional auditor

An individual who has been assessed and complies with the IRCA criteria but who lacks the auditing experience to qualify as an auditor.

Renewal of certification (auditors)

The three yearly process whereby evidence of appropriate audit and continuing professional development (CPD) experience is verified and evaluated.

Reviewing officer

The technical experts who evaluate auditors, training organizations and their courses. The reviewing officers provide a recommendation for or against certification based on their evaluation.

Secondary education

Follows the primary or elementary stage of the UK national educational system and is completed prior to entrance to a university or similar educational institution.

Second party audit

Audits of contractors/suppliers undertaken by or on behalf of a purchasing organization. This may include the assessment of companies or divisions supplying goods or services to others within the same group.

Sector scheme

Similar to the QMS certification scheme, sector schemes are intended to meet a specific industry requirement. Examples of sector schemes include TickIT, Maritime Safety Management and Aerospace.

Surveillance

The means by which IRCA reviewing officers check that training organizations continue to meet the various approval/certification requirements.

Third party audit

Audits of organizations undertaken by an independent certification body or registrar or similar third party organization.

Verification

Confirmation, through the provision of objective evidence, that specified requirements have been fulfilled.

(Ref: ISO 9000:2000)