FAQs
Auditor grades
What problems do applications normally encounter?
Much time is wasted when incomplete or inaccurate applications are received. We cannot process the applications and have to contact you to request further information.
- Not enough detail about your work experience - where have you worked to gain your experience in the discipline you are seeking certification as an auditor?
- Out of date auditor training - to be accepted onto the register as a certificated auditor you need to have passed your IRCA approved auditor training within 3 years of submitting your application to us.
- No sponsors - each application form requires you to have your application supported by a sponsor - we need their signature or something from them confirming they have read and support your application in order to progress.
- Application / supporting documentation not signed - each application form requires you to sign your application and any statements (such as the code of conduct) - without this we cannot proceed.
Further detail of key things to look out for are in the 'How to apply' section and in particular the checklist at the beginning of the page.
I am not sure whether to apply for
the principal or lead auditor grade. Which would be more
suitable for me?
The principal auditor grade is regarded as an equivalent standard
to lead auditor and is intended for individuals with a high
level of experience and auditing skills but who do not have
the opportunity to lead teams of auditors on a regular basis.
Can I apply directly for lead auditor grade or do
I have to register at a lower grade first?
You may apply directly for the grade of your choice. You are
not required to register for the provisional grade if you have
the audit experience for a higher grade. The grade of certification
offered is dependent on the audit experience you submit.
Can I have more than one certification?
Yes, you can hold as many certifications as you wish on different
programmes but you cannot hold two grades on the same programme.
Each certification incurs its own set of fees.
Auditing
When does the direction and guidance
requirement apply?
It applies to audits carried out after 1 January 2003, if submitted
as part of an initial application or upgrade request. We require
you to have conducted at least one audit under these conditions.
Which auditing standards are accepted by IRCA?
We maintain lists of acceptable alternative standards for each
programme:
What should I do if the
standard I have audited against is not on your list of acceptable
alternatives?
Please send us a copy of the standard together with your audit
logs. We will then review the documents and draw comparisons
with our programmes. If we accept it, we will add the standard
to the list.
Training
Does IRCA accept non IRCA certified
training?
IRCA accepts a limited number of non-IRCA certified training courses as equivalents for the purpose of certification. For information on this, please see our list of accepted alternatives.
I completed my training course over three years ago.
I now wish to apply for certification, do I need to repeat the
course?
Not necessarily, your training may be accepted if you can supply
us with evidence confirming that you have kept your skills and
knowledge needed for effective auditing up-to-date i.e. relevant
training courses, on the job training, self study etc. Your
skills, knowledge and experience must have been acquired within
the three-year period prior to application.
Certification cards
Once I am certified with IRCA how do I get a certification
card?
After we have reviewed your application we will enclose your IRCA certification card with a letter offering you certification.
Each year we will send you a new certification card valid for the following year. When your renewal of certification is due, you will receive a renewal notification, listing documentation required to obtain your new card. The new card will be sent to you after we have completed the renewal evaluation and established your grade.
What should I do if I consider I cannot satisfy the
renewal requirement but do not wish to lose my certification?
We suggest you contact us for advice. Each
year many auditors believe they have not fulfilled the CPD requirement but do
go on to renew successfully after discussing their situation and experience with
a member of our certification team. We have found that most auditors under-estimate
the amount of CPD they actually complete.
How much do I have to pay to renew my certification?
There is no additional charge for renewal of certification
but you are required to pay an annual fee once your renewal
is complete and we have established your grade.
Fees and payments
Does one application fee cover the full cost of multiple schemes?
The application fee is applied to each scheme you are applying for;
Application fees are administrative fees, they are not refundable regardless of the result of the assessment.
If I haven’t been assigned a certification number yet, how can I pay for my application fee?
You can make a payment by cheque and enclose it with the application form, alternatively you should wait for a confirmation email from the Irca team stating your certification number; once you have received it you can then register yourself as an online user and pay online or use the certification number as a reference for a bank transfer.
How can I log in online to pay my Irca fees?
Before you can log in online you must register as a user; your certification number and user-email are sent to you within the acknowledgement letter.
I have paid my Irca application fee by bank transfer, how can I notify the Irca team?
If you have made a payment by bank transfer before you have submitted your application form to us, we advise you to email a copy to registration@irca.org in order to facilitate the location of the money. If you have arranged for the payment by bank transfer after you have received the acknowledgement email, please state the certification number as the reference of the transfer and send us a copy of the document by email.
My Irca application is complete, how can I submit it to the Irca team?
Once your application form is completed in full, you can submit it to the Irca team by email at registration@irca.org as an attachment (word or pdf versions preferably) alternatively you can post the documentation to our office address: 2nd floor North, Chancery Exchange, 10 Furnival Street, London, EC4A 1AB UK.
I am about to arrange for a bank transfer to pay my Irca fees, what reference shall I use?
Please use your certification number as the reference for your bank transfer.
I have paid my Irca fees some time ago but I did not receive an invoice, can I still request one?
Invoices are available only before a full payment is made, however a receipt is offered as a confirmation of payment.
How can I pay my fees?
For different methods of payment please refer to the following link:
http://www.irca.org/auditorcert/auditorcert_4_1.html
Can I pay my annual fee in advance along with the application fee?
You cannot make a payment in advance for an annual fee. You should wait for the invoice before you can settle your annual fee. However if you wish to pay your application fee in advance, you can only include a cheque or your credit card details with your application form at the time you submit it to the Irca team.
Can I make a payment in a foreign currency?
Payment in foreign currency are not accepted, all cheques in foreign currencies will be returned to the sender or destroyed in confidential bins onsite. Bank transfers arranged outside the UK must cover the fee in full and include bank charges (for both banks) on the total amount.
Please use your certification number as a reference for your bank transfer.
Payment by credit card will be accepted only in GBP.
Miscellaneous
Do I need to submit a new application
if my certification has lapsed and I want to be re-instated?
Not always. We may be able to reinstate your certification but the longer it
has lapsed the less the chance of re-instatement. Please contact
us for assistance.