IRCA registration on the up

The number of IRCA certificated auditors is increasing despite the global economic downturn. The register reached an all time high of 15,000 in October 2008 and has continued to steadily increase since, with more than 15,150 members in March, the most in the organization’s 25-year history*.

The newly certificated auditors are located all over the world, with Japan top of the table with more than 170 new certificates given since the start of 2009. Other countries that have seen new registrations were the UK, South Korea, China and the US. A steady number of new auditors are also coming in from the Middle East and Africa with IRCA auditors now active in more than 150 countries.

Being certificated by IRCA allows auditors to be recognized internationally for their competence and experience and gives their employers reassurance of their ability. Because many auditors are self-employed, being IRCA certificated helps an auditor’s credibility when applying for contract or consultancy work.

Anyone considering becoming an IRCA certificated auditor must have a minimum of secondary education, five years' work experience with at least two in the sector programme, and you must complete an IRCA certified training course. There are six different grades of auditor from provisional internal auditor for trainees up to principal auditor for auditors who are capable of performing sole and lead audits.

Dennis Darker has been a certificated lead auditor for 18 years and runs his own business. ‘Being recognized by an international organization as a QMS lead auditor is essential for my business. It provides my clients with a degree of assurance and confidence that I have core auditing skills and experience and will provide them with professional and value added support.’

Simon Feary, director of IRCA, said: ‘It is very rewarding to see our registration figures on the increase in such tough economic times. It proves how important being IRCA certificated is to auditors around the world and I’m proud to say that being on our register really does open doors for auditors. Our aim is to create a global benchmark for auditor capability and to help auditors work to the best of their ability.’

The news comes as IRCA’s sister organization, the Chartered Quality Institute in the UK also confirms a rise in applications for membership. For more information on how to apply for certification, please contact the IRCA certification team at E: irca@irca.org

*All figures accurate as of April 2009.