IRCA launches Corporate Auditor Programme
Today, 23 July 2007, the International Register of Certificated Auditors launched its new Corporate Auditor Programme.
Launched during the week of the IAAR conference in Denver, USA, the IRCA Director, Simon Feary indicates that, “the Corporate Auditor grade is IRCA’s contribution to industry’s need for auditors who are able to demonstrate exceptionally high levels of audit competence.”
High value industry benefits
The key function of the Corporate Auditor is to provide value to those organizations that rely significantly on accredited certification as a way of confirming that their management system is optimally configured to deliver their business and corporate objectives. This value is demonstrated through the ability to interact with top management, to identify management system problems / risks that may prevent the organization from meeting its business objectives and to identify opportunities for improvement.
High value employer benefits
This new professional qualification means that employers of Corporate Auditors can now demonstrate to key, high-complexity or high-value clients that they can supply auditors of the very best caliber, demonstrated though an ISO 17024 compliant and independent third party certification.
High value auditor benefits
The Corporate Auditor programme is intended to complement, not replace, the qualification-based programmes by providing a premium certification grade positioned above the other grades. The programme is intended for the very best and evidence to date indicates less than 10% of current IRCA auditors are likely to pass the evaluation.
Read about Tim O’Hanlon - the first IRCA Corporate Auditor
A generic competence-based approach
The Corporate Auditor programme has as its core the demonstration of generic auditing skills and is not restricted to any one management system context (QMS, EMS, OHSMS, etc). Instead it focuses on the generic knowledge, skills and attributes defined in ISO 19011.
The Corporate Auditor grade differs fundamentally from the Principal, Lead and other grades in that it is ‘competence based’ and complies with ISO 17024. This means that to be certified to the Corporate Auditor grade, auditors must demonstrate they are able to apply the skills knowledge and personal attributes at a rigorous one-day Assessment Centre which employs a combination of examination methods.
How much will it cost?
The cost for this value and level of examination is, not surprisingly, higher than other certifications: Assessment Centre fee £750, Annual certification fee £170, Recertification fee £100. As a guide, Corporate Auditor certification will cost approximately £1,430 over the first 5-year period (equivalent to £285 per year).
Find out more
Download the Corporate Auditor certification requirements.
Read instructions on how to apply for the Corporate Auditor scheme or contact IRCA directly at irca@irca.org.
Note: Fees are correct at time of publishing. For current fees see www.irca.org. The Corporate Auditor Assessment Centre examinations will only be available in the UK and in English initially.
23rd July2007