What Is Internal Quality Audits?

Internal audits help the management team to ensure constant improvement in an organisation.

To monitor, internal auditors work with the management and systematically review systems, operations and procedures. These reviews (audits) are aimed at identifying how well risks are managed that includes whether the right processes are being done and the procedures are in adherence. Audits will also identify opportunities for improving efficiency or employing innovations. Internal audits are organised under an ongoing program of review and advisory activity with focus to the strategic needs of an organisation.

During the process, the internal auditors work across all areas of an organisation. In addition to the mandatory requirements of ISO or Australian Standards,an internal audit will cover the performance of the organisation on terms of customers, suppliers, employee’s health and safety, impact on the environment, controlling the risks to the organisation as well as more tangible aspects such as organisational culture and ethics.

In fact, any system that focuses on the effective operation of an organisation will be reviewed by the internal auditor. Internal ISO 9001 auditing, internal ISO 14001 auditing and safety audits can be performed before the external audit.

Internal audit reports are presented to the management team so that they can reach an independent view point on the extent to which an organisation is poised for success and provide advice on areas for improvement.

Internal audit can assist in all sectors (public, private and not-for-profit) and will help to identify how well systems have been implemented within the organisation and measure adherence to the procedures.