Training Module
Third-party Auditing Context
Understand the accreditation–certification ecosystem, certification audit lifecycle, impartiality boundaries, and decision interfaces
Training Module
Third-party Auditing Context
Understand the accreditation–certification ecosystem, certification audit lifecycle, impartiality boundaries, and decision interfaces
Training Module
Third-party Auditing Context
Understand the accreditation–certification ecosystem, certification audit lifecycle, impartiality boundaries, and decision interfaces
Do you struggle to understand the unique governance and constraints of third-party certification audits?
Evaluate supplier evidence under real-world limitations using triangulation and consistency checks
Do you struggle to understand the unique governance and constraints of third-party certification audits?
Evaluate supplier evidence under real-world limitations using triangulation and consistency checks
Do you struggle to understand the unique governance and constraints of third-party certification audits?
Evaluate supplier evidence under real-world limitations using triangulation and consistency checks
Training module overview
Training module overview
Training module overview
Third-party certification audits differ fundamentally from internal audits, operating within a stringent accreditation-driven system that mandates independence and strict separation of audit activity from certification decisions.
This module provides a practical orientation to this complex ecosystem. Participants will learn how accreditation bodies and certification bodies interact, understand typical certification pathways, recognise how impartiality is maintained, and clarify how lead auditors interface with review, decision, surveillance, and complaints mechanisms, enabling effective engagement without relying on proprietary procedures.
Third-party certification audits differ fundamentally from internal audits, operating within a stringent accreditation-driven system that mandates independence and strict separation of audit activity from certification decisions.
This module provides a practical orientation to this complex ecosystem. Participants will learn how accreditation bodies and certification bodies interact, understand typical certification pathways, recognise how impartiality is maintained, and clarify how lead auditors interface with review, decision, surveillance, and complaints mechanisms, enabling effective engagement without relying on proprietary procedures.
Applicable environments
This module is applicable to auditing across all ISO-based management systems. The principles and methods taught here are independent of any specific standard and focus on how to plan, conduct, and report audits effectively.
Target audience
Target audience
Target audience
Aspiring auditors who want to audit management systems following best practices
Practising management system auditors who want to strengthen their audit knowledge, judgement, and effectiveness
Decision support
Is this module for you?
It is a good fit if you…
work with or within certification audits and want to understand how they are governed.
struggle to distinguish internal audits from third-party certification audits.
need clarity on independence, impartiality, and decision separation.
interact with certification bodies and want to avoid role confusion.
are transitioning into third-party auditing and need context, not CB-specific procedures.
work with or within certification audits and want to understand how they are governed.
struggle to distinguish internal audits from third-party certification audits.
need clarity on independence, impartiality, and decision separation.
interact with certification bodies and want to avoid role confusion.
are transitioning into third-party auditing and need context, not CB-specific procedures.
If most of the points above apply, this module is likely a good fit.
It may not be the best fit if you…
already have a solid understanding of the accreditation–certification ecosystem.
are not involved in certification audits or CB interactions.
need audit execution, interviewing, or reporting skills.
are looking for a specific certification body’s proprietary procedures.
already have a solid understanding of the accreditation–certification ecosystem.
are not involved in certification audits or CB interactions.
need audit execution, interviewing, or reporting skills.
are looking for a specific certification body’s proprietary procedures.
Agenda
Agenda
Agenda
What makes third-party audits different
Ecosystem and governance landscape
Roles, accountability, and decision separation
Competence and impartiality management in CBs (context level)
Audit lifecycle and stage logic
Scope, boundaries, and auditability in a certification context
Impartiality in practice
Certification-oriented outputs (characteristics, not templates)
Challenges, escalation paths, and governance of complaints
Case-based workshop
Show detailed agenda...
What makes third-party audits different
Ecosystem and governance landscape
Roles, accountability, and decision separation
Competence and impartiality management in CBs (context level)
Audit lifecycle and stage logic
Scope, boundaries, and auditability in a certification context
Impartiality in practice
Certification-oriented outputs (characteristics, not templates)
Challenges, escalation paths, and governance of complaints
Case-based workshop
Show detailed agenda...
What makes third-party audits different
Ecosystem and governance landscape
Roles, accountability, and decision separation
Competence and impartiality management in CBs (context level)
Audit lifecycle and stage logic
Scope, boundaries, and auditability in a certification context
Impartiality in practice
Certification-oriented outputs (characteristics, not templates)
Challenges, escalation paths, and governance of complaints
Case-based workshop
Show detailed agenda...
Learning outcomes
Learning outcomes
Learning outcomes
Key outcomes
Explain how accreditation shapes certification body governance and third-party audit constraints
Describe the typical certification pathway and where audit activity interfaces with review and certification decisions
Distinguish the intent of Stage 1, Stage 2, surveillance, and recertification at a practical level
Explain how accreditation shapes certification body governance and third-party audit constraints
Describe the typical certification pathway and where audit activity interfaces with review and certification decisions
Distinguish the intent of Stage 1, Stage 2, surveillance, and recertification at a practical level
Additional capabilities
Recognise common impartiality and non-consultancy risks and define appropriate boundary-respecting responses
Distinguish the intent of Stage 1, Stage 2, surveillance, and recertification at a practical level
Brief internal stakeholders on what to expect from certification auditors and what requests are inappropriate
Navigate common friction points using appropriate escalation and complaint pathways
Recognise common impartiality and non-consultancy risks and define appropriate boundary-respecting responses
Distinguish the intent of Stage 1, Stage 2, surveillance, and recertification at a practical level
Brief internal stakeholders on what to expect from certification auditors and what requests are inappropriate
Navigate common friction points using appropriate escalation and complaint pathways
Additional benefits
Additional benefits
Additional benefits
Learning materials
Slide deck
Participant workbook
Templates & tools
Practical, reusable artefacts to apply the module directly to your organisation.
Accreditation–certification ecosystem map
Certification pathway overview
Impartiality and non-consultancy boundary checklist
Competence & assignment constraints quick reference
Accreditation–certification ecosystem map
Certification pathway overview
Impartiality and non-consultancy boundary checklist
Competence & assignment constraints quick reference
Confirmation
Certificate of completion
Module ID
HAM-AG-AC-06
Domain
Audience
Auditor
Language
English
Delivery
Live virtual
Duration
7 h
List price
CHF 550
Excl. VAT. VAT may apply depending on customer location and status.
Delivery & learning format
Delivery & learning format
Delivery & learning format
Virtual live teaching
This module is delivered live, with a strong focus on discussion, practical application, and direct interaction with the instructor.
Sessions work through realistic examples, clarify concepts in context, and apply methods directly to participants’ organisational realities.
Custom delivery options
For organisations with specific constraints or learning objectives, the module can be adapted in format or scope, including in-house delivery and contextualised case material.
Not sure if this module is right for you?
Not sure if this module is right for you?
Not sure if this module is right for you?
For an optimal learning experience
Preparation guidance
This module is designed as part of a modular training approach. Topics are deliberately distributed across modules and are not repeated in full, in order to avoid unnecessary redundancy. Each module is self-contained and can be taken on its own. Where prior knowledge or experience is helpful, this is indicated below so you can decide whether any preparation is useful for you.
For an optimal learning experience
Preparation guidance
This module is designed as part of a modular training approach. Topics are deliberately distributed across modules and are not repeated in full, in order to avoid unnecessary redundancy. Each module is self-contained and can be taken on its own. Where prior knowledge or experience is helpful, this is indicated below so you can decide whether any preparation is useful for you.
For an optimal learning experience
Preparation guidance
This module is designed as part of a modular training approach. Topics are deliberately distributed across modules and are not repeated in full, in order to avoid unnecessary redundancy. Each module is self-contained and can be taken on its own. Where prior knowledge or experience is helpful, this is indicated below so you can decide whether any preparation is useful for you.
Assumed background
This module assumes participants already have practical familiarity with auditing and management systems, including:
Core audit principles and evidence-based judgement concepts
Experience participating in internal audits (as auditor or lead)
Comfort reading management system requirements
This module assumes participants already have practical familiarity with auditing and management systems, including:
Core audit principles and evidence-based judgement concepts
Experience participating in internal audits (as auditor or lead)
Comfort reading management system requirements
Preparatory modules
Foundational modules (depending on background)
Useful if you are new to the underlying concepts or want a shared baseline before attending this module.
Audit Foundations
Understand core audit mindset, evidence logic, materiality-based focus, and audit test plan design
7 h
Audit Foundations
Understand core audit mindset, evidence logic, materiality-based focus, and audit test plan design
7 h
Audit Foundations
Understand core audit mindset, evidence logic, materiality-based focus, and audit test plan design
7 h
Supporting modules (optional)
Helpful if you want to deepen related skills, but not required to participate effectively.
Internal Audit Foundations
Understand the purpose of internal audits, role responsibilities, independence expectations, and how audit results are used in governance and improvement
7 h
Internal Audit Foundations
Understand the purpose of internal audits, role responsibilities, independence expectations, and how audit results are used in governance and improvement
7 h
Internal Audit Foundations
Understand the purpose of internal audits, role responsibilities, independence expectations, and how audit results are used in governance and improvement
7 h
Audit Reporting & Follow-up
Understand how to write evidence-based findings, structure audit reports, and follow up agreed actions to verified closure
7 h
Audit Reporting & Follow-up
Understand how to write evidence-based findings, structure audit reports, and follow up agreed actions to verified closure
7 h
Audit Reporting & Follow-up
Understand how to write evidence-based findings, structure audit reports, and follow up agreed actions to verified closure
7 h
Continuous learning
Follow-up modules
Continuous learning
Follow-up modules
Continuous learning
Follow-up modules
After completion of this module, the following modules are ideal to further deepen your competence. If you are looking for a structured learning path, modules can also be taken as part of a professional track.
Audit Execution: Communication & Interviewing
Learn the skills for effective interview planning, questioning, and conversation control for reliable audit evidence
Duration
7 h
List price
CHF 550
View module
Audit Execution: Communication & Interviewing
Learn the skills for effective interview planning, questioning, and conversation control for reliable audit evidence
Duration
7 h
List price
CHF 550
View module
Audit Execution: Communication & Interviewing
Learn the skills for effective interview planning, questioning, and conversation control for reliable audit evidence
Duration
7 h
List price
CHF 550
View module
Audit Programme Management
Understand audit programme governance, risk-informed audit portfolios, supplier audit integration, resourcing, and programme-level reporting
Duration
7 h
List price
CHF 550
View module
Audit Programme Management
Understand audit programme governance, risk-informed audit portfolios, supplier audit integration, resourcing, and programme-level reporting
Duration
7 h
List price
CHF 550
View module
Audit Programme Management
Understand audit programme governance, risk-informed audit portfolios, supplier audit integration, resourcing, and programme-level reporting
Duration
7 h
List price
CHF 550
View module
Supplier Audit Foundations
Plan and conduct supplier audits using contract-based criteria, evidence targets, and disciplined audit documentation
Duration
7 h
List price
CHF 550
View module
Supplier Audit Foundations
Plan and conduct supplier audits using contract-based criteria, evidence targets, and disciplined audit documentation
Duration
7 h
List price
CHF 550
View module
Supplier Audit Foundations
Plan and conduct supplier audits using contract-based criteria, evidence targets, and disciplined audit documentation
Duration
7 h
List price
CHF 550
View module
Governance Foundations
Learn the fundamentals of role design, decision rights, governance mechanisms, and escalation paths in management systems
Duration
7 h
List price
CHF 550
View module
Governance Foundations
Learn the fundamentals of role design, decision rights, governance mechanisms, and escalation paths in management systems
Duration
7 h
List price
CHF 550
View module
Governance Foundations
Learn the fundamentals of role design, decision rights, governance mechanisms, and escalation paths in management systems
Duration
7 h
List price
CHF 550
View module
Ready to improve your management systems?
We support continuous improvement by embedding ISO requirements into everyday practice and daily operations.
Ready to improve your management systems?
We support continuous improvement by embedding ISO requirements into everyday practice and daily operations.
Ready to improve your management systems?
We support continuous improvement by embedding ISO requirements into everyday practice and daily operations.