A lead auditor is a qualified professional who leads management system audit teams in accordance with ISO standards, with competencies validated by international bodies.
The lead auditor is responsible for managing all audit phases: planning, execution, reporting and follow-up. They hold accredited training (typically 40-hour courses registered with IRCA or Exemplar Global) and demonstrable experience in audits of the specific standard. Per ISO 19011, they must possess technical competencies, communication skills and professional judgment.
The auditor participates in the audit team evaluating assigned processes. The lead auditor leads the entire team, makes decisions on findings and is responsible for the report and final conclusions.
In certification (third-party) audits, no. ISO/IEC 17021-1 prohibits the certification body from offering consultancy. In internal or second-party audits, independence from the audited process must be ensured.
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