Education
Fact-checked

At PracticalAdultInsights, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

What is a Quality Assurance Auditor?

Kristen Douglas
Kristen Douglas

A quality assurance auditor is a person who is trained to monitor and control record usage in an agency. Education, engineering, health care, manufacturing, or other businesses that are required to keep detailed processes and procedures in order to comply with governmental standards are all areas that typically higher quality assurance auditors. They can be hired internally by the agency itself, or hired by an external agency in order to ensure that the bodies it governs are complying with governmental standards. Also, they can be hired on as contractors to provide an unbiased account of the record-keeping abilities or safety measures of that particular business.

Quality assurance auditors are not only utilized by a wide variety of businesses, but they are used by government bodies, as well. Auditors are required to perform various procedures, such as monitoring financial record keeping and ensuring medical or other types of records are well-documented. They also can help ascertain whether or not all documentation complies with guidelines set forth by any governing agencies.

Auditors are required to perform various procedures, such as monitoring financial record keeping and ensuring medical or other types of records are well-documented.
Auditors are required to perform various procedures, such as monitoring financial record keeping and ensuring medical or other types of records are well-documented.

One government agency that supplies quality assurance auditors is the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA typically monitors safe processing practices in factories that produce foods for customer consumption. Also, it monitors pharmaceutical companies in order to guarantee that any drugs being sold have been properly tested for safety and compliance with government standards.

Manufacturing facilities often employ quality assurance auditors.
Manufacturing facilities often employ quality assurance auditors.

A quality assurance auditor typically will provide several general items during an audit, items that are specific to the business being audited. These include the date or dates that the audit was performed, whatwas included in the inspection, such as records audited, and the names of any people at the business assisting in the audit. Other information that generally is on the report includes any problems or findings related to the audit process, any suggested actions required of the business to repair problems — usually in the form of a report provided by the auditor to the business outlining problems and actions needed — and a scheduled time and date for re-inspection in order to assess whether the business has complied with the necessary changes.

A FDA auditor may be tasked with ensuring the strict hygiene protocols for dairy processing and bottling plants are followed.
A FDA auditor may be tasked with ensuring the strict hygiene protocols for dairy processing and bottling plants are followed.

Typically, a quality assurance auditor needs to remain aware of any changes in law, guidelines, and practices required of the business being audited. This requires that the auditor research and keep abreast of new additions to safety, record keeping, and governmental requirements for specific businesses. The quality assurance auditor will usually be expected to have a bachelor-level degree in the particular type of business he or she will be auditing. For example, a quality assurance auditor for mental health agencies might have a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, or Business Management with a minor in one of the human services fields. Some agencies require particular certifications of quality assurance auditors, which are usually offered in business or trade schools.

Discuss this Article

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • Auditors are required to perform various procedures, such as monitoring financial record keeping and ensuring medical or other types of records are well-documented.
      By: sakkmesterke
      Auditors are required to perform various procedures, such as monitoring financial record keeping and ensuring medical or other types of records are well-documented.
    • Manufacturing facilities often employ quality assurance auditors.
      By: Lisa F. Young
      Manufacturing facilities often employ quality assurance auditors.
    • A FDA auditor may be tasked with ensuring the strict hygiene protocols for dairy processing and bottling plants are followed.
      By: Budimir Jevtic
      A FDA auditor may be tasked with ensuring the strict hygiene protocols for dairy processing and bottling plants are followed.