Auditor attributes

The third party auditor is entitled to look at the elements making up the quotation to verify that all appropriate elements have been included, but will not examine the values attributed to these elements. 

Certain attributes are better than others when discussing the qualifications of a quality assessor or auditor. The following characteristics would only serve to enhance the role of any quality assessor or auditor in an organization. 

There is also voluntary guidance that has been issued with respect to the desirable attributes for a sustainability assurance provider (auditor). In GRI s Sustainability Reporting Guidelines, a number of issues are recommended for consideration by organizations as they select their assurance provider (GRI, 2002) ... 

ISO 19011 2002 (2002) lists the following personal attributes for auditors (and includes further information on desired auditor qualifications) ... 

Audits are stressful for those being audited. No matter how good a plant s performance may be, there is every chance that the auditor is going to find something that indicates a problem and most problems and deficiencies are eventually traced back to specific individuals. Therefore, the personal attributes and demeanor of the auditor are extremely important. Some of these attributes include the following ... 

The personality and experience of the reviewer is of paramount importance to the quality of the review. To be effective in his or her analyses the reviewer has to have extensive plant experience. In addition to the personal attributes discussed under the role of auditor, the reviewer should possess considerable experience of process facilities similar to the one being audited. He or she should also have the strength of personality to be able to communicate opinions and suggestions to all levels of management within the host company. Ideally, the reviewer will also be able to generate creative solutions to previously intractable problems. 

The report should be written in a neutral style. If problems are found, the report should make it clear that these problems are to do with management systems, not specific individuals. (Sometimes the auditor will find a hazardous situation that can be attributed to one individual. In these cases, the auditor should probably communicate that concern verbally.)... 

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