5 replies to this topic

[best5308]

Curious to know your thoughts on SQF auditors that are also consultants. i would also like to know if the auditor can tell you they are an SQF consultant as they are doing your audit. Seems to me like a conflict of interest. 

[Setanta]

I would think it would only be a conflict if an auditor was auditing a facility they consulted on. If that is monitored and prevented, where is the conflict?

[kingstudruler1]

Many "contract" auditors (those that are independent contractors  for one or more certifcation bodies / but not employees of the certification bodies) are also consultants.  

 

A person that has acted as a consultlant for an organization can not audit that organization.   They should be telling you that they can not act as a consultant during an audit.  If they are mentioning that they are a consultant as a mean of soliciting consulting bussiness, they need to be reported immeditately    IE, stop audit and call certifcation body.    ie " You are not compliant with this clause.  If you hire me as an consultant, I can help you "fix" it."   not ok.  

 

If its more benign -  such as an introduction.   "hi my name is john.   Im here to conduct your SQFI audit.   Ive worked in the food safety for 20 years.  5 years ago I decided to become a contract food safety auditor and consultant.  so here i am......."   I wouldnt worry about that type of language.   

[jfrey123]

They can casually mention that they are consultants during your audit, no problem.  Lots of us small talk our experience during the audits.  Lots of your certifying bodies also offer consulting services using the same people, and those same auditors are sometimes independently contracting as consultants too.

 

If they're saying it because they're trying to sell you a future service, that's a problem.  Enters the ethics realm of "Man, you guys have a few issues here, but hire me after this audit and we'll get you fixed up for next year." *wink wink*

[Setanta]

They can casually mention that they are consultants during your audit, no problem.  Lots of us small talk our experience during the audits.  Lots of your certifying bodies also offer consulting services using the same people, and those same auditors are sometimes independently contracting as consultants too.

 

If they're saying it because they're trying to sell you a future service, that's a problem.  Enters the ethics realm of "Man, you guys have a few issues here, but hire me after this audit and we'll get you fixed up for next year." *wink wink*

 

 

Sidebar on that, we once had a food safety trainer who spent time talking up his real estate business. He did not return and in fact retired from training not long after.

[SQFconsultant]

I was an SQF Auditor for a period of years and then changed hats and became an SQF Consultant.

 

For us it was a marketing boost to have the eyes and senses of an Auditor when offering consulting, and we still do consulting audits, however for an Auditor doing an official audit to bring up that they are also a consultant - thats a no no.

 

At the same time I agree with the others here, there is lots of off the record chatting that happens during an audit session and nothing wrong with the auditor saying they are also a consultant - the issue would be if the auditor doing an "official" audit then turns around and offers consulting or provides consulting during an audit.

 

I had it drilled into me 25 years ago that an Auditor is a reporter, not a consultant (during an audit) and the line does not get blurred - and I never blurred the line during an audit.

 

At the same time as an SQF Consultant I've sat in on a number of audits and watched in horror as auditors freely or via being baited crossed the line.

 

There is a reason why SQFI was a Compliance office - similar in nature to Internal Affairs - there have been a number of Auditors reported for unprofessional conduct in this area and well as others.