4 replies to this topic

[Bo16]

Has anyone had the issue of the invoice listing 2.25 days (18 hrs) when the auditor was only there for 12-16 hrs.?  this seems to be standard business practice for our audits and happens year after year.  That doesn't include the day for audit writing.

[GMO]

I'd say 12 hours is taking the p--- 16 is within error margins.

 

I did once have an auditor who was there for a certification scheme and a retailer on the same day.  It didn't occur to me till a few weeks later she will have sold the day twice.  Frankly the job I was doing at the time, we were audited to death and even if I wanted to say anything it was too late but I probably would have let it slide.

 

A GFSI audit though, you should be struggling to get through the content in the time if done properly.  But if someone finishes 1-2 hours early and doesn't take time to "compose their thoughts" (i.e. do an hour of writing up on site) every day, I'm not concerned.  When I do external audits (rare and not GFSI), I never do any writing up on site but between day 1 and 2 I write up everything and highlight what I've not seen yet or want to see in more detail.  This often takes a good 3-4 hours and wipes out all of my evening but without it I know that day 2 will not run smoothly.  With it, I know I'm super efficient on day 2 and often finish an hour or two early.  That said, these aren't GFSI audits and I can't imagine finishing the scope without wanting to see more in the time they give you.

 

I think though that it's a sign that auditing is badly paid and people want to find a way to take time back because of it.  The old guard of auditors have retired.  New, inexperienced auditors are the norm.   Another PCA will come.

[LostInTheWoods]

From the SQF Code (your scheme wasn't specified):

 

"The audit duration is the expected total time that is required for the SQF auditor to complete the assessment of the SQF System. It may or may not include the time necessary for report writing. You should confirm with your certification body the fees for the audit, including report writing time.

 

The minimum duration for a certification or re-certification audit is two days, including both remote and on-site activities. (refer to step 8.)

 

The audit duration is calculated by the certification body based on the size of the facility, the number of employees, the complexity of your processes, and the food safety risk. The certification body will discuss and agree on the audit duration with you to ensure complete coverage of your SQF System."

 

 

 

Do you have anything in the pre-audit questionnaires that indicate what duration your CB has calculated for your audit? If each year, the CB calculates 2 days (minimum per SQF), then concludes in 2 days and bills 2.25, I'd question it. But if the CB calculates 2.25, and the auditor finishes in 2, they likely can't bill less than that (without admitting they aren't auditing as thoroughly as the CB expects them to).

[kconf]

you have to count the hours they were working from hotel room after auditing you as well. And it is not a substantial time difference either. 

[kconf]

You should be thankful they were done before time otherwise they can still be probing and find more NCs. lol