SQF Remote Desk Audit

Has anyone experienced a remote desk audit for SQF Certification?  Did you have a deadline for turning in documentation to the auditor?  How much communication (phone calls, email, etc.) did you receive from the auditor before, during and after the audit?  Did the auditor communicate to you what the timetable/schedule for the desk audit would be, what he/she wanted to see, what documentation was missing, etc.?

Yes, I have.

There should be plenty of communication between you and the auditor before the desk audit.

The auditor should send you an agenda/ itinerary before hand to let you know the layout of the audit.

You will send what he asks for. If he/she needs more information they will ask you to provide some evidence. You just need to be near your phone and computer for that all time slot so lock yourself in for that time on your outlook. My auditor had actually asked me for my information a whole day before the actual audit so he could have time to review it before the actual date. One hour in I was done.

Below was my audit plan for Stage 1. It's loosely based and of course is tentative.

8:00A Introduction
8:20 SQF 7.1 System Requirements (Management Commitment, Traceability and Recall, Internal Audit, and Site Security), Training Matrix.
11:00 Food Safety Plan (HACCP)
12:00 Review
12:30 Building and Equipment (Water, Food Handling, Separation of Function, Waste Disposal)
14:30 Pre-Requisite Program (Training, Pest Control, Sanitation, Control of FM, Allergen Control, and Vendor Approval)
16:00 Closing Meeting/Review for Stage 2 Certification.




 

I did one, it was the best audit I've ever had
 

I was sent a dropbox program(the only way to do it in my opinion) which had a file folder for each section of the sqf code in it, and I just copied my applicable documents into each document folder for the section of the code. 

He started about 5am (3hr time difference from me) called me at 8 am telling me he had started and was 1/3 done, I was called about 3 times for documents/ clarification then one last time to tell me he had finished then an email for his report.
 

The important part is chaining yourself to your desk, locking your door, installing solitaire so you don't get bored and making yourself available to the auditor.

we were done at 2 pm.

EDIT: we did talk about this a week before the audit to coordinate how we were going to do this and he gave me a day before deadline for getting the documents to him via drop box

 

Thanks, RG3 and Myusername.

I figured as much, and had been prepared for being available to the auditor for the duration of the audit.  Unfortunately, we ended up with The Invisible Man as our auditor, and he has not done any of the things you described.  I will be taking the appropriate actions, but wanted to check with the folks on here that I wasn't out of my mind for expecting a courteous and professional experience.

One of our clients had a remote desk audit and it all went quite smoothly. The auditor emailed us a list of the documents that would require review. This particular facility did trust the cloud, so they overnighted the auditor a USB drive with all of the files. 

There was communication via phone and email the day of the audit between the facility and auditor, but not much. Maybe 2-3 phone calls asking for clarification, help locating a particular document, etc. 

Overall it was a great experience, and definitely saved the facility travel costs.

Thanks, RG3 and Myusername.

 

I figured as much, and had been prepared for being available to the auditor for the duration of the audit.  Unfortunately, we ended up with The Invisible Man as our auditor, and he has not done any of the things you described.  I will be taking the appropriate actions, but wanted to check with the folks on here that I wasn't out of my mind for expecting a courteous and professional experience.

How do you mean the invisible man? What I would like to know is how else would you do a remote desk audit other that the ways we have all described? How did your experience go?

Myusername,

By "The Invisible Man", I meant our desk audit was scheduled for last Thursday and Friday, and there has been no entrance meeting, exit meeting, or any other communication or questions about the documents I sent him.  And I still have not received the results.

Myusername,

 

By "The Invisible Man", I meant our desk audit was scheduled for last Thursday and Friday, and there has been no entrance meeting, exit meeting, or any other communication or questions about the documents I sent him.  And I still have not received the results.

Am curious who the CB is and am looking at remote audit and a new CB. 

SCS Global, located in Emeryville, CA.  Unfortunately, we are still in a contract with them for the Facility Audit.  However, after we get the final results and certificate, I'm going shopping for a new CB.

Thanks appreciate it.  I  had heard good things about them am glad to know about your experience. 

SCS Global, located in Emeryville, CA.  Unfortunately, we are still in a contract with them for the Facility Audit.  However, after we get the final results and certificate, I'm going shopping for a new CB.

Ah   !  We use them for training, but not as a CB.

I hadn't heard anything about them before I was looking for a CB.  Out of the 4 CBs I contacted, they were the first to respond, and had audit dates available this year.  In addition, they are in Emeryville, and we're in Modesto, so it cut down on audit expenses for us.  I am really disappointed in this auditor's response, or lack there of. 

Another thing to take into consideration is that sometimes clients do not only require a specific standard but require a specific CB.

_{Does anyone have suggestions for a reputable CB?  I've spoken with SGS, SCS Global, NSF and Silliker.}

_{Does anyone have suggestions for a reputable CB?  I've spoken with SGS, SCS Global, NSF and Silliker.}

We have had nothing but great experiences with NSF. 

I have been getting quotes as well.  Eagle was the fastest getting back to me and was very professional.  SCS, was next and seemed professional as well.  SGS was not responsive at all.  Silliker is taking forever......and I do mean forever to get me a quote.  Bureau Veritas was also very responsive and professional.  Prices have been very close.

I really liked DQS UL.

Right now we're using SGS. Snookie try calling Kevin Brabant Phone:   + 1 (201) 508-3030  (Direct Line).

If he's not responsive I got another number you can call, let me know.

Thanks, everyone. 

I finally got the results of our desk audit yesterday.  Since the desk audit isn't scored, can you "get back" any items designated as nonconformances found during the desk audit?  If you answer the nonconformance to the auditor's liking, will you start with a clean slate for the facility audit?

Yes

SCS Global Services is joining this thread with our perspective.  

Excellent customer service and client satisfaction have always been benchmarks of the service SCS provides as a company. 

Naturally, we are dismayed to read that a client perceives that our pre-audit communication was lacking.  We pride ourselves on providing just the opposite experience, and have hundreds of testimonials to back that up.   For any client, we offer multiple channels to discuss their experience (good or bad) with SCS before, during, or after an audit. 

Until the time of this post, SCS has received no direct communication from this client that there is/was a problem.  We will always work with a client who communicates with us to make sure they are ultimately satisfied with the SCS services they receive.

SCS direct client support is available Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Pacific time.  Just call 510-452-8000 or write complaints@scsglobalservices.com

One of the many reasons I love this site is because we get the attention of reps from BRC, SCS, etc.