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How do I Become a Quality Assurance Auditor?

Bryon Turcotte
Bryon Turcotte

Depending on the field, to become a quality assurance auditor, an individual often starts as a production worker, a technician, or laboratory staff worker who has gained hands-on experience and knowledge of the product. Sometimes, additional training, a specific certification, or a degree is required to gain employment in this position. Most often computer, database, and lab skills are required to conduct the various tests as required on the products. In addition to product experience, there are a number of characteristics that an individual should possess to work as a quality assurance auditor.

A quality assurance auditor is an individual assigned to analyze, test and qualify specific products that are manufactured or developed by his or her employer. The results of these tests are compared to a predetermined set of standards and practices depending on the products final use. In simple terms, the quality assurance auditor is the final approval and confirmation of a products quality before it reaches its targeted marketplace.

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.

In most industries, to become a quality assurance auditor, an individual must also be organized, detail oriented and have exceptional problem solving skills to be successful. Since quality assurance testing and product qualifications could possibly involve a large amount of sample data, this individual should be able to keep accurate records and be serious about how the process and communicate information. To become a quality assurance auditor it is important to understand the specific and unique set of regulations established in your specific industry, so it is important to be familiar with current guidelines.

A quality assurance auditor should possess above average writing skills.
A quality assurance auditor should possess above average writing skills.

A quality assurance auditor must also be a good communicator possessing good verbal and written skills since laws and regulations are currently changing to meet safety and quality standards. Communication is an important component in the auditor's set of responsibilities since much of the information obtained in testing must be explained to other members of the team and employers. When standards and practices change, it is the responsibility of the quality assurance auditor to communicate this information clearly and accurately to those individuals involved in the quality assurance process.

The quality assurance auditor position is not only an important component in the production process but a serious ingredient within a product’s success.
The quality assurance auditor position is not only an important component in the production process but a serious ingredient within a product’s success.

To become a quality assurance auditor, the final signature, mark of approval, and level of excellence set on a product by its manufacturer is your top priority. This ongoing standard communicates confidence and the reputation of a brand. The quality assurance auditor position is not only an important component in the production process but a serious ingredient within a product’s success.

Discussion Comments

nony

@everetra - The greatest pressure in this job in my opinion would be in keeping up with the myriad of rules and regulations that govern product manufacturing.

Safety is always the paramount concern, I would think, and as the article points out, those regulations can and do change. I think you’d need one foot in your job and one foot in the law so to speak, so that you can ensure that you remain in compliance with the latest rules at all times.

everetra

@allenJo - I’d love the job of inspection and quality control personally. I am a very detailed person and I take meticulous, detailed notes of everything that I do.

I have an eye for detail. I don’t know that I’d love the pressure that goes along with the job, but I think that over time I can handle it well.

I worked at a Fortune 500 company once where my job was to edit and update policies and procedures. While this is not exactly the same thing I believe that it requires a comparable skill set and a commitment to quality.

allenJo

@SkyWhisperer - QA auditor jobs carry a lot of weight. Your job is basically to show if you can break the product, regardless of whether it is simple like you said or something complex.

If a product with defects falls through the gaps then it could likely tarnish your reputation as a quality control auditor. Once you lose the seal of quality that is the mark of your work then it will be hard to get it back.

Personally I believe that the best QA auditors are those that go through ISO certification. ISO is the gold standard for quality across many industries; it will no doubt provide rigorous training for the QA auditor to ensure that he is the best that he can be.

SkyWhisperer

I am guessing that the simplicity or the complexity of the product is an issue here. A very simple product could be examined using manual means alone.

However a complex product, one involving electronic circuitry and stuff like that, might involve computerized testing equipment. Frankly I think the bulk of quality inspection nowadays would fall into this category, using a variety of technical equipment to test the products.

Therefore I imagine that an auditor would have to have some exposure to computers or engineering to do the job well.

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    • 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.
    • A quality assurance auditor should possess above average writing skills.
      By: gosphotodesign
      A quality assurance auditor should possess above average writing skills.
    • The quality assurance auditor position is not only an important component in the production process but a serious ingredient within a product’s success.
      By: highwaystarz
      The quality assurance auditor position is not only an important component in the production process but a serious ingredient within a product’s success.