UNDERSTANDING AUDITING

The value of Integrated Management System (IMS) auditor training

When it comes to auditor training, a key factor that sets training providers apart is a focus on Integrated Management Systems (IMS). For those looking to enhance their auditing expertise, completing both an Internal Auditor course and an Integrated Management Systems (IMS) course together offers a significant advantage.

Why is IMS auditor training important?

Auditing, in principle, is straightforward. The need for internal auditors is primarily driven by certification standards, which require an internal audit program (Clause 9.2) to assess and maintain compliance. However, the true value of auditor training lies in teaching auditors how to audit an IMS rather than just a single management system.

Despite the increasing number of organisations integrating their management systems, very few courses focus on how to audit an IMS effectively. This is where high-quality IMS Lead Auditor training becomes essential.

The challenge of auditing integrated systems

Historically, internal auditors typically focused on one specific management system—such as Quality (ISO 9001), Occupational Health & Safety (ISO 45001), or Environmental Management (ISO 14001). Organisations would conduct separate audits for each standard, often requiring different auditors or multiple audit activities throughout the year.

However, as organisations increasingly integrate these systems into a single IMS, auditors are now expected to audit across all three standards in one process. The challenge? Many auditors lack experience in auditing multiple standards together. This gap in knowledge can create inefficiencies, as organisations struggle to conduct streamlined and effective audits that align with their integrated systems.

The value of IMS auditing for organisations

The benefit of an IMS approach is its ability to simplify and improve efficiency for organisations. Instead of conducting separate audits for Quality, Safety, and Environmental Management, a well-trained internal auditor can assess all three standards at once—reducing duplication and saving significant time and resources.

The real value of IMS auditor training is in enabling organisations to consolidate their audits. Instead of running multiple audits throughout the year, an auditor trained in IMS can assess all three standards at once—reducing costs, minimising disruption, and ensuring a more effective audit process.

This approach has several advantages:

Cost-effectiveness – One audit covers multiple standards, reducing overall audit costs.
Less disruption – Auditees don’t have to be available for separate audits throughout the year.
Greater consistency – A single auditor can provide a more holistic assessment of the organisation’s integrated system.
Improved understanding of interrelated risks – Many business processes span across Quality, Safety, and Environmental considerations, making an IMS audit more reflective of real-world operations.

Additionally, IMS audits allow for better process performance evaluation and continuous improvement. Because the audit outcomes consider all applicable standards and requirements, organisations can ensure that process improvements do not create unintended consequences.

For example, a Quality audit might suggest an improvement that negatively impacts process safety or environmental performance. An IMS audit takes a more holistic approach, ensuring all requirements are considered.

This integrated approach improves efficiency, reduces rework, and minimises the likelihood of inadvertently introducing new risks to the organisation.

How IMS auditor training helps

For auditors, learning to audit an Integrated Management System is a game-changer. IMS auditor training equips them with the skills to efficiently audit across multiple standards—making them more valuable to their organisation or as external auditors.

By focusing on IMS auditing, our training helps organisations maximise efficiency and ensure compliance while reducing the burden on both auditors and auditees. This approach aligns with modern business needs, where integrated systems are becoming the norm rather than the exception.

Ready to build your IMS audit skills?

If you’re looking to enhance your auditing capabilities and provide greater value to your organisation, IMS Lead Auditor training is essential. Our courses are designed to ensure auditors can confidently conduct audits across Quality, Safety, and Environmental Management Systems, and gain internationally-recognised qualifications in both auditing and ISO management system standards.

Find out more about our Integrated Management Systems Lead Auditor Course and take your auditing skills to the next level.

Why train with us?

Auditor Training Co is powered by Southpac International Group, with over 20 years as management systems specialists in aviation and other high risk industries. Our auditor training offering has developed as a result of understanding the components of both developing effective management systems for countless organisations, and providing third party auditing of management systems as a JAS-ANZ accredited certification body. Our courses are certified by Exemplar Global and are facilitated by some of the industry’s most experienced trainers with auditing backgrounds.

We offer comprehensive training courses for various auditing roles, from those looking to specialise in auditing Integrated Management Systems of Quality, Safety and Environment, to those wanting to learn the skills to conduct effective internal audits or external, third-party audits.