August 11, 2025
Why it pays to train more than one internal auditor
If you are running a business with ISO certification, you already understand the importance of continual improvement. A key part of that commitment is carrying out regular internal audits. But are you relying on just one person to handle them?
While ISO standards don’t specify how many internal auditors you should have, there are clear advantages to training more than one. A small, well-trained team can make internal audits more effective, less stressful, and much easier to manage.
Here’s why training multiple internal auditors is a smart investment, and how it can make a meaningful difference to your business.
Why internal audits matter
Internal audits are essential for maintaining the effectiveness of your ISO management system. Done properly, they help you:
- Check that your processes are being followed
- Make sure you meet the requirements of your ISO standard
- Spot areas where things could be improved
- Reduce risk before it becomes a problem
- Keep your certification on track
Without regular internal audits, your business is at risk of a non-conformance. That could mean more work during external audits, or even jeopardise your certification.
What does an internal auditor do?
An internal auditor is responsible for planning and conducting internal audits throughout your business. Ideally, they should be:
- Independent of the area they’re auditing (so they’re not marking their own work)
- Competent either through formal training or relevant experience
Typical tasks include:
- Creating and managing an audit schedule
- Preparing for audits and giving notice to the teams involved
- Carrying out audits objectively and professionally
- Holding opening and closing meetings
- Report findings and identify opportunities for improvement
In a small business, this often falls to someone wearing multiple hats. That’s where training multiple people can help.
Five reasons to train more than one internal auditor
- You need independence and objectivity
Audits need to be impartial. If you only have one trained auditor, it’s hard for them to stay independent, especially if they’re reviewing their own team or processes. With more trained people, it’s much easier to keep audits fair, balanced and compliant. - You get better insights and stronger results
Different people notice different things. A small team of trained auditors can bring fresh perspectives and a broader understanding of your business. That often leads to more meaningful audits and better opportunities to improve. - You build resilience and reduce reliance
What happens if your only auditor is off sick or leaves the business? Training more people protects you against disruption and keeps your audit schedule running smoothly. You won’t be left panicking before an external audit. - It scales with your business
As a rough guide, we suggest one trained internal auditor for every 10 employees. If your business is growing, or already has over 10 employees, it’s worth building some extra capacity now. A lead internal auditor can then oversee the programme, supported by others across different departments. - It helps you stay compliant both now and in the future
If you’re working with a UKAS accredited certification body, they may require your auditors to have formal training. Even if they don’t today, that could change. By training your internal team now, you’ll stay one step ahead and avoid future non-conformities or re-training under pressure.
Who should be trained for internal auditing?
The best internal auditors aren’t always the most obvious choice. You don’t need someone with ‘quality’ or ‘compliance’ in their job title. Often, the best internal auditors are those who are curious, structured in their thinking, and confident in speaking with others across the business.
Look for team members who:
- Understand your business and how things work in practice
- Are fair, organised, and willing to ask questions
- Can communicate clearly and professionally with colleagues
- Are open to learning and want to develop their skills
They might be in operations, admin, technical support, or a supervisory role. The key is attitude and approach, not experience. One of the best examples we’ve seen comes from Peter Cartwright, Operations Administrator at Clesse UK Limited.
When Peter was suddenly asked to take over responsibility for Clesse’s ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 management systems, he had no prior ISO experience and very little time to prepare. Facing an upcoming re-certification audit, he made the decision to attend our internal auditor training.
“I had no idea what I was doing. The support from ISO QSL has been invaluable and helped me understand the frameworks. This not only got us through the re-certification audit but helped us start developing things again, like our internal auditing.”
Through the training, Peter developed the skills and confidence to audit effectively, and it changed how he viewed the process.
“You think of auditing as a way to find problems. It’s quite different to that. You’re getting an idea of how the process works, how it relates to people doing their jobs and what challenges they might face. I was able to approach auditing in a much more constructive way than perhaps I would have done otherwise.”
Peter used what he learned to shift internal perceptions of ISO audits from something people dreaded to something constructive and collaborative. He improved team engagement, streamlined internal processes, and even introduced a centralised system for supplier non-conformances, enhancing both compliance and efficiency.
“I wouldn’t advise anybody to go into this without formal training because there are so many things you don’t think about. The training was well presented, easy to follow, and gives you the confidence to do it properly.”
Thinking of training your team?
We offer a range of internal auditor training options designed for real businesses like yours. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to strengthen your existing audit team, we have a format to suit your needs:
Online training offers a flexible introduction to internal auditing. It’s ideal if your team needs an overview of what internal auditing involves, and the freedom to learn at their own pace, anytime, anywhere.
Auditor-led training is delivered by one of our experienced Lead Auditors, either remotely or at our training suite in Worcestershire. This comprehensive course is suitable for any ISO standard and provides practical, hands-on learning. This course is also CPD-accredited, giving your team recognised professional development as they build their auditing skills.
Bespoke training is perfect for businesses looking to train six or more internal auditors. We can even tailor the course to your organisation’s systems and real-life challenges, so your team can apply their learning immediately and confidently.
You don’t need to train everyone at once. Often, it makes sense to start with one or two team members who are keen to develop and build from there. Over time, you’ll create a capable audit team that understands your systems and cares about keeping them strong.
Ready to take the next step?
Explore our internal auditor training options or give our team a call on 0330 058 5551. We’ll help you choose the right training format for your business and your people.
