What Does Audit Scope Mean?

The audit scope outlines what will be audited and where. For instance, what are the processes and what location? The audit scope may involve just one department or component of the organization. For instance, it's possible that just the organization's design management division has conducted audits. In this instance, just the design management operations are specified by the scope.

Exclusions from the scope should also be recorded. For instance, if the company has an off-site warehouse but does not include it in the audit, this should be mentioned as an exclusion.

Typically, the certifying body and audit client, not the lead auditor, establish the scope of the audit. However, because the audit scope will be utilized to design your audit plan, it is crucial that the lead auditor understands the audit scope.

The scope is the foundation for the audit plan. The proper places and procedures are described. If you have been on the wrong site or have audited the wrong area of the business, it is pointless to finish the audit and then discover this.

The preparation for third-party audits is more extensive, and the scope of the audit, including any opt-outs, must be decided upon, and approved by the auditees.

Depending on the scope, objectives, and supplier operations, second party audits can be either simpler or more difficult than third party audits.

The scope of internal audits (first party audits) is typically simple because the audit procedure and policy are documented and easily accessible. Therefore, creating the audit scope can be easy.