The qualified auditor who plans and directs an audit, leads the audit team, and is responsible for its conclusions.
A lead auditor manages the audit from planning through reporting. They agree the scope and schedule, coordinate any team members, make the judgment calls on findings, and present the conclusions. For certification audits they hold a recognized qualification.
The role combines technical knowledge of the standard with the independence and consistency needed to reach fair, evidence-based conclusions.
Related frameworks
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