3 tips to survive an audit and come out smiling at the end
Let’s start by busting some myths...
Preparation is not everything
Contrary to common belief, there’s only so much you can do to prepare for an audit. In fact, depending on the type of audit; internal, regulatory, customer, or certification, it may be best to focus on self-awareness rather than making everything look "perfect."
Even with an agreed agenda, predicting an auditor’s specific focus can feel impossible. Auditors follow risk-based approaches and evidence trails that may lead them to unexpected areas. Instead of exhausting yourself trying to anticipate every possible scenario, shift your focus to risk-prioritisation.
Start by formally identifying areas where gaps exist but have not yet been fully addressed. If your organisation proactively tracks these gaps and has improvement plans in place, auditors tend to recognise the effort rather than penalising it outright.
Auditors, especially those working to ISO 9001 (quality management), ISO 27001 (information security) and ISO 45001 (Health & Safety) standards, prioritise risk-based thinking, so showing awareness of weaknesses and plans for improvement can work in your favour. A professional consultant (like us) can help you identify those priorities from a risk perspective.
Consider not preparing at all; if you're undergoing an internal audit or a paid third-party audit for certification, avoiding excessive preparation can reflect your real business operations more authentically.
Audits should reflect business as usual, not a staged performance. If documentation and processes only exist because of audit preparations, this could signal compliance issues. Instead, let auditors uncover genuine improvement opportunities; they might even provide recommendations based on industry best practices.
A strong audit can serve as a catalyst for genuine business improvements, we certainly always look to add value through our audit services.
2. Be open, honest, and collaborative
Honesty always wins in an audit. Auditors are trained to spot inconsistencies, and fabricating evidence can lead to more severe findings.
Instead of fearing auditors, try to engage with them proactively. Many consultant or certification body auditors, visit hundreds of businesses a year and usually want to help. If you view the audit as an opportunity rather than a threat, you might find it surprisingly beneficial.
That said, when it comes to external audits it can be helpful to have some guidance and support and not to ‘over-share’ as this can lead to some undesired outcomes.
ISO audits emphasize stakeholder engagement, ensuring that compliance efforts aren't siloed within a single department but involve relevant teams. This approach improves audit outcomes and helps embed compliance into company culture.
If you have areas needing improvement, openly discussing them, including formal documentation of gaps, can work in your favour. Auditors may still flag them, but they tend to mitigate severity if they see proactive planning in place.
3. And breathe…
Nerves before and during an audit are completely normal. However, remember that audits are not usually meant to catch you out—their goal is to help maintain compliance, improve business efficiency, and, in many cases, increase customer trust.
Auditors often appreciate direct questions, whether about best practices, recommendations, or industry trends they’ve observed elsewhere. Take advantage of their expertise rather than seeing them as adversaries. And when it comes to recommendations from an external auditor, you can always use a trusted advisor (such as us) to tell you whether it’s the best thing for your organisation.
Some auditees start their audits feeling nervous, but walk away with valuable insights, newfound confidence, and even a smile. If approached correctly, audits can become one of the most constructive tools for business improvement.
And we’re always here to guide you through the process.