Want to have a successful external audit?

Hi everyone. Hope you've all been okay this year - it's almost over! I'm looking forward to 2021.

COVID-19 has obviously changed how we work in the human services sector, but the main thing is that we are still working - yes, me too! I have always worked remotely as well as onsite, and as a consultant and external auditor, I am still doing both, although definitely more remote work these days. This year I've had the pleasure of working with several organisations across aged care, Queensland human services, and NDIS providers. And there's one big tip that I want to give you. It's the one thing you need to do in order to have success in an external audit. Are you ready?

You have to read the standards.

 I know that many managers do many different things in their role. I know that many providers don't have the resources for hiring a quality manager and take on that role themselves. And I know that there's a lot you need to know to work in this sector. But reading the standards is your first, and very important step, in conforming to them.

 As an auditor, when a client asks me what they need to provide for an audit, it's a big red flag that they haven't read the standards. The standards tell you what you need to know to meet regulatory requirements, what you need to document, and what you need to have evidence of. If the standards refer to meeting external legislation or guidelines, you should read those too.

 Some of the standards out there are pretty big and complex - but if you take one indicator or outcome every day and read it, you will have it knocked over in no time. As you read, take notes of how you might show evidence that your organisation meets the standards, or what improvements  you need to make.

 In the end, when you join an organisation in this sector, or start your own, you are agreeing to comply with quality standards. And you can't comply with them if you don't know them. Where a consultant can come in is helping speed up this process and conducting a gap analysis or internal audit and letting you know where you need to improve.

 If you are finding it hard to find time for this, or you're not quite sure about something in any of the quality standards for our sector, please drop me a email and book me in for a 15 minute free chat. You can ask me anything! There is no obligation, I'd just like to help if I can.

 Thanks for reading.