Certified Quality Auditor (CQA) Prasctice Exam

What provides auditors with the authority to conduct external second-party audits?

1. A company's quality assurance manual

2. The quality standard being audited against

3. The established audit procedures

4. The purchase contract

The correct answer is: The purchase contract

The authority for auditors to conduct external second-party audits primarily stems from the purchase contract. This contract outlines the specific terms and conditions agreed upon by the buyer and supplier, including compliance requirements and audit rights. Typically, these contracts allow the buyer to verify that the supplier is meeting their obligations related to quality standards and specifications. In contrast, while a company’s quality assurance manual provides detailed procedures and guidelines for maintaining quality, it does not grant auditors the inherent authority to perform audits. The quality standard being audited against offers a framework or benchmark for evaluation, but it is the contractual agreement that gives auditors the right to access the supplier's processes and records for auditing purposes. Established audit procedures, although crucial for conducting audits effectively, are not the source of authority. Thus, the purchase contract is the foundational document that empowers auditors to perform external second-party audits.