| Approx Course Duration *: | Equivalent to Approx. 2 Hour/s |
| Access to Course Content: | 18 Months from the date of enrolment |
| Qualification/s: | Management System Auditing Fundamentals |
| CPD Hours: | 2 Continuing Professional Development Hours |
Management Systems Audit Fundamentals is a focused microcredential designed to help learners quickly understand a specific topic within the broader auditing industry: the foundations of management systems auditing.
Rather than committing to a full qualification straight away, this short course gives learners the chance to build targeted knowledge in one important area. In around an hour, they’ll explore what audits are, why they are carried out, the different types and methods of auditing, and the core ISO 19011:2018 concepts that shape professional audit practice.
This microcredential is ideal for learners who want clarity on a specific topic, fast. It is practical, focused, and built to help people understand the language, structure, and purpose of management systems auditing without unnecessary complexity.
Why Choose a Microcredential?
Many people find themselves involved in audits before they have had formal training. They may be supporting internal audits, working with suppliers, participating in external audits, or trying to better understand what auditors are looking for. This microcredential helps bridge that gap by giving learners a clear introduction to audit fundamentals and the ISO 19011 guidance that supports auditing management systems. It is a practical first step for anyone who wants to understand how auditing works, how audit activities are structured, and how professional auditors approach their work.
For many learners, this is the smartest way to start: focused learning, immediate relevance, and practical understanding they can apply straight away.
What You’ll Learn
This microcredential introduces the core concepts that underpin management systems auditing, including:
- what an audit is and why audits are performed
- the difference between first-, second-, and third-party audits
- secondary audit types such as full, partial, and follow-up audits
- audit methods including on-site, remote, and virtual audits
- the role of ISO 19011:2018 in guiding management systems audits
- key audit terminology such as scope, audit criteria, evidence, findings, and conclusions
- the seven principles of auditing that support effective and reliable audit outcomes
This is not broad, generic theory. It is targeted foundational knowledge that helps learners understand one important area of the auditing profession with more confidence and context.
Who This Microcredential Is For
This course is a strong fit for learners who want focused knowledge on a specific clause, concept, or topic area within the auditing field.
It is especially valuable for those who:
- are new to management systems auditing
- support audit activity as part of their role
- want a simple introduction before progressing further
- need targeted knowledge without enrolling in a full qualification
- want to better understand ISO 19011 and the fundamentals behind audit practice
Choose the Learning Path That Fits You
You do not always need the full standard or the full qualification on day one. Sometimes the best next step is to understand one topic properly, build confidence, and move forward with clarity. Management Systems Audit Fundamentals gives learners exactly that: a clear, practical introduction to one important area of the auditing industry, delivered in a format that is accessible, relevant, and easy to act on. Management Systems Audit Fundamentals is designed to stand alone as a focused microcredential, but it can also act as a starting point for further learning.
If you are looking for a full qualification, we recommend: Internal Auditor Management Systems
If you are looking for introductory information only and do not require a qualification, we recommend: Introduction to Management Systems Auditing (ISO 19011)
| Section | Lesson |
|---|---|
| Introduction | Module Overview |
| Audit Fundamentals | Audit Types |
| Audit Methods | |
| Introduction to ISO 19011:2018 | What is ISO 19011:2018? |
| Clause 1 Scope | |
| Clause 2 Normative References | |
| Clause 3 Terms and Definitions | |
| Clause 4 Principles of Auditing | |
| Optional Bonus Content | ATOL Community Contributions |
| Content Conclusion | Content Module Conclusion |
Course details:
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Microcredential
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Approx 2 hours full-time study*
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Digital Microcredential
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Standard: ISO 19011:2018
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No prerequisites required
* All ATOL courses are delivered in such a way you can work through them at your own pace, the actual time to complete the training may change depending on the individual learners' experience and/or learning style
NO PREREQUISITES