Third-Party Certification Auditing Service

Conduct third-party audits for certification bodies and standards

Startup Cost
$8,000-$35,000
Difficulty
Advanced
Time to Profit
10-18 months
Profit Potential
$8,000-$58,000/month

Overview

Certification auditors generate $100,000-$700,000 annually with 80-95% margins.

In 2025, certification requires independent third-party audits.

Revenue from certification audits ($1,500-$15,000 per audit), surveillance and recertification audits ($1,000-$10,000), auditor daily rates ($800-$2,500), remote audits (lower fees), multi-site audits, and auditing in multiple standards and schemes.

Successful auditors are certified by accredited certification bodies, conduct objective independent audits, verify conformance to standards and requirements, interview personnel and review documentation, and issue audit reports and recommendations.

Certification bodies and companies seeking certification as clients.

Marketing through certification body auditor networks, auditor credentials and approvals, auditing expertise in standards, industry experience, and audit quality reputation.

Required Skills

  • Auditing Methodologies
  • Certification Standards
  • Audit Interviewing
  • Objectivity & Independence
  • Report Writing
  • Industry Knowledge

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Work independently as contractor auditor
  • Certification auditing growing globally
  • Can audit for multiple certification bodies
  • Travel and work in different industries
  • High daily rates for experienced auditors

Cons

  • Need auditor certifications and approvals
  • Extensive travel required for audits
  • Auditor credentials time-intensive to obtain
  • Work as independent contractor (no benefits)
  • Competition from experienced auditors

How to Get Started

  1. Obtain auditor training and certifications
  2. Get approved by certification bodies as auditor
  3. Build industry and standards expertise
  4. Market to certification bodies for audits
  5. Conduct third-party certification audits
  6. Interview personnel and review evidence
  7. Deliver objective audit reports

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