Certified Quality Auditor (CQA) Prasctice Exam

What is the required format for documenting the objective evidence that supports an audit observation?

1. Recorded on the working papers

2. Verified by the escort

3. Mentioned to the auditee

4. Written as a nonconformance

The correct answer is: Recorded on the working papers

The required format for documenting the objective evidence that supports an audit observation is recorded on the working papers. This is crucial because working papers serve as the official record of the audit process, providing a detailed account of what was observed, the evidence collected, and the conclusions reached. Properly documented evidence in the working papers ensures transparency and allows for verification by others, including subsequent auditors or quality managers. Using working papers to document objective evidence helps to create a structured format, maintaining consistency and completeness in the audit findings. This becomes essential for any follow-up actions or for addressing any identified nonconformities or areas requiring improvement. In essence, good documentation practices foster accountability and facilitate ongoing quality assurance efforts. Other options do not provide a formal or comprehensive means of documenting the evidence. For instance, verification by the escort lacks independent validation, and simply mentioning findings to the auditee does not assure structured documentation. Writing evidence as a nonconformance may also mischaracterize the situation, as not all observations may represent nonconformities; hence, the objective evidence needs to be clearly recorded in the working papers for accuracy and clarity.