What is the main focus of an internal audit?

The main focus of an internal audit is to assess the effectiveness of management systems. This aligns with the purpose of internal audits within organizations pursuing ISO 9001 certification, which aims to ensure that the quality management system (QMS) is functioning as intended. Internal audits evaluate how well the processes are being implemented, provide insights into performance against set objectives, and identify opportunities for improvement.

While compliance with legal standards, reviewing financial performance, and managing employee performance can be aspects of a broader auditing or review process, they are not the primary objectives of an internal audit in the context of ISO 9001. The essence of internal audits is to systematically measure the efficacy of the quality management practices in place, ensuring continuous improvement and compliance with both internal policies and standards set by ISO 9001.