Kent’s Outsourced Compliance Manager
Internal Audits for Small Businesses in Kent
Internal auditing for ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 experienced ISO consultants
Need ISO Auditing Services in Kent?
As an IRCA registered lead auditor based in Kent, I provide independent internal audit services for small businesses managing ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001, on-site, thorough and without the jargon.
I work with small and medium businesses across Maidstone, Medway, Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells and Mid Kent at every stage of their audit programme.
Some businesses come to me because their certification body has flagged that internal audits aren’t being done properly, or at all. Others have been doing audits internally but need an independent eye before their surveillance visit. Some are newly certified and need to establish an audit programme from scratch. And somewant me to take over as their outsourced Compliance Manager.
Whatever your situation, the approach is the same, an independent, on-site audit that gives you an honest picture of where your system stands and what needs attention before the certification body arrives with our internal audit services.
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Why Small Businesses in Kent Outsource Their Internal Audits
Small businesses are busy doing what they do best. But holding ISO certification, and everything that comes with it, is what keeps the contracts coming and the doors open.
Internal audits are one of those things that can quietly slip down the priority list. Not because businesses don’t care, but because there are only so many hours in the day. And for many small businesses, there simply isn’t a trained or experienced auditor in-house and the time and cost of training someone isn’t always realistic either.
That is exactly where I come in. As your outsourced compliance manager, I take internal audits completely off your plate, on-site, independent, and done properly so you can get back to running your business.
Your internal audit carried out on-site by an IRCA registered lead auditor – independent, thorough and done properly.
Confidence going into every surveillance or recertification visit, knowing your system has already been tested by an expert.
Non-conformities identified and corrective actions followed through, not just flagged and forgotten.
One person who knows your business and your system, so every audit builds on the last rather than starting from scratch.
Prepare for certification and build a culture of improvement
At Next Step Compliance we help small businesses across Kent maintain their ISO certifications and unlock operational efficiency. Our independent internal audit services cover ISO 9001 (quality management), ISO 14001 (environmental management), ISO 45001 (occupational health and safety) and BRCGS (Food Safety Management System).
I am based in Aylesford and serve companies in Canterbury, Maidstone, Medway, Ashford, Dartford, Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells and throughout Kent. Our audits uncover hidden risks, highlight cost savings and prepare you for a stress‑free external audit.
Why internal audits matter
Internal audits are more than a box‑ticking exercise, they are a powerful tool for growth and compliance. Conducting regular audits helps your small business: –
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Meet ISO requirements – ISO certification requires documented internal audit and management review activities.
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Build customer and stakeholder confidence – Verified processes and documented improvements show clients that you take quality, environmental, safety and food safety responsibilities seriously.
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Reduce costs and waste – Audits identify inefficiencies, non‑conformities and waste so you can streamline processes and cut unnecessary expenses.
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Manage risks and compliance – Risk‑based audits focus on high‑hazard areas and environmental impacts to prevent incidents and regulatory breaches.
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Engage your team – Involving staff in cross‑functional audits improves communication and fosters a culture of continuous improvement.
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Gain market opportunities –Certification and robust internal auditing can open doors to new contracts and supply chains.
Internal Audit Services for small businesses in Kent
You work directly with Jeanette Wessen and Tim Thompson, a husband and wife team based in Mid Kent. No rotating consultants, no being passed around. Always the same two people.
Since 2022 I have supported businesses across Maidstone, Medway, Tonbridge and Mid Kent through ISO 9001 certification and ongoing compliance with a 100% pass rate.
I hold Lead Auditor qualifications for ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001, a NEBOSH Health and Safety qualification and am registered with the International Register of Certified Auditors.
Tim brings expertise in manufacturing and precision engineering environments. Two specialists. One partnership. Everything covered.
Our ISO Auditing Services in Kent
Internal ISO auditing services for ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001 and BRCGS are essential as part of the system. I can give you a full internal audit service that includes planning out your audit programme all the way to supporting you through corrective actions.
Planning and scope
I work with you to understand your operations, identify risks and plan audits around the ISO 9001, ISO 14001 or ISO 45001 requirements. I confirm the scope and schedule in a way that minimises disruption to your business.
Risk‑based auditing
I assess processes based on their significance. For ISO 45001 I focus on high‑hazard areas and recent incidents. For ISO 14001 I assess environmental aspects, compliance obligations and operational controls. For BRCGS we complete a full risk assessment for the internal audit schedule to comply with issue 9 of the standard.
Document review and interviews
I review policies, procedures and records. Interviews and observations help verify that documented processes are followed and effective
Objective reporting
You receive a clear report highlighting conformity, non‑conformities and improvement opportunities. My reports prioritise findings and include root‑cause analysis suggestions.
Corrective actions and support
I will assist you in developing corrective actions and monitor their implementation. My goal is to prepare you for a successful external audit and long‑term improvement.
Areas I serve for Internal Audits in Kent
I do and can work remotely but I do feel strongly about being about to be accessible to the businesses I work with. I provide the kind of service as a small business where you can continuity of consultant and that you can call and talk to me but also be able to be on site for internal audits. It is key to get to know your business well.
We provide ISO audit services across Kent, including but not limited to: –
Canterbury, Maidstone, Medway, Ashford, Dartford, Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge and all surrounding towns. If you’re a Kent business seeking an internal ISO auditor, contact us to see how I can help.
FAQ’s
What is an internal ISO audit?
An internal audit is a systematic, independent evaluation of your management system against the relevant ISO standard. It checks that processes meet planned arrangements, identifies improvements and prepares you for external certification.
How often should we conduct internal audits?
Audits should be scheduled regularly based on risk and complexity. Many small businesses perform audits 2-4 times/year of the full system and increase if they feel the need due to corrective actions and/or risk.
Do small businesses really need an internal audit?
Yes. ISO certification requires evidence of internal audits and continual improvement. Audits also reveal cost savings, regulatory compliance gaps and opportunities to improve quality, environmental performance and safety.
How long does an internal audit take?
The duration depends on the size of your organisation and the scope of the standard. A typical small‑business audit can expect around 2-4 days/year on internal audits that have been outsourced to an ISO consultant.
How much does an internal audit cost?
Small independent ISO consultants charge far less than consultants from a large consultancy. This price will vary depending on the size of your business and location. Get in touch and I will provide a transparent quote with no tie ins (no 10 year contract).
What is the difference between an internal and external audit?
An internal audit is carried out before your certification visit, either by someone within your organisation or by an independent consultant like Next Step Compliance. Its purpose is to check that your management system is working as it should, identify any gaps or non-conformities, and give you the opportunity to put things right before the certification body arrives.
An external audit is carried out by your chosen certification body, such as NQA, BSI, or LRQA and results in your ISO certificate being awarded, maintained or withdrawn. You cannot influence who conducts the external audit, but you can control how well prepared you are for it. That is exactly what a good internal audit does.
What happens if non-conformities are found?
Finding non-conformities during an internal audit is not a bad thing, it is the whole point. An internal audit is your opportunity to identify and resolve issues before your certification body does. A non-conformity found internally and corrected is far better than one found during your external audit.
When I identify a non-conformity, I document it clearly in my audit report with the evidence, the relevant clause of the standard and a root cause analysis suggestion. I then work with you to develop a corrective action, a practical fix that addresses the root cause, not just the symptom. I follow up to make sure the action has been completed and is effective before closing it out.
No non-conformity is left hanging. Everything is tracked, closed and evidenced so that when your certification body arrives, your system is clean and your corrective action history demonstrates exactly the kind of continual improvement they want to see.
Can you carry out internal audits for more than one ISO standard at the same time?
Yes! And for businesses holding more than one ISO standard, an integrated internal audit is usually the most efficient approach. Rather than scheduling separate audits for ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 at different times of the year, I can audit all standards you hold together in a single visit, looking at where the requirements overlap and where they diverge.
This saves time, reduces disruption to your team and gives you a joined-up picture of how your whole management system is performing, not just individual parts of it in isolation.
For businesses holding ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 together, or all three standards, an integrated audit also makes your management review more meaningful because all the evidence sits in one place.
Get in contact with Next Step Compliance
Fill in the contact form for a quote or use the button on the right hand side to contact us using Whatsapp.
We can also support you with your ISO 14001, 45001 and Food Safety needs.