An effective Quality Management System (QMS) is the backbone of any organization committed to quality, continuous improvement, and customer satisfaction. Whether you’re certified to ISO 9001:2015, AS9100, or preparing for your first certification audit, one requirement remains universally critical: the Internal Audit.

Internal audits ensure that your QMS is functioning as intended, meeting requirements, and supporting long-term operational excellence. They uncover risks, identify improvement opportunities, and provide the insight needed to keep your operations aligned with your quality objectives.

At Innovative Quality Partners (IQP), we specialize in providing expert QMS Internal Audit services for ISO 9001 and AS9100 certified organizations. With over a decade of experience auditing companies across diverse industries, we help businesses strengthen compliance, improve processes, and stay fully prepared for external audits.

This complete guide will explain the purpose of internal audits, their role in ISO 9001 and AS9100, why organizations struggle, and how IQP’s internal audit solutions create value beyond compliance. 

What Is a QMS Internal Audit?

A QMS internal audit is a systematic, independent, and documented process for evaluating an organization’s quality management system internal audit. It helps determine whether:

• The QMS conforms to planned arrangements
• ISO 9001 and/or AS9100 requirements are being met
• Processes are effectively implemented and maintained
• Improvements are needed to enhance performance

Internal audits are part of the CHECK phase of the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle — the foundation of both ISO 9001 and AS9100 standards.

Internal audits evaluate:

• Process effectiveness
• Employee competency
• Document and record control
• Compliance with regulatory and customer requirements
• Corrective actions
• Quality objectives and performance indicators
• Production and service provision controls

A well-executed internal audit offers far more than compliance — it provides a roadmap for improving efficiency, quality, and customer satisfaction. 

Internal Audit Requirements in ISO 9001 and AS9100

Internal audits are a mandatory requirement.

ISO 9001:2015

Internal audit requirements are defined in Clause 9.2. Organizations must:

• Plan, establish, implement, and maintain an audit program
• Define audit criteria and scope
• Ensure objectivity and impartiality
• Report audit results to relevant management
• Take corrective actions without delay
• Keep documented evidence

AS9100

AS9100 includes everything in ISO 9001 plus aerospace-specific expectations, such as:

• Greater emphasis on risk management
• Configuration management
• Product safety
• Supplier oversight
• Prevention of counterfeit parts

Because aerospace processes often involve safety-critical components, the internal audit must be more thorough and detailed than for ISO 9001 alone. 

Why Internal Audits Matter for Your Organization

Internal audits help organizations:

Improve Process Efficiency

Audits reveal bottlenecks, unnecessary steps, and ineffective practices.

Reduce Risks & Nonconformities

Identifying issues early prevents them from escalating into customer complaints or major audit findings.

Strengthen Customer Confidence

A robust internal audit program proves your commitment to quality.

Prepare for External Certification Audits

Internal audits help ensure you are fully ready for ISO/AS certification and surveillance audits.

Increase Employee Accountability

Teams stay aligned with quality objectives and understand process expectations.

Improve Supplier Quality

Supplier evaluations and audits reduce incoming defects and disruptions. 

Common Challenges Companies Face with Internal Audits

Even experienced companies struggle with internal audits for several reasons.

1. Lack of Qualified Auditors

Auditors need training, competence, and experience. Training is expensive and time-consuming.

2. Difficulty Maintaining Objectivity

Auditors cannot audit their own work. In small companies, this becomes a challenge.

3. Poorly Defined Audit Plans

Organizations often audit “what is easy” instead of what is important or high-risk.

4. Superficial Audits

Some internal audits focus on paperwork only, missing deeper process issues.

5. Weak Corrective Action Follow-up

Problems recur when corrective actions are not properly identified, implemented, and verified.

6. Incomplete Documentation

Missing records, uncontrolled documents, and outdated procedures lead to external audit findings.

These challenges reduce the effectiveness of internal audits and increase the risk of nonconformities during certification audits. 

How Innovative Quality Partners Supports Internal Audits

At IQP, we provide expert third-party internal audit services that reduce operational burden while maximizing value. 

Our process includes: 

1. Comprehensive Internal Audit Planning

We help you plan your audit program based on:

• Process importance
• Customer requirements
• Output risks
• Previous audit findings
• Organizational goals

This ensures your audit plan is strategic, not just routine.

2. Fully Independent, Objective Audits

As an external third-party, IQP provides complete objectivity. Our audits simulate a registrar audit, giving your team a realistic assessment of readiness.

Objectivity leads to:

• Deeper findings
• Stronger insights
• More accurate corrective actions

Your workers become comfortable interacting with auditors before the real certification audit. 

3. Process-Based Auditing

We follow a process-based approach that evaluates:

• Inputs
• Outputs
• Process controls
• Metrics and KPIs
• Risks and opportunities
• Documentation
• Employee competence

This provides a true picture of process performance and compliance. 

4. Findings, Reporting & Corrective Action Guidance

Our audit reports include:

• Nonconformities (major/minor)
• Opportunities for improvement
• Positive performance highlights
• Risks that could impact customer satisfaction

We also guide your team through:

• Root cause analysis
• Corrective action development
• Verification & closure

5. AS9100 & Aerospace-Specific Audit Support

If you are AS9100 certified, we ensure your internal audits meet:

• Safety requirements
• Configuration management
• Product conformity
• Supplier management
• Counterfeit parts prevention
• Special process oversight

Our aerospace experience ensures no key detail is overlooked. 

6. Internal Auditor Training

We train organizations to conduct internal audits independently, including:

• ISO 9001 & AS9100 requirements
• Audit methodology
• Objective evidence gathering
• Interviewing skills
• Process audits vs. compliance audits
• Writing findings

Teams become confident, capable auditors. 

Benefits of Third-Party Internal Audits

Many organizations rely on third-party auditors like IQP because the benefits are significant:

Greater Objectivity

No internal biases, no blind spots.

Professional Expertise

Experienced auditors identify subtle issues that internal teams may overlook.

Saves Time

Your staff stays focused on operations.

More Accurate Audit Results

Better preparation for external certification audits.

Reduced Nonconformities

Fewer findings from registrars = lower cost and higher efficiency. 

Internal Audits for Continuous Improvement

Internal audits are not just a requirement—they are a powerful improvement tool. When done effectively, they support:

• Lean initiatives
• Risk reduction
• Cost savings
• Stronger quality culture
• Better customer experiences

Companies that embrace internal audits as a strategic tool outperform competitors who view it as a compliance checkbox. 

Why Choose Innovative Quality Partners for Internal Audits?

Over a decade of auditing experience

AS9100 & ISO 9001 certified auditors

Deep understanding of QMS across industries

Professional, independent, and objective

Reliable, detailed, and improvement-driven approach

Real-world experience with hundreds of companies.

We don’t just audit — we guide your organization toward stronger, smarter, more effective quality management system internal audit. 

Strengthen Your Quality Management System Internal Audit

Internal audits are an essential part of ISO 9001 and AS9100 compliance. They help your organization:

• Improve processes
• Reduce risks
• Identify gaps
• Achieve consistent results
• Prepare for certification audits

By partnering with Innovative Quality Partners, you gain a trusted expert team dedicated to strengthening your QMS and supporting long-term success.