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The words “audit” and “Qualiopi auditor” still strike fear into the hearts of some training professionals. The sleepless nights the night before, the documents reread ten times, the chills at the opening meeting… And yet, a Qualiopi audit should not be experienced as an exam to be taken under tension, but as a moment of structured, professional exchange.
This is where the quality of the Qualiopi auditor comes into play.
A good Qualiopi auditor is neither a judge, nor an advisor, nor a simple “controller”. He or she is the guarantor of a reference system, but also the guarantor of a climate conducive to expression, transparency and progress.
Since December 2019, I’ve had the privilege of working as an auditor for AFNOR Certification, within the framework of the National Quality Standard.
Over the course of my audits, I have met passionate managers, committed teams and committed trainers. These exchanges were deeply human, often inspiring, sometimes touching, always enriching.
At the same time, I helped a number of customers achieve Qualiopi certification – without ever being judge and jury, of course, in keeping with the ethics of the auditing profession.
This dual role enabled me to see things from two different angles: that of the evaluator and that of the trainer.
Before that, I worked in the EdTech sector, where I managed structured quality initiatives, lived through (and survived 😄) ISO 9001 audits, and contributed to the implementation of demanding standards.
👉 It’s this experience in the field, combining methodological rigor, understanding of the standards and audit feedback, that I’d like to share here.
With kindness, transparency… and sometimes a touch of humor.
Welcome to the “Qualiopi – Auditor’s chronicles” section: findings, keys and a human perspective on an exciting profession: that of Qualiopi auditor.
“It has been a pleasure to work for Acfor under the prism of Quality lighting that you have enabled me to apprehend through Qualiopi.”
This message received by a field auditor illustrates what a good audit can generate: a feeling of clarity, progress and even transformation.
Behind this sincere thank-you lies a well-executed audit, marked by method, listening and… humanity.
Far from the “traumatic” audits some have experienced under other standards, Qualiopi leaves plenty of room for human contact and pedagogy, provided the auditor adopts the right posture.
The auditor cannot be both judge and jury. He must neither advise, nor direct towards service providers, nor interpret the standards in his own way. His role is to verify compliance, in complete neutrality.
Being benevolent does not mean being lax. It means saying things constructively, without judgment, and always with respect for the auditee. A good auditor instills confidence while remaining demanding.
Listening doesn’t mean waiting your turn to speak. An effective listener understands the context of the organization, adapts his or her questions, rephrases if necessary, and verifies mutual understanding.
A Qualiopi audit is a standardized process. It follows a logic based on PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act). The rigorous sequence of steps guarantees fairness between all audited organizations.
A good auditor doesn’t arrive with a simple grid. He or she is familiar with the realities of the field, the constraints faced by trainers, the logic of financing, the specific regulations linked to action categories, a minimum of skills and/or knowledge in professional certification engineering, the language of OPCOs, and the complexity of the BPF. It makes all the difference.
The auditor’s job is not to show off his expertise, but to clarify what’s expected. He must be able to explain a requirement without jargon, even to a newcomer.
From auto-entrepreneurs to multi-site CFAs, from face-to-face training courses to EdTech: a good auditor knows how to adapt his or her language, examples and pace.
The auditor must analyze :
He must then send a clear audit plan, 15 to 30 days in advance, so that the organization can prepare with confidence.
The audit always begins with an opening meeting. Interviews, document analysis and observations then enable the auditor to formulate precise findings.
At the closing meeting, the auditor explains the findings. In the event of non-compliance, the auditor ensures that the auditee fully understands the root cause.
Audit reports, deadlines for resolving non-conformities, points for improvement: these are all part of indirect support.
When a deviation is identified, the way in which the auditor announces it is crucial. It’s never a sanction, but an opportunity for progress. A good auditor knows how to say: “I see a discrepancy here, here’s why, on which sample.”
“I didn’t sleep the night before my audit.”
“I was so stressed that I forgot my interview grid.”
A good auditor anticipates, reassures and structures the audit so that it is fluid, intelligible and supportive.
Coming from the world of digital training and public and private tenders, with a background in quality (ISO, RSE Label Lucie), I trained as an internal auditor before specializing in the Qualiopi National Quality Standard in 2019.
This diversity has enabled me to understand the strategic challenges facing OFs, while remaining aligned with the reference framework.
“I know what it’s like to prepare for an audit as the auditee. And I know how much the auditor’s posture can make all the difference.”
A little humor, a lot of teaching and a lot of listening: the ingredients for a successful audit for both parties.
To be a Qualiopi auditor is not to apply a grid, but to embody a fair and understandable requirement. It means assessing without judging, observing without crushing, listening without substituting.
A good auditor helps the organization he audits to progress, by enabling it to see more clearly, gain greater control and identify its real areas for improvement.
1. Can the auditor give advice?
No. It can clarify an indicator, but never point to a specific solution or method.
2. Is a good listener always a good listener?
Yes, in my opinion, and without compromising on rigor. Benevolence is compatible with high standards.
3. Can I request a change of auditor?
Yes, in the event of a conflict of interest or proven doubt as to impartiality.
4. Can the auditor be judge and jury?
No. It must remain independent of any contractual or commercial link with the audited organization.
5. What is a Qualiopi white audit?
This is a simulation audit, often proposed by experts such as Diligence Consulting, to prepare for real-life conditions.
