Difference Between Audit and Inspection (With Table)

Audit and inspection are the most common things in the investigation. But most of us often get confused between them because of their similarities in context. So, if you want to know the difference between audit and inspection you have to keep your eyes on this article because we are going to discuss all the differences between them in this write-up.

The main difference between audit and inspection

Audit and inspection seem almost the same in their context but the main difference between audit and inspection

is – An audit is a prolonged and complex process whereas inspection is a simple and one-step process.

And at the time of reporting, the audit answers the question ‘why’. On the other contrary, inspection answers the question ‘what’.

Difference between Audit and Inspection

Audit	Inspection
It is a complex and prolonged process.	Inspection is a simple, one-step process.
It answers the question ‘why’.	It answers the question ‘what’.
Audit creates recommendations.	It creates action.
It doesn’t occur so frequently but if it occurs, it can continue throughout the day.	Inspection occurs frequently and repeatedly.
It is a qualitative and deeper investigation.	It is a quantitative process.

Audit

An audit is a prolonged and complex investigation process that doesn’t occur frequently. It’s an examination or verification of a person, organization, project, or product.

It is a deeper investigation process of goods and services. In this process, the person in charge will incorporate various steps to get the entire details of that product or service as it is a depth qualitative and high review examination.

For example – during an Audit, the person in charge will try to find out the reasons for the missing equipment through well-informed data and documentation.

This process answers the question ‘why’ at the time of reporting. And it follows the process from start to end so that it consumes much time.

Related: Difference between Subsidiary and Branch (With Table).

Inspection 

Inspection is a simple and one-step process and it just deals with the problems which can cause immediate problems.

The main objective of the inspection is to meet the customer’s needs. It majorly works on the quantitative principle and focuses on an action

In this process, the person who is in charge will just note the missing equipment as it answers the question ‘what’ at the time of reporting.

This shows that it follows the quantitative principle because this process is only related to numerical orders. It occurs frequently and doesn’t take much time. It’s the act of observing something often more closely. It basically helps to improve any organization or person or product.

Related: Difference Between Duty and Responsibility [With Table].

Conclusion

Audit and inspection both are used in the investigation for the verification of a product, person, organization, or project. Instead of using both in an investigation, they have differences between them which we tell in this article.

Summary

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• Audits are a time-consuming task because it is a depth and detailed examination or verification of any organization, person, or project; whereas Inspection isn’t that time consuming because it is a one-step process.
• The audit is a complex process while the inspection is a simple process.
• Audit works on qualitative principle whereas inspection majorly works on the quantitative principle.
• The entire management system is the main focus of the audit. On the other hand, work equipment and the workplace are the main focus of inspection.
• Audits are the process while inspection focuses on action.

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FAQs

What are audit and workplace inspections?

Though audit is a prolonged process than inspection audit investigates or experiments the depth of the product, person, or organization’s problem while inspection just deals with the problems which can cause immediate problems.

What is the main purpose of the inspection?

The main purpose of the inspection is to meet the customer’s needs. It majorly works on the quantitative principle and focuses on action.

How many types of safety audits are there?

There are three types of safety audits. Which are –

• Compliance audit
• Program audit
• Management system audit.

What is the difference between auditor and auditee?

An auditor is a person who is in charge of the audit whether the auditee is a person or organization which is being audited by the auditor.

What is the difference between a quality inspection and a quality audit?

An audit is a qualitative and deeper investigation which consumes much time when it occurs. It is a higher-level review system by which a person, organization, or project gets verified.

On the other hand, Inspection is a quantitative, simple, one-step process where it deals with problems that can cause immediate problems. The main purpose of the inspection is to meet customer requirements and it focuses on action.