Counting down the no-nos during audits: Number 4: Doing the audit at all cost
As auditors for the pharmaceutical industry, we have the opportunity to visit the most wonderful places as well as the most interesting companies. We are lucky enough to conduct audits all over the world.
Apart from visiting some exemplary companies, we sometimes encounter things we would rather not see. In these last few weeks of 2018, we are counting down the 10 most surprising experiences of 2018 which we truly hope we will not encounter again: some funny, some awful, some just completely unacceptable. And as we are only human after all, some things that happened were through our own making.
Number 4: Doing the audit at all cost
Performing an audit is an activity that takes planning and preparation. When an audit is planned, we receive commitment from the auditee that facilities are available for visiting and that their staff is available for interviews. We ask our auditees to adjust their calendars and schedules to ours. It is therefore extremely inconvenient for the auditee when an audit cannot take place on the scheduled date. And the closer to the date, the more frustrating and inconvenient this is.
Therefore, we do (almost) everything to make sure we get there on time, on the date agreed.
People who know us, also know that we do not like travelling by train and that we prefer the ‘sanctity’ of our own cars instead of enduring the experience of using crowded Dutch public transportation. Not everyone feels this way though, and when required, or requested by the client, we are willing to take trains. Another thing you need to know is that we were going to fly to Edinburgh using the cheapest plane tickets we could find (approx. €100).
In this particular event, we performed an audit with two of the client’s representatives who insisted on taking the train to Amsterdam Airport. We gathered in the city of ‘s Hertogenbosch to catch our train to the airport. As we boarded an somewhat overcrowded train (standing room available only), we waited for the doors to close and the train to leave. Minutes passed, and more minutes passed. After approx. 15 minutes, the conductor announced there had been an accident on the track and the train was not going to depart.
So, what to do? Considering the available time, we evaluated our options and the only option of giving us a realistic chance to catch our plane in time, was to take a taxi and so we did. While getting into a taxi, the meter was turned on and we expected the fare to be approx. €100. Acceptable. Until our bad luck struck again. As soon as we drove onto the highway, we got stuck in a large traffic jam. After a call with the client, we decided to take a detour via Rotterdam as that route seemed trouble free. Then, approx. 20 km from Schiphol, an accident happened and the highway was closed. We stood there for over an hour, the only thing moving was the taxi meter, going up and up and up, and past the amount of the total amount in cash the three of us had on us. This was going to be problematic for the driver did not have the possibility to accept cards. While waiting, the client’s office was able to negotiate with the taxi company that the invoice would be sent to them and they also booked new plane tickets for us. Unfortunately, only business class plane tickets were available. In the end, the amounts of €350 for the taxi and €1250 for plane tickets were added to our cheap trip..
We always try to travel as cost effective as possible, and would never spend more without the client’s approval, but this must have been one of the most expensive short trips we have ever taken.
Next will be number 3: The audit as a black tie event
As you can see, after reading this countdown series, we have extensive auditing experience and have encountered almost all possible situations: good and bad.
Would you like to take advantage of that experience and expertise? Contact us here and see how you can benefit.
Did you like this post: You can find the series HERE
Number 10: Living Pest Control
Number 9: Threatening the auditor
Number 8: Audit, was that today?
Number 7: Lunch
Number 6: Do not mind that liquid spill, that is probably harmless
Number 5: Oops, the cleanroom is flooded