TRUSTED CERTIFIED AUDITOR PROGRAMME
Programme Guide
Course Guidelines, Study & Assessment Requirements
Welcome
Welcome to the TRUSTED Certified Auditor Programme.
The Programme has been developed by the IRF Trusted Mark Secretariat to develop competent auditors capable of planning, conducting and reporting impartial, consistent and customer-centric certification audits of Retailers and Shopping Centres under the IRF Trusted Mark Certification Scheme.
Unlike conventional auditor training, the Programme combines structured learning with practical retail knowledge, customer-centric principles, audit techniques, professional judgement and evidence-based decision-making, enabling participants to conduct audits that add value while maintaining the integrity of the certification process.
Programme Overview
Programme
TRUSTED Certified Auditor Programme
Conducted by
IRF Trusted Mark Secretariat
Objective
Develop competent auditors capable of planning, conducting and reporting impartial, consistent and customer-centric certification audits under the IRF Trusted Mark Certification Scheme.
Certification Awarded
TRUSTED Certified Auditor
Who Should Attend
Certification Body Auditors, Retail & Shopping Centre professionals, Consultants and other eligible professionals seeking competency in the IRF Trusted Mark Certification Scheme.
Learning Approach
Practical, competency-based and application-oriented.
Programme Philosophy & Structure
Programme Philosophy
Professional judgement, objective evidence, impartiality and consistency are fundamental to credible certification.
Programme Structure
- Self-study
- Guided learning
- Practical audit exercises
- Written examination
- Professional interview
Learning Framework
| Retail & Shopping Centres | Audit Methodology | Certification Process | Professional Competence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retail categories, formats & channels | Audit planning & preparation | IRF Trusted Mark Certification Process | Professional judgement |
| Shopping Centre operations | Document review | Initial Certification Audits | Impartiality |
| Customer experience | Evidence gathering | Surveillance Audits | Objectivity |
| Customer journeys | Interview techniques | Remote (e-Audits) | Confidentiality |
| Operational practices | Sampling & verification | Hybrid Audits | Ethical conduct |
| Regulatory awareness | Audit reporting | Corrective action verification | Continuous competence |
Learning & Assessment
| Learning Methodology | Practical Learning | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Self-study & guided learning | Retail & Shopping Centre audit simulations | Written Examination |
| Reading material & case studies | Evidence evaluation | Audit Case Studies |
| Interactive sessions | Audit planning exercises | Practical Assessment |
| Experience sharing | Report writing exercises | Professional Interview |
| Auditor Study Handbook | Observation of retail environments | Competency Evaluation |
Candidate Resources & Certification
Study Material
- Auditor Study Handbook*
- Reading Material
- Audit Case Studies
- Practical Exercises
- Programme Schedule
- Assessment Instructions
Certification
Candidates successfully completing the prescribed learning and assessment requirements will be awarded the TRUSTED Certified Auditor Certificate issued by the IRF Trusted Mark Secretariat.
*The e-Study ‘Customer-Centric Retail Auditing Handbook’ is included free with every approved application under the Programme. Otherwise available separately at ₹2,500 per copy.
Important Note
Successful completion of the TRUSTED Certified Auditor Programme demonstrates that the candidate has successfully completed the prescribed learning and assessment requirements of the Programme.
The Programme does not, by itself, authorise an individual to conduct certification audits or confer approval as a Certification Body Auditor.
Qualification, authorisation, witness assessment, empanelment and maintenance of auditor competence remain the responsibility of the respective Certification Body in accordance with its documented procedures, accreditation requirements and the IRF Trusted Mark Certification Scheme.
Professional Conduct & Continuous Improvement
Professional Conduct
- Integrity
- Impartiality
- Objectivity
- Confidentiality
- Evidence-based decision making
- Ethical behaviour
- Professional judgement
Continuous Improvement
The Programme and study material are periodically reviewed and updated to reflect developments in retail practices, audit methodologies, technology, regulatory requirements and the IRF Trusted Mark Certification Scheme. Candidates should always refer to the latest material issued by the Secretariat.
Enquiries & Submissions
Priti Gupta, Sr. Manager
IRF Trusted Mark Secretariat
S-61A, Okhla Industrial Area, Phase II, New Delhi – 110020, India
Tel: +91 11 40525000 Ext. 207
Mobile: +91 88264 15472
Email: pritigupta@irftrustedmark.org
Website: www.irftrustedmark.org
