Accounting & Integrity
Accreditation
Formal recognition that an organisation is competent to carry out validation or verification under a scheme.
Accreditation is granted by an oversight body after assessment of competence, procedures, quality control and independence. It is the gate that prevents any consultancy from declaring results verified.
The system is only as strong as its oversight. Where accreditation is weak or under-resourced, the credibility of every certificate issued under it weakens too, regardless of the diligence of individual verifiers.
Frequently asked questions
Is accreditation the same as certification?
No. Accreditation qualifies the verifier; certification qualifies a project or product.
Who accredits verifiers?
Designated national or international oversight bodies, depending on the scheme.