‘Quality’ will be a 2022 workplace buzzword. Compliance and safety were hot topics in 2021, driving increased focus towards quality assurance and quality auditing as respected career professions ripe with opportunity.
Quality Assurance is a systematic process that ensures high-performance work and, in turn, quality products. Quality assurance is achieved by implementing a specific framework that deters mistakes and defects while preventing problems when transferring products to customers. Quality auditing provides a non-biased check that ensures Quality Assurance standards are met. A Quality Assurance Manager will work with an internal or external Quality Auditor to increase efficiencies that flow to the bottom line.
Upskilling is the process of teaching a current employee new skills. As a result, that employee’s capabilities and, therefore, their value increases exponentially. The number of jobs someone will have before the age of 40 has risen to ten, and according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, that number is expected to rise to 12-15 jobs for current graduates. A hunger to upskill is an essential tool for the modern-day employee.
Upskilling with relevant diploma qualifications is a win-win, increasing both your job security and your likelihood of gaining new employment. A Quality Assurance IT tech might progress from Test Manager to Quality Assurance Manager to Project Manager. A Quality Auditor could begin a career in risk management, health & safety or accounting before obtaining the qualifications to transition into quality auditing.
When a drop in quality becomes noticeable, it may not always be as simple as using an audit to uncover the issue and correct your course. Businesses now see the value of conducting audits when at the peak of success. Then CEOs, management, and stakeholders begin to understand the Key Performance Indicators of the business, rather than guessing at what they might be. These KPI’s become a blueprint for Quality Assurance and sustained high performance. This gives those working in Quality Assurance the opportunity to work in a range of businesses at different stages of their business lifecycle, leading to more demand for skilled professionals, as businesses recognise the importance of auditing.
The new international Lease Standard became mandatory on 1 January 2022, introducing a single lessee accounting model. The Standard demands that a lessee recognises assets and liabilities for all leases with a term of more than 12 months unless the underlying asset is of low value.
Challenges for business will be collecting data for all leases, factoring CPI increases and market rent reviews, and reporting to key stakeholders, including investors, banks, customers and suppliers. Quality Auditors who can assist businesses through these new challenges will be in demand throughout 2022.
Unquestionably, at the heart of every successful audit lies a goldmine of rich data. Once collected and analysed, data offers the most reliable reference point for business intelligence and decision making. Computer-assisted audits increase productivity, comprehensiveness and effectiveness by increasing the sheer amount of data that can be analysed, as opposed to by hand.
Computer-assisted audits can perform effective testing of areas such as:
Artificial Technology (AI) will become more commonly used in the industry, helping QA professionals to focus on the important parts of their roles.
The important hurdles to overcome when transitioning to a computer-based audit lies in the costs of technology and training of staff, again making it essential to upskill. A technology-assisted approach is too productive to refuse and will open more jobs in Auditing and Assurance in 2022 and beyond.
Positions available on SEEK offer an average salary of $90,000 to $107,000. A quarter of positions on offer attract salaries over the average. There are over 3,000 positions available across Australia, with APS, Government and Banking being the top employers. Sectors with increasing opportunities are Healthcare, Construction, IT, Engineering, Manufacturing and Finance.
To succeed and flourish in our ever-evolving market, ensuring you are adaptable to 2022 workplace trends for quality assurance and quality auditing is a sensible approach to developing or maintaining any business.
The Quality Assurance and Quality Auditing industry is tipped to have strong growth (Job Outlook), making it an excellent choice for those looking for a rewarding and future-proofed career. The effects of the pandemic have led to increased demand for professionals who can uphold high levels of compliance, not just in healthcare but across all sectors.
