Elevating Social Audit Standards: RSJ’s Initiative to Bridge the Demand-Supply Gap

RSJ aims to address the shortage of qualified social compliance auditors (CSCAs) in India by launching a comprehensive program. This initiative strives to enhance the professionalism, consistency, and credibility of social auditing practices, building upon the foundation laid by APSCA.

By bridging the gap between the demand and supply of CSCA’s, we aim to strengthen good governance, oversight, and accountability within organizations.
Close-up of Human Hand

1. Social Audits and Auditors – Introduction:

Social audits have always been helping in promoting good governance, increase oversight and accountability of any organization.  Over the years, various social compliance programs have witnessed many changes to cater to industry requirements, yet after APSCA existence, the outcome of social auditing enhanced the professionalism, consistency and credibility of the individuals and organizations performing independent social compliance audits. 

Therefore, on the one hand, the contributions of APSCA are highly appreciated but at the same time, the defined criteria have witnessed a huge gap between demand and supply of qualified resources (CSCAs) and that is somewhat worry some for social compliance audit industry.  In a big country like India, we have about 157 CSCAs (as on June 26, 2024) which are insufficient considering industry demand.  Therefore, we at RSJ would like to take an initiative by undertaking a PROGRAM to help minimize the demand and supply gap of qualified resources (CSCAs).  To start with, we wish to implement proposed program in India. 

2. Program Aims:

RSJ would like to help/support potentially suitable and eligible qualified persons to avail its’ platform to enroll with APSCA as a member auditor, appear and make attempts to qualify all APSCA exams to become CSCA. This may help to shorten gap between demand and supply of qualified and competent resources (CSCAs) in India.  

RSJ SCA program is meant for both existing Social Compliance Auditors (Non CSCA) and Aspiring working professionals (Subject to meeting eligibility requirements). 

3. Beneficiaries:

a) Auditors: This program is meant for both existing Social Compliance Auditors (Non ASCA / CSCA) and Aspiring working professionals (Subject to meeting eligibility requirements).  
 
b) Auditees: Clients (Brands); Manufacturers and Suppliers who are supplying Goods & Services to Brands / organisation / Markets who are socially conscious and expected to demonstrate adherence to globally acceptable social standards.

4. Gains:

a) Gains for Auditors:

  • Opportunity to enhance the professionalism, consistency and credibility of individual auditors
  • Globally acceptable CSCA recognition
  • Opportunity to enhance auditor’s professional credentials and career

b) Gains for Market:

  • More efficient & timely delivery of Social Audit Services
  • Availability of capable and competent resources
  • Cost effective audits due to availability of more CSCAs and audit firm options

c) Gains for Audit Firms:

  • Reduce compliance cos
  • Enhance timely delivery of services
  • Reduce attrition of Critical Talent (ASCA / CSCA)
  • Reduce lead time to achieve other Social Audit program accreditation
Gains of Joining SCA Program

5. Desired profile of candidate for this SCA Program:

1.Preferably a university graduate either in Humanities, Arts, Commerce, Science, Engineering or law . 

2.Candidates having received a minimum 5 days formal classroom training on social compliance from an APSCA Audit Firm or an APSCA-approved organization will be preferred.  

3. Preferably 1 year of social auditing experience but must have done at-least 25 social audits as a lead/supporting auditor with either 3rd party audit firms or in manufacturing companies or Retailers/Brands or Buying Houses etc.  

4. An audit log duly signed and sealed by previous employer will be needed. This program is meant for those who are looking for social auditing career as auditors and not for consultants or advisors. 

5. Strong follower and practitioner in ethics and integrity conduct and behavior.  

6. Excellent English communication skills with fluency in one local language such as Hindi, Tamil, Kanada, Telugu, Malayalam, Bengali or any other regional language.  

7. Preference for those who have qualified SA 8000 lead auditor course or are qualified to conduct ISO 9001/14001/26000 audits for certification purposes.  

8. Open to travel throughout Pan India on short notice.  

9. Well familiar with Microsoft Office Word, Excel and Power Point.