GOVERNANCE, STRATEGY,  
FUNDING, MEMBERSHIP & CPD  
FREQUENTLY ASKED  
QUESTIONS  
MAY ꢀꢁꢀꢂ  
Many questions from our May 2023 Q&A were also answered in our previous online sessions.  
Be sure to read our Annual Updates FAQ documents, or visit our general FAQ page on the  
APSCA website.  
GOVERNANCE, STRATEGY & FUNDING  
Q: What are the priorities for APSCA in 2023?  
Some priorities for APSCA in 2023 include expanding the capacity of Auditors through a job  
board, expanding our external engagement to influence pending legislation and promote the  
value of Social Compliance Auditors in human rights due diligence, and reviewal of APSCA’s  
governance, developing a process for establishment of a CSCA council, to name a few.  
Q: Do all audit programs automatically use all Member Firms?  
No, while APSCA encourages organizations to use Member Firms over non-Member Firms, it’s  
not mandatory to use every Member Firm for every program. Depending on the size of the  
program, dealing with that many programs is not practical.  
Q: What are the new changes being introduced as part of APSCA’s enhanced funding model?  
Effective July 1, ꢀꢁꢀꢂ, a $15 audit fee will be added to programs who have identified their support  
of our phased approach. These programs are amfori/BSCI, Sedex/SMETA, WRAP and SA8000.  
From January 1, ꢀꢁꢀꢃ, Member Firm annual APSCA Membership fees will be tiered: $5,ꢁꢁꢁ for C  
Firms, $1ꢀ,ꢁꢁꢁ for B Firms, and $15,ꢁꢁꢁ for A Firms.  
For more information visit our Strategy & Funding page of the APSCA website where the Funding  
Document is noted at the bottom of the page.  
Q: How can we expand the capacity of Auditors and match them with Firms willing to train  
non-enrolled Auditors?  
We are working with an IT group to develop a job board that can support the connection of auditors  
and Member Firms. This will enable Auditors to find Member Firms who are open to training  
Auditors not yet enrolled with APSCA and support them through the process.  
Q: What external engagement activities had APSCA been involved in?  
We engaged with external parties in USA and Europe during ꢀꢁꢀꢀ to influence pending legislation  
related to Social Compliance audits, human rights due diligence, and liability placed on individual  
Auditors. This engagement is continuing throughout 2023 and we are currently in conversation  
with various EU organizations providing guidance regarding social compliance auditing.  
Q: When and where will the Annual Meeting of Members and Stakeholders (AMM) take place?  
TheAMMwillbe held at the offices ofThe Coca-Cola CompanyinAtlanta, Georgia, on November16th  
and 17th. There will also be CPD-eligible training on November 15th. Both the AMM and the training  
will be held in a hybrid fashion, meaning you have the option to attend in person or virtually. Please  
be sure to watch the AMM 2023 page on our website for more details as they become available.  
APSCA Frequently Asked Questions – Q&A – Governance, Strategy, Funding, Membership & CPD - May 2023  
Page 1 of 4  
FAQ - Governance, Strategy, Funding, Membership & CPD  
MEMBERSHIP  
Q: Can I join APSCA if I’m not associated with a Member Firm?  
APSCA currently accept new Auditors who are identified as associated with an APSCA Member Firm.  
Q: If I’m employed by one Firm that is not qualified for a program, can I subcontract for another  
qualified Firm?  
It is recommended to speak with your employer and ensure their approval before subcontracting to  
another audit Firm. Transparency and understanding your employment agreement are important.  
Q: Is the use of APSCA member number regulated by APSCA?  
The use of the APSCA member number is noted within the ‘Use ofAPSCA MemberAuditor Number  
Guide.’ We encourage you to ensure you are aware and operate in alignment with the guidance.  
Q: Can we use the digital ID badge offline during audits with limited internet connectivity?  
Yes, you can take a screenshot of your digital ID badge and use it offline. It’s recommended to take  
the screenshot as close to the time of the audit as possible for accuracy.  
Q: Can I be associated with multiple Firms?  
You can be associated with multiple Firms through APSCA. The names of the Firms you are  
associated with will not be visible to each Firm. It’s recommended to use a personal email for your  
APSCA profile to avoid any issues when changing Firms.  
Q: How do I update my profile?  
Email dataadministrator@theapsca.org noting the requested changes.  
Q: How do I enrol a new Auditor and what qualifications are required?  
An Auditor is to be presented to APSCA by the Member Firm using the data collection sheet.  
The qualifications required for enrolment, as noted within the Competency Framework, include  
completing training with the Member Firm, participating in at least three different audits, and being  
ready to be a team member on an audit. Once the necessary information is provided and the  
annual membership fee is paid, a number will be issued.  
Q: What do I do if I’m moving from one Member Firm to another and need to update my profile?  
How do I maintain my CSCA status if I am separating from my Firm?  
If you’re changing Firms, you can contact the Data Administrator at the email dataadministrator@  
theapsca.org and let them know that you are leaving Firm A and joining Firm B. The disassociation  
from your original Firm will happen once you’ve notified us, and the association with the new Firm  
will be confirmed by both the Firm and the Auditor before it is noted within your APSCA profile.  
To maintain your CSCA status, you must ensure you are submitting your CPD, pay your annual  
membership fees, and complete an annual Form of Acceptance.  
APSCA Frequently Asked Questions – Q&A – Governance, Strategy, Funding, Membership & CPD - May 2023  
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FAQ - Governance, Strategy, Funding, Membership & CPD  
CONTINUOUS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (CPD)  
Please refer to the CPD Policy and previous FAQ documents for answers to general CPD questions.  
Q: Is there a particular way to upload supporting documentation for CPD?  
The required hours should be uploaded by January 15th of the following year to the Auditors APSCA  
online account (My Account). For example, for ꢀꢁꢀꢂ, Auditors have until January 15th, ꢀꢁꢀꢃ, to record  
their participation in the required CPD hours. Instructions on how to upload CPD records can be  
found here.  
Q: What should I focus on in CPD if my exam was two years ago and I completed all the  
required training?  
Assuming you’ve passed all three exams and remediated the highlighted topics, there are  
mandatory topics, such as two hours per year for ethics. Additionally, you can focus on emerging  
topics like human rights due diligence or responsible business conduct guidelines. You can also  
consider training related to emerging legislative requirements or complementary business skills.  
It’s important to identify the challenges on your professional horizon and obtain suitable training  
for those.  
Q: How can I learn if I need any specific training for my CPD hours? Will APSCA provide any  
special training for CPD hours?  
TTo identify specific training for CPD hours, you can review the reports you received from your  
APSCA exams, which highlight areas of competencywhere your knowledge was higher or lower. You  
can then self-identify training that matches your knowledge gaps. APSCA is working to add training  
options, including a training day at the annual meeting of Members and Stakeholders (AMM) and  
CPD on-demand recordings from panels.  
Q: What if I didn’t meet CPD requirements? How can I tell whether I’ve met CPD requirements for  
2022 or not?  
If Auditors didn’t meet CPD requirements for 2022, they may receive a notice that they are on CPD  
probation. This is now visible on the CPD tab in the Auditors APSCA online account (My Account)  
(screen shot below).  
A review of the 2022 CPD records will be conducted, and Auditors on probation will be required  
to complete CPD on a quarterly basis for 2023 and submit proof of that CPD through the system.  
APSCA Frequently Asked Questions – Q&A – Governance, Strategy, Funding, Membership & CPD - May 2023  
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FAQ - Governance, Strategy, Funding, Membership & CPD  
Q: What is the process for approving a CPD course and what is the timeline?  
Trainers or training companies can submit an Expression of Interest Form with course details to  
APSCA via the CPD page. The contents are reviewed against the Competency Framework, and  
courses are recognized accordingly. The timeline for course recognition is typically within 30 days,  
although there may be occasional delays. Please refer to the Trainer Policy for more information  
regarding this.  
Q: Are there training courses available in the Japanese language?  
There are training courses offered by various CPD providers in multiple languages, which you can  
view here. It is recommended to reach out to Firms in Japan for specific training opportunities.  
APSCA Frequently Asked Questions – Q&A – Governance, Strategy, Funding, Membership & CPD - May 2023  
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