On Thursday August 19, 2010 the CAB Board of Directors unanimously approved an amendment to the CAB By-Laws; By-Law 52 – regarding the regulation of Auditors.

The amendment to the By-Laws, which took effect from September 14, 2010, introduced a clause requiring CAB registered auditors or the firm employing the auditor to hold Associate Membership to CAB. Members can download the Amendment Notice here, or the updated By-Laws here.

The change enables CAB’s Board to ensure the consistent application of the CAB Print Distribution Audit Reporting Standard by all auditors, through the introduction of an Auditor Accreditation Programme, which will require all CAB Registered Auditors and their staff to be accredited if they are to conduct or work on any CAB print distribution audits.

The Accreditation Programme will improve auditors’ understanding of CAB’s new rules and their application when conducting audits. The membership fee which will start at $150 per year will be used to contribute to CAB’s support resources which can be especially strained during audit periods. The maximum training costs are $250 per accredited auditor or staff member for the training programme which will need renewing every 3 years.

CAB will be conducting training events around Australia as well as offering online webinars for all registered Auditors.

In summary, membership and training for our registered auditors will ensure our publisher members have access to the most competent and knowledgeable circulation auditors who are up-to-date with CAB’s changing audit environment.