Auditing Terms & Conditions

1. ASSESSMENT

1.1 The work content and timescales for each Assessment quoted to the client are estimates made based on preliminary discussions between Avanta Global Private Limited and the Client and information provided by the Client. In the event AVANTA GLOBAL considers it impractical to adhere to the programme as discussed for the Assessment, AVANTA GLOBAL will prepare and submit to the Client a revised proposal for consideration. AVANTA GLOBAL will from time to time engage qualified Associate Auditors in addition to its full-time staff to undertake assessments on behalf of AVANTA GLOBAL. AVANTA GLOBAL will notify the names of allocated Auditors to the Client, and will assume their acceptance, unless a written objection is received from the Client within 5 days of the notification.
1.2 It is a requirement of those clients seeking auditing to have completed internal audits of their entire system and at least one management review, prior to the on-site compliance audit of their systems.
1.3 Ad hoc audit/s could be carried out as per authority’s technical requirement from time to time.

2. FEES

2.1 The fees quoted are computed based on the actual time spent by the AVANTA GLOBAL Assessors on the Assessment at published daily rates. Such fees are based on a working week of five eight-hour days, excluding travelling time. No charge will be made for absence due to sickness or public holidays. Unless specified to the contrary, fees quoted do not cover the cost of travelling, accommodation or other out-of-pocket expenses incurred during Assessment work. These items are recharged at cost.
2.2 If AVANTA GLOBAL’s Assessors work for more than eight hours on one or more days, AVANTA GLOBAL reserves the right to charge for that additional time on a pro-rata basis.
2.3 AVANTA GLOBAL shall review the fee rates periodically and give the Client one month’s notice of any changes in the rates.
2.4 Assessment and Subsequent Visits shall be as agreed between AVANTA GLOBAL and the Client having regard to the nature of the visit and the prior commitments of both parties.

3. PAYMENT

3.1 AVANTA GLOBAL shall submit an Invoice on receipt of an ‘Acceptance Notification’ from the Client. Payment of such monies shall be due and payable in advance of any Assessment or Subsequent Visit. GST is added where applicable. All fees are non-returnable.
3.2 100% payment upon completion of audit.
3.3 Payment shall be made in Singapore Dollars to AVANTA GLOBAL within 14 days from the date of invoice.
3.4 Audit report and testimony will be released upon receipt of full payment.

4. CLIENT OBLIGATIONS

4.1 The client shall ensure that AVANTA GLOBAL’s Assessors are provided with suitable facilities including internet and facsimile communication, secure storage facilities for confidential data furnished to AVANTA GLOBAL, and secretarial assistance as and when considered necessary.
4.2 Upon request by the Accreditation Body for an on-site audit, the client shall give consent for the assessors of the Accreditation Body to carry out such visit(s) including witness audit. If the client does not allow SAC to witness the audit, the client may not be provided with a SAC accredited report. SAC will also inform all its accredited auditing organisations of the client. If the client chooses to seek auditing services from another auditing organisation, SAC will inform the new auditing organisation that it wishes to witness the audit.
4.3 The client shall make all necessary arrangements for the conduct of the audits, including provision for examining documentation and the access to all processes and areas, records and personnel for all required audit visits and the resolution of any complaints.
4.4 The client shall adhere to regulations set out below:

a) the Audit Report and Testimony will remain the property of AVANTA GLOBAL.
b) if the client decides to terminate its auditing with AVANTA GLOBAL, it must immediately inform AVANTA GLOBAL in writing and return the Audit Report and Testimony to AVANTA GLOBAL. The use of the Audit Report and Testimony and Avanta Global Mark and any claims associated with the auditing, must terminate immediately.
c) the audited client must:
i. advise AVANTA GLOBAL of any minor or major amendments to the Audited Management System. These amendments shall include changes relating to the legal, commercial, organizational status or ownership/organization and management (e.g. key managerial, decision making or technical staff)/contact address and sites/scope of operations under the Audited Management System/major changes to the Management System and processes.
ii. notify AVANTA GLOBAL of any formal customer complaints relating to the audited Management System and maintain records of the corrective action taken.
iii. notify AVANTA GLOBAL of any breaches of regulations notified by the relevant Authorities.
d) In addition, the audited client:
i. shall not use or permit the use of the Avanta Global’s audit report or testimony or the Avanta Global’s mark in communication media such as the Internet, brochures or advertising, or other documents;
ii. shall not make or permit any misleading statement regarding the audit;
iii. shall not use or permit the use of an audit report or testimony or any part thereof in a misleading manner.
4.5 it is the client obligations to inform AVANTA GLOBAL, without delay, matters that may affect the capability of the management system to continue to fulfil the requirements of the standard used for auditing. These include, for example, changes relating to:

a) the legal, commercial, organizational status or ownership,
b) organization and management (e.g. key managerial, decision-making or technical staff),
c) contact address and sites,
d) scope of operations under the audited management system, and
e) major changes to the management system and processes.

5. REPORTS

AVANTA GLOBAL shall provide the Client with an Audit Report.

6. CONFIDENTIALITY

6.1 AVANTA GLOBAL shall inform the client, in advance, of the information it intends to place in public domain such as client organization name, SHMS scheme audited, year of audit etc. When confidential information is made available to other bodies (e.g. accreditation body), AVANTA GLOBAL shall inform the Client of this action. However, information about the Client from sources other than the Client (eg. Complaint, regulators) shall be treated as confidential, consistent with AVANTA GLOBAL policy.
6.2 Either party shall not at any time without the written consent during or after the Engagement divulge or allow to be divulged to any person any confidential information relating to the business or affairs of the Client.
6.3 This obligation does not apply to any confidential information to the extent: –
i. that at the time of disclosure to AVANTA GLOBAL such information is in the public domain
ii. that such information subsequently comes into the public domain other than by reason of breach of this obligation
iii. that disclosure is required by law or in the course of any legal proceedings, or
iv. that prior to such disclosure, such information was lawfully in AVANTA GLOBAL’s possession as evidenced by the written records of AVANTA GLOBAL or its representatives. Unless regulated by law, the Client shall be notified in advance by AVANTA GLOBAL on any confidential information to be released to a third party.

7. NO INDUCEMENT

Either party shall not at any time during or after the Engagement, entice or induce or attempt to entice or induce away from the other party, any person who at any time during the continuance of the Engagement is employed by the other party.

8. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

Whilst every reasonable care is taken by AVANTA GLOBAL to ensure that the Assessment given to the Client is correct, AVANTA GLOBAL shall not be liable or responsible for any loss damage or claim of whatsoever nature including pure economic loss and any consequential loss howsoever arising, occasioned by the implementation of such Assessment.

9. VARIATION, POSTPONEMENT OR CANCELLATION

9.1 Where the Client wishes to postpone or amend agreed Assessment or Subsequent Visits and provides AVANTA GLOBAL with less than five working days written notice of this intention, AVANTA GLOBAL reserves the right to charge a Variation Fee of 50% of the appropriate daily fee rate (or pro rata amount where no day rate has been quoted). If this is not rescheduled within three months cancellation will be deemed to have occurred on notification of the original postponement.
9.2 In the event that the Client wishes to cancel its Auditing, no less than one (1) month written notification of this intent must be provided by the Client to AVANTA GLOBAL. Failure to do so, a withdrawal penalty will be charged.

10. OWNERSHIP OF REGISTRATION

The Audit Report & Testimony shall remain the property of AVANTA GLOBAL and cannot be sold, lent or used as an asset of the Client.

11. FORCE MAJEURE

Failure of either party to perform its obligations under this Engagement shall not subject such party to any liability to the other if such failure is caused or occasioned by an act of God, fire explosion, flood, drought, war, riot, sabotage, embargo, strikes or other labour unrest, interruption due to the delay in transportation, compliance with any order, regulation or request of any government of competent jurisdiction or any officer, department, agency or committee thereof, or by any other event or circumstance of like or different character to the foregoing beyond the reasonable control of the party so failing to perform.

12. GOVERNING LAW

These Terms and Conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with SAC CT 17 and Singapore Law.

13. AUDITING DECISIONS

Avanta Global is responsible for and shall retain authority for, its decisions relating to auditing .

14. MISCELLANEOUS

14.1 Failure by AVANTA GLOBAL to insist upon strict compliance with any provision thereof shall not be deemed to be a waiver of such provision or any other provision thereof.
14.2 The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision hereof shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision.
14.3 These Terms and Conditions may not be modified except by an agreement in writing signed by AVANTA GLOBAL and the Client.
14.4 Should the Client be dis-satisfied with the services provided, then a complaint should be made immediately in writing to top management of AVANTA GLOBAL so that suitable action can be taken. Such complaints will not affect any of the other terms and conditions herein.

15. COMPLAINTS

15.1 Request for addition information may be directed to enquiry@avanta.com.sg
15.2 Complaint or feedback may be directed to enquiry@avanta.com.sg
15.3 An acknowledgement of receipt of the request, complaint or feedback will be sent to the sender.
15.4 Additional information requested may be approval at the discretion of.
15.5 For complaint received, Avanta Global will evaluate the complaint and take necessary action(s) to address the complaint. Avanta Global will feedback to the complainant on the action(s) taken.