They can be:

• an on-site visit to a member’s premises from one of RECC’s 16 independent auditors, based around the country
• a desk-based audit of documentation, along with research, by external auditors or by RECC staff Coupled with external audits of applicants.

Audit results are recorded for each member audited and collated by RECC to provide a picture of compliance levels by member: by compliance area, across the Scheme and over time.

On-site audits

Members considered to be high risk are subject to the most intensive level of monitoring; an on-site audit visit carried out by an external independent auditor. A copy of the audit questionnaire  is available in the Members’ Area for reference. It covers the ten key Compliance Areas (CAs) with a number of questions within each area. The CAs are weighted such that 7 of the ten are high priority and three are medium priority. Members being audited are assessed as compliant or non-compliant on each question within a CA and on each CA overall.

Desk-based audits

Medium and lower-risk members are subject to a remote or desk-based audit, either by an external independent auditor or by RECC staff. 
Members will:

• complete a questionnaire;
• submit evidence for review;
• have checks run on credit and trading history, website claims, complaints/CSS history at RECC, checks with insurance provider on registration of contracts etc.

There may also be a telephone-based, semi-structured interview. And, if necessary, RECC may decide that a site visit should be carried out. 

Passing the audit

To pass the audits overall, members have to be compliant:

• in all 7 high priority sections; and
• in 2 out of the 3 medium priority sections.

If monitoring identifies extensive non-compliance there may be additional action. The action will depend on how severe the non- compliance is and whether the member is making efforts to achieve compliance.

There is more information on this process in RECC’s Bye-Laws.