Compliance Monitoring Isn’t About “Finding” Findings
- Margrét Hrefna Pétursdóttir
- Jun 9
- 1 min read
In a well-functioning Compliance Monitoring System (CMS), the auditor’s role is not to play detective or go on a fault-finding mission.
✅ The auditor’s job is to assess whether the system is compliant — not to catch people out.
📌 No Findings ≠ Failure
And let’s be clear:
An audit with no findings is not a failure.
A finding, when identified and addressed, is not a failure either — it's an opportunity.
In fact, some of the most mature and resilient compliance environments are those where:
Findings are welcomed, not feared
Weaknesses are self-identified by nominated persons
Issues are openly reported to the compliance department — before the authority spots them
This is how Just Culture and Safety Management Systems (SMS) come to life.
Shift the Mindset: From Flawless to Improving
If you're a Nominated Person in any of the following areas:
Flight Operations
Continuing Airworthiness
Crew Training
Ground Operations
… your role is not just to maintain compliance, but to actively support a culture of continuous improvement.
Don’t hide system weaknesses, report them. Bring them forward before they become findings from the regulator.
Real Compliance Is Transparent
The goal isn’t to look flawless — it’s to be continually improving.
When leadership teams show that they value transparency and follow-through more than spotless audits, they unlock real progress in safety and compliance.

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