Last week, we shared some exciting news: Ascend Payroll has been certified to three international quality standards.
ISO 9001 – the standard for quality management
ISO 27001 – Information Security Management System
ISO 27701 – Privacy Information Management System (PIMS)
Achieving these Standards was a first-year priority for us because we believe payroll data deserves the highest level of protection, and the service we deliver deserves consistent quality every single time.
But there’s something important behind those certifications that separates a certificate that genuinely means something from one that just looks good on the wall.
The UKAS difference
When a business says it’s ISO certified, it sounds impressive. But the question that really matters is who certified it?
Not every ISO certificate carries the same weight. The difference is accreditation, and in the UK, that means one name that truly counts – UKAS, the United Kingdom Accreditation Service.
UKAS is the UK’s national accreditation body. It’s appointed by the government to check that auditors and certification bodies meet international standards for independence, competence, and consistency.
If your ISO auditor is UKAS accredited, it means their work has been independently verified to the global benchmark. If they’re not, your certificate may not carry the same credibility or global recognition.
It’s about trust
UKAS accreditation isn’t a badge you buy. It’s earned through evidence, rigour, and impartial assessment.
A UKAS-accredited certificate tells your customers, regulators, and partners that the auditor is independent and competent, the process meets international best practice, and the result is credible and verifiable.
Without that assurance, your certification might exist, but it might not be accepted where it matters most.
Global recognition that travels with you
UKAS is part of the International Accreditation Forum, which means its certificates are recognised around the world. When your auditor is UKAS accredited, your ISO certification carries weight in every IAF member country. You don’t need to repeat the process to prove it’s valid.
Avoiding the common pitfalls
Using a non-accredited auditor can seem easier or cheaper, but it often leads to problems later. Many tenders and supply chains only accept UKAS-accredited certificates. Some businesses find out too late that they need to recertify to meet client or regulatory expectations.
Choosing a UKAS-accredited auditor from the start protects your investment and your reputation.
Doing the right thing
At Ascend, doing the right thing means choosing the most rigorous path, not the simplest one.
We see ISO accreditation as a genuine commitment to quality, security, and privacy. That’s why we only work with UKAS-accredited auditors – to make sure our certifications reflect the same integrity and accountability that define our business.
When we announced our ISO certifications last week, we weren’t just ticking a box. We were making a commitment backed by the most credible accreditation available. Because when it comes to protecting your data, your payroll, and your trust, nothing less will do.
