Which term indicates that an external organization has conducted an independent audit to verify compliance with requirements?

• A. Attestation
• B. Certification
• C. Verification
• D. Third-party Attestation of Compliance

Answer: (D)

External, independent verification happens through third-party attestation of compliance. Attestation is a formal statement by an auditor based on evidence that controls or processes meet requirements, and adding “third-party” makes it clear the audit is conducted by an external, independent organization. This combination precisely describes having an outside party review and officially confirm compliance.

Attestation alone could be internal in some contexts, and certification refers to meeting a standard and often results in a certificate but isn’t the explicit attestation of an external audit. Verification is the act of checking facts, but without necessarily implying an external attestation.