SOC 2 Auditors: Navigate through the Dark Forest!
Alexander Sverdlov
Security Analyst
Top Firms, Key Factors, Costs, and Red Flags to Watch Out For
We help companies like yours prepare for their SOC2 audit by securing their key IT systems and processes before the audit. If you need that - contact us, else - keep reading!
📌 Part 1: Why Your Auditor Choice Could Make-or Break-Your SOC 2 Journey
SOC 2 isn't just a technical assessment-it's a trust signal.
The report you publish, the firm that signs it, and how well it's written all reflect on your brand.
That's why choosing the right auditor matters. A good auditor:
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Understands your tech stack
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Helps you clarify unclear requirements
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Doesn't waste your team's time
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Is respected by your enterprise buyers and investors
The wrong one?
They delay your sales process, nitpick your evidence, and fail to communicate clearly-costing you deals and credibility.
Let's break down:
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What SOC 2 auditors actually do
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How to evaluate them
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What it costs
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Common red flags
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And a list of the top SOC 2 auditors in 2024
🔍 What Does a SOC 2 Auditor Actually Do?
SOC 2 audits are governed by the AICPA (American Institute of Certified Public Accountants). This means the auditor must be:
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A licensed CPA (Certified Public Accountant), or
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A firm under the oversight of licensed CPAs
The auditor's job is to assess whether your organization meets the Trust Services Criteria (TSC), especially:
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Security (always required)
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Availability
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Confidentiality
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Processing Integrity
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Privacy
They perform a Type I or Type II audit:
| Audit Type | Scope | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Type I | Are controls designed properly at a single point in time? | Fast (1-2 weeks) |
| Type II | Are controls operating effectively over 3-12 months? | Slow (4-12 weeks + audit window) |
The auditor will:
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Review documentation and policies
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Inspect evidence of control implementation
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Interview staff
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Evaluate your systems and processes
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Deliver a formal report with opinion letter
💡 The Right Auditor = Faster, Cleaner, and More Respected Reports
Enterprise buyers often recognize auditor names.
Some will trust your SOC 2 more-or less-based on who signed it.
"We once had to re-audit with a better-known firm because a buyer's security team didn't trust our first auditor."
- SaaS Founder, HealthTech
A great auditor:
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Speaks both business and tech
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Helps you prep for renewals
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Avoids rigid interpretations of vague criteria
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Delivers audit reports that impress security teams and legal counsel
⚠️ What Happens If You Choose the Wrong Auditor?
| Risk | Impact |
|---|---|
| Poor communication | Delays, frustration, low-quality evidence mapping |
| Inexperience with SaaS or your tech stack | Irrelevant questions, missed red flags |
| Overly aggressive scope creep | Surprise costs and endless revisions |
| No integration with GRC platforms | Manual work, screenshots, wasted hours |
| Weak reputation | Clients or partners may discount your SOC 2 report entirely |
🎯 Coming Up Next in Part 2:
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How much SOC 2 audits cost (by size and complexity)
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What impacts audit pricing (number of apps, users, TSCs, time window)
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The difference between bundled audits and standalone
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Audit firms vs compliance automation platforms
SOC 2 Audit Pricing - What to Expect and What Drives It
SOC 2 audits vary dramatically in price, depending on your scope, complexity, and chosen firm.
Expect to pay anywhere from $10,000 to over $60,000 per audit cycle.
Let's break it down.
🧾 Typical SOC 2 Audit Cost Ranges
| Company Stage | Audit Type | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Startup (Type I) | Point-in-time review | $10K - $20K |
| Startup (Type II, 3-month window) | Short-term operational review | $20K - $30K |
| Growth SaaS (Type II, 6+ months) | Deep audit over time | $30K - $45K |
| Mid-size Enterprise (complex infra) | Type II + multiple TSCs | $45K - $70K+ |
Additional Costs:
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Re-audits or retesting if controls fail
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Change in scope during audit
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Multiple legal entities or business units
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Privacy/processing integrity TSCs (more work = more $$)
🧠 Factors That Influence SOC 2 Audit Pricing
1. Audit Type
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Type I is cheaper (shorter, no time window)
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Type II is the industry standard but more involved
2. Audit Window Duration
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3-month Type II = fewer samples, faster report
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6-12 month Type II = more review, more cost
3. Number of Systems + Cloud Services
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AWS, Azure, GCP, Google Workspace, Okta, GitHub, Jira, etc.
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The more integrations = more controls = more testing effort
4. Control Count
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Average SOC 2 Security-only audits cover 50-90 controls
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Add-ons like Confidentiality, Availability push that higher
5. Company Structure
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Multiple subsidiaries? Data processors? Complex org charts?
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Each layer may require separate assessment or sample testing
🔁 GRC Platforms + Auditor Partnerships
Many companies use a GRC (Governance, Risk, Compliance) tool like:
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Vanta
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Drata
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Secureframe
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Strike Graph
These tools:
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Automate evidence collection
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Pre-map controls
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Help you prepare audit-ready data
Some platforms bundle audits or offer you a list of "preferred auditors."
| Option | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Platform + In-house audit selection | Full flexibility | May require separate audit negotiation |
| Platform-bundled audit | Streamlined billing, better communication | May limit auditor choice |
| Consultant + separate auditor | Hands-on guidance | Slightly more coordination overhead |
Tip: Ask if your GRC platform lets you choose your own auditor-even if bundled.
📑 Sample Audit Pricing Table by GRC Partner
| GRC Tool | Audit Partner | SOC 2 Type II Starting Price |
|---|---|---|
| Vanta | Prescient Assurance, Johanson Group | ~$15K-$35K |
| Drata | A-LIGN, BARR Advisory | ~$18K-$45K |
| Secureframe | BDO, MHM, Schellman | ~$20K-$50K |
| TrustCloud | Prescient, AssuranceLab | ~$12K-$30K |
These prices exclude readiness work or remediation.
🕳️ What's Often Not Included in Audit Quotes
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Retests if controls fail
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Support for third-party vendor mapping
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Additional time for scope changes
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Draft reviews and iterations with legal teams
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Pen testing or scanning (unless bundled separately)
📍 Part 3 Coming Up:
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How to evaluate an auditor before signing
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Must-ask questions during discovery
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Red flags to avoid
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Top SOC 2 audit firms (with summaries)
🧠 Part 3: How to Evaluate and Select the Right Auditor
Choosing a SOC 2 auditor isn't just about price-it's about fit, speed, communication, and credibility.
Here's how to evaluate and compare audit firms before signing.
✅ Must-Ask Questions Before Hiring an Auditor
| Question | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Are you AICPA-certified to issue SOC 2 reports? | Only AICPA-licensed CPA firms can legally conduct the audit |
| Have you audited companies in our industry before? | Industry experience = better contextual judgment |
| Do you support our tech stack (AWS, GCP, Azure, etc.)? | Familiarity avoids wasted time explaining infra basics |
| How do you prefer to collect evidence? | Look for GRC integrations or secure portals |
| How quickly can we schedule our audit window? | Lead time matters if you're chasing clients or renewals |
| What's your average turnaround for draft reports? | Some firms take 2 weeks, others 2 months |
| Will we have a dedicated audit manager or rotating team? | Continuity ensures quality and communication clarity |
| How do you handle failed controls during the audit? | You want flexibility, not surprise re-audit fees |
🚨 Red Flags That Signal Trouble
| Red Flag | Risk |
|---|---|
| No clear list of deliverables | You may be charged for unexpected extras |
| Poor documentation examples or vague templates | Auditor may not understand SaaS norms |
| Unfamiliar with GRC platforms | Expect delays in syncing evidence |
| Excessive control testing or over-auditing | Overcharging or misunderstanding scope |
| Unresponsive in discovery | Expect long response times post-engagement too |
If they can't explain the SOC 2 process clearly in a 30-minute intro call, walk away.
📋 Top SOC 2 Audit Firms in 2024 (Trusted by SaaS and GRC Platforms)
Here are the most commonly used and recommended SOC 2 auditors, based on industry reputation, GRC tool partnerships, and audit quality.
1. Schellman & Company
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🔹 One of the most established firms in cloud security auditing
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🔹 SOC 2, ISO, FedRAMP, PCI, HITRUST coverage
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🔹 Trusted by large enterprises
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💵 Premium pricing, high standards
2. A-LIGN
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🔹 Nationwide CPA firm focused on compliance audits
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🔹 Strong integrations with Drata and Secureframe
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🔹 Offers bundled SOC 2 + ISO 27001 deals
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💵 Mid-high pricing tier
3. BARR Advisory
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🔹 Known for responsiveness and cloud-native audits
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🔹 Offers SOC 2, ISO, HITRUST, HIPAA
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🔹 Highly recommended by SaaS startups
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💵 Transparent fixed-fee pricing
4. Prescient Assurance
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🔹 Fast-growing boutique audit firm
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🔹 Often bundled with Vanta, TrustCloud, Secureframe
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🔹 Responsive and efficient with startups
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💵 Mid-tier cost, fast audit turnarounds
5. Johanson Group LLP
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🔹 Experienced in mid-size SaaS and FinTech audits
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🔹 Frequently paired with Drata and Vanta
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🔹 Great for companies with aggressive timelines
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💵 Competitive pricing, flexible scheduling
6. Moss Adams
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🔹 Large U.S. firm with full-service capabilities
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🔹 Ideal for SOC 1 + SOC 2 + tax advisory consolidation
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🔹 Better for mid-market and enterprise buyers
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💵 Higher cost, slower onboarding
7. BDO USA
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🔹 International audit and tax firm
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🔹 Broad experience with enterprise and regulated markets
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🔹 Handles complex multi-entity SOC reports
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💵 Best suited for later-stage companies
🧾 Summary Table: Auditor Comparison
| Firm | Best For | Known For | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schellman | Enterprise | Rigor, prestige | $$$$ |
| A-LIGN | Mid to Enterprise | All-in-one audit partner | $$$ |
| BARR | SaaS / Cloud-native | Clear reporting, fast support | $$-$$$ |
| Prescient | Startups | Fast and responsive | $$ |
| Johanson Group | Startup to Mid | GRC integration, flexibility | $$ |
| Moss Adams | Mid to Enterprise | Multi-framework support | $$$$ |
| BDO | Global firms | Enterprise trust | $$$$ |
🧠 Final Thoughts
Choosing the right SOC 2 auditor affects:
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Audit duration
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Cost efficiency
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Evidence burden on your team
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Buyer trust in your report
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Your renewal timeline and long-term compliance plan
A great auditor doesn't just check boxes-they help you build trust into your process and product.
✅ Call to Action
Looking for help navigating your SOC 2 auditor search?
We help SaaS and tech firms:
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Match with the right auditor based on size and timeline
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Negotiate scope and pricing
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Avoid audit scope creep
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Get audit-ready with proven tools and templates
📩 Request SOC 2 Audit Advisory Support
See also: How to Comply with TGA MDCSG Requirements
Ready to get started? Atlant Security helps companies close security gaps and pass compliance fast, led personally by a former Microsoft security consultant with 200+ assessments across 14 countries. Book a free strategy call and get a fixed-price proposal within 24 hours.
Alexander Sverdlov
Founder of Atlant Security. Author of 2 information security books, cybersecurity speaker at the largest cybersecurity conferences in Asia and a United Nations conference panelist. Former Microsoft security consulting team member, external cybersecurity consultant at the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation.