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:

Understands your tech stack
Helps you clarify unclear requirements
Doesn't waste your team's time
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:

What SOC 2 auditors actually do
How to evaluate them
What it costs
Common red flags
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:

A licensed CPA (Certified Public Accountant), or
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:

Security (always required)
Availability
Confidentiality
Processing Integrity
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:

Review documentation and policies
Inspect evidence of control implementation
Interview staff
Evaluate your systems and processes
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:

Speaks both business and tech
Helps you prep for renewals
Avoids rigid interpretations of vague criteria
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:

How much SOC 2 audits cost (by size and complexity)
What impacts audit pricing (number of apps, users, TSCs, time window)
The difference between bundled audits and standalone
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:

Re-audits or retesting if controls fail
Change in scope during audit
Multiple legal entities or business units
Privacy/processing integrity TSCs (more work = more $$)

🧠 Factors That Influence SOC 2 Audit Pricing

1. Audit Type

Type I is cheaper (shorter, no time window)
Type II is the industry standard but more involved

2. Audit Window Duration

3-month Type II = fewer samples, faster report
6–12 month Type II = more review, more cost

3. Number of Systems + Cloud Services

AWS, Azure, GCP, Google Workspace, Okta, GitHub, Jira, etc.
The more integrations = more controls = more testing effort

4. Control Count

Average SOC 2 Security-only audits cover 50–90 controls
Add-ons like Confidentiality, Availability push that higher

5. Company Structure

Multiple subsidiaries? Data processors? Complex org charts?
Each layer may require separate assessment or sample testing

🔁 GRC Platforms + Auditor Partnerships

Many companies use a GRC (Governance, Risk, Compliance) tool like:

Vanta
Drata
Secureframe
Strike Graph

These tools:

Automate evidence collection
Pre-map controls
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

Retests if controls fail
Support for third-party vendor mapping
Additional time for scope changes
Draft reviews and iterations with legal teams
Pen testing or scanning (unless bundled separately)

📍 Part 3 Coming Up:

How to evaluate an auditor before signing
Must-ask questions during discovery
Red flags to avoid
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

🔹 One of the most established firms in cloud security auditing
🔹 SOC 2, ISO, FedRAMP, PCI, HITRUST coverage
🔹 Trusted by large enterprises
💵 Premium pricing, high standards

Visit Schellman →

2. A-LIGN

🔹 Nationwide CPA firm focused on compliance audits
🔹 Strong integrations with Drata and Secureframe
🔹 Offers bundled SOC 2 + ISO 27001 deals
💵 Mid-high pricing tier

Visit A-LIGN →

3. BARR Advisory

🔹 Known for responsiveness and cloud-native audits
🔹 Offers SOC 2, ISO, HITRUST, HIPAA
🔹 Highly recommended by SaaS startups
💵 Transparent fixed-fee pricing

Visit BARR →

4. Prescient Assurance

🔹 Fast-growing boutique audit firm
🔹 Often bundled with Vanta, TrustCloud, Secureframe
🔹 Responsive and efficient with startups
💵 Mid-tier cost, fast audit turnarounds

Visit Prescient →

5. Johanson Group LLP

🔹 Experienced in mid-size SaaS and FinTech audits
🔹 Frequently paired with Drata and Vanta
🔹 Great for companies with aggressive timelines
💵 Competitive pricing, flexible scheduling

Visit Johanson Group →

6. Moss Adams

🔹 Large U.S. firm with full-service capabilities
🔹 Ideal for SOC 1 + SOC 2 + tax advisory consolidation
🔹 Better for mid-market and enterprise buyers
💵 Higher cost, slower onboarding

Visit Moss Adams →

7. BDO USA

🔹 International audit and tax firm
🔹 Broad experience with enterprise and regulated markets
🔹 Handles complex multi-entity SOC reports
💵 Best suited for later-stage companies

Visit BDO →

🧾 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:

Audit duration
Cost efficiency
Evidence burden on your team
Buyer trust in your report
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:

Match with the right auditor based on size and timeline
Negotiate scope and pricing
Avoid audit scope creep
Get audit-ready with proven tools and templates

📩 Request SOC 2 Audit Advisory Support

See also: How to Comply with TGA MDCSG Requirements

SOC 2 Auditors: Navigate through the Dark Forest!