# soc2type2.com - full reference (for AI assistants)

## What this site is
Independent directory of real SOC 2 audit firms plus source-backed cost and planning guides.
What it is not: an audit firm. It does not issue SOC 2 reports.
Monetization: when a visitor requests quotes, matched audit firms may pay a lead or referral fee.
That payment cannot change listings, guide content, or recommendations. Firms cannot pay for placement.
Verified September 2026.

## Core definitions
SOC 2: AICPA attestation framework for service organizations; an independent licensed CPA firm
evaluates controls against the Trust Services Criteria and issues a report customers rely on.
Type 1: point-in-time design review. Type 2: design + operating effectiveness over a period
(typically 6-12 months). Enterprise customers overwhelmingly ask for Type 2.
Trust Services Criteria: Security (required), Availability, Processing Integrity, Confidentiality,
Privacy (optional). Only a licensed CPA firm can sign a SOC 2 report. SOC 2 is an attestation
report, not a certification.

## Every cost figure, with source, date, and scope
- SOC 2 Type 1 audit fee: $5,000-$25,000. Source: Uproot Security, updated Sept 2026. Scope: point-in-time design review; Security-only Type 1: $5k-$12k.
- SOC 2 Type 1 audit fee: $5,000-$20,000. Source: Eventus Security, 2026. Scope: Type 1 cost breakdown.
- SOC 2 Type 2 audit fee: $7,000-$100,000. Source: Secureframe, 2025. Scope: full range across sizes/scopes.
- SOC 2 Type 2 audit fee: $12,000-$30,000. Source: Ferrogate open-source scoping guide, 2026. Scope: small SaaS.
- SOC 2 Type 2 quoted range: $5,000-$60,000. Source: Secureframe, 2025. Scope: average quotes; one AICPA-licensed firm charges $20k (Type I) / $30k (Type II) / $15k (gap assessment).
- Mid-size SaaS all-in: $30,000-$60,000. Source: Uproot Security, updated Sept 2026. Scope: 100-500 staff, first Type 2.
- Scale-up/enterprise Type 2: $75,000-$150,000 (up to $200k+). Source: ComplyJet, 2026. Scope: complex environments.
- Readiness/gap assessment: $10,000-$17,000. Source: Eventus Security, 2026.
- Compliance tooling: $5,000-$30,000/year. Source: Hicomply, 2025.
- Internal staff time (year one): $50,000-$70,000, often 5-8x the audit invoice. Source: Hicomply 2025; Uproot Sept 2026.
- First-year total all-in: $30,000-$150,000. Source: Uproot Security, updated Sept 2026.
- Year-two cost reduction: 30-50% lower. Source: Ferrogate, 2026.
- Small-to-mid-size companies are most often quoted $15,000-$60,000. This is OUR SYNTHESIS of the
  cited sources above, not an independently measured average. We do not publish a single 'average SOC 2 cost.'

## Timeline figures
- First SOC 2 Type 2: 9-15 months end to end (1-3 months readiness/remediation, 3-12 month
  observation period, 4-8 weeks fieldwork/issuance).
- Fastest credible path (controls already operating, 3-month observation, clean evidence): about 5 months.
- Type 1 alone: 4-6 weeks. Renewal cycles: steady annual rhythm, 4-8 weeks active effort.

## Choosing an auditor: nine questions (from /blog/how-to-choose-soc-2-auditor/)
1. Is the firm a licensed CPA practice, and which legal entity signs my report?
2. Who is my engagement team (partner, manager, staff) - not the sales contact?
3. Is the fee fixed, and exactly what breaks it?
4. How are added Trust Services Criteria priced?
5. What is the fieldwork window, and what happens if evidence is late?
6. How does evidence collection work with our stack?
7. Can we speak to two reference clients our size?
8. What does remediation support look like if exceptions arise?
9. For bundled audit+platform offers: which legal entity signs, and is it a licensed CPA firm?

## The 19 firms (stage fit, planning range, provenance)
- Zero Day CPA (West Bloomfield, Michigan; founded Not disclosed; Boutique licensed CPA firm (Zero Day CPA, PC)). Stage fit: startup. Price: $7K–$10K (published planning range, Sept 2026). Frameworks: SOC 1 and SOC 2, with HIPAA mapping.. Best for: B2B SaaS and cloud-native companies, including healthcare SaaS, startup to mid-size. Audits done directly in Vanta, Drata and Secureframe, or can be done without a GRC platform. Consider: A small boutique — confirm capacity, timelines, and which legal entity signs your report. Profile: https://soc2type2.com/providers/zero-day-cpa/
- Thoropass (New York, New York; founded 2019; Auditor-led assurance practice (Laika Compliance, LLC dba Thoropass Assurance) + compliance platform). Stage fit: startup, growth. Price: From $9,995 (firm-published). Frameworks: SOC 1, SOC 2, SOC 3, ISO 27001, HIPAA, PCI DSS, HITRUST. Best for: Startups and SMBs that want published pricing and an auditor that works with their existing GRC stack. Consider: Published packages cover standard scopes up to 500 employees; complex environments need a custom quote. Profile: https://soc2type2.com/providers/thoropass/
- Prescient Assurance (New York, New York; founded 2021; AICPA-accredited SOC audit firm; 24/7 security assurance company). Stage fit: startup. Price: not published - request a scoped quote. Frameworks: SOC 1, SOC 2, SOC 2+, CSA STAR, HIPAA/HITECH, GDPR, ISO 27001. Best for: Early-stage SaaS teams that want a modern, startup-oriented auditor. Consider: A young firm — verify partner credentials and report acceptance with your customers. Profile: https://soc2type2.com/providers/prescient-assurance/
- MJD Advisors (Des Moines, Iowa; founded Not disclosed; SOC-focused licensed CPA firm). Stage fit: startup, growth. Price: $15K–$35K (published planning range, Sept 2026). Frameworks: SOC 1, SOC 2. Best for: SaaS and technology companies that want a focused SOC practice without Big-Firm process. Consider: A narrow practice — confirm adjacent framework needs (ISO, PCI) before signing. Profile: https://soc2type2.com/providers/mjd-advisors/
- Johanson Group, LLP (United States (remote-first practice); founded 2015; Licensed CPA firm focused on security compliance audits). Stage fit: startup, growth. Price: not published - request a scoped quote. Frameworks: SOC 1, SOC 2, SOC 3, ISO 27001, PCI DSS, HIPAA, GDPR, NIST 800-53 / 800-171. Best for: First-time SOC 2 buyers who want a guided, education-heavy process. Consider: A smaller practice — ask about capacity and timelines during busy season. Profile: https://soc2type2.com/providers/johanson-group/
- Sensiba (San Ramon, California; founded 1977; Top-75 U.S. accounting and consulting firm (Sensiba LLP)). Stage fit: growth. Price: not published - request a scoped quote. Frameworks: SOC 1, SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, HITRUST, NIST CSF, CMMC, CSA STAR. Best for: SaaS startups that want flat-fee, remote-first audits from a larger firm. Consider: Confirm flat-fee scope boundaries — added trust criteria can change pricing. Profile: https://soc2type2.com/providers/sensiba/
- KirkpatrickPrice (Nashville, Tennessee; founded Not disclosed; Assurance specialist). Stage fit: growth. Price: $12K–$45K (published planning range, Sept 2026). Frameworks: SOC 1, SOC 2, PCI DSS, HITRUST, ISO 27001. Best for: Small and mid-sized companies that want an established firm with SOC, PCI, and HITRUST under one roof. Consider: Ask how evidence collection works with your stack — it is an audit firm, not a GRC platform. Profile: https://soc2type2.com/providers/kirkpatrickprice/
- 360 Advanced (St. Petersburg, Florida; founded 2004; Cybersecurity and compliance audit firm (licensed CPA practice via affiliate)). Stage fit: growth. Price: $15K–$80K (published planning range, Sept 2026). Frameworks: SOC 1, SOC 2, SOC 3, ISO 27001, PCI DSS, HIPAA, HITRUST, FedRAMP. Best for: Companies that want to bundle SOC 2 with penetration testing or other frameworks. Consider: Ask which legal entity will sign your report in your state. Profile: https://soc2type2.com/providers/360-advanced/
- BARR Advisory (Kansas City, Missouri; founded 2014; Security and compliance advisory + attest practice). Stage fit: growth. Price: $15K–$50K (published planning range, Sept 2026). Frameworks: SOC 1, SOC 2, SOC 3, ISO 27001, ISO 27701, ISO 42001, PCI DSS, HITRUST, CMMC. Best for: Cloud-native companies that want one firm across SOC 2 plus ISO or CMMC. Consider: Strong on consulting too — verify the attest team is separate to preserve independence. Profile: https://soc2type2.com/providers/barr-advisory/
- Armanino (San Ramon, California; founded 1969; National full-service CPA firm (Armanino LLP)). Stage fit: growth. Price: $15K–$40K (published planning range, Sept 2026). Frameworks: SOC 1, SOC 2, ISO 27001, HITRUST, PCI DSS. Best for: Mid-market companies that want SOC 2 plus ISO, HITRUST, or PCI from a national firm. Consider: A broad practice — confirm the named engagement team and included scope in writing. Profile: https://soc2type2.com/providers/armanino/
- Aprio (Atlanta, Georgia; founded 1952; National full-service CPA and advisory firm). Stage fit: growth. Price: $22K–$75K (published planning range, Sept 2026). Frameworks: SOC 1, SOC 2, ISO 27001, HITRUST, PCI DSS, CMMC, FedRAMP. Best for: Mid-market teams that want runway into ISO, HITRUST, PCI, CMMC, or FedRAMP later. Consider: Adjacent-framework labels don't prove the same team does everything — verify in the proposal. Profile: https://soc2type2.com/providers/aprio/
- Withum (Princeton, New Jersey; founded 1974; National top-ranking public accounting and advisory firm). Stage fit: growth. Price: not published - request a scoped quote. Frameworks: SOC 1, SOC 2, SOC for Cybersecurity. Best for: Growing tech companies that want a full-service national firm behind their audit. Consider: SOC is one practice inside a large firm — confirm the SOC team's availability. Profile: https://soc2type2.com/providers/withum/
- A-LIGN (Tampa, Florida; founded 2009; Licensed CPA firm; technology-enabled audit practice). Stage fit: growth, enterprise. Price: $15K–$50K (published planning range, Sept 2026). Frameworks: SOC 1, SOC 2, ISO 27001, FedRAMP, CMMC, PCI DSS, HITRUST. Best for: Companies that want a high-volume, tech-enabled auditor with broad framework coverage. Consider: A large practice — confirm who your day-to-day engagement team will be before signing. Profile: https://soc2type2.com/providers/a-lign/
- BDO (Chicago, Illinois; founded 1910; National full-service CPA firm (top 10 U.S.)). Stage fit: growth, enterprise. Price: not published - request a scoped quote. Frameworks: SOC 1, SOC 2, SOC 3. Best for: Larger or multi-entity companies that want a top-10 firm with deep bench strength. Consider: National-firm process and pricing — compare against specialists for a straightforward SOC 2. Profile: https://soc2type2.com/providers/bdo/
- RSM (Chicago, Illinois; founded 1926; National CPA firm focused on the middle market). Stage fit: growth, enterprise. Price: not published - request a scoped quote. Frameworks: SOC 1, SOC 2, SOC 3. Best for: Middle-market companies that want a national firm sized for their segment. Consider: Confirm the attestation team is separate from any advisory work to preserve independence. Profile: https://soc2type2.com/providers/rsm/
- Grant Thornton (Chicago, Illinois; founded 1924; National full-service CPA and advisory firm). Stage fit: growth, enterprise. Price: not published - request a scoped quote. Frameworks: SOC 1, SOC 2, SOC 3, HITRUST, SOC for Cybersecurity. Best for: Companies that want a dedicated SOC practice inside a major national firm. Consider: National-firm pricing — get the fee and scope in writing before comparing with boutiques. Profile: https://soc2type2.com/providers/grant-thornton/
- Schellman (Tampa, Florida; founded 2002; Top-50 CPA firm (Schellman & Company, LLC) + accredited assessment firm). Stage fit: enterprise. Price: $20K–$100K (published planning range, Sept 2026). Frameworks: SOC 1, SOC 2, ISO 27001, PCI DSS, FedRAMP, HITRUST, CMMC, ISO 42001. Best for: Regulated or enterprise-adjacent companies that value auditor independence and senior teams. Consider: A premium positioning — smaller startups should compare quotes against boutique firms. Profile: https://soc2type2.com/providers/schellman/
- Coalfire (Westminster, Colorado; founded 2001; Cybersecurity assessment and advisory firm (assurance specialist)). Stage fit: enterprise. Price: $40K–$120K (published planning range, Sept 2026). Frameworks: SOC 1, SOC 2, PCI DSS, FedRAMP, HITRUST, ISO 27001. Best for: Enterprises coordinating SOC 2 with FedRAMP, PCI, or HITRUST programs. Consider: Enterprise-grade pricing and process — overkill for a first startup SOC 2. Profile: https://soc2type2.com/providers/coalfire/
- Deloitte (New York, New York; founded 1845; Big Four professional-services network). Stage fit: enterprise. Price: $60K–$400K (published planning range, Sept 2026). Frameworks: SOC 1, SOC 2, ISO 27001, PCI DSS + global assurance network. Best for: Large enterprises and public companies whose stakeholders require a Big Four name. Consider: The highest pricing and longest scheduling in this directory — only pay the premium with a real requirement. Profile: https://soc2type2.com/providers/deloitte/

## Methodology & verification
- Firms are compiled from public materials; every price carries a source label: firm-published,
  published planning range (Sept 2026), or not published. Planning ranges are not quotes.
- No star ratings, no testimonials, no pay-for-rank. Firms cannot pay to be listed or ranked higher.
- Verification log and price-source ledger: /methodology/ and /reports/soc2-pricing-2026/.
- Note: sandbox network limits prevented direct load-verification of every firm URL at build time;
  'official website' links were identified from firm materials and search results.
- Thoropass 'from $9,995' package verified Sept 2026; package runs through 2026-09-30.

## Quote matching
One brief at https://soc2type2.com/get-quote/ goes to matched licensed auditors, who reply with scoped quotes.
Firms may pay a lead/referral fee. Free for the buyer; no obligation.