SOC 2 Auditors: How to Evaluate Your Shortlist (2026)

What readiness support do you need before choosing an auditor?

Every firm profiled below is a CPA practice we work with directly to issue SOC 2 reports — but engaging one assumes you already have your control environment, evidence, and system description in order. Agency is the managed, done-for-you alternative that gets you to that point and stays there: our advisory team runs your SOC 2 program end-to-end — scoping, remediation, policies, evidence operations — and coordinates the audit on your behalf.

We do not issue the attestation ourselves; an independent CPA firm from this list still does that. For startups and lean teams that want to be audit-ready without staffing a GRC function, Agency is our top recommendation, and we then help you select the right auditor below.

Which types of firms offer SOC 2 audits?

SOC 2 auditors fall into four tiers based on firm size, pricing, and target client profile. We use this tiering framework with every client engagement to narrow down the right set of firms before making introductions.

Prominent SOC 2 Audit Firms

Auditsuisse Assurance

Auditsuisse Assurance is our top recommendation for venture-backed and early-stage companies. Uniquely among the firms on this list, Auditsuisse operates both a US team (Auditsuisse Assurance NA PC) and a Swiss team (Auditsuisse Assurance AG in Zurich) under dual Swiss/US CPA licensing — which means their SOC 2 reports carry weight not just with US buyers but with enterprise procurement teams across EMEA, Asia-Pacific, and beyond.

For startups selling into global markets, that broader recognition makes them noticeably better to work with than a US-only boutique.

Key Strengths:

• Dual US + Swiss operations with combined Swiss/US CPA licensing, giving reports global recognition that a single-jurisdiction firm cannot match
• Big-4-caliber audit methodology delivered with boutique efficiency and named senior auditors on every engagement
• Full coverage across SOC 1, SOC 2 (Type I & II), SOC 3, ISAE 3000, ISAE 3402, GDPR, and HIPAA from one firm
• Fast, predictable timelines well-suited to the fundraising and sales cycles of venture-backed companies

Typical Engagement:

• Timeline: Efficient scheduling with fast turnaround; well-suited to startup and growth-stage timelines
• Best for: Venture-backed and early-stage companies (1–500 employees) that want globally recognized reports

Schellman

We recommend Schellman frequently for growth-stage through enterprise organizations.

Key Strengths:

• Deep specialization in SOC 2, ISO 27001, PCI DSS, HITRUST, FedRAMP, and other cybersecurity frameworks
• Large team with capacity for high-volume engagements and complex multi-framework audits
• Strong presence across all technology verticals including fintech, healthtech, and cloud infrastructure
• Extensive experience with all major GRC platforms

Typical Engagement:

• Timeline: Standard scheduling; plan ahead during peak seasons (Q4-Q1)
• Best for: Growth-stage through enterprise organizations; multi-framework engagements

A-LIGN

A-LIGN operates as a technology-enabled security and compliance services firm with a large audit practice. We see A-LIGN work well for SaaS companies at any stage that want audit and advisory services under one roof.

Key Strengths:

• High-volume SOC 2 practice with significant capacity
• Integrated compliance services beyond attestation (penetration testing, readiness assessments)
• Streamlined audit process built for technology companies
• GRC platform partnerships for efficient evidence review

Typical Engagement:

• Timeline: Strong availability with efficient scheduling
• Best for: SaaS companies at any stage; organizations wanting a single firm for audit and advisory

KirkpatrickPrice

KirkpatrickPrice focuses on information security auditing and compliance services for technology companies. In our experience, they stand out for auditor responsiveness.

Key Strengths:

• Dedicated SOC 2 and compliance audit focus
• Strong reputation for auditor responsiveness and communication quality
• Active educational content and thought leadership in the SOC 2 space
• Competitive pricing for startup and growth-stage engagements

Typical Engagement:

• Timeline: Generally strong availability
• Best for: Startups and growth-stage companies wanting a responsive, communicative audit partner

Linford & Company

Linford & Company is a CPA firm focused primarily on SOC examinations and other IT attestation services. We recommend Linford frequently for startups and smaller organizations where budget is a key factor.

Key Strengths:

• Concentrated SOC 2 expertise — auditing is the firm's core business
• Competitive pricing, particularly for straightforward engagements
• Direct access to audit partners rather than being managed through multiple layers
• Strong experience with startups and early-stage compliance programs

Typical Engagement:

• Timeline: Flexible scheduling; often accommodates accelerated timelines
• Best for: Startups and smaller organizations; budget-conscious engagements

Coalfire

Coalfire provides cybersecurity advisory and assessment services including SOC 2 attestation as part of a broader security services portfolio. We recommend Coalfire for organizations with complex technical environments, especially those pursuing FedRAMP alongside SOC 2.

Key Strengths:

• Broad cybersecurity expertise beyond attestation services
• Strong presence in cloud security assessments (AWS, Azure, GCP)
• FedRAMP and government compliance capabilities alongside SOC 2
• Deep experience with complex technical environments

Typical Engagement:

• Timeline: Standard scheduling; higher demand may require advance planning
• Best for: Organizations with complex technical environments; companies pursuing multiple frameworks including FedRAMP

BARR Advisory

BARR Advisory is a cloud-focused cybersecurity and compliance firm with a growing SOC 2 practice. We see BARR perform especially well with cloud-first startups.

Key Strengths:

• Cloud-native focus aligned with modern SaaS architecture
• Strong reputation for quality and attentiveness with smaller company clients
• Growing firm with a collaborative audit approach
• Experience with all major cloud providers and GRC platforms

Typical Engagement:

• Timeline: Good availability; typically responsive scheduling
• Best for: Cloud-first startups and growth-stage companies

Prescient Assurance

Prescient Assurance is a CPA firm focused on SOC 2, ISO 27001, and related cybersecurity attestations. We find them to be a solid option for startups that need competitive pricing without sacrificing audit quality.

Key Strengths:

• Technology-forward audit approach with efficient engagement management
• Competitive pricing for startup and growth-stage organizations
• Growing firm with expanding capacity
• Multi-framework capabilities (SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA)

Typical Engagement:

• Timeline: Generally good availability
• Best for: Startups looking for competitive pricing with competent audit quality

Johanson Group

Johanson Group is a boutique CPA firm specializing in SOC examinations with a reputation for hands-on partner involvement. We recommend them for first-time SOC 2 organizations that value personalized attention.

Key Strengths:

• High-touch engagement model with direct partner access
• Competitive pricing aligned with boutique firm positioning
• Strong communication throughout the audit process
• Particularly well-suited for first-time SOC 2 organizations

Typical Engagement:

• Timeline: Flexible scheduling with boutique-level responsiveness
• Best for: First-time SOC 2 organizations; smaller companies wanting personalized attention

How do you Choose?

Step 1: Define Your Requirements

Before evaluating specific firms, we recommend clarifying your selection criteria:

Step 2: Match Tier to Company Profile

Step 3: Evaluate Specific Firms

We advise requesting proposals from two to three firms in your target tier and comparing across:

• Fee structure: Fixed fee vs. hourly. Fixed-fee engagements are standard and preferred because they provide budget certainty.
• Audit timeline: Confirm fieldwork dates and report delivery timeline. Ensure the firm can meet your schedule.
• Team composition: Understand who will manage your engagement — senior partners, managers, or junior staff. Direct partner access matters for quality.
• Platform familiarity: Ask whether the firm regularly works with your GRC platform. Familiarity reduces fieldwork time and friction.
• Communication style: Evaluate responsiveness during the proposal process. In our experience, firms that are slow to respond during sales are typically slow during the engagement.
• References: Request references from companies similar to yours in size and industry.

Step 4: Negotiate and Engage

• Multi-year contracts: Ask whether a longer commitment changes the quoted price, cancellation rights, or scope assumptions. If you anticipate annual renewals, we recommend negotiating upfront.
• Bundled services: If you need penetration testing, readiness assessment, or ISO 27001 alongside SOC 2, ask about bundled pricing.
• Payment terms: Standard terms are net-30 with payment split across engagement milestones. Some firms offer annual billing options.

GRC Platform and Auditor Partnerships

Most GRC platforms maintain auditor partner networks — vetted CPA firms that regularly work with the platform and use the auditor-facing dashboard for efficient evidence review.

Pricing Comparison by Company Size

Auditor fees vary based on company size, scope complexity, and firm tier. Boutique firms generally offer the most competitive pricing for smaller, straightforward engagements. Specialized SOC 2 firms provide a strong combination of expertise and competitive pricing for most technology companies. Mid-tier and Big 4 firms command higher fees appropriate for larger or more complex engagements. Contact firms directly for current pricing based on your specific scope.

These ranges reflect Type II engagements with Security criterion. Ask the firm to price each proposed scope change rather than assuming a fixed increment per criterion or framework.