SOC 2 Audit Cost: Your Step-by-Step Guide (2026)

Security attestation has become a routine procurement requirement. Today, most enterprise buyers and healthcare partners ask for proof of system and organizational controls before signing contracts. When teams show up with only policies and marketing material, deals stall; when they can demonstrate operating controls and reliable evidence, purchase orders arrive faster. In this environment, understanding your SOC 2 Audit Cost is not just an accounting exercise—it’s an essential part of building a security program that supports revenue.

A SOC 2 audit is an attestation engagement performed by a certified public accountant (CPA) firm. It evaluates how well a service organization’s controls align with the Trust Services Criteria (TSC) for security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality and privacy. SOC 2 audits are commonly required for software-as-a-service (SaaS) providers, healthcare technology platforms, financial services vendors and any company processing sensitive data on behalf of enterprise customers.

This guide breaks down the cost components of a SOC 2 audit, explains why clients care about the attestation, describes the factors that influence pricing and provides a step‑by‑step planning framework. It also incorporates insights from related frameworks such as ISO 27001 and HIPAA, uses current data from 2025‑2026 and draws on Konfirmity’s experience supporting more than 6,000 audits across SOC 2, ISO 27001 and HIPAA with 25 years of combined expertise. Throughout the article, the term SOC 2 Audit Cost will be used naturally and contextually, emphasising that audit fees are only one part of the total investment.

What Is a SOC 2 Audit?

A SOC 2 audit is an attestation engagement guided by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). It focuses on non‑financial controls relevant to the Trust Services Criteria. A SOC 2 audit may be either a Type I or a Type II report:

• Type I-A point‑in‑time assessment that evaluates whether controls have been identified, documented and are functional on a specific date. It does not test control effectiveness over an extended period. Type I examinations confirm that controls have been identified and are functional when tested.
  
  
• Type II-A more rigorous engagement that examines both the design and the operating effectiveness of controls over a defined period (usually six to twelve months). Type II audits provide evidence of ongoing effectiveness, requiring auditors to test controls and document results across the observation period.

The scope of a SOC 2 audit is defined by the Trust Services Criteria (TSC). While the security criterion is always mandatory, organizations can choose to include availability, confidentiality, processing integrity, and privacy based on client needs or their own risk tolerance.

These criteria are summarized as follows:

• Security: Protects systems from unauthorized access.
• Availability: Focuses on system uptime and reliability.
• Confidentiality: Addresses the protection of sensitive information.
• Privacy: Ensures the appropriate collection and processing of personal data.
• Processing Integrity: Guarantees that transaction processing is complete and accurate.

Enterprise customers care about SOC 2 compliance because it provides independent assurance that the vendor has designed and operates effective controls. It reduces the need for expensive on‑site assessments and accelerates procurement. In many regulated industries, SOC 2 reports are incorporated into due‑diligence questionnaires or become a contractual requirement. Without them, vendors may be disqualified or face extended security reviews. Achieving SOC 2 readiness also creates efficiencies: controls implemented for the security TSC map to ISO 27001 clauses and NIST Cybersecurity Framework subcategories. NIST’s crosswalk shows that identity management and access control requirements in the CSF correspond to SOC 2 criteria on logical and physical access (CC6 series).

Typical SOC 2 Audit Cost Breakdown

SOC 2 costs are more than a single invoice from an auditor. They include preparation, tooling, remediation and ongoing operations. Market data from 2025‑2026 shows that total SOC 2 investments can range from tens of thousands to several hundred thousand dollars, depending on organization size, system complexity and scope. This section breaks down the major cost components.

1) Core Audit Fees

Auditor fees are the most visible line item. The Pun Group, a CPA firm, reports that base SOC 2 audit fees typically range from $5,000 to $50,000, depending on the type and scope of the audit. A Type I report usually costs $5,000-20,000 because it reviews design at a single point in time. A Type II audit is more expensive, generally $20,000-50,000, because auditors test controls over several months and document results. These figures reflect base fees; actual charges vary with company size, number of systems, geographic scope and auditor reputation. Big Four firms and well‑known auditors often charge premiums for brand recognition and process rigor, while boutique firms may offer competitive rates for smaller environments.

2) Readiness & Pre‑Audit Steps

Preparation costs are often higher than the audit fee itself. Before engaging an auditor, organizations conduct gap analyses, risk assessments and documentation reviews to ensure controls are in place. The Pun Group notes that readiness assessments cost $3,000-15,000 and are not always included in the auditor’s base price. A blog focused on SOC 2 compliance warns that readiness phases typically cost $10,000-25,000 but can save money by preventing delays and remediation during the audit. Preparation activities include drafting or updating policies, implementing multi‑factor authentication (MFA), performing asset inventories, deploying mobile device management (MDM) and logging tools, and training staff on procedures. Under‑prepared teams may face extended observation periods, additional testing and higher remediation costs, driving the total SOC 2 Audit Cost upward.

3) Internal Control Review Fee

Reviewing and documenting internal controls demands significant internal effort or consultant time. The SOC 2 cost article cited above lists internal labour as 100-500+ hours of work, often equating to $50,000-75,000 when a project lead dedicates half of their time over six months. This internal cost includes performing walkthroughs, compiling evidence, mapping controls to the TSC and responding to auditor questions. Some organizations engage external consultants; hourly rates for HIPAA or ISO 27001 consultants range from $250 to $300, and readiness projects can cost $10,000-40,000 depending on scope. Underestimating the time required is a common pitfall; dedicated resources ensure evidence is accurate and timely.

4) IT Infrastructure Evaluation

A robust SOC 2 audit evaluates the technology stack, including cloud platforms, databases, networks, identity providers and logging systems. Assessments often involve purchasing or upgrading security tools:

• GRC and automation platforms: Subscription fees range from $10,000 to $50,000 per year. These platforms automate evidence collection, monitor controls continuously and integrate with HR, cloud and ticketing systems. While expensive, they reduce manual work and speed up audits.
  
  
• Mobile Device Management (MDM): An MDM system costs roughly $48 per user annually. It allows remote wipe, enforced encryption and device inventory.
  
  
• Vulnerability scanning and penetration testing: Annual vulnerability scans cost $800-5,000. Penetration tests range from $3,000-20,000. These assessments identify weaknesses before the audit and demonstrate proactive security.
  
  
• Logging and monitoring: Implementing central log management, intrusion detection and SIEM tools often costs $5,000-25,000 annually, depending on scale and data volume (figures drawn from market averages).

Investing in tooling up front reduces the risk of findings during the audit and supports continuous monitoring required for Type II reports.

5) Credential Verification Cost

Auditors verify that staff who manage controls have appropriate skills, certifications and access rights. This includes background checks, role-based training and certification validation. Drata’s HIPAA cost guide notes that employee training costs $30–50 per person annually. Training covers security awareness, incident response and control-specific procedures. For specialized roles, organizations may budget for CISSP or CISA certifications and continuing education. The NIST CSF mapping emphasises that identities and credentials must be issued, managed, verified and revoked systematically; failing to implement credential management can lead to audit findings and breach costs. Including credential verification in the SOC 2 Audit Cost helps ensure that only qualified personnel operate critical systems.

6) Additional Security Assessments

Enterprise clients often request evidence beyond the SOC 2 report. Penetration testing, vulnerability scans and threat modelling may be required to satisfy procurement teams or regulatory frameworks such as HIPAA or ISO 27001. As noted above, penetration tests cost $3,000–20,000 and vulnerability scans $800-5,000 per year. In healthcare, HHS‑led HIPAA audits are free, but voluntary readiness assessments cost $10,000-15,000 and onsite audits exceed $40,000. These additional security assessments provide deeper assurance and may uncover issues before they impact the SOC 2 audit.

7) Ongoing / Annual Compliance Expenses

SOC 2 compliance is not a one-time event. Reports are valid for one year, requiring organizations to maintain controls and undergo annual renewals. Ongoing expenses include:

• Subscription and tool renewals: Annual fees for GRC platforms, vulnerability scanners and MDM systems (as discussed above) recur.
  
  
• Surveillance and recertification audits: ISO 27001 certification requires internal audits and surveillance audits in years two and three, each costing roughly $7,500, totalling $15,000 annually. SOC 2 renewals often mirror these cycles.
  
  
• Employee training and awareness: Annual refresher training ensures staff remain vigilant; this cost scales with headcount (see training costs above).
  
  
• Continuous monitoring and evidence collection: Automation reduces manual workload but still requires ongoing oversight. Konfirmity’s managed service reduces internal effort from 550-600 hours self-managed to around 75 hours per year by automating evidence collection and maintaining controls.

Failing to budget for annual maintenance leads to expired reports, lost deals and rushed remediation projects.

What Influences the SOC 2 Audit Price

Several factors determine the final SOC 2 Audit Cost. Understanding them helps organizations control scope and manage expectations.

1) Audit Scope & Trust Services Criteria

The more Trust Services Criteria included, the greater the scope, evidence requirements and cost. All SOC 2 audits must cover security. Adding availability, confidentiality, processing integrity or privacy expands the number of controls tested. Each additional criterion increases complexity, raising the audit fee and the time auditors spend on testing.

2) Company Size & System Complexity

Larger organizations with multiple business units, distributed teams and complex architectures require more testing. The Pun Group notes that auditors need to review more controls, conduct more interviews and manage diverse data sources when the organization has a large footprint. Similarly, Drata’s HIPAA guide observes that a multi‑location health system will spend far more than a small SaaS provider because more systems mean more access points, more documentation and a larger audit footprint. Complexity drives cost not only through auditor time but also through internal labour and tooling.

3) Type of Audit (Type 1 vs Type 2)

Type II audits cost more because they include a longer observation period and require auditors to examine evidence of operating effectiveness. Type II extends beyond the design of controls to evaluate operational effectiveness over a defined period, usually at least six months. The extended duration necessitates continuous evidence collection, monitoring and remediation, increasing the SOC 2 Audit Cost. For example, the SOC 2 cost article mentions that Type 2 audits typically cost $20,000-50,000, while Type 1 audits cost $5,000-20,000.

4) Readiness Level

A mature control environment reduces costs. The Pun Group notes that auditors spend less time reviewing and flagging issues when organizations have well‑documented policies, access logs and training records. Conversely, immature environments require additional gap analysis, remediation and re-testing. Early investments in risk assessments, asset inventories and incident response plans pay dividends by reducing expensive findings during the audit.

5) Choice of Auditor

Auditor reputation and firm size influence pricing. Larger CPA firms often charge more for brand recognition and deep resources. Boutique firms or regional providers may offer lower rates but vary in availability or industry expertise. Organizations should evaluate auditors based on credentials, relevant industry experience, independence (avoid conflicts of interest where the auditor also provides compliance software) and their ability to meet deadlines. The SOC 2 cost article warns that using the same vendor for both GRC software and auditing can compromise independence, a risk acknowledged by the AICPA.

6) Internal Resource Investment

Internal labour is often the largest hidden cost. The SOC 2 cost breakdown lists 100-500+ hours of internal effort. When engineers, security leads and compliance officers divert time from core projects to audit preparation, the opportunity cost can exceed the cash paid to auditors. Investing in automation tools and managed services can reduce the burden. Konfirmity’s approach cuts the internal effort to about 75 hours per year, allowing teams to focus on product and customer work.

Step‑by‑Step Cost Planning Guide

Planning for a SOC 2 audit is essential to avoid unexpected expenses and delays. The following steps help organizations estimate their SOC 2 Audit Cost and build a realistic budget.

Step #1: Define Audit Goals

Determine whether you need a Type I or Type II report. A Type I report offers quick proof of control design and is useful for early‑stage companies seeking to accelerate sales. A Type II report provides deeper assurance and is often required for enterprise deals or regulated industries. Identify which TSC criteria (security, availability, confidentiality, processing integrity, privacy) are contractually mandated and which are optional. Limiting the scope to essential criteria reduces cost and effort.

Step #2: Inventory Systems & Controls

Map all systems, data flows, user roles and vendors. Create an asset inventory covering hardware, software, cloud services and data repositories. This aligns with SOC 2 and ISO 27001 requirements and prepares you for HIPAA or GDPR assessments. Update the inventory whenever systems change. Identify control owners and risk severity to prioritise remediation work.

Step #3: Internal Assessment & Readiness Work

Conduct a gap analysis against the chosen criteria. Review policies, access controls, encryption standards and incident response procedures. Drata’s HIPAA guide suggests that risk analyses cost $2,000-20,000 and policy creation runs $1,000-5,000. Use internal teams or consultants to document existing controls and identify missing elements. Address high‑risk gaps before the audit begins.

Step #4: Budget for Tools & Remediation

Allocate funds for security tools, logging, identity management, scanning and vulnerability management. Subscription platforms range from $10,000 to $50,000 per year. Include costs for MFA, MDM, encryption tools and configuration management. Reserve budget for remediation projects discovered during gap analysis or vulnerability scans (e.g., network segmentation, code fixes).

Step #5: Select an Auditor

Prepare a Request for Proposal (RFP) outlining your scope, timeline and specific criteria. Solicit quotes from multiple CPA firms, comparing their experience with similar companies and frameworks (e.g., SOC 2 plus ISO 27001 or HIPAA). Ask about the auditor’s independence, methodology, technology stack and approach to evidence collection. Evaluate whether the auditor partners with or competes against your chosen GRC platform; independence is critical to avoid conflicts of interest.

Step #6: Plan for Annual Renewal

Build ongoing compliance into your budget. Factor in tool subscriptions, internal audits, training, penetration testing and annual audit fees. If you plan to certify against ISO 27001 or pursue HIPAA attestation concurrently, coordinate the observation windows to reuse evidence and reduce duplication.

Following these steps ensures you understand not only the cash outflows but also the internal effort required to complete the audit and maintain compliance.

Cost Examples & Benchmarks

Real‑world data shows broad cost ranges for SOC 2 compliance. The Pun Group estimates base SOC 2 audit fees of $5,000-50,000, with Type I audits costing $5,000-20,000 and Type II audits $20,000-50,000. A blog dedicated to SOC 2 compliance reports that total SOC 2 initiatives, including preparation, tools and remediation, typically range from $30,000 to $150,000; small startups spend $30,000-50,000, while large enterprises exceed $100,000. The same source notes that Type I audits usually cost $10,000-25,000 and Type II audits $20,000-40,000.

Costs vary by industry and framework. For ISO 27001 certification, StrongDM reports that the audit itself costs $5,000-35,000, but preparation can cost $5,000-75,000 and internal audits cost about $7,500. HIPAA readiness assessments cost $10,000-15,000, with onsite audits exceeding $40,000. These benchmarks illustrate that SOC 2 costs are similar to or slightly less than other security frameworks, especially when leveraging overlapping controls and evidence.

To illustrate, consider two hypothetical profiles:

These ranges demonstrate why careful scoping, early readiness and automation can make the difference between a manageable investment and a six‑figure project.

Ways to Optimize SOC 2 Costs

Cost optimization does not mean cutting corners; it means investing resources wisely to produce durable security outcomes. Consider the following strategies:

1. Invest in readiness early. Gap analyses, asset inventories and policy updates carried out months before the audit reduce the need for emergency remediation and multiple rounds of testing. Early preparation is usually cheaper than last‑minute fixes. The Pun Group recommends readiness assessments as an essential step, even though they add upfront cost.
   
   
2. Limit the scope to contractual requirements. Only include additional Trust Services Criteria when customers or regulators require them. Focusing on the required security criterion and a small number of additional criteria reduces testing time and audit fees.
   
   
3. Automate evidence collection. GRC platforms and managed services collect logs, screenshots and configuration data continuously. Although subscriptions cost $10,000-50,000 per year, they save hundreds of hours of manual work. They also support continuous monitoring required for Type II audits.
   
   
4. Align audit timing with other frameworks. Coordinate SOC 2, ISO 27001 and HIPAA audits to reuse evidence and avoid duplicate testing. NIST CSF mapping shows that many control activities, such as identity management and access revocation, map to multiple frameworks. Combining observation windows reduces internal labour.
   
   
5. Choose independent auditors. Avoid vendors who provide both the platform and the attestation, as this can create conflicts of interest and undermine trust. Independent auditors may also provide more objective recommendations.
   
   
6. Leverage human‑led managed services. Konfirmity’s managed service embeds security experts who implement controls, operate them daily and provide continuous evidence across frameworks. This reduces internal workload from 550-600 hours to about 75 hours per year and ensures that controls are designed for real security outcomes rather than paper compliance.

Conclusion

SOC 2 audits have become a prerequisite for selling into enterprise and healthcare markets. Understanding the SOC 2 Audit Cost requires looking beyond the auditor’s invoice to the preparation, tooling, internal labour and ongoing operations that create durable security. Market data shows that while audit fees can range from $5,000 to $50,000 depending on type and scope, total investments often fall between $30,000 and $150,000. Costs rise with additional criteria, larger infrastructures, immature controls and the choice of audit firm.

The good news is that organizations can plan and optimize. Early readiness assessments, targeted scope, automation, independent auditors and managed services reduce surprises and produce stronger security. Real‑world evidence from the 2025 IBM Cost of a Data Breach report shows that the average global breach cost is $4.44 million, with U.S. breaches exceeding $10.22 million. Investing in controls and attestations is therefore a fraction of potential losses. In the end, compliance is not about certificates; it’s about building controls that stand up to buyers, auditors and attackers. Start with security, operate it continuously and let compliance follow.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is included in a SOC 2 audit cost? 

The SOC 2 Audit Cost includes core auditor fees (typically $5,000-50,000 for Type I or Type II reports), readiness assessments ($3,000-15,000 or more), internal labour costs (often 100-500+ hours translating to $50,000-75,000), and tool investments for logging, monitoring, MDM and vulnerability scanning. Additional expenses may include gap remediation, penetration testing, credential verification and ongoing monitoring.

2. Does SOC 2 cost differ by company size?

Yes. Larger companies with complex systems pay more because auditors must examine more controls and data sources. The Pun Group notes that organizational size and complexity directly affect the audit price. Small startups may spend around $30,000-50,000, while large enterprises can exceed $100,000 when adding multiple TSCs and advanced tooling.

3. Should you budget for ongoing SOC 2 expenses?

Absolutely. SOC 2 reports are valid for one year. Annual renewal fees, surveillance audits, tool subscriptions, vulnerability scans and training must be budgeted. ISO 27001 surveillance audits cost around $15,000 over two years, and similar spending applies to SOC 2 renewals. Continuous monitoring and evidence collection are essential for Type II audits.

4. Are there ways to reduce the SOC 2 audit cost without sacrificing quality?

Yes. Plan early and invest in readiness to avoid expensive remediation. Limit the scope to criteria required by contracts. Use automation tools to collect evidence and monitor controls, even if subscriptions cost thousands of dollars. Choose independent auditors to avoid conflicts of interest and obtain competitive bids. Consider partnering with a human‑led managed service like Konfirmity to design and operate controls, which can cut internal effort from hundreds of hours to about 75 hours per year while delivering real security outcomes.