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Assessment

SOC Reporting

SOC reports have to come from a licensed CPA firm. Aprio is that firm, conducting SOC 1, SOC 2, and SOC 3 examinations to help technology companies, SaaS platforms, and service organizations prove compliance.

Demonstrate strong controls.

Remediate gaps.

Receive attestation.

Aprio helps you achieve compliance across SOC 2, SOC 1, and SOC 3

SOC—specifically SOC 2— has become the de facto security credential for SaaS companies and service organizations that handle customer data. Enterprise customers require it and deals stall without it. In order to demonstrate strong internal controls, you need more than a software-generated report. You need an attestation from an accredited CPA firm.

Aprio has completed more than 10,000 SOC 2 reports, which means we’ve seen every edge case, every gap that derails first-timers, and every question an enterprise customer is going to ask about the report before they sign. Our depth of experience translates to a shorter certification path, fewer surprises, and timelines you can trust and deliver on. It also translates to:

  • Proven track record. Aprio’s 96% renewal rate reflects an audit process built for the long term.

  • Seamless GRC tool integration. Aprio connects directly via API to many of the leading GRC platforms—Vanta, Drata, Hyperproof, Sprinto, Anecdotes, and Secureframe—or no platform at all in order to help you automate things like data collection.

  • Multi-framework efficiency. SOC 2 controls cross-map to other frameworks like ISO 27001, HIPAA/HITRUST, and PCI. Aprio has already done this mapping which means you aren’t starting from scratch for each one.

  • Transparent, fixed-fee pricing. We already know what’s required, so pricing is agreed upon before work begins. No scope creep.

  • Smoother audit preparation. Many firms haphazardly handle design and scoping during the audit itself. At Aprio, our Partners and Directors lead this process with you before the audit begins, helping establish the foundation for a successful audit.

Which SOC report do you need?

  • SOC 1

    For service organizations whose operations affect their clients’ financial reporting. If your enterprise customers need to include your controls in their own financial audit, this is what they’re asking for.

  • SOC 2 Type I

    A point-in-time assessment of whether your controls are designed correctly. Appropriate for organizations that need a credential quickly or are completing their first SOC 2.

  • SOC 2 Type II

    A period-of-time assessment covering 3-12 months that proves your controls operated effectively. When a customer asks for your SOC 2, they almost always mean this.

  • SOC 3

    A public-facing summary of a SOC 2 Type II. Same underlying audit, condensed output you can post publicly without disclosing technical control details.

Our SOC Reporting Process

Across every report type, Aprio applies the same rigorous process to every SOC engagement:

  • Design & Scoping Meeting

    Defines scope, identifies required controls, and aligns your auditor before testing begins. If you have a GRC tool, you leave knowing what to implement instead of guessing which of the 150+ controls you need.

  • Document Request List

    The complete list of controls in scope and evidence required for each one. No surprises on what your auditor needs.

  • Readiness Assessment

    A pre-audit engagement that applies the same rigor as a formal SOC 2 Type I audit. If your controls pass, you move directly to attestation. If gaps exist, you address them first.

  • Audit Testing

    The formal examination that produces the report, conducted by a licensed CPA firm, not a software platform. Aprio’s auditors perform direct observations and inspections of evidence across every control in scope.

  • Report Issuance

    Delivery of the signed SOC report by Aprio as the licensed CPA firm, including the management response process and any findings documentation.

The Two Phases of Compliance.

Your Phase: Evidence Readiness

The audit does not create evidence, you do. Your controls need to be operating consistently and your evidence needs to be mapped to each control before the audit period begins. Organizations that arrive with a functioning GRC tool or documentation system already in place move through the audit significantly faster.

Aprio’s Phase: Assessment & Report

Once your evidence is ready, Aprio’s assessment begins. Our licensed CPAs work directly inside your existing automation environment to test each control in scope, write the findings, and deliver the signed report you need to verify compliance.  Read More

It matters who issues your SOC report.

These are the reasons clients choose Aprio.

We’re An Accredited Firm

Only a licensed CPA firm can issue a SOC report. As a top-20 CPA firm, Aprio has the credentials to back up the attestation.

We See Across Frameworks

SOC 2 controls overlap significantly with ISO 27001, HITRUST, and PCI DSS, among others. Aprio maps at the evidence level so evidence collected for SOC 2 carries into the next certification.

We’re A True Partner

When regulations change, when you need to expand from Type I to Type II or add a new framework, there’s no help desk queue with Aprio. There’s a team that already knows your environment.

Proven Results

Across countless industries, businesses rely on Aprio to help them prove and maintain SOC compliance.

10K+ SOC reports completed by the Aprio team

“Aprio’s SOC 2 Type II audit services are top-notch. Their expertise, reliability, and exceptional customer service make them a trusted partner for our organization.”

Corey Thomas, CTO, Lightfoot Law

See how Aprio helped Outsystems streamline audits for SOC and other certifications

Read More

Pursuing multiple frameworks? SOC 2 controls overlap with:

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does an SOC 2 audit actually take?

SOC 2 audit timelines vary by report type, organization size, and preparedness.

  • Type I audits typically take 1–3 months for preparation and 1-3 weeks for audit execution. Initial SOC 2 Type I readiness often takes 2–3 months.

  • Type II audits include an observation period of 3–12 months plus audit execution — a first-time SOC 2 Type II audit often takes 3–9 months, with subsequent annual audits. A Type II program, including operational tracking, typically requires an additional 3–6 month audit window.

What is the difference between SOC 1, SOC 2, and SOC 3 reports?

SOC 1, SOC 2, and SOC 3 reports each serve different assurance needs:

  • SOC 1 focuses on controls that impact financial reporting—ideal for organizations like payroll processors or mortgage servicers.

  •  SOC 2 evaluates data security, availability, confidentiality, processing integrity, and privacy—commonly required for SaaS and tech companies that manage customer data. SOC 2 compliance validates how your organization secures client data across these criteria. It’s a business growth enabler—demonstrating operational maturity, building client trust, and opening the door to enterprise deals.

  • SOC 3 offers a public, high-level summary of SOC 2 findings, allowing companies to demonstrate their commitment to data protection without sharing sensitive details.

Is SOC 2 a certification or an attestation?

SOC 2 is an attestation, not a certification. The distinction matters: an attestation is an independent opinion issued by a licensed CPA firm based on an examination of your controls, while a certification is typically issued by a certification body against a fixed standard. Aprio, as a licensed CPA firm, issues the attestation that becomes your SOC 2 report.

What is the difference between SOC Type I and Type II reports?

SOC Type I and Type II reports provide different levels of assurance about an organization’s controls. Type I reports are generally faster and less costly, while Type II reports require continuous evaluation and are more comprehensive.

  • A Type I report evaluates the design and implementation of controls at a specific point in time, offering a snapshot of control effectiveness. Initial SOC 2 Type I readiness often takes 2–3 months.

  • A Type II report assesses both design and operational effectiveness over a period, typically 3–12 months, providing ongoing assurance to clients and stakeholders. Type II demonstrates real-world resilience—critical for winning larger, security-conscious clients.

What is the difference between SOC 2 and ISO?

SOC 2 and ISO are both security and compliance frameworks. However, SOC 2 is an audit report tailored for service providers, while ISO is a structured framework for managing information security across different industries.

How do I know if my business needs a SOC audit?

Your business likely needs a SOC audit if you handle or process client data, financial transactions, or sensitive information. Many customers—especially in regulated industries like healthcare, finance, and technology—require SOC reports as part of vendor risk management.

What are SOC controls, and how do they impact compliance?

SOC controls are the internal policies, procedures, and safeguards that protect data, maintain system integrity, and support operational excellence. Covering security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy, these controls are evaluated during a SOC audit to verify compliance, enhance third-party risk management, and meet regulatory expectations so businesses can strengthen client trust.

How does SOC compliance improve client trust?

SOC reports strengthen client trust by demonstrating a commitment to data security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy. An independent SOC audit provides transparency into your internal controls, reassuring clients that their data is protected and meeting the expectations of enterprise procurement and vendor risk programs.

What industries benefit from SOC 2 compliance?

SaaS, Fintech, healthcare tech, cloud service providers, AI/ML platforms, and any service organization handling client data at scale benefit from SOC 2 as a credibility multiplier and security proof point.

Can SOC 2 compliance be integrated with other cybersecurity programs?

Absolutely. SOC 2 controls can be integrated into ISO 27001, PCI DSS, HIPAA, and NIST-aligned cybersecurity frameworks—reducing redundancy, simplifying management, and strengthening overall governance.

Can Aprio automate evidence collection for SOC 2 audits?

Yes. Aprio works directly inside the GRC platform you’re already using— including Vanta, Drata, Hyperproof, Anecdotes, Sprinto, and Secureframe—to streamline evidence collection and reduce audit prep time. Visit our Automation page to learn more.

What other attestation options does Aprio provide?

In addition to SOC 1, 2, and 3 reports, Aprio offers a variety of attestation services to demonstrate compliance and manage risk. These include Agreed-Upon Procedures (AUP) for tailored audit scopes, SOC for Supply Chain to assess supply chain risk, and SOC for Cybersecurity to report on your organization’s cybersecurity risk management program.

Let’s talk SOC Reporting.

Tell us where you are in the process and what your customers are asking for. We’ll map out what your assessment timeline looks like. Get Your SOC Timeline