A-LIGN vs Schellman vs Coalfire for SOC 2

A-LIGN fits teams that want to run multi-framework work through A-SCEND. Schellman fits federal or classified-adjacent programs. Coalfire fits cloud and regulated programs that can use Compliance Essentials.

Compare the three firms ↓

By Peter Korpak / Updated September 8, 2026

Short answer

Which of A-LIGN, Schellman, or Coalfire should I shortlist?

Choose A-LIGN when the team will work in A-SCEND and reuse one evidence set across frameworks. Choose Schellman when federal assessment or classified-adjacent work is in the scope. Choose Coalfire when a regulated cloud program can use Compliance Essentials.

Scroll across to compare all three firms.

A-LIGN, Schellman, and Coalfire compared by fit, signing entity, workflow, scope, Type 2 observation period, fee basis, review state, and fieldwork timing. Fees are estimates. This page does not claim current start dates.
Decision factor	A-LIGN	Schellman	Coalfire
Best starting fit	Multi-framework programs that want to run the audit in A-SCEND	Federal or classified-adjacent programs	Cloud and regulated programs that can use Compliance Essentials
Named signing entity	Price and Associates CPAs, LLC, doing business as A-LIGN ASSURANCE; confirm that entity on the SOC engagement	Schellman & Company, LLC for attest work; Schellman Compliance, LLC for nonattest work	Coalfire Controls issues SOC reports; Coalfire Certification covers ISO; Coalfire Federal presents CMMC C3PAO work
Evidence workflow	A-SCEND (FedRAMP 20x Low authorized)	No named proprietary client workspace	Compliance Essentials with Audit AI and MCP evidence connectors (as of May 2026)
Selected scope signals	ISO 27001 Certification Body, FedRAMP 3PAO, HITRUST Assessor, PCI DSS QSA, CMMC C3PAO	ISO 27001 Certification Body, FedRAMP 3PAO, CMMC C3PAO, DoD Facility Clearance, HITRUST Assessor, PCI DSS QSA	FedRAMP 3PAO, PCI DSS QSA, HITRUST Assessor, CMMC C3PAO, ISO 27001 Certification Body
Type 2 observation period	3–12 months, separate from fieldwork	Typically six months or more, separate from fieldwork	Typically at least six months, separate from fieldwork
AICPA peer review	Peer-reviewed: Pass · retrieved Sep 3, 2026	Peer-reviewed: Pass · retrieved Sep 3, 2026	Peer-reviewed: Pass · retrieved Sep 3, 2026
Type 2 fee basis	$15K–$50K · our estimate	$20K–$100K · our estimate	$40K–$120K · our estimate
Fieldwork to report	3–12 wk	3–12 wk	4–12 wk

Price and fieldwork figures are estimates, not quotes. Observation periods come from each firm's public SOC page; they are not start dates.

Where the three firms differ

A-LIGN: A-SCEND and multi-framework work

A-LIGN fits when the team will work in A-SCEND and reuse one evidence set across SOC 2, ISO, HITRUST, PCI, or federal work. Its current SOC page states a 3–12 month Type 2 observation period; that sits outside the shorter fieldwork-to-report range in the matrix.

Limitation to confirm: Price and Associates CPAs, LLC, doing business as A-LIGN ASSURANCE, is the CPA firm named by A-LIGN. Confirm that entity on the SOC engagement and decide whether the team is willing to make A-SCEND its audit workspace.

Primary sources checked September 8, 2026: legal entity and A-SCEND; SOC 2 process and observation period.

Schellman: federal and classified-work scope

Schellman fits when federal assessment, CMMC, or classified work is in the scope. Its current SOC page says a Type 2 period is typically six months or more.

Limitation to confirm: Schellman & Company, LLC provides attest services, while Schellman Compliance, LLC provides nonattest services. Confirm which entity owns every workstream, and ask for current capacity; this page does not list start dates.

Primary sources checked September 8, 2026: SOC 2 process and observation period; legal entities; cleared assessments; federal assessment scope.

Coalfire: regulated cloud programs and separate legal entities

Coalfire fits when SOC 2 sits beside FedRAMP, PCI, HITRUST, or another regulated cloud program and the team can use Compliance Essentials. Compliance Essentials includes Audit AI and a shared evidence workflow. Coalfire's SOC page says a Type 2 period is typically at least six months.

Limitation to confirm: Coalfire Controls is the CPA affiliate that issues SOC reports. Coalfire Certification publishes the ISO certification scope, while Coalfire Federal presents itself as the C3PAO for CMMC work. Ask which named provider and statement of work cover each required output.

Primary sources checked September 8, 2026: SOC signing entity, observation period, and combined scope; ISO certification body; Compliance Essentials workflow; Audit AI release; Coalfire Federal CMMC role.

What this comparison cannot tell you

None of the three firms publishes a general SOC 2 rate card or live capacity calendar. The fee ranges are our estimates, and the timing ranges do not promise a start date. A platform or accreditation label also does not prove that the proposed engagement team has used your exact GRC stack or has capacity for your deadline.

Federal marketplace history shows experience, not a government endorsement or a guarantee that a specific report will satisfy a customer. Ask the report recipient to approve the expected scope and signing entity before fieldwork begins.

How the facts were checked

Fee ranges are our estimates. Fieldwork-to-report timing, peer-review status, and selected scope signals come from the directory records linked in the matrix (Full record verified Jun 11, 2026 for A-LIGN; Full record verified Jun 11, 2026 for Schellman; Full record verified Jun 11, 2026; data refreshed Aug 17, 2026 for Coalfire). Evidence-workflow cells use each firm's named platform for A-LIGN and Coalfire. Schellman's cell states that its directory record names no proprietary client workspace. Signing entities and Type 2 observation periods come from the firms' primary pages. The three firms' primary pages and the FedRAMP Marketplace were checked on September 8, 2026. Ask each firm to confirm the proposed team, current availability, final fee, and exact statement of work.

Proposal check

Make the three proposals comparable

Give each bidder the same scope. Name the signing entity, observation period, and extra frameworks in writing.

01Name the required output

State whether the buyer needs only a CPA-issued SOC 2 report or also needs ISO certification, FedRAMP assessment, CMMC assessment, PCI, or HITRUST work.

02Hold the scope constant

Send the same system boundary, Trust Services Criteria, locations, subservice organizations, observation period, and deadline to all three firms.

03Check every signing entity

Ask which legal entity signs each report or certificate and whether separate statements of work are required for SOC, ISO, federal, or CMMC work.

04Separate observation from delivery

A short fieldwork estimate does not remove the Type 2 observation period. Get the observation dates, fieldwork dates, draft timing, and final-report target in writing.

FAQ

Questions to settle before you shortlist

Confirm signing entity, observation period, and extra frameworks before you shortlist. The proposal and engagement letter remain the source for current capacity, price, and contractual scope.

Which firm is the best fit for a multi-framework commercial audit?

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A-LIGN fits when the main job is coordinating SOC 2 with ISO, HITRUST, PCI, or FedRAMP through A-SCEND. Schellman and Coalfire also cover broad framework sets, so compare the signing entities, evidence reuse, and staffing in each proposal.

Which firm should a federal cloud provider shortlist?

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All three are currently listed as Class D (High) assessors in the FedRAMP Marketplace. Schellman adds a DoD facility-clearance signal, Coalfire pairs its federal work with Compliance Essentials, and A-LIGN pairs its work with A-SCEND. Confirm the relevant assessor, current recognition, and statement of work before signing.

Are the prices on this page firm quotes?

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No. The displayed Type 2 ranges are our comparison estimates because these firms do not publish a general SOC 2 rate card. Ask each firm for the same system boundary, Trust Services Criteria, observation period, locations, and add-ons so the proposals are comparable.

Does the fieldwork timeline include the Type 2 observation period?

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No. The week ranges compare evidence collection, fieldwork, and report delivery. A Type 2 report also covers an observation period. Confirm that period separately, along with the proposed start date and report deadline.

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