By Peter Korpak · Reviewed against our methodology · Last updated
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A-LIGN is a specialist SOC 2 audit firm in Tampa, FL, USA that charges $15K–$50K for Type II audits with 3–12 month timelines. Founded in 2009, they hold 10 accreditations and specialize in Technology, B2B SaaS, Healthcare, and 3 more. Their pricing is in the mid-range compared to the specialist average of $18.491K–$52.655K.
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Note: Pricing shown is estimated based on typical engagements. Use our SOC 2 cost calculator for a personalized estimate.
of Specialist firms charge more for Type II
of Specialist firms have longer minimum timelines
certifications (tier avg: 4)
Side-by-side pricing, timeline, and certification counts for the 5 closest-priced peers in the specialist tier.
| A-LIGN | AssurancePoint | Atoro | Canadian Cyber | CompliancePoint | CyberSapiens Australia | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type II Cost | $15K–$50K | $15K–$50K | $15K–$50K | $15K–$50K | $15K–$50K | $20K–$45K |
| Type I Cost | $10K–$20K | $10K–$35K | $10K–$35K | $10K–$35K | $10K–$35K | $12K–$25K |
| Timeline | 3–12 mo | 3–8 mo | 2–52 mo | 3–12 mo | 4–8 mo | 3–8 mo |
| Team Size | 700-750 | 10–100 | 10–100 | 10–100 | 10–100 | 30–45 |
| Certifications | 10 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| Founded | 2009 | 2010 | 2024 | 2014 | 2010 | 2019 |
For buyers in Technology and B2B SaaS, A-LIGN fits the specialist profile when timeline (3–12 months) and Type II pricing ($15K–$50K) align with what specialist firms typically deliver. Their 10 active accreditations — including ISO 27001, ISO 27701, ISO 42001 — extend that fit beyond pure SOC 2 into adjacent compliance frameworks.
Mid-market to enterprise companies that need multiple compliance frameworks (SOC 2 + ISO 27001 + HITRUST + FedRAMP + PCI) under one roof. CSPs pursuing FedRAMP authorization. Companies that want a top-three FedRAMP 3PAO and #1 SOC 2 issuer on the cover of the report.
#1 issuer of SOC 2 reports in the world with 5,700+ clients and 31,000+ audits completed. Top-three FedRAMP 3PAO; CMMC C3PAO authorized. A-SCEND platform was the first audit-management platform from a top-3 3PAO to achieve FedRAMP 20x Low authorization (Sept 2025), now augmented with EvidenceIQ AI evidence scoring and Cross-Service framework reuse. Acquired by Hg in July 2025 at a $1B+ valuation, accelerating European expansion and AI investment. CEO Scott Price (founder, 2009); Steve Simmons elevated to President in January 2026.
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A-LIGN is the #1 issuer of SOC 2 reports globally, founded in 2009 by Scott Price in Tampa, Florida. With approximately 700 employees, $92M+ in annual revenue, 5,700+ clients worldwide, and 31,000+ audits completed lifetime, A-LIGN has positioned itself as the tech-enabled compliance leader through its proprietary A-SCEND platform.
In July 2025, Hg acquired A-LIGN at a $1B+ valuation (HgCapital Trust contributed over $65M), accelerating investment in the platform and European expansion. Scott Price remains Founder and CEO. Steve Simmons was promoted to President in January 2026, handling day-to-day operations while Price focuses on external strategy. Michael Branca serves as CFO (returned April 2024), and a new Board was seated in October 2025 with Nancy Lewis as Chair.
The firm has appeared on the Inc. 5000 for nine consecutive years (2017-2025), most recently ranking #4344 in 2024 with 98% three-year revenue growth (2020-2023). The firm serves clients ranging from startups to Fortune 500 companies, with notable customers including Nasdaq, Boomi, Jitterbit, and PROS. Their client base spans technology, healthcare, financial services, and e-commerce sectors globally.
A-LIGN’s most significant differentiator is A-SCEND, their proprietary audit management system that fundamentally changes how compliance audits work. Unlike traditional audit processes or third-party GRC tools, A-SCEND was built specifically for multi-framework compliance efficiency.
In September 2025, A-SCEND became the first audit management platform from a top-3 3PAO to achieve FedRAMP 20x Low authorization. In March 2026, A-LIGN launched two new capabilities within A-SCEND: EvidenceIQ (AI-powered evidence evaluation with request-level scoring) and Cross-Service (cross-framework evidence reuse). Steve Cochran, formerly of ConnectWise, joined as Strategic Advisor in conjunction with that release.
De-Duplication Engine (The Game Changer)
“Most companies have multiple compliance standards they have to adhere to. Our software de-duplicates the requests, so there’s only one request for multiple standards. We test one time and can produce many reports.”
This is A-LIGN’s secret weapon: If you need SOC 2 + ISO 27001 + HITRUST, you don’t answer the same control questions three times. A-SCEND maps once and generates multiple reports from a single evidence collection process.
Real-Time Auditor Feedback
Unlike traditional audits where findings come at the end, A-SCEND provides continuous feedback during evidence collection. No surprises at the finish line - you know where you stand throughout the engagement.
Workflow Delegation & Global Collaboration
A-SCEND allows clients to delegate data gathering globally down to specific individuals and approve data before auditors see it. This creates a smooth internal workflow for distributed teams.
Proximity Visibility
The platform shows how close you are to fulfilling additional standards you may want to audit against in the future (e.g., “You’re 75% ready for ISO 27001”). This strategic planning capability helps companies roadmap their compliance journey.
Intuitive Interface
Client reviews consistently praise the platform’s user experience: “As easy as a SOC 2 audit could possibly be!” The system makes complex compliance “straightforward and educational.”
A-LIGN offers comprehensive readiness assessments that evaluate an organization’s controls to identify gaps and provide opportunity for remediation prior to the official audit. This service is specifically designed for first-time SOC seekers to “bridge knowledge gaps, understand how controls are evaluated, and grasp how SOC attestation impacts the broader business.”
Based on A-LIGN’s market position and service portfolio:
A-LIGN differentiates itself through a “hand-holding” consultative model rather than interrogation-style auditing. This educational focus appears throughout their service delivery:
✓ Readiness assessments for first-time SOC seekers ✓ Educational materials to help companies understand compliance impact on business ✓ Process improvement recommendations over pure gap identification ✓ Partnership mindset: “Works hard to set up clients for success without compromising integrity of resulting reports”
From client feedback:
“Earning our SOC 2 report has greatly impacted this conversation and allows us to establish a sense of trust and maturity… has given Raindrop the ability to take our business to the next level and secure more customers.”, Ward Karson, COO, Raindrop
Client testimonials consistently emphasize three themes:
1. Customer Service Excellence
“Exceptional security auditor. Proactive approach and excellent customer service.”, Will Au, Jitterbit
“Responsive and continuously works to improve processes”, Amrik Johal, Nasdaq
2. Platform Experience
“The A-SCEND system is intuitive and comprehensive. It makes preparing less daunting.”
3. Educational Value
“Straightforward and educational”, Will Au, VP Engineering, Jitterbit
A-LIGN provides responsive support without specific same-day guarantees, but “responsive” and “proactive” appear frequently in testimonials.
A-LIGN’s scale is genuinely impressive:
Market Leadership:
Financial Stability:
Growth Trajectory:
1. De-Duplication at Scale
A-SCEND’s “test once, produce many reports” capability is unique among auditors. This isn’t just efficiency - it’s a fundamentally different compliance model for companies with multi-framework requirements.
2. Platform Network Effects
With 5,700+ clients on A-SCEND, the platform benefits from network effects: more clients = better data, benchmarks, and best practices embedded in the system.
3. International Capability
ISAE 3000 offering demonstrates serious international focus. Companies expanding globally can maintain a single auditor relationship rather than U.S. auditor + international auditor.
4. Educational DNA
From founding vision through client delivery, A-LIGN emphasizes education and partnership over checklist compliance. This approach resonates particularly well with first-time audit seekers.
5. Hg Backing and European Expansion
The July 2025 Hg acquisition at a $1B+ valuation signals strong institutional confidence and funds continued platform investment. European expansion is a stated strategic priority under Hg, giving globally operating clients a credible roadmap for in-region coverage.
While A-LIGN doesn’t publicly disclose pricing, industry sources and client discussions suggest:
Positioning: Mid-market specialist pricing - significantly cheaper than Big 4 ($60K-$400K+) but not the absolute cheapest. Client testimonial from Reddit (2025): “$12K auditor fees for small SaaS company” suggests competitive pricing for straightforward engagements.
✓ Proven scale - 5,700+ clients globally demonstrates consistent delivery ✓ Technology moat - A-SCEND de-duplication is defensible IP; FedRAMP 20x Low authorized ✓ Financial backing - Hg acquisition at $1B+ valuation; European expansion underway ✓ Clean reputation - No scandals, regulatory actions, or major controversies ✓ Multi-framework efficiency - Unique value for companies needing SOC 2 + ISO + HITRUST combinations
A-LIGN represents platform-enabled compliance at scale. Their A-SCEND system isn’t marketing fluff; it’s a genuine competitive advantage that fundamentally changes the economics of multi-framework compliance. The March 2026 additions of EvidenceIQ and Cross-Service extend that lead further.
For companies needing SOC 2 today, ISO 27001 next quarter, and HITRUST next year, A-LIGN’s “test once, produce many reports” model creates massive efficiency. The educational approach and readiness assessments make them particularly well-suited for first-time audit seekers who want guidance rather than interrogation.
The 700-person team, 5,700+ client base, and Hg backing at a $1B+ valuation signal financial stability and operational maturity. This isn’t a boutique shop that might disappear; it’s a scaled operation with staying power and a clear expansion roadmap into Europe.
However, A-LIGN is optimized for private mid-market companies with multi-framework compliance needs, not public companies requiring Big 4 prestige or organizations wanting boutique personalization. The platform-driven approach is either a massive advantage (if you value efficiency) or a limitation (if you prefer traditional relationship-based auditing).
If your compliance roadmap includes multiple frameworks and you value technology-enabled efficiency over auditor brand prestige, A-LIGN’s combination of scale, platform capability, and educational approach is genuinely differentiated in the specialist auditor market.
"As easy as a SOC 2 audit could possibly be! The A-SCEND system is intuitive and comprehensive. It makes preparing for our SOC audit less daunting."
"Straightforward and educational. Exceptional security auditor. Proactive approach and excellent customer service."
"Professional, responsive, and continuously works with our Nasdaq team to improve our processes over each audit cycle."
6 industries — Specialist average: 5
10 certifications — Specialist average: 4
A-SCEND (FedRAMP 20x Low authorized)
A-LIGN SOC 2 Type I audits typically range from $10K to $20K. Type II audits range from $15K to $50K. This is in the mid-range for specialist firms — the specialist tier average is $18.491K–$52.655K. Final pricing depends on your organization's scope, number of trust service criteria, and system complexity.
A buyer-side checklist. Bring these to your first call — the answers separate firms that have run hundreds of SOC 2 engagements from firms that are bidding on them.
Tell us your scope. A-LIGN replies with a price, a timeline, and why they'd be a fit. Anonymous until you pick.
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