Armanino LLP

About Armanino LLP

Armanino LLP is a Top 20 U.S. accounting and consulting firm with over 2,000 employees and more than 50 years of experience serving technology-driven organizations. Founded in 1969 and headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area, Armanino has evolved from traditional CPA services into a technology-forward compliance and assurance powerhouse.

The firm serves mid-market technology companies, private equity-backed businesses, and enterprises seeking integrated audit, tax, consulting, and compliance services under one roof. With 20+ offices across the United States, Armanino combines national scale with local market expertise.

Technology & Innovation: The Audit Ally Advantage

Armanino’s most significant competitive differentiator is Audit Ally, their proprietary AI-powered SOC 2 audit platform launched in January 2024. Unlike third-party GRC tools that often create friction between clients and auditors, Audit Ally is purpose-built by accountants for the audit process.

Key Platform Features:

• Centralized Dashboard: Real-time status tracking for all compliance documentation and evidence
• AI-Powered Automation: Automated evidence collection and control monitoring
• Embedded Communication: Two-way messaging eliminates email threads and streamlines collaboration
• AI Summarization: Complex audit notes converted into clear, actionable steps
• Direct Integration: No third-party middleware - the audit platform IS the auditor’s workflow

This technology enables Armanino to deliver SOC 2 audits significantly faster than traditional firms while maintaining comprehensive coverage. Client testimonials consistently praise their “speed and efficiency” alongside “professionalism and expertise.”

Integrated Service Model

Armanino’s breadth goes beyond SOC 2 compliance:

Risk Assurance & Advisory Services:

• SOC 1, 2, 3 and SOC for Cybersecurity
• ISO 27001:2022 and ISO 27701:2019 (as an ANAB-accredited certification body)
• ISO 42001 for AI Management Systems
• HITRUST CSF Assessments
• PCI DSS Audits
• Penetration Testing & vCISO Services

Complementary Services:

• Financial Statement Audits
• Tax Planning & Compliance
• Business Management & CFO Advisory
• IT Consulting & Cybersecurity

This integrated model appeals to mid-market companies wanting a single trusted advisor for audit, tax, compliance, and strategic advisory - eliminating the need to coordinate multiple vendors.

ISO Certification Body Status (Rare Differentiator)

Armanino holds ANAB accreditation for ISO 27001:2022 and ISO 27701:2019 through their Armanino Certified LLC subsidiary. This means they can issue ISO certificates, not just attest to compliance - a capability extremely rare among CPA firms.

Why This Matters:

• European Market Access: Companies expanding to Europe often need ISO 27001 certification
• One-Stop Compliance: Bundle SOC 2 + ISO 27001 in a single engagement
• Regulatory Equivalence: ISO 27001 often satisfies international privacy regulations (GDPR, etc.)

For companies targeting global customers or regulated industries, this dual SOC 2 / ISO capability eliminates vendor management overhead.

Client Experience & Testimonials

Armanino’s approach emphasizes partnership over checkbox compliance. Clients consistently highlight:

✓ Speed & Efficiency - Audit Ally automation accelerates timelines without sacrificing thoroughness ✓ Practical Guidance - Auditors help strengthen processes, not just identify gaps ✓ Technology Fluency - Deep understanding of SaaS, cloud infrastructure, and modern tech stacks ✓ Responsive Communication - Real-time collaboration through the platform eliminates bottlenecks

From client testimonials:

“The approach, methodology and tools they utilize drive an effective and efficient process and the professionalism and expertise of the team is top notch.” — Pamela Glick, CEO, SyncHR

Office Locations & Geographic Reach

With 20+ offices including major tech hubs (Bay Area, Seattle, LA, NYC, Chicago, Denver), Armanino provides local presence with national resources. Their Bay Area headquarters gives them deep Silicon Valley expertise and strong relationships with West Coast VCs and tech ecosystems.

Who Should Choose Armanino

Best Fit For:

• Mid-market tech companies ($10M-$500M revenue) prioritizing speed and technology integration
• Private equity-backed companies needing bundled audit, tax, and compliance services
• Bay Area & West Coast startups wanting local presence and tech industry fluency
• Companies expanding internationally requiring both SOC 2 and ISO 27001/27701
• Organizations valuing efficiency over brand prestige alone

Not Ideal For:

• Public companies or IPO candidates requiring Big 4 brand recognition
• Defense contractors needing CMMC C3PAO accreditation (not offered)
• Government cloud providers requiring FedRAMP 3PAO status (not offered)
• Companies with extremely complex, high-risk environments requiring maximum thoroughness

Pricing Philosophy

While exact pricing varies by scope and complexity, Armanino positions itself as delivering Top 20 firm quality at competitive mid-market rates. The value proposition: pay for speed, technology, and integrated services - not just the audit itself.

The Audit Ally platform may justify a premium over boutique firms, but clients report the time savings and streamlined process deliver ROI through reduced internal compliance burden.

Bottom Line

Armanino LLP represents the modern evolution of mid-market CPA firms - combining traditional accounting rigor with genuine technology innovation. Their Audit Ally platform seems like a real competitive advantage that meaningfully accelerates SOC 2 audits.

For mid-market tech companies seeking a partner who “gets” their business model, speaks their language, and can deliver compliance quickly without sacrificing quality, Armanino offers a compelling package. The integrated service model (audit + tax + consulting + ISO certification) consolidates vendor relationships and creates efficiency across the entire finance and compliance function.

However, companies should be realistic about fit: Armanino is optimized for private mid-market technology businesses, not public companies, defense contractors, or organizations requiring specialized government accreditations. Their sweet spot is the Series B-to-growth-stage tech company that needs to get SOC 2 done efficiently so they can focus on building their business.