Last updated: April 2026
Schellman is a national SOC 2 audit firm in Tampa, FL, USA that charges $20K–$100K for Type II audits with 3–12 month timelines. Founded in 2002, they hold 14 accreditations and specialize in Government/Defense, Healthcare, Financial Services, and 3 more. Their pricing is below average compared to the national average of $39.286K–$120K.
Note: Pricing shown is estimated based on typical engagements. Use our SOC 2 cost calculator for a personalized estimate.
of National firms charge more for Type II
of National firms have longer minimum timelines
certifications (tier avg: 9)
| Schellman | CBIZ (formerly Marcum LLP) | Armanino LLP | Drummond Group | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type II Cost | $20K–$100K | $40K–$100K | $15K–$40K | $50K–$150K |
| Type I Cost | $15K–$30K | $25K–$50K | $10K–$20K | $35K–$100K |
| Timeline | 3–12 mo | 4–9 mo | 3–12 mo | 4–16 mo |
| Team Size | 500-700+ | 10000–11000 | 2000–3000 | 500–2000 |
| Certifications | 14 | 9 | 9 | 7 |
| Founded | 2002 | 1951 | 1969 | 1999 |
Defense contractors needing CMMC + FedRAMP, federal agencies requiring top-tier FedRAMP 3PAO, classified systems operators (ONLY auditor with DoD Facility Security Clearance), healthcare organizations needing HITRUST + SOC 2 bundles, companies wanting Top 50 CPA brand with multi-framework expertise
#1 FedRAMP 3PAO globally with unmatched government/defense expertise. ONLY audit firm with DoD Facility Security Clearance for classified assessments (unassailable competitive moat). Top 50 CPA firm issuing 1,000+ SOC reports annually. 'The Power of One' cross-compliance: SOC + ISO + FedRAMP + HITRUST + PCI + CMMC under single roof. Founded 2002, 20+ years compliance focus
of 6 criteria match. Get a personalized quote
Schellman & Company represents the gold standard for government and defense compliance, combining Top 50 CPA firm credibility with unmatched FedRAMP and CMMC expertise. Founded in 2002 by Chris Schellman as a two-person SAS 70 audit shop, the firm has grown to become the #1 FedRAMP 3PAO globally with 1,000+ SOC reports issued annually and 700+ clients worldwide.
Now led by CEO Avani Desai (since 2021), Schellman operates under private equity ownership (Lightyear Capital) while maintaining its founding commitment to cross-compliance expertise. The firm’s recent achievement of Facility Security Clearance (FCL) makes it the only audit firm authorized to conduct classified DoD assessments - a capability that creates an almost insurmountable competitive moat.
Schellman serves defense contractors, federal agencies, healthcare organizations, financial services companies, and technology firms seeking Top 50 CPA brand prestige with deep technical expertise across SOC, ISO, FedRAMP, HITRUST, PCI, and CMMC frameworks.
Schellman’s government and defense capabilities are genuinely unmatched among compliance auditors:
This FCL achievement is extraordinary. Obtaining facility security clearance requires extensive background checks, facility security measures, and deep DoD trust. Schellman is the only audit firm with this capability - creating a defensive moat competitors cannot easily replicate.
State-level FedRAMP equivalent for state/local government cloud services
“Schellman has been a strategic 3PAO partner for Palantir consistently delivering exceptional assessment services. We are excited to see them expand their capabilities into cleared environments.” — Kevin Carr, Palantir Technologies US Government Cloud Compliance Lead
Palantir as a client - one of the most security-sensitive defense technology companies - validates Schellman’s high-assurance capabilities and government expertise.
Schellman’s positioning centers on “The Power of One” - comprehensive cross-compliance capability combining SOC, ISO, FedRAMP, HITRUST, PCI, and CMMC under a single roof. This appeals to organizations tired of coordinating multiple auditors with duplicate work.
SOC Audits:
ISO Certifications (ANAB Accredited Certification Body):
Healthcare & Privacy:
Payment Security:
International & Specialized:
AI Governance:
Sustainability/ESG:
Web3/Blockchain:
Background:
Focus Areas:
Philanthropy & Boards:
2021 Lightyear Capital Transaction:
INSYTE CPAs, LLC (August 2024)
Sustainability Reporting (2023)
Schellman’s accreditation depth is impressive even among Top 50 CPA firms:
Government:
Audit & Compliance:
Industry-Specific:
This breadth signals serious investment in quality and capability across diverse compliance frameworks.
1. Government Contractors (DOMINANT NICHE)
2. Healthcare Organizations
3. Financial Services
4. Automotive & Manufacturing
5. Technology Companies
Global Operations: Offices worldwide with TISAX/HDS capabilities suggesting strong European presence. Recent acquisitions (INSYTE in Alabama) demonstrate geographic expansion strategy.
While Schellman has fewer public testimonials than some competitors (likely due to enterprise/government focus where clients review less publicly), available feedback emphasizes consistent themes:
Quality & Expertise:
“Depth of expertise in information technology control and breadth of compliance services… dedication to high quality and service excellence” — Cindy Wyatt, INSYTE CPAs
Long-Term Partnerships:
“Strategic 3PAO partner… consistently delivering exceptional assessment services” — Kevin Carr, Palantir
Professional Service Delivery:
1. Market Leadership: #1 FedRAMP 3PAO globally - objectively verifiable market position
2. Government Trust: Facility Security Clearance is extraordinarily difficult to obtain. DoD doesn’t grant FCL casually - it requires extensive background checks, facility security, and deep institutional trust.
3. First-Mover Advantage: Performed first CMMC JVSA assessment - selected for pilot program indicates DoD confidence
4. Client Quality: Palantir Technologies, one of the most security-conscious defense tech companies, maintains long-term strategic partnership
Schellman does not publish pricing. Industry estimates for Top 50 CPA firms suggest:
SOC 2 Type II Estimated Ranges:
FedRAMP (Known High Cost):
CMMC:
GRC Partnership Estimate: “Secureframe + BDO, MHM, Schellman: ~$20K-$50K” suggests mid-to-upper specialist range for SOC 2, likely justified by Top 50 CPA firm brand and cross-compliance expertise.
1. Unmatched Government/Defense Capability
This creates a near-monopoly for classified system audits. Defense contractors and federal agencies requiring FCL-enabled assessments have limited alternatives.
2. Cross-Compliance Mastery “The Power of One” isn’t just marketing - 1,000+ SOC reports annually + ISO certification body status + FedRAMP #1 position + HITRUST + PCI demonstrates genuine breadth executed at scale.
3. Top 50 CPA Firm Prestige More credible than specialist boutiques, less expensive than Big 4, with PCAOB registration for public company work.
4. International Reach TISAX (European automotive) + HDS (French healthcare) + global delivery capability differentiates from U.S.-only competitors.
5. 20+ Year Track Record Founded 2002 = proven staying power with 1,000+ SOC reports annually demonstrating consistent delivery at scale.
6. AI Governance Positioning Early ISO 42001 adoption + Microsoft SSPA expertise positions Schellman ahead of competitors for AI/ML compliance needs.
1. Premium Pricing Top 50 CPA firm = higher costs than boutiques. May lose price-sensitive startups to A-LIGN, Prescient, KirkpatrickPrice.
2. No Proprietary Technology Platform Unlike A-LIGN’s A-SCEND or Prescient’s platform integrations, Schellman appears to use traditional audit processes. This may mean slower evidence collection and less real-time visibility.
3. Scale vs. Personalization Trade-off 700+ clients, 1,000+ reports annually = potential to feel like a number rather than receiving boutique white-glove service.
4. Private Equity Ownership Lightyear Capital exit pressure (5-7 year timeline from 2021) could drive aggressive growth tactics or eventual sale/IPO.
1. Government Market Expansion:
2. Acquisitions:
3. Emerging Compliance:
4. International Expansion:
Schellman represents Top 50 CPA firm quality with government/defense specialization. Their #1 FedRAMP 3PAO position combined with unique Facility Security Clearance creates a defensive competitive moat for classified government work that competitors cannot easily replicate.
“The Power of One” cross-compliance positioning is backed by genuine capability: 1,000+ SOC reports annually, ANAB-accredited ISO certification body, leading FedRAMP practice, HITRUST assessor, PCI QSA, and international reach (TISAX, HDS). This breadth executed at scale differentiates Schellman from both boutique specialists (limited scope) and Big 4 (higher cost).
For defense contractors needing CMMC + FedRAMP, federal agencies requiring FedRAMP, or classified systems operators, Schellman’s unique FCL capability makes them the only viable choice for certain assessments. Healthcare organizations needing HITRUST + HIPAA + SOC 2 bundles also benefit from their cross-compliance expertise.
The Top 50 CPA firm brand provides credibility for investor/customer confidence without Big 4 pricing, while 20+ years of compliance focus demonstrates staying power and institutional knowledge.
However, Schellman is optimized for enterprise and government clients, not price-sensitive startups or organizations wanting boutique personalization. The lack of proprietary technology platform (like A-LIGN’s A-SCEND) may mean traditional audit processes rather than tech-enabled efficiency. Private equity ownership introduces potential exit timeline pressures.
If you’re a defense contractor, federal agency, healthcare organization, or enterprise requiring multiple compliance frameworks with Top 50 brand prestige, Schellman’s combination of government expertise, cross-compliance capability, and institutional maturity makes them a top-tier choice - particularly if classified assessment capability matters for current or future needs.
"Schellman has been a strategic 3PAO partner for Palantir consistently delivering exceptional assessment services. We are excited to see them expand their capabilities into cleared environments."
"Not only do we have confidence in the Schellman team's depth of expertise in information technology control and breadth of compliance services, but we also know they share the same dedication to high quality and service excellence."
6 industries — National average: 8
14 certifications — National average: 9
Traditional Audit Processes
Schellman SOC 2 Type I audits typically range from $15K to $30K. Type II audits range from $20K to $100K. This is below average for national firms — the national tier average is $39.286K–$120K. Final pricing depends on your organization's scope, number of trust service criteria, and system complexity.
Get personalized pricing and timeline estimates for your organization
Compare 7 national firms in our directory of 104 SOC 2 auditors
What's the real HIPAA compliance audit cost? Our guide breaks down key price drivers, hidden expenses, and actionable strategies to help you budget effectively.
Get a complete guide to SOC 2 for SaaS companies. Learn costs ($15k-$400k+), timelines, TSCs, auditor selection, & accelerate enterprise sales.
Ace your SOC 2 audit renewal! Our playbook provides timelines, cost benchmarks, auditor negotiation tips, & evidence collection strategies.
San Ramon, CA, USA
New York, NY, USA
USA, USA
Menu