Who is Sensiba?
Sensiba LLP is a Top 100 U.S. accounting and consulting firm (No. 76 on Inside Public Accounting’s 2026 list) with deep roots in the Bay Area technology ecosystem.
Founded in 1977 in San Carlos, CA by Steve San Filippo and now headquartered in San Jose, CA (it moved from San Ramon in 2026), Sensiba has spent nearly five decades in audit, tax, and advisory services, and its compliance practice serves venture-backed startups, SaaS companies, and growth-stage technology firms.
Sensiba is a Certified B Corporation, a certification few CPA firms hold. The firm holds a ClearlyRated Best of Accounting 5-Year Diamond Award (2025, eighth consecutive year) for client satisfaction, and has approximately 30 partners and 400+ professionals.
In April 2025, Sensiba acquired AssuranceLab, an Australian-headquartered cybersecurity audit firm with operations across the Americas, APAC, and EMEA. That same year Sensiba added six new partners on May 1 (the largest single-year partner expansion in firm history, with nearly half women) and acquired Everoot Consulting in July 2025, which adds to its B Corp and ESG/sustainability advisory practice. The combined organization now serves 2,300+ clients globally across 15+ compliance frameworks. Sensiba says it now ranks among the top 3 issuers of technology audit reports worldwide.
Monic Ramirez assumed the Managing Partner role in May 2026, succeeding John D. Sensiba, who continues as Partner and leads strategic initiatives. Jeff Stark (25+ years experience) heads the Governance, Risk and Compliance practice with deep expertise in SOC 1, SOC 2, and ISO 27001 for technology and VC-backed companies.
What is Sensiba actually best at?
Sensiba positions its compliance practice around the idea that SOC 2 should be accessible, especially for startups and growth-stage companies.
Fixed-Fee Pricing with Savings of Up to 30%:
Sensiba explicitly offers fixed-fee pricing and says clients can save up to 30% compared with competitors. Sensiba attributes the savings to operational efficiency:
- AI-enhanced audit tooling for faster evidence analysis
- Deep integrations with compliance platforms (Drata, Vanta, Secureframe, Sprinto) to reduce manual work
- Specialized workflows for cloud-native environments (AWS, Google Cloud, Azure)
- Most reports delivered within 30 days after the audit period closes
AI-Enhanced Audit Process:
Sensiba says it uses AI tools throughout the audit lifecycle for faster data analysis, more efficient control gap identification, and a less disruptive client experience.
Experienced Senior Auditors (Not Contractors):
Sensiba states that every SOC 2 engagement is led by an experienced senior auditor, not staffed out to junior contractors. Clients also receive a dedicated Client Success Manager for communication and coordination throughout.
PolicyTree:
Sensiba’s proprietary PolicyTree solution auto-generates tailored security policies as the foundation of a compliance program.
Which frameworks does Sensiba cover?
Sensiba’s SOC menu is SOC 1, SOC 2 Type I and Type II, SOC 3, and SOC for Cybersecurity. Adjacent framework pages exist; confirm current ISO, HITRUST, or other scopes in the list below before you assume they are attest offerings.
- SOC 1 (financial reporting controls)
- SOC 2 Type I and Type II (primary offering)
- SOC 3 (public-facing summary reports)
- SOC for Cybersecurity
ISO Certifications (ANAB Accredited for 27001, 27701, and 42001):
- ISO/IEC 27001 (Information Security Management)
- ISO/IEC 27701 (Privacy Information Management)
- ISO/IEC 27017 (Cloud Security Controls)
- ISO/IEC 27018 (Cloud Privacy)
- ISO/IEC 42001 (AI Management Systems)
- Sensiba’s ANAB accreditation covers ISO 27001, 27701, and 42001, so it issues those certifications directly, not just helping clients prepare. It also lists ISO 27017 and 27018 audits; confirm whether those sit inside its ANAB scope. The ISO 42001 accreditation is particularly relevant for AI-driven companies needing formal AI governance certification.
Healthcare & Government:
- HIPAA compliance assessments
- HITRUST CSF assessor services
- CMMC Readiness for defense contractors
Emerging & International Frameworks:
- CSA STAR (Cloud Security Alliance)
- Essential 8 (Australian Signals Directorate cybersecurity framework)
- GS 007 audits
- CDR (Consumer Data Right) attestations (Australian open banking compliance)
- Privacy Attestations (GDPR-adjacent and US privacy frameworks)
- NIST Framework assessments
Security Services:
- Penetration Testing & Vulnerability Assessments (launched 2024)
- Third-Party Risk Management (TPRM) (launched December 2025; global enterprise service)
Blended Audits:
Sensiba promotes combined audit engagements, such as SOC 2 + ISO/IEC 27001 in a single engagement using shared evidence, to reduce duplicate work and “audit fatigue” for clients pursuing multiple frameworks at once.
Who leads Sensiba?
Monic Ramirez became Managing Partner in May 2026; John D. Sensiba remains a partner after leaving the Managing Partner seat. The firm says Ramirez will lead Sensiba as a global compliance and advisory firm.
Named a Top 100 Impact CEO for 2026. Continues strategic initiatives across the firm following his transition from Managing Partner in May 2026.
Jeff Stark, GRC Partner-in-Charge
- 25+ years in entrepreneurial and audit environments
- Deep SOC 1, SOC 2, and ISO 27001 expertise
- Specializes in VC-backed technology companies, SaaS, cloud infrastructure, and IPO-path companies
- Former entrepreneur (founded, built, and sold his own company)
- Dual graduate of San Jose State University; licensed CPA in California; active AICPA member
Nicholas Lew Ton, Partner and Chief Growth Officer (AssuranceLab Co-founder)
Leads growth strategy globally. Joined as partner after the April 2025 AssuranceLab acquisition.
Joined as partner after the AssuranceLab acquisition. He left Sensiba in March 2026.
What did the AssuranceLab acquisition change?
The April 2025 AssuranceLab deal added Americas, APAC, and EMEA coverage plus technology-forward tooling on a combined 2,300-plus startup and tech-enterprise book. Sensiba says clients keep the same teams; geography and framework depth expand.
What AssuranceLab adds:
- Operations across Americas, APAC, and EMEA (previously Sensiba was primarily U.S.-based)
- 2,300+ combined startup and tech-driven enterprise clients globally
- Technology-forward audit methodology and proprietary tooling
- Australian-specific frameworks (Essential 8, CDR, GS 007)
- Additional penetration testing and cybersecurity consulting capabilities
Continuity commitment: Sensiba says clients keep the same teams, with expanded geographic coverage and framework depth.
Shared B Corp status: Both firms hold Certified B Corp status.
Who is Sensiba built to serve?
Sensiba’s dominant niche is venture-backed Bay Area and cloud-native SaaS companies that need startup-friendly, fixed-fee SOC 2 on VC diligence clocks. National or federal buyers should still confirm FedRAMP and CMMC coverage separately.
Primary Focus:
1. Venture-Backed & Bay Area Startups (primary niche)
- Deep relationships with Bay Area VC firms, accelerators, and portfolios
- Startup-friendly pricing, flexible process, fixed fees
- Familiarity with VC due diligence timelines and investor certification requirements
- SOC 2 as a sales enabler for enterprise procurement
2. SaaS & Cloud-Native Technology Companies
- AWS, Google Cloud, and Azure cloud infrastructure expertise
- Compliance platform integrations (Drata, Vanta, Secureframe, Sprinto)
- Clients include Weaviate, EPK, Lido, Trinsic, Beneration, Clario, Lucidworks, livepro, PBR Solutions, Inlogik
3. FinTech & Life Sciences
- Regulatory complexity requiring both financial controls (SOC 1) and security controls (SOC 2)
- Privacy-sensitive data environments
- CDR attestations for open banking compliance
4. Growth-Stage Companies Pursuing Multiple Frameworks
- SOC 2 + ISO 27001 or ISO 42001 combined audits (AI governance)
- HIPAA + SOC 2 bundles for healthcare technology
- HITRUST + SOC 2 for enterprise healthcare clients
5. APAC-Connected Companies (Post-AssuranceLab)
- Australian and Asia-Pacific operations needing Essential 8, CDR, GS 007
- Cross-border compliance spanning US + APAC + EMEA
Industries Served:
- Technology & SaaS
- FinTech
- Life Sciences & Healthcare
- Venture Capital (fund audits + portfolio company compliance)
- Manufacturing & Distribution
- Real Estate & Construction
- Agribusiness
- Restaurant & Hospitality
- Local Government
Which accreditations can a buyer check for Sensiba?
Sensiba is a peer-reviewed CPA firm, an ANAB-accredited ISO certification body, and PCAOB-registered. Confirm the current peer-review letter and ANAB scope before you treat awards as attest credentials.
- AICPA: SOC reporting, peer-reviewed CPA firm with consistent pass ratings
- ANAB Accredited Certification Body: ISO/IEC 27001, 27701, and 42001
- PCAOB Registered: public company audit capability
- Top 100 CPA Firm: No. 76 on Inside Public Accounting’s 2026 list, and listed by Accounting Today (2025)
- Certified B Corporation: social and environmental accountability
- ClearlyRated Best of Accounting 5-Year Diamond Award (2025): eighth consecutive year, consistent client satisfaction
- Real Leaders 2024 Top Impact Companies
- Top Workplaces USA / Top Workplaces for Financial Services (2024/2025)
Sensiba lists Drata and Vanta for evidence collection and control mapping, with other major automation platforms in the table below. That is integration support, not a requirement that you switch tools.
| Platform | Integration Type |
|---|
| Drata | Evidence collection, control mapping |
| Vanta | Evidence collection, control mapping |
| Secureframe | Evidence collection, control mapping |
| Sprinto | Evidence collection, control mapping |
| PolicyTree | Proprietary policy generation (Sensiba-built) |
| ShareFile Portal | Secure audit evidence and report delivery |
For startups already using a GRC platform, Sensiba won’t require switching tools or running parallel workflows.
How much does a Sensiba SOC 2 audit cost?
Sensiba does not publish SOC 2 prices; the table below is our directory estimate. Use those figures as a starting band and confirm scope, observation window, and what is excluded.
SOC 2 Pricing:
| Engagement | Cost Range |
|---|
| Type I | $15,000 – $35,000 |
| Type II | $20,000 – $50,000 |
Sensiba explicitly offers fixed-fee pricing (no hourly surprise billing) with claimed savings of up to 30% versus competitors.
Timeline:
- Total engagement: 4–10 months (including observation period for Type II)
- Report delivery: Within 30 days after close of audit period (most engagements)
- Response time: 24–48 hours
Pricing Philosophy:
“We believe that SOC 2 should be attainable for any business, and our pricing reflects this. Our approach isn’t a one-size-fits-all; we tailor the offering (and price) to suit your needs and stage of business.” (Sensiba, “What Does SOC 2 Cost?”)
What do clients say about Sensiba?
Themes from public reviews and case studies:
Accessibility & Communication:
“The key is the simplification of the audit requirement. Sensiba speaks a language the customer can understand.” (Paul Lubik, PBR Solutions)
Responsive & Non-Disruptive:
“Throughout the observation period, Sensiba was responsive about providing context and validation where we needed it, and they completed the audit without wasting any time.” (Clario)
Startup-Friendly Process:
“Working with a company of a similar size and that offered startup experience was important to us. We were comfortable the Sensiba team was open to our questions, and they were very responsive.” (Lucidworks)
Streamlined Multi-Framework:
“I couldn’t be more pleased with the support from Sensiba. They expertly streamlined the SOC 2 Type 1 and Type 2 audits, making the process seamless and efficient.” (Weaviate)
Client Tenure:
Multiple reviewers note 5–7+ year ongoing relationships.
How does Sensiba compare with peers?
Sensiba’s claimed edge is Bay Area VC-portfolio density plus fixed-fee, AI-enhanced delivery after the April 2025 AssuranceLab acquisition. Compare a national specialist if you need FedRAMP or a Big Four name.
Unique Differentiators:
1. Bay Area / VC Ecosystem Depth
Sensiba has relationships with VC firms, accelerators, and portfolio companies in the Silicon Valley startup ecosystem. Those relationships bring referrals and repeated exposure to cloud-native B2B SaaS.
2. Fixed-Fee + AI-Enhanced Efficiency
Sensiba says the combination of fixed fees, AI tooling, and compliance platform integrations delivers savings through efficiency, not just lower prices.
3. B Corp Status
For ESG-conscious tech companies and those building trust with institutional customers, a B Corp auditor matches their own values. Few CPA firms hold this certification.
4. Global Reach via AssuranceLab
Post-acquisition, Sensiba can serve clients across Americas, APAC, and EMEA with local expertise in Australian-specific frameworks (Essential 8, CDR), relevant for globally expanding SaaS companies.
5. ANAB-Accredited ISO Certification (Including ISO 42001)
Sensiba can issue ISO/IEC 27001, 27701, and 42001 certifications directly (not just advisory), which allows combined SOC 2 + ISO engagements without a second firm.
6. Stated Top-3 Technology Audit Report Issuer
Sensiba says that after the AssuranceLab acquisition it is one of the top three issuers of technology audit reports worldwide. This is the firm’s own claim, not an independent ranking.
Potential Limitations:
1. Not a Government/Defense Specialist
Sensiba lacks FedRAMP 3PAO authorization, CMMC C3PAO status (only readiness, not assessment), and Facility Security Clearance. Defense contractors should look elsewhere (e.g., Schellman, A-LIGN).
2. Regional Concentration (Historically)
Although the AssuranceLab acquisition added global reach in 2025, Sensiba’s deepest expertise and client relationships remain in the Bay Area / California tech corridor.
3. Mid-Market CPA Scale
At approximately 30 partners and 400+ professionals, Sensiba is larger than boutiques but smaller than Top 25 firms. Companies needing simultaneous large-scale multi-entity financial audits alongside compliance may prefer a larger firm with more bench depth.
4. Newer Penetration Testing Practice
Pen testing launched in 2024, with less track record than dedicated security testing firms or Schellman’s government-cleared pen testing capabilities.
Who is Sensiba a good fit for?
Sensiba fits VC-backed SaaS and Bay Area cloud-native teams that want fixed-fee SOC 2, often combined with ISO 27001 or ISO 42001, on a 4–8 month enterprise-sales clock. FedRAMP assessment and CMMC certification are not the center of gravity.
Best Fit For:
- VC-backed SaaS startups needing SOC 2 to unlock enterprise sales in 4–8 months
- Bay Area and Silicon Valley tech companies with existing VC firm relationships to Sensiba
- Cloud-native companies already using Drata, Vanta, Secureframe, or Sprinto wanting a compatible auditor
- Companies combining SOC 2 + ISO 27001 or ISO 42001 in a single engagement to save time and cost
- APAC-connected companies needing Essential 8, CDR, or GS 007 alongside US compliance
- ESG-aware organizations that value B Corp certification in their vendor chain
- First-time SOC 2 clients who want fixed-fee pricing, readiness support, and a non-intimidating process
- Healthcare technology companies needing HIPAA + HITRUST + SOC 2 bundles
Not Ideal For:
- Defense contractors needing FedRAMP, CMMC assessment (not just readiness), or classified system audits
- Large enterprises requiring Big 4 brand prestige or PCAOB-registered financial audits at scale
- Companies in non-tech industries (agribusiness, construction, restaurant) seeking SOC 2 (Sensiba serves these but it’s not their center of gravity)
- Organizations prioritizing lowest absolute price: boutique-only specialists (e.g., Prescient, KirkpatrickPrice) may undercut even Sensiba’s competitive rates for simple single-framework engagements
When should a buyer shortlist Sensiba?
Sensiba fits Bay Area tech startups and VC-backed SaaS companies seeking SOC 2. It offers fixed-fee pricing (savings of up to 30% claimed), AI-enhanced audit efficiency, integrations with Drata, Vanta, Secureframe, and Sprinto, and 40+ years of technology sector relationships.
The April 2025 AssuranceLab acquisition expanded Sensiba from a regional firm into a global practice serving 2,300+ clients across the Americas, APAC, and EMEA, relevant for companies with Australian operations or buyers who need multi-jurisdiction coverage.
The ANAB-accredited ISO certification body status allows combined SOC 2 + ISO 27001, 27701, or 42001 engagements with one firm, which can save effort for companies pursuing multiple frameworks.
As a Certified B Corporation, Sensiba attracts clients for whom ESG and values alignment matter beyond the audit itself.
For startups, scale-ups, and technology companies that want a Top 100 CPA firm with startup experience, Sensiba offers fixed fees, fast delivery, and platform integrations. Its primary limitation is what it is not: it is not a government/defense specialist, not a Big 4, and not the lowest-cost option for the simplest possible SOC 2 engagement.
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