SOC 2 Audit Timeline: How Long Does It Really Take?

"How long does SOC 2 take?" Google says 3-9 months. Your sales team needs it in 2 months. Your auditor says 12-18 months. Here's the real timeline, broken down by scenario.

The Quick Answer

SOC 2 Type 1 Timeline: Fast Track (3-6 Months)

Prerequisites for Fast Track

• Controls already in place (MFA, encryption, logging, etc.)
• Policies documented (even if not perfect)
• Dedicated internal owner (someone spending 20+ hours/week)
• Specialist auditor with availability (not Big Four)
• GRC platform configured (Vanta, Drata, Secureframe)

Month 1: Readiness & Auditor Selection

• Weeks 1-2: Gap assessment (DIY or consultant)
• Weeks 3-4: Get auditor quotes, review proposals, select auditor
• Deliverable: Gap assessment report, signed engagement letter

Month 2: Control Implementation

• Weeks 5-6: Fix critical gaps, finalize policies
• Weeks 7-8: Set up GRC platform, configure evidence automation
• Deliverable: All controls operational, policies approved

Month 3: Audit Kickoff & Scoping

• Week 9: Kickoff meeting with auditor
• Weeks 10-12: Write system description, create control matrix
• Deliverable: System description, evidence request list (PBC)

Month 4: Evidence Collection & Testing

• Weeks 13-14: Submit evidence to auditor
• Weeks 15-16: Auditor testing, follow-up questions
• Deliverable: All evidence submitted, testing complete

Months 5-6: Remediation & Report

• Weeks 17-19: Fix findings, submit supplemental evidence
• Weeks 20-24: Draft report review, final report issuance
• Deliverable: Final SOC 2 Type 1 report

Total: 3-6 months

SOC 2 Type 2 Timeline: Fast Track (6-10 Months)

Prerequisites for Fast Track

• All Type 1 prerequisites met
• Observation period of 3-6 months (not 12 months)
• Specialist auditor with availability
• Strong internal processes for evidence collection

Months 1-3: Preparation (Same as Type 1)

• Month 1: Readiness & auditor selection
• Month 2: Control implementation
• Month 3: Audit kickoff & scoping

Months 3-9: Observation Period

Fast track: 3-6 month observation period

• Ongoing: Controls operate consistently
• Monthly: Collect evidence (access reviews, vulnerability scans, etc.)
• Quarterly: Auditor check-ins (interim testing)
• Critical: NO exceptions — every control test must pass

Month 9-10: Final Testing & Fieldwork

• Weeks 36-38: Auditor tests all evidence from observation period
• Weeks 39-40: Follow-up questions, supplemental evidence
• Deliverable: Testing complete, findings identified

Month 10: Report Issuance

• Weeks 41-42: Remediate findings, submit final evidence
• Weeks 43-44: Draft report review, finalize report
• Deliverable: Final SOC 2 Type 2 report

Total: 6-10 months (with 3-6 month observation period)

Typical Timeline (Most Companies)

Type 1: 4-8 Months

Realistic for companies that:

• Have some controls in place but need improvements
• Are writing policies from scratch or heavily revising
• Have limited internal resources (1-2 people part-time)
• Experience some auditor delays or scheduling conflicts

Type 2: 9-14 Months

Realistic for companies that:

• Choose 6-12 month observation period (recommended)
• Use mid-tier or regional auditors
• Have moderate control gaps to fix during preparation
• Experience 1-2 minor exceptions requiring remediation

Big Four Timeline: 12-20 Months

Why Big Four takes longer:

• Longer sales cycle: 2-3 months from inquiry to engagement letter
• Complex scoping: 4-8 weeks for scope definition and planning
• Longer observation periods: Prefer 12 months vs 3-6 months
• Slower responsiveness: 3-5 business days vs same-day from specialists
• More rigorous testing: Deeper evidence requirements, more samples
• Longer report cycles: 6-10 weeks for final report vs 3-5 weeks

Typical Big Four Type 2 timeline: 12-20 months

5 Factors That Affect Your Timeline

1. Readiness Level

High Readiness (add 0-2 months)

• Controls already implemented and operating
• Policies documented and approved
• GRC platform already in use
• Evidence collection automated

Medium Readiness (add 2-4 months)

• Some controls in place, others need implementation
• Policies exist but need heavy revision
• Manual evidence collection processes
• Limited security tooling

Low Readiness (add 4-8 months)

• Starting from scratch on most controls
• No documented policies
• Significant technical debt and gaps
• No security team or tools

2. Auditor Choice

Auditor Type	Response Time	Report Delivery	Timeline Impact
Specialist	Same day - 24 hours	3-5 weeks	Fastest
Regional	24-48 hours	4-6 weeks	Fast
Mid-tier	48-72 hours	5-7 weeks	Moderate
Big Four	3-5 business days	6-10 weeks	Slowest

Impact: 2-6 month difference between specialist and Big Four for same scope

3. Internal Resources

Dedicated Owner (full-time)

• Someone spending 30-40 hours/week on SOC 2
• Can respond to auditor requests same-day
• Proactively collects evidence and fixes issues
• Timeline: Baseline

Part-Time Owner (50%)

• Someone spending 15-20 hours/week on SOC 2
• Responds within 2-3 days
• Shares responsibilities with other work
• Timeline: +1-2 months

Shared Responsibility (multiple people)

• No single owner, tasks distributed across team
• Slower coordination and decision-making
• Higher risk of tasks falling through cracks
• Timeline: +2-4 months

4. Observation Period Length (Type 2 Only)

• 3 months: Minimum allowed, rarely accepted by customers
• 6 months: Common for first audit, generally accepted
• 12 months: Preferred by enterprises, rolling coverage

Impact: 3-9 month difference in timeline based on observation period choice

5. Exceptions and Findings

Clean Audit (no exceptions)

• All controls operating effectively
• No findings requiring remediation
• Timeline: Baseline

Minor Exceptions (1-3 exceptions)

• Missed 1-2 access reviews
• Late patches (within 30-60 day SLA)
• Documentation gaps
• Timeline: +2-4 weeks

Material Exceptions (4+ exceptions)

• Controls not operating consistently
• Significant security gaps
• May require extending observation period
• Timeline: +1-3 months

How to Accelerate Your Timeline

1. Choose a Specialist Auditor

Save 3-6 months by choosing specialist vs Big Four

• Same-day responsiveness
• Faster report turnaround (3-5 weeks vs 6-10 weeks)
• Streamlined processes and technology platforms

→ Compare specialist auditors

2. Use a GRC Platform

Save 2-3 months on evidence collection and organization

• Automated evidence collection from AWS, GitHub, Okta, etc.
• Continuous monitoring vs manual quarterly reviews
• Pre-built policy templates and control mappings

Recommended platforms: Vanta, Drata, Secureframe

3. Start with Narrow Scope

Save 1-2 months by limiting initial scope

• Security only (not all 5 TSC)
• Core product only (not all systems/services)
• Primary locations only (not all offices/regions)

You can expand scope in subsequent audits.

4. Assign a Dedicated Owner

Save 2-4 months with full-time vs part-time ownership

• Faster evidence collection and submission
• Quicker remediation of findings
• Better coordination with auditor

5. Choose Shorter Observation Period

Save 3-6 months with 3-6 month vs 12-month observation

• AICPA allows minimum 3 months
• 6 months is sweet spot (acceptable to most customers)
• Only go 12 months if customer requires or you want rolling coverage

6. Fix Gaps Before Engaging Auditor

Save 1-2 months by avoiding mid-audit remediation

• Do readiness assessment first
• Implement all controls before audit kickoff
• Don't start observation period until controls are stable

Timeline by Company Profile

Early-Stage Startup (10-50 employees)

• Type 1: 4-6 months (specialist auditor)
• Type 2: 7-10 months (6-month observation)

Best approach: Specialist auditor + GRC platform + 6-month observation

Growth-Stage Company (51-200 employees)

• Type 1: 5-8 months (specialist or regional)
• Type 2: 10-14 months (6-12 month observation)

Best approach: Regional or specialist auditor + GRC platform + 6-12 month observation

Enterprise (200+ employees)

• Type 1: 6-10 months (mid-tier or Big Four)
• Type 2: 12-18 months (12-month observation)

Best approach: Mid-tier or Big Four + dedicated compliance team + 12-month observation

Timeline Milestones to Track

Week 1: Decision Made

• Commit to SOC 2
• Assign internal owner
• Set target completion date

Month 1: Foundation Set

• Gap assessment complete
• Auditor selected
• Budget approved

Month 2: Controls Implemented

• All critical controls operational
• Policies documented
• GRC platform configured

Month 3: Audit Begins

• Kickoff meeting held
• System description drafted
• Observation period starts (Type 2)

Months 3-9: Observation (Type 2)

• Controls operating consistently
• Evidence collected monthly
• Interim auditor check-ins

Final Month: Report Delivery

• Testing complete
• Findings remediated
• Final report issued

Red Flags That Extend Timeline

• Auditor unavailability: "We're booked 6 months out" adds 6 months to timeline
• Poor internal coordination: Multiple owners, unclear responsibilities
• Significant control gaps: Starting from scratch on security program
• Unresponsive auditor: 5+ day response times create bottlenecks
• Frequent findings: Failing control tests repeatedly
• Scope creep: Adding systems/locations mid-audit
• Executive turnover: Loss of sponsor or owner mid-project

The Realistic Timeline Plan

If you're starting today and need SOC 2 for enterprise sales:

1. Month 1-2: Gap assessment, auditor selection, policy writing
2. Month 2-3: Control implementation, GRC platform setup
3. Month 3: Audit kickoff, observation period begins
4. Months 3-9: Observation period (6 months recommended)
5. Months 9-10: Final testing and fieldwork
6. Month 11: Report issuance

Total: 11 months for Type 2 with specialist auditor

Add 2-4 months if using Big Four. Subtract 2-3 months if doing Type 1. Adjust based on your readiness level and resources.

Related articles: Prepare for Your First Audit • Type 1 vs Type 2 • How to Choose an Auditor