Compare 173 attestation-capable firms that issue Type 1 reports. Type 1 is the bridge when a customer needs proof before your Type 2 observation period can finish. Listed fieldwork times are in weeks.
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For a deal blocked on a report, Thoropass bundles the GRC platform with the audit from $15K, Johanson Group LLP publishes a 4–6 week Type 1 planning range and can issue ISO 27001 under IAS MSCB-314, and Zero Day CPA is the economical Type 1 from $5K in 2–6 weeks. We compare 173 Type 1 firms; the fastest listed path is 1 week.
Use case matters more than a generic rank. Start with the row that matches your buying pressure.
Zero Day CPA is the economical pick for a first Type 1 from a credentialed boutique CPA. Every audit manager brings 5+ years at a Big Four or major national firm, so health-tech, SaaS, fintech, and AI startups get enterprise-grade rigor at fixed pricing from around $5K, a 2 to 6 week turnaround, and SOC 1/2/3 plus HIPAA coverage.
Thoropass is the pick when a first Type 1 needs to ship alongside a GRC platform on a single contract. One vendor handles platform setup, the Type 1 audit, and the Type 2 transition with shared evidence, fixed-fee pricing 25 to 50 percent below traditional firms.
Johanson Group LLP is an IAS-accredited ISO 27001 certification body (MSCB-314) and a licensed CPA firm, so a Type 1 buyer can keep SOC attestation and ISO certification in one relationship. Its SOC 2 Type 1 page lists a 4–6 week planning range; the Type 2 observation period is separate and typically 6–12 months.
MJD Advisors is the pick for a fixed-fee Type 1 from a specialist CPA at the lower end of the credentialed range. 2 to 6 weeks, predictable scope, and a clean Type 2 path when the observation window starts.
Prescient Security is an option for Series A and growth-stage companies already on Vanta or Drata: Vanta partner, Slack-based audit communication, no on-site visits, and Type 1 inside 3 to 9 weeks.
A-LIGN is the pick for a Type 1 that needs to coexist with ISO 27001, HIPAA, or PCI under a single engagement. One of the highest-volume US SOC 2 practices bundles every major framework, so the Type 1 fits a multi-framework roadmap from day one.
| Use case | Firm | From price | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| economical first Type 1 for health-tech, SaaS, fintech, and AI startups | Zero Day CPA | $5k | 2–6 wk |
| first Type 1 for under-200-employee buyers with GRC platform bundled | Thoropass | $15k | 2–9 wk |
| Type 1 plus IAS-accredited ISO 27001 from one CPA firm | Johanson Group | $10k | 4–6 wk |
| fixed-fee Type 1 for SaaS startups under $20K | MJD Advisors | $15k | 2–6 wk |
| Type 1 for Series A and up on Vanta or Drata | Prescient Security | $20k | 3–9 wk |
| Type 1 as part of a multi-framework path (SOC 2 + ISO 27001 + HIPAA + PCI) | A-LIGN | $15k | 3–12 wk |
Type 1 makes sense when a customer will accept point-in-time assurance while the Type 2 observation period runs. It tests whether controls are suitably designed on a specific date, so it can close a near-term procurement gap. Confirm the buyer accepts that bridge before paying for a separate report.
A Type 1 report is less useful when the buyer explicitly requires operating evidence. In that case, direct the budget and project plan toward Type 2 rather than adding a credential that will not move procurement.
Start Type 2 observation as soon as the Type 1 report is issued, using the same CPA firm, system boundary, and controls. This lets the audit team carry forward its scoping knowledge and keeps the company from repeating discovery work. The bridge should shorten the route to Type 2, not create a second standalone project.
Ask the proposal to show both phases, the handoff date, and the total fee. A fast Type 1 quote can become expensive if the follow-on engagement is vague.
Compare readiness requirements, report timing, buyer recognition, and the Type 2 follow-on before comparing price. The fastest firm still needs implemented controls to test. A credible proposal states what must exist at kickoff, what evidence the CPA will sample, and when the signed report can reach procurement.
The picks above separate fixed-scope specialists, platform-native firms, and broader practices. Choose the model that fits the deal rather than treating speed as the only ranking signal.
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Every listed firm can issue a Type 1 report. Sort by timeline when a deal is gated; confirm readiness expectations before signing, because a fast auditor cannot issue a report for controls that do not exist yet. Pricing is in USD and timelines are in weeks.
Type 1 and Type 2 figures reflect a mix of firm-confirmed numbers, public sources, and our own estimates, refreshed periodically. Actual cost depends on company size, scope, and Trust Service Criteria.
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Type 1 validates control design at a point in time. It is useful for sales deadlines, but it is not a replacement for annual Type 2 evidence.
| Factor | Type 1 | Type 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Audit question | Are controls designed suitably today? | Did controls operate effectively over time? |
| Buyer use | Bridge for a near-term deal | Enterprise procurement standard |
| Timeline | Weeks to a few months | Observation period plus fieldwork |
| Best next move | Start Type 2 observation immediately after issue | Renew annually with continuous evidence |
A Type 1 engagement is won or lost before fieldwork starts. The right firm gives you a tight scope, a readiness gate, and a clean path into Type 2.
Ask procurement whether a Type 1 plus a written Type 2 commitment is enough for the current deal.
Use the same CPA firm for Type 1 and Type 2 so evidence and scoping work carry forward.
A fixed Security-only scope keeps the Type 1 useful and fast. Add criteria only when the buyer requires them.
When Type 1 closes the deal, how fast it can move, and how it connects to Type 2.
Send the scope once. We route it to firms that can quote the bridge and the follow-on observation period together.
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