We track 38 firms capable of completing a SOC 2 Type 1 audit in 3 months or less, with starting prices from $8K and a fastest-path timeline of 1 month. Type 1 attests that your controls are designed to meet the Security criteria as of a single point in time. That is enough for most enterprise deals gating on the next 30 days. If you need a report before your next sales call, Type 1 is where to start.
Free. Side-by-side on price, timeline, and fit. Pick one firm. Have one call.
Six picks for the Type 1 scenarios buyers actually run: GRC-bundled first audit, fastest US fixed-fee, Vanta-native Series A, fixed-fee SaaS specialist, European entry price, and Type 1 inside a multi-framework path. Each recommendation names one firm with the qualifier that earned the pick.
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 is the fastest credentialed CPA path to Type 1. Fixed-fee, 1 to 3 weeks from engagement to issued report, and the Type 2 observation period begins in parallel so the upgrade arrives in the same cycle.
Prescient Security is the pick for Series A and growth-stage companies already on Vanta or Drata. Vanta-native partner, Slack-based audit communication, no on-site visits, and Type 1 inside 3 to 9 weeks.
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.
Tempo Audits is the lowest-cost credentialed Type 1 path we track for European and globally-distributed startups. AICPA-accredited, tech-stack-aware, 2 to 6 week turnaround, and pricing that starts well below US specialists.
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.
Not every auditor offers a fast Type 1 path. Some firms treat it as a stripped-down Type 2, add a scoping call for each, and charge accordingly. The firms worth calling have a fixed-fee Type 1 that starts the Type 2 observation window the day the report is issued.
A Type 1 report is issued at a point in time. Your CPA attests that controls are suitably designed as of that date. Enterprise buyers accept this as proof of intent, which unblocks the contract. Meanwhile the observation clock for your Type 2 is already running. You do not wait for the Type 2 to land before signing deals. You use the Type 1 now and upgrade in 3 to 6 months without restarting from scratch.
AT-C 205 governs SOC 2 attestations. Under a Type 1, your CPA attests that controls are suitably designed to achieve the stated criteria as of a specific date. No control operation over time is tested. No evidence of consistency is required. That language, "suitable design of controls," is exactly what the attestation says. Buyers who understand it accept it; buyers who want operating effectiveness require a Type 2.
Most enterprise procurement teams accept a Type 1 when it is paired with a written commitment to deliver a Type 2 within 12 months. Some government and healthcare procurement teams require Type 2 outright. The practical read: if your deal is with a mid-market SaaS buyer or a startup-friendly enterprise, Type 1 clears the bar. Ask your champion in procurement before assuming. A commitment letter from your auditor confirming the Type 2 observation has started often resolves objections the same day.
Type 1 fieldwork is narrower than Type 2. The best specialist firms price it accordingly: a fixed fee, a defined scope, and a deliverable date before the engagement starts. That cuts the scoping iteration that adds weeks to projects at generalist firms. It also means you can budget it without a discovery call that stretches into a proposal cycle. When the firm bundles Type 1 into the Type 2 engagement, the combined fee is typically lower than running them separately.
Both reports use AT-C 205. Both involve a CPA firm and the same Trust Service Criteria. The difference is what the auditor tests and how buyers read the output.
| Dimension | Type 1 | Type 2 |
|---|---|---|
| What's tested | Suitable design of controls at a point in time | Design and operating effectiveness over 3 to 12 months |
| Timeline | 2 to 8 weeks typical; 1 to 3 week fast path possible | 6 to 14 months from scoping through final report |
| Cost range | $10K to $30K at specialist firms | $20K to $80K depending on scope and firm size |
| Buyer acceptance | Widely accepted with Type 2 commitment letter | Required by most enterprise and government buyers |
| Renewal cadence | Not required; Type 2 replaces it | Annual renewal to maintain attestation |
| When to choose | Deal closing in 30 days; first compliance signal | Long-term compliance posture; enterprise contracts |
Bottom line: If you have a deal gating on compliance and a 30-day window, Type 1 is not a compromise. It is the correct tool. Start the Type 2 observation on the same day the Type 1 is issued and you will have your upgrade before most annual renewals come due. See our Type 2 auditor directory for the next step.
Every firm below has a documented Type 1 offering with a fastest-path timeline of 3 months or less. For the complete directory across all audit types and industries, see our full rankings.
New York, NY
Best For: First-time SOC 2 / ISO 27001 / HIPAA / PCI / HITRUST seekers (under 200 employees) who want one vendor handling both the GRC platform and the audit, eliminating the handoff between Vanta/Drata-style automation and a separate CPA firm. Companies pursuing multiple frameworks who want shared evidence across SOC 2 + ISO 27001 + HITRUST + PCI in a single audit cycle. Mid-market SaaS, fintech, and healthtech seeking 25-50% savings vs. traditional audit firms with fixed pricing.
New York, NY
Best For: B2B SaaS startups (Series A through growth stage) using Drata, Vanta, or Secureframe and prioritizing speed without sacrificing thoroughness. AI/ML companies needing SOC 2 + ISO 42001 together. CSPs pursuing FedRAMP authorization. DoD contractors needing a full C3PAO (newly authorized March 2026). Teams already using Slack who want same-day audit communication.
Tampa, FL
Best For: 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
Tampa, FL
Best For: Mid-market to enterprise companies that need multiple compliance frameworks (SOC 2 + ISO 27001 + HITRUST + FedRAMP + PCI) under one roof. CSPs pursuing FedRAMP authorization. Companies that want a top-three FedRAMP 3PAO and #1 SOC 2 issuer on the cover of the report.
Colorado Springs, CO
Best For: First-time SOC 2 buyers. Pre-Series A through Series B SaaS startups already running Drata, Vanta, Secureframe, or Rippling who want a fixed-fee, 4-to-6-week audit from an accredited CPA firm that also issues ISO 27001 certifications, HIPAA assessments, and PCI DSS reports under one roof. Founders who prioritize speed and price transparency over a brand-name auditor.
Denver, CO
Best For: Silicon Slopes companies and Utah tech corridor startups
San Ramon, CA
Best 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
USA
Best For: Financial institutions, MSPs, and healthcare providers needing rapid SOC 2 audits
Des Moines, IA
Best For: Tech startups and SaaS companies wanting a SOC-specialist CPA firm with fixed-fee pricing
Bristol, UK
Best For: European tech startups and scale-ups needing ISO 27001 and SOC 2 certification with minimal complexity, fast turnaround, and tech-stack-aware auditors
USA
Best For: B2B SaaS companies and startups needing rapid SOC 2 compliance for enterprise sales
Global
Best For: Global tech companies needing ISO 27001, SOC 2, ISO 42001 (AI), CSA STAR, or combined multi-framework audits via a streamlined Drata-native process
Wausau, WI
Best For: High-achieving cloud tech companies wanting partner-level service, 2-week report turnarounds, and compliance positioned as a business growth tool rather than a checkbox
Calgary, AB
Best For: Small and mid-sized organizations in Canada and internationally needing Big 4-quality SOC 1/2/3 and ISO 27001/27701 at competitive prices
Cleveland, OH
Best For: Companies wanting Big 4-quality SOC 1/2, HIPAA, and privacy assessments with 70% less client fieldwork effort and minimal business disruption
Nashville, TN
Best For: Small-to-mid-sized organizations ($5M-$100M revenue) without enterprise budgets. First-time SOC seekers wanting bundled pricing transparency ($30K Year 1 package: Gap + Type I + Type II, then $25K annual renewals). MSPs and IT service providers. Healthcare organizations needing HITRUST + HIPAA. Budget-conscious buyers valuing long-term partnership over transactional audits
London
Best For: UK SMEs needing SOC 2 preparation
Atlanta, GA
Best For: SaaS companies and organizations seeking first SOC 2 audits with company-specific, customized auditing rather than generic reports
Cincinnati, OH
Best For: Companies that want a long-term audit relationship over a transactional, checkbox engagement — and need a firm that can start immediately and cover SOC 2 alongside ISO 27001, ISO 42001, NIST, or HITRUST without bringing in a second vendor.
London
Best For: UK companies needing affordable fast compliance
Toronto
Best For: EdTech companies, AI startups, SaaS providers seeking end-to-end SOC 2 readiness consulting with implementation support
Berlin
Best For: German startups and tech companies
Brisbane
Best For: Australian businesses and MSPs needing SOC 2 or ISO 27001 certification with guaranteed audit pass
West Bloomfield, MI
Best For: Small to mid-sized SaaS and healthcare companies needing SOC 1/2/3 or HIPAA on a tight timeline, with optional penetration testing
New York, NY
Best For: Companies needing Big 4-quality SOC 1/2, HIPAA, GLBA, GDPR, FISMA, or NIST audits at boutique prices; diversity-forward organizations
Tampa, FL
Best For: Companies needing SOC 2, PCI DSS, HIPAA, CMMC, or privacy compliance wanting large-firm resources with specialized boutique attention
Buffalo, NY
Best For: Fast-growing SaaS companies needing efficient SOC 2 via Drata automation; businesses wanting small-firm attention with broad tax and advisory services
Toronto, ON
Best For: Canadian and international companies needing SOC 1/2/3, ISO 27001, PCI DSS, GDPR, CCPA, PIPEDA, AML, or blockchain compliance from a dual CPA firm and ISO Certification Body
Sydney
Best For: Australian startups and SMBs
Tampa, FL
Best For: Startups and growth-stage companies
Kansas City, KS
Best For: Service organizations throughout US, companies seeking long-term compliance partnerships, organizations using Tentacle platform
Minneapolis, MN
Best For: Midwest companies, ESOP-owned businesses, organizations seeking established regional firm with 90+ years experience
Tampa, FL
Best For: Organizations across North America, Europe, and Asia; companies needing SOC readiness assessments before full audit
London
Best For: UK and EU companies expanding to US market needing SOC 2
London, UK
Best For: UK and European companies needing SOC 1/2, GDPR, ISAE 3402, cybersecurity assessments, and data privacy compliance with UK regulatory expertise
When Type 1 closes the deal, how to run it in parallel with Type 2, and what enterprise buyers actually accept. For Type 2 specifics, see our Type 2 directory.
It depends on what you are trying to unlock. If you have an enterprise prospect requiring compliance before countersigning, Type 1 is the faster path: 2 to 8 weeks for most firms, 1 to 3 weeks on the fast-path fixed-fee engagements. The report attests that your controls are suitably designed as of a specific date, which satisfies most mid-market and startup-friendly procurement teams. If you are thinking strategically and do not have a live deal gating on compliance, starting with Type 2 avoids a second engagement fee. The observation period takes 3 to 12 months regardless, and beginning it from day one means your first report carries more weight. The most common pattern for deal-driven startups: start a Type 1 engagement now, have the CPA begin the Type 2 observation the day the Type 1 is issued, and deliver the upgrade in the same cycle without restarting from scratch.
The fastest documented timelines from specialist firms run 1 to 3 weeks from engagement start to issued report. What makes it possible: a fixed scope (Security TSC only), a fixed-fee structure that eliminates scoping negotiations, and a firm that has pre-built the AT-C 205 Type 1 fieldwork as a repeatable product. What can extend the timeline is your readiness. If key controls are not implemented, the auditor has nothing to test for design adequacy. Most firms that offer a fast-path Type 1 also offer a pre-audit readiness check before fieldwork begins, which surfaces the gaps in week one instead of week four. Expect 2 to 4 weeks if you are running a modern GRC platform and have basic controls in place; expect 6 to 8 weeks if you are starting from scratch on control documentation.
Usually yes, with one condition. Most enterprise procurement teams accept a Type 1 when paired with a written commitment to deliver a Type 2 within 12 months. The commitment letter typically comes from your auditor confirming the observation period has started. Government agencies, large health systems, and financial services firms with prescriptive vendor requirements often require Type 2 outright and will not accept Type 1 as a substitute. Before assuming Type 1 is sufficient, ask your champion to check with their procurement or security team. The honest answer you want is that Type 1 is fine for this cycle, or that they need Type 2 within 12 months. Either answer is actionable. What stalls deals is ambiguity, and a 20-minute conversation at the buyer's end usually resolves it.
Use a single CPA firm for both. When the Type 1 report is issued, the auditor immediately begins the observation period for the Type 2. Evidence gathered during Type 1 fieldwork carries forward because the scope and control set are identical. You are not starting over. The observation window runs while you operate normally, and the auditor returns at the end of that period to test whether controls operated consistently. The total cost of the combined engagement is typically lower than contracting for a Type 1 and then separately engaging for a Type 2 later. Firms that bundle the two into a single fixed-fee engagement make the economics clearest: one contract, one audit team, one evidence collection process, and a Type 2 report at the end of a single 4 to 9 month cycle.
Specialist firms that treat Type 1 as a standalone product charge $10K to $30K in our research estimates. These are not auditor-confirmed prices; they represent the range we have observed from public pricing and market signals. What drives cost upward: additional Trust Service Criteria beyond Security, a larger or more complex system boundary, and firms that scope each engagement individually rather than offering a fixed-fee product. What keeps cost down: fixing scope to Security only, using a firm with a pre-built Type 1 methodology, and being ready before fieldwork starts. When Type 1 is bundled with the subsequent Type 2 in a single engagement, the incremental cost is often $5K to $15K over the Type 2 fee alone, which makes the combined path the most economical option for companies that know they will eventually need Type 2.
The annual report enterprise buyers actually require. See verified Type 2 firms with observation periods from 3 to 12 months.
Pre-Series A through Series B firms that ship Type 1 fast and price the Type 2 transition into a single engagement.
Type 1, Type 2, and annual renewal pricing across firm size, scope, and TSC selection.
Side-by-side breakdown of what each report attests, what enterprise buyers accept, and how the parallel observation pattern works.
Who from your team has to participate in each phase, where the internal hours land, and how to budget engineering time.
Tell us your timeline, deal context, and which Trust Service Criteria you need. We send it to Type 1-capable firms that fit, and they reply with a ballpark and timeline. Your contact details stay private until you decide who to talk to.
Free. Side-by-side on price, timeline, and fit. Pick one firm. Have one call.
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