Coalfire
SOC 2 Auditor (CPA Firm)
Location: Westminster, CO, US
Key Facts
- Pricing:
- Custom quote
- Timeline:
- 6-9 months (full advisory + audit)
- Best For:
- Mid-Market, Enterprise
- Industries:
- SaaS, Technology, Financial Services, +2 more
- Readiness:
- Audit readiness / gap assessment offered
Coalfire is based in Westminster, CO. They work with mid-market companies and enterprises. They offer audit readiness assessments and primarily serve clients in SaaS, Technology, and Financial Services.
Coalfire is a leading cybersecurity advisory firm founded in 2001, completing 3,000+ assessments annually through Coalfire Controls, its fully licensed CPA affiliate. With 20+ years of SOC assessment experience and offices in the US and UK, Coalfire partners with Vanta to deliver AI-powered compliance acceleration.
Audit Types
Industries Served
Company Size Focus
Pricing
Custom quote
Typical Timeline
6-9 months (full advisory + audit)
Trust Signals
- CPA firm (Coalfire Controls)
- Founded 2001
- AICPA Peer Review Program member
- Listed on Vanta partner directory
Who Coalfire May Be a Fit For
Based on Coalfire's experience and focus areas, these buyer profiles are likely a strong fit. Confirm details directly with the firm before making a decision.
- Companies in SaaS, Technology, Financial Services, Healthcare, Government looking for a auditor with sector-specific experience.
- Mid-Market and Enterprise organizations that want a auditor experienced with companies at their stage and budget level.
- Teams using Drata and Vanta who want a auditor already familiar with their compliance tooling.
- Companies pursuing an initial SOC 2 Type I report or a full Type II audit.
What to Evaluate Before Engaging This Auditor
Before signing an engagement letter with any SOC 2 auditor, take time to verify the following. These factors apply broadly but are worth confirming for each firm on your shortlist.
Credentials and Standing
Confirm the firm holds an active CPA license in good standing. Only licensed CPA firms can issue SOC 2 reports.
Scope and Deliverables
Clarify what the engagement includes: readiness assessment, gap remediation support, the audit itself, and the final report. Understand what falls outside the scope.
Timeline and Availability
Ask for a written timeline from kickoff through report delivery. Understand the observation period requirements and how auditor capacity could affect scheduling.
Pricing Transparency
Ask whether fees are fixed or billed hourly, what triggers additional charges, and whether the quote includes all phases of the engagement.
Read more: How to choose a SOC 2 auditor · SOC 2 audit cost guide
Questions to Ask Coalfire
Use these practical questions during an introductory call to evaluate fit, scope, and working style.
- How many SOC 2 audits does your team complete per year?
- What is your experience auditing companies in SaaS?
- How do you work with clients using Drata?
- Is pricing fixed-fee or time-and-materials?
- What is the expected timeline from kickoff to report delivery?
- Do you offer readiness assessments or gap analyses?
- Who will be my day-to-day point of contact?
- Can you share a sample engagement letter or report?
See all recommended questions: Questions to ask your SOC 2 auditor →
About Coalfire and SOC 2 Audits
- What types of SOC 2 audits does Coalfire offer?
- Coalfire offers SOC 2 Type I and SOC 2 Type II audit services. The firm can handle first-time engagements (Type I) and audits that test whether controls operated effectively over a defined period (Type II).
- What industries does Coalfire have SOC 2 experience in?
- Coalfire serves clients in SaaS, Technology, Financial Services, Healthcare, and Government. Sector-specific experience helps an auditor identify the controls relevant to your industry and anticipate regulatory overlaps, such as HIPAA or PCI DSS, during scoping.
- What size companies does Coalfire work with?
- Coalfire works with mid-market and enterprise companies. An auditor matched to your company stage is more likely to scope the engagement correctly and offer pricing that fits your budget.
- Does Coalfire work with compliance platforms like Drata?
- Yes. Coalfire has experience with clients using Drata and Vanta. Working with an auditor who already knows your platform means less time explaining your evidence workflow and fewer back-and-forth requests for documentation.
- Does Coalfire offer SOC 2 readiness assessments?
- Coalfire offers audit readiness support. A readiness assessment flags control gaps before the formal audit, so you can fix issues on your own timeline rather than scrambling during fieldwork.
- What is Coalfire's pricing model?
- Coalfire uses a custom pricing model. Contact the firm directly for a quote tailored to your scope and company size.
- How long does a SOC 2 audit take with Coalfire?
- Coalfire's typical timeline is 6-9 months (full advisory + audit). Actual duration depends on audit type, company readiness, and the observation period for Type II engagements. Before signing, ask for a written timeline with milestones for readiness, observation, fieldwork, and report delivery.
- Where is Coalfire located?
- Coalfire is headquartered in Westminster, CO. SOC 2 engagements are typically conducted remotely, so industry experience and platform familiarity matter more than physical location, though overlapping time zones can make coordination easier.
- How do I know if Coalfire is the right SOC 2 auditor for my company?
- Start by comparing Coalfire's industry experience, platform support, and pricing against at least three other firms. Ask each firm for references from companies similar to yours in size and sector. For any auditor, confirm active CPA licensure and request a sample engagement letter. Finally, verify that their proposed timeline aligns with your compliance deadline.
- What makes Coalfire different from other SOC 2 auditors?
- Coalfire specializes in SaaS and Technology companies and integrates with Drata, giving them a narrower focus than most general-practice audit firms. That specialization typically translates to more accurate scoping and faster fieldwork.
- Is Coalfire a good fit for a first-time SOC 2 audit?
- Coalfire works with Mid-market, Enterprise companies. For first-time audits, ask whether the firm offers a readiness assessment, what the typical Type I timeline looks like, and whether they can guide you through control design before formal testing begins.
- How does Coalfire's pricing compare to other SOC 2 auditors?
- Coalfire's listed pricing is Custom quote. SOC 2 audit costs vary based on audit type, scope, company size, and whether readiness work is included. Request line-item proposals from multiple firms to make an informed comparison.
Coalfire vs Other SOC 2 Auditors
This table shows how Coalfire stacks up against other SOC 2 auditors across pricing, audit timeline, industry specialization, and platform compatibility.
| Firm | Industries | Company Sizes | Platforms | Pricing | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BARR Advisory | SaaS, Technology, Financial Services | Seed, SMB, Mid-market, Enterprise | Drata, Secureframe, Sprinto, Vanta | Custom quote | Varies |
| Schellman | SaaS, Technology, Financial Services | Mid-market, Enterprise | Drata, Vanta | Custom quote | 6-10 weeks |
| A-LIGN | SaaS, Technology, Financial Services | SMB, Mid-market, Enterprise | Drata, Hyperproof, Secureframe, Vanta | Custom quote | 6-8 weeks |
| Aprio | SaaS, Technology, Financial Services | SMB, Mid-market, Enterprise | Drata, Hyperproof, Vanta | Custom quote | Varies |
| Moss Adams | SaaS, Technology, Financial Services | Mid-market, Enterprise | Drata, Vanta | Custom quote | Varies |
Best SOC 2 Auditor for SaaS
SaaS companies
Coalfire audits saas companies and is familiar with the compliance requirements and risk areas common in this sector.
Technology companies
Coalfire audits technology companies and is familiar with the compliance requirements and risk areas common in this sector.
Financial Services companies
Coalfire audits financial services companies and is familiar with the compliance requirements and risk areas common in this sector.
Mid-Market organizations
Experienced working with mid-market companies, with scoping and pricing appropriate for that company stage.
Enterprise organizations
Experienced working with enterprise companies, with scoping and pricing appropriate for that company stage.
Drata users
Coalfire is familiar with Drata's evidence collection, automated testing, and audit-ready workflows.
Vanta users
Coalfire is familiar with Vanta's evidence collection, automated testing, and audit-ready workflows.
How Much Does Coalfire Charge for a SOC 2 Audit?
SOC 2 audit pricing depends on engagement scope, audit type, and firm. Here is what we know about Coalfire's pricing and the factors that affect cost.
- Pricing model
- custom
- Readiness assessment
- Available
Factors that affect SOC 2 audit cost
Audit type
Type I audits (point-in-time) are generally less expensive than Type II audits (operating effectiveness over 3 to 12 months).
Company size and complexity
Larger companies with more systems, employees, and data flows require broader audit scope and more evidence collection.
Industry and regulatory overlaps
Industries with additional frameworks (HIPAA, PCI DSS, FedRAMP) often require expanded scoping and cross-mapping.
Readiness assessment
Some firms bundle a readiness gap analysis; others charge separately. A readiness phase can reduce surprises during fieldwork.
Compliance platform usage
Using platforms like Drata, Vanta, or Secureframe can reduce evidence collection time, which may lower auditor fees.
Timeline urgency
Fast-track or expedited audits often carry premium pricing due to scheduling and resource allocation constraints.
For a detailed breakdown: How much does a SOC 2 audit cost?
SOC 2 Auditors Similar to Coalfire
BARR Advisory
Kansas City, KS
BARR Advisory is a cloud-based cybersecurity and compliance firm specializing in SOC 2, ISO 27001, and FedRAMP for fast-growing SaaS and cloud-based organizations, with a net promoter score of 89.
Schellman
Tampa, FL
Schellman is a leading compliance assessment firm focused exclusively on attestation and cybersecurity services, including SOC 2, ISO 27001, HITRUST, FedRAMP, and PCI DSS.
A-LIGN
Tampa, FL
A-LIGN is a technology-enabled cybersecurity compliance firm and the number one global issuer of SOC 2 reports, having completed over 16,000 audits since its founding in 2009.
Aprio
Atlanta, GA
Aprio, founded in 1952, is a Top 25 U.S. public accounting firm with 1,900+ team members serving clients in 50+ countries. Aprio is one of the few firms offering ISO, SOC reporting, HITRUST, PCI DSS, CMMC, FedRAMP, and WebTrust from a single provider.
Moss Adams
Seattle, WA
Moss Adams, founded in 1913, is one of the 15 largest accounting and consulting firms in the United States. Following its 2025 combination with Baker Tilly, the firm operates as the nation's sixth largest CPA advisory firm with 11,000+ professionals across 100+ locations, offering SOC 2 and SOC 3 audit services.
Linford & Company
Denver, CO
Linford & Company is a Denver-based CPA firm comprised of former Big Four auditors specializing in SOC 2, HIPAA, FedRAMP, and HITRUST assessments. 90% of their work consists of SOC 2 audits.
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