Copeland Buhl
SOC 2 Auditor (CPA Firm)
Location: Wayzata, MN, US
Key Facts
- Pricing:
- Custom quote
- Platforms:
- Drata
- Best For:
- SMB, Mid-Market
- Industries:
- SaaS, Technology
- Readiness:
- Audit readiness / gap assessment offered
Copeland Buhl is based in Wayzata, MN. They work with SMBs and mid-market companies. They offer audit readiness assessments and primarily serve clients in SaaS and Technology.
Copeland Buhl is a full-service CPA firm offering SOC 1, SOC 2 Type I, SOC 2 Type II, SOC 3, and SOC 2 + HITRUST mapping audits alongside tax and advisory services.
Audit Types
Industries Served
Company Size Focus
Pricing
Custom quote
Compliance Platforms
Copeland Buhl commonly works with clients using Drata.
Trust Signals
- CPA firm
- US-based
- Listed on Drata partner directory
Who Copeland Buhl May Be a Fit For
Based on Copeland Buhl'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 looking for a auditor with sector-specific experience.
- SMB and Mid-Market organizations that want a auditor experienced with companies at their stage and budget level.
- Teams using Drata 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 Copeland Buhl
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 Copeland Buhl and SOC 2 Audits
- What types of SOC 2 audits does Copeland Buhl offer?
- Copeland Buhl 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 Copeland Buhl have SOC 2 experience in?
- Copeland Buhl serves clients in SaaS and Technology. 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 Copeland Buhl work with?
- Copeland Buhl works with SMB and mid-market companies. An auditor matched to your company stage is more likely to scope the engagement correctly and offer pricing that fits your budget.
- Does Copeland Buhl work with compliance platforms like Drata?
- Yes. Copeland Buhl has experience with clients using Drata. 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 Copeland Buhl offer SOC 2 readiness assessments?
- Copeland Buhl 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 Copeland Buhl's pricing model?
- Copeland Buhl uses a unknown pricing model. Contact the firm directly for a quote tailored to your scope and company size.
- Where is Copeland Buhl located?
- Copeland Buhl is headquartered in Wayzata, MN. 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 Copeland Buhl is the right SOC 2 auditor for my company?
- Start by comparing Copeland Buhl'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 Copeland Buhl different from other SOC 2 auditors?
- Copeland Buhl 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 Copeland Buhl a good fit for a first-time SOC 2 audit?
- Copeland Buhl works with SMB, Mid-market 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 Copeland Buhl's pricing compare to other SOC 2 auditors?
- Copeland Buhl'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.
Copeland Buhl vs Other SOC 2 Auditors
This table shows how Copeland Buhl stacks up against other SOC 2 auditors across pricing, audit timeline, industry specialization, and platform compatibility.
| Firm | Industries | Company Sizes | Platforms | Pricing | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 360 Advanced | SaaS, Technology, Financial Services | SMB, Mid-market, Enterprise | Drata | Custom quote | Varies |
| A-LIGN | SaaS, Technology, Financial Services | SMB, Mid-market, Enterprise | Drata, Hyperproof, Secureframe, Vanta | Custom quote | 6-8 weeks |
| AARC-360 | SaaS, Technology, Financial Services | SMB, Mid-market | Drata, Hyperproof | Custom quote | Varies |
| Aprio | SaaS, Technology, Financial Services | SMB, Mid-market, Enterprise | Drata, Hyperproof, Vanta | Custom quote | Varies |
| AssuranceLab | SaaS, Technology | Seed, SMB, Mid-market | Drata, Sprinto | Custom quote | Varies |
Best SOC 2 Auditor for SaaS
SaaS companies
Copeland Buhl audits saas companies and is familiar with the compliance requirements and risk areas common in this sector.
Technology companies
Copeland Buhl audits technology companies and is familiar with the compliance requirements and risk areas common in this sector.
SMB organizations
Experienced working with smb companies, with scoping and pricing appropriate for that company stage.
Mid-Market organizations
Experienced working with mid-market companies, with scoping and pricing appropriate for that company stage.
Drata users
Copeland Buhl is familiar with Drata's evidence collection, automated testing, and audit-ready workflows.
How Much Does Copeland Buhl Charge for a SOC 2 Audit?
SOC 2 audit pricing depends on engagement scope, audit type, and firm. Here is what we know about Copeland Buhl's pricing and the factors that affect cost.
- Pricing model
- unknown
- 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 Copeland Buhl
360 Advanced
St. Petersburg, FL
360 Advanced provides cybersecurity assessments, risk management, and SOC 2 audit services for organizations in healthcare, finance, and government sectors requiring cybersecurity and compliance measures.
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.
AARC-360
Atlanta, GA
AARC-360 is a PCAOB-registered CPA firm headquartered in Atlanta that provides assurance, advisory, risk, and compliance services. The firm specializes in SOC 1, SOC 2, and SOC 3 reporting alongside IT risk advisory and cybersecurity assessment services.
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.
AssuranceLab
Sydney, NSW
AssuranceLab (now part of Sensiba LLP) is an Australia-headquartered cybersecurity audit and risk assurance firm specializing in SOC 2 and ISO 27001 for technology and SaaS companies, with offices in Sydney, Austin TX, and Dublin.
AssurancePoint
Philadelphia, PA
AssurancePoint is a peer-reviewed CPA firm that has issued hundreds of SOC reports. They specialize exclusively in SOC 1, SOC 2, and SOC 3 attestation services, providing efficient audits backed by deep domain expertise in information security controls.
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