Maxwell Locke & Ritter
SOC 2 Auditor (CPA Firm)
Location: Austin, TX, US
Key Facts
- Pricing:
- Custom quote
- Timeline:
- 4-8 weeks
- Best For:
- Startup, SMB, Mid-Market
- Industries:
- SaaS, Technology, Financial Services, +2 more
- Readiness:
- Audit readiness / gap assessment offered
Maxwell Locke & Ritter is based in Austin, TX. They work with startups, SMBs, and mid-market companies. They offer audit readiness assessments and primarily serve clients in SaaS, Technology, and Financial Services.
Maxwell Locke & Ritter (ML&R) is the largest locally-owned CPA firm in Central Texas, founded in 1991 with 140 team members. They perform SOC readiness assessments and SOC 2 examinations for SaaS, FinTech, HealthTech, EdTech, and AI companies, and are recognized as Accounting Today's #1 Best Mid-sized Accounting Firm to Work For.
Audit Types
Industries Served
Company Size Focus
Pricing
Custom quote
Typical Timeline
4-8 weeks
Trust Signals
- CPA firm
- Founded 1991
- US-based
- Accounting Today Top Firm
- #1 Best Mid-sized Firm to Work For (7 consecutive years)
Who Maxwell Locke & Ritter May Be a Fit For
Based on Maxwell Locke & Ritter'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, FinTech, HealthTech looking for a auditor with sector-specific experience.
- Startup, SMB, and Mid-Market organizations that want a auditor experienced with companies at their stage and budget level.
- 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 Maxwell Locke & Ritter
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?
- 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 Maxwell Locke & Ritter and SOC 2 Audits
- What types of SOC 2 audits does Maxwell Locke & Ritter offer?
- Maxwell Locke & Ritter 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 Maxwell Locke & Ritter have SOC 2 experience in?
- Maxwell Locke & Ritter serves clients in SaaS, Technology, Financial Services, FinTech, and HealthTech. 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 Maxwell Locke & Ritter work with?
- Maxwell Locke & Ritter works with startup, SMB, and mid-market companies. Their experience with earlier-stage companies suggests familiarity with leaner control environments and tighter budgets. An auditor matched to your company stage is more likely to scope the engagement correctly and offer pricing that fits your budget.
- Does Maxwell Locke & Ritter offer SOC 2 readiness assessments?
- Maxwell Locke & Ritter 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 Maxwell Locke & Ritter's pricing model?
- Maxwell Locke & Ritter uses a unknown 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 Maxwell Locke & Ritter?
- Maxwell Locke & Ritter's typical timeline is 4-8 weeks. 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 Maxwell Locke & Ritter located?
- Maxwell Locke & Ritter is headquartered in Austin, TX. 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 Maxwell Locke & Ritter is the right SOC 2 auditor for my company?
- Start by comparing Maxwell Locke & Ritter'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 Maxwell Locke & Ritter different from other SOC 2 auditors?
- Maxwell Locke & Ritter specializes in SaaS and Technology companies, giving them a narrower focus than most general-practice audit firms. That specialization typically translates to more accurate scoping and faster fieldwork.
- Is Maxwell Locke & Ritter a good fit for a first-time SOC 2 audit?
- Maxwell Locke & Ritter works with Seed, 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 Maxwell Locke & Ritter's pricing compare to other SOC 2 auditors?
- Maxwell Locke & Ritter'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.
Maxwell Locke & Ritter vs Other SOC 2 Auditors
This table shows how Maxwell Locke & Ritter stacks up against other SOC 2 auditors across pricing, audit timeline, industry specialization, and platform compatibility.
| Firm | Industries | Company Sizes | Platforms | Pricing | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SOC Vantage | SaaS, Technology, Financial Services | Seed, SMB, Mid-market | Not listed | Custom quote | 4-8 weeks |
| Airius | SaaS, Technology, Financial Services | Seed, SMB, Mid-market | Vanta | Custom quote | Varies |
| AssurancePoint | SaaS, Technology, Financial Services | Seed, SMB, Mid-market | Drata, Hyperproof | Custom quote | 6-10 weeks |
| Audit Peak | SaaS, Technology, Financial Services | Seed, SMB, Mid-market | Drata | Custom quote | Varies |
| Auditwerx | SaaS, Technology, Financial Services | Seed, SMB, Mid-market, Enterprise | Drata | Custom quote | 4-8 weeks |
Best SOC 2 Auditor for SaaS
SaaS companies
Maxwell Locke & Ritter audits saas companies and is familiar with the compliance requirements and risk areas common in this sector.
Technology companies
Maxwell Locke & Ritter audits technology companies and is familiar with the compliance requirements and risk areas common in this sector.
Financial Services companies
Maxwell Locke & Ritter audits financial services companies and is familiar with the compliance requirements and risk areas common in this sector.
Startup organizations
Experienced working with startup companies, with scoping and pricing appropriate for that company stage.
SMB organizations
Experienced working with smb companies, with scoping and pricing appropriate for that company stage.
How Much Does Maxwell Locke & Ritter Charge for a SOC 2 Audit?
SOC 2 audit pricing depends on engagement scope, audit type, and firm. Here is what we know about Maxwell Locke & Ritter'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 Maxwell Locke & Ritter
SOC Vantage
Austin, TX
SOC Vantage is a licensed CPA firm offering rapid SOC 2 Type I and Type II audits. They specialize in helping startups and growing SaaS companies achieve compliance quickly with a streamlined, technology-driven audit process.
Airius
Atlanta, GA
Airius LLC provides risk management, compliance, and regulatory services with 20+ years of experience. Listed on Vanta's partner directory, the firm helps organisations achieve and maintain SOC 2, ISO 27001, and other compliance certifications.
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.
Audit Peak
New York, NY
Audit Peak is a minority-owned CPA firm specializing in IT audits, cybersecurity, and risk advisory services. Founded by former PwC, EY, and KPMG professionals, the firm delivers Big 4-level audit expertise with boutique agility. AICPA Peer Review rated 'Pass' (highest rating).
Auditwerx
Tampa, FL
Auditwerx is a CRI (Carr, Riggs & Ingram) division dedicated exclusively to SOC reporting and compliance attestation. Founded in 2009, they have produced over 3,500 security compliance reports and 200+ reports annually. They specialize in SOC 1, SOC 2, SOC 2+, PCI DSS, and CMMC assessments.
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.
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