Maxwell Locke & Ritter
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
Maxwell Locke & Ritter is a SOC 2 audit firm based in Austin, TX serving startup and smb and mid-market companies. This firm offers SOC 2 Type I and SOC 2 Type II audit services. Industry focus areas include SaaS, Technology, Financial Services, and others.
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 the firm's listed attributes, Maxwell Locke & Ritter may be a good match for the following types of buyers. Always confirm fit directly with the firm before engaging.
- Companies in SaaS, Technology, Financial Services, FinTech, HealthTech looking for an auditor with sector-specific experience.
- Organizations at the Startup, SMB, Mid-Market stage that need an auditor sized appropriately for their environment.
- Companies pursuing either a first-time Type I or a renewal Type II audit.
What to Evaluate Before Engaging This Firm
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.
CPA licensure and standing
Confirm the firm holds an active CPA license in good standing with its state board of accountancy. This is a legal requirement for issuing 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
- Does Maxwell Locke & Ritter offer SOC 2 Type I and Type II audits?
- Maxwell Locke & Ritter offers SOC 2 Type I and SOC 2 Type II audit services. They can handle first-time engagements (Type I) and recurring audits that cover operating effectiveness over a review period (Type II).
- What industries does Maxwell Locke & Ritter have SOC 2 audit experience in?
- Maxwell Locke & Ritter serves clients in SaaS, Technology, Financial Services, FinTech, HealthTech. Sector-specific experience helps an auditor identify the controls that matter for your industry, anticipate regulatory overlaps, and avoid unnecessary back-and-forth during scoping.
- What size companies does Maxwell Locke & Ritter work with?
- Maxwell Locke & Ritter focuses on startup, smb, mid-market organizations. 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.
- What is Maxwell Locke & Ritter's pricing model for SOC 2 audits?
- Maxwell Locke & Ritter uses a unknown pricing model. Contact the firm directly for a quote tailored to your audit 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 audits are typically conducted remotely, so location is less important than industry experience and platform familiarity. That said, overlapping time zones can make scheduling easier.
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