Smith + Howard

SOC 2 Auditor (CPA Firm)

Location: Atlanta, GA, US

Audit readiness support offered

Key Facts

Pricing:
Custom quote
Best For:
SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise
Industries:
SaaS, Technology, Financial Services, +1 more
Readiness:
Audit readiness / gap assessment offered

Smith + Howard is based in Atlanta, GA. They work with SMBs, mid-market companies, and enterprises. They offer audit readiness assessments and primarily serve clients in SaaS, Technology, and Financial Services.

Smith + Howard is a CPA and advisory firm providing SOC reporting, IT audit, and risk advisory services with a focus on middle-market companies.

Audit Types

SOC 2 Type ISOC 2 Type II

Company Size Focus

Pricing

Custom quote

Trust Signals

  • CPA firm
  • US-based
  • Atlanta, GA based
  • Nationally recognized accounting firm (per their SOC page)
  • Vanta mentioned on SOC reporting page

Who Smith + Howard May Be a Fit For

Based on Smith + Howard'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 looking for a auditor with sector-specific experience.
  • SMB, Mid-Market, and Enterprise 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 Smith + Howard

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 Smith + Howard and SOC 2 Audits

What types of SOC 2 audits does Smith + Howard offer?
Smith + Howard 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 Smith + Howard have SOC 2 experience in?
Smith + Howard serves clients in SaaS, Technology, Financial Services, and Healthcare. 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 Smith + Howard work with?
Smith + Howard works with SMB, 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 Smith + Howard offer SOC 2 readiness assessments?
Smith + Howard 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 Smith + Howard's pricing model?
Smith + Howard uses a unknown pricing model. Contact the firm directly for a quote tailored to your scope and company size.
Where is Smith + Howard located?
Smith + Howard is headquartered in Atlanta, GA. 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 Smith + Howard is the right SOC 2 auditor for my company?
Start by comparing Smith + Howard'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 Smith + Howard different from other SOC 2 auditors?
Smith + Howard 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 Smith + Howard a good fit for a first-time SOC 2 audit?
Smith + Howard works with SMB, 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 Smith + Howard's pricing compare to other SOC 2 auditors?
Smith + Howard'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.

Smith + Howard vs Other SOC 2 Auditors

This table shows how Smith + Howard stacks up against other SOC 2 auditors across pricing, audit timeline, industry specialization, and platform compatibility.

Smith + Howard compared with other SOC 2 audit firms
FirmIndustriesCompany SizesPlatformsPricingTimeline
AprioSaaS, Technology, Financial ServicesSMB, Mid-market, EnterpriseDrata, Hyperproof, VantaCustom quoteVaries
Cherry BekaertSaaS, Technology, Financial ServicesSMB, Mid-market, EnterpriseNot listedCustom quote6-10 weeks
Windham BrannonSaaS, Technology, Financial ServicesSMB, Mid-market, EnterpriseNot listedCustom quoteVaries
A-LIGNSaaS, Technology, Financial ServicesSMB, Mid-market, EnterpriseDrata, Hyperproof, Secureframe, VantaCustom quote6-8 weeks
AAFCPAsSaaS, Technology, Financial ServicesSMB, Mid-market, EnterpriseNot listedCustom quote6-10 weeks

Best SOC 2 Auditor for SaaS

How Much Does Smith + Howard Charge for a SOC 2 Audit?

SOC 2 audit pricing depends on engagement scope, audit type, and firm. Here is what we know about Smith + Howard'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 Smith + Howard

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.

Cherry Bekaert

Atlanta, GA

Cherry Bekaert is a national CPA and advisory firm with 3,000+ professionals and 75+ years of experience. They offer SOC 1, SOC 2, SOC 2+, SOC 3, and SOC for Cybersecurity, and are an authorized CMMC C3PAO. Their Risk & Cybersecurity team has 30+ years of SOC and information assurance experience across all industries.

Windham Brannon

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Windham Brannon is a full-service CPA firm founded in 1957, offering SOC 1, SOC 2, SOC 2+, and SOC 3 examinations along with SOC readiness assessments through its Risk Advisory practice.

A-LIGN

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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.

AAFCPAs

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Accedere

Accedere is a Colorado-licensed CPA firm and ISO/IEC Certification Body specializing in SOC 1, SOC 2 Type II, and SOC 3 attestation, ISO 27001 audits, and cloud security assessments. Registered with PCAOB and the Cloud Security Alliance as a STAR auditor, the firm brings over 20 years of cybersecurity and privacy compliance experience.

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