Can my SOC 2 auditor help me remediate issues they find?
Not directly. Under AICPA independence rules your attestation firm cannot design or operate the controls it audits, so it cannot fix your gaps. It can flag deficiencies, but remediation must come from you or a separate advisor.
The full answer
Under AICPA independence rules, an attestation firm cannot perform management functions or design and operate the controls it audits. If the same firm built your access-review process and then tested it, it would be auditing its own work, which would invalidate the opinion it issues under SSAE No. 18. That is the core reason your auditor stays at arm's length from the fix.
Your auditor can still be useful. During fieldwork or a readiness assessment, they can tell you which controls are missing or failing and describe, in general terms, what a passing control looks like. That is observation and high-level guidance, not building or running the control on your behalf.
The actual remediation comes from you, an internal owner, or a separate advisor such as a consultant, a vCISO, or a GRC platform like Vanta, Drata, Secureframe, or Sprinto that helps you build and operate controls. Some firms offer both advisory and attestation, but they keep them in different teams or entities; if yours does both, ask exactly how it protects independence.
Sequence the work so the fixing happens first. A readiness assessment before the Type 2 observation window, which usually runs three to twelve months, is the cheapest time to surface gaps and close them. Because SOC 2 reports are attestations issued under SSAE No. 18 by licensed CPA firms, keeping whoever fixes the controls separate from whoever signs the opinion is what preserves the report's credibility with buyers.
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Related questions
Are cheap SOC 2 audits legit?
Sometimes. A low price is legitimate only if a licensed CPA firm issues the report under SSAE No. 18. Suspiciously cheap 'audits' that skip fieldwork, use non-CPA reviewers, or auto-generate reports are not real SOC 2 attestations.
Can my SOC 2 auditor also do my penetration test?
Usually no. Under AICPA independence rules, the CPA firm that audits your controls cannot design or operate them, and a penetration test it then relies on can compromise that independence. Use a separate provider for the pentest.
Do I need a local SOC 2 auditor?
No. SOC 2 audits run remotely, so your auditor's location rarely matters. What matters is that a licensed CPA firm signs the report under SSAE No. 18. Time-zone overlap and industry experience help more than being in your city.
Does my SOC 2 auditor need to be a CPA firm?
Yes. A SOC 2 report is an AICPA attestation issued under SSAE No. 18, so it must be signed by a licensed CPA firm. Readiness prep can come from anyone, but only a CPA firm can issue the report.
Does the auditor's brand name matter to enterprise buyers?
Less than founders expect. Most enterprise buyers accept any SOC 2 report signed by a licensed CPA firm; they check the scope, opinion, and exceptions, not the auditor's logo. A recognizable name can smooth procurement but seldom decides it.
How do I choose a SOC 2 auditor?
Choose a licensed CPA firm (SOC 2 is a CPA attestation), check its current AICPA peer review, confirm experience with your industry and stack, and compare fixed quotes. AuditNex network audits start at $2,500 and average about $5,000.
Sources: AICPA independence rules for attestation engagements; AICPA SSAE No. 18 attestation standards. Answer written and maintained by the AuditNex research team; last reviewed July 26, 2026. AuditNex is a marketplace — accredited firms price and scope engagements independently.