How much can I save by switching SOC 2 auditors?
Potentially thousands, depending on scope. US SOC 2 audits range from $5,000 to $60,000-plus, while audits booked through the AuditNex network start at $2,500 and average about $5,000, so overpaying firms leave real room to save.
The full answer
There is no fixed savings number because SOC 2 pricing tracks scope: the number of Trust Services Criteria, systems in scope, headcount, and whether it is a Type 1 or Type 2. Published pricing guides from Vanta, Drata, and Secureframe put the typical US range at $5,000 to $60,000 or more, so two firms can quote very differently for the same company.
The clearest benchmark is what a competitive rate looks like. SOC 2 audits booked through the AuditNex network start at $2,500 as a promotional rate and average about $5,000. If your current firm charges near the top of the market for a modest scope, moving toward those figures is where savings come from.
Factor in indirect costs too. A firm with confirmed integrations to your GRC platform, such as Vanta, Drata, Secureframe, or Sprinto, can pull evidence directly, cutting the staff hours you spend assembling samples. Less manual prep is a real saving even when the sticker price is similar.
To size your own number, gather quotes for your exact scope and compare them against your current invoice. Because SOC 2 is an attestation under the AICPA's SSAE No. 18 standards, any licensed CPA firm's report carries the same standing, so a lower price does not mean a lesser report.
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Related questions
Can I switch SOC 2 auditors mid-cycle?
Yes. No AICPA rule locks you to one auditor. It is cleanest to switch between report periods, but you can change mid-cycle if your current engagement has not started fieldwork or has stalled.
Can I use a different auditor for Type 1 and Type 2?
Yes. Type 1 and Type 2 are separate engagements, so you can use different CPA firms for each. Many companies do, though keeping one firm can streamline the Type 2 since it already knows your controls.
Do I lose my SOC 2 history if I change auditors?
No. You keep every SOC 2 report you have already received, and your control and evidence history stays yours. A new auditor builds on that record; changing firms does not erase your prior reports.
Does a new auditor accept my old SOC 2 evidence?
Often yes, but they must re-test it themselves. A new auditor can review evidence and prior reports you provide, yet independence rules mean they form their own conclusions rather than relying on the previous firm's work.
How do I switch SOC 2 auditors?
Wait until your current report is issued, gather your scope and prior reports, request quotes from new firms, sign an engagement letter, and hand over your system description and evidence. No AICPA approval or transfer process is required.
When is the best time to switch SOC 2 auditors?
Right after your current report is issued and before your next observation period begins. That timing avoids splitting a Type 2 window, keeps coverage continuous, and gives the new firm a clean period to plan.
Sources: Vanta, Drata, and Secureframe SOC 2 pricing guides, 2024-2026; AuditNex network rate card, 2026; 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.