What happens after I sign a SOC 2 engagement letter?
After signing, the auditor kicks off the engagement: scoping confirmation, a kickoff call, and an evidence request list. For a Type 1 they move toward testing at a point in time; for a Type 2 the observation window then begins.
The full answer
The engagement letter is the contract that fixes scope, timing, fees, and which Trust Services Criteria the report will cover. Once it is signed, the licensed CPA firm formally opens the engagement under the AICPA's SSAE No. 18 attestation standards and schedules a kickoff call to align on your systems, control owners, and the audit period.
Next comes the evidence request. The auditor sends a list — often called a request list or PBC (prepared-by-client) list — itemizing the policies, configurations, tickets, and access records they need. You assign owners, gather the items, and upload them to the auditor's portal or your GRC platform. If you use Vanta, Drata, or Secureframe and your auditor has a confirmed integration, much of this evidence is pulled directly, reducing manual work.
The path then splits by report type. Per AICPA guidance, a Type 1 tests whether controls are designed appropriately at a single point in time and typically takes one to three months end to end. A Type 2 tests whether controls operated over an observation window of three to twelve months, so signing effectively starts the clock on that window if you have not been accumulating evidence already.
During fieldwork the auditor holds walkthroughs, samples your evidence, and raises follow-up questions; your job is mainly to respond promptly. When testing is complete, the firm drafts the report, shares it for your management review, and issues the final version. If you have not booked yet and want a fixed-scope quote first, start a request through AuditNex.
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Related questions
Can I speed up a SOC 2 audit?
Yes, partly. You can compress readiness and fieldwork with a GRC platform, a Type 1 or 3-month Type 2 first, and fast evidence responses — but a Type 2 observation window still has to run its full length.
Can a SOC 2 Type 2 observation period be 3 months?
Yes. Three months is the shortest observation window most auditors will accept for a SOC 2 Type 2, so a 3-month period is valid and common for a first report. Longer windows give buyers more assurance.
Do SOC 2 audits happen on-site or remotely?
Almost always remotely. Most SOC 2 audits are conducted entirely over video calls, screen shares, and secure evidence uploads, since the evidence is digital. On-site visits are rare and usually only relevant if you run your own physical data centers.
How long does a SOC 2 audit take?
A SOC 2 Type 1 usually takes one to three months end to end, while a Type 2 adds an observation window of three to twelve months. Readiness prep, not the audit itself, is often the longest phase.
How long does the SOC 2 report take after fieldwork ends?
Most SOC 2 reports are drafted and delivered within a few weeks of fieldwork ending, though timing varies by firm and how quickly you clear any open evidence items. There is no AICPA-set deadline for delivery.
How many internal hours does a SOC 2 audit take my team?
There is no official figure. Most internal effort is front-loaded during readiness, not the audit itself. Expect a designated owner to spend meaningful part-time hours over the prep window, plus lighter time answering auditor questions during fieldwork.
Sources: AICPA SSAE No. 18 attestation standards, 2026; AICPA SOC 2 guidance and market practice, 2026. 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.