Finding a SOC 1 auditor: What to look for

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SOC 1 compliance addresses one critical need: enabling your customers’ auditors to rely on your internal controls during their financial audits. It's based on an attestation—not a certification—carried out under AICPA standards (specifically AT-C section 320), and it evaluates how your organization’s processes impact the integrity of your clients’ financial reporting.

Why it matters: Choosing the right SOC 1 auditor directly influences how smoothly the process goes, how credible your final report is to stakeholders, and how efficiently you can meet your customers' requirements. A misstep here can delay contracts and create unnecessary rework.

In this article, you’ll learn what to expect from the SOC 1 framework, which qualities matter in an auditor, and how to assess fit—so your next audit enhances your organization’s trustworthiness, not your workload.

Understanding the SOC 1 framework

SOC 1 (System and Organization Controls 1) reports are designed for service organizations that affect the internal control over financial reporting (ICFR) of their customers. These reports provide assurance to user entities and their auditors that your controls are appropriately designed (Type 1 report) and, for Type 2, operating effectively across a defined period.

Typical organizations pursuing SOC 1 include payroll providers, claims processors, SaaS billing platforms, and data aggregators—any vendor whose systems or services could impact a customer’s financial statements.

The process starts with scoping: defining the system boundary, identifying relevant control objectives, and determining your treatment of subservice providers (inclusive vs. carve-out). As management, you're responsible for providing a system description and making an assertion about your controls. The service auditor then tests your controls, examines the evidence, and issues a report that your customers can use.

Qualities to look for in an auditor

The right auditor brings more than a CPA license—they bring context, expertise, and tools that support both accuracy and efficiency.

1. Independent credentials are non-negotiable. SOC 1 audits are attestation engagements performed under AICPA standards, so you need a licensed CPA firm to issue the report. Verify that your auditor is enrolled in the AICPA Peer Review Program and has experience with SOC 1-specific engagements, particularly focused on ICFR.
2. Relevant experience brings peace of mind. A SOC 1 auditor should understand not just the standards, but also your industry and the audit expectations of relevant user auditors. For example, if your customers rely on your platform for revenue recognition, your auditor must know how to evaluate processes that impact system-generated financial data.
3. Look for technical fluency, not just policy knowledge. Your controls are often implemented in cloud infrastructure, third-party apps, or proprietary code. An effective auditor knows how to interpret logs, configuration files, and access data—and how to map these to audit evidence.
4. Communication and project management make or break timelines. Even the most insightful auditor can cause disruption if communication is sparse or response times lag. Choose a team that sets clear timelines, aligns expectations before fieldwork, and provides structured progress tracking. A collaborative approach turns the audit from a bottleneck into a business enabler.
5. Modern auditors use automation to reduce friction. Ask whether your auditor uses systems to streamline evidence collection, reduce manual requests, and deliver templates aligned with ICFR control objectives. Look for secure portals, pre-built integrations, and task lists to make your part of the process less burdensome.
6. Reputation is your risk control. Seek auditors with strong references—especially from clients with similar services or tech environments. A great auditor maintains professional independence without becoming obstructive, and their past work reflects that balance.

Evaluating fit for your organization

SOC 1 may be a standard framework, but your implementation won’t be. The right fit depends on your size, services, compliance maturity, and stakeholder expectations.

Scope alignment is essential. Make sure your auditor understands your system boundary and business model before engagement. They'll help ensure that your description, control objectives, and user control considerations (CUECs) meet both auditor and customer expectations.

Timelines, cost, and planning need consensus. Don’t tie yourself to fixed reporting periods or rigid fees until your auditor has understood your readiness and control maturity. Agree on timelines for readiness review, evidence submission, testing, and remediation cycles. Ask about standard Type 2 reporting periods—though 6 to 12 months is typical, shorter periods may work for first-time engagements.

Consider alignment across frameworks. If you manage both SOC 1 and SOC 2, or frameworks like ISO 27001, look for auditors or platforms that support crosswalked controls and unified evidence collection. Reducing duplicative work is key to long-term efficiency.

Common mistakes when choosing an auditor

SOC 1 doesn't leave much room for recovery if you choose the wrong audit partner. A few common missteps can derail your engagement before it starts.

Don’t chase speed or price alone. A rock-bottom quote may not include the support needed for readiness assessment, evidence guidance, or reporting quality control. A “fast” audit without proper scoping won’t satisfy your customer’s user auditor, putting contracts at risk.

Experience with your tech and controls matters. An auditor unfamiliar with your cloud environment or ICFR-relevant configurations may misinterpret your evidence—or miss risk areas altogether. Ask about recent engagements with organizations of similar scale and system complexity.

Post-audit support often gets overlooked. Once you receive your SOC 1 Type 1 or Type 2 report, you’ll likely need guidance on interpreting findings, closing control gaps, or preparing for the next audit cycle. An auditor that disappears after the report leaves your team facing future cycles alone.

How Thoropass helps

Thoropass is built to streamline SOC 1 from readiness to reporting. We provide expert SOC 1 audit services through licensed CPA firms—and our auditors never grade their own work. That separation of platform and audit preserves independence and builds trust.

Our compliance automation platform integrates with your existing systems to collect evidence automatically, map it to ICFR-relevant control objectives, and track remediation tasks. Whether you're managing subservice providers or documenting a complex control structure, Thoropass provides visibility throughout the audit.

Why it matters: With centralized workflows and real-time status tracking, you’ll eliminate outdated spreadsheets and reduce back-and-forth during fieldwork. It’s not just audit readiness—it’s audit optimization.

Schedule a discovery session today to see how Thoropass can simplify your SOC 1 path and match you with an auditor who gets your business.

Conclusion

Choosing the right SOC 1 auditor is more than a procurement decision—it’s foundational to how your company demonstrates trust to stakeholders.

With the right partner, SOC 1 doesn’t have to be disruptive. Instead, it becomes a visible sign of your organization’s maturity and commitment to control excellence. Early preparation, smart tools, and expert guidance make all the difference.

FAQs about choosing an SOC 1 auditor

Who is qualified to perform a SOC 1 audit?

Only independent CPA firms are authorized to issue SOC 1 reports under AICPA standards. Make sure the firm is enrolled in the AICPA Peer Review Program and has experience with ICFR-focused controls.

What’s the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 reports?

A Type 1 report evaluates whether your controls are suitably designed at a specific point in time. Type 2 reports assess both design and operational effectiveness over a defined period (typically 6–12 months).

Do all service providers need a SOC 1 report?

No. SOC 1 only applies if your services impact your customers’ financial reporting processes. If your controls relate more to data security or privacy, you may need a SOC 2 audit instead.