Compliance Auditor Selection Checklist: 10 Things to Consider

Choosing a compliance audit provider isn’t as straightforward as selecting most business services. Information security audits, especially across frameworks like SOC 1, SOC 2, ISO/IEC 27001, and GDPR, vary widely in execution, cost, and fit.

If this is your first time navigating these waters, here are 10 important factors to consider.

Ask how many clients the auditor serves under the specific framework you’re considering. Some large firms offer cybersecurity audits but only support a handful of clients in cloud-based or software-as-a-service (SaaS) industries. It could be a red flag if their experience doesn’t align with your profile.

Audit firms vary in how they quote and present pricing. Be cautious of hidden fees or hard-to-compare pricing models. Ask prospective providers to explain how their services and costs compare with those of others you’re evaluating.

Some providers charge extra if the audit takes longer than expected or issues arise. Others may add fees for delays or rescheduling. These terms can create tension between you and your auditor. Look for flexible and transparent firms, especially if you anticipate shifting business priorities.

First-year pricing is often discounted because audit work decreases over time, and long-term relationships are common. That said, ensure you’re not locked into unfavorable future pricing. Scrutinize multi-year commitments and ask about potential rate adjustments.

While specialization can be valuable, working with multiple providers for overlapping audits can create unnecessary complexity. If you’re pursuing SOC 2, ISO/IEC 27001, ISO/IEC 42001 GDPR, CCPA, PCI-DSS, or HIPAA compliance, consider a firm that can support all your frameworks under one roof.

Auditors are bound by independence requirements and cannot design or implement your controls. However, firms with strong partnerships, such as penetration testers, IT service providers, or managed security vendors, can connect you to reliable resources that complement the audit and your remediation needs.

If you use tools like Vanta or Drata to manage controls and evidence, your auditor should work seamlessly with them. Ideally, they can reduce manual uploads by pulling evidence directly from these platforms. Look for firms with automation playbooks designed to streamline audits using your existing tools.

While name recognition matters less than it once did, your auditor’s brand still helps shape customer perception. Big Four firms convey general trust, but specialist cybersecurity audit firms often hold more credibility in this space—especially those with strong reputations and deep experience in cloud-native environments.

For SOC 1 and SOC 2 reports, make sure your auditor is authorized under the appropriate standards. In the U.S., reports must follow SSAE 18 standards (AT-C 105 and 205) issued by the AICPA. Some firms use international equivalents (like ISAE 3000) that all U.S. customers may not accept. If your business is U.S.-based or serves U.S. clients, AICPA registration is a must.

Perhaps most importantly: who will you work with? Sales professionals or senior partners may guide you through the pitch before handing off your engagement to junior staff. Ask who will perform the audit and what level of experience they bring. Direct access to knowledgeable professionals makes a meaningful difference during the engagement.

Still unsure? Here are two low-risk ways to evaluate audit providers:

At Sensiba, we welcome questions about any of the points above. We support organizations across cloud services, and many of our clients are happy to speak with peers considering our services. Our readiness assessments cover SOC 1, SOC 2, ISO/IEC 27001, GDPR, HIPAA, CCPA, and other global standards.

To explore how we can support your compliance goals, contact us.