A-LIGN vs Prescient Assurance
How two SOC 2 audit firms compare on price, timeline, framework coverage, and fit — and how to decide between them.
| A-LIGN | Prescient Assurance | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical price | $25K–$120K | $12K–$40K |
| Type 2 timeline | 10–22 weeks | 6–16 weeks |
| Firm tier | National firm | National firm |
| Frameworks | SOC 1, SOC 2 Type 1, SOC 2 Type 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, PCI DSS, GDPR | SOC 1, SOC 2 Type 1, SOC 2 Type 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, PCI DSS, GDPR |
| Industry focus | SaaS, Fintech, Healthcare, AI / ML, GovTech | SaaS, Fintech, Healthcare |
| Regions | United States, United Kingdom, European Union, Global | United States, Global |
| AICPA-licensed | Yes | Yes |
| Headquarters | Tampa, Florida | New York, New York |
How A-LIGN and Prescient Assurance differ
On price, Prescient Assurance typically comes in lower ($12K–$40K) than A-LIGN ($25K–$120K), though scope drives the final quote. Both cover a comparable set of 7 frameworks, so either can bundle SOC 2 with your other assurance needs.
A-LIGN strengths
- ✓Single provider for SOC, ISO, HITRUST, FedRAMP, CMMC, and PCI
- ✓Global delivery footprint across multiple continents
- ✓Large client base (5,000+ organizations)
Prescient Assurance strengths
- ✓PCAOB-registered, licensed US CPA firm
- ✓Combined audit and security/pen-testing capabilities
- ✓High SOC 2 volume oriented toward SaaS
Which should you choose?
Lean toward Prescient Assurance if budget is the priority and its scope fits; lean toward A-LIGN if you want the broadest framework coverage in a single engagement. A-LIGN additionally brings AI / ML and GovTech experience that Prescient Assurance does not list. Both are AICPA-licensed, so either can issue a report your customers will accept — the fastest way to decide is to get quotes from both on identical scope.
Frequently asked questions
Is A-LIGN or Prescient Assurance cheaper for SOC 2?
A-LIGN typically ranges $25K–$120K and Prescient Assurance $12K–$40K. On typical midpoints, Prescient Assurance tends to be the lower-cost option, but neither publishes fixed pricing, so a scoped quote from each is the only reliable comparison.
Which covers more frameworks, A-LIGN or Prescient Assurance?
A-LIGN lists more frameworks (SOC 1, SOC 2 Type 1, SOC 2 Type 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, PCI DSS, GDPR), which is an advantage if you plan to bundle SOC 2 with other assurance standards.
Are A-LIGN and Prescient Assurance both AICPA-licensed CPA firms?
Yes. Both A-LIGN and Prescient Assurance are AICPA-licensed CPA firms, which is required to issue a SOC 2 report. Either firm's report carries the same recognition with your customers.