Aprio vs Johanson Group
How two SOC 2 audit firms compare on price, timeline, framework coverage, and fit — and how to decide between them.
| Aprio | Johanson Group | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical price | $18K–$90K | $7.5K–$25K |
| Type 2 timeline | 8–22 weeks | 5–14 weeks |
| Firm tier | National firm | Boutique |
| Frameworks | SOC 1, SOC 2 Type 1, SOC 2 Type 2 | SOC 1, SOC 2 Type 1, SOC 2 Type 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, PCI DSS, GDPR |
| Industry focus | SaaS, Fintech | SaaS, Fintech, Healthcare |
| Regions | United States | United States, Global |
| AICPA-licensed | Yes | Yes |
| Headquarters | Atlanta, GA | — |
How Aprio and Johanson Group differ
On price, Johanson Group typically comes in lower ($7.5K–$25K) than Aprio ($18K–$90K), though scope drives the final quote. Johanson Group covers more frameworks (7 vs 3), which matters if you want to bundle SOC 2 with ISO 27001, HIPAA, or PCI under one engagement. They also sit in different tiers — Aprio is national firm, Johanson Group is boutique — which shapes the price, process, and brand recognition on the report.
Aprio strengths
- ✓Explicitly a licensed independent CPA firm providing attest services
- ✓Covers SOC 1, SOC 2, and SOC 3 plus SOC for Cybersecurity and Supply Chain
- ✓Adjacent compliance offerings (CMMC, FedRAMP) for regulated/government-facing clients
Johanson Group strengths
- ✓Licensed CPA firm registered with the AICPA
- ✓Broad framework coverage including SOC, ISO, HIPAA, PCI, GDPR
- ✓Globally distributed delivery, budget-friendly
Which should you choose?
Lean toward Johanson Group if budget is the priority and its scope fits; lean toward Johanson Group if you want the broadest framework coverage in a single engagement. Johanson Group additionally brings Healthcare experience that Aprio 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 Aprio or Johanson Group cheaper for SOC 2?
Aprio typically ranges $18K–$90K and Johanson Group $7.5K–$25K. On typical midpoints, Johanson Group 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, Aprio or Johanson Group?
Johanson Group 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 Aprio and Johanson Group both AICPA-licensed CPA firms?
Yes. Both Aprio and Johanson Group 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.