BARR Advisory vs Johanson Group
How two SOC 2 audit firms compare on price, timeline, framework coverage, and fit — and how to decide between them.
| BARR Advisory | Johanson Group | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical price | $15K–$50K | $7.5K–$25K |
| Type 2 timeline | 8–18 weeks | 5–14 weeks |
| Firm tier | National firm | Boutique |
| 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, GovTech | SaaS, Fintech, Healthcare |
| Regions | United States, Global | United States, Global |
| AICPA-licensed | Yes | Yes |
| Headquarters | Shawnee Mission, Kansas | — |
How BARR Advisory and Johanson Group differ
On price, Johanson Group typically comes in lower ($7.5K–$25K) than BARR Advisory ($15K–$50K), 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. They also sit in different tiers — BARR Advisory is national firm, Johanson Group is boutique — which shapes the price, process, and brand recognition on the report.
BARR Advisory strengths
- ✓Specializes in cloud service providers and regulated industries
- ✓Combines attestation with advisory like virtual CISO
- ✓International reach across 20+ countries
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 BARR Advisory if you want the broadest framework coverage in a single engagement. BARR Advisory additionally brings GovTech experience that Johanson Group 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 BARR Advisory or Johanson Group cheaper for SOC 2?
BARR Advisory typically ranges $15K–$50K 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, BARR Advisory or Johanson Group?
BARR Advisory 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 BARR Advisory and Johanson Group both AICPA-licensed CPA firms?
Yes. Both BARR Advisory 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.