BARR Advisory vs Prescient Assurance
How two SOC 2 audit firms compare on price, timeline, framework coverage, and fit — and how to decide between them.
| BARR Advisory | Prescient Assurance | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical price | $15K–$50K | $12K–$40K |
| Type 2 timeline | 8–18 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, GovTech | SaaS, Fintech, Healthcare |
| Regions | United States, Global | United States, Global |
| AICPA-licensed | Yes | Yes |
| Headquarters | Shawnee Mission, Kansas | New York, New York |
How BARR Advisory and Prescient Assurance differ
On price, Prescient Assurance typically comes in lower ($12K–$40K) 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.
BARR Advisory strengths
- ✓Specializes in cloud service providers and regulated industries
- ✓Combines attestation with advisory like virtual CISO
- ✓International reach across 20+ countries
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 BARR Advisory if you want the broadest framework coverage in a single engagement. BARR Advisory additionally brings 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 BARR Advisory or Prescient Assurance cheaper for SOC 2?
BARR Advisory typically ranges $15K–$50K 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, BARR Advisory or Prescient Assurance?
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 Prescient Assurance both AICPA-licensed CPA firms?
Yes. Both BARR Advisory 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.