BARR Advisory vs Schellman
How two SOC 2 audit firms compare on price, timeline, framework coverage, and fit — and how to decide between them.
| BARR Advisory | Schellman | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical price | $15K–$50K | $30K–$150K |
| Type 2 timeline | 8–18 weeks | 10–24 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, AI / ML, GovTech |
| Regions | United States, Global | United States, United Kingdom, European Union, Global |
| AICPA-licensed | Yes | Yes |
| Headquarters | Shawnee Mission, Kansas | Tampa, Florida |
How BARR Advisory and Schellman differ
On price, BARR Advisory typically comes in lower ($15K–$50K) than Schellman ($30K–$150K), 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
Schellman strengths
- ✓Licensed CPA firm registered with the PCAOB
- ✓Broad accreditation portfolio: SOC, ISO, PCI, HITRUST, FedRAMP, CMMC
- ✓Large-scale assessor handling thousands of engagements per year
Which should you choose?
Lean toward BARR Advisory if budget is the priority and its scope fits; lean toward BARR Advisory if you want the broadest framework coverage in a single engagement. Schellman additionally brings AI / ML experience that BARR Advisory 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 Schellman cheaper for SOC 2?
BARR Advisory typically ranges $15K–$50K and Schellman $30K–$150K. On typical midpoints, BARR Advisory 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 Schellman?
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 Schellman both AICPA-licensed CPA firms?
Yes. Both BARR Advisory and Schellman 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.