Coalfire vs Johanson Group
How two SOC 2 audit firms compare on price, timeline, framework coverage, and fit — and how to decide between them.
| Coalfire | Johanson Group | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical price | $30K–$120K | $7.5K–$25K |
| Type 2 timeline | 10–22 weeks | 5–14 weeks |
| Firm tier | National firm | Boutique |
| Frameworks | SOC 1, SOC 2 Type 1, SOC 2 Type 2, ISO 27001, PCI DSS | 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, European Union, Global | United States, Global |
| AICPA-licensed | Yes | Yes |
| Headquarters | Westminster, Colorado | — |
How Coalfire and Johanson Group differ
On price, Johanson Group typically comes in lower ($7.5K–$25K) than Coalfire ($30K–$120K), though scope drives the final quote. Johanson Group covers more frameworks (7 vs 5), which matters if you want to bundle SOC 2 with ISO 27001, HIPAA, or PCI under one engagement. They also sit in different tiers — Coalfire is national firm, Johanson Group is boutique — which shapes the price, process, and brand recognition on the report.
Coalfire strengths
- ✓Strong FedRAMP, CMMC, and PCI heritage alongside SOC work
- ✓SOC examinations issued via licensed CPA affiliate Coalfire Controls
- ✓Enterprise-grade cloud security engineering
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. Coalfire 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 Coalfire or Johanson Group cheaper for SOC 2?
Coalfire typically ranges $30K–$120K 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, Coalfire 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 Coalfire and Johanson Group both AICPA-licensed CPA firms?
Yes. Both Coalfire 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.