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SOC Reporting

SOC Readiness Assessment

A structured gap analysis before your audit period begins. We identify control weaknesses, define scope, and give you a concrete remediation roadmap, so issues get resolved before fieldwork starts, not during it.

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A readiness assessment is the right first step before any SOC 1 or SOC 2 engagement. It surfaces the gaps between where your controls are today and what an auditor will test, so you can remediate on your schedule, not under audit pressure.

Gap Analysis

Map your current controls to SOC criteria and surface exactly where documentation, design, or operating effectiveness falls short.

Scope Definition

Define system boundaries and select the right Trust Services Criteria or control objectives before your audit period begins.

Remediation Roadmap

Receive a prioritized control listing with actionable remediation guidance, so your team knows exactly what to fix and in what order.

Audit-Ready Timeline

Set a realistic start date for your observation period with confidence, knowing your control environment is prepared for independent testing.

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Readiness assessments conducted by the same partners who will perform your SOC 1 or SOC 2 audit

Why It Matters

Fix gaps on your schedule, not the auditor's

Control deficiencies discovered during fieldwork extend timelines, increase costs, and can result in qualified opinions. A readiness assessment gives you the runway to remediate before any of that happens.

Honest Assessment Before Fieldwork

We evaluate your control environment the same way we would during an audit. You get a clear picture of where you stand, with time to act on it.

Scoped to Your Actual Environment

We define boundaries and select criteria based on how your systems actually operate, not a generic template. Scope decisions made early prevent costly surprises later.

Feeds Directly into Your Audit

Our readiness assessments are designed to transition smoothly into the SOC 1 or SOC 2 engagement. The work done in readiness carries forward, not repeated.

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SOC Readiness / GAP Assessments

Recommended for organizations going through their first audit or those that have made recent changes to their environment. A readiness assessment sets the foundation for a smooth, efficient audit experience. Learn more about our firm

A SOC readiness assessment is recommended for organizations going through their first audit or those that have made recent changes to their environment. This step helps identify what systems and services are in scope, how your internal controls align with the Trust Services Criteria, and where documentation or processes may need improvement. The readiness process sets the foundation for a smooth, efficient audit experience.

As part of a readiness assessment, Sage Audits will:

  • Review policies, procedures, and documentation related to your system and services.
  • Help define system boundaries and determine the appropriate scope for the engagement.
  • Align current control activities with the Trust Services Criteria (for SOC 2) or defined control objectives (for SOC 1).
  • Conduct interviews with control owners to understand how your environment is actually managed.
  • Identify gaps, weak spots, or missing evidence that could affect audit readiness.
  • Provide guidance on drafting the system description that will be included in your SOC report.
  • Deliver a control listing with status indicators and practical remediation suggestions, so you know exactly where you stand.

This phase is collaborative and consultative, typically 4 to 8 weeks, and gives you a clear roadmap toward a successful audit. Learn more about our phased audit approach →

Our Process

What a Readiness Assessment Covers

Readiness assessments typically run 4 to 8 weeks and are collaborative throughout. You work directly with the partner, not a project manager relaying messages. Learn more about our firm

Not sure whether you need a SOC 1 or SOC 2 readiness assessment? The answer depends on your service and what your customers are asking for. Reach out and we'll point you in the right direction.

Before we can assess your control environment, we need to understand what you've documented and how your policies map to the requirements of a SOC audit. Many organizations have strong controls that are simply underdocumented, and others have documentation that doesn't reflect how work actually gets done.

  • Review of existing information security policies, access management procedures, and change management documentation.
  • Identification of documentation gaps that would need to be addressed before fieldwork begins.
  • Guidance on drafting a system description, a required component of every SOC 1 and SOC 2 report.

The core of a readiness assessment is mapping what you have to what the auditor will test. For SOC 2, that means the Trust Services Criteria. For SOC 1, that means your defined control objectives. We walk through each requirement and assess whether your current controls address it adequately.

  • Map existing controls to the applicable Trust Services Criteria (SOC 2) or control objectives (SOC 1).
  • Interview control owners to understand how controls operate in practice, not just on paper.
  • Identify controls that are missing, inadequately designed, or lacking sufficient evidence.
  • Flag areas where operating effectiveness may be difficult to demonstrate over an audit period.

Scope decisions made late in an engagement are expensive. Defining what's in and out of scope during readiness prevents rework and ensures your audit period covers the right systems and services from day one.

  • Define the system boundary: which infrastructure, applications, and processes are in scope.
  • Identify subservice organizations and assess whether carve-out or inclusive method is appropriate.
  • For SOC 2: confirm which Trust Services Criteria categories apply based on your service commitments.
  • For SOC 1: define the control objectives that will anchor the report and satisfy your clients' auditors.

The deliverable from a readiness assessment is a prioritized remediation roadmap that tells your team exactly where to focus. Items are categorized by severity and by the effort required to address them, so you can sequence the work logically.

  • Prioritized control gap listing with specific remediation guidance for each item.
  • Categorization by severity: items that must be addressed before audit, versus items that are lower risk.
  • Recommended timeline for when to start the audit observation period based on remediation progress.
  • Readout session with your team to walk through findings and answer questions.

After the remediation roadmap is delivered, we remain available to answer questions as your team works through the items. When you're ready to begin the audit, we pick up where we left off. Learn more about our phased audit approach →

Transparent Pricing

Get Your
Custom Quote

Our interactive calculator gives you a transparent estimate based on your organization's size, scope, and compliance requirements. Submit your information and receive a custom quote within 1 business day. No guesswork, no surprises.

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What the Estimate Covers

  • SOC 1 or SOC 2 audit scope
  • Organization size and complexity
  • Readiness assessment, if needed
  • Advisory or consulting add-ons
  • Delivered to your inbox, no obligation

Rethinking the IT Audit Experience

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Meet the Team
Tasya Novak, Managing Director, Sage Audits
01

Focused on IT Assurance

From SOC 1, 2, and 3 to SOX, our niche is IT audit. We understand risk, controls, and how to make compliance work for you.

02

Real World Expertise

With experience across Big Four firms and in-house internal audit roles, our team understands audits from both sides, with technical certification backed by practical insight. Meet the team →

03

Built for Business

No cookie-cutter compliance. Our audit process is designed around your operations, timelines, and goals because efficient audits begin with alignment. See how it works →

04

Client First Approach

Our assurance services help you gain insight into your security posture and build confidence with stakeholders. We use technology to streamline the process without sacrificing quality.

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