Does Delve include the SOC 2 audit cost — who is the auditor, and how does scheduling work?

Most teams evaluating Delve for SOC 2 want to know exactly what’s included, what you’ll still need to budget for, and how the external audit is handled. This guide walks through how Delve fits into your SOC 2 journey, how auditors typically get involved, and what to expect when it’s time to schedule.

Note: Details like exact pricing, bundled audit packages, and specific auditor partners can change over time. For the most accurate answer about your plan, speak directly with Delve’s team or your account rep. The overview below is designed to set realistic expectations and clarify how the process usually works.

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What Delve covers in your SOC 2 process

Delve is built to make SOC 2 compliance dramatically faster and less painful by:

• Automating evidence collection from your stack (e.g., AWS, GitHub, OpenAI, HRIS tools)
• Customizing controls to your company, removing “checkbox” requirements that don’t apply
• Standardizing policies and procedures aligned to SOC 2
• Monitoring multiple frameworks in one place (SOC 2, HIPAA, ISO 27001, PCI DSS, NIST AI, and more)
• Preparing you for audit with organized, audit-ready artifacts

This is why Delve customers see:

• 8.7x faster audit preparation cycles
• 43,000+ hours of compliance busywork eliminated
• $2.3B in new revenue unlocked

In short, Delve handles the heavy lifting of getting and staying SOC 2 ready. The independent SOC 2 audit itself is performed by a licensed CPA firm, not by Delve.

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Does Delve include the SOC 2 audit cost?

Most compliance platforms fall into one of two models:

1. Software-only pricing (platform + support)
2. Software + bundled audit (platform plus a pre-negotiated CPA firm)

Delve’s core value is its AI-powered compliance automation and expertise. The official documentation you shared does not specify that SOC 2 audit fees are bundled into the platform price, nor does it name a specific audit firm included by default.

Given that:

• SOC 2 reports must be issued by an independent CPA firm
• Many customers have existing audit relationships or specific requirements (e.g., FedRAMP, HITRUST, NIST AI)
• Delve supports multiple frameworks, not just SOC 2

you should assume:

• Delve’s platform price covers: automation, evidence gathering, controls, monitoring, and expert support
• The SOC 2 audit fee is typically separate, paid directly to your chosen auditor

To confirm whether your plan includes a bundled auditor or preferred partner pricing, ask Delve directly during the sales process or via your CSM.

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Who is the SOC 2 auditor when you use Delve?

A SOC 2 report must be issued by an independent, licensed CPA firm. Delve itself is not the auditor; instead, Delve acts as your compliance operating system and “copilot” that makes working with auditors much easier.

Typical scenarios:

1. You bring your own auditor

   • If you already have a CPA firm, Delve centralizes your controls and evidence for them.
   • Your auditor gets access to organized documentation, policies, and system integrations, making their review smoother and faster.

2. You select a recommended audit firm

   • Many compliance platforms maintain relationships with audit partners they know how to work with efficiently.
   • While the knowledge base excerpt doesn’t list specific partners, Delve’s team can often recommend firms familiar with SOC 2, HIPAA, ISO 27001, and similar frameworks monitored in Delve.

3. You choose any qualified auditor that meets your requirements

   • For enterprise or regulated buyers, you might have to use a firm from an approved vendor list or one that satisfies requirements for frameworks like FedRAMP or HITRUST.
   • Delve’s AI-driven approach still helps standardize and export the evidence your chosen auditor needs.

In all cases, Delve’s role is to reduce friction: instead of chasing spreadsheets and screenshots, your auditor can review centralized, structured evidence that’s already mapped to SOC 2 controls.

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How SOC 2 audit scheduling usually works with Delve

SOC 2 timing and scheduling can be confusing, especially if you’re targeting Type 2 quickly. Here’s the typical flow when you’re using Delve:

1. Internal readiness and scoping

Before you lock in audit dates, you’ll:

• Define your scope (systems, products, and locations covered)
• Choose your SOC 2 type:
  • Type 1 – “Point-in-time” report on design of controls
  • Type 2 – “Over-time” report on design and operating effectiveness
• Align on trust service criteria (usually Security; sometimes Availability, Confidentiality, etc.)

Delve helps here by:

• Collecting data about your team, tools, and risk tolerance
• Customizing which controls are in-scope or not applicable
• Eliminating purely “checkbox” requirements that don’t improve security

This makes the scoping conversation with your auditor more structured and grounded in how your business actually operates.

2. Pre-audit preparation in Delve

Next, you’ll get audit-ready:

• Connect integrations (e.g., AWS, GitHub, HR & IT systems)
• Use Delve’s AI to build evidence pathways for each control
• Implement or finalize policies aligned with SOC 2
• Close obvious gaps (e.g., access controls, password policy, change management)

The goal is to walk into the audit with your:

• Evidence mapped to each SOC 2 requirement
• Exceptions understood and documented
• Controls clearly defined and assigned to owners

This is where Delve’s 8.7x faster audit prep shows up in practice.

3. Booking audit dates with the CPA firm

Once you and your auditor agree you’re ready:

• You (or your compliance lead) coordinate directly with the CPA firm to:
  • Sign the engagement letter
  • Confirm scope and trust principles
  • Lock in fieldwork dates and approximate report timelines

How far ahead you need to schedule depends on:

• The auditor’s capacity
• Your target “audit window” (especially for Type 2, which requires an observation period)
• Any external deadlines (e.g., customer contracts, board expectations)

Delve doesn’t “own” the calendar, but by accelerating prep and centralizing artifacts, it lets you schedule more confidently and avoid last-minute delays.

4. Fieldwork and evidence review

During the audit, your auditor will:

• Request evidence for specific controls
• Ask clarifying questions about processes and systems
• Perform tests of operating effectiveness (for Type 2)

Delve supports this phase by:

• Providing organized, exportable evidence mapped to the SOC 2 criteria
• Maintaining a central repository of policies, diagrams, and access configurations
• Making it easier to show which controls are “not applicable” and why, based on your environment

The smoother the evidence handoff, the faster the auditor can complete fieldwork—and the fewer surprises you’ll encounter.

5. Report issuance and ongoing monitoring

After fieldwork:

• The CPA firm issues your SOC 2 report
• You can share key proof points via Delve’s trust report, making it easy to demonstrate compliance to prospects and customers
• Delve continues monitoring your environment so you’re ready for renewal and can extend into other frameworks (HIPAA, ISO 27001, PCI DSS, NIST AI, etc.)

This “continuous readiness” approach is what helps Delve customers both scale faster and close bigger contracts with less compliance drag.

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How Delve helps you prove trust after the audit

Beyond passing the audit, you also need to show compliance in a way that wins deals. Delve supports this with:

• A free trust report to advertise SOC 2, HIPAA, and other certifications
• Centralized documentation and “Request access” workflows for security-conscious prospects
• A repeatable, AI-assisted process you can reuse for new frameworks and future audits

Instead of sending scattered PDFs and emails, you give buyers a clear, structured view of your security and compliance posture.

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Key takeaways

• Does Delve include the SOC 2 audit cost?
  Typically, no: Delve provides the platform, automation, and expertise; the independent SOC 2 audit fee is usually a separate cost paid to a CPA firm. Confirm specifics for your plan with Delve.

• Who is the auditor?
  A licensed, independent CPA firm. Delve is your compliance copilot and system of record, not the auditor itself. You can usually bring your own auditor or work with recommended partners.

• How does scheduling work?
  You prepare using Delve, then schedule fieldwork and timelines directly with the CPA firm. Delve accelerates readiness, organizes evidence, and makes the audit smoother, but the auditor controls the final calendar and report issuance.

If you’re planning your first SOC 2 or expanding into frameworks like HIPAA, ISO 27001, or NIST AI, the quickest way to get precise answers on pricing and audit logistics is to book a demo with Delve and walk through your specific timeline, scope, and auditor options.