Fixed-Fee SOC 2 Audits for Houston Businesses

In today’s regulatory-driven business landscape, information security and compliance have become mission-critical priorities for organizations of all sizes. For businesses in Houston, Texas—especially those in the technology, healthcare, SaaS, and financial services industries—the demand for trusted third-party attestation reports, such as SOC 2 audits, has never been greater.

That’s where NDB, a nationally recognized Certified Public Accounting (CPA) firm, steps in. Specializing in regulatory compliance audits, NDB is proud to offer fixed-fee SOC 2 audit services designed to simplify and streamline the compliance journey for Houston-area businesses. With a structured, four-phase approach and deep expertise in platforms like Drata, Vanta, and Secureframe, we offer a truly end-to-end solution for organizations aiming to earn or maintain SOC 2 Type 1 and Type 2 compliance.

Why SOC 2 Matters for Houston Businesses

SOC 2 (System and Organization Controls) compliance, governed by the AICPA (American Institute of Certified Public Accountants), evaluates how well an organization safeguards customer data and ensures privacy. It is particularly relevant to service organizations that handle or process sensitive customer information. In the fast-growing Houston business ecosystem—home to numerous startups, cloud service providers, managed service providers (MSPs), and data-centric enterprises—SOC 2 compliance serves as a key differentiator and trust marker.

SOC 2 audits are divided into two primary types:

• Type 1: An evaluation of the design of security controls at a specific point in time.
• Type 2: An evaluation of the operating effectiveness of these controls over a period of time (typically 3-12 months).

Achieving either or both can open doors to new business opportunities, enterprise-level clients, and improved reputational standing. But the road to compliance can often be complex, costly, and time-consuming—unless you have the right partner.

NDB’s Four-Phase SOC 2 Audit Process — All at Fixed Fees

Unlike many firms that offer vague estimates or hourly billing, NDB delivers our entire SOC 2 audit process at fixed fees, giving Houston businesses the clarity, predictability, and control they need over their compliance budget. Our approach is divided into four distinct phases:

Phase I: SOC 2 Scoping & Readiness Assessment

This initial phase lays the foundation for your compliance journey. We start by understanding your organization’s services, systems, and infrastructure. Key deliverables in this phase include:

• Scoping: Identifying the trust services criteria (Security, Availability, Processing Integrity, Confidentiality, and Privacy) that apply to your organization.
• Gap Analysis: Reviewing your existing policies, procedures, and technical controls to determine how well they align with SOC 2 requirements.
• Control Mapping: Matching your current environment to the necessary control objectives.
• Roadmap Development: Creating a detailed action plan to address any deficiencies.

Why it matters: This step ensures your SOC 2 audit is properly scoped and that you avoid unnecessary costs or rework down the line. It's also crucial for first-time auditees in Houston seeking to understand what lies ahead.

Included in fixed-fee pricing: Unlike other firms that charge extra for readiness assessments, NDB includes this phase as part of our comprehensive fixed-fee model.

Phase II: Remediation and Control Implementation

Once gaps are identified, our team works alongside your personnel to close them. This includes:

• Policy & Procedure Development: Assisting with the creation or enhancement of written documentation.
• Technical Control Guidance: Advising on best practices for access controls, logging, encryption, vulnerability scanning, change management, and more.
• Automation Support: Ensuring your tools (e.g., Drata, Vanta, Secureframe) are configured to continuously monitor control effectiveness.

Why it matters: Many organizations stall between readiness and audit due to unclear remediation steps. Our consultative approach ensures you’re audit-ready in a timely, efficient manner—without incurring additional hourly consulting fees.

Included in fixed-fee pricing: All remediation support is part of your fixed fee, giving you full transparency and peace of mind.

Phase III: SOC 2 Type 1 Audit

After remediation, we proceed with your SOC 2 Type 1 audit, which evaluates whether your controls are suitably designed and in place as of a specific date.

NDB’s team of experienced auditors will:

• Conduct a formal audit based on the scoped trust service criteria.
• Review control evidence through secure portals or via integrated platforms.
• Issue your SOC 2 Type 1 report, signed and delivered as a final deliverable.

Why it matters: Type 1 is often the first SOC 2 milestone for growing companies, especially those in tech, SaaS, and MSP sectors. It builds immediate credibility with customers and partners.

Included in fixed-fee pricing: The audit, testing, reporting, and even limited revisions are all included under your quoted price.

Phase IV: SOC 2 Type 2 Audit

As your organization matures, achieving SOC 2 Type 2 compliance becomes the next logical step. This audit evaluates how well your controls operate over a defined monitoring period—usually 6 to 12 months.

Our approach includes:

• Continuous Monitoring Support: Helping you maintain compliance throughout the review period.
• Periodic Check-ins: Ensuring evidence collection stays on track.
• Final Audit & Reporting: Performing a detailed audit at the end of the period, culminating in your SOC 2 Type 2 report.

Why it matters: A SOC 2 Type 2 report demonstrates long-term operational effectiveness—critical for enterprise clients, regulatory stakeholders, and security-conscious buyers.

Included in fixed-fee pricing: Our quote includes all activities associated with the Type 2 audit cycle, with no hidden fees or surprise charges.

Seamless Integration with Drata, Vanta, and Secureframe

For Houston companies already using automated compliance tools like Drata, Vanta, or Secureframe, NDB integrates seamlessly into your ecosystem. We work inside your existing GRC platforms, eliminating duplication and leveraging the real-time monitoring and evidence collection these tools offer.

Whether you're using:

• Drata for real-time security monitoring and automated evidence gathering,
• Vanta for policy tracking and user-friendly dashboards, or
• Secureframe for comprehensive security frameworks and integrations,

NDB’s auditors are trained and experienced in navigating these platforms. Our team collaborates directly within your tool of choice to validate controls, review evidence, and generate findings—saving time and maximizing the value of your tech stack.

Why Houston Businesses Choose NDB for SOC 2 Compliance

With over two decades of experience and a national reputation for excellence, NDB offers a local touch with a national perspective. Houston companies choose NDB for our:

• Fixed-fee pricing: Know exactly what you’ll pay—no surprises.
• End-to-end service: We support you from readiness through to your final Type 2 audit.
• Platform expertise: Drata, Vanta, Secureframe—we work within your systems, not against them.
• Real-world experience: Our auditors have performed hundreds of SOC 2 engagements across multiple industries.
• Responsiveness: We act as your partner, not just your auditor. Our communication and guidance are timely, clear, and practical.

Industries We Serve in Houston

NDB provides fixed-fee SOC 2 audits for a broad range of sectors, including:

• SaaS and cloud-based software providers
• Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and MSSPs
• Financial technology (FinTech) companies
• Healthcare and digital health startups
• Energy and engineering technology firms
• Data centers and hosting providers

Get Started with Your Fixed-Fee SOC 2 Audit Today

Whether you're just beginning your SOC 2 journey or preparing for your next Type 2 audit, NDB is ready to help you succeed—on time, on budget, and with confidence. Our fixed-fee services eliminate the guesswork and bring clarity to what can often feel like a daunting process.

If you're a Houston-area business looking for a reliable, experienced CPA firm that understands the local market and the global compliance landscape, contact NDB today. We’ll help you plan, prepare, and achieve SOC 2 compliance with precision and professionalism.

Contact us today for a fixed-fee proposal or schedule a complimentary discovery call.