Client Snapshot
A US-based audit firm serving global clients across real estate, chemicals and specialty materials, consumer products, and data centre operations. During its peak audit period, multiple concurrent SOC 1 and SOC 2 engagements placed significant pressure on delivery capacity. Pierag was engaged to provide testing support, maintain audit execution standards, and advance assignments in line with applicable attestation requirements and assurance criteria.
The Challenge
- Concurrent SOC engagements created delivery capacity constraints during a high-pressure audit period.
- Diverse client industries, business processes, and control environments increased execution complexity.
- Complete populations and sufficient supporting evidence had to be obtained from multiple control owners within compressed timelines.
- Workpapers needed to clearly demonstrate how the procedures performed supported individual control assessments.
- Outstanding queries, identified deficiencies, and management responses required timely resolution before engagement closure.
Our Approach
- Conducted walkthroughs with control owners to understand business processes, capture accurate narratives, and confirm control implementation.
- Prepared evidence request lists specifying the populations, configurations, and supporting records required for each in-scope control.
- Validated population completeness and accuracy before selecting samples and examining supporting evidence.
- Performed control design and operating effectiveness assessment against SOC 1 control objectives and the applicable Trust Services Criteria for SOC 2 engagements.
- Prepared test sheets, observation logs, and supporting workpapers, maintaining current documentation within the firm’s audit tools.
- Coordinated follow-up queries with stakeholders and discussed observations with client management to facilitate resolution and appropriate formal responses.
Results Delivered
- Advanced multiple SOC 1 and SOC 2 engagements through structured testing and evidence validation during the firm’s peak period.
- Delivered review-ready audit files supported by clear process narratives, testing records, and observation logs.
- Facilitated timely resolution of identified deficiencies with client management and obtained appropriate responses before engagement completion.
Impact
Pierag provided critical execution capacity to help the firm manage a demanding SOC engagement portfolio while maintaining audit discipline. The support helped the firm progress reporting commitments, strengthened the evidence supporting control assessments, and enabled management to address identified issues before report finalization.
