ISO 9001 is an internationally recognised Quality Management System (QMS) standard that defines the requirements for building consistent, high-quality processes across an organisation.

What does an ISO 9001 consultant do?

An ISO 9001 consultant helps you implement or improve your Quality Management System, carry out gap analysis, prepare documentation, train staff, conduct internal audits, integrate the QMS into business operations, and prepare for certification audits.

How long does ISO 9001 implementation take?

Implementation time varies depending on organisational size and complexity. Most SMEs achieve certification within 8–16 weeks with structured consultancy support.

Do you offer ongoing ISO 9001 support?

Yes. AvISO offers ongoing maintenance, internal audits, continuous improvement programmes and support in maintaining ISO 9001 compliance throughout the year.

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SOC 1 Report – Controls for Financial Reporting Consultancy

Demonstrate robust internal controls over financial reporting and build trust with clients, auditors, and regulators through SOC 1.

SOC 1 is an independent attestation report, performed under SSAE 18 (AT-C 320) or ISAE 3402, that evaluates the design and operating effectiveness of controls relevant to your clients’ Internal Control over Financial Reporting (ICFR). It is essential for service organisations whose systems impact client financial statements, including payroll processors, financial services, accounting firms, SaaS providers handling financial data, business process outsourcers, healthcare billing, and loan or mortgage processors.

Unlike prescriptive frameworks, SOC 1 is tailored to your unique services and risk profile. AvISO helps you align your operations with SOC 1 requirements and prepares you for audit success, whether you are pursuing a Type I or Type II report. Our structured consultancy and ISOvA platform streamline every step, from control design and documentation to evidence submission and audit walkthroughs.

What our clients say

“AvISO helped us navigate SOC 2 from zero to audit in under four months. They provided clear structure, aligned our cloud environment with expectations, and ISOvA kept everyone accountable and audit-ready. Our auditor said the control set was one of the most clearly presented they’d seen.”

CISO, UK-based SaaS provider

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How AvISO supports SOC 1 readiness

We provide comprehensive consultancy support for SOC 1 readiness and audit preparation. Our approach balances control maturity with day-to-day practicality, ensuring your controls are both effective and sustainable:

SOC 1 readiness assessments to establish current maturity, risk, and audit scope
Scoping of report boundaries and control objectives tied to services and commitments
Gap analysis and mapping of controls to auditor expectations under AT-C 320 or ISAE 3402
Documentation of policies, procedures, and control activities with ISOvA version control
Training for finance, engineering, operations, HR, and compliance teams on roles and evidence
Full support through Type I and Type II engagements with audit firms, including combined SOC 1 and ISAE 3402 reporting for international clients
Preparation of management assertion, system description, and control objectives for the SOC 1 report
Liaison with auditors to facilitate walkthroughs, evidence gathering, and remediation

We tailor every programme to suit your systems, data sensitivity, and customer expectations, ensuring your controls are relevant, practical, and audit-ready.

Key challenges — and how AvISO solves them

Limited SOC experience or compliance team bandwidth
We guide lean organisations through every step, providing clear workplans, templates, and technical support.
Unclear control ownership or documentation gaps
ISOvA creates visibility and accountability across finance, operations, and compliance roles, ensuring every control has an owner and evidence is tracked.
Uncertainty about subservice organisations and shared controls
We help you decide and document carve-out versus inclusive approaches, define complementary user entity controls (CUECs) and complementary subservice organisation controls (CSOCs), and monitor subservice providers effectively.
Fear of failing the audit or wasting resources
We align you to what auditors really look for, reducing surprises, rework, and audit delays.
Overcomplex or bloated control frameworks
We simplify implementation with a practical control set tailored to your operations, risk profile, and client requirements.
Timing gaps between audit periods and customer year-end
We prepare appropriate bridge letters and monitoring evidence to address coverage gaps.

SOC 1 doesn’t have to slow you down. With AvISO, compliance becomes part of your operational maturity, not a bolt-on exercise.

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Start your SOC 1 journey with AvISO

We make SOC 1 reporting clear, achievable, and valuable for your organisation. With expert support and digital tools, you’ll be audit-ready, operationally mature, and positioned for growth.

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SOC 1 consultancy services

We support both new SOC 1 programmes and upgrades from Type I to Type II reports. Our services include:

Control environment development and documentation aligned to ICFR and COSO principles
Creation of a practical, audit-aligned control framework and control objective mapping
Mapping of existing procedures to SOC 1 requirements and auditor expectations
Development of policies for access, change, incident, backup, logging, and vendor management
Technical and administrative control validation, including evidence packs and walkthroughs
Tailored risk assessments aligned with SOC 1 and COSO expectations
Documentation, training, and evidence readiness using ISOvA-based version control
Role-based training for finance, IT, support, and compliance teams
Control performance tracking, monitoring, and evidence gathering schedules
Audit preparation walkthroughs, simulations, and evidence packs
Audit support, remediation, and post-audit updates
Liaison with audit firms and audit readiness checks
Gap closure and corrective action planning
Long-term SOC 1 programme support for annual Type II cycles and continuous assurance

We help you avoid common pitfalls and focus resources on what matters most—delivering secure, reliable services with confidence.

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SOC 1 scope and report structure

A SOC 1 report typically includes:

Management’s assertion regarding the fairness of the system description and the suitability of controls
System description, including key outputs provided to user entities and treatment of subservice organisations
Control objectives and related controls, mapped to ICFR and COSO principles
Tests of controls and results (Type II only), demonstrating operating effectiveness over a defined period (usually six to twelve months)
The independent service auditor’s report, summarising findings and conclusions

Distribution is restricted to user entities and their financial auditors, as SOC 1 is intended for reliance in financial statement audits rather than general marketing.

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Subservice organisations and shared responsibilities

We help you select and justify the carve-out or inclusive method for each subservice organisation, and document:

Complementary user entity controls (CUECs) required at your customers for your controls to achieve objectives
Complementary subservice organisation controls (CSOCs) relied on at your providers
Your own monitoring controls over subservice organisations, including evidence of oversight and risk management

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Integrated SOC 1 systems for efficient compliance

SOC 1 shares goals and principles with many ISO and operational standards. Integration strengthens control coverage, reduces duplication, and supports long-term governance. We commonly align SOC 1 with:

ISO 27001 – Information security management
SOC 1 and ISO 27001 share foundational controls. Integration reduces effort on risk assessment, incident response, and access management. ISOvA enables both to be tracked in a unified dashboard.
ISO 22301 – Business continuity management
Availability and incident response controls under SOC 1 often overlap with ISO 22301. A unified approach ensures continuity, disaster recovery, and resilience reporting are consistent and credible.
ISO 42001 – Artificial intelligence management
For organisations leveraging AI in financial processes, aligning SOC 1 controls with ISO 42001 supports responsible and auditable AI use.
SOC 2 – Trust Services Criteria
Many organisations pursue both SOC 1 and SOC 2 to address broader client and regulatory expectations, especially where data security and privacy are also in scope.

AvISO’s integration approach means your SOC 1 programme adds value beyond the audit. We build systems that mature with your business.

ISOvA for digital SOC 1 readiness

ISOvA simplifies SOC 1 implementation with a Microsoft 365-based platform that centralises all compliance documentation, tasks, and evidence in one place:

Free access to ISOvA Toolbox for your first SOC 1 project
Centralised control tracking, ownership, and status updates
Built-in review cycles and policy scheduling
Live dashboards for control effectiveness, audit progress, and issue management
Linked evidence repositories and version-controlled documents
Automated reminders for evidence collection, control reviews, and audit deadlines

ISOvA makes SOC 1 readiness visible, efficient, and audit-friendly—without disrupting your daily operations.

Why choose AvISO for SOC 1?

Trusted by financial service providers, SaaS firms, and regulated organisations
Proven methodology tailored to both Type I and Type II reports, including international ISAE 3402 engagements
Experience working with a range of audit firms and supporting combined SOC 1/SOC 2 programmes
Clear, plain-English approach to control documentation, evidence management, and audit preparation
Technology-backed consultancy for scalable compliance growth

Whether you’re preparing for your first SOC 1 audit or maturing your control environment, we’ll help you meet expectations, reduce risk, and stand out in competitive markets.

Talk to us about SOC 1 reporting

Discover how AvISO and ISOvA simplify compliance, reduce audit burden, and help you prove security and trust to every client.
Let’s explore how we can help your team — from gap analysis to digital integration.
Kent: 01892 800476 | London: 02037 458 476 | info@avisoconsultancy.co.uk

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SOC 1 FAQs

Most frequently asked questions

What is SOC 1, and who needs it?

SOC 1 is a voluntary attestation framework developed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). It is relevant for service providers whose systems impact their clients’ financial reporting, including payroll, HR, SaaS, BPO, and financial services.

What’s the difference between Type I and Type II?

Type I assesses the design of your controls at a point in time. Type II evaluates how effectively those controls operated over a monitoring period (usually six to twelve months).

Is SOC 1 legally required?

No—but many clients, especially in the financial sector, require it as part of supplier onboarding and audit reliance.

What controls are needed for SOC 1?

Controls vary based on your scope and systems, but commonly include access management, change control, data backup, logging, vendor risk management, and security incident response.

How long does SOC 1 take?

Type I typically takes two to three months with support. Type II takes longer to monitor control effectiveness—usually six to twelve months in total.

How does SOC 1 compare to ISO 27001?

ISO 27001 is a certifiable information security standard, while SOC 1 is a report based on audit of defined controls over financial reporting.

Do we need specialist software for SOC 1?

Not necessarily. ISOvA provides everything needed for policy management, evidence tracking, control scheduling, and audit documentation.

Will AvISO help during the audit?

Yes—we assist with audit walkthroughs, control demonstrations, evidence packaging, and auditor responses.

Can SOC 1 be combined with ISO 27001 or SOC 2?

Absolutely. We help design integrated systems that satisfy multiple frameworks with minimal duplication.

What if our systems change after certification?

We support ongoing SOC 1 maintenance, updates, and recertification preparation to ensure your report remains valid and valuable.

What is a bridge letter, and when is it needed?

A bridge letter is issued when your SOC 1 report period ends before your customer’s year-end, providing assurance that no material changes have occurred in the control environment during the gap.

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