Scope & Period
Define which systems, services, and the exact audit period included in the Type II attestation to limit ambiguity during testing.
A professional checklist reduces missed items, ensures consistent evidence collection across the monitoring period, and clarifies ownership for control operation and testing. It helps teams prepare for auditor requests, shortens audit fieldwork, and reduces the risk of scope creep or late discovery during attestation.
Compliance, security, and operational teams usually own the checklist and coordinate evidence collection across IT, HR, and legal.
External auditors, procurement teams, and customer security reviewers use the completed checklist and supporting artifacts during vetting and attestation reviews.
| Field | Configuration |
|---|---|
| Authentication Method | Email link, SMS code, or SSO for owner verification |
| Field Types | Use dropdowns, date fields (MM/DD/YYYY), and file upload fields |
| Bulk Assignment | Enable group assignments for repeated controls across systems |
| Retention Policy | Set automated retention or archival rules for audit artifacts |
Ensure the platform you use supports secure uploads, audit trails, and the integrations required to pull evidence from source systems.
Confirm platform compatibility with your audit team and preserve an unalterable audit trail for each submitted artifact.
Define which systems, services, and the exact audit period included in the Type II attestation to limit ambiguity during testing.
List each control, map to the applicable Trust Services Criteria, and describe expected operation and success criteria for testing.
Catalog required artifacts for each control (logs, screenshots, policies), with storage location, file names, and access instructions.
Assign owners and alternates for each control, including contact details and timelines for producing evidence on request.
Specify the testing steps auditors will use and any sample sizes, frequency, or automated queries used to validate control operation.
Document corrective actions, target dates, and verification steps for any control exceptions discovered during the audit period.
Begin gap analysis at least 3–6 months before fieldwork
Control owners submit artifacts two weeks before auditor fieldwork
Auditor performs testing during the specified audit period
Auditor delivers draft for factual review
Issuance after factual corrections and management responses
| Criteria | SOC 2 Type II | SOC 2 Type I |
|---|---|---|
| Report Period | period covered | point in time |
| Control Testing | operational effectiveness | design only |
| Attestation | tests across time | snapshot attestation |
| Typical Use | customer assurance | initial design validation |
| signNow | DocuSign | Adobe Sign | PandaDoc | HelloSign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $8/user/mo | $15/user/mo | $14/user/mo | $19/user/mo | $15/user/mo |
| Free Trial | 7-day free trial | Varies | Varies | Varies | Varies |
| Bulk Send | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Varies |
| Audit Trail | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HIPAA Compliant | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Envelope Cap | No cap | 100 envelopes/user/year | Varies | Varies | Varies |