What is a virtual CPA?

A virtual CPA provides the same services as a traditional CPA firm — tax preparation, bookkeeping, audits, financial planning — but delivers them remotely using secure cloud technology. You get expert-level service without visiting a physical office.

How much do virtual CPA services cost?

Pricing depends on the complexity of your financial situation and the services you need. We provide transparent fee estimates during your initial consultation. Virtual CPA firms typically have lower overhead than traditional firms, which translates to more competitive rates.

Do I need an audit for my nonprofit?

Many states require nonprofits to have an independent audit once they exceed certain revenue thresholds, often $500,000-$750,000. Grant-making organizations and government agencies frequently require audited financial statements. We can help determine your specific audit requirements.

What is the difference between an S-Corp and an LLC for tax purposes?

An LLC provides liability protection and pass-through taxation by default. An S-Corp election can provide additional tax savings by allowing owners to split income between salary (subject to payroll taxes) and distributions (not subject to payroll taxes). The right choice depends on your income level, business structure, and state tax laws.

What does a virtual CFO do?

A virtual CFO (fractional CFO) provides high-level financial strategy and oversight on a part-time basis — budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management, financial analysis, KPI reporting, and strategic financial planning. You get C-suite financial leadership without the full-time cost.

Can you help if I'm behind on bookkeeping or taxes?

Yes. We offer catch-up bookkeeping services to bring your books current and can help resolve back tax issues including IRS notices, unfiled returns, and payment plans.

What accounting software do you work with?

We work with QuickBooks Online, Xero, FreshBooks, Wave, and other major cloud accounting platforms. We can also help you select and set up the best software for your business.

How do I prepare for tax season?

Organize financial records throughout the year, keep receipts for business expenses, track mileage and home office usage, make quarterly estimated tax payments, and schedule a year-end tax planning session before December 31.

What is DCAA compliant accounting?

DCAA (Defense Contract Audit Agency) compliant accounting is a system that meets federal government requirements for contractors. It includes proper timekeeping, job cost accounting, indirect cost allocation, and specific internal controls required for government contract work.

Do I need a CPA or a bookkeeper?

Bookkeepers handle day-to-day recording of financial transactions. CPAs handle higher-level work — tax planning and preparation, audits, financial analysis, and strategic advice. Many businesses need both. Our firm provides both services so you have one team managing everything.

What's the difference between an audit, review, and compilation?

An audit provides the highest level of assurance through independent verification of financial statements. A review provides limited assurance through analytical procedures and inquiries. A compilation presents financial information in statement format without assurance. The right choice depends on your stakeholders' requirements.

Do you serve businesses outside the DMV area?

Yes. While our primary service area is Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia, we serve clients nationwide through our 100% virtual model. Our cloud-based systems allow us to work with businesses anywhere in the United States.

How long does a SOC 2 Type II audit take?

The observation period alone is 6-12 months. Add 2-4 months for readiness assessment and report issuance. Plan 9-18 months from start to final report.

What is the difference between SOC 2 Type I and Type II?

Type I assesses whether controls are suitably designed at a single point in time. Type II assesses whether controls operated effectively over a 6-12 month period. Enterprise clients almost always require Type II.

Which Trust Services Criteria should we include?

Security is required. Most technology companies add Availability and Confidentiality. Healthcare companies add Privacy. Processing Integrity applies to financial transactions and data processing.

Do government contractors need SOC 2?

Yes, increasingly. Prime contractors and federal agencies require SOC 2 for subcontractors handling sensitive data. SOC 2 controls also align with NIST 800-171 requirements for CUI protection.

How much does a SOC 2 Type II audit cost?

SOC 2 Type II audit costs vary by scope. Contact us for a fixed-fee proposal based on your organization size, number of criteria, and control complexity.

Can we start with SOC 2 Type I and upgrade later?

Yes. Type I is faster (no observation period) and provides immediate documentation of control design. You can begin the Type II observation period after Type I is complete.

What is a SOC 2 readiness assessment?

A gap analysis comparing your current controls against the AICPA Trust Services Criteria. It identifies what needs to be implemented before the formal observation period begins. Typically takes 2-4 weeks.

Does SOC 2 cover HIPAA compliance?

SOC 2 and HIPAA overlap but are not equivalent. A SOC 2 with the Privacy criteria does not substitute for HIPAA compliance, but documented SOC 2 controls provide strong evidence of your security program for business associates.

How do we maintain SOC 2 compliance after the first report?

SOC 2 reports expire after 12 months. Annual re-audits are required to maintain current status. Your controls must continue operating throughout the year, not just during audit season.

Can a virtual CPA perform SOC 2 attestation?

Yes. SOC 2 is a remote-first audit — documentation review, evidence gathering, and management interviews are conducted via secure platforms. We serve technology companies nationwide.

SOC 2 Attestation — DC, Maryland & Virginia

SOC 2 Type II Audit Services for DC, Maryland & Virginia Technology Companies

AICPA-standard CPA attestation reports (AT-C 205) for SaaS, cloud, fintech, and healthcare IT companies. Required by enterprise customers, investors, and federal agencies before doing business with your company.

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What is a SOC 2 Type II audit and who needs one?

A SOC 2 Type II audit examines a technology company's security, availability, and confidentiality controls over a 6-12 month period and issues a CPA attestation report under AICPA AT-C 205. It is required by enterprise customers, investors, and federal agencies before doing business with SaaS, cloud, or fintech companies. Northern Virginia government contractors frequently need SOC 2 Type II to satisfy prime contractor and federal agency requirements.

Why Companies Need SOC 2 — Now

Enterprise customer requires SOC 2 report before signing contract — you don't have one

Federal prime contractor mandates SOC 2 for all subcontractors handling CUI (Controlled Unclassified Information)

Investor due diligence stalled because you can't document your security controls

Your CISO is overwhelmed — you don't know which Trust Services Criteria to include

You passed an internal assessment but need a CPA attestation for credibility

Key Terms

SOC 2 Type II: A System and Organization Controls (SOC) report that provides a CPA's opinion on whether a service organization's controls related to security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, or privacy operated effectively over a defined period (typically 6-12 months).

Trust Services Criteria (TSC): The AICPA's criteria used to evaluate controls in SOC 2 reports: Security (required), Availability, Processing Integrity, Confidentiality, and Privacy. Most SOC 2 reports include Security plus 1-2 additional criteria.

SOC 2 Attestation Services

From readiness assessment through annual re-certification, we guide technology companies through every phase of SOC 2.

Readiness Assessment

Gap analysis against AICPA Trust Services Criteria before starting the observation period. Identifies control gaps early so you can remediate before the clock starts.

Control Design & Documentation

Working with your team to design and document controls that satisfy the criteria. We provide templates, policy language, and implementation guidance.

Type I Report

Point-in-time opinion on control design (faster, lower cost; stepping stone to Type II). Provides immediate credibility with customers while you build toward Type II.

Type II Report

6-12 month observation period plus operating effectiveness opinion. The standard required by most enterprise clients, investors, and federal agencies.

Remediation Support

Helping fix control gaps identified during fieldwork before they appear as exceptions in the final report.

Annual Re-certification

Ongoing Type II audits to maintain your SOC 2 status. SOC 2 reports expire after 12 months — continuous compliance requires annual re-audit.

SOC 1 vs SOC 2 vs SOC 3 — Which Report Do You Need?

Feature	SOC 1	SOC 2	SOC 3
Standard	SSAE 18 AT-C 320	SSAE 18 AT-C 205	SSAE 18 AT-C 205
Focus	Financial reporting controls	Security & data protection	Public trust seal
Who needs it	Payroll processors, benefit admins, loan servicers	SaaS, cloud, fintech, healthcare IT	Companies wanting public-facing report
Audience	User entity auditors & clients	Enterprise clients, investors, agencies	General public / marketing use
Type I (design)	Available	Available	Not typically available
Type II (effectiveness)	Available	Available	Available (covers same period as SOC 2)
Typical timeline	3-6 months	9-18 months	Same as SOC 2 Type II

SOC 2 Audit Process — 5 Steps

Free Scoping Call

Define which Trust Services Criteria apply to your business (30 minutes). We review your services, data flows, and customer requirements to recommend the right scope.

Readiness Assessment

2-4 week gap analysis identifying control gaps before the observation period begins. You get a prioritized remediation list with timelines.

Control Implementation

Your team implements or documents controls; we provide guidance, policy templates, and evidence collection frameworks.

Observation Period

6-12 months of operating effectiveness testing. We monitor controls, collect evidence, and flag issues before they become report exceptions.

Report Issuance

CPA issues the SOC 2 Type II report. You share with customers and prospects to close contracts and pass due diligence.

SOC 2 in the DC Metro Market

The DC, Maryland, and Virginia tech market has unique SOC 2 drivers that differ from other regions.

Northern Virginia Tech Corridor

AWS (Ashburn), Microsoft, Booz Allen Hamilton, Leidos, SAIC — all require SOC 2 from vendors. The Dulles corridor has the highest concentration of cloud and defense IT companies in the country.

DC GovTech Startups

Federal contracts often require FedRAMP authorization, which overlaps significantly with SOC 2 controls. A SOC 2 readiness assessment is a strong starting point for companies on the FedRAMP path.

Maryland Biotech & Healthcare IT

HIPAA compliance plus SOC 2 for covered entities and business associates. The Privacy trust services criterion aligns with HIPAA's data protection requirements.

CUI & Government Subcontractors

Government subcontractors handling Controlled Unclassified Information must demonstrate security controls. SOC 2 provides the third-party attestation that prime contractors and federal agencies require.