A tailored course, built for your situation
Mastering SOC 2 for People Operations Leaders in Professional Services
Turn compliance rigor into strategic advantage through structured, repeatable controls integration.
$199 one-time
24-hour access provisioning
30-day money-back guarantee
Hand-built implementation playbook
12 modules. 12 chapters per module. 144 chapters total.
12 modules, each with 12 chapters (144 chapters total), text-based, plus downloadable templates and a hand-built implementation playbook delivered alongside course access.
Who this is for
Tenured People Operations leader in a highly regulated professional services firm, with ex-Big4 process rigor and a track record of delivering complex HR projects.
Who this is not for
This course is not for junior HR coordinators, generalist compliance staff, or those without direct responsibility for process design or audit readiness in people systems.
What you walk away with
- Identify and qualify SOC 2 engagement opportunities aligned with your domain expertise
- Map HR process controls to SOC 2 criteria with precision and confidence
- Produce audit-ready documentation that reflects operational maturity
- Articulate control rationale in executive-level terms
- Own the vendor review track for people systems with end-to-end authority
The 12 modules (with all 144 chapters)
Module 1. Foundations of SOC 2 in People Systems
Understand how People Ops intersects with Trust Services Criteria, security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy.
12 chapters in this module
- What SOC 2 means for HR
- Key differences from SOX
- Roles in compliance teams
- HR process risk hotspots
- Audit lifecycle stages
- Common control failures
- Evidence types needed
- Documentation standards
- Timeline expectations
- Team coordination model
- Stakeholder map
- First audit prep steps
Module 2. Scoping HR Processes for SOC 2
Define which people processes fall within the audit boundary based on risk, impact, and repeatability.
12 chapters in this module
- Identifying reportable systems
- Payroll inclusion rules
- Benefits administration scope
- Talent acquisition systems
- Performance management
- Workforce analytics
- Leave tracking systems
- Compensation workflows
- Third-party integrations
- Data access controls
- User provisioning
- Boundary finalization
Module 3. Control Mapping for People Operations
Translate HR processes into documented controls that satisfy SOC 2 requirements.
12 chapters in this module
- Control design principles
- Access governance
- Role-based permissions
- Change management
- Segregation of duties
- Approval workflows
- Data integrity checks
- HRIS configuration
- Audit logging
- Retention policies
- Document control
- Policy enforcement
Module 4. Evidence Collection Strategy
Build a repeatable system for gathering and organizing audit evidence from HR teams.
12 chapters in this module
- Evidence by control type
- Sampling methods
- Interview protocols
- Screenshot standards
- Log extraction
- Policy attestation
- Training records
- Access reviews
- User access logs
- Change tickets
- System reports
- Evidence retention
Module 5. Vendor Risk and HR Tech Stacks
Extend SOC 2 coverage to SaaS platforms used in HR and manage third-party risk effectively.
12 chapters in this module
- HR vendor landscape
- Third-party assessments
- Subservice organizations
- Vendor questionnaires
- SOC 2 reports review
- Attestation tracking
- Contractual terms
- Security questionnaires
- Risk tiering
- Ongoing monitoring
- Exit protocols
- Compliance handoffs
Module 6. People Data Privacy and Confidentiality
Ensure sensitive HR data meets confidentiality and privacy criteria under SOC 2.
12 chapters in this module
- Data classification
- PII handling standards
- Data minimization
- Consent tracking
- Data subject rights
- Cross-border transfers
- Employee data access
- Manager access rights
- Background checks
- Benefit enrollment
- Data masking
- Encryption standards
Module 7. Change Management in HR Systems
Document and govern changes to HR platforms and policies within SOC 2 frameworks.
12 chapters in this module
- Change types in HR
- Standard changes
- Emergency changes
- Change approval
- Documentation standards
- Testing protocols
- Post-implementation review
- Rollback planning
- System downtime
- User communication
- Version control
- Audit trail
Module 8. Automating Controls in HR Platforms
Use native features in HRIS platforms to automate control execution and reduce manual burden.
12 chapters in this module
- Automatable controls
- Workflow triggers
- Approval automation
- Access provisioning
- Recurring certifications
- Data validation
- System alerts
- Role-based access
- Integration logic
- Error handling
- Monitoring scripts
- Dashboard reporting
Module 9. Audit Communication and Executive Readiness
Prepare for auditor interactions and translate technical controls into business narratives.
12 chapters in this module
- Auditor expectations
- Pre-audit meetings
- Evidence walkthroughs
- Control explanations
- Deficiency responses
- Management letters
- Executive summaries
- Risk escalation
- Remediation planning
- Follow-up timelines
- Sign-off coordination
- Audit closure
Module 10. Building Reusable Compliance Artifacts
Create templates and playbooks that compound across audits and reduce future effort.
12 chapters in this module
- Template library
- Control descriptions
- Process flow diagrams
- RACI matrices
- Evidence guides
- Checklists
- Playbook structure
- Version control
- Team onboarding
- Knowledge transfer
- Continuous improvement
- Scaling practices
Module 11. From Compliance to Strategic Influence
Position yourself as the go-to practitioner for trust and controls beyond HR.
12 chapters in this module
- Cross-functional projects
- M&A integration
- ERP expansions
- New office launches
- Board-level briefs
- Policy steering
- Risk committees
- Vendor negotiations
- Internal advisory
- External recognition
- Professional growth
- Thought leadership
Module 12. Leading the Next Generation of SOC 2 Engagements
Own end-to-end delivery and set the standard for how compliance integrates with operations.
12 chapters in this module
- Engagement scoping
- Team leadership
- Timeline management
- Stakeholder updates
- Risk logging
- Quality reviews
- Audit prep runs
- Vendor coordination
- Lessons learned
- Process refinement
- Succession planning
- Mentorship
How this maps to your situation
- Starting a SOC 2 initiative in HR
- Responding to auditor requests
- Managing third-party risk for HR tech
- Preparing for Type II audit
Before vs. after
Before
Compliance feels reactive, driven by auditor requests and fragmented across teams.
After
You lead structured, repeatable SOC 2 engagements that elevate People Ops as a strategic function.
What's included with your purchase
- 12 modules with 12 chapters each (144 chapters)
- Downloadable templates and worked examples for every module
- Hand-built implementation playbook delivered alongside course access
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Delivery and format
- Course and learning environment access provisioned within 24 hours of purchase
- Hand-built implementation playbook delivered alongside course access
Format: Text-based modules and chapters in the Art of Service learning environment, plus downloadable templates and worked examples for every chapter, plus the hand-built implementation playbook delivered alongside course access.
Time investment: Approximately 3 hours per module, designed to fit within regular work cycles over a 4-week period.
If nothing changes
Without a structured approach, SOC 2 efforts remain ad hoc, increasing audit risk and missing opportunities to position People Ops as a trusted control function.
How this compares to the alternatives
Unlike generic SOC 2 courses, this program is tailored to People Operations leaders in professional services, addressing real-world HRIS platforms, audit expectations, and cross-functional influence opportunities.
Frequently asked
Is this course technical or process-focused?
It's process-focused, designed for HR and compliance practitioners leading SOC 2 in people systems, not engineers.
How is the course structured?
12 modules, each containing 12 chapters (144 chapters total).
Will this help me lead audits?
Yes, you'll gain the frameworks and artifacts to lead end-to-end SOC 2 compliance for HR with confidence.
$199 one-time. Approximately 3 hours per module, designed to fit within regular work cycles over a 4-week period..
Within 24 hours your account in the learning environment is provisioned and the tailored implementation playbook is delivered alongside it.
30-day money-back guarantee·
144 chapters·
Hand-built playbook included·
Account access within 24 hours