A tailored course, built for your situation
Mastering SOC 2; A Step-by-Step Guide to Compliance for Engagement Managers
A structured path to own compliance delivery in complex client engagements
$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.
Audit evidence collection for SOC 2 consumes 80+ hours monthly across client teams
The situation this course is for
Client-facing practitioners spend weeks reconciling control evidence across domains, chasing attestations, and aligning stakeholders, only to face last-minute revisions during audit cycles. This delays sign-off, strains team bandwidth, and undermines delivery credibility.
Who this is for
Senior Engagement Managers leading compliance-sensitive delivery in global services firms
Who this is not for
ICs focused on technical controls implementation, auditors, or junior project coordinators
What you walk away with
- Produce complete SOC 2 Type II evidence packages in under 10 hours
- Standardize control mapping across client programs
- Automate 70% of recurring evidence collection
- Deflect last-minute stakeholder requests with auditable workflows
- Deliver validated reports ahead of review cycles
The 12 modules (with all 144 chapters)
Module 1. The SOC 2 Foundation for Client-Facing Leaders
Build a working understanding of Trust Services Criteria as applied in managed client environments, focusing on availability, security, and confidentiality.
12 chapters in this module
- Defining SOC 2 in client delivery contexts
- Understanding Type I vs Type II relevance
- Mapping TSC to client service boundaries
- Role of Engagement Manager in scoping
- How auditors assess control design
- Common misalignment in shared environments
- Integrating SOC 2 into kickoff planning
- Capturing control ownership early
- Identifying control gaps pre-engagement
- Documenting system descriptions efficiently
- Common pitfalls in evidence planning
- Setting expectations with delivery teams
Module 2. Client Scope Definition and Boundary Mapping
Precisely define in-scope systems and services to prevent audit creep and stakeholder disputes.
12 chapters in this module
- Identifying client-owned vs provider-controlled components
- Documenting third-party dependencies clearly
- Avoiding over-scope in multi-vendor setups
- Using RACI to assign control ownership
- Creating boundary diagrams stakeholders accept
- Handling hybrid cloud environments
- Defining logical and physical perimeters
- Managing change during audit cycle
- Versioning scope documentation
- Aligning with client security teams early
- Capturing exceptions proactively
- When to escalate scope disputes
Module 3. Automated Evidence Collection Architecture
Design evidence workflows that pull data directly from logs, ticketing, and IAM systems.
12 chapters in this module
- Mapping required evidence to source systems
- Identifying APIs for automated collection
- Configuring log exports for audit readiness
- Integrating ticketing systems into workflows
- Pulling IAM data for access reviews
- Automating backup verification logs
- Scheduling evidence refreshes
- Validating data completeness automatically
- Storing evidence in access-controlled repos
- Versioning for point-in-time accuracy
- Masking sensitive data in exports
- Handling time-zone alignment
Module 4. Control Mapping for Distributed Teams
Link each control to specific roles, systems, and documentation owners across multiple teams.
12 chapters in this module
- Breaking down controls by domain
- Assigning control owners unambiguously
- Creating cross-functional accountability
- Documenting control operation clearly
- Linking evidence to control assertions
- Handling overlapping responsibilities
- Updating mappings during team changes
- Using centralized trackers effectively
- Reducing ambiguity in control descriptions
- Aligning with internal audit teams
- Versioning control documents
- Auditor-friendly presentation formats
Module 5. Attestation Workflows for Stakeholder Sign-Off
Streamline review and approval of evidence packages with clear timelines and escalation paths.
12 chapters in this module
- Designing multi-tiered review chains
- Setting SLAs for attestation responses
- Tracking pending approvals automatically
- Escalating stuck items systematically
- Integrating legal and compliance reviewers
- Managing client-side approvals
- Creating read-only attest views
- Signing off digitally with audit trail
- Handling partial approvals
- Documenting exceptions formally
- Reducing cycle time from days to hours
- Post-attestation validation steps
Module 6. Incident Reporting and Exception Management
Handle control failures and operational incidents without undermining overall compliance posture.
12 chapters in this module
- Defining reportable incidents clearly
- Setting detection thresholds appropriately
- Documenting incident timelines accurately
- Linking incidents to control failures
- Creating temporary compensating controls
- Reporting to auditors transparently
- Closing out within review cycles
- Maintaining integrity during outages
- Using incidents to improve controls
- Avoiding over-disclosure
- Aligning with client incident response
- Lessons learned integration
Module 7. Continuous Monitoring Setup
Implement real-time checks that flag configuration drift and policy violations before audit time.
12 chapters in this module
- Identifying key risk indicators
- Setting up automated control checks
- Configuring alerts for policy drift
- Monitoring access revocation timelines
- Tracking password policy enforcement
- Validating backup success rates
- Checking MFA adoption continuously
- Integrating with SIEM platforms
- Creating dashboard views for leadership
- Reducing manual validation effort
- Scheduling weekly control snapshots
- Generating pre-audit health reports
Module 8. Remediation Planning for Audit Findings
Turn auditor feedback into structured action plans with clear owners and timelines.
12 chapters in this module
- Classifying finding severity objectively
- Assigning root cause analysis tasks
- Creating time-bound remediation plans
- Linking fixes to control updates
- Validating remediation with evidence
- Avoiding recurrence systematically
- Managing client-side fixes
- Documenting compensating controls
- Adjusting monitoring for weak spots
- Reporting closure to auditors
- Integrating findings into future scoping
- Reducing repeat findings over time
Module 9. Reporting and Dashboard Design for Leaders
Build clear, actionable views of compliance health for executives and stakeholders.
12 chapters in this module
- Identifying key compliance metrics
- Designing clean status dashboards
- Highlighting at-risk areas visually
- Summarizing control coverage
- Showing evidence completeness
- Integrating timeline tracking
- Creating exportable reports
- Automating monthly summaries
- Filtering by client or program
- Using color strategically
- Including drill-down capabilities
- Ensuring mobile compatibility
Module 10. Vendor Management and Third-Party Risk
Extend control assurance to partners and subcontractors in client environments.
12 chapters in this module
- Assessing third-party compliance posture
- Collecting SOC 2 reports from vendors
- Evaluating report scope and relevance
- Mapping vendor controls to client needs
- Handling shared control responsibility
- Creating vendor attestation workflows
- Tracking renewal deadlines
- Managing exception periods
- Auditing vendor compliance claims
- Integrating with procurement teams
- Handling non-compliant vendors
- Documenting due diligence thoroughly
Module 11. Preparation for Auditor Interactions
Confidently present evidence and respond to inquiries during audit cycles.
12 chapters in this module
- Scheduling auditor access efficiently
- Preparing point-of-contact teams
- Organizing evidence for quick access
- Anticipating common auditor questions
- Documenting control operation clearly
- Responding to findings professionally
- Maintaining composure under review
- Clarifying scope boundaries firmly
- Providing supplemental data quickly
- Using auditor feedback to improve
- Reducing back-and-forth through clarity
- Closing out with positive rapport
Module 12. Sustaining Compliance Over Time
Institutionalize practices so compliance becomes routine, not recurring effort.
12 chapters in this module
- Embedding controls into onboarding
- Training new team members systematically
- Updating documentation with changes
- Handling leadership transitions
- Preserving knowledge in repositories
- Auditing internal compliance
- Refreshing control mappings quarterly
- Integrating lessons from audits
- Reducing dependency on individuals
- Scaling across new clients
- Optimizing for efficiency gains
- Celebrating compliance milestones
How this maps to your situation
- Client delivery under compliance scrutiny
- Cross-functional evidence coordination
- Auditor readiness under tight timelines
- Sustained compliance across leadership changes
Before vs. after
Before
Spending 80+ hours gathering, verifying, and chasing evidence for SOC 2 audits across distributed teams
After
Producing complete, auditor-ready evidence packages in under 10 hours with automated workflows
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 5 hours of self-paced learning, with implementation taking 2-3 weeks using provided templates.
If nothing changes
Continuing manual processes risks delayed sign-offs, increased rework, and reputational exposure when client audits escalate or findings repeat.
How this compares to the alternatives
Unlike generic compliance courses, this course focuses specifically on the Engagement Manager’s role in client-facing SOC 2 delivery, with workflows tailored to services firms like the firm.
Frequently asked
Is this course focused on technical implementation or leadership oversight?
It's designed for client-facing leaders who own compliance outcomes but don't implement controls directly. Focus is on orchestration, evidence ownership, and audit readiness.
How is the course structured?
12 modules, each containing 12 chapters (144 chapters total).
Does this course cover ISO 27001 as well?
Focus is on SOC 2, but control mapping principles apply broadly. ISO 27001 is covered in a separate course.
$199 one-time. Approximately 5 hours of self-paced learning, with implementation taking 2-3 weeks using provided templates..
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