AARC-360

What AARC-360 does

AARC-360 is a PCAOB-registered CPA firm headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia (8000 Avalon Boulevard, Suite 100), delivering a 360-degree set of assurance, advisory, risk, and compliance services to small and mid-sized companies pursuing IT compliance and cybersecurity risk management. The firm holds an unusually dense accreditation stack for its scale, including AICPA Peer Review Pass ratings (2023 and 2026), PCAOB registration, HITRUST CSF External Assessor status, PCI QSA authorization, FedRAMP 3PAO accreditation, GovRAMP participation, A2LA ISO/IEC 17020:2012 inspection-body accreditation, IAS ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015 certification body status with ISO 27001:2022 authorization, and — notably — ISO/IEC 42001:2023 Certification Body Status for AI Management Systems. The service portfolio spans SOC 1/2/3 examinations, PCI DSS, HITRUST, ISO 27001/27701/42001 certifications, FedRAMP and CMMC assessments, GDPR/HIPAA/CCPA/GLBA/FISMA compliance, SOX testing, penetration testing, internal audit outsourcing, and business process improvement, delivered across financial services, healthcare, technology, government, retail, and education end markets.

The technology stack is centered on the Fieldguide audit management platform for evidence collection, engagement transparency, and collaboration, supplemented by trained internal auditors fluent in leading GRC automation suites including Drata, Vanta, Hyperproof, Secureframe, and Apptega under a "Test Once, Use Many" One Combined Audit methodology. The firm operates a consultative, sales-led direct-engagement model with a no-obligation consultation, fixed-fee all-inclusive pricing, dedicated auditor plus project manager per engagement, and a contractual 25% executive/management time commitment per engagement. Revenue is generated entirely from professional services across audit, advisory, risk, and compliance consulting streams. The firm is privately held and founder-led (Neil Gonsalves, ex-EY), with leadership bench including former EY Americas Technology Risk Practice Leader Bernie Wedge (Advisory Board) and former EY Senior Partner Jeffrey Sopshin (CRO), and operates with a team of approximately 30 professionals.

Name

AARC-360

Legal name

AARC-360

Website

https://aarc-360.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

AARC-360 is a PCAOB-registered CPA firm offering IT compliance, cybersecurity risk, and assurance services for small and mid-sized companies, specializing in SOC, ISO, HITRUST, PCI DSS, and FedRAMP assessments with Big 4 expertise.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

IT Compliance & Cybersecurity Assurance Services

NAICS

Offices of Certified Public Accountants (541211)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Security Audits & Compliance (ISO 27001, SOC 2, PCI DSS, HIPAA, SOX) (BPAKADAC)

Keywords

• IT compliance audits
• Cybersecurity risk advisory
• SOC examinations
• ISO certification services
• FedRAMP 3PAO assessments

Headquarters

HQ city

Alpharetta

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Audit and Assurance Services: Professional services revenue from SOC 1, SOC 2, SOC 3, PCI DSS, HITRUST, ISO certifications, and other third-party reporting governed by AICPA. Fixed-fee pricing model with competitive rates for engagements.
2. Advisory Services: Readiness assessments, gap analysis, pre-audit services, and remediation guidance for various compliance frameworks including SSAE 21, PCI DSS, HITRUST, and ISO standards.
3. Risk Assessment Services: Penetration testing, vulnerability assessments, internal audit outsourcing, and SOX compliance testing services. Includes free 30-day remediation retest.
4. Compliance Consulting: Assessment and consulting services for GDPR, HIPAA, FISMA/NIST, MARS-E, GLBA, CCPA, and DFARS regulations. Includes gap analysis and DPIA using eGRC tools.
5. Certification Services: ISO/IEC 27001, 27701, and 42001 certification body services for organizations seeking independent AI, privacy, and information security management system certifications.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

AARC-360 is a PCAOB-registered CPA and advisory firm that delivers a 360° suite of Assurance (SOC 1/2/3, PCI DSS, HITRUST), Advisory (readiness, gap analysis, pre-audit, remediation), Risk (penetration testing, internal audit outsourcing, SOX testing), and Compliance (GDPR, HIPAA, FISMA/NIST, MARS-E, GLBA, CCPA, DFARS, FedRAMP, CMMC, StateRAMP, ISO/IEC 27001, 27701, 42001) services. Engagements are fixed-fee and led by senior auditors with 25% executive/management time invested per project.

Product overview

AARC-360 is a PCAOB-registered CPA firm offering a comprehensive suite of Assurance, Advisory, Risk, and Compliance services. The firm's core offerings include SOC 1/2/3 examinations, PCI DSS assessments, HITRUST CSF assessments, and ISO certification services (ISO/IEC 27001, 27701, and 42001). Their risk services encompass penetration testing, vulnerability assessments, internal audit outsourcing, and Sarbanes-Oxley testing. Compliance offerings cover GDPR, HIPAA, FISMA/NIST, MARS-E, GLBA, CCPA, DFARS/NIST 800-171, FedRAMP, CMMC, and StateRAMP. The firm operates as a multi-service consultancy rather than a software product company, delivering professional audit and advisory services through their team of certified professionals, and utilizes Fieldguide as their primary audit management platform for client engagements.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SOC 1 Report Services SOC 1 Type 1 and Type 2 assessments evaluating internal controls over financial reporting (ICFR) for service organizations, following AT-C 320 standards.
• SOC 2 Report Services Independent audit evaluating controls against AICPA Trust Services Criteria for security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy.
• SOC 3 Report Services Abbreviated report for general audiences requiring the same audit rigor as SOC 2 but without detailed findings.
• PCI DSS Assessments Audit validating compliance with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard, performed by Qualified Security Assessors (QSAs) and producing Reports on Compliance (RoC).
• HITRUST CSF Assessments Risk-based and compliance-based assessments leading to HITRUST certification, performed by a licensed CPA firm and HITRUST CSF External Assessor.
• ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Certification Certification for Information Security Management Systems (ISMS) as an accredited certification body through IAS, audited against ISO/IEC 27001:2022.
• ISO/IEC 27701:2019 Certification Privacy Information Management System (PIMS) certification extending ISO 27001 with privacy-specific controls.
• ISO/IEC 42001:2023 Certification Artificial Intelligence Management System (AIMS) certification under the first global management system standard for AI governance.
• Agreed-Upon Procedures Engagement to issue a report of findings based on specific procedures agreed upon by specified parties.
• SSAE 21 Readiness Assessment Pre-assessment to prepare organizations for SOC 1, SOC 2, or SOC 3 examinations, identifying gaps and providing remediation guidance.
• PCI DSS Readiness Assessment Readiness assessment for PCI DSS compliance, including scope determination and control recommendations.
• HITRUST CSF Readiness Assessment Readiness assessment for organizations preparing for HITRUST Validated Assessment and certification.
• ISO 27001 Pre-Audit Pre-audit assessment evaluating conformity to ISO/IEC 27001:2022 requirements and identifying gaps in controls.
• Business Process Improvement Review and improvement of business and IT processes across Finance, HR, Procurement, and IT functions.
• Penetration Testing and Vulnerability Assessments Simulated cyberattacks following NIST 800-115, OWASP, and OSSTMM methodologies covering web applications, networks, cloud, and social engineering, with free 30-day remediation retest.
• Internal Audit Outsourcing/Co-Sourcing Outsourcing, co-sourcing, or staff augmentation for internal audit and IT audit functions using a risk-based approach.
• Sarbanes-Oxley Testing Readiness and management testing for Section 404 of SOX compliance, including documentation and reporting.
• GDPR Compliance Services Gap analysis, Data Protection Officer guidance, DPIA, and risk assessment for GDPR compliance.
• HIPAA Compliance Services Assessment against HIPAA Security Rule with attestation or internal assessment reports for covered entities and business associates.
• FISMA/NIST Assessment Independent assessment against NIST SP 800-53 security controls for organizations required to comply with FISMA.
• MARS-E Compliance Services Assessment for Health Insurance Exchanges against Minimum Acceptable Risk Standards for Exchanges (MARS-E).
• IRS Publication 1075 Services Attestation and assessment for protection of Federal Tax Information under IRS Publication 1075 guidelines.
• GLBA Compliance Services Assessment of administrative, technical, and physical safeguards for financial information under FFIEC guidelines.
• CCPA Compliance Services Gap analysis, DPIA, and risk assessment for California Consumer Privacy Act compliance.
• DFARS/NIST 800-171 Assessment Assessment for protection of Controlled Unclassified Information under DFARS 252.204 and NIST SP 800-171.
• FedRAMP Services FedRAMP assessment and advisory services as an accredited Third Party Assessment Organization (3PAO).
• CMMC Services Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification readiness and assessment for defense contractors.
• StateRAMP Services StateRAMP advisory and readiness services for state and local government compliance.
• RMAI Audit Services Authorized audit provider for Receivables Management Practices standards under RMAI.

Quantifiable outcome

• Hundreds of SOC examinations completed across industries from startups to enterprise-scale environments
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers23 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• GovRAMPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAARC-360 joined GovRAMP as an A2LA-accredited 3PAO (Third Party Assessment Organization) participating in the GovRAMP discount program, expanding federal cloud compliance services for government contractors and agencies.
• A2LAcoreTechnology or IntegrationAccredited by A2LA for ISO/IEC 17020:2012 inspection body activities and 3PAO accreditation for FedRAMP assessments. Provides independent accreditation validation for assessment activities.
• IAS (International Accreditation Service)coreTechnology or IntegrationAccredited by IAS for ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015 certification body status and authorized to audit against ISO 27001:2022 standard. Supports certification issuance for ISO management system standards.
• FieldguidecoreTechnology or IntegrationAARC-360 leverages Fieldguide platform for enhanced client audit experience - a modern platform designed to streamline evidence collection, improve transparency, and strengthen collaboration throughout the audit lifecycle.
• HITRUST AlliancecoreTechnology or IntegrationAARC-360 is a HITRUST CSF External Assessor firm and licensed CPA firm. Collaborates with HITRUST Alliance and assessed organizations for HITRUST validated assessments and certification.
• PECBminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAARC-360 partners with PECB to provide ISO 27001/27701 certification for clients through their relationship with PECB certification body.
• PCI Security Standards CouncilcoreTechnology or IntegrationAARC-360 is a Qualified Security Assessor (QSA) Company authorized by PCI Security Standards Council to validate entity adherence to PCI DSS and perform assessments.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Schellman & Co. Schellman is a top-tier cybersecurity assessment firm and SOC 2/ISO 27001/FedRAMP provider, directly comparable to AARC-360 in service portfolio, customer profile (mid-market and enterprise), and compliance-certification focus.
• Coalfire: Coalfire is a leading cybersecurity advisory and FedRAMP 3PAO with deep SOC, PCI DSS, and ISO assessment offerings, overlapping directly with AARC-360's assurance and compliance service lines.
• BARR Advisory: BARR Advisory is a cybersecurity and compliance firm specializing in SOC 2, ISO 27001, HITRUST, FedRAMP, and PCI DSS audits, comparable to AARC-360 in target market and offering portfolio.
• Linford & Co. Linford & Co is a CPA firm focused on SOC 1, SOC 2, HITRUST, and PCI DSS readiness and audits for SaaS and technology companies, mirroring AARC-360's mid-market-focused compliance audit model.
• KirkpatrickPrice: KirkpatrickPrice is a cybersecurity audit and compliance firm offering SOC 2, PCI DSS, ISO 27001, and penetration testing services, directly overlapping with AARC-360's assurance and risk service mix.
• Securisea: Securisea is a FedRAMP 3PAO and cybersecurity assessor delivering SOC, ISO, and federal compliance services, comparable in certification scope and target buyer profile.
• Assure Professional: Assure Professional is a SOC 2 and HITRUST audit firm serving SaaS and technology companies, with a similar mid-market positioning and framework focus as AARC-360.

Broad incumbents

• EY (Ernst & Young): EY is a global Big Four firm whose Technology Risk practice (formerly led by AARC-360 advisor Bernie Wedge) provides SOC, ISO, FedRAMP, and cybersecurity assurance at scale, representing the broader incumbent competitor that AARC-360 positions against.
• Crowe LLP: Crowe is a national CPA and advisory firm offering SOC, HITRUST, and risk advisory services to mid-market and enterprise clients, serving as a broader incumbent peer in the same assurance/category.

Others

• Fieldguide: Fieldguide is AARC-360's primary audit management platform and an enabling technology vendor; comparable as the ecosystem partner that powers AARC-360's delivery model rather than a competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aarc-360
• Xx.com/AARC360

Compliance20 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about AARC-360