Smarter Third-Party Risk Management: Improving SOC Audits with AI 

Strong oversight of third-party service providers (TPSPs) is more critical than ever in today’s dynamic business landscape — especially when they support mission-critical services and material transactions. To maintain SOX compliance, organizations must make annual System and Organization Controls (SOC) reporting audits a cornerstone of their internal control framework.  

Meanwhile, resource constraints remain a challenge for many organizations. That’s where Artificial Intelligence (AI) steps in — not just as a buzzword, but as a strategic lever. Integrating AI into your annual SOC audit process enhances precision, efficiency and insight, allowing your organization to keep pace with industry demands while raising the bar on audit quality. 

Enhanced Audit Precision 

AI technologies offer data analysis capabilities that far surpass traditional audit methods. These advanced tools can uncover hidden patterns, detect anomalies and identify potential risks with exceptional precision. 

Equally important in this process is the proper mapping of control objectives, complementary user entity controls (CUECs) and exceptions — regardless of whether a SOC report reflects a qualified or unqualified opinion. AI enhances this analysis’s depth and accuracy, reducing the likelihood of overlooked errors and strengthening the overall quality of the review. 

The result is a more reliable and defensible audit that boosts confidence in your organization’s control posture and withstands scrutiny from regulators and stakeholders. 

Increased Efficiency 

AI transforms the audit process from reactive to strategic by automating time-consuming manual tasks. Reviews that once took days or weeks can now be swift, giving your team more time for high-value initiatives and collaborations with TPSP owners. 

The benefits ripple across your organization: 

• Accelerated audit timelines  

• Reduced costs 

• Smarter resource allocation 

Eventually, these gains translate into real savings through fewer audit adjustments, less regulatory risk and lower operational overhead.  

Proactive Risk Management 

With the right tools and the right partner, AI-enhanced audits can even predict potential control deficiencies before they surface. This forward-looking capability gives Chief Audit Executives (CAEs) and management a powerful edge, enabling earlier interventions and reducing exposure to financial, operational and reputational risks. AI also supports strategic decision-making with real-time insights into control effectiveness and compliance trends, strengthening all planning, budgeting and forecasting. 

Now’s the Time to Raise Your Standards  

As regulations shift and market pressures mount, forward-thinking organizations are redefining what audit excellence looks like. Investing in AI-powered SOC audits isn’t just about modernization. It’s about leadership, resilience and setting the pace for your industry. Delaying these reviews until later in the year is risky, particularly when SOC reports are released earlier and go unchecked for months. Proactive evaluation ensures issues get addressed promptly and keeps your control environment strong. 

With Sikich’s Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Team, you don’t just adopt new tools. You gain expert partners who maximize impact. Our SOC automation solutions, built with deep audit expertise, ensure your AI investment drives real value. Contact Sikich’s GRC team to tailor a solution to your business.