Before hiring an accessibility auditor, the most important area to vet is methodology. How the work gets done determines whether your audit report reflects real WCAG conformance or surface-level findings. The right questions surface this quickly.
A credible auditor evaluates every page or screen manually against WCAG success criteria, uses assistive technologies during evaluation, and produces a report with specific code-level issues and recommendations. Scans assist but do not substitute for human evaluation. If an auditor leans heavily on automated tools, the audit will miss roughly 75% of issues. Methodology questions sort serious auditors from the rest.
| Question Area | What a Strong Answer Looks Like |
|---|---|
| Manual evaluation | Every page evaluated by a human against WCAG criteria, not scan results reviewed |
| Assistive technology | NVDA, JAWS, VoiceOver, TalkBack used during evaluation |
| Standard and version | Specific reference to WCAG 2.1 AA or WCAG 2.2 AA |
| Scope definition | Page or screen count tied to a fixed estimate, not vague ranges |
| Deliverable format | Detailed report with code samples, screenshots, and remediation guidance |
Is the Audit Fully Manual or Scan-Assisted?
This is the first question. An auditor who relies primarily on automated scans is selling something different from what most buyers think they are getting.
Scans flag approximately 25% of WCAG issues. The remaining 75% require a person to evaluate context, keyboard interaction, screen reader output, focus order, and meaning. Ask directly: is every page evaluated by a human against every applicable success criterion? If the answer involves percentages of automation or hybrid scoring, the methodology is not fully manual.
Which WCAG Version and Conformance Level?
Ask whether the audit is evaluated against WCAG 2.1 AA or WCAG 2.2 AA. Both are valid standards. WCAG 2.1 AA remains the most common reference point, but 2.2 AA is increasingly requested in procurement.
A credible auditor states the version up front and explains what AAA criteria, if any, are included or excluded. Vague references like “WCAG compliant” without a version are a flag.
What Assistive Technologies Are Used?
Real evaluation requires real tools. Ask which screen readers the auditor uses and on which operating systems. Expected answers include NVDA and JAWS on Windows, VoiceOver on macOS and iOS, and TalkBack on Android.
An auditor who cannot name the specific screen reader and browser pairing used during evaluation is not conducting the evaluation themselves.
How Is Scope Defined and Priced?
Scope drives accuracy and cost. Ask how the auditor defines a page or screen and how the count translates to the fixed price. A serious provider will walk through which templates, user flows, or unique screens are in scope and which are excluded.
If pricing depends on hours rather than scope, the audit can drift. Fixed-scope pricing tied to specific URLs or screens is the cleaner arrangement.
What Does the Report Look Like?
Request a sample report before signing. The report should include each issue identified, the WCAG success criterion it maps to, the location (URL or screen), a description of the issue, code or screenshot evidence, and a recommendation for remediation.
Reports that lack code-level specificity or remediation guidance create extra work for your developers later. Reports that group issues without page references are difficult to act on.
Who Conducts the Evaluation?
Ask whether the audit is performed by employees or contractors and what credentials they hold. DHS Trusted Tester, IAAP CPACC, IAAP WAS, and IAAP CPWA are recognized certifications in the field. Years of hands-on audit work also matter.
If the company will not name the auditor or describe their background, the work may be subcontracted to someone whose qualifications are not vetted.
Is User Evaluation Included or Available?
User evaluation with people who rely on assistive technology in daily life is a separate service from a WCAG audit, but it strengthens the overall assessment. Ask whether the auditor offers user evaluation and how it integrates with the audit report.
User evaluation identifies issues that map to real-world use rather than criterion-by-criterion checks. Both have value, and the best audits pair them.
What Happens After the Report?
Ask about validation. Once your team remediates the identified issues, will the auditor verify the fixes? Validation confirms that remediation actually resolved the issue rather than introducing a new one.
Also ask about ongoing support. Some auditors offer issue tracking, re-evaluation, or consulting during remediation. Others deliver the report and step away. Both models work, but you should know which one you are buying.
FAQ
How do I know if an auditor’s methodology is credible?
Ask for a sample report, the credentials of the people doing the work, the assistive technologies used, and how scope is defined. A credible auditor answers these directly without hedging. If responses are vague or reference automation as the core method, the audit will not produce reliable conformance evidence.
Can an audit be completed entirely with automated tools?
No. Automated tools flag approximately 25% of WCAG issues. The remaining 75% require human evaluation against the success criteria using assistive technology, keyboard navigation, and contextual judgment. An audit completed only with automated tools is not an audit.
Should I ask about WCAG 2.1 AA or WCAG 2.2 AA?
Both are acceptable. WCAG 2.1 AA is the most widely referenced standard in legal and procurement contexts. WCAG 2.2 AA is the newer version and increasingly requested. Ask which version the auditor evaluates against and confirm that version matches your compliance requirements.
What credentials should an accessibility auditor have?
Look for IAAP certifications (CPACC, WAS, CPWA), DHS Trusted Tester certification, or documented years of hands-on audit experience. Credentials are one indicator. Sample reports and methodology answers are equally important.
Methodology questions take 15 minutes to ask and protect against a 6-figure conformance gap. The auditors who answer clearly are the ones worth hiring.
Contact us to find vetted accessibility auditors who follow rigorous evaluation methodology. Visit the Accessibility Base directory.