What Verdica's 850 score means for Bennett Thrasher LLP
Bennett Thrasher LLP in Maryland has achieved a composite Verdica score of 850 out of 850, placing it in the "excellent" band (800–850). This score reflects a clean record across all three regulatory dimensions that Verdica tracks: licensing and credentials, PCAOB audit findings, and disciplinary history.
For a business owner or audit committee evaluating accounting providers, a score in this range signals minimal regulatory friction. The firm has maintained active, valid credentials in its state of operation and has not incurred public PCAOB findings or state board disciplinary actions that would reduce confidence in its work quality or compliance posture. Readers should understand that this is a floors-and-ceilings score—it tells you the firm meets baseline regulatory standards and has not been flagged by watchdog agencies, but it does not measure service quality, pricing, or client satisfaction on its own.
No independent customer reviews are currently indexed on Verdica for this entity, so the score reflects regulator data only. This means your due diligence should include a direct conversation with the firm about client references, specific service offerings, and responsiveness to your needs.
How the sub-scores break down
License & Credentials: 850 This sub-score reflects the state board registration and professional licensing status in Maryland. A perfect score in this dimension means the firm holds valid CPA licenses, maintains required registrations, and has met any continuing education or renewal obligations tracked by the state. There are no lapses, suspensions, or active complaints on the licensing record that would trigger a downward adjustment.
PCAOB Record: 850 The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) inspects registered accounting firms and publishes findings on audit quality, internal controls, and compliance with auditing standards. An 850 in this dimension indicates that Bennett Thrasher LLP either has no publicly disclosed PCAOB inspection findings, or any findings identified were resolved without escalation. Firms with significant deficiencies or repeated quality issues see this score decline materially.
Disciplinary: 850 This sub-score aggregates state board enforcement actions, settlements, consent orders, and other disciplinary proceedings. A perfect score means there is no public record of the firm being sanctioned, fined, or restricted by Maryland's accounting board or peer boards in other states. This does not mean the firm has never faced a complaint—it means any complaints were either unsubstantiated, resolved informally, or do not appear in public registries.
What regulators in MD track for accounting providers
Maryland's accounting board and the PCAOB maintain overlapping oversight. The state board enforces licensing standards, ethical requirements, and continuing education rules. The PCAOB, a congressionally chartered authority, oversees audit quality for firms that audit public company financial statements and SEC filers.
PCAOB inspections typically examine whether a firm's audit procedures complied with GAAS (Generally Accepted Auditing Standards), whether documentation was adequate, and whether the firm identified material misstatements or control weaknesses. Common findings include inadequate testing depth, failure to evaluate client management's override of controls, or insufficient consideration of fraud risks. Firms with persistent findings may face enforcement, including fines or restrictions on the number of audits they can conduct.
State boards investigate complaints, enforce ethics rules, and manage licensing. Violations that trigger discipline include failure to maintain independence, inadequate audit work, misrepresentation of credentials, or violation of client confidentiality. Penalties range from letters of reprimand to license revocation.
A firm with an 850 across all three dimensions has not accumulated these types of findings or disciplinary marks in the public record.
Bottom line
Bennett Thrasher LLP carries an excellent regulatory profile with no flagged issues in licensing, PCAOB audits, or disciplinary history. If you are evaluating them, verify their experience with your specific industry or audit scope and request client references directly, since regulatory compliance is a necessary but not sufficient measure of service fit.