What Verdica's 658 score means for Clark Schaefer Hackett
Clark Schaefer Hackett's composite score of 658 out of 850 places the firm in the "elevated risk" band (580–669). This means the firm meets basic regulatory requirements but has room for improvement in one or more compliance dimensions.
A score in this range indicates that an accounting provider is not flagged for serious systemic problems, but there are enough documented issues or gaps that prospective clients should conduct additional due diligence before engaging services. The firm is not in the high-risk category, which would suggest widespread disciplinary action or major licensing deficiencies. However, it is also not in the "acceptable" band (670–739) or higher, where audit quality and regulatory standing are more consistently strong.
For a business owner or financial manager evaluating Clark Schaefer Hackett, this score suggests the firm is operational and licensed, but you should ask targeted questions about areas where performance lags. The score reflects what regulators and PCAOB auditors have documented; it does not measure customer service, industry specialization, or pricing competitiveness.
How the sub-scores break down
License & Credentials (460/850): This is the weakest component of the firm's profile. A score of 460 indicates gaps or issues in the firm's state board registration, professional licensing status, or required credentials. In the accounting industry, license and credential scores typically reflect whether partners hold current CPA licenses, whether the firm maintains required registrations with state boards, and whether there are any lapses or restrictions on licensure. A score this low suggests at least one material licensing concern that regulators have identified—such as an expired credential, a suspended registration, or a failure to meet continuing education requirements. This is the primary driver holding the composite score down.
PCAOB Record (710/850): This score is in the low-acceptable range. The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board conducts quality inspections of firms that audit public companies. A score of 710 reflects that the PCAOB has observed some deficiencies in audit quality, documentation, or compliance with auditing standards, but not at a level that triggers major sanctions. Firms with higher scores in this dimension have fewer documented findings or have demonstrated stronger remediation of past issues.
Disciplinary (850/850): This is a clean score. It indicates that no material disciplinary actions, complaints, or sanctions have been logged against the firm in state or federal records that Verdica tracks. A perfect score here means the firm has not faced public censure, fines, or enforcement actions from licensing boards or regulators—at least not in the indexed data.
What regulators in VA track for accounting providers
Virginia's state board and the PCAOB monitor accounting firms through two primary lenses:
State Board Registration: Virginia requires CPA firms to register and maintain active licenses. The state board tracks whether individual CPAs and firms meet educational requirements, pass competency exams, maintain insurance, and complete mandatory continuing education. Violations—such as practicing without a license, failing to renew, or not meeting training hours—lower this component of a firm's score.
PCAOB Audits: The PCAOB inspects firms that audit public companies. Inspectors review selected audit files to verify compliance with auditing standards, proper evidence gathering, and adequate documentation. Common findings include insufficient audit procedures, inadequate testing of internal controls, or gaps in workpaper support. These findings are public and factored into quality metrics.
Disciplinary data captures formal enforcement actions: complaints, investigations, restitution orders, practice restrictions, or license revocation. A clean disciplinary record means no documented enforcement history.
Bottom line
Clark Schaefer Hackett is a licensed, operating firm without recent disciplinary action, but its licensing and audit quality metrics suggest caution. Before engaging the firm, verify current license status in Virginia, ask about the specific licensing issues flagged in the score, and request references from clients in your industry. Compare this profile against competing firms to ensure you are comfortable with the compliance risk profile.