What Verdica's 812 score means for Ernst & Young LLP
Ernst & Young LLP in Illinois earned a composite score of 812 out of 850, placing it in Verdica's excellent band (800–850). This score reflects strong overall compliance standing across the measured dimensions that matter most to public entity accounting: professional licensing, regulatory audit history, and disciplinary record.
A score in this range indicates that Ernst & Young LLP has demonstrated consistent adherence to professional standards as tracked by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) and Illinois state licensing authorities. The excellent band represents the upper tier of performance; firms here typically show minimal regulatory friction and maintain credentials in good standing.
For a business owner or audit committee evaluating accounting providers, a score of 812 signals low compliance risk relative to the broader population. However, readers should note that Verdica's scoring reflects regulatory and credential data only—it does not measure service quality, pricing, industry expertise, or cultural fit. The absence of indexed customer reviews means this analysis cannot speak to client experience or satisfaction.
How the sub-scores break down
License & Credentials: 850/850 This perfect sub-score means Ernst & Young LLP holds all required professional licenses and credentials in Illinois without gaps or restrictions. In the accounting industry, state boards verify CPA status, firm registration, and mandatory continuing education compliance. A perfect score here indicates no lapsed registrations, no reinstatement issues, and no credentialing red flags on file with Illinois regulators.
PCAOB Record: 755/850 This sub-score reflects the firm's audit quality and compliance history as documented in PCAOB inspection findings. The PCAOB conducts regular and special inspections of registered accounting firms, examining audit workpapers, quality control processes, and adherence to auditing standards. A score of 755 is solid but notably lower than the perfect credentials score, suggesting the PCAOB record contains findings or observations that regulators have documented. This does not necessarily indicate major violations; PCAOB inspection reports routinely identify areas for improvement even at large, well-regarded firms. The specific nature of these findings is not detailed in Verdica's score.
Disciplinary: 850/850 A perfect disciplinary sub-score means no formal sanctions, suspensions, or disciplinary actions have been recorded against Ernst & Young LLP by the PCAOB, SEC, or Illinois state board. In accounting regulation, disciplinary records track outcomes of formal investigations—matters such as quality control failures, independence violations, or audit standard breaches that resulted in official action. A perfect score here indicates a clean slate on this dimension.
What regulators in IL track for accounting providers
Illinois and the PCAOB maintain overlapping oversight of CPA firms. The state board administers licensing, continuing education, and handles initial complaints; the PCAOB conducts inspections of firms that audit public companies and issues findings on audit quality, technical competence, and compliance infrastructure.
PCAOB inspection reports typically examine whether firms maintain adequate quality control policies, whether partners and staff comply with independence rules, and whether audit evidence supports the conclusions reached. Common findings include documentation gaps, insufficient procedures in specialized areas (like fair value measurement or revenue recognition), or control deficiencies. Disciplinary action—the most serious regulatory outcome—follows formal investigation and may result in sanctions ranging from required remediation to practice restrictions or fines.
State licensing boards track whether firms and individuals meet continuing professional education requirements, maintain proper registration status, and disclose any criminal or civil legal issues. Licensing infractions are less common at large firms but can include failure to renew registration or disclosure violations.
A firm's position across these measures reveals its regulatory footprint but not its full operational picture.
Bottom line
Ernst & Young LLP in Illinois presents a strong compliance profile with an 812 score, supported by perfect licensing and disciplinary sub-scores. The lower PCAOB score warrants a review of that regulator's public inspection reports to understand the specific findings. Before engaging, audit committees should review the most recent PCAOB inspection letter and verify the firm's specific expertise in your industry.