What Verdica's 649 score means for Joseph Moreno
Joseph Moreno's composite score of 649 out of 850 places him in the "elevated risk" band (580–669). This means his accounting practice shows compliance strengths in some areas but carries notable concerns that warrant attention before engagement.
A score of 649 is below the "acceptable" threshold of 670, signaling that due diligence is warranted. For a business owner or individual seeking accounting services, this score suggests the provider operates with mixed regulatory standing: strong in one dimension, weak in another, and solid in a third. The gap between acceptable and this score—21 points—is meaningful enough that you should review the sub-scores and any available regulatory records before deciding whether to work with this provider. This is not a recommendation against engagement, but rather a signal to do additional homework.
How the sub-scores break down
Joseph Moreno's three sub-scores reveal a fragmented compliance picture:
License & Credentials (320 / 850): This is a significant weakness. A score of 320 indicates serious gaps or deficiencies in formal licensing, professional certifications, or credential verification through Florida's state board registration. In the accounting industry, this typically means missing or lapsed licenses, unmet continuing education requirements, or incomplete credential documentation. This is the primary driver pulling the overall score into elevated-risk territory.
PCAOB Record (810 / 850): This is a strong score, reflecting a favorable audit findings record from the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. A score of 810 suggests that when Moreno has been examined by PCAOB, the firm's audit quality, documentation practices, and compliance with auditing standards have been largely sound. This is a concrete positive signal that contrasts sharply with the credentials score.
Disciplinary (850 / 850): A perfect score here means no documented disciplinary actions on record with regulators. No fines, suspensions, censures, or complaints substantiated by state or federal boards are indexed in the data Verdica reviewed. This is the strongest possible reading in this dimension.
What regulators in FL track for accounting providers
Florida's accounting board and the PCAOB together maintain a compliance picture through two distinct mechanisms:
State Board Registration & Licensing: Florida requires accounting providers to maintain current licenses, hold required credentials (such as CPA status, if claimed), and meet ongoing continuing education standards. License & Credentials scores reflect whether a provider's registration is current, complete, and verified. Deficiencies here—expired licenses, missing documentation, or unmet education hours—lower this score significantly. This is the frontline check regulators perform.
PCAOB Audit Findings: The PCAOB oversees audit quality for firms that audit public companies or broker-dealers. When firms undergo PCAOB inspections, examiners document findings related to audit methodology, quality control, engagement documentation, and compliance with auditing standards. A strong PCAOB record (like Moreno's 810) indicates the firm has passed inspection with few or minor findings. Poor PCAOB records reflect substantive audit quality issues or control failures.
Disciplinary Records: State boards and PCAOB maintain separate disciplinary dockets. Actions—ranging from warning letters to license revocation—appear here if regulators have taken formal action against a provider. A perfect disciplinary score means this provider has not triggered formal enforcement.
Together, these three dimensions create a regulatory fingerprint. A provider can excel in audit quality but struggle with licensing paperwork, or vice versa.
Bottom line
Joseph Moreno operates with a mixed compliance profile: weak credentials standing offset by strong audit quality and zero disciplinary history. Before engaging this provider, verify the current status of his Florida licenses, understand the specific credential gaps flagged by the state board, and confirm whether any remediation efforts are underway. His PCAOB record is reassuring, but the credentials gap is material enough to warrant direct clarification.