What Verdica's 674 score means for Pattillo Brown & Hill LLP
Pattillo Brown & Hill LLP earned a composite score of 674 out of 850, placing it in the "acceptable" band (670–739). This grade reflects a firm that meets baseline regulatory standards but has room for improvement across multiple compliance dimensions.
A score in the acceptable range indicates that the firm is licensed and operating legally, with no major disciplinary red flags. However, it is not performing at the level of "strong" or "excellent" providers. For business owners or audit committees evaluating this firm, the 674 score suggests adequate competency but warrants closer attention to specific weak points before engagement. The absence of independent customer reviews in Verdica's index also means you cannot cross-reference this regulatory data with client feedback—a consideration when making a final decision.
How the sub-scores break down
License & Credentials: 530 This sub-score is notably low and is the primary driver pulling down the overall composite. A score of 530 falls well below the acceptable threshold. In the accounting industry, this dimension measures active licensure, credential currency, and compliance with state board registration requirements in Missouri. A low score here may reflect gaps in renewal status, incomplete credential documentation on file with regulators, or discrepancies between the firm's claimed qualifications and what state records verify. This is a red flag worth investigating directly with the Missouri State Board of Accountancy before contracting services.
PCAOB Record: 690 This sub-score sits just above the acceptable floor and draws from the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board's inspection and audit findings. The PCAOB evaluates firms on audit quality, internal control compliance, and adherence to auditing standards. A score of 690 indicates the firm has been inspected and found to have some deficiencies or quality-control gaps, but nothing severe enough to trigger suspension or revocation. Typical issues at this level include documentation lapses, sampling irregularities, or areas flagged for remediation in inspection reports. The score suggests the firm is working to correct issues but has not yet demonstrated excellence in audit execution.
Disciplinary: 850 This is the firm's strongest sub-score and reflects no material disciplinary actions, sanctions, or enforcement history on record with the PCAOB or Missouri board. A perfect score here is a meaningful positive—it means the firm has no pending or settled cases, fines, or restrictions tied to professional misconduct. This dimension protects against firms with histories of fraud, negligence, or regulatory violations.
What regulators in MO track for accounting providers
Missouri's State Board of Accountancy and the PCAOB jointly create the compliance landscape that feeds Verdica's scoring. The state board verifies that CPAs and firms hold current licenses, maintain continuing education, and comply with professional conduct standards. It also investigates complaints and can impose discipline ranging from warning letters to license revocation.
The PCAOB, a federally authorized nonprofit, inspects audit firms annually or triennially depending on firm size. Inspections examine whether firms followed auditing standards, maintained audit documentation, and exercised adequate quality control. Inspection reports flag deficiencies; firms are then required to submit remediation plans. Repeated or unresolved deficiencies can lead to sanctions.
Both bodies track whether firms stay current on registrations, fulfill CPE requirements, and avoid ethical violations. Low scores in licensing suggest administrative or compliance gaps; low PCAOB scores suggest audit quality concerns.
Bottom line
Pattillo Brown & Hill LLP is an acceptable but not exceptional provider, held back primarily by weak credentials and licensing documentation in Missouri records. Before engaging this firm for audit or accounting services, verify the specific nature of the licensing gap with the state board directly and request recent PCAOB inspection reports to understand what quality-control issues were flagged.