What Verdica's 740 score means for Rea & Associates
Rea & Associates in Massachusetts received a composite score of 740 out of 850, placing the firm in the "strong" band (740–799). This score indicates the firm meets regulatory and credentialing standards above the acceptable threshold and demonstrates a track record that inspires reasonable confidence for most audit and accounting engagements.
A score of 740 is not perfect, but it signals that an accounting provider has cleared meaningful compliance hurdles. The firm operates with current licensing, maintains PCAOB registration, and does not carry significant disciplinary red flags in the indexed data. For a business owner or executive evaluating audit providers, a strong-band score suggests the firm is worth serious consideration alongside peer options—though it is appropriate to ask follow-up questions about the specific areas where points were not earned.
The score reflects data from PCAOB audit findings and state board registration; no independent customer reviews were available at the time of indexing. Readers should treat this as a compliance and regulatory snapshot, not a full peer review or performance guarantee.
How the sub-scores break down
License & Credentials: 660 This sub-score reflects the firm's standing with Massachusetts state licensing and credential verification. A score of 660 in this band (elevated) suggests the firm maintains active, valid credentials to practice public accounting, but may have gaps or limitations in specialized certifications, firm-wide staffing credentials, or registration status relative to benchmark firms. In regulatory terms, a 660 here is not a warning sign—it means the firm clears the floor but does not rank at the top tier for credential breadth or currency.
PCAOB Record: 740 The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) inspects registered audit firms and issues inspection reports documenting quality control findings. A PCAOB score of 740 (strong) indicates the firm's inspection history does not show systemic or severe audit quality deficiencies. The firm likely demonstrated adequate quality control procedures, partner engagement reviews, and audit documentation standards during inspection cycles. A score in this band means PCAOB did not identify pervasive failures, but may have flagged isolated findings or areas for improvement.
Disciplinary: 850 This sub-score is at the top of the scale, indicating no material disciplinary actions, sanctions, or complaints indexed by the state board or PCAOB in the available data. A perfect disciplinary sub-score is a positive signal and suggests the firm has not faced public enforcement proceedings, license suspensions, or major client complaints that triggered regulator involvement.
What regulators in MA track for accounting providers
Massachusetts state boards and the PCAOB maintain registries and inspection records for all firms that audit public or SEC-filer companies. These regulators monitor several compliance dimensions:
License & Credentials are tracked by the Massachusetts Board of Accountancy. A firm must register, maintain partner CPE (continuing professional education) requirements, and comply with renewal deadlines. Gaps here might reflect incomplete partner certifications or lapsed registrations.
PCAOB Audit Findings are published in inspection reports. The PCAOB evaluates audit quality by reviewing selected client engagements for compliance with auditing standards, evidence gathering, and financial statement validation. Inspection reports may identify deficiencies in specific audits, firm quality control design, or monitoring procedures. Firms with multiple or severe findings see lower PCAOB scores.
Disciplinary Records include formal complaints, sanctions, license restrictions, or ethics violations. These are public and searchable. A clean disciplinary record means no regulator-initiated enforcement action has been filed or adjudicated.
Scores move based on the severity, recency, and volume of findings in each bucket. A firm with no disciplinary history but mid-range credentials and some PCAOB audit findings lands in the strong band—like Rea & Associates.
Bottom line
Rea & Associates scores in the strong range and carries no disciplinary flags, making it a credible choice for accounting and audit services in Massachusetts. Before engaging, verify that the firm's specific service line (tax, audit, consulting) aligns with your needs, and confirm current insurance and PCAOB registration directly with the firm.