What Verdica's 656 score means for Richard Hall
Richard Hall's composite score of 656 out of 850 places this accounting provider in the "elevated risk" band (580–669). This score reflects a mixed profile: strong regulatory compliance in some areas, but meaningful gaps in credentials and licensing oversight that warrant attention from potential clients.
A score in the elevated range suggests the provider is operating within legal bounds and has not accumulated serious disciplinary sanctions, but carries enough uncertainty to justify due diligence before engagement. Think of it as a yellow flag rather than a red one. For a business owner or individual considering Richard Hall's services, this score indicates you should verify specific credentials, confirm current licensure in Colorado, and understand what audit or licensing issues may have contributed to the lower credentials sub-score before signing an engagement letter.
The lack of independent customer reviews in Verdica's index means you won't find firsthand accounts of service quality, responsiveness, or client satisfaction here. That absence is neutral—it simply means the review pool is empty, not that reviews would be positive or negative.
How the sub-scores break down
License & Credentials: 340 This sub-score is the primary driver of concern in Richard Hall's profile. A score of 340 out of 850 in this dimension indicates potential gaps, deficiencies, or unresolved issues in professional licensing, educational credentials, or CPA/accounting certifications as registered with Colorado state boards. In the accounting industry, this category typically flags incomplete licensure, lapsed credentials, or discrepancies between claimed and verified qualifications. A higher score here would demonstrate active, current standing with no red flags in the state licensing database.
PCAOB Record: 810 This is Richard Hall's strongest sub-score. The PCAOB (Public Company Accounting Oversight Board) oversees registered audit firms and issues inspection reports on audit quality, compliance with standards, and internal controls. A score of 810 indicates a solid record on this federal regulator's radar—no major audit quality deficiencies or enforcement actions of concern in the PCAOB's inspection and discipline findings. This suggests that if Richard Hall conducts audits, the PCAOB's reviews have not surfaced systemic quality problems.
Disciplinary: 850 A perfect score in this dimension means no material disciplinary actions, sanctions, or violations are recorded in the regulators' databases. This is positive: there are no SEC enforcement actions, state board censures, or suspension records that would disqualify or restrict Richard Hall's practice.
What regulators in CO track for accounting providers
Colorado's state board and the PCAOB monitor accounting providers across several dimensions:
State Licensing & Credentials track whether a provider holds an active CPA license, maintains required continuing education hours, and holds any specialty certifications (auditor, tax specialist, etc.). Regulators flag incomplete applications, expired licenses, or unresolved disciplinary histories tied to licensure.
PCAOB Audit Findings apply to firms that conduct audits of public companies or other entities subject to federal oversight. PCAOB inspections evaluate audit methodology, working papers, independence compliance, and whether the firm maintained adequate quality controls. Inspectors issue findings—ranging from minor documentation gaps to significant audit failures—that are published in inspection reports.
Disciplinary Records capture formal sanctions: suspensions, revocations, fines, or consent orders from state boards or the SEC. These are the most serious markers of regulatory concern.
A score movement downward in any area typically reflects unresolved licensing lapses, audit quality concerns noted in PCAOB reports, or disciplinary action. Upward movement follows remediation, renewal of credentials, or passage of time without new violations.
Bottom line
Richard Hall operates with a clean disciplinary record and acceptable PCAOB audit oversight, but carries meaningful questions around licensing or credentials that place the overall profile in elevated-risk territory. Before engaging his services, verify his current CPA license status with the Colorado state board, confirm the scope of work he's authorized to perform, and ask directly about any licensing gaps or credential issues that may explain the lower sub-score.