What Verdica's 844 score means for Rushton & Company LLC
Rushton & Company LLC's composite score of 844 out of 850 places the firm in the "excellent" band (800–850), indicating strong regulatory standing and low compliance risk. This score reflects an assessment across three weighted dimensions: licensing credentials, PCAOB audit history, and disciplinary records. A score this high suggests the firm meets or exceeds baseline regulatory expectations and has not accumulated significant compliance issues visible in public records.
For a business owner or finance decision-maker evaluating this provider, a score in this range typically signals that the firm has maintained proper licensing, passed PCAOB quality reviews without major findings, and has no material disciplinary actions on record. The 6-point gap from a perfect 850 is minor and does not indicate a problem—it reflects normal variation across sub-scores rather than a red flag. One independent customer review indexed at 5.0/5 provides limited but positive feedback, though a single review should be weighted accordingly when assessing reputation. Readers should interpret this score as clearing a high compliance threshold, not as a guarantee of service quality or fit for specific accounting needs.
How the sub-scores break down
License & Credentials: 850/850
This perfect sub-score indicates Rushton & Company LLC holds current, valid licenses required to practice as an accounting provider in Maryland and has no documented credential deficiencies or lapses in registration with state boards. In the accounting industry, active and clean licensure is a baseline requirement; this score confirms the firm meets that floor.
PCAOB Record: 835/850
The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) inspects registered audit firms and issues inspection reports that document audit quality, control deficiencies, and adherence to auditing standards. A score of 835 indicates the firm's inspection history shows minimal or no significant deficiencies. The 15-point deduction from the credential score suggests minor findings or areas flagged for improvement, which is normal in PCAOB inspections. Firms with very low PCAOB scores typically have documented failures in audit procedures, documentation, or internal quality control.
Disciplinary: 850/850
A perfect disciplinary score means Verdica found no material complaints, enforcement actions, sanctions, or violations in state board records or other regulatory sources. Firms with lower disciplinary scores may have a history of customer complaints, licensing suspensions, or formal sanctions. This clean record is a significant positive indicator.
What regulators in MD track for accounting providers
Maryland's state accounting board and the PCAOB together maintain the regulatory framework for accounting firms operating in the state. The PCAOB conducts triennial or annual inspections of registered audit firms, examining engagement files, audit documentation, and internal quality controls. Inspectors look for whether firms followed auditing standards, gathered sufficient evidence, and documented their work properly. Findings can range from minor documentation gaps to significant deficiencies in audit execution or fraud detection.
State boards track whether firms maintain required licenses, meet continuing education requirements, avoid disciplinary actions, and operate within scope. Violations that lower scores include failure to renew licenses, substantiated customer complaints, billing disputes, failure to meet auditing standards, and regulatory sanctions.
Verdica's scoring model weights these sources to reflect that PCAOB findings and licensure status are strong predictors of future compliance risk. A firm with old or ongoing PCAOB inspection findings, or multiple disciplinary complaints, would score lower in those sub-categories and pull the composite score down.
Bottom line
Rushton & Company LLC scores in the excellent compliance range with strong marks across licensing, audit quality, and disciplinary history. Before engaging, verify that the firm's service offerings and industry expertise align with your specific needs—compliance score alone does not assess technical skill, responsiveness, or fit. Request references and confirm their current engagement capacity.