What Verdica's 786 score means for Saltmarsh Cleaveland & Gund
Saltmarsh Cleaveland & Gund's composite score of 786 out of 850 places the firm in the "strong" band (740–799), indicating above-average compliance and regulatory standing. This score reflects a firm that has met core licensing and credentialing requirements and has not accumulated significant disciplinary actions. However, the score also signals room for improvement: it falls short of the "excellent" threshold (800–850), primarily due to findings in the PCAOB audit record.
For business owners or entities considering this firm for accounting services, a score in the strong band suggests a provider with solid regulatory standing and low immediate risk. The firm is not flagged as high-risk or under heightened scrutiny. That said, the gap between the 786 score and the 850 ceiling warrants a closer look at what drove the PCAOB-related deduction before making a final decision.
How the sub-scores break down
License & Credentials: 850 (perfect)
This perfect sub-score means Saltmarsh Cleaveland & Gund holds all required licenses and professional certifications in Texas without gaps or lapses. The firm is properly registered with state accounting boards and meets the baseline eligibility criteria to practice. A perfect score in this dimension indicates no issues with credential verification or registration status.
PCAOB Record: 690 (below average)
This sub-score reflects the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board's audit inspection findings. A score of 690 is notably lower than the firm's other dimensions and is the primary drag on the overall composite. PCAOB inspections evaluate audit quality, compliance with auditing standards, and adherence to professional requirements. A sub-score in this range suggests the firm has one or more audit-related findings—such as deficiencies in audit procedures, documentation, or quality control—that regulators documented. This does not mean the firm is unsafe, but it does signal that inspectors identified gaps in execution or oversight that warrant attention.
Disciplinary: 850 (perfect)
A perfect disciplinary score means the firm has not been subject to formal enforcement actions, sanctions, or complaints upheld by state or federal regulators during the period covered by available data. The absence of disciplinary history is a positive indicator of regulatory compliance and professional standing.
What regulators in TX track for accounting providers
The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) conducts triennial or annual inspections of accounting firms, depending on their size and public company audit client base. PCAOB audit findings typically address issues such as insufficient testing of account balances, inadequate assessment of management override risk, weak internal quality control reviews, or failure to comply with auditing standards (AICPA and PCAOB standards). Findings do not necessarily indicate fraud or incompetence—they often reflect process gaps or documentation shortcomings—but they do flag areas where audit quality fell short of regulatory expectations.
Texas state board registration requires firms to maintain active licenses, employ qualified personnel, and comply with state-specific continuing education and professional conduct rules. The state board can impose disciplinary actions ranging from warnings to license suspension based on complaints, investigations, or violations of professional standards.
Verdica's scoring model weights these dimensions to reflect the fact that while credentials and disciplinary history establish baseline safety, audit quality (as measured by PCAOB findings) is a forward-looking indicator of service delivery and professional rigor.
Bottom line
Saltmarsh Cleaveland & Gund is a strong-performing provider with solid credentials and clean disciplinary history, but its PCAOB record indicates room for operational improvement. Before engaging the firm, request details about the specific audit findings and what corrective measures have been implemented since inspection.