What Verdica's 827 score means for Dawn Austin
Verdica's composite score of 827 out of 850 places Dawn Austin in the "excellent" band (800–850), indicating strong overall compliance standing among accounting providers. This score reflects the aggregation of three measured dimensions: licensing credentials, PCAOB audit record, and disciplinary history. For a reader evaluating whether to engage this provider, a score in this range suggests minimal red flags across the regulatory areas that matter most in public accounting. The score does not indicate perfection—no provider scores 850—but it does signal that regulator data shows consistent adherence to professional standards and licensing requirements. Business owners considering Dawn Austin can reasonably expect a provider operating within established compliance frameworks, though as with any professional service, due diligence beyond this score remains prudent.
How the sub-scores break down
License & Credentials: 830
This sub-score reflects the completeness and status of professional licenses and credentials maintained with state boards. A score of 830 indicates that Dawn Austin holds required licenses in Colorado and that those credentials are current and in good standing. In the accounting profession, this dimension captures whether a provider is properly registered to practice, holds required certifications (such as CPA status where applicable), and has not allowed credentials to lapse. A high score here does not assess quality of work; it simply confirms the provider meets baseline legal requirements to operate.
PCAOB Record: 810
The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) conducts inspections of accounting firms that audit public companies. This sub-score of 810 reflects Verdica's analysis of inspection findings on file. A score in this range typically indicates that any audit quality observations documented by PCAOB inspectors have been modest in scope or severity. PCAOB findings might include areas for improvement in audit documentation, engagement quality review, or technical accounting application—not fraud or gross negligence. This score is relevant mainly to providers who audit public entities; for those who do not, PCAOB record carries less direct weight but may still appear in overall scoring.
Disciplinary: 850
A perfect sub-score here indicates no disciplinary actions, complaints, or sanctions recorded by Colorado's state board or other tracked regulatory bodies during the review period. In accounting, disciplinary matters can range from minor administrative findings to license suspension or revocation, and this dimension is highly sensitive to any formal enforcement action. A score of 850 reflects a clean record.
What regulators in CO track for accounting providers
Colorado's accounting board and the PCAOB maintain complementary but distinct oversight roles. State boards register CPAs and accounting firms, verify continuing education compliance, and investigate complaints from clients or other practitioners. Violations tracked at the state level include failure to maintain required insurance, commingling of client funds, advertising violations, or failure to comply with peer review requirements. These issues would reduce a disciplinary score.
PCAOB inspections, by contrast, focus on audit quality and compliance with auditing standards for firms that audit public companies. Inspectors review selected audits and assess whether the firm followed required procedures, documented findings, and applied professional skepticism. Common findings include insufficient testing of account balances, weak controls over engagement quality, or inadequate audit committee communications. These findings do not automatically result in enforcement action but are scored as part of audit record evaluation.
Both regulators publish their findings and enforcement actions publicly. Verdica indexes this data to generate the sub-scores used in the composite rating.
Bottom line
An 827 score indicates Dawn Austin operates with strong regulatory standing and no documented disciplinary issues. Business owners should still verify whether this provider's service offerings match their specific accounting needs and, if applicable, confirm that any audit experience aligns with their industry or audit complexity. A strong compliance score does not replace direct reference checks or a clear engagement letter.