What Verdica's 656 score means for Desiree Mcmahan
Desiree Mcmahan's composite score of 656 places her in the "elevated" risk band (580–669). This means her compliance profile shows some strengths alongside meaningful gaps that warrant attention from potential clients or audit committees.
A score in this range reflects a provider who maintains current regulatory standing but has not yet demonstrated the consistency or credentials expected of lower-risk accounting professionals. For business owners or finance teams evaluating her services, a 656 score suggests proceeding with standard due diligence: verify references, clarify scope limitations, and confirm that her qualifications align with your specific accounting needs. This is not a "do not work with" signal, but rather a "understand the profile before engagement" indicator.
The gap between Mcmahan's PCAOB record (810, which is excellent) and her License & Credentials sub-score (340, which is significantly lower) is the primary driver of the elevated overall rating. That divergence is important context: it suggests her audit quality may be solid, but her formal qualifications or licensing status may not be as robust as higher-scoring peers.
How the sub-scores break down
License & Credentials (340 out of 850): This sub-score is substantially low and represents the weakest component of Mcmahan's profile. In the accounting industry, this dimension reflects active licensure, certifications (such as CPA status), continuing education compliance, and formal credentials recognized by state and national boards. A score of 340 indicates material gaps in this area—whether missing certifications, lapsed licenses, incomplete credential documentation, or unmet educational requirements. This is not a measure of competence alone but of formal regulatory recognition and standing.
PCAOB Record (810 out of 850): This is a strong score and reflects favorably on audit quality and compliance history. The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board tracks the inspection findings, audit deficiencies, and quality control measures observed during examinations of registered accounting firms and their auditors. A PCAOB score of 810 suggests that Mcmahan's audit work has met regulatory standards, with few or minor inspection findings. For clients who need reliable audit execution, this score is a positive indicator.
Disciplinary (850 out of 850): This perfect score means no disciplinary actions, complaints, or enforcement measures are recorded against Mcmahan in the regulatory databases Verdica monitors. In the accounting profession, disciplinary records reflect complaints filed with state boards, regulatory sanctions, consent orders, or public censures. A score of 850 indicates a clean disciplinary history, which is a baseline expectation for any accounting provider.
What regulators in CO track for accounting providers
Colorado's state board and the PCAOB maintain overlapping but distinct oversight of accounting professionals. The state board registers providers, verifies licensure (CPA or other credentials), monitors continuing professional education, and investigates complaints from clients or peers. Violations that lower the License & Credentials score include incomplete renewals, missing or falsified credentials, failure to maintain required education hours, and operating outside one's authorized scope.
The PCAOB, a federally chartered nonprofit, inspects registered audit firms and evaluates the quality of audits conducted on public companies and brokers. PCAOB findings focus on substantive audit deficiencies—sampling errors, insufficient evidence gathering, weak internal controls testing—and the firm's quality control systems. High PCAOB scores reflect audits that withstood inspection scrutiny and demonstrated appropriate methodology.
Disciplinary scores aggregate complaints, consent orders, and state board enforcement actions. These can range from minor documentation issues to serious violations of ethics rules or independence standards.
Bottom line
Mcmahan presents a mixed profile: strong audit execution but a credential gap that limits her risk profile to "elevated." Before engaging her services, verify that her current licenses and certifications meet your specific needs, confirm client references, and clarify whether any credential limitations affect the scope of work you require.