What Verdica's 827 score means for Lara McClendon
Lara McClendon's composite score of 827 out of 850 places her in the "excellent" band (800–850), indicating strong overall compliance standing across the dimensions Verdica tracks. This score reflects performance data from PCAOB audit findings and state board registration records—the primary regulatory sources that govern public accounting practice.
A score in this range suggests that McClendon meets or exceeds baseline compliance requirements and has not accumulated significant regulatory red flags in the indexed data. For a business owner or consumer evaluating an accounting provider, an 827 score indicates lower compliance risk compared to the broader population. However, this is a composite measure; the sub-scores show variation across different compliance dimensions, which matters when assessing fit for specific needs.
It's important to note that no independent customer reviews are indexed for this entity yet, so the score reflects only regulatory compliance history, not service quality, responsiveness, or customer satisfaction. A strong regulatory score does not guarantee a good client experience, but it does suggest the provider operates within established legal and professional standards.
How the sub-scores break down
License & Credentials (830): This sub-score reflects McClendon's current licensure status and professional credential standing with Colorado state boards. A score of 830 indicates that licensure is active and in good standing, with no major disciplinary flags attached to credentials. In the accounting field, this dimension tracks whether a CPA license is current, unrestricted, and maintained in compliance with continuing education requirements and registration fees. Minor administrative issues—late renewals, incomplete CE documentation—typically lower this score slightly, but an 830 suggests clean administrative standing.
PCAOB Record (810): The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board maintains records on audit quality, inspection findings, and quality control deficiencies identified during examinations of registered firms. A score of 810 indicates the underlying audit record does not show material quality failures, significant inspection violations, or repeat findings in recent PCAOB reviews. This dimension typically declines when auditors are cited for inadequate testing, poor documentation, or failure to identify client-side control weaknesses. An 810 is solid but slightly lower than the License & Credentials score, suggesting the audit practice history may have minor areas flagged, though nothing severe enough to trigger enforcement action.
Disciplinary (850): A perfect 850 in this category means no substantive disciplinary actions are indexed in Colorado state board records or PCAOB enforcement history. The disciplinary dimension tracks formal complaints, sanctions, suspensions, consent orders, and civil penalties. A perfect score here is significant: it indicates McClendon has not been subject to public disciplinary proceedings, which often involve violations of professional standards, ethics rules, or state accounting regulations.
What regulators in CO track for accounting providers
Colorado's state board (the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, Division of Professions and Occupations) oversees CPA licensing, continuing professional education compliance, and disciplinary matters. State regulators investigate complaints related to negligence, incompetence, or violation of the Colorado Accountancy Act. They also monitor compliance with rules on independence, client fund handling, and advertising.
The PCAOB, a federally authorized nonprofit, conducts regular inspections of CPA firms that audit public companies. These inspections assess audit quality control systems, staff training, and specific audit engagements. PCAOB findings often highlight insufficient professional skepticism, inadequate substantive testing, or poor documentation. Scores on the PCAOB Record dimension reflect whether a provider's firm has been cited in inspection reports or whether any audit engagements have been flagged for quality deficiencies.
Together, these regulators create a baseline compliance picture: state boards handle professional conduct and licensing; PCAOB tracks audit quality for public company engagements.
Bottom line
McClendon's 827 score indicates strong regulatory compliance with no public disciplinary history and solid PCAOB audit quality standing. Before engaging this provider, verify whether her firm's size and service offerings align with your needs, and consider requesting client references or engagement terms in writing.