What Verdica's 827 score means for Shannon O'Phelan
Shannon O'Phelan's composite score of 827 out of 850 places this accounting provider in Verdica's "excellent" band (800–850). This score reflects strong overall compliance standing across the dimensions Verdica measures: licensing credentials, PCAOB audit history, and disciplinary record.
A score in this range indicates that an accounting provider has met or exceeded baseline regulatory expectations and shows minimal red flags in the data sources available. For someone evaluating whether to hire or continue working with this provider, an 827 score suggests low compliance risk relative to the broader provider population.
However, the score is not perfect. The gap between 827 and the maximum 850 reflects some measurable variance in one or more sub-categories—most likely the PCAOB Record sub-score, which is the lowest of the three. This is worth understanding in context: even providers with strong overall compliance profiles may have minor audit findings or quality observations that keep them from a perfect score. The interpretation here is that O'Phelan operates at a high standard with room for continued improvement, not that there is a material compliance concern.
The two independent customer reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5 are consistent with the high composite score, though the small sample size (n=2) means they should be treated as supportive but not definitive. They align with the regulatory data but don't constitute a large body of feedback.
How the sub-scores break down
License & Credentials (830): This sub-score reflects whether O'Phelan holds active, valid licenses and credentials required to practice accounting in Colorado. A score of 830 indicates that all necessary registrations are current and that there are no material deficiencies in credential status. In the accounting industry, this dimension is binary in principle—you either hold a valid license or you don't—but Verdica's scoring likely incorporates factors such as credential recency, renewal timeliness, and any restrictions or conditions on the license. The 830 score (just 20 points below maximum) suggests clean standing.
PCAOB Record (810): The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) inspects registered accounting firms and individual auditors to assess compliance with auditing standards and quality control procedures. This sub-score is the lowest of the three at 810, meaning there are some documented findings or observations in O'Phelan's PCAOB record. These findings might include procedural gaps, documentation deficiencies, or audit quality concerns noted during inspection. A score of 810 is still well above the threshold for concern, but it signals that regulators have identified areas where practice could align more closely with standards.
Disciplinary (850): This perfect sub-score indicates no formal disciplinary actions, sanctions, or complaints upheld against O'Phelan in the state board record. A maximum score here reflects a clean disciplinary history—the absence of regulatory enforcement action.
What regulators in CO track for accounting providers
Colorado's state board and the PCAOB maintain separate but complementary oversight. The state board registers accountants and enforces professional conduct standards, issuing disciplinary action when providers violate rules around honesty, competence, or client protection. The PCAOB, a federally chartered nonprofit, inspects registered firms to evaluate audit quality, compliance with auditing standards, and the adequacy of internal quality controls. PCAOB findings can include deficiencies in audit procedures, inadequate documentation, insufficient testing of client accounts, or failures to detect misstatements. These findings don't necessarily result in formal discipline but are part of the public record and inform risk assessment. Both regulators focus on protecting the integrity of financial reporting and client interests.
Bottom line
Shannon O'Phelan presents an excellent compliance profile suitable for most business needs. The 827 score and clean disciplinary record indicate dependable regulatory standing. Before engaging, verify that current licenses and credentials match your specific service needs, and review the two available customer references to gauge fit beyond compliance metrics.