What Verdica's 656 score means for Steven Swoboda
Steven Swoboda's composite score of 656 out of 850 places him in the "elevated risk" band (580–669). This means his profile shows mixed compliance signals that warrant attention before engagement, though he does not fall into the highest-risk category.
The score reflects three dimensions of accountability: licensing and credentials, PCAOB audit history, and disciplinary records. In Swoboda's case, the gap between his strong PCAOB and disciplinary sub-scores (810 and 850, respectively) and his weaker credentials score (340) creates the overall elevated rating. A reader should interpret this as: Swoboda has a clean regulatory and disciplinary history on file, but his licensing or credential standing presents a material gap that a prospective client should investigate further before engagement.
No independent customer reviews have been indexed for this entity yet, so Verdica's score is based entirely on public regulatory data. This means you have no peer feedback to contextualize the regulatory picture.
How the sub-scores break down
License & Credentials (340): This is a low sub-score and is the primary drag on Swoboda's composite rating. In accounting, this dimension typically reflects state board registration status, active licensure, relevant certifications (CPA, CIA, etc.), and educational credentials. A score of 340 in this band suggests either incomplete or concerning credential documentation on file with Colorado state boards or a gap in expected professional standing. This does not necessarily mean Swoboda is unlicensed, but rather that publicly available credential records show material deficiencies relative to peer benchmarks.
PCAOB Record (810): This is an excellent sub-score. The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board audits and inspects accounting firms and auditors involved in public company audits. A score of 810 indicates that Swoboda's audit quality and compliance record—as documented in PCAOB inspection findings—is strong. No significant audit failures or control deficiencies have surfaced in available PCAOB data.
Disciplinary (850): This is a perfect sub-score. It indicates that no formal disciplinary actions, complaints upheld by state boards, or public sanctions appear in the indexed regulatory record. Swoboda has not faced license suspension, revocation, censure, or substantiated misconduct findings.
What regulators in CO track for accounting providers
Colorado's state accountancy board and the PCAOB together create a baseline of compliance oversight for accounting professionals:
State Board Registration and Licensing: Colorado requires CPAs and accounting service providers to register and maintain active licenses. The board tracks continuing education requirements, renewal status, and credential validity. Failures to renew, incomplete applications, or missing certifications will depress the License & Credentials score. Some providers operate under specific regulatory limitations or conditional licenses, which also surface here.
PCAOB Audit Inspections: For firms engaged in public company audits, the PCAOB conducts regular inspections and publishes findings on audit quality, engagement documentation, and control environments. Scores improve when inspection reports show no significant deficiencies; they decline when auditors receive citations for inadequate testing, weak internal controls, or failure to comply with auditing standards. These are technical, not ethical, measures—though they reflect professional competence.
Disciplinary Records: State boards maintain public disciplinary dockets. Formal complaints, hearings, and outcomes are indexed here. Infractions can range from failure to pay fees or maintain insurance to more serious matters like fraud, misrepresentation, or gross negligence. A clean disciplinary record indicates no upheld complaints.
Bottom line
Steven Swoboda presents a mixed profile: strong audit quality and a clean disciplinary slate, but a credential gap that needs clarification. Before engaging him, verify his current CPA license status, any restrictions on his Colorado registration, and the nature of the credential discrepancy flagged in the score. Request direct documentation of licensure and certifications rather than relying solely on Verdica's composite rating.