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CPA Letters for Banks and Lenders

Lenders sometimes request a “CPA letter” (also called a comfort letter) when a client applies for a mortgage or business loan. These requests are common, but there’s often confusion about what a CPA is permitted to provide under professional standards.

 

Are CPA letters required?

In most cases, government-backed lending guidelines rely on tax returns and standard documentation. However, individual lenders may have internal underwriting policies that request additional third-party confirmation.

If a lender requests a CPA letter, you may ask whether your filed tax returns and financial statements are sufficient before proceeding.

 

What a CPA cannot provide

Under AICPA professional standards, a CPA cannot:

  • Verify income without performing a formal audit or review engagement

  • Provide assurance regarding the future stability of a business

  • Guarantee a borrower’s ability to repay a loan

Providing that level of assurance would require a formal engagement under professional standards and is not included in routine tax preparation services.

What a CPA can provide

Upon request, we may provide a limited-scope letter that:

  • Confirms we prepared your tax return(s)

  • Summarizes information reflected on filed tax returns

  • States that we have not audited, reviewed, or independently verified the underlying data

  • Clarifies that no assurance is provided

These letters are strictly informational and do not constitute an audit, review, or attestation engagement.

Fee

Due to the drafting time, documentation review, and professional liability considerations involved, the fee for a limited CPA letter is $500.

Bottom line

Mortgage underwriting standards vary by lender. While tax returns and financial statements are typically the primary documents used to evaluate income, some lenders request additional third-party confirmation.

If requested, we can provide a limited-scope CPA letter for existing tax clients. These letters are informational only and do not constitute an audit, review, or guarantee of income, business stability, or repayment ability.