What is a Utilization of Funds Certificate?
It is a signed certificate issued by a Chartered Accountant confirming that funds received by an entity have been used for the specific purpose for which they were sanctioned or contributed. It typically contains details of source, purpose, amount received, amount utilised, and any unutilised balance, along with a basis of opinion.
When is a utilization certificate typically required?
It is commonly required for bank term loans, working capital limits, IPO and rights issue proceeds, CSR contributions to implementing agencies, grants from donor and foundation funders, FCRA receipts, and disbursements under central and state government schemes — usually before the next tranche or at the close of the project.
Who can issue this certificate?
Banks, lenders, regulators, and most donor agencies require the certificate to be issued by an independent Chartered Accountant in practice. In some cases, the certificate has to be signed by the statutory auditor of the entity, depending on the scheme guidelines or sanction terms.
What documents are required for the certification?
Typical requirements include the sanction letter, offer document or grant agreement, bank statements showing receipt and payments, ledgers, vouchers, invoices, contracts with vendors, asset registers for capex items, and management's working showing tranche-wise utilization.
How is end-use of IPO proceeds monitored?
For IPO, FPO, rights, and preferential issues, end-use of proceeds is monitored against the objects stated in the offer document. Listed companies generally have to disclose deviations and variations in periodic filings, and the audit committee reviews monitoring agency reports and statutory auditor certifications.
How is CSR fund utilization certified?
For CSR, both donor companies and implementing agencies maintain records of contributions and project-wise spending. Auditors verify that funds have been spent on activities permitted under Schedule VII, are aligned with the approved CSR policy, and have been disclosed in Form CSR-2 and the annual report.
What happens if funds are not utilised as intended?
Diversion or non-utilization can lead to recall of loans, denial of further tranches, clawback of grants, penalties under FCRA or scheme guidelines, regulatory action by SEBI in case of listed issues, and reputational damage with donors and stakeholders.