What are certified financial statements?
Certified financial statements are balance sheet, profit & loss account, and supporting schedules of an entity, prepared from books of account and signed by a Chartered Accountant. The CA certifies the basis of preparation — typically that the financials have been compiled from the books and information provided by management.
How are certified financials different from audited financials?
Audited financials carry an independent opinion from a statutory auditor on whether the statements give a true and fair view, after detailed audit procedures. Certified financials are typically compiled from records and signed by a Chartered Accountant, without expressing an audit opinion. The level of assurance is therefore lower than a full statutory audit.
Who needs certified financial statements?
They are commonly required by banks and NBFCs for credit assessment, by tender and procurement authorities, by government departments for scheme eligibility, by embassies for visa applications, and by counterparties in transactions involving proprietorships, partnership firms, small LLPs, and entities not subject to mandatory statutory audit.
Are certified financials legally valid?
Certified financials carry the professional responsibility of the signing Chartered Accountant and are generally accepted by banks, regulators, and authorities for the purposes for which they are issued. They do not, however, replace statutory audit where audit is mandatory under the Companies Act, Income Tax Act, or other laws.
What documents are required to prepare certified financials?
Typical requirements include trial balance and books of account, bank statements, sample vouchers, sales and purchase records, GST and TDS returns, ITRs, partnership / LLP / trust deed, prior years' financials, and details of loans, fixed assets, and statutory dues outstanding as on the reporting date.
For how many years can financials be certified?
Certified financials can typically be prepared for the most recent financial year and a few past years subject to availability of books, bank records, and supporting documents. For tenders and empanelment, two to five years of financials are commonly required, while banks usually look at the last two to three years.
Is UDIN mandatory on certified financial statements?
Yes. ICAI requires that all certificates and reports issued by Chartered Accountants in practice carry a Unique Document Identification Number (UDIN). UDIN provides authenticity to the certificate and allows recipients to verify the document on the ICAI portal, reducing the risk of forgery.