A signed letter from a licensed CPA that verifies your income, self-employment status, or business ownership — prepared and formatted for your exact lender, landlord, or agency.
Certified Public Accountant
To whom it may concern,
This letter confirms that the above-named individual is self-employed and that I have reviewed their tax returns and profit & loss statements for the stated period…
Signed by a licensed CPA
Lenders, landlords, and agencies request it when your own paperwork isn’t enough on its own. You may also hear it called a verification letter, a comfort letter, or a third-party verification letter — the same core document, named for who’s requesting it.
Most people need one because their income doesn’t show up cleanly on a W-2. At Cortex CPA, a licensed CPA reviews and signs every letter before we deliver it to your lender, landlord, or agency.
Banks can't take your word for your income. They need a document from someone accountable — with a license they can verify independently.
Mortgages, leases, visas, and financing all want proof from someone neutral — not you, not your bank. That neutrality is the entire point.
As self-employment and gig work have grown, lenders adapted. The requirement isn't about you — it's about how work has changed.
Being upfront about the limits isn’t a weakness — it’s exactly what makes the letter credible to an underwriter.
Each type serves a distinct purpose. Start with the purpose of your request not the letter’s name.
Confirms your income, ownership, and self-employment history directly to your underwriter — reviewing 1–2 years of business performance.
Confirms your business is real, active, and earning what you claim. The most general-purpose option across leases and financing.
Similar to a mortgage letter, formatted to the exact language and structure home loan departments expect.
The broadest version, for landlords and leasing companies. Focuses on your income figure and source. A good starting point.
Confirms reviewed information without a full audit opinion. Common in financing deals and securities offerings; scope negotiated in advance.
Adds a notary's certification of the CPA's identity and signature — common for legal proceedings and certain lenders.
A CPA letter fills the gap the alternatives leave open.
| Document | Who issues it | What it proves | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPA Letter | Licensed CPA | Income, self-employment status, ownership | Reflects reviewed records, not a guarantee |
| Bank Verification Letter | Your bank | Account balance or activity | Doesn't confirm income source or self-employment |
| Employer Letter | Your employer | Employment status and salary | Only works with a traditional employer |
| Tax Transcript | IRS | Filed tax return details | Can lag behind your current income |
Deductions lower your taxable income and make you look less qualified than your real earnings support. A CPA letter explains your real income picture.
Landlords now ask for more than pay stubs. A CPA letter gives them a format they trust — without contacting each of your clients.
Courts sometimes need to verify income independently. A CPA letter gives a neutral, professional source instead of either party's figures.
Immigration officers want proof from a licensed professional with no personal stake in your application's outcome.
The other party wants a CPA's confirmation of financial standing before finalizing. It speeds up due diligence for both sides.
We need to know who is requesting it and why. The format and required content depend on your specific recipient.
This typically means tax returns, profit and loss statements, or other financial records. The exact documents depend on your situation.
Your CPA checks the facts you're claiming against what your records show. Then they draft the letter based on that review.
Lenders, landlords, and agencies often expect specific formatting. We match it, so your letter doesn't bounce back for something avoidable.
It arrives as a digital PDF. We add notarization if your situation requires it.
Underwriters sometimes come back with follow-up requests. We handle those revisions, so your approval process doesn't stall waiting on paperwork.
Both packages include unlimited revisions until your loan is approved. No hidden fees.
one-time
2-Hour Express Delivery
For self-employed individuals or business owners who need a CPA letter for a mortgage lender.
one-time
24-Hour Express Delivery
For business partners and self-employed individuals who need a CPA letter with notarization included.
It reflects your CPA’s professional review of your records and is widely accepted as credible third-party documentation. It isn’t a guarantee of future income.
Request a licensed CPA letter starting at $199, with 2-hour express delivery available. Accepted by lenders nationwide, with unlimited revisions until your loan is approved.
