CPA Letter Complete Guide for mortgage lenders | Home Owners

A CPA letter is a written statement from a Certified Public Accountant(CPA) that confirms specific financial facts.
It is often used for mortgage underwriting, self-employment income verification, or business income confirmation.

If you need a CPA letter, the first thing to know is this:

• The lender or requesting party usually decides the exact wording

• The CPA can only confirm what they can support with records

• A CPA letter is not a “guarantee” of future income

This guide answers all the common questions people search for about CPA letters in the United States.

What is a CPA letter?

A CPA letter is a formal letter prepared by a licensed CPA.
It verifies financial information based on records, tax returns, and professional review.

A CPA letter may confirm:

• self-employment status

• business ownership

• income history

• tax filing status

• profit/loss trends

• independent contractor income documentation

The exact content depends on why the letter is needed.

What does the CPA letter mean?

“CPA letter” usually means a verification letter written by a Certified Public Accountant(CPA).

In practice, people use this term for different documents, such as:

• CPA income verification letter

• CPA comfort letter (informal use in lending conversations)

• accountant letter for mortgage

• self-employment verification letter from CPA

So, the meaning is not one single form.
It is a category of verification letters prepared by a CPA.

Who writes a CPA letter?

A CPA letter is written by a licensed Certified Public Accountant(CPA).

In the U.S., CPA licensure is handled by state boards of accountancy, and CPA status is tied to state licensing rules. NASBA and AICPA also describe CPAs as licensed by state boards.

Important point:
A tax preparer, bookkeeper, or accountant may help organize records, but if the request specifically asks for a CPA letter, it should be signed by a licensed CPA.

How to obtain a CPA letter?

You obtain a CPA letter by working with a CPA who can review your records and verify the requested facts.

Basic process

1. Get the request requirements

   • Ask the lender or requester for the exact letter wording or checklist.

2. Share your documents

   • Tax returns

   • profit and loss statements

   • bank statements (if required)

   • business formation documents

   • payroll/1099 records (if relevant)

3. CPA reviews the records

   • The CPA checks what can be supported.

4. CPA drafts the letter

   • The letter is tailored to the request.

   • Unsupported claims should not be included.

5. Final review and delivery

   • You send the letter to the lender or requesting party.

This is the safest way to avoid delays.

How to get a CPA verification letter?

A CPA verification letter is obtained the same way as a CPA letter, but the focus is on verifiable facts.

To speed it up:

• ask for the lender’s exact template

• confirm the deadline

• provide complete records at the start

• tell the CPA what the letter is for (mortgage, lease, loan, etc.)

If the requester gives vague instructions, ask them to clarify what they need verified.
This helps avoid multiple revisions.

How long does it take to get a CPA letter?

There is no single national standard timeline.
Turnaround depends on:

• document completeness

• complexity of your income

• whether you are self-employed

• how specific the lender wording is

• CPA workload during tax season

Typical turnaround (practical range)

• Simple verification: often 1–3 business days

• More complex cases: often 3–7 business days

• Tax season or missing documents: can take longer

If you need a faster turnaround, provide all records in one package and include the lender’s exact requirements.

How to get a CPA letter for a mortgage?

A mortgage CPA letter is common for self-employed borrowers, business owners, and independent contractors.

Steps for a mortgage CPA letter

1. Ask your lender for exact wording

   • Mortgage underwriters often have specific language.

2. Send required documents to your CPA

   • usually 1–2 years of tax returns

   • recent profit and loss statement

   • business details (entity type, ownership)

   • any lender form/template

3. Confirm what the CPA can state

   • current business status

   • income history based on filed returns

   • length of self-employment

   • whether taxes were filed (if applicable)

4. Submit the letter to underwriting

   • Send it in the format requested (PDF, signed letterhead, etc.)

Important:
A CPA typically confirms historical or document-based facts.
A CPA may decline statements that predict future income or guarantee loan repayment.

What does CPA stand for?

CPA stands for Certified Public Accountant.

NASBA describes a CPA as a professional licensed by a state board of accountancy.

Is CPA higher than accountant?

A CPA is not “higher” than every accountant in every role.
But a CPA is a licensed credentialed accountant, which usually means more formal requirements were met.

Simple difference

• Accountant: broad job title (not always licensed)

• CPA: licensed professional designation regulated at the state level

So, a CPA is a type of accountant with a state-issued license.

What is the main purpose of a CPA?

The main purpose of a CPA is to provide accounting, tax, audit, and financial services with licensed professional standards and public trust in mind.

NASBA also frames the CPA pathway and exam around public protection and qualification standards.

In everyday client work, a CPA often helps with:

• tax preparation and planning

• financial reporting

• compliance

• audit/attestation work

• business advisory support

• documentation and verification letters (like CPA letters)

What is the salary of a CPA in the US?

There is no single salary for all CPAs because roles vary a lot.
Still, a useful benchmark is the U.S. government wage data for accountants and auditors.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics(BLS) reports a median annual wage of $81,680 (May 2024) for accountants and auditors, with the top 10% earning more than $141,420.

BLS also projects 5% employment growth for accountants and auditors from 2024 to 2034, with about 124,200 openings per year on average.

Note:
CPA pay can be above or below this benchmark depending on specialization, location, industry, and experience.

How much does a CPA charge cost?

CPA fees vary by service type.
There is no fixed national “CPA letter” fee.

What affects the cost of a CPA letter?

• urgency

• complexity of your records

• number of revisions

• whether bookkeeping cleanup is needed first

• lender-specific wording requirements

• whether tax return review is required

Common pricing approaches (market practice)

• flat fee for a simple letter

• hourly billing for complex cases

• extra fee for rush turnaround

The best way to avoid extra cost is to provide complete documents and the exact request wording before drafting starts.

Is CPA a lot of math?

For most CPA work, it is not advanced math in the way many people think.

CPA work uses:

• arithmetic

• percentages

• financial calculations

• logic

• rules-based analysis

• careful review of tax/accounting standards

So, it is more about accuracy, analysis, and rules than high-level math.

Can a CPA make 300k?

Yes, a CPA can make $300,000, but that is not typical for most CPAs.

That level of income is more common in cases like:

• firm owners/partners

• senior executives (CFO/controller roles in larger firms)

• highly specialized tax or advisory practices

• multi-partner firms with strong client volume

For general context, BLS wage data for accountants and auditors shows a much lower median, while top earners exceed $141,420 nationally.
A $300k income is possible, but it usually requires seniority, specialization, business ownership, or a high-value client base.

Who can provide a CPA letter?

A CPA letter should be provided by a licensed CPA who has enough information to verify the requested facts.

That CPA may be:

• your tax CPA

• your business CPA

• your accounting firm’s CPA

• another CPA you hire for verification work (if they can review sufficient records)

The key issue is not only licensure.
It is whether they can responsibly support the statements in the letter.

Who can make a CPA letter?

A CPA letter can be made by a licensed CPA.

If the request specifically says “CPA letter,” it should not be signed by a non-CPA preparer.

A non-CPA staff member may help gather records or draft a version internally, but the final letter should be reviewed and signed by the CPA when a CPA letter is required.

Who can write an accountant letter?

An accountant letter may be written by an accountant, tax preparer, enrolled agent(EA), or CPA, depending on what the requesting party accepts.

But if the lender or institution specifically asks for a CPA letter, then an accountant letter from a non-CPA may be rejected.

Always check the exact requirement before ordering the letter.

Can you call yourself an accountant if you are not a CPA?

In many situations, yes, people use “accountant” as a general job title without being a CPA.
But CPA is a licensed title and cannot be used without proper state licensure.

Because title-use rules can vary by state and context, it is safer to avoid legal assumptions and check state board rules when needed. NASBA provides access to state boards and statutes by jurisdiction.

CPA Letter Tips for U.S. Clients (Important for faster approval)

If you need a CPA letter for a loan or mortgage, do these first:

• ask for the exact lender template

• share your deadline

• send complete records in one batch

• avoid asking for unsupported statements

• review names, entity details, and dates carefully

This reduces delays and rework.

Useful CPA Statistics (U.S.)

Here are a few practical numbers that help explain the CPA field in the U.S.:

• Median wage for accountants/auditors: $81,680 (May 2024, BLS)

• Top 10% earnings: over $141,420 (BLS)

• Projected job growth (2024–2034): 5% (BLS)

• Projected annual openings: about 124,200 (BLS)

• CPA Exam pass score per section: 75 (AICPA)

• Example 2024 CPA Exam section pass rates (Q1, first CPA Evolution window): AUD 44.63%, FAR 41.92%, REG 63.42% (AICPA)

These stats are not about CPA letters directly, but they help explain the CPA profession and common search questions around CPA credentials.