What a net worth certificate does
The certificate is only as good as the evidence behind it. We certify figures we can trace to documents — bank statements, investment statements, property records, loan statements — and say plainly how each asset is valued. That's what makes it acceptable to a visa officer or a bank's credit team, and what protects the person relying on it.
For a company, net worth has a specific meaning under Section 2(57) of the Companies Act, 2013: paid-up share capital plus reserves created out of profits and securities premium, less accumulated losses and deferred or miscellaneous expenditure not written off. Reserves created out of revaluation of assets, write-back of depreciation and amalgamation are excluded. Tender documents often define it their own way, so we read the tender's definition first.
Common uses
| Purpose | Usually asked by | What matters most |
|---|---|---|
| Student or visitor visa | Embassy, consulate or university | Liquid funds available, a recent date, and a foreign-currency figure |
| Education or business loan | Bank or NBFC | Assets that can be verified, and existing borrowings disclosed in full |
| Bank guarantee or credit limit | Bank | Net worth of the business and its promoters |
| Tender or empanelment | Government department, PSU or large buyer | Net worth as defined in the tender, usually from audited accounts |
| Licence or registration | Regulator or licensing authority | Minimum net worth prescribed for that licence |
Documents required
- PAN and identity proof of the person or entity.
- Bank statements and fixed deposit statements as on the certificate date.
- Statements for investments — shares, mutual funds, PPF, insurance policies with surrender value.
- Property documents, with a valuation report or the guideline value, as the recipient prefers.
- Loan statements for every outstanding borrowing, including credit cards and gold loans.
- For a business: audited financial statements, and management accounts if the date is after the last audit.
- The format or wording required by the embassy, bank or tender, if there is one.
How we prepare it
Confirm the purpose and format
Different recipients want different things. We start from the embassy's, bank's or tender's requirement, not a generic template.
Collect and check documents
Each asset and liability is traced to a document dated on or near the certificate date.
Value the assets
Bank balances at book value; investments at market value on the date; property at the valuation basis agreed and stated on the certificate.
Prepare the statement
Assets, liabilities and net worth are set out with the basis of valuation and any exchange rate used.
Sign with a UDIN
A partner signs the certificate and generates the UDIN, which the recipient can verify online.
Practical notes from our engagements
- Loans left out. A certificate that shows assets but not the home loan or credit card balance isn't a net worth certificate. We include every liability we can see.
- Property valued with no basis. An owner's estimate of market value isn't evidence. A valuer's report or the guideline value, stated on the certificate, is.
- Certificate dated too early. Embassies often want funds shown as on a recent date. Check how recent before asking for the certificate.
- Joint assets counted in full. A jointly held asset is counted only to the applicant's share, unless the recipient asks otherwise.
How we handle net worth certificates
We ask what the certificate is for, work from the recipient's format, and certify only what documents support. Every certificate we issue carries a UDIN — the Unique Document Identification Number ICAI has required on certificates signed by practising Chartered Accountants since 2019. The recipient can check it at udin.icai.org.
Related services
Frequently asked questions
Who can issue a net worth certificate?
A Chartered Accountant in practice. The certificate carries the CA's signature, membership details and a UDIN.
Is a net worth certificate needed for a student visa?
Many embassies and universities accept or ask for one alongside bank statements. Check the specific requirement — some want only bank statements or a sponsor's affidavit.
How is property valued in the certificate?
At the basis the recipient accepts — usually a registered valuer's report or the government guideline value — and the basis is stated on the certificate.
How recent must the figures be?
The certificate states figures as on a specific date. Most recipients want that date to be recent; some specify how recent.
Can a net worth certificate be in foreign currency?
Yes. We state the rupee figures and a converted figure at the exchange rate on the certificate date, and name the rate used.
What is a UDIN?
A Unique Document Identification Number generated on the ICAI portal for every certificate a practising CA signs. The recipient can verify it at udin.icai.org.