Certificates & references
Many lenders ask company directors or self-employed applicants for an accountant's certificate confirming income. Here is what it covers and its limits.
Written and reviewed by Waqas Sagar Member of ICAEW, Fellow of ACCA, Fellow of AAT, a double graduate and entrepreneur at heart, helping startups grow and serving thousands of businesses nationwide with an excellent team. Published by LimitedCompany.Accountants, 12 London Road, Morden, London SM4 5BQ. Reviewed 12 September 2026 against 2026/27 UK rates and current Companies House and HMRC guidance.
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QuickBooks PartnerCertified ProAdvisor100+ yearsCombined team experienceFully insuredUp to £2m indemnityYes, we can complete an accountant's certificate confirming income figures that match your filed accounts and tax returns, usually on the lender's own form. We certify what the records support; the lending decision itself always remains with the lender.
What the certificate can and cannot say
Getting it right first time
Yes, we can complete an accountant's certificate confirming income figures that match your filed accounts and tax returns, usually on the lender's own form. We certify what the records support; the lending decision itself always remains with the lender.
An accountant's certificate typically confirms your name, the company name, your shareholding, and salary and dividend or net profit figures for the last one to three years, cross-checked against the filed accounts, CT600s and your self assessment returns. Some lenders also ask for a short statement on the sustainability of income.
We can only certify figures that tie back to accounts we have prepared or reviewed and tax returns that have actually been filed. We cannot certify income that has not yet been reported to HMRC, and we cannot guarantee that a lender will accept the certificate or approve the mortgage, because underwriting criteria sit entirely with them.
Send us the lender's specific certificate template as soon as you have it, since wording varies and using the wrong form causes delays. Give us the mortgage broker or lender contact so any queries are dealt with directly rather than relayed through you.
Turnaround depends on how current your accounts and returns are. If the latest year has not yet been filed, that filing normally needs to happen, or be well advanced, before a meaningful certificate can be issued.
Rates, thresholds and deadlines quoted here reflect the 2026/27 UK position and current Companies House and HMRC guidance. Check GOV.UK, or ask us, before relying on them for your own company.
Local help
We work with company directors across London and Surrey from our office at 12 London Road, Morden, London SM4 5BQ. Pick your area, or send the form below and we will call you back.
Frequently asked
No. We confirm the figures the records support; approval depends entirely on the lender's own underwriting and affordability criteria.
Generally no, unless the accounts or return are complete and only awaiting submission. Check with us before promising a lender a date.
Yes, it is normally a separate one-off fee outside the annual compliance package. Ask us for a quote once you know which lender's form is needed.
Keep bank statements, sales and platform reports, purchase invoices, payroll records, VAT workings, finance agreements and Companies House correspondence. We confirm the exact list at onboarding and identify gaps before a filing deadline becomes urgent.
The fee depends on transaction volume, record quality, VAT and payroll requirements, historic catch-up and the level of reporting needed. We agree a fixed scope and price before technical work starts, with published packages available on our fees page.
Yes. We request professional clearance, collect the prior records and authorities, check the next Companies House and HMRC deadlines, and give you one clear handover list. The process is normally completed remotely.
Yes. We work through secure cloud records, scheduled reviews and digital approvals, while keeping a named team available by phone, video call and email. Clients can also visit our Morden office by appointment.
We regularly work with Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent, Sage and connected sales or expense apps. The right setup depends on transaction volume, integrations and the reports you need, not simply the software brand.
The relevant calendar may include annual accounts, Corporation Tax payment and return dates, confirmation statements, VAT returns, payroll submissions and Self Assessment. We map the dates from your company year end and registrations.
No. This page explains general UK rules and common accounting treatment. Your facts, contracts and wider tax position must be reviewed before you rely on a conclusion.
Included approach
Check the current rules
Deadlines, thresholds and filing rules change. GOV.UK and Companies House publish the current statutory position; advice should then be applied to your company’s circumstances.
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Share your next deadline, accounting problem or growth question. We will reply with a clear next step and quote any technical work before it begins.
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Pick a time that suits you and a qualified accountant will call you about your company, deadlines and fees.
Appointments run monday to friday, 9:00am to 5:30pm. Your confirmation is emailed straight away.
