A statement of net worth is a signed and verified financial statement completed by a CPA which shows your current financial position by answering the questions of what are your assets, what are your liabilities, what is your income, and what are your expenses. Extrajudicial and business transactions, loans, divorce, some immigration-related casework, and even some legal proceedings call for a statement of net worth. Certified statements of net worth, unlike other net worth statements, have a financial professional (CPA, for example) sign the document certifying that they have verified the information for accuracy and compliance.
What Is a Certified Statement of Net Worth?
A certified statement of net worth is what is called a practitioner report. If a CPA is certifying it, it shows what accurately you own, what you owe, and what you have coming in. Because a CPA is certifying it, you can trust the numbers are accurate and complete and thus can be relied on by courts, lenders, agencies, or investors.
What the document generally includes is as follows:
- Assets, valuing real estate, non-real estate investments, bank accounts, retirement accounts.
- Liabilities, estimating the debts from mortgages, loans, and credit card balances.
- Income sources, from job and/or business activity and any passive activities.
- Small to medium monthly expenses, housing, insurance, debt payments, and discretionary living costs.
- Supplemental evidence with statements, appraisals, tax returns.
Why Do You Need a Certified Statement of Net Worth?
You need a certified statement of net worth when a third party requires verified proof of your financial situation. This is common in situations where financial transparency affects legal, financial, or regulatory decisions.
Common reasons it’s required:
- Divorce and family court proceedings
- Loan or mortgage applications
- Business acquisitions or partnership agreements
- Estate planning and probate matters
- Immigration financial sponsorship
- Bankruptcy filings or debt settlements
- Financial audits or due diligence reviews
Who Can Prepare a Certified Statement of Net Worth?
There must be a certified statement of net worth that should be filled by an accredited financial professional capable of authenticating your financial documents, and that expert should be a licensed financial professional. Such professionals are as follows:
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA): The most preferred by courts, lenders, and attorneys. They are able to verify and legally certify your true financial position by reviewing and analyzing tax returns, financial statements, bank documents, and other relevant supporting documents.
- Enrolled Agent (EA): These are professionals with federal tax licenses, and they are able to review financial documents and provide certified statements on tax-related matters, or matters that involve the IRS.
- Tax Attorney: This is the most common choice where the statement is required for litigation, divorce, or other legal disputes that involve protective measures or an order of protection.
- Financial Forensic Specialist: These are usually involved in complicated or high-net worth cases that involve a business, overseas assets, suspected fraud, or other complex issues where traceable assets are in question.
CPAs are the most preferred professionals, and this is because they possess a unique combination of tax-related expertise, financial analytical skills, and credibility. This is what gives the statement the legally defensible weight most professionals would require for the document.
What Documents Are Needed for a Certified Statement of Net Worth?
Expect to gather items that support your entire financial picture.
Typical documentation:
- Bank statements (3–12 months)
- Investment and retirement account statements
- Mortgage and loan statements
- Recent tax returns (1–3 years)
- Pay stubs or business financials
- Real estate appraisals
- Insurance and debt documents
- Credit card statements
- Business valuations (if applicable)
A CPA will review these to confirm completeness and accuracy.
How Do You Get a Certified Statement of Net Worth?
Here’s the general process:
- Hire a CPA or financial professional: Choose someone with experience in personal financial statements, litigation support, or tax/financial documentation.
- Provide supporting documentation: Submit income proof, asset statements, liabilities, and other requested records.
- CPA reviews and verifies information: The professional checks for accuracy, missing data, and inconsistencies.
- CPA prepares and certifies the report: The final statement is signed and certified, often using formal accounting standards.
- Receive the completed certified statement: You can submit it to courts, lenders, agencies, or business partners as required.
Need a Certified Statement of Net Worth? We Can Help.
Dimov Tax specializes in preparing accurate, court-ready, lender-ready certified net worth statements for individuals, couples, business owners, and high-net-worth clients.
We handle:
- Divorce & litigation support
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Contact Dimov Tax today to get your certified statement of net worth prepared quickly and accurately.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How do I get a certificate of net worth?
You can get a certificate of net worth by hiring a CPA or qualified financial professional to review your financial documents—such as bank statements, investments, liabilities, and tax returns—and certify your total assets and debts. Once verified, the CPA issues a formal, signed certificate you can use for court, lending, immigration, or business purposes.
Who can certify a net worth certificate?
A net worth certificate can be certified by a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Enrolled Agent (EA), tax attorney, or other licensed financial professional authorized to verify financial statements. Most courts and lenders prefer or require CPA certification for accuracy and credibility.
How do you prove your net worth?
You prove your net worth by providing documentation of everything you own and everything you owe—such as bank statements, investment accounts, property records, loan statements, and tax returns. A CPA reviews these documents, calculates your net worth, and certifies the final statement for official use.
Is there a net worth statement template?
Yes, net worth statement templates are available and typically include sections for assets, liabilities, income, expenses, and supporting documents. However, for legal or financial submissions, a CPA-prepared or CPA-certified version is required—self-filled templates are usually not accepted by courts or lenders.
How do I write a statement of net worth?
To write a statement of net worth, list all assets (cash, investments, real estate, retirement accounts), subtract all liabilities (mortgages, loans, credit cards), and calculate the total. Include income, monthly expenses, and supporting documentation. For official purposes, a CPA should prepare or certify the final statement.
How many Americans have a net worth of $1,000,000?
Recent data shows that roughly 8–10% of U.S. households have a net worth of $1,000,000 or more, depending on the survey. This includes home equity, retirement accounts, and investment assets—not just cash.
What is a basic net worth statement?
A basic net worth statement is a simple financial summary showing your total assets minus your total liabilities. It outlines what you own, what you owe, and your overall financial health, but it is not certified unless reviewed and signed by a CPA.