Tenders: CA certificates
Tender-format turnover and net worth, bid capacity and local-content certificates for government procurement.
What a tender certificate pack contains
- Turnover. Revenue from operations for each financial year the tender asks for, usually three, and the average annual turnover.
- Net worth. Net worth at the end of each of those years, with the formula it is worked out by.
- Working capital. Current assets, current liabilities and net working capital for each year.
- Profitability. Profit before tax, EBITDA and profit after tax for each year.
Upload the tender’s own format
Tender documents usually prescribe their own annexure for these certificates. Upload that annexure, or the page of the tender that sets out the format, when you start. Each certificate is issued as a signed PDF, with an editable Word copy of the same figures for filling in the tender’s annexure.
One UDIN per certificate
Each certificate in the pack is a separate document, signed separately, with its own UDIN from the ICAI UDIN portal. UDIN has been mandatory for CA certificates since 1 Feb 2019, and the tendering authority can check each one at udin.icai.org.
Audited figures only
Every figure comes from audited financial statements, with the audit report date for each year. No certificate is issued on provisional figures, so keep the audited accounts for every year the tender asks for ready before you start.
Bank solvency certificate or CA certificate?
Many tenders ask for a solvency certificate from a bank, not from a Chartered Accountant. Check the tender’s clause first. The pack does not draft a solvency certificate: if you tick it, the CA checks the tender’s format with you before anything is prepared.
Class-I local supplier (PPP-MII)
Under the Public Procurement (Preference to Make in India) Order 2017, the Class-I local supplier certificate from a Chartered Accountant applies to bids above ₹10 crore. It needs a bill of materials and the source of each input, so it starts with an enquiry rather than the online pack. So does the bid capacity and works executed certificate.
Certificates in this group
- Tender-format turnover and net worth certificate
- Bid capacity and works executed certificate
- Class-I local supplier (local content) certificate
Tender-format turnover and net worth certificate
Turnover and net worth in the exact format a tender document prescribes.
- Who asks
- CPWD, Railways, NHAI and state departments
- Typical turnaround
- 1–2 working days after complete documents
- UDIN category
- Certificates
Documents to keep ready (4)
- PAN and registration or incorporation documents of the entity
- Audited financial statements for the years covered
- Income-tax returns with computations for the years covered
- The tender document with its certificate format (PDF or Word)
The CA confirms the final list when you start. No certificate is issued on provisional figures.
Bid capacity and works executed certificate
By enquiryCertifies the value of works executed, for the bid capacity formula in a tender.
- Who asks
- Tender bodies for works contracts
- Typical turnaround
- 3–10 working days after complete documents
- UDIN category
- Certificates: Others
Documents to keep ready (4)
- PAN and registration or incorporation documents of the entity
- Work orders and completion certificates
- Audited financial statements for the years covered
- The tender document with its format
The CA confirms the final list when you start. No certificate is issued on provisional figures.
Class-I local supplier (local content) certificate
By enquiryCertifies the local content percentage for public procurement preference.
- Who asks
- Government buyers and tender bodies
- Typical turnaround
- 3–10 working days after complete documents
- Basis
- PPP-MII Order 2017 (Public Procurement, Preference to Make in India)
- UDIN category
- Certificates: Others
Documents to keep ready (3)
- PAN and registration or incorporation documents of the entity
- Bill of materials with cost of each component
- Purchase invoices showing where inputs come from
The CA confirms the final list when you start. No certificate is issued on provisional figures.
Working capital and profitability certificates
Working capital certificate
States current assets, current liabilities, net working capital and the current ratio.
- Who asks
- Banks and tender bodies
- Typical turnaround
- 1–2 working days after complete documents
- UDIN category
- Certificates: Working Capital Certificate/Net Working Capital Certificate
Documents to keep ready (3)
- PAN and registration or incorporation documents of the entity
- Audited financial statements for the years covered
- The format prescribed by the bank, embassy or authority, if it has one
The CA confirms the final list when you start. No certificate is issued on provisional figures.
Profitability certificate
States profit after tax and EBITDA, usually for three years.
- Who asks
- Banks and tender bodies
- Typical turnaround
- 1–2 working days after complete documents
- UDIN category
- Certificates: Others
Documents to keep ready (3)
- PAN and registration or incorporation documents of the entity
- Audited financial statements for the years covered
- The format prescribed by the bank, embassy or authority, if it has one
The CA confirms the final list when you start. No certificate is issued on provisional figures.
Common questions
Which certificates are in the tenders group?
Tender-format turnover and net worth certificate; Bid capacity and works executed certificate; Class-I local supplier (local content) certificate.
How long do these certificates take?
Typical turnaround after complete documents: 1–2 working days for simple balance-sheet or bank certificates; 3–10 working days for dgft, rera and valuation certificates. These are typical ranges, not statutory periods.
Who signs the certificate and how is it verified?
The Chartered Accountant signs with a Class-3 DSC and generates a UDIN on the ICAI UDIN portal. The bank or authority can verify the UDIN at udin.icai.org.
What is in a tender certificate pack?
The CA certificates a tender asks for, from one request: turnover, net worth, working capital, profitability. You choose the ones your tender needs and the number of years (three or five).
Do I need to upload the tender’s format?
Tender documents usually prescribe their own annexure for these certificates. Upload that annexure, or the page of the tender that sets out the format, when you start. Each certificate is issued as a signed PDF, with an editable Word copy of the same figures for filling in the tender’s annexure.
Does each certificate in the pack have its own UDIN?
Each certificate in the pack is a separate document, signed separately, with its own UDIN from the ICAI UDIN portal. UDIN has been mandatory for CA certificates since 1 Feb 2019, and the tendering authority can check each one at udin.icai.org.
Will a CA solvency certificate do for a tender?
Many tenders ask for a solvency certificate from a bank, not from a Chartered Accountant. Check the tender’s clause first. The pack does not draft a solvency certificate: if you tick it, the CA checks the tender’s format with you before anything is prepared.