Attestation

    CPA verification of trading results

    Investors, lenders and prop firms sometimes want a CPA to check a trader's reported profit and loss. Here's how that engagement works, what the report says and what you'll need to provide.

    Book a free 30-min call Send a message

    Free 30-minute video call · No obligation

    • Last reviewed October 7, 2026
    • Sources linked below

    Can a CPA verify my trading profits?

    Yes. Your Virtual CPA, a licensed CPA firm, verifies trading results for traders, prop firm applicants and fund managers, usually through an agreed-upon procedures engagement under AICPA standards. We agree the procedures with you, trace your reported trades and P&L to broker statements, and report what we found. It is not an opinion. Book a free 30-minute call to scope the procedures.

    How a CPA verifies trading results

    Most trading verifications are agreed-upon procedures engagements under AICPA attestation standards (AT-C section 215, as revised by SSAE No. 19). The CPA performs specific procedures and reports the findings. Typical procedures:

    • Agree beginning and ending account balances to broker statements.
    • Trace a selection of trades, or all trades, from your record to broker statements.
    • Recompute profit and loss for the period from statement data.
    • Agree deposits and withdrawals to bank or broker records.
    • Confirm balances or activity directly with the broker.

    An AUP report lists the procedures and findings. It does not give an opinion or conclusion. If the report user needs an opinion, the alternative is an examination, which involves more work. See attestation services.

    Best for

    Best for traders and managers who need an independent CPA report on past results for a proprietary trading firm, lender, investor or fund launch.

    The CPA must be independent of you as the responsible party. The engaging party acknowledges that the procedures are appropriate for the purpose, so it helps to share the report user’s requirements early.

    How it works with us

    1. Free 30-minute call. Tell us who will use the report, the period and the accounts involved.
    2. Agree the procedures. We draft procedures with you, based on what the report user needs.
    3. Engagement letter. Scope and fees are transparent, fair and quoted upfront, in writing.
    4. Records and confirmations. You provide statements and your trade record, and authorize confirmation with the broker.
    5. Procedures. We perform the agreed procedures and document each finding.
    6. Report. We issue an agreed-upon procedures report that lists the procedures and findings.

    Agreed-upon procedures vs examination

    ItemAgreed-upon proceduresExamination
    StandardAT-C section 215AT-C section 205
    What you getProcedures and findingsAn opinion
    ProceduresSpecific procedures acknowledged as appropriate by the engaging partyChosen by the CPA to support an opinion
    IndependenceRequiredRequired
    Work involvedNarrower, focused on agreed itemsBroader

    Expert CPAs. Personal attention.

    Need a CPA report on your trading results? On a free 30-minute call we'll talk through who will use it and draft the procedures.

    Book a free 30-min call Send a message

    Frequently asked questions

    Yes. A licensed CPA firm can perform an agreed-upon procedures engagement, tracing your reported trades and profit and loss to broker statements and reporting the findings. If the report user needs an opinion, the CPA can perform an examination instead, which involves more work.

    It is an attestation engagement under AICPA standards, AT-C section 215, as revised by SSAE No. 19. The CPA performs specific procedures that the engaging party acknowledges are appropriate and reports the findings. The CPA does not express an opinion or conclusion.

    Yes. For an agreed-upon procedures engagement the CPA must be independent of the responsible party, which is usually you or your fund. That means the firm cannot also be managing your trading or keeping the records being tested.

    Broker or exchange statements for the period, your own record of trades and profit and loss, deposits and withdrawals, and permission for the CPA to confirm balances or activity directly with the broker. Read-only account access can also help.

    Proprietary trading firms, lenders, investors, family offices and people launching a fund or managed account. Each user may want different procedures, so ask them what they need to see before the CPA starts.

    No. The report covers whether the reported results agree with the records for the period tested. It does not evaluate the strategy or say anything about future returns.

    Sources

    General information as of October 7, 2026. Tax rules change; talk to a CPA about your situation.