Accounting history

The Accounting History gateway has been developed by the ICAEW Library & Information Service as an easy access point to historical materials available from, or about, the Institute.

Resources

• Accountancy Ancestors
  A resource developed to help researchers tracing their family history or who are studying the history of accountancy firms. Accountancy Ancestors provides an index to obituaries and photographs of individuals from 1874 to 1965.
• Accounting Historians' Guide to London 
• Firms' Family Trees
  Family trees showing the development of the largest UK accountancy firms of the 20th century.
• Practising accountants listed in London trade directories published before 1840 
  A study of accountants practising in the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries in London.
• Past Presidents of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, 1880-2005 

More

Archives

Historical documents on the accountancy profession can be found in various archives across the UK. Use our guide to find out about the collections and their coverage.

• View our quick guide to the archives

Articles and reading lists

Our collection of articles on the history of the accounting profession covers a wide range of topics, from the origins of the Institute Lady to the mystery of the missing members.

• Access the full list of articles 

Family history

Trying to trace an ancestor or relative who was an accountant? The ICAEW Library & Information Service has produced a number of guides and resources that can help.

• Find out how we can help 

Research the history of an accountancy practice

Thinking of celebrating the anniversary of your firm and need to find out more about it's history? Read our guide to find out about the information available and how you can start your research.

• Read the guide and checklist 

Timeline

A timeline of the development of the accountancy profession in the United Kingdom.

• View the timeline

Links

A collection of accounting history links to journals, organisations, sources of historic papers and histories of accountancy firms.

• Check out the full list of links 

Publications for sale

The ICAEW Library is the sole stockist for a number of key books on worldwide accounting history and the history of the profession in the UK.

• View a full list of the publications available 

Can't find what you are looking for?

If you need help tracking the information you need please contact the LIS Enquiry Team by telephone on +44 (0)20 7920 8620 or by email at library@icaew.com and we will be pleased to help.