ICAEW.com works better with JavaScript enabled.

A to Z of historical resources

The ICAEW Library & Information Service provides a collection of resources which have been developed to help researchers tracing the history of individuals, firms and the accountancy profession.

Contents

A

A Dream Painting (circa 1980)
  • Article
A Dream Painting by Dundiwuy Wamabi (1936-1996)
A guide to historical records
  • Research guide
Chartered accountants in England and Wales- a guide to historical records is an essential work for anyone interested in tracing the history of accounting firms and the profession in England And Wales. The book is based around a survey of the archives of accounting archives conducted by the ICAEW in 1991 and 1992.
A to Z of firms' family trees
  • Listing
An index to firm names included in the new edition of 'What's in a name: Firms' simplified family trees on the web' published in 2005.
Accountancy practices
  • Hub page
The ICAEW Library & Information Service provides a range of articles, tools and resources that can help researchers looking into the history of accountancy practices.
Accountancy profession
  • Hub page
The ICAEW Library & Information Service provides a range of articles and publications that can help researchers looking into the history of the accountancy profession.
Accountants
  • Hub page
The ICAEW Library & Information Service provides a range of articles, tools and resources that can help researchers looking into accountants of the past.
Accountants at Gallipoli
  • Research guide
The hundredth anniversary of the ill-fated Gallipoli campaign is commemorated in 2015, remembering the start of a campaign which cost the lives of over 100,000 soldiers from all sides.
Accountants at the Somme - 1 July 1916
  • Article
The terrible losses from the offensive at the Somme in 1916 have marked this out as one of the darkest chapters in the history of the British Isles.
Accountants' directory 1877
  • eBook
The accountants' directory for 1877 provides a snapshot of the membership of the first professional bodies for accountancy in the 1870s, just a few years before the establishment of the ICAEW.
Accountants in the First World War
  • Research guide
A collection of articles and resources that can help with research into members of your family or firm who served during the First and Second World Wars.
Accountants in the Second World War
  • Research guide
A collection of articles and resources that can help with research into members of your family or firm who served during the Second World War.
Accounting historians' guide to London
  • Article
London has played an important part in the history of accounting. The purpose of this brief guide by Professor R.H.Parker is to show clearly those places in and around the City of London which are of interest to accounting historians.
Art works
  • Hub page
Read about the artworks on display in Chartered Accountants Hall
Arthur Andersen
  • Company profile
A simplified family tree for the firm of Arthur Andersen showing the development of the firm and how the firm’s name has evolved.
Arthur Young
  • Company profile
A simplified family tree for the firm of Arthur Young showing the development of the firm and how the firm's name has evolved.
Auditorium (Oak Hall)
  • Research guide
A brief history and overview of the Auditorium at Chartered Accountants' Hall, home of ICAEW since 1893.

B

Baker Tilly
  • Company profile
A simplified family tree for the firm of Baker Tilly showing the development of the firm and how the firm's name has evolved.
BDO Binder Hamlyn
  • Company profile
A simplified family tree for the firm of BDO Binder Hamlyn showing the development of the firm and how the firm's name has evolved.
Belcher and Chartered Accountants’ Hall
  • Article
The architect chosen to build a headquarters befitting of an ambitious new professional body was John Belcher (1841-1913). Read about him and the angels on the exterior of our building.
Belenschenko glass
  • Article
In August 2022 award-winning British artist Alexander Beleschenko added three new stained glass windows to Members' Room in Chartered Accountants' hall
Biographical sources
  • Research guide
The collection of the ICAEW Library & Information Service holds a range of biographical sources that provide an insight into the profession throughout the years
Business centre
  • Research guide
A brief history and overview of the Business centre at Chartered Accountants' Hall, home of the ICAEW since 1893.

C

Cathy Ward frieze
  • Article
In 1992, Cathy Ward (1960- ) was commissioned to design a frieze for Chartered Accountants' Hall which was originally mounted in the restaurant on the lower ground floor. Today, it hangs in the lift lobby of the same floor.
Chartered Accountants' Hall
  • Research guide
A brief history and overview of Chartered Accountants' Hall, home of ICAEW since 1893.
Chartered Accountants' Hall - further reading
  • Research guide
Further reading sources on the history of Chartered Accountants' Hall, home of the ICAEW since 1893.
Chartered Accountants Rugby Football Club
  • Article
Look into what the lives of the this group of young men had in store for them as they are pictured on the eve of the Second World War.
Chief Executives and Secretaries
  • Listing
This page lists the leadership of the ICAEW, currently called the Chief Executive, but previously the Secretary General or Secretaries.
Clark Whitehill
  • Company profile
A simplified family tree for the firm of Clark Whitehill showing the development of the firm and how the firm's name has evolved.
Consultations and responses
  • Research guide
The ICAEW Library & Information Service maintains a collection of consultation documents along with the responses from ICAEW and, in some cases, other parties.
Coopers & Lybrand
  • Company profile
A simplified family tree for the firm of Coopers & Lybrand showing the development of the firm and how the firm's name has evolved.

D

Deaths in service 1914-1918
  • Research guide
List of Members and Articled Clerks who died in the service of their Country during the War 1914-1918 reproduced from the 1919 List of Members.
Decorations for Military Services (Articled Clerks)
  • Research guide
A list of articled clerks who were awarded decorations for military services in the First World War
Decorations for Military Services (Members)
  • Research guide
A list of members who were awarded decorations for military services in the First World War
Deloitte Haskins & Sells
  • Company profile
A simplified family tree for the firm of Deloitte Haskins & Sells showing the development of the firm and how the firm's name has evolved.

E

Early Secretaries of ICAEW
  • Article
Some biographical detail of the first four Secretaries of ICAEW
Entrance Hall and Staircase
  • Research guide
A brief history and overview of the Entrance Hall and Staircase at Chartered Accountants' Hall, home of the ICAEW since 1893.
Ernst & Whinney
  • Company profile
A simplified family tree for the firm of Ernst & Whinney showing the development of the firm and how the firm's name has evolved.
Exams in World War II: servicemen overseas
  • Article
During the Second World War changes were made to exam regulations to aid articles clerks who volunteered or were called up to serve in the armed forces. In addition to this many accountants took exams while on active service and while held in Prisoner of Wars Camps.

F

Female Firsts
  • Article
Find out about the key female firsts in accountancy who helped pioneer the way for women in the profession.
Finnie & Co
  • Article
A simplified family tree for the firm of Finnie & Co. showing the development of the firm and how the firm's name has evolved.
Firm archives and histories
  • Research guide
The ICAEW Library & Information Service holds a collection of resources that can be used to trace the history of a firm, including firms’ family trees, published histories and information on archival material held by the firms.
Firm newsletters
  • Research guide
The ICAEW Library & Information Service maintains a collection of newsletters published by accountancy firms, including client-facing newsletters designed to provide updates in a particular area and internal staff newsletters.
Five groups of pictures by Julia Brooker
  • Article
Fifteen paintings by Julia Brooker (1953 -) are on display at Chartered Accountants Hall, London
Frieze
  • Research guide
A brief history and overview of the frieze and other external decoration at Chartered Accountants' Hall, home of the ICAEW since 1893.

G

Grant Thornton
  • Company profile
A simplified family tree for the firm of Grant Thornton showing the development of the firm and how the firm's name has evolved.
Great Hall
  • Research guide
A brief history and overview of the Great Hall at Chartered Accountants' Hall, home of the ICAEW since 1893.
Guide to historical resources
  • Hub page
The collection of the ICAEW Library & Information Service includes many resources that can be used by researchers to trace the history of the profession, the evolution of accounting practice and the lives of accountants. In this guide we highlight some of the material within the collection and the tools available to help you make best use of it.

H

Henry Holiday stained glass windows
  • Article
The four Henry Holiday stained glass windows, lost for almost 50 years, were returned in 2017 to their rightful home at Chartered Accountants’ Hall.
Historic ethical guidance
  • Research guide
The ICAEW Library & Information Service holds various editions of the ICAEW code of ethics and the ethical guidance that pre-dated this. On this page you can find a summary of the material held in the collection.
Historical ACA examination materials
  • Listing
This research guide sets out where to find historical materials relating to ACA examinations, highlighting relevant holdings in the ICAEW Library and elsewhere.
Historical examination papers
  • Research guide
On this page we focus on sources for past examination papers published since the first ICAEW examinations in 1882.
Historical examination regulations and syllabuses
  • Research guide
On this page we focus on sources for historical examination regulations and syllabuses, as well as related materials.
Historical learning materials
  • Research guide
On this page we focus on historical ACA learning materials, study guides and revision guides held in the ICAEW Library collection.
Historical materials for specialist ICAEW qualifications
  • Research guide
In addition to the ACA, ICAEW has offered a number of specialist qualifications and programmes over the years. The ICAEW Library holds a range of materials relating to these courses.
Historical pass lists and related information
  • Research guide
This page covers sources of information on historical ICAEW examination results, including pass lists, records of Orders of Merit and prize-winners, and sets of statistics.
Historical reports on examinations
  • Research guide
This page provides an overview of the historical reports on examinations held in the ICAEW Library collection.
Historical suggested answers and illustrative scripts
  • Research guide
On this page we outline the ICAEW Library's collection of suggested answers and illustrative scripts for historical ICAEW examinations.
History of Chartered Accountants' Hall
  • Research guide
A brief history and overview of the Chartered Accountants' Hall building, home of the ICAEW since 1893.
Hodgson Impey
  • Company profile
A simplified family tree for the firm of Hodgson Impey showing the development of the firm and how the firm's name has evolved.

I

ICAEW history
  • Hub page
The ICAEW Library & Information Service provides a range of articles and publications that can help researchers looking into the history of ICAEW and Chartered Accountants' Hall.
ICAEW Members' Handbooks and regulations
  • Research guide
This guide provides an overview of the historical ICAEW Members' Handbooks, regulations, and related guidance which are available via the Library & Information Service.
Index of UK and Irish accountancy and professional bodies
  • Listing
This index provides information on professional associations, bodies, societies and institutes in the UK and Republic of Ireland that are related to the accountancy profession.
Institute Lady and the Coat of Arms
  • No content type
The identity of 'The Institute Lady' and the meaning of the coat of arms surrounding her is raised from time to time by curious members - and understandably so, as it can seem hard to imagine what connection the matronly figure with a ships rudder has to the Institute of Chartered Accountants...
International members' handbooks
  • Research guide
The ICAEW Library & Information Service maintains a historical collection of printed members' handbooks for key professional accountancy bodies other than ICAEW.

J

John Piper paintings
  • Article
In 1980, John Piper (1903-1992 ) was commissioned to paint a series of paintings for Chartered Accountants' Hall, currently hung in the boardroom.

K

Kidsons
  • Company profile
A simplified family tree for the firm of Kidsons showing the development of the firm and how the firm's name has evolved.

L

London practising accountants pre 1840
  • eBook
A study of practising accountants listed in London trade directories published before 1840, which provides an insight into the number of accountants practising in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries in London. It is reproduced here by kind permission of the author, Peter Boys.

M

Main Reception Room
  • Research guide
A brief history and overview of the Main Reception Room at Chartered Accountants' Hall, home of the ICAEW since 1893.
Manuals
  • Research guide
The ICAEW Library & Information Service maintains a collection of manuals published by accountancy firms and publishing houses in the accountancy sector, including manuals covering accounting practice and auditing.
Members' Room
  • Research guide
A brief history and overview of the Members' Room at Chartered Accountants' Hall, home of the ICAEW since 1893.
Membership Lists
  • Research guide
A guide to our unique collection of over 220 series of membership lists for accountancy bodies from 1877 to the present day.
Moore Stephens
  • Company profile
A simplified family tree for the firm of Moore Stephens showing the development of the firm and how the firm's name has evolved.
Moores Rowland
  • Company profile
A simplified family tree for the firm of Moores Rowland showing the development of the firm and how the firm's name has evolved.
Mystery of the missing members
  • Article
This research article by Peter Boys investigates and corrects long-standing factual errors in the recorded history of ICAEW and its five founder bodies — particularly with regard to the membership of those bodies at the time of the granting of a royal charter in May 1880.

N

Neville Russell
  • Company profile
A simplified family tree for the firm of Neville Russell showing the development of the firm and how the firm's name has evolved.

P

Pannell Kerr Forster
  • Article
A simplified family tree for the firm of Pannell Kerr Forster showing the development of the firm and how the firm's name has evolved.
Past Presidents 1880-
  • Listing
A chronological list charting the Presidents, Vice Presidents and Deputy Presidents of the ICAEW from 1880 to the present day.
Peat Marwick McLintock
  • Company profile
A simplified family tree for the firm of Peat Marwick McLintock showing the development of the firm and how the firm's name has evolved.
PKF Littlejohn
  • Article
A simplified family tree for the firm of PKF Littlejohn showing the development of the firm and how the firm's name has evolved.
PoW stories: Harry Mounsey and John Peacock
  • Article
In this article we look at the stories of two young men who were held as Prisoners of War in World War Two and made heroic attempts to escape their incarceration.
Preliminary exam questions, 1882-1886
  • Research guide
In the early days of the Institute the preliminary examination tested the general knowledge of candidates seeking admission to the ICAEW. The following sample questions provide a glimpse of the type of questions candidates were expected to be able to answer.
Press releases
  • Research guide
The ICAEW Library & Information Service maintains a collection of press releases published by ICAEW and other accountancy bodies.
Price Waterhouse
  • Company profile
A simplified family tree for the firm of Price Waterhouse showing the development of the firm and how the firm's name has evolved.
Prisoners of War in World War 2
  • Article
Hundreds of accountants and articled clerks found themselves in Prisoner of War camps in WW2
Professional bodies
  • Research guide
The ICAEW Library & Information Service maintains a collection of material on the history and development of the professional bodies in the accountancy sector, including publications issued by many early accountancy bodies that are no longer in existence.

R

Research a firm's history
  • Research guide
This guide is intended to provide a guide to the resources available from the ICAEW Library & Information Service that can be used to trace the history of a firm.
Robson Rhodes
  • Company profile
A simplified family tree for the firm of Robson Rhodes showing the development of the firm and how the firm's name has evolved.
Roll of Honour 1939-45 - Articled Clerks
  • Research guide
A transcript of the entries in the ICAEW Roll of honour, 1939-1945.
Roll of Honour 1939-45 - Members
  • Research guide
A transcript of the entries in the ICAEW Roll of honour, 1939-1945.

S

Saffery
  • Company profile
A simplified family tree for the firm of Saffery showing the development of the firm and how the firm's name has evolved.
SIAA members and articled clerks killed in WW1
  • Listing
This page pays tribute to the 87 men of the Society of Incorporated Accountants and Auditors that are listed as having died during Word War One
Sir Harold Howitt
  • Article
Sir Harold Gibson Howitt's escape from German lines in 1918 was immortalised in the John Buchan novel 'Mr. Standfast' (1919). Read how this event was captured in the novel and in Sir Harold Gibson Howitt's later autobiography.
Small Reception Room
  • Article
A brief history and overview of the Small Reception Room at Chartered Accountants' Hall, home of the ICAEW since 1893.
Society of Incorporated Accountants and Auditors examinations
  • Research guide
On this page we focus on sources of material relating to the examinations of the Society of Incorporated Accountants and Auditors.
Spicer & Oppenheim
  • Company profile
A simplified family tree for the firm of Spicer & Oppenheim showing the development of the firm and how the firm's name has evolved.
Stairwell wall hangings
  • Article
Wall hangings in the main stairwell in the Copthall end of the building
Statements of Insolvency Practice (SIPs)
  • Research guide
The ICAEW Library & Information Service holds a collection of the Statements of Insolvency Practice (SIPs) issued by ICAEW and other bodies for England & Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Many of these are available in digital format.
Stoy Hayward
  • Company profile
A simplified family tree for the firm of Stoy Hayward showing the development of the firm and how the firm's name has evolved.
Subjects and recommended reading for the first ICAEW exams
  • Research guide
The official list of subjects for the Preliminary, Intermediate and Final Examinations were published in 'The Accountant' ahead of the first examinations in July 1882. Alongside these, a list of recommended texts was also published, covering a remarkable range of subjects.

T

Technical Releases and representations
  • Research guide
This guide provides information about Technical Releases and representations issued by ICAEW, and explains how you can find the full text of a Technical Release or representation.
Technical Releases for the AJPC and CCAB
  • Research guide
ICAEW has issued a number of Technical Releases on behalf of the Accountants Joint Parliamentary Committee (AJPC) and Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies (CCAB) since 1972.
Technical Releases on auditing
  • Research guide
The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) has issued technical releases providing guidance to members on audit issues and details of the Institute's representations on auditing since 1972. On this page you can view a timeline of Technical Releases and Representations issued by the Institute on auditing.
Technical Releases on business and company law
  • Research guide
ICAEW has issued Technical Releases and representations on aspects of business and company law since 1972. On this page you can view a timeline of Technical Releases and representations issued by the Institute on this topic.
Technical Releases on corporate finance
  • Research guide
ICAEW has issued Technical Releases and representations on corporate finance issues since the 1970s. On this page you can view a timeline of Technical Releases and representations issued by the Institute on this topic.
Technical Releases on corporate reporting
  • Research guide
ICAEW has issued Technical Releases and representations on financial/corporate reporting since the 1970s. On this page you can view a timeline of Technical Releases and representations issued by the Institute on this topic.
Technical Releases on financial services
  • Research guide
ICAEW has issued Technical Releases and representations on financial services since the 1970s. On this page you can view a timeline of Technical Releases and representations issued by the Institute on this topic.
Technical Releases on insolvency
  • Research guide
ICAEW has issued Technical Releases providing guidance to members on insolvency issues and representations on insolvency matters since 1972. Our collection includes Statements of Insolvency Practice issued by ICAEW as Technical Releases together with the other licensing bodies acting through the Joint Insolvency Committee.
Technical Releases on IT
  • Research guide
ICAEW has issued Technical Releases and representations on IT issues since 1972.
Technical Releases on tax
  • Research guide
ICAEW has issued Technical Releases providing guidance to members on tax issues and representations on taxation matters since 1972. Following the creation of the Tax Faculty in 1991, Technical Releases on taxation have been issued by the faculty.
The Paolozzi tapestry
  • Article
In 1980, Eduardo Paolozzi (1924-2005) was commissioned to design a tapestry for Chartered Accountants' Hall which originally hung on the east wall of the Great Hall. Today, it overhangs the staircase in the lobby of the Copthall Avenue entrance to the building.
The portrait of Mary Harris Smith
  • Article
Commissioned to celebrate the centenary of Mary Harris Smith becoming the world's first female chartered accountant
Timeline of the history of ICAEW and the accountancy profession
  • Listing
Steps to a professional body: a timeline of the development of the accountancy profession in the UK.
Touche Ross
  • Company profile
A simplified family tree for the firm of Touche Ross showing the development of the firm and how the firm's name has evolved.
Tracing an accountancy ancestor
  • Research guide
Trying to trace an ancestor or relative who was an accountant? The ICAEW Library & Information Service has produced a short guide for genealogists to highlight some of the resources that are available.
Training under articles
  • Research guide
From the time of the incorporation of the Institute until the 1970s, prospective chartered accountants trained ‘under articles’.
Turn the pages of ICAEW's original Royal Charter
  • No content type
ICAEW's original Royal Charter was granted by Queen Victoria on 11 May 1880. Explore the digitised Charter in detail using our interactive tool.

W

What's in a name
  • Research guide
A series of simplified family trees showing the development of the big accountancy firms of the day. The series is a key resource for accounting historians grappling with the tangled history of mergers and demergers in the accountancy sector.
With the colours
  • Hub page
The book 'With the colours; a list of Chartered and Incorporated Accountants and their Clerks who are serving with the British Forces on land and sea, 1914-1916' reproduced the lists of names previously published in The Accountant.
Women at war
  • Article
Female accountants and articled clerks also volunteered for or were called up for the armed forces or other civil defence roles as well as filling jobs vacated by men who were serving. Here we highlight some of those women.
Women in accounting: the pioneers
  • Article
The earliest women to enrol as articled clerks and go on to qualify as accountants
World War 1 Victoria Cross winners
  • Article
Read how two ICAEW men won the Military's highest award for Gallantry in World War I
World War 2 Medals - Articled Clerks
  • Article
A list of medals, decorations and awards, awarded to Articled Clerks in World War Two
World War 2 Medals - ICAEW members
  • Article
A list of medals, decorations and awards, awarded to members of the ICAEW at SIAA in World War Two
WW2 Medal winners: GeoffreyTurner and Mark Ebel
  • Article
Although they probably never met, two members of the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve are connected by playing their parts in saving lives in the port city of Liverpool during the blitz.
WW2 Medal winners: Robert Aitken D.S.O.
  • Article
Robert Aitken took part in the famous attack on the German battleship Tirpitz for which he was awarded a Distinguished Service Order but was captured and spent the rest of the war in a PoW camp.
WYSCA History
  • Article
A resume of the history of the West Yorkshire Society of Chartered Accountants (WYSCA) researched and compiled by Roger Oakley (WYSCA President, 2000/01) from the 19th century to the the present.

#

1914: The call to arms
  • Article
The outbreak of war in August 1914 brought the old order in Europe to an end, but also marked a halt in the progress of many men who were on their way to becoming Chartered Accountants.