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ICAEW history

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.

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The Guide to historical resources

This guide highlights some of the material and the tools available within the ICAEW Library & Informamtion collection that can be used by researchers to trace the history of the profession, the evolution of accounting practice and the lives of accountants.

History of the Institute and Chartered Accountant Hall

Chartered Accountants' Hall
A brief history and overview of Chartered Accountants' Hall, home of the ICAEW since 1893.
Henry Holiday stained glass windows
The four Henry Holiday stained glass windows, lost for almost 50 years, were returned in 2017 to their rightful home at Chartered Accountants’ Hall.
Institute Lady and the Coat of Arms
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...
Mystery of the missing members
The article, The mystery of the missing members: the first 600 Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, by Peter Boys, is of particular significance to the early history of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW).
Timeline
Steps to a professional body - a timeline of the development of the Accountancy Profession in the United Kingdom.
WYSCA History
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.

Institute People

Female Firsts
  • No content type
  • 25 Jan 2016
Find out about the key female firsts in accountancy who helped pioneer the way for women in the profession.
Membership Lists
  • Research guide
  • 27 Mar 2014
A guide to our unique collection of over 220 series of membership lists for accountancy bodies from 1877 to the present day.
Past Presidents 1880-2005
  • Article
  • 18 Mar 2011
The respected accounting historian Peter Boys has prepared a series of chronological lists charting the Presidents, Vice Presidents and Deputy Presidents of the ICAEW from 1880 to 2005.
With the colours
  • Hub page
  • 30 Jun 2014
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.
See mmore resources on accountancy ancestors

Institute documents and publications

Consultations and responses
The ICAEW Library & Information Service maintains a collection of consultation documents along with the responses from ICAEW and, in some cases, other parties.
Historic ethical guidance
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.
Members' Handbooks
The ICAEW Library & Information Service maintains a historical collection of printed Members' Handbooks for key countries and professional accountancy bodies relevant to ICAEW members.
Membership Lists
A guide to our unique collection of over 220 series of membership lists for accountancy bodies from 1877 to the present day.
Press releases
The ICAEW Library & Information Service maintains a collection of press releases published by ICAEW and other accountancy bodies.
Statements of Insolvency Practice (SIPs)
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.
Technical Releases and Representations
This guide provides information about Technical Releases and representations issued by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales and explains how you can find the full text of a Technical Release.

Examinations

The structure of the ICAEW examination system and the names of examinations have changed over time, which can make it a hard task to track down past examinations.

In these pages we aim to help you track down the examination papers and their associated publications through the years - with pointers on where you can find online resources for recent and current examinations.

Exam regulations and syllabuses
The Knowledge guide to ICAEW examination papers has been developed to help you track down the examination papers and their associated publications through the years - with guidance on where you can find online resources for recent and current examinations. On this page we focus on sources for examination regulations and syllabuses.
Learning materials
The Knowledge guide to ICAEW examination papers has been developed to help you track down the examination papers and their associated publications through the years - with guidance on where you can find online resources for recent and current examinations. On this page we focus on sources for learning materials.
Pass lists
The Knowledge guide to ICAEW examination papers has been developed to help you track down the examination papers and their associated publications through the years - with guidance on where you can find online resources for recent and current examinations. On this page we focus on sources for pass lists.
Reports on examinations
The Knowledge guide to ICAEW examination papers has been developed to help you track down the examination papers and their associated publications through the years - with guidance on where you can find online resources for recent and current examinations. On this page we focus on sources for the reports on the examinations.
Incorporated Accountants - examinations
The Knowledge guide to ICAEW examination papers has been developed to help you track down the examination papers and their associated publications through the years. On this page we focus on sources for material relating to the examinations of the Society of Incorporated Accountants and Auditors.
Suggested answers and scripts
The Knowledge guide to ICAEW examination papers has been developed to help you track down the examination papers and their associated publications through the years - with guidance on where you can find online resources for recent and current examinations. On this page we focus on sources for suggested answers.
See more resources on examinations

Archival material held at London Metropolitan Archives

A substantial collection of archival material from ICAEW has been deposited at London Metropolitan Archives, including material relating to the Institute of Accountants and Society of Incorporated Accountants and Auditors.

Can't find what you're looking for?

The ICAEW Library can give you the right information from trustworthy, professional sources that aren't freely available online. Contact us for expert help with your enquiries and research.