Chartered accountant

Chartered accountants were the first accountants to form a professional accounting body, initially established in Scotland in 1854. The Edinburgh Society of Accountants (1854), the Glasgow Institute of Accountants and Actuaries (1854) and the Aberdeen Society of Accountants (1867) were each granted a royal charter almost from their inception.[1] The title is an internationally recognised professional designation; the certified public accountant designation is generally equivalent to it. Women were able to become chartered accountants only following the Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act 1919 after which, in 1920, Mary Harris Smith was recognised by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales and became the first woman chartered accountant in the world.[2]

Chartered accountants work in all fields of business and finance, including auditing, taxation, financial and general management. Some are engaged in public practice work, others work in the private sector and some are employed by government bodies.[3][4][5]

Chartered accountants' institutes require members to undertake a minimum level of continuing professional development to stay professionally competitive. They facilitate special interest groups (for instance, entertainment and media, or insolvency and restructuring) which lead in their fields. They provide support to members by offering advisory services, technical helplines and technical libraries. They also offer opportunities for professional networking, career and business development.[6]

Chartered Accountants Worldwide comprises 15 institutes with over 1.8 million Chartered Accountants and students in 190 countries.[7]

  1. ^ Perks, R.W. (1993). Accounting and Society. London: Chapman & Hall. p. 16. ISBN 0-412-47330-5.
  2. ^ Walker, Stephen P. (14 March 2019). "Smith, Mary Harris". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. doi:10.1093/odnb/9780198614128.013.111926. ISBN 978-0-19-861412-8. Archived from the original on 1 July 2023. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
  3. ^ "Life as a CA has many advantages". ICA Scotland. Archived from the original on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 6 October 2011.
  4. ^ "Why Chartered Accountancy?". CA Ireland. Archived from the original on 18 December 2016. Retrieved 6 October 2011.
  5. ^ "Where do Chartered Accountants work?". ICA Australia. Archived from the original on 6 October 2011. Retrieved 6 October 2011.
  6. ^ "Benefits of joining the ICAEW". Archived from the original on 22 April 2016. Retrieved 6 October 2011.
  7. ^ "Chartered Accountants Worldwide". www.icaew.com. Retrieved 30 January 2021.