From 1854 to 2024… 170 years of ethical leadership
1853
The Society of Accountants in Edinburgh is formed to unite the profession, with James Brown as its first President. The Institute of Accountants & Actuaries in Glasgow is established.
1854
Royal Charter is granted to the Society of Accountants in Edinburgh.
The Crimean War breaks out, making a celebrity of Florence Nightingale (pictured), who becomes known as the “Lady with the Lamp”.
1855
Royal Charter is granted to the Institute of Accountants and Actuaries in Glasgow. The designatory letters CA are introduced.
1866
Royal Charter is granted to the Society of Accountants in Aberdeen.
In London, Overend, Gurney & Co, known as "the banker's bank", collapses, owing £11m, sparking a banking crisis. The first Labour Prime Minister, Ramsay MacDonald, and authors HG Wells and Beatrix Potter are born.
1877
The Glasgow Institute purchases its first premises on 106 West Nile Street.
Six Scotch whisky distilleries combine to form Distillers Company.
1897
The first edition of the Accountant magazine is published.
The nation celebrates Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee (pictured). The Blackwall Tunnel, the world's longest underwater road tunnel, opens in east London (pictured).
1914-18
The First World War: From the Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen societies, 391 members and 989 apprentices serve in the forces.
1919
The Scottish Chartered Accountants Benevolent Association, known as SCABA, is founded to support widows and orphans, and ICAS members returning from the First World War (pictured).
Women can enter the professions and earn university degrees following passage of the Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act.
1923
Isabel Clyne Guthrie CA becomes the first female member.
The BBC is granted a broadcasting licence by the Postmaster General in January. Its first programme airs the following month (pictured).
1939-45
The Second World War: Of those who serve from the three societies, 71 CAs and 56 apprentices lose their lives.
1951
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland is formed by Royal Charter.
ICAS was created through the coming together of the Society of Accountants in Edinburgh, the Institute of Accountants & Actuaries in Glasgow and the Society of Accountants in Aberdeen.
Robert Gordon Simpson, the last President of the Society of Accountants in Edinburgh (1948-1951), becomes the first President of ICAS (1951-52).
1954
ICAS celebrates its centenary in Edinburgh. Two thousand people, including representatives of 44 sister accountancy bodies worldwide, attend a service of commemoration in St Giles’ Cathedral and an international congress in the Usher Hall, followed by a banquet in the Assembly Rooms.
1971
The first Statement of Standard Accounting Practice is issued in the UK by ICAS and other accountancy bodies following recommendations from the Accounting Standards Committee.
Decimalisation takes place in the UK, simplifying the currency system.
1974
The Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies is founded by all six British and Irish professional accountancy bodies, including ICAS, with a Royal Charter.
Two UK general elections take place, both narrowly won by Harold Wilson’s Labour (pictured).
1977
The International Federation of Accountants is founded in Munich, at the 11th World Congress of Accountants.
Punk rock (pictured) sweeps the UK. Elvis Presley dies.
1988
ICAS publishes the seminal accountancy research paper “Making Corporate Reports Valuable”.
The Glasgow Garden Festival is held. Sandy Lyle (pictured) becomes the first UK golfer to win the US Masters.
1994
Primrose McCabe CA becomes the first female President of ICAS.
The Channel Tunnel opens (pictured). Tony Blair succeeds John Smith as the leader of the Labour party.
1997
CA magazine publishes its centenary issue. ICAS membership reaches 14,888.
The Conservative party suffers a landslide defeat, losing more than half of its Westminster seats. Hong Kong is transferred back to China, marking the effective end of the British Empire.
2000
As the new millennium dawns (pictured), ICAS moves its headquarters from Queen Street to Haymarket Yards, Edinburgh.
George W Bush wins the US presidential election, following the “hanging chad” controversy in Florida. The dotcom bubble of investment in early internet firms peaks, then collapses.
IFAC 2000 is held in Edinburgh, under the theme “The Needs of Capital Markets: A Measured Response”, with ICAS playing a key role in the conference organisation.
2001
Sir David Tweedie CA (pictured), a future ICAS President, becomes the first Chair of the new International Accounting Standards Board.
The Bank of Scotland and Halifax merge to form HBOS. The London Stock Exchange and Canary Wharf are evacuated following the 9/11 attacks.
Enron files for bankruptcy. The scandal leads to regulatory change in the US with the introduction of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act 2002.
2004
ICAS celebrates its 150th anniversary, holding a successful international conference in Edinburgh with Paul Volcker, chairman of the US Federal Reserve, as keynote speaker. The research publication “Taking Ethics to Heart” and the book ICAS: 150 Years and Still Counting are published.
The Scottish Parliament Building opens in Holyrood, Edinburgh (pictured). Facebook is founded in Mark Zuckerberg's Harvard bedroom.
2005
The Global Accounting Alliance, a forum for the world’s leading professional bodies whose members practice in major capital markets, is formed. ICAS is a founder member.
2006
ICAS publishes “Principles not Rules”, one of its most influential reports of the decade.
Russia temporarily slashes oil deliveries to Ukraine following a dispute over prices.
2008
“Ethical Issues Encountered by Chartered Accountants” collates 28 real-life ethical dilemmas faced by accountants in practice or business.
Lehman Brothers collapses as the financial crash gathers pace. Barack Obama wins the US election, becoming the first African-American US president.
2010
Recognising that the financial crisis has damaged faith in audit and assurance, ICAS publishes its ground-breaking “Future of Assurance” report, setting out the roadmap to reform.
2011
The Institute of Chartered Accountants rebrands as ICAS to reflect the standing of CAs around the world.
The new logo (pictured) emphasises the CA letters amidst the overall ICAS title and incorporates four roundels representing the three historical original bodies; Glasgow (green), Edinburgh (yellow), Aberdeen (red) and blue to represent Scotland.
2012
ICAS institutes an oath to be recited in solidarity when new CAs are admitted to membership.
London hosts the 2012 Olympic Games. Britain wins 29 gold medals (pictured) and 65 medals in total, making this its most successful Olympics performance since 1908.
2014
As ICAS celebrates 160 years, membership reaches 20,000. The ICAS Foundation is launched to improve social mobility in the accounting profession.
Scotland votes 55%-45% against independence in the referendum. Nicola Sturgeon succeeds Alex Salmond as First Minister.
2015
ICAS begins digital transformation, introducing new cloud-based systems.
The Power of One campaign, is launched, calling on all CAs to place ethical leadership at the heart of their professional responsibilities.
The Paris Climate Accord is signed.
2020
In rapid response to the pandemic, ICAS introduces online learning and examinations for all students, ensuring no delay in their qualification process.
CA magazine moves to a digital-only publication.
The UK becomes the first western country to license a vaccine against Covid, when the Pfizer/BioNTech jab is approved in December.
2022
Indy Singh Hothi CA (pictured) becomes the first ICAS President from an ethnically diverse background.
President Putin orders the invasion of Ukraine. For the first time in decades, inflation and interest rates soar in western economies. The funeral of Queen Elizabeth II takes place at Westminster Abbey (pictured).
2023
ICAS launches a new brand vision and visual identity, while outlining ambitious plans through to 2030. An online student experience is launched to enhance the learning experience. Membership reaches 23,952, with CAs in more than 80 countries.
King Charles III is crowned – the first coronation in 70 years.
2024
ICAS celebrates 170 years. A new syllabus, CA24, is launched to keep pace with advances in technology, data and sustainability. ICAS Foundation celebrates 10 years.
Read a summary of the new CA syllabus
1853
The Society of Accountants in Edinburgh is formed to unite the profession, with James Brown as its first President. The Institute of Accountants & Actuaries in Glasgow is established.
1854
Royal Charter is granted to the Society of Accountants in Edinburgh.
The Crimean War breaks out, making a celebrity of Florence Nightingale (pictured), who becomes known as the “Lady with the Lamp”.
1855
Royal Charter is granted to the Institute of Accountants and Actuaries in Glasgow. The designatory letters CA are introduced.
1866
Royal Charter is granted to the Society of Accountants in Aberdeen.
In London, Overend, Gurney & Co, known as "the banker's bank", collapses, owing £11m, sparking a banking crisis. The first Labour Prime Minister, Ramsay MacDonald, and authors HG Wells and Beatrix Potter are born.
1877
The Glasgow Institute purchases its first premises on 106 West Nile Street.
Six Scotch whisky distilleries combine to form Distillers Company.
1897
The first edition of the Accountant magazine is published.
The nation celebrates Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee (pictured above). The Blackwall Tunnel, the world's longest underwater road tunnel, opens in east London (pictured below).
1914-18
The First World War:
From the Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen societies, 391 members and 989 apprentices serve in the forces.
1919
The Scottish Chartered Accountants Benevolent Association, known as SCABA, is founded to support widows and orphans, and ICAS members returning from the First World War (pictured).
Women can enter the professions and earn university degrees following passage of the Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act.
1923
Isabel Clyne Guthrie CA becomes the first female member.
The BBC is granted a broadcasting licence by the Postmaster General in January. Its first programme airs the following month (pictured).
1939-45
The Second World War:
Of those who serve from the three societies, 71 CAs and 56 apprentices lose their lives.
1951
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland is formed by Royal Charter.
ICAS was created through the coming together of the Society of Accountants in Edinburgh, the Institute of Accountants & Actuaries in Glasgow and the Society of Accountants in Aberdeen.
Robert Gordon Simpson, the last President of the Society of Accountants in Edinburgh (1948-1951), becomes the first President of ICAS (1951-52).
1954
ICAS celebrates its centenary in Edinburgh. Two thousand people, including representatives of 44 sister accountancy bodies worldwide, attend a service of commemoration in St Giles’ Cathedral and an international congress in the Usher Hall, followed by a banquet in the Assembly Rooms.
1971
The first Statement of Standard Accounting Practice is issued in the UK by ICAS and other accountancy bodies following recommendations from the Accounting Standards Committee.
Decimalisation takes place in the UK, simplifying the currency system.
1974
The Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies is founded by all six British and Irish professional accountancy bodies, including ICAS, with a Royal Charter.
Two UK general elections take place, both narrowly won by Harold Wilson’s Labour (pictured).
1977
The International Federation of Accountants is founded in Munich, at the 11th World Congress of Accountants.
Punk rock (pictured) sweeps the UK. Elvis Presley dies.
1988
ICAS publishes the seminal accountancy research paper “Making Corporate Reports Valuable”.
The Glasgow Garden Festival is held. Sandy Lyle (pictured) becomes the first UK golfer to win the US Masters.
1994
Primrose McCabe CA becomes the first female President of ICAS.
The Channel Tunnel opens (pictured). Tony Blair succeeds John Smith as the leader of the Labour party.
1997
CA magazine publishes its centenary issue. ICAS membership reaches 14,888.
The Conservative party suffers a landslide defeat, losing more than half of its Westminster seats. Hong Kong is transferred back to China, marking the effective end of the British Empire.
2000
As the new millennium dawns (pictured), ICAS moves its headquarters from Queen Street to Haymarket Yards, Edinburgh.
George W Bush wins the US presidential election, following the “hanging chad” controversy in Florida. The dotcom bubble of investment in early internet firms peaks, then collapses.
IFAC 2000 is held in Edinburgh, under the theme “The Needs of Capital Markets: A Measured Response”, with ICAS playing a key role in the conference organisation.
2001
Sir David Tweedie CA (pictured), a future ICAS President, becomes the first Chair of the new International Accounting Standards Board.
The Bank of Scotland and Halifax merge to form HBOS. The London Stock Exchange and Canary Wharf are evacuated following the 9/11 attacks.
Enron files for bankruptcy. The scandal leads to regulatory change in the US with the introduction of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act 2002.
2004
ICAS celebrates its 150th anniversary, holding a successful international conference in Edinburgh with Paul Volcker, chairman of the US Federal Reserve, as keynote speaker. The research publication “Taking Ethics to Heart” and the book ICAS: 150 Years and Still Counting are published.
The Scottish Parliament Building opens in Holyrood, Edinburgh (pictured). Facebook is founded in Mark Zuckerberg's Harvard bedroom.
2005
The Global Accounting Alliance, a forum for the world’s leading professional bodies whose members practice in major capital markets, is formed. ICAS is a founder member.
2006
ICAS publishes “Principles not Rules”, one of its most influential reports of the decade.
Russia temporarily slashes oil deliveries to Ukraine following a dispute over prices.
2008
“Ethical Issues Encountered by Chartered Accountants” collates 28 real-life ethical dilemmas faced by accountants in practice or business.
Lehman Brothers collapses as the financial crash gathers pace. Barack Obama wins the US election, becoming the first African-American US president.
2010
Recognising that the financial crisis has damaged faith in audit and assurance, ICAS publishes its ground-breaking “Future of Assurance” report, setting out the roadmap to reform.
2011
The Institute of Chartered Accountants rebrands as ICAS to reflect the standing of CAs around the world.
The new logo (pictured) emphasises the CA letters amidst the overall ICAS title and incorporates four roundels representing the three historical original bodies; Glasgow (green), Edinburgh (yellow), Aberdeen (red) and blue to represent Scotland.
2012
ICAS institutes an oath to be recited in solidarity when new CAs are admitted to membership.
London hosts the 2012 Olympic Games. Britain wins 29 gold medals (pictured) and 65 medals in total, making this its most successful Olympics performance since 1908.
2014
As ICAS celebrates 160 years, membership reaches 20,000. The ICAS Foundation is launched to improve social mobility in the accounting profession.
Scotland votes 55%-45% against independence in the referendum. Nicola Sturgeon succeeds Alex Salmond as First Minister.
2015
ICAS begins digital transformation, introducing new cloud-based systems.
The Power of One campaign, is launched, calling on all CAs to place ethical leadership at the heart of their professional responsibilities.
The Paris Climate Accord is signed.
2020
In rapid response to the pandemic, ICAS introduces online learning and examinations for all students, ensuring no delay in their qualification process.
CA magazine moves to a digital-only publication.
The UK becomes the first western country to license a vaccine against Covid, when the Pfizer/BioNTech jab is approved in December.
2022
Indy Singh Hothi CA (pictured) becomes the first ICAS President from an ethnically diverse background.
President Putin orders the invasion of Ukraine. For the first time in decades, inflation and interest rates soar in western economies. The funeral of Queen Elizabeth II is held at Westminster Abbey (pictured).
2023
ICAS launches a new brand vision and visual identity, while outlining ambitious plans through to 2030. An online student experience is launched to enhance the learning experience. Membership reaches 23,952, with CAs in more than 80 countries.
King Charles III is crowned – the first coronation in 70 years.
2024
ICAS celebrates 170 years. A new syllabus, CA24, is launched to keep pace with advances in technology, data and sustainability. ICAS Foundation celebrates 10 years.
Read a summary of the new CA syllabus
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