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An overview of ICAEW

Chartered accountants are talented, ethical and committed professionals. ICAEW represents more than 208,000 members and students around the world. 99 of the top 100 global brands employ ICAEW Chartered Accountants.*

Founded in 1880, ICAEW has a long history of serving the public interest and we continue to work with governments, regulators and business leaders globally. And, as a world-leading improvement regulator, we supervise and monitor around 11,500 firms, holding them, and all ICAEW members and students, to the highest standards of professional competency and conduct.

We promote inclusivity, diversity and fairness and we give talented professionals the skills and values they need to build resilient businesses, economies and societies, while ensuring our planet’s resources are managed sustainably.

ICAEW is the first major professional body to be carbon neutral, demonstrating our commitment to tackle climate change and supporting UN Sustainable Development Goal 13.

ICAEW is a founding member of Chartered Accountants Worldwide (CAW), a global family that connects over 1.8m chartered accountants and students in more than 190 countries. Together, we support, develop and promote the role of chartered accountants as trusted business leaders, difference makers and advisers.

We believe that chartered accountancy can be a force for positive change. By sharing our insight, expertise and understanding we can help to create sustainable economies and a better future for all.

* includes parent companies. Source: ICAEW member data February 2024, Interbrand, Best Global Brands 2023

Key facts about ICAEW

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Name:

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), incorporated by Royal Charter RC000246 with registered office at Chartered Accountants’ Hall, Moorgate Place, London EC2R 6EA

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Founded:

1880

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Headquarters:

Chartered Accountants’ Hall, Moorgate Place, London EC2R 6EA

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Offices:

UK, Beijing, Brussels, Dubai, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Shanghai, Singapore and Vietnam

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95% of ICAEW’s membership is located in 10 countries:

The UK, Australia, Canada, mainland China (including Hong Kong SAR), Cyprus, Malaysia, Singapore, Pakistan, UAE and the US.

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Membership:

169,722 members and 38,490 students around the world

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Sectors:

49% of our international members work in business and 23% work in practice

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Students:

12,225 new students began studying for the ACA last year

Our Unifying Dividers

Economia embodies the values that have always been at the core of our organisation. She has appeared on our coat of arms since 1880 and features on the facade of our London home, Chartered Accountants’ Hall.

She has three symbolic tools. The rod signifies command, the rudder represents guidance. The red dividers represent her unique powers of measurement and assessment, as well as her ability to draw perceptive insights from the world around her.

It’s those unique insights which enable us to contribute meaningfully and dynamically to our profession and the wider industry.

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An introduction to ICAEW
The world has changed since our last brand update. We’ve changed too. Our image, what we stand for and how we communicate reflects our international, forward-thinking organisation.

Creating a world of sustainable economies together

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We have been at the heart of the accountancy profession since it began in 1880. It was established to ensure trust in business. Today, that trust is as important as ever and the principles remain the same, even though the world has changed.
We bring together a unique network of talented and diverse professionals whose knowledge, initiative and integrity help economies thrive. We work hard to create strong links between individuals and their communities. Our members can rely on us to facilitate the partnerships and connections they need to develop and succeed.
We cultivate excellence by providing training, guidance and support. As well as bringing in new talent through our qualifications, we continue to provide our members with skills throughout their careers, so that they can develop insights that matter and maintain their competitive edge. We ensure that our community is ready to face the fast-paced changes of the global economy.
We promote collaboration within communities and across networks. Collectively, we empower businesses to succeed and encourage individuals and organisations to perform better. By advancing theory around accountancy, finance and business and by educating and training a body of members who maintain high standards of excellence, we help create the conditions to affect change.
We collaborate with international governments, regulators and business leaders to think through the difficult questions and help them get to the heart of the real issues. The combination of our experience and our clarity of focus enables us to provide unique insights into the way our global economy works. So we are ready and able to help create a strong framework to support global economic development.
ICAEW Chartered Accountants are a force for positive change. As their institute, we speak for the profession, uphold standards and campaign for progress in a volatile world. That’s why we support the UN Global Goals for Sustainable Development. The positive impact that we and other professional communities have plays a critical part in the ambition to end poverty, combat climate change and fight injustice and inequality.
Our values are at the core of our DNA and influence all of our thinking and practice. Insight: acquiring and applying our unique knowledge and skills Initiative: identifying needs and looking for solutions Integrity: taking ownership and doing the right thing These values help us to collaborate and innovate and be an agile organisation, guiding us in everything we do.
We believe that a world of strong economies must mean progress for the many, not just for the few. Why: Everything we do is motivated by the belief that accountancy can be a force to bring positive economic change across the world. How: By supporting a world of strong economies, through education, leadership and community. What: We offer industry-leading qualifications, and nurture collaborative, informed communities to share insight, expertise and understanding. As well as attracting and developing the next generation of accountancy talent, we are defining the role that our industry will play in the economies of tomorrow.
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