Members of The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales have traditionally been known for their work as auditors, taxation specialists and financial advisers but increasingly they have become involved in a far broader spectrum of activities including information technology, business consultancy and all aspects of company management.

Some few years ago, leading figures in the Institute recognised the opportunity of giving greater support to the City of London by the formation of a City Livery Company, and at the same time allowing some of its own members the honour and pleasure of becoming Liverymen. By these means Chartered Accountants were able to share in the constitutional privilege of electing the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs annually in Guildhall and equally importantly showing the caring side of the City of London's face.

Thus, with the encouragement and approval of the Court of Aldermen, a modern Livery Company was born, to take its place with other new Companies that represented the present day life of the City, alongside the ancient ones whose crafts had largely ceased to exist within the Square Mile.

The company received livery status in 1977 and has a maximum membership of 350 Liverymen, all of whom must be members of The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.

Despite its youth the Company has already had six Lord Mayors elected from its members.

In mediaeval days, liverymen lived and worked in the same area for ease and convenience as the names of many City streets still bear witness, for example Bread Street, Wood Street and Ironmongers Lane. Nowadays however members are bound together, not geographically, but by a common code of technical knowledge and professional conduct, as well as by the customs and traditions handed down by the early guilds. The name "Livery" is derived from the distinctive badges and features of dress worn in the early days by The Master and senior members of the guilds.

The primary aims of the Worshipful Company of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales are to promote all aspects of chartered accountancy to the community, to provide an additional means of communication between members of the profession, and in common with all Livery Companies, to maintain the strong charitable tradition, and to give wholehearted support to the City of London.

Social functions are held by the Company on a regular basis, frequently in the lovely halls of other Livery Companies.

The Company has built up over its relatively short life a significant charitable fund to which all members are expected to contribute on a regular basis according to their means.

This fund enables the Company to reward excellence achieved in professional and related examinations, and to make substantial grants to worthy causes. This latter is achieved by the Master, each year selecting an area of need, and then inviting the members of the Livery to sponsor submissions on behalf of a charity within that area. The successful charity chosen by the Trustees receives a grant which recently has been in the order of £25,000.

The company has made every effort to achieve a membership that is spread geographically through England and Wales and includes all occupations and age groups. The introduction of student members and apprentices has been particularly successful in encouraging younger members.

In support of the Livery tradition of maintaining links with the Armed Forces, the company has a special relationship with the Honourable Artillery Company and has given a ceremonial sword for annual presentation to its outstanding officer.

In the Members' and Guests' Room at Chartered Accountants' Hall in Moorgate Place, there is a "Livery Corner" where the original Grant of Livery and the Grant of Arms may be seen together with examples of the beautiful plate which has been generously given by benefactors over the years.

Further information about the Company may be obtained from The Clerk: clerk@wccaew.org.uk