About Us

So who are we, what do we do and what are our links with the City of London?

The City of London, which is a single square mile of land on the north bank of the Thames in the heart of our nation’s capital, broadly on the site of the old Roman walled town of Londinium, is the UK’s smallest local authority area and the long-time centre of our financial services sector.

The City, as it’s known, is governed by an electorate made up of residents, businesses and over 115 Liveries and Guilds, many dating back to the early Middle Ages. The Worshipful Company of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, is the 86^th such Livery and today plays a key role in the City’s governance (including providing a regular succession of Lord Mayors) and in the wider UK economy.

In particular, as well as helping elect the Lord Mayor, Sheriffs and other City of London officers each year, we also advise the Civic authorities on business-related matters, and work with other Liveries to ensure as much “joined-up” governance as possible.

Beyond this, we help the Institute foster high standards in the profession, working with them on a number of initiatives, support our Members in their business lives, provide a social space in which they can enjoy each other’s company and that of their guests, and raise money for a wide range of good causes.

Only members of the Institute may become Members and we seek to promote in each generation the standards, skills and talents which our profession represents.

Livery Companies reach out the hand of fellowship within the City of London and beyond, through service and through a united commitment to the values of common life. Livery Companies are marked for the generosity of their charitable work which including our own, contribute to the UK’s business community.

Our Charitable Trust has built up considerable funds over the years which, together with Members’ ongoing annual contributions, enable the trustees to support many good causes.

These have a particular focus on education generally, especially numeracy, literacy and accountancy, and include funding for students undertaking PhDs on accountancy topics.

However, over the years, we have supported a wide range of charities dear to our Members’ heart, covering areas as diverse as Missing Persons, Hospices, the Boys Brigade, Disabled Sport, Speech Impairment, Homelessness, Care for the Elderly, Counselling, and Leukemia, amongst many others.

Further details are given on the Charity pages of this website.