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"I well remember the inception of the Association - the few men who gathered together and the ideals and aims that they had in their minds at the time the Association was formed. Their ideal was to place the Association on a broader basis than that on which the two existing organisations for accountants were placed, and to give everyone who intended to take up the profession, and could prove by examination their fitness and experience, an opportunity of joining an Association which would provide them with a qualification they could use... It has since been said that the ideal of this Association is more democratic than that of any other."
Arthur Priddle, first President, 1905 - 1908

1904
30 November - eight accountants found the London Association of Accountants, the forerunner of ACCA.

1905
The Association has 312 members and introduces its first examinations. The Circular is launched, which becomes The Certified Accountants' Journal in 1909, Certified Accountant in 1981 and accounting&business in 1998.

1907
The term 'certified accountant' is introduced. There are 13 members outside the UK, including in Argentina, Burma (Myanmar), India, South Africa and Spain.

1908
The first students' association is established.

1909
Ethel Ayres Purdie becomes a member, the first woman to belong to a professional accountancy body.

1910
A milestone is reached: the registration of 1,000 members.

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