Chartered Accountants Livery Company

The Chartered Accountants’ Livery Company (WCCAEW) exists to support the profession of accountancy in its leadership and service to society, industry, commerce and the financial sector. Membership of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales (ICAEW) is a requirement for joining the Company. As a Livery Company, the WCCAEW supports the Lord Mayor of the City of London and the Corporation in maintaining and promoting London as the world’s leading international financial centre. The Company also supports the community and (through our charitable trust) appropriate charitable causes. The Company seeks to uphold the high ethical and moral standards of the City of London, our profession and of the Livery movement generally. The Company’s motto is True and Fair. Our members are leading accountants and business people, from industry, commerce, the financial sector and professional firms of chartered accountants. The Company provides a forum for leaders in our profession and in industry generally to contribute to and listen to views and opinions on matters of current interest and importance, in a small, confidential grouping. Joining the Company is a privilege which allows ICAEW members to complement their own views and experience by meeting other senior accountants from beyond their own businesses and normal contacts, enabling them to be better informed about the key issues of the moment. There are two stages to membership - the initial step is to become a Freeman of the Company, which then provides the opportunity to become a Freeman of the City of London. Once this has been obtained, a member can progress to membership of the Livery, which is limited to 350. There are nearly 150,000 members of the ICAEW eligible to apply, so admission to our Company is a privilege not easily gained.