The English Universities and the Accounting Profession.

Abstract In England, as in the U.S., the accountancy profession has been quietly and steadily advancing in status and gaining in responsibility. Qualities which society expects from members of such a developing profession puts upon that profession the obligation of attracting into its ranks men and women of the highest character and intellectual ability. It has always been recognized that a regard for the liberal education and intellectual discipline tendered by a university conferred advantages upon those members of the profession who either had sought it as opportunity offered, or had been antecedently brought to it under the guidance of a discerning tutelage. But now the reconciliation has been carried one stage further and the accountancy profession in England has sanctioned a scheme, prepared by a joint committee representing universities and the profession, whereby it is possible to obtain within a period of five and three quarter years both a university degree and a professional qualification. Thus, it has achieved a provision for the university education of prospective members of the accountancy profession. Although the scheme is voluntary it may very well be said that professional education has now been secured within boundaries of those institutions concerned with the penetration and depth which come from the pursuit of a liberal education.