Dr Julia Smith of Accounting & Finance has been appointed, for an initial period of five years, to the Research Committee of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS), a professional body for more than 20,000 world class business men and women who work in the UK and in more than 100 countries around the world.
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland is the world's first professional body of accountants, receiving its Royal Charter in 1854. The institute originated from: the Edinburgh Society of Accountants, the Glasgow Institute of Accountants and Actuaries and the Aberdeen Society of Accountants. It was the first to adopt the designation 'Chartered Accountant' and the designatory letters 'CA' are still an exclusive privilege in the UK for members of the Scottish Institute. ICAS is an educator, examiner, regulator, and thought leader. Almost two thirds of its working membership work in business; many leading some of the UK's and the world's great companies. The others work in accountancy practices ranging from the Big Four in the City to the small practitioner in rural areas of the country.
ICAS represents its members on a wide range of issues in accountancy, finance and business and seeks to influence policy in Europe and the UK, always acting in the public interest. The Research Committee is responsible for the strategic direction of the ICAS Research Centre, and its composition is diverse, with members representing practice, the public sector, business and academia. Profiles of the Research Committee members and ICAS staff can be found here.