Testing for the Professions

Abstract

PUBLIC ACCOUNTING is a comparatively young profession and is a rapidly growing one. From August 1940 to November 1956, the Ameri can Institute of Accountants, which is the national organization of public accountants, increased in membership from 5437 to 28, 535, or more than 500 per cent. It is estimated that there are now in the United States approximately 19,000 certi fied public accountants in public practice. The total number of accountants, including those in public and private practice and government ac counting, but excluding those doing routine book keeping work, is estimated tobe more than 200,000. The importance of accounting in our financial structure is evident to everyone. Modern busi ness could not function without accountants in both public and private practice. The accountant stands in a unique role of trust. He is the final arbiter of the financial condition of many thousands of bus iness organizations ranging from small private enterprises to giant corporations and including profit-making, non-profit, and governmental or ganizations. It is essential that men of high abil ity and unassailable integrity be attracted to, trained for, and retained in this profession.