1. 1880
    The founding

    a royal charter

    Queen Victoria signs a Royal Charter creating the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), establishing the professional body that caba would later support.

  2. 1885
    Early support

    the first collection

    £50 is raised in Throgmorton Street by members of the ICAEW for a junior clerk afflicted by a terminal illness.

  3. 24 March 1886
    Formally constituted

    caba is born

    The Chartered Accountant Benevolent Association is formally constituted, chaired by W.W. Deloitte and supported by 22 ICAEW council members.

  4. 1880s–1890s
    Early grants

    rules & policies established

    Early support includes grants for health-related travel, recognising the impact of illness on financial stability.

  5. 1892
    Overseas reach

    support reaches overseas

    Following the death of Dr J. Westby Gibson, £20 is sent to Mrs Gibson in Melbourne to help support her family.

  6. 1914–1918
    World War I

    first world war

    Help for households affected by war, support for the injured and fatalities of war — widows and children.

  7. Interwar years
    Growing support

    expanding the mission

    Support expands to include exam coaching, helping aspiring accountants continue their professional journey.

  8. 1924
    Pensions

    pension advice & grants

    caba gives pension advice and grants as the Old Age Pensions Scheme changed.

  9. 1939–1945
    World War II

    second world war

    Financial grants during times of rationing, displacement and rebuilding. Food parcels are sent to members across the UK by colleagues overseas.

  10. 1958
    A lasting legacy

    the merrett bequest

    Henry Merrett bequeaths his estate to caba, strengthening the charity's ability to support future generations.

  11. 1970s
    Beyond finance

    more than money

    Recognition that support is more than financial grants alone. Guidance and practical assistance begin to form a larger part of caba's work.

  12. 1978
    Centenary appeal

    the centenary appeal

    The centenary appeal raises £750,000, strengthening the charity's long-term sustainability.

  13. 2002
    Digital era

    going online

    caba's first website launches, making support and information accessible to the wider community for the first time online.

  14. 2005
    A pivotal year

    securing the future

    The sale of Peacock Meadows helps secure caba's future, and the first telephone counselling helpline launches, expanding support beyond financial assistance.

  15. 2007–2008
    New services

    widening support

    New services for those in debt, nearing retirement or out of work. Care and carer support introduced.

  16. 2010
    Students included

    supporting aca students

    Support broadens further to include ACA students.

  17. 2015
    Wellbeing focus

    whole-community wellbeing

    Support and resources broaden — looking after the wellbeing of the whole community.

  18. 2025
    New strategy

    refocused for the future

    A new five-year strategy refocuses caba's work on those facing hardship and health challenges as pressures across the profession evolve.

  19. 2026
    140 years

    140 years of support

    caba marks 140 years of support, continuing its mission to stand beside the ICAEW community through both everyday challenges and exceptional circumstances.

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