Gentlemen. As the most enlightened, forward-thinking, professional
accountants of our generation, I want us to form a professional
association that will be open to everyone. You mean everyone? Yes, everyone
with ability, ambition, determination and courage. Everyone, regardless of
background. Interesting. So how do we determine who becomes a member?
Examinations of the highest caliber; preparing our members for the demands
they will face now and in the future. Wisdom comes from experience, Arthur.
If we want the best members, they'll need some years of that. Yes, examinations and
experience. Our members will know what is right and fair. It'll be hard work, it'll
take several years to become a member, but think of the caliber of all those
that succeed. They will be outstanding, they will be a force for good.
You know that your everyone will have to include women. But women aren't allowed to vote, Arthur.
Exactly why our association will be the first to welcome women members.
You'll need the examinations and the experience. You think women incapable of
these things sir? I believe you are more than capable madam. Women are capable of
anything. Women will vote, women will be pilots and
prime ministers. We will lead countries, businesses and organisations around the
globe. Including this association where there will be as many women as men.
Probably more. Checkmate Albert. Goodness!
I take it that you will not be limiting your membership to our shores. Think what
advantages our diverse membership will bring. Wisdom drawn from multiple
cultures, experience gained by employment in many varied industries. But all
unified by a single recognisable qualification. Global membership will
mean global standards. The same examinations for all. So how do we
deliver them? The railway network is expanding fast. Unless you dig a tunnel
to France, we'll also need ships. Once the Wright brothers manage to stay up in
the air, we can fly them. We already send things through wires, or there's the
wireless. That's how we'll deliver them, by thinking ahead and embracing
technology we can overcome all barriers. Everything changes. There will be things
in the future that we can't imagine. Like more women in the profession than men?
Even the humble typewriter will evolve. Our qualification will evolve too.
It will always be relevant, so our members stay ahead throughout their careers.
Ladies, gentlemen, my fellow members. Some of you might say that numbers make the
world go round. I don't know about that, but I believe there is strength in
numbers. Our first 100 years saw us grow to 100,000 members. Just 13 years later,
in October 2017, We became a global family of 200,000. 200,000 equally
qualified professionals, equally equipped, equal in knowledge, equal in wisdom, able
to act in the public interest by upholding the very highest ethical and
professional standards. To mark this historic milestone, a vast wall
containing all 200,000 names has been constructed, and I invite you to
celebrate with us by finding your names amongst those of your fellow members.
Every single one of you has played your part in this great story, and I am so
proud to stand with you now and to have played my part too. I wish you good
health and great success on your continued journey.