Our Background & History

Get to know the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Barbados, from our early days and founding principles to our international affiliations and leadership milestones. This is our story.

50+

Years of excellence

:-:-:ABOUT ICAB

who we Are

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Barbados (ICAB) is the professional accountancy organisation representing approximately 1,180 Chartered Accountants in Barbados along with approximately 800 students pursuing professional accounting qualifications. ICAB is the regulator and standard setter for accounting and auditing in Barbados. It is a body corporate created by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Barbados (Incorporation) Act 1974 (Cap. 369A). According to this legislation ICAB’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Promote, foster and maintain the highest standards of accounting in public practice, the public service and commercial and industrial spheres
Safeguard and enhance the professional standing, interest and reputation of accountants who are members thereof and are employed in the spheres specified above.
Maintain the highest standards of professional etiquette and ethics amongst its members and encourage the observance of such standards among non-members.
Express its views to the Government, public authorities, commissions of enquiry and similar bodies regarding matters affecting its members and the profession.

All of the responsibilities outlined in the legislation can be found in Section 4 of the Act (Cap369A(1,3-5).p65).

see Our vision mission & strategic plan

1100 +

Members

50 +

Years

700 +

Students

Integrity in every action

Standards We Uphold

ICAB is a member of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of the Caribbean (ICAC). ICAB adopts the international standards issued by the International Financial Reporting Standards Foundation for the preparation of financial statements and the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) for the attestation of financial statements. Accordingly, financial statements in Barbados are prepared according to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), the International Financial Reporting Standard for Small and Medium-Sized Entities (IFRS for SMEs) or International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS). Audits are conducted as prescribed by the International Standards on Auditing (ISAs). Chartered Accountants, as members of ICAB, are bound by the International Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants issued by the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants® (IESBA®) and ICAB as an institution has committed itself to best practice as a participant in the IFAC Member Body Compliance Programme.

Our History

The Need for Direction

In the mid-1960s, there was a need to stabilise and set a clear direction for the accounting profession in Barbados. In 1966, a number of individuals who had returned home from successfully completing their professional accounting qualifications spearheaded this initiative.
A discussion was held with Mr. Howard Ross, former President of the former Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants, who advised that two essential ingredients were required for success:

Forming the Foundation

In response to this advice, an ad hoc research team comprising Mr. E. Walmsley (English C.A.) of Barbados Light & Power, Mr. A. Roger (Scottish C.A.) of Caribbean Development Corporation, and Mr. H. Cuke (Canadian C.A.) began a feasibility study.
Their task was to assess the effects of uniting members from different institutes with varying professional rules of conduct. When drafting the By-laws and Rules of Professional Conduct, they agreed that the highest standards of any of the Commonwealth Institutes would apply. Early advice was also sought from leading business executives. A meeting with the Honourable Errol Barrow, then Prime Minister of Barbados, secured his understanding and assurance of government support when future legislation was required.

Mr. Walmsley played a vital role in these early stages due to his commitment to accounting education—a focus that has remained a cornerstone of the Institute. From the early 1960s, he organised and assisted students enrolled in the ACCA programme, earning him the affectionate nickname “Prof” Walmsley.

Building the Profession

The inaugural meeting of the Barbados Institute took place in 1966 at the Windsor Hotel, bringing together all known chartered accountants.  Mr. E. Walmsley was elected President, Mr. Henry Cuke First Vice President, and Mr. A. Roger Second Vice President. In the years that followed, the Barbados Association of Professional Accountants (BAPA) emerged to provide a formal platform for the profession’s growth. Accounting students faced financial and tutorial challenges, prompting BAPA to partner with the Chartered Association of Certified Accountants (ACCA) to make professional training accessible locally. The educational mission continued with the Barbados Community College chosen as the main institution to support student development, ensuring sustained access to quality training and technical support.

Becoming the Institute of chartered Accountants of Barbados

As the profession matured, a formal structure was needed to support its expanding membership and educational programmes. In 1973, Mr. David Cuke, GCM, authored “The History of Accountancy Bodies in the English-Speaking West Indian Territories,” advocating for a statutory body to give the profession legal authority. This vision became reality on November 1, 1974, with the proclamation of the Institute of Chartered Accountants’ Act (Cap 369A). Since then, ICAB has continued to champion education, professional integrity, and collaboration with bodies sharing similar objectives.

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Past Presidents

Presidents of the Barbados Association of Professional Accountants (BAPA)

Explore the past presidents of the Barbados Association of Professional Accountants, the body that preceded ICAB.

Presidents of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Barbados (ICAB)

View the past presidents of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Barbados and their leadership history.

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EXPLORE MORE ABOUT ICAB

Governance & Committees

Learn about ICAB’s leadership structure and the committees that drive its mission forward.

Practice Monitoring Statements

Review ICAB’s updates, guidance, and standards on practice monitoring.

Vision, Mission & Strategic Plan

Understand ICAB’s long-term goals and the principles guiding its strategic direction.

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Our Background & History

:-:-:ABOUT ICAB

who we Are

1100 +

50 +

700 +

Integrity in every action

Standards We Uphold

International Federation of Accountants (IFAC)

International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB)

Institute of Chartered Accountants of the Caribbean (ICAC)

Our History

The Need for Direction

Forming the Foundation

Building the Profession

Becoming the Institute of chartered Accountants of Barbados

Past Presidents

Presidents of the Barbados Association of Professional Accountants (BAPA)

Presidents of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Barbados (ICAB)

start your journey

EXPLORE MORE ABOUT ICAB

Governance & Committees

Practice Monitoring Statements

Vision, Mission & Strategic Plan

Need A citation friendly copy?

About Us

Links

Resources

CONTACT US

Past Presidents (BAPA)

Mr. E. H. Walmsley

The late Mr. Henry Cuke

Mr. Alex. Roger

Mr. Ian Philip

The late Mr. McDonald Smith

The late Mr. David Cuke, GCM

Mr. Owen Douglas

Sir Kenneth Hewitt, CBE, BJH, K.A

Past Presidents (ICAB)

Sir Kenneth Hewitt, CBE, BJH, K.A

The late Mr. Desmond Tudor

Mr. David Shorey

Mr. Harold Tryhane

Mr. Patrick Toppin

Mrs. Joyce Dear

Mr. Michael Weetch

Mr. Anthony Ellis

Mr. James Payne

Mr. Patrick Toppin

Mr. Christopher de Caires

Mr. Marcus Hatch

Mr. Douglas Skeete

Mrs. Carol Nicholls

Mr. Elson Jordan

Ms. J. Betty Brathwaite

Mr. Brian Robinson

Mr. Patrick Hinkson

Mr. Rueben Blenman

Mr. Andrew Brathwaite

Mr. David Simpson

Mr. J. Roger Arthur

Ms. Lisa Padmore

Mr. Andrew Brathwaite

Ms. Lydia McCollin

Ms. Darshani Workman

Tracy Marshall