was formed in 2005. The GAA is intended to promote quality services, share information and collaborate on important international issues. It works with national regulators, governments and stakeholders, through member-body collaboration, articulation of consensus views, and working in collaboration, where possible with other international bodies, especially IFAC. ICAS is a founding member of Chartered Accountants Worldwide (CAW), an initiative by the leading chartered institutes to support, develop and promote the vital role that chartered accountants play throughout the global economy. It creates a community of hundreds of thousands of chartered accountants and students who share a commitment to the highest standards of professional and ethical practice. Disciplinary process ICAS was hesitant to join the Accountancy & Actuarial Discipline Board when it was first set up (as the AIDB), but joined after approval by a special general meeting in October 2004. The AADB only hears matters considered to be in the public interest. The institute conducts its own hearings into less substantial allegations. These used to be held in private, but ICAS resolved at a further special meeting in 2009 to follow the example of other bodies such as ICAEW to make the hearings public. See also British qualified accountants References External links Key Facts and Trends in the UK Accountancy Profession, annual publication by the Professional Oversight Board 1854 establishments in Scotland Accounting in the United Kingdom Professional associations based in Scotland Financial services in Scotland Organisations based in Edinburgh with royal patronage Organizations established in 1854 Member bodies of the International Federation of Accountants