Accounting firms react to passing of Queen Elizabeth

Queen Elizabeth II's death Thursday after 70 years on the throne prompted an outpouring of grief around the world. Her son, Charles, a longtime proponent of the accounting profession's role in sustainability reporting through the group he founded in 2004, Accounting for Sustainability (A4S), is succeeding her on the throne as King Charles III.

A4S posted a statement on its homepage and on Twitter: "We are greatly saddened to learn of the death of Her Majesty The Queen. We send our deepest condolences to our Founder, His Majesty The King Charles, and members of the Royal Family at this time."

PwC UK posted a statement on its homepage: "Partners and staff at PwC UK are united in sadness following the death of Her Majesty The Queen. She provided the country with stability and continuity through many turbulent times, for which we are profoundly grateful. Our thoughts are with all those affected."

Ernst & Young, whose leaders just approved a split between the audit and consulting sides, had a statement on its homepage saying, "On behalf of our UK and global organisation, we extend heart-felt condolences to the Royal Family at the sad news of the passing of Her Majesty, The Queen. The Queen will be remembered across the Commonwealth as a champion of strength and for her unwavering dedication throughout her long reign. The Queen's sense of duty has been nothing short of remarkable, and we are hugely grateful for her dedicated, life-long service."

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Deloitte UK posted a simple image of the crown on its homepage and Twitter feed followed by the words, "EIIR, 1926-2022" using the abbreviation for "Elizabeth II Regina." 

KPMG UK posted a message on its homepage: "We offer our deepest condolences to the Royal Family. Her Majesty the Queen served her country with loyalty and dedication. We will remember her outstanding service and enduring commitment to our nation."

"Our firm is very saddened to hear of the loss of Her Majesty the Queen," said Grant Thornton UK next to an image of Queen Elizabeth on its homepage.

Mazars UK CEO and senior partner Phil Verity wrote, "For over 70 years, The Queen has represented dignity, humility and an unwavering dedication to duty. A symbol of continuity and reassurance during turbulent times and a steadfast example of values to which we can all aspire, Queen Elizabeth II's legacy is incalculable. We share our deepest condolences with the King and the Royal Family."

RSM UK posted, "As a firm we share the nation's, and the world's, sorrow at the sad passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. As the longest reigning Monarch in British history, for most of us the Queen was the only Monarch we have known in our lifetimes. She was a much respected champion of British business for which we are enormously grateful. We as a firm are a long-time friend and close supporter of The Duke of Edinburgh's Award and we share our sincere condolences with the Royal Family and our friends at the charity. On behalf of RSM and our employees, we are united in remembrance of her grace, dignity and dedication to public service. Her constant sense of duty will remain an inspiration to us all."

Evelyn Partners, a London-based firm formerly known as Tilney Smith & Williamson, posted on its homepage, "We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Having reigned over the United Kingdom for over 70 years she is one of the most respected and cherished figures in modern history and will be missed enormously by millions of people both in the UK and across the globe. She will always be remembered for her unwavering commitment to her duties and life of service, acting as a figure of unity throughout periods of significant change. We also offer our sincere condolences to the Royal Family, for whom now will be a difficult time as they cope with the personal loss of a much beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother."

Accountant organizations also shared their condolences.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales posted on its homepage, "We join with the nation and the Commonwealth in mourning the death of Her Majesty The Queen. Our thoughts are with HRH Prince Charles and the Royal Family and we offer them our deepest condolences."

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland posted on its homepage: "We express our deep sadness at the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and offer our condolences to the Royal Family at this time of national mourning."

ICAS president Indy Singh Hothi also has written to King Charles III to share his sympathies, saying, "On behalf of all ICAS members, students and staff we would like to express our deepest sadness and condolences at the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was held in the highest regard by ICAS and her lifelong devotion and commitment to public service as Sovereign of the UK and Commonwealth will never be forgotten. Having just celebrated her Platinum Jubilee earlier this year, we were all reminded of her selfless commitment to public duty and her devotion to the nation throughout her seventy-year reign."

The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants also posted a message on its website on behalf of CIMA and the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants. "It is with deep sadness that we learn of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II," wrote CIMA president Melanie J. Kanaka, who co-chairs the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants. "On behalf of everyone at the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants and the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, we send our sincere condolences to the Royal Family for their loss. We are thankful for the Queen's many decades of loyal service to the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth."

The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants posted, "ACCA wishes to convey our condolences and deepest sympathy to His Majesty the King and the Royal Family at this sad time of the passing of Her Majesty The Queen. We pay tribute to the huge contribution she has made during her remarkable life of duty and service over so many decades, and in particular her dedication to bringing people of different nations and backgrounds together. ACCA was honored to receive its Royal Charter from Her Majesty The Queen on 25 November 1974, which continues to act as ACCA's constitution."

Helen Brand, chief executive of ACCA, said in a statement: "Our Royal Charter has provided an important foundation to our success and development. In 2004 we were delighted to be visited by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh to mark ACCA's centenary year. Our members and staff present at the time were delighted by the visit and thoroughly enjoyed it. The Queen was a strong supporter of the development of trade and cooperation across borders, along with international friendship and harmony, which are very important to us. Our thoughts are with King Charles III and his family at this difficult time, and we wish him every success for his reign."

ACCA president Orla Collins added, "The Queen's values were our values. She believed in and displayed the same qualities we hold dear including decency, integrity and inclusion. She showed that in the way she carried out her official duties with perfect dignity. And she showed a deep dedication to people all around the world in her many travels, and in her work with the Commonwealth – a devotion that was recognized and acknowledged in the messages of love for her that have poured in from every corner of the globe."