Graeme, you asked ... "Would there have been a difference between the occupations "Accountant" and "Chartered Accountant" in the 1840s-1850s? If so, would knowing that somebody was a chartered accountant help to track them down in a census or through some other profession-related source?" The ICAS has a website at http://www.icas.org.uk It was founded in 1854 and was the first accountancy body in the world to become designated 'Chartered'. There are now a number of others - see http://www.gaapweb.com/library/qualifications/ to get an idea of the different accountancy bodies. It is quite possible that people could have called themselves an 'Accountant' in the 1850's, without having actually achieved the Chartered qualification, but they shouldn't have called themselves 'Chartered' unless they really were qualified. Hope this helps, Duncan, Dundee