The General Assembly of 1960 was offered a bill providing for the registration and regulation of bookkeepers and accountants who are not certified public accountants. The Legislature desired more information as to the need for such regulatory legislation in Virginia; it consequently adopted House Joint Resolution No. 48, directing the Virginia Advisory Legislative Council to study the laws relating to accounting and bookkeeping.

The Council requested Robert Y. Button, member of the Senate and member of the Council, Culpeper, to serve as Chairman of a committee to make the initial study and report to the Council. The following were named to serve with Senator Button as members of the Committee: Edward E. Lane, member of the House of Delegates, Richmond; Lee P. Martin of L. P. Martin & Company, Richmond; Claude E. Farrar of R. L. Persinger & Company, Covington; James F. Neal, an attorney, Arlington; Herbert H. Cooley of the Round Hill National Bank, Round Hill; and W. S. Gay, Professor of Accounting, Blacksburg. Mr. Lane was elected Vice-Chairman. John B. Boatwright, Jr., and Fletcher W. Harkrader, Jr., served as Secretary and Recording Secretary, respectively, to the Committee.

The Committee, after study of the pertinent law and facts, and after hearing from those advocating regulatory legislation, made a report to the Council. The Council has carefully considered the report of the Committee, and has reached the conclusions set forth below, for the reasons indicated.