What is known today as Financial Executives International (FEI) was established in New York City in December 1931 as The Controllers Institute of America ("The Institute"), with membership open only to controllers. It began with 30 members.
   The original purpose of the members was to define their profession, exchange ideas about its practice, educate themselves and others and work with the government to improve the general economy.
   As the role of the financial executive has grown, the organization has grown to what is now Financial Executives International (FEI), and that reflects the global reach of the organization and its members.
   FEI has become the leading advocate for the views of corporate financial management. Its 15,000 members hold policy-making positions as chief financial officers, treasurers, and controllers. FEI enhances member professional development through peer networking, career planning services, conferences, publications, and special reports and research. Members participate in the activities of 86 chapters, 75 of which are in the U.S. and 11 in Canada.
   The following is an abbreviated timeline of some key moments in FEI's history. Bookmark this page and watch for an expanded history and timeline later during 2006, as FEI celebrates its 75th year.

• The Controllers Institute of America ("The Institute") files Articles of Incorporation and is founded in New York City
• Within one year, membership exceeds 100 controllers
• In 1933, chapters open in Pittsburgh and Chicago
• In 1934, the first issue of The Controller (now Financial Executive) is published
• In 1935 the Research Council is founded, and a Committee on Social Security is formed
• In 1936, Cincinnati chapter chartered; 1937, Milwaukee
• In 1937 Committee on Cooperation with the U.S. Treasury Department established

• The annual meeting is termed "War Meeting of Controllers"
• In 1942, programs and conferences are cancelled due to war
• In 1944, The Controllership Foundation is formed to conduct research
• In 1948, wives of members are allowed at the annual banquet
• New committees are formed: Ethics and Professional Standards, Cooperation with the Government, State and Local Taxation and Management Planning and Control Committee
• In Canada, Montreal and Hamilton are chartered

• Planning committee suggests membership be based on duties, not titles
• By 1953, membership exceeds 4,000 members in 49 chapters
• Committee on Canadian Affairs formed

• Instituto Mexicano de Ejecutivos de Finanzas founded
• Of members, 235 are Vice Presidents of Finance; 150 are Presidents
• In 1962, The Institute changes name to Financial Executives Institute (FEI) and allows non-controllers to join; name change spurred by the increasing role of financial executives
• The Controllership Foundation renamed Financial Executives Research Foundation (FERF)
• FEI testifies before the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) on foreign tax credits
• Association Nationale des Conseilleurs et Controleurs de Gestion formed in France
• Instituto Argentino de Ejecutivos de Finanzas, Financial Executives Institute of Australia and Gesellschaft furr Finanzwirtschaft in der Unterehmensfuhrung e.V. are formed in Argentina, Australia and Germany, respectively
• First woman member of FEI

• By 1972, FEI has 7,525 members in 60 chapters
• In 1973, FEI Canada established; office opens in Toronto
• Financial Executives Association formed in Ireland; Instituto Venezuelano de Ejecutivos de Finanzas formed in Venezuela
• FEI meets with White House staff for the first time
• Indonesia Financial Executive Association and Financial Executives Institute of the Republic of China formed
• FEI recommends "management report" in annual reports
• The Israeli Forum for Chief Financial Officers formed
• FERF and Coopers & Lybrand study Other Postretirement Obligations (OPEB) costs

• First FEI 'satellite unit" formed: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
• FERF reports: "Health Care Cost Containment" and "Pension Asset Management"
• FEI issues new guidelines on management reports in annual reports
• J. Peter Grace discusses President Reagan's economic plan in Financial Executive (magazine renamed)
• FEI president Robert W. Moore testifies before U.S. Senate on Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977
• FEI helps form the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations (COSO) of the Treadway Commission

• Financial Executives Group formed in Great Britain
• FEI's 60th annual conference theme "The New Economic Order"
• Membership exceeds 14,000 in 91 chapters
• FEI and the International Association of FEIs (IAFEI) hold joint conferences in Washington D.C.
• Penelope Flugger becomes the first female FEI chairman
• www.FinancialExecutives.org launched as FEI turns 65
• FEI member Lynn Turner named Chief Accountant of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
• First paperless FEI annual report

• FEI renamed Financial Executives International signaling membership opportunities to financial executives around the globe
• FEI develops and presents recommendations to Enron scandal to U.S. Congress
• Financial Executive magazine expands from 6 to 10 issues per year
• FEI moves headquarters from Morristown, N.J., to Florham Park, N.J.
• FEI participates in formulating the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
• Global Oversight Committee formed
• Colleen (Sayther) Cunningham named FEI CEO and President in April 2003 - the first woman to hold this post
• On Nov. 30, 2006, FEI turns 75