Arthur E. Andersen

Arthur E. Andersen (May 30, 1885 – January 10, 1947) was a founder of the accounting firm Arthur Andersen. Andersen was born in Plano, Illinois, son of immigrants from Norway and Denmark, John William and Mary Aabye Andersen. Andersen was left on his own at the age of 16 after the death of his parents. In 1917, after attending courses at night while working full time, he graduated from the Kellogg School at Northwestern University with a bachelor... more

Arthur E. Andersen (May 30, 1885 – January 10, 1947) was a founder of the accounting firm Arthur Andersen. Andersen was born in Plano, Illinois, son of immigrants from Norway and Denmark, John William and Mary Aabye Andersen. Andersen was left on his own at the age of 16 after the death of his parents. In 1917, after attending courses at night while working full time, he graduated from the Kellogg School at Northwestern University with a bachelor's degree in business. He worked during the day as a mailboy and attended school at night. Eventually he was hired as the assistant to the controller of Allis-Chalmers in Chicago where he became intrigued with the work of independent public accountants. He became a Certified Public Accountant in Illinois in 1908, and was then the youngest CPA in the state. In 1913, with Clarence Delaney, he bought out a firm named The Audit Company of Illinois to form Andersen, Delaney & Co which became Arthur Andersen & Co. in 1918. While practicing... less