In 1887, the American Association of Public Accountants (AAPA) was created; it was the first step in developing professionalism in the United States accounting industry.[10] By 1905, the AAPA's first ethical codes were formulated to educate its members.[11] During its twentieth anniversary meeting in October 1907, ethics was a major topic of the conference among its members. As a result of discussions, a list of professional ethics was incorporated into the organization's bylaws. However, because membership to the organization was voluntary, the association could not require individuals to conform to the suggested behaviors.[10] Other accounting organizations, such as the Illinois Institute of Accountants, also pursued discussion on the importance of ethics for the field.[12] The AAPA was renamed several times throughout its history, before becoming the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) as it's named today.