 The son of Mr. T. W. Pixley, of Freshwater, Isle of Wight, Pixley was educated at St. Peter's School, York, was called to the Bar by the Middle Temple, and became a senior partner in the firm of Messrs. Jackson, Pixley and Co., chartered accountant.In 1905, he held the office of president of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, of which he was an original member, having been elected on its formation, and he represented it at St. Louis, U.S.A., at the first International Congress of Accountants in 1904.He was auditor to the Duchy of Lancaster, and treasurer of the Chartered Accountants Benevolent Association, editor of "The Accountants' Dictionary", and the author of a number of books on accountancy.