Top-35-under-35 Awards

The Top 35 Under 35 Awards aims to identify and celebrate young Chartered Accountants and Associates who have made significant contributions to the accounting profession and society. This prestigious award recognizes 35 exceptional members and associates under the age of 35. These difference makers excel in their careers and contribute significantly to their communities and the broader South African economy. They are leaders, innovators, and change-makers who embody SAICA's values: excellence, integrity, and vision.

These Awards which have been celebrated for a decade, deliver some of South Africa’s greatest young leaders. The Awards have also built an incredibly talented alumni of SAICA ambassadors over the years.

For any queries, please email ***@saica.co.za

1. Transformative Leader Award

This award recognizes a leader who drives positive change, mentors others, and shapes a better future for their organization or community.

• Change Leadership & Vision (40%): Assesses the nominee's ability to create and communicate a compelling vision for change, as well as their success in driving and implementing transformative initiatives.
• Mentorship & People Development (35%): Evaluates their commitment to actively mentoring, guiding, and supporting the professional and personal development of others.
• Influence & Stakeholder Engagement (25%): Measures their effectiveness in influencing key stakeholders and building consensus to achieve transformative goals.

Entrants will be scored on their ability to:

• Drive Change: Provide clear, measurable examples of positive change they have implemented within their organization or community.
• Lead & Mentor: Show specific instances of mentoring, coaching, or supporting the development of others.
• Influence: Demonstrate how they have influenced stakeholders, built consensus, or inspired a team toward a shared goal.

2. Impact Champion Award

This award celebrates individuals who have created a significant, measurable social or economic impact through their work.

• Measurable Impact (50%): Evaluates the direct, quantifiable social or economic impact created by the nominee's work.
• Innovation & Scalability (30%): Assesses the originality and scalability of the solution or project that generated the impact.
• Leadership & Execution (20%): Measures the nominee's role and effectiveness in leading the initiative from concept to successful execution.

Entrants will be scored on their ability to:

• Show Measurable Impact: Quantify the social or economic benefits of their work with data, case studies, or clear outcomes.
• Demonstrate Scalability: Show how their project or initiative has the potential to grow or be replicated for a wider impact.
• Exhibit Innovation: Detail how their approach was unique or innovative compared to existing methods.

3. Future-Fit Innovator Award

This award recognizes an individual who leads the way in adopting innovative solutions that benefit the accounting profession.

• Innovation & Originality (40%): Assesses the creativity and originality of the innovative solutions, technologies, or processes they have implemented.
• Adoption & Implementation (35%): Measures the successful integration of the innovation within their organization or the profession, including the overcoming of challenges.
• Benefit to the Profession (25%): Evaluates the positive impact and broader benefit the innovation has on improving efficiency, accuracy, or future-readiness for the accounting profession as a whole.

Entrants will be scored on their ability to:

• Showcase Originality: Describe the novelty of their innovative solution and how it stands out from existing practices.
• Prove Implementation: Provide evidence that the innovation has been successfully implemented and is in use.
• Detail Professional Benefit: Explain how the innovation has tangibly improved efficiency, solved a problem, or prepared the profession for the future.

4. Wellness Advocate Award

This award is for a leader who promotes and supports mental health and wellness within their business and community.

• Advocacy & Awareness Efforts (45%): Evaluates the nominee’s active initiatives and campaigns to promote mental health awareness and reduce stigma within their workplace or community.
• Initiative & Leadership (35%): Measures their proactive role in establishing or leading wellness programmes, policies, or support systems.
• Tangible Impact on Well-being (20%): Assesses the demonstrable positive impact on the well-being and mental health of colleagues or community members.

Entrants will be scored on their ability to:

 Initiate & Advocate: Describe the specific initiatives or campaigns they have launched to promote mental health and well-being.

 Demonstrate Leadership: Show how they have taken a proactive leadership role in creating a supportive workplace or community environment.

 Measure Impact: Provide examples of how their advocacy has positively affected the well-being of others.

5. DEI Champion Award

This award celebrates an exceptional commitment to promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).

• DEI Leadership & Strategy (45%): Evaluates the nominee’s leadership in developing, communicating, and implementing a clear strategy for DEI within their workplace or the profession.
• Concrete Initiatives & Results (40%): Assesses the specific projects, programmes, or policies they have championed to promote DEI and the tangible results of those efforts.
• Inclusivity & Influence (15%): Measures their effectiveness in fostering an inclusive environment and influencing others to embrace and champion DEI principles.

Entrants will be scored on their ability to:

• Promote Inclusivity: Detail specific actions or policies they have championed to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Show Tangible Results: Provide evidence of the positive outcomes of their DEI efforts, such as increased diversity metrics or enhanced feelings of inclusion.
• Lead by Example: Demonstrate how they personally embody DEI principles and inspire others to do the same.

6. SDG Champion Award

This award recognizes a leader committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through their work.

• Alignment & Contribution to SDGs (50%): Evaluates how directly and effectively the nominee's work contributes to one or more of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
• Leadership & Commitment (30%): Assesses their leadership in initiating or driving initiatives focused on the SDGs, demonstrating a deep personal commitment to the cause.
• Measurable Impact (20%): Measures the quantifiable impact of their work on achieving the selected SDG targets.

Entrants will be scored on their ability to:

• Align with SDGs: Clearly state which specific Sustainable Development Goals their work addresses.
• Show Commitment: Provide evidence of their sustained leadership and dedication to achieving these goals.
• Quantify Contribution: Detail the measurable impact their efforts have had on advancing the SDGs.

7. SAICA Brand Ambassador Award

This award is for an individual who actively promotes SAICA and its designations.

• Active Advocacy & Promotion (50%): Evaluates the nominee's proactive efforts to promote the SAICA brand through various channels, including marketing, communications, and public engagement.
• Contribution to SAICA (30%): Measures their direct contribution to SAICA's development, such as participation in committees, thought leadership, or volunteer work that benefits the organisation.
• Reach & Influence (20%): Assesses the nominee's ability to influence and engage with their professional network and broader community, effectively acting as a positive representative for SAICA.

Entrants will be scored on their ability to:

• Actively Promote SAICA: Provide examples of how they have promoted the SAICA brand and its designations through various channels.
• Contribute to SAICA: Detail their direct involvement in SAICA's development, advocacy efforts, or thought leadership.
• Demonstrate Reach: Show the extent of their influence and how they have used their platform to positively represent SAICA.