HOW WE CREATE VALUE

Contributing to a sustainable future (the UN SDGs)

KEY DEVELOPMENTS IN 2023

  • Formalisation of the Sustainability Technical Committee’s workplan, aligned with member expectations through consultation
  • Conducting research to assess readiness for adopting ISSB IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards and understanding member needs
  • Hosting the global launch of the ISSB IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards with attendance from various stakeholders including ISSB Board members, technical staff, and local regulators
  • Hosting the inaugural Climate Change Conference
  • Considering a list of Q&As by the Sustainability Technical Committee to assist members in navigating the sustainability reporting landscape
  • Collaborating with global accounting bodies under the Chartered Accountants Worldwide umbrella to influence the global sustainability reporting landscape
  • Engaging and contributing to the global project on sustainability assurance
  • The Chairperson of the SAICA Board being elected to the ESG Exchange’s advisory committee and the Executive Director of Standards joining the ESG Exchange’s technical committee, promoting greater sharing of content and advice for SAICA members’ benefit
  • SAICA ran its Trainee Trailblazer awards, which have seen trainees being encouraged and awarded for the work they do relating to SDGs
  • Hosting a successful SAICA Difference Makers and Anti-corruption Summit at Leaderex
  • Signing an MOU with The Whistleblower House in SAICA’s endeavour to protect whistleblowers
  • Hosting the SAICA Top 35-Under-35 competition for the tenth year

CONTRIBUTING TO A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

As Difference Makers, the accountancy profession is well positioned to help solve society’s most pressing problems. Our commitment to the SDGs forms part of our strategic pillar of Relevance and Reputation. One of the key initiatives to achieve our aspiration is included in relevance and reputation.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted by all United Nations (UN) Member States in 2015 offers a blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. At its heart are 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which are an urgent call for action by all countries in a global partnership.

The SDGs and 169 associated targets

These provide governments, businesses and civil society with a universal roadmap to tackle urgent challenges, meaningfully engage with emerging risks, and discover new opportunities for creating value.

The implementation of the SDGs is part of SAICA’s strategy and offers a significant opportunity for change in social, economic and environmental challenges; as a result, it is essential to link SAICA’s economic recovery blueprint goals with the UN SDGs to establish practical solutions for a sustainable economy. This blueprint also draws on South Africa’s National Development Plan (NDP), as well as various government policies.

SAICA collaborates with a number of organisations to promote the SDGs. These include Sustainable SA and FinBiz2030, a collaboration between One Young World, Chartered Accountants Worldwide and SAICA.

SAICA members and associates are also very involved in SDG-related work. To this end, SAICA annually publishes the SDG report showcasing members’ and associates’ contributions to the SDGs.

In 2023, the chartered accountancy profession, represented by SAICA, showcased the crucial role played by corporates, the CA profession and other stakeholders to advance the SDGs in the sixth edition of the UN SDGs Report. This involved devising and executing initiatives within their communities, organisations, and sectors to support the SDGs. We have identified SDGs 4, 8, 10, 13, 16 and 17 as priorities for the Institute.

Quality Education

SAICA OBJECTIVES

SAICA creates opportunities to enhance employees’ personal and professional development through the creation of opportunities for employees to obtain recognised qualifications with various duly accredited institutions of higher learning

In addition, SAICA runs several educational initiatives. Core to these initiatives is the Thuthuka Bursary fund that funds African and Coloured students studying towards becoming chartered accountants. In addition to Thuthuka, SAICA runs several other educational initiatives, including the following:

  • Several learner development initiatives
  • Educator development programmes
  • ITC and APC repeat candidates
KEY ACTIVITIES IN 2023 AND IMPACT / DIFFERENCE MADE
  • Successfully hosting development camps funded by FASSET
  • Financial sponsor of the South African Mathematics Foundation’s Maths Olympiad
  • Sponsored the South African Mathematics Foundation’s problem-solving course for maths educators
  • A financial literacy programme implemented in Gauteng for Grade 9 and 12 learners in partnership with Visa is being expanded to other provinces
  • The Western Cape, Limpopo and Mpumalanga Departments of Education recognised and awarded SAICA as a key stakeholder in that province
  • Raised funding for 1 100 Thuthuka students
  • The Thuthuka 2023 intake includes eight students who were part of the 2022 Grade 12 Top Performers
  • Jan 2023 ITC: 94% Thuthuka ITC pass 94% vs 75% national pass rate
  • SIU students – first graduation, starting internship at SIU
  • Hosted the NSFAS funder symposium
  • Hosted HDI lecturer development workshops funded by FASSET
  • FASSET recognising SAICA as a strategic contributor to the sector’s transformation
  • Raised funding to run the ITC and APC support programme
  • Hosted the GAA Education Directors in South Africa
  • Sponsorship of the Southern African Accounting Association (SAAA) − panel discussions
SDG 8: DECENT WORK AND ECONOMIC GROWTH

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