VALUE CREATION

OUR STRATEGY, PERFORMANCE AND IMPACT

The Broader Impact of the Chartered Accountancy Profession

Whether in their business or personal capacities or as SAICA members, corporates, the CA profession, and various stakeholders are integral to advancing the SDGs. Through numerous planning and implementation projects, they drive meaningful change within their communities, organisations, and sectors.

The annual South Africa’s Accountancy Profession Report and the UN SDG Report capture these contributions, celebrating how the profession continues to live its purpose and leave a lasting legacy. These reports highlight:

The profession’s collective efforts to address all 17 SDGs

Examples of how individual members, firms, and stakeholders are executing impactful projects aligned with sustainable development

How these initiatives help foster trust and rebuild the profession’s reputation amidst challenges

While the SDGs represent a long-term vision, with many targets set for 2030, the profession’s ongoing contributions are laying the groundwork for a sustainable future. Each project, no matter how small, is a testament to the power of collective action in advancing the Global Goals.

Read the 7th edition of the South Africa’s Accountancy Profession Report and the UN SDG

Prioritised SDGs

4. Quality Education

SAICA objectives

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

In addition, SAICA raises funds for:

ITC (now the IAC) and APC repeat candidates
The Thuthuka Bursary programme
Educator development programmes
Several learner development initiatives including the mathematics development camps

Key activities in 2024 and impact / difference made

Raised funding to run the ITC and APC support programme
Raised sufficient funding for Thuthuka students which lead to the addition of approximately 90 PGDA students in May 2024
Financial sponsor of the South African Mathematics Foundation’s Maths Olympiad
Advancing various Thuthuka initiatives including school camps, donor profiling and ‘Gear Up For Thuthuka’ to increase visibility and funding, as well as to actively position the profession within the youth segment, thus aiding with pipeline growth
SAICA’s partnership with Ehlanzeni TVET Colleges and National Treasury resulted in expanded AT accreditation and secured funding from the National Skills Fund (NSF), strengthening the pipeline of qualified professionals
Comprehensive resources for Accounting Technician qualifications were developed and made accessible via a local publisher, ensuring affordability
SAICA’s new partnership with Standard Bank supports fourth-year accounting students from HDIs
Fasset funded several of SAICA’s provincial mathematics development camps
SAICA funded the South African Mathematics Foundation’s problem-solving course for mathematics educators
SAICA awarded the Thuthuka Bursary to 10 learners as part of a partnership with the provincial Basic Education Departments’ Top Achievers in Accounting
The Hope Factory Group delivers quality socio-economic and skills development education focused on entrepreneurship

8. Decent work and economic growth

SAICA objectives

Influence the South African fiscal budget and budget process to ensure it better achieves the enablement of inclusive economic growth and job creation
Influence Parliamentary oversight on the budget process to ensure better accountability and efficient spending
Strengthen the credibility of the capital markets in South Africa through activities that are aimed at enhancing audit quality and promoting trust in the auditing profession
Ensure that members remain relevant in the job market with changing skills required
Empower and mentor young people to gain employment
Entrepreneurial skills development and job creation are achieved through The Hope Factory Group

Key activities in 2024 and impact / difference made

Comprehensive response to National Treasury for the 2024 fiscal budget. The submission was accompanied by a guide for members which translated key economic and fiscal updates associated with the budget for the ease of digestion by members
Offering continuous professional development programmes focused on AI, sustainability and digital competencies to ensure members remain relevant and competitive in the evolving market
SAICA is formulating a comprehensive AI strategy and framework to mitigate associated risks such as cyber threats and technology obsolescence while leveraging AI to enhance professional capabilities
SAICA’s Edge equips professionals to navigate emerging and existing challenges like ethics, data privacy, compliance and AI through monthly webcasts featuring expert insights on compliance, technology trends and ethics
Enhancing the visibility and market preference of SAICA AGA(SA) and AT(SA) designations through initiatives such as digital campaigns, member profiling, and targeted recruiter engagement events
SAICA has drafted a proposal for the AT(SA) designation, specifically for the public sector
To strengthen the credibility of capital markets in South Africa, SAICA is a member of global organisations like the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) and the Global Accounting Alliance (GAA). These partnerships support activities aimed at enhancing audit quality and promoting trust in the auditing profession

RECALIBRATE REIMAGINE RENEW

Contributing to a Sustainable Future (cont.)