OUR GOVERNANCE

Driving Value Creation

Leadership, Ethics and Corporate Citizenship

Leadership

The Board leads SAICA ethically and effectively.

The role of the Board

Elected by SAICA members and associates, the Board bears the responsibility of steering the organisation toward sustainable value creation for all stakeholders while carefully considering the key issues, risks, and opportunities that affect its future.

As champions of good corporate governance, the Board cultivates an ethical and cohesive organisational culture, ensuring effective control, compliance, accountability, and transparent stakeholder engagement. Its primary focus is to set the strategic direction for the Institute.

In parallel, the Board maintains continuous oversight of critical matters, risks, and resource allocation, serving as an independent check on the executive management team, which is tasked with the daily operations of the business. This dynamic relationship promotes a balanced governance structure that enables SAICA to thrive in a complex environment.

Ethical leadership

An ethical culture lays the foundation for support structures that reinforce our core purpose, values, and strategic goals. At SAICA, the Board champions essential values such as member centricity, integrity, professionalism, accountability, respect, and transparency. In turn, the Board is held accountable by SAICA’s members and associates for encouraging ethical and effective leadership throughout the organisation’s governance frameworks and policies.

Conflicts of interest

Before each Board and committee meeting, a declaration of interests related to the agenda items is made, ensuring transparency and accountability. Should a member have material interests, they are recused from the meeting, refraining from participating in any decision-making regarding the specific matter. An annual general disclosure of interests is conducted, and the Board Secretary maintains the declaration of interests register.

Fit and proper requirement

The SAICA Board is dedicated to ensuring that individuals in crucial positions are not only capable but also meet the highest standards of integrity and professionalism. A fit and proper person, as defined by the organisation’s constitution, embodies the qualities and qualifications necessary to uphold the values and responsibilities of their role. This commitment reinforces SAICA’s integrity and builds trust in its leadership.

Code of Professional Conduct

The SAICA Board is made up predominantly of CAs(SA), each committed to upholding the Code of Professional Conduct that governs all SAICA members and associates. In addition, both Board members and SAICA employees are required to adhere to the SAICA Code of Ethics. Non-CA(SA) Board members subscribe to the ethical standards relevant to their own professional affiliations, ensuring a consistent commitment to integrity and professionalism across the organisation.

Ethics

The Board governs the ethics of SAICA in a manner that supports a sound ethical culture.

Governance structures to ensure an ethical culture

The Board is responsible for an ethical organisation, having entrusted the responsibility for ethics governance to SETCO. While the Board sets the tone for ethical standards, executive management is tasked with the daily implementation of the Code of Ethics. This involves ensuring that the Code is applied consistently across all SAICA business units. SETCO conducts an annual review of the Code providing the Board with recommendations for enhancements and improvements, thereby ensuring that our commitment to ethics remains dynamic and relevant.

Code of Ethics

The SETCO reviews SAICA’s Employee Code of Ethics, which outlines the key behaviours and actions required of employees and external stakeholders. If there are any changes SETCO recommends these to the Board for approval, otherwise for noting. In 2024, a survey was undertaken to confirm the written commitment of all employees for the revised Code of Ethics. An annual conflicts of interest declaration process is in place for directors after the AGM. No material breaches of the Code of Ethics were noted during the year under review for directors.

Core values

Our purpose is built on six core values, summed up in the acronym MIPART to emphasise individual responsibility and active ownership. This approach reminds everyone, including Board members, that they contribute to shaping SAICA’s culture. Click here for details on our values.

Responsible Corporate Citizenship

The Board ensures that SAICA acts responsibly and is seen to be a good corporate citizen.

Fairness, responsibility, and transparency are at the heart of SAICA’s brand.

We focus on sustainable business practices, protect the environment, invest in our employees, and support community development.

SAICA has aligned its strategy with six United Nations 2030 SDG Goals:

Read more about our initiatives that support these SDGs.

In parallel, the Board maintains continuous oversight of critical matters, risks, and resource allocation, serving as an independent check on the executive management team, which is tasked with the daily operations of the business.

This dynamic relationship promotes a balanced governance structure that enables SAICA to thrive in a complex environment.

Together, we are committed to creating a brighter, more sustainable future for all!

Embedding sustainability

A key focus of our strategy is to enhance the positive effects of our business decisions while proactively avoiding or, at the very least, lessening any negative repercussions that may arise.

To support this commitment, a Sustainability Technical Committee guides SAICA and its members and associates in their alignment with the SDGs. This committee not only places us at the cutting edge of the standard-setting process but also empowers SAICA to offer insightful thought leadership and educational initiatives in a field that is receiving renewed urgency from global standard-setters.

The committee is instrumental in helping SAICA navigate current and emerging sustainability challenges such as climate risk and stay abreast of global advancements in sustainability reporting standards that are crucial for our members and associates.

Embracing our role as a responsible corporate citizen

The Board, supported by its six committees (detailed in our governance framework), actively oversees and monitors SAICA’s efforts towards our broader societal contributions and our commitment to being a responsible corporate entity.

Progress in these areas is tracked through specific key performance indicators (KPIs) established for SAICA.

It is the Board’s duty to ensure that SAICA not only functions as a responsible corporate citizen but is also perceived as such.

In line with this commitment, SAICA maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy towards non-compliance with legal requirements.

Responsibility for compliance with our policies and procedures is delegated to management, while any material breaches are reported back to the Board.

The Board, through the Audit and Risk Committee, endorses the creation and implementation of a comprehensive approval framework that provides clarity and structure to the delegation of authority, reinforcing our commitment to ethical and responsible corporate behaviour.

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Strategy, Performance and Reporting