VALUE CREATION

OUR STRATEGY, PERFORMANCE AND IMPACT

Key Challenges Identified

Reliance on public sector clients – This subset of SMPs rely heavily on public sector clients, resulting in limited market diversification and increased vulnerability to changes in public sector spending

Limited market access – SMPs face significant barriers in accessing new business opportunities, particularly in the private sector. This limits their ability to expand their client base and diversify revenue streams

Needs Identified

Feedback from members highlighted the need for:

Improved access and awareness of technical information and support, ensuring timely access to clear and relevant information
Greater involvement in SAICA events, particularly networking opportunities, mentorship programmes, and forums for peer and stakeholder engagement

Planned Initiatives

Based on these insights, SAICA is developing tailored engagement strategies, including:

Increased visibility – Enhancing the profile of SMPs within the profession and broader markets
Targeted mentorship and development programmes – Offering focused support to address specific challenges
Networking and collaboration platforms – Creating opportunities for SMPs to connect with private-sector entities and expand their market access

By addressing these challenges and leveraging feedback, SAICA is committed to fostering greater inclusivity and creating an enabling environment for SMPs to thrive.

Interpreting Member Feedback

The insights gathered from member engagements were analysed through two key analytical lenses:

Member Value Proposition (MVP) functional lens – This perspective focuses on understanding the core benefits and services SAICA provides to its members, ensuring relevance, high professional standards, and continuous support
Hierarchy of Member Expectations (HoME) emotional/perception lens – This lens interprets members’ emotional and perceptual needs, helping SAICA understand their journey from basic expectations to aspirations related to career advancement, recognition, and societal influence

These lenses have guided our understanding of how best to meet the evolving needs and expectations of our members, ensuring that SAICA continues to deliver value in alignment with both their professional and personal goals.

Key Initiatives to Create Value in 2024

Community Building

Building a strong sense of community remains a core objective of the Member Engagement initiatives. A total of 157 events were successfully hosted and attended by 9 001 members, achieving an average rating in excess of 4,5/5 (90%). These events, particularly networking sessions, have played a crucial role in cultivating meaningful connections among members, both regionally and nationally.

Significant events held for the first time include the inaugural Difference Makers Conference and the South African in Australia Awards were particularly well-attended, supporting SAICA’s goal of enhancing member engagement across diverse regions. These gatherings provided valuable platforms for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and recognition, contributing to a stronger, more connected membership base.

Wellness Initiatives

In addition to strengthening professional connections, wellness initiatives were a key focus for Member Engagement. The division organised three dedicated wellness events, emphasising our commitment to promoting mental wellbeing among members. In addition, SAICA employees are encouraged to attend these events.

The Resilience Institute and the Chartered Accountants Worldwide (CAW) task groups have been instrumental in addressing mental health issues within the profession. Initiatives such as the Mental Wellbeing Toolkit have gained traction, offering practical resources and support for members facing mental health concerns. These efforts reflect SAICA’s holistic approach to advancing both professional growth and wellbeing, ensuring that members feel connected, supported, and empowered.

SAICA’s Community

SAICA is committed to fostering a strong, engaged community by prioritising member needs and leveraging feedback to enhance initiatives, events and experiences.

1. Understanding Member Needs

SAICA actively listens to its members to design initiatives that are relevant, valuable, and aligned with their professional needs.

2. PHI Scores and Surveys

PHI scores and surveys are used to measure the impact of events, providing insights to drive continuous improvement.

3. Member Feedback

SAICA values member feedback, using it to ensure events consistently exceed expectations and deliver meaningful value.

Enhancing Practice Management Support for SMPs

As part of the 2023 IRBA review of SAICA, a need for improved practice management support for Small and Medium Practices (SMPs) was identified as an area for enhancement in 2024. In response, SAICA organised two dedicated practice management workshops facilitated by international specialist Mark Lloydbottom.

The two-day workshops, held in Johannesburg and Cape Town in May 2024, provided practitioners with invaluable insights and tools to strengthen their practice management capabilities.

Attendees expressed high praise for the sessions, commending the presenter’s expertise and emphasising the value of such training.

The overwhelmingly positive feedback has reinforced the importance of continuing these initiatives to support SMPs effectively.

Entrepreneurial Initiatives

As an increasing number of members and associates explore entrepreneurial ventures, SAICA has identified key community-building and learning initiatives to support this growing constituency.

In 2024, the Entrepreneurial Exchange was successfully launched in Cape Town, providing valuable networking and learning opportunities. Building on this success, further initiatives are planned for 2025 to continue nurturing entrepreneurial growth and development within the community.

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Stakeholder Engagement and Value Creation