SAICA: Corporate Social Investment strategy
True to its mission of serving the needs of the Accounting Profession and society, the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) Board has approved a Corporate Social Investment (CSI) strategy, optimizing the secretariat's position to play a leading role in the transformation of the business landscape, and build on its successes in the current Thuthuka projects.
CSI is an important building block in SAICA's overall transformation strategy and plays a key role in enhancing the Profession's reputation. Seeking to “lead by example” the approved strategy - born out of SAICA's vision, mission and values – encourages working together and the leveraging of resources within the accounting profession to impact society positively on a social level.
SAICA's CSI strategy has identified four key flagship projects, that is, the Membership Giving Initiative; the Hope Factory Thuthuka Wealth Creation Project; Non-Government Organisation (NGO) Development Programme; and the Black Entrepreneur Initiative.
The Membership Giving Project is based on an interactive CSI web page, linked to the SAICA website, where members will be able to contribute to the Thuthuka Bursary Fund. This form of giving allows members anywhere in the country to be involved and will assist firms or members who may be too small to have their own CSI projects.
The Hope Factory Thuthuka Wealth Creation Project focuses on training and job creation. Training is provided in: Technical Skills (sewing, patternmaking and various crafts); Business Skills (entrepreneurship and small business); and Life Skills (such as communication, CV writing, and HIV/AIDS). Once learners have graduated, they can choose to either start their own business, seek formal sector employment, study further or join The Hope Factory Job Creation Project. Graduates manufacture corporate gifts and conference materials, which are sold inter alia to the members of SAICA.
The NGO Development Programme seeks to build capacity in NGO management and staff by providing training workshops and mentorship opportunities while increasing sustainability of projects and return on investment.
Black Entrepreneur Initiative provides mentorship, training and consulting advice to black entrepreneurs in areas of accounting, tax, regulations and administrative systems.
The identified projects are an ideal vehicle to directly impact society and realise SAICA's and Profession's CSI objectives. The objectives include transforming the Profession, developing members and staff, increasing economic growth, building relationships with key stakeholders and promoting the Accounting Profession.
SAICA has a strong reputation, and is trusted by government and other investors to act with integrity in all aspects of financial and project oversight. Through the CSI programme, SAICA will not only increase member pride, morale and involvement in the Profession, but will promote the Accounting Profession to the public and communities as a social responsible industry, in order to increase career awareness and reach untapped markets.
The strategy has been developed through extensive research amongst firms and members, and was developed and directed by the CSI task team and the SAICA Board.
The SAICA CSI programme is driven by Chantyl Mulder, Senior Executive: Transformation, and Elizabeth Zambonini, CSI Officer, and is overseen by the CSI Committee made up of firms and member representatives.
