Who We Are

SAICA recognizes the importance of sustainable business in a changing world. We offer a range of products and services to keep our members informed. There is a dedicated website www.sustainabilitysa.org which is an information portal for sustainability, sustainability reporting and integrated reporting. This popular site is open to members and non-members.

SAICA is an accredited training partner of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and we hold training courses - Sustainability Reporting with the GRI - throughout the year. The GRI is widely regarded as the 'de facto' standard for sustainability reporting. Other training courses cover integrated reporting and guest sustainability speakers.

The publications offered include Green written by Graham Terry of SAICA.

SAICA was instrumental in founding the Integrated Reporting Committee (IRC) and acts as the secretariat to the IRC. The IRC released a Discussion Paper on integrated reporting in January 2011.

Services We Offer

Publications:
Books sold by SAICA. These are usually specific in nature (eg. Sustainability, Leadership, Corporate Governance) are topical and are considered useful to members' learning needs.

Guides:
Technical guidance issued by SAICA's standards department. These are available on the SAICA website. www.saica/technicalinformation/publications/guides.

Newsletters and magazines:
Regular communication to members in general and specific areas containing relevant and useful information - this is sent to members free of charge.

Toolkits:
An integrated set of software routines/utilities (tools)/manuals that are developed to assist members perform a specific functions or provide training in specific areas. (eg. Govern IT)

eMedia:
This refers to the format of delivery of a learning activity which is done through an electronic medium such as e-learning, podcasts, webcasts etc. or it can be used as a communication tool.

Broadcasts:
Transmission of sound and images to a large number of receivers largely by way of television. These are typically based on current topical issues that are relevant to all members and will be in the region of  45 minutes to 1 hour per session.

DVDs:
This is another delivery channel for learning activities and is usually a recorded version of a SAICA seminar. This can be classified
as verifiable when watched as part of a larger group of people followed by a group discussion.

SAICA conferences:
A prearranged gathering of like-minded people (ranging from a day to a multiple number of days) for exchange of information or discussion. Typically this includes a multitude of key speakers and/or subject matter specialists on topical matters.

SAICA master-classes:
Small classes given by an expert in a particular discipline focusing on practical application and knowledge sharing in niche markets areas or thought leadership.

SAICA Seminars:
Seminars are aimed at providing a high-level overview of a specific subject area or topic. Seminars are often used to deliver information to a group of individuals with fairly similar knowledge levels and/or experience, and can be applied in areas where regular changes and developments can be expected. Examples of these can be legislative changes or regulatory updates related to tax, accounting or auditing. Seminars are usually the preferred learning channel where the audience has a well-established knowledge base related a specific subject, and therefore would not require in-depth learning. Practical application and assessments are restricted to methods such as group exercises, questions and answers, case studies and further examples and reading.

SAICA Workshops:
Workshops are aimed at offering attendees a deeper understanding of a specific subject area and provide more in-depth knowledge transfer than a seminar. Workshops often take on an outcomes-based approach, offering opportunities for practical application, analysis and knowledge integration. The audience members usually have very similar existing knowledge levels and the workshop outcomes are strongly aligned to the specific learning needs of the particular audience. The attendees are usually restricted to small groups in order to make provision for optimal practical knowledge transfer and more interaction between the facilitator and participants. Workshops usually have some sort of formal assessment such as a test or exam, practical assignments and in-depth group discussions.

SAICA does not currently offer any workshops but is in the process of developing a variety of different opportunities.

Training officer and trainee workshops:
Workshops offered to both Trainees and Training Officers with specific objectives relating to the training of prospective CAs(SA) in mind. Certain of these are compulsory.

Events:
SAICA hosts a number of events each year, some of these qualify for verifiable CPD such as SAICA business breakfasts and armchair discussions where we invite topical speakers to talk and provide members with an opportunity to network. Further details can be found directly on the SAICA website as these vary from year to year.
Examples of these include Business breakfast with Dennis Dykes (Chief Economist - Nedbank), Armchair discussion with Clem Sunter (former chairman - Anglo American and futurist, scenario planner and strategist).

Alliance Partner Offerings:
SAICA has formed meaningful partnerships with some of South Africa's best training providers in order to offer courses to our members and associates at discounted prices/preferential rates. These courses range from basic I.T. courses to advanced technical courses. Bookings are done with SAICA in order to qualify for discounts but thereafter further logistical arrangements are managed directly by the Alliance Partner.