Selected annually by CA ANZ’s president from the annual Young CA award winners, the CA ANZ President’s Prize recognises members who have contributed to the profession and the community they serve.

Here, three former recipients discuss the significance of the prize.

Jane Stanton FCA – partner, Grant Thornton Risk Consulting

During her tenure as the 2018 CA ANZ president, Jane Stanton thought a great deal about what it means to be part of the accounting profession.

“Like any other profession, ours is only as strong as its membership,” she says. “I believe we should do what we can to encourage members to be more engaged, particularly at the start of their career. That’s why I was very keen to reinstate the CA ANZ President’s Prize, which had slipped off the radar during the complex merger of the Australian and New Zealand chartered accountants’ organisations.”

As a former winner, Stanton understands the impact the prize can have.

“Being recognised for making a difference really galvanised my commitment to my accounting role,” she says. “Now, once again, younger members have the same opportunity.”

Stanton advises younger members who are looking to make a mark to embrace the unique benefits of being part of a profession.

“CA is much more than a designation – as a CA, you’re part of something much bigger,” she says. “You have the support of a community, and you can reach for help with anything, from your career path to an ethical dilemma.”

John Palermo FCA – board chair, CA ANZ

When John Palermo received the CA ANZ President’s Prize in 2006, he was deeply involved in Young CA activities.

“Facilitating professional year workshops locally and in Singapore and Malaysia was a big part of my professional life,” he says. “I was also marking exams, mentoring and supporting young professionals as they navigated their own careers.”

Along with the CA board, he chairs the RPH Research Foundation and sits on the boards of Wesley College and the Catholic Education Commission of Western Australia. Education, the arts and medical research have featured prominently in his career.

“I can confidently say that I’ve gained far more from these roles than I’ve ever given,” he says. “These experiences provide perspective and balance. For instance, working with the incredible medical specialists at RPH, who face life-and-death situations daily, puts the pressures of corporate life into perspective.”

Palermo encourages young accountants to wake up early, be kind and, most importantly, act.

“Success doesn’t come from sitting on the couch, it comes from putting yourself out there,” he says. “Volunteer your time and skills, meet people and be proactive. Above all, approach the profession with curiosity and an open mind. The accounting profession offers incredible variety and the chance to contribute in meaningful ways – not just to businesses, but to your colleagues and the community.”

Lisa Mead FCA – director, Social Currency

The world was in the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic when Lisa Mead received the CA ANZ President’s Prize in 2021. Since then, she has served on the CA ANZ Council as an observer and shadow member, and contributed to a project examining issues including gender equity in accounting, youth financial literacy and the long-term sustainability of the profession.

She established her own accounting and consulting firm, Social Currency, with the aim of generating lasting social impact.

“In six-and-a-half years we have donated over NZ$180,000 to support at-risk Kiwi children and communities,” she says.

Lisa has also developed a way to help other young accountants contribute to positive change.

“I wanted to make it easy, and it was a simple idea – to change intergenerational statistics in crime, poverty and low educational attainment by providing mentoring and support services to at-risk young people and their families,” she says.

While the need can feel overwhelming, she believes that making a difference can start with small steps.

“When you’re passionate about something it’s worth having a go and seeing what might be possible,” she says. “I love the quote: ‘Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.’”

Meet the 2024 President’s Prize winner – Adam Cormack CA

Adam Cormack CA, who works at RSM Australia in Canberra, donates his time to a variety of CA ANZ initiatives including CA Career Mentoring, expert advisory panels and interest groups. He says he’s “genuinely chuffed” to receive the CA ANZ President’s Prize and is looking forward to shadowing the CA ANZ Council in 2025 and continuing his mentoring responsibilities.

The prize comes with an A$1000 donation to a charity nominated by the winner. Cormack chose the National Breast Cancer Foundation – an organisation strongly supported by CA ANZ and its members.

Read more about Cormack here.