Chartered Accountant (CA) Grant Edmond , (33) a resident of Diep River, has been named a finalist in the 2024 SAICA Top 35 Under 35 Awards.
The SAICA Top 35 Under 35 Awards, organized by the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA), recognize young Chartered Accountants (CAs) who have made significant contributions to their profession and communities. These awards celebrate innovation, leadership, and social impact among professionals aged 35 and under.
Edmond’s recognition celebrates his innovative approach to accounting and his unwavering commitment to social change, redefining the boundaries of the profession.
As the founder of Just Grace, an award-winning non-profit organisation dedicated to improving education for vulnerable youth, Edmond has spearheaded initiatives that have positively impacted tens of thousands of lives, particularly in disadvantaged communities across the Cape Flats. His efforts have also garnered international acclaim, including the French Republic’s Prize for advancing human rights.
“I’m truly honoured to be selected as a finalist in the SAICA Top 35 Under 35 Awards,” said Edmond. “This recognition is a reflection of the incredible teams I work with and the communities we serve. It’s proof that you can make a difference by applying your accounting skills in ways that go beyond the traditional roles.”
Edmond’s journey highlights a transformative shift on how accounting is perceived. Through his work, he demonstrates that accountants are crucial contributors to solving societal challenges.
“We often think of accountants as people behind desks with calculators, but the reality is that accounting opens doors to dynamic fields where we can drive social change,” Edmond explained.
His non-profit, Just Grace, is the only SAICA-accredited public benefit organisation (PBO) that provides free training to previously disadvantaged youth, equipping them to become accounting technicians (ATs). By aligning his expertise with sustainable development goals (SDGs), Edmond has implemented data-driven strategies to address systemic challenges such as inequality, resource allocation and transparency.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Edmond led a campaign to reduce school dropouts by creating an early warning system that involved community, teachers, nurses and ward councillors.
The initiative cultivated a culture of collective accountability, ensured that children stayed in school, resulted in quantifiable benefits for their future earnings and opportunities.
For Edmond, this recognition is about more than personal achievements, it’s about inspiring others to see the profession’s potential for social impact.
“In a time when fewer young people are choosing accounting as a career, it’s important to show that this profession can be exciting, diverse and impactful,” he said. “Through my work, I hope to inspire others to see that accounting is not just a job, but a way to contribute to society in a meaningful way.”
Patricia Stock, CEO of SAICA, praised the finalists: “The achievements of our Top 35 Under 35 finalists speak volumes. They not only uphold the profession’s standards but also bring creativity, innovation, and a commitment to social responsibility to everything they do.
“These young leaders are shaping the future of the profession and proving that accounting has the power to drive meaningful change.”
Edmond sees his qualification as a versatile tool that enables him to work effectively in both non-profit and corporate sectors.
Over the next five years, he aims to scale initiatives that address systemic issues, mentor young professionals, and influence global conversations around ethical and sustainable business practices.
“The fact that I can apply my CA(SA) qualification in both the non-profit and corporate sectors speaks to the flexibility and wide-ranging impact of the profession,” he said.
As SA faces a critical shortage of skilled professionals, Edmond’s journey underscores the evolving nature of the accounting field.
“Accounting is an exciting and evolving field, with endless opportunities to make a positive impact. The future of this profession is bright, and I’m proud to be part of that future,” he concluded.
