Do you know a Chartered Accountant under the age of 35 who has made a significant contribution to our industry?  
 
The President’s Prize was introduced in 1996 by Institute Past President David Smithers to award young members.  
 
The prestigious annual prize offers $1000 in prize money and acknowledges the valuable input young Chartered Accountants have made to the profession during the last year.  
 
‘We encourage members to recognise outstanding contributions by young Chartered Accountants. The prize is offered to a member who has helped raise the profile of the Institute and that of Chartered Accountants. For example they may be recognised as an ambassador for the Institute or have been instrumental in recommending initiatives,’ said Richard Deutsch, Institute President. 
 
Nominations are open for the 2009 President’s Prize until Tuesday 1 September 2009.  
 
The nomination form provides full details on award criteria or is available by contacting the Manager National Secretariat on 02 9290 5630. 
 
 
2008 President’s Prize winner 
 
Kathryn Hatch is the first Chartered Accountant from the Australian Capital Territory to be awarded the Prize. 
 
Speaking at the Award presentation in Sydney in December 2008, Institute President Andrew Arkell said:  
 
“Kathryn has made an outstanding contribution to the Institute and is a strong ambassador for Chartered Accountants in the ACT region. Through her involvement with mentoring and coaching, representing the Institute as a Young Achiever Australia group leader, and speaking at ACT Council meetings and other public events, Kathryn has helped build a more powerful Chartered Accountants brand over the last 12 months.” 
 
Kathryn receives $1000 for her award as well as recognition in the industry for her achievement.  
 
Kathryn was instrumental informing the inaugural ACT Young Members Committee in late 2007 and was voted by her peers to the position of Chair. The success of the committee sparked the inclusion of young members from other professional disciplines, including law and engineering in the ACT region, providing an important networking platform for members at future events.  
 
“Kathryn has been very vocal in identifying the needs of young members in the ACT region and has worked closely with the ACT office to ensure they have a collective voice. This award is very well deserved,” said Renee LeGrande, ACT General Manager for the Institute.  
 
Kathryn wrote and delivered a speech at the 2007 ACT Chartered Accountants Graduation ceremony on the benefits of the Chartered Accountants designation and what it had brought to her career. She also presented at the Sydney Regional Practitioners Conference in March 2008 on the skills shortage in regional areas, and has coached and mentored students on a number of occasions in her capacity as a Chartered Accountant.