Everyone knows what a huge effort the Chartered Accountants Program is and, from an Institute survey, that one of the hardest elements is the juggle of work, study and social life for candidates. This is why it gives the Institute great pleasure to announce those candidates who have achieved the highest candidate accolade, candidate of the year, by achieving the highest combined score of all their modules within their region.

Congratulations to: 

• ACT: Kent Smith, Australian Federal Police
• NSW: Belinda Lawrence, Macquarie Bank
• NT: Belinda Lake, McArthur River Mining
• QLD: Rhiain Garrihy, Johnstone Rorke
• SA: Prabhat Agarwal, Origin Energy
• TAS: Rachel Klaus, Wise Lord & Ferguson
• Victoria: Michelle Sproats, Ernst & Young
• WA: Felix Hudson, Mainsheet Corporate
• Singapore: Simon Hempel, Macquarie Equities Asia
• Malaysia: Yin Mei Chan, Am Investment Management.

Background 
The Institute introduced Candidate of the Year when the new Program was developed in 2000. The award is presented to the candidate in each region who has attained the highest average mark of all candidates and completed the Chartered Accountants Program in the past 12 months from 1 October to 30 September. 
 
The award is recognition of an outstanding achievement given the high calibre of candidates who completed the Chartered Accountants Program this year.  
 
The winners are presented with a certificate, plaque and $1000 cheque at the new member ceremony held in each region. 
 
Relevant links: 
 
The Institute: Chartered Accountants Program