Difference Maker of the Year

Are you the

Difference Maker of the Year

?

Chartered Accountants Ireland wants to celebrate the ‘Difference Makers’, students who are driving change and making an impact in their local community or wider society.  

To enter, you must:

  • Be in your penultimate or final year
PRIZES

What could you win?

The winner will receive a ‘Career Kick Starter Package’ including:

1-2-1 mentoring with a member of Chartered Accountants Ireland who is working in a sector that is related to you/your difference making work

€/£1,000 cash towards your degree (college fees, accommodation, travel)

about you

What makes an Award winner?

We are looking for students passionate about making a difference and already actively making a tangible impact in an area they are passionate about – that could be sustainability, mental health, education, community engagement, gender equality etc.

Check out the UNSustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a guide – you could already be contributing to any of these 17 great causes without even realising.

about our partner

Chartered Accountants Ireland is Ireland’s leading professional accounting education and membership body representing over 39,000members in over 100 countries and educating 6,600 students in the prestigious ACA/CPA qualification, a globally recognised business leadership credential.

Chartered Accountants are influencers, problem-solvers, and change-makers. They work around the world, in every industry, leading change and making a tangible difference to businesses, economies and society. We want to champion the ‘Difference Makers’ at 3rd level - students who are making an impact in their own way.

To find out more, click here.

going all the way

How do I win?

1. Register your details
2. Submit your application by
February 2, 2026
Your details must be submitted and completed by midday on Monday 02 February 2026.
3. Assessment
If you are successful in making it through to the next stage of the process, your application will be reviewed by Chartered Accountants Ireland and the top 10 entries shortlisted will be invited to informal 20-minute telephone / Zoom interviews
4. Grand Final
The final shortlist of 10 students will be invited to the awards ceremony on 01 April 2026, where the award winners will be announced. All finalists will be invited to bring along a parent or carer to celebrate the big occasion.