The prizes are awarded in recognition of outstanding academic achievement in accountancy at Scottish universities.

The prestigious award is presented annually to one student from each Scottish university offering accountancy programmes. The selection criteria vary by institution and are applied locally by academic departments, with each university identifying the student who has demonstrated exceptional academic performance and promise within their cohort.

Winning the Charles Scott Prize sets recipients apart and gives them a powerful head start in their professional journey. Alongside recognition from one of the world’s oldest and most respected professional bodies, winners gain access to expert mentorship, exposure across ICAS platforms, and connections to a global CA community. Each prize also includes a £150 cash award to support recipients in their studies.

The Charles Scott Prize forms part of ICAS’ broader commitment to championing the next generation of CAs, promoting high standards in accountancy education, and deepening collaboration with universities across the country.

Gail Boag, ICAS executive director of learning, said: “The Charles Scott Prize is one of the ways ICAS celebrates academic excellence and recognises the future leaders of our profession.

“We’re proud to honour these outstanding students from across Scotland and to support their journey into the world of accountancy. Their achievements are a testament to their hard work, talent and the success of our university partnerships.”

Each prize winner receives both formal recognition from ICAS and a monetary award to mark their success. Prize recipients will also be profiled across ICAS communication channels and offered opportunities to connect with the wider Chartered Accountant (CA) community in Scotland and beyond.

The 2025 winners are: 

• Szymon Iskierka, Abertay University
• Jennifer Whitehead, Edinburgh Napier University
• Millie Cooley, Glasgow Caledonian University
• Jason Howie, Heriot-Watt University
• Monica Gray, Robert Gordon University
• Zoe O’Meara, The University of Edinburgh
• Ella MacLean, University of Aberdeen
• Hannah Finlayson, University of Dundee
• Ethan McDonald, University of Glasgow
• Grace Sellick, University of Stirling
• Craig Differ, University of Strathclyde
• Aaron Sweeney, University of the West of Scotland

The award honours the memory of Charles Alexander Scott CA (1902–1993), with the award created in his name by his wife which has served as a lasting tribute to academic excellence and the future of the profession in Scotland.