35 under 35 nomination tips: How to make your application stand out

As the deadline for this year’s 35 under 35 rankings approaches, Accountancy Age, in partnership with AJ Chambers, invites you to take part in celebrating the brightest young professionals reshaping the accountancy sector.

If you’re looking to make your mark and get recognised for your contributions – or if you’re nominating someone else – you’ll want to make sure your application stands out.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to submit an exceptional nomination, with insider tips to help your submission shine.

Whether you’re a rising star in your firm or someone eager to nominate a colleague for their leadership, technical brilliance, or community impact, we’re here to ensure you get the most out of this prestigious opportunity.

Plus, we’ve included the nomination form below and a downloadable PDF with tips on crafting the perfect submission.

How to Make Your Nomination Stand Out

What Makes a Strong Nomination?

Before you dive into the form, it’s important to understand the essence of a successful 35 under 35 entry. We’re looking for professionals who have made a tangible impact within their firm or the industry at large. This isn’t just about ticking boxes – it’s about showcasing leadership, innovation, and a forward-thinking approach.

Here’s how you can ensure your nomination stands out:

1. Clarity is Key: The judging panel is looking for a thorough and clear account of the nominee’s professional journey. Don’t be tempted to generalise. Instead, offer specific examples of achievements that demonstrate leadership, innovation, and impactful contributions. Be concise but ensure every achievement is well documented with tangible outcomes.
2. Exemplify Leadership: Leadership isn’t always about holding a title; it’s about making a difference. Whether it’s leading teams, driving organisational change, or mentoring others, the judges will want to hear how the nominee has demonstrated leadership in practical terms. Reflect on how they’ve taken charge of projects, motivated others, or created a lasting impact within their firm.
3. Highlight Community Impact: Accountancy is not just about number crunching; it’s also about making a difference within communities and industries. Highlight how the nominee has contributed to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, engaged in pro bono work, or led social responsibility projects. This is often a defining factor that sets applicants apart.
4. Showcase Innovation: In 2025, accountancy professionals need to be not only reactive but also proactive. Did the nominee embrace new technologies? Drive digital transformation? Or perhaps integrate innovative practices within their organisation? Show the judges how the nominee has been ahead of the curve, using innovation to create value.
5. The Supporting Statement is Crucial: The supporting statement is your chance to truly showcase why this individual deserves to be recognised. Whether you’re nominating yourself or someone else, this is the section where you can go into detail. Focus on providing context, outlining achievements, and tying them to the broader impact on the team, firm, or industry. This section should be compelling and thoughtful, balancing personal reflection with professional accomplishments. Bonus tip: A video statement will definitely make a difference!
6. Be Personal Yet Professional: It’s easy to focus solely on professional milestones, but personal stories that tie into the nominee’s career growth can be powerful. Consider how personal qualities have shaped their professional life, whether it’s resilience, ambition, or commitment to learning.

The Application Form

The nomination form requires the following:

• Basic Information: Provide the full name, job title, sector, accountancy qualifications, and years of experience of the nominee.
• Nomination Details: In this section, you’ll explain why you or the nominee should be in the 35 under 35 list. Be sure to detail achievements, leadership, innovation, and impact.
• Supporting Statements: A 500-word statement about why the nominee deserves recognition, and an additional statement about their achievements, impact, and professional growth.
• Documentation: Upload a high-resolution headshot, supporting documents (optional), and an optional video statement to further bolster the application.
• Contact Information: Provide both the nominee’s and the nominator’s contact details (email, LinkedIn profile, phone number).

Download the Nomination Form and Tips PDF

To further guide you through the process, we’ve made a PDF available for download. This PDF contains detailed tips on how to make your application stand out, as well as the complete nomination form for ease of reference.

📅 Submission Deadline

The deadline for nominations is fast approaching, so be sure to complete your application and submit all required documents by 30 June 2025.

Remember, the more detailed and specific your submission, the stronger the nomination will be. The judges are looking for candidates who don’t just follow the trends, but actively shape them.

So, whether you’re nominating someone else or putting your name forward, ensure your application reflects not only achievements but also a clear vision for the future of the profession.

Ready to get started? Click here to begin your nomination!

If you have any questions about the application process, don’t hesitate to reach out. We look forward to receiving your nominations and celebrating the next generation of accounting leaders.