Diva Ugbobuaku, Trainee Accountant
Trainee Accountant
Current Experience:
Founder and Author at The Women's Ledger Jun 2025 - Present · 7 mos
Past Experiences:
SAIPA Trainee Accountant (Completed Articles) at Ram Wealth Jan 2025 - Dec 2025 · (1 yr)
SAIPA Trainee Accountant (Year 2) at Ram Wealth Jan 2024 - Dec 2024 (1 Yr)
SAIPA Trainee Accountant (Year 1) at Ram Wealth Jan 2023 - Dec 2023 (1 Yr)
Private Commerce Tutor Private · Part-time Jan 2022 - Dec 2022 · (1 yr)
Qualifications:
BCom in Financial Services
Country of Residence:
South Africa
LinkedIn Profile:
From the internet café where her mother taught her the power of numbers, to her current role as a SAIPA trainee at Ram Naidoo and Associates, Diva Ugbobuaku’s story is one of quiet determination, leadership, and deep purpose.
She’s not just clocking hours for her SAIPA articles. She’s mentoring final-year students, smashing her Parkrun milestones, and dismantling imposter syndrome with every financial statement she prepares.
Her journey proves what many in our profession know but don’t say: we’re not just accountants, we’re nation-builders in training.
What time do you usually wake up on weekends?
06:30 AM
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
Early Bird
How do you spend the first hour of your day?
On weekdays, I start my day by journaling, making breakfast, and setting a positive mindset for the day ahead.
On weekends, I keep things relaxed with a light breakfast. Saturdays are usually spent getting ready for parkrun with my parents and sisters, while Sundays are focused on preparing for church.
What sparked your interest in accounting and finance?
My interest in accounting started at a very young age. My sisters and I often spent time at my mother’s internet café, watching her go through the day’s sales recorded by her staff. That was my first real exposure to numbers, using a calculator, and doing basic calculations, and it sparked a curiosity that stayed with me.
As I moved through primary school, I naturally gravitated towards mathematics and Economic and Management Sciences, building a strong foundation in both. By the time I reached high school, I was focused on excelling in maths and chose accounting as one of my subjects from Grade 10 to 12.
Over time, accounting became more than just a subject. It grew into a genuine passion. I’m incredibly grateful to my parents and teachers whose support and guidance, often without them realising it, played a key role in shaping my journey. Their influence continues to motivate me, and I enjoy sharing my enthusiasm for accounting with anyone interested in the field.
Can you share some key career milestones or defining moments?
As I’m still in the early stages of my career, my defining moments so far have been milestones that reflect steady growth and progress toward my long-term goal of making a meaningful contribution to the accounting profession, both locally and internationally.
One of my earliest milestones was being elected head girl of Saint Michael’s School for Girls in my matric year. This was a defining experience that highlighted my leadership potential and helped build the confidence and skills needed to lead, support, and motivate others.
Another key milestone was being accepted into the University of Pretoria to study Financial Sciences. This marked the start of my formal journey into the accounting field and provided a strong academic foundation. Completing my first year with distinctions further reinforced my belief in my abilities and confirmed that I was on the right path.
Graduating with my first degree, with my parents and sisters by my side, remains one of the proudest moments of my journey so far and a reminder of the support system that continues to motivate me.
I am currently in one of the most defining phases of my career as I complete my SAIPA articles. This experience has allowed me to engage deeply with the practical side of accounting, strengthen my technical understanding, and share knowledge with others who aspire to enter the profession.
I’m excited about what lies ahead and look forward to many more moments that will shape me into the accounting professional I am working towards becoming.
What is your role within your company’s finance department?
As a SAIPA trainee accountant, I work across a broad range of accounting tasks under the guidance of senior accountants. My responsibilities include preparing financial statements, performing reconciliations to ensure the accuracy of work processed on accounting software, assisting with tax computations for individuals, companies, and trusts, and maintaining well-organised working paper files and financial records. The role is practical and strongly learning-focused, giving me hands-on experience while building the skills and knowledge needed to grow within the accounting profession.
How do you contribute to the overall financial strategy of the business?
I contribute to the overall financial strategy by providing accurate, timely, and well-organized accounting services to clients throughout my experience as a SAIPA trainee accountant. Ensuring the reliability of financial information allows senior management to make informed decisions that align with the company’s strategic goals.
By maintaining precise financial records and adhering to regulatory standards, I help build and sustain client trust and satisfaction. My experience has taught me the importance of diligent and meticulous processes to support the firm’s commitment to excellence and the high-quality service it delivers to clients.
What is one of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your role? How did you overcome it?
One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced is dealing with imposter syndrome, which at times made me question whether I truly belonged in the accounting profession.
To overcome this, I reminded myself of the accomplishments that brought me to where I am today and focused on celebrating small wins, like mastering a new skill. I also leaned on the support of friends and family, whose encouragement has been invaluable.
Strengthening my relationship with God has given me peace and reassurance, helping me trust that I am on the right path and capable of achieving even greater goals.
What tools or strategies do you use to manage the financial operations of the company effectively?
As a SAIPA trainee accountant, I rely on a combination of tools and strategies to manage financial operations effectively. Accounting software plays a key role in helping us manage financial data efficiently and streamline routine tasks.
Equally important are strong organizational and time management skills, which ensure that work is completed accurately and on schedule.
Continuous learning is also essential during my articles, as it keeps me up to date with industry standards and reinforces the importance of staying adaptable in a constantly evolving accounting environment.
Share your strategies for staying balanced, especially during busy periods
Planning is key for me, as it helps me prioritize tasks, stay focused, and avoid feeling overwhelmed.
I also practice effective time management by using tools like calendars, notebooks, and reminders to allocate my time efficiently, ensuring a balance between work, personal time, and scheduled breaks.
Seeking support from colleagues is another important strategy. Collaboration not only helps share the workload but also provides opportunities to learn from others, which allows me to manage busy periods while maintaining high-quality results.
What do you enjoy outside of work? Any hobbies or activities that help you recharge?
One of my favorite hobbies recently has been participating in Parkrun. I join every weekend with my parents and sisters, which gives me a chance to focus on goals outside of work while staying fit and active.
Completing the 5km and setting personal bests brings a real sense of accomplishment, keeping me motivated and energized. I’ve recently reached my 25th Parkrun milestone and am now working towards the 50th, which gives me something exciting to aim for in my free time.
Do you mentor or support other team members in the finance department? How do you help develop the skills of others?
While I don’t currently mentor within the finance department, I actively participate in the University of Pretoria’s annual mentorship programme, where I guide final-year students in the Economic and Management Sciences faculty. I have been involved for two years, providing advice, sharing insights, and encouraging students to explore career paths that align with their studies.
In this role, I help students navigate their final year, offering guidance on making informed career decisions and boosting their confidence. I also emphasize the importance of aligning their strengths and passions with their career goals to achieve long-term satisfaction and success.
Although this experience is external to my department, it allows me to develop my leadership skills while supporting the growth of future professionals.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to work in a finance department?
My advice would be to embrace the journey of learning and growth, as this is essential for building the skills and experience needed to succeed in a finance role. Stay curious and proactive in your learning.
While technical skills are important, it’s equally crucial to develop soft skills such as time management, strong communication, and problem-solving. Discipline and resilience are also key, as the accounting industry often requires adapting to change.
Finally, never underestimate the value of mentorship and collaboration. Seek guidance from experienced colleagues and remain open to feedback, as this supports both professional and personal growth. Every day presents a learning opportunity, and cultivating these skills will help you excel in your accounting career.
“You can only become truly accomplished at something you love. Don’t make money your goal. Instead, pursue the things you love doing and then do them so well that people can’t take their eyes off you - Maya Angelou ”
Share a leadership lesson or a piece of advice that’s been valuable to you in your career
One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned in my career is the importance of continuous learning. From the start of my articles, I was reminded that education doesn’t end at graduation—it’s an ongoing journey that shapes both professional and personal growth.
Adopting this mindset has kept me motivated and open to new ideas, allowing me to develop skills that support my growth and evolution in my career. In a field like accounting, there is always more to explore, and embracing innovation creates opportunities to learn and improve constantly.
What’s something surprising about you that isn’t in your professional bio?
A fun fact about me that isn’t in my professional bio is that I completed 28 Parkruns in 2024.
If you could have any superpower to help you in your job, what would it be?
If I could have a superpower for my job, it would be the ability to instantly transfer data from physical paperwork into accurate digital records.
What’s your go-to strategy for staying productive during long workdays?
To stay productive during long workdays, I follow a few key strategies. I make sure to take regular breaks to recharge and avoid burnout, which helps me maintain focus. I also listen to light, entertaining podcasts while doing tasks that don’t require intense concentration, which keeps the day from feeling monotonous.
Finally, staying hydrated throughout the day helps me maintain energy and stay alert.
If you could relive one day from your career, which day would it be and why? What made that day special?
If I could relive one day from my career, it would be the first day of the Deloitte YEP Vacation Programme during my matric holidays. The experience was incredibly enjoyable and gave me the chance to meet many students who were eager to learn about accounting.
That first day stood out because it brought together like-minded, enthusiastic students in a fun and engaging environment. We participated in ice-breakers and conversations that were both enjoyable and meaningful, while the coordinators highlighted the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
Diva reminds us that excellence isn’t about flashy credentials — it’s about consistency, resilience, and the courage to start before you feel ready.
She’s already mentoring the next generation. She’s already chasing her 50th Parkrun. And if her dream superpower is digitising messy client paperwork in a blink, we say give this woman a cape.
Join CIBA and we’ll show you how to turn your passion into purpose, and your profession into power.
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