Finalist: SAICA Trainee Trailblazer Awards 2025

Aliyah Bulbulia is a third-year CA(SA) trainee at Standard Bank. Her journey reflects a modern, multidimensional approach to the profession — one that merges technical excellence with cultural relevance, youth empowerment, and strategic influence.

Aliyah has transformed her banking articles into a platform for visibility and impact. Her rotations in Corporate Development, Investment Banking M&A, and Business & Commercial Banking M&A have not only showcased her technical depth but also earned her the respect of senior executives. She curated and hosted the CA Speaker Series, a flagship initiative that brought Group Executives and thought leaders directly to trainees. With audiences exceeding 500+ participants, the series created a space of influence and positioned the CA(SA) designation at the heart of strategic conversations in corporate South Africa.

Her voice extends beyond the boardroom. Aliyah has spoken on panels at Wits University, Bridge the Gap workshops, and other youth-focused events, inspiring aspiring CAs to pursue careers in banking and finance. Her authentic, relatable approach has made her a mentor and role model to hundreds of students and trainees.

Aliyah’s involvement with SAICA is equally impressive. As a SAICA Youth Campaign Ambassador, she has contributed to Back to School drives, student campaigns, and flagship initiatives like Blue Table Talks, where she has lead sessions spotlighting women leaders in finance. Her consistent presence in these spaces uplifts the CA(SA) brand by making it visible, relevant, and aspirational.

Creativity is central to Aliyah’s brand ambassadorship. She won the Standard Bank Artfluencer competition, and her platform RandsAndSense.com documents financial literacy and everything CA(SA) in a fresh, engaging way. She is preparing financial literacy talks for schools, using storytelling and digital media to make chartered accountancy dynamic — and even desirable — to younger audiences.

Aliyah embodies the modern CA(SA):

She redefines what it means to be a CA(SA) by fusing creativity with analytical excellence, proving that finance and artistry can coexist.
Through her digital storytelling, videography, and personal brand, she turns complex financial ideas into accessible, visually engaging narratives.
A skilled and engaging public speaker, she delivers with confidence, clarity, and wit by positioning CAs at the forefront of economic, entrepreneurial, and cultural conversations.
Her authenticity shines through in her financial literacy advocacy, making her message both relatable and inspiring.
She represents a new generation of CAs who are creative, articulate, and unafraid to lead with personality as well as professionalism