Computing and Financial Management

Below is the proposed course sequence for CFM students

*CFM students must take two of the following before 3B: ENGL 109 Introduction to Academic Writing, ENGL 119 Communications in Mathematics and Computer, EMLS 129R/ENGL 129R Written Academic English or SPCOM 223 Public Speaking

CFM is a mandatory co-op program earning its students up to two years of work experience before they graduate.

Throughout your studies, you will combine in-class learning with on-the-job experience after your first year of study with co-op. This will allow you to apply what you've learned in class to the working world and apply what you've learned in industry to your studies. By the time you graduate, you will have completed five-six work terms and gained up to two years of paid experience.

Our first year students held the following positions in their first co-op opportunity (updated July 22, 2019):

• Application Developer, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
• Full Stack Engineering, Manulife Financial
• Student Analyst, IT Operations Compliance, Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System (OMERS)
• Internal Audit, RBC Financial Group
• Programmer Analyst, Toronto Transit Commission
• Undergraduate Research Assistant - Factor Investing and Machine Learning, University of Waterloo

Default Co-op Academic/Work Sequence 

The following chart identifies the default sequence of study and co-op terms employed by our CFM program.

Fall term (F) = September to December
Winter term (W) = January to April
Spring term (S) = May to August

WT = Co-op Work Term

Read student co-op blogs written by current SAF students.

On average, CFM students earn between $20.00 - $31.00/hr on co-op. 

Success as an accounting and financial management professional requires much more than technical skills. The School of Accounting and Finance offers professional development activities that will help you focus on improving skills employers demand.

If you are interested in growing your own ideas and business, you can receive co-op credit while building your company through E-Co-op offered by the Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business. E-Co-op is open to all students with any type of business concept: no-tech, low-tech, high-tech, service, consulting and more.

Read how one CFM student created a web game to improve children's vaccine experience.

CFA

A Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) demonstrates a strong foundation in advanced investment analysis and portfolio management, accompanied by a strict emphasis on ethical practice.

Does earning a CFA designation spark your interest? SAF is recognized under the CFA Institute University Affiliation Program.

In an ever-expanding internationalized business world, having an international perspective can enhance your business acumen.

As an upper-year CFM student within the SAF International Study Course, you’ll meet global business professionals (in-person and/or virtually) to learn about business practices and challenges that affect an internationalized business environment.

Read International Study Trip blogs written by current SAF students.

There are great ways to get involved on campus within and outside of the Computing and Financial Management program.

Find out what you can expect to experience during your transition into life as a CFM student at the University of Waterloo.

CFM events

Throughout the year, you will be invited to join your classmates and program peers in a variety of academic-related, career development and wellness-focused events hosted by the CFM Program Manager.

Clubs and Associations

Arts and Accounting and Finance Clubs

• Accounting and Finance Student Association (AFSA) - Represent your School of Accounting and Finance student body.
• Arts Student Union (ASU) - Help organize events and sessions for Arts students.
• Leadership opportunities - Get involved as a Teaching Assistant, Research Assistant, Peer Leader, Student Ambassador, or be part of the Financial Review Team.

Math and Computer Science (CS) Clubs

• Computer Science Club - Represent your CS student body.
• Math Society (Math Soc) - Organize events and sessions for math students, like Pi Day.
• Women in Computer Science (WICS) - Attend or help organize events and workshops with other female students.

In addition to program-specific clubs and associations, Waterloo offers many other student-led interest-based groups by the Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association (WUSA).

Learning Outside the Classroom

Expand your learning outside of the classroom with these problem-solving and skill-building opportunities.

• Hack the North - Participate in North America's largest three-day hackathon and solve real-world problems
• hEDGE Finance Conference - Attend or help organize this multi-day capital markets conference for students
• UWDECA - Develop your analytical, problem-solving and leadership skills 

Does earning a CFA designation spark your interest? SAF is recognized under the CFA Institute University Affiliation Program.

As a CFM student, you can challenge the Level 1 and Level 2 exams by the time you graduate. Then write your Level 3 exam after completing one year of self study and work experience.