In Computing and Financial Management (CFM), you'll study two majors: computer science and finance. Taking a balanced combination of computer science and math courses as well as financial management, economics, and arts courses, you will broaden your knowledge in these areas.
You'll also gain up to two years of work experience as a co-op student. The knowledge that you'll gain inside and outside the classroom will prepare you for a full-time career in technology, finance, and/or financial technology (FinTech).
- FinTech needs trained computer scientists with financial know-how — CFM was created because of a known knowledge gap. Banks and financial institutions would hire technology professionals to build and maintain their software systems would struggle to have those systems built with the understanding of financial concepts and processes built in. CFM students understand both.
- Balanced studies in computer science and finance — CFM is made possible by the collaboration of two schools in two faculties: Canada's premier School of Accounting and Finance in the Faculty of Arts, and the world-renowned David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science in the Faculty of Mathematics. You'll take an equal number of courses offered by each school to prepare for your future career.
- Two years of co-op experience – Fund your education and grow your job skill set with 5-6 co-op opportunities. You will get real-life experience working with different companies in Canada or around the world.
- Prepare your career for a professional designation — CFM is a member of the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) University Affiliation Program. As a CFM student, you'll take courses that are approved by the CFA Institute to prepare you to write the CFA exams.
- One-on-one support — CFM students are well-supported during their studies by a dedicated Program Manager. The Program Manager is the recruiter, academic advisor, and student engagement officer for all CFM students. Additionally, all first-year CFM students can receive guidance from our upper-year students as part of CFM Connect.
- A small community of students — With an entry-class of 45-50 students, CFM is a small program. Our students are eager to make connections and provide guidance on their learnings to others. You can expect to make lots of connections at our CFM events.
How is CFM unique?
- It provides you with in depth knowledge of computer science and finance in the same program.
- It prepares you to work in financial technology or high tech industry upon graduation.
- It gives you finance knowledge computer science students do not have.
- It provides you computer skills finance majors do not have.
- The CFM courses (CFM 101, CFM 301) include projects that you will use in industry, your applied learning sets you apart with employers.
Our specialized courses
Our students have special access to finance-technology-focused courses, only offered to students enrolled in Computing and Financial Management.
Our students
- Problem solvers
- Multi-taskers
- Curious
- Ambitious
- Risk-takers
- Open-minded
- Self-starters
- Enthusiastic
- Organized
- Ready to tackle challenges
Accounting and Financial Management (AFM)
Degree: Bachelor of Accounting and Financial Management
Focuses: Accounting or Finance
Plan: Structured
Co-op: Mandatory
Designation(s): Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) or Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
Business Administration and Computer Science Double Degree (BBA/BCS)
Degree: Bachelor of Business Administration (Laurier) and Bachelor of Computer Science (UWaterloo)
Focuses: Computer Science and Business (includes finance)
Plan: Structured
Co-op: Mandatory
Designation(s): Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA)
Computer Science
Degree: Bachelor of Computer Science
Focuses: Computer Science
Plan: Flexible
Co-op: Optional
Designation(s): None
Math/Chartered Professional Accountancy (CPA)
Degree: Bachelor of Mathematics, major of Math/Chartered Professional Accountancy (CPA)
Focuses: Accounting and mathematics
Plan: Structured
Co-op: Mandatory
Designation(s): Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA)
Mathematical Finance
Degree: Bachelor of Mathematics, major of Mathematical Finance
Focuses: Mathematics (accounting and financial management, actuarial science, applied math, economics, pure math, statistics)
Plan: Structured
Co-op: Mandatory
Designation(s): Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA)
Math/Financial Analysis and Risk Management (Math/FARM)
Degree: Bachelor of Mathematics, major of Math/FARM
Focuses: Mathematics and financial risk (actuarial science, economics, combinatorics and optimization)
Plan: Structured
Co-op: Optional
Designation(s): Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) or Professional Risk Management (PRM)