What is Computing and Financial Management?

Two majors. One degree. 

Computing and Financial Management (CFM) at Waterloo is the only program of its kind in Canada that combines studies in computer science and finance to prepare you for the fast-growing, trillion-dollar Financial Technology (FinTech) industry. 

FinTech is the new innovative technology that aims to change the way we use traditional financial methods or services, such as completing mobile banking or reviewing financial portfolios via a smartphone. More and more banks are partnering with FinTech start-ups to change the way they deliver customer service to their clients. The industry is looking to hire job-ready graduates with the means to combine their knowledge in both finance and technology. CFM graduates are prepared to meet these demands with their unique combination of studies.

CFM is a community-based program. You'll have the support of a dedicated advisor as well as a small community of students to support your studies. 

• Available as a co-op program only
• There are 40 courses for this degree
• Study a major in computer science and a major in finance — pursue graduate studies after graduation
• Graduate with a Bachelor of Computing and Financial Management program
• Gain skills to write the Level I exam of the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation

How does the CFM program work? 

You'll take an equal amount of computer science courses and finance courses to fit in two majors within one degree. Out of 40 courses, you'll take 36 required courses with the option to choose 4 general electives. CFM is a structured program designed to prepare you for financial technology. 

If you're interested in CFM but are new to computer science and finance, find our resources to increase your knowledge before you apply. You may want to know simply what finance is!

The Financial Technology industry needs trained computer scientists with financial know-how. 

CFM was created because of a known knowledge gap in finance. As banks and financial services moved to be more digital, they hired technology professionals to build and maintain their systems. However, these professionals lacked the financial background to understand the needs and concepts of those systems to build them effectively. A lot of on-the-job training was required to entrust these technology professionals with the necessary know-how.

CFM students understand both finance and computer science, as well as their intersection, and are sought-after by employers because of their dual knowledge to continue evolving processes and services in financial technology. 

The financial technology industry will continue to look to hire CFM graduates as they aim to integrate more AI solutions into their services — our alumni can design, understand, and use AI effectively to do more varied and advanced projects within computer science and finance.

Discover all the benefits of the CFM program. 

See full courses in our undergraduate calendar.  

Since you will major in both computer science and finance, you will have the skills and know-how to work in technology, finance, and/or financial technology roles. Our students commonly work as analysts, auditors, developers, engineers, and programmers while on co-op and full time.