Accounting and Financial Management degree

Lead the change. Shape the future.

Business shapes the world, and every choice carries weight. Accounting and Financial Management (AFM) is redefining business education, helping you understand what value is, how to create it and connect decisions to real-world outcomes. You’ll see how every number, innovation and idea drives meaningful change.

You’ll build the broad perspective of a management degree and the financial expertise to deliver results that matter. Through experiential, problem-based learning, you’ll develop the judgment, adaptability and resiliency to create value that extends across organizations and communities and achieve outcomes where technology alone can’t.

Because in AFM, you’re not just preparing for the future of business, you’re shaping it.

What courses will you take in AFM?

First-year courses

AFM continues to lead in accounting and finance with the new Value Suite, a series of courses that flips traditional business learning on its head. Starting in first year, you’ll see how your decisions ripple across people, communities, and systems.

The Value Suite emphasizes the human side of business, helping you develop adaptability, ethical judgment, and decision-making that guide your technical expertise. That expertise is strengthened through the program's Tech Stack courses in data, analytics, and digital tools which prepare you to deliver lasting results.

Together, the Value Suite and Tech Stack give you the skills employers are demanding, skills that can’t be learned from textbooks or lectures alone. This hands-on approach ensures graduates are ready to meet professional challenges and succeed in a modern business world.

September to December

AFM 191 – Introduction to Financial Reporting and Managerial Decision Making 1
AFM 111 – Professional Pathways and Problem Solving
AFM 112 – Analytic Methods for Business 1
Additional courses for a total of five

January to April

AFM 182 – Introduction to Financial Reporting and Managerial Decision Making 2
AFM 121 – Introduction to Global Financial Markets*
AFM 113 – Analytic Methods for Business 2
Additional courses for a total of five

After first year

After first year, 70 to 80% of the classes you'll take will be AFM courses. The number of electives you'll have will depend on which of the program's professional designations (i.e., CPA, CFA) or specializations (e.g., Assurance, Tax, Finance) you choose.

Sample upper-year courses

AFM 241 – Impact of Technology on Business
AFM 362 – Corporate Taxation
AFM 373 – Cases and Application in Corporate Finance
AFM 433 – Business Strategy

View "Accounting and Financial Management Program" on YouTube

Faculty:
School of Accounting and Finance, Faculty of Arts

Degree:
Bachelor of Accounting and Financial Management

Available as a co-op program?
Co-op only

Available as a regular program?
No

Available as a minor?
No

Pro qualifications. Accounting and Financial Management (AFM) provides a direct route to Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) and Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designations. Complete our Master of Accounting (MAcc) program to get advanced standing for your Chartered Business Valuators (CBV) designation.

Top-level accreditation. Our School of Accounting and Finance has received the highest level of national accreditation through CPA Canada, as well as accreditation through the CFA Institute University Affiliation Program.

Co-op = relevant paid work experience

Waterloo's co-op program, with the largest selection of jobs in North America, is an amazing way to explore potential careers, learn to interview for jobs, graduate with up to two years of valuable experience — and make money!

Co-op work-study sequence

Starting in second year, you'll normally alternate between school and work every four months, integrating your classroom learning with real-world experience. You can return to the same employer for a couple of work terms to gain greater knowledge and responsibility or work for different employers to get a broad range of experience.

Year	September to December (Fall)	January to April (Winter)	May to August (Spring)
First	Study	Study	Off
Second	Study	Co-op	Study
Third	Co-op	Study	Study
Fourth	Co-op	Study	Co-op
Fifth	Study	-	-

Your first work term will be halfway through second year (January to April 2028).

Learn more about co-op →

Sample co-op work terms in AFM

Here are three examples of what you might do during a co-op work term.

Asset strategy co-op at a leading utility company – Collaborate closely with the tax team to identify process enhancements, contribute to tax provision preparation, and assist in the development and documentation of departmental projects and procedures.
ESG student at a global asset management firm – Partner with the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) team to drive advancements in ESG performance across various business operations. Responsibilities include compiling ESG data, monitoring performance metrics, and researching sustainability best practices.
Sustainable investing at a prominent pension plan – Aid in formulating and executing the plan's sustainable investment strategy, with a focus on critical ESG issues like climate change and equity diversity. Tasks encompass conducting in-depth research on ESG focal points, analyzing company data, and supporting reporting endeavours.

What can you do with a degree in Accounting and Financial Management?

If you complete both the AFM and the eight-month Master of Accounting (MAcc) programs, you eliminate the need to take the two-year CPA Professional Education Program. Instead, you can proceed directly to the CPA Final Exam (CFE) as soon as you graduate.

As an Accounting and Financial Management (AFM) graduate, you'll build an impactful career innovating new business models, advancing social and environmental responsibility, and leading organizations to create positive, long-term change.

Graduates often pursue careers in finance, accountancy, consulting, and auditing to kickstart their careers. As AFM grads progress through their careers, they commonly work in consulting, finance, and accounting in banks, business advisory firms, insurance companies, and more.

Recent graduates

Senior accountant — KPMG
Financial consultant — Investors Group
Senior auditor — Royal Bank Financial Group
Program manager — Sun Life Financial
Sustainability analyst — GFL Environmental
Banking analyst — Euro Pacific Canada

Learn about the future of careers in business.

Admission requirements

Ontario students: six Grade 12 U and/or M courses including

Any Grade 12 U English (minimum final grade of 75% is required)
Advanced Functions (minimum final grade of 75% is required)
Calculus and Vectors (minimum final grade of 75% is required)

Recommended courses: Principles of Financial Accounting, Mathematics of Data Management

Admission average: Individual selection from the mid-80s

Not studying in Ontario? Search our admission requirements.

How to apply

Apply directly to this program on your application.

You can apply either to Accounting and Financial Management (AFM) or to Sustainability and Financial Management (SFM), but not both. If you're interested in other financial management programs, you can also apply to Computing and Financial Management and/or Science and Financial Management in addition to your AFM or SFM application.

Related programs

Computing and Financial Management

Mathematics/Chartered Professional Accountancy

Science and Financial Management

Sustainability and Financial Management

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Questions about courses, programs, requirements, or careers?

Please email Kelly Millar, our recruitment and admissions coordinator, who can answer any questions you have.