Add up the advantages: 2 areas of expertise, 1 serious career edge.
Acquire the expertise to analyze financial information and take a leadership role in any business. This rigorous program covers accounting, finance, business analytics, and investment management, and more.
We offer a rich learning environment where you can develop professional competencies both inside and outside the classroom. Extend your learning through co-op work terms, extracurricular activities, and a host of other experiential opportunities.
By the time you graduate, you'll be advancing your career, not just launching it! A degree in Accounting and Financial Management sets you up for success. You’ll be able to analyze, interpret, and communicate the information that drives business decisions.
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.
Pro qualifications — faster
If you want to enhance your credentials even further with a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), or Chartered Business Valuator (CBV) designation, your degree gets you there faster.
Adnan’s experience in AFM led him to a number of successes, like launching a social start-up, being on the winning team for the global 2016 CFA Research Challenge, and being named co-op student of the year.
About the Accounting and Financial Management program
Gain 16 months of professional experience with co-op
Apply directly to this program on your application
Earn a Bachelor of Accounting and Financial Management
of students receive at least 1 entrance scholarship
$34,000 to $81,000 in potential co-op earnings
Your direct route to a CPA, CFA, and/or CBV
Admission requirements
- Ontario students: 6 Grade 12 U and/or M courses including
- English (ENG4U) (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
- All applicants to the AFM program are required to complete the AFM Admissions Assessment (AFMAA) and an Admission Information Form.
- Not studying in Ontario? Search our admission requirements database.
First-year courses in Accounting and Financial Management
September to December
AFM 101 - Introduction to Financial Accounting
AFM 132 - Introduction to Business Stages
ECON 101 - Introduction to Microeconomics
AFM 111 - Professional Pathways and Problem Solving
AFM 112 - Analytic Methods for Business 1
January to April
AFM 102 - Introduction to Managerial Accounting
AFM 121 - Introduction to Global Financial Markets
BET 100 - Foundation for Entrepreneurial Practice
SPCOM 111 - Leadership, Communication, and Collaboration
AFM 113 - Analytic Methods for Business 2
After first year
75% of the classes you'll take will be Accounting and Financial Management courses. With your remaining classes, you can choose electives from many of the 100 subject areas at Waterloo.
View a full list of courses required for your degree.
Sample upper-year courses
AFM 333 – International Business
AFM 377 – Private Equity & Venture Capital
AFM 444 – Intermediate Business Analytics
AFM 477 – Mergers and Acquisitions
Customize your degree
You can also add additional areas of interest and expertise by including a minor (or minors) as part of your degree.
Gain relevant work experience through co-op
By alternating school terms and paid co-op work terms, you can explore new career areas and employers as your interests evolve.
Sample co-op job titles
- Fixed income analyst
- Finance officer trainee
- Junior financial analyst
- Business analyst
- Auditor trainee
- IT finance assistant
- Staff accountant/analyst
- Accounting assistant
Sample co-op employers
- Deloitte LLP
- RBC Financial Group
- PwC
- KIK Custom Products
- Home Trust Company
- Manulife Financial
- Molson Coors Canada
- Nestle Purina Petcare
What can you do with a degree in Accounting and Financial Management?
If you complete both the AFM and the 8-month Master of Accounting (MAcc) programs, you don’t need to take the 2-year CPA Professional Education Program. Instead, you can proceed directly to the CPA Final Exam (CFE) as soon as you graduate.
Waterloo Accounting and Financial Management (AFM) graduates often pursue careers in finance, accountancy, consulting, and auditing to kickstart their careers. As AFM grads progress through their careers, they work in industry in the areas of consulting, finance, and accountancy. They typically work in banks, business advisory firms, and insurance companies, and more.
Recent graduates
- Senior Accountant – KPMG
- Financial Consultant – Investors Group
- Senior Auditor – Royal Bank Financial Group
- Financial Analyst – KIK Custom Products
- Program Manager – Sun Life Financial
- Accountant – Manulife Financial
- Banking Analyst – Euro Pacific Canada
Learn more about Accounting and Financial Management
- Email Sarah Lima, our recruitment co-ordinator, who can answer any questions about the program
- Visit the Accounting and Financial Management website
