Accounting and Financial Management

Add up the advantages: two areas of expertise, one 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! Your bachelor's degree in Accounting and Financial Management (AFM) sets you up for success. You’ll be able to analyze, interpret, and communicate the information that drives business decisions.

$34,000 to $81,000 in potential co-op earnings

Your direct route to a CPA, CFA, and/or CBV

Earn a Bachelor of Accounting and Financial Management (BAFM)

Admission requirements

Ontario students: six 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

The AFM Admissions Assessment (AFMAA) is required for admission.

We strongly recommended that you also submit the Admission Information Form.

Not studying in Ontario? Search our admission requirements.

Student working on his laptop.

As an AFM student, Varun’s four co-op work terms allowed him to explore diverse areas within the field of accounting. Applying classroom learning to his co-op work helped Varun focus his program to his desired career path… all while being a varsity baseball athlete. Read how Varun can get his CPA designation faster as a Waterloo student than if he were at another school.

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First-year courses and beyond

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

70-80% of the classes you'll take will be Accounting and Financial Management courses. The number of electives you'll have will depend on the professional designations (i.e. CPA, CFA) or specializations (e.g. entrepreneurship, data analytics) you choose.

View the full list of courses required for your degree.

Sample upper-year courses

AFM 241 – Impact of Technology on Business
AFM 373 – Cases in Corporate Finance
AFM 344 – Intermediate Data Analytics
AFM 433 – Business Strategy

Customize your bachelor's degree in accounting

You can add additional areas of expertise to your Bachelor of Accounting and Financial Management degree by including one or more of the areas of focus within the program.

Accounting
Finance
Entrepreneurship
Data Analytics

You can also include one of the minors available to all Waterloo students. Popular areas of focus for AFM students include Economics, Human Resource Management, and International Studies.

Co-op = relevant paid work experience

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
Home Trust Company
Manulife Financial
Molson Coors Canada
Nestle Purina Petcare

What can you do with a degree in accounting and financial management?

Careers

If you complete both the AFM and the eighth-month Master of Accounting (MAcc) programs, you don’t 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.

Our 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
Accountant – Manulife Financial
Banking analyst – Euro Pacific Canada

Learn about the future of careers in business.

of students receive at least one entrance scholarship

Gain 16 months of professional experience with co-op

Apply directly to this program on your application

Ready to learn more?

Visit the School of Accounting and Financial Management website
Email Kelly Millar, recruitment and admissions coordinator, who can answer any questions about the program
Subscribe to our newsletter to get tips and advice from current students
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Student Stories

The accelerated pathway to a CPA designation, stunning campus, and co-op were all factors Simran took into consideration when deciding AFM was the right program for her. Learn more about why Simran chose Accounting and Financial Management on our Beyond Ideas website.

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.

Current research

Visit our Waterloo Stories website to learn about research by professors in Accounting and Financial Management at Waterloo

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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.