The School of Accounting and Finance (SAF) tackles global challenges by preparing students to think differently. Going beyond the limits of a traditional business school, SAF redefines what it means to be an accounting and finance professional.
Training future-ready leaders in accounting and finance
The future of accounting and finance is collaborative, interdisciplinary and inclusive. SAF graduates are equipped with the integrity and expertise to tackle the world’s most pressing demands like climate uncertainty, emerging technology and AI. The field is constantly evolving with SAF students leading the change.
Learning beyond the classroom
Through paid co-op, international study and travel opportunities, and hands-on experiences, SAF students are gaining real-world skills through experiential learning to make bold, informed decisions through a global lens.
Business meets AI, tech, innovation and sustainability
Our programs connect accounting and finance with artificial intelligence, data analytics, computer science, sustainability, and innovation to prepare students for a fast-changing world.
Accounting and finance shape decisions in every sector of the economy. As emerging technologies and AI transform the world, the need for ethical, adaptable problem-solvers has never been greater. It is also essential to consider the impacts on people, communities, and the environment alongside financial goals, so that decisions create fair and sustainable outcomes. At SAF, we’re preparing graduates to meet that challenge, leading with insight, integrity, and impact on the issues that matter most.
News
Giving back and paying it forward — an evening at the 2026 SAF Alumni Excellence Gala
The School of Accounting and Finance (SAF) brought together over 100 donors, alumni, students and faculty at the 2026 SAF Alumni Excellence Gala for an evening celebrating achievement, leadership and community.
The gala honoured the outstanding achievements and milestones earned across the SAF community over the past year — from alumni making their mark at the highest levels of their fields, to students representing Waterloo on the world stage in competition against the best and brightest universities globally.
Adnan Khan honoured with SAF's 2025 Leader to Watch Award
Adnan Khan (MAcc ’17), co-founder and co-CEO of Viva Talent, is being recognized with the School of Accounting and Finance’s 2025 Leader to Watch Award. From launching his first social venture as a student to building a global talent platform, Khan’s work is rooted in expanding access to opportunity.
A committed member of the SAF community, Khan continues to give back through mentorship and support for student initiatives. His journey reflects a belief in the power of relationships, curiosity and creating pathways for others to succeed.
Politically connected firms face softer penalties for bribery
New research from Kaishu Wu, Professor at the School of Accouting and Finance, explores how political connections can influence the penalties companies face in foreign bribery cases.
Analyzing 151 U.S. enforcement cases over 25 years, the study raises broader questions about fairness and transparency in anti-corruption law.
Blog
Learning through uncertainty: AI research in the SAF Fellowship Program
In his final year of the Accounting and Financial Management (AFM) program, Joel P. took on a Research Assistant role through the SAF Fellowship Program where he had the opportunity to explore one of today’s fastest-evolving spaces: artificial intelligence (AI).
Analyzing and comparing AI tools alongside Professor Efrim Boritz, Joel's experience was defined by open-ended problem-solving and the kind of ownership rarely found in a classroom. He reflects on how the role shaped his academic and professional path, and why his advice to first-years is simple: you have more time than you think.
Alles gut?/All good? Teamwork versus twist and turns in Germany
From coordinating corporate visits with global firms to navigating train schedules across Germany, the Winter 2026 International Study Course (AFM334) trip to Germany was powered by School of Accounting and Finance students taking on different responsibilities behind the scenes.
While each team entered the trip with clearly defined roles, the experience quickly became one of collaboration, quick thinking and supporting one another through unexpected twists and turns.
How I became a research assistant in the AFM program
Third-year Accounting and Financial Management (AFM) student Emma shares how a coffee chat through the SAF Fellowship Program led her to a research assistant role with Professor Tim Bauer — and changed how she thinks about her future.
Working in audit experimental research, she found that the RA experience offered more than just skills: it gave her a new understanding of how knowledge is created and made academia feel like a real, personal option.