Experience Matters
At the School of Accounting and Finance (SAF), we're not training accounting and financial professionals. We're inspiring the next generation of leaders who will help drive change in all areas of society by redefining what it means to be an accounting and financial professional.
SAF's world-class faculty, standard-setting curriculum and research, wealth of experiential learning opportunities attract inquisitive and agile minds who think like an entrepreneur to identify new opportunities, solve complex problems and make courageous business and financial decisions. SAF offers five distinct undergraduate programs to bring unique perspectives to business problems. SAF students and graduates create value by combining a management, mathematical, scientific, computer science, or sustainable mindset to their financial management expertise.
Embedded in Waterloo's culture of innovation, SAF students and faculty tap into and contribute to the resources that inspires cross-disciplinary collaboration to push their expertise into new territories. Our alumni and faculty reach the top of their fields and shape the industry through a global perspective that champions innovation and courage. Our close ties with governing bodies and business allows us to lead the professions forward while transforming them.
At SAF we're always moving forward. We don't wait for change to come or react to it. We create it to turn opportunity to reality.
of AFM, Biotech/CPA, CFM, Math/CPA, and MAcc grads are employed full-time within 6 months of graduation
SAF grads have received the CPA National Gold Medal since 2010
Canadian team to capture the Global Championship at the CFA Investment Research Challenge
News
UWaterloo's VCIC team dominates Canadian Finals—now sets sights on global stage
Reigning supreme for the sixth year in a row, Waterloo's Venture Capital Investment Competition (VCIC) team from the School of Accounting and Finance (SAF) have won the Canadian Finals in Halifax and will be heading to the Global Finals in North Carolina, where they will go head-to-head with some of the best business schools in the world—including Berkeley, Dartmouth, Georgetown, Miami University, US Air Force Acadamy and Trinity College.
This year's team—SAF students Ansh, Joel, John, Nolan, Quynh-Anh and Rachel—proudly represented SAF at the competition, their win demonstrating our students' unparalleled ability to think like top-tier investors in an intense, fast-paced competition that simulates the real-world venture capital process.
Dr. James Thompson explains the key differences in U.S. and Canadian banking
Recent rhetoric has emerged alleging that U.S. banks aren’t allowed to do business in Canada, which is untrue. U.S. banks have been operating in Canada for well over a century with 16 U.S.-based bank subsidiaries and branches managing $113 billion in assets here in the country.
James Thompson, SAF professor and co-director of the Computing and Financial Management program, breaks down how U.S. banks operate in Canada—challenging misconceptions and offering key insights on cross-border banking.
Empowered and inspiring: Women of SAF alumni breaking down barriers
In honour of International Women's Day this month, we're highlighting some incredible SAF alumni who are making waves in the finance industry.
Building a strong foundation for success through SAF's co-op program, networking opportunities and development of technical business skills, our featured alumni––Renee Milligan and Lucy Qi––have shown how women can bring unique abilities to the table, reshaping the future of finance to uplift the current and future women in the industry.
Blog
Our journey to ACHIEVE 2025
In January, our team of third-year students, Michelle, Madison, Jaiden, and Bonita, had the exciting opportunity to represent the University of Waterloo at the ACHIEVE Case Competition in Toronto!
Our winning experience at the Eclipse Case Competition
In January, Gurpartap, Leo, Brishank, and Franco—second-year Accounting and Financial Management students—participated in the Eclipse Case Competition at the University of Toronto.
The competition brought together students from across Ontario to solve business challenges in four streams: Sales Management, ESG Strategy, Technology, and Entrepreneurship. Read on to learn about their experience competing in the Technology stream!
The bite was worth the chew: Lessons from TMU’s Battle on Bay
Accounting and Financial Management students Ian, Luka, and Chiranjeev reflect on their experience competing in the Toronto Metropolitan University’s annual Battle on Bay case competition. They secured a second-place position at this three-day event, comprised of various networking events, pitches and socials which concluded with an awards ceremony and gala dinner.