Blog

When Accounting and Financial Management (AFM) student Scarlett attended a Waterloo open house as a future student, a SOAP Ambassador helped her imagine what life at the School of Accounting and Finance could be.

Now, through the Fellowship Program, she’s on the other side of the table — sharing her own experiences with prospective students and helping them see what's possible.

What started as a way for Aarya to "get involved and meet people" as a first-year SFM student evolved into one of the most meaningful parts of her undergraduate experience.

Through the SAF Outreach and Ambassador Program (SOAP) and the Fellowship Program, she discovered how mentorship, leadership, and genuine community connection can shape not just your career path—but your confidence and sense of direction.

From river cruises in Frankfurt to boardroom discussions with global firms, our International Study Course (AFM 334) team's recent trip to Germany challenged them to bring their classroom knowledge to life and make the most of this unique study experience.

While real-world corporate meetings initially felt daunting, the team reflects on how their creative preparation methods turned each session into an opportunity for learning — from Digital Euro at the European Central Bank to credit risk at Munich Re.

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.

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.  

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.

What does it take to compete on a national consulting stage? This student blog follows a University of Waterloo team at the National Strategy Consulting Competition in Vancouver, where they placed among the top 12 teams nationwide.

Discover the lessons they share on teamwork, strategy, and personal growth through an intense real‑world case competition experience.

Shrisha, Jackson, Reda and Luke recently participated in the Business Valuation Challenge, where they gained hands-on experience with valuation and explored the Chartered Business Valuator career path.

Read their blog to learn more about the experience from their perspective.

When SFM student Aarya started university, she was excited to get involved but unsure where to begin. Joining the School of Accounting and Finance Fellowship Program changed that.

Through mentorship with an alumni mentor, professional events like meeting KPMG's CEO, and meaningful social connections with other Fellows, she discovered how much the program has to offer—and how much it can open doors.

Our team of accounting and financial management (AFM) students had an outstanding performance at the Association of Canadian Intercollegiate Investment Clubs (ACIIC) Fall 2025 stock pitch competition. They expertly made calls, analyzed data and made financial models to formulate a "buy" pitch to UpWork, resulting in a successful third place finish.