Blog

Mitchell, a 4^th year AFM student met with SAF to talk about his experience with this program and how it prepared him for the recent CFA Institute Research Challenge (IRC). "It was the hard work and commitment that our team put in which ultimately made the difference. Our team members during that time were either on co-op or exchange and so it took a lot of planning and dedication for us all to stay connected."

Shortly after graduating from the University of Waterloo, I began my full-time career in the investment banking group at TD Securities. I obtained this opportunity thanks to the University of Waterloo’s fantastic co-op program

From office to home, the new working reality amid COVID-19

To prospective UWaterloo students, I would like to share a recap of my Winter 2020 co-op experience as one that was very unexpected, yet valuable. The skills I developed as a student in the AFM program prepared me for the new working reality during my first work term.

When I was debating between two co-op job offers, one as a forensic accountant at a public accounting firm, and the other as a financial analyst at a software company, I met an industry professional at a networking event and had a great conversation with him that helped me decide.

During my COVID-19 home quarantine I have had some time to reflect on my first year of university. Below are the three most important things that I learned:

To put it simply, I love tax.

I initially got into tax because of my courses at the School of Accounting and Finance (SAF). I found that the professors that taught had an immense amount of experience and credibility straight from the industry.

It’s no secret that the School of Accounting and Finance (SAF) is one of the best of its kind in the country. The Accounting and Financial Management program (AFM) and the Master’s of Accounting programs offer so many courses in accounting, tax, financial management, and more.