In honour of World Teachers’ Day this month, the School of Accounting and Finance (SAF) is celebrating alumni who have returned to the classroom—bringing the lessons they’ve learned in industry back to where their own journeys began.
Balancing careers in both business and academia, these SAF alumni bridge theory and practice, offering their insights and experiences to give our students a firsthand look at how classroom concepts come to life in real-world settings.
Nick Lee
MAcc '19
Vice President Finance, WS Audiology Canada
As Vice President of Finance for WS Audiology Canada, Nick Lee (MAcc ‘19) leads the financial operations and wholesale hearing aid distribution division for HearCANADA—a national network of hearing care clinics—work that directly improves the access and affordability of hearing aids for clients across Canada. In addition to this incredibly rewarding work, he and his wife recently took on new titles as Mom and Dad when they welcomed their son earlier this summer.
A former Teaching Assistant and Tutorial Leader, Nick always knew he wanted to return to the classroom to give back to the SAF community. He was especially inspired by the professors who made themselves available to help their students. “I was very fortunate throughout my educational career to have Professors who cared enough to sit with me through countless office hours, helping me build a deep understanding of the course content every semester,” says Nick. “Now I want to afford that same opportunity for the next generation of students. Perhaps one day they will pay it forward themselves!”
For Nick, the highlight of teaching is seeing students engage—coming to class, participating, asking questions, attending office hours, and hearing from students later about how they’ve applied what they learned in class. “It's so rewarding to me to see a concept 'click' in a student's head in real time,” he says.
Nick’s advice for future professionals is simple but powerful: “Get comfortable with being uncomfortable.” Whether it’s networking, tackling tough career decisions, or learning from mistakes, he believes that embracing discomfort is key to growth. “The working world is filled with situations that aren't so cut-and-dry," he says. “As you progress in your career, there's rarely a decision that’s 100% correct with no downsides. Mistakes are inevitable, but learning from them is what ultimately builds experience.”
Looking ahead, Nick is most excited to watch his son grow and to find balance as a VP, instructor, husband and new father. Grateful to WSA, SAF and his family, Nick reflects: “It’s a busy, sometimes exhausting, but incredibly rewarding time. I’m grateful to be able to wear all these hats!”
Benjamin Loewen
MAcc '21, MTax '25
Tax Manager, Deloitte
After spending the better part of two decades in British Columbia, Benjamin Loewen (MAcc ’21, MTax ’25) finds himself busy as the Tax Manager at Deloitte, working with private and high-net-worth clients on corporate restructuring, estate, and tax planning. As a self-described “jack of all trades,” Benjamin also runs a learning resource company and invests his time in property renovation and rentals projects. Originally from British Columbia, he spends as much time as possible near the ocean or on the slopes—but says nothing compares to connecting with and teaching students at the University of Waterloo.
Admitting his bias as a proud SAF alum, Benjamin shares that returning to “the best accounting and finance programs in Canada” to give back to a community that shaped his career was an easy decision. "The faculty and staff at SAF are incredibly supportive of each other and of the students, and they’re devoted to delivering meaningful, practical content,” he says, highlighting the School’s case-based learning methods as key to students’ career success. He adds that SAF’s forward-thinking expansion of specializations and growing focus on sustainability offer valuable advantages for students entering an ever-evolving industry.
Benjamin enjoys finding creative methods to help students move beyond memorization to real understanding. “I love finding new ways or analogies to break down complex concepts so students can grasp not just the what, but also the why and carry that thinking into new challenges,” he explains, equipping them with transferable thinking skills that will extend well beyond the classroom.
When it comes to advice for current students, Benjamin emphasizes the importance of critical thinking over technical knowledge. “The most valuable asset that you can take away from post-secondary education isn’t just knowing a lot about a specific subset of accounting and finance, but is instead knowing how to think about thinking,” he shares. He encourages students to explore ideas freely, take electives outside their field, and consider the principles behind every concept. “Establishing a worldview will give you purpose in your future career, and knowing how to think deeply and learn on your own will allow you to quickly master the wide variety of new concepts and issues you will encounter."
As Benjamin continues to advance his professional career, he remains committed to preparing students for an increasingly complex and competitive field. “Helping the next generation of accounting and finance professionals succeed is incredibly rewarding,” he reflects.