By Thomas Savage
Congratulations to the School of Accounting and Finance’s 2025 Valedictorian
Throughout his undergraduate career, Matthew Jones (BAFM ’25) has balanced leadership and community building alongside academic performance—all while donning his signature smile that his friends and peers have come to know and love.
Jones has been a staple of the School of Accounting and Finance’s (SAF) community since he first enrolled, a worthy Valedictorian for 2025! He has completed his Bachelor of Accounting and Financial Management (AFM) with a specialization in financial markets and is graduating in the top 10% of students in his program. After convocation, he looks forward to stepping into a full-time position in capital markets.
Matthew stands out for his outgoing and personable approach to everything he does, always leading with a big smile! He's one of the hardest working students we have and someone you can always count on to lead, not only for himself and his teams, but also for the broader student group in the room.
Jones consistently takes advantage of the many opportunities he’s had to give back through his mentorship. As a Peer Support student, he stayed connected to the first-year community through volunteer work, including leading the Peer Support function. “Mentorship played a pivotal role in my own development early on, so it’s been incredibly meaningful to contribute to that same supportive SAF community,” he shares.
SAF-associated clubs have also offered him opportunities to build relationships and mentor junior students. Jones was on the Student Venture Fund team where he led a significant investment in Finta, an accounting platform for startups. He has also served on the board of directors for the Accounting and Finance Student Association (AFSA) and was a Co-Chair for the University of Waterloo Accounting Conference (UWAC).
Lynn Graham, the Co-op and Experiential Learning Coordinator for SAF, shared her experience working with Jones through the fellowship program,
“Matthew is a friendly and engaging person. He’s worked hard to create a good student experience for his peers. Whenever there are roles that allow for sharing experiences, mentoring junior students or giving some academic support, Matthew volunteers for them,” Graham says.
Somehow, Jones has also found the time to take up positions of leadership and connect with his fellow students outside of SAF. He was the captain of Waterloo’s ultimate frisbee team and worked as an Undergraduate Residence Life Don through the COVID pandemic, striving to give new students a good experience even through tough circumstances.
Jones expressed his gratitude after being selected as this year’s valedictorian saying, “it's a real privilege to represent the class and speak on behalf of those I've shared this journey with. Waterloo and the SAF community have meant a lot to me, so I’m truly proud to have the opportunity to reflect on our shared experiences and celebrate everything we’ve accomplished together.”
After graduation, Jones will be starting a full-time investment banking position at BMO Capital Markets in Toronto. He will no doubt continue to be a positive force through his exceptional work ethic and leadership abilities.
Congratulations, Matthew!