News

Meet the cohort that bet on a new kind of professional — and won.

In 2021, 12 students enrolled in a degree that didn't yet have a graduating class, an employer track record, or even a course calendar listing. Today, they cross the convocation stage as the first-ever graduates of the Sustainability and Financial Management (SFM) program — and every single one of them has a next step. Six are heading into the Master of Accounting program, and six have landed full-time roles, five of them directly in sustainability and ESG.

Spring Convocation is a time to celebrate the hard work, resilience and achievements of our graduating class. This year, the School of Accounting and Finance (SAF) is proud to recognize an exceptional group of students who have made their mark at Waterloo and beyond.

Among them is Mahmoud Halloum (BA '26), named SAF's valedictorian for the Class of 2026. Learn about his journey from SAF student to Deloitte analyst and startup founder.

University of Waterloo students have won the global CFA Institute Research Challenge, outperforming teams from 1,200 universities worldwide and securing the university’s third global title in a decade.

Three School of Accounting and Finance alumni — Francesca Loreto (MAcc ’16), Jacqueline Sue (MAcc ’19) and Akash Kapoor (MAcc ‘14) — have been named among CPA Ontario’s 2025 Emerging Leaders, recognized for their early career impact and commitment to uplifting others.

Their journeys reflect a shared dedication to mentorship, community leadership, and shaping what’s next for the profession.

Blake Phillips, Director of the School of Accounting and Finance (SAF), joined Velocity in welcoming The Honourable Wayne Long, Secretary of State (Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions).

During the visit, Phillips highlighted the value of SAF's Student Venture Fund, which gives students the valuable opportunity to engage directly with entrepreneurship and venture capital while they’re still in school.

Patricia O’Malley (LLD ’16) was appointed to the Order of Canada, one of the country’s highest civilian honours.

She is a globally respected leader in financial reporting, having played a pivotal role in the development and international adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards.

Each year, the University of Waterloo recognizes exceptional alumni from each faculty and school with Alumni Awards. Recipients from 2025, Troy Maxwell (BA ’89, MAcc ’89) and Adnan Khan (BAFM ’17, MAcc ’17), are highlighted for their professional achievements, leadership and community impact.

Visit the 2025 Alumni Awards page for a full list of recipients.

Jatinder Bassi (MAcc ’10), President of Echelon Insurance, reflects on continuous learning, leadership growth and the mindset shifts that supported his journey from accounting and finance roles to executive leadership.

In this Q&A, he shares practical career insights and advice for the next generation of business leaders.

SAF recently hosted “Be The Future”, a conference that gave highschool students a chanve to step into the shoes of tomorrows business leaders, tackling hands-on challeneges, participating in expert panel discussions and exploring how technology, AI, science and sustainability are reshaping the way business are done.

As we wrap up 2025, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the milestones, stories, and achievements that shaped the year at the School of Accounting and Finance.