News

Five researchers at the School of Accounting and Finance (SAF) earned more than $408,000 in the 2026 Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) competition.

The SAF awards form part of 20 projects across the Faculty of Arts and more than $8 million that University of Waterloo researchers secured across all six faculties.

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.

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.

Graduate studies aren’t just about earning a degree — they’re about asking deeper questions, gaining new perspectives and shaping conversations that reach far beyond the classroom.

This month, we’re spotlighting Jillian Adams (PhD ’24), a School of Accounting and Finance (SAF) alum whose passion for tax policy and pursuit of a PhD shows how curiosity can be turned into impact.

This year’s Fusion Conference highlighted the growing connection between the School of Accounting and Finance (SAF) and the Faculty of Science.

With interdisciplinary teams combining scientific insight, business strategy, and financial thinking, Fusion was a clear showcase of how these two academic worlds strengthen one another.

Benjie Thomas (PDAcc '98), CEO of KPMG in Canada returned to the University of Waterloo's School of Accounting and Finance where he was recognized for his longstanding generosity to the University and shared valuable career insights with the next generation of accounting and finance professionals. 

Seven graduates from the School of Accounting and Finance (SAF) Master of Accounting program have earned a spot on Ontario’s 2025 CFE National Honour Roll.

Representing nearly one-third of all Honour Roll writers in the province, this achievement highlights our students' strong technical foundation and confidence to navigate the complexities of today’s accounting landscape.

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, our 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.