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.

The School of Accounting and Finance (SAF) brought together over 100 donors, alumni, students and faculty at the 2026 SAF Alumni Excellence Gala for an evening celebrating achievement, leadership and community.

The gala honoured the outstanding achievements and milestones earned across the SAF community over the past year — from alumni making their mark at the highest levels of their fields, to students representing Waterloo on the world stage in competition against the best and brightest universities globally.

New research from Kaishu Wu, Professor at the School of Accouting and Finance, explores how political connections can influence the penalties companies face in foreign bribery cases.

Analyzing 151 U.S. enforcement cases over 25 years, the study raises broader questions about fairness and transparency in anti-corruption law.

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.

The University of Waterloo’s School of Accounting and Finance has achieved its highest‑ever international research ranking, placing third worldwide in the 2025 Brigham Young University (BYU) Accounting Rankings — ahead of institutions such as Cornell University.

The milestone reflects sustained, award‑winning research that helps organizations better understand how incentives, performance metrics and systems influence real human behaviour at work.

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.

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.

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. 

UWaterloo researcher Tony Wirjanto finds that investment strategies built on ESG principles deliver stronger, more resilient returns — even during times of economic stress.