About AFM

To apply for the AFM program or any other program within the University of Waterloo, students will need to complete and submit an application through the Ontario Universities Application Centre. The specific form to complete will depend on their background. If a student is an…

• Ontario High School Student
• Use OUAC form 101; this link will allow you to apply online.
• Ontario resident not currently in an Ontario Secondary School
• Use OUAC form 105; this link will allow you to apply online.

Application Deadlines:

• Application deadline: February 10, 2012
• AIF submission deadline: extended to March 7, 2012
• Document completion deadline: March 7, 2012
• AFM Admissions Assignment (AFMAA) registration deadline: 11:59pm EDT, March 20, 2012
• AFMAA writing date: March 31, 2012
• Offer confirmation deadline: June 1, 2012

In addition to the course requirements listed below, applicants to the AFM program (that have been determined eligible) must write the Accounting and Financial Management Admissions Assignment (AFMAA) in order to be considered for admission into the program.

This program is structured to meet the needs of students coming directly from a secondary school system. Therefore, this program is not open to students who already possess an undergraduate degree, regardless of subject or major. If you already have an undergraduate degree, there are other graduate programs available through the School of Accounting and Finance that you may be interested in:

• Master of Quantitative Finance
• Master of Taxation
• PhD in Accounting
• IT Diplomas
  

Ontario High School System Requirements:

• Minimum low to mid-80s overall average:
  • 4U English (minimum 75%)
  • Grade 12U Advanced Functions
  • Grade 12U Advanced Calculus and Vectors
  • Three additional 4U or 4M courses
  • Accounting and Financial Management Assignment (AFMAA)
  • Admission Information Form (AIF)

Applicants who are not attending an Ontario secondary school or pursuing the OSSD must present equivalent academic courses or background.

Out-of-Province System Requirements:

• Minimum low to mid-80s overall average:
  • Grade 12 English with a final grade average of at least 75%
  • Complete high school diploma
  • Grade 12 Advanced Functions (or Finite)
  • Grade 12 Calculus
  • Accounting and Financial Management Admissions Assignment (AFMAA)
  • Admission Information Form (AIF)

Admission requirements will vary based upon your academic background and method of study before applying to AFM.To learn more about specific AFM admission requirements based on your previous studies, see Admission Requirements for other Applicants, below.

English Proficiency Test:

Studetns ARE required to provide an English proficiency test score if:

• Their first language is not English AND
• Their 4 most recent years of full-time education have NOT been in an English-language school system.

Click here for English Language Requirements.

Admission Requirements for other Applicants:

If a student is a University or College transfer student, please click on the corresponding name for more information.

International student applicants must have Permanent Residency or Canadian citizenship to be eligible to apply to the Accounting and Financial Management – Public Accounting (WPA) co-op work option. Otherwise, international student applicants must only apply to the Accounting and Financial Management – Financial Management (WFM) co-op work option.

Please click on the link provided for further information on admission requirements for International sutdents.

Once a student has successfully completed their first-year of study with a minimum overall average of 70% in their required courses, they will be eligible to enter their second-year of the AFM program.

Note: Check specific admission requirements and averages needed if they are interested in furthering their studies with the Master of Accounting (MAcc).

Required Courses

In their first-year, they will complete 2 study terms and take 5 courses each term. In their upper-years, they will take a selection of courses that reflect the specialization they choose.

Detailed course descriptions are available in our Undergraduate Calendar.

PA Specialization Courses:
Third-year:  AFM 341, 351, 362, 363, 382
Fourth-year:  AFM 333, 401, 411, 434, 462, 491

MA Specialization Courses:
Third-year:  AFM 341, 352, 362, 363, 382
Fourth-year:  AFM 411, 434, 481, 491; MSCI 432; ECON 231

Finance Specialization Courses:
Third-year:  AFM 322, 323, elect; ECON 201, 202
Fourth-year:  AFM 412, 424, 425, 478, elect; PSCI 281

Co-op Work/Study Experience

Accounting and Financial Management is one program that offers two co-op opportunities, helping students
capitalize on the knowledge and experience they need to excel in their chosen profession.

Choosing the Right Co-op Option

When a student applies for the AFM program, they will need to select the co-op option they want to define the types of co-op positions available to them. A student can only apply to one of the two co-op options offered (WFM or WPA). Once they select the co-op option they desire, they can not change or switch into the other option. To help make this important decision, make sure your students understand the difference between both co-op options available to AFM students.

Accounting and Financial Management - Business and Finance Co-op Option (OUAC code WFM)

Employers of our Business and Finance co-op option students are looking to hire students who are developing financial literacy, honing business savvy, and working toward a professional finance and/or accounting designation. Entering their first co-op work term, they will have the foundational knowledge in accounting and finance concepts to be able to contribute to diverse work-teams in industry, government, and not-for-profit organizations. Students would be qualified for entry-level positions such as general business administration and analysis, project work for accounting and finance teams or assisting with the preparation of internal financial statements or internal audits.

Students should choose WFM if they want to be considered for co-op work opportunities within business, governement entities, or not-for-profit organizations. The diversity of this co-op work experience may be applied toward one of three professional designations - CA, CMA, or CFA

Accounting and Financial Management - Chartered Accountancy (CA) Co-op Option (OUAC code WPA)

Employers of our Chartered Accountant co-op option students are looking to hire students who are building their academic and career pathway to a Chartered Accounting designation. Entering their first co-op work term, stsudents will be building on their academic course work to develop professional competencies in financial reporting, audit, and tax by taking on a job with public accounting firms, financial services organizations, manufacturing companies, governments or not-for-profit agency.  Students would be qualified for entry-level positions such as supporting activities or special project work with accounting and finance team in the public and private sectors or junior tax and audit work with public accounting firms. 

Students should choose WPA if they want to be considered for co-op work experience within public accounting firms that may be applied toward a CA designation.

NOTE: The BAFM is a co-op only program. This means students are required to complete 16 months of co-op over four work terms. This provides students with the opportunity to gain practical, real-world experience while pursuing their degree. Click here for more information about AFM co-op .

Specialization

Once a student has entered into third-year, they have the option to choose a specialization that will help them work toward a specific designation. They can choose one of the three specializations listed below, no matter what co-op option they are enrolled in.