University of Waterloo School of Accountancy

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The School of Accountancy at the University of Waterloo was formed in 1985 as a result in the growth in need for accountants in the public sector, as well as Waterloo's growing reputation as an innovative centre of learning, especially through the co-op program. Today the School of Accountancy has nearly 1000 students enrolled in any one of its undergraduate and graduate accounting programs, and is home to the largest accounting co-op program in Canada^{[citation needed]}.

The school regularly has students who win the Gold Medal in both the Chartered Accountant (CA) and the American Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exams, and has the highest pass percentage of any school when it comes to the Uniform Final Evaluation of the CA exams (around 90% compared to provincial average of 74%).

After 5 years of schooling, all students (regardless of stream), are expected to have:

• completed a Bachelors of Accounting and Financial Management (BAFM);
• completed a Masters of Accountancy (MAcc) (which excludes the student from taking all CA exams except the UFE, as well as sections 1–6 of the Strategic Leadership Program demanded by CMA–Ontario);
• completed 16 of the 30 months required to get their CA (unless in Financial Management).

The School of Accountancy offers several programs that all provide the same accounting courses, but with different focuses amongst the remaining courses. The following programs are offered:

• Public Accounting (BAFM degree): The student takes arts courses along with the accounting courses and hopes to develop communication skills that will help as a public accountant. Graduates of this program aspire to a Chartered Accounting (CA) designation. The student takes three of his or her four co-op terms during the accounting busy season (January to April).
• Financial Management (BAFM degree): The student takes arts courses along with the accounting courses and hopes to develop communication skills that will help as a financial analyst or industry accountant. Graduates of this program aspire to a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) or a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation. The student takes two of his or her four co-op terms during the accounting busy season, but is not encouraged to spend those terms within a public accounting firm. Instead, the student is expected to begin work in industry.
• Mathematics and Chartered Accountancy (BMath degree): The student takes math courses along with the accounting courses and hopes to develop the mathematical skills necessary to compliment mathematical or highly technical businesses. MathCA students are expected to work alongside actuaries, computer scientists, or investment experts in their careers. The student takes three of his or her four co-op terms during busy season and is strongly encouraged to consider joining a CA firm in order to get the hours necessary for their CA.
• Biotechnology and Chartered Accountancy (BSc degree): The student takes science courses along with the accounting courses and hopes to develop an understanding of the biotechnology environment. These skills are applied as an accountant for businesses specializing in chemical work or the medical field. The student takes two of his or her four co-op terms during busy season.
• Computing and Financial Management (BCFM degree): One of the newest programs at the University of Waterloo created in 2006. Jointly offered with the David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science in the Math faculty, the student takes computer science courses along with the accounting courses. Upon completion, these students will receive a unique degree in Canada, Bachelor Computing and Financial Management. The first class of approximately 42 is expected to graduate in 2011.

[edit] External links

• Official website