Designed to be different, the University of Waterloo was founded to meet urgent industry needs. The nation had called for highly skilled engineers to fill a talent gap that left Canada lagging behind other countries after the Second World War. Rising to the challenge, a group of local business leaders combined rigorous academic training with practical workplace experience. Their new model of co-operative education infused the workforce with highly skilled professionals and transformed the postsecondary landscape.

Waterloo’s trailblazing spirit distinguished the University from its peers — so when the field of accounting faced a similar reckoning to the field of engineering years later, a group of top educators came to Waterloo to forge the talent the country needed. These trendsetters, known as the “Magnificent Seven,” spurred new research while providing an elite level of accounting education found nowhere else in Canada. With ongoing support from the University and the broader community, their efforts evolved into the powerhouse now known as the School of Accounting and Finance.

Our programs attract diverse students from across Canada and around the world, bringing with them a wide array of ideas and experiences. With an eye to future disruptions and opportunities, we’re preparing these rising stars to combine their talents to lead a new era of rapid industry change.