The Faculty of Mathematics, in co-operation with the School of Accounting and Finance, offers the Honours Mathematics/Chartered Professional Accountancy (CPA) plan which combines mathematics with accounting and business-related disciplines.
In addition to providing excellent background preparation for careers in industry, this plan can lead to post-graduate studies in business-oriented disciplines. In particular, the Mathematics/CPA plan is specifically designed to be a prelude to Waterloo's two-term Master of Accounting (MAcc) graduate degree plan in the Faculty of Arts.
The Honours Mathematics/CPA plan provides an opportunity for studies in areas of mathematics including Actuarial Science, Computer Science, Optimization, and Statistics combined with an extensive professionally-oriented sequence of accounting courses. Graduates are well prepared to play a leading role in the increasingly important development and utilization of computer-based accounting information systems, the analysis of the information provided by such systems and the subsequent decision-making processes, and allocation of resources so crucial to an organization's success in the modern business world.
This plan involves four co-op work terms, the first of which occurs in the winter term immediately following the fall 2A academic term (see Study/Work Sequence). Students are exempted from paying co-op fees for their 1A and 1B terms.
Admissions
Students normally apply for direct admission from high school into the first year of the Mathematics/CPA plan. Upon successful completion of a provisional first year, students will formally proceed into the Mathematics/CPA plan in second year. Successful completion of the provisional year requires all of the following:
- Successful completion of at least 5.0 units including the following courses: AFM 101, 102, 131; MATH 135/145, MATH 137/147; one of CS 115, 135, 145; one of MATH 136/146, 138/148; and one of ECON 101, 102. These courses must be completed within 12 months of admission into the provisional year.
- A minimum average of 60% in all math courses taken to date.
- A minimum average of 70% in all AFM and ECON courses taken to date.
- "Good standing" or "Excellent standing" in the Faculty of Mathematics.
Mathematics/CPA is a restricted-enrolment plan, and admission into the plan for students not currently enrolled in the provisional year is not normally granted.