Cutoffs

Waterloo Mathematics/CPA (Co-op Only)

University of Waterloo

The published admission average for Mathematics/CPA (Co-op Only) at University of Waterloo is 83–87% for September 2027 entry, under OUAC code WN. This program also requires a supplementary application.

You study mathematics alongside accounting and finance, with a direct path toward becoming a Chartered Professional Accountant. The co-op requirement means you alternate between classroom and paid work terms at accounting firms, giving you real experience in the field while you earn. This suits people who want to combine mathematical thinking with practical accounting work and prefer learning on the job.

Plain-English summary. The universities publish requirements but not an explanation of the program, so this one is written for you and checked against the official listing above. Read the university’s own page before you decide.

Admission average

83–87%

OUAC code

WN

First-year spaces

25

University of Waterloo publishes this as “Mid 80s”

Compare side by side →
Supplementary application requiredCo-op available

What’s the Waterloo Mathematics/CPA (Co-op Only) acceptance rate?

University of Waterloo doesn't publish an acceptance rate for Mathematics/CPA (Co-op Only), and no Ontario university publishes one for any program. What it publishes is the admission average: 83–87% for September 2027 entry. Waterloo acceptance rate, program by program

Admission requirements

Required
ENG4U, MCV4U, MHF4U

Waterloo’s own wording

  • Any Grade 12 U English
  • Advanced Functions
  • Calculus and Vectors
  • One other Grade 12 U course
  • + 2 additional 4U/M courses
  • + Recommended: ICS3U
  • + See Ontario high school course codes.

How many other programs require these outright:

Also required

  • An Admission Information Form is required. We will send you instructions when we acknowledge your application.
  • You are strongly encouraged to write the Euclid Mathematics Contest and the Canadian Senior Mathematics Competition.
  • Individual selection may vary.

What it costs

First-year tuition at Waterloo is $6,250 for an Ontario student in arts and science in 2026–27. Engineering ($14,248) and Computer Science and Data Science ($13,126) cost more. Waterloo tuition, program by program

Source: University of Waterloo on Ontario Universities’ Info. Grade ranges change year to year and are not guarantees — confirm with the university before you apply.

What this leads to

The picture for accounting as of 2026-08-17, not a description of this particular program.

Most graduates start as accounting clerks or junior accountants processing transactions, month-end closes, and account reconciliations. Those who pursue a CPA can advance to accounting manager, controller, or financial analyst roles.

In its favour

  • Job openings exist across all industries and company sizes, and accounting skills transfer easily between sectors
  • Consistent long-term demand—businesses need accurate financial records whether the economy grows or shrinks
  • Strong salary progression: employers prioritize pay increases for people with specialized skills and certifications

Worth knowing

  • Entry-level positions increasingly require 2–3 years of co-op or internship experience—a degree alone won't get you hired
  • Permanent hiring has slowed while contract and temporary roles are rising, meaning less job security early on
  • Routine data entry, invoice processing, and reconciliation work is being automated; you'll need to build skills in analysis and strategy to progress past junior roles
  • Many employers prefer or require a CPA designation for advancement, meaning 4+ more years of study and exams after your degree if you want senior positions

How AI is changing this work

AI is automating the clerical work that usually fills entry-level accounting jobs: data entry, bank reconciliations, invoice processing, and expense categorization. However, 85% of firms that adopt this automation redeploy their staff to financial analysis and strategic guidance—work AI cannot do alone. The risk is real if you graduate with only basic technical skills, but demand is strong for accountants who can interpret data, explain business problems, and guide decisions. Starting a degree in 2027 means you'll graduate into a field where the routine work is gone and employers expect you to move beyond it quickly.

Where this came from (6 sources)
  1. 1. 2026 Canada Job Market: Finance and Accounting Hiring Trends and In-Demand Roles
  2. 2. 2026 Canada Accounting and Finance Hiring and Employment Trends | Robert Half
  3. 3. 2026 Accounting Salary Guide: Automation, Skills & Compensation | Randstad Canada
  4. 4. Best Accounting Jobs for 2026 | Randstad Canada
  5. 5. Accounting & Finance Permanent Salaries Canada 2026 | Morgan McKinley
  6. 6. 2026 Canada Finance and Accounting Salaries and Compensation Trends | Robert Half

Deadline reminders

This program needs a supplementary application, and those close before the January OUAC deadline — some in early December. We’ll email you before the ones that apply to Mathematics/CPA (Co-op Only).

We send your email address and the programs you’ve starred, so the reminders are the right ones. Your marks and your average are never sent — they stay in this browser. Deadline emails only, a week before and the day before each date, and every one has a link to stop them.

Similar ranges, similar subjects

Compare these side by side →

More at Waterloo

All 48 programs at Waterloo