The cyclin dependent kinase Cdk1 controls the cell cycle, which is best understood in the model organism S. cerevisiae. Research performed during the past decade has significantly improved our understanding of the molecular machinery of the cell cycle. Approximately 75 targets of Cdk1 have been identified that control critical cell cycle events, such as DNA replication and segregation, transcriptional programs and cell morphogenesis. In this review we discuss currently known targets of Cdk1 in the budding yeast S. cerevisiae and highlight the role of Cdk1 in several crucial processes including maintenance of genome stability.