Bachelor of Applied Finance (Financial Planning)

Course information for Bachelor of Applied Finance (Financial Planning) Course Number HE20521 Location St George Ultimo

Course Structure The structure below is the typical study pattern for a full time student. Availability of electives and study pattern is determined by the campus. All subjects are worth 10 credit points (CP). 240 credit points are required to complete this course. Year 1 Level 100 Foundation Skills Semester 1 ACBUS101A ACBUS102A ACBUS103A ACBUS104A Semester 2 ACBUS105A ACBUS106A ACBUS107A ACBUS108A Academic Foundations (10CP) Management Fundamentals (10CP) Foundations of Accounting (10CP) Finance and Investment (10CP) Business Statistics (10CP) Marketing Fundamentals (10CP) Financial Planning Fundamentals (10CP) Applied Economics (10CP) Year 2 Level 200 Development Semester 3 ACBUS201A Commercial Law I (10CP) ACFIN201A Psychology of Client Engagement (10CP) ACFIN202A Insurance Planning (10CP) Plus one elective from elective bank Semester 4 ACBUS202A Commercial Law II (10CP) ACBUS203A Income Tax law (10CP) ACBUS204A Business Finance (10CP) Plus one elective from elective bank Year 3 Level 300 Synthesis Semester 5 ACBUS302A Internship (10CP) ACFIN301A Superannuation & Retirement (10CP) ACFIN302A Investment Analysis (10CP) Plus one elective from elective bank Semester 6 ACFIN303A Estate Planning (10CP) ACFIN304A Financial Plan Construction (10CP) Plus two elective from elective bank Elective bank ACACT201A ACACT202A ACACT203A ACBUS301A ACFIN305A ACFIN306A Accounting Information Systems (10CP) Management Accounting (10CP) Financial Accounting (10CP) Applied Income Tax (10CP) Financial Planning Practice Management (10CP) Advanced Corporate Finance (10CP) Version date: 27 March 2017 Page 2 of 7

Overview of subject requirements The information on the following pages provides an overview and an indicative assessment schedule for each subject in the course. It is provided for information purposes only. The Subject Guide distributed to enrolled students will detail full learning and assessment requirements for each subject. SUBJECT: Academic Foundations CODE: ACBUS101A CREDIT POINTS: 10 CONTACT HRS: 4 hpw PREREQUISITES: Nil The aim of this subject is for students to develop academic skills including the ability to plan, organise and implement tasks required to complete assessments and projects, research and evaluate reputable academic sources and apply academic honesty through the use of a referencing system. Research and Present 30% Negotiating and Presenting 25% Critical thinking and present an argument 45% SUBJECT: Management Fundamentals CODE: ACBUS102A CREDIT POINTS: 10 CONTACT HRS: 4 hpw PREREQUISITES: Nil Students will gain a thorough understanding of the management functions associated with organising, leading, planning and controlling and how they are integrated into a variety of different organisational contexts. Quiz 10% Essay 15% Business report 25% SUBJECT: Foundations of Accounting CODE: ACBUS103A CREDIT POINTS: 10 CONTACT HRS: 4 hpw PREREQUISITES: Nil In this subject students are introduced to accounting and the business environment in which accountants operate. Students develop the skills to apply principles and practices relating to accounting activities in a variety of business entities, analyse the Australian reporting environment and how it impacts on the preparation of basic financial statements. Tutorial Portfolio 20% SUBJECT: Finance and Investment CODE: ACBUS104A CREDIT POINTS: 10 CONTACT HRS: 4 hpw PREREQUISITES: Nil This subject provides the foundation for students to understand the operation of financial markets and the impact of these markets on investment returns. It provides an introduction to the structure of the Australian financial system, its financial participants, institutions, and regulatory bodies including the financial instruments that are traded on these markets and the impact of globalisation on the financial system and economy. Class Portfolio Activities 35% Report 15% SUBJECT: Business Statistics CODE: ACBUS105A CREDIT POINTS: 10 CONTACT HRS: 4 hpw PREREQUISITES: Nil This subject aims to introduce students to statistical analysis as a means to inform decision-making. By understanding basic statistical concepts, formulae and statistical techniques students will be equipped to critically analyse problems and also realise the limitations of such quantitative analysis Test 20% Tutorial Portfolio 30% Version date: 27 March 2017 Page 3 of 7

SUBJECT: Marketing Fundamentals CODE: ACBUS106A CREDIT POINTS: 10 CONTACT HRS: 4 hpw PREREQUISITES: Nil Students will gain a thorough understanding of the marketing function and how it relates to different environmental contexts, they will be able to plan and evaluate marketing research, devise and fine tune a product to meet specific customer needs and understand the customer decision making process together with other relevant consumer behaviour factors and how these relate to the marketing effort. Quiz 10% Business report 15% Team marketing plan 10% Group written marketing plan 25% Examination 40% SUBJECT: Financial Planning Fundamentals CODE: ACBUS107A CREDIT POINTS: 10 CONTACT HRS: 4 hpw PREREQUISITES: Nil In this subject students will learn about the components that encompass the financial planning process in Australia. Students will make reference to the continuum between consumers - advisers - industry bodies - government regulators and government. SUBJECT: Applied Economics CODE: ACBUS108A CREDIT POINTS: 10 CONTACT HRS: 4 hpw PREREQUISITES: Nil The objectives of this subject are to equip future accountants, financial planners and business people with an understanding of domestic and international economies, key economic indicators, government policies and issues and to aid in the business decision making process. Essay 25% Personal learning journal 20% SUBJECT: Commercial Law I CODE: ACBUS201A CREDIT POINTS: 10 CONTACT HRS: 4 hpw PREREQUISITES: Nil The objectives of this subject are to promote student learning in law. This subject will enable the student to develop knowledge and skills of commercial and business law principles of the Australian legal system, including contract and consumer law which would equip the student with knowledge and skills to research and apply the relevant law to the client s circumstances. Individual Research 15% Presentation 5% Case Study and Research Report 25% SUBJECT: Psychology of Client Engagement CODE: ACFIN201A CREDIT POINTS: 10 CONTACT HRS: 4 hpw PREREQUISITES: Nil In this subject students will learn about theoretical and applied facets of relevant psychological concepts applied to the client engagement process in an advisory capacity, drawing on principles from Social Psychology, Counselling Psychology and Coaching Psychology. Students will gain understanding on how thoughts, feelings and behaviours can be influenced by the social environment, through personal and social interaction. Test 15% Report 25% Reflective Essay 40% Version date: 27 March 2017 Page 4 of 7

SUBJECT: Insurance Planning CODE: ACFIN202A CREDIT POINTS: 10 CONTACT HRS: 4 hpw PREREQUISITES: ACBUS107A In this subject students will acquire knowledge of general and personal insurance with an emphasis on personal financial planning. Students will learn about different types of risk and strategies for handling risk, the nature of insurance and the legal framework within which insurance companies and advisers operate. SUBJECT: Commercial Law II CODE: ACBUS202A CREDIT POINTS: 10 CONTACT HRS: 4 hpw PREREQUISITES: ACBUS201A The objectives of this subject are to promote student learning in law and build upon the foundation knowledge covered in Commercial Law I. Students will develop knowledge in commercial and business law, principles of torts, property, intellectual property, insolvency and bankruptcy which will equip the student with knowledge and skills to research and apply the relevant law to a client s circumstances. Individual Research 15% Presentation 5% Case Study and Research Report 25% SUBJECT: Income Tax law CODE: ACBUS203A CREDIT POINTS: 10 CONTACT HRS: 4 hpw PREREQUISITES: Nil This subject will provide students with an understanding of how the tax system operates in Australia in relation to both individuals and different structures. The subject will discuss in detail the different types of assessable income and allowable deductions and, the timing of both income and expenditure. Assignment 25% Test 25% SUBJECT: Business Finance CODE: ACBUS204A CREDIT POINTS: 10 CONTACT HRS: 4 hpw PREREQUISITES: ACBUS104A This subject aims to introduce the student to the fundamental concepts of business finance in the context of the Australian institutional environment. This is an introductory subject in finance covering concepts of financial theory and the tools used to aid financial decisions. The purpose of the subject is to develop an understanding of the role of the financial manager within a firm and the basic financial management practices in the context of the three major decisions of investing, financing and dividend payout. Homework Portfolio 10% Examination 15% Group Assignment and Presentation 20% Reflection (Self and Peer) 5% SUBJECT: Internship CODE: ACBUS302A CREDIT POINTS: 10 CONTACT HRS: 4 hpw PREREQUISITES: Completion of 1 st & 2 nd Year (100 and 200 level subjects and required electives) The objectives of this subject are to allow students to practice specific and professional activities in a work context. Students will have the opportunity to gauge and further develop their knowledge and skills in accounting and financial planning as well as developing their ethical judgement, team work abilities and communication skills that will contribute to their professional development in the financial services industry. Placement Plan 10% Reflective Portfolio 35% Internship Report 20% Reflective Assignment 35% Version date: 27 March 2017 Page 5 of 7

SUBJECT: Superannuation & Retirement CODE: ACFIN301A CREDIT POINTS: 10 CONTACT HRS: 4 hpw PREREQUISITES: ACBUS107A In this subject students will learn the process of superannuation, retirement planning and introduction to the aged care system. Students will examine the Superannuation Industry Supervision Act (SIS), look at the history of Superannuation and the concept behind the Superannuation Guarantee Levy, and why retirement funding is a core strategy for all working Australians (the effects on Social Security and the various payments will be investigated). SUBJECT: Investment Analysis CODE: ACFIN302A CREDIT POINTS: 10 CONTACT HRS: 4 hpw PREREQUISITES: ACBUS204A In this subject students are introduced to the principles of investments including various types of investment opportunities, margin lending, risk, selection, and application of the investment management process. Portfolio Activities 25% SUBJECT: Estate Planning CODE: ACFIN303A CREDIT POINTS: 10 CONTACT HRS: 4 hpw PREREQUISITES: ACBUS107A This subject provides an introduction to estate planning drawing together general legal concepts of property, equity and trusts; the role and appointment of legal personal representatives; the construction of wills and other estate planning instruments and vehicles; taxation of estates including the tax associated with superannuation death benefits; strategies to manage the transfer of wealth controlled and managed through family businesses, family trusts, superannuation funds and testamentary trusts. Test 20% Assignment 30% SUBJECT: Financial Plan Construction CODE: ACFIN304A CREDIT POINTS: 10 CONTACT HRS: 4 hpw PREREQUISITES: ACFIN202A, ACFIN301A & ACFIN302A In this capstone subject, students will use the skills gained in years one and two of the program to undertake a holistic and strategic approach to the entire financial planning process. Students will develop a comprehensive Statement of Advice (SOA), and complete the implementation and review process. Consideration will also be given to more advanced strategies such as Self-Managed Super Funds (SMSFs), complex retirement solutions and formulation of aged care and transition to retirement strategies. Role Play 25% SUBJECT: Accounting Information Systems CODE: ACACT201A CREDIT POINTS: 10 CONTACT HRS: 4 hpw PREREQUISITES: ACBUS103A This subject aims to introduce the student to the fundamental ideas and principles that underlie the operation of systems within organisations. The subject also covers systems characteristics and considerations. This takes into account the structure of the organisation and its business processes, the way data is gathered and managed within the processes and systems, the records of how the systems operate, and the structures put in place to facilitate the smooth running of systems. Article 10% Case Study & presentation 30% Reflection 5% Exam 50% Version date: 27 March 2017 Page 6 of 7

SUBJECT: Management Accounting CODE: ACACT202A CREDIT POINTS: 10 CONTACT HRS: 4 hpw PREREQUISITES: ACBUS103A This subject aims to give you an understanding of various cost and management accounting techniques used in less simple manufacturing, merchandising and service organisational environments. You will gain an understanding of the importance of selecting appropriate techniques to provide relevant information to assist management in making decisions for the future benefit of the organisation within the environment in which it operates. Portfolio 20% Examination 20% Spreadsheet Assignment 10% SUBJECT: Financial Accounting CODE: ACACT203A CREDIT POINTS: 10 CONTACT HRS: 4 hpw PREREQUISITES: ACBUS103A This subject builds on by exploring financial accounting issues in greater depth. This subject examines the accounting and reporting practices of reporting entities, particularly listed public companies. Tutorial Assignments 10% Examination 20% Group Assignment 20% SUBJECT: Applied Income Tax CODE: ACBUS301A CREDIT POINTS: 10 CONTACT HRS: 4 hpw PREREQUISITES: ACBUS203A In this subject students will gain an understanding of the different taxation aspects of income relating to investment and business entities, partners and partnerships, trusts and beneficiaries, companies and shareholders/associates as well as superannuation funds. Individual Assignment 20% Individual Assignment 20% Presentation 10% SUBJECT: Financial Planning Practice Management CODE: ACFIN305A CREDIT POINTS: 10 CONTACT HRS: 4 hpw PREREQUISITES: ACFIN301A & ACFIN302A This subject provides students with a focus on practice management in the advisory services segment. It is intended to introduce students to the financial planning work environment and the functions of a working business and professional practice. Examination 30% Case Study 40% Presentation of Business Plan 30% SUBJECT: Advanced Corporate Finance CODE: ACFIN306A CREDIT POINTS: 10 CONTACT HRS: 4 hpw PREREQUISITES: ACBUS204A This subject will build upon the skills and knowledge gained by students in Business Finance. Students will enhance their investment appraisal skills by incorporating risk in investment evaluation decisions, considering real options and adjusting the cost of capital for differences in leverage and industry. Leasing as a source of long term finance will be considered in detail. Portfolio Activities 25% SUBJECT: Applied Portfolio Management CODE: ACFIN307A CREDIT POINTS: 10 CONTACT HRS: 4 hpw PREREQUISITES: ACFIN302A The objectives of this subject are for students to investigate and appraise financial theories formally on the basis of logical empiricism that are well-supported by long histories of cumulative evidence. From these principles, students apply their knowledge to the challenges of portfolio management, observation and control, employing a broad range of analytic techniques as appropriate. Portfolio Activities 25% Version date: 27 March 2017 Page 7 of 7