Unit Outline

This unit will introduce you to the major concepts and analytical tools used in the theory and practice of financial accountability and management in a business organisation. It is designed to provide you with an understanding of: • the basis of finance concepts including interest rate and the time value of money; the application of time value of money in evaluating different financial assets such as bonds and equity; • accountability and the application of financial management concepts in identifying and assessing environmental, social and governance risks; and • the scope and nature of the finance function and its role within management. This unit also develops your practical skills in the identification and analysis of financial problems and prepares you to provide advice to users on their decision making and the risks involved, including ESG risks. Specifically, this unit explains the relationship between risk and returns while considering the role and objectives of accountability, financial management and capital budgeting. It introduces students to the role and function of the capital markets, the various sources of finance and the accountability of the actors involved in the process.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1.	Explain the theory and processes in financial accountability and management to enable informed decisions.
2.	Apply financial accountability and management concepts and tools to help users in making informed decisions that incorporate risk, including ESG risks, and return.
3.	Communicate financial accountability and management information in a variety of business situations.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Anti-requisite (mutual excl)	BFA106, BFA281-A, BFA181-A, BFA208, BFA105-A, XPD108

Alterations as a result of student feedback

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Online Quiz 1	Week 4	20 %	LO1, LO2
Assessment Task 2:	Online Quiz 2	Week 8	30 %	LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 3:	Major Assignment	Week 13	50 %	LO1, LO2, LO3

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Online Quiz 1

Task Description:

The online quiz 1 will involve questions relating to material covered in weeks 1 to 3 of the semester. This online quiz will be invigilated via the Respondus Lockdown Browser.

More details will be provided on MyLO.

Task Length:

1 hour and 15 minutes

Due Date:

Week 4

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Explain the basic principles of finance and financial accountability and the structure of financial markets.	LO1
2	Explain relevant theoretical aspects of financial issues.	LO1
3	Explain the principles of the time value of money.	LO1
4	Apply the concepts of time value of money in selecting relevant investment opportunities.	LO2

Assessment Task 2: Online Quiz 2

Task Description:

The online quiz 2 will involve questions relating to material covered in weeks 4 to 7 of the semester. This quiz will be invigilated via the Respondus Lockdown Browser.

Further details will be provided on MyLO.

Task Length:

1 hour and 30 minutes

Due Date:

Week 8

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Apply the concepts of the time value of money and risk-return trade-off in valuing bonds and shares.	LO2
2	Apply relevant financial techniques to a given capital budgeting scenario that incorporates risk and return, including environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks.	LO2
3	Evaluate investment opportunities using financial tools and techniques.	LO2
4	Present an analysis of financial information and explain solutions to financial problems in a clear and concise manner.	LO3

Assessment Task 3: Major Assignment

Task Description:

This assessment task will be completed in two parts. Part 1 will be undertaken in groups of three (3) and Part 2 will be undertaken individually.

Part 1 (10%): This part of the assessment will require your group to construct an infographic explaining the effect of a particular investment which has been suggested to you (as a hypothetical finance manager). Guidance will be provided to assist you to construct your infographic.

Part 2 (40%): Your choice of either:
a) 10-minute recorded oral presentation explaining the infographic, or
b) 1500-word written explanation of the infographic

More information will be provided on MyLO.

Task Length:

Group Infographic plus your individual 10-minute video oral presentation OR 1500 word written synopsis.

Due Date:

Week 13

Weight:

50 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Explain the structure of financial markets, including conventional and green markets. (Individual mark)	LO1
2	Explain accountability and its context in financial management. (Individual mark)	LO1
3	Explain the role of financial management in a business entity. (Individual mark)	LO1
4	Evaluate investment opportunities using financial tools and techniques. (Individual mark)	LO2
5	Communicate an analysis of financial information and suggest solutions to financial problems in a professional written or oral format. (Individual mark)	LO3
6	Communicate an analysis of financial information and suggest solutions to financial problems using a professional visual aid. (Group mark)	LO3

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Review of results and appeals

You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.

Required Resources

Required reading materials

Finance Essentials, 1st Edition.
David Kidwell, Mark Brimble, Nigel Morkel-Kingsbury, Paul Mazzola, Jennifer James.