Unit Outline
BFA107
Financial Accountability and Management
Accelerated Study Period 3, 2024
Dan Daugaard
Tasmanian School of Business & Economics (TSBE)
College of Business and Economics
CRICOS Provider Code: 00586B

Unit Coordinator
Dan Daugaard
Email: dan.daugaard@utas.edu.au
 

What is the Unit About?
Unit Description
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
To be determined.
 
 

Teaching arrangements
ATTENDANCE MODE
TEACHING TYPE
LEARNING ACTIVITY
CONTACT HOURS
FREQUENCY
On Campus
Workshop
Introductory 1-hr workshop, Week 1
1
Once only
Lecture (On Campus)
Pre-recorded lecture videos
1
Weekly
Workshop
2-hr workshop, weekly, commencing in Week 2
2
Weekly
Other
5-hrs independent learning
5
Weekly
Online
Online Class
Introductory 1-hr workshop, Week 1
1
Once only
Independent Learning
Pre-recorded lecture videos
1
Weekly
Online Class
1-hr workshop, weekly, commencing in Week 2
1
Weekly
Independent Learning
5-hrs independent learning
5
Weekly
Attendance / engagement expectations
If your unit is offered On campus, it is expected that you will attend all on-campus and onsite learning activities. This is to support your own learning and the development of a learning community within the unit. If you are unable to attend regularly, please discuss the situation with your course coordinator and/or our UConnect support team.

If your unit is offered Online or includes online activities, it is expected you will engage in all those activities as indicated in the Unit Outline or MyLO, including any self-directed learning.

If you miss a learning activity for a legitimate reason (e.g., illness, carer responsibilities) teaching staff will attempt to provide alternative activities (e.g., make up readings) where it is possible.
 
The Tasmanian School of Business and Economics regularly hosts Masterclasses and Industry Engagement and Employability Events, which students are encouraged to attend. Registration and details will be available via the College of Business and Economics channel on the Uni App and/or via your Unit Coordinator.
 
 

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.
Academic integrity
Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see
Important Guidelines & Support.
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.
 
Recommended reading materials
Parrino, R, D, Au Yung, HH, Morkel-Kingsbury, N, Dempsey, M, Ekanayake S, James, J & Murray, J 2019, Fundamentals of Corporate Finance, 3rd edition, John Wiley & Sons, Australia
 
Other required resources
The textbook has an associated website called MyFinanceLab where you can undertake all sorts of activities which will support your Learning of this unit. Beside quizzes and tests, MyFinanceLab offers video presentations and practice exercises for each topic. It also allows you to build your own study plan by which you will be able to monitor your progress. You may acquire the access code to MyFinanceLab separately at a cost of $75 from the Pearson Australia website: URL for Pearson website: http://www.pearson.com.au/9781488691256