Unit Outline
BFA503
Principles of Financial Management
Semester 1, 2024
Roger Colbeck
Tasmanian School of Business & Economics (TSBE)
College of Business and Economics
CRICOS Provider Code: 00586B

Unit Coordinator
Roger Colbeck
Email: Roger.Colbeck@utas.edu.au
 

What is the Unit About?
Unit Description
This unit introduces students to the major concepts and analytical tools used in the theory and practice of financial management within an Australian context. It is designed to provide students with an understanding of: the scope and nature of the finance function and its role within management; and the theory of finance and how it underpins the evaluation of investment, financing and dividend policies. This unit will also develop practical skills in the identification and analysis of financial problems.
To Be Determined
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.
Compare financial management concepts and evaluate alternatives to make financial risk and capital decisions.
2.
Critique financial decision-making in an Australian business.
3.
Justify financial decisions to a diverse audience.
Requisites
REQUISITE TYPE
REQUISITES
Anti-requisite (mutual excl)
BFA772-A AND BFA703 AND BFA728
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 1-hr lecture, once a week
1
Weekly
Workshop
2-hr workshop, fortnightly, commencing in Week 2
2
1 time per fortnight
Other
5-hrs independent learning
5
Weekly
Online
Online Class
Introductory 1-hr workshop, Week 1
1
Once only
Independent Learning
Pre-recorded 1-hr lecture, once a week
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, it is expected you will engage in all those activities as indicated in the Unit Outline, 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
Week 5
20 %
LO1, LO2
Assessment Task 2:
Group case study and presentation
Week 10
40 %
LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 3:
Take-home exam
Exam Period
40 %
LO1, LO2, LO3
 
Assessment details
    
Assessment Task 1: Online quiz
Task Description:
The online quiz is an invigilated test using the Respondus Lockdown Browser on MyLO. This test includes both theoretical and numerical questions in the form of multiple-choice and short-answered questions. Multiple choice questions (MCQs) will test your understanding of different theories in corporate governance and time value of money while short-answered questions oriented around comparing theories and critiquing theories in a particular context.

Task Length:
75 minutes
Due Date:
Week 5
Weight:
20 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Explain key financial and accounting concepts
LO1
2
Critique financial data and calculations by referring to theory
LO1
3
Apply financial models, techniques, and formulae to business challenges
LO2
 
Assessment Task 2: Group case study and presentation
Task Description:
The case study analysis comprises of a written report and a video recording for oral presentation. The students will work in a team of four for this assessment task. Students will select a company from the list of ASX100 companies and write a report about different aspects of the financial management of that company (for example: working capital management, capital structure, dividend policy etc.) and integrate such analysis into exploring a recent decision on raising capital made by the company. The written report will be assessed as a group assessment.
In an oral presentation, students should present their own analysis based on the written report. Students should consider how the financing decision captured in the report might differ if there are any changes in one or more factors in that company's financial situation. This analysis must follow the suggestions from different theories included in the unit. The oral presentation will be assessed as an individual performance.

Task Length:
1,200 words report and 10 minutes oral presentation
Due Date:
Week 10
Weight:
40 %
 
 

CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Apply financial models, techniques, and formulae to business challenges. (Group assessment)
LO2
2
Interpret financial information using theory (Individual assessment)
LO2
3
Critique financial analysis outcomes using theory (Individual assessment)
LO2
4
Extract financial data to address problem statements. (Group assessment)
LO3
5
Communicate financial decisions using academic language and referencing (Group and individual assessment)
LO3
6
Articulate a rationale for decision making to broad audiences (Group and individual assessment)
LO3
 
Assessment Task 3: Take-home exam
Task Description:
The take-home exam includes both theoretical and numerical questions in the form of practical questions (with sub-questions). The exam will test students capacity in comparing theories in explaining and critiquing a certain investment and financial decision as well as justifying their analysis by numerical presentation.

Task Length:
12 Hours
Due Date:
Exam Period
Weight:
40 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Explain key financial and accounting concepts
LO1
2
Compare financial concepts that inform decision-making
LO1
3
Apply financial models, techniques, and formulae to business challenges
LO2
4
Interpret financial information using theory
LO2
5
Critique financial analysis outcomes using theory
LO2
6
Articulate a rationale for decision making to broad audiences
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
You will need the following text [available from the Co-op Bookshop]:
Graham J., Adam C., Gunasingham B., 2020, Corporate Finance, 3rd edn, Cengage.
 
 
Recommended reading materials
Parrino, R, D, Au Yong, HH, Morkel-Kingsbury, N, Dempsey, M, Ekanayake S, James, J & Murray, J 2020, Fundamentals of Corporate Finance,4th edn, John Wiley & Sons, Milton, Qld. 
Peirson, G, Brown, R, Easton, S, Howard, P, & Pinder, S, 2015, Business Finance, 12th edn, McGraw Hill, Sydney.
Petty, JW, Keown, AJ, Scott Jr, DF, Martin, JD, Martin, P, Burrow, M & Nguyen H, 2009, Financial Management, 5th edn, Pearson Education, NSW.
Ross, SA, Christensen, S, Drew, M, Thompson, M, Westerfield, RW & Jordan, B J 2014, Fundamentals of Corporate Finance, 6th ed., McGraw-Hill, Sydney.
 
Other required resources
In addition to the texts/software recommended above, you are also expected to be familiar with the key academic journals in the discipline from which useful insights may be derived. In particular, you are encouraged to review regularly the relevant papers that are published in:

Journal of Finance

Journal of Applied Corporate Finance

Accounting and Finance.

Financial management is a dynamic area. Students are therefore urged to follow current events and developments in finance in the press. This includes reading the following periodical regularly (look for special student offers):

The Australian Financial Review (www.afr.com),

The Economist (www.economist.com),

The Financial Times (www.ft.com),

The Wall Street Journal (www.wsj.com),

UTAS Library: DatAnalysis Premium (Morningstar)