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Course profile

Financial Management for Decision Makers (FINM7409)

Study period
Sem 2 2024
Location
St Lucia
Attendance mode
In Person

Course overview

Study period
Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 18/11/2024)
Study level
Postgraduate Coursework
Location
St Lucia
Attendance mode
In Person
Units
2
Administrative campus
St Lucia
Coordinating unit
Business School

Financial Management for Decision Making is designed to introduce students to accounting and finance with a focus on decision making within the organisation. The course will begin with a discussion of the finance and accounting functions in a business organisation and students will be able to explain how risk, ethical issues and stakeholder needs influence shareholder objectives. Students will learn to analyse and interpret financial statements, undertake financial forecasts and make capital investment decisions. Specifically, the time value of money and discounted cash flow methods will be implemented and evaluated in the context of alternative capital budgeting techniques. Methods of raising finance will be explored and students will be able to explain how to calculate the cost of capital and debate the issues surrounding capital structure. This debate will extend to distributions to shareholders. Concepts of risk and return will then be analysed in the context of the capital market and students will be able to provide an analysis of market efficiency and asset pricing models.

The course consists of one 2-hour lecture each week and one 2-hour tutorial beginning in weeks 2-13. All the lectures and tutorials are delivered face-to-face on campus.

The theory and practical work are combined in this course. There is a need to understand the basics of each topic's theory to tackle practical questions successfully. In other words, theory forms the foundation for practical work.

The course is designed to be of a progressive nature. For example, to be able to apply the Investment Decision Rules, you need to grasp the Time Value of Money concepts. The key to successful completion of this course is to study consistently, allowing 10 hours per week on average. This is the only formula to successfully complete the course.

Any questions you have with the course should be brought to the attention of the teaching staff during the consultation hours and as soon as possible. Email contact is best reserved for administrative queries.

Course requirements

Incompatible

You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:

(ACCT1101 + (FINM2400 or FINM1416)) or FINM1415 or 2401 or (ACCT7101 + FINM7401)

Restrictions

Students in the MBus(24), GCCom; MCom programs are not permitted to enrol in this course.

Course contact

Course staff

Lecturer

Tutor

Timetable

The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.

Additional timetable information

Please note: Teaching staff do not have access to the timetabling system to help with class allocation. Therefore, should you need help with your timetable and/or allocation of classes, please ensure you email business.mytimetable@uq.edu.au from your UQ student email account with the following details:

  • Full Name
  • Student ID
  • Course Code

Aims and outcomes

"Financial Management for Decision Makers" aims to introduce students to the accounting and finance disciplines with a focus on decision making within the organisation. After considering ᅠfinance and accounting functions,ᅠ students will considerᅠ how risk, ethical issues and stakeholders' needs influence shareholder objectives. They willᅠ learn how to analyse and interpret financial statements, undertake financial forecasts and make capital investment decisions.

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

LO1.

Utilise accounting information to determine the financial status of a firm.

LO2.

Analyse and interpret financial statements.

LO3.

Apply the concept of time value of money to the valuation of the firm.

LO4.

Apply the concept of capital budgeting and evaluate its relevance to corporate investment.

LO5.

Evaluate the relation between risk and return.

Assessment

Assessment summary

Category Assessment task Weight Due date
Examination In-Semester Exam
  • Online
30%

29/08/2024 4:00 pm

During lecture time

Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Project Financial Statement Analysis Project 20%

4/10/2024 12:00 pm

Examination Final Exam
  • Identity Verified
  • In-person
50%

End of Semester Exam Period

2/11/2024 - 16/11/2024

Assessment details

In-Semester Exam

  • Online
Mode
Written
Category
Examination
Weight
30%
Due date

29/08/2024 4:00 pm

During lecture time

Other conditions
Time limited.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes
L01, L02

Task description

The In-Semester Exam is held during the normal lecture hours.

The exam covers material from Lectures 1-4. It contains multiple-choice and problem-solving questions.

Further details about the exam will be discussed in class and posted to our course Blackboard site. 

AI Statement:

This assessment task is to be completed online via Blackboard. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of Generative AI may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Exam details

Planning time 10 minutes
Duration 90 minutes
Calculator options

Any calculator permitted

Open/closed book Open Book examination
Exam platform Learn.UQ
Invigilation

Not invigilated

Submission guidelines

Deferral or extension

You may be able to defer this exam.

Late submission

Exams submitted after the end of the submission time will incur a late penalty.

Financial Statement Analysis Project

Mode
Written
Category
Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Project
Weight
20%
Due date

4/10/2024 12:00 pm

Learning outcomes
L01, L02

Task description

For this assignment, you will be required to calculate financial ratios.

You will also be required to provide a short (within 700 words) written analysis based on the ratios that are derived.

Instructions will be provided to you on Blackboard. The assignment will be completed individually.

AI Statement:

This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct. Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of Generative AI may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Submission guidelines

The assignment will be submitted electronically on a Blackboard Assessment link and a Blackboard Turnitin link.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

Assessment submitted more than 7 days after the due date will receive zero marks.

Final Exam

  • Identity Verified
  • In-person
Mode
Written
Category
Examination
Weight
50%
Due date

End of Semester Exam Period

2/11/2024 - 16/11/2024

Other conditions
Time limited.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes
L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Task description

The final exam covers all topics in the course. It will consist of problem-solving, short-answer, and short-essay questions.

AI Statement:

This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of Generative AI may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Exam details

Planning time 10 minutes
Duration 120 minutes
Calculator options

(In person) Casio FX82 series or UQ approved , labelled calculator only

Open/closed book Closed Book examination - no written materials permitted
Exam platform Paper based
Invigilation

Invigilated in person

Submission guidelines

Deferral or extension

You may be able to defer this exam.

Course grading

Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.

Grade Cut off Percent Description
1 (Low Fail) 0 - 29

Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes.

2 (Fail) 30 - 46

Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes.

3 (Marginal Fail) 47 - 49

Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes

4 (Pass) 50 - 64

Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes.

5 (Credit) 65 - 74

Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes.

6 (Distinction) 75 - 84

Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes.

7 (High Distinction) 85 - 100

Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes.

Additional course grading information

Grades will be allocated according to University-wide standards of criterion-based assessment.

Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment is available for this course.

Learning resources

You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.

Library resources

Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.

Learning activities

The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.

Filter activity type by

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Learning period Activity type Topic
Week 1
Lecture

Introduction to Accounting

Learning outcomes: L01

Week 2
Tutorial

Introduction to Accounting

Learning outcomes: L01

Lecture

Statement of Financial Position

Learning outcomes: L01, L02

Week 3
Tutorial

Statement of Financial Position

Learning outcomes: L01, L02

Lecture

Statement of Profit or Loss

Learning outcomes: L01, L02

Week 4
Tutorial

Statement of Profit or Loss

Royal Queensland Show Public Holiday - Wednesday 14 Aug 2024 - Check Blackboard for announcements about affected classes.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02

Lecture

Statement of Cash Flows

Learning outcomes: L01, L02

Week 5
Tutorial

Statement of Cash Flows

Learning outcomes: L01, L02

Lecture

Financial Statements Analysis & Interpretation

Learning outcomes: L01, L02

Week 6
No student involvement (Breaks, information)

No Tutorial

Lecture

In-Semester Exam

During Lecture Time

Week 7
Tutorial

Financial Statements Analysis, Interpretations

Learning outcomes: L01, L02

Lecture

Time Value of Money

Learning outcomes: L03

Week 8
Tutorial

Time Value of Money

Learning outcomes: L03

Lecture

Capital Investment

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04

Week 9
Tutorial

Capital Investment

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04

Lecture

Bond and Share Valuation

Learning outcomes: L03, L05

Mid Sem break
No student involvement (Breaks, information)

In-Semester Break

Week 10
Tutorial

Bond and Share Valuation

Learning outcomes: L03, L05

Lecture

Risk & Return 1

Learning outcomes: L05

Week 11
Tutorial

Risk & Return 1

King's Birthday Public Holiday - Monday 7 Oct 2024 - Check Blackboard for announcements about affected classes.

Learning outcomes: L05

Lecture

Risk & Return 2

Learning outcomes: L01, L02

Week 12
Tutorial

Risk & Return 2

Learning outcomes: L01, L02

Lecture

Cost of Capital & Capital Structure

Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L05

Week 13
Tutorial

Cost of Capital, Capital Structure

Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L04, L05

Lecture

Review

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Policies and procedures

University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:

Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.