Dr Leo Luong
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2025 (28/07/2025 - 22/11/2025)
- 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 Makers 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 and MCom programs are not permitted to enrol in this course.
Course staff
Course coordinator
Lecturer
Dr Leo Luong
Tutor
Mrs Ann Le
Mr Muhammad Asger
Ms Sabina Yesmine
Ms Zoe Zhao
Dr Yong Ming Chen
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 finance and accounting functions, students will consider how risk, ethical issues and stakeholders' needs influence shareholder objectives. They will 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
|
30% |
5/09/2025 11:55 am
The In-Semester Exam is an online Blackboard exam starting at the same date and time as the lecture. Students can take the exam from any location, but we highly recommend choosing a place with a stable internet connection to ensure a smooth experience. Students are responsible for internet connectivity and other technical issues. No excuse for internet connectivity and Blackboard submission issues will be accepted. |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Project | Financial Statement Analysis Project | 30% |
8/10/2025 8:30 am |
| Examination |
Final Exam
|
40% |
End of Semester Exam Period 8/11/2025 - 22/11/2025 |
Assessment details
In-Semester Exam
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
5/09/2025 11:55 am
The In-Semester Exam is an online Blackboard exam starting at the same date and time as the lecture. Students can take the exam from any location, but we highly recommend choosing a place with a stable internet connection to ensure a smooth experience.
Students are responsible for internet connectivity and other technical issues. No excuse for internet connectivity and Blackboard submission issues will be accepted.
- Other conditions
- Time limited.
- 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 (including tutorials) and contains multiple-choice (a mix of theory and calculations) and problem-solving questions.
Further details about the Exam will be made available on the Blackboard course site in the week before the Exam.
Students are required to log in to the Blackboard course site to complete the Exam. Students will have only one attempt to finish. You can take the Exam from any location, but we highly recommend choosing a place with a stable internet connection to ensure a smooth experience.
AI Statement:
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use 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 - any written or printed material is permitted; material may be annotated |
| Exam platform | Other |
| Invigilation | Not invigilated |
Submission guidelines
Please answer all of the questions in the Blackboard test (MCQs and problem-solving questions) and SUBMIT your responses by the end time of your exam.
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
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.
Late submission within the first 7 periods of 24 hours (or part thereof): A penalty of 10% per 24 hours of the maximum possible mark.
Late submission more than 7 periods of 24 hours: A penalty of 100%, i.e., zero mark.
Financial Statement Analysis Project
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Project
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
8/10/2025 8:30 am
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02
Task description
This is an individual assignment.
In this assignment, students are required to calculate simple financial ratios using a provided Excel template. Further, students are also required to write a short essay (700 words maximum) analysing the companies using the calculated ratios.
Detailed instructions are given in the assignment task sheet to be made available on Blackboard. Please note that this assignment is to be completed individually.
AI Statement:
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
The assignment will be submitted electronically using a Blackboard Assessment link and a Blackboard Turnitin link.
Submission by email will not be accepted under any circumstances and will not be marked.
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
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.
Late submission within the first 7 periods of 24 hours (or part thereof): A penalty of 10% per 24 hours of the maximum possible mark.
Late submission more than 7 periods of 24 hours: A penalty of 100%, i.e., zero mark.
Final Exam
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
8/11/2025 - 22/11/2025
- Other conditions
- Time limited.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L03, L04, L05
Task description
The final exam covers Lecture 6 to Lecture 11 (including tutorials). 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 only or UQ approved and labelled calculator |
| 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
Please select
| 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 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 Statement 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 Statement Analysis & Interpretation 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) |
Mid-Semester Break Mid-semester break from Monday, 29 September to Friday, 3 October. There will be no teaching activities whatsover during this week. |
Week 10 |
Tutorial |
Bond and Share Valuation King's Birthday - Monday 6 October 2025 - Check Blackboard for announcements about affected classes. Learning outcomes: L03, L05 |
Lecture |
Risk and Return, Part 1 King's Birthday public holiday, Monday, 6 October. If your class falls on this date, please attend other classes running that same week. Please check Blackboard for further announcements. Learning outcomes: L05 |
|
Week 11 |
Tutorial |
Risk and Return, Part 1 Learning outcomes: L05 |
Lecture |
Risk and Return, Part 2 Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L05 |
|
Week 12 |
Tutorial |
Risk and Return, Part 2 Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L05 |
Lecture |
Cost of Capital and Capital Structure Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L05 |
|
Week 13 |
Tutorial |
Cost of Capital and 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:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.