AYB250 Personal Financial Planning


To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.


Unit Outline: Semester 1 2024, Gardens Point, Internal

Unit code:AYB250
Credit points:12
Pre-requisite:(BSB110 or BSB107) and ((LLB101 and LLB202) or BSB111 or BSB151) and EFB210. EFB210 can be enrolled in the same teaching period
Coordinators:Laura De Zwaan | laura.dezwaan@qut.edu.au
Gabbi Parle | g.parle@qut.edu.au
Jamie Forster | jamie.forster@qut.edu.au
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.

Overview

With the increasing complexity of taxation laws, the ageing population and the focus on self-reliance in retirement, individuals expect their financial advisers  to be professionally equipped to assist them in effective investment and risk management and also with complex retirement planning strategies. As a result, many professional accounting firms, banks and independent financial advise firms now offer financial planning services as part and parcel of the services they are offering to their individual clients. QUT graduates who have acquired skills and knowledge in this area will have a definite competitive advantage when seeking financial planning related employment.

Learning Outcomes

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

  1. Apply an understanding of the nature and purpose of personal financial planning services, and the impacts of regulatory and professional environments on these services, to diverse financial planning contexts.
  2. Exercise critical thinking, evaluation and judgement for evidence-based problem solving in the context of financial planning decision making.
  3. Communicate in written forms to clearly and professionally structure and present ideas, judgements and opinions.
  4. Demonstrate self-reflection skills and accountability for own learning applied to the study and practice of financial planning.

Content

In this unit, you will be introduced to the fundamental aspects of the financial planning process, the legal framework governing the financial planning industry and the responsibilities of financial planners. The unit will also expose you to alternative strategies of wealth creation while taking into consideration taxation, superannuation and social security issues. The following provides a brief overview of the topics that will be covered in this unit:

  • Introduction to financial planning
  • Legal framework and ethical responsibilities of the financial planner
  • Taxation planning
  • Investments
  • Personal credit
  • Risk management and insurance
  • Superannuation and retirement
  • Social security
  • Estate planning
  • Financial plan construction

QUT Business Capabilities (Undergraduate)

The content and assessment in this unit are aligned to a selection of the following set of QUT Business Capabilities, also known as Assurance of Learning Goals (AoLs). Developing these capabilities will assist you to meet the desired graduate outcomes set at QUT and equip you with the knowledge and skills to succeed in your chosen career.

Knowledge and Technological Skills (KS)
1.1 Demonstrate and apply integrated discipline (including technical) knowledge across the broad field of business with depth in one or more core business disciplines.
1.2 Apply technical and technological skills appropriate and effective for real world business purposes and contexts.

Higher Order Thinking (HO)
2.1 Investigate real world business issues and situations through the effective analysis, evaluation and synthesis of theory and practice.
2.2 Exercise independent judgement and initiative in adapting and applying knowledge and skills for effective planning, problem solving and decision making in diverse contexts.

Professional Communication (PC)
3
.1 Use information literacy skills, and communicate effectively and professionally in written forms and using media appropriate for diverse purposes and contexts.
3.2 Use information literacy skills, and communicate effectively and professionally in oral forms, appropriate for diverse purposes and contexts.

Teamwork and Self (TS)
4.1 Exercise self-reflection, responsibility and accountability in relation to own learning and professional practice.
4.2 Apply teamwork knowledge and skills for effective collaboration across diverse purposes and contexts.

Social, Ethical and Global Understanding (SE)
5.1 Demonstrate and apply knowledge of ethical and legal principles and practices in analysing and responding to business issues.
5.2 Demonstrate and apply knowledge of socially responsible behaviour in analysing and addressing business issues in national and international business contexts.

Learning Approaches

Teaching and learning strategies are designed to facilitate the aims and objectives of this unit. The emphasis in Personal Financial Planning is to equip you with the necessary analytical, critical thinking and research skills that will help you develop financial plans for individuals with different objectives.

Lectures
You are encouraged to attend lectures each week and use the lecture recordings linked to the unit Canvas site to provide further understanding of the lecture content. PowerPoint slides are provided to students each week and students are encouraged to read them before attending the lectures.


Tutorials
You are encouraged to attend tutorials each week. Tutorials commence in Week 2. Tutorials provide an opportunity for you to develop your understanding of key issues and concepts dealt with in lectures. Each week you will need to complete the required readings and to prepare answers for the tutorial discussion questions. You are expected to engage in and lead classroom discussion in tutorials as they represent an excellent opportunity to apply the concepts learnt in the preceding week to practical questions. Feedback gained in tutorials will also assist you in identifying the areas that you may have misunderstood.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Students will receive feedback in various forms throughout the semester which may include:

  • Informal: worked examples, such as verbal feedback in class, personal consultation
  • Formal: in writing, such as checklists (e.g. criteria sheets), written commentary
  • Direct: to individual students, either in written form or in consultation
  • Indirect: to the whole class

Assessment

Overview

The assessment aims to support your achievement of the learning objectives for this Unit. It has been designed in order to allow you to both:

  • receive feedback on your learning as you progress toward the development of knowledge, understanding, skills and attitudes (formative assessment); and
  • demonstrate your learning in order to achieve a final grade (summative assessment).

Students may be required to attend campus or an assessment centre for the purposes of assessment, regardless of the attendance mode for the unit.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Mid-Semester Exam

The mid-semester online quiz will consist of 40 multiple choice questions based on the content of topics 1 to 5

Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative

Business Capabilities (AoL goals): KS (1.1), HO (2.1), SE (5.1)

Weight: 20
Length: 60 minutes
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 7
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2

Assessment: Individual Project

Case study incorporating financial planning concepts and issues covered in the unit.

Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative

Business Capabilities (AoL goals): KS (1.1), HO (2.2), PC (3.1)

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Weight: 30
Length: 1,500 words - 10% above the word limit is acceptable. Grading will be based upon the text that is within the word limit (or 10% above).
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 11
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3

Assessment: Final Exam

The examination will consist of both practical and theoretical questions that will assess your knowledge of financial planning principles and will examine work and concepts covered in Topics 1 to 12 inclusive.

Formative or Summative: Summative

Business Capabilities (AoL goals): KS (1.1), HO (2.1, 2.2), TS (4.1), SE (5.1)

Weight: 50
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Central Examination Period
Central exam duration: 2:10 - Including 10 minute perusal
Central Exam Period
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 4

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

Resource Materials

Prescribed text(s)

McKeown, W., Olynyk, M., Ciancio, L., La, D. 2021, Financial Planning, essentials edition. John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd. 

Recommended text(s)

Australian Estate Planning, CCH Online

Australian Master Financial Planning Guide, 2020/21, 23rd ed, CCH Australia, Sydney

Taylor, S. 2019, Financial Planning in Australia, Essentials Edition, LexisNexis Butterworths, Australia

Other

Useful Web Sites:
The internet is a vitally important and excellent source of information for students wishing to obtain the most up to date information on finance planning regulation, financial markets and various legislation relevant to financial planning. Some of the most useful web sites which relates to this unit are:

1. Federal Treasury, Financial Adviser Standards https://fas.treasury.gov.au/

2. Financial Planning Association (FPA) http://www.fpa.asn.au
3. Association of Financial Advisers (AFA) http://www.afa.asn.au/
4. Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) http://www.asic.gov.au/
5. ASIC's Moneysmart https://www.moneysmart.gov.au
6. Australian Taxation Office http://www.ato.gov.au
7. Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) http://www.asx.com.au
8. Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) http://www.apra.gov.au
9. Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) http://www.superannuation.asn.au
10. Department of Human Services https://www.humanservices.gov.au/?utm_id=7
11. Australian Government (Information on wills and estate planning) http://www.myagedcare.gov.au

12. Macquarie Big Black Book https://www.macquarie.com.au/assets/bfs/documents/adviser/Big-Black-Book-Comprehensive-facts-and-figures-for-financial-advisers.pdf

Risk Assessment Statement

There are no out-of-the ordinary risks associated with this unit. You should, however, familiarise yourself with evacuation procedures operating in the buildings in which you attend classes and take the time to view the Emergency video.

Standards/Competencies

This unit is designed to support your development of the following standards\competencies.

QUT Business Capabilities (Undergraduate)

HO (2.1): Critical Analysis

Relates to: ULO2, Mid-Semester Exam, Final Exam

HO (2.2): Independent Judgement and Decision-Making

Relates to: ULO2, Individual Project, Final Exam

KS (1.1): Discipline Knowledge

Relates to: ULO1, Mid-Semester Exam, Individual Project, Final Exam

PC (3.1): Professional Communication (Written)

Relates to: ULO3, Individual Project

SE (5.1): Ethical and Legal Understanding

Relates to: ULO1, Mid-Semester Exam, Final Exam

TS (4.1): Self-Reflection and Accountability

Relates to: ULO4, Final Exam

Course Learning Outcomes

This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.

BS05 Bachelor of Business

  1. Demonstrate and apply integrated discipline (including technical) knowledge across the broad field of business with depth in one or more core business disciplines.
    Relates to: ULO1, Mid-Semester Exam, Individual Project, Final Exam
  2. Investigate real world business issues and situations through the effective analysis, evaluation and synthesis of theory and practice.
    Relates to: ULO2, Mid-Semester Exam, Final Exam
  3. Exercise independent judgement and initiative in adapting and applying knowledge and skills for effective planning, problem solving and decision making in diverse contexts.
    Relates to: ULO2, Individual Project, Final Exam
  4. Use information literacy skills, and communicate effectively and professionally in written forms and using media appropriate for diverse purposes and contexts.
    Relates to: ULO3, Individual Project
  5. Exercise self-reflection, responsibility and accountability in relation to own learning and professional practice.
    Relates to: ULO4, Final Exam
  6. Demonstrate and apply knowledge of ethical and legal principles and practices in analysing and responding to business issues.
    Relates to: ULO1, Mid-Semester Exam, Final Exam