EFN406 Managerial Finance


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 2025, Gardens Point, Internal

Unit code:EFN406
Credit points:12
Equivalent:EFX406
Anti-requisite:GSN413, GSN423, GSZ413
Coordinator:Jerry Ho | jerry.ho@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

This is an introductory unit complementary to EFN425 and EFN420. This unit gives students an essential grounding in applied finance, addressing fundamental issues of how we can use finance in a commercial sense and how this impacts critical organisational and managerial decisions in an increasingly complex and demanding financial environment. Subsequent units in this course will build on the knowledge introduced in this unit.

Learning Outcomes

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

  1. Explain and discuss the role of financial markets, key financial instruments and key institution details, focusing on national and international finance contexts.
  2. Apply technical knowledge and skills to the pricing of securities assets and investments to make informed interpretations and to solve technical problems.
  3. Apply theoretical and technical knowledge and skills to the management of financial risk, outlining implications for management.
  4. Apply technical knowledge and skills to evaluate projects and make recommendations relating to investment, financing and dividend decisions of the firm.
  5. Apply technical skills in using Excel software to solve maths problems and evaluate projects.

Content

The major topics covered in the unit are:

  • Financial Markets and Instruments
  • Financial Mathematics
  • Valuation
  • Market Efficiency
  • Capital Budgeting
  • Risk and Return
  • Cost of Capital

QUT Business Capabilities (Postgraduate)

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 & Technical Skills (KS)
1.1 Demonstrate and apply integrated and advanced discipline and professional practice knowledge, including knowledge of relevant research principles and methods.
1.2 Apply technical, technological and technical research skills to organise and interpret discipline knowledge, including theory and practice, to investigate business issues.

Higher Order Thinking Skills (HO)
2.1 Critically investigate real world business issues and problems drawing on analysis, evaluation and synthesis of discipline knowledge, including theory and practice.
2.2 Exercise creativity and intellectual independence and make informed decisions and judgements in planning, designing, and executing strategic and research-based responses to address real world issues and problems.

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

Teamwork & Self (TS)
4.1 Exercise self-reflection and accountability in applying knowledge and skills for own learning and effective practice.
4.2 Apply teamwork knowledge and skills for effective collaboration across a range of complex activities and contexts.

Social, Ethical & Global Understanding (SE)
5.1 Demonstrate and apply knowledge of ethical and legal principles and practices of business in critically analysing and effectively responding to complex business issues.
5.2 Demonstrate and apply knowledge of socially responsible behaviour in analysing and addressing business issues and critically reflect on the responsibilities and impacts of organisations in national and international business contexts.

Learning Approaches

This unit is provided in internal and external (online) modes. Both modes involve weekly lectures and tutorials - internal students are expected to attend lectures and tutorials on campus each week, while external students are expected to view lecture recordings and attend online tutorials each week. Students in both modes are expected to make use of online self-directed learning and revision materials provided for each topic throughout the semester.

Each week students are set a series of exercises as a tutorial, which tests their understanding of the important elements of the week's work. Solutions are provided to the questions and students are required to work through the solutions after they have attempted the questions. It is important that students attempt the tutorial work before attempting the quizzes. Any difficulties identified in the questions should be raised at the weekly tutorial.

On completion of the unit, students should fully understand the institutional framework of finance and have developed the tools necessary for application and advance study in the discipline. Refer to the section of the outline that identifies the Key Points to look for in your Readings for instruction on how to advance your knowledge in the finance area. It is more important to understand concepts and methods than be able to answer specific assignment questions.

In accordance with QUT policy, all units are to be subject to Criterion Referenced Assessment (CRA). The unit coordinator will provide students with further details regarding CRA during the course of the semester during class and on the unit's Canvas site.

COVID-19 restrictions may require changes to the planned Learning Approaches described here.  Students should refer to the unit Canvas site for the latest information.

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

General Assessment Information

The assessment in this unit aims to support your achievement of the unit learning outcomes and course assurance of learning goals. The assessment has been designed in order to allow you to:

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

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Progressive Case

Progressive case assesses the student's ability to use technical Excel skills and analytical skills to solve complex problems in finance. Part A due Week 5 and Part B due Week 9 (approximately).

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative

Business Capabilities (AoL goals): KS (1.1, 1.2), HO (2.2)

Weight: 20
Length: Approx. 500 words for each of two parts.
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Weeks 5 & 9 approx.
Related Unit learning outcomes: 2, 3, 4, 5

Assessment: Timed exam

Short answer questions.

Formative or Summative: Summative

Business Capabilities (AoL goals): KS (1.1, 1.2), HO (2.2)

This examination will be an invigilated face-to-face exam undertaken either on campus or at an examination centre.

Weight: 60
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): During central examination period
Central Exam Period
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4

Assessment: Online Problem Solving Tasks

Multiple Choice, True False, and short calculation questions.

Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative

Business Capabilities (AoL goals): KS (1.1, 1.2)

Weight: 20
Length: 40 minutes each approximately after preparation.
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Weekly
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.

The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.

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.

Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

Resource Materials

Prescribed text(s)

Ross, Traylor, Koh, Hambusch, Glover, Westerfield, Jordan, 2021. Fundamentals of Corporate Finance. McGraw Hill.

Other

Additional references can also be found at the unit's Canvas site http://Canvas.qut.edu.au

Risk Assessment Statement

There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with lectures or tutorials in 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 (Postgraduate)

HO (2.2): Independent Judgement and Decision-Making

Relates to: ULO2, ULO4, Progressive Case, Timed exam

KS (1.1): Discipline and Professional Practice Knowledge

Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, ULO4, Progressive Case, Timed exam, Online Problem Solving Tasks

KS (1.2): Technical, Technological and Research Skills

Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, ULO4, ULO5, Progressive Case, Timed exam, Online Problem Solving Tasks

Course Learning Outcomes

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

BS11 Master of Business

  1. Demonstrate and apply integrated and advanced discipline and professional practice knowledge, including knowledge of relevant research principles and methods.
    Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, ULO4
  2. Apply technical, technological and technical research skills to organise and interpret discipline knowledge, including theory and practice, to investigate business issues.
    Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, ULO4, ULO5
  3. Exercise creativity and intellectual independence and make informed decisions and judgements in planning, designing, and executing strategic and research-based responses to address real world issues and problems.
    Relates to: ULO2, ULO4