EFN412 Advanced Managerial Finance


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Unit Outline: Semester 1 2026, Gardens Point, Internal

Unit code:EFN412
Credit points:12
Pre-requisite:EFN406 or BSN456
Equivalent:EFX412
Coordinator:Marco Elia | marco.elia@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 intermediate level unit which extends the study of financial management introduced in Managerial Finance. You will be provided with an in-depth analysis of valuation and of the financial management of a business organisation. It develops further the framework necessary for the analysis of other and more advanced aspects of domestic and international business finance. With the growing sophistication of global financial markets, this unit provides an excellent base for you to pursue a career in the field.

 

 

 

Learning Outcomes

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

  1. Apply and interpret knowledge of the finance theories, practices and markets used by financial managers to investigate business issues. [KS 1.2]
  2. Apply knowledge, judgement, and technical skills to identify, critically analyse and solve problems related to the decisions of the financial manager. [KS 1.2, HO 2.2]
  3. Consider the social responsibilities of firms and evaluate the impact of financial management decisions on broader society. [SE 5.2]

Content

This unit covers three major areas related to the study of finance. The first results in students gaining knowledge of the asset pricing tools commonly used to value individual securities. The second area relates to understanding the firm's capital structure and how to apply the methods to value a firm. The third area relates to understanding the use and valuation of derivatives for risk management and to value the implicit option-features that show up in corporate finance.

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

In this unit, you will learn by engaging in weekly formal class contact time and appropriate self-study outside of class.  You are expected to read the relevant material (textbook and notes), do the self-study questions provided and to review the lecture slides before attending the lecture. A weekly reading and tutorial guide can be found on the Canvas site. The reading guide indicates the material you should concentrate on, which material should be read lightly and which material should be studied in depth. Also included in the weekly guide are a number of self-study questions with solutions. These form an important part of the work in this unit and are a good indicator of possible examination questions.

Solutions to the weekly self-study questions will be provided in the weekly reading and tutorial guide and these will be discussed in the tutorial. Nevertheless, you should study this material before attending the tutorial so that effective use can be made of the time allocated to solve difficulties and discuss further issues. It is not the purpose of the tutorial to work through each question from scratch, but rather to resolve any problems or difficulties that arise from the week's work. 

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 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: Report

You will write a report involving the application of Portfolio Theory and empirical estimation, addressing topics 1 to 5 inclusive.

The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details in Canvas for specific guidelines.

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

Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative

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

Weight: 40
Length: This assessment item involves the submission of work in spreadsheet and written forms. See the assignment instructions for more information.
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 7
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2

Assessment: Final Exam

You will answer questions covering all topics but with emphasis on topics 6 through 11 inclusive. The final paper will consist of short answer questions.

The use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is prohibited during this assessment.

This invigilated examination requires attendance on campus or at an assessment centre, regardless of your attendance mode for the unit.

This assessment item is Verified Identity Assessment. Requirements are provided on the Unit Canvas site.

Formative or Summative: Summative

Business Capabilities (AoL goals): KS (1.2), HO (2.2), SE (5.2)

Weight: 60
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): During central examination period
Central exam duration: 2:10 - Including 10 minute perusal
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3

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)

Jonathan Berk and Peter DeMarzo, Corporate Finance, Global Edition, 6th Edition, Pearson, 2023

Recommended text(s)

Suggested Supplementary Textbooks (Optional)
Ross, S. A., Thompson, S. C., Christensen, M. J., Westerfield, R. W., & Jordan, B. D. (2007) Fundamentals of Corporate Finance. . (4th edn.)(4th edn.). McGraw Hill.

or

Ross, S. A., Thompson, S. C., Christensen, M. J., Westerfield, R. W., & Jordan, B. D. (2004) Fundamentals of Corporate Finance. (4th edn.). McGraw Hill.

Other

Other Resources
Additional references and resources, including lecture overheads, additional notes, weekly reading and tutorial guides, assignments and solutions can also be found at the unit's Canvas site: https://Canvas.qut.edu.au/.

There are several other suitable texts that you may wish to use. Two are listed below:

Brealey, R., Myers S., & Allen F. (2020) Principles of Corporate Finance. (13th ed.) McGraw Hill.
Bishop HR, Faff RW, Oliver B, and Twite GJ, (2004) Corporate Finance. (5th ed.), Prentice Hall

Risk Assessment Statement

There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with learning and teaching activities in this unit. 

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, Report, Final Exam

KS (1.2): Technical, Technological and Research Skills

Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Report, Final Exam

SE (5.2): Global Social Responsibility

Relates to: ULO3, Final Exam

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 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.
    Relates to: ULO3, Final Exam
  2. Apply technical, technological and technical research skills to organise and interpret discipline knowledge, including theory and practice, to investigate business issues.
    Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Report, Final Exam
  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, Report, Final Exam