AYB346 Financial Plan Construction (Capstone)
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 code: | AYB346 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | AYB250 and 192cp of completed studies |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| CSP student contribution | $2,174 |
| Pre-2021 CSP student contribution | $1,703 The pre-2021 commonwealth supported place (CSP) contribution amount only applies to students enrolled in a course prior to 2021. To learn more, visit our Understanding your fees page. |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $3,456 |
| International unit fee | $5,640 |
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2026, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | AYB346 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | AYB250 and 192cp of completed studies |
| Coordinator: | Elisabeth Sinnewe | elisabeth.sinnewe@qut.edu.au |
Overview
A key aspect of working in the financial planning industry is the ability to draw on a range of professional skills, including effective communication with clients, and leveraging the strengths of diverse teams to develop practical and ethical responses to contemporary financial planning problems and opportunities. In this capstone unit, you will develop and refine financial planning professional practical skills by integrating and extending knowledge and skills gained in earlier financial planning units. You will develop a critical understanding of your professional strengths and limitations in both individual and peer work. You will be guided by academics and industry professionals to apply discipline knowledge and professional skills gained throughout your university studies to real-world financial planning problems.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Gather and analyse data to assist with the development of solutions to financial planning problems for clients, and communicate findings clearly and professionally in written form. [KS 1.2, HO 2.1, PC 3.1]
- Collaborate in teams to develop innovative and effective financial planning strategies and solutions in XPlan. [KS1.2, HO 2.1, HO 2.2, TS.4.2]
- Effectively present information and recommendations to clients. [KS 1.2, PC 3.2]
- Critically reflect on the alignment of your learning with the ethical and professional conduct expectations of the industry to identify and communicate your professional strengths, abilities and values. [TS 4.1, SE 5.1]
Content
This unit covers the end-to-end financial planning process and the professional skills required for client engagement. Across three modules, you will explore:
- Module 1: Understanding the Advice Process and Client Behaviour –Client data gathering, goal setting, investment risk profiling, and teamwork for professional practice.
- Module 2: Developing a Financial Plan – Strategy development, legal and ethical obligations, adapting strategies, reviewing and monitoring plans, conflict resolution, and adviser due diligence.
- Module 3: Professional Skills Development – Communication, presentation skills, self-reflection, and planning for future professional growth.
Practical XPlan software demonstrations will assist you in creating a Statement of Advice (SOA). The unit concludes with student presentations and a reflective activity to further strengthen your professional identity.
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
This unit adopts an authentic, scaffolded learning approach designed to prepare you for professional practice as a financial planner. Learning activities mirror real-world tasks and progressively build your skills through:
- Working on authentic client cases simulating evolving client circumstances.
- Engaging with financial planners to gain insights into professional practice and receive industry-relevant feedback
- Developing your professional skills using instructional and resource supports.
Our digital strategy integrates XPlan, the industry-standard financial planning software, to ensure you gain hands-on experience with tools used in practice. These activities are intentionally aligned with unit learning outcomes and provide authentic, industry-relevant experiences that support your success in this unit and your future career.
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
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Client Data Analysis
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 (2.1), PC (3.1)
Assessment: Detailed Statement of Advice
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 assessment item is based on teamwork and provides evidence of achievement of the associated Unit Learning Outcomes and Course Learning Outcomes. Individual submissions will not be accepted.
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 (2.1), HO (2.2), PC (3.1), TS (4.2)
Assessment: Presentation and Personal Reflection
Part A: Each student will present an area of the statement of advice prepared by their team.
Part B: Each student will prepare a personal reflection on their professional capabilities, ethical values, and aspirations as a financial planner.
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 assessment item requires your attendance at your scheduled workshop.
This assessment item is a Verified Identity Assessment. Requirements are provided on the Unit Canvas site.
The reflection task is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions; the presentation task is not eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Formative or Summative: Summative and Formative
Business Capabilities (AoL goals): KS (1.2), PC (3.2), TS (4.1), SE (5.1)
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.
Risk Assessment Statement
There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with this unit.
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: ULO1, ULO2, Client Data Analysis, Detailed Statement of Advice
HO (2.2): Independent Judgement and Decision-Making
Relates to: ULO2, Detailed Statement of Advice
KS (1.2): Technical and Technological Skills
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, Client Data Analysis, Detailed Statement of Advice, Presentation and Personal Reflection
PC (3.1): Professional Communication (Written)
Relates to: ULO1, Client Data Analysis, Detailed Statement of Advice
PC (3.2): Professional Communication (Oral)
Relates to: ULO3, Presentation and Personal Reflection
SE (5.1): Ethical and Legal Understanding
Relates to: ULO4, Presentation and Personal Reflection
TS (4.1): Self-Reflection and Accountability
Relates to: ULO4, Presentation and Personal Reflection
TS (4.2): Teamwork Knowledge and Skills
Relates to: ULO2, Detailed Statement of Advice
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.BS05 Bachelor of Business
- Apply technical and technological skills appropriate and effective for real world business purposes and contexts.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, Client Data Analysis, Detailed Statement of Advice, Presentation and Personal Reflection - Investigate real world business issues and situations through the effective analysis, evaluation and synthesis of theory and practice.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Client Data Analysis, Detailed Statement of Advice - 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, Detailed Statement of Advice - Use information literacy skills, and communicate effectively and professionally in written forms and using media appropriate for diverse purposes and contexts.
Relates to: ULO1, Client Data Analysis, Detailed Statement of Advice - Use information literacy skills, and communicate effectively and professionally in oral forms, appropriate for diverse purposes and contexts.
Relates to: ULO3, Presentation and Personal Reflection - Exercise self-reflection, responsibility and accountability in relation to own learning and professional practice.
Relates to: ULO4, Presentation and Personal Reflection - Apply teamwork knowledge and skills for effective collaboration across diverse purposes and contexts.
Relates to: ULO2, Detailed Statement of Advice - Demonstrate and apply knowledge of ethical and legal principles and practices in analysing and responding to business issues.
Relates to: ULO4, Presentation and Personal Reflection
BS08 Bachelor of Business - International
- Apply technical and technological skills appropriate and effective for real world business purposes and contexts.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, Client Data Analysis, Detailed Statement of Advice, Presentation and Personal Reflection - Investigate real world business issues and situations through the effective analysis, evaluation and synthesis of theory and practice.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Client Data Analysis, Detailed Statement of Advice - 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, Detailed Statement of Advice - Use information literacy skills, and communicate effectively and professionally in written forms and using media appropriate for diverse purposes and contexts.
Relates to: ULO1, Client Data Analysis, Detailed Statement of Advice - Use information literacy skills, and communicate effectively and professionally in oral forms, appropriate for diverse purposes and contexts.
Relates to: ULO3, Presentation and Personal Reflection - Exercise self-reflection, responsibility and accountability in relation to own learning and professional practice.
Relates to: ULO4, Presentation and Personal Reflection - Apply teamwork knowledge and skills for effective collaboration across diverse purposes and contexts.
Relates to: ULO2, Detailed Statement of Advice - Demonstrate and apply knowledge of ethical and legal principles and practices in analysing and responding to business issues.
Relates to: ULO4, Presentation and Personal Reflection
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2026, Online
| Unit code: | AYB346 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | AYB250 and 192cp of completed studies |
Overview
A key aspect of working in the financial planning industry is the ability to draw on a range of professional skills, including effective communication with clients, and leveraging the strengths of diverse teams to develop practical and ethical responses to contemporary financial planning problems and opportunities. In this capstone unit, you will develop and refine financial planning professional practical skills by integrating and extending knowledge and skills gained in earlier financial planning units. You will develop a critical understanding of your professional strengths and limitations in both individual and peer work. You will be guided by academics and industry professionals to apply discipline knowledge and professional skills gained throughout your university studies to real-world financial planning problems.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Gather and analyse data to assist with the development of solutions to financial planning problems for clients, and communicate findings clearly and professionally in written form. [KS 1.2, HO 2.1, PC 3.1]
- Collaborate in teams to develop innovative and effective financial planning strategies and solutions in XPlan. [KS1.2, HO 2.1, HO 2.2, TS.4.2]
- Effectively present information and recommendations to clients. [KS 1.2, PC 3.2]
- Critically reflect on the alignment of your learning with the ethical and professional conduct expectations of the industry to identify and communicate your professional strengths, abilities and values. [TS 4.1, SE 5.1]
Content
This unit covers the end-to-end financial planning process and the professional skills required for client engagement. Across three modules, you will explore:
- Module 1: Understanding the Advice Process and Client Behaviour –Client data gathering, goal setting, investment risk profiling, and teamwork for professional practice.
- Module 2: Developing a Financial Plan – Strategy development, legal and ethical obligations, adapting strategies, reviewing and monitoring plans, conflict resolution, and adviser due diligence.
- Module 3: Professional Skills Development – Communication, presentation skills, self-reflection, and planning for future professional growth.
Practical XPlan software demonstrations will assist you in creating a Statement of Advice (SOA). The unit concludes with student presentations and a reflective activity to further strengthen your professional identity.
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
This unit adopts an authentic, scaffolded learning approach designed to prepare you for professional practice as a financial planner. Learning activities mirror real-world tasks and progressively build your skills through:
- Working on authentic client cases simulating evolving client circumstances.
- Engaging with financial planners to gain insights into professional practice and receive industry-relevant feedback
- Developing your professional skills using instructional and resource supports.
Our digital strategy integrates XPlan, the industry-standard financial planning software, to ensure you gain hands-on experience with tools used in practice. These activities are intentionally aligned with unit learning outcomes and provide authentic, industry-relevant experiences that support your success in this unit and your future career.
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
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Client Data Analysis
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 (2.1), PC (3.1)
Assessment: Detailed Statement of Advice
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 assessment item is based on teamwork and provides evidence of achievement of the associated Unit Learning Outcomes and Course Learning Outcomes. Individual submissions will not be accepted.
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 (2.1), HO (2.2), PC (3.1), TS (4.2)
Assessment: Presentation and Personal Reflection
Part A: Each student will present an area of the statement of advice prepared by their team.
Part B: Each student will prepare a personal reflection on their professional capabilities, ethical values, and aspirations as a financial planner.
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 assessment item requires your attendance at your scheduled workshop.
This assessment item is a Verified Identity Assessment. Requirements are provided on the Unit Canvas site.
The reflection task is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions; the presentation task is not eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Formative or Summative: Summative and Formative
Business Capabilities (AoL goals): KS (1.2), PC (3.2), TS (4.1), SE (5.1)
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.
Risk Assessment Statement
There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with this unit.
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: ULO1, ULO2, Client Data Analysis, Detailed Statement of Advice
HO (2.2): Independent Judgement and Decision-Making
Relates to: ULO2, Detailed Statement of Advice
KS (1.2): Technical and Technological Skills
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, Client Data Analysis, Detailed Statement of Advice, Presentation and Personal Reflection
PC (3.1): Professional Communication (Written)
Relates to: ULO1, Client Data Analysis, Detailed Statement of Advice
PC (3.2): Professional Communication (Oral)
Relates to: ULO3, Presentation and Personal Reflection
SE (5.1): Ethical and Legal Understanding
Relates to: ULO4, Presentation and Personal Reflection
TS (4.1): Self-Reflection and Accountability
Relates to: ULO4, Presentation and Personal Reflection
TS (4.2): Teamwork Knowledge and Skills
Relates to: ULO2, Detailed Statement of Advice
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.BS05 Bachelor of Business
- Apply technical and technological skills appropriate and effective for real world business purposes and contexts.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, Client Data Analysis, Detailed Statement of Advice, Presentation and Personal Reflection - Investigate real world business issues and situations through the effective analysis, evaluation and synthesis of theory and practice.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Client Data Analysis, Detailed Statement of Advice - 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, Detailed Statement of Advice - Use information literacy skills, and communicate effectively and professionally in written forms and using media appropriate for diverse purposes and contexts.
Relates to: ULO1, Client Data Analysis, Detailed Statement of Advice - Use information literacy skills, and communicate effectively and professionally in oral forms, appropriate for diverse purposes and contexts.
Relates to: ULO3, Presentation and Personal Reflection - Exercise self-reflection, responsibility and accountability in relation to own learning and professional practice.
Relates to: ULO4, Presentation and Personal Reflection - Apply teamwork knowledge and skills for effective collaboration across diverse purposes and contexts.
Relates to: ULO2, Detailed Statement of Advice - Demonstrate and apply knowledge of ethical and legal principles and practices in analysing and responding to business issues.
Relates to: ULO4, Presentation and Personal Reflection
BS08 Bachelor of Business - International
- Apply technical and technological skills appropriate and effective for real world business purposes and contexts.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, Client Data Analysis, Detailed Statement of Advice, Presentation and Personal Reflection - Investigate real world business issues and situations through the effective analysis, evaluation and synthesis of theory and practice.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Client Data Analysis, Detailed Statement of Advice - 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, Detailed Statement of Advice - Use information literacy skills, and communicate effectively and professionally in written forms and using media appropriate for diverse purposes and contexts.
Relates to: ULO1, Client Data Analysis, Detailed Statement of Advice - Use information literacy skills, and communicate effectively and professionally in oral forms, appropriate for diverse purposes and contexts.
Relates to: ULO3, Presentation and Personal Reflection - Exercise self-reflection, responsibility and accountability in relation to own learning and professional practice.
Relates to: ULO4, Presentation and Personal Reflection - Apply teamwork knowledge and skills for effective collaboration across diverse purposes and contexts.
Relates to: ULO2, Detailed Statement of Advice - Demonstrate and apply knowledge of ethical and legal principles and practices in analysing and responding to business issues.
Relates to: ULO4, Presentation and Personal Reflection