EFB210 Fundamentals of 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: Summer 2023, Gardens Point, Internal

Unit code:EFB210
Credit points:12
Pre-requisite:48 credit points of completed study
Equivalent:EFX210
Coordinators:John Polichronis | j.polichronis@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 unit introduces the fundamental concepts, theories and skills of financial management and how these are applied to solve problems associated with the decisions of financial managers. This is essential knowledge for financial decision makers. Topics covered include: an introduction to the financial institutional framework; an introduction to debt and equity instruments; financial mathematics applied to the pricing of debt and equity securities; a firm's investment decision including Net Present Value and Internal Rate of Return; introduction to risk and uncertainty using the Capital Asset Pricing Model and Weighted Average Cost of Capital concept and risk management. Because of its fundamental nature, this unit is a prerequisite for more advanced units within the finance, accountancy and financial planning study areas, and content studied in this unit forms part of the knowledge and skills required for students seeking professional accountancy accreditation.

Learning Outcomes

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

  1. Demonstrate and apply knowledge of the finance theories, practices and markets used by financial managers
  2. Apply knowledge, technical, and technological skills to solve financial problems and make decisions
  3. Demonstrate written communication skills to effectively and professionally explain financial information, thinking and decisions

Content

Unit covers the role of the financial manager, basic financial economics, financial mathematics, debt and equity valuation, capital budgeting and project evaluation, the cost of capital, modern portfolio theory, risk and return, market efficiency and risk management with derivatives.

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 has a formal class contact time in lectures and tutorials of approximately three hours (lecture two hours, tutorial one hour). Tutorial questions are to be completed prior to the tutorial as the tutorials provide the forum to discuss the materials covered and difficulties associated with applying different analytical skills.

As an introductory subject that requires economic, accounting and mathematical skills, the materials taught will often abstract from reality in order to remove unnecessary complexities. However, where possible the students will be provided with realistic examples to highlight the difficulties involved in financial management. As an example, the report asks students to analyse a relatively complex case study based on a realistic problem faced by a financial manager.

Outside of lectures and tutorials, students are encouraged to attend staff consultation times to gain additional assistance with the materials covered and feedback on their progress.

COVID-19 restrictions may require changes to the planned Learning Approaches described here.  Students should refer to the unit Blackboard 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 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: Mid-Semester Examination

Multiple choice exam covering topics 1 to 4

Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative

Business Capabilities (AoL goals): KS (1.1)

Weight: 20
Length: 1 hour
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 6
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1

Assessment: Report

Students will need to analyse a complex capital budgeting problem using current technologies and write a report that summarises the investment and review the analysis performed.

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Formative and Summative: Formative and Summative

Business Capabilities (AoL goals): KS (1.1, 1.2), HO (2.2), PC (3.1)

Weight: 25
Length: 600 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 10
Related Unit learning outcomes: 2, 3

Assessment: Final exam

Formative or Summative: Summative

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

Weight: 55
Length: 2 hours (plus 15 minutes perusal)
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Central Exam Period
Central Exam Period
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2

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)

Ross, S.A., Trayler, R., Hambusch, G., Koh, C., Glover, K., Westerfield, R.W., Jordan,B.D. (Eds. 8). (2021), Fundamentals of Corporate Finance, McGraw-Hill

Other

CFA Institute. (2014). Standards of practice handbook (11th ed.). Charlottesville, Virginia: CFA Institute.
http://www.cfapubs.org/doi/pdf/10.2469/ccb.v2014.n4.1

Students are encouraged to read the financial press on a regular basis. The Australian Financial Review and The Sydney Morning Herald provide an excellent coverage of financial news.

Scientific calculator. Programmable calculators are permitted, but they are neither essential nor do they provide any additional benefit.

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 (Undergraduate)

HO (2.1): Critical Analysis

Relates to: ULO2

HO (2.2): Independent Judgement and Decision-Making

Relates to: Report, Final exam

KS (1.1): Discipline Knowledge

Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Mid-Semester Examination, Report, Final exam

KS (1.2): Technical and Technological Skills

Relates to: Report, Final exam

PC (3.1): Professional Communication (Written)

Relates to: ULO3, Report

SE (5.1): Ethical and Legal Understanding

Relates to: ULO2

SE (5.2): Global Social Responsibility

Relates to: ULO2

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, ULO2, Mid-Semester Examination, Report, Final exam
  2. Demonstrate and apply knowledge of socially responsible behaviour in analysing and addressing business issues in national and international business contexts.
    Relates to: ULO2
  3. Apply technical and technological skills appropriate and effective for real world business purposes and contexts.
    Relates to: Report, Final exam
  4. Investigate real world business issues and situations through the effective analysis, evaluation and synthesis of theory and practice.
    Relates to: ULO2
  5. 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: Report, Final exam
  6. Use information literacy skills, and communicate effectively and professionally in written forms and using media appropriate for diverse purposes and contexts.
    Relates to: ULO3, Report
  7. Demonstrate and apply knowledge of ethical and legal principles and practices in analysing and responding to business issues.
    Relates to: ULO2

BS06 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 Examination, Report, Final exam
  2. Apply technical and technological skills appropriate and effective for real world business purposes and contexts.
    Relates to: Report, 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: Report, 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, Report

BS08 Bachelor of Business - International

  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, ULO2, Mid-Semester Examination, Report, Final exam
  2. Demonstrate and apply knowledge of socially responsible behaviour in analysing and addressing business issues in national and international business contexts.
    Relates to: ULO2
  3. Apply technical and technological skills appropriate and effective for real world business purposes and contexts.
    Relates to: Report, Final exam
  4. Investigate real world business issues and situations through the effective analysis, evaluation and synthesis of theory and practice.
    Relates to: ULO2
  5. 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: Report, Final exam
  6. Use information literacy skills, and communicate effectively and professionally in written forms and using media appropriate for diverse purposes and contexts.
    Relates to: ULO3, Report
  7. Demonstrate and apply knowledge of ethical and legal principles and practices in analysing and responding to business issues.
    Relates to: ULO2