Faculty of Business: Finance and Economics
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level: Undergraduate

Result Type: Grade and marks

Requisite(s): 25503 Investment Analysis AND 25415 Personal Financial Planning
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses.
There are also course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.

Handbook description

This subject introduces the process of developing and implementing a range of personal financial plans designed to meet the needs of a range of personal investors within a contemporary social, economic, legal and regulatory context.

Subject objectives/outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

1. Understand the principal elements of the personal financial planning process, the technical skills required in this process and the analytical processes involved
2. Explain the impact upon the personal financial planning process of relevant Australian taxation and other relevant regulatory processes
3. Define the investment needs of clients and utilise various techniques for the establishment and implementation of a Personal Financial Plan to meet these needs
4. Describe and apply techniques associated with the performance management of personal investment portfolios.

Contribution to graduate profile

This subject introduces students to the process of developing and implementing a range of personal financial plans designed to meet the needs of personal investors within a contemporary social, economic, legal and regulatory context.

Teaching and learning strategies

The subject uses a series of interlinked case studies drawn from a case study matrix to analyse the principal financial planning opportunities and issues.

Content

• The personal financial planning matrix
• Financial, accounting and taxation issues in personal financial planning
• Estate planning and superannuation strategies
• Social security issues
• Regulation, information, privacy and disclosure
• Reporting and performance analysis.

Assessment

Class Tests (Individual)	50%
Class tests will assess students' understanding of the financial planning process and their ability to develop and implement personal financial plans. They assure objectives 1-4.
Final Examination (Individual)	50%
The final examination will test students' understanding of key concepts of financial planning and their ability to evaluate personal financial plans. It assures objectives 1-4.

Tests and examination will be conducted under University examination conditions, and hence thoroughly address concerns regarding secure assessment.

Recommended text(s)

Set of readings.

Indicative references

CCH Australia (2004) 2004/2005 Australian Master Financial Planning Guide, 7th ed. CCH Australia, Sydney.

CPA Australia (2000) Pathways to Financial Planning, ASCPA Financial Planning Centre of Excellence, Melbourne.

English, J., Hicks, B., Hrasky, S. and Rundle, C. (1999) Personal Financial Management, Allen and Unwin, Sydney.