Introduction to Financial Planning

Course aim

To introduce students to the financial planning industry, its regulatory and ethical requirements, and to the techniques and products associated with offering personal investment and financial planning advice.

Course content

The financial planning environment: evolution of financial planning industry; industry participants; role of financial planning; regulatory and licensing issues. Financial planning skills: personal financial statements; financial ratio analysis; financial mathematical skills in financial planning; investor goals and objectives. Ethics and compliance: principles of the Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA) code; the regulatory framework for financial planning and its evolution; role of the Australian Securities Investment Commission (ASIC). Investment choices: investor attributes and risk profile; investment categories; nature and forms of investments; risk and return relationship; effect of diversification; matching investors to products. Direct investments: fixed income securities; equities; property; cash; participants and benefits; assets valuation. Indirect investments: growth and characteristics of managed funds; fund types; management and investment styles; measuring and analysing performance. Leveraged investments: geared investments; tax implication of geared investments; mortgages; margin lending; derivatives.

Textbook(s)

McKeown, W, Kerry, M & Olynyk, M 2017, Financial Planning, 2nd edn UPDATED EDN, John Wiley & Sons, Brisbane, ISBN: 9780730343554

Prerequisite(s)

Corequisite(s)

Nil

Teaching method

Note: These components may or may not be scheduled in every study period. Please refer to the timetable for further details.

Assessment

Continuous assessment, Examination, Presentation

Fees

EFTSL*: 0.125
Commonwealth Supported program (Band 3)
To determine the fee for this course as part of a Commonwealth Supported program, go to:
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Fee-paying program for domestic and international students
International students and students undertaking this course as part of a postgraduate fee paying program must refer to the relevant program home page to determine the cost for undertaking this course.

Non-award enrolment
Non-award tuition fees are set by the university. To determine the cost of this course, go to:
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* Equivalent Full Time Study Load. Please note: all EFTSL values are published and calculated at ten decimal places. Values are displayed to three decimal places for ease of interpretation.