Students
AFIN832 – Business and Financial Analysis
2015 – S1 Day
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Vahid Kolahdouzan
Contact via Email
E4A Level 2
Tuesdays 5pm- 6pm
Angela Chow
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| Credit points |
Credit points
4
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
ACCG611 or ACST603 or AFIN858
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit teaches students how to analyse and value a business. Students are taught the steps in business analysis: examining the state of the economy, the industry and the business on a descriptive level, analysing the business's accounting policies, evaluating its financial position using accounting ratios and other analytical tools, forecasting the business's financial statements, and finally using a variety of techniques to value the business on the basis of the preceding steps so that an investment decision can be made.
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Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- Recognise the flow of financial accounting and other information from the organisation’s management and other sources to the equity market.
- Evaluate the accounting policies and practices used by an organisation, and to reconstruct the financial reports as appropriate.
- Evaluate the theories underlying various aspects of financial statement analysis, in particular various methods of valuation.
- Forecast any organisation’s future financial position.
- Analyse any organisation’s fundamental value, using publicly available information.
General Assessment Information
It is the responsibility of students to view their marks for each within session assessment on iLearn within 20 working days of posting. If there are any discrepancies, students must contact the unit convenor immediately. Failure to do so will mean that queries received after the release of final results regarding assessment marks (not including the final exam mark) will not be addressed.
A Standardised Numerical Grade (SNG) gives you an indication of how you have performed within the band for your descriptive grade. The SNG is not a mark, and you may not be able to work it out based on your raw examination and other assessment marks. Nor are you able to determine you are “one mark away” from a different grade.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Due |
|---|---|---|
| Assignment | 10% | 20/03/2015 |
| Presentation | 10% | 31/03/2015 |
| Case Studies | 30% | 01/05/2015 and 29/05/2015 |
| Final Exam | 50% | Examination Period |
Assignment
Due: 20/03/2015
Weighting: 10%
The individual Assignment is about building a MS Excel model and a report (two pages) for Body Shop International. This assignment is an introduction to financial modelling and further Case Studies in this unit.
The details will be discussed during the lecture.
The Assignment should be submitted online via iLearn.
No extensions will be granted. Students who have not submitted the task prior to the deadline will be awarded a mark of 0 for the task, except for cases in which an application for special consideration is made and approved.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Evaluate the theories underlying various aspects of financial statement analysis, in particular various methods of valuation.
- Forecast any organisation’s future financial position.
- Analyse any organisation’s fundamental value, using publicly available information.
Presentation
Due: 31/03/2015
Weighting: 10%
In syndicates of 5 students, evaluate and present during the lecture on the most recent annual report of an Australian Securities Exchange-listed company. The strategic and accounting analysis is required for this presentation.
Your syndicate presentations should not be longer than 12 minutes each and all the syndicate members are required to present. You are allowed to use Microsoft Office PowerPoint or any other relevant application for your presentations.
Students will be assessed individually based on their presentation skills, content materials and their contribution to the syndicate. Students’ contribution will also be assessed by their peers. Otherwise, you will be awarded a mark of 0.
No extensions will be granted. Students who have not submitted the task prior to the deadline will be awarded a mark of 0 for the task, except for cases in which an application for special consideration is made and approved.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Recognise the flow of financial accounting and other information from the organisation’s management and other sources to the equity market.
- Evaluate the accounting policies and practices used by an organisation, and to reconstruct the financial reports as appropriate.
Case Studies
Due: 01/05/2015 and 29/05/2015
Weighting: 30%
There are two case studies, which you are required to build MS Excel models and reports.
You are recommended to submit the case studies in a group of 2, 3, 4 or 5 students. However, you can submit individually as well.
If submitted as a group, individual contribution should be identified. Students’ contribution will be assessed by their peers. Otherwise, you will be awarded a mark of 0.
The details will be discussed during the lecture.
No extensions will be granted. Late tasks will be accepted up to 72 hours after the submission deadline. There will be a deduction of 20% of the total available marks made from the total awarded mark for each 24 hour period or part thereof that the submission is late (for example, 25 hours late in submission – 40% penalty). This penalty does not apply for cases in which an application for special consideration is made and approved.
The Case Studies should be submitted online via iLearn.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Evaluate the theories underlying various aspects of financial statement analysis, in particular various methods of valuation.
- Forecast any organisation’s future financial position.
- Analyse any organisation’s fundamental value, using publicly available information.
Final Exam
Due: Examination Period
Weighting: 50%
A 3 hours final examination for this unit will be held during the University Examination period. To be eligible to pass this unit, a pass is required in the final examination.
You are permitted ONE A4 page of paper containing reference material printed on both sides. The material must be handwritten. The page will not be returned to you at the end of the final examination.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Recognise the flow of financial accounting and other information from the organisation’s management and other sources to the equity market.
- Evaluate the accounting policies and practices used by an organisation, and to reconstruct the financial reports as appropriate.
- Evaluate the theories underlying various aspects of financial statement analysis, in particular various methods of valuation.
- Forecast any organisation’s future financial position.
- Analyse any organisation’s fundamental value, using publicly available information.
Delivery and Resources
Classes
· The timetable for classes can be found on the University web site at: http://www.timetables.mq.edu.au/
Required and Recommended texts and/or materials
· Palepu, Healy, Bernard, Wright, Bradbury and Lee, Business Analysis and Valuation, 1st Asia-Pacific edition, Cengage Learning, 2010.
· The prescribed textbook can be purchased from the Macquarie University Co-op Bookshop. Copies are also available in the Macquarie University Library.
Technology Used and Required
· Students required computer technology and competence sufficient to regularly access the AFIN832 iLearn webpage via the Internet, and to use a word processing and a Spread Sheet program (such as Word and Excel) for assignments. Students required bringing their laptops to classes as instructed by the teaching staff.
· The unit webpage will contain copies of lecture guides, announcements and changes made during the semester. Students are expected to visit the unit webpage on a regular basis.
Unit Schedule
Week 1- Introduction to Strategic Analysis- Chapters 1 & 2
Week 2- Overview of Accounting Analysis- Chapter 3
Week 3- Implementing Accounting Analysis- Chapter 4
Week 4- Financial Analysis, Review of Cost of Capital- Chapters 5 & 8
Week 5- Cash Flow Analysis- Chapter 5
Week 6- Presentations
Week 7- Forecasting- Chapter 6
Week 8- Valuation Theory and Concepts- Chapter 7
Week 9- Valuation Implementation Part I- Chapter 8
Week 10- Valuation Implementation Part II- Chapter 8
Week 11- Valuation Ratios- Chapter 7
Week 12- Mergers and Acquisitions- Chapter 11
Week 13- Revision
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html
Grading Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html
Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Results
Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.
Supplementary Exams
Further information regarding supplementary exams, including dates, is available here
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Student Services and Support
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Student Enquiries
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Graduate Capabilities
PG - Capable of Professional and Personal Judgment and Initiative
Our postgraduates will demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgment. They will have the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Evaluate the accounting policies and practices used by an organisation, and to reconstruct the financial reports as appropriate.
- Evaluate the theories underlying various aspects of financial statement analysis, in particular various methods of valuation.
- Forecast any organisation’s future financial position.
- Analyse any organisation’s fundamental value, using publicly available information.
Assessment tasks
- Assignment
- Presentation
- Case Studies
- Final Exam
PG - Discipline Knowledge and Skills
Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Recognise the flow of financial accounting and other information from the organisation’s management and other sources to the equity market.
- Evaluate the accounting policies and practices used by an organisation, and to reconstruct the financial reports as appropriate.
- Evaluate the theories underlying various aspects of financial statement analysis, in particular various methods of valuation.
- Forecast any organisation’s future financial position.
- Analyse any organisation’s fundamental value, using publicly available information.
Assessment tasks
- Assignment
- Presentation
- Case Studies
- Final Exam
PG - Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking
Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Evaluate the accounting policies and practices used by an organisation, and to reconstruct the financial reports as appropriate.
- Evaluate the theories underlying various aspects of financial statement analysis, in particular various methods of valuation.
- Forecast any organisation’s future financial position.
- Analyse any organisation’s fundamental value, using publicly available information.
Assessment tasks
- Assignment
- Presentation
- Case Studies
- Final Exam
Changes from Previous Offering
On demand help to students via WeChat, Online Consultation via MaakPad, Lecture Recording via MaakPad.