Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor / Lecturer
Anthony Carlton
Contact via Email
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Credit points |
Credit points
2
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
(Admission to MAppFin or MAppFin(Adv) or GradDipAppFin) and ECFS866
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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Unit description |
Unit description
A company's financial strategy requires simultaneous decisions about capital structure, dividend and capital management, cash levels, financial risk profile and target credit rating. All of these decisions must be made in the context of the company's operating performance and growth strategies. Taking the CFO perspective, this unit will give students the opportunity to analyse and develop a company's preferred financial strategy. This unit should appeal to those involved in developing financial strategy for corporations, and investment and corporate bankers who might advise CFO's on financial strategy. The unit also addresses issues in: managing external stakeholders, particularly investor relations; risk allocation between various stakeholders; and the role of complex financial structures. The unit also equips students to evaluate alternative equity raising and capital management transaction structures. Although the unit will take a strategic perspective, students will be able to develop financial modelling skills to support the necessary analysis.
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Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
To pass this unit the student needs to (1) Achieve an aggregate mark of 50 or more, and; (2) Pass the Final Exam.
Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
---|---|---|---|
Pre-unit Assignment | 10% | No | First Class |
Assignment | 35% | No | Refer to iLearn |
Final Exam | 55% | Yes | Refer to Timetable |
Due: First Class
Weighting: 10%
Summary of Assessment Task
Individual / Group: Individual.
Due Date: First Class.
Grading Method: Refer to 'Standards Required to Complete the Unit Satisfactorily' section.
Submission Method: At or before the first class. Please bring a copy to class for class use as well.
Duration: Refer to Assignment Coversheet.
Extension Requests:
Due: Refer to iLearn
Weighting: 35%
Summary of Assessment Task
Individual / Group: Individual.
Due Date: Refer to the unit's iLearn site.
Grading Method: Refer to 'Standards Required to Complete the Unit Satisfactorily' section.
Submission Method: Online via Turnitin on the unit's iLearn site.
Duration: Refer to Assignment Coversheet.
Extension Requests:
Other Information:
Due: Refer to Timetable
Weighting: 55%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)
Summary of Assessment Task
Individual / Group: Individual.
Due Date: Refer to Timetable.
Grading Method: Refer to 'Standards Required to Complete the Unit Satisfactorily' section.
Submission Method: As per MAFC Program Rules at www.mafc.mq.edu.au
Duration: 2 hours plus 10 minutes reading time.
Examination Conditions:
Extension Requests:
Face-to-Face Teaching: Generally 18 hours.
Timetable: Detailed timetable for classes are on the Centre’s website at www.mafc.mq.edu.au
Consultation Times:
Students who wish to contact any of the teaching staff may do so through:
Text: Nil
Course Resources:
Lecture Notes: Available in printed form and electronically via iLearn.
Case Studies:
Pre-unit Materials:
Useful References:
Calculators:
Assumed Access:
Unit iLearn Site:
Important Notice:
We examine the elements in establishing an integrated financial strategy, including capital structure, dividend policy, cash and risk profile, and how it relates to other key corporate strategies, particularly growth. We review how each element of financial strategy is related to value, and how to make trade-offs between these various elements of financial strategy to develop an overall strategy that best supports organisational strategy and objectives:
Material covered in this topic includes:
In this topic we review the analytical tools available to help design financial strategy. These include financial modelling, ratings prediction models, as well as a review of cash flow processes and how they impact an assessment of risk:
Material covered in this topic includes:
Many companies have capital structures that comprise more than ordinary shares, for equity, and corporate debt. Hybrid instruments, convertibles, subordinated debt and project finance are some examples. We will examine the role of these complex capital structures and how to assess the benefits and costs:
Material covered in this topic includes:
Financial structures in multinationals add another layer of complexity, with the need to address issues of tax, currency risk, repatriation etc. This section reviews financial strategy options for multinational companies:
Material covered in this topic includes:
Examines important non transaction aspects of financial strategy:
Material covered in this topic includes:
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Undergraduate students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) 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 or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
Students should also consult the MAFC Program Rules found at http://www.mafc.mq.edu.au
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
For all student enquiries, please contact studentsupport@mafc.mq.edu.au
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Learning Skills (www.students.mq.edu.au/support/learning_skills/) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
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:
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:
Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.
This graduate capability is supported by:
This Unit Guide may be subject to change. Students will be advised, via an "Announcement" on iLearn, if the Unit Guide is changed.
The latest version is available at https://unitguides.mq.edu.au/.
Students should read the Unit Guide carefully at the start of term. It contains important information about the unit. If anything is unclear, please consult one of the unit lecturers.
University Policy on Grading:
Specific Unit Grading:
Grade | Expectation |
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High Distinction | Provides consistent evidence of deep and critical understanding in relation to the learning outcomes. There is substantial originality and insight in identifying, generating and communicating competing arguments, perspectives or problem solving approaches; critical evaluation of problems, their solutions and their implications; creativity in application as appropriate to the discipline. |
Distinction | Provides evidence of integration and evaluation of critical ideas, principles and theories, distinctive insight and ability in applying relevant skills and concepts in relation to learning outcomes. There is demonstration of frequent originality in defining and analysing issues or problems and providing solutions; and the use of means of communication appropriate to the discipline and the audience. |
Credit | Provides evidence of learning that goes beyond replication of content knowledge or skills relevant to the learning outcomes. There is demonstration of substantial understanding of fundamental concepts in the field of study and the ability to apply these concepts in a variety of contexts; convincing argumentation with appropriate coherent justification; communication of ideas fluently and clearly in terms of the conventions of the discipline. |
Pass | Provides sufficient evidence of the achievement of learning outcomes. There is demonstration of understanding and application of fundamental concepts of the field of study; routine argumentation with acceptable justification; communication of information and ideas adequately in terms of the conventions of the discipline. The learning attainment is considered satisfactory or adequate or competent or capable in relation to the specified outcomes. |
Fail | Does not provide evidence of attainment of learning outcomes. There is missing or partial or superficial or faulty understanding and application of the fundamental concepts in the field of study; missing, undeveloped, inappropriate or confusing argumentation; incomplete, confusing or lacking communication of ideas in ways that give little attention to the conventions of the discipline. |
Fail Hurdle | Student has obtained a raw mark over 50, yet failed all available attempts of at least one hurdle assessment. |
Review of Grade and final examination Script viewing: