Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Lecturer
Roland Winn
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 (AFCP801 or 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
This aim of this unit is to improve students’ decision-making around financial forecasts or understanding key value drivers in financial models. The course is designed for students who are required to assess or build financial statements or models including equity and credit analysis, banking, consulting or a corporate finance function. Building on concepts introduced in ECFS866, this unit complements other corporate finance electives. The unit will allow students to explore the linkage between a company's strategy and industry competitive structure, and financial performance. We will analyse financial performance by demonstrating financial analysis techniques, and assess the impact of accounting issues in analysing a company's financial results. The course tests students’ abstract reasoning and critical thinking whilst improving their financial modelling skills.
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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-course Assignment | 15% | No | At First Class |
Assignment | 35% | No | Refer to iLearn |
Final Exam | 50% | Yes | Refer to Timetable |
Due: At First Class
Weighting: 15%
Summary of Assessment Task
Individual / Group: Individual.
Due Date: At first class.
Grading Method: Refer to 'Standards Required to Complete the Unit Satisfactorily' section.
Submission Method: In class.
Duration: Refer to Assignment Coversheet.
Extension Requests:
Other Information: Pre-course assignment will involve review of material from prerequisite subjects and will be available in course notes and iLearn site.
Due: Refer to iLearn
Weighting: 35%
Summary of Assessment Task
Individual / Group: Either as Individual or Group.
Due Date: Refer to iLearn.
Grading Method: Refer to 'Standards Required to Complete the Unit Satisfactorily' section.
Submission Method: Via Turnitin on iLearn.
Duration: Refer to Assignment Coversheet.
Extension Requests:
Other Information:
Due: Refer to Timetable
Weighting: 50%
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 20 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:
Background Text:
You are not required to buy latest editions of these books; whatever you used when you did the prerequisite will be sufficient as background reference.
Additional Readings:
Lecture Notes: Available in printed form and electronically via iLearn.
Pre-unit Materials: Information papers on statistics, regression, accounting and other material may be found at http://mafcstudents.mq.edu.au/new-to-mafc/pre-course-materials/. Students should work through this material prior to commencing the degree. The material will remain a useful reference as students progress through the program.
Useful References: Supplementary Not Required: Koller, Goedhart, Wessels (2010), Valuation: Measuring and Managing the Value of Companies, Wiley, 5th Edition.
Calculators:
Assumed Access:
Unit iLearn Site:
Important Notice:
The financial performance of any business is inextricably linked to the strategic and operating decisions of management and the industry structure in which the firm exists. This topic is designed to provide an overview of industry and corporate strategy. The aim of this topic is to review several broad frameworks of strategic analysis in order to provide context to financial analysis and forecasting.
Topic 2 will provide the basis for more detailed review of financial performance of an enterprise. Students should re-familiarise themselves with the financial statement analysis conducted in core Corporate Finance. The topic will build on prior FSA skills to be applied in case framework and across different settings in Topic 3.
Topic 3 combines industry and competitive strategy analysis from Topic 1 and financial statement analysis from Topic 2. This is a practical, “hands-on” topic using real company information. A brief overview of Operating Strategy will be conducted followed by a series of workshop exercises using blind case examples to match financial performance across various industry groupings and company strategies.
DCF modelling is an often underappreciated tool due to its dependency on key inputs. Modelling involves more than extrapolating past historical performance and financial relationships. In addition to industry and strategic factors, advanced, reliable modelling requires identification of key value drivers and extrapolation of those relationships. This topic is designed to take students beyond static modelling to encompass a more dynamic - realistic - industry and company environment.
Topic 4 will cover:
DISCLAIMER: A number of equity broker reports will be used in this topic. These are not to be construed as investment recommendations and are for illustrative purposes only.
This topic will look at the functions of an equity analyst with a focus on applying the checks and balances discussed in Topic 4 on a financial model. The topic will review the components of actual analysts’ reports by way of example.
Students will:
Topic 6 examines analysis of risk to cashflows and how credit policy impacts operating performance. The topic examines particular ratios related to debt covenants and measures of potential credit risk or default. A review of rating agency methodology and credit protection mechanisms will be provided. A discussion on the balance between equity and credit demands, and the impact on strategy and industry structure will round out the topic.
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 (http://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 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:
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: