Students

AFIN3012 – PACE: Issues in Corporate Finance

2024 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Di Bu
di.bu@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
ACCG350 or ACCG3050 or AFIN352 or AFIN3052 or AFIN353 or AFIN3053
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit comprises a series of academic lectures and industry seminars accompanied by a case study. The aim of the unit is to provide an up-to-date, integrated treatment of the valuation of businesses and investment opportunities that seriously considers industry practice and recent advances in valuation methods. This unit takes you inside the valuation process, learning it step by step, which resembles the industry valuation practice. You will emerge with the skills to understand the fundamentals of market pricing, perform intrinsic valuations, and make and/or suggest investment decisions with due diligence. The unit will showcase several lectures presented by senior industry specialists. Visit Employability Connect for important information on this unit.

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:

  • ULO1: Explain the principles and theory behind each valuation technique.
  • ULO2: Evaluate business valuation techniques and apply appropriately to real-world problems.
  • ULO3: Critically reflect on the process of business valuation practices and on working productively in teams when undertaking corporate financial analysis and valuation.
  • ULO4: Communicate professionally such as in making investment recommendations and providing consultancy advice.

General Assessment Information

Late Assessment Submission Penalty (written assessments) 

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a grade of ‘0’ will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical concern.  

For any late submissions of time-sensitive tasks, such as scheduled tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, and/or scheduled practical assessments/labs, students need to submit an application for Special Consideration.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Industry Partner Project 40% No Week 8
Final Report 30% No Week 13
Group Presentation 30% No Week 13

Industry Partner Project

Assessment Type 1: Case study/analysis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: Week 8
Weighting: 40%

 

In collaboration with our industry partners, students will be engaged in a significant project that reflects the real-world challenges and practices of the finance industry. The project will encourage students to apply their theoretical knowledge to real-world situations, develop innovative solutions, and engage in analytical thinking. The nature and focus of the project will vary depending on the specific industry partner and current trends in the industry.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain the principles and theory behind each valuation technique.
  • Evaluate business valuation techniques and apply appropriately to real-world problems.

Final Report

Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 30%

 

At the end of the semester, students are expected to submit a final report that critically evaluates the strategies employed and the outcomes of the project. This report should display the students' understanding of the relevant financial concepts, critical evaluation of their application, and reflection on the learnings from the project.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain the principles and theory behind each valuation technique.
  • Evaluate business valuation techniques and apply appropriately to real-world problems.

Group Presentation

Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 30%

 

Each group will present their project to the class, including a critical analysis of the process, strategies used, results achieved, and their reflections. The presentation should showcase the group's problem-solving skills, teamwork, and their ability to communicate complex financial concepts and strategies effectively.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Critically reflect on the process of business valuation practices and on working productively in teams when undertaking corporate financial analysis and valuation.
  • Communicate professionally such as in making investment recommendations and providing consultancy advice.

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

None

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

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 connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.

IT Help

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.

Unit information based on version 2024.02 of the Handbook