Students
ACCG3050 – Financial Statement Insights and Analysis
2025 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Convenor
Jengfang Chen
Moderator
Mostafa Hasan
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|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
130cp at 1000 level or above
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
The unit aims to equip students to undertake financial analysis and the valuation of listed companies. Students are taught the following steps in financial analysis and valuation: (i) evaluating the state of the economy, the industry and a company, (ii) analysing the company's accounting policies, evaluating its financial position using financial ratios and other analytical tools, (iii) forecasting the company's financial statements, and (iv) using a variety of techniques to value the company so that an investment decision can be made. Students will develop graduate capabilities in a range of areas, including: analytical skills in information management and analysis; problem-solving skills in sourcing and identifying relevant information and interpreting output; and communication skills through the presentation of group reports. |
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: Undertake group work to perform a financial analysis and business valuation using a structured approach.
- ULO2: Interpret annual reports and other related public disclosures and evaluate a listed company's strategic decisions, accounting policies, financial position and growth potential.
- ULO3: Explain linkages between economic environment, industry, strategy and the company valuation.
- ULO4: Examine how financial statements are used in the valuation process.
- ULO5: Compare different valuation models and investigate the sensitivity of the valuation to changes in the key input parameters.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional practice: Financial statement analysis | 20% | No | Week 7 |
| Skills development: Group Research Report | 40% | No | Week 12 (Group report) Week 12 & 13 (Presentation) |
| Formal and observed learning: Exam | 40% | No | University Exam Period |
Professional practice: Financial statement analysis
Assessment Type 1: Case study/analysis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Week 7
Weighting: 20%
The purpose of this assessment is for you to develop your expertise in financial statement analysis - a key competency for professionals working in the accounting and finance industry. You will investigate a practical scenario in the form of a case study for a specified company or business. Skills in focus: - Discipline Knowledge - Critical Thinking - Communication Deliverable: Written report [max: 2,000 words] Individual assessment
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Interpret annual reports and other related public disclosures and evaluate a listed company's strategic decisions, accounting policies, financial position and growth potential.
- Explain linkages between economic environment, industry, strategy and the company valuation.
- Examine how financial statements are used in the valuation process.
- Compare different valuation models and investigate the sensitivity of the valuation to changes in the key input parameters.
Skills development: Group Research Report
Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: Week 12 (Group report) Week 12 & 13 (Presentation)
Weighting: 40%
The purpose of this assessment is for you to develop your skills in researching the basis for financial statement treatments . You will research the correct treatment of a company's financial statements Skills in focus: - Discipline Knowledge - Work Readiness - Communication - Collaboration Deliverable: Research report, presentation Individual and group assessment
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Undertake group work to perform a financial analysis and business valuation using a structured approach.
- Interpret annual reports and other related public disclosures and evaluate a listed company's strategic decisions, accounting policies, financial position and growth potential.
- Explain linkages between economic environment, industry, strategy and the company valuation.
- Examine how financial statements are used in the valuation process.
- Compare different valuation models and investigate the sensitivity of the valuation to changes in the key input parameters.
Formal and observed learning: Exam
Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: University Exam Period
Weighting: 40%
The purpose of this assessment is for you to formally demonstrate the expertise you have gained in this unit. You will participate in a 2-hour exam held during the University Examination period. Important information about the exam will be made available on the unit iLearn page. You should also review the MQ Exams website for general tips. Deliverable: Formal exam Individual assessment
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Interpret annual reports and other related public disclosures and evaluate a listed company's strategic decisions, accounting policies, financial position and growth potential.
- Explain linkages between economic environment, industry, strategy and the company valuation.
- Examine how financial statements are used in the valuation process.
- Compare different valuation models and investigate the sensitivity of the valuation to changes in the key input parameters.
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
Classes
There are 3 hours of teaching per week consisting of one 1.5-hour face-to-face lecture and one 1.5-hour face-to-face tutorial.
The timetable for classes can be found on the University web site at: http://www.timetables.mq.edu.au/
Changes to tutorial times are managed by e-student. It is not necessary to contact members of staff about tutorial changes. On-line enrolment changes to tutorials will be closed at the end of Week 2 so all changes must be made by then.
Required Texts
Palepu, Healy, Wright, Bradbury and Coulton, Business Analysis & Valuation: Using Financial Statements, 3rd Asia Pacific Edition, Cengage Learning, 2020.
Consultation Times
The consultation timetable will be made available on iLearn at the beginning of the session. Consultation will start from Week 3. You are encouraged to seek help at a time that is convenient to you from a staff member teaching on this unit during their regular consultation hours. In special circumstances, an appointment may be made outside regular consultation hours.
Students experiencing significant difficulties with any topic in the unit must seek assistance immediately.
Unit Web Page
Course material is available on the learning management system (iLearn). The web page for this unit can be found at: https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/ from where you need to login to iLearn.
Unit Schedule
|
Week |
Lecture Topic |
Readings (from Palepu et al., 2020) |
Assessment Due |
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1 |
A framework for business analysis and valuation |
Chapter 1 |
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2 |
Strategy Analysis |
Chapter 2 |
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3 |
Accounting Analysis |
Chapter 3 & 4 |
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4 |
Financial Analysis |
Chapter 5 |
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5 |
Financial Analysis (Contd.) |
Chapter 5 |
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6 |
Credit Analysis |
Chapter 10 |
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7 |
Forecasting Income Statement |
Chapter 6 & 8 |
Case study/analysis |
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Mid-Session Break |
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8 |
Forecasting Balance Sheet & Review of Cost of Capital |
Chapter 6 & 8 |
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9 |
Equity Valuation |
Chapter 7 & 8 |
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10 |
Equity Valuation (Contd.) |
Chapter 7 & 8 |
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11 |
Price Multiples and Market Efficiency |
Chapter 7 & 9 |
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12 |
Report submission and presentation |
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Group Report & Presentation |
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13 |
Revision/Presentation |
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Presentation |
Note: This unit schedule is subject to change at the discretion of Unit Convenor.
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:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Complaints Resolution Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy
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.
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Unit information based on version 2025.03 of the Handbook