Students

MMBA8035 – Finance for Business Leaders: Steering Growth and Performance

2025 – Term 2, In person-scheduled-weekday, City

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Lindesay Brine
lindesay.brine@mq.edu.au
Contact via Email / Teams
Thursday 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to GradCertBusAdmin or GradDipBusAdmin or GradCertDigFin or MMBA8040
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

Unlock the essential principles of financial management through the lens of a firm’s finance manager. This unit offers comprehensive insights into investment, financing, and dividend decisions, empowering you to navigate complex financial landscapes confidently. We will use finance theory to construct a robust framework for informed decision-making, supported by practical case studies and financial planning models that provide real-world context. Explore a range of methodologies for evaluating investment projects, assessing risk across competing initiatives, and conducting valuation and capital structure analyses. By mastering these strategic tools and techniques, you’ll be equipped to drive sustainable growth and optimise performance in any organisational setting.

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: Apply finance theory, frameworks and methods to form evidence-based and strategic investment solutions for a range of problems.
  • ULO2: Evaluate and communicate the implications of a firm’s finance and investment decisions/strategies for stakeholders both as an individual and a group.
  • ULO3: Analyse and employ models of business finance performance to measure and track the firm’s value creation across the firm’s operations both as an individual and a group.

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 apply for Special Consideration.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Skills development: Quiz and reflection 20% No 01/05/2025
Professional Practice: Company Valuation 40% No 26/05/2025
Formal and Observed Learning: Exam 40% No Exam Week (16-20 June 2025)

Skills development: Quiz and reflection

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: 01/05/2025
Weighting: 20%

 

The purpose of this assessment is for you to understand key finance concepts and their application in practice.   You will solve a set of finance problems based on content covered in class and then reflect on how these concepts can apply to your personal and professional life.   Skills in focus: - Discipline Knowledge - Critical Thinking - Problem Solving - Communication   Deliverable: Online Quiz (10%) and reflection [max. 750 words] (10%) Individual assessment

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Apply finance theory, frameworks and methods to form evidence-based and strategic investment solutions for a range of problems.
  • Evaluate and communicate the implications of a firm’s finance and investment decisions/strategies for stakeholders both as an individual and a group.

Professional Practice: Company Valuation

Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 26/05/2025
Weighting: 40%

 

The purpose of this assessment is for you to work with peers to demonstrate your capability in valuing a company and communicating the recommendations based on that analysis. You will create a complete financial model of a specified company and potential strategies, a company valuation and presentation of the recommendations and rationale.   Skills in focus: - Work Readiness - Critical Thinking - Problem Solving - Collaboration - Communication   Deliverable: Written Group report [max: 2,500 words - 20%] & Group Presentation [max: 3 mins per person marked individually 20%]   Individual and Group assessment

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Evaluate and communicate the implications of a firm’s finance and investment decisions/strategies for stakeholders both as an individual and a group.
  • Analyse and employ models of business finance performance to measure and track the firm’s value creation across the firm’s operations both as an individual and a group.

Formal and Observed Learning: Exam

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: Exam Week (16-20 June 2025)
Weighting: 40%

 

The purpose of this assessment is for you to demonstrate the expertise you have gained in this unit.   You will participate in a 2-hour online open-book exam held during the University Examination period, including an oral component. 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: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/assessment-exams/exams   Deliverable: Open-book online & oral exam Individual assessment

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Apply finance theory, frameworks and methods to form evidence-based and strategic investment solutions for a range of problems.
  • Evaluate and communicate the implications of a firm’s finance and investment decisions/strategies for stakeholders both as an individual and a group.
  • Analyse and employ models of business finance performance to measure and track the firm’s value creation across the firm’s operations both as an individual and a group.

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

This unit is delivered in person at the City Campus and online simultaneously.

Unit Schedule

All classes are held weekly from 6 pm until 10 pm each Wednesday.

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/

Academic Success

Academic Success 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.

Changes from Previous Offering

Assessment changes

Unit information based on version 2025.07 of the Handbook