Students
ACCG8305 – CPA - Financial Risk Management
2026 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Lecturer
Mostafa Hasan
4ER (309)
Unit Moderator
Chris Patel
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
(ACCG907 or ACCG8307) and (ACCG908 or ACCG8308) and (ACCG913 or ACCG8313)
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit provides extended formal academic support for students concurrently enrolled in the Financial Risk Management unit of the CPA program. It provides knowledge, principles, skills and an appreciation of the treasury function in a corporate environment. It presents an overview of various aspects of treasury focusing on the identification and management of financial risks that organisations face. The unit also addresses investment evaluation, the sourcing of necessary funds for an organisation, and the application of and accounting for hedge instruments. In addition, the unit considers the need for suitable controls within the treasury function. |
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: Demonstrate an understanding of the different financial risks that companies face and formulate strategies to manage these financial risks
- ULO2: Analyse practical elements of accounting for derivatives, including embedded derivatives used for hedging purposes
- ULO3: Apply accounting standards for recording financial transactions
- ULO4: Analyse the significance for companies having adequate controls to safeguard against financial loss and propose specific policies and procedures to reduce risk
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due | Groupwork/Individual | Short Extension |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Formal examination | 20% | No | Week 6 | Individual | No |
| Formal examination: Test | 20% | No | Week 10 | Individual | No |
| CPA - External exam | 30% | Yes | CPA Examination period | Individual | No |
| Professional practice: Financial risk analysis | 30% | No | Weeks 12 & 13 | Individual and Group | No |
Formal examination
Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: Week 6
Weighting: 20%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension: No
The purpose of this assessment is for you to demonstrate your understanding and knowledge of key topics from the unit.
You will participate in a formal test. Feedback on this test will help you assess your progress through the unit content.
Deliverable(s): Test
Individual assessment
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the different financial risks that companies face and formulate strategies to manage these financial risks
- Analyse practical elements of accounting for derivatives, including embedded derivatives used for hedging purposes
- Apply accounting standards for recording financial transactions
- Analyse the significance for companies having adequate controls to safeguard against financial loss and propose specific policies and procedures to reduce risk
Formal examination: Test
Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: Week 10
Weighting: 20%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension: No
The purpose of this assessment is for you to demonstrate your understanding and knowledge of key topics from the unit.
You will participate in a formal test. Feedback on this test will help you assess your progress through the unit content.
Deliverable(s): Test
Individual assessment
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the different financial risks that companies face and formulate strategies to manage these financial risks
- Analyse practical elements of accounting for derivatives, including embedded derivatives used for hedging purposes
- Apply accounting standards for recording financial transactions
- Analyse the significance for companies having adequate controls to safeguard against financial loss and propose specific policies and procedures to reduce risk
CPA - External exam
Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: CPA Examination period
Weighting: 30%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension: No
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)
Examination administered by CPA Australia. CPA Australia will advise on the format and topics included in the final exam. Students need to achieve at least a PASS mark in this CPA external examination.
If students do not pass this CPA examination, students will not pass this unit.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the different financial risks that companies face and formulate strategies to manage these financial risks
- Analyse practical elements of accounting for derivatives, including embedded derivatives used for hedging purposes
- Apply accounting standards for recording financial transactions
- Analyse the significance for companies having adequate controls to safeguard against financial loss and propose specific policies and procedures to reduce risk
Professional practice: Financial risk analysis
Assessment Type 1: Professional task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: Weeks 12 & 13
Weighting: 30%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual and Group
Short extension: No
The purpose of this assessment is for you to work with peers to demonstrate your capability in identifying key financial risks faced by a publicly listed company.
You will identify financial risks, propose risk management strategies, and recommend performance benchmarks, which you will present in a written business report and a short presentation of your findings and rationale.
Skills in focus:
- Critical thinking and problem solving
- Discipline knowledge
- Communication skills
- Collaboration skills
Deliverable(s): Group report [max 1500 words] and Individual presentation
Individual and group assessment
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the different financial risks that companies face and formulate strategies to manage these financial risks
- Analyse practical elements of accounting for derivatives, including embedded derivatives used for hedging purposes
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
Required textbook CPA Program: Financial Risk Management 4th Edition (enhanced)
• Unit Web Page www.mq.edu.au
• Technology used and required familiarity with iLearn and access to a computer
• Delivery format and other details, including timetable found at http://timetables.mq.edu.au
• Recommended readings mentioned in CPA Financial Risk Management text
• Other course materials as suggested in the CPA text or in iLearn
Unit Schedule
ACCG8305 CPA - Financial Risk Management (S1, 2026)
Unit Schedule
|
Week |
Date |
Lecture Topic |
|
1 |
28/1/2026 |
Module 1 Introduction to Financial Risk Management |
|
2 |
4/2/2026 |
Module 2 Management of Liquidity, Debt and Equity |
|
3 |
11/2/2026 |
Module 3 Investment Evaluation & Capital Structure |
|
4 |
18/2/2026 |
Module 4 Derivatives |
|
5 |
25/2/2026 |
Module 5 Interest Rate Risk Management |
|
6 |
4/3/2026 |
Class Test - 1 |
|
7 |
11/3/2026 |
Module 6 Foreign Exchange & Commodity Price Management |
|
8 |
18/3/2026 |
Module 7 Accounting for Derivatives & Hedge Relationships |
|
9 |
25/3/2026 |
Module 8 Controlling Risks |
|
10 |
1/4/2026 |
Class Test - 2 |
|
11 |
8/4/2026 |
Test results and Revision |
|
|
|
CPA Exams [13 April –28 April] |
|
12 |
29/4/2026 |
Presentations & Project submission |
|
13 |
6/5/2026 |
Presentations & Project submission |
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.
Grading policy
|
MQ (70%) |
CPA (30%) |
Overall (MQ final grade) |
Recommended actions |
|
Pass |
Pass |
Pass |
|
|
Pass |
Fail |
Incomplete |
Re-enrol with CPA Australia ONLY |
|
Pass |
FA |
Incomplete |
Re-enrol with CPA Australia ONLY |
|
Fail |
Pass |
Fail |
Re-enrol with MQ ONLY |
|
Fail |
Fail |
Fail |
Re-enrol with MQ and CPA Australia |
|
Fail |
FA |
FA |
Re-enrol with MQ and CPA Australia |
To be eligible to pass the unit, it is necessary to:
Gain the necessary knowledge by preparing fully and attending classes regularly
and attempting ALL assessment components.
Obtain at least a PASS assessment in the CPA external examination. Note that if you do NOT pass the CPA exam, you cannot attain a pass in this Unit in this Session.
If a student passes the MQ component but fails the external CPA exam, an Incomplete grade (UL) will be given. The student must re-enrol in the failed subject with CPA Australia in the following session. If the student does not sit for the CPA exam in the following session, the UL grade will change to a Fail grade.
If a student deferred the CPA Exam in the session enrolled with MQ, the student must inform the MQBS Student Services by submitting an AskMQ inquiry so the grade can remain as UL for a session. The student will need to sit for the CPA exam in the following session and based on the CPA exam result, the grade will be finalised.
If a student has failed the same external CPA exam twice, the MQ Incomplete grade will be changed to a Fail grade, and the student will need to re- enrol with MQ and CPA Australia in the following session.
The UL grade will only be kept for one session.
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.
- Workshops
- Chat with a WriteWISE peer writing leader
- Access StudyWISE
- Upload an assignment to Studiosity
- Complete the Academic Integrity Module
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:
- IT Support
- Accessibility and disability support with study
- Mental health support
- Safety support to respond to bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual assault
- Social support including information about finances, tenancy and legal issues
- Student Advocacy provides independent advice on MQ policies, procedures, and processes
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 2026.03 of the Handbook