Students

AFCP8102 – Financial Structure and Insights

2026 – Term 1, Online-scheduled-weekday

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Lydia Liu
lydia.liu@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MAppFin or GradDipAppFin
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit addresses the practical application of financial evaluation and appraisal techniques commonly used by firms and by investors.  A primary focus is the optimisation of value creation by the firm as it undertakes corporate finance activities.  Within this context, the unit addresses the various capital requirements of the firm as it progresses through the corporate development life cycle as an enterprise.  The unit builds on prior knowledge of key corporate finance concepts with progression involving more detail, increased complexity and an emphasis on practical applications within financial markets.

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: Examine and assess the practical application of financial models and methods commonly used by firms and by financial markets for the purpose of taking investment and capital management decisions.
  • ULO2: Critically assess the role and importance of value creation to the firm and its stakeholders as evidenced in financial markets.
  • ULO3: Effectively collate and communicate the quantitative and qualitative aspects of information used to support investment and capital management decisions.
  • ULO4: Reflect on how to effectively manage a multidisciplinary team as it addresses the diverse needs of various stakeholders including the client firm and financial market participants.    

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 Groupwork/Individual Short Extension
Professional Practice: Reflective Writing 25% No 08/03/2026 Individual No
Professional practice: Data analysis with industry databases 35% No 15/03/2026 Group No
Formal and observed learning: Final Examination 40% No Exam Period Individual No

Professional Practice: Reflective Writing

Assessment Type 1: Reflection task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: 08/03/2026
Weighting: 25%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension: No

The purpose of this assessment is for you to critically reflect on your learning throughout the case studies and current financial events that have been addressed in the course.

You will reflect on how you draw financial insights based on the case information to form an opinion which will drive either the valuation or critical assessment of the financial cases. You will also reflect on the financial analysis tools and framework that are learnt in the term and how they are applied in your evaluation of those case studies.

Skills in focus: - Critical thinking - Discipline knowledge

Deliverable: Reflection report Individual assessment
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Examine and assess the practical application of financial models and methods commonly used by firms and by financial markets for the purpose of taking investment and capital management decisions.
  • Critically assess the role and importance of value creation to the firm and its stakeholders as evidenced in financial markets.
  • Effectively collate and communicate the quantitative and qualitative aspects of information used to support investment and capital management decisions.
  • Reflect on how to effectively manage a multidisciplinary team as it addresses the diverse needs of various stakeholders including the client firm and financial market participants.    

Professional practice: Data analysis with industry databases

Assessment Type 1: Professional task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: 15/03/2026
Weighting: 35%
Groupwork/Individual: Group
Short extension: No

The purpose of this assessment is for you to gain practical experience in valuing a public listed company, and use the valuation resutl to inform potential investment decisions.

Working in a group, you will apply frameworks and concepts discussed in the unit to perform a comphresive evaluation of a selected company. You will conduct research and form justifiable assumptions that flow through the valuation framework to calculate financial values and relevant matrix to help make an investment decision. The results will be articulated in a professional report, which should include both quantitative modelling and qualitative analysis. Students are also required to make presentation about the key findings in the report.

Skills in focus: - Analytical Skills - Critical thinking - Communication - Digital Skills

Deliverable: Written report Group assessment
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Examine and assess the practical application of financial models and methods commonly used by firms and by financial markets for the purpose of taking investment and capital management decisions.
  • Critically assess the role and importance of value creation to the firm and its stakeholders as evidenced in financial markets.
  • Effectively collate and communicate the quantitative and qualitative aspects of information used to support investment and capital management decisions.
  • Reflect on how to effectively manage a multidisciplinary team as it addresses the diverse needs of various stakeholders including the client firm and financial market participants.    

Formal and observed learning: Final Examination

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: Exam Period
Weighting: 40%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension: No

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 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: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/assessment-exams/exams

Deliverable: Formal exam Individual assessment
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Examine and assess the practical application of financial models and methods commonly used by firms and by financial markets for the purpose of taking investment and capital management decisions.
  • Critically assess the role and importance of value creation to the firm and its stakeholders as evidenced in financial markets.
  • Effectively collate and communicate the quantitative and qualitative aspects of information used to support investment and capital management decisions.
  • Reflect on how to effectively manage a multidisciplinary team as it addresses the diverse needs of various stakeholders including the client firm and financial market participants.    

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

Teaching Materials and Additional Readings All teaching materials and additional readings are included in iLearn. Students should assume these readings are examinable unless otherwise advised.The recommended text for this unit is Principles of Corporate Finance (Brealey, Myers and Allen) 13th McGraw Hill (optional). 

Unit Web Page The web page for this unit can be found at: https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/login/

Important Notice: It is important that you familiarise yourself with the unit’s iLearn site. All students should check iLearn regularly and look for updates and distribution of materials related to the unit or assessments and participate in forum discussions.

Assumed access to technology: Access to a computer with word processing and spreadsheet capability is assumed, as is general student computer literacy. A recent version of Excel is the preferred choice of spreadsheet.

Delivery Format and Other Details Please refer to unit iLearn page.

Unit Schedule

Topic

Week commencing

Topic

Lecture Session

1

12/01/2026

Introduction

15/01/2026. 6:30 – 8:00pm

2

19/01/2026

Capital Markets

22/01/2026. 6:30 – 8:00pm

3

26/01/2026

Valuation A

29/01/2026. 6:30 – 8:00pm

4

02/02/2026

Corporate Life Cycle Development

05/02/2026. 6:30 – 8:00pm

5

09/02/2025

Valuation B

Weekend teaching block 1:

14/02/2026, 10:00 to 3:00pm

15/02/2026, 10:00 to 3:00pm

6

16/08/2025

Raising equity Capital

19/02/2026. 6:30 – 8:00pm

7

23/02/2026

Valuation C

26/02/2026. 6:30 – 8:00pm

8

02/03/2026

Alternative funding

Weekend teaching block 2:

07/03/2026, 10:00 to 3:00pm

08/03/2026, 10:00 to 3:00pm

9

09/03/2026

Mergers & Acquisitions

12/03/2026. 6:30 – 8:00pm

10

16/03/2026

Review & Integration

19/03/2026. 6:30 – 8:00pm

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.

Unit information based on version 2026.04 of the Handbook