Students

AFIN8081 – Professional Conduct and Governance in Banking and Finance

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 Unit Convenor
Elizabeth Sheedy
elizabeth.sheedy@mq.edu.au
Lecturer
Damian Bridge
damian.bridge@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MFin or (admission to MBkgFin and (30cp at 6000 level) or (10cp at 8000 level))
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit explores the complex ethical and regulatory landscape of the banking and finance industry, focusing on the principles and practices underpinning professional conduct and governance. Students will engage with key topics such as ethics, ethical decision-making processes, corporate culture and corporate governance. The curriculum integrates industry-specific codes such as the AFMA Code of Conduct, APRA’s risk management code and guide, and CFA Institute's ethical guidelines to provide a practical framework for understanding and navigating ethical dilemmas in professional settings. The unit also examines issues related to the challenges and expectations faced by finance professionals today. This unit will prepare students to act with integrity and accountability, fostering a culture of ethical professionalism in their future careers.

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: Reflect on contemporary ethical issues and on the theories and principles/standards that are applied to address them within the banking and finance sectors.
  • ULO2: Navigate and address contemporary ethical issues in the workplace with an informed and principled approach as an individual and group.
  • ULO3: Assess and manage risks in banking operations, ensuring compliance with common ethical standards and frameworks as an individual and group.
  • ULO4: Assess the impact of corporate culture and social responsibility on ethical behaviour within organisations as an individual and group.

General Assessment Information

Late Submission Penalties

If you submit your assessment late, 5% of the total possible marks will be deducted for each day (including weekends), up to 7 days. Submissions more than 7 days late will receive a mark of 0.

Example 1 (out of 100):

If you score 85/100 but submit 20 hours late, you will lose 5 marks and receive 80/100.

Example 2 (out of 30):

If you score 27/30 but submit 20 hours late, you will lose 1.5 marks and receive 25.5/30.

Extensions

Automatic short extension: Some assessments are eligible for automatic short extension. You can only apply for an automatic short extension before the due date.

Special Consideration: If you need more time due to serious issues and for any assessments that are not eligible for Short Extension, you must apply for Special Consideration. Need help? Review the Special Consideration page for further details.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due Groupwork/Individual Short Extension AI Approach
Professional practice: Frameworks and concepts 30% No Week 9 Group No Open AI
Skills development: Conduct & governance in practice 40% No 27/05/2026 Individual Yes Open AI
Skills development: Professional conduct and governance 30% No 01/05/2026 Individual Yes Open AI

Professional practice: Frameworks and concepts

Assessment Type 1: Problem-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Week 9
Weighting: 30%
Groupwork/Individual: Group
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach: Open AI

The purpose of this assessment is for you to gain expertise in applications in professional conduct and governance in banking and finance.

Students will apply frameworks and concepts discussed in the unit to a case study.

Skills in focus:

  • Collaboration and communication
  • Work readiness
  • Digital skills
  • Global, ethical & environmental citizenship
  • Discipline knowledge

Deliverable(s): Video Presentation + In-class Q&A Group assessment
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Navigate and address contemporary ethical issues in the workplace with an informed and principled approach as an individual and group.
  • Assess and manage risks in banking operations, ensuring compliance with common ethical standards and frameworks as an individual and group.
  • Assess the impact of corporate culture and social responsibility on ethical behaviour within organisations as an individual and group.

Skills development: Conduct & governance in practice

Assessment Type 1: Reflection task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 27/05/2026
Weighting: 40%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: Yes
AI Approach: Open AI

The purpose of this assessment is for you to critically reflect on your learning throughout the session.

You will reflect on both the content and application of the activities completed and knowledge gained throughout the session.

Skills in focus:

  • Communication skills
  • Global, ethical & environmental citizenship
  • Communication skills 
  • Work readiness

Deliverable(s): Written submission [1,500 words] Individual assessment
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Reflect on contemporary ethical issues and on the theories and principles/standards that are applied to address them within the banking and finance sectors.
  • Navigate and address contemporary ethical issues in the workplace with an informed and principled approach as an individual and group.
  • Assess the impact of corporate culture and social responsibility on ethical behaviour within organisations as an individual and group.

Skills development: Professional conduct and governance

Assessment Type 1: Reflection task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 01/05/2026
Weighting: 30%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: Yes
AI Approach: Open AI

The purpose of this assessment is for you to consistently build your expertise in ethical thinking, judgement and governance throughout the session.

You will consolidate and evaluate your learning, contributing to professional self-awareness and work readiness.

Skills in focus:

  • Global, ethical & environmental citizenship
  • Communication skills 
  • Work readiness
  • Discipline knowledge

Deliverable(s): Written submission [1,000 words] Individual assessment
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Reflect on contemporary ethical issues and on the theories and principles/standards that are applied to address them within the banking and finance sectors.
  • Navigate and address contemporary ethical issues in the workplace with an informed and principled approach as an individual and group.
  • Assess the impact of corporate culture and social responsibility on ethical behaviour within organisations as an individual and 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
  • Academic Success 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.

3 An automatic short extension is available for some assessments. Apply through the Service Connect Portal.

Delivery and Resources

Week 1: Introduction to Ethics

Week 2: How Can it All Go Wrong?

Week 3: What Really is Ethics?

Week 4: Library Presentation

Week 5: CFA

Week 6: CFA

Week 7: CFA

Week 8: Virtual Work Experience (NO CLASS)

Week 9: Video Presentations

Week 10: Ethics and Corporate Culture

Week 11: ASX, AFMA, FASEA, APRA

Week 12: Ethical Decision Making

 

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 2026.03 of the Handbook