Students

MQBS1040 – Financial Management for Business

2026 – Session 1, Online-scheduled-In person assessment, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor, Lecturer
Tas Husain
tas.husain@mq.edu.au
Contact via Email
Room 340, Level 3, 4 Eastern Road
Please check iLearn for details
Unit Moderator
Kevin Baird
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit describes and develops knowledge and skills in finance and accounting. Students will learn about financial institutions, financial markets, risk and regulation. They will explore the role of accounting and the accounting profession in business and society. Students will be provided with an opportunity to discuss evolving issues in and means of evaluating and presenting accounting and finance information. The key emphasis is on understanding how such information assists managers when making important business decisions.

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: Understand basic accounting and finance principles and concepts.
  • ULO2: Interpret key financial tools that are used in real world environments.
  • ULO3: Evaluate investment opportunities by applying financial analysis techniques.
  • ULO4: Develop financial decision making skills to optimise the performance of an organisation.

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 assisted?
Skills development: Financial management 30% No 02/04/2026 Individual Yes Open AI
Professional practice: Investment opportunities 30% No Written Report: Week 10 ; In Class Presentation: Week 11 Individual and Group No Open AI
Formal examination 40% No University Exam period Individual No Observed

Skills development: Financial management

Assessment Type 1: Reflection task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 02/04/2026
Weighting: 30%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: Yes
AI assisted?: Open AI

The purpose of this assessment is to build your expertise and skills in fundamental accounting and finance concepts, key financial tools, and financial decision making through investigating financial management scenarios.
 
You will engage with and reflect on weekly activities and problem sets and apply financial techniques to real-world cases.
 
Skills in focus:
  • Critical thinking and problem solving
  • Discipline knowledge
  • Work readiness
Deliverable(s): Reflective report [max 1200 words] excluding appendices with supporting evidence
 
Individual assessment
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Understand basic accounting and finance principles and concepts.
  • Interpret key financial tools that are used in real world environments.
  • Evaluate investment opportunities by applying financial analysis techniques.
  • Develop financial decision making skills to optimise the performance of an organisation.

Professional practice: Investment opportunities

Assessment Type 1: Problem-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Written Report: Week 10 ; In Class Presentation: Week 11
Weighting: 30%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual and Group
Short extension 3: No
AI assisted?: Open AI

The purpose of this assessment is for you to gain experience in producing a financial analysis in the form of a business report to key stakeholders.
 
You will work in teams to conduct an in-depth analysis of the business environment and financial performance of an ASX 200-listed company.
 
Skills in focus:
  • Discipline knowledge
  • Critical thinking and problem solving
  • Communication skills
  • Collaboration skills
Deliverable(s): Group written report [max 2500 words] and Individual presentation (10 min)
 
Individual and group assessment
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Interpret key financial tools that are used in real world environments.
  • Evaluate investment opportunities by applying financial analysis techniques.
  • Develop financial decision making skills to optimise the performance of an organisation.

Formal examination

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: University Exam period
Weighting: 40%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI assisted?: Observed

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(s): Formal exam
 
Individual assessment
 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Understand basic accounting and finance principles and concepts.
  • Interpret key financial tools that are used in real world environments.
  • Evaluate investment opportunities by applying financial analysis techniques.
  • Develop financial decision making skills to optimise the performance of an organisation.

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.

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

Delivery and Resources

Delivery and Resources

PRESCRIBED TEXTBOOKS:

  1. Birt, J., Chalmers, K., Maloney, S., Brooks, A., Bond, D. and Oliver, J. (2026) 'Accounting: Business Reporting for Decision Making, 9th Edition (9th edition)', Wiley, QLD, Australia.
  2. Parrino, R., Yong, H. A., Morkel-Kingsbury, N., Mazzola, P., Murray, J., Smales, L. (2026) 'Fundamentals of corporate finance, 5th Edition (5th edition)', Wiley, QLD, Australia.
  • Access to the textbook is essential for lecture references and for tutorial questions. All chapter references in the unit schedule refer to the prescribed textbook unless otherwise indicated.
  • There are various options available to access/purchase the textbook. Please refer to iLearn for more information on these options.

TECHNOLOGY USED AND REQUIRED

  • You must be familiar with the learning management system, iLearn;
  • Leganto where access to the e-textbook and other recommended readings are available can be found in MQBS1040 iLearn website;
  • You will need to conduct research and be familiar with Internet search engines and library database to source materials.

UNIT WEB PAGE

  • Course materials will be made available on the learning management system (iLearn). It is essential that you regularly visit the unit’s web page. It is here that you will have access to the Unit Guide, announcements, supplementary reading materials, lecture and tutorial materials, and staff consultation hours.
  • The web page for this unit can be found at: http://ilearn.mq.edu.au. To access the web page, you need to enter your username, password and second factor authentication. You should contact IT Helpdesk if you need any assistance at: at: https://students.mq.ed u.au/support/technology/service- desk

LEARNING AND TEACHING ACTIVITIES:

Classes for MQBS1040 in Session 1 2026 comprise of (1) weekly face-to-face on campus/livestream lectures and (2) weekly face-to-face on campus tutorials/online zoom tutorials

Unit Schedule

Study Schedule

Week

Lecture Topics

Week 1 - Week Starting 23 February

Decision Making, Financial Management and Role of Accounting

Week 2 - Week Starting 2 March

Types of Business Organisations

Basic Principles of Financial Management

Week 3 - Week Starting 9 March

Financial Markets, Financial Instruments and Financing the Business - Part 1

Week 4 - Week Starting 16 March

Financial Markets, Financial Instruments and Financing the Business - Part 2

Week 5 - Week Starting 23 March

Basic Financial Statements - Part 1

Week 6 - Week Starting 30 March

Basic Financial Statements - Part 2
3 April to 19 April  - MID-SESSION BREAK

Week 7 - Week Starting 20 April

Analysis and interpretation of financial statements

Week 8 - Week Starting 27 April

Cost Concepts and Analysis

Week 9 - Week Starting 4 May

Budgeting

Week 10 - Week Starting 11 May

Time Value of Money

Week 11 - Week Starting 18 May

Capital Budgeting

Week 12 - Week Starting 25 May

Ethics and Corporate Governance

Week 13 - Week Starting 1 June

Revision

 

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