Financial Planning and Advising

Subject 333-691 (2008)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2008.Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 6.250
Level: Graduate/Postgraduate
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2008:

Semester 1, - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable

Semester 2, - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 18 hours per semester (Semester 1, Semester 2).
Total Time Commitment: Not available
Prerequisites: This subject is only available to those students that would satisfy the entry criteria for the Master of Applied Finance or who have already completed 100 points in the Master of Financial Management.
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability
Subject Overview: This subject focuses on the role of the professional financial adviser in personal financial planning. Topics will be drawn from: risk and return analysis; investment asset classes; features of different investment products; taxation issues relating to securities and the impact of tax on various investment choices; the advantages and disadvantages of gearing; estate planning; rent versus buy decision-making problems; superannuation issues; insurance; relevant legal principles and industry standards; codes of conduct and the relationship between ethics and regulatory requirements.
Assessment: A 2-hour end-of-semester examination (80%) and assignments totalling not more than 1000 words (20%).
Prescribed Texts: None
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills: On successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
  • Explain the features of various retail investment asset classes.
  • Analyse risk and effective return.
  • Critically evaluate the features of different investment products and their suitability for clients.
  • Explain the relationship between ethics and regulatory requirements and be aware of relevant legal principles, industry standards and codes of conduct.
  • Analyse the after-tax impact of various investment choices.
  • Explain and demonstrate the advantages and disadvantages of gearing.
  • Analyse and evaluate renting versus buying decision-making problems.
  • Identify and calculate eligibility for social security benefits.
  • Synthesise, and apply to individual circumstances, the fundamental issues surrounding superannuation.
  • Critically evaluate the importance of estate planning in the financial planning process.
  • Identify and explain the principles concerned with different types of insurance.

On successful completion of this subject, students should have improved the following generic skills:

  • Oral communication
  • Written communication
  • Collaborative learning
  • Problem solving
  • Team work
  • Statistical reasoning
  • Application of theory to practice
  • Interpretation and analysis
  • Critical thinking
  • Synthesis of data and other information
  • Evaluation of data and other information
  • Using computer software
  • Accessing data and other information from a range of sources
Related Course(s): Master of Applied Finance
Master of Financial Management

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