Courses & Units

Financial Planning BFA204

Introduction

The unit Financial Planning will help you gain an understanding of how financial advisers and support staff are part of a large industry that provides necessary services to the community and contributes to Australia’s economic performance. Working through this unit should also help you understand what factors affect the various job tasks that advisers do. The financial services industry is undergoing rapid change, with new jobs being created and other jobs disappearing. The way in which financial advisers work today is very different from the way things were ten years ago. And the way in which you will work in five or ten years is expected to be very different from now. This unit is intended to help you understand these changes and to prepare you to be part of these changes. The aim of Financial Planning is to develop a strong foundation for students wishing to pursue a career in the financial services industry, as well as providing invaluable knowledge and skills in personal finance. Upon completion of this course, students should have an understanding of the regulatory framework governing the Australian financial services industry and possess basic financial planning skills in investment advice The `key areas' that are important for the financial planning process are examined, namely: the regulatory framework; investments; managed funds; superannuation; home ownership; risk management and insurance; taxation; consumer credit; social security; estate planning.

Summary

Unit name Financial Planning
Unit code BFA204
Credit points 12.5
College/School College of Business & Economics
Tasmanian School of Business and Economics
Discipline Finance
Coordinator Mr Paul Taranto
Available as an elective? Yes
Delivered By University of Tasmania
Level Intermediate

Availability

Location Study period Attendance options Available to
Hobart Semester 2 On-Campus International Domestic
Online Semester 2 Off-Campus International Domestic

Key

On-campus
Off-Campus
International students
Domestic students
Note

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Key Dates

Study Period Start date Census date WW date End date
Semester 2 22/7/2024 16/8/2024 9/9/2024 27/10/2024

* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).

Unit census dates currently displaying for 2024 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2024 will be available from the 1st October 2023. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

  • Describe the financial planning industry and social framework.
  • Explain the role and function of the financial planner and how the role applies to the client-planner relationship.
  • Apply financial planning tools and concepts.
  • Communicate financial planning tools and concepts.

Fee Information

Field of Education Commencing Student Contribution 1,3 Grandfathered Student Contribution 1,3 Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution 2,3 Domestic Full Fee 4
080101 $2,040.00 $1,597.00 not applicable $2,979.00

1 Please refer to more information on student contribution amounts.
2 Please refer to more information on eligibility and Approved Pathway courses.
3 Please refer to more information on eligibility for HECS-HELP.
4 Please refer to more information on eligibility for FEE-HELP.

If you have any questions in relation to the fees, please contact UConnect or more information is available on StudyAssist.

Please note: international students should refer to What is an indicative Fee? to get an indicative course cost.

Teaching

Teaching Pattern

Tuition Pattern Details

Activity Type Duration Frequency
Lectures 2 hours Weekly
Workshops 2 hours 6 times in the semester
AssessmentAssignment (30%)|Three (3) Online Quizzes (30%)|Examination - take home (40%)
TimetableView the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required

You will need the following text:

Taylor, S, Juchau, R 2019, Financial Planning in Australia 2019 Essentials Edition, LexisNexis Butterworths, Sydney

 

You can purchase the text (in physical form or E-book version) directly from the publisher. Go to LexisNexis at https://store.lexisnexis.com.au/ Enter ISBN: 9780409349047 

Recommended

https://fpa.com.au/about/financial-planning-magazine/


In addition to the texts (or software) recommended above, students are also expected to be familiar with the key academic journals in the discipline from which useful insights may be derived. In particular, students are encouraged to review regularly the relevant papers that are published in:

Financial planning is a dynamic area. Students are therefore urged to follow current events and developments in finance in the press. This includes reading the following periodical regularly (look for special student offers): ):

The Australian Financial Review (www.afr.com), (www.afr.com),

The Economist (www.economist.com), (www.economist.com),

The Financial Times (www.ft.com), (www.ft.com).

The Wall Street Journal (www.wsj.com). (www.wsj.com).

There are many resources on the web, but be aware not all of them are worthwhile. Consult the leading textbooks for references. 

Among academic journals look in Journal of Finance, Journal of Applied Corporate Finance, Accounting and Finance, and other journals that can be found in the library.

LinksBooktopia textbook finder

The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.