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Ethics and Professionalism unit (BFA515)

This unit is approved as a bridging course by FASEA.

Introduction

The study of ethics, from the Greek meaning ‘character’, may be defined as the philosophical enquiry into theories of human conduct: establishing what is morally right as opposed to what is morally wrong. Ethics may be simply described as moral philosophy, or perhaps the principles of goodness by which people live. For the purpose of this unit, we may use the term ethics interchangeably with right conduct or moral goodness. Essentially ethics is the reasoning behind our assessment of the morality of actions or decisions. We will study professional ethics and codes of conduct as mechanisms whereby professions are able to represent to the public that certain standards of behaviour, competence and care are being met. Codes of ethics are universal statements of principle, which provide adherents with general guidance about positive or good behaviour. A code of conduct typically provides some form of rules, which are specific and relate to certain behaviours in that profession or business. These rules usually provide descriptions of conduct, which is unacceptable to the profession or business. Some professions and organisations combine codes of ethics and codes of conduct while others, such as the Financial Adviser Association of Australia, keep the two separate.

Summary

Unit name Ethics and Professionalism
Unit code BFA515
Credit points 12.5
College/School Tasmanian School of Business and Economics
Discipline Accounting
Coordinator Mr Paul Taranto
Delivered By University of Tasmania
Level Postgraduate

Sustainable Development Goals

The Unit Coordinator has identified that this unit aligns with the following UN Sustainable Development Goals. We welcome your thoughts and feedback on the alignment of the unit with these goals.

Availability

Specific information on 2027 unit availability will be available in August

Learning Outcomes

  • Articulate the importance of the Financial Planners and Advisers Code of Ethics 2019 (formally known as the FASEA Code of Ethics) and the values that underpin it.
  • Contrast different ethics frameworks as applied to financial planning incorporating sustainable principles.
  • Apply ethics frameworks to resolve dilemmas that are encountered in the role of a financial adviser.
  • Explain the importance of the best interest duty of a financial adviser and the due diligence in maintaining client records.

Fee Information

2027 fee information will be available in August.

Teaching

Teaching Pattern

 For this unit, on-campus classes will be delivered in intensive two hour block workshops, six times a semester. Please refer to the Timetable and MyLO site for further details.

AssessmentResearch task (25%)|Take home exam (30%)|Case Study Analysis: Part A due: Week 5 & Part B due: Week 12 (45%)
TimetableView the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required

Cull, M., Miller, M., Bruhn, A., Skultety, C. (2021). Ethics and Professional Practice in Financial Planning 1st Edition, Lexis Nexis, Australia. ISBN: 9780409353204 

Recommended

N/A

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