Ethics and Professionalism unit (BFA515)

Hobart, Online

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

Availability

Location	Study period	Attendance options		Available to
Hobart	Semester 1
Online	Semester 1

Note

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Key Dates

Study Period	Start date	Census date	WW date	End date
Semester 1	22/2/2026	16/3/2026	19/4/2026	13/6/2026

* 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 2026 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2026 will be available from the 1st October 2025. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

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

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	$2,174.00	$1,703.00	not applicable	$3,284.00

• Available as a Commonwealth Supported Place
• HECS-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility³
• FEE-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility⁴

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 UniConnect 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	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.
Assessment	Research task (25%)|Take home exam (30%)|Case Study Analysis: Part A due: Week 5 & Part B due: Week 12 (45%)
Timetable	View 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

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