Course overview
This course will introduce students to the financial planning industry, its regulatory and ethical requirements, and to the techniques and products associated with offering personal investment and financial planning advice. The financial planning environment: evolution of financial planning industry; industry participants; role of financial planning; regulatory and licensing issues. Financial planning skills: personal financial statements; financial ratio analysis; financial mathematical skills in financial planning; investor goals and objectives. Ethics and compliance: principles of the Financial Advice Association of Australia (FAAA) Code; the regulatory framework for financial planning and its evolution; role of the Australian Securities Investment Commission (ASIC). Investment choices: investor attributes and risk profile; investment categories; nature and forms of investments; risk and return relationship; effect of diversification; matching investors to products. Direct investments: fixed income securities; equities; property; cash; participants and benefits; assets valuation. Indirect investments: growth and characteristics of managed funds; fund types; management and investment styles; measuring and analysing performance. Leveraged investments: geared investments; tax implication of geared investments; mortgages; margin lending; derivatives.
Course learning outcomes
- Outline the functions of the financial planning industry and the legislative requirements within which the participants within the industry conduct their business.
- Identify the skills and ethical requirements required of the financial planner.
- Evaluate the impact of investor characteristics and the investor's risk profile on the design of personal investment portfolios.
- Introduce and appraise the roles of the various investment classes and types of investments commonly utilised in financial planning.
- Enhance communication skills for effective financial presentations.
- Demonstrate UniSA Business Enterprise Skills: i) Problem Solving (intermediate level); ii) Ethical Awareness (intermediate level); iii) Teamwork (intermediate level); iv) Written Communication (intermediate level); and v) Oral Communication (intermediate level).