Finance for Decision-making – 2024S2

Note: this subject is suitable for students currently undertaking the Graduate Certificate or within the Phase 1 learning stage of the Graduate Diploma courses. Please check the subject outline for more information on this subject prior to enrolling.

Class timetable (AEST/AEDT)

Group 1
Lectures: XXXday 0:00 PM / Discussion: XXXday 0:00 PM
Group 2
Lectures: XXXday 0:00 PM / Discussion: XXXday 0:00 PM
Group 3
Lectures: XXXday 0:00 PM / Discussion: XXXday 0:00 PM

Students will be able to choose their study group from Monday XX July until Friday XX August - Access the guide from the Institution Page of Blackboard Learning Management System after finalising subject enrolment.

The aim of this subject is to develop knowledge of finance and accounting and the ability to use that knowledge to interpret financial and accounting information in order to provide advice to the board, or a similar decision-making body, in strategy development and/or decision-making.

Learning outcomes:

1. Understand and interpret financial reports
2. Identify the financial reporting regulatory regimes and their objectives
3. Identify and critically evaluate sources of finance and their associated risks and returns
4. Utilise the major fundamental financial models and evaluate these for decision-making
5. Conceptualise the nature and importance of capital structure and the cost of capital and evaluate these for decision-making

Indicative content:

1. Introduction to accounting and business decision-making
2. The conceptual framework for financial reporting
3. Financial statement components — The balance sheet
4. Financial statement components — Statement of profit or loss and statement of changes in equity
5. Financial statement components — The cash flow statement and other financial report areas
6. Analysis and interpretation of financial statements
7. Monitoring and controlling the business and performance measurement
8. Financing the business — Associated risks and returns
9. Capital structure and cost of capital
10. Financial investment principles
11. Investing in capital projects (capital budgeting)
12. Competitive advantage and the capital budgeting decision process

Required texts:

Birt J, Chalmers K, Maloney S, Brooks A and Oliver J, 2017, Accounting: Business Reporting for Decision Making, 6th ed, John Wiley & Sons Australia Ltd; Accounting Standards.