Course Title: Develop and prepare financial plan

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2015

Course Code: BAFI5191C

Course Title: Develop and prepare financial plan

School: 650T Vocational Business Education

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5317 - Diploma of Financial Planning

Course Contact : Sam Tabit

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 1466

Course Contact Email:sam.tabit@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Nominal Hours: 60

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

None

Course Description

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to develop and prepare a financial plan that meets the client’s needs. It encompasses establishing plan objectives and scope, and developing strategic assumptions, strategies and a preliminary financial plan compliant with regulatory and organisational requirements.


This unit is applicable to individuals working within enterprises and job roles subject to licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements including legislation administered by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).
 


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

FNSFPL503A Develop and prepare financial plan

Element:

1. Establish plan objectives and scope
 

Performance Criteria:

1.1. Research results are reviewed and compared to client requirements and expectations
1.2. Current client situation is analysed to determine opportunities and constraints
1.3. Desired financial resource and market parameters are identified and assessed
1.4. Plan objectives are developed for asset growth, income, risk, taxation and any other objectives developed in consultation with the client

Element:

2. Develop strategic assumptions
 

Performance Criteria:

2.1. Client related and economic key assumptions are developed and tested
2.2. Legislative and regulatory requirements, including taxation assumptions, are identified and tested
2.3. Clarifications are sought from client or other professionals as required and strategic assumptions documented for client review

Element:

3. Develop financial plan strategy
 

Performance Criteria:

3.1. Initial strategic options are developed based on strategic assumptions and client specifications
3.2. Strategic options are analysed and modelled with any inappropriate options rejected
3.3. Supporting arguments for each final strategic option are developed and included in a draft overall strategy
3.4. Any necessary client checks or consultations are made to verify the plan strategy

Element:

4. Develop preliminary financial plan
 

Performance Criteria:

4.1. Specific products and options are selected to meet agreed strategy with cash flow, liquidity and capital preservation or estate planning requirements incorporated as required
4.2. Recommendations for financial asset allocation structure are developed including where provision is required for equities, trusts, partnerships, allocated pensions, and superannuation and planned capital expenditure
4.3. Recommendations for changes to income and taxation arrangements are developed including referral advice to accountants or lawyers as appropriate
4.4. Recommendations on risk management strategies and products are developed and incorporated in the plan4.5. Anticipated fees and charges are incorporated into the preliminary plan with information on internal and external complaint resolution procedures available to the client
4.6. Preliminary financial plan is documented according to organisation guidelines and procedures

Element:

5. Ensure compliance of financial plan with regulatory and organisational requirements
 

Performance Criteria:

5.1. Preliminary financial plan is checked to ensure that the role of the representative/adviser is properly documented and complies with relevant acts, regulations and regulatory guidelines
5.2. Preliminary financial plan is assessed for its ability to successfully achieve objectives
5.3. Preliminary financial plan is checked to ensure that it complies with ethical and regulatory requirements

Element:

6. Produce completed plan
 

Performance Criteria:

6.1. Financial plan is produced in accordance with organisational quality control requirements
6.2. Supporting organisation and product explanatory information is attached
6.3. Regulatory and complaints information where required is attached


Learning Outcomes



Details of Learning Activities

A range of learning activities are planned for this course including self-paced and collaborative classroom based activities including:

 

  • Reading of and note taking from the prescribed textbook and other references;
  • Completion of tutorial exercises prior to each workshop. Tutorial exercises consist of practical problems, short answer questions, multiple choice, case studies and extension exercises;

The collaborative classroom based activities will include group discussion, group problem solving activities, opportunities to practice skills in a s simulated work environment

We expect you ro participate and contribute in all scheduled learning activities.
 


Teaching Schedule

Induction Session


Prior to training commencement a program level induction session will be conducted that comprises the following:

  • Program overview and requirements
  • MyRMIT/Blackboard
  • Overview of assessment requirements
  • Pre-training Review including: Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfers and Assessment of current skills and knowledge
  • Competency/grading criteria
  • Plagiarism
  • Appeals
  • Extensions
  • Feedback
  • Privacy
  • Submission Requirements
  • Resubmission policy
  • Where to get support
  • Student responsibilities

 

Students will be provided with feedback throughout the semester.

NOTE: The teaching schedule may be subject to change. Students will be advised via the Blackboard and student email of any changes.

Week

                         

Week commencing                       Topic                                              Assessment      
 1  6 July  2015

Introduction to the Course including:

  • Course requirements
  • Course support documents Course Blackboard access
  • Accuracy of enrolment
  • Assessment requirements/cover sheets including RPF & credit
  • transfers
  • Reminder re Plagiarism
  • Reminder re Appeals
  • Extensions and Resubmissions
  • Feedback in the course
  • Reminder re-submission requirements
  • Getting help

 Introduction to Financial Planning

  • The Concept of Financial Planning
  • Personal Financial Statements,
  • Establishing Financial Goals and Time Frames 
  • Risk and Return
 
2

13 July 2015

Financial Planning Skills
Obtaining and Analysing Customer Data

  • Financial mathematics
  • Diversification

 

 
3 20 July 2015

Introduction to Taxation

  •  Income Tax
  •  Capital gains Tax
  •  Goods and Services Tax
  •  Fringe Benefits Tax
  •  Tax Effective Structures. 

Task 1 - In Class Assessment - Due
4   27 July 2015 Managed Investments
  • Regulations
  • Costs & Benefits
  • Investment Techniques

 

 

Task 2 - Case Study Handout distributed
If required, resubmission for this assessment is due by no later than end of week 16
 
5  3 August 2015

Direct Investments

  • Financial Products, including:
  • Cash and Fixed Interest
  • Property
  • Shares
  • Alternative investments

 

 
6   10 August 2015

Analysis of Share Investments

  • Risk & Return
  • CAPM
  • Dividend Growth Model
 
7   17 August 2015 Assessment task 2   
8  24 August 2015 The Financial Planning Profession
 The Role of the Financial Planner

The Steps in Preparing a Plan

  • The Regulatory Environment
  • The Legislative Environment
  • Complaints Schemes
  • Codes of Ethics

 

 
    31 Aug - 6 Sept Mid semester  
9  7 September 2015 Development of a Personal Plan
  • The Statement of Advice
  • Ethical Considerations
  • Effective Communication
  • Planning for Implementation
 
10   14 September 2015 Development of a Personal Plan
  • The Statement of Advice
  • Ethical Considerations
  • Effective Communication
  • Planning for Implementation
 
11   21 September 2015

Social Security

  • Eligibility - Means Test
  • Assets Test
  • Deeming

 

 Task 2 - Case Study due
12  28 September 2015

Social Security

  • Eligibility - Strategies to achieve benefits
  • Discussing Individual Needs
  • Types of Benefits

 



 
13  5 October 2015 Estate Planning
  • Wills & Probate
  • Taxation
  • Power of Attorney
 
 
14 12 October 2015

Estate Planning

  • Intestacy
  • Trusts
  • Structures
  • Estate/Non estate assets

 

 
15 19 October 2015 Final Class assessment task 3  Task 3 - In Class Assessment - Due
 16  26 October 2015 Feedback and resubmissions

 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

Financial Planning in Australia - 2015 Essentials Edition by Taylor, S.; Juchau, R.; Seymour, E.; Cull, M.; Colley, G.; Monahan, R.; Perkins, M.; Griffin, R. , 2014
ISBN: 9780409339710


References

  Students also have access to RMIT’s Financial Planning Course Notes that will be referred to throughout the semester for class work and self study purposes. These can be downloaded from Blackboard


Other Resources

Students have access to Blackboard which includes:

1- Online activities

2- Self-paced learning

3- Readings

4- Course material and external resources to access


Overview of Assessment


 Assessment may incorporate a variety of methods including technical requirements documentation, homework, assignments, group and/or individual projects, in class exercises, written and practical tests, problem solving exercises, presentations, direct observation of actual and simulated work practice, presentation of a portfolio of evidence which may comprise documents, and/or photographs and/or video and audio files, review of products produced through work-based or course activities.

You are advised that you are likely to be asked to personally demonstrate your assessment work to your teacher to ensure that the relevant competency standards are being met. You will be provided with feedback throughout the course to check their progress
 


Assessment Tasks

Co-delivered and co-assessed courses:

This course is codelivered  and co-assessed with the following courses:

BAFI5189C Provide advice in financial planning

MKTG6075C Provide appropriate services, advice and products to clients

ACCT5336C Analyse financial market products fro clients

Critical aspects of assessment:

Evidence of the following is essential:

  • comply with relevant legislation and industry codes of practice and interpret and apply organisational operational requirements policies and procedures
  • establish plan objectives and scope, and develop strategic assumptions and a financial plan strategy ensuring compliance of the plan with regulatory and organisational requirements
  • develop a detailed financial plan that maximises the client’s outcomes and reach client objectives and identify key assumptions on which the plan is based
  • analyse strategic options and make justified recommendations using use in in-depth knowledge of the financial planning industry, regulations, codes of practice and financial products, financial markets and investment characteristics
  • assess impacts of taxation, social security, economic and other government policies on client investment and financial requirements

Assessment Tasks

You are required to complete 3 tasks. You must successfully complete all 3 tasks to be deemed competent in this unit.

Task 1 - In Class Assessment (Due Date Week 3)<o:p></o:p>

For this Assessment Task you are required to demonstrate your knowledge by completing an open book in class assessment comprised of a series of theoretical and practical questions including a mini case study. This assessment will take place during your normal scheduled class time.<o:p></o:p>

 Task 2 - Case Study (Due Date Week 11)<o:p></o:p>

For this assessment task you are required to work in groups of two to three students.

Task 2 is a group assessment and the progress of work can be monitored using Google shared Drive.

Case Study comprises of Part A ( Knowledge component) and Part B Case Study presentation skills component.

For Part A of the assessment task, you are required to research and develop strategies based on a case study covering  topics from week 1 to week 10.

Part A is group work.

Students must successfully complete part Part A in order to progress to Part B Skills component.

Part B is an individual assessment of the successful completion of Part A knowledge based group work.

In this assessment you are required to demonstrate your communication skills by presenting findings of Part A to a client in a simulated role play.

 TASK 3 - In Class Assessment (Due Date Week 15)<o:p></o:p>

For this assessment task you need to undertake an open book in class assessment based on all material covered in this course (Weeks 1 -14).

 


Assessment Matrix

    

Other Information

Submission Requirements

You must :

  • Ensure that you submit assessments on or before the due date.

Upload the group case study on google drive to share with your group members

  • Always retain a copy of your assessment tasks. (hard copy and soft copy)
  • When you submit work for assessment at RMIT University you need to use a cover sheet that includes a declaration and statement of authorship. You must complete, sign and submit a cover sheet with all work you submit for assessment, whether individual or group work. On the cover sheet you declare that the work you are presenting for assessment is your own work. An assignment cover sheet for submission of each assessment task is available on blackboard.
  •  Each page of your assessment should include footer with your name, student number, the title of the assessment, unit code and title and page numbers. For example, Julie Macpherson, 324567, Task 2, OHS2345C Ensure safe workplace, Page 1 of 10.

Late Submission Procedures

You are required to submit assessment items and/or ensure performance based assessment is completed by the due dates.

If you are prevented from submitting an assessment item on time, by circumstances outside your control, you may apply in advance to your teacher for an extension to the due date of up to seven calendar days.

More Information: http://www.rmit.edu.au/students/assessment/extension
Form to use: http://mams.rmit.edu.au/seca86tti4g4z.pdf

Where an extension of greater than seven days is needed, you must apply for special consideration. Applications for special consideration must be submitted no later than two working days after the assessment task deadline or scheduled examination.

More Information: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=g43abm17hc9w
Form to use: http://mams.rmit.edu.au/8a5dgcaqvaes1.pdf

Resubmissions (VET Programs):

If you are found to be unsuccessful in a Course Assessment Task you will be allowed one resubmission only. Your teacher will provide feedback regarding what you need to do to improve and will set a new deadline for the resubmission. The highest grade you will receive if your resubmission is successful is “CAG”.

If you are still not meeting the assessment requirements you must apply to your Program Manager in writing outlining the steps you will take to demonstrate competence in your course. Your submission will be considered by the Program Team and you will be advised of the outcome as soon as possible.
Adjustments to Assessment

In certain circumstances students may be eligible for an assessment adjustment. For more information about the circumstances under which the assessment arrangements might be granted please access the following website:

More Information: http://rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=7usdbki1fjf31

Marking Guide (Competency):


You must demonstrate that you have all the required skills/knowledge/elements in the unit of competency you are studying.
You will receive feedback on each assessment task that will inform you about your progress and how well you are performing.
Marking Guide (Grading)
After achieving competency we then grade your performance in the unit and you will achieve one of the following grades:

Final Grades table:


CHD - Competent with High Distinction
CDI - Competent with Distinction
CC - Competent with Credit
CAG - Competency Achieved – Graded
NYC - Not Yet Competent
DNS - Did Not Submit for assessment

Further information regarding the application of the grading criteria will be provided by your teacher.

Course Overview: Access Course Overview