Course Title: Interpret and use financial statistics and tools
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2012
Course Code: MKTG6988C
Course Title: Interpret and use financial statistics and tools
School: 650T TAFE Business
Campus: City Campus
Program: C6113 - Advanced Diploma of Accounting
Course Contact : Angelo Sellan
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925460
Course Contact Email:angelo.sellan@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 covers the application of techniques to access, interpret and analyse statistical data relevant to the financial services industry. It encompasses producing new statistical information and reports from existing data using a range of tools and processes. There are no regulatory or licensing requirements applicable to this unit at the time of endorsement.
If you are undertaking this course in Melbourne from semester 2, 2012 onward your class will be held in a device-equipped teaching space. Each student group will have access to a laptop. It is however recommended that you have access to a mobile computing device to allow greater flexibility in terms of where you can work on campus both in and outside class times.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
FNSINC602A Interpret and use financial statistics and tools |
Element: |
1. Apply statistical methods to work |
Performance Criteria: |
Apply Statistical Methods to Work Source and Interpret Statistical Data |
Learning Outcomes
Details of Learning Activities
This course is co-delivered with ACCT5317C Evaluate an Organisations Financial Performance . As a result, two course guides will be prepared but only the Elements, Performance Criteria, Critical Aspects, Knowledge and Skills requirements for each course will be specific to each course (guide). The remainder of the information such as "Teaching Activities" "Teaching Schedule" "Resources" and "Assessments Tasks & Matrix" will be identical on both course guides
Importantly, the attached information is consistent with the unit mapping document for this cluster
Using various materials along with facilitator led discussion, students will be progressively introduced to statistical methods which will be used to assist in forecasting and to provide insights into quantifying risk and return and applying this to the evaluation of the financial performance of a firm. This course will involve both theory and practical learning activities.
As part of this cluster , in-class activities will account for 96 of the 120 nominal hours allocated to these co-delivered cluster/courses and will include class work on theory, practical and computer work in the computer labs, together with work on portfolio exercises and assignment. Please note that in-class activities includes assessment. This will involve observation and one on one questioning of prescribed task execution. The remaining 24 of the 120 nominal hours are for self directed learning and should be taken up with work on any course study activity and the assignment outside of scheduled class time. Please note that the format of the classes will be a total of six hours per week (full time students)
Part time / Evening Students: Please note, your weekly schedule will differ from that prescribed to full time students shown below. For Part time weekly schedule with assessment due dates please refer to Blackboard shell.
Critical aspects of evidence:
- apply knowledge of statistical methods used in the financial services industry
- source and access statistical and other data and produce and interpret statistics
- use financial data tools and calculations to produce accurate and informative statistical reports from data
- ecord and store data for retrieval.
Skills
organisational skills, including the ability to plan and communication skills to:
• determine and confirm research requirements, using questioning and active listening as required
• liaise with others, share information, listen and understand
• use language and concepts appropriate to cultural differences
• literacy skills for drafting technical documentation
• highly developed numeracy and IT skills for:
• using statistical formulas
• accessing and using appropriate software such as word processors, spreadsheets and databases
• using internet information
• problem solving skills to identify any issues that have the potential to impact on the research and analysis process or outcome and to develop options to resolve these issues when they arise
• sequence work
Knowledge:
mathematical underpinnings of statistical methods
• the range of statistical ratios and analysis tools relevant to the financial services industry
• sources of relevant information available
• types of graphs, charts, diagrams and tables used in statistical modelling and reporting
• statistical standards
Teaching Schedule
The total number of scheduled hours of teaching, learning and assessment involved in this course will include all planned activities. This will incorporate face to face classes (six hours per week) online learning and other forms of structured teaching and learning. The total scheduled hours includes the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessments requirements, including observation of work performance, discussion with Facilitators and one on one sessions with students.
The nominal hours associated with this cluster are a guide only and represent the total teaching time and student effort required to successfully complete the course. This may include not only scheduled classes but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non classroom activities.
The teaching schedule below incorporates the two clustered or co delivered units.
| Week | Date | Content / Activity | Assessment |
| 1 | 6/2/2012 | Course requirements • Course support documents • Blackboard • Overview of assessment requirements including Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfers • Grading • Plagiarism • Appeals • Extensions • Feedback • Privacy • Submission requirements • Resubmission policy • Where to get support • Student responsibilities Finance function. Overriding goal of financial management |
|
| 2 | 13/2/2012 | Gearing. Operational and Financial Leverage Frequency tables and histograms (grouped data) & Relative frequency |
|
| 3 | 20/2/2012 | Measures of central tendency Risk and return (Expected return: Shares / Portfolio) TASK EP2 Consultation and Feedback Evidence Portfolio |
TASK EP1. Although all evidence porfolio pieces do not need to be submitted till week 15. It is expected for assessment and feedback purposes for this task to be completed by the first class of this week. Your facilitator will ask to sight this TASK anytime after this date |
| 4 | 27/2/2012 | Measures of dispersion Share risk / Portfolio Risk Time Series TASK EP2 Consultation and Feedback |
|
| 5 | 5/3/2012 | Correlation and regression Diversification: Systematic Vs Un-Systematic Risk Share Beta TASK EP2 Consultation and Feedback TASK 2HA Consultation and Feedback |
|
| 6 | 12/3/2012 | Working Capital: Operating / Cash Cycle TASK 2HA & EP tasks Consultation and Feedback Evidence Portfolio |
TASK EP2. Although all evidence portfolio pieces do not need to be submitted till week 15. It is expected for assessment and feedback purposes for this task to be completed by the first class of this week. Your facilitator will ask to sight this TASK anytime after this date |
| 7 | 19/3/2012 | Working Capital: Inventory management TASK 2HA & EP tasks Consultation and Feedback Evidence Portfolio |
TASK EP3. Although all evidence portfolio pieces do not need to be submitted till week 15. It is expected for assessment and feedback purposes for this task to be completed by the first class of this week. Your facilitator will ask to sight this TASK anytime after this date |
| 8 | 26/3/2012 | Working Capital: Receivables Management TASK 2HA & EP tasks Consultation and Feedback Evidence Portfolio: |
TASK EP4. Although all evidence portfolio pieces do not need to be submitted till week 15. It is expected for assessment and feedback purposes for this task to be completed by the first class of this week. Your facilitator will ask to sight this TASK anytime after this date |
| 9 | 2/4/2012 | Weighted Average Cost of Capital TASK 2HA & EP tasks Consultation and Feedback Evidence Portfolio |
TASK EP5. Although all evidence portfolio pieces do not need to be submitted till week 15. It is expected for assessment and feedback purposes for this task to be completed by the first class of this week. Your facilitator will ask to sight this TASK anytime after this date |
| Break |
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| 10 | 16/4/2010 | Capital Budgeting: NPV Cash Flow Construction TASK 2HA & EP tasks Consultation and Feedback Evidence Portfolio |
TASK EP6. Although all evidence portfolio pieces do not need to be submitted till week 15. It is expected for assessment and feedback purposes for this task to be completed by the first class of this week. Your facilitator will ask to sight this TASK anytime after this date |
| 11 | 23/4/2012 | Capital Budgeting: NPV Investments of Unequal Lives Capital Budgeting & Risk TASK 2HA & EP tasks Consultation and Feedback |
|
| 12 | 30/4/2012 | Evaluation of financial leases. Lease Vs borrow and buy TASK 2HA & EP tasks Consultation and Feedback Evidence Portfolio |
TASK EP7. Although all evidence portfolio pieces do not need to be submitted till week 15. It is expected for assessment and feedback purposes for this task to be completed by the first class of this week. Your facilitator will ask to sight this TASK anytime after this date |
| 13 | 7/5/2012 | TASK 2HA & EP tasks Consultation and Feedback | TASK 2HA to be submitted by the end of this week. If required you will receive the necessary feed back in weeks 15 and 16. The resubmission for this work is due by the end of week 16 |
| 14 | 14/5/2012 | Consultation and Feedback |
|
| 15 | 21/5/2012 | Consultation and Feedback Submit completed Evidence Portfolio |
|
| 16 | 28/5/2012 | Deferred and resubmitted assessments |
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
Financial Management: Principles and Applications 5th Edition (Revised) Pearson Clive Wilson, Bruce Keers, Andrew Medlen, Brian Walters |
References
Other Resources
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.
Students are advised that they are likely to be asked to personally demonstrate their assessment work to their teacher to ensure that the relevant competency standards are being met. Students will be provided with feedback throughout the course to check their progress
Assessment Tasks
You are required to complete 2 tasks. You must successfully complete both tasks to be deemed competent in this unit.
TASK 1 Evidence Portfolio. Completed portfolio due last class of week 15.
The Evidence Portfolio provides the formative assessment of the course and comprises a number of exercises denoted by the following "TASK EP" 1 or 2...etc as the case may be. The evidence portfolio includes seven (7) individual hurdle tasks. Each EP Task will focus on a particular topic. The learner will need to progressively finish these tasks as the various topics are completed. The "assessment" column of the teaching schedule above outlines the dates by which these tasks need to be completed. Your facilitator will ask to sight these tasks during class any time after this date. You will be asked to orally explain or demonstrate how you solved the task. These short sessions should be used for feedback purposes. You will then have the opportunity to review and adjust your task if required. All tasks should be saved and backed up securely. The Evidence Portfolio with all included tasks should be submitted by the last class of week 15. ALL individual evidence portfolio pieces must be satisfactorily completed (competent) to achieve and overall competent for this assessment.
TASK2HA Due Date last class of week 13.
This task comprises the holistic assessment of the course. You will need to draw on all topics to solve the various problems within a case. In this case you are an operative in an accounting firm and Louie a small business owner has approached you with a number of difficulties he is experiencing with his business and requires for you to carry out a financial evaluation of his business with a view to identifying the problem areas and providing recommendations to Louie in order to rectify his difficulties. You will need to supply Louie with a final report outlining your findings and recommendations. The report will need to be supported with the relevant calculations.
To be deemed competent in this task you must cover the following:
• use standard financial analysis techniques and accounting techniques plus organisational policies and procedures to evaluate returns to operations
• determine long and short-term organisational needs
• review financial performance across an organisation
• apply knowledge of statistical methods used in the financial services industry
• use financial data tools and calculations to produce accurate and informative statistical reports from data
• record and store data for retrieval
Submission Requirements
Assessment tasks need to be submitted via Blackboard.
You should:
• Ensure that you submit assessments on or before the due date. If your performance in the assessment is affected by unexpected circumstances, you should consider applying for Special Consideration. Information on the process and application forms is available at http://rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=ls0ydfokry9rz website.
• 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 work for assessment 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, Angelo Sellan, 55460, Task 2HA, ACCT5317C Evaluate an Organisations Financial Performance, Page 1 of 10.
Marking Guide (competency):
Vocational Education and Training (VET) is based on current industry needs and the focus on preparing you for the workplace. Because VET courses are informed by practical application of knowledge and skills, they are based on a system known as ‘competency based training’ (CBT). So when you are assessed in VET it is about whether you are competent to do the job, as well as having a firm grasp on the knowledge and skills required to do that job, as opposed to traditional curriculum based education settings that are often based on knowledge retention.
You need to demonstrate you are competent in each element of the unit of competency you are studying.
You will receive feedback on each assessment task that will inform you whether you are competent or not and how well you are performing. Once competent in all elements of the unit you receive a competency grading.
Please refer to the Final Grades table below.
Marking Guide (Grading)
After achieving competency we then grade your performance in the unit; this gives you the opportunity to have the level of your performance formally recognized against industry standards and employability skills.
The grading is according to the following criteria:
1. LEVEL OF INDEPENDENCE, INITIATIVE, ENTERPRISE AND PERFORMANCE OF WORK TASK
We are looking for a high level of ability to complete all tasks independently as per the specifications as well as demonstrating a high level of initiative in your approach to your tasks
2. DEMONSTRATED BREADTH OF UNDERPINNING KNOWLEDGE AND A WILLINGNESS TO CONTINUE LEARNING
We are looking for depth of understanding of the key concepts and knowledge required in completing your tasks. You should be able to demonstrate a thorough understanding of all applicable requirements in all the assessment tasks.
3. TECHNIQUES & PROCESSES, TECHNOLOGY SKILLS AND PROBLEM SOLVING
We are looking for appropriate use of technology to assist in presenting all tasks clearly and suitable for the intended audience.
4. WORK ORGANISATION, PLANNING AND SELF MANAGEMENT
We expect to see timely submission of all required assessment tasks.
5. COMMUNICATION, PEOPLE NETWORKING, LANGUAGE AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS AND TEAMWORK
We expect to see contributions to relevant discussions and scheduled collaborative sessions. In addition your team tasks will provide opportunities to demonstrate how well you work in a team.
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.
Assessment Matrix
Course Overview: Access Course Overview