Course Title: Interpret and use financial statistics and tools
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term2 2014
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
At the time of completing this document the staffing for these units had not been finalised. Past facilitators of the cluster have included;
Cluadio Marasco claudio.marasco@rmit.edu.au
Ian Nash ian.nash@rmit.edu.au
Meetu Aggarwal meetu.aggarwal@rmit.edu.au
Ifza Syed ifzal.syed@rmit.edu.au
Your faciliator may be selected from the list above. This will be clarrified in your first class session.
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: |
1.1. Appropriate statistical methods that apply to financial services work are evaluated and chosen to suit the required work outcome 2.1. Internal and external data and information sources are identified and accessed to source relevant current data 3.1. Organisational requirements and priorities are reflected in the analysis of statistical data 4.1. Records of data and statistical analysis are validated to ensure accuracy and consistency with industry and organisational standards |
Learning Outcomes
Details of Learning Activities
This unit comprises one of a co-delivered and assessed group of units referred to as a cluster. This cluster includes ACCT5317C Evaluate an Organisations Financial Performance and MKTG6988C Interpret and Use Financial Statistics and Tools . 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.
For FULL TIME STUDENTS; as part of this cluster , in-class activities will account for 80 of the 120 nominal hours allocated to these co-delivered cluster/courses and will include class work on theory, practical and computer work, 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 40 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 five hours per week (full time students).
For FLEX ED STUDENTS; (Applicable only in semesters where FLEX ED is offered) n-class activities will account for 27 of the 120 nominal hours allocated to these co-delivered cluster/courses and will include class work on theory, practical and computer work, 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 93 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 wil be a total of 3 hours per applicable week; please refer to "FLEXED SCHEDULE" below for time tabled classes. In addition; two COLLABORATIVE sessions will be held during the semester, the date and time of these sessions will be announced during the semester. It is the responsibility of the student to have the necessary technology available to access these sessions.
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
• record and store data for retrieval.
Required 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:
• use language and concepts appropriate to cultural differences
- 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 (five hours per week) online learning and other froms 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 toal 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 co-delivered units.
The weekly schedule immediately below is for FULL TIME students. You should regularly check the announcement board for any changes which may occur to the below plan during the semester.
| Week | Date | Content / Activity | Assessment |
| 1 | 07/07 |
• Course requirements Finance function. Overriding goal of financial management Gearing. Operational and Financial Leverage |
|
| 2 | 14/07 |
Frequency tables and histograms (grouped data) & Relative frequency distributions / histograms. Normal distributions and their qualities. Measures of central tendency. Determining a compound growth rate. Measures of dispersion |
Quiz 1. |
| 3 | 21/07 | Risk and return (Expected return: Shares / Portfolio) | |
| 4 | 28/07 |
Correlation and regression Diversification: Systematic Vs Un-Systematic Risk Share Beta |
|
| 5 | 04/08 | TASK 1HA Consultation and Feedback |
Quiz 2. FLIP THE CLASS |
| 6 | 11/08 |
Working Capital: Operating / Cash Cycle Working Capital: Inventory management |
|
| 7 | 18/08 | TASK 1HA Consultation and Feedback |
Quiz 3. PIT STOP review task 1HA (You are to have determined the Equity Beta of the selected proxy companies for the online project by start of this week) |
| 8 | 25/08 | Working Capital: Receivables Management TASK 1HA Consultation and Feedback |
Quiz 4. FLIP THE CLASS |
| 01/09 | MID SEMESTER BREAK | ||
| 9 | 08/09 |
Weighted Average Cost of Capital TASK 1HA Consultation and Feedback |
FLIP THE CLASS PIT STOP review task 1HA (You are to have determined the EOQ and requisite inventory level for both frame types and compared them to the respective current order size & inventory level in the case study by the start of this week) |
| 10 | 15/09 |
Capital Budgeting: NPV Cash Flow Construction TASK 1HA Consultation and Feedback |
Quiz 5.. PIT STOP review task 1HA (You are to have determined the entity wide WACC for the case study and arrived at the recommended discount to apply in order to incentivise cash sales, a comparison of the planned DTO with the current DTO should also be completed by the start of this week) |
| 11 | 22/09 |
TASK 1HA Consultation and Feedback |
FLIP THE CLASS PIT STOP review task 1HA ( You are to have completed the NPV investment appraisal of the Online project by the start of this week) |
| 12 | 29/09 |
Evaluation of financial leases. Lease Vs borrow and buy TASK 1HA Consultation and Feedback |
Quiz 6. PIT STOP review task 1HA (You are to have completed the PURE PLAY evaluation of the proposed online project by the start of this week) |
| 13 | 06/10 | TASK 1HA Consultation and Feedback |
Quiz 7. FLIP THE CLASS PIT STOP review task 1HA (You are to have completed the lease evalutaion of the Bob Cat by the start of this week) |
| 14 | 13/10 | Consultation and Feedback | TASK 1HA SUBMISSION by the end of this week. If required you will receive the necessary feed back in weeks 15 & 16. The resubmission for this work is due by week 16 up to the end of week 17. |
| 15 | 20/10 | Consultation and Feedback | Check Blackboard "My Grades" for feedback and possible resubmission notice. |
| 16 | 27/10 | Deferred and resubmitted assessments | Resubmission of TASK 1HA |
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
Financial Management. Principles and Applications. 5th Edition Revised. Pearson Clive Wilson, Bruce Keers, Andrew Medlen, Brian Walters |
References
Other Resources
All materials for this cluster of units will be available in the ACCT5317C Evaluate an Organisations Financial Performance Blackboard shell only, There is no need to access the alternative clustered unit blackboard shells.
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 3 tasks. You must successfully complete the requirements of each unit of competency in this cluster across the three tasks to be deemed competent in this unit.
TASK 1: Online Quizzes (seven).
These quizzes are to be completed online, they will be available in the "assessments" folder of the ACCT5317C Evaluate an Organisations Financial Peformance BLACKBOARD (My Studies)
These quizzes are to be completed online, they will be available in the "assessments" folder of the ACCT5317C Evaluate an Organisations Financial Performance BLACKBOARD (My Studies)
The quizzes will make up a portfolio of evidence, and will provide the formative assessment of the course. The quizzes will be denoted by the following "Quiz" 1 or 2...etc as the case may be. The evidence portfolio includes seven (7) individual online quizzes. Each quiz will focus on a particular topic or topics. The learner will need to progressively finish these quizzes as the various topics are completed. The "assessment" column of the teaching schedule above outlines the week in which the quiz will be first attempted. The specific quiz date within that week will be confirmed by your instructor a week prior to the quiz. The first attempt for each quiz will be a supervised in class assessment. For the purposes of demonstrating competency, there will be a total of three attempts ONLY allowed for each quiz. A practice quiz will be made available prior to the real quiz, it is recommended that the practice quiz is "practiced" prior to the real quiz. For purposes of grading; only your first attempt will count. If competency is not achieved after the first attempt, the candidate will have a further two opportunities to demonstrate competency. The remaining two attempts may be undertaken at any time up to 5.00pm Friday of the second week aftert the first attempt. These may be conducted outside of designated class times. ALL individual quizzes must be satisfactorily completed for the purposes of providing sufficient evidence to allow a judgement of overall competency to be made.
TASK 1HA
This task comprises the holistic assessment of the course. You will need to draw on all topics to solve the various problems within the 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.
There will be an illustrative case study introduced into the class which parallels the assignment case. The illustrative case will provide a vehicle which demonstrates the practical application of the techniques learned in prior weeks and through the formative assessments. It is expected that students will make significant in class contributions related to solving the illustrative case study. Students must have familiarised themselves with the specific aspects of the illustrative case prior to attending the class. These sessions are known as "flipped" class room sessions. These are important sessions for the purposes demonstrating employability skills.
Pitstop reviews of this assessment will be conducted throughout the semester. The purpose of these pitstops is to provide feedback on your progress in the assessments. To obtain effective feedback you must ensure that you have completed the assessments up to the point recommended as per the weekly course guide. If you are unable to attend or have your work reviewed in the class in those weeks you should submit your work progressively into the "Pit Stop Review" folder in the assessments area of the Blackboard. These pit stops are not compulsory but please be aware that they do afford an opportunity for feedback, and provide a plan for timely completion of the assessment. They also provide an avenue for your facilitator to confirm the authenticity of the work, if you have not completed a minimum of two pitstops during the semester you will be required to meet with your facilitator in week 16 for the purposes of demonstrating how you obtained / re-create findings from your assessment piece.
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
Assignment 1HA task needs to be submitted via Blackboard. Online Quiz Task is to be completed online (Unsupervised) Test; is to be completed online (supervised)
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. An assignment cover sheet for submission of work for assessment is available on blackboard, along with the assessment documents.
• 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. It is expected that assessments and assessment instructions are read carefully and followed. It is expected that the student regularly checks and reads course announcements.
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, although the quizzes will provide the main indicator of this criteria and will subsequently carry the greatest weighting related to grading.
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. Late submissions or missed deadlines will indicate poor performance in this area. We are also expecting students to be prepared for class exercises, this is particularly the case with performance in "flipped" class room sessions.
5. COMMUNICATION, PEOPLE NETWORKING, LANGUAGE AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS AND TEAMWORK
We expect to see contributions to relevant discussions and scheduled collaborative, and flipped class sessions, in these sessions students will be asked to provide solutions to problems, contribute to open discussion, report their findings to their colleagues. 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
Other Information
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 Not Yet Competent 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
Course Overview: Access Course Overview