MAA318 - Advanced Financial Planning

Unit details

Year

2025 unit information

Enrolment modes:Trimester 1: Online
Trimester 2: Burwood (Melbourne), Waterfront (Geelong), Online
Credit point(s):1
EFTSL value:0.125
Previously coded as:MAF312
Unit Chair:Trimester 1: Gurbinder Gill
Trimester 2: Gurbinder Gill
Cohort rule:Nil
Prerequisite:

MAA255, MAA317, MAA319

Corequisite:MLC301
Incompatible with:

MAF312

Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment:

1 x 3 hour on-campus seminar (recordings provided) each week.

Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - online unit enrolment:

1 x 1.5 hour recorded lecture and 1 x 1.5 hour online seminar (recordings provided) each week.

Typical study commitment:

Students will on average spend 150 hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit.

This will include educator guided online learning activities within the unit site.

Content

This unit is the capstone unit of the financial planning major. It specifically builds on financial planning concepts developed in earlier units of the course in earlier financial planning units to generate more advanced strategic solutions for clients and the generation of a Statement of Advice. The assessment for this unit requires the preparation of a comprehensive, client-focused financial plan or Statement of Advice using financial planning software - XPLAN. In the first few topics we review the process of developing client strategies and a Statement of Advice and the legislative requirements that govern the financial planning process. In subsequent topics we review the content and techniques of a range of functional areas within financial planning with a view to using these techniques to strategically improve the financial position of clients.

Learning Outcomes

ULO These are the Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOs) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can:

Alignment to Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs)

ULO1

Analyse and evaluate the legal, social and ethical responsibilities of financial planners and the Australian regulatory framework within which they operate.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO4: Critical Thinking
GLO8: Global citizenship
ULO2

Apply interpersonal skills and techniques to identify client needs and objectives and build client relationships and communicate financial advice.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO2: Communication

ULO3

Analyse and critically evaluate a comprehensive set of client circumstances.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO5: Problem solving

ULO4

Construct a compliant comprehensive Statement of Advice (SOA) to meet client requirements in an ethical and professional manner.

GLO2: Communication
GLO5: Problem solving
GLO8: Global citizenship

ULO5

Leverage digital resources to source and analyse data to prepare financial information and projections for a client. GLO3: Digital Literacy

Assessment

Assessment Description Student output Grading and weighting
(% total mark for unit)
Indicative due week
Assessment 1: (Group of 3)
Problem Based Written Assessment
1500 words 20% Week 4
Assessment 2: (Individual)
Report (Analytical)
1500 words 20% Week 7
Assessment 3: (Individual)
Part A: Report (Client)
Part B: Online Presentation (Recorded)
Part A: 3500 words 
Part B: 20 minutes
Part A: 40%

Part B: 20%
Week 11

The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.

Hurdle requirement

Hurdle requirement: Successfully complete the professional literacy module to evidence proficiency as aligned to the course learning outcomes and graduate employability.

Learning resource

The texts and reading list for MAA318 can be found via the University Library.

Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.

Unit Fee Information

Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, and your study load.

Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.

Estimate your fees

For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current Students website.