MAA318 - Advanced Financial Planning
Unit details
| Year | 2026 unit information |
|---|---|
| Enrolment modes | Trimester 1: Online Trimester 2: Burwood (Melbourne), Waterfront (Geelong), Online |
| Credit point(s) | 1 |
| Previously coded as | MAF312 |
| EFTSL value | 0.125 |
| Unit chair | Trimester 1: Gurbinder Gill Trimester 2: Gurbinder Gill |
| Cohort rule | Nil |
| Prerequisite | MAA255, MAA317, MAA319 |
| Corequisite | MLC301 or MLL406* D322 students must study MLL406. |
| 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. |
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
Each unit in your course is a building block towards Deakin's Graduate Learning Outcomes - not all units develop and assess every Graduate Learning Outcome (GLO).
| 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, build client relationships and communicate financial advice. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO3 | Analyse and critically evaluate a comprehensive set of client circumstances. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO4 | Construct a compliant comprehensive Statement of Advice (SOA) to meet client requirements in an ethical and professional manner. | GLO2: Communication |
| 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 5 |
| Assessment 2: (Individual) Report (Analytical) | 1500 words | 20% | Week 7 |
| Assessment 3: (Individual) Part A: Report (Client) Part B: Presentation (Live) | Part A: 3500 words Part B: 20 minutes | Part A: 40% Part B: 20% | Week 12 |
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 requirements
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.
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)
To fully engage with Deakin's learning experiences, students must be able to access and use internet-connected devices as outlined in computing requirements at Deakin.
To support student success at Deakin, we have a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) learning environment that acknowledges that students and educators bring with them the digital tools they regularly use to complete academic tasks. These tools stay with you beyond the classroom, helping you to keep learning, explore ideas more deeply, and connect with knowledge in ways that matter to you.
Students requiring a loan device should visit our Loan Laptop webpage or students requiring longer-term assistance should visit our Student Financial Assistance webpage.
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.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current Students website.