Personal Investment

Unit Code:HBC618

Credit Points	Duration	Contact Hours	Campus	Prerequisite	Corequisite
12.5 Credit Points	One teaching period	36 hours	Hawthorn	None	None

Credit Points

Duration

Contact Hours

Campus

Prerequisite

Corequisite

12.5 Credit Points

One teaching period

36 hours

Hawthorn

None

Related Course/s:

A unit of study in the Master of Practising Accounting and a unit of study in the Master of Finance and Banking suite.

Aims & Objectives:

The purpose of this unit of study is to provide students with the skills and expertise to manage their money and investments and be better able to assist others in managing their investments. This unit provides strong insights into the various investment alternatives available and, more importantly, it enhances student's ability to develop a way of thinking about investments that will remain in the years ahead when new investment opportunities arise as a result of changes to our financial system.

At the conclusion of this unit students should be able to:

Make recommendations about the various avenues for the investment of funds, including shares, fixed-interest securities, managed funds, derivative securties and property (PO8)
Evaluate and specify various levels of risk associated with different investment alternatives (PO1&8)
Evaluate the process of portfolio selection and ongoing investment strategies (PO8)
Analyse and review the impact of taxation on investment planning (PO6&8)
Critically examine the need for and the benefits of retirement planning (PO6&7)
Identify and analyse all relevant issues, including ethical issues, with the financial planning process (PO5&6)

Teaching Methods:

Delivered as 3 hour blocks in evenings or 5 hour blocks at weekends. Total student workload is 120 hours.

Assessment:

Test (Individual) 10-20%
Presentation/Participation (Individual) 5-10%
Assignment (Group) 15-20%
Examination (Individual) 50-60%

Generic Skills Outcomes:

This unit aims to achieve the following in our students:

Teamwork skills
Analysis skills
Problem solving skills
Communications skills
Ability to work independently
Ability to behave ethically and honestly

Content:

The investment environment
Fundamental concept of diversification; risk - return trade-offs and risk management of a porfolio
Security analysis and it's application, share evaluation and implication of efficient markets
Fixed interest securities
Managed Investments and portfolio peformance evaluations
Introduction to alternative investments including options, futures, warrants and convertible securities
Investing in real estate
Taxation in an investment context
Superannuation
Personal financial planning and investment advice
Socially responsible investment
Ethical issue in financial planning and investment management

Reading Materials:

Students are advised to check the unit outline in the relevant teaching period for appropriate textbooks and further reading.