Course Title: Critical Analysis in Financial Planning
Part A: Course Overview
Course Title: Critical Analysis in Financial Planning
Credit Points: 12.00
Course Coordinator: Dr. Mahesh Joshi
Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 1453
Course Coordinator Email: mahesh.joshi@rmit.edu.au
Course Coordinator Location: RMIT Building 80, Level 11, Room 94
Course Coordinator Availability: Appointment via email
Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities
You are recommended to have completed all eight core courses (except for BAFI3246 Applications in Financial Planning) or have equivalent knowledge before starting this course.
Course Description
This course is designed as a capstone course that will give students the opportunity to critically reflect on and consolidate what has previously been learnt in the program. This course also includes a Work Integrated Learning (WIL) experience in which students’ knowledge and skills will be applied and assessed in a real or simulated workplace context, and where feedback from industry and / or community is integral to the experience.
As a result, the course will allow students to research contemporary and emerging issues encountered by a licensee and financial planner. Students will be required to work in teams to research issues and develop practical solutions. Contemporary issues include but are not limited to: ethical standards; regulation of the profession; strategic issues such as fee for service versus commission service structures, relevant ‘Banking’ Royal Commission recommendations, stakeholder perceptions of professionalism, managing retirement needs of an ageing population, and possible future advice models.
This course has been designed to meet the new standards set by Financial Adviser Standards and Ethics Authority (FASEA) of what constitutes a ‘relevant degree’ pursuant to Corporations Amendment (Professional Standards of Financial Advisers) Act 2017.
Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development
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On successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
- Synthesise a body of knowledge that is drawn from research in personal financial advice, and includes issues around competent practice management, regulation, compliance obligations and ethical considerations.
- Analyse, synthesize and evaluate the complex issues presented by industry experts in an applied research context.
- Actively collaborate with experts in the field on an applied research project and communicate findings to industry and peers.
- Apply knowledge of research principles and methods with creativity and initiative, to critically analyse contemporary and emerging issues in financial planning.
- Apply knowledge and skills to conduct research in authentic Work Integrated Learning (WIL) professional contexts.
Overview of Learning Activities
Your learning will be supported through various activities which largely ensure industry engagement on contemporary research issues interspersed with other activities that may include quizzes; assignments; prescribed readings; sourcing, researching and analysing specific information; solving problems; debating selected topics on discussion forums and producing written work.
Overview of Learning Resources
Various learning resources are available online through MyRMIT Studies\Canvas. The lecture notes and workshop notes are posted on Canvas.
Resources are also available online through RMIT Library databases and other facilities. Visit the RMIT library website for further details. Assistance is available online via our chat and email services, face to face at our campus libraries or via the telephone on (03) 9925 2020.
Additional resources and/or sources to assist your learning will be identified by your course coordinator and will be made available to you as required during the teaching period.
Overview of Assessment
The assessment alignment list below shows the assessment tasks against the learning outcomes they develop.
Assessment Task 1: 25%
Linked CLOs: 1, 2, 3
Assessment Task 2: 15% (WIL)
Linked CLOs: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Assessment Task 3: 60% (WIL)
Linked CLOs: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Feedback will be provided throughout the semester in class and/or in online forums through individual and group feedback on practical exercises and by individual consultation.