ACCTFIN 7017 - Financial Statement Analysis (M)

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2021

Financial Statement Analysis is essential for all individuals working in the business world. Understanding financial accounting information is critical for a wide range of business decision making. Being able to ask for and understand the appropriate financial information is particularly important for financial analysts and individuals seeking, or already in, management positions at all levels of organizations. Financial statement analysis is exciting and dynamic. It can be orientated in different ways to suit the needs of many individuals including investors, analysts, consultants, creditors, managers, directors, regulators and employees. This offering of Financial Statement Analysis has been specifically designed to meet the needs of individuals who have sufficient background in accounting and finance. The course forges a unique path in financial statement analysis that responds to the needs of modern day business analysts. In particular, it provides a framework for using financial statement data in a variety of business analysis and valuation context. The most important knowledge and skill for managers attempting to understand financial statement information, is a good knowledge of how important business transactions are accounted for, and how these transactions appear in the financial statements. It will be much harder for informed managers to be confused and mislead by 'creative' financial reporting put before them by others. Accordingly, this course focuses on teaching managers and business analysts the skills to be able to understand the complexities of financial statements, and untangle important information that is not visible to the untrained eye. The pedagogy adopted for this course is deliberately designed to closely follow the set text, and the range of applied questions provided in the text. The reason for this approach is very simple: to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to understand financial reporting techniques and pitfalls requires a practice more than anything else. The set tutorials and assignments will engage you in tasks that are designed to provide you with this practice. It is very important that you do each and every one of the set work tasks to the best of your ability to obtain the most from the course.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code ACCTFIN 7017
    Course Financial Statement Analysis (M)
    Coordinating Unit Accounting
    Term Semester 2
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Prerequisites ACCTING 7019, CORPFIN 7005, CORPFIN 7033, ECON 7200
    Course Description Financial Statement Analysis is essential for all individuals working in the business world. Understanding financial accounting information is critical for a wide range of business decision making. Being able to ask for and understand the appropriate financial information is particularly important for financial analysts and individuals seeking, or already in, management positions at all levels of organizations.

    Financial statement analysis is exciting and dynamic. It can be orientated in different ways to suit the needs of many individuals including investors, analysts, consultants, creditors, managers, directors, regulators and employees. This offering of Financial Statement Analysis has been specifically designed to meet the needs of individuals who have sufficient background in accounting and finance. The course forges a unique path in financial statement analysis that responds to the needs of modern day business analysts. In particular, it provides a framework for using financial statement data in a variety of business analysis and valuation context.

    The most important knowledge and skill for managers attempting to understand financial statement information, is a good knowledge of how important business transactions are accounted for, and how these transactions appear in the financial statements. It will be much harder for informed managers to be confused and mislead by 'creative' financial reporting put before them by others. Accordingly, this course focuses on teaching managers and business analysts the skills to be able to understand the complexities of financial statements, and untangle important information that is not visible to the untrained eye.

    The pedagogy adopted for this course is deliberately designed to closely follow the set text, and the range of applied questions provided in the text. The reason for this approach is very simple: to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to understand financial reporting techniques and pitfalls requires a practice more than anything else. The set tutorials and assignments will engage you in tasks that are designed to provide you with this practice. It is very important that you do each and every one of the set work tasks to the best of your ability to obtain the most from the course.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Belen Blanco

    Teaching Staff:

    Name: Belen Blanco
    Email: belen.blanco@adelaide.edu.au


    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes

    On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

    1. Ask and seek relevant information

    2. Analyse financial statements for business decision making

    3. Differentiate between factual and creative financial reporting
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    All
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    All
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    All
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    All
    Intercultural and ethical competency
    • adept at operating in other cultures
    • comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts
    • able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes
    • demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges
    All
    Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
    • a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
    • open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
    • able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
    All
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Subramanyam, K. R. 2014. Financial Statements Analysis, 11th Edition, McGraw-Hill New York.
    Recommended Resources
    Other Recommended Reading
    A list of recommended reading for further study will be available on the course webpages as appropriate to the topics.

    Other Resources:
    Other resources will be found by searching the internet. One that may be useful is: http://au.finance.yahoo.com/ for various news items and business data. Also, the company website of the assigned company will provide mush useful information.
    Online Learning
    Please check your student email and MyUni as course-related announcements are communicated via email and also posted onto MyUni.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    In this course, we seek to create an interesting, challenging, relevant, and engaging education experience. To help achieve this objective we have a number of teaching aims:Create a climate of engagement, dialogue and ongoing feedback between students and lecturers regarding the content, teaching strategies, learning experiences and outcomes Cater for a variety of learning preferences and abilities by providing a range of learning activities and teaching methods Develop independent learning skills and create an environment that both
    provides structure and guidance as well as encouraging students to extend their learning

    Teaching strategies
    This course is a combination of formal lectures and tutorials (problem solving classes). The lectures are used to explain concepts and to give real life examples of situations in which these concepts are used. The tutorials are for problem-solving and discussion of issues raised in the lectures and they will be presentation based. There is an expectation that students will engage in additional readings, as well as the required text. In all classes, students are encouraged to ask questions if there is material that they do not understand.

    TUTORIALS
    Tutorial classes will be held weekly commencing the second week of the semester and will run until week 13. Membership of tutorial classes is to be finalised by the end of the second week of semester. Students wishing to swap between tutorial classes after this time are required to present their case to the Lecturer-in-Charge, but should be aware that such a request may not be approved. Tutorials are an important component of your learning in this course. The communication skills developed in tutorials by regularly and actively participating in discussions are considered to be most important by the School and are highly regarded by employers and professional bodies.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    The University expects full-time students (i.e. those taking 12 units per semester) to devote a total of 48 hours per week to their studies. This means that you are expected to commit approximately 9 hours for a three-unit course or 13 hours for a four-unit course, of private study outside of your regular classes.

    Students in this course are expected to attend all lectures throughout the semester plus one tutorial class each week.
    Learning Activities Summary
    Topics to be covered are:

    1. Introduction to FSA
    2. Analysis Overview
    3. Ratios: Return on invested capital and profitability analysis
    4. Ratios: Liquidity, Solvency, Efficiency, Other issues and Credit Analysis
    5. Equity analysis and valuation
    6. Cash Flow Analysis
    7. Analyzing financing activities
    8. Analyzing investing activities
    9. Analyzing operating activities
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Task Assessment Requirement Weighting Due date Learning Outcome
    Presentation Individual  10% Tutorials weeks 9 to 11 All
    Group assignment Group 30% Week 10 All
    Final exam (based on a case study) Individual 60% Week 12 All
    Total 100%


    Details of each assessment component will be discussed in class and posted onto the course MyUni webpage.

    Assessment Related Requirements

    The following additional conditions apply:

    1. To gain a pass in this course, a mark of at least 50% must be obtained overall.
    2. Legible hand-writing and the quality of English expression are considered to be integral parts of the assessment process. While marks will not be deducted for poor hand-writing or English expression, it is stongly recommended that you write clearly to avoid the complications which can arise for examiners as a result of illegible responses.
    3. Students in this course are not permitted to take a dictionary (English or English-Foreign) into the examination.
    4. The use of non-programmable calculator is permitted in this course.
    5. Students receiving a grade of between 45 and 49, may be eligible for a replacement examination on academic
      grounds. This is automatically granted based on your results. 
    6. If you cannot sit the final exam due to illness, compassionate or extenuating circumstances please read the Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy (make that a link to www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/3303 ) and complete the Application for Replacement Examination form (https://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/3303/?dsn=policy.document;field=data;id=7905;m=view).
    Assessment Detail
    In the group assignment, students will calculate firm's value for a real firm. Detailed information on the group assignment will be
    discussed in class and posted onto the subject MyUni webpage.

    Presentations will be held during tutorial hours. Students will present a real case from the concepts learnt in the previous lecture. Presentations will be individual. Detailed information on the presentations will be discussed during lecture time in Week 1.

    The final exam will be held during week 12 and it will cover lecture materials from Weeks 1 to 12 and the corresponding tutorials. It
    will be a closed book exam based on a case study that will be provided the day of the exam. Details of each assessment component will be discussed in class and posted onto the subject MyUni webpage.
    Submission
    Assignment Guidelines including Referencing Details

    A copy of the Postgraduate Programs: Communication Skills Guide will have been given to you at the beginning of your program. This guide will assist you structure your assignments. A copy of the guide can also be downloaded fromhttp://www.adelaide.edu.au/professions/hub/downloads/Communication-Skills-Guide.pdf   

    This publication also provides guidelines on a range of other important communication skills including writing essays and management reports, making oral presentations etc. In preparing any written piece of assessment for your postgraduate studies it is important to draw on the relevant ‘literature’ to support critical analysis. Also essential is to reference the literature used. Correct referencing is important because it identifies the source of the ideas and arguments that you present, and sometimes the source of the actual words you use, and helps to avoid the problem of plagiarism. (Further information on plagiarism is provided later in this course outline.)

    The Harvard system is widely used in the Business School. Guidelines for the use of this style of referencing can be found in the Communication Skills Guide.

    Further assistance with referencing is available from the Faculty’s Learning Support Advisors. The contact details are provided on page 6 of the Communication Skills Guide. 

    Late Assignment Submission

    Students are expected to submit their work by the due date to maintain a fair and equitable system. Extensions will generally only be given for medical or other serious reasons. All requests for extensions must be emailed to the lecturer in charge of the course before the due date. Each request will be assessed on its merits.  

    Replacement/Additional Assessment (R/AA)
    Illness
    1. Anyone who cannot submit a major assignment/sit an examination due to illness must submit the appropriate University of Adelaide form.
    2. Normal doctor’s certificates alone do not have to be accepted.
    3. An application must be accompanied by the form downloaded from: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/student/exams/mod_arrange.html Compassionate GroundsFor a replacement examination on compassionate grounds refer to: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/student/exams/mod_arrange.html  

    Academic grounds
    To qualify for Academic supplementary Assessment students must achieve a total mark of at least 45%.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.