Program Overview

Introduction to ACST1001 – Finance Fundamentals

ACST1001 – Finance Fundamentals is a unit offered by Macquarie University, focusing on the fundamental finance skills essential for any successful business. The unit examines the roles and interaction of participants in the financial system and applies financial decision-making tools to value and evaluate investment and financing opportunities.

General Information

• Unit Convenor and Teaching Staff: Shane Magee, Duc Giang Nguyen
• Credit Points: 10
• Prerequisites: None
• Corequisites: None
• Co-badged Status: None
• Unit Description: This unit focuses on the fundamental finance skills that are essential for any successful business. Students will examine the roles and interaction of participants in the financial system and apply financial decision-making tools to value and evaluate investment and financing opportunities.

Learning Outcomes

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

• Explain how the financial system supports and influences business decisions.
• Apply time value of money techniques to value financial instruments.
• Explain the relationship between risk and return.
• Use critical thinking and problem-solving to make investment and financing decisions for a business.

General Assessment Information

• Late Assessment Submission Penalty: A 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a grade of '0' will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted.
• Submission Time for Written Assessments: 11:55 pm with a 1-hour grace period for technical concerns.

Assessment Tasks

• Skills Development: Financial Decision-Making (30%, Week 10)
• Skills Development: Financial Decisions with Excel (30%, Week 8)
• Formal and Observed Learning: Exam (40%, University Examination Period)

Skills Development: Financial Decision-Making

• Assessment Type: Portfolio
• Indicative Time on Task: 20 hours
• Due: Week 10
• Weighting: 30%
• Purpose: To build an important foundational layer of expertise in financial decision-making through continuous engagement with real-world financial problems.
• Deliverable: Reflective report (max 1,200 words excluding appendices with supporting evidence), individual assessment.

Skills Development: Financial Decisions with Excel

• Assessment Type: Quantitative Analysis Task
• Indicative Time on Task: 30 hours
• Due: Week 8
• Weighting: 30%
• Purpose: To develop proficiency in using Excel for financial analysis, enhancing the ability to apply various Excel functions and techniques to solve real-world financial problems effectively.
• Deliverable: Online workshops and spreadsheet analysis, individual assessment.

Formal and Observed Learning: Exam

• Assessment Type: Examination
• Indicative Time on Task: 35 hours
• Due: University Examination Period
• Weighting: 40%
• Purpose: To formally demonstrate the expertise gained in this unit.
• Deliverable: Formal exam, individual assessment.

Delivery and Resources

• Textbook: Berk, J., DeMarzo, P., Harford, J., Ford, G., & Mollica, V., 2025, Fundamentals of Corporate Finance, 4th Edition, Pearson.
• Microsoft Office, including Microsoft Excel: Available in all Macquarie University computer labs and can be installed on personal devices for free.
• Unit Web Page: Course materials available on the learning management system (iLearn).
• Learning and Teaching Activities: Weekly 90-minute face-to-face on-campus/live stream lectures and weekly 90-minute face-to-face on-campus tutorials/online Zoom tutorials.

Unit Schedule

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

• Academic Appeals Policy
• Academic Integrity Policy
• Academic Progression Policy
• Assessment Policy
• Fitness to Practice Procedure
• Assessment Procedure
• Complaints Resolution Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
• Special Consideration Policy

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness, and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching, and research. Resources and services are available to help students reach their potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development, and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students, including:

• Academic Success: Resources to develop English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.
• The Library: Online and face-to-face support to help find and use relevant information resources.
• Student Services and Support: IT support, accessibility and disability support, mental health support, safety support, social support, and student advocacy.

Changes since First Published