The end of term
examination has now been changed to an alternate form of assessment. Please see
your Moodle site for details of the assessment.
Overview
In this unit you will cover the core concepts relating to superannuation and wealth planning. Using client scenarios and financial planning software, you will explore a broad range of superannuation strategies including the relevant tax treatments, legislation and self-managed superannuation options. The unit also focuses on the evaluation of risk and selection of appropriate investment products which can apply to diversified superannuation and non-superannuation wealth planning. You will also apply risk evaluation and investment product selection to diversified superannuation and non-superannuation wealth planning.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
There are no requisites for this unit.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 1 - 2020
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Postgraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Email from Student
Students did not seem to find navigating Moodle easy and they found the textbook resource too advanced or in some instances, failed to realise they needed to use the prescribed resources for this unit.
Unit coordinator will spend more time teaching students using a video recording where to find the resources on Moodle and how to navigate Moodle. Furthermore, the video will include information highlighting to students that they can access copies of the additional readings from the Library without having to go to the expense of purchasing any books.
- Apply key concepts in prudential supervision of Australian superannuation and apply to a diverse range of superannuation accumulation and withdrawal problems
- Analyse the problems affecting superannuation wealth in Australia and the impact on providing advice
- Construct investment portfolios using domestic and international financial products to solve wealth planning problems
- Calculate superannuation and wealth planning outcomes using financial planning software and tools
- Assess the financial investment values and capacities of a wide range of clients in the development of wealth plans.
This unit has been designed to conform to the accreditation requirements of the Financial Planning Education Council.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Practical Assessment - 50% | |||||
| 2 - Examination - 50% | |||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Knowledge | |||||
| 2 - Communication | |||||
| 3 - Cognitive, technical and creative skills | |||||
| 4 - Research | |||||
| 5 - Self-management | |||||
| 6 - Ethical and Professional Responsibility | |||||
| 7 - Leadership | |||||
| 8 - First Nations Knowledges | |||||
| 9 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | |||||
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
| Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | |
| 1 - Practical Assessment - 50% | |||||||||
| 2 - Examination - 50% | |||||||||
Textbooks
Financial Planning in Australia 2019 Essentials Edition
- Edition: 2019 (2019)
- Authors: Sharon Taylor
- LexisNexis Butterworths
- Australia
- ISBN: 9780409349047
- Binding: Paperback
Australian Superannuation Handbook 2019-20
- Edition: 78th (2019)
- Authors: Stuart C Jones
- Thomson Reuters
- Sydney Sydney , NSW , Australia
- ISBN: 9780864697943
- Binding: Paperback
Financial Planning
- Edition: 2nd (2018)
- Authors: Warren McKeown, Mike Kerry & Marc Olynyk
- John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd
- Milton Milton , Queensland , Australia
- ISBN: 9781118644836
- Binding: Paperback
Additional Textbook Information
Availability of an eBook version of the Prescribed textbook Financial Planning in Australia 2019 Essentials Edition
If you prefer a paper text, all three can be purchased from the CQUni Bookshop here: http://bookshop.cqu.edu.au (search on the Unit code)
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- XPlan software to complete Practical Assessment 1
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 6th Edition (APA 6th edition)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
a.mcinnes@cqu.edu.au
Week 1
Begin Date: 09 Mar 2020Module/Topic
Wealth Planning 5 – Constructing Investment strategy advice
Chapter
4
Events and Submissions/Topic
- Please refer to the study guide for details of the unit
- For your assessment download the three files in the Assessment folder on Moodle.
- Start unpacking the assessment case study.
- Use the Q&A Forum on Moodle if you are unsure about any content and assessment issue.
- Complete self-study questions
Week 2
Begin Date: 16 Mar 2020Module/Topic
The Superannuation Environment
Chapter
1, 2 and 9
Events and Submissions/Topic
- Please refer to the study guide for the exact pages to refer to for each chapter.
- Complete self-study questions
- For the assessment spend time considering the Fact Find document and getting to Know Your Client scenario.
- Look at the Statement of Advice to see what is expected of you during the assessment so that you can plan your time carefully.
- Create a timeline plan of how you are going to complete this assessment.
- Then complete the sections of the SOA titled ‘Your goals and objectives’ and ‘Your risk tolerance’ sections of the SOA.
Week 3
Begin Date: 23 Mar 2020Module/Topic
Accumulation Strategies - Superannuation funds, MySuper, Contributions and Superannuation Guarantee and Taxation of Superannuation funds
Chapter
2, 9 and 12
Events and Submissions/Topic
- Please refer to the study guide for the exact pages to refer to for each chapter.
- Complete self-study questions
- For the assessment complete the ‘Our Recommended Superannuation Strategies’ section by reviewing the Fact Find, the client's goals, needs and risk tolerance and linking these to what investment strategy/ies you believe are achieve them.
- Ask for help during the Zoom drop-in sessions and/or the Moodle Q&A forums to clarify any matter in the unit’s content and assessment.
Week 4
Begin Date: 30 Mar 2020Module/Topic
Withdrawal of superannuation & taxation of benefits
Chapter
12
Events and Submissions/Topic
- Please refer to the study guide for the exact pages to refer to for each chapter.
- Complete self-study questions
- For the assessment focus on completing the ‘Our Superannuation Product Recommendations’ section of the SOA using the prompts/questions within the SOA to develop and document your research data you collected to make appropriate superannuation investment strategy recommendations to the clients
Week 5
Begin Date: 06 Apr 2020Module/Topic
Payment of death benefits, pensions and annuities, family law and superannuation, including employment termination payments
Chapter
12 and 14
Events and Submissions/Topic
- Please refer to the study guide for the exact pages to refer to for each chapter.
- Complete self-study questions
- For the assessment continue working through the SOA methodically. While working on the product recommendations, also consider ‘Replacement and alternative product recommendations of the SOA.
- For your assessment follow the guidelines in the grading rubrics carefully.
Vacation Week
Begin Date: 13 Apr 2020Module/Topic
Catching up and Assessment Completion
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
- Catch up on weekly readings audio lectures and self-study questions
- Work on your Practical Assessment
Week 6
Begin Date: 20 Apr 2020Module/Topic
Overview & regulation of SMSFs (self-managed superannuation funds)
Chapter
3 and 9
Events and Submissions/Topic
- Please refer to the study guide for the exact pages to refer to for each chapter.
- Complete self-study questions
- For the assessment you should be at the stage of completing the ‘Recommended asset allocation’ as well as making a start on the ‘Financial outcomes of our recommended strategies’
Week 7
Begin Date: 27 Apr 2020Module/Topic
SMSF investment rules, pension and annuities
Chapter
9 and 11
Events and Submissions/Topic
- Please refer to the study guide for the exact pages to refer to for each chapter.
- Complete self-study questions
- For the assessment complete the ‘Cost of our advice’ section of the SOA and start finalising the ‘Supporting information and Annexures’.
Week 8
Begin Date: 04 May 2020Module/Topic
Wealth Planning 1 – Investors, Investment Frameworks and Market Efficiency
Chapter
1, 2, 6 and 7
Events and Submissions/Topic
- Please refer to the study guide for the exact pages to refer to for each chapter.
- Complete self-study questions
- For the assessment finalise your Statement of Advice document ready for submission
Week 9
Begin Date: 11 May 2020Module/Topic
Wealth Planning 2 – Portfolio theory and construction - Defensive and Growth
Chapter
6 and 7
Events and Submissions/Topic
- Assessment is due this week
- Please refer to the study guide for the exact pages to refer to for each chapter.
- Complete self-study questions
- Prepare for the exams
SUPERANNUATION AND WEALTH PLANNING (PRACTICAL ASSESSMENT 50%) Due: Week 9 Friday (15 May 2020) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 10
Begin Date: 18 May 2020Module/Topic
Wealth Planning 3 – Managed Funds, Platforms and Wraps
Chapter
8
Events and Submissions/Topic
- Please refer to the study guide for the exact pages to refer to for each chapter.
- Complete self-study questions
- Prepare for the exams
- Complete the student evaluation
Week 11
Begin Date: 25 May 2020Module/Topic
Wealth Planning 4 – Gearing & Leveraging Strategies
Chapter
7
Events and Submissions/Topic
- Please refer to the study guide for the exact pages to refer to for each chapter.
- Complete self-study questions
- Prepare for the exams
- Complete the student evaluation if you have not done so
Week 12
Begin Date: 01 Jun 2020Module/Topic
Wealth Planning 5 – Portfolio Evaluation and Review
Chapter
8
Events and Submissions/Topic
- Please refer to the study guide for the exact pages to refer to for each chapter.
- Complete self-study questions
- Prepare for the exams
- Complete the Student evaluation if you have not done so
Review/Exam Week
Begin Date: 08 Jun 2020Module/Topic
All the best for the exams
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Exam Week
Begin Date: 15 Jun 2020Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Practical Assessment
This is an individual assessment.
Important detailed information for your assessment is on the Moodle site.
Before you begin please read the:
- instructions for completing and submitting your assessment.
- case study background.
Task requirements:
- Identify the client's objectives, needs and financial situation by reviewing the case study background, fact find and risk profile information provided.
- If you choose to use XPlan, input this information into XPlan software so that you can model the various strategies within XPlan.
- Prepare a written Statement of Advice using the template provided and financial planning software [XPlan, Microsoft-Excel and/or related software] The software is available to you via Moodle.
- Using the analysis questions provided within the Statement of Advice template, develop and document appropriate superannuation and wealth planning strategies and recommendations to achieve the client's retirement goals.
We provide:
- Instructions document to complete the assessment with grading rubrics
- Completed fact find and risk profile document assumedly obtained during a meeting with the client that has already taken place.
- Statement of Advice template, which you must complete to be graded.
- Data analysis questions within the Statement of Advice to assist preparing the Statement of Advice document.
From the above task, it is clear this is a practical assessment dealing with a real world financial planning client superannuation need. Please start this assessment as soon as possible, because for some of you it will require learning numerous new skills. Learning how to use new software [for instance, XPlan] may need sometime and practice. Your unit coordinator is available via Moodle discussion forum and Q&A forum, as well as Zoom drop-in sessions mobile phone messaging.
Please refer to Moodle and download all three files relating to this Assessment requirements. Please read these documents carefully.
Email your unit coordinator directly to address any personal matters, concerns or difficulties during the term is encouraged.
Week 9 Friday (15 May 2020) 11:45 pm AEST
Submission via Moodle
Week 10 Friday (22 May 2020)
Feedback via Moodle
We award marks for completing a Statement of Advice (SOA) Microsoft-Word template provided covering the following sections of the SOA.
- Introduction (Table of Contents)
- Your goals and objectives
- Scope of your advice
- Your tolerance to risk
- Retirement funding
- Summary of our Advice in a Strategy Map
- Our Recommended Superannuation Strategies
- Our Superannuation Product Recommendations
- Replacement and alternative product recommendations included
- Recommended asset allocation
- Financial outcomes of our recommended strategies
- Cost of our advice
- Supporting information and Annexures
- Organisation/Structure/Presentation/Mechanics
- Sources/Evidence
Find in the Assessment Instruction File in Moodle a comprehensive marking criteria sheet covering grade
- Analyse the problems affecting superannuation wealth in Australia and the impact on providing advice
- Construct investment portfolios using domestic and international financial products to solve wealth planning problems
- Calculate superannuation and wealth planning outcomes using financial planning software and tools
- Assess the financial investment values and capacities of a wide range of clients in the development of wealth plans.
- Knowledge
- Communication
- Cognitive, technical and creative skills
- Research
- Self-management
- Ethical and Professional Responsibility
Examination
Calculator - all non-communicable calculators, including scientific, programmable and graphics calculators are authorised
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
