Unit rationale, description and aim
Corporate finance underpins how organisations allocate capital, manage risk, and create long-term value. This unit develops rigorous, practice-oriented capabilities in investment and financing decisions, embedding Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, as well as Catholic Social Thought’s principle of the Common Good, as guiding frameworks for responsible financial decisions. Students learn to appraise real investments using the time value of money, discounted cash flow, Net Present Value and Internal Rate of Return, sensitivity and scenario analysis, and real options; to construct portfolios and price risk via modern portfolio theory; and to estimate the cost of capital. The financing side explores capital structure, dividend policy, debt and equity instruments—including sustainable and green finance. Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations are integrated throughout, demonstrating how environmental and social risks impact cash flows, hurdle rates, and access to capital, and how governance aligns managerial choices with ethical and societal objectives. The aim is to equip graduates to design and defend value-enhancing decisions that responsibly balance profitability and risk, foster productive employment and inclusive growth, and steward financial resources toward outcomes that serve both shareholders and the broader community in Australia and beyond.
Campus offering
No unit offerings are currently available for this unit.Learning outcomes
To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.
Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.
Explore the graduate capabilities.
Appraise the various sources of financing to an or...
Learning Outcome 01
Apply capital budgeting techniques to support deci...
Learning Outcome 02
Determine the optimal cost of capital and capital ...
Learning Outcome 03
Apply risk management techniques to manage the fin...
Learning Outcome 04
Content
Topics will include:
- Goals and functions of financial management
- Environment, social and governance (ESG) practices and finance decisions
- Sustainable finance, green finance and climate finance
- SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth
- Time value of money
- Capital budgeting
- Bond and share valuation
- Risk and return
- Capital and debt markets
- Capital structure
- Cost of capital
- Dividend policy
Assessment strategy and rationale
Assessments are used primarily to foster learning. ACU adopts a constructivist approach to learning that seeks alignment between the fundamental purpose of each unit, the learning outcomes, teaching and learning strategy, assessment and the learning environment. In order to pass this unit, students must demonstrate competence in all learning outcomes and achieve an aggregate mark of at least 50%. Using constructive alignment, the assessment tasks are designed for students to demonstrate their achievement of each learning outcome.
For assessment, students will be required to evaluate data and information from a variety of sources and perspectives through research, integration, and analysis. Students will also need to apply critical thinking skills to identify and solve problems, inform judgments, make decisions, reach well-reasoned conclusions and make recommendations where applicable. Students are expected to communicate clearly and concisely when presenting, discussing, and reporting knowledge and ideas in formal and informal situations
Each of these assessment pieces has been designed to empower students, lead to greater equity and deepen students’ skillsets by virtue of their design. They are assessments that are constructed to integrate the unit’s instruction and curriculum. Student must get at least 50% to pass unit and that should ensure competence.
Overview of assessments
Overview of Assessments
Assessment Task 1: Exam This assessment is an on...
Assessment Task 1: Exam
This assessment is an online exam that evaluates students’ ability to apply corporate finance concepts and methods. Topics may include goals and functions of financial management; ESG practices and financing decisions with reference to SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth); time value of money; cash flows and capital budgeting (including sensitivity and scenario analysis); bond and share valuation; risk–return trade-offs; income-, capital structure; cost of capital; and dividend policy.
Submission Type: Individual
Assessment Method: Online examination
Artefact: Written response
45%
Assessment Task 2: Written Report This assessment...
Assessment Task 2: Written Report
This assessment task comprises a set of activities using real-life data, designed to evaluate how students apply corporate finance skills to assess financial decisions.
Submission Type: Individual
Assessment Method: Written response
Artefact: Submitted report
55%
ACU’s assessment procedure (Section 5 - Phase 1 - Assessment Design: (9)c "Learning outcomes should normally be assessed more than once in a unit." requires that each learning outcome be assessed more than once. Since we are proposing two assessments in a 6-week window, we have to keep all five LOs for each assessment.
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
Teaching and Learning Approach
Applied practice and active engagement are central to learning in accounting. Students are expected to adopt an active learning strategy, developing their skills and knowledge by doing. ACU’s teaching approach emphasises learning outcomes in knowledge, capabilities, and professional readiness. It encourages students to be active participants while recognising that learning involves both active and receptive processes, constructing meaning for oneself, and learning collaboratively. ACU promotes autonomous and self-motivated learning that is critical, reflective, and focused on mastering content and skills.
Online Mode
This unit applies an active learning approach that provides students with choice and variety in how they learn. Weekly asynchronous discussions and practical activities enable students to apply knowledge in contexts relevant to their future professions. Students are encouraged to share examples, demonstrate understanding, and engage constructively with peers. Regular and timely feedback supports their progress and achievement of learning outcomes.