BUSFIN 710 : Financial Modelling Techniques

Business and Economics

2025 Quarter Three (1256) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Examines challenges in modelling uncertain financial outcomes and critically evaluates practitioner modelling tools available to financial analysts. Develops practical skills in designing and applying Excel-based financial models to solving common analytical problems in corporate finance and investment analysis.

Course Overview

This course equips students with best practice financial modelling skills using Excel, applicable to a wide range of corporate finance and investment contexts. Students will apply these skills to specific fields such as project finance and development finance, gaining hands-on experience in structuring and analysing financial models within these areas. The course will also develop knowledge of underlying principles and concepts related to these specific fields. Students will be required to interpret model results and communicate these in professional context.

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Graduate Profile: Master of Applied Finance

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Apply best practice financial modelling approaches and techniques in Excel, including in relation to model integrity and functionality. (Capability 3)
  2. Apply advanced modelling techniques to analyse real-world corporate finance and/or investment related problems. (Capability 4)
  3. Examine financial challenges related to the field of project finance and develop analytical solutions to these challenges. (Capability 5)
  4. Examine financial challenges related to the fields of valuation and development finance and develop analytical solutions to these challenges. (Capability 5)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Assignment 1 - Modelling 15% Individual Coursework
Assignment 2 - Project Finance 35% Individual Coursework
Assignment 3 - Valuation 25% Group Coursework
Oral Presentation 25% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4
Assignment 1 - Modelling
Assignment 2 - Project Finance
Assignment 3 - Valuation
Oral Presentation

Workload Expectations

Following University workload guidelines, a standard 15 point course represents approximately 150 hours of study.

For this course, you can expect 4 hours of lectures and workshops per week (for 10 weeks). Since the course as a whole represents approximately 150 hours of study, that leaves a total of 110 hours across the entire quarter for independent study, e.g. reading, reflection, preparing for and completing assessments etc.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at scheduled activities including lectures and workshops to complete components of the course.

Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including workshops will not be available as recordings.

Attendance on campus is required for assessments including presentations and discussion.

The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Student feedback will be incorporated into future courses where relevant. 

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework, tests and examinations as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against electronic source material using computerised detection mechanisms. Upon reasonable request, students may be required to provide an electronic version of their work for computerised review.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 26/02/2025 12:06 p.m.