Topic+Two+-+Financial+Planning+and+Management

20% of indicative time The focus of this topic is to develop an understanding of the role of financial planning within business operation and management and the interpretation of financial information. ** Outcomes  ** The student: H2.1 describes and analyses business functions and operations and their impact on business success H3.2 evaluates the effectiveness of management in the organisation and operations of business and its responsiveness to change H3.3 analyses the impact of management decision-making on stakeholders H4.1 critically analyses the social and ethical responsibilities of management H4.2 evaluates management strategies in response to internal and external factors H5.1 selects, organises and evaluates information and sources for usefulness and reliability H5.2 plans and conducts an investigation into business to present the findings in an appropriate business format H5.3 communicates business information, ideas and issues, using relevant business terminology and concepts in appropriate forms H5.4 applies mathematical concepts appropriately in business situations. ** Content  ** Students learn to: // use existing business case studies to investigate and communicate ideas and issues related to financial planning and management. The focus of these case studies will be to: // • interpret the published annual reports of one or more businesses • analyse the financial statements of one or more businesses (real or imaginary) • undertake comparative ratio analysis — over a period of time, with similar businesses, against common standards. Students learn about: // the role of financial planning // • strategic role of financial management • objectives of financial management — liquidity, profitability, efficiency, growth, return on capital • the planning cycle — addressing present financial position, determining financial elements of the business plan, developing budgets, cash flows, financial reports, interpretation, maintaining record systems, planning financial controls, minimising financial risks and losses // financial markets relevant to business financial needs // • major participants in financial markets including banks, financial and insurance companies, merchant banks, superannuation/mutual funds, companies, government (Reserve Bank of Australia) • role of the Australian Exchange as a primary market • overseas and domestic market influences and trends in financial markets and their implications for business financial needs // management of funds // • sources of funds – internal — owners’ equity, retained profits – external — short-term borrowing, (overdraft, bank bills), long-term borrowing (mortgage, debentures) leasing, factoring, venture capital, grants • financial considerations — matching the terms and source of finance to business purpose and structure • comparison of debt and equity financing, including costs and benefits, risks, gearing/leverage // using financial information // • the accounting framework – financial statements — revenue statement, balance sheet – the accounting equation and relationships • types of financial ratios – liquidity — current ratio – solvency — gearing debt to equity – profitability — gross profit ratio, net profit ratio, return on owners’ equity – efficiency — expense ratio, accounts receivable turnover ratio • comparative ratio analysis – over time, with similar businesses, against common standards • limitations of financial reports – historical costs, value of intangibles // effective working capital (liquidity) management // • the working capital ratio • control of current assets — cash, receivables, inventories • control of current liabilities — payables, loans, overdrafts • strategies for managing working capital — leasing, factoring, sale and lease back
 * HSC topic 2: Financial Planning and Management**
 * Securities **

// effective financial planning // • effective cash flow management – cash flow statements – management strategies — distribution of payments, discounts for early payments • effective profitability management – cost control — fixed and variable, cost centres, expense minimisation – revenue controls — sales objectives, sales mix, pricing policy // ethical and legal aspects // • audited accounts, inappropriate cut off periods, misuse of funds • Australian Securities and Investments Commission • corporate raiders and asset stripping.