Course

Master of Commerce (Financial Planning)

Approved Abbreviation: MCom(FinPlan)

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Western Sydney University Course Code: 2770.1

Students should follow the course structure for the course version relevant to the year they commenced. This version applies to students whose commencement year for this course is 2015 or later.

Units may be revised or replaced to ensure students are provided with up to date curriculum throughout their studies, and this may result in a new course version. Refer to the Check My Course Progress page in MySR for the most up to date information for your course.

This is a fully online course designed to provide the educational basis to enable students to increase competence as professional financial advisers and gain an advanced knowledge and understanding of the financial planning industry. With the increasing complexity of taxation laws, the ageing population and the focus on self-reliance in retirement, the financial planning industry is developing as a distinct profession in Australia. Individuals and organisations require the skills of professionally equipped financial planners to assist them in effective investment and risk management and also with complex retirement planning strategies. Course and unit curriculum is based on Australian law.

This course is accredited by the Financial Planning Association (FPA) and meets the RG146 requirements as outlined under the heading 'Accreditation’ below. Details re the coverage of RG146 requirements are available via the link below.

RG146 Requirements

The University has approval from the Tax Practitioners Board (TPB) to deliver courses in Australia taxation law for tax (financial) advisers and commercial law for tax (financial) advisers. Completion of the Master of Commerce (Financial Planning) satisfies the tertiary qualifications requirements to register as a Tax (Financial) Adviser. Details of which units must be completed to meet these requirements can be found via the link below.

TPB Tax (Financial) Adviser Registration Requirements

Study Mode
One and a half years full-time or the part-time equivalent.

Accreditation
This course is accredited by the Financial Planning Association (FPA). The course satisfies eligibility requirements for Financial Planner AFP® membership and educational requirements for entry into the CFP® Certification Program of FPA (students will also receive exemption for CFP 2, 3 and 4 therefore must complete CFP 1 to be eligible to sit the CFP Certification Assessment). This course also meets the RG146 generic knowledge requirements, specialist knowledge requirements and skills requirements as they currently stand. Details re the coverage of RG146 requirements are available via the link located above the heading ‘Study Mode’. In addition, by completing the Master of Commerce (Financial Planning), students satisfy the tertiary qualifications requirements to register as a Tax (Financial) Adviser with the TPB. Details regarding these requirements are available via the link located above.

Admission

Applicants must have successfully completed an undergraduate degree, or higher, in a business discipline

Or

Successfully completed an undergraduate degree, or higher, in any discipline AND have a minimum of two (2) years full-time equivalent managerial/professional work experience

Or

Successfully completed an undergraduate degree, or higher, in any discipline and have a minimum eight (8) years full-time equivalent general work experience.

Applications from Australian citizens and holders of permanent resident visas must be made via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).

Applicants who have undertaken studies overseas may have to provide proof of proficiency in English. Local and International applicants who are applying through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) will find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on the UAC website. Local applicants applying directly to the University should also use the information provided on the UAC website

UAC

Overseas qualifications must be deemed by the Australian Education International - National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (AEI-NOOSR) to be equivalent to Australian qualifications in order to be considered by UAC and Western Sydney University.

Course Structure

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 120 credit points which includes eleven core units listed in the recommended sequence below.

Full-time

Year 1

Quarter 1

200817

Business Communication Skills

200866

Principles of Financial Planning

Quarter 2

200432

Commercial Law

200867

Superannuation

Quarter 3

200868

Investment Planning

200869

Principles of Taxation

Quarter 4

200870

Insurance and Risk Management

200871

Planning for Retirement

Year 2

Quarter 1

51168

Funds Management and Portfolio Selection

Choose one of

200829

Business Project

200830

Internship

Quarter 2

200872

Contemporary Issues in Taxation

Choose one of

200829

Business Project

200830

Internship

Part-time

Year 1

Quarter 1

200817

Business Communication Skills

Quarter 2

200432

Commercial Law

Quarter 3

200866

Principles of Financial Planning

Quarter 4

200867

Superannuation

Year 2

Quarter 1

200868

Investment Planning

Quarter 2

200870

Insurance and Risk Management

Quarter 3

200869

Principles of Taxation

Quarter 4

200871

Planning for Retirement

Year 3

Quarter 1

51168

Funds Management and Portfolio Selection

Quarter 2

200872

Contemporary Issues in Taxation

Quarter 3

Choose one of

200829

Business Project

200830

Internship

Quarter 4

Choose one of

200829

Business Project

200830

Internship

Exit Award

2781 Graduate Certificate in Commerce (Financial Planning)

40 credit points, comprising of four units within 2770 Master of Commerce (Financial Planning), which must include 200866 Principles of Financial Planning, (200829 Business Project and 200830 Internship units excluded)