ASSESSMENT GUIDE

Course Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Unit Code: BUS5002

Unit Title: Business Finance

Term/Semester S1 2024

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ASSESSMENT OVERVIEW

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcome Mapping Hurdle Weighting

ID Assessment Item Due Date ULO# MBA CLO# (Y/N)
Week 05 Sunday
1 A Briefing Paper 1 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8 No 20%
11.59 Pm

Pre Recorded Group

Week 08 Sunday
2 Presentation (10%) and 2,3 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8 Yes 40%
11.59 Pm
Written Report (30%)

Week 11 Sunday
3 Business Report 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 1, 2, 7, 8 Yes 40%
11.59 Pm

Total 100%

Note 01: Students are advised that submission of an Assessment Task past the due date without a formally
signed and approved Assignment Extension Form (VIT Website vit.edu.au>FORM–Assignment Extension
Application Form–Student Login Required) or previously approved application for other extenuating
circumstances impacting your course of study, incurs a 20% penalty per calendar day, calculated by deduction
from the total mark. For more information, please refer to (VIT Website vit.edu.au> POLICY – Assessment
Policy & Procedures– Student Login Required). Some assessment task(s) may have hurdle requirements that
are 40% of the total weighting.

Note 02: Refer to Appendix A for Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs) and Appendix B for Unit Learning
Outcomes (ULOs)

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ASSESSMENTS DESCRIPTION:

Assessment 1: Briefing Paper

Assessment Overview:

The objective of this assessment is for the student to conduct research on a current Business Finance
issue and develop a briefing paper. The paper should encompass a summary of contextual business
and economic factors, stakeholders involved, and the diverse range of information sources required
when preparing a Policy Brief for the CEO or the chair of the board. Additionally, the student must
include supporting material in the appendices and refer to it within the paper.

Assessment Criteria:

• Research on a Current Business Finance Issue of any publicly listed company.

• The student should select a relevant and current issue within the realm of Business Finance.
• The chosen issue should be significant and have implications for decision-makers within a
corporate setting.
• Word limit: 500 +/- 10%

Briefing Paper Content:

The briefing paper should provide a comprehensive overview of the chosen issue, including its
background, key drivers, and potential impact on the organization. Contextual business and economic
factors influencing the issue should be thoroughly analyzed and explained. Stakeholders relevant to
the issue, including internal and external parties, should be identified and their interests and concerns
addressed.

Information Sources:

The student should demonstrate an understanding of various formal and informal sources of
information relevant to the chosen issue. Examples of formal sources may include academic journals,
industry reports, financial statements, and government publications. Informal sources may include
expert opinions, industry blogs, news articles, and social media discussions. The paper should discuss
the reliability, credibility, and relevance of these sources in the context of preparing a Policy Brief.

Supporting Material:

Supporting material, such as data, charts, graphs, case studies, or examples, should be provided in the
appendices. The student should refer to the supporting material within the paper to enhance the
analysis and arguments presented.

Assessment Guidelines:

• The student should ensure that the briefing paper is appropriately referenced using VIT VIT-
recognised citation style (APA).
• All sources of information, including those cited in the paper and presented in the appendices,
should be accurately documented.
• Originality and critical analysis are essential. The student should demonstrate their ability to
synthesize information from various sources and provide insightful commentary on the
chosen issue.

Assessment Submission: Refer to the COMMON INSTRUCTIONS section.

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Marking Rubric: Assignment 1 : A Briefing Paper (Weightage 20%)

The following rubrics criteria will be used in marking this assignment.

A B C D F
Criteria (High Distinction) (Distinction) (Credit) (Pass) (Fail)
80-100 70-79 60-69 50-59 45-49
Student selects a highly Student selects Issue selection is Issue selection Not
Research on
relevant and significant a relevant issue somewhat lacks relevance appropriate
Current
issue. with clear relevant, but and implications incorrect
Business
Finance Issue implications. implications are are unclear.
4/20 vague.

Paper provides a Paper covers Analysis is Analysis is lacking, Not

comprehensive and most aspects of superficial, and key aspects of appropriate
Briefing Paper insightful analysis of the the issue with missing key the issue are not incorrect
Content issue, including adequate aspects of the addressed.
5/20 background, drivers, and analysis. issue.
impact.

Student thoroughly Analysis of Contextual Limited or no Not

Contextual analyzes and explains contextual analysis is analysis of appropriate
Business and contextual factors, factors is somewhat contextual factors incorrect
Economic demonstrating a deep comprehensive limited or provided.
Factors understanding of their and clear. unclear.
3/20 impact on the issue.

Student identifies and Stakeholders Some Stakeholder Not

addresses all relevant are identified stakeholders are identification is appropriate
Stakeholder stakeholders, and discussed identified, but incomplete or incorrect
Identification considering their adequately. analysis is inaccurate.
2/20 interests and concerns in superficial.
relation to the issue.

Student demonstrates a Sources of Student Limited or no Not

comprehensive information are identifies understanding of appropriate
Information understanding of formal varied and well- sources but relevant incorrect
Sources and informal information explained. lacks depth in information
2/20 sources relevant to the explanation. sources shown.
issue.

Supporting material in Supporting Some Inadequate or Not

the appendices material is supporting irrelevant appropriate
Supporting enhances the analysis provided and material is supporting incorrect
Material and is effectively referenced included but not material provided.
2/20 referenced within the appropriately. well-utilized.
paper.

Writing is clear, concise, Writing is clear Some issues Writing is unclear, Not
and professionally and mostly free with writing disjointed, and appropriate
Writing
presented, with accurate of errors. quality, contains incorrect
Quality
2/20 grammar, spelling, and including errors numerous errors.
punctuation. and clarity.

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Assessment 2: Group Presentation and Written Report

Assignment Overview:

Assessment 2 comprises both a group presentation (10%) and a written report (30% of the total).
Students will collaborate in groups of 3-4 to conduct a critical analysis of factors, issues, trends, and
challenges aimed at developing an effective corporate financial decision-making framework within an
organisation. The primary goal is to devise strategies that maximize the wealth of the firm's
stakeholders, with a particular focus on shareholders.

Assessment Details:

1. Group Presentation (10%):

• Duration: 10 minutes – maximum 10 slides

• Each group will deliver a presentation summarizing their analysis and proposed
decision-making framework.

• Presentations should be clear, concise, and engaging, addressing key factors, trends,
challenges, and proposed strategies.

• Groups should demonstrate effective communication, teamwork, and presentation

skills.

2. Written Report (30%):

• Word Limit: 1500 words

• The written report should provide a detailed analysis of factors influencing corporate
financial decision-making.

• Emphasis should be placed on identifying challenges and trends relevant to

maximizing the wealth of the firm's stakeholders, particularly shareholders.

• The report should propose a comprehensive framework for effective decision-making,

supported by relevant theories, models, and practical examples.

• Clear recommendations and strategies for implementation should be provided,

considering the unique context of the organization.

Submission Guidelines:

• Prerecorded presentation slides and written reports should be submitted electronically via
Turnitin. Refer to COMMON INSTRUCTIONS section for more information.

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Marking Rubric: Assignment 2: Group Presentation and Written Report (Weightage 40%)

The following rubrics criteria will be used in marking this assignment.

A (High Distinction) B (Distinction) C (Credit) D (Pass) F (Fail)
Criteria
80-100 70-79 60-69 50-59 45-49
Demonstrates thorough
Analysis is
critical analysis of factors, Provides a solid Analysis lacks depth
somewhat
trends, and challenges, critical analysis of and fails to identify
Critical superficial, with Not
providing deep insights most factors, trends, key factors and
Analysis limited insights into appropriate
into their impact on and challenges, with challenges relevant
the factors and and
10/40 corporate financial clear identification of to decision-making
challenges affecting incorrect
decision-making and their relevance to and shareholder
corporate financial
shareholder wealth decision-making. wealth maximization.
decision-making.
maximization.

Framework is
Presents a comprehensive Proposes a solid
somewhat basic or
and well-developed framework for Framework is poorly
lacks coherence
framework for corporate decision-making, developed, lacking
Decision- with organizational
financial decision-making, generally aligning alignment with Not
Making goals and
effectively aligning with with organizational organizational goals appropriate
Framework stakeholder
organizational goals and goals and and stakeholder and
interests, with
10/40 stakeholders' interests, stakeholders' interests, and offers incorrect
limited
with clear interests, with some no actionable
recommendations
recommendations for recommendations recommendations.
for
implementation. for implementation.
implementation.

Uses limited
Incorporates supporting
Utilizes a wide range of
relevant theories, evidence, relying
relevant theories, models, Lacks sufficient
models, and primarily on
and empirical evidence to supporting evidence,
Supporting empirical evidence to theoretical Not
support analysis and with minimal use of
Evidence support analysis and concepts without appropriate
recommendations, theories, models, or
recommendations, effectively and
5/40 effectively integrating empirical evidence,
with some use of integrating incorrect
practical examples to and no practical
practical examples to practical examples
illustrate concepts and examples provided.
illustrate concepts to illustrate
strategies.
and strategies. concepts and
strategies.

Structure is unclear
Structure is
Presentation is Presentation is clear, or disjointed, with
somewhat unclear
exceptionally clear, well- well-structured, and significant lapses in
or disorganized,
structured, and organized, organized, with a coherence and
with occasional Not
Presentation with seamless flow of logical flow of ideas, communication of
lapses in coherence appropriate
ideas, effective effective ideas, hindering
10/40 and and
communication of communication of audience
communication of incorrect
complex concepts, and concepts, and understanding.
ideas. Presentation
engaging presentation engaging Presentation lacks
may lack
style. presentation style. engagement and
engagement.
professionalism.

Demonstrates Shows good Collaboration is Collaboration is poor,

Teamwork outstanding teamwork teamwork and somewhat limited, with minimal Not
and and collaboration, with collaboration, with with some group contribution from appropriate
Collaboration each group member most group members members some group and
contributing effectively to contributing contributing members to the incorrect
5/40
the group presentation effectively to the unevenly to the group presentation
and written report, group presentation group presentation and written report,

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 ensuring consistency in and written report, and written report, leading to significant
quality and depth of maintaining overall resulting in inconsistencies in
analysis. consistency in quality inconsistencies in quality and depth of
and depth of quality and depth analysis.
analysis. of analysis.

Assessment 3: Business Report (Weightage 40%)

Assignment Overview:

Assessment 3 requires the preparation of a business report with a word limit of 2000 words. The
report aims to analyze the financial position of a selected business. Students are tasked with
conducting a comprehensive examination of the business's financial performance, including its
financial statements, key ratios, and other relevant financial indicators.

Assessment Details:

1. Analysis of Financial Position:

• The report should provide an in-depth analysis of the chosen business's financial
position.

• Key areas to be addressed include the business's profitability, liquidity, solvency, and
efficiency.

• Analysis should encompass an examination of financial statements, such as the

income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement.

2. Identification of Strengths and Weaknesses:

• Students should identify the business's financial strengths and weaknesses based on
the analysis conducted.

• Strengths may include robust profitability, strong liquidity position, efficient use of
resources, etc.

• Weaknesses may include low profitability, high debt levels, liquidity challenges, etc.

3. Comparison and Benchmarking:

• Where applicable, students should compare the business's financial performance to

industry benchmarks or competitors.

• Benchmarking can provide valuable insights into the business's relative performance
and areas for improvement.

4. Financial Forecasting and Recommendations:

• Based on the analysis conducted, students should provide financial forecasts and
projections for the business's future performance.

• Recommendations should be offered to address identified weaknesses and capitalize

on strengths, aiming to improve the business's financial position over time.

Submission Guidelines: Refer to COMMON INSTRUCTIONS section for more information.

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Marking Rubric: Assignment 3: Business Report (Weightage 40%)

The following rubrics criteria will be used in marking this assignment.

A (High Distinction) B (Distinction) C (Credit) D (Pass) F (Fail)
Criteria 80-100 70-79 60-69 50-59 45-49
Offers a solid analysis Analysis is
Provides a comprehensive
of the business's somewhat limited in Analysis is
and thorough analysis of
financial position, scope, covering only superficial,
the business's financial
addressing most key some key aspects of lacking depth and Not
position, covering all key
Depth of Analysis aspects such as the business's breadth, with appropriate
aspects including
12/40 profitability, liquidity, financial position, minimal and
profitability, liquidity,
solvency, and with basic commentary and incorrect
solvency, and efficiency,
efficiency, with clear commentary and interpretation
with insightful commentary
commentary and interpretation provided.
and interpretation.
interpretation. provided.
Identifies and explains
Clearly identifies and Identification of Identification of
the business's financial
explains the business's strengths and strengths and
strengths and
Identification of financial strengths and weaknesses is weaknesses is Not
weaknesses based on
Strengths and weaknesses based on the somewhat vague or unclear or appropriate
the analysis
Weaknesses analysis conducted, lacks clarity, with inaccurate, with and
conducted, providing
12/40 providing detailed insights limited insights and minimal insights incorrect
adequate insights and
and explanations for each explanations and explanations
explanations for most
aspect identified. provided. provided.
aspects identified.
Conducts a
Effectively compares the comparative analysis Comparison to Comparison to
business's financial of the business's industry industry
performance to industry financial performance benchmarks or benchmarks or
Not
Comparison and benchmarks or to industry competitors is competitors is
appropriate
Benchmarking competitors, providing benchmarks or somewhat unclear or
and
6/40 detailed insights and competitors, providing superficial or lacks inaccurate, with
incorrect
analysis, and drawing insights and analysis, depth, with limited minimal insights
meaningful conclusions for and drawing insights and analysis and analysis
improvement. conclusions for provided. provided.
improvement.
Financial
Provides well-supported Offers financial Financial forecasts
forecasts and
financial forecasts and forecasts and and
recommendations
recommendations recommendations recommendations
Financial are missing or are Not
grounded in the analysis based on the analysis lack specificity or are
Forecasting and not relevant to appropriate
conducted, offering clear conducted, providing not well-supported
Recommendations the analysis and
and actionable strategies actionable strategies by the analysis
6/40 conducted, with incorrect
for improving the for improving the conducted, with
no actionable
business's financial business's financial limited actionable
strategies
position over time. position over time. strategies provided.
provided.
Structure is
unclear or
Report is clear, well- Structure is
Report is exceptionally disjointed, with
structured, and somewhat unclear
clear, well-structured, and significant lapses
organized, with a or disorganized,
organized, with a logical in coherence and Not
Clarity and logical flow of ideas, with occasional
flow of ideas, effective communication of appropriate
Presentation effective lapses in coherence
communication of complex ideas, hindering and
4/40 communication of and communication
financial concepts, and audience incorrect
concepts, and of ideas.
engaging presentation understanding.
engaging presentation Presentation may
style. Presentation lacks
style. lack engagement.
engagement and
professionalism.

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COMMON INSTRUCTIONS

Submission instructions

All submissions are to be submitted electronically through Turnitin. The file format must be Microsoft
Word unless specified by the lecturer. The file size must be less than 500MB according to the LMS
guidelines. Some assessments will allow uploading more than one file according to the assessment
requirements. Drop-boxes linked to Turnitin will be set up in the Unit of Study Moodle account.
Assignments not submitted through these drop-boxes will not be considered. Any assessment
submitted via email will NOT be considered for marking. The below file naming convention must be
followed.
• Individual Assignment: Student IDxxxxx – Assessment No – Unit Code
• Group Assignment: Student IDxxxxx – Group Name - Assessment No – Unit Code (Need to
submit only one member from each group together with group contribution form)
• For all assessments, the preferred layout is in 12-point Calibri, with 1.5 line spacing, 2.5
centimetres margins and Bold headings. Whenever you use the ideas and arguments of other
writers, you must refer to the writers and their work.
Late submissions
Submissions must be made by the due date and time (which are detailed above) and determined by
your Unit Facilitator.
In cases where there are no accepted mitigating circumstances as determined through VIT Policies,
Procedures and Forms, late submission of assessments will lead automatically to the imposition of a
penalty. Penalties will be applied as soon as the deadline is reached at the rate of 20% per day
(including weekend days).

Short Extensions and Special Consideration

Special Consideration is a request for:

• Extensions of the due date for an assessment, other than an examination (e.g. assignment
extension).
• Special Consideration (Special Consideration in relation to a Completed assessment, including
an end-of-unit Examination).

Students wishing to request Special Consideration in relation to an assessment the due date of which
has not yet passed must engage in written emails to the teaching team to Request Special
Consideration as early as possible and prior to the start time of the assessment due date, along with
any accompanying documents, such as medical certificates. For more information, visit VIT Policies,
Procedures and Forms.

Inclusive and equitable assessment

Reasonable adjustments in assessment methods will be made to accommodate students with a

documented disability or impairment. Contact the unit teaching team for more information.

Referencing style

You must reference all the sources of information you have used in your assessments. Please use the
APA referencing style in your assessments in this unit. Refer to the library’s referencing guides for
more information. By acknowledging the work of others, you avoid plagiarism. The APA referencing

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style requires a reference list at the end of your assignment. It is arranged in alphabetical order by
author's surname.

Academic Learning Support

Our academic Learning Support Advisor (LSA) and the team would be happy to help you understand
the task and all other assessment-related matters. For assistance and to book a one-on-one meeting
please email one of our ALS coordinators ([email protected])).

Academic misconduct

VIT enforces that the integrity of its students’ academic studies follows an acceptable level of
excellence. VIT will adhere to its VIT Policies, Procedures and Forms which explain the importance of
staff and student honesty in relation to academic work. It outlines the kinds of behaviours that are
“academic misconduct”, including plagiarism.
The Turnitin similarity score and Artificial Intelligence (AI) index will be used in determining the level,
if any, of plagiarism. Turnitin will check conference websites, Journal articles, the Web, and your own
class member submissions for plagiarism. You can see your Turnitin similarity score when you submit
your assignment to the appropriate drop-box. If this is a concern you will have a chance to change
your assignment and resubmit. However, re-submission is only allowed prior to the submission due
date and time. After the due date and time have elapsed you cannot make re-submissions and you
will have to live with the similarity score as there will be no chance for changing. Thus, plan early and
submit early to take advantage of this feature. You can make multiple submissions, but please
remember we only see the last submission, and the date and time you submitted will be taken from
that submission. Turnitin will also track if the document has been generated by a computer through
the AI index.
Contract cheating.

Contract cheating usually involves the purchase of an assignment or piece of research from another
party. This may be facilitated by a fellow student, or friend or purchased on a website. Other forms of
contract cheating include paying another person to sit an exam in the student’s place.

Contract cheating warning:

• By paying someone else to complete your academic work, you don’t learn as much as you
could have if you did the work yourself.
• You are not prepared for the demands of your future employment.
• You could be found guilty of academic misconduct.
• Many for-pay-contract-cheating companies recycle assignments despite guarantees of
“original, plagiarism-free work”, so the similarity is easily detected by Turnitin.
• Penalties for academic misconduct include suspension and exclusion.
• Students in some disciplines are required to disclose any findings of guilt for academic
misconduct before being accepted into certain professions (e.g. law).
• You might disclose your personal and financial information in an unsafe way, leaving yourself
open to many risks including possible identity theft.
• You also leave yourself open to blackmail - if you pay someone else to do an assignment for
you, they know you have engaged in fraudulent behaviour and can always blackmail you.

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Grades

We determine your grades to the following Grading Scheme:

Grade Percentage (%)

A (High Distinction) 80-100
B (Distinction) 70-79
C (Credit) 60-69
D (Pass) 50-59
D* (Conceded Pass) ** 45-49

The following considerations are applicable throughout our MBA Programme.

• The assessments are an important part of unit progression and are to be done diligently.
Hence, no attempt at assessment means no marks.
• No assessment is allowed beyond a time limit as given and announced, and therefore are to
be submitted on time. Late submission would attract 20%-mark deductions for each day late.
• Assessments must follow the guidelines as provided. For example, if the assessment is on
writing a report with 2000 words, the number of pages is not the focus, but word count is
necessary.

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 Appendix A – MBA, GDBA, and GCBA Course Learning Outcomes
Master of Business Administration Graduate Diploma of Business Graduate Certificate of Business
CLO
(MBA) Administration (GDBA) Administration (GCBA)

Identify, analyse, and interpret Identify, analyse, and interpret business Identify, analyse, and interpret business
business theories, models, and tools theories, models, and tools to design theories, models, and tools to design
1 to design innovative approaches to innovative approaches to solve approaches to solve business issues
solve complex business issues within complex business issues within within organisations.
organisations, both domestic and organisations.
international.
Interpret and explain key and Interpret and explain key and complex Interpret and explain key business
2 complex business concepts across a business concepts. concepts.
range of relevant disciplines.
Apply leadership judgement to Apply leadership judgement to select Contribute to leadership decisions by
select and use a range of business and use a range of business tools that using a range of business tools and
3 tools that support decision- making support decision-making and projects models.
and projects in a business context of in a business context.
varied complexity.
Recognise, reflect on, and respond Recognise, reflect on, and respond Recognise and reflect on social, cultural,
4 appropriately to social, cultural, appropriately to social, cultural, ethical and sustainability issues in
ethical and sustainability issues in ethical and sustainability issues in business settings.
complex business settings. business settings.
Participate, lead, and actively Participate, lead, and actively Participate, contribute, and actively
5 collaborate with specialist collaborate with specialist collaborate with specialist professionals
professionals in business supporting professionals in the business. in the business.
multiple disciplines.
Successfully work in team Successfully work in team Contribute to teamwork to deliver and
environments to deliver and environments to deliver and embrace embrace new ideas that positively and
6
embrace new ideas that positively new ideas that positively and ethically ethically impact the business.
and ethically impact the business impact the business they work in.
they work in.
Reflect on feedback and identify Reflect on feedback and identify Reflect on feedback and identify action
action learning opportunities and action learning opportunities and learning opportunities and self-
7
self-improvement and self- improvement and improvement and development to
development to address future development to address future address future challenges.
challenges. challenges.
Construct and communicate Communicate professionally both Communicate professionally both orally
professionally both orally and in orally and in writing logical, and in writing logical, relevant business
8 writing, logical, relevant, and relevant business information, information and decisions to
complex business information, decisions, and plans to appropriate appropriate audiences.
strategic decisions, and policies to audiences.
appropriate audiences.

Appendix B – Unit Leaning Outcome MBA5002: Business Finance

1. Evaluate how businesses make financial decisions within the broader financial
environment in which they operate.
2. Critically appraise and apply theories and models used in investment, financing and
dividend decisions.
3. Generate problem solving methodologies and apply options and recommendations for
financial decisions using a combination of theories, tools and models.
4. Apply capital structure theories and create dividend policies to solve problems involving
various financial goals, dividends, risks, pricing, budgets, and policies.
5. Apply and communicate ethical principles to business including the execution of financial
information reports, and the competing perspectives of the stakeholder and shareholder.

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