WO​​​​​RK PLACEMENT – BANKING, INVESTMENT, AND FINANCE (FINC 441)

OVERVIEW

1. COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course covers a number of tasks that are divided into two parts. The first part is the professional orientation which focuses on understanding the work environment of prospective employers and the job markets in general. After this, the students will be placed at the selected employers where they will apply their acquired knowledge, skills, and attitude in a real work environment. It is essential for the students to comply with the hosting organization’s requirements, to meet the Performance Objectives (POs), and to keep track of their training progression throughout the work placement period.

2. REASON FOR THE COURSE

Students must develop practical knowledge, skills, and attitudes in order to strengthen their positions in the market.  They need an opportunity to apply the knowledge acquired in previous coursework in a real business setting. Therefore, program graduates will develop work-readiness skills and be familiar with the key factors for success in a banking, investment, and finance career.  

3. STUDY HOURS

4. ROLE IN CURRICULUM

Prerequisites: 

  1. Students must have completed the 9-hour preparation activities provided by Career Services and Student Advising (CSSA) or employer-conducted orientation approved by CSSA. 
  2. Students must have completed Macroeconomics (ECON 202) and Finance 1 (FINC 311).

SKILLS

  • COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES (CLO)
  • ASSESSMENT AND GRADING
  • TEACHING METHODS
  • STUDY PLAN
  • TEXTBOOKS AND REFERENCES

5. COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES (CLO)

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

Knowledge Level of
Learning		 Related PLO
Identify Ethics (CK1)
Identify the ethical requirements of the work.		 Understand PIP2
Describe Principles (CK2)
Describe the underlying principles of banking/investment/or finance.
 Understand PC1
Cognitive Skills Level of
Learning		 Related PLO
Apply Financial Appraisal (CC1)
Apply financial appraisal of business projects/investments or credit analysis.		 Apply PC1
Analyze Finance/Investment (CC2)
Analyze working capital management, investments, sources of financing, or credit analysis for individuals or organizations.		 Analyze PC1
Communication, Information Technology, and Numerical Skills Level of
Learning		 Related PLO
Discuss Reports (CCIT1)
Discuss reports with relevant stakeholders to meet the business objectives		 Apply PCIT3
Interpersonal Skills and Responsibilities Level of
Learning		 Related PLO
Work Effectively (CIP1)
Work effectively with relevant stakeholders to achieve the intended outcomes.		 Characterize PIP1

6. ASSESSMENT AND GRADING

Grades will be determined based on the following assessments and score allocations:

SKILL Assessment Skill Weighting for Grade
Mentor Supervisor Peer PE Report
Identify Ethics (CK1) 50% 50%     10%
Describe Principles (CK2)       100% 10%
Apply Financial Appraisal (CC1)   50%   50% 25%
Analyze Finance/Investment (CC2)   50%   50% 25%
Discuss Reports (CCIT1)   50% 50%   10%
Work Effectively (CIP1) 25% 30% 45%   20%

7. TEACHING METHODS

Performance Objectives

Students are required to achieve a minimum of four performance objectives in total including all three interpersonal qualities and the core skills of performance objectives in banking, investment, and finance.

Students may achieve each performance objective by participating in the suggested activities or other similar activities related to the performance objectives by providing an explanation in the practical experience report.

The performance objectives are set out in interpersonal qualities and core skills as in Appendix 1.

To provide evidence of achieving performance objectives, students are required to request a confirmation letter from their supervisor with the attachment of the performance objectives that they have achieved during the job training.

Report: Personal Experience Report
Work Group: Individual
Output format: Performance Objective Matrix
Language: English
Description:

Students will be required to produce a summarized report reflecting the experience obtained from the job training that satisfies the required performance objectives. As their training progresses, students should keep track of their experiences. At the end of the training, students will be required to write a report summarizing the experience in their own words in a performance objective matrix. The report should be clear and truthfully reflect the experience with examples provided.

8. STUDY PLAN

   Lesson Learning Outcomes

Teaching (T), and
Assessment (A) Methods
1

Course Orientation

  1. Introduce the course aims, descriptions, and criteria.
  2. Explain the performance objectives to be achieved during the job training.
  3. Explain the practical experience report
  4. Guide the students in searching for relevant information about jobs and prospective organizations. 
 Lecture
Question and Answer
2-18 On-Job training (All CLOs) Apply knowledge

9. TEXTBOOKS AND REFERENCES

ACCA Rule Book https://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/about-us/regulation/ethics/acca-rulebook.html

ACCA Performance Objectives

https://www.accaglobal.com/vn/en/student/practical-experience-per/performance-objectives.html 

Appendix 1 – Performance Objectives

Interpersonal Qualities 

These are the important elements of interpersonal qualities that students must achieve. They are required to maintain a professional code of ethics, develop productive business relationships with stakeholders, and take initiative as a leader during work.

Performance Objectives Elements
Maintain a professional code of ethics
  • Act diligently and honestly, following codes of conduct, taking into account and keeping up-to-date with legislation.
  • Act with integrity, objectivity, professional competence, and due care and confidentiality. You should raise concerns about non-compliance.
  • Develop a commitment to your personal and professional knowledge and development. You should become a life-long learner and continuous improver, seeking feedback and reflecting on your contribution and skills.
Develop productive business relationships
  • Display sensitivity, empathy, and cultural awareness in all your communications. This allows you to establish trust and credibility with a range of stakeholders and gain their confidence.
  • Use a range of mediums and make appropriate use of digital technology to communicate clearly, concisely, and persuasively in formal and informal situations.
  • Develop and build effective and ethical professional relationships and networks using face-to-face and digital technology.
Apply leadership and self-development
  • Display sensitivity, empathy, and cultural awareness in all your communications. This allows you to establish trust and credibility with a range of stakeholders and gain their confidence.
  • Use a range of mediums and make appropriate use of digital technology to communicate clearly, concisely, and persuasively in formal and informal situations.
  • Develop and build effective and ethical professional relationships and networks using face-to-face and digital technology.

Core Skill

Banking, Investment, and Finance

Students are expected to identify alternative sources of finance and evaluate the financial viability of the investment decisions. In addition, they may also assist in managing cash and working capital effectively and advising an appropriate action to mitigate the risk and exploit the opportunities for investment.

Performance Objectives Elements
Evaluate investment and financing decisions
  • Advise on the appropriateness and cost of different sources of finance.
  • Identify and raise an appropriate source of finance for a specific business need.
  • Review the financial and strategic consequences of undertaking a particular investment decision.
  • Evaluate projects, financial securities, and instruments – and advise on their costs and benefits to the organization.
Manage and control working capital
  • Analyse and plan appropriate levels of cash and working capital.
  • Prepare and monitor organizational cash flow, and credit facilities and advise on appropriate actions.
  • Contribute to the way current systems for managing cash, short-term liquidity, and working capital operate.
  • Operate and comply with controls and safeguards over working capital management.
Identify and manage financial risk
  • Identify key sources of financial risk to the organization and how they might arise.
  • Assess the likelihood and impact of financial risks to specific business activities.
  • Assess whether to transfer, avoid, reduce, or accept financial risk.
  • Advise on using instruments or techniques to manage financial risk.
  • Monitor financial risks, reviewing their status and advising on how they should be managed.
Perform data analysis and advise the business
  • Communicate the recommendations to relevant stakeholders in a way they can easily visualize and understand, to exploit business opportunities, manage risk, and evaluate performance.
  • Identify and use appropriate financial and non-financial information to build a comprehensive understanding of a client’s business and the business environment in which they operate.

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