Overview
Finance 323: Personal Finance II builds on content introduced in FNCE 322: Personal Finance I. This course goes into greater depth on time value of money-based analysis, as well as retirement and estate planning. Additionally, the final lesson of the course, “Current Topics,” is a collection of various issues deemed relevant by FP Canada.
For those students interested in pursuing QAFP (Qualified Associate Financial Planner) and CFP (Certified Financial Planner) designations offered by FP Canada, FNCE323 (together with FNCE249, FNCE322, FNCE350, and TAXX301), completes coverage of the “Body of Knowledge” topics required for the QAFP and CFP examinations. By completing the CFP Professional Education Program (directly from FP Canada), students can sit for the CFP exam. Students may choose to complete the QAFP designation first or proceed directly to CFP certification.
Whether or not students wish to pursue financial-planning credentials, FNCE323 offers content that deepens understanding of retirement planning, estate planning, and time value of money topics.
Evaluation
Your final grade in FNCE 323 is based on five quizzes and one Final Examination. You must achieve a minimum grade of 50 percent on the Final Examination and an overall course grade of at least D (50 percent) to pass the course.
The following chart describes the credit weight associated with each course requirement:
| Activity | Weight |
| Quizzes (five quizzes, 6% each) | 30% |
| Assignment 1 | 15% |
| Assignment 2 | 10% |
| Final Examination | 45% |
| Total | 100% |
The final examination for this course must be requested in advance and written under the supervision of an AU-approved exam invigilator. Invigilators include either ProctorU or an approved in-person invigilation centre that can accommodate online exams. Students are responsible for payment of any invigilation fees. Information on exam request deadlines, invigilators, and other exam-related questions, can be found at the Exams and grades section of the Calendar.
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University’s online Calendar.
Materials
Digital course materials
Links to the following course materials will be made available in the course:
Clark, C. (2022). Retirement and estate planning in Canada vols.1&2 (4th ed.). Captus Press.