Course Syllabus

Course Name and Number: FNCE 627: Personal Financial Planning

Course Credits: 3

Method of Delivery: Face to Face (Vancouver Campus)

Term: Winter

Course Start Date: January 6, 2020

Course End Date: March 29, 2020

Name of Instructor: Cameron Hutt

Instructor Contact Information: The main point of contact for all instructors is through MyUCW.

Additional Contact Information: TBD

1.0 Course Description: This course looks at understanding and applying the six components of
financial planning. It delves into the process by which professionals execute financial planning with
clients. It will teach students how to use standard financial planning software and become
knowledgeable with the Canadian Financial Planning Definitions, Standards & Competencies. Students
should come away from the course feeling confident of their ability to articulate what personal financial
planning is and employ it with their own personal financial affairs.

1.5 Course Prerequisite(s): None

2.0 Learning Goals: This course will teach students:

1) The critical components of financial planning process:

1) Goal planning – retirement, children’s education, major purchases
2) Tax planning – minimizing taxes by using Tax Free Savings Accounts, registered programs
3) Money management – emergency funds, good debt versus bad debt, cash flow, net worth
4) Asset allocation – how to invest and manage money
5) Protection – ensuring income and assets are protected from peril
 UCW Course Syllabus for FNCE 627

6) Estate planning – structuring your estate prior to death or incapacitation, with a basic
understanding of the Will, Enduring Power of Attorney and Representation Agreement

2) The process professional financial planners employ in their work with clients:
1) Engaging a financial planner – find a planner and set expectations
2) Discovery – understanding the client and what is important to them
3) Developing and analyzing the financial plan – using NaviPlan and curating advice
4) Presenting the plan – using layman’s terms to go over the financial plan with a client
5) Implementing the plan – action plan to execute the advice in the financial plan
6) Ongoing monitoring of the plan – annual plan update or when there is a material change

3) How to use NaviPlan which is standard industry financial planning software

3.0 Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of this course, students should:

1) have a solid understanding of the six components of personal financial planning
2) have the ability to apply the learnings in financial planning software
3) understand the process by which to execute personal financial planning in a realistic setting using
cases study

4.0 Required Course Materials, Resources, Textbook(s):

 Financial Planning Body of Knowledge
 Canadian Financial Planning Definitions, Standards & Competencies

5.0 Recommended Course Materials, Resources, Textbook(s):

 Standards of Professional Responsibility by Financial Planning Standards Council
 Tax Planning for You and Your Family 2020 By: KPMG LLP, Nancy Belo Gomes, CPA, CA
(Toronto), Luann Jones-Foster, CPA, CA (Moncton), Carol Bethune, MA (Toronto)

6.0 Course Schedule:

Week Topic Learning Objectives Course Activities

 Review of the course deliverables

1 Financial Planning PowerPoint
 Introduction to financial planning
Process
 Bringing financial planning to life NaviPlan
Components of through NaviPlan software
Case Study
Financial Planning
NaviPlan Software

 Introduction to the six step financial

2 Goal Planning PowerPoint
planning process
 Develop goals for financial planning
purposes
 Review Case Study in NaviPlan and
through class discussion

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 UCW Course Syllabus for FNCE 627

 Minimizing taxes by using Tax Free

3 Tax Planning
4 Money
Management
5 Asset Allocation
6 Protection
7 Six Step Financial
Planning Process
8 NaviPlan
9 Financial Planning
Definitions,
Standards &
Competencies
Read Chapters 1 – 8 KPMG
Savings Accounts, registered programs
PowerPoint
 Emergency funds, good debt versus bad
PowerPoint
debt, cash flow, net worth
 Quiz 1 Quiz 1
 How to invest and manage money
PowerPoint
 Ensuring income and assets are
Read Insurance Manulife
protected from peril
PowerPoint
 Engaging a financial planner
FP Canada
 Discovery
 Developing and analyzing the financial PowerPoint
plan
 Presenting the plan
Case Study 1
 Implementing the plan
 Ongoing monitoring of the plan
 Review Software capabilities with some
NaviPlan
sample financial plans
PowerPoint
 Review definitions, standards and
FP Canada
competencies as outlined in FP Canada
brochure Case Study 2

 Determine the duty of care and

10 Standards of FP Canada
responsibilities required to be a
Professional professional financial planner PowerPoint
Responsibility
 Final Exam will cover all material taught
11 Final Exam Final Exam
and discussed including application of
NaviPlan

7.0 Required Assignments or Activities, Distribution of Marks and Due Dates:

Assignment Description Percent of Total Due Date

Course Grade
Participation Participate actively in class in a 15% Ongoing
meaningful way
Quiz Tax Planning 10%

Case Study Case study will cover concepts covered in 25% Click here to
the 6 components of financial planning. enter text.

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 UCW Course Syllabus for FNCE 627

Case Study Case study will cover concepts covered in 25% Click here to
the 6 components of financial planning enter text.
and will require use of NaviPlan.
Final Exam Final exam will test your understanding of 25%
all material taught in class and through
class discussion. It will also test your
understanding of NaviPlan outcomes.

8.0 Assessment Rubrics:

Written Communication Assessment 20%

1 2 3
Did not meet Met expectations Exceeded expectations
expectations
Writing Conventions Frequent Few grammatical errors Free of grammatical
(grammar, word use, grammatical errors and misspellings (e.g. errors
punctuation, mechanics) and misspellings three or fewer per page) and misspellings
inhibit readability Correct verb tense used Effective verb tense used
Informal language, Paragraphs flow from Uses phrases and
abbreviations and one to another Active construction that delight
slang are used voice pervasive as
well as inform the reader
Primarily active voice
Overall Effectiveness of Not formatted to Formatting is generally Assigned format
Piece (professional Specifications, Lacking correct, acceptable followed
appearance, expression professional appearance professional appearance. explicitly: Exceptional
and format) professional appearance

Critical Thinking Assessment 80%

Intellectual Standards
Elements of Reasoning Clarity Relevance Depth Breadth Integration Consistency
Information 123 123 123 123 123 123
(situation analysis; important
data, facts, observations for
analysis and decision making)
Concepts 123 123 123 123 123 123
(theories, principles, models to
be applied in the analysis or
exercise)
Points of View 123 123 123 123 123 123
(important stakeholders to
consider in the analysis and
resulting decision(s))
Assumptions 123 123 123 123 123 123
(presuppositions, values or
beliefs that must be explicitly
stated)

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Implications 123
(potential +/- outcomes or
consequences of decisions or
strategies)
Interpretation 123
(articulation of conclusions,
interpretation, recommendation
based on information, concepts,
POV, assumptions and
Implications)
Critical Thinking and Written Analyses Rubric – Scale Description
Criteria 1 2
Did Not Meet Expectations
Clarity Writing is not clear. It is
difficult to understand
points
being made. The writing
lacks
transitions, and few
examples and/or
illustrations are provided to
support explanation or
recommendations.
Relevance Critical issues/questions are
omitted or ignored in the
writing.
Depth of Ignores bias; Omits
Discussion arguments
Misrepresents issues;
Excludes data; Includes but
does not detect
inconsistencies of
information; Ideas contain
unnecessary gaps,
repetition or extraneous
details; Sees no arguments
and overlooks
differences
Breadth of Omits arguments or
Discussion perspectives; Misses major
content areas/concepts;
Presents few options
Integration of Fails to draw conclusions or
all conclusions rely on author’s
Elements of authority rather than
Reasoning strength of presentation;
Draws faulty conclusions;
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UCW Course Syllabus for FNCE 627
123 123 123
123 123 123
Levels
Met Expectations
Writing is generally well
organized and understood.
Transitions are used to
facilitate clarity. Some
examples and/illustrations are
used to support explanation
or recommendations.
Most of the critical
issues/questions are
addressed in the writing.
Detects bias; Recognizes
arguments;
Categorizes content;
Paraphrases data;
Sufficient detail to support
conclusions and/or
recommendations
Covers the breadth of the
topic without being
superfluous
Formulates clear conclusions
with adequate support
123 123
123 123
3
Exceeded Expectations
Writing is succinct, precise,
effectively organized and
without ambiguity.
Transitions, explanation
and elaboration are
extensive to elucidate
points. Detailed illustrations
and/or examples are used
to
support explanation or
recommendations.
All critical issues/questions
are addressed completely in
the writing
Analysis includes insightful
questions;
Refutes bias; Discusses
issues thoroughly
Critiques content; Values
information
Examines inconsistencies;
Offers extensive detail to
support conclusions and
recommendations; Suggests
solutions or implementation
Considers multiple
perspectives;
Thoroughly delves into the
issues/questions;
Thoroughly discusses facts
relevant to the issues
Assimilates and critically
reviews information, uses
reasonable judgment, and
provides balanced, well
justified conclusions
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 UCW Course Syllabus for FNCE 627

Shows intellectual
dishonesty

Internal There is little integration
Consistency across
the sections of the paper.
Several inconsistencies or
contradictions exist. Few of
the issues, recommendation
and explanations make
sense and are well
integrated.
Values: Level 1: 10%, Level 2: 50% and Level 3: 100%
Sections of the paper are
generally well
linked/connected. Only minor
contradictions exist. Most of
the issues, recommendations
and explanations make sense
and are well integrated.
All sections of the paper are
linked. There are no
contradictions in the
writing. All issues,
recommendations and
explanations make sense
and are well integrated

9.0 Grade Point and Letter Grades:

DESCRIPTOR GRADE
Exceptional: Normally achieved by a small minority
of students who have consistently exceeded 90-100% A+ (4.33)
performance expectations in all evaluation criteria.
Excellent: Demonstrates a comprehensive
knowledge and understanding of subject matter
and achievement of learning outcomes at high 85-89% A (4.00)
levels of performance in almost all of the
evaluation criteria.
Very good: Demonstrates a comprehensive
knowledge and understanding of the subject
matter and achievement of learning outcomes at 80-84% A- (3.67)
well above average levels of performance in most
of the course evaluation criteria.
Good: Demonstrates substantial knowledge and
understanding of the subject matter and 76-79% B+ (3.33)
achievement of learning outcomes at average to
above average performance levels in most of the 72-75% B (3.00)
course evaluation criteria
Satisfactory: Demonstrates sufficient knowledge
and understanding of the subject matter and
achievement of learning outcomes at average 68-71% B- (2.67)
levels of performance in most of the course
evaluation criteria.
Pass: Demonstrates acceptable knowledge and
understanding of the subject matter and
achievement of learning outcomes at low to 60-67% C (2.00)
average level of performance in many of the
course evaluation criteria.

Fail: Unacceptable performance in most or all of

0-59% F (0)
the course evaluation criteria

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 UCW Course Syllabus for FNCE 627

10.0 Class Participation / Expectations: Campus students are expected to attend both classes and to
be punctual. Lateness will not be tolerated without a valid reason. If you must be absent, please
contact the instructor as soon as possible. For international students within Canada, or Canadians on
student loans, the university must report any absences over 8 hours in a semester (all classes combined)
to the appropriate authority. This may result in the revoking of a student’s study permit or student loan
status. Students for whom this doesn’t apply, still run the risk of grade penalties to their participation
mark.

11.0 Late Case Study: As the second class is dedicated to going over the case study, late case study
submission will receive a 0% grade.

12.0 APA Guidelines: UCW follows the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association
(APA). All assignments must be submitted with the correct APA formatting and all sources cited
according APA standards. The UCW Library provides resources and reference materials for students and
faculty to utilize in order that their work meets APA standards.

13.0 Copyright Policy: University Canada West abides by all copyright legislation, regulations, and
agreements. All copying must be in accordance with these. Please refer to the Access Copyright
Repertoire Lookup Tool and/or consult the UCW Library."

14.0 Privacy Policy: University Canada West is committed to using personal information collected in
accordance with applicable provincial and federal privacy legislation. Use of the information collected
during this course will be used solely for purposes consistent with academic and support services of a
post-secondary educational institution. This statement is consistent with UCW's Information Privacy &
Security Policy.

15.0 Turnitin Policy: This course requires you to submit some material in electronic form. When this
requirement is in place, it will be noted in the course outline, the assignment, or both. The electronic
material will be submitted to a service to which UCW subscribes, called Turnitin. This is a service that
checks textual material for originality. Turnitin.com is used increasingly in North American universities.
For additional information please visit:
https://turnitin.com/static/resources/documentation/turnitin/sales/Turnitin_FAQ_Questions_and_A
nswers.pdf

16.0 Plagiarism and Academic Misconduct:

Please ensure that you read the section on Academic Misconduct in the University Canada West
Calendar located in MyUCW. To find the calendar, click on ‘Library Resources’ then ‘Forms and
Calendar.’

Plagiarism: includes, but is not limited to:

 Submission of another person’s work as original;
 Inadequate attribution given to an author or creator whose work is incorporated in the student's
work; and

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 UCW Course Syllabus for FNCE 627

 Paraphrase or use of material verbatim from a source without sufficient acknowledgement.

Falsifying Materials: includes, but is not limited to:

 Fraudulently manipulating laboratory processes, electronic data, or research data in order to
achieve desired results;
 Submitting work prepared by someone else (e.g., commercially prepared essays) as one's own;
 Citing a source from which material was not obtained; and
 Submitting false records, information or data, in writing or orally.

Cheating : includes, but is not limited to:

 Submitting the same work for different courses without prior permission from the faculty member;
 Copying another person’s answers or other work;
 Sharing information or answers when doing take-home assignments, tests, and examinations
except where the instructor has authorized collaborative work;
 Having any unauthorized materials or equipment in an examination or test;
 Submitting an assignment completed (or partially completed) by someone else;
 Falsifying or making up data or bibliographic information;
 Impersonating a candidate in an examination or test, or being assigned the results of such
impersonation;
 Reproducing, sharing or otherwise making unauthorized copies of UCW materials in any format;
 Using technological means such as cell phones, data storage units and other electronic devices
without prior permission from the faculty; and
 Assisting others or attempt to help others to engage in any conduct described above or any other
activities prohibited by UCW.

Penalties for Academic Misconduct

Penalties for academic misconduct include, but are not limited to:
 At the course level:
o Written reprimand for retention in the student file (no transcript entry)
o Repetition of the assignment or completion of a different, but similar, assignment (no
transcript entry)
o Failing grade for the assignment (no transcript entry)
o Failing grade for the course (recorded on transcript)
 At the program level:
o Disciplinary probation for a defined period with written documentation retained in the
student’s file (transcript notation for period of probation)
 At the University level:
o Suspension (permanent transcript entry)
o Expulsion (permanent transcript entry)
o Rescission of degrees granted (permanent transcript entry)

17.0 Instructor Biography:

Cameron Hutt, is an Investment Consultant with one of Canada’s top financial institutions,
specializing in financial, tax and estate planning for high net worth individuals. He is a graduate of the
Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) and Honours Business Administration (H.B.A.) programs at
the Ivey Business School at the University of Western Ontario. In addition to holding the Certified

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Financial Planner (CFP) designation, Cameron also holds the Certified International Wealth Manager
(CIWM), Canadian Investment Manager (CIM) designation and is a Fellow of the Canadian Securities
Institute (FCSI). Cameron has been in the brokerage industry since 1996 and previously worked for eight
years with two major Canadian Banks in investment banking and retail banking. Cameron was also an
instructor for the Canadian Securities Institute, teaching investment advisors throughout Canada for the
Professional Financial Planning course and most other courses offered by the institute. He frequently
writes for the Wealth Focus and other industry publications.

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