Personal Finance 4th edition has been updated to reflect the legislative and regulatory changes that effect the Australian financial planning industry. The new edition continues to present an introduction to financial planning decisions, services and products and considers the importance of long term strategic financial planning and life-long management. The text has been written for a non-finance audience and is ideal for anyone who may be undertaking a major study in personal financial planning or as an elective.

Since the publication of the first edition, this text has become a market leading textbook in the area. As more and more Australians look to financial planners for information and guidance on investment opportunities to achieve short and long-term financial goals, this text reflects the industry’s need to ensure its members are accredited and offering professional and ethical advice.

FEATURES

• NEW chapter 8 ‘Investing in property’

• Chapters on financial planning (ch 01), profession (ch 02) and skills (ch 03) have been restructured

• Theoretical content is linked to professional practice and industry examples

• Accessible, easy-to-read style makes it ideal for non-business students

• Updated in accordance with the Financial Services Reform Act

• Personal Finance Bulletin, Professional Advice and Industry Insight vignettes highlight professional issues, relevant financial services and products, and new trends. These chapter vignettes also establish the importance of making sound professional judgements

• The end-of-chapter case studies highlight a professional issue that requires in-depth analysis and critical thinking.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Diana Beal was an Associate Professor in Finance at the University of Southern Queensland (USQ), where she taught courses in business finance, personal finance, applied microeconomics, macroeconomics, financial markets and financial institutions management. Her initial training was as an economist and she worked for the government, both federal and state, for eight years. After joining USQ in 1988 Diana completed a Masters degree and a PhD in economics. She also has a commerce degree. Diana has always had an interest in both business and personal finance and has traded property, shares, collectibles, forex and options. In addition, she ran her own business for 15 years.

Warren McKeown was the Senior Lecturer and Course Director of Financial Planning, at RMIT University for 11 years where he devised and taught the range of financial planning subjects in the undergraduate financial planning degree program and also subjects in the Masters of Financial Planning program. He is currently a Teaching Fellow in Financial Accounting at the University of Melbourne. He has degrees in economics and education and a master’s degree by research. He has 19 years’ experience in financial planning as a Chartered Accountant (Financial Planning Specialist) and as a Certified Financial Planner. Warren presents workshops on financial planning and is the chair of the Advisory Panel of the Personal Financial Planning and Superannuation segment of the CPA program. He is also a panel member of the Financial Industry Complaints Service and a subject expert for the Ethics, Professionalism and Compliance module of the FPA’s CFP program.