— our approach
How the courses are conducted
Each course follows a weekly structure: a session of around two hours in the evening, supplemented by a reading assignment and a short written exercise to be completed before the following session. Exercises are collected and returned with written commentary. The instructor works through any recurring difficulties at the start of the next session.
Introductory session: context, document structure, what to look for
Weekly reading assignments from real published documents
Written exercise submitted before the next session
Individual written commentary returned on each exercise
Final session: consolidation and guidance for further reading
course one · six weeks · evenings
Foundations of Personal Finance
A six-week evening course in the foundations of personal finance, covering household budgets, the structure of common savings and investment accounts in Malaysia, basic principles of risk and time horizon, and the careful reading of fee disclosures. The course is taught in small cohorts of around fifteen students, with weekly readings, written exercises, and a small project carried over the duration of the course. Prior knowledge is not assumed.
- Household budget structure and practical review
- EPF, savings accounts, and unit trust terms explained
- Risk and time horizon — what these terms actually mean
- Fee disclosure documents: how to read them carefully
- Small project carried across the six weeks
course fee
RM 980
course two · eight weeks · evenings
Reading Company Reports
An eight-week course for students who would like to learn to read the published reports of listed companies with care. The course covers the structure of the annual report, the income statement and balance sheet, and the patient interpretation of the notes. Worked examples are drawn from companies listed on Bursa Malaysia. The course is taught in small cohorts and includes weekly written exercises.
- Structure of a Bursa Malaysia annual report
- Income statement: what it shows and what it omits
- Balance sheet and the notes to the accounts
- Cash flow statement — why it differs from profit
- Weekly exercises with individual written feedback
course fee
RM 1,840
continuing arrangement · twelve-week terms · fortnightly
Tutored Reading Companion
A continuing tutored arrangement for students who have completed an introductory course and would value a steady reading companion as they continue. The companion meets the student fortnightly, suggests readings appropriate to their interests, and offers written commentary on the student's own written work. The arrangement runs in twelve-week terms and may be renewed by mutual agreement.
- Fortnightly meetings with a dedicated tutor
- Personalised reading list tailored to your interests
- Written commentary on your own written work
- Twelve-week terms, renewable by mutual agreement
- Available to graduates of either course
per twelve-week term
RM 3,640
— choosing the right course
Which programme suits you
If you are unsure which course to begin with, the table below may help. You are also welcome to telephone or write, and we will be glad to discuss your situation.
| Consideration | Foundations | Company Reports | Reading Companion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | First-time learners | Those with some background | Course graduates |
| Duration | 6 weeks | 8 weeks | 12-week terms |
| Format | Group evening | Group evening | One-to-one fortnightly |
| Written exercises | |||
| Personal reading list | |||
| Course fee | RM 980 | RM 1,840 | RM 3,640/term |
— standards across all courses
Shared standards of practice
Primary document only
All reading is from original published documents. Students are never asked to rely on a summary prepared for teaching purposes.
Individual written feedback
Every written exercise receives individual commentary. This is not a form of assessment but a continuation of the teaching.
Student confidentiality
Written work and personal enquiries are treated with complete confidentiality. Student data is handled in accordance with the PDPA 2010.
Updated before each cohort
Course materials are reviewed and updated before each new intake to reflect current documents and any regulatory changes.
No investment advice given
Instructors teach reading and interpretation. They do not provide investment advice or recommendations about specific financial products.
No third-party referrals
The studio receives no referral fees or commissions from financial institutions. All fees are paid directly to Buacouns Studies.
— fees
Course fees, set out clearly
foundations
RM 980
per course (6 weeks)
- All session attendance
- Printed reading materials
- Written feedback on exercises
- No additional charges
company reports
RM 1,840
per course (8 weeks)
- All session attendance
- Bursa Malaysia document pack
- Written feedback on all exercises
- No additional charges
reading companion
RM 3,640
per 12-week term
- 6 fortnightly meetings
- Personal reading list
- Written commentary on your work
- Renewable by agreement
— places available
Enquire about the next intake
Each cohort is kept to around fifteen students. If you would like to know when the next course begins or whether a place is available, write or telephone and we will reply promptly.