Course Title: Manage budgets and forecasts

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2017

Course Code: ACCT5380C

Course Title: Manage budgets and forecasts

School: 650T Vocational Business Education

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5374 - Diploma of Accounting

Course Contact: Ben Sethia

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 5982

Course Contact Email: ben.sethia@rmit.edu.au

Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Name:    Meetu Aggarwal

Phone:    9925 1621

Email:     meetu.aggarwal@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 40

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

None

Course Description

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to prepare, document and manage budgets and forecasts, and encompasses forecasting estimates and monitoring budgeted outcomes.

It applies to individuals who use specialised knowledge and analytical skills to prepare and manage strategic organisational information.

National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:	FNSACC503 Manage budgets and forecasts
Element:	1. Prepare budget
Performance Criteria:	1.1 Clearly define cash, expenditure and revenue items and ensure relevance to identified objectives of budget 1.2 Ensure budget objectives are clear and consistent with organisational aims and projects 1.3 Conduct discussions and negotiations with stakeholders in manner that promotes understanding, goodwill and ongoing cooperation 1.4 Identify and include milestones and performance indicators in budgets to monitor financial performance and break down annual budgets into seasonal periods in accordance with operating trends
Element:	2. Forecast estimates
Performance Criteria:	2.1 Provide realistic, ethical and attainable estimates of future cash flow, costs and revenues, and support with verifiable evidence and source documentation 2.2 Identify relevant data for forecasts and anticipate changes in circumstances 2.3 Establish assumptions and parameters and review for accuracy, relevance and compliance with organisational procedures and policy 2.4 Identify financial risks and initiate protection strategies in accordance with organisational procedures and policy
Element:	3. Document budget
Performance Criteria:	3.1 Present data in format that is easily understood and appropriate to budget reporting 3.2 Complete reports within timelines and distribute for specified periods and projects 3.3 Identify trends, issues and comparisons and report in structured format to ensure transparency and validity of analysis 3.4 Identify feasibility by comparing projections with market growth and development
Element:	4. Monitor budget outcomes
Performance Criteria:	4.1 Analyse budget variances in accordance with organisational procedures, and make recommendations based on analysis to client or designated person 4.2 Review budget processes and implement as required

Learning Outcomes

Details of Learning Activities

FULL TIME STUDENTS

Primarily you will be learning on a face to face basis with the support of an online course site for dissemination of materials and some assessments. Students will be expected to attend three hours of class for the first 8 weeks and then four hours of class each week for the remaining semester. Students will be introduced to budgets, which will then be supported by practical illustrations. Students will complete exercises to reinforce their understanding of the material. Solutions will be available on the learning hub.

PART TIME STUDENTS

Your learning experience will be a mix of face to face learning and online. Students will be expected to attend two hour classes per week. Students will be expected to review the notes prior to coming to class. Each class then focus on a demonstration of the practical application of the theory ie case studies. Students will be expected to complete all the exercises in their own time. Solutions will be available on the learning hub.

Teaching Schedule

Induction Session

Prior to training commencement a program level induction session will be conducted that comprises the following:

• Program overview and requirements
• MyRMIT/Blackboard
• Overview of assessment requirements
• Pre-Training Review including:
• • Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfers
  • Assessment of current skills and knowledge
• Competency/Grading Criteria
• Plagiarism
• Appeals
• Extensions
• Feedback
• Privacy
• Submission requirements
• Resubmission policy
• Where to get support
• Student responsibilities 

 FULL TIME and PART TIME STUDENTS- The Teaching Schedule for this course is as follows but please note that it is subject to change.

 

Week	Week Beginning		Class assessments	Assessments to be completed in your own time
1	06/02/2017	Introduction to course including course guide, RPLs and use of Blackboard.   Introduction to Budgeting- An understanding of the reasons for doing a budget and approaches to budgeting   Introducing Excel and how to use it for preparing budgets   Chapter 1 Exercises Q1 to Q13 which includes exercises on Excel.   In class Online quiz based on chapter 1 (to check understanding)
2	13/02/2017	Forecasting and sales budgets   Chapter 2 Exercises Q1 to Q13
3	20/02/2017	Forecasting and sales budgets Chapter 2 Exercises Q1 to Q13   Operating Budgets (service and trading organisations) Chapter 3 Exercises Q1 to Q18   In class Online quiz based on chapter 2 (to check understanding)
4	27/02/2017	Operating Budgets (service and trading organisations)   Chapter 3 Exercises Q1 to Q18
5	06/03/2017	Operating Budgets (service and trading organisations)   Chapter 3 Exercises Q1 to Q18   In class Online quiz based on chapter 3 (to check understanding)
6	13/03/2017	Cash Budgets   Chapter 7 Exercises Q1 to Q20
7	20/03/2017	Cash Budgets   Chapter 7 Exercises Q1 to Q20
8	27/03/2017	Cash Budgets   Chapter 7 Exercises Q1 to Q20   In class Online quiz based on chapter 7 (to check understanding)
9	03/04/2017	Master Budget Chapter 8 Exercises Q1 to Q5   Introduction to Practice Firm (1 hour each group)
10	10/04/2017	Master Budget Chapter 8 Exercises Q1 to Q5   Practice Firm – Preparation of budgets (1 hour each group)
11	24/04/2017	Budgeted Financial Statements Chapter 4 Exercises Q1 to Q8   Practice Firm – Preparation of budgets (1 hour each group)
12	01/05/2017	Budgeted Financial Statements Chapter 4 Exercises Q1 to Q8   Practice Firm – Preparation of budgets (1 hour each group)
13	08/05/2017	Performance Reports Chapter 9 Exercises Q1 to Q13   Practice Firm – Preparation of budgets (1 hour each group)
14	15/05/2017	Flexible budgets Chapter 10 Exercises Q1 to Q16   Practice Firm – variance analysis (1 hour each group)
15	22/05/2017	Flexible budgets Chapter 10 Exercises Q1 to Q16   Practice Firm – performance report (1 hour each group)		Assessment 1, submission Practice firm
16	29/05/2017	Reassessment week

 

Mid semester break will be from 13 April, 2017 to 19 April, 2017. Classes will resume from 20/04/2017.

Students will be expected to attend three-four hours of class each week. Students will be introduced to the accounting theory, which will then be supported by practical illustrations. Students will complete exercises to reinforce their understanding of the material.

Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

ACCT2 Managerial, Sivabalan, Sawyers, Jackson, Jenkins, 2nd edition, Cengage learning

9780170350358

References

Other Resources

Relevant learning resources will be placed on the learning hub. Students will need to access the appropriate topic folders on this site, on a weekly basis and bring them to class. It will be expected that students will need to complete some weekly tasks in their own time.

Overview of Assessment

In order to achieve competency in this unit, you must provide:

Performance Evidence

Evidence of the ability to:

• prepare, document and present budgets and forecasting estimates that:
• accurately apply accounting principles and practices
• follow organisational policy and procedures
• monitor budget outcomes periodically 

Knowledge Evidence

To complete the unit requirements safely and effectively, the individual must:

• discuss the key purpose and objective of budgets and forecasts, including relevance of milestones and key performance indicators
• discuss issues relating to ethical considerations for budgetary forecasting and projections to explain the strength of assumptions and forecast reliabilities
• describe types and sources of data and information required for budgeting and forecasting
• outline a range of expenditure and revenue items relevant to budgeting and forecasting
• compare and contrast forecasting techniques
• identify the key features of organisational procedures and policy relevant to budgeting and forecasting
• identify and explain the key principles and practices of:
• accrual accounting
• budgetary control
• corporate governance
• double-entry bookkeeping
• statistical analysis and measures of variance

Assessment Conditions

Assessment must be conducted in a safe environment where evidence gathered where evidence gathered demonstrates consistent performance of typical activities experienced in the accounting field of work and include access to:

• common office equipment, technology, software and consumables

You are advised that you are likely to be asked to personally demonstrate your assessment work to your teacher to ensure that the relevant competency standards are being met.

Feedback

Feedback will be provided throughout the semester in class and/or online discussions.  You are encouraged to ask and answer questions during class time and online sessions so that you can obtain feedback on your understanding of the concepts and issues being discussed. Finally, you can email or arrange an appointment with your teacher to gain more feedback on your progress.

You should take note of all feedback received and use this information to improve your learning outcomes and final performance in the course. 

Assessment Tasks

Students MUST complete the assessment task and gain competency in ALL sections

ASSESSMENT (Due Date: WEEK 15)

WIL Project

All students will work in a virtual office environment. They will be given an assessment based on budgets. The students will work individually. Each student will be required to prepare budgets based on the actual figures from last financial year or quarter. Then they have to prepare a performance report and prepare power point slides. Each student will also present a five minute presentation in class based around what they have achieved, as a “snapshot “only. This assessment is competency based and a CAG (competent) must be achieved for this assessment. The assessment will be graded (once competency is achieved) according to the grading policy for assessments those being, CAG (competent), CC (Credit), CDI (Distinction) or CHD (High Distinction).

You must successfully complete the assessment task to achieve competency.

Assessment Matrix

The assessment matrix that maps all the assessment is available on Blackboard.

Other Information

Submission Requirements

You should:

• Ensure that you submit assessments on or before the due date. 
• Always retain a copy of your assessment tasks. (hard copy and soft copy)
• When you submit work for assessment at RMIT University you need to use a cover sheet that includes a declaration and statement of authorship. You must complete, sign and submit a cover sheet with all work you submit for assessment, whether individual or group work. On the cover sheet you declare that the work you are presenting for assessment is your own work. An assignment cover sheet for submission of each assessment task is available on blackboard.
• Each page of your assessment should include footer with your name, student number, the title of the assessment, unit code and title and page numbers. For example, Callie Harvey, 324567, Task 2, OHS2345C Ensure safe workplace, Page 1 of 10.

Late Submission Procedures

You are required to submit assessment items and/or ensure performance based assessment is completed by the due dates.

If you are prevented from submitting an assessment item on time, by circumstances outside your control, you may apply in advance to your teacher for an extension to the due date of up to seven calendar days.

More Information: http://www.rmit.edu.au/students/assessment/extension

Form to use: http://mams.rmit.edu.au/seca86tti4g4z.pdf

Where an extension of greater than seven days is needed, you must apply for special consideration. Applications for special consideration must be submitted no later than two working days after the assessment task deadline or scheduled examination. <check links are still current>
 

More Information: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=g43abm17hc9w

Form to use: http://mams.rmit.edu.au/8a5dgcaqvaes1.pdf

Resubmissions (VET Programs):

If you are found to be unsuccessful in a Course Assessment Task you will be allowed one resubmission only. Your teacher will provide feedback regarding what you need to do to improve and will set a new deadline for the resubmission. The highest grade you will receive if your resubmission is successful is “CAG”.

If you are still not meeting the assessment requirements you must apply to your Program Manager in writing outlining the steps you will take to demonstrate competence in your course. Your submission will be considered by the Program Team and you will be advised of the outcome as soon as possible.

Adjustments to Assessment

In certain circumstances students may be eligible for an assessment adjustment. For more information about the circumstances under which the assessment arrangements might be granted please access the following website: <check link is still current>
More Information: http://rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=7usdbki1fjf31

Marking Guide (Competency):

You must demonstrate that you have all the required skills/knowledge/elements in the unit of competency you are studying.

You will receive feedback on each assessment task that will inform you about your progress and how well you are performing.

Marking Guide (Grading)

After achieving competency we then grade your performance in the unit and you will achieve one of the following grades:

Final Grades table:

CHD Competent with High Distinction
CDI Competent with Distinction
CC Competent with Credit
CAG Competency Achieved – Graded
NYC Not Yet Competent
DNS Did Not Submit for assessment

Further information regarding the application of the grading criteria will be provided by your teacher.

Course Overview: Access Course Overview