Course Title: Apply principles of professional practice to work in the financial services industry

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2008

Course Code: SOSK5138C

Course Title: Apply principles of professional practice to work in the financial services industry

School: 650T TAFE Business

Campus: City Campus

Program: C4169 - Certificate IV in Financial Services (Accounting)

Course Contact : Michelle Mosiere

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 5455

Course Contact Email:michelle.mosiere@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Vicki Mesiti

+61 3 9925 5425

vicki.mesiti@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 30

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

This Unit of Competency is taught in conjunction with:
FNSICGEN304B Apply health and safety practices in the workplace [RMIT Code: OHTH 5089C]

Course Description

This unit covers the fundamental principles that underpin professional practice. It examines the legal framework and its industry applications; company procedures, guidelines, policies and standards. The content is contextualised within the financial services industry.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

FNSICIND401A Apply principles of professional practice to work in the financial services industry

Element:

Develop and maintain personal competency.

Performance Criteria:

Professional development needs and goals are identified and reviewed on a regular basis.

Competency, authorisation and licensing requirements are clarified

Professional development opportunities that reflect needs and goals are sought and completed in an agreed upon timeframe

Element:

Identify and apply financial services industry guidelines, procedures and legislation.

Performance Criteria:

Information on relevant legislation, regulations and codes of practice is collected and analysed and the application to the role in the workplace determined.

Work practice is clarified and refined in light of relevant legislation, regulations and codes of practice.

Relevant codes of practice are used to guide an ethical approach to workplace practice and decisions.

 

Element:

Identify the scope, sectors and responsibilities of the industry.

Performance Criteria:

External forces impacting on the financial services industry are identified and considered in carrying out activities.

The main sectors of the financial services industry and the inter-relationship between sectors are identified and considered in carrying out activities.

The roles and responsibilities of the participants in the financial services industry are identified and considered in carrying out activities.

Element:

Manage information.

Performance Criteria:

Relevant documents and reports are read, understood and any implications discussed with relevant persons.

Documents, reports, data and numerical calculations are analysed, checked, evaluated and organised to meet the customer's and/or the organisation's requirements.

Information is presented in a format appropriate for the audience.

Element:

Plan work to be completed taking into consideration time, resources and other constraints.

Performance Criteria:

Tasks to be done and relevant conditions are determined.

Work is planned either working alone or with others.

Work is planned for a given period managing resources, time and priorities.

Contributions are made to organisation's planning process.

Changes in technology and work organisation are adapted to.


Learning Outcomes


  


Details of Learning Activities

Case studies are used throughout the course and students are expected to participate in class discussions and exercises.  The use of ’real world’ examples will assist students throughout the course.  Students will take an active role

1. reflecting and discussing key concepts

2. applying legal concepts to case studies

3. summarizing key points

4. participating in problem solving scenarios

5. responding to generic question sessions

 

The use of real world examples will facilitate the understanding of theoretical concepts and students will be encouraged to use lateral thinking.


Teaching Schedule

Week beginning Topics Assessments Competencies

Week 1 -

11th February

Topic 1: Industry Overview

1A: Main Sectors

 

FNICIND401B/01

FNICIND401B/03

FNICIND401B/04

Week 2 -

18th February

1B: Regulators  

FNICIND401B/01

FNICIND401B/02

FNICIND401B/03

FNICIND401B/04

Week 3 -

25th February

1C: Career Paths in Financial Services  

FNICIND401B/01

FNICIND401B/03

FNICIND401B/04

FNICIND401B/05

Week 4 -

3rd March

1D: Career Paths in Financial Services - Research  

FNICIND401B/01

FNICIND401B/03

FNICIND401B/04

FNICIND401B/05

Week 5 -

10th March

Topic 2: Compliance

2A: Financial Services Reform Act                                  2B: ASIC Policy Statements

 

FNICIND401B/01

FNICIND401B/02

FNICIND401B/03

FNICIND401B/04

Week 6 -

17th March

2C: Uniform Consumer Credit Code  

FNICIND401B/01

FNICIND401B/02

FNICIND401B/03

FNICIND401B/04

Week 7 -

31st March

 Assessment Preparation  

FNICIND401B/01

FNICIND401B/02

FNICIND401B/03

FNICIND401B/04

Week 8 -

7th April

Assessment 1Due

Group Presentation

FNICIND401B/01

FNICIND401B/02

FNICIND401B/03

FNICIND401B/04

Week 9 -

14th April

Topic 3: Confidentiality

3A: Privacy under the Common Law

 

FNICIND401B/02

FNICIND401B/03

FNICIND401B/05

Week 10 -

21st April

3B: Privacy under Statute & Voluntary Codes of Practice  

FNICIND401B/02

FNICIND401B/03

FNICIND401B/05

Week 11 -

28th April

Topic 4: Professionalism

4A: Conflict Resolution

 

FNICIND401B/02

FNICIND401B/03

FNICIND401B/05

Week 12 -

5th May

Ethics   FNICIND401B/05

Week 13 -

12th May

Assessment 2 Due Case Study

FNICIND401B/02

FNICIND401B/03

FNICIND401B/04

FNICIND401B/05

Week 14 -

19th May

Topic 5: Health & Safety

5A: Legal Framework

 

FNSICGEN401B/01

FNSICGEN401B/02

FNSICGEN401B/03

Week 15 -

26th May

5B: Ergonomics & Office Safety                          Assessments 3 & 4 Due

Risk Assessment

Incident/Accident Report

FNSICGEN401B/01

FNSICGEN401B/02

Week 16 -

2nd June

5C: Human Behaviour & Attitudes  

FNSICGEN401B/01

FNSICGEN401B/02

Week 17 -

9th June

Assessment 5 Due Workplace Scenario

FNSICGEN401B/01

FNSICGEN401B/02

FNSICGEN401B/03

Week 18 -

16th June

Feedback & Final Results Re-sits  


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

RMIT generated materials on DLS.  These same materials are also available on G:\BusTAFE\Law\Apply principles of professional practice


References

Waters, Kay.  Working in the Financial Services Industry.  Tertiary Press.  Croydon:2003.


Other Resources

Online learning Materials
Online learning materials can be accessed by going to the RMIT website, clicking on Students, under IT Information and Services there is a link to the Online Learning Hub. www.rmit.edu.au/online Log in and click on SOSK5138C – Apply principles of professional practice.
It is essential to have access to an internet connected computer outside of class times. Internet connected computers are available in the Business Labs on Level 3 of Building 108, 239 Bourke Street, Melbourne.

Useful Websites
http://www.rmit.edu.au/library This website is a useful resource for assessment tasks.
http://www.rmit.edu.au/lsu The Learning Lab is a learning and study skills site developed by the Learning Skills Unit offering online interactive tutorials, printable handouts and an email learning query service. The site is designed to assist students develop the capabilities for tertiary studies.


Overview of Assessment

Assessment may include group presentations, oral reports, problem solving activities, case studies, research assignments and / or open-book tests.
Tutorial activities may also include problem solving, researching and responding to case studies. Such activities may be conducted verbally or in writing.
The aim is to provide the opportunity for formative feedback so that students may determine how well they are progressing in the course.


Assessment Tasks

Important Points
All assessments are graded. To pass the course, students must submit and pass each individual assessment task and achieve competency in all course elements.
Assessments will incorporate a variety of methods including in-class exercises, group presentations and a case study.
Students are advised that they are likely to be asked to personally demonstrate their assessment work to their teacher to ensure that the relevant competency standards are met.
Students will be provided with more than one opportunity to demonstrate competence.

Assessment Task 1
Group Presentation
Week 8
Mark Value 50%
Group assessment. Presentation involves a detailed report on one aspect of the financial services industry and an analysis of the pertinent legal issues. The assessment task takes place during class time.

This assessment addresses competency elements:
FNSICIND401B/01
FNSICIND401B/02
FNSICIND401B/03
FNSICIND401B/04

Assessment Task 2
Case Study
Due Week 13
Mark Value 50%

Students will be provided with a case study for discussion and reflection upon legal and ethical issues. The test will be held in class.

This assessment addresses competency elements:
FNSICIND401B/02
FNSICIND401B/03
FNSICIND401B/04
FNSICIND401B/05


Assessment Matrix

 

National Module Code

 

Group Presentation Case Study
FNSICIND401B/01 assessed  
FNSICIND401B/02 assessed assessed
FNSICIND401B/03 assessed assessed
FNSICIND401B/04 assessed assessed
FNSICIND401B/05   assessed

Other Information

Teacher Contact
Out of class communication to all students will occur using the RMIT student email. It is essential to check your email prior to attending each class.
Consultation times will be made available to you in the first week of classes.
Consultation times may also be arranged via email.

Self Managed Learning
Students will be required to undertake research and assessment practice outside of regular class times. Exercises are provided to the students to facilitate their learning in a self-paced manner and form part of the overall achievement of the competencies in this course.
Students are reminded that they are expected to spend an equal amount of time outside of class, furthering their understanding of the concepts being taught, as they do in class, to be deemed competent in this course.

Course Evaluation and Feedback
You will receive ongoing feedback on your progress in the course. Feedback on assessment will be given in a timely manner. You will be informed about how to improve your performance in the competency/course and what you need to do to be deemed competent or to gain a pass in the assessment.
Feedback on the course itself is welcome at any time to the class Teacher, Course Coordinator or Program Coordinator. Periodic Course Evaluation Surveys are also conducted.

Employability skills
Are the non-technical skills and competencies that are an important part of effective and successful participation in the workplace.
Their inclusion in the training packages represents the progress of competency based training into a system which aims to develop the full range of transferable skills, attitudes and behaviour required for successful participation in the workplace.
These include:
• Communication
• Teamwork
• Problem solving
• Technology
• Planning and Organising
• Initiative and Enterprise
• Self-Management
• Learning

Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the presentation of the work, idea or creation of another person as though it is your own. It is a form of cheating and is a very serious academic offence that may lead to expulsion from the University. Plagiarised material can be drawn from, and presented in, written, graphic and visual form, including electronic data and oral presentation. Plagiarism occurs when the origin of the material used is not appropriately cited. it also occurs through enabling plagiarism, which is the act of assisting or allowing another person to plagiarise or to copy your own work. Please make sure you consider this carefully in completing all your work and assessments in this course and if you are unsure about whether you might have plagiarised, seek help from your teacher.

Examples of plagiarism include:
• Copying sentences or paragraphs word-for-word from one or more sources, whether published or unpublished, which could include but is not limited to books, journals, reports, theses, websites, conference papers, course notes, etc. without proper citation;
• Piecing together text from one or more sources and adding only linking sentences;
• Copying or submitting whole or parts of computer files without acknowledging their source;
• Copying a whole or any part of another student’s work; and
• Submitting work as your own that someone else has done for you.

For further information including “Plagiarism (and how to avoid it): Resources for Students” please refer to the Plagiarism section of the RMIT Policies, available at http://www.rmit.edu.au/governance/policies in the Teaching and Learning Policy section.

For information relating to the penalties for plagiarism and cheating, please refer to Regulation 6.1.1 Student Discipline available at http://mams.rmit.edu.au/j4lb68xx36oj1.pdf
Penalties include official reprimand, recording of a failure result or expulsion from the University.

Special Consideration
Special Consideration is a process that enables the University to take account of unexpected circumstances such as illness, injury or bereavement that affect a student’s performance in assessment. Special Consideration can be applied for to obtain:
a) Alternative Assessment
b) Extension of Time
c) Equitable Assessment Arrangement
d) Deferred Assessment

You may apply for special consideration up to and no later than 48 hours (2 working days) after the due date for assessment. Forms are available from BTS Reception on Level 13 or from http://www.rmit.edu.au/students/forms

Grounds for special Consideration may include illness, accident, bereavement, hardship/trauma. All supporting documentation must be included with your application. Completed forms must be addressed submitted to the Hub on Level 4 Building 108. Further information can be accessed from http://www.rmit.edu.au/students/specialconsideration

Relevant previous study or work/life experience and credit in this course
RMIT University recognises nationally accredited or endorsed qualifications and Statements of Attainment issued to the student by other Registered Training Organisations (RTO’s).

Also, RMIT provides credit for work experience or other forms of life experience that match the learning outcomes/competencies of RMIT courses. You must provide evidence that is current, relevant valid, and verifiable that your experience matches the learning outcomes/competencies of the relevant course for which you are seeking credit. This evidence may include formal qualifications (certificates, etc); work samples; references; documents, etc. Please speak to your teacher before applying.

To apply, you should obtain an RPL Information Sheet from BTS Reception on Level 13. Forms are also available at Reception or from the RMIT Website at http://www.rmit.edu.au/student-records/studentforms . You should complete the appropriate form (RPL and/or Credit Transfer), attach the relevant supporting documentation and submit to the Program Coordinator via Level 13 reception within one month of enrolling.

Assessment Cover Sheet
Note, if requested by your teacher, you must complete a hardcopy of the RMIT coversheet with your assessment submissions: http://mams.rmit.edu.au/rbkf8knmzbla1.doc

Course Overview: Access Course Overview