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

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2009

Course Code: SOSK5182C

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

School: 650T TAFE Business

Campus: City Campus

Program: C4210 - Certificate IV in Financial Services

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

Steven Geroe
Steven.geroe@rmit.edu.au
03 9925 5464

For course and program enquiries
Clem Simonetto
Clem.simonetto@rmit.edu.au
03 9925 5426

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

There are no pre-requisites and co-requisites for this unit.

Course Description

This unit covers the fundamental principles that underpin professional practice such as compliance, confidentiality, conflict resolution, and professional ethics.
The course examines the legal framework of these principles and explores its applications through 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:

FNSICIND401B Apply principles of professional practice to work in the financial services industry

Element:

FNSICIND401B/01 Identify the scope, sectors and responsibilities of the industry

Performance Criteria:

1.1External forces impacting on the financial services industry are identified and considered in carrying out activities.
1.2The main sectors of the financial services industry and the inter-relationship between sectors are identified and considered in carrying out activities.
1.3The roles and responsibilities of the participants in the financial services industry are identified and considered in carrying out activities.

Element:

FNSICIND401B/02 Identify and apply financial services industry guidelines, procedures and legislation

Performance Criteria:

2.1Information on relevant legislation, regulations and codes of practice is collected and analysed and the application to the role in the workplace determined.
2.2Work practice is clarified and refined in light of relevant legislation, regulations and codes of practice.
2.3Relevant codes of practice are used to guide an ethical approach to workplace practice and decisions.

Element:

FNSICIND401B/03 Manage information

Performance Criteria:

3.1Relevant documents and reports are read, understood and any implications discussed with relevant persons.
3.2Documents, reports, data and numerical calculations are analysed, checked, evaluated and organised to meet the customer’s and/or the organisation’s requirements.
3.3Information is presented in a format appropriate for the audience.

Element:

FNSICIND401B/04 Plan work to be completed taking into consideration time, resources and other constraints

Performance Criteria:

4.1Tasks to be done and relevant conditions are determined.
4.2Work is planned either working alone or with others.
4.3Work is planned for a given period managing resources, time and priorities.
4.4Contributions are made to organisation’s planning process.
4.5Changes in technology and work organisation are adapted to.

Element:

FNSICIND401B/05 Develop and maintain personal competency

Performance Criteria:

5.1Professional development needs and goals are identified and reviewed on a regular basis.
5.2Competency, authorisation and licensing requirements are clarified.
5.3Professional development opportunities that reflect needs and goals are sought and completed in an agreed upon timeframe.

Learning Outcomes


Refer to the performance elements and the performance criteria of this unit.


Details of Learning Activities

 Each week students will be introduced to the legal theory related to each topic. Examples of the practical applications within industry will also be discussed.

Students will take an active role by reflecting upon and discussing key concepts, summarising key points, solving case studies, undertaking research, delivering presentations, and working co-operatively in a group environment.


Teaching Schedule

Week beginning Topics and assessment tasks

Elements

Learning Activities
Week 1  Topic 1: Industry Overview
1A: Main Sectors 		FNSICIND401B/01, FNSICIND401B/03
FNSICIND401B/04		 Calculate compound interest
Week 2 1B: Regulators FNSICIND401B/01, FNSICIND401B/02
FNSICIND401B/03, FNSICIND401B/04 		Search ASIC, APRA and ACCC websites
Week 3 1C: Career paths FNSICIND401B/01 FNSICIND401B/03 FNSICIND401B/04 FNSICIND401B/05 Complete careers test
Week 4 Assessment - Assignment FNSICIND401B/01, FNSICIND401B/03 FNSICIND401B/04 Complete assessment 1 and form groups for assessment 2
Week 5 Topic 2 Compliance
2A: Financial Services Reform Act		 FNSICIND401B/01, FNSICIND401B/02
FNSICIND401B/03, FNSICIND401B/04 		Analyse CBA’s FSG for compliance
Week 6 2B: ASIC Regulatory Guides FNSICIND401B/01, FNSICIND401B/02
FNSICIND401B/03, FNSICIND401B/04 		Complete case study
Week 7 2C: Uniform consumer credit code FNSICIND401B/01, FNSICIND401B/02
FNSICIND401B/03, FNSICIND401B/04 		Finalise topics and groups for assessment 2
Week 8 Assesment Preparation FNSICIND401B/01, FNSICIND401B/02
FNSICIND401B/03, FNSICIND401B/04 		Finalise presentation
Week 9 - Assessment - Group Presentation FNSICIND401B/01, FNSICIND401B/02
FNSICIND401B/03, FNSICIND401B/04		 Complete assessement 2
Week 10 Topic 3: Confidentiality
FNSICIND401B/02, FNSICIND401B/03
FNSICIND401B/05 		Debate the right to privacy
Week 11 3B: Privacy and Statue Law
3C: Privacy and the Code of Banking Practice		 FNSICIND401B/02, FNSICIND401B/03
FNSICIND401B/05 		Apply NPPs to real-life situations
Week 12 Topic 4: Professionalism
4A: Conflict Resolution 		FNSICIND401B/02
FNSICIND401B/03
FNSICIND401B/05 		Complete case study
Week 13 4B: Ethics FNSICIND401B/05 Workshop conflicts of interest
Week 14 Assessment - Open Book Test FNSICIND401B/02, FNSICIND401B/03
FNSICIND401B/04, FNSICIND401B/05 		Complete assessment 3
Week 15 Topic 5: Health and Safety
5A: Legal Framework		 FNSICGEN401B/01, FNSICGEN401B/02 Complete risk assessment
Week 16 5B: Ergonomics and Office safety
5C: Human behaviour and attitudes		 FNSICGEN401B/01, FNSICGEN401B/02 Complete accident/incident report
Week 17 Assessment – Oral Exam FNSICGEN401B/01, FNSICGEN401B/02
FNSICGEN401B/03		 Demonstrate how to work safely in an office
Week 18 Resits   Finalise results

This schedule may be subject to change. Students will be advised of changes in class and on the learning hub.


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

All relevant learning resources will be placed on the online learning hub (http://www.rmit.edu.au/learninghub). Students will need to access this site on a weekly basis, print off materials, and bring them to class.


References

Long, Mark. Workskills for Financial Services. Better Teams Publications: Russell Lea (2009).

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/onlineLog inand 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

Throughout the semester students will be able to gauge their progress by completing and discussing class exercises.

This formative feedback will highlight to students areas in which they may need to do more work to achieve competency.


Assessment Tasks

Overview of Assessment
Throughout the semester students will be able to gauge their progress by completing and discussing class exercises. This formative feedback will highlight to students areas in which they may need to do more work to achieve competency.

Assessment Tasks
Students must complete all assessments and achieve an accumulative mark greater than 50% to achieve a pass in this course.

Tests
If a student receives a mark of less than 50% for a test they have completed, they will be given the opportunity to resit the test, as per the teaching schedule, for a maximum grade of 50%.

Missed Tests
If a student misses a test for any reason, they must complete a special consideration application. Please note that applications must be submitted through the online learning hub within 2 working days of the scheduled assessment.
It is expected that students will show their teacher the written receipt granting a deferred assessment as soon as it is received so it can be recorded.

The special consideration policy can be found at: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=g43abm17hc9w
This site includes a link to the application form.

Assignments
All assignments must be submitted using the faculty cover sheet for assignments. These are available from the foyer on level 13 or at:
http://prodmams.rmit.edu.au/wcy2b1ka2ioo1.pdf

If a student receives a mark of less than 50% for an assignment they have completed, they will be given the opportunity to re-submit the assignment to achieve a pass grade.

Late Assignments
Students seeking an extension of seven calendar days or less from the original due date must complete an application for extension to time, available at level 13 reception. The application must be lodged with your teacher no later than one working day before the official due date, unless there are exceptional circumstances.

Students should note that schools are not required to accept late submissions, but if it is determined the assignment will be accepted, a 10% per day penalty will be deducted from the final assessment mark. The weekend counts as 2 days.


Assessment Matrix

 Assessment Task
       Marks   Topics
Assignment           20%  Topic 1
Group Presentation           30% Topics 1 and 2
Open-book test           50% Topics 3 and 4

Other Information

 Employability skills

 Refer to 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

Topic 1. Industry Overview

Required Knowledge and Skills
1.1 Identify the external forces, which impact on the financial services industry.
1.2 Understand why external forces impact upon activities within the financial services industry.
1.3 Identify the roles and responsibilities of the participants in the financial services industry, and evaluate career opportunities.
1.4 Explain how the roles and responsibilities of the participants impact upon the industry.
1.5 Understand the concept of compound interest
1.6 Calculate compound interest according to the provisions of the Credit Act.
1.7 Identify the main sectors of the industry.
1.8 Identify the main regulators, their roles and functions.
1.9 Discuss and evaluate the policy decisions behind regulation.

Topic 2. Compliance

2.1 Define the concepts of compliance, non-compliance and disclosure.
2.2 Explain the significance of compliance within the workplace.
2.3 Analyse disclosure obligations under the Corporations Act, ASIC Regulatory Guides, and the Code of Banking Practice.
2.2 Determine how these disclosure obligations apply to roles in the workplace.
2.3 List relevant disclosure documents.
2.4 Discuss when the disclosure documents need to be distributed and how they need to be drafted.
2.5 Explain the outcomes of non-compliance.
2.6 Explain licensing arrangements and how they affect the duties of licensees and representatives within the industry.
2.7 Discuss the impact of AFSL upon workplace practices.

Topic 3. Confidentiality

3.1 Define and differentiate common law, statue law and codes of practice.
3.2 Discuss and evaluate the right to privacy.
3.3 List the National Privacy Principles (NPPs).
3.4 Identify when the NPPs apply.
3.5 Apply NPPs to workplace conduct.
3.6 Describe circumstances amounting to a breach of the NPPs.
3.7 Discuss remedies and penalties arising from a breach.

Topic 4. Professionalism

4.1 Define IDR, EDR, ADR as dispute resolution methods.
4.2 Identify dispute resolution processes and agencies.
4.3 Compare and contrast remedies available to clients in instances of non-compliance.
4.4 Identify conflicts of interest.
4.5 Explain appropriate responses to conflicts of interest.
4.6 Define ethical principles.
4.7 Evaluate legislation and codes of practice in light of ethical principles.
4.8 Apply ethical approaches to workplace practice and decisions

Course Overview: Access Course Overview