Course Title: Establish and maintain a payroll system

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2018

Course Code: ACCT5374C

Course Title: Establish and maintain a payroll system

School: 650T Vocational Business Education

Campus: City Campus

Program: C4362 - Certificate IV in Bookkeeping

Course Contact: Doug Gourlay

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 5944

Course Contact Email: doug.gourlay@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Upasana Mahajan

Course Coordinator

Email: upasana.mahajan@rmit.edu.au
Location: 80.05.030

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 for this unit.

Course Description

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to record and prepare payroll documentation, respond to enquiries and process accurate payroll data for manual and computerised systems.

It applies to individuals who use a range of organisational and other specialist techniques. They may work directly for organisations or be small business owners, contractors or service providers.

Work functions in the occupational areas where this unit may be used are subject to regulatory requirements. This unit is designed to meet educational requirements of the Tax Practitioner Board (TPB). Refer to the FNS Implementation Guide Companion Volume or the relevant regulator for specific guidance on requirements.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

FNSBKG405 Establish and maintain a payroll system

Element:

1. Establish payroll requirements

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Apply knowledge of relevant legislation in relation to employment standards, and other legislative requirements in regards to payments 1.2 Seek instruction from authorised parties in relation to relevant state and modern awards regarding details to be set up within payroll system for individual employees 1.3 Establish payroll set-up for salary packaging 1.4 Assess scope of payroll services BAS agent can provide and identify need for independent expert advice providers

Element:

2. Record payroll data

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Ensure payroll system includes complete and accurate employee data 2.2 Review payroll data and clarify discrepancies with designated persons 2.3 Enter employee pay period details, deductions and allowances in payroll system in accordance with source data 2.4 Calculate payment due to individual employees to reflect standard pay and variations in accordance with employee source data

Element:

3. Prepare and process payroll

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Conduct payroll preparation within designated timelines in accordance with organisational policy and procedures 3.2 Calculate, record and reconcile employee in accordance with legislative requirements 3.3 Reconcile total payments for pay period, and review and correct irregularities or refer them to designated persons for resolution 3.4 Obtain authorisation of payroll and individual pay advice in accordance with organisational requirements 3.5 Make arrangements for payments in accordance with organisational and legislative requirements 3.6 Produce, review and store payroll records in accordance with organisational policy and security procedures

Element:

4. Handle payroll enquiries

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Respond to payroll enquiries in accordance with organisational and legislative requirements 4.2 Provide information in accordance with organisational and legislative requirements 4.3 Refer enquiries outside area of responsibility or knowledge to designated persons for resolution 4.4 Provide additional information or complete follow-up action within designated timelines in accordance with organisational policy and procedures

Element:

5. Maintain payroll

Performance Criteria:

5.1 Maintain all information and record keeping relating to payroll function in accordance with relevant legislation and regulations 5.2 Produce and reconcile month-end and year-end checklists to ensure compliance with relevant legislative and management deadlines 5.3 Update records and systems in line with salary reviews and other changes in employment status 5.4 Establish back-up and disaster recovery systems 5.5 Generate and distribute payroll reports in line with organisational policy 5.6 Extract and apply business activity statement (BAS) and instalment activity statement (IAS) data in accordance with relevant legislation and regulations


Learning Outcomes



Details of Learning Activities

A range of learning activities are planned for this course including self-paced and collaborative classroom based activities.

The self-paced activities will be delivered thought various technology platforms and include your contribution to wikis and discussion threads, reflective journals, quizzes and interactive sessions.

The collaborative classroom based activities will include group discussion, group problem solving activities and opportunities to practice your skills in a simulated/real workplace environment.

We expect you to participate and contribute in all scheduled learning activities.

 


Teaching Schedule

This unit will be clustered (co-delivered and co assessed) with:

ACCT5374C Establish and maintain a payroll system

 

Course schedule

Course Schedule: ACCT5372C & ACCT5374C                                                            Semester 1: 2018

Week

Topic

Readings and Activities

Assessment

Unit(s) of Competency

Elements and Performance Criteria

Week 1

 

Introduction to course schedules

Introduction to Bookkeeping practices

Reading: Links provided in weekly module

Activity: Exploring course schedules and discussion

 

ACCT5372C / ACCT5374C

 1.1. 1.2

Week 2

 

Introduction to the role of Bookkeeper

Reading: Reading provided in the module

Activity: Links provided for the activities

 

ACCT5372C / ACCT5374C

 2.1, 2.2

Week 3

 

Payroll Policies

Reading: References provided for reading 

Activity: as per module activities

 

ACCT5372C / ACCT5374C

 1.1.1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 3.1, 3.2

Week 4

 

Processing the Payroll (Manual)

Reading: Discussion and links provided in the module 

Activity: Provided in the module

 

ACCT5372C / ACCT5374C

2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4 

Week 5

 

Manual payroll calculations and exercises

Reading: Week 4 readings as base

Activity: Activities provided in module

Assessment 1: Payroll Legislation

ACCT5372C / ACCT5374C

 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6

Week 6

 

MYOB introduction

Reading: You tube videos

Activity: activities given in the module

 

ACCT5372C / ACCT5374C

 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4

Week 7

 

MYOB payment of pays

Reading: Information provided

Activity: Modules referencing

 

ACCT5372C / ACCT5374C

 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4

Week 8

 

MYOB payment of superannuation owing etc; also prep of Payment Summaries

Reading: weekly content of module

Activity: Module reference given 

 

ACCT5372C / ACCT5374C

 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4

Break

Break

Break

Break

Break

Break

Week 9

 

Introduction to GST; taxation system

 

Reading: weekly content of module

Activity: Module reference given 

 

ACCT5372C / ACCT5374C

 

Week 10

 

GST exercises including GST worksheet

Reading: weekly content of module

Activity: Module reference given 

 

ACCT5372C / ACCT5374C

 

Week 11

 

GST exercises including GST worksheet

Reading: weekly content of module

Activity: Module reference given 

 

ACCT5372C / ACCT5374C

 

Week 12

 

BAS & IAS form completion introduction & exercises

Reading: Based on past weekly readings

Activity: Module given 

 

ACCT5372C / ACCT5374C

 5.1, 5.2, 5.3

Week 13

 

BAS & IAS form completion introduction & exercises

Reading: Based on past weekly readings

Activity: Module given 

 

ACCT5372C / ACCT5374C

 5.1, 5.2, 5.3

Week 14 

 

PAYG Instalments

Reading: Based on past weekly readings

Activity: BAS / IAS / PAYGI activities 

 

ACCT5372C / ACCT5374C

 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4

Week 15

In Class Assessment

Reading: weekly content of module

Activity: Module reference given 

 Assessment 3

ACCT5372C / ACCT5374C

 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4

Week 16

Resubmission

Reading: weekly content of module

Activity: Module reference given 

     5.1. 5.2. 5.3

Week 17

Resubmission

Reading: weekly content of module

Activity: Module reference given 

     

 

 

 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

Carry out business activity and instalment activity statement

291257


References


Other Resources


Overview of Assessment

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

Performance Evidence

Evidence of the ability to:

  • accurately identify, calculate and input data for payments into manual or computerised payroll systems
  • produce payroll reports in accordance with organisational and legislative requirements
  • present payroll report for verification and approval
  • maintain all records in compliance with organisational and legislative requirements that relate to security and confidentiality of information.

Knowledge Evidence

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

  • explain the scope of services appropriate for a business activity statement (BAS) agent providing payroll services
  • explain the application of award and enterprise agreements and relevant industrial instruments to payroll maintenance responsibilities
  • identify and explain organisational policy and procedures that affect payroll, including the structure of authority in organisations
  • explain industry codes of practice relevant to payroll operations
  • compare and contrast manual and computerised payroll systems
  • identify relevant legislation and record-keeping requirements from all levels of government that affect business operation and reporting requirements, especially in regard to:
    • Fair Work Act
    • National Employment Standards
    • Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act
    • corporations law
    • workers compensation and work health and safety
    • tax related to payroll activities
    • Privacy Act (confidentiality and security of records)
    • Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
    • Medicare levy
    • Tax Agent Services Act (TASA)
    • current state, territory and Commonwealth industry and modern awards, and enterprise bargaining agreements
    • individual employment contracts
    • Commonwealth, state and territory leave Acts including annual, sick and long service
    • Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Act
  • describe current Australian Tax Office (ATO) requirements such as:
    • Australian Business Number (ABN)
    • employment declaration
    • tax file number (TFN) declaration
  • identify the Tax Practitioners Board (TPB) requirements, including:
    • registration and scope of services documentation requirements for BAS agents
    • Code of Professional Conduct
  • explain relevant taxation law, including:
    • pay as you go (PAYG) withholding tax
    • fringe benefits tax (FBT)
  • outline the key aspects of routine and non-routine requirements for payroll, including:
    • routine: award payments, salary amount, salary packaging, superannuation guarantee and super reporting
    • non-routine: termination payments and super guarantee charge. 

Assessment Conditions

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

  • common office equipment, technology, software and consumables
  • workplace reference materials such as procedural manuals and company policy
  • actual or simulated payroll data.

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

There will be a total 2 assessments The first one will be completed in week 6 and will be a theory based assessment to reinforce the legislation understanding. The second assessment will be a case study to be completed by students on their own at the end of the semester.

 

Students must complete all the tasks to complete the unit.

 

Assessment Task 1 Theory test (Due date : Week 6)

 

The first assessment will be completed in week 6 in the class. It is in the form of theory test where main aim will be to see that students have learnt how and from where to access the information when required. They will be given the access to the questions based on legislation and rules and it will be open book. The students need to access the latest governmental rules and note down any updates.

 

  1. For this Assessment Task you need to complete a theory test, open book. Based on the payroll policies provided. Students will be allowed to use laptops but no other mobile devices.
  2. Assignment covering Topics from week 1-6.

 

 

Assessment Task 2 Case study  (Due date: End of Week 15)

 

The main summative assessment where students will be given a holistic case study in week 14 and will be due in week 15. and will have to produce the final BAS report, following all the legislation and rules laid down by the governmental bodies, ready to lodge with the required government body. Students will be given the organisational policies and procedures and transactions to simulate the real scenario, and will have to take on the role of bookkeeper and payroll officer in the organisation.

 

 

  1. For this assessment task you are to complete a case study where the BAS needs to be prepared with holistic items attached to that. The concepts of Payroll and GST will be covered in that..
  2. Case Study is to be done in groups of two students.

 

 

Students must complete all the tasks to complete the unit.


Assessment Matrix

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    
 CA   Competency achieved  - Not Graded
 NYC   Not Yet Competent
 DNS   Did not submit

 

 

The individual assessment matrix that maps all the assessment is available on CANVAS under the Assignments section.

 

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 CANVAS.
  • 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, Julie Macpherson, 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. 

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

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

Resubmissions (VET Programs):

If you are found to be unsuccessful in a particular Course Assessment Task (or you do not submit/attend) you will be allowed one resubmission.  Your teacher will provide feedback regarding what you need to do to improve and will set a new deadline for the resubmission. 

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.

Grading & re-submissions

Re-submissions do not contribute to your overall grade for the course.

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:

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.

Course Overview: Access Course Overview