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

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2017

Course Code: EMPL7068C

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

School: 650T Vocational Business Education

Campus: City Campus

Program: C4369 - Certificate IV in Banking Services

Course Contact: Callie Harvey

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 5772

Course Contact Email: callie.harvey@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

 

 

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

None

Course Description

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to identify industry professional approaches to procedures, guidelines, policies and standards, including ethical requirements and model and meet expectations of these in all aspects of work. This unit covers skills required to work in senior roles in the financial services industry and underpins other specialist units used in all sectors of the industry.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

FNSINC401 Apply principles of professional practice to work in the financial services industry

Element:

1. Identify scope, sectors and responsibilities of industry

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Identify and consider external forces impacting on financial services industry while carrying out activities

1.2 Identify main sectors of financial services industry and interrelationship between sectors in carrying out activities

1.3 Identify roles and responsibilities of other participants in financial services industry in carrying out activities

Element:

2. Identify and apply guidelines, procedures and legislation

Performance Criteria:

2.1    Collect, apply and analyse information on relevant legislation, regulations and codes of practice as applied to financial services industry

2.2    Clarify own work practice and regularly refine in light of relevant legislation, regulations and codes of practice, and organisational policy, guidelines and procedures

2.3          Apply relevant codes of practice in an ethical approach to workplace practice and decisions

Element:

3. Identify sustainability issues

Performance Criteria:

3.1    Obtain and analyse information on sustainability policies, strategies and impacts on industry from a range of sources

3.2    Identify and promote environmental sustainability as an integral part of business planning and business opportunity

3.3          Incorporate and support triple bottom line principles in work planning

Element:

4. Manage information

Performance Criteria:

4.1    Read and discuss with appropriate persons relevant documents and reports that could impact on work effectiveness and compliance

4.2    Analyse, evaluate and check documents, reports, data and numerical calculations to meet customer and organisational requirements

4.3          Present information in format appropriate for audience

Element:

5. Participate in and facilitate work team activities

Performance Criteria:

5.1    Provide feedback to team members to encourage, value and reward individual and team efforts, and contributions

5.2    Actively encourage team members to participate in and take responsibility for team activities and communication processes

5.3    Support team to identify and resolve problems which impede its performance

5.4          Ensure own work serves as role model for others and enhances organisation's image and financial services industry

Element:

6. Plan work to be completed

Performance Criteria:

6.1    Determine tasks to be done and identify relevant conditions to work autonomously or in team environment

6.2    Plan work to manage resources, time and priorities

6.3    Contribute to organisational planning process as required to achieve service improvement

6.4          Adapt to changes in technology and work organisation in timely manner

Element:

7. Develop and maintain personal competency

Performance Criteria:

7.1    Identify and review personal professional development needs and goals on regular basis

7.2    Clarify and comply with competency, authorisation and licensing requirements

7.3          Seek professional development opportunities that reflect needs and goals in agreed timeframe


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 web based research and discussion threads, portfolios of evidence quizzes and interactive sessions.

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

The delivery for this course is a two hour class every alternative week, commencing week 2  and two hours of online structured learning the weeks there is no scheduled face to face delivery. The online learning will consist of reading material from the earning hub and completing scheduled exercises and activities. You are also expected to undertake additional research in identifying key financial terms used in the industry and completing web based searches to assist in completion of class activities and assignments.  

This course is delivered face to face for two hours in weeks 2,4,6,8,10,12,14 & 16 and two hours of online structured learning for the weeks that there is no face to face delivery for a total of 16 weeks.

You are expected to participate and contribute in all scheduled activities.


Teaching Schedule

The Teaching Schedule for this course has been attached to this document (Part B) but please note that it is subject to change.

The nominal hours associated with this are a guide only and represent the total teaching time and student effort required to successfully complete the course. This may include not only scheduled classes but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.  

This course is delivered face to face for two hours in weeks 2,4,6,8,10,12,14 & 16 and two hours of online structured learning for the weeks that there is no face to face delivery for a total of 16 weeks.


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

Online learning materials can be accessed by going into the RMIT web sites Online Learning Hub.

The online learning materials listed include:

  • Course outlines
  • Power point Presentations
  • Supporting Reading material
  • Industry relevant articles
  • Activities


Overview of Assessment

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

Performance Evidence

 Evidence of the ability to: 

  • access, interpret and analyse product and service information provided by industry sectors in an effective and timely manner
  • interpret and comply with relevant financial services legislation, regulations and industry codes of practice, and ethics applicable to the workplace
  • recognise and implement sustainability principles and work practices
  • accurately analyse, evaluate and organise relevant information
  • effectively plan work and maintain a team environment, taking into account any constraints and available resources
  • identify and evaluate appropriate professional development opportunities

Knowledge Evidence

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

  • discuss environmental or sustainability legislation, regulations and codes of practice applicable to industry and organisations
  • outline the main sectors in the financial services industry and the interrelationships between the sectors
  • explain industry and organisational policy and procedures and ethical behaviours in regard to customer service and administration
  • outline industry and organisational security practices and rationale
  • identify internal administration systems such as accounting systems and databases
  • explain principles, practices and available tools and techniques of sustainability management relevant to the industry context
  • explain key requirements of relevant legislation, statutory requirements and industry codes of practice as they relate to:
    • consumer credit
    • privacy
    • financial transaction reporting
    • corporations (including accounting standards)
    • financial services
  • identify the economic and political climate relating to the financial services industry
  • explain triple bottom line principles used in work planning

 Assessment Conditions

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

  • organisational policy, procedures, legislation, regulations and codes of practice
  • specialist financial services software and data
  • 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

Overview

You will be given three assessment tasks, with various ways of demonstrating your competency to meet the requirements of this course.

You are required to successfully complete all three tasks to be deemed competent in this course.

Assessment Task/Titles: 

Task 1 – Assignment - Sectors and responsibilities of the financial services industry (due Week 6)

For this assessment task you are required to prepare an individual report that provides an overview of the financial services industry, the various products and services it provides, external factors that influence and affect this industry and problem areas that require regulation and codes of practice. You will research the main sectors of the industry in Australia and present your findings in a report.

In Part A of the assignment you will be researching and reporting on various types of organisations operating in the financial service industry, their products, the relationship between at least two of these sectors, and the external factors (social, political and economic) that affect these organisations.

In Part B of the assignment you will research various problems in the financial services industry, including scams, pay day loans, instances of inappropriate behaviour toward customers of the major banks and insurance companies.  You will also research how these activities and parties have breached laws, regulations and their own codes of conduct.

Task 2 Sustainability presentation (due Week 9)

For this assessment you will need to organise yourselves with your peers in groups of three and prepare a short PowerPoint presentation on how the financial services industry responded to the move of sustainable practices. You are required to research and compare the reasons for, application and measurement of sustainability practices of two financial services organisations. You will then be required to evaluate and explain which of the two organisations you are comparing shows more commitment in applying sustainability/TBL principles to their practices.

For the second part of this assessment you are expected to prepare and present a short group report on how the group performed as a team.  

Task 3 Personal competency case study table/report (due Week 14)

For this task you are required to assess your own professional development and identify any competency gaps that you will need to address to achieve your career goals.

The purpose of this task is to first assist in identifying skills and knowledge gaps that may prevent job applicants and financial services staff from achieving their career goals, and then to consider professional development opportunities that will help them achieve these goals.

 Using the case study of a specific job and you will prepare a table or report showing you can:

  • Research the requirements of the job you are considering
  • Provide evidence to show where your capabilities and strengths match these requirements.
  • Identify the skills and other gaps you have that prevent you fully meeting the employer’s requirements.
  • Present a plan outlining what action you can take to cover these gaps, either while you are studying, or after graduation.

You must successfully complete all assessment tasks to satisfactorily meet the requirements of this course.

Grading will be applied once you have been deemed competent for this competency.

 

 


Assessment Matrix

 

 

 

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 1, EMPL7068C Apply principles of professional practice, Page 1 of 5.

 

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 Informationhttp://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 (VE 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.

 

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 for assessment

 

 

Course Overview: Access Course Overview