Course Title: Work effectively in the accounting and bookkeeping industry
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term2 2021
Course Code: ACCT5421C
Course Title: Work effectively in the accounting and bookkeeping industry
School: 650T Vocational Business Education
Campus: City Campus
Program: C4398 - Certificate IV in Accounting and 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
+61 9925 5460
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 work autonomously and in teams to complete work activities relating to the provision of accounting and bookkeeping services.
It applies to individuals who occupy roles with some responsibility and use a range of research and organisational techniques to establish and carry out their work requirements in the accounting industry.
Work functions in the occupational areas where this unit may be used are subject to regulatory requirements. Refer to the FNS Financial Services Training Package Companion Volume Implementation Guide or the relevant regulator for specific guidance on regulatory requirements.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
FNSACC408 Work effectively in the accounting and bookkeeping industry |
Element: |
1. Develop professional working relationships |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1 Clarify business needs and expectations of work to be done through clear communication with key stakeholders 1.2 Determine roles and responsibilities of various members of the accounting and tax profession according to business needs 1.3 Identify activities that fall outside own role and responsibilities, and identify networks of individuals able to carry out those activities 1.4 Refer business owner to networks for advice and services where applicable 1.5 Request feedback on range, type and quality of service to be provided and act on feedback, where applicable 1.6 Identify and use ethical principles and practices in own role and responsibilities |
Element: |
2. Identify compliance requirements and support materials |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 Obtain access to publications and software tools designed to assist in carrying out own work activities 2.2 Research legislative, statutory, regulatory and industry requirements for carrying out own work activities |
Element: |
3. Set up and maintain systems to meet compliance requirements |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 Develop systems to support user needs 3.2 Develop instructions and guidelines for carrying out daily activities according to compliance requirements 3.3 Review and adapt systems as necessary on a regular basis |
Element: |
4. Work autonomously or in a team to complete work activities |
Performance Criteria: |
4.1 Determine tasks to be done and identify required conditions to work autonomously or in team environment 4.2 Plan work to manage resources, time and priorities 4.3 Provide feedback to team members to encourage, value and reward individual and team efforts, and contributions 4.4 Support team to identify and resolve problems that impede its performance 4.5 Adapt to changes in technology and work organisation in a timely manner |
Element: |
5. Develop and maintain own competency |
Performance Criteria: |
5.1 Identify and review own professional development needs and goals on regular basis 5.2 Clarify and comply with competency, authorisation and licensing requirements 5.3 Seek professional development opportunities that reflect own 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.
A Practice Firm - Work simulated environment will be set up where students will be employed in the virtual office. The students will be simulating the work in this practice firm every week and will perform normal activities as in office kind situation, It will give the real working life experience. Practice firm will operate from Week 9-16.
The self-paced activities will be delivered through 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 course is clustered (co-delivered & co-assessed) with:
BUSM8850C Monitor and manage small business operations
Week |
Topic / Learning Materials |
Assessment |
1 |
Reading: Pre Class content -Links provided in the weekly module Activity: NO - Class. Exploring course schedules and discussion in your time Quiz 1 - Introduction to Business |
|
2 |
Introduction to the bookkeeping and accounting Definitions Required skills and knowledge Clarifying business needs with key stakeholders Stakeholders Regulatory environment and compliance Roles and duties Communication Clarifying requests |
Assessment Task 1 will be released
|
3 |
Working ethically and responsibly Ethics discussions Ethics activity and presentations |
|
4 |
Professional development and introduction to small business operations Professional development Small businesses – introduction and familiarisation Examine a business -start of activity – relates to Assessment Task 1 Q 7 and 8) |
Assessment Task 2 will be released and students will be formed into class groups |
5 |
PD and Introduction to small business operations continued Student presentations on PD opportunities (relates to Assessment Task 1 Q5) Students continue examining a business – work towards completion of Assessment Task 1, Q7-8 |
Assessment Task 1 - Part A due this week |
6 |
Technology, information and documentation Technology, software and related rules around technology and data Documentation and information management Explore key documents such as Business Plans, Action Plans, Stakeholder Management Plans, Risk Plans etc (provide templates) Commence Assessment Task 2 (form into pairs or groups and select another business to examine) |
|
7 |
Assessment Task 2 Work on identifying, analysing and describing the business used in Assessment Task 2 |
|
8 |
Presentations on the business explored in Assessment Task 2 Personal effectiveness Time management, self-development and performance improvement |
Assessment Task 2 all sections (continues, due week 11) |
9 |
Systems, Policies and procedures including risk Policies and procedures including for Risk Management, OHS/WHS Performance improvement and Quality Assurance |
Assessment Task 1 - Part B due |
10 |
Groups finalise their work on Assessment Task 2 – due week 11 Form into new groups for Assessment Task 3 (using Practice Firm) due week 15 Business Goals, Mission Statements, operational areas, Action Plans |
|
11 |
Students continue work on Assessment Task 3 (to be uploaded by week 15) |
Assessment Task 2 due Group Presentations in class will start in group order as decided in class |
12 |
Students work on Assessment Task 3 (to be uploaded by week 16) |
Assessment Task 2 due Group Presentations in class will continue in group order as decided in class |
13 |
Students work on Assessment Task 3 (to be uploaded by week 16) |
|
14 |
Students work on Assessment Task 3 (to be uploaded by week 16) |
Assessment Task 3 with Group discussion in class amongst the groups |
15 |
Students work on Assessment Task 3 (to be uploaded by week 16) |
Assessment Task 3 with Group discussion in class amongst the groups |
16 |
Submit Task 3 |
Assessment Task 3 due |
Note:
Week 1: No scheduled classes, but please watch the Welcome to Intro Accounting video and read the course info in the module.
Weeks 2 - 8: Classes for all class groups will be delivered live online using the Collaborate Ultra platform
Weeks 9 - 17: Class groups AC4Q & AC4R will continue with live online classes using the Collaborate Ultra platform
Class groups AC4M, AC4N, AC4P will have face-to-face classes on campus (check timetables for room locations)
** The teaching schedule may be subject to change. You will be advised in class and via Canvas Announcements if changes become necessary
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
Principles of Professional Practice |
978-1-925433-77-7 |
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
Performance Evidence
Evidence of the ability to:
- establish and maintain effective relationships with clients and colleagues
- research and identify organisational policies and procedures relevant to own role
- develop systems and guidelines for work procedures that comply with legislative requirements
- analyse, evaluate and organise information required for own role
- effectively plan work and contribute to team environment, taking into account constraints and available resources
- identify and evaluate opportunities for own professional development.
Note: If a specific volume or frequency is not stated, then evidence must be provided at least once.
Knowledge Evidence
The candidate must be able to demonstrate the following knowledge to effectively complete the tasks outlined in the elements and performance criteria of this unit, and to manage tasks and reasonably foreseeable contingencies in the context of the work role.
- Avenues for identifying other professionals in the accounting and bookkeeping industry
- Requirements of accounting and bookkeeping industry codes of practice
- Policies and procedures required for own role in the accounting and bookkeeping industry
- Statutory, legislative and regulatory requirements for documenting accounting procedures
Assessment Conditions
Assessment must be conducted in a safe environment where evidence gathered demonstrates consistent performance of typical activities experienced in the accounting and bookkeeping field of work and include access to:
- organisational policies, procedures, legislation, regulations and codes of practice required for own role
- office equipment, technology, software and consumables required for own role, including an integrated financial software system and data.
Assessors of this unit must satisfy the assessor requirements in applicable vocational education and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards.
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
The course has three (3) pieces of assessment task to complete. You are expected to complete all the three assessments tasks to achieve competency in the course.
The details of the all the 3 assessment tasks is given as below:
Assessment 1: Due Week 5 & Week 9
This assessment is Knowledge Questions. This assessment will be divided in 2 parts. Part A is due in Week 5 and Part B is due in Week 9.
The purpose of the assessment is to give you the opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge of key points relating to the accountancy and/or bookkeeping industry, with a particular focus on professional practice and small business operations.
The content will be provided through class discussions, readings and course resources, and research in students’ own time. Upload completed work in or before Week 9 of the semester.
Assessment 2: Due Week 11 & Week 12
The assessment will be due in Week 11. This practical assessment will allow you to explore an organisation from the perspective of a bookkeeper and develop policies and procedure manuals.
There are 3 parts to this task, you will be required to complete:
Part 1: Working as a bookkeeper
Part 2: Policies and procedures manual
Part 3: Meeting with CEO
Much of the material will be covered in class during weeks 6-10 with some additional reading and research in students’ own time. Upload completed work in Week 11 of the semester. The Part 2 required presentation of the policy manual in the class. The presentations will continue in class during Week 11 & 12.
Assessment 3: Due Week 16
This practical assessment task is the final of three assessment tasks you need to complete satisfactorily, in order to be deemed competent for this unit.
This practical assessment will allow you to explore an organisation and develop an Action Plan to provide strategic direction in accordance with the business’s goals and mission.
There is 1 part to this task, you will be required to complete:
Part 1: Manage small business operations
The content will be provided through class discussions, readings and course resources, and research.
Much of the material will be covered in class with some additional reading and research in students’ own time. Upload completed work in Week 16 of the semester.
You need to complete all the assessments successfully to complete the course.
Assessment Matrix
The assessment matrix that maps all the assessment is available on CANVAS under Assignments.
All assessments will utilise a competency-based model and will be deemed as either
- Satisfactory or
- Not Yet Satisfactory.
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 the Assessment task document that includes a declaration and statement of authorship.
- 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.
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: https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment/extensions-of-time-for-submission-of-assessable-work
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: https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment/special-consideration
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
Successful re-submissions will contribute a CAG only (Competency Achieved Grading) result 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:
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 completing each individual assessment successfully, we then grade your performance in the unit as:
Competent
If you have been unsuccessful in completing each individual assessment then the allocated grade will be :
Not Yet Competent
Course Overview: Access Course Overview