Course Title: Establish and maintain payroll systems

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2021

Course Code: ACCT5422C

Course Title: Establish and maintain payroll systems

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

Email: upasana.mahajan@rmit.edu 
Location: 80.05.30

Nominal Hours: 45

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 record and prepare payroll documentation, respond to enquiries, and process payroll data for manual and computerised systems.

It applies to individuals, including BAS agents, 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 the education requirements of the Tax Practitioner Board (TPB). 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:

FNSTPB402 Establish and maintain payroll systems

Element:

1. Establish payroll requirements

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Assess scope of payroll services that a business activity statement (BAS) agent can provide, and identify need for independent expert advice

1.2 Apply knowledge of legislation in relation to National Employment Standards, and legislative requirements in regard to payroll payments

1.3 Research and identify relevant state and modern awards, and employment agreements, regarding details to be set up in payroll system for individual employees

Element:

2. Record payroll data

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Configure payroll system with complete data provided by employee and employer

2.2 Review payroll data and clarify discrepancies with designated persons

2.3 Enter employee pay period details in payroll system in line with source data

Element:

3. Prepare and process payroll

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Conduct payroll preparation within designated timeframes and according to organisational policy and procedures

3.2 Use employee source data to calculate, record and reconcile payroll according to 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 make arrangements for individuals’ payments in line with organisational requirements

3.5 Distribute individual pay advice according to organisational and legislative requirements

3.6 Identify legislative and organisational requirements relevant to employment termination processes and payment, and seek advice to interpret requirements as required

3.7 Produce, review and store payroll records according to organisational policy and security procedures

Element:

4. Handle payroll enquiries

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Respond to payroll enquiries according to organisational and legislative requirements

4.2 Provide information according to 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 timeframes and according to organisational policy and procedures

Element:

5. Maintain payroll

Performance Criteria:

5.1 Maintain information and record keeping relating to payroll function according to current legislative and regulatory requirements

5.2 Prepare and reconcile month-end and year-end payroll records to ensure compliance with 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 BAS and instalment activity statement (IAS) data according to legislative and regulatory requirements

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 (simulated business) environment will be utilised where students will be employed in our virtual office. The students will be asked to perform activities that mimic authentic work tasks, and this is designed to provide an ideal preparation for the real world of work.

A series of self-paced activities will be also delivered using our technology platforms and may 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 workplace environment.

To maximise the value of the learning experience it is important that you to participate in (and contribute to) all scheduled learning activities.


Teaching Schedule

 

This course is delivered across the whole semester (Weeks 1 - 16 inclusive) as part of a cluster of two units, the other unit being BAFI5237C Complete business activity and instalment activity statements.

Course schedule

Course Schedule: BAS & Payroll (BAFI5237C  & ACCT5422C)

Semester 1: 2021

Week

Topic

Readings and Activities

Assessment

Week 1

Introduction to course schedules

Introduction to the role of Bookkeeper and Bookkeeping practices

 

Reading: Links provided in the weekly module

Activity: Exploring course schedules and discussion

 

Week 2

Introduction to the role of Bookkeeper and BAS Agent

Introduction to Payroll Policies

 

Release  of Assessment Task 1: Payroll Legislation

Week 3

Payroll Policies (cont'd)

Processing Payroll (manual)

Reading: Reading provided in the module

Activity: Links provided for the activities

 

Week 4

Processing the Payroll (manual)

Reading: References provided for reading 

Activity: as per module activities

 

Week 5

MYOB  Payroll introduction

Reading: Discussion and links provided in the module 

Activity: Provided in the module

 Assessment 1 - Part A - Due

Week 6

MYOB Payroll introduction

Reading: Week 4 readings as base

Activity: Activities provided in the module

 

Week 7

Termination

Reading: YouTube videos

Activity: activities are given in the module

 

Week 8

Single Touch Payroll & BAS Return

Reading: Information provided

Activity: Modules referencing

 

Week 9

Revision and

Assessment 2

Reading: Links provided in weekly the module

Activity: Exploring course schedules and discussion

 

Week 10

Introduction to GST; taxation system

Reading: Reading provided in the module

Activity: Links provided for the activities

Assessment Task 2: Payroll Case Study

 

Week 11

 

GST exercises including GST worksheet

Reading: a weekly content of the module

Activity: Module reference is given 

 

Week 12

BAS & IAS form completion introduction & exercises

Reading: a weekly content of the module

Activity: Module reference is given 

Assessment Task1: Part B - Due

Week  13

PAYG Instalments

Reading: a weekly content of the module

Activity: Module reference is given 

 RE-Sit for Assessment 2

Week 14

MYOB BAS

Reading: Based on past weekly readings

Activity: Module given 

 

Week  15

Assessment Task 3

Reading: Based on past weekly readings

Activity: Module given 

Assessment Task 3:

BAS preparation is due

Week  16

Feedback, resits/resubmissions

Assessments (cont'd)

Re-Sit for Assessment 3.

 

 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References

Establish and Maintain Payroll Systems

978-1-76073-045-1

Other Resources

Online learning materials can be accessed by visiting Canvas.

The online learning materials listed include: 

  • Course outlines
  • PowerPoint presentations
  • Supporting reading material
  • Industry relevant articles
  • Activities


Overview of Assessment

Performance Evidence

Evidence of the ability to:

  • identify, calculate and input data from time-recording systems for payments into manual or computerised payroll systems
  • produce a payroll report according to organisational and legislative requirements
  • present a payroll report for verification and approval
  • maintain records according to organisational and legislative requirements that relate to security and confidentiality of information.

 

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.

  • Scope of services offered by a business activity statement (BAS) agent providing payroll services
  • Key principles of award and enterprise agreements and industrial instruments required to maintain payroll systems
  • Organisational policy and procedures that affect payroll, including the structure of authority in organisations
  • Industry codes of practice relevant to payroll operations
  • Key features of manual and computerised payroll systems
  • Legislative 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
  • state payroll tax relating to payroll activities
  • Privacy Act and requirements relating to confidentiality and security of records
  • Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
  • Medicare levy
  • Tax Agent Services Act (TASA)
  • current commonwealth, state and territory industry and modern awards, and enterprise bargaining agreements
  • individual employment agreements
  • commonwealth, state and territory leave Acts, including annual, personal, paid parental and long service
  • Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Act
  • Current Australian Taxation Office (ATO) requirements relating to payroll systems, including:
  • Australian business number (ABN)
  • payment summaries
  • employment termination payments (ETPs)
  • tax file number (TFN) declaration
  • Tax Practitioners Board (TPB) requirements relating to payroll systems, including:
  • registration and scope of services documentation requirements for BAS agents
  • code of professional conduct
  • Key requirements of taxation law relating to payroll systems, including:
  • pay as you go instalment (PAYGI) tax
  • pay as you go withholding (PAYGW) tax
  • fringe benefits tax (FBT) as it relates to salary packaging
  • Key aspects of routine and non-routine requirements for payroll, including:
  • routine: award payments, salary amount, salary packaging, superannuation guarantee and superannuation reporting
  • non-routine: termination payments and superannuation 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:

  • office equipment, technology, software and consumables required to establish and maintain a payroll system, including:
  • workplace reference materials, such as procedural manuals and organisational policy
  • actual or simulated payroll data.

 

Assessors of this unit must satisfy the assessor requirements in applicable vocational education and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards.

 

This unit is designed to meet the education requirements of the Tax Practitioner Board (TPB). Where registration with the TPB is sought, assessment must reflect the conditions described by the regulator which stipulate that a significant amount (at least 40%) must be completed under some form of independent supervision. Where recognition of prior learning (RPL) is used, it must also meet the requirements of the Board s policy on RPL.

Details of requirements can be accessed on the TPB website at <http://www.tpb.gov.au>;.

If undertaking this unit for BAS agent registration, the following items in the Range of Conditions must be addressed in the assessment to meet educational requirements for registration with the TPB:

  • payroll preparation
  • payroll records.

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 unit will have three assessment tasks in total. These tasks will be used to determine competency for the cluster. In order to be deemed competent, you must satisfactorily complete all assessment tasks. 

Assessment Task 1: Legislation (Due date: Weeks 5 & 12)

The Assessment task 1 will be divided in two parts. It will be release in Week 2. Part 1 will be due in Week 5 and Part B will be due in Week 13. It is in the form of theory questions and research into legislation.  The main aim will be to determine your research and information-finding skills, when required. Also, we will assess your information-collecting skills from (and information delivery to) the clients and the senior accountant.  You will be expected to research the latest governmental rules and legislation and note down any recent updates.

For this assessment task, you need to:

  1. Complete theory-based questions based on the GST Legislation. 
  2. Prepare a role play, record it on your mobile phone, and then upload it on Canvas.
  3. Assignment covering Topics from week 1-12.

 

Assessment Task 2: Case Study (Due date: Week 10)

The second assessment will be a supervised assessment, and it will be due in Week 10 in class. You are required to complete a range of tasks relating to a case study. The case study allows you to develop a portfolio that demonstrates your ability to prepare both business activity statements (BAS) and instalment activity statements (IAS) for a range of legal entities.

  1. You will be playing the role of a bookkeeper/BAS Agent in a firm.
  2. You will be given appropriate tasks to complete in that role.
  3. You will also be asked to complete relevant payroll activities.

 

Assessment Task 3: BAS Preparation (Due date: Week 15)

The third assessment task will be completed in Week 15 (in the Practice firm environment) where you will be working as a bookkeeper preparing the BAS. You will complete this task under the supervision of your teacher (acting as your manager).

This assessment builds upon the case studies completed in Assessment Task 2. This task requires you to use MYOB Accounting software to complete transactions as they relate to BAS.

  1. You will be appointed as a bookkeeper in the Practice Firm.
  2. You will be given relevant tasks to complete in that role.
  3. You will be assessed based on the reports you produce whilst working in the Practice Firm.

 

You must satisfactorily complete all assessment tasks to be deemed competent in this unit.

 


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 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 (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.

Course Overview: Access Course Overview