Course Title: Establish and maintain payroll systems
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2024
Course Code: ACCT5449C
Course Title: Establish and maintain payroll systems
Important Information:
Please note that this course may have compulsory in-person attendance requirements for some teaching activities.
School: 525T Business & Enterprise
Campus: City Campus
Program: C4435 - 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
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 computerised systems.
The unit applies to individuals and Business Activity Statement (BAS) agents, who use a range of organisational and other specialist techniques to manage payroll systems. 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 Practitioners Board (TPB). Users are advised to check with the relevant regulatory authorities to confirm those requirements.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
FNSTPB412 Establish and maintain payroll systems |
Element: |
1. Establish payroll requirements |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1 Assess scope of payroll services that a 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 required for establishing a payroll system for individual employees 1.4 Document the application and implementation of an organisation’s payroll reporting requirements through Single Touch Payroll according to statutory requirements. |
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, identify discrepancies, and determine resolution procedure according to organisational policies and procedures 2.3 Enter employee pay period details in payroll system according to source data. |
Element: |
3. Prepare and process payroll |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 Conduct payroll preparation within designated timeframes and according to organisational policies and procedures 3.2 Identify legislative and organisational requirements relevant to employment termination processes and payment and identify procedures for specialist review prior to payment 3.3 Calculate and record payroll using employee source data according to legislative requirements 3.4 Reconcile total payments for pay period, and review and correct irregularities according to organisational policies and procedures 3.5 Make arrangements for individuals’ payments according to organisational authorisation policies and procedures 3.6 Observe methodology of preparing an individual’s pay advice for distribution according to organisational and legislative requirements 3.7 Generate, review and store payroll records according to organisational, security procedures and statutory requirements. |
Element: |
4. Handle payroll enquiries |
Performance Criteria: |
4.1 Respond to payroll enquiries and provide information according to organisational policies and procedures, and legislative and regulatory requirements 4.2 Refer enquiries outside area of responsibility and knowledge to designated persons for resolution. |
Element: |
5. Maintain payroll |
Performance Criteria: |
5.1 Identify record keeping requirements relating to payroll according to current legislative and regulatory requirements 5.2 Prepare and reconcile month-end and year-end payroll records 5.3 Update records and systems according to salary reviews and other changes in employment status 5.4 Generate payroll reports according to organisational policies and procedures. |
Learning Outcomes
Details of Learning Activities
A range of learning activities is planned for this course, including online webinar sessions and collaborative classroom-based activities.
The students will be asked to perform activities that mimic authentic work tasks, designed to provide an ideal preparation for the real world of work.
A series of self-paced activities will also be 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, you must participate in (and contribute to) all scheduled learning activities.
Teaching Schedule
| Week 1 |
Introduction, Welcome and Orientation and Important Information about the unit course. Introduction
Introduction to Payroll Legislation and Regulatory Bodies Collecting Data |
Chapter 1 : Self-Testing Exercises At the end of this session, please attempt Quiz Chapter 1 |
| Week 2 |
Chapter 2: Payroll Calculations Ordinary, Gross & Net Pay Allowances & Entitlements PAYG Withholding & Deductions
|
Chapter 2 : Self-Testing Exercises Assessment 1: AT1 Knowledge Assessment (Due: Week 6) |
| Week 3 |
Chapter 3: Processing Payroll Payroll Records
|
Chapter 3: Self-Testing Exercises Chapter 3: Review Questions (even numbers questions only) |
| Week 4 |
Chapter 4: Entitlements and Reporting Procedures
Leave entitlements Superannuation Guarantee Activity Statement tasks End of Year Procedures Practice test/Revision |
Chapter 4: Self-Testing Exercises Chapter 4: Review Questions |
| Week 5 |
Session 1 - Practice test/Revision Session 2 - Supervised Assessment AT 2 |
Assessment 2: In-Class Manual Payroll - Supervised Assessment |
| Week 6 |
Start Xero Payroll Chapter 5: Processing Payroll in Xero Getting Started with Xero Set Up Single Touch Payroll Timesheets and process pay run Print Payroll Reports Chapter 6 Establishing a Payroll System in Xero Import Opening Balances Payroll Settings & Employees Set up Single Touch Payroll |
Chapter 5&6: Self Testing Exercises Assessment 1: Payroll Knowledge Questions due
|
| Week 7 |
Chapter 7 : Processing Payroll Over Multiple Periods in Xero Process First Pay Run Perform a Bank Reconciliation Manage Contacts Pay Wages and Liabilities Chapter 8: End of Year Processes in Xero Share Payroll with the ATO Check Payroll Data Finalise STP |
Chapter 7&8: Self Testing Exercises Assessment 3 XERO Payroll Case Study due |
| Week 8 |
Assessment 3 Discussions - Session 1
Assessment 2 - Re-sits - Session 2 |
RE-SIT - Assessment 2: In-Class Manual Payroll - Supervised Assessment
Assignment 3 - Xero Payroll due |
| Week 9 | Final Submissions - Session 1&2 |
Re-submissions |
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
Payroll Accounting using Xeroby Judith Mulley1st Edition (September, 2022) |
978-1-76073-163-2 |
References
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
The candidate must demonstrate the ability to complete the tasks outlined in the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit, including evidence of the ability to:
- identify, calculate and input data from time-recording systems for payments into computerised payroll systems and produce payroll reports on at least three occasions for a minimum of five employees covering two separate pay periods
- produce a payroll report according to regulatory and legislative requirements
- present a payroll report for verification and approval
- maintain records according to regulatory and legislative requirements that relate to security and confidentiality of information.
Knowledge Evidence
The candidate must be able to demonstrate knowledge to complete the tasks outlined in the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit, including knowledge of:
- 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 policies and procedures that affect payroll, including the structure of authority in organisations
- best practices relevant to payroll operations, including Single Touch Payroll
- legislative and record-keeping requirements that affect business operation and reporting requirements relevant to payroll, including:
- Fair Work Act
- National Employment Standards, including current commonwealth, state and territory industry and modern awards, and enterprise bargaining agreements
- Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act
- workers compensation
- 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)
- 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)
- income statements 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 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
Skills in this unit must be demonstrated in a workplace or simulated environment where the conditions are typical of those in a working environment in this industry.
This includes 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 requirements for assessors in applicable vocational education and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards.
This unit is designed to meet the education requirements of the TPB. Where registration with the TPB is sought, assessment must reflect the conditions described by the regulator. 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 (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.
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
Students need to complete three (3) assessment tasks for this unit. To be deemed competent, you must satisfactorily complete all assessment tasks.
Assessment 1 Payroll Knowledge Questions (Due date: as per unit syllabus)
This is assessment task one (1) of three (3) that students need to complete satisfactorily to be deemed competent for this unit.
The assessment is based on payroll legislation. The assessment aims to ensure that students understand the organisational payroll policies and can draw inferences from those policies. Students must also research and understand the legislative laws to check the requirements.
The assignment is a research assignment. Students will be working on it during their own time.
The assessment is also based on awards, legislation, and compliance knowledge students would acquire during the semester. They will have to answer these questions based on your class discussions and some research on the various websites. They will be working on their own time.
Assessment Details
Where
Students will be asked to complete the assessment in their own time.
How
To achieve competency in this unit, students will have to complete the assessments satisfactorily.
Students will be given satisfactory or Not satisfactory status in the Assessment 1. To be satisfactory, students will have to:
1. Answer all questions correctly.
2. Identify the correct legislations and applicable awards.
Instructions on submitting Knowledge Assessment
Students will have to submit the assessment as a word document or pdf on CANVAS by the due date.
Assessment 2 Payroll Supervised Assessment (Due date: as per unit syllabus)
The second assessment will be a supervised assessment. This is assessment task two (2) that you need to complete satisfactorily, in order to be deemed competent for this unit.
Please note that this will be conducted in class and competency required as to the level of timeliness, accuracy and professionalism as would be expected from this work (payroll) function in a corporate/ accounting/payroll environment.
This task gives you the opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the payroll function of an organisation and most importantly, how this function is performed in the workplace as you will do so in the Financial Services Practice Firm for Little Pear Photography Pty Ltd. In this office of which you are an employee, you are under strict instruction from your Manager and will perform all duties as instructed. This assessment and your work for the company will enhance your skills and knowledge of Payroll but importantly, will give you an indication of what is expected from an employee in an Accounting role both now and when you enter the workforce.
What
Read the assessment information attached below and conduct the following payroll activities in line with the organisational policies and procedures and legislative requirements detailed below.
When completing this case study, you must ensure you apply knowledge of relevant legislation, including that in relation to National Employment Standards, requirements when making payroll payments for the month of June, and applying taxes reported on activity statements.
Where
- All tasks of this assessment will be in the form of an in-class supervised, open-book assessment where all written material is allowable including any payroll notes and materials.
- All tasks of this assessment must be completed in class and uploaded to CANVAS within 2 hours.
- Assessment may be completed in the simulated environment 'Practice firm'. You will be working as employees and can work in different conditions if permitted by the employer.
- You should seek your assessor’s confirmation before you move further.
Assessment 3 XERO Payroll Case Study (Due date: as per unit syllabus)
This is assessment task three (3) of the (3) assessments that students need to complete satisfactorily to be deemed competent for this unit.
Activity: Please note that this will be completed by the student in their own time. Competency required as to the level of timeliness, accuracy and professionalism as would be expected from this work (payroll) function in a corporate/ accounting/payroll environment.
The purpose of this assessment is to allow students to demonstrate knowledge relating to key features, skills and knowledge required to record and prepare payroll documentation, respond to enquiries, and process payroll data for computerised systems.
Assessment Instructions
Use of this Case Study requires:
- Accessing to the “Zephyr Property Services” Xero organisation
- Completing ALL payroll tasks per assessment instructions
- Submit required report (s) in pdf format and upload it to canvas.
Note: Students must save each report using the following naming convention:‘ Student’s Name ‘and the report name, e.g. Andy Smith Profit & Loss.pdf
Where
Students will be undertaking and completing this assessment in their own time; however, there will be ongoing discussions on this assessment during the semester.
What
Read the assessment information attached below and conduct the following payroll activities in line with the organisational policies and procedures and legislative requirements detailed below.
When completing this case study, you must ensure you apply knowledge of relevant legislation, including that in relation to National Employment Standards, requirements when making payroll payments for the month of June, and applying taxes reported on activity statements.
How
To achieve a satisfactory result, they must address all task criteria satisfactorily.
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