Course Title: Conduct complex financial planning research

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2017

Course Code: BAFI5220C

Course Title: Conduct complex financial planning research

School: 650T Vocational Business Education

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5343 - Diploma of Financial Planning

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

Sanjay D'Souza

sanjay.d'souza@rrmit.edu.au

 

 

Nominal Hours: 50

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 undertake research of a complex nature for use in the financial planning process. Research would involve plans for those with above average sums of money, with complex legal, regulatory or estate issues, or an above average range of products or plans for major clients.

It applies to experienced individuals who use specialised knowledge and techniques to source, evaluate and synthesise complex information to solve problems and support the planning process.

Work functions in the occupational areas where this unit may be used are subject to regulatory requirements. 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:

FNSFPL508 Conduct complex financial planning research

Element:

1. Evaluate client’s current situation and identify issues

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Undertake analysis of integrity of information provided by client 1.2 Ensure client objectives and expectations are identified, quantified and tested for viability by authorised representative 1.3 Establish basis for strategy development

Element:

2. Identify research requirements and parameters

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Establish aims and objectives of research, including strategy and product and performance parameters against client requirements and expectations 2.2 Clearly establish intended use of research information 2.3 Identify wide range of internal and external information resources 2.4 Identify information requirements not met by regular sources and develop strategies to access them legitimately 2.5 Establish timeframes and prioritise requests for information to ensure timelines are met

Element:

3. Extract and analyse information according to research requirements and parameters

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Establish data extraction criteria that are relevant to intended use and client requirements, and do not unduly limit scope of research 3.2 Identify trends to provide meaningful information on performance of possible strategies, products and markets 3.3 Undertake comprehensive risk assessment of products identified through research 3.4 Analyse strategies and financial products within appropriate timeframes to ensure currency of decision making 3.5 Prioritise information obtained according to client requirements and expectations 3.6 Identify issues that require specialist research or advice, and source and obtain appropriate advice

Element:

4. Summarise and present results of research

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Collate information on financial products and check against research specification 4.2 Prepare written performance, trend and risk analyses and check against research specification 4.3 Describe and document any qualifications or issues for further research 4.4 Present research findings to financial planner


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 activities, discussion threads, reflective journals on industry updates, presentations, quizzes and interactive sessions.


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

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

 

 


Teaching Schedule

Prior to training commencement a program level induction session will be conducted that comprises the following:

  • Program overview and requirements
  • MyRMIT/Blackboard
  • Overview of assessment requirements
  • Pre-Training Review including:
    • Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfers
    • Assessment of current skills and knowledge
  • Competency/Grading Criteria
  • Plagiarism
  • Appeals
  • Extensions
  • Feedback
  • Privacy
  • Submission requirements
  • Resubmission policy
  • Where to get support
  • Student responsibilities 

The Teaching Schedule for this course is 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 including the self - paced activities in the workbooks.


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
  • Client Files
  • Power point Presentations
  • Course Workbooks
  • 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:

  • conduct and document research of a complex nature for use in the financial planning process that includes:
    • testing and assessing the integrity of information
    • specifying and justifying research objectives and strategy
  • summarise and prioritise findings based on:
    • assessing the impact of trends on product performance to interpret and assess available products and services and how they can be combined in a comprehensive portfolio
    • assessing risks and benefits associated with using a range of products and services within a portfolio
  • evaluate outcomes against client requirements to form recommendations that comply with company policy and procedures, industry codes of practice and relevant legislation.

Knowledge Evidence

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

  • identify and outline the key features of a wide range of:
    • financial products and services and their uses in portfolios
    • relevant financial product information sources and research techniques
    • identify and classify a wide range of available information sources and describe research strategies to obtain information not readily available
  • describe the key features of:
    • financial industry related Acts and regulations
    • industry trends and latest research findings
    • relevant legislative and code of practice requirements
    • relevant organisational policy, objectives and guidelines
  • identify and discuss the major risks and implications associated with financial products and services
  • explain theories of investment, portfolio management and management of investment and risk
  • describe issues relating to taxation and social security systems and regulations, and their effect on the specified financial products.

Assessment Conditions

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

  • 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

This course is comprised of a single competency.

You will demonstrate competency by undertaking two assessments, a supervised assessment and a workplace simulated project. The assessments for this course have been designed to allow you to apply your learning to particular workplace scenarios and demonstrate your competence in a variety of ways. The assessments focus in enhancing your skills in conducting complex financial planning research.

Critical Aspects of assessment are described above in the performance evidence for this course.

Task 1 – Supervised Assessment ​ (Week 8)

For this Assessment Task you are required to demonstrate your knowledge of all the topics covered in from weeks 1 – 7 by completing an open book in class supervised assessment. The assessment is comprised of a series of theoretical and practical questions including: short answer and mini case studies. You will only be permitted to bring a hard copy of the relevant workbook(s) and a calculator to the assessment.

The purpose of this task is to assess your understanding of the concepts and issues in conducting complex financial planning research including Super Strategies, Insurance, tax structures (excluding super), Compliance requirements with focus on FoFA specifically in Opt-in and Fee Disclosure Statement (FDS).

This assessment will take place during your normal scheduled class time.

 

Task 2 - Workplace Simulated Project – Conduct and prepare Best Interest Duty (BID) Strategy working Paper (Week 13 and 14)

 

For this assessment task you are required to complete Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3.

Part 1 - (Week 13) – requires you to provide written submission informing the client Financial Planning Process, provide details for licensees and services offered, detail of cost charged to the client/s before proceeding with advice, explain the internal and external complaints process and if clients are identified with special needs refer to professionals for appropriate action.

Part 2 – (Weeks 13) requires you to complete Fact Find Document by filling in relevant information obtained during the initial (Fact Find) Meeting which has been updated on Blackboard. Provide appropriate warnings where advice area is scoped out or limited information has been provided by client.

Part 3 – (Weeks 14) requires you to complete a Statement of Advice (SoA)Para-Planning request form without product recommendations for your simulated clients. You are also required to provide trade-off discussion, current and future Cash flow projection and assumptions made for your simulated clients.

The workplace simulated project is linked to a simulated workplace environment “the practice firm”, referred as Swanston Banking Group Ltd. The practice firm has a physical presence in Building 80, level 6, room 7. The Swanston Banking Group Ltd. has been set up as a simulated publicly listed company in the Financial Services (Banking) industry offering a retail banking and customer service experience of the highest level not offered or matched by its competitors. 

The products and services offered to its personal customers (simulated clients) include banking and investment products and financial services such as bank accounts and debit cards, savings and investment accounts, credit cards, travel money cards, overseas and local money transfers, foreign exchange, superannuation, home and personal loans and Insurance. 

The Swanston Banking Group has a website for prospective clients and an employee portal via the Learning Management System (Learning Hub).

The Workplace Simulated Project requires you to complete three parts: Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3.

 

For this project you will assume the role of a financial planner at the Swanston Banking Group Ltd (Practice Firm) and follow the company policies and procedures as if you were a real employee of the bank.  You will need to access a specific simulated client file which will include client details, background of their particular circumstances, assets and liabilities statement, a bank statement, pay slips and a superannuation statement. You will be required to analyse all of these documents in order to prepare strategies that will help client to meet their goals, your advice and financial projection and modeling. 

 

You will use “Advice Tools” stored in the employee portal throughout this course. The tools mirror those used in industry and will prepare you to adapt to industry practice and link your studies to the workplace. The tools include industry specific calculators and documents used in every day financial services practices including Best Interest Duty file note (BID), client checklist, fact find and style guide. 

 

The purpose of the assessment is to enable you to demonstrate a breadth of understanding across the course material from weeks 1 - 13. It assesses the knowledge you have obtained through undertaking the topics, your communication skills in presenting that knowledge and your problem-solving skills in answering the questions posed in a fact find presentation meeting with a simulated client in the “Practice Firm”.

 

Once you have successfully completed Part 1 and Part 2, you are expected to prepare SoA Para-Planning request form without product recommendations for your simulated clients. You need to form strategies which will assist in meeting client’s retirement and future goals.

 

You will need to consider alternative strategies and provide reason why it has been discounted, provide trade-off discussion (if required) and write Better Position Statement explaining how the client/s has benefitted with your advice. 

The main aim of the second part is for you is to be able to explain all the relevant strategy in the financial plan, answer the questions that client may have from the financial plan and illustrate how it meets the particular financial needs of the client.

The purpose of the assessment is to enable you to demonstrate a breadth of understanding across all of the course material at an independent level. It assesses the knowledge you have obtained through undertaking:

 

  1. Creating rapport with the client
  2. Collecting, analysing and organising information
  3. Discuss financial plan with the client
  4. Planning and organising activities
  5. Negotiate effectively
  6. Working with others and in teams
  7. Complete and maintain necessary documentation

A number of Learning Audit Dates have been scheduled and you are expected to progress as per the set targets throughout their studies. 

You must successfully complete all assessments, Task 1 – Supervised Assessment and Task 2 - Workplace Simulated Project to be deemed competent.

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 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. <check links are still current>


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. <check links are still current>
 

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


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: <check link is still current>
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
NYC Not Yet Competent
DNS Did Not Submit for assessment


Further information regarding the application of the grading criteria will be provided by your teacher.
 

 

Course Overview: Access Course Overview