Course Title: Apply legal principles in corporations and trust law

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2018

Course Code: BAFI5223C

Course Title: Apply legal principles in corporations and trust law

School: 650T Vocational Business Education

Campus: City Campus

Program: C6148 - Advanced Diploma of Accounting

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

Sonia Joksimovic

sonia.joksimovic@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 60

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

There are no pre-requisites for this unit.

Course Description

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to research and analyse legal principles and issues in corporations and trust law matters and then apply this knowledge to provide advice to clients.

It applies to individuals who work with corporations and trust laws in the workplace as determined by the job role, legislation, rules, regulations and codes of practice relevant to different jurisdictions.

Work functions in the occupational areas where this unit may be used are subject to regulatory requirements. This unit is designed to meet educational requirements of the Tax Practitioner Board (TPB). 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:

FNSTPB504 Apply legal principles in corporations and trust law

Element:

1. Research legal aspects of corporations and trust law relevant to client's circumstances

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Identify client circumstances that require advice on corporation and trust law matters

1.2 Research corporations and trust law and related legislation, regulation and practice

1.3 Identify different types of relevant corporations and trust law transactions, and clearly outline their legal context, establishment procedures and purpose

1.4 Identify legal principles applying to corporation and trust matters that are relevant to client circumstances

Element:

2. Analyse issues and risks associated with operation of a business

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Identify areas of risk in application of law in corporation and trust matters

2.2 Analyse how legal issues impact on different types of legal entities

2.3 Evaluate relevance to client circumstances and implication of risks for structure, operation and performance of different types of legal entities

2.4 Assess ways in which risk mitigation is addressed in formation and operation of different types of legal entities

Element:

3. Apply knowledge of law to business structures

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Collect and collate client's business information for analysis

3.2 Interpret, analyse and process available information to obtain required knowledge on client's business structure requirements

3.3 Seek advice and guidance of specialist where required, to interpret, analyse and synthesise client's relevant information

3.4 Provide advice to client based on identified facts and relevant laws

Element:

4. Maintain legal knowledge

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Review client's circumstances and business structure, and apply any changes in relevant aspects of corporations and/or trust law if necessary

4.2 Access and use systems for maintaining up-to-date knowledge about relevant legal aspects of corporations and trust law

4.3 Review relevant legal sources regularly and apply any changes in daily work


Learning Outcomes



Details of Learning Activities

This subject is a cluster with ACCT5386C Monitor Corporate Governance.

Students will be progressively introduced to skills and knowledge required to research corporate governance reporting trends, examine corporate governance standards and practice and review compliance to develop and implement processes and procedures for meeting corporate governance obligations. Students will also develop skills and knowledge required to apply legal principles in corporations and trust law matters.

 

In-class activities will account for some of the nominal hours allocated to this course and will include a range of self-paced and collaborative learning activities such as class discussion, completion and review of set exercises and work, tests, team presentation and a comprehensive individual assignment.

 

The hours of self directed/self paced learning by students will be taken up with reading, research, set work on exercises and the completion of the individual assignment outside scheduled class time. F2F classes are in total three (3) hours per week. The learning activities described will be covered in these classes and we expect you to participate and contribute in all scheduled learning activities.

 

 


Teaching Schedule

This course is clustered (i.e. co-delivered and co-assessed) with ACCT5386C - Monitor Corporate Governance. As a result, other than the elements and the critical aspects specific to this course, the two course guides will depict the same information.

 

Please Note: The nominal hours associated with what is described above (as reflected below) are a guide only and represent the total teaching time and student effort required to successfully complete this 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.

 

 

Course schedule

Week

Start

Topic Outline

Class Work

Assessment

 Unit(s) of Competency

Elements & Performance Criteria 

Week 1

Corporate Governance Introduction   

  Course delivery and assessment details
• Course support documents
• Online learning environment including Blackboard
• Grading
• Plagiarism
• Appeals/Extensions
• Feedback/Privacy
• Submission requirements/Resubmission policy
• Where to get support 
• Student responsibilities

Definition of Corporate Governance
Need for Good Corporate Governance

Corporate Collapses

Corporate Governance Structures in Australia

Corporate Governance Regulators

Good Corporate Governance Standards

  • Lehman Video & Enron Case
  • Monitor Corporate Governance Activities text (MCGA) Chapter 1 - Self Testers, Chapter Review Questions 6, 7, 8, 9, 11. Assignment 1

 

 

 

 

Week 2

 Corporate Ethics

Definition

Importance of Ethics

Ethical Professional Self Regulation

Company Code of Conduct

  •  Develop a Code of Conduct for RMIT Advanced Diploma Students
  • Read Modern Perils of Business Ethics article
  • Review HIH Case
  • MCGA Text Chapter 2 - Self Testers, Chapter Review Questions - 2, 3, 4, 5, Assignment

 

 

 

Week 3

 Internal Controls, Risk & Compliance

Internal Control Systems Definition

Controls

The Control environment

Types of Internal Controls

Risk definition

Types of Risk

GFC

Risk Management

Governance, Risk & Compliance

  •  Read Internal  Control framework at AMP
  • MCGA text Chapters 3 & 4 Self testers, Chapter 3 review questions 1, 2, 4, 5, 9, 11, 17,  Chaper 4 review questions 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 11, 12, 18, 19
  • Assignment Chapter 3 - Barings Bank disaster

 

 

 

Week 4

 ASX Guidelines for Listed Companies

The role of the ASX

ASX Corporate Governance Council

Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations

  •  Review ASX Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations (Ed 3) and Board of Directors Charter
  • MCGA text Chaper 5 Self testers, Chapter Review Questions 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14

 

 

 

Week 5

Choosing a Business Structure

Types of Business Structures

Advantages / Disadvantages of Business Structures

  • Corporations & Trusts Law (CTL) text Chapter 1 self test exercise 1 -7, True/False questions, Chapter Review questions 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Complete and submit in-class quiz

Team presentation assignment available to students

 

 

Week 6

 The Company

The Corporations Act 2001

Seperate Legal Entity

Shareholders and Limited Liability

Classification of Companies

Registration

Company Obligations

Promoters and Pre-incorporation Contracts

  •  CTL Text chapter 2 True/False Questions, Review Questions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 17, 20, 25, 26

 Final Assignment available to students

 

 

Week 7

 Management

Division of Power within a Company

Types of Directors

How Directors are appointed

Resignation and removal from Office

Appointment of Company Secretary

Remuneration of Directors

Membership

  •  CTL Text Chapter 3 True / False questions, Review Questions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8

 

 

 

 

MID SEMESTER BREAK

 

 

 

 

 

 

Week 8

 Directors’ Duties

Fiduciary Duties

Statutory Duties

The insolvent trading rule

  •  CTL Text Chapter 4 True / False questions, Review Questions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 

 

 

 

Week 9

 Share Capital & Fundraising

Financial resources of a Company

Classes of Shares

Issuing Shares

Retention of Capital

Share Buy-Backs

Going Public

  •  CTL Text Chapter 5 True/False Questions, Review Questions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18, 19

 

 

 

Week 10

 External Administration of Companies

Voluntary Administration

Receivership

Winding Up or Liquidation

  •  CTL Text Chapter 6 True / False questions, Review questions 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 20

 

 

 

Week 11

 Associations

Unincorporated Associations

Incorporated Associations

Eligibility

Not-for-Profit

Advantages and Disadvantages of Incorporation

 

  • CTL text Chapter 7 True /False questions, Review Questions 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

 

 

 

Week 12

 

 

 Legislation / Compliance Team Presentations Assessment

 

 

Week 13

 Trusts

Elements of a Trust

Types of Trusts

Continuity of Existence

Winding up Trusts

  •  CTL Text Chapter 8 True / False questions, review questions 1, 2, 3, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 15, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 25, 26, 27

 

 

 

Week 14

 Accounts, Reporting & Auditing

Corporate Reporting

Record-keeping

Financial Reporting

Directors’ Report

Continuous Disclosure
 

Main function of an Audit

Independence

Appointment and Removal Duties and responsibilities of an Auditor

  •  MCGA Text Chapter16 Self testers Chapter Review questions 11, 12, 13 Chapter 17 Self Testers, Review Questions 5, 6, 7

 

 

 

Week 15

 Environmentally Sustainable Work Practices

Sustainability

Sustainability Policies and Legislation

Developing Strategies and Implementing Change

 

  •  MCGA Text Chapter 20 - Self Testers Chapter Review questions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,8, 9, 11, Chapter Assignment

 On-Line submission of Final Assignment

Complete and submite On-Line test 2

 

 

Week16

 Resubmissions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

The application of Legal Principles in Business, Corporation and Trust Law - by Penelope McCann


References


Other Resources

Prescribed Textbook is: The application of Legal Principles in Business Corporation & Trust Law by Penelope McCann


Overview of Assessment

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

Performance Evidence

Evidence of the ability to:

◾research changes to, or new, legislative requirements in relation to corporations and trust law relevant to the client’s circumstances and business structure requirements
◾apply current statute, common law and equitable principles in relation to corporations and trust law relevant to the client’s circumstances
◾present a recommendation on suitable business structures or legal entities to the client after considering the client’s circumstances 

Knowledge Evidence

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

◾describe the operation of the Australian legal systems and processes relevant to corporations and trust law including:

  • basic principles, current statute, common law and equitable principles
  • roles and responsibilities of key organisations
  • constitutional considerations
  • separation of powers
  • basic principles of the law of torts, particularly relating to negligence and negligent misstatement
  • courts and regulatory bodies

◾outline how laws are enacted and their underlying policy aims
◾explain how those laws may be interpreted by existing common law and equitable rules and applied to corporations and trusts
◾analyse legal concepts of business organisational structures, and underlying regulation including the application of these to:

  • sole traders
  • partnerships
  • corporations
  • trusts
  • agencies
  • joint ventures
  • incorporated associations

◾examine legal aspects of superannuation with reference to:

  • ways in which superannuation can be accumulated and taken
  • who can provide superannuation products and how those providers and their products are prudentially licensed and regulated
  • duties of superannuation trustees
  • how superannuation interests are protected and litigated
  • current and future developments in superannuation law and policy

◾identify and reference the key features of Australian corporations law and requirements to analyse issues and risks relating to:

  • nature of a company
  • company registration
  • promoters and pre-registration contracts
  • company constitution and replaceable rules
  • contracting with others
  • fundraising
  • share capital
  • member meetings
  • corporate management
  • directors’ duties
  • member remedies
  • bankruptcy and insolvency

◾examine legal concepts and scope of law covering trusts with particular reference to:

  • structure of a trust
  • trust deed
  • common law duty
  • role and responsibilities of a trustee
  • types of trusts
  • member meetings
  • corporate management
  • member remediation
  • bankruptcy and insolvency

Assessment Conditions

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

  • office equipment, technology, software and consumables
  • relevant legislation, regulations and codes of practice

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

Assessment Tasks

 

Please note that this course is clustered/co-delivered and co-assessed holistically as a group of two (2) course being, ACTT5316c - Monitor Corporate Governance Activities and BAFI5223C Apply Legal Principles in Corporation and Trust Law. As a result, other than the elements and critical aspects to this course, the two course guides will depict the same information.

 

 

Task 1: Quiz (20 multiple questions) - Will be held in class on Week 5 (see ACCT5386C course guide as Quiz relates to Chapters 1-4 of Monitor Corporate Governance Activities by Matthew Fawcett textbook

 

Task 2: Team Presentation (Group of 2 maximum) - Available to students Week 5, Presentation Due Week 12

 

Task 3: Individual Presentation - Available to students Week 6, Due Week 15

 

 

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 Informationhttps://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:

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment/adjustments-to-assessment

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 


Assessment Matrix

The assessment matrix that maps all the assessment is available on CANVAS 

https://rmit.instructure.com/courses/30267/assignments

 

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 that must be signed.

·   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.

 

 

Other Information

 

 

Course Overview: Access Course Overview