Course Title: Work effectively in the accounting and bookkeeping industry

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2019

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

Upasana.mahajan@rmit.edu.au 

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

Introduction to the entire cluster

Learning Outcomes

Assessments

Introduction to the book-keeping and accounting

Definitions

Required skills and knowledge

Assessment Task 1 full final submission is due in Canvas in week 9 however it is also worked on progressively in class, week by week until week 8

 

 

Assessment Task 1 Q 1 (due week 9)

2

Clarifying business needs with key stakeholders

Stakeholders

Regulatory environment and compliance

Roles and duties

Communication

Clarifying requests

Assessment Task 1 Q 1, 2 and 3 (due week 9)

3

Working ethically and responsibly

Ethics discussions

Ethics activity and presentations

Assessment Task 1 Q 4 (due week 9)

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 1Q 5 (due week 9)

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 Q 7 and  8  (due week 9)

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)

Assessment Task 1 Q 6 (due week 9)

Assessment Task 2 Section 2 (commences, due week 11)

7

Assessment Task 2

Work on identifying, analysing and describing the business used in Assessment Task 2

Assessment Task 2 all sections (continues, due week 11)

8

Presentations on the business explored in Assessment Task 2

Personal effectiveness

Time management, self-development and performance improvement

Assessment Task 1 Q9 (due week 9)

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

This work can be related to Assessment Tasks 2 and 3 (due Week 11 and 15)

Assessment Task 1 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

12

Students work on Assessment Task 3 (to be uploaded by week 15)

 

13

Students work on Assessment Task 3 (to be uploaded by week 15)

 

14

Students work on Assessment Task 3 (to be uploaded by week 15)

 

15

Submit Task 3

Assessment Task 3

16

Feedback and any finalisation of resubmissions

 

 

 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References

Work effectively in the Accounting and Bookkeeping Industry.

9781760730505


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 would have three (3) pieces of assessment task to complete. You will be expected to complete all the three assessments tasks to achieve competency in the course. All the assessment tasks are compulsory and it is mandatory for you to achieve competency in each of the 3 assessment tasks. 

The details of the all the 3 assessment tasks is given as below:

Assessment activities

 

Method/task

Evidence

When/where completed

Instruments

1

Written responses to questions

Short written answers addressing the knowledge-related components of the units

Commenced and partially completed in class by week 9, finalised by Week 14

Question Task (Student) and Assessor Guide (Assessor’s Marking Guide)

2

Written assignment

group assignment

Commenced and partially completed in class, week 11, finalised by Week 15

Student Task and Assessor Guide

3

Group Project – written

Written project using a “Practice Firm”

Commenced in class, due in Week 15

Student Task and Assessor Guide

 

Assessment 1 :

This assessment is Knowledge Questions. This assessment will commence in Class in week 1, continued in class (and in own time) due in week 9 or, if additional work required, finalised by Week 14. 

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 particular focus on professional practice and small business operations.

This assessment contains two parts:

Questions  1- 6 -Written responses relating to professional practice

Questions 7-9 - Written responses relating to small business operations

The content will be provided through class discussions, reading and course resources.  Much of the material will be covered in class during weeks 1-5 with some additional reading and research in students’ own time.  Upload completed work in or before week 9 of the semester.  Should rework be required, the resubmission date can be extended until Week 14, with students working through the feedback from the Assessor and attending to necessary re-work during their own time.

Assessment 2 :

This assessment is Group Assignment. It will commence in Week 1 in class, Due Week 11 and if resubmit required, may be submitted again by week 15.

This will be an open book assessment and contain 4 sections. This will be completed in groups. The assessment will commence in class, continued outside class and then uploaded to Canvas (at home or at RMIT).

The purpose of the assessment is to give you the opportunity to explore one organisation or workplace from the perspective of a book-keeper or accountant.   RMIT to provide a business from Practice Firm or other source.

This assessment contains four parts:

    1. Background
    2. Information and Communication
    3. Improving performance – self and team
    4. Implementing performance improvement – self and team.

The content will be provided through class discussions, reading and course resources.

You will be issued an organisation to explore or may discuss the selection with your teacher.  You will work in pairs or groups, with each person working through the entire process and submitting their own work.

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.  Should rework be required, the resubmission date can be extended until Week 15, with students working through the feedback from the Assessor and attending to necessary re-work during their own time.

 

Assessment 3:

This assessment is Group Project. This will commence in class and continue outside the class and then uploaded to the Canvas ( at home or at RMIT).  It will be based on drawing on class readings and discussions plus students’ own research and collaboration.  Uploaded into Canvas by Week 15.

The purpose of the assessment is to give you the opportunity to explore an organisation and develop an Action Plan to provide strategic direction in accordance with the business’s goals and mission.   RMIT to provide a business from Practice Firm or other source

This assessment contains 10 sections:

  1. Business overview
  2. Action Plan
  3. Communication and Management Plan
  4. Hazards, risks and issues
  5. Innovation strategies and technology optimisation
  6. Business quality system
  7. Define and implement systems
  8. Monitor and review
  9. Adjust business plan
  10. Reflection

The content will be provided through class discussions, reading and course resources. 

You will be issued an organisation to explore or may discuss the selection with your teacher.  You will work in groups, with each person working through the entire process and submitting their own work.

Much of the material will be covered in class with some additional reading and research in students’ own time.  Upload completed work in week 15 of the semester. 


Assessment Matrix

There is no grading in this course. Students completing all assessment tasks will be resulted as either Competent or Not Yet Competent.

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:

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 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