This qualification reflects professional accounting job roles in financial services and other industries, including tax agents, accounts payable and accounts receivable officers, payroll service providers, and employees performing a range of accounting tasks for organisations in a range of industries. Individuals in these roles apply solutions to a range of often complex problems, and analyse and evaluate information from a variety of sources. They apply initiative to plan, coordinate and evaluate their own work and provide guidance to others within defined guidelines.

Licensing/Regulatory Information 

Work functions in the occupational areas where this qualification 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 requirements.

This qualification includes units that comprise an approved Tax Practitioner Board (TPB) course in Australian taxation law and commercial law, which are relevant for registration as a tax agent. Persons seeking registration with the TPB should check current registration requirements with the TPB, as registration requirements are reviewed regularly.

Entry Requirements

Completion of the FNSSS00014 Accounting Principles Skill Set;

OR

Completion of FNS40615 Certificate IV in Accounting or equivalent;

OR

Completion of FNS40215 Certificate IV in Bookkeeping or equivalent.


This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to prepare, document, and manage budgets and forecasts. It encompasses forecasting estimates and monitoring budgeted outcomes.

It applies to individuals who use specialised knowledge and analytical skills to prepare and manage strategic organisational information.


This unit defines skills, knowledge and outcomes required to use leadership to promote team cohesion. It includes motivating, mentoring, coaching and developing the team and forming the bridge between the management of the organisation and team members.

This unit applies to team leaders, supervisors and new or emerging managers where leadership plays a role in developing and maintaining effective workplace relationships. It applies in any industry or community context.

At this level work will normally be carried out within routine and non-routine methods and procedures, which require planning and evaluation and leadership and guidance of others.


This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to prepare non-complex income tax returns for individuals in line with statutory requirements. It encompasses gathering and verifying data, calculating taxable income, and reviewing compliance requirements.

It applies to individuals who use systematic approaches and follow specific guidelines to ensure compliance requirements are met.


This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to prepare financial reports for a corporate reporting entity. It encompasses compiling and analysing data and meeting statutory reporting requirements.

It applies to individuals who use specialised knowledge and analytical skills to prepare financial reports that meet specific compliance requirements.


This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to identify statutory reporting requirements, and plan, develop and submit reports for authorisation before distribution.

It applies to individuals who use a range of organisational techniques to manage their work and that of others.


This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to analyse and report on a broad range of financial and business performance information. It encompasses assessing client needs, analysing data, and preparing advice.

It applies to individuals who, in line with their level of authority, use specialised knowledge, systematic approaches, and analytical techniques to research and prepare customised information for clients.


This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to gather, record and analyse operating and cost data, prepare budget reports, and review costing system integrity to calculate and record the costs of products and services.

It applies to individuals who use specialised knowledge and analytical skills to manage complex financial data and develop comprehensive organisational reports.


Application

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to review corporate governance requirements, implement internal control operating procedures, and monitor associated policy.

It applies to individuals who use specialised knowledge and analytical skills to ensure organisational procedures, compliance and quality requirements are met.

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.

Unit Sector

Accounting

Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Review corporate governance requirements

1.1 Identify and analyse corporate governance and ethical requirements to determine their application to operations

1.2 Seek clarification on the application of corporate governance requirements from authoritative sources

1.3 Review and develop internal control procedures that apply corporate governance requirements to internal operations

2. Implement internal control operating procedures

2.1 Maintain and review financial delegations and accountabilities to ensure consistency and compliance with internal control procedures

2.2 Produce, review and distribute required reports within agreed timeframes

2.3 Develop timetables for implementing corporate governance requirements, in consultation with stakeholders

2.4 Detail and document internal control procedures in standardised formats to promote consistency of use

3. Monitor internal control operating procedures

3.1 Develop applications of corporate governance requirements from authoritative sources and based on industry-standard practices

3.2 Report on performance indicators of internal operations to evaluate their compliance with internal control procedures

3.3 Identify and evaluate variations in adopting corporate governance requirements in operations to determine their causes

3.4 Develop and implement modifications to procedures to facilitate their compliance with internal control procedures

Foundation Skills

This section describes those language, literacy and numeracy and employment skills that are essential to performance.

Skill 

Description 

Reading

  • Interprets and analyses complex information and documentation from a range of sources, including legislation

Writing

  • Produces accessible guidelines and reports using clear and concise language appropriate to audience and purpose

Oral communication

  • Effectively engages others in verbal exchanges using active listening and questioning to elicit, clarify, and convey information

Numeracy

  • Analyses financial and numerical information embedded in a range of texts and tasks

Navigate the world of work

  • Monitors compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, and recommends and implements changes to policies, procedures or processes where necessary

Get the work done

  • Uses problem-solving processes to identify and analyse issues with the potential to impact on financial controls, and develops and implements options to resolve these issues
  • Applies systematic and analytical decision-making processes in situations that impact on own work and that of others
  • Uses a range of digital technologies to access, extract, and share information

Unit Mapping Information

Code and title 

current version 

Code and title 

previous version 

Comments 

Equivalence status 

FNSACC516 Implement and maintain internal control procedures (Release 1)

FNSACC506 Implement and maintain internal control procedures (Release 1)

Edits to performance criteria and elements. Updates to performance evidence and knowledge evidence.

Equivalent unit.

Links

Companion volumes are available from VETNet. - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=c7200cc8-0566-4f04-b76f-e89fd6f102fe


Application

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to identify and record system requirements, evaluate alternative systems and acceptance test systems, prepare system documentation, implement reporting systems and records, monitor systems and review reporting procedures.

It applies to experienced individuals who use specialised technical knowledge, systematic approaches and analytical skills to effectively establish an organisational system.

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.

Unit Sector

Accounting

Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Identify and record system requirements

1.1 Prepare comprehensive specifications based on requirements of potential users that include system objectives, document specifications, and security and records requirements

1.2 Review features of any existing system and records to establish their suitability and usability

1.3 Establish recording processes according to accepted practice and in accordance with legislation and codes of practice

2. Evaluate alternative systems

2.1 Compare and measure features of various systems against user requirements to enable identification of alternative systems and solutions

2.2 Carry out cost–benefit analysis of alternative systems and solutions, and document recommendations

3. Evaluate acceptance test system

3.1 Test system in operational environment to ensure compliance with user requirements, company policy and guidelines, system specifications and relevant legislation or industry codes of practice

3.2 Obtain formal confirmation from all users on acceptability of new system or system changes against all criteria and system specifications

4. Prepare system documentation

4.1 Prepare system documentation thoroughly and accurately, using easily understood language and in clear format to support system implementation and training

4.2 Consult users to ensure clarity, accuracy, thoroughness and usability of system documentation

4.3 Make system documentation easily accessible, and constantly review and update to ensure currency and accuracy

5. Implement reporting systems and records

5.1 Carry out implementation in accordance with specified guidelines and timelines, and establish contingency plans to deal with any potential delays or problems

5.2 Establish effective training schedules and programs to support implementation

5.3 Transfer all data from existing to new or modified system and records without error or loss

5.4 Update systems and records regularly to identify ongoing benefits and threats to organisation

5.5 Maintain files within organisational and statutory requirements, and identify and remedy discrepancies

5.6 Ensure integrity of systems and records complies with organisational and statutory requirements

5.7 Monitor transactions to identify taxation and other liabilities

6. Monitor reporting systems

6.1 Analyse and account for transactions, and correctly relate to accounting period

6.2 Communicate and promote processes for recording and classifying transactions to support internal verification of records

6.3 Standardise sources of input data and documentation in structured formats to minimise errors

6.4 Maintain back-ups in accessible location to safeguard data in accordance with organisational and audit requirements

7. Review reporting procedures

7.1 Systematically check sources of input data and documentation records for accuracy and reliability

7.2 Establish reporting requirements and analyse regularly to identify variations and compliance with established processes for recording and classifying transactions

7.3 Maintain written reports, explanatory notes and financial results to support source documentation

Foundation Skills

This section describes language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills incorporated in the performance criteria that are required for competent performance.

Skill 

Performance Criteria 

Description 

Reading

1.4, 1.5, 2.1, 4.3, 6.1, 7.1, 7.2

  • Researches and evaluates technical and non-technical information from a range of sources to determine benchmarks and requirements

Writing

1.1, 1.2, 2.2, 3.2, 4.1-4.3, 6.2, 6.3, 7.3

  • Prepares, reviews and maintains a range of documents to ensure clarity of meaning, accuracy, currency and consistency of information
  • Uses clear and concise language in a logical format and structure to convey information appropriate to the audience and purpose

Oral Communication

1.1, 3.2, 4.2, 6.2

  • Uses appropriate vocabulary to explain technical and non-technical information to a range of personnel
  • Uses active listening and questioning to obtain feedback and clarify understanding

Numeracy

2.1, 2.2, 5.7, 6.1, 7.3

  • Performs mathematical calculations and uses a range of mathematical problem-solving techniques to analyse, estimate and compare financial data and numerical information

Navigate the world of work

1.6, 3.1, 5.5, 6.4, 7.2

  • Takes responsibility for complying with organisational policy and procedures and legislative requirements

Interact with others

1.1, 4.2, 6.2

  • Plays a lead role in communicating, collaborating, consulting and negotiating outcomes with a range of personnel, adapting personal communication style to show respect for individual differences

Get the work done

1.1-1.6, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1-4.3, 5.1-5.7, 6.1-6.4, 7.1-7.3

  • Takes responsibility for planning, organising and implementing systems, processes and plans in accordance with organisational and legislative requirements
  • Plans and sequences own workload and schedules work activities of others
  • Applies systematic and analytical decision-making processes in complex and non-routine situations
  • Uses problem-solving processes to identify and analyse system issues and develop options to resolve issues with the potential to have a negative impact
  • Uses a range of digitally based technologies and software packages to access, extract and share relevant information to achieve required outcomes
  • Maintains the security of digital data according to organisational requirements

Unit Mapping Information

Code and title  

current version 

Code and title 

previous version 

Comments 

Equivalence status 

FNSACC505 Establish and maintain accounting information systems

FNSACC505A Establish and maintain accounting information systems

Updated to meet Standards for Training Packages Rewording and combining of some performance criteria to clarify intent of unit

Equivalent unit

Links

Companion Volume implementation guides are found in VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=c7200cc8-0566-4f04-b76f-e89fd6f102fe