Assessor Resource

FNSFMK501A
Analyse financial markets and information

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


This unit applies to a range of job roles in the financial markets sector.

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to monitor and assess markets and information, analyse economic trends and developments, and provide market reports.

No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)

Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.



Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the ability to:

interpret and use economic concepts

identify market participants, economic trends and market development and monitor and evaluate changes in market conditions using a range of data sources

work within legal and ethical constraints and access market information and produce reports using relevant data analysis methods and techniques

formulate and draw effective conclusions from the correct interpretation of data analysis.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

competency is demonstrated in the context of the financial services work environment and conditions specified in the range statement either in a relevant workplace or a closely simulated work environment

access to and the use of a range of common office equipment, technology, software and consumables

access to financial markets information.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples, in combination, are appropriate for this unit:

evaluating an integrated activity which combines the elements of competency for the unit or a cluster of related units of competency

verbal or written questioning on underpinning knowledge and skills

setting and reviewing workplace projects and business simulations or scenarios

evaluating samples of work

accessing and validating third party reports.

Guidance information for assessment

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills

communication skills to:

determine and confirm client and organisational requirements, using questioning and active listening as required

disseminate accurate market information

liaise with others, share information, listen and understand

use language and concepts appropriate to cultural differences

numeracy and IT skills to:

apply statistical techniques and make elementary probability calculations

use spreadsheets and databases

access internet information

highly developed research and analysis skills for accessing, interpreting and managing complex information

well-developed literacy skills to:

read and interpret organisational and industry information

identify economic environmental factors which affect financial services and markets

produce reports

judgement skills for forming recommendations in complex situations

organisational skills, including the ability to plan and sequence work and work effectively in a constantly changing environment

self-management skills for complying with ethical, legal and procedural requirements

Required knowledge

roles played by intermediaries and issuers:

financial service providers

banks

brokers

investment banks

building societies

money brokers

financial companies

stock brokers

futures brokers

friendly societies

the economic environment, including:

characteristics and impacts of economic and business cycles

government monetary and fiscal policies

interest rates, exchange rates, inflation

inter-relationships between financial industry sectors and participants

structure and inter-relationships within the financial markets

sources of market and comparative data

statistical reporting formats

methods of market data analysis

economic concepts

relevant legislation including privacy and freedom of information legislation

data collection and management systems

organisational guidelines, goals and objectives

theories of investment, portfolio management and management of investment risk

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Financial markets may include:

any exchange traded markets

Australian Securities Exchange (ASX)

over the counter (OTC)

Sydney Futures Exchange (SFE).

Participants may include:

ASX

banks

brokers

futures brokers

retail clients

SFE

wholesale clients.

Economy factors may include:

fiscal policy

monetary policy

primary markets

secondary markets

wholesale markets versus retail markets.

Analysis:

may be:

quantitative or qualitative

explorative, descriptive, causative or predictive

and may include:

basic statistical analysis

mathematical calculations

critical analysis

problem solving.

Organisational requirements may be outlined and reflected in:

business and performance plans

complaints and dispute resolution procedures

ethical standards, codes of practice

goals, objectives, plans, systems and processes

legal and organisational policy and guidelines

mission statements, strategic plans

policies and procedures in relation to client service

product or service development

quality and continuous improvement processes and standards

quality assurance and procedures manuals.

Information may be evaluated for:

accuracy

authenticity

currency

quality

relevance

reliability

reputability of source

validity.

Legislative requirements may include:

Banking Act

Commonwealth Criminal Code

Corporations Act

Financial Corporations Act

Financial Services Reform Act

Financial Transaction Reports Act

Privacy Amendment Act (Private Sector)

Reserve Bank Act

Taxation Act

Trade Practices Act.

Methods of analysis may include:

comparative analysis

demographic or geographic analysis

historical analysis

hypothesis

link analysis.

Comparative market data may include:

best practice information

international benchmarking

inter-organisation comparison data.

Economic trends and market developments may include:

changes in technology

demographic trends

ecological and environmental trends

economic trends:

local

regional

national

international

government activities such as:

managing interest rates

regulation

deregulation

industrial trends

social and cultural factors.

Relevant persons may include:

client

colleagues

managers, supervisors

peers.

Legal and ethical constraints may include:

codes of practice

ethical principles

organisational policies and guidelines

relevant legislation and regulations

social and cultural expectations and influences.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
The different financial market sectors that occur within the financial market and relationship between them, participants and the economy are identified 
Aims and objectives of financial markets analysis are clearly established in accordance with client and organisational requirements 
Clear and quantifiable parameters are set for the identification and sourcing of information in accordance with legislative and organisational requirements 
Market information and data is accessed and evaluated in terms of validity, reliability and relevance in accordance with identified analysis requirement 
Methods of analysis, testing, assessment and evaluation used are appropriate to the information and the goals and objectives of the research 
Quantitative and/or qualitative analysis is undertaken of comparative market data using standard financial analysis techniques 
Economic trends and market developments are identified and evaluated in terms of potential implications and impacts on business 
Risk contingencies are identified and quantified in accordance with industry standards, precedents and techniques 
Sound inductive reasoning is applied to ensure consistency of interpretations based on available information 
Market performance, trends and risk analyses are prioritised and prepared for presentation in the required format, style and structure 
Conclusions are verified, current and sufficiently detailed to meet identified analysis requirements 
Reports are prepared and distributed to relevant persons within agreed timeframes and in accordance with organisational requirements 
The use of market information and data is in accordance with the relevant legal and ethical constraints and organisational requirements 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

FNSFMK501A - Analyse financial markets and information
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

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I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

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Result: Competent Not yet competent

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Assessment Record Sheet

FNSFMK501A - Analyse financial markets and information

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

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Student signature:

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