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 following is essential:

Assessment must verify the ability to operate accounting applications in order to create and maintain enterprise financial records that meet business and legislative requirements.

To demonstrate competency in this unit the person will require access to:

Current commercial accounting applications

PC with appropriate specifications to run the software

Context of and specific resources for assessment

A variety of commercial accounting tools and packages are readily available. A basic knowledge of double-entry accounting and the ability to read financial reports are considered an advantage for this competency.

The breadth, depth and complexity of knowledge and skills in this competency would prepare a person to perform a defined range of activities many of which may be routine and predictable.

Assessment must ensure

Applications may include a variety of employment related skills including preparatory access and participation skills, broad-based induction skills and/or specific workplace skills. They may also include participation in a team or work group.

Method of assessment

The purpose of this unit is to define the standard of performance to be achieved in the workplace. In undertaking training and assessment activities related to this unit, consideration should be given to the implementation of appropriate diversity and accessibility practices in order to accommodate people who may have special needs. Additional guidance on these and related matters is provided in ICA05 Section 1.

Competency in this unit should be assessed using summative assessment to ensure consistency of performance in a range of contexts. This unit can be assessed either in the workplace or in a simulated environment. However, simulated activities must closely reflect the workplace to enable full demonstration of competency.

Assessment will usually include observation of real or simulated work processes and procedures and/or performance in a project context as well as questioning on underpinning knowledge and skills. The questioning of team members, supervisors, subordinates, peers and clients where appropriate may provide valuable input to the assessment process. The interdependence of units for assessment purposes may vary with the particular project or scenario.

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

ICAU2231B Use computer operating system

An individual demonstrating this competency would be able to:

Demonstrate knowledge by recall in a narrow range of areas

Demonstrate basic practical skills, such as the use of relevant tools

Perform a sequence of routine tasks given clear direction

Receive and pass on messages and information

Maintain knowledge of industry products and services

Required skills

Ability operate a PC and peripherals

Use of mathematical ideas and techniques related to recording and analysing basic financial data

Required knowledge

Features and functions of common accounting software, such as MYOB, Quicken, Phoenix

Sound understanding of basic accounting concepts, such as assets, liabilities, equity, income, cost of sales, expenses, debtors, creditors

Sound understanding of basic accounting devices, including accounts, sales journals, purchases, invoices, transaction journals, general ledger, chequebook register

Features and functions of common accounting reports, including profit and loss, balance sheet, chart of accounts, business activity statements

Sound understanding of current legislative requirements relating to enterprise requirements including superannuation, income tax rates, goods and services tax, pay as you go

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.

Software may include but is not limited to:

commercial software applications

organisation-specific software

Operatinginstructions may be in the form of:

user manual

written instructions from meetings

verbal request

help desk

Businessrequirements may include:

customer

supplier

payroll

inventory

tax requirements of the organisation

Allowances may include but is not limited to:

travel allowance

meal allowance

clothing allowance

Accounting data may include:

profit and loss statements

balance sheets

revenue

expenses

Disk may include but are not limited to:

diskettes

CDs

CD-RW (Compact Discs-Read Write)

DVD RW

zip disks

solid state hard drives

Financial reports may include:

profit and loss statements

balance sheets

business activity statements

Appropriate person may include:

supervisor

teacher

authorised business representative

client