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Required Skills

This Unit covers demonstrating an understanding of maintaining time records and entering disbursements incurred

This unit of competency underpins all units of competency in the Legal Services stream of the

Administration Training Package

This unit can be assessed alone or in combination with other units making up a job role

Element of Competency

Performance Criteria

Record feeearner time

Time sheets are accessed

Self or other is organised to enter time recording onto the accounting system against the relevant client or client matter file or other relevant codes eg training marketing

Irregularities andor uncertainties are noted and standard resolution procedures are followed

Entries are made within agreed timelines

Enter disbursements incurred

Details of disbursements are recorded accurately against the relevant client or client master file according to a firms policies and procedures

Irregularities andor uncertainties are noted and standard resolution procedures are followed

Filemaster number is attached to all relevant documentation and such documentation is filed appropriately

Evidence Required

Critical aspects

a firms policies regarding trust accounts are understood and followed

documentation is presented to designated person for approval within agreed timelines

legislative requirements regarding trust account operations are met

nondisclosable information is not communicated and where any doubt exists as to the informations status it is not disclosed

honesty and integrity are demonstrated in all financial dealings

all work is conducted within accepted codes of conduct including those relating to maintaining confidentiality use of company property duty of care ethical behaviours privacy nondiscriminatory practice conflict of interests and compliance with reasonable direction

main purpose of trust accounting is understood and can be explained

procedural differences between trust and general accounting are understood

legal and financial consequences of mishandling a trust account are understood

own work and work of others is checked for accuracy and any errors irregularities or uncertainties are amended

disbursements can be identified

entries made are accurate

Resource implications

The assessor must have access to appropriate documentation and resources normally found in the work environment and required to allow the job or task to be properly performed These may include

appropriate legislation and regulations relevant to maintaining trust accounts

governing Legal Practice Acts in each StateTerritory

trust accounting regulations in each StateTerritory

Law SocietyInstitute procedures in each StateTerritory

workplace manuals and reference materials such as company policy procedural manuals and checklists

standard books of account trust account receipt book cash book cheque book ledger bank deposit book

appropriate technology such as computers with relevant software calculators adding machines and imprinters

Consistency in performance

This unit of competency will require evidence to be collected across a range of events eg dealing with different financial tasks and different clients over a period of time to ensure that situational variables are consistently achieved

Context of assessment

Evidence of competency can be met in different situations including

on the job assessment

off the job assessment

placement in an enterprise

participation in a New Apprenticeship traineeship arrangement

use of a Practice Firm or simulated work environment

flexible delivery methods used by training providers to cater for distance education students

Recognition of Prior Learning Recognition of Current Competencies in skill areas where there has been no significant change to work practice in recent times

Evidence gathering methods may include

questioning

workplace performance

work based written tests

third party reports

Underpinning knowledge and skills

Knowledge

authorised signing parties

legislation and regulation in regard to the handling of trust accounts and handling trust monies

penalties for noncompliance with legislation

ability to access the account precedents

securityconfidentialityprivacy

a firms policies and procedures regarding costing schedules the evaluation and recording of billable hours and recording of disbursements

bank procedures and policiesreqirements

simple accounting principles

a firms administrative systems

definition of disbursement

Skills

literacy follows a firms legal procedures selects and applies the procedures and strategies needed to perform a range of tasks follows sequenced written instructions

numeracy uses knowledge of mathematical concepts records time and disbursement

maintains deadlines files documents uses a combination of oral and written mathematical and general language for the record keeping process

communication listens to clear sequenced instructions clarifies information by questioning as necessary consults where necessary with team members and clients

bookkeeping

keyboarding