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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Identify public sector financial requirements
  2. Implement public sector financial requirements

Required Skills

This section describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level required for this unit

Skill requirements

Look for evidence that confirms skills in

reading complex and formal documents such as legislation policies and processes and applying them to work practices

adjusting communication to suit different audiences

entering data and preparing reports requiring precision of expression

applying delegations

accessing information and legislation electronically or in hard copy

responding to diversity including gender and disability

applying environmental and occupational health and safety procedures relating to working in the public sector

Knowledge requirements

Look for evidence that confirms knowledge and understanding of

legislation policies and processes relating to public sector finance

basic knowledge of the public sector financial management compliance framework and its elements

documents that make up the financial framework

public sector delegations related to the work function

internal controls and separation of duties

corporate governance requirementsrelationship of the financial management compliance framework to organisational structures

ethicscodes of conduct

financial application software

basic accounting principles related to the work function

legislation related to work in the public sector such as environmental and occupational health and safety requirements

Evidence Required

The Evidence Guide specifies the evidence required to demonstrate achievement in the unit of competency as a whole It must be read in conjunction with the Unit descriptor Performance Criteria the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Public Sector Training Package

Units to be assessed together

Prerequisite units that must be achieved prior to this unitNil

Corequisite units that must be assessed with this unitNil

Coassessed units that may be assessed with this unit to increase the efficiency and realism of the assessment process include but are not limited to

PSPETHCA Uphold and support the values and principles of public service

PSPETHC401A Uphold and support the values and principles of public service

PSPGOVB Deliver and monitor service to clients

PSPGOV402B Deliver and monitor service to clients

PSPGOVB Gather and analyse information

PSPGOV406B Gather and analyse information

PSPGOVA Apply government processes

PSPGOV422A Apply government processes

PSPLEGNA Encourage compliance with legislation in the public sector

PSPLEGN401A Encourage compliance with legislation in the public sector

Overview of evidence requirements

In addition to integrated demonstration of the elements and their related performance criteria look for evidence that confirms

the knowledge requirements of this unit

the skill requirements of this unit

application of the Employability Skills as they relate to this unit see Employability Summaries in Qualifications Framework

using public sector financial processes in a range of or more contexts or occasions over time for example

application of a range of or more public sector financial processes that have different associated policies controls or delegations

Resources required to carry out assessment

These resources include

public sector and organisational financial procedures and protocols

legislation policy procedures and protocols relating to public sector financial management compliance framework

organisations delegation framework

financial management practice guidelines

case studies and workplace scenarios to capture the range of situations likely to be encountered when using public sector financial processes

Where and how to assess evidence

Valid assessment of this unit requires

a workplace environment or one that closely resembles normal work practice and replicates the range of conditions likely to be encountered when using financial processes including coping with difficulties irregularities and breakdowns in routine

use of public sector financial processes in a range of or more contexts or occasions over time

Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands such as literacy and the needs of particular groups such as

people with disabilities

people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

women

young people

older people

people in rural and remote locations

Assessment methods suitable for valid and reliable assessment of this competency may include but are not limited to a combination of or more of

case studies

demonstration

observation

portfolios

projects

questioning

scenarios

simulation or role plays

authenticated evidence from the workplace andor training courses

For consistency of assessment

Evidence must be gathered over time in a range of contexts to ensure the person can achieve the unit outcome and apply the competency in different situations or environments

Range Statement

The Range Statement provides information about the context in which the unit of competency is carried out. The variables cater for differences between States and Territories and the Commonwealth, and between organisations and workplaces. They allow for different work requirements, work practices and knowledge. The Range Statement also provides a focus for assessment. It relates to the unit as a whole. Text in bold italics in the Performance Criteria is explained here.

Elements of the public sector financial management compliance framework may include:

legislation

central agency requirements (such as Treasury or Department of Finance and Administration instructions)

organisational requirements identified in financial management and delegations guidelines and procedures

awareness of government organisational structures, such as the relationship between Parliament, government, agencies, boards of management, directors, etc

Delegations are:

functions or powers (under an Act) assigned to others

made to specified limits

made to specified positions and ex officio, ie not to specific people but to particular positions

Public sector financial policies and procedures may include:

financial management Acts and regulations

financial administration and audit Acts

public sector finance standards

financial management benchmarking studies

the organisation's:

financial management

delegations

budget guidelines/instructions

style requirements

quality requirements

government financial policy statements and guidelines

Australian Accounting Standards

Generally Accepted Accounting Practices (GAAP)

Australian Bureau of Statistics requirements

Government Finance Statistics (GFS) requirements

corporate planning

whole-of-government/agency systems and reporting

Financial processes may include:

day-to-day financial processes

budget processes

budget financial reporting

cash flow management

end-of-month and end-of-year processes

Recording financial processes requires:

use of technology - financial applications

data entry

preparing reports

Internal controls should:

identify, record and measure income, expenditure, assets, liabilities and equity

ensure separation of duties

ensure procedures are properly described

incorporate other key organisations' guidelines such as banker's terms and conditions, guidelines for use of high risk equipment like EFTPOS and debit and credit transactions

ensure all revenues are received

ensure assets are safeguarded and efficiently and effectively used so as to avoid waste, extravagance, misuse and loss

ensure liabilities are not incurred without proper authority

ensure correct valuation, cut-off, presentation and disclosure of financial balances and transactions

include contingency plans

be linked to the organisation's risk management strategy

be established to accord with the organisation's delegation framework

be cost effective