Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

BSALF301A Mapping and Delivery Guide
Maintain records for time and disbursements in a legal practice

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency BSALF301A - Maintain records for time and disbursements in a legal practice
Description
Employability Skills
Learning Outcomes and Application
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites
Competency Field
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities
Slides
PPT
Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Record fee-earner time
       
Element: Enter disbursements incurred
       


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.

Critical aspects:

• a firm’s 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

• non-disclosable information is not communicated and where any doubt exists as to the information’s 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, non-discriminatory 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 State/Territory

• trust accounting regulations in each State/Territory

• Law Society/Institute procedures in each State/Territory

• 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 non-compliance with legislation

• ability to access the account precedents

• security/confidentiality/privacy

• a firm’s policies and procedures regarding costing schedules, the evaluation and recording of billable hours and recording of disbursements

• bank procedures and policies/reqirements

• simple accounting principles

• a firm’s administrative systems

• definition of disbursement

Skills

• literacy: follows a firm’s 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


Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, 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.

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 fee-earner 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 and/or 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 firm’s policies and procedures

• Irregularities and/or uncertainties are noted and standard resolution procedures are followed

• File/master number is attached to all relevant documentation and such documentation is filed appropriately

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
 
 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

BSALF301A - Maintain records for time and disbursements in a legal practice
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

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

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:


Assessment Record Sheet

BSALF301A - Maintain records for time and disbursements in a legal practice

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:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: