PSPGEN077
Apply public sector financial policies and processes


Application

This unit describes the skills required to have detailed knowledge of the public sector financial framework, a working knowledge of external requirements and the application of these to work in a specialist finance role in the public sector. It includes identifying and implementing public sector requirements for financial services.

This unit applies to those working in the public sector with specialist knowledge of public sector financial framework and its applications.

The skills and knowledge described in this unit must be applied within the legislative, regulatory and policy environment in which they are carried out. Organisational policies and procedures must be consulted and adhered to.

Those undertaking this unit would work autonomously with some supervision of others, performing complex tasks in a familiar context.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to unit at the time of publication.


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions section.

1. Identify public sector requirements for financial management

1.1 Identify the elements of the public sector financial management compliance framework as these relate to the organisation and confirm requirements regarding the application of them.

1.2 Identify delegation requirements relating to work functions throughout the organisation.

1.3 Identify and clarify internal financial control principles and operational mechanisms within the organisation with senior finance staff.

1.4 Locate public sector financial policies and procedures relating to the work role and the organisation and identify the requirements of them.

2. Implement public sector financial management requirements

2.1 Provide financial services.

2.2 Provide advice, within the limits of responsibility, regarding public sector financial policies and procedures and accounting standards.

2.3 Develop and review organisational procedures to reflect the requirements of public sector financial policy, guidelines and procedures.

2.4 Differentiate levels of delegation, assess work situations and explain and implement delegation requirements relating to functions.

2.5 Apply internal control mechanisms within an organisational context.

Evidence of Performance

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the candidate must demonstrate evidence of performance of the following on at least one occasion.

reading complex and formal documents, including legislation, policies, procedures, and accounting standards, and providing advice on their interpretation and application

adjusting communication to suit different audiences

using financial applications for entering data and preparing reports requiring accuracy of expression

applying delegations

working in accordance with public sector industry benchmarks

accessing information and legislation electronically or in hard copy

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

applying numeracy skills and reading and interpreting financial information


Evidence of Knowledge

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the depth of knowledge demonstrated must be appropriate to the job context of the candidate.

public sector legislation including work health and safety and environment, policies and processes relating to public sector finance

public sector financial management compliance framework (detailed knowledge) and the relationship of the elements of the framework

documents that make up the financial management compliance framework

delegations and why the public sector uses them

internal controls, mechanisms for internal controls and why these are used

separation of duties

corporate governance requirements/relationship of financial management compliance framework to organisational structures

service level agreements

accrual accounting principles

ethics/code of conduct


Assessment Conditions

This unit contains no specific industry-mandated assessment conditions. Guidance on suggested and recommended conditions and methods can be found in the Implementation Guide.

Assessors must satisfy the NVR/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.


Foundation Skills

Foundation skills are embedded within the elements and performance criteria of this unit.


Competency Field

General