This unit applies to individuals working in a frontline service role whose job role includes accepting and processing payments for services and reconciling takings at the end of a given service period.

Nil

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1

Process receipts and payments.

1.1

Receive and check cash float accurately where appropriate using correct documentation.

1.2

Check payments received from the customer and give correct change where appropriate.

1.3

Prepare and issue accurate receipts including all relevant tax details.

1.4

Process and record transactions according to organisation and financial institution procedures.

1.5

When cash payments are required, check documents and issue cash according to organisation procedures.

1.6

Conduct transactions using appropriate software applications.

1.7

Conduct transactions to meet organisation speed and customer service standards.

2

Reconcile takings.

2.1

Perform balancing procedures at the designated times according to organisation policy and in consultation with colleagues.

2.2

Where appropriate, separate any cash floats from takings prior to balancing procedure and secure according to organisation procedures.

2.3

Determine register or terminal reading or printout where appropriate.

2.4

Remove payments received and transport according to organisation security procedures.

2.5

Count and calculate payments accurately.

2.6

Determine balance between register or terminal reading and sum of payments accurately.

2.7

Investigate or report discrepancies in the reconciliation within scope of individual responsibility.

2.8

Record takings according to organisation procedures.

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

The following skills must be assessed as part of this unit:

problem-solving skills to identify and investigate a range of routine reconciliation discrepancies

literacy skills to read and interpret documentation, such as credit card details, receipts or cash float documentation

numeracy skills to tender correct change and undertake simple financial reconciliations.

The following knowledge must be assessed as part of this unit:

procedures for processing different types of transactions in the relevant industry context

underpinning principles of the reconciliation and balancing process

relevant software, such as point of sale

role and importance of the reconciliation and balancing process in a broader financial management context

security procedures for cash and other financial documentation

how GST affects financial transactions in a given industry context.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, the range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the following is essential:

ability to conduct accurate and secure financial transactions

ability to balance transactions within acceptable organisation timeframes

knowledge of security principles and procedures in relation to tender and other financial documentation

ability to work within time constraints typical of the industry environment, such as several people waiting to pay their bill

processing of multiple and varied transactions to address different situations and contexts.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

use of legal tender and industry-current processing equipment, such as credit card machines and tills

completion of transactions with a number of customers with varying requirements.

Methods of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

direct observation of the candidate processing financial transactions and balancing takings

review of reconciliation documentation prepared by the candidate

written or oral questions to assess knowledge of procedures for cash or non-cash transactions

review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate.

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

Assessing employability skills

Employability skills are integral to effective performance in the workplace and are broadly consistent across industry sectors. How these skills are applied varies between occupations and qualifications due to the different work functions and contexts.

Employability skills embedded in this unit should be assessed holistically with other relevant units that make up the skill set or qualification and in the context of the job role.

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 in the performance criteria is detailed below.

Transactions may include:

cash

credit cards

cheques

EFTPOS

deposits

advance payments

vouchers

company charges

refunds

travellers cheques

foreign currency.

Balancing procedures may be:

manual

electronic.

Security procedures may relate to:

process for taking cash from customers

managing floats, such as when to reduce cash held

maintaining low levels of cash in tills

rules for when and how cash should be counted

handling customer claims of short change

transporting takings to the bank

procedures in the event of a hold-up.

Sector

Cross-Sector

Finance

The required outcomes described in this unit of competency contain applicable facets of employability skills. The Employability Skills Summary of the qualification in which this unit is packaged will assist in identifying employability skills requirements.