NTISthis.com

Evidence Guide: BSALPL501A - Cost complex files

Student: __________________________________________________

Signature: _________________________________________________

Tips for gathering evidence to demonstrate your skills

The important thing to remember when gathering evidence is that the more evidence the better - that is, the more evidence you gather to demonstrate your skills, the more confident an assessor can be that you have learned the skills not just at one point in time, but are continuing to apply and develop those skills (as opposed to just learning for the test!). Furthermore, one piece of evidence that you collect will not usualy demonstrate all the required criteria for a unit of competency, whereas multiple overlapping pieces of evidence will usually do the trick!

From the Wiki University

 

BSALPL501A - Cost complex files

What evidence can you provide to prove your understanding of each of the following citeria?

Prepare documentation

Completed
Date:

Teacher:
Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Legal invoice is despatched

Completed
Date:

Teacher:
Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessed

Teacher: ___________________________________ Date: _________

Signature: ________________________________________________

Comments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Instructions to Assessors

Evidence Guide

Critical aspects:

• the purpose and preparation of different types of invoices are understood and can be explained

• costs and disbursements are calculated and allocated correctly

• irregularities and/or uncertainties are noted and corrected, or referred to instructing legal practitioner for rectification if outside scope of own responsibility

• legislative requirements regarding account operations can be identified, explained and complied with

• company credit policy is understood and implemented

• principles of accounting are applied in all account operations

• client’s file is updated correctly

• agreed timelines are met

• financial documentation is prepared on a regular basis and forwarded to clients where appropriate

• non-disclosable information is not communicated and where any doubt exists as to the information’s status it is not disclosed

• activities, actions and outcomes are documented and time is recorded

• 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

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 assisting clients, maintaining trust accounts and using trust account monies

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

• appropriate technology such as computers with relevant software

Consistency in performance:

This unit of competency will require evidence to be collected across a range of events, eg. dealing with different invoicing requirements, and 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:

• demonstration

• questioning

• workplace performance

• role-play

• simulation

• projects/assignments

• written tests

• skills portfolio

third party reports

Underpinning knowledge and skills

Knowledge

• a firm’s invoicing policies and procedures

• relevant legal process, the costing steps in the legal process and relevant current legislation

• privacy/security/confidentiality procedures

• legal terminology in general, trust account terminology in particular and terminology relevant to the matter and area of law

• application of a firm’s policies and procedures required in the full range of tasks covered

• a firm’s accounting system

• accounting principles and terminology

• a firm’s administrative systems, eg. Accessing pro formas, invoices, bills; despatching of documents

Skills

• literacy: follows complex legal procedures; reads and interprets legal documents and financial documents; follows and writes detailed instructions organised sequentially;

• communication: participates in sustained and complex oral transactions; answers questions and provides information

• numeracy: application of mathematical and accounting principles; accurate financial costings and timely record keeping; adheres to designated timelines

• proofreading: checks invoice against financial procedures and regulatory requirements

Required Skills and Knowledge

This Unit covers the preparation and despatch of invoices for files where there is no fixed quote.

Note: It may be illegal for a person without a current legal practice certificate to provide legal advice, to sign off on legal work and receive trust account monies. The use of trust account monies is subject to legislative control. Accordingly work carried out in regard to trust

account monies occurs under the instruction of a legal practitioner and is of a complex but

specified nature.

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

Element of Competency

Performance Criteria

Prepare documentation

• Type of invoice for preparation is determined

• Meeting is arranged with instructing legal practitioner to discuss costing of the file

• Relevant information sources are accessed

• Relevant costs and disbursement information is integrated and checked

• Incomplete costs and disbursement information is checked with instructing legal practitioner and relevant amendments are made

• Costs and disbursements to be invoiced are assessed according to a firm’s policies and procedures and legislative/regulatory requirements

• Any discrepancies/irregularities between information sources and costs and disbursement data are checked and rectified

• File is prepared for external cost consultant, where appropriate

• Invoice is checked against file and legislative/ regulatory requirements for accuracy and presented to instructing legal practitioner for approval within agreed timelines

Legal invoice is despatched

• Details of invoice are recorded on accounting system and/or the file within agreed timelines

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

• Invoice is approved in line with the firm’s policies and procedures

• Client’s file is updated to reflect despatch of invoice

• Invoice is despatched within designated timelines and according to a firm’s policies and procedures