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Evidence Guide: LGAGOVA608A - Establish an annual budget that supports council's management and operational plans

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

 

LGAGOVA608A - Establish an annual budget that supports council's management and operational plans

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

Develop council's financial plans

  1. The achievement of council's goals and objectives are supported by financial plans that meet the requirements of strategic or operational plans, ensure effective operation of council and reflect council's priorities and revenue policies.
  2. Key financial performance indicators and cost elements are identified and quantified to eliminate or reduce wastage.
  3. Cost-benefit analyses are prepared for major cost items.
The achievement of council's goals and objectives are supported by financial plans that meet the requirements of strategic or operational plans, ensure effective operation of council and reflect council's priorities and revenue policies.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Key financial performance indicators and cost elements are identified and quantified to eliminate or reduce wastage.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost-benefit analyses are prepared for major cost items.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Negotiate budgets with divisions and work groups

  1. Budget items are prioritised with department heads in line with council's strategic and operational plans.
  2. Subgroup budgets are consolidated into a divisional budget in line with divisional priorities.
  3. Budget is negotiated with council based on cost/ benefit to the council and council requirements.
Budget items are prioritised with department heads in line with council's strategic and operational plans.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subgroup budgets are consolidated into a divisional budget in line with divisional priorities.

Completed
Date:

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Budget is negotiated with council based on cost/ benefit to the council and council requirements.

Completed
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Allocate, approve and show accountability for expenditure

  1. Financial resources are allocated as agreed in the operational plan.
  2. Expenditure management meets the financial accountability requirements of council.
  3. Expenditure is kept within budget and any potential overruns are identified and budget is renegotiated accordingly.
  4. Expenditure is authorised within financial authority limits established by council.
Financial resources are allocated as agreed in the operational plan.

Completed
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Expenditure management meets the financial accountability requirements of council.

Completed
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Expenditure is kept within budget and any potential overruns are identified and budget is renegotiated accordingly.

Completed
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Expenditure is authorised within financial authority limits established by council.

Completed
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Justify proposals for expenditure to council

  1. Estimates of costs and benefits are supported by valid, relevant information and include alternative courses of action.
  2. The net benefits over time likely to be achieved from the expenditure are clearly indicated in recommendations, and future variation in levels of activity is taken into account.
  3. Presentation is clear, concise and in an appropriate format.
  4. Where challenges to the proposal are made, further explanation is given to promote acceptance.
Estimates of costs and benefits are supported by valid, relevant information and include alternative courses of action.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The net benefits over time likely to be achieved from the expenditure are clearly indicated in recommendations, and future variation in levels of activity is taken into account.

Completed
Date:

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Presentation is clear, concise and in an appropriate format.

Completed
Date:

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Where challenges to the proposal are made, further explanation is given to promote acceptance.

Completed
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Monitor and revise priorities for financial resource allocation

  1. Financial allocation is continually monitored against council objectives and priorities, ensuring optimum service delivery.
  2. Reallocation of resources is undertaken in a consultative manner, giving details of rationale for reallocation.
  3. Unspent resources are consolidated across council's activities for reallocation if and as required.
  4. Currently accepted and proven financial management principles are applied at all levels of financial transactions.
Financial allocation is continually monitored against council objectives and priorities, ensuring optimum service delivery.

Completed
Date:

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Reallocation of resources is undertaken in a consultative manner, giving details of rationale for reallocation.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unspent resources are consolidated across council's activities for reallocation if and as required.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Currently accepted and proven financial management principles are applied at all levels of financial transactions.

Completed
Date:

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Seek out alternative or additional financial opportunities

  1. Effective and comprehensive methods for discovering alternative or additional sources of funding are employed.
  2. Further sources of funding are identified and evaluated against current funding sources and selected where they better meet requirements of council plans, strategies and ventures.
Effective and comprehensive methods for discovering alternative or additional sources of funding are employed.

Completed
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Further sources of funding are identified and evaluated against current funding sources and selected where they better meet requirements of council plans, strategies and ventures.

Completed
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Assessed

Teacher: ___________________________________ Date: _________

Signature: ________________________________________________

Comments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Instructions to Assessors

Evidence Guide

Overview of assessment requirements

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit will be able to perform the outcomes described in the Elements to the required performance level detailed in the Performance Criteria. The knowledge and skill requirements described in the Range Statement must also be demonstrated. For example, knowledge of the legislative framework and safe work practices that underpin the performance of the unit are also required to be demonstrated.

Critical aspects of evidence to be considered

Developing effective, workable budgets within organisational and financial constraints.

Ongoing and effective monitoring of budget.

Basing adjustments to financial plans/budget on accurate and defensible cost-benefit information and designing them to improve financial performance and position of council.

Context of assessment

May be undertaken on the job or in a simulated work environment.

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested:

observation of the learner performing a range of workplace tasks over sufficient time to demonstrate handling of a range of contingencies

written and/or oral questioning to assess knowledge and understanding

completion of workplace documentation

third-party reports from experienced practitioners

completion of self-paced learning materials including personal reflection and feedback from trainer, coach or supervisor

Evidence required for demonstration of consistent performance

Consistent evidence across a range of activities involved in annual budgetary cycle.

Resource implications

Access to a workplace or simulated case study that provides the following resources:

relevant council documents such as strategic and operational plans upon which budget will be based

relevant local government financial reporting and accounting requirements

Required Skills and Knowledge

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

Required Skills

budgeting, financial analysis and cost-benefit analysis

written and verbal communication

presentation, negotiation and consultation

problem solving

Required Knowledge

council's political, social, economic and environmental context

council's strategic or business plans, goals and objectives

council's financial policies, procedures and financial authority limits

relevant local government financial reporting and accounting requirements

Australian accounting standards

financial management principles

existing and potential sources of funding

Range Statement

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.

Financial plans may include:

asset replacement

asset sales

operational expenditure

corporate plan objectives

cash flow

management and borrowing

entrepreneurial ventures

rating strategies