Work Placements ACC275 Professional Practice in Accounting

Transcription

1 Faculty of Business Work Placements ACC275 Professional Practice in Accounting Information for New Host Organisations (where the business is NOT the student s usual employer) Contacts for placements: Donata Muntean Subject Coordinator, ACC275 School of Accounting and Finance Charles Sturt University Panorama Avenue Bathurst NSW 2795 Phone: dmuntean@csu.edu.au Sandra Finlay Manager, Industry Liaison / Workplace Learning Faculty of Business Charles Sturt University Panorama Avenue Bathurst NSW 2795 Phone: sfinlay@csu.edu.au Freda Garside/Janette Noll Workplace Learning Placement Officers Faculty of Business Charles Sturt University Panorama Avenue Bathurst NSW businessplacements@csu.edu.au

2 CONTENTS INTRODUCTION... 3 BACHELOR OF ACCOUNTING... 3 WHY DO STUDENTS DO PLACEMENTS?... 4 WHY SHOULD AN ORGANISATION TAKE A PLACEMENT STUDENT?... 4 HOW IS THE PLACEMENT ARRANGED?... 4 IS THE PLACEMENT STUDENT COVERED FOR INSURANCE?... 5 WHAT ARE THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE HOST ORGANISATION?... 5 WHAT ARE THE PLACEMENT STUDENT S RESPONSIBILITIES?... 5 HOW IS THE PLACEMENT STUDENT'S PERFORMANCE EVALUATED?... 5 WHAT HAPPENS IF THE STUDENT FAILS TO MEET STANDARDS?... 6 FORMS AND LETTERS... 6 PLACEMENT AGREEMENT (FORM B)... 7 PLACEMENT EVALUATION (FORM D) INSURANCE LETTER ACC275 Information for Host Organisations Page 2

3 INTRODUCTION Students enrolled in a Bachelor of Accounting course at Charles Sturt University enrol in the subject ACC275 Professional Practice in Accounting as a requirement of their course. In order to fulfil the requirements of ACC275 students must complete a business placement which involves working for at least 0 hours in a relevant organisational or business context. During their placement students should be engaged in a process of personal reflection. That reflection is particularly focussed around the following learning aims: Understanding the way university study links to workplace practice. Understanding individual goals, skills, knowledge and reflecting upon how they might continue to learn and develop now and in the future. The students enrolled in this subject will come from a variety of situations; they will be enrolled in different modes of study (e.g. by distance or on campus classes) and are usually in the second year of their degree (full time students). Many will have had little or no prior work experience other than casual jobs (most likely in the hospitality or retail industries) and will be looking for an employer organisation that is able to help them gain relevant experience. We understand that individual organisations may have varying capacities to assist students in achieving the subject aims; however, most organisations can provide a setting where students can appreciate the workplace and attempt to contextualise their university studies within that workplace. BACHELOR OF ACCOUNTING Graduates of Charles Sturt University s accounting courses have good prospects in a wide range of career paths in private and government organisations. The course prepares them to ask the right questions, search for relevant data and interpret results. Students develop communication skills such as rational argument, critical evaluation and effective listening/writing. The course provides students with the skills that will help them become effective managers able to understand the needs of their subordinates, apply technology, and have an extensive knowledge of the political, economic and social environment. Graduates are expected to gain the necessary conceptual abilities, analytical skills and knowledge to equip them for a variety of professional career opportunities in industry, commerce or government service. ACC275 Information for Host Organisations Page 3

4 WHY DO STUDENTS HAVE PLACEMENTS? Placements will allow students to gain practical experience in a professional setting as part of their academic training course. A placement will be most valuable to students if they are assigned a variety of duties and are considered a professional in training. Some benefits which students are likely to obtain from the program include a closer integration of theory and practice, valuable insights into organisational life and the opportunity to accept more responsibility and achieve greater self-reliance. Students will also benefit by being able to indicate relevant work experience on their resume when applying for graduate positions. Where the experience has been a mutually satisfying one, students often benefit if their placement host is willing to provide a reference or act as a referee for them when seeking their first professional job. WHY SHOULD AN ORGANISATION TAKE A PLACEMENT STUDENT? Host organisations provide placements for a variety of reasons, for example: (a) (b) (c) (d) an obligation to the profession to provide leadership in the training of future professionals; an opportunity to evaluate prospective future employees; a desire to help students gain practical experience; and an opportunity to contribute in a tangible and formal way to the program offered by Charles Sturt University. We understand that the supervision and mentoring of a placement student can add some workload to the host. However, there are certainly several potential benefits. Many host organisations benefit by assigning students specific projects to complete. Sometimes these projects have remained untouched because of work pressures. While the student may not take the project to final implementation, they can often do the ground work that brings the project nearer to completion. Placement students can also be engaged in completing professional/administrative tasks that might alleviate some workload from their host managers or other staff members. The students will certainly benefit from doing tasks that might be assigned to a new graduate in a first job. In that sense, with some guidance, you have additional assistance for the period of the placement. These activities will help develop student confidence and understanding. Engaging students in some routine workplace activities (but not an excessive amount) such as photocopying, faxing, telephoning, composing memos/letters etc means the organisation can benefit from the labour of their placement students. While we do not wish the students to be left to do just low-level clerical or office tasks for their placement, some involvement in such tasks will help them to become familiar with, and competent in, basic office activities. HOW IS THE PLACEMENT ARRANGED? Students in the Professional Placement subject undertake some learning modules that help prepare them for the placement experience. They are also guided to understand the requirements and expectations of their placements including issues of insurance and confidentiality. Students typically find their own host organisation (they may write/phone) but we also encourage organisations looking for students to contact us so that we may endeavour to fulfil the needs of both students and organisations. The student is responsible for working out an agreement with the host organisations as to: (a) nature of duties to be assigned; ACC275 Information for Host Organisations Page 4

5 (b) (c) hours to be worked; precise dates on which the placement is to begin and end. This information is formalised in a Placement Agreement. The student should provide this form to you along with a copy of the latest University insurance information or else copies may be obtained from the Workplace Learning Placement Officer (contact details on first page). Samples of these are included in this booklet for your reference. The Placement Agreement needs to be signed by the host organisation, student and University delegate to formalise the arrangement. IS THE PLACEMENT STUDENT COVERED FOR INSURANCE? The University does provide insurance cover for its placement students. This is indicated in the letter at the end of this document. To ensure insurance coverage, it is vital that the Placement Agreement (Form B) is completed by all parties (host organisation, student and the University). WHAT ARE THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE HOST ORGANISATION? The host organisation is expected to provide the placement student with: (a) (b) (c) a variety of responsible work tasks, opportunities for shadowing and, if possible, the opportunity to complete a specific project for which the placement student can be in some way responsible; adequate and professional supervision; regular feedback to the placement student regarding his/her performance. See the comments on the evaluation form later in this document. WHAT ARE THE PLACEMENT STUDENT S RESPONSIBILITIES? Placement students are advised about issues such as confidentiality and privacy, and are expected to respect the organisation, its activities and personnel during and after their placement. They should not reveal any confidential information about individuals, or about commercial or other organisational matters, except where it is clearly appropriate to do so. Placement students should attend the workplace as required, adhere to any specified dress codes, and perform to the best of their ability. If any aspect of the placement is of concern you should contact the Subject Coordinator, Manager Industry Liaison/Workplace Learning or Workplace Learning Placement Officer for advice or clarification or to resolve the problem (contact details on first page). HOW IS THE PLACEMENT STUDENT'S PERFORMANCE EVALUATED? Students can only achieve a or Unsatisfactory result for their placement in this subject, however, we do ask employers for an honest and constructive evaluation that may help the student s development. An evaluation form (Placement Evaluation Form D), will be sent to you by the Workplace Learning Placement Officer toward the end of the student s placement term. The Placement Evaluation must be returned directly to the Workplace Learning Unit (details relating to the submission are explained on the ACC275 Information for Host Organisations Page 5

6 form). We request that this form be completed and submitted as soon as possible upon completion of a placement. WHAT HAPPENS IF THE STUDENT FAILS TO MEET STANDARDS? Students are expected to meet their obligations to the host organisation in a conscientious and responsible manner. In the event that a placement student is not meeting his or her responsibilities or appears unable to meet minimum performance standards, the employer organisation should immediately contact the Subject Coordinator, Manager of Industry Liaison/Workplace Learning or the Workplace Learning Placement Officer (contact details on first page). FORMS AND LETTERS Provided on the following pages are samples of the required forms for students placements. The students are expected to provide the host organisations with the Business Student Placement Agreement (Form B). The Placement Evaluation (Form D) will be ed to the Host Organisation by the Workplace Learning Placement Officer at the appropriate time (please refer to the front page of this booklet for relevant contact details). ACC275 Information for Host Organisations Page 6

7 CHARLES STURT UNIVERSITY FORM B (INSERT NAME OF PLACEMENT PROVIDER) (INSERT NAME OF STUDENT) BUSINESS STUDENT PLACEMENT AGREEMENT Schedule 1 Details This Agreement is made up of this Schedule and the Agreed Terms. Item1 Parties (i) CHARLES STURT UNIVERSITY (ABN ), a university incorporated under the Charles Sturt University Act 1989 of the State of New South Wales, Australia of Wagga Wagga, NSW 2795,( University ) (ii) (iii) And (insert name, ABN and address of Placement provider) ( Placement Provider ) And (insert Name, Student Number and Address of Student) ( Student ) Item 2 Course (insert name of degree, eg: Bachelor of Business) Item 3 Item 4 Item 5 Commencement Date Termination Date Contact Details for Notices (i) (insert Commencement Date) (insert Termination Date) CHARLES STURT UNIVERSITY Name: Sandra Finlay Position: Manager - Industry Liaison/Workplace Learning Address: Faculty of Business Charles Sturt University Panorama Avenue, Bathurst 2795, Australia businessplacements@csu.edu.au Tel: (ii) Name: Position: Address: (insert name of Placement Provider) (insert name of contact person) (insert position/role of contact person) (insert address of placement provider) (insert address of contact person) Tel: (insert telephone number of contact person) (iii) (insert name of Student) Address: Tel: (insert address of student) (insert address of student) (insert telephone number of student) ACC275 Information for Host Organisations Page Placement Agreement Page 1 of 3

8 Agreed Terms 1. Definitions and Construction In this Agreement, unless the context otherwise indicates: Commencement Date means the date specified in Item 3, Schedule 1; Course means the undergraduate degree, postgraduate degree, diploma or postgraduate certificate offered by the University and specified in Item 2, Schedule 1, of which Work-based learning forms part; Placement Provider means the organisation specified in Part (ii) of Item 1, Schedule 1; Practicum Placement means a period of Work-based learning under the Practicum Program; Practicum Program means a Work-based learning program designed by the University in consultation with the Placement Provider; Student means the Student named in Part (iii) of Item 1 of Schedule 1 enrolled with the University in the Course and placed with the Placement Provider for the Practicum Program; Termination Date means the date specified in Item 4, Schedule 1 or any earlier date on which this Agreement is terminated for any reason specified in it; and Work-based Learning means Work-based learning as defined by the Commonwealth of Australia Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations being the provision of opportunities to achieve employmentrelated competencies in the workplace. 1.1 Headings do not affect the interpretation of this Agreement. 2. Term 2.1 This Agreement commences on the Commencement Date and terminates on the Termination Date. 3. Responsibilities of the University 3.1 The University will be responsible for: a) the general administration of the Student during the Practicum Placement; b) administering the Practicum Program, including assisting Student with applications to the Placement Provider, guidance, counselling and assessment; c) providing teaching, supervision and evaluation as required for the Practicum Program; and d) arranging appropriate identification for Student. 4. Responsibilities of Student 4.1 Student acknowledges and agrees that: a) Student will have passed relevant competencies/subjects that will allow Student to operate at his or her assumed level of training; b) Student must satisfy all Occupational Health and Safety requirements of the Placement Provider as advised by the Placement Provider prior to the Student commencing the Practicum Program or prior to commencing a particular task. c) Student must negotiate and agree to the start and finish dates for the Practicum Program with the Placement Provider. 5. Responsibilities of the Placement Provider 5.1 The Placement Provider is responsible for: a) selecting Student to be admitted to their Placement Provider for the Practicum Program; b) permitting access to the Placement Provider facilities for Student for the purpose of the Practicum Program, including an inducting Student appropriately into the workplace; c) providing the necessary supervision and evaluation of Student during periods of Work-based learning; d) determining whether and when Student may undertake procedures without direct supervision of Placement Provider personnel during the Practicum Placement; e) providing reasonable functional and equipment support to Student; f) appropriately training Student in the safe and effective use of equipment; g) making available to Student, copies of relevant rules, regulations, protocols, procedures and by-laws of the Placement Provider, including requirements for Occupational Health and Safety; h) informing the University of any breach of the rules, regulations, protocols, procedures, or by-laws of the Placement Provider by a Student; i) meeting the costs for consumable items used in conjunction with the Practicum Program; j) allowing access to dining room and/or cafeteria facilities for the Student during periods of workbased learning at no cost to the Placement Provider; k) providing emergency care for the Student in case of accident or illness which occurs at the Placement Provider premises; l) providing where available, access to locker or change room facilities for use by the Student; and m) giving maximum notice possible if, through an unplanned staff situation they are unable to provide adequate Student supervision, the placement cannot proceed. n) Placement Provider must negotiate and agree to the start and finish dates for the Practicum Program with the Student o) Providing a Report to the University on Student s work experience during the Practicum Program. 6. Discipline and Control 6.1 The University agrees: a) to take reasonable steps to ensure that Student is aware of the terms and conditions under which the Practicum Programs are conducted, and to comply with them including, without limitation, conditions relating to commercial confidentiality; b) to take reasonable steps to ensure Student observe all rules, regulations, protocols, procedures and by-laws of the Placement Provider; and c) that discipline of Student is the responsibility of the University, subject to the right of the Placement Provider to instruct Student in connection with the undertaking of tasks forming part of the Work-based learning. 6.2 Notwithstanding clause 6.1, the Placement Provider is entitled to satisfy itself that Student is competent to perform Student s allotted tasks and that Student conducts himself/herself in a safe and professional manner. If the Placement Provider is not so satisfied, it may do any of the following: a) restrict or limit access by a Student to clients or tasks within the workplace; b) direct a Student to leave the premises of the Placement Provider; c) terminate the Practicum Placement with respect to the Student; d) take all reasonable steps necessary to ensure that the Student complies with a direction given under this clause. 6.3 The Placement Provider will inform the University of any breach of Placement Provider orders, instructions, directions and requests, and any failure to act in a safe, competent and professional manner, by Student. 7. Liaison 7.1 The parties agree to liaise with each other regularly: a) to ensure the terms of this Agreement operate efficiently and in the best interest of all parties; and b) to review and evaluate the effectiveness of the Practicum Program. 8. Disputes 8.1 If a dispute arises in connection with this Agreement, then the parties agree to each nominate a representative to attempt to resolve the matter in dispute. 8.2 If the representatives nominated under clause 8.1 cannot resolve the dispute, then any party may elect to terminate this Agreement by providing the other party with not less than 1 months notice in advance. 9. Indemnity 9.1 The University agrees to indemnify the Placement Provider against any liability, loss or damage the Placement Provider suffers and arising from a negligent act or failure to act by Student while undertaking a Practicum Program. The University s liability to indemnify the Placement Provider will be reduced proportionately to the extent that any negligent act or omission of the Placement Provider, its employees, servants or agents contributed to the relevant liability, loss or damage. The University agrees that this indemnity shall be a continuing indemnity and shall survive the termination of this Agreement. 9.2 The Placement Provider agrees to indemnify the University and Student jointly and severally against any liability, loss or damage the University or Student suffers and arising from a negligent act or failure to act by an employee, servant or agent of the Placement Provider during the Practicum Program. The Placement Provider s liability to indemnify the University will be reduced proportionately to the extent that any negligent act or omission of the University contributed to the relevant liability, loss or damage. The Placement Provider agrees that this indemnity shall be a continuing indemnity and shall survive the termination of this Agreement.. Insurance.1 The University must effect and maintain the following insurance policies during the term of this Agreement: a) public liability and professional indemnity insurances for an amount of not less $ million respectively for each event insuring the University, University Staff and Student engaged in Work-based learning with the Placement Provider; b) personal accident insurance cover for Student;.2 The University will, if requested by the Placement Provider, provide the Placement Provider with a certificate of currency and/or other acceptable evidence of insurance in respect of any insurance policy effected in accordance with clause.1 above..3 The Placement Provider must effect and maintain the following insurance policies during the term of this Agreement: a) public liability and professional indemnity insurance for an amount of not less $ million respectively for each event insuring the Placement Provider, its employees, servants and agents during a Practicum Program; b) Workers Compensation cover for Placement Provider staff..4 The Placement Provider will, if requested by the University, provide the University with a certificate of currency and/or other acceptable evidence of insurance in respect of any insurance policy effected in accordance with clause.3 above. 11. Notices a) The address for notices of the parties are set out in Item 1 of Schedule 1. b) Any notice, demand, consent or other communication given or made under this document must be: (i) Clearly readable; (ii) Signed by the party giving or making it (or signed on behalf of that party by its authorised representative); and (iii) Left at the address or sent by pre-paid security post (air mail if outside Australia) to the address or to the fax number of the recipient. c) Any communication will be taken to be received by the recipient: (iv) In the case of a letter, on the third (seventh, if sent outside the country in which the letter is posted) Business Day after the date of posting; (v) In the case of a facsimile, on production of a transmission report by the machine from which the facsimile was sent which indicates that the facsimile communication was sent in its entirety to the fax number of the recipient; and (vi) If the time of dispatch of a facsimile is not on a day, or is after 5.00 pm (local time) on a day, in which business generally is carried on in the place to which the facsimile communication is sent it will be taken to have been received at the commencement of business on the next day in which business is generally carried on in that place. 12. Relationship of Parties 12.1 Nothing in this Agreement creates a relationship of partnership, joint venture or employment between the parties or any of them Nothing in or done under this Agreement will be taken to create any contract of service or contract of services between the parties or any of them The Placement Provider will not otherwise be liable to remunerate Student for work done under the Practicum Program. 13. Amendment 13.1 Any amendment to this Agreement must be in writing and signed by all parties. 14. Entire Agreement 14.1 This Agreement is the entire agreement between the parties in relation to its subject matter and replaces all previous negotiations, agreements understandings, representations, warranties, memoranda or commitments in relation to the same subject matter. 15. Costs and Expenses 15.1 The University, the Placement Provider and the Student shall each bear their own costs and expenses of and incidental to their participation in the Practicum Program. For the avoidance of doubt, the University shall not be responsible for Student travel, insurance or accommodation expenses or for any expenses of the Placement Provider or its staff in connection with the Practicum Program. ACC Information Placement for Host Agreement Organisations Page 2 of 3 Page 8

9 Executed as an Agreement. The signatories hereby personally warrant that they have express and sufficient legal authority to execute this Agreement (which includes the attached Agreed Terms) on behalf of the party on whose behalf they have signed. Signature for CSU SIGNED for CHARLES STURT UNIVERSITY; In the presence of Signature of CSU Delegate Sandra Finlay, Manager, Industry Liaison/Workplace Learning on behalf of the Dean (Faculty of Business) Date signed Signature for Placement Provider SIGNED for (insert name of Placement Provider); Signature of Placement Provider delegate Name of Placement Provider delegate Date signed Signature for Student Signature of witness Freda Garside/Janette Noll Workplace Learning, Placement Officer Date signed In the presence of Signature of witness Name of witness Date signed SIGNED for (insert name of Student); Signature of Student In the presence of Signature of witness Name of Student Name of witness Date signed Date signed ACC Information Placement for Host Agreement Organisations Page 3 of 3 Page 9

10 Faculty of Business Placement Evaluation e Subject Year <Select> <Select> FORM D General Information We request that this form be completed by the student s supervisor upon completion of the placement. Since the purpose of the placement is for students to gain new or extend existing skills and experiences and reflect on their learning, we suggest you discuss the answers you give below with the student. When complete, please send this form directly to the Workplace Learning Unit via businessplacements@csu.edu.au or fax: If you are using a PC, click on the submit button at the end of the form whilst your program is running. If you are using a Mac computer, you will need to save this form to your hard drive and attach it to an . Student s Name If other, please specify SUPERVISOR S EVALUATION Area of placement experience Complete this section by placing a number in the following boxes alongside corresponding competencies that you observed from the student during their placement. Space is provided at the bottom of the table to record further competencies that are not listed. Mark only those that are applicable. PROFESSIONAL SKILLS Ability to learn on the job Work attitude Dependability Judgment Attendance Punctuality Willing to learn COMMUNICATION Listening and understanding Accepting feedback Being assertive <Select> Ability to be concise and clear Communicates constructively Listens actively January ACC Information Placement for Evaluation Host Organisations (Form D) Page Page 1 of 3

11 TEAM WORK Demonstrates reliability Working as an individual and as a member of a team Functions as an active participant Shares openly and willingly Cooperates and pitches in to help Exhibits flexibility Shows commitment to the team Treats others in a respectful and supportive manner PROBLEM SOLVING Developing practical solutions Showing independence and initiative SELF MANAGEMENT Articulating own ideas and visions Taking responsibility PLANNING AND ORGANISING Managing time and priorities Being resourceful Taking initiative and making decisions Collecting, analysing and organising information Meeting deadlines / commitments TECHNOLOGY Demonstrated a range of IT skills Being willing to learn new skills COMMENTS January ACC Information Placement for Evaluation Host Organisations (Form D) Page Page 2 of 11 3

12 Please confirm the number of hours the student worked in your organisation: (an approximation will suffice) Hours Has this report been discussed with the placement student? Yes No Would you be interested in offering work placements for future CSU students? Yes No How important is it for students to wear a CSU ID badge during placement? Supervisor s details <Select> Name Signature (only necessary if printing and returning via fax) Submitting this form Position title Host Organisation Date When complete, please send this form directly to the Workplace Learning Unit via businessplacements@csu.edu.au or fax: If you are using a PC, click on the submit button at the end of the form whilst your program is running. If you are using a Mac computer, you will need to save this form to your hard drive and attach it to an . Charles Sturt University thanks you for your support of our students through the Workplace Learning Program. Click here tosubmit submit January ACC Information Placement for Evaluation Host Organisations (Form D) Page Page 3 of 12 3

13 Boorooma Street Locked Bag 677 Wagga Wagga NSW 2678 Australia Tel: insurance@csu.edu.au 29 th October, 2012 o hom t oer Dear Sir/Madam, e sure oer or hres turt iersittuets This letter is to confirm the provision of insurance for students of Charles Sturt University who may be undertaking approved workplace learning with an external organisation. Coverage is provided under the following policies and applies whilst students are on approved workplace learning and whilst travelling directly to/from the place of such approved workplace learning: a) General & Products Liability Insurance with Unimutual Limited under Policy Number UL CSU 13 GPL for not less than $20 million due 31 st October b) Professional Indemnity Insurance with Unimutual Limited under Policy Number UL CSU 13 PL for not less than $20 million due 31 st October c) Medical/Veterinary Malpractice Insurance with Unimutual Limited under Policy Number UL CSU 13 MM for not less than $20 million due 31 st October d) Personal Accident Insurance with Lloyds of London [through Professional Risk Underwriting Pty Ltd ProRisk ] under Policy Number PA00193 due 31 st December 2012 which covers all full-time, part time and distance education students of the University. Please note that, as students are not employees of the University, they are not covered by Workers Compensation insurance and Medicare medical and hospital expenses will be met to the extent available under the student s own Medicare and/or private health insurance. If a student wishes to undertake workplace learning on his/her own initiative which is not workplace learning approved by the University, then the above insurances do not extend to include such activities. Similarly, if a student is either paid by the external organisation or extends his/her workplace learning to undertake a project on behalf of the external organisation which has not been approved as workplace learning by the University, neither of these circumstances are covered under the above insurances. If any of these apply, the external organisation assumes responsibility for the student and would be expected to provide appropriate general & products liability, professional indemnity and personal accident/workers compensation insurances under their own policies. Yours faithfully, Kevin Bettens ei ettes Division of Finance (Insurance, Taxation and Compliance) All Campus Insurance Letter [October 2012] ACC275 Information for Host Organisations Page 13