1300 684 839 COURSE GUIDE Certificate IV in Bookkeeping Whether you want to launch your bookkeeping career, improve your current job prospects, get better at managing the books for your own business, or set yourself up as a BAS Agent, Open Colleges FNS40215 Certificate IV in Bookkeeping will give you the skills and qualification to achieve your goal. New educational requirements New educational requirements have now been implemented for Business Activity Statements (BAS) agent applications. To register or renew your registration as a BAS agent from this date, you will need to have completed: at least a Certificate IV in Accounting or Certificate IV in Bookkeeping; and a formal approved course in GST/BAS which includes both BAS/Instalment Activity Statement (IAS) and payroll components. Open Colleges' Certificate IV in Bookkeeping meets these new educational requirements. If you are seeking BAS agent registration, check the current registration requirements with the TPB at http://www.tpb.gov.au. Why study this course? Tax Practitioners Board (TPB) recognises Open Colleges Certificate IV in Bookkeeping. Upon successful completion of your course, the TPB will recognise you as having met the educational requirements to register as a BAS (Business Activity Statement) Agent. When you enrol you will be granted a 24-month student membership with the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB), which is perfect for career development and networking opportunities. Your enrolment also entitles you to a 12-month student membership with the Association for Accounting Technicians (AAT) and the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA). Enjoy the flexibility of online study. There are no classrooms and no deadlines, you simply study wherever you want, whenever you want. The course will qualify you to work in a variety of bookkeeping roles, so you have a number of employment avenues you can explore, including: Accounting Clerk, Accounts Payable Clerk, Bookkeeper and Payroll Clerk. Course number E1083 Qualification name FNS40215 Certificate IV in Bookkeeping Course duration Maximum 24 months
Qualification Level Certificate IV Delivery Method Online Recognition Nationally Recognised Assessments Case Studies, Multiple Choice Questions, Oral questions, Projects, Short-Answer Questions, Written Reports Awarded by Open Colleges (Provider number: 90796) About the Course The industry Open Colleges has established close partnerships and regular opportunities for you to engage with industry bodies via newsletters, conferences and regular industry driven webinars with: Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB), Association for Accounting Technicians (AAT) and Institute of Public Accountants. Who this course is for The Certificate IV in Bookkeeping is perfect for people wanting to launch their bookkeeping career, as well as those already in the industry who are looking to formalise their experience and take the next step in their career. It is also a great course for people looking to set themselves up as a registered BAS Agent, and those who run their own business and want to get better at managing their books. Potential career outcomes Accounting Clerk Accounts Payable Clerk Bookkeeper Payroll Clerk What you'll learn The Certificate IV in Bookkeeping is nationally recognised by the Tax Practitioners Board (TPB) and meets all the requirements set out by the TPB for registering as a Business Activity Statements (BAS) Agent. During your studies you will learn how to process financial transactions and extract interim reports, as well as
the skills to administer subsidiary accounts and ledgers. The Certificate IV in Bookkeeping will train you to effectively and efficiently prepare financial reports, set up and operate computerised accounting systems, and use cloud services. You will also master payroll systems, business activity and instalment activity statement tasks, and prepare operational budgets. Towards the end of your course, you will learn to design and produce business documents, prepare operational budgets, develop and use complex spreadsheets and manage budgets and forecasts. Learning materials Your learning materials are accessed through OpenSpace. These include: Workbooks Learning activities Web resources and rich media content Course forums Quizzes Contextualised Learner Guides Simulated Organisational Policy and Procedure Additional Resources Industry Relationships Membership Students of this course will receive a membership to these organisation(s) University articulations Successful completion of the FNS40215 Certificate IV in Bookkeeping provides partial articulation into the FNS50215 Diploma of Accounting. Contact us for more details. Course Trainers
Arlene Allardice Arlene has been an accounting educator for the past 36 years. She has taught accounting at secondary schools and at vocational and university institutions. Arlene has her own accounting services business so she has hands-on practical experience in many varied businesses in Australia. She has been a certified MYOB consultant for the past 12 years and has taught many business operators to use software efficiently, enabling them to complete their tax, bookkeeping and accounting obligations in a timely and efficient manner. Hollie Gourlay Hollie brings a wealth of industry experience to her role as an accomplished MYOB tutor. She has significant work experience in the areas of tax accounting, systems accounting, and small business bookkeeping. This experience, combined with her knowledge and skills as a computer technician, provides the ideal platform for supporting her students in an online learning mode. Hollie holds a Bachelor of Business (Accounting) from RMIT University, a Diploma of Management, a Certificate IV in Bookkeeping, and a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment. Jasvir Kaur Jasvir has worked in training, accounting and lectureship in Sydney and overseas for over 9 years. She is also involved with an accounting firm, which provides bookkeeping and accounting services. She has managed small businesses accounting and bookkeeping across many industries. She has lectured at university level in Sydney and overseas for many years. Jasvir has vast accounting and management experience and holds a Diploma of Training and Assessment, Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, a Master of Accounting, Advanced Diploma of Accounting, BAS Agent registrations skills set, Advanced Diploma of Management, a Masters in Economics and a Bachelors in Commerce. Melissa Nettle Melissa has been employed within the financial services industry for the past 18 years. During this time Melissa has had experience with general accounts, lending, insurances and OHS as well as training, assessing and development. Melissa also holds a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, obtained through further study with Open Colleges. She enjoys playing sport and in her spare time is a sports development officer and softball academy instructor.
Academic information Open Colleges may make changes to the course from time to time to reflect changes introduced to the relevant Training Package or other regulatory requirements. Module 1 FNSACC301 Process financial transactions and extract interim reports Check and verify supporting documentation Prepare and process banking and petty cash documents Prepare and process invoices for payment to creditors and for debtors Prepare journals and batch monetary items Post journals to ledger Enter data into system Prepare deposit facility and lodge flows Extract a trial balance and interim reports Module 2 FNSACC302 Administer subsidiary accounts and ledgers Review accounts receivable process Identify bad and doubtful debts Review compliance with terms and conditions and plan recovery action Prepare reports and file documentation Distribute creditors invoices for authorisation Remit payments to creditors Prepare accounts paid report and reconcile balances outstanding BSBFIA401 Prepare financial reports Maintain asset register Record general journal entries for balance day adjustments Prepare final general ledger accounts Prepare end of period financial reports
Module 3 FNSACC406 Set up and operate a computerised accounting system Implement an integrated accounting system Process transactions within the system Maintain the system Produce reports Ensure system integrity BSBSMB412 Introduce cloud computing into operations Review computing needs in the business Investigate cloud computing services to meet business needs Develop a plan to introduce cloud computing Support implementation of the plan Module 4 FNSBKG405 Establish and maintain a payroll system Establish payroll requirements Record payroll data Prepare and process payroll Handle payroll enquiries Maintain payroll Module 5 FNSBKG404 Carry out business activity and instalment activity statement tasks Identify individual compliance and other requirements Recognise and apply GST implications and code transactions Report on payroll activities Report on other amounts withheld, Pay As You Go (PAYG) instalments and taxes Complete and reconcile the Activity Statement Lodge Activity Statement
Module 6 FNSINC401 Apply principles of professional practice to work in the financial services industry Identify the scope, sectors and responsibilities of the industry Identify and apply financial services industry guidelines, procedures and legislation Identify sustainability issues for the financial services industry Manage information Participate in and facilitate work team activities Plan work to be completed taking into consideration time, resources and other constraints Develop and maintain personal competency FNSBKG401 Develop and implement policies and procedures relevant to bookkeeping activities Develop a professional working relationship with relevant parties Carry out research to identify compliance requirements and support materials Set up and maintain appropriate systems to meet compliance requirements Module 7 BSBITU306 Design and produce business documents Select and prepare resources Design document Produce document Finalise document Module 8 FNSACC402 Prepare operational budgets Prepare budget Set budget timeframe Document budget BSBITU402 Develop and use complex spreadsheets Prepare to develop spreadsheet Develop a linked spreadsheet solution Automate and standardise spreadsheet operation
Use spreadsheets Represent numerical data in graphic form FNSACC503 Manage budgets and forecasts Prepare budget Forecast estimates Document budget Assessment details Case Studies Multiple Choice Questions Oral questions Projects Short-Answer Questions Written Reports Recognition of Prior Learning We understand that you may already have many skills and areas of expertise that you have obtained in different ways and these are recognised through our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process. Open Colleges has developed an RPL application kit for this course. The Student Handbook, available in the Key Student Information section of our website, provides more information about our RPL process. Alternatively, you can contact an Enrolment Consultant to discuss your RPL options. Course duration The duration for the course is maximum 24 months. As a self-paced online course, the time it will take you to complete is flexible and dependent on ability and time available. Qualification awarded Upon successful completion of this course you will receive a nationally recognised qualification FNS40215 Certificate IV in Bookkeeping awarded by Open Colleges Pty Ltd (Provider Number 90796). If you complete the optional MYOB elective, you will also receive the Open Colleges Professional Certificate in MYOB. Requirements Education There are no formal education entry requirements for this course.
Minimum age You will need to be at least 18 years old. English This course involves reading learning content and undertaking a range of written assessments and engaging in online forums and discussions. Furthermore, the delivery mode relies on the extensive use of written communication. As such, entry to the course requires the successful completion of English to Year 12 level. If you haven't successfully completed English at Year 12 level, you can demonstrate equivalency through one of the following: Successful completion of a Nationally Recognised Training qualification at Certificate III level or higher; or 3 years relevant industry experience in a role that requires the use of written documentation and communication Open Colleges recognises that not all people are able to read, write and perform calculations to the same standard. See the Language, Literacy and Numeracy Considerations section for more information on tools, resources and support services provided to by Open Colleges. Computing You will need access to a computer and the internet and have basic computing skills. Minimum specifications for your computer are: All users: Microsoft Office 2010 or equivalent Broadband internet connection 2GB of RAM CD-ROM or DVD drive Adobe Reader XI or equivalent Adobe Flash Player 10 or higher. Access to printer and associated software Access to scanner and associated software Digital imaging software File compression software. Windows users: Microsoft Windows 7 or higher (Windows 8 recommended) 1 Ghz or faster processer (2GHz recommended) Mac OS users: Mac OSX v10.5 or higher (Mac OSX v10.6 recommended) 1 Ghz or faster processer (2GHz recommended) Digital equipment You will need access to:
A digital video recording device and/or a digital camera and associated software to save and upload video, image and audio files to OpenSpace. Many mobile phones and smart phones include this technology. Software to view online videos and images. Software such as Adobe Reader, Windows Media Player, Windows Photo Viewer etc. are available as a free download from the internet. Skills Creating, saving and editing Microsoft Office documents Accessing and searching the internet Downloading and saving documents from websites Uploading documents through websites Participating in online discussions Compressing image files Downloading and using Accounting Software such as MYOB, which will be provided as part of the course. Language, Literacy and Numeracy Our free online assessment tool can help give you an idea of the language, literacy and numeracy skills needed to study a VET course. This tool can also help you determine your learning level and help you plan your future studies. You can access the Language, Literacy and Numeracy tool here (http://www.opencolleges.edu.au/online-learningassessment). Studying online with Open Colleges Flexibility - study at your own pace When you study online with Open Colleges you re in control. You can choose to complete your course quickly or keep to a steady pace, and with no deadlines or schedules to stick to, fitting your learning around your everyday commitments is easy. Everything you need to study is online so you can study wherever you like but that doesn t mean you re on your own. OpenSpace is our purpose-built online learning platform. It s where you ll go to access to your learning materials, contact your expert trainers and assessors, upload your assessments and find all the support and motivation you need to keep going from the OC community. Your online community What is OpenSpace? Open Colleges offers you a custom-designed online-learning platform called OpenSpace. Your learning platform is the heart of your study experience. This is where you'll navigate through your course materials, contact your trainers and assessors, and connect with other online students. What can I do in OpenSpace? OpenSpace provides you with a secure, interactive learning environment that allows you to access a wealth of learning resources. In OpenSpace you can:
Access all your course materials, including videos and other digital resources Complete the learning activities related to your course Get the latest news about Open Colleges and your course Access the Student Lounge - a hub for student information and resources, including how-to videos, forms, relevant policies and procedures, communication tools and study tips Get to know your fellow students by posting in the course forums, and find a 'Study Buddy' Connect with your Trainer and Assessor and Course Coordinator Access extensive online libraries for research Upload your assessments, view feedback, and access your grades It s just like a real campus but it s available anywhere and anytime. How to get support Academic support Your experienced trainers are available in OpenSpace to answer any questions you may have regarding the learning materials or assessments. Your program manager can also provide you with advice and support regarding the overall course. Student support The student support team is your one-stop service centre for all student administrative issues including enrolment, change of contact details, OpenSpace support, assessment results and certification. You can access the student support team in OpenSpace or by email or phone. Learning support The learning support team is a dedicated team of specialists that provide you with a comprehensive induction to studying with Open Colleges as well as specifc support if you encounter learning difficulties during your studies. Learning support resources, such as writing guides, are available in OpenSpace. You can access the learning support team via your trainer or the student support team. Peer support As a student of Open Colleges you will join community of over 65,000 people who are also studying online. Through OpenSpace you can connect and collaborate with others to share study tips and advice. Our students find this is a great way to keep motivated and build lasting friendships and networks. Work Placement Support If your course contains work placement, the work placement support team can provide you with support, advice and resources if you encounter difficulties in securing a workplace for your work placement. You can access the work placement support team via your trainer and assessor or the student support team. Payment Options You have two options for paying your course fees. Paying in full: Pay your course fees upfront when you enrol in an eligible Open Colleges course and you can save 20% on your course fee.
Payment plan: Pay a small deposit and pay off the rest of your fees through a weekly or fortnightly payment plan. 24, 36 or 48 months interest-free payment plan: Open Colleges has partnered with Australian financial company zipmoney to offer you a flexible payment plan option designed to suit your life (not available for every course. Terms and conditions apply. Please click here (http://www.opencolleges.edu.au/zipmoney-info) for more information). The plan lets you start studying with no deposit and no interest repayments for the first 24, 36 or 48 months. Plus, you get the choice of weekly, fortnightly or monthly repayments. An Enrolment Consultant can help you decide which option is best for you. Other courses you may be interested in Students who successfully complete the Certificate IV in Bookkeeping may wish to go on to further studies in this field. Other courses you may be interested in: FNS50215 Diploma of Accounting (http://www.opencolleges.edu.au/courses/accounting-and-finance/diplomaof-accounting) FNS60215 Advanced Diploma of Accounting.Opening (http://www.opencolleges.edu.au/courses/accountingand-finance/intermediate-advanced/advanced-diploma-of-accounting) About Open Colleges Our history and heritage Open Colleges has been delivering quality education for over 100 years. During this time, we have honed our unique learning model to become Australia s leader in online learning. We ve achieved this by continuously evolving our approach to meet the needs of our learners by offering flexible, accessible, affordable and supportive courses. So far, we ve have helped over 700,000 people gain the skills to launch, change or take the next step in their careers. All of us at Open Colleges put the student at the centre of everything we do, whether that s helping you find the right course, designing a new course, making improvements to our online campus or giving the support you need to reach your goals. Commitment to quality In June 2012, Open Colleges established a unique partnership with North Coast TAFE, an Institute of TAFE NSW, to collaborate on the development and delivery of Nationally Recognised Training online. We have also established strong partnerships with leading industry bodies, such as Early Childhood Australia and The Institute of Certified Bookkeepers. December 2013 saw Open Colleges Australia (the holding company of Open Colleges Pty Ltd) become part of Apollo Education Group, Inc.
Being part of Apollo gives Open Colleges access to the expertise, experience and educational resources of the University of Phoenix (USA), Institute of Professional Development (USA), BPP University (UK) and other institutions in the Apollo global network. Our ongoing partnerships and place within the Apollo family ensure we continue to deliver a student experience that s best in class. With Open Colleges you can: Study TAFE and other nationally recognised qualifications Choose from over 100 online courses Fit study around your family or work commitments Enrol 365 days of the year Find a payment option that works for you Get academic and student support online or over the phone Join a community of thousands of like-minded students Get in touch Still got a question? Call an Education Advisor on 1300 684 839 for more details about this course and the enrolment process. It s our priority to ensure you enrol in the perfect course so an Education Advisor will be in touch shortly to discuss your specific goals and what you want to achieve through studying online. They ll clearly explain the course options that would suit you best and why they would work for you and talk you through how online learning with Open Colleges works. Enrol Now Enrol Online via EduPay - the Trusted and Secure enrolment gateway preferred by thousands of students Fortnightly and monthly payment plans are also available when you pay online. Click Enrol Now (https://www.edupay.com.au/register/e1083) and choose a payment plan or call an Education Advisor on 1300 684 839 for more details. Prices shown are for the online study option only. A surcharge applies for the print study option (if applicable to this course).