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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Establish relationship with client and identify client's objectives, needs and financial situation
  2. Analyse client's objectives, needs, financial situation and risk profile to develop appropriate strategies and solutions
  3. Present appropriate strategies and solutions to client and negotiate a financial plan, policy or transaction
  4. Agree the plan, policy or transaction and complete documentation
  5. Provide ongoing service where requested by client

Required Skills

Required skills

communication skills to

determine and confirm client requirements using questioning and active listening as required

negotiate financial service transactions with clients

liaise with others share information listen and understand

use language and concepts appropriate to cultural differences

literacy skills to

read and interpret documentation from a variety of sources

analyse information and products to ensure appropriateness to client needs currency and accuracy

complete documentation accurately

researchand analysis skills foraccessing interpreting and managing complex information

numeracy and IT skills to

interpret financial information and calculate client costs risks and returns

access and use appropriate software such as spreadsheets and databases

use internet information

interpersonal skills to establish rapport with clients and to liaise with otherteam members

selfmanagement skills for complying with ethical legal and procedural requirements

learning skills to maintain knowledge of products and services and any changes to compliance legislation and requirements

judgement skills for forming suitable and ethical recommendations in advising situations

organisational and time management skills to sequence tasks meet timelines and arrange meetings

Required knowledge

the economic environment characteristics and impact of economic and business cycles including

interest rates

exchange rates

inflation

government monetary and fiscal policies

the operation of financial markets and the roles played by intermediaries and issuers

structure and interrelationships within financial markets and interrelationships between industry sectors

financial products including

the concept of a financial product

general definition

specific inclusions and exclusions

types of financial investment products

types of financial risk products

taxation issues in relation to Margin Lending financial products and markets in which they operate

deductibility of costs associated with margin lending eg interest payments

liability for capital gains tax

advisory functions including

the role of the representative or adviser

participants in the advisory services market

range of services provided

profile and financial information of the client

appropriateness of a risk assessment

relevant industry codes of practice and conduct

complaints resolution procedures internal and external

regulator guidelines including the requirements of ASIC

characteristics of Margin Lending products

how the various types of margin lending facility products operate

providers and clients rights and responsibilities

effect of provider taking security over clients assets

effect of provider receiving a transfer of the clients assets

calculating loantovalue ratios of both individual products and the overallportfolio

consequences of issuers altering the loantovalue ratio of individual products

margin calls

ways of making a margin call

consequences of margin calls and how they may beresolved

strategies bywhich the borrower may avoid margin calls

approved product list

consequences of removing a product from the approved products list

operation of Margin Lending markets including

the role of gearing

suitability and responsible lending provisions

loan to value ratios

margin calls

types of products

standard and nonstandard Margin Lending facilities

associated risks

alternative products eg derivatives where relevant

theories of investment portfolio management and management of investment and risk

investment concepts

investment strategies

identification of types of risk

client risk profile

investment options using a margin lending facility

identification of types of risk including an awareness of the sensitivity of margin lending strategies to changes in interest rates and investment returns

client risk profile including an awareness of the source and stability of clients income source the source of funding for the investment

risk profiles unsuited to margin lending facility products

stress testing of proposed client portfolio

understanding of risks associated with gearing

the relationship between levels of gearing and risks

risks associated with double gearing

the legal environment and disclosure and compliance

the role of the provider

relevant legal principles eg Corporations Act Financial Services Reform Act FSRA Trade Practices Act

specific regulatory requirements egresponsible lending conduct notification of margin calls

the relationship between ethics and regulatory requirements eg good faith utmost good faith

full disclosure of remuneration and fees and any other conflicts of interest which may influence the advisers recommendation

Evidence Required

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria required skills and knowledge range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package

Overview of assessment

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

Evidence of the ability to

interpret and comply with industry regulations and codes of practice

analyse clients needs and advise them ethically and accurately on Margin Lending products and services

assess the impacts of taxation on clients financial requirements for specific products offered

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure

competency is demonstrated in the context of the financial services work environment and conditions specified in the range statement either in a relevant workplace or a closely simulated work environment

access to and the use of a range of common office equipment technology software and consumables

access to Margin Lending product information

Method of assessment

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

evaluating an integrated activity which combines the elements of competency for the unit or a cluster of related units of competency

verbal or written questioning on underpinning knowledge and skills

setting and reviewing business scenarios

evaluating samples of work

accessing and validating third party reports

Guidance information for assessment


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, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Adviser may include:

all natural persons who provide financial product advice to retail clients

any representative of a licensee

employee or owner.

Client needs, objectives and financial situation may include:

business needs

debt position

expectations of access to product

expectations of income from this product

expectations of life cycle and length of product

family income

security.

Client objectives and goals may be:

long-term

medium-term

short-term.

Product risk profile may include:

access restrictions on product

borrowing risk/gearing

economic

market and sector risks:

economic cycle

fixed interest

property

stock market

risk factors and return expectations

specific product risk

volatility of income and capital.

Client expectations may include:

personal involvement:

active

passive

risk profile:

conservative

speculator

moderate

their beliefs about performance

expectations of fluctuations in income or capital

being a long-term or short-term investor

need for security.

The type of information to be obtained from the client may include:

details of liabilities and potential liabilities of the client

details of the clients' needs and objectives for income, security, liquidity, and the time period the client is planning for

individual investment preferences and aversion or tolerance to risk

other client details such as:

employment security

likely events and their impact on the client

age

other products they have.

Documentation may include:

disclaimers

disclosures

product application forms

written advice.