Appendix 2: Advanced Certificate Module Content
1. DIRECTORS ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
BMG178
Module Descriptor: This competency defines the directors role and responsibilities within the
context of the Credit Union Act and as part of the overall credit union organisational structure,
and within the parameters of good Governance standards.
Module Content
1.1: Background to Credit Unions
1.2: Director Collective Roles - Direct
1.3: Director Collective Roles – Control
1.4: Director Collective Roles - Manage
1.5: Individual Director Responsibility
2. LEADERSHIP & TEAM DEVELOPMENT
BMG427
Module Descriptor: This module allows directors to examine different styles of leadership and
the dynamics of teams and how to lead them.
Module Content
2.1: Understanding Leadership
2.2:Leadership Styles
2.3: Leadership Practices
2.4: Team Roles
2.5: Meeting Management
2.6: Committee Participation
2.7: Communication
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3. SUPERVISOR ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
BMG 176
Module Descriptor: This module defines the supervisors’ role and responsibilities within the
credit union organisational structure and in the context of the Credit Union Act and Regulatory
environment.
Module Content
3.1: Background to Credit Unions
3.2: Role of the Supervisory Committee
3.3: Supervisors Role
3.4: Supervisors role in Financial Control
3.5: Supervisor’s Work schedule
3.6: Overview of Key Supervisory Work Areas
3.7: Board Appraisal
4. CREDIT UNION INTERNAL CONTROLS
BMG175
Module Descriptor: This module gives supervisors the skills and understanding of internal
control procedures and requirements. They will be able to understand and test internal controls,
conduct an examination of the financial records of the credit union and verify members’
accounts.
Module Content
4.1: Principles of internal control
4.2: The internal control function
4.3: Monitoring of internal financial controls: financial examinations
4.4: Statutory requirements and compliance
4.5: Key Supervisory Work Areas
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5. STAFF ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
BMG174
Module Descriptor: This module gives credit union staff the knowledge and skills
required to deal effectively with members on a day to day basis within the framework
of credit union legislation.
Module Content
5.1: Background to Credit Unions and Organisational Framework
5.2: Overview of the Credit Union Legal Framework
5.3: Membership Requirements and the Common Bond
5.4: Credit Union Core Services
5.5: Credit Union Core Insurance Products
5.6: Internal Control Issues
5.7: Member Charter
6. SALES & MARKETING & MEMBER CARE
BMG173
Module Descriptor: This module describes for staff, the functions involved in establishing or
reviewing marketing, member services and supplier relationships which support the provision of
professional credit union services to members.
Module Content
6.1: First Principles of Marketing
Market Research
6.2: Identifying needs & wants of members & potential members
6.3: Components of the Marketing Plan:
6.4: Developing a Communications Strategy
6.5: Credit Union Sales
6.6: Introduction to the concept of Member Service
6.7: Handling Member Complaints
6.8: Member Charter
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7. LEGISLATION & COMPLIANCE
BMG424
Module Descriptor: This module defines for directors, supervisors and staff, the Legislative,
Regulatory and Compliance framework in which credit unions must operate.
Module Content
7.1: Definition and Set- up of Compliance
7.2: Credit Union Legislation – The Credit Union Act
7.3: Credit Union Policies & Procedures
7.4: Regulatory Compliance
7.5: Governance & Compliance
7.6: Overview of other Statutory Compliance areas
8. CREDIT UNION LENDING & CREDIT CONTROL
BMG425
Module Descriptor: This module provides directors, supervisors and staff with an overview of
the lending and credit control process within a credit union.
Module Content
8.1: The Credit Union Act
8.2: Loan Assessment Overview
8.3: Principles of Responsible Lending
8.4: Regulatory Requirements for Lending
8.5: Securities in Lending Overview
8.6: Associated Insurances
8.7: Management of Loans
8.8: Consumer Debt
8.9: Management of Credit Control
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9. BASICS OF CREDIT UNION FINANCE
BMG426
Module Descriptor: This module defines for directors, supervisors and staff, the financial
essentials which form the basis for the credit union business model.
Module Content
9.1: Introduction
9.2: Principles of Credit Union Accounting
9.3: Income & Expenditure Account & Cash Flow
9.4: Monthly Statement - Balance Sheet
9.5: Credit Union Shares & Loans
9.6: Understanding PEARLS
10. STRATEGIC PLANNING & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
BMG177
Module Descriptor: This elective module introduces and examines the principal
concepts and theories of the strategic planning process and the practical application in a
credit union of the tools and techniques that aid strategic analysis, strategic
formulation, strategic implementation and project management.
Module Content
10.1: Principles of strategy and strategic management
10.2: Strategic management in practice
10.3: Macro- and micro-environmental analysis
10.4: Strategic options
10.5: Implementation
10.6: Managing strategic change
10.7: Identifying opportunities for innovation and change
10.8: Overview of project management
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11. CREDIT UNION FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
BMG428
Module Descriptor: This elective module defines the key financial performance indicators which
drive the credit union business model.
Module Content
11.1: Understanding Credit Union Performance
11.2: Identification of major Financial factors affecting credit union performance
11.3: Understanding the major financial risks credit unions must manage
11.4: Using financial reports as the basis for decision making and planning
11.5: Asset Liability Management - Liquidity
11.6: Asset Liability Management – Interest Rates
11.7: Asset Liability Management and Credit Union Governance
12. CREDIT UNION INVESTMENTS
BMG431
Module Descriptor: This elective module provides participants with an understanding of
investments, the risks involved and the safe and legal management of investment portfolios.
Module Content
12.1: Regulation
12.2: Investment Classes
12.3: Portfolio Management
12.4: The Investment Policy
12.5: Investment Structure
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13. HUMAN RESOURCES FOR CREDIT UNIONS
BMG429
Module Descriptor: This elective module provides participants with an overview of the
employment relationship within the credit union, outlining key requirements from a best
practice and compliance prospective.
Module Content
13.1: Relationship between the credit union, as the employer, and the employee
13.2: Employment issues in the workplace
13.3: Recruitment & Selection
13.4: The Induction Process
13.5: The Working Relationship
13.6: Organisation Structure / Reporting relationship
13.7: Policies and Procedures
13.8: Key considerations to be taken into account and best practice
14. CREDIT UNION INSURANCE PRODUCTS
BMG430
Module Descriptor: This elective module provides the foundation for the giving of advice or
selling of credit union specific insurance products to members. Those wishing to qualify for a
Financial Regulator recognised MCR must complete this module.
Module Content
14.1: Introduction to Financial Products
14.2: Legal & Regulatory Principles of Insurance
14.3: Credit Union Payment Protection Insurance - RPI
14.4: General Credit Union Insurance Policies – Home Union, Auto Loan & Star Plan Travel Insurances
14.5: Introduction to Mortgages and Pensions
14.6: Money Laundering and Data Protection Issues for Authorised Products
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