Mandatory Competencies Flashcards
What is a professional statement?
Document detailing mandatory requirements for RICS members and firms
What are the three types of conflict and what do they involve?
Party conflict- relating to work on the same or related instruction for two different parties
Own interest conflict- relating to a personal interest
Confidential Information conflict- relating to work between two parties which is confidential
What is an information barrier?
Physical and or electronic separation of individuals within the same firm that prevents confidential information passing between them.
How do you communicate effectively in a report relating to a complex issue?
Dependent on audience and level of knowledge. Use plain english in concise manner
What is informed consent?
Consent given willingly by a party who may be affected by a conflict of interest
What method of communication do you use when negotiating with an opposing party?
Email, phone calls, sometimes face to face meetings
What communication method do you use with a new client?
Depends on client and method required but good to have audit trail so usually email or letter
How do you ensure you communicate effectively?
I adjust my language based on the person I am communicating with. Visual aids such as plans and tables can also be effective communication. I listen and carry out research beforehand.
What is a statement of profit and loss?
A financial statement that summarises income and expenditure over a specified period telling you how much profit or loss a business is making.
how does the accruals concept work?
Income is recorded when earned not when received.
Expenses are recorded when incurred not when paid.
Taxes payable on all earned revenue.
why adopt accrual accounting? List at least 3 advantages
More accurate picture of business performance
Must be used for regulatory filing that requires GAAP.
Suited for most businesses - Cash account generally for small businesses paying tax via owner personal tax returns.
what is GAAP?
Generally accepted accounting principles.
Set standards on the details and legalities of business and corporate accounting.
what is a balance sheet sometimes referred to as?
Statement of financial position
what is a balance sheet?
a financial statement that reports a companies assets and liabilities at a specific point in time.
What is VPGA 1?
Valuation for financial reporting
Why are financial statements produced?
So investors can measure business performance
So management can review performance
Help companies make informed decisions
Legal requirement for public and private limited companies
Compare performance with others
summarise the difference between the financial statements
Balance sheet is about the assets and liabilities the business has at a specific time.
Profit and loss account looks at the actual income and outgoings within the business
Cash flow statement looks at the actual cash that passes hands within the business.
why is diversity in a team important?
Range of cultures and backgrounds can influence the ideas that can be shared, assist in communicating across different languages, and promotes inclusivity
how does the structure in the VOA work?
Within my team we have:
Unit head
Team Leader
Lead Valuers
Valuer – my current level
Assistant valuers
How does partnering and collaborative working affect a team?
Can facilitate new ideas
Increase efficiency
Spread work load
Increase teamwork and unity within team
Can increase quality of work
what different roles does the agency have?
Mixture of Technical (valuers) and non-technical roles (admin)
What is your role in training new staff
Share knowledge, best practice tips, offer advice
What Internal diversity and inclusion polices do the VO adopt?
The Agency has senior diversity champions, who have an expert partner alongside them from the business representing the 10 different areas of Diversity and Inclusion.
Mentoring program where I mentored new starters and other apprentices to provide them with skills to do Job and also be successful in their apprenticeship.
what is Supply chain management?
The handling of the entire production flow of a good or service.
Define what communication is
Exchanging of information by speaking, writing or other medium.
Views on emails
Need to take care when sending and opening emails
Can easily send sensitive information to incorrect party
Have the ability to create contracts and form written agreements
Tell me about what MEES are?
The Domestic Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) Regulations set a minimum energy efficiency level for non- domestic and domestic rented properties.
The Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard Rating is E and above.
what guidance notes are there on sustainability?
Sustainability and ESG in commercial property valuation and strategic advice (effective 31 Jan 2022) 3rd edition
what do you know about EPC’s
Energy performance certificate
Required whenever property is built, sold or rented.
Contains info on:
Property’s energy use and typical costs
Recommendation of how to reduce energy use and save money
gives a property an energy efficiency rating from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient) and is valid for 10 years.
what is BREEAM
Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology
Launched in 1990, by the Building Research Establishment (BRE) it sets standards for the environmental performance of buildings through the design, specification, construction and operation phases and can be applied to new developments or refurbishment schemes.
Rating are outstanding, excellent, very good, good, pass, unclassified
why is sustainability important to valuers?
VPGA 8 Valuation of real property interest states that “While valuers should reflect markets, not lead them, they should be aware of sustainability features and the implications these could have on property values in the short, medium and longer term”
When reporting a valuation, how would you demonstrate you have considered
sustainability and ESG in your approach, calculations and commentary?
If sustainability and ESG factors are identified and recognised as having an impact on value, they should be reflected in valuation and reported as per VPS 3.
Tell me about your involvement with business planning
Meetings, surveys
What is a business plan and what are some typical things you’d find in a business plan?
Document setting out a business’s future objectives and strategies for achieving them.
Executive summary, vision and business, marketing, management, operations, financial forecasts
how can an up-to-date business plan help an organisation in the current economic climate?
It can help you identify where your business is now.
Determine in which direction you wish your business to grow.
Monitor whether you are achieving your business objectives.
What is a SWOT / PEST analysis?
Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats
Political, Economic, Social, Technological
what is business continuity and why is it important?
Business continuity is about having a plan to deal with difficult situations, so your organisation can continue to function with as little disruption as possible.
Purpose of the Valuation office
We are the public sector’s property valuation experts and advisers, providing the valuations
needed to support local taxation and benefits. Our work underpins the funding of vital public services.
How does the VOA business model work?
The VOA is fully funded by the Agency’s sponsor department HMRC.
Our business rates and council tax valuations underpin around £60 billion of local Government taxation.
What performance targets do the VO have?
Check: 90% of check cases resolved within 3 months of receipt.
Challenge: all cases resolved within 18 months of receipt unless extension agreed.
Statutory Valuations: Clear all initial appraisals for HMRC within an average of 5 working days.
What is the definition of an inclusive environment
An inclusive environment is one which recognises and accommodates the differences in the way people use the built environment.
what should an inclusive environment create?
Buildings/spaces that can be used safely, easily and with dignity by all.
what should inclusive environments facilitate?
Dignified, equal and intuitive use by all.
What industry guidance are you aware of?
British Standard BS 8300 - provides guidance relating to the accessible and inclusive design of new public spaces.
National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) - Section 8 of the latest NPPF relates to the provision of healthy, inclusive and safe places
what legislation contributes to creating inclusive environments?
Equality Act 2010
Section 20 states that disabled individuals should not face barriers to access premises.
what are the protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010 (9)
Age
Gender
Race
Disability
Religion or belief
Sexual orientation
Gender reassignment
Marriage or civil partnerships
Pregnancy and maternity
What steps you must take when handling client’s money?
Clients must always have access to funds.
Client money must be kept separate and clearly identifiable.
Include ‘Client’ in account name
Interest on the account must be agreed with the client.
Maintain client ledger or running balance of any transactions.
Agree the terms and advise client on bank details.
Must not be overdrawn
What systems and procedures do you have in place to manage client care?
Briefing meetings to ensure all those involved understand the clients needs and goals.
Complaints handling procedure – on ToE
Good record keeping
good communication
Willing to adapt to clients needs and wants
What behaviours are appropriate to establish good client relationships?
Communication
Comprehensive Terms of Engagement
Avoid inappropriate behaviour
What is the VOA Complaints Handling Procedure?
VOA has Tier 1 (Business Stream); Tier 2 (Agency CIT); then as a govt body certain matters can be referred to an Ombudsman
What do you do to build a relationship with clients?
Deliver a good service
Deliver work on time
Be courteous and show an interest to get to know them
How does your good client care benefit HMRC?
Bringing income from local authorities and public sector bodies – in DVS
We bring in 60 billion pounds in Tax.
What is the relationship of HMRC and the VOA?
The VOA is an executive agency of HM Revenue & Customs and employs more than 3,600 staff.
We carry out valuations and property advice to support taxation and benefits to the government and local authorities in England, Wales and Scotland.
Drawbacks of producing financial accounts
Time consuming.
Competitors viewing your financial information.
What are the three main components of financial statements?
Cash flows
Profit and loss
Balance sheet