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Computershare

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FY2019 Annual Report · Computershare
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2019
ANNUAL  
REPORT

This financial report covers the 
consolidated entity consisting of 
Computershare Limited and its  
controlled entities.

The financial report is presented in  
United States dollars (USD), unless 
otherwise stated. 

Computershare Limited is a company 
limited by shares, incorporated and 
domiciled in Australia. Its registered office 
and principal place of business is:

Computershare Limited 
Yarra Falls 
452 Johnston Street, Abbotsford 
Victoria 3067 Australia

The financial report was authorised 
for issue by the directors on 
23 September 2019. The company  
has the power to amend and reissue  
the financial report.

A separate notice of meeting including a 
proxy form is enclosed with this financial 
report.

CONTENTS*

OVERVIEW
Financial highlights and financial calendar

Chairman’s Report 

CEO’s Report

Computershare at a glance

Key financial metrics

Growth

Profitability

Capital Management

Corporate Responsibility

People

Group Operating Overview

Business Strategies and Prospects

GOVERNANCE
Corporate Governance Statement

Directors’ Report

Auditor’s Independence Declaration

FINANCIALS
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

Consolidated Cash Flow Statement

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

REPORTS
Directors’ Declaration

Declaration to the Board of Directors

Independent Auditor’s Report

FURTHER INFORMATION
Shareholder information

Corporate directory

3

4

6

9

11

13

15

16

17

23

25

27

29

42

62

63

64

65

66

67

121

122

123

131

132

*  The Chairman’s Report, Chief Executive Officer’s Report, Group Operating Overview and Business Strategies and 

Prospects comprise our Operating and Financial Review (OFR) and form part of the Directors’ Report.

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

JUNE 2019

JUNE 2018

% CHANGE

STATUTORY RESULTS

Total revenue

2,346.0 million 

  2,289.9 million 

Net profit after non-controlling interests (NCI) 

  415.7 million 

  300.1 million 

Statutory earnings per share 

 76.57 cents 

  55.17 cents 

MANAGEMENT ADJUSTED RESULTS

Management EBITDA

Management net profit after NCI

Management earnings per share

 674.9 million 

 622.6 million 

  381.4 million 

 344.7 million 

 70.24 cents 

  63.38 cents 

Management earnings per share (in constant currency)

 71.46 cents

 63.38 cents

BALANCE SHEET

Total assets 

Total shareholders’ equity

PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

 4,685.0 million 

3,888.2 million 

 1,574.1 million 

 1,333.4 million 

2.4%

38.5%

38.8%

8.4%

10.6%

10.8%

12.8%

20.5%

18.1%

Free cash flow (excluding SLS advances)

312.9 million

379.2 million

-17.5%

Net debt to management EBITDA (excluding non-recourse debt)* 

 1.84 times 

 1.33 times 

 Up 0.51 times 

Return on equity*

Staff numbers

26.40%

12,701

26.70%

Down 30bps

18,362

For a reconciliation between statutory and management adjusted results, refer to note 4 in the notes to the financial statements.

*  These financial indicators are based on management adjusted results. Management adjusted results are used, along with other 

measures, to assess operating business performance. The Group believes that the exclusion of certain items permits better analysis 
of the Group’s performance on a comparative basis and provides a better measure of underlying operating performance. 

Where constant currency (CC) references are used in this report, constant currency equals FY2019 results translated to USD at 
FY2018 average exchange rates.

FINANCIAL CALENDAR

2019

2020

21 AUGUST

Record date for final dividend

12 FEBRUARY

16 SEPTEMBER

Final dividend paid

13 NOVEMBER

The Annual General Meeting of  
Computershare Limited ABN 71 005 485 825

LOCATION:

Computershare Conference Centre
Yarra Falls, 452 Johnston Street
Abbotsford, Victoria 3067

TIME:

10.00am

3 

Announcement of financial  
results for the half year ending  
31 December 2019

Computershare Annual Report 2019CHAIRMAN’S REPORT*

I am pleased to report that Computershare has 
continued to deliver on our commitments. In  
FY2019, we achieved strong results, ahead of 
guidance, through disciplined execution of our 
long-term strategies for growth, profitability and 
capital management. 

All our major business lines delivered improved 
performance, contributing to solid earnings growth, 
consistent high returns on capital and another 
increased dividend for shareholders.

YEAR IN REVIEW

During FY2019, Computershare took some important steps in executing our growth strategies. We made the second largest acquisition 
in Computershare’s history, purchasing Equatex, and we are well underway with our integration project and focused on delivering the 
benefits of this investment. At the same time, we began the work of transitioning our major business lines from a regional to a global 
model, to empower each of them to identify and take advantage of the best market opportunities wherever they might be found.

With all this taking place, we still continued to hit our targets. Management EPS increased by 12.8%, EBITDA increased by 10.2% and 
return on equity once again exceeded 26%. We’ve seen improved operating leverage and margin expansion in the business. 

We benefited from higher interest rates which helped margin income increase by 40% to over $250 million. This enhanced our results 
and contributed to funding higher returns for shareholders. The final FY2019 dividend of AU 23 cents (up 9.5%) brings the total 
dividend for the year to AU 44 cents, an increase of 10% year on year. We are also carrying out an AUD 200 million on-market share 
buy-back to efficiently distribute capital to shareholders.

In Employee Share Plans, the contribution of Equatex has outperformed our initial expectations, bringing stronger than expected 
transactional revenues. US Mortgage Services is also tracking to plan, with improving US market conditions leading to a stronger 
second half performance. 

The focus for Issuer Services, our largest business, has broadened from seeking efficiencies and margin improvement to achieving 
growth. We are focused on bringing new services and products to market to build share in new, complementary revenue pools.  

Our cost-out programs are another important contributor to our results, delivering over US $30 million of gross savings this year. Over 
the last three years, we have now realised over $80 million of gross savings with another $60 million to come over the next four years. 

Our balance sheet remains strong. After funding several major investments, our leverage ratio (net debt to EBITDA excluding 
non-recourse debt) remains conservative at 1.84x. With our free cash flow we are well placed to self-fund our growth strategies and 
reward shareholders.

OUTLOOK

Computershare’s success comes from our disciplined execution. We have clear, long-term strategies, which in turn drive specific 
priorities for each year, communicated to every employee. In plain language, everyone knows exactly what they need to do. 

In FY2020 we expect underlying profit growth in all our major business lines. However, we expect this growth to be offset by the impact 
of two factors that are explained by our CEO in detail in his report. In effect, Management EPS is expected to decline by 5% this year. 
We are strongly committed to delivering sustained earnings growth and improved shareholder returns.

*  All references to Management Results in the Chairman’s report are in constant currency unless otherwise stated

 4 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

On behalf of my fellow directors, I’d like to thank you for your ongoing support as a shareholder and look forward to your continuing 
involvement in FY20. Computershare is well positioned to maintain growth and profitability into the future, and to provide real value for 
our shareholders, customers and communities alike. 

Of course, none of this would be possible without the outstanding people that work in our offices around the world. As we often 
reiterate, culture is critical to us. In support of this, our global People team has rolled out a new program ‘Being Purple’ to codify our 
core values of Certainty, Ingenuity and Advantage that underly our strong performance year on year. 

I’d also like to take a moment to convey our appreciation to more than 50 of our employees participating in Trek Nepal 2018 and 2019, 
who have committed to raise more than AUD 440,000 to support our major Change A Life partner, World Youth International. You can 
read more about this in the Community section of this report.

Finally, I would like to especially thank Stuart Irving, our CEO and President, for the tireless work he performs on behalf of our company, 
and the high quality of leadership he provides, ensuring our strategies are fully realised. I’d also like to thank Mark Davis, our CFO. 
After nineteen years of service Mark has informed the Company of his intention to resign. We appreciate his outstanding contribution 
to Computershare and wish him all the very best for the future. I would also like to acknowledge my fellow board members for their 
considerable expertise, skills and invaluable support.

Simon Jones 
Chairman

5 

Computershare Annual Report 2019CEO’S REPORT*

I am pleased to report Computershare has delivered 
a strong performance this year. We’ve demonstrated 
that when we lay out long-term growth plans and we 
execute well, we can deliver good earnings growth 
and consistently high returns. We are benefiting from 
building quality businesses with clear competitive 
strengths and a commitment to customer service. 

We continue to lay the foundations for sustained 
growth with disciplined investments in our growth 
engines, tight cost controls to enhance profitability 
and selective, complementary acquisitions.

MANAGEMENT 
RESULTS 

REVENUE
$2,411.4M

 4.8% 

EBITDA  
$685.9M 

 10.2% 

EPS 
71.46 CENTS 

 12.8%

GROWTH

EMPLOYEE SHARE 
PLANS 

>  Strong revenue growth 
+29.6% including initial 
contribution from 
Equatex

US LOAN SERVICES 

ISSUER SERVICES 

> 

Improved performance 
in the second half 
with UPB of $101.8bn 
(+25.7%) 

>  Revenue +18% with 
scope for long-term 
growth

>  Global alignment 

building traction in our 
largest business 

>  Revenue +2.7%, EBITDA 

+10.2%

PROFITABILITY 

CAPITAL MANAGEMENT 

>  Group EBITDA margin - continues to rise to 28.4%  

>  Strong balance sheet post funding Equatex acquisition and 

(up 130bps) 

organic growth initiatives 

>  Margin income improves again to $250.7m (+39.7%) with 

>  Final dividend AU 23 cents (+9.5%). New on market share 

$18.5bn average client balances 

buy-back announced AUD 200m

>  US Register Maintenance - revenues +5.3% with further 

margin expansion

BUILDING COMPUTERSHARE FOR THE NEXT STAGE OF GROWTH 

Computershare has been run, since the mid-1990s when it first ventured overseas, as a regional business model, with some global 
shared services, and our reporting focused on country-by-country breakdowns. 

During the last 18 months we have been looking at ways to work smarter, intensify our customer focus, identify opportunities for new 
business and, importantly, build out additional products. At times the regional model has restricted us, so we have moved to an entirely 
new management structure aligned around complementary products in the group, designed to enable the next phase of growth. 
(Please note, this will bring changes in our segment reporting from FY2020, but not in this report.)

We design and execute long-term plans and we do the right thing by the business, our customers and our people. That’s 
Computershare in a nutshell and our new structure is part of that. We continue to do the things that have served us well and evolve 
with our customers’ needs. 

*  All references to Management Results in the CEO’s report are in constant currency unless otherwise stated

 6 

For Issuer Services, our ongoing focus is to re-energise, expand and increase the profitability of our largest and most established 
business. We are ambitious for growth – our aim is to continue to build our core business while leveraging our registry skills and deep 
customer relationships into new complementary markets (including Entity Management, Registered Agent, and Private Markets). We will 
continue to improve our front office capabilities and expand and enhance our product suite. With Net Promoter Scores in this business 
between 50 to 70 across all our regions, we are well-placed to build share in these new revenue pools.

We also see positive structural growth trends in this area, such as rising compliance and regulatory reporting requirements, and increasing 
numbers of subsidiaries within company structures. The emerging field of ‘RegTech’ – technologies and services that help companies 
come to grips with rising compliance, governance and reporting requirements – offers us many new opportunities for cross-selling and 
further revenue growth.

In Share Plans, our decision to acquire Equatex is already bearing fruit, providing a greater than expected contribution towards these 
FY2019 results. Business integration is on track. We have commenced moving clients to the EquatePlus platform, and we reaffirm the 
$30 million of synergy cost benefits across the combined business that we detailed last May.

Taking a wider view, Equatex increases our scale, upgrades our technology and capabilities, balances our industry exposure and improves 
our earnings. It also enables us to continue to upgrade customer experience and to provide data insights to help our client companies 
attract, retain and reward their key employees.

We’ve also continued to invest in our US Mortgage Services business: $31.8m for the LenderLive acquisition, $100.4m in mortgage 
service rights and capex of $55.6m. We expect further growth in this market to be less capital intensive. The balance of loans under 
management in the US is up 25.7% to $101.8bn, and we are carefully building additional scale with scope to grow to around $150bn. 
Towards the end of FY2019, we achieved our target of 20% pre-tax profit margins in this business. We are quietly proud of this. We are 
now working on delivering these margins on a sustained basis.  

Supporting our major business lines, we’ve continued to transition to a global service model, eliminating inefficiency and duplicated effort, 
and finding the best locations to provide the highest levels of service at lower cost. 

We are also changing the way that technology is leveraged within Computershare. We have created specialised roles at the highest level 
of global technology management – a global CIO to drive innovation and development, and a global CTO to oversee service delivery and 
infrastructure. Together, they will be offering our business lines a range of models for how they develop new products and how they deploy 
them. Each business line has been assigned its own CIO, working with business heads to determine the best strategies to bring new 
products to market and the right mix of technology investment. 

EXECUTING OUR STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

We have a very positive scorecard in terms of delivering on what we committed to do during the past twelve months. This is not 
accidental. Every year our global management team develops a carefully focused set of objectives that align with our longer-term plans 
for achieving sustained growth. I share updates for these priorities regularly with all my fellow employees across our global organisation. 
Everyone here knows them. It’s that shared alignment that underpins our execution strength and drives our results.

Please bear in mind that FY2018’s results benefited from over $60 million of event-based revenue that came from three large pieces of 
work – these mask somewhat the strength of our FY2019 results. Notwithstanding that high base, our revenue increased by 4.8% to 
$2,411.4 million.

Management EBITDA increased to $685.9 million, a rise of 10.2% which was aided by the improved revenue mix coming from margin 
income.

The EBITDA margin for the year increased by 130bps to 28.4%. Over the last ten years, Computershare’s EBITDA margin has been in a 
consistent range of between 24.1% and 29.4%. It has been below 26% in only two of those 20 half-year periods. Our goal is to continue 
to deliver high quality results through economic cycles.

Our management effective tax rate for the year was 26.5% which was a little lower than expected in our original guidance assumptions. As 
we noted at the half, there was a favourable settlement of a legacy tax matter, around $3 million, which was a major part of the benefit.

Management EPS was up 12.8% and statutory EPS was higher again at 76.57 cents, up almost 40% on last year. (This includes the gain 
on sale from the disposal of the Karvy business.)

Our cost-out programs are clearly part of this performance, delivering over $30 million of gross savings this year. These savings help us 
manage our costs. Total operating costs increased by 2.7% compared to revenue growth of 4.8%. Excluding acquisitions and disposals, 
total operating costs decreased 0.2%.

Our largest business, US Register Maintenance, continues to perform, achieving 5.3% organic revenue growth on the back of some 
high-profile client wins increasing the number of shareholders we service. These clients recognise our technical expertise, capability in 
complex transactions and global scope. 

Across Register Maintenance and Corporate Actions, our EBITDA margin increased to 35.8% (+250bps) despite weaker Corporate 
Actions activity in the second half. 

In Employee Share Plans, revenue grew 29.6% and EBITDA was up 31.6%. This includes the Equatex contribution. EBITDA margin 
(excluding margin income) increased to 19.5% (+200bps) supported by efficiency gains.

7 

Computershare Annual Report 2019In Business Services, we achieved revenue growth of 5.7%, which includes growth of 11.5% in mortgage services and another strong 
performance in corporate trust. We have started to expand this strong business into new markets.

Margin income also made a strong contribution of $250.7m, up 39.7%, on average client balances of $18.5bn for the year. 

Computershare continues to deliver high returns, achieving returns of 26.4% (on equity) and 14.8% (on invested capital). We’ve paid a final 
dividend of 23 cents (+9.5% pcp) and an overall dividend of 44 cents (+10% on FY2018), along with an AUD 200m on-market buy-back. 
At the same time, we have maintained a conservative balance sheet. This provides us with the flexibility to self-fund our organic growth 
strategies with value adding acquisitions as they arise.

OUTLOOK FOR FY2020

While we have good cause to be optimistic about how Computershare is positioned for long-term growth and profitability, FY2020 
Management EPS is expected to decrease by around 5% on FY2019 in constant currency terms. 

While I am disappointed by this expected result, particularly for our shareholders, it shouldn’t be taken as an indicator of weakness 
in our core businesses. Rather, it reflects two factors for FY2020: extra costs imposed by the delayed migration of UK loans onto our 
own platforms and the adoption of AASB16 accounting for leases. Without these two factors, we would expect Management EPS to 
increase by 5% in constant currency terms.

We’ve been clear and consistent on our guidance on the UKAR migrations. Our engagement with UK Mortgage Services clients 
continues to be positive as we jointly progress through to the new agreed migration dates, and we absolutely expect to complete 
this onboarding by May 2020. In the meantime, we’ve brought forward a program of cost reductions in this business to respond to 
short-term weakness in the UK mortgage market due to uncertainties surrounding Brexit.

However, more widely, we have expectations for higher growth and profitability in 2021 and beyond. We’ve brought in fresh 
management talent to revitalise performance and empowered them to pursue growth through new products and services to clients 
and shareholders. Our new global business line structure allows greater focus on front-office coordination and cross-selling. Improved 
customer service levels and investments in product development give us an increasing competitive edge in large markets. 

We continue to foster technology innovation and expect to gain wider benefits from the toolkit we brought in with the Equatex 
purchase. We are driving further digitisation and data mining to streamline operational processes and improve our delivery for 
customers.

In light of this, I’d like to express my appreciation to our shareholders for the interest, input and support they have provided to us over 
the past year and look forward to their ongoing participation in the future.

I’d also like to thank my fellow workers across our many global offices for the outstanding contribution they continue to make to 
Computershare’s success. We have a special culture of customer focus and a ‘can do’ ethic that I have observed countless times 
on my travels. I draw a great deal of inspiration from their enthusiasm and professionalism; those interactions are the thing I enjoy 
most about my role. Mark Davis deserves special recognition. He has been a great partner for me and I thank him for his counsel and 
support over the years we have worked together.

In short, I am excited by the opportunities ahead of us and I am confident in our ability to deliver.

Stuart Irving  
CEO

 8 

COMPUTERSHARE  
AT A GLANCE 

STAFF NUMBERS IN EACH REGION

Asia

386

9 

Australia and  
New Zealand

1,313

Canada

943

Continental  

Europe

384

United Kingdom, Channel 

Islands and Africa

United  

States

4,685

4,160

New JerseyNew YorkBostonMontrealTorontoBarcelonaParisManilaRotterdamLondonCrossflatts Doxford CopenhagenSkiptonDublinBristolJerseyMadridTurinEdinburghStockholmJohannesburgBeijingHong KongMaroochydoreBrisbaneAucklandCalgaryVancouverSan FranciscoLos AngelesSydneyMelbourneAdelaidePerthPhoenixMonaghanLouisvilleChicagoDenverMunichRomeZurichOsloWarsawCollege StationComputershare Annual Report 2019STAFF NUMBERS IN EACH REGION

Asia

386

Australia and  

New Zealand

1,313

Canada

943

Continental  
Europe

384

United Kingdom, Channel 
Islands and Africa

United  
States

4,685

4,160

 10 

New JerseyNew YorkBostonMontrealTorontoBarcelonaParisManilaRotterdamLondonCrossflatts Doxford CopenhagenSkiptonDublinBristolJerseyMadridTurinEdinburghStockholmJohannesburgBeijingHong KongMaroochydoreBrisbaneAucklandCalgaryVancouverSan FranciscoLos AngelesSydneyMelbourneAdelaidePerthPhoenixMonaghanLouisvilleChicagoDenverMunichRomeZurichOsloWarsawCollege StationKEY FINANCIAL METRICS

MANAGEMENT  
REVENUE

2300.9 2356.5

MANAGEMENT  
EBITDA

1976.1

1974.2

2114.0

674.9

622.6

554.1

532.6

540.8

15

16

17

18

19

MANAGEMENT  
EPS

70.24

63.38

59.82

55.09

54.41

CASH FLOW FROM  
OPERATIONS

15

16

17

18

19

514.1

457.7

372.1

305.1

286.8

15

16

17

18

19

NET OPERATING 
CASH FLOW 
EXCLUDING  
SLS ADVANCES

416.7

420.3

373.2

453.0

411.5

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STATUTORY  
EPS

15

16

17

18

19

76.57

55.17

48.76

27.61

28.55

15

16

17

18

19

DIVIDEND  
PER SHARE

44

40

36

33

31

15

16

17

18

19

NET DEBT TO EBITDA 
RATIO EXCLUDING  
NON-RECOURSE SLS 
ADVANCE DEBT

2.12

1.86

1.84

1.60

1.33

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15

16

17

18

19

15

16

17

18

19

11 

Computershare Annual Report 2019 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1% Corporate & 
Technology

8% Communication 
services

12% Employee  
share plans

3% 

Stakeholder 
relationship 
management

-2% Corporate & 
Technology

6% Communication 
services

10% Employee  
share plans

2% 

Stakeholder 
relationship 
management

5% Asia

10% Australia and  
New Zealand

8% Canada

6% Asia

4% Australia and  
New Zealand

13% Canada

All numbers presented on this page are in 
actual currency rather than constant currency. 

REVENUE  
BY PRODUCT

EBITDA BY 
PRODUCT

REVENUE BY 
REGION

EBITDA  
BY REGION

Register  

maintenance 30%

Corporate  

actions 7%

Business  
services 39%

Register 
maintenance and 
corporate actions

47%

Business  
services 37%

United Kingdom,  
Channel Islands  
and Africa

25%

Continental  

Europe 4%

United  
States 48%

United Kingdom,  
Channel Islands  

and Africa 20%

Continental  

Europe 3%

United  
States 54%

 12 

  
GROWTH

Computershare continues to lay the foundations for sustained 
growth and returns through disciplined investments in growth 
engines, careful cost controls and selective complementary 
acquisitions.

EMPLOYEE SHARE PLANS

HIGHLIGHTS

Computershare leverages local knowledge and full-service expertise to 
support complex global requirements for our employee share plan clients. 
Our growth strategy is to continue building our client base and volume of 
assets under administration, to drive high quality recurring revenues and 
fees on potential transactions.

FINANCIAL RESULTS IN FY2019

Fee revenue

Transactional revenue

Margin income

Other revenue

Total employee Share Plans revenue

Employee Share Plans EBITDA

EBITDA margin

EBITDA ex margin income

EBITDA margin ex margin income

FY2019  
@ CC

$133.7 

$123.9

$16.2

$22.1

$295.9

$70.8

23.9%

$54.6

19.5%

FY2018  
Actual

$107.3 

$86.0

$16.7

$18.4

$228.4

$53.8 

23.5%

$37.0

17.5%

CC  
Variance

+24.6%

+44.1%

-3.0%

+20.1%

+29.6%

+31.6%

+40bps

+47.6%

+200bps

FOCUS FOR FY2020

ENHANCED

>  Client base with new client 

wins reflecting our technical 
expertise

>  Equatex is outperforming 

expectations – it enhances our 
scale, capabilities and financial 
performance

COMMENCED

> 

Integration of Equatex, 
including adopting the 
EquatePlus platform across our 
European business

ADMINISTERED

>  $156.7bn employee share plan 

assets globally

INCREASED

>  Client satisfaction ratings 

across all markets

Complete the 
integration of 
Equatex

Complete 
migration of UK 
and EU clients to 
the EquatePlus 
platform

Continue to build 
our client base to 
increase revenue

DELIVERED

>  Strong revenue growth +29.6%

13 

Computershare Annual Report 2019MORTGAGE SERVICES

Computershare offers a comprehensive range of services across the 
mortgage services value chain. It’s an industry that aligns with our core 
strengths and which we’ve come to understand well. We are building 
competitive differentiation by focusing on service quality, technology and 
product offerings. We achieved our 20% pre-tax profit margins towards 
the end of FY2019 and are building towards our Free Cash Flow Return on 
Capital target of 12-14%.

HIGHLIGHTS

INCREASED

>  Unpaid Principal Balances in 
the US by 25.7% to $101.8bn

>  Capital light sub servicing 
Unpaid Principal Balances, 
+34.9%

FINANCIAL RESULTS IN FY2019

US Mortgage Services revenue

UK Mortgage Services revenue

Total Mortgage Services revenue

Total Mortgage Services EBITDA

FY2019  
@ CC

$361.2

$263.4

$624.6

$136.5

FY2018  
Actual

$306.1

$254.1

$560.2

$124.5

CC  
Variance

+18.0%

+3.7%

+11.5%

+9.6%

FOCUS FOR FY2020

Successfully 
complete the CLS 
UK asset migration

Continue to grow 
the US business 
while maintaining 
the optimum 
revenue mix 

Deliver on target 
pre-tax profit 
margins and 
returns on capital 
for the year

LAUNCHED

>  Loss mitigation workflow and 
customer service applications

>  Correspondence reconciliation 

website for borrowers

>  Point of sale system supporting 

expansion of servicing 
retention/recapture business

INTEGRATED

>  LenderLive business

RATED

>  Highest again, out of all UK 

third-party mortgage providers 
by Fitch and S&P Global

 14 

PROFITABILITY 

ISSUER SERVICES

Our Issuer Services business encompasses a wide range of markets 
across every major region, but its core remains in Register Maintenance 
and Corporate Actions, where our financial performance continues to 
be strong. We have deep expertise in international markets to guide 
our clients and their advisors through highly complex transactions. Our 
continued focus is re-energising, growing and increasing the profitability 
of our largest business.

HIGHLIGHTS

INCREASED 

>  Market recognition for CPU’s 
expertise in complex cross 
border transactions, driving 
high profile client wins

FINANCIAL RESULTS IN FY2019

Register Maintenance revenue

Corporate Actions revenue

Total Register Maintenance & Corporate 
Actions revenue

Register Maintenance & Corporate Actions 
EBITDA

EBITDA margin

EBITDA ex margin income

EBITDA margin ex margin income

FY2019  
@ CC

$727.1

$167.5

FY2018  
Actual

$710.3

$160.6 

CC  
Variance

+2.4%

+4.3%

$894.6

$870.9

+2.7%

$319.9

$290.4

+10.2%

35.8%

$202.2

26.0%

33.3%

+250bps

$207.9

26.4%

-2.7%

-40bps

FOCUS FOR FY2020

Continue to improve 
our front office 
capabilities and align 
them with our global 
business model

Grow new revenue 
streams and 
continue to grow  
our client base

Launch further 
premium service 
offerings for 
shareholders

LAUNCHED

>  DirectStock, a new online 
investment plan in the US

>  Program for UK issuers to 

proactively reissue outstanding 
monies to shareholders

>  Proxymity service in 

conjunction with Citibank for 
UK, Irish and offshore equity 
issuers

> 

Investor Centre app for 
Australian securityholders

IMPROVED

>  Customer service levels 

and investments in product 
development resulting in 
increased client satisfaction 
ratings

POSITIONED TO

>  Leverage core skills and 

strong client relationships into 
new Issuer Services – private 
markets, governance and 
corporate secretarial services

15 Computershare Annual Report 2019CAPITAL MANAGEMENT

This encompasses our strategy to enhance shareholder returns. Our balance sheet remains strong after 
funding the Equatex and LenderLive acquisitions and organic growth initiatives.

CONSISTENTLY HIGH RETURNS

>  ROE 26.4%, ROIC 14.8%

CONSERVATIVE BALANCE SHEET

> 

1.84x net debt to EBITDA, below mid 
point of range

>  4.0 year average debt duration, $550m 
USPP completed on improved terms

>  BBB/Baa2 ratings

GROWTH INVESTMENTS

>  Equatex $419.7m

>  LenderLive $31.8m

>  MSR’s $100.4m

RECYCLING CAPITAL

>  Karvy sold, $75.7m post tax 

proceeds

SHARE BUY-BACK

>  AUD 200m announced

INCREASED DIVIDEND

>  Final 23 cps, +9.5%

>  Franked @ 30%

FOCUS FOR FY2020

Continue to improve total 
returns for shareholders

Carry out share buy-back  
of up to AUD 200m

 16 

CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY

Computershare is committed to being a responsible business – we recognise the environmental and social 
impacts of our activities and seek to manage them appropriately.

SUSTAINABILITY

In the 1970s, Computershare pioneered electronic platforms for managing share registers. Forty years later, all our global 
businesses continue to champion the use of innovative technology to enable our clients to reduce the environmental footprint 
of their own activities.

REDUCING ENERGY 
AND PAPER USE FOR 
SHAREHOLDERS IN  
ISSUER SERVICES

In our Issuer Services business, we offer a 
comprehensive range of technology solutions 
to our clients to reduce the need for paper 
forms and printing, including electronic voting 
solutions for company meetings, online annual 
reports, fully electronic IPOs, M&A and tax 
statements. For one UK FTSE 100 company, 
moving to electronic dividend payments 
eliminated more than 270,000 paper cheques 
and 17 tonnes of carbon annually – and 
we’ve since enabled hundreds of our client 
companies around the globe to follow their 
example. Our new hybrid meeting solutions 
make it possible for people to participate 
fully in AGMs via video conference and online 
facilities, eliminating the need to travel to 
the event – around 20 companies have taken 
advantage of this over the past 12 months. 
Via industry consultation, we try to eliminate 
paper from the registry process wherever 
possible and aim to make it possible to  
manage a share register paper-free from 
beginning to end.

INVESTING IN MOBILE-FIRST 
CAPABILITIES FOR OUR 
MORTGAGE SERVICES 
CUSTOMERS

Our mortgage division puts paperless 
options front and centre in its relationship 
with customers. From the moment when a 
new customer comes on board, we highlight 
user-friendly electronic options to complete 
their registration, as well as online account 
management tools. In the USA, we have 
also piloted personalised video statements 
to convey information in a clear and 
approachable way, without the need for print 
and mail. We see significant opportunities to 
extend our online capabilities and are actively 
investing in this over the coming few years.

~20 COMPANIES UNDERTAKING 
HYBRID MEETINGS HELPS 
ELIMINATE TRAVEL

Computershare Annual Report 201917 Computershare Annual Report 201917 PROMOTING FULLY 
ELECTRONIC ENROLMENT 
FOR EMPLOYEE SHARE 
PLANS

Our employee share plans promote the use 
of email and SMS options for participant 
enrolment, and also utilise eStatements and 
payment via direct transfers. More than 800 
of the share plans we manage for clients 
around the world have completely eliminated 
paper throughout their lifecycle, with many 
more delivering 100% paperless enrolment. 
Our multi-award-winning participant 
communications programs focus on giving 
clients the choice of video and other electronic 
channels above paper to help them in their 
efforts to be green.

REPLACING PRINT  
AND MAIL WITH DIGITAL 
COMMUNICATIONS

For more than ten years, our Communication 
Services division has enabled clients to 
move from printed statements to more 
efficient and engaging multi-channel digital 
communications, including email, SMS 
and secure electronic document retrieval. 
We’ve seen a circa 50% increase in 
e-communications over the past four years, 
alongside a 25% drop in physical mailing 
packs, benefiting clients in the traditional 
shareholder and share plan space as well 
as commercial clients ranging from utility 
companies to banks and supermarkets. 

ENABLING SELF-SERVICE 
THROUGH OUR VIDEO 
CHANNEL

The Computershare YouTube channel, started 
in 2011, provides hundreds of ‘how to’ videos 
aimed at making it easy for people to manage 
their accounts electronically, whether updating 
a home address, obtaining information for 
a tax return or understanding the vesting 
process – and has over a million views, helping 
to eliminate the need for paper guides.

Our state-of-the-art video conferencing 
facilities give clients the option to collaborate 
without the need to travel.  

800+ PAPERLESS 
SHARE PLANS 

The invitation window
is now open

Your User ID is: userID
2016 option price: £price

Dear colleague

We would like to invite you to join Sharesave 2016 – the save-as-you-earn plan that gives you
the opportunity to make more from your employment with HSBC.

Sharesave allows you to buy HSBC shares at a 20% discounted rate (the 'option price'), which
is calculated just prior to invitation.

• Save from £5 to £500 per month

• Join a 3-year plan, a 5-year plan, or

both

• The money comes out of your net pay

each month

• At the end of your plan, use your

savings to buy HSBC shares at the
option price (£[[price]]) or take your
money. It’s your choice.

25% DROP IN PHYSICAL MAILING 
PACKS OVER THE PAST FOUR YEARS

The invitation window is now open. If you would like to join you will have to enrol before the
deadline, which is 5pm on Monday 19 September 2016. If you miss this invitation
window, you will not be able to join the plan this year.

www.hsbc.com/
employeeshareplans

How to join

1. Online via
HRDirect

3. By Telephone

2.Online at

ONE MILLION 
YOUTUBE VIEWS

 18  18 CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY

SUSTAINABILITY
We have sustainability and environmental programs in place around the globe to further reduce our already low impact on the 
natural world, underpinned by our environmental policy and annual sustainability objectives. For more information visit 
www.computershare.com/cr

REDUCTION TARGETS

We have a number of sustainability targets in place for delivery in FY2020, FY2022 and FY2023. Having these sustainability 
goals ensures we maintain a focus on managing and reducing our environmental impact wherever possible. 

We set targets where data is available and have prioritised our key locations around the world.

With one year to go, we are on track to achieve our FY2020 goals and continue to progress towards reaching our FY2022 and 
FY2023 reduction goals.  

FY2020 targets – one year to go – 100% on target

New Zealand Electricity: On target  

We met and have maintained our electricity reduction target since 2016 at this location. 

Canton

Office has relocated – setting new targets. 

Hong Kong

Office has relocated – setting new targets.

FY2022 targets – three years to go – 38% on target

Crossflatts

Skipton

Halifax

Munich

Doxford

Electricity: On target
Continual year-on-year decrease. Initiatives include LED lighting 
replacement and replacement of over-door heaters to efficient 
alternatives.

Electricity: On target
We have met our target at this location partly due to reduced IT 
server equipment which has been co-located offsite.

Gas: Working to target 
24% increase in consumption this year due to significantly 
colder winter in the UK.

Gas: Working to target
25% increase due to increased operational hours in this 
location (14%), a colder winter and a warmer summer (this 
location has gas chillers).

Electricity: On target
We have met and maintained our target at this location since 2017. This office underwent a significant refurbishment in 2017 
including new LED lighting and efficient controls, as well as a new heating and cooling system.

Electricity: Working to target
Consumption has remained flat at this location. At the start of the target period, this office relocated to an office with a 
certified low-energy design. We also undertook an extensive replacement program of our on-site IT infrastructure to reduce 
energy consumption.

Electricity: Working to target
Consumption increased due to increased operating hours at this 
location (up 28%).

Gas: Working to target
Increased consumption due to colder winter and an increase 
in operating hours. Improvements expected following 
replacement of gas boilers at this location.

FY2023 targets – four years to go – 57% on target

Yarra Falls

Bristol

East Beaver 
Creek

Electricity: On target
Consumption has decreased 
since target baseline. Recent 
initiatives include ongoing 
upgrade of lighting to LED and 
grouping people within the office 
to allow us to switch off lighting 
and AC in under-used areas.

Electricity: Working to target
After one year, electricity 
consumption is lower than the 
target baseline and we are 
upgrading lighting to LED on an 
ongoing basis where this hasn’t 
already been completed.

Electricity: Working to target
Recent initiatives include LED 
lighting replacement, printer 
consolidation and on-site server 
decommissioning.

Gas: Working to target
The design of the building 
requires significant 
energy to heat. Initiatives 
include reducing heating 
in underused areas and 
reviewing heating controls 
to minimise use during  
out-of-hours periods.

Gas: Working to target 
We’ve recently undertaken a 
review of the timers for AC 
and heating to reduce energy 
consumption.

Water: Working to target 
Initiatives include upgrading 
to efficient plumbing and 
sensors and employee 
awareness campaigns.

Waste: On target
We’re on target at this 
location. Initiatives include 
reduced waste collections 
and financial incentives at 
the café to encourage use of 
reusable cups.  

Water: Working to target 
Consumption remains 
the same as target 
baseline. We’re reviewing 
improvements that can be 
made, such as replacing water 
sensors on taps and urinals.

Waste: On target
We have met our target 
for waste and will focus 
on maintaining this 
through raising awareness 
of recycling and waste 
reduction among employees.

Gas: On target

Water: On target

Waste: On target

Bolingbrook

Electricity: On target
Recent initiatives include installation of occupancy sensors in 
meetings rooms and an awareness campaign among employees.

Gas: On target
Recent initiatives include improvements to AC and heating 
timers.

For more information on how we’re tracking against each of our reduction targets, visit www.computershare.com/cr

Computershare Annual Report 201919 PROGRESS ON OBJECTIVES

GREEN OFFICE CHALLENGE 9: TURNING THE TIDE ON PLASTIC WASTE 

As part of our two-year commitment to cut single-use plastic from across our business, we challenged our employees to  
submit proposals to reduce plastic waste. We received over 30 submissions from around the world, with six selected to receive 
funding:

TERRACYCLE RECYCLING

UK

Reduce the amount of single-use plastic 
waste going to landfill by sending plastic 
items such as plastic crisp packets and 
wrappers to TerraCycle for recycling.

REUSABLE BOTTLES

Canada

Distribute a reusable drink bottle to every 
Canadian member of staff to reduce the 
use of single-use cups.

SPOON-FREE NORTH AMERICA

REUSABLE BOTTLES

USA

Reduce the need for single-use plastic 
cutlery and coffee stirrers by providing staff 
with reusable cutlery/flatware.

NZ

Distribute a reusable drink bottle to every 
member of staff in New Zealand to reduce 
the use of single-use cups.

ELIMINATE SINGLE-USE PLASTIC 
CONDIMENT SACHETS

UK

Introduce dispensers for condiments 
across all UK sites to eliminate the 55,000 
single-use plastic condiment sachets 
currently used each year.

ELIMINATE SINGLE-USE HOT 
BEVERAGE CUPS AND LIDS

UK

Distribute a reusable hot beverage cup 
to all our UK Loan Services employees to 
reduce the use of single-use cups.

TREE PLANTING PROGRAM 

GREEN IT

During FY2019 we maintained our global tree planting program and planted 1,966 trees around the 
world, with the aim of covering 10% of the carbon emitted as a result of our business air travel during 
the previous financial year. Since 2016 we’ve planted 5,894 trees as part of the initiative. 

While our efforts remain focused on reducing unnecessary travel, we’ll continue to work with our 
partners to plant further trees in FY20.

We undertook an extensive relocation and update of one of our key data centres in the US. Approximately 
30 tons of equipment was decommissioned, all of which was recycled with nothing sent to landfill.

We have taken significant steps to promote tools for virtual collaborative working in order to reduce the 
need to travel. All employees have access to video conferencing software from their desktop as well as 
easy-to-follow user guides with step-by-step guidance. 

Our video communication capabilities have also been enhanced, with video conferencing rooms set up in 
12 key locations across our offices globally.

FOCUS FOR FY2020

Continue the work achieved 
so far with our Green Office 
Challenge 9 staff initiatives and 
roll out the 10th Challenge

Work towards eliminating 
single-use plastic in 
Computershare offices  
globally by FY20

Further focus on  
Green IT to reduce our  
carbon footprint

 20 CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY

COMMUNITY
Globally, Computershare is dedicated to supporting initiatives that help 
alleviate poverty through our community giving scheme, Change A Life. This 
important and long-running program has a focus on sustainability by investing 
80% of donations in global projects that provide long-term solutions for the 
communities our employees vote to support. The remaining 20% of donations 
go to local projects via established charities, chosen by employees in each 
locality. Computershare matches all employee payroll donations.

AUD 9.3 million raised 
for Change A Life since launch

AUD 760,150 donated 
to our projects in FY2019

WORLD YOUTH INTERNATIONAL

Our employees chose World Youth International (WYI) to be our global Change A Life partner in 2017. WYI is an Australian-based 
charity committed to enhancing quality of life, strengthening communities and reducing poverty through sustainable development 
projects. Change A Life has made a five-year commitment to support the WYI School in Gokarna, Nepal, which opened in 1999 and 
has an annual enrolment of over 500 students. From 2017 to 2022 we have committed to fund a range of improvements to the 
school, upgrading classrooms and other facilities, extending the school program into Year 11 and 12, and supporting improvements 
to the quality of education provided.

503 

students and 38 
staff benefit from 
Change a Life 
funding

Upgraded library

22

26 new 

computers

1 new  

school bus

200 

novels for 
library

New sporting 
equipment

Building 50 bed 
boarding home

teachers attending 
advanced training

Upgraded 
science lab

4 new 

classrooms

14

scholarships 
awarded to female 
students

383 

course books 
provided

TREK NEPAL

From 2018 through 2020, Computershare is funding an annual employee trek, with participants chosen from regular 
contributors to Change A Life. Trek teams each year are drawn from one of our three regions: UK and Europe, Asia Pacific and 
North America. Each trek follows the Ghorepani Poon Hill trail in the Annapurna region and concludes with a visit to the WYI 
school. Computershare pays for all trekking costs, travel, meals, guides, accommodation and provides participants with an 
additional two weeks of annual leave to cover the time spent away from the office.

2018 TREK

2019 TREK

In November 2018, 33 Computershare staff from the United 
Kingdom, Channel Islands, Ireland, and Continental Europe 
teamed up to complete Trek Nepal. The team had a fundraising 
goal of AUD 250,000.

To reach their target, trekkers organised activities to raise funds 
in their offices and local communities, including the Yorkshire 
Three Peaks Challenge and the ‘On Yer Bike’ bicycle challenge 
which offered 20, 50 or 75 mile routes around Bristol, Monaghan 
or Edinburgh.

The trek was hugely successful, raising over AUD 300,000 which 
went to WYI to fund the construction of a co-ed student boarding 
home to allow students from remote areas to access education. 

In November 2019, 22 Computershare staff from Australia,  
New Zealand and Hong Kong will travel to Nepal with the goal of 
raising AUD 150,000 to fund ongoing projects at the WYI school. 

As part of their fundraising, trekkers from participating countries 
have organised events including Nepali dinners, bake sales and 
trivia nights, as well as a successful charity golf tournament in  
Hong Kong which attracted corporate sponsors for the trek. 

If you’d like to donate to the trek, please visit  
https://worldyouth.org.au/fundraising/trek-nepal-2019

21 

Computershare Annual Report 2019

COME-SHARE EDUCATION – SRI LANKA

Come-Share assists students from low-income families to complete their high school education and undertake other  
post-secondary education and training to further their employment prospects. 

HIGHLIGHTS

Supported over 520 individual students 
and a further 167 in group classes in the 
12 months to March 2019.

Provided post A-level and O-Level English 
and IT classes to 116 individual students.

Supported group classes for general 
subjects in Sinhala and Tamil, and 
Mathematics, IT and Vocational Training 
and provided desks, chairs and laptops  
for IT and English classes.

VOLUNTEER DAYS

Provided weekend computer classes to 
25 students which include training in the 
Microsoft Office suite of programs.

100% of students supported by  
Come-Share achieved a pass in their 
Ordinary Level examinations.

We encourage our staff to be actively involved in local community projects by providing staff with a day of paid volunteer leave 
each year to support the charity of their choice. This year our offices across the United States coordinated their efforts to 
maximise the benefit to our chosen local charities in that country.

Over 550 staff across the US volunteered their time, achieving the following for our charitable partners:

HIGHLIGHTS

910 postcards written for students at the 
World Youth International school.

1,000 craft kits assembled for Cradles to 
Crayons.

495 duffle bags for foster children 
decorated and filled for Together We Rise.

8 mentoring sessions with CPU staff for 
Family Scholar House.

14 high school students mentored for Big 
Brothers Big Sisters.

LOCAL CHARITIES

In 2018 Computershare established a process of employee consultation to assist us in selecting our global charitable partners, 
as well as to choose charities local to our major regional offices. We allocate 20% of Change A Life funds to those local projects 
and will undertake reviews this year to ensure our donations are achieving their intended aims.

HIGHLIGHTS

Staff from our Hong Kong offices joined a 
session of dramatic storytelling with their 
local charity Hans Andersen Club, which 
supports the development and wellbeing of 
underprivileged children in the community.

Our Bristol office donated over  
AUD 5,000 of quality clothing to their 
local charity CLIC Sargent, who provide 
critical support to children and young 
adults receiving treatment for cancer.

Our offices in Victoria voted to support the 
Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation which 
provides medical care and treatment, 
and invests in research and learning that 
will improve the lives of young people 
and their families. Our New South Wales 
offices support Sydney Children’s Hospital 
Foundation, which invests in the health and 
wellbeing of children and families.

Our Brisbane staff spent a day at 
Leichhardt State School with their charity 
Kickin’ with a Cuz, which works closely 
with indigenous and disadvantaged youth, 
using sport and community as avenues 
to reinforce positive messages about 
education, health and personal safety.

Our New Zealand office participated in the 
Auckland Angels appeal with their local 
charity Auckland City Mission. Our staff 
supported the appeal by donating food 
and gifts, and a team of Computershare 
managers volunteered by packing and 
handing out Christmas food parcels and 
gifts to hundreds of families.

FOCUS FOR FY2020

Run a second successful Trek 
Nepal and raise AUD 150,000

Review our selected local 
charities to ensure they are 
meeting our expectations

Increase global employee 
participation in  
Change A Life to 10%

 22 

PEOPLE

We recognise that our success is driven by the quality and 
capabilities of our people. We aim to provide every person in 
our organisation with the opportunity to succeed and to have 
a positive experience of work, from the moment they first 
apply for a role, through to their longer-term professional 
development and career progression.

We believe that fostering diversity in our company brings 
with it higher levels of performance and creativity. We are 
committed to hiring, developing, rewarding, and promoting 
our people on the basis of their talent and the results they 
achieve. We support employees with specific individual needs 
such as physical disabilities or learning difficulties. We have 
programs to assist women returning to professional life after 
a significant break and are making progress in increasing the 
representation of women in senior leadership roles.

To ensure that we attract and retain the best people,  
we offer extensive training and professional development 
opportunities, competitive benefits including an employee 
share plan, and a range of personal supports. We know that 
looking after our employees is good for us and for our  
clients alike.

Above all, we are proud of our special culture of ‘doing the 
right thing’ by our customers and in the way we conduct 
ourselves professionally.

BEING PURPLE 

As a global business, it’s important that we’re able 
to understand and articulate what it means to be a 
Computershare person, or as we say it, a ‘purple person’. 
With this in mind, we have created and rolled out a new 
employee values framework across the business, our ‘Being 
Purple’ ways of working. 

This framework builds on our existing pillars of Certainty, 
Ingenuity and Advantage, and makes it clear what’s expected 
of each of us, regardless of our role or where we are based. 
Our Being Purple ways of working also helps to define the 
sort of people we want to bring into Computershare, and the 
conduct, behaviours and professional attributes we want to 
promote and reward.

We have made a toolkit available to every employee which 
outlines how the Being Purple ways of working applies to 
their role at each level of seniority. The toolkit details how 
they can exemplify Being Purple as an employee, a manager 
or as a senior leader, and provides examples of what is 
expected of a ‘purple person’.

Work well 
together

CERTAI

N

T

Y

Do the 
right thing

World leaders 
in financial 
administration

U ITY

N

I N G E

Strive for 
excellence

Be a 
pioneer

Move the 
business 
forward

E
G
A
T
N
A
V

D

A

Keep 
customers 
at our 
heart

23 

COMPUTERSHARE DAY

OUR 25 PURPLE PEOPLE FOR 2019 ARE: 

On 24 May we celebrated our 
third annual Computershare 
Day, marking 25 years since 
Computershare was listed on the 
Australian Securities Exchange. 
Employees around the world took 
part in the tea party themed event, 
which included ‘most purple team’, 
‘best purple outfit’ competitions 
and a ‘purple quiz’.

Our Port Melbourne office created 
a stunning Alice In Wonderland 
backdrop for their Mad Hatter 
themed tea party. In our other 
offices around the world, staff 
baked an assortment of purple 
cakes and treats to enjoy with their 
teams. Members of our global 
management team, including 
CEO Stuart Irving, hosted a lively 
morning tea in our Yarra Falls 
headquarters. 

We also presented our Purple 
Person awards for the third time, 
recognising 25 employees for 
making outstanding contributions 
to Computershare, and for 
exemplifying our values.

Amy Blundell
Candence Peters
Cheuk Yin Yeung
Daniel Troisi
Diane Allaire
Faith Sullivan
Gemma White
Geoffrey Crocker
Jennifer Sun
Jennifer Verrier
John Sutor
Karen Beke
Katarina Avent
Katherine Ellis
Lenore Faulkner
Mark Harmon
Markus Eggendinger
Matthew Cook
Michael Brady
Michael Hein
Mirjana Hajdinjak
Patricia Anderson
Paul Capozzi
Quantz Bruns-Kyler
Rizwana Esmail

Shared Services
Loan Services
Issuer Services
Business Services
Shared Services
Issuer Services
Loan Services
Technology Services
Employee Share Plans
Issuer Services
Employee Share Plans
Loan Services
Issuer Services
Business Services
Communication Services
Issuer Services
Communication Services
Technology Services
Technology Services
Shared Services
Employee Share Plans
Loan Services
Issuer Services
Loan Services
Loan Services

UK
USA
Hong Kong
Canada
USA
Australia
UK
Australia
China
USA
UK
USA
UK
USA
Australia
USA
Germany
UK
USA
Germany
Australia
UK
USA
USA
UK

 24 

GROUP OPERATING OVERVIEW

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES

The principal activities of the consolidated entity during the course of the financial year were the operation of investor services, 
employee share plan services, communication services, business services, stakeholder relationship management services and 
technology services.
 > The issuer services operations comprise the provision of registry maintenance and related services.
 > The employee share plan services operations comprise the provision of administration and related services for employee share and 

option plans.

 > The communication services operations comprise document composition and printing, intelligent mailing, inbound process 

automation, scanning and electronic delivery.

 > The business services operations comprise the provision of mortgage servicing activities, corporate trust, class actions, bankruptcy, 

childcare voucher administration, tenant bond protection services and mutual fund administration support services.

 > The stakeholder relationship management services group provides investor analysis, investor communication and management 

information services to companies, including their employees, shareholders and other security industry participants.

 > Technology services includes the provision of software, specialising in share registry and financial services.

Computershare has a range of regulated businesses around the world, including transfer agencies, licensed dealers, corporate trusts 
and mortgage servicers.

REVIEW OF OPERATIONS

Overview

Business Services revenue grew 5.7% on FY2018 delivering $945.6 million in constant currency terms. The improvement was driven 
largely by strategic growth in US mortgage services and corporate trust partly offset by the disposal of Karvy and large one-off events in 
the class actions business in FY2018. Business Services EBITDA grew 6.2% year-on-year on a constant currency basis to $255.0 million.

Revenue in the Issuer Services business improved by 2.7% in constant currency terms, benefiting from increased margin income 
partly offset by weaker corporate actions activity as expected. US register maintenance revenues increased by 5.3%. The number 
of shareholders serviced by Computershare increased and ongoing efficiency improvements enhanced business profitability. At the 
EBITDA level, the consolidated Issuer Services business increased by 10.2% over FY2018 on a constant currency basis with ongoing 
margin expansion to 35.8%. 

Returning the Issuer Services business to organic growth has been a key priority. It was pleasing to see continued progress in the 
development of new, complementary revenue streams in private markets, company secretarial services and registered agent markets 
in the US. 

Employee Share Plans benefited from the acquisition of Equatex in November 2018. Revenue was up 29.6% in constant currency 
terms. Equatex contributed $68.9m of revenue and outperformed initial expectations with stronger than anticipated transactional 
revenues. EBITDA was up 31.6% in constant currency. EBITDA margin excluding margin income, was up 200bps to 19.5% supported 
by efficiency gains.

Revenue for Stakeholder Relationship Management was down 28.3% noting that FY2018 benefited strongly from large one-off events. 
Revenue for the Communication Services business was down 2.2% and EBITDA was up 5.6% at $41.4 million in constant currency.

REVENUE

Business stream

Business services

Register maintenance

Corporate actions

Employee share plans

Communication services

Stakeholder relationship mgt

Corporate & Technology

Total management revenue

Comparison in constant currency

FY2019 @ CC
$ million

FY2018 Actual
$ million

CC
Variance

FY2019 Actual
$ million

945.6

727.1

167.5

295.9

177.6

68.0

29.7

894.4

710.3

160.6

228.4

181.6

94.8

30.7

2,411.4

2,300.9*

+5.7%

+2.4%

+4.3%

+29.6%

-2.2%

-28.3%

-3.3%

+4.8%

927.4

711.2

164.3

288.5

168.9

67.3

28.9

2,356.5*

* Total management revenue excludes management adjustment items further described in note 4 of the financial statements

25 

Computershare Annual Report 2019Regions

ANZ

Asia

UCIA

CEU

USA

Canada

Total management revenue

Comparison in constant currency

FY2019 @CC
$ million

FY2018 Actual
$ million

CC
Variance

FY2019 Actual
$ million

238.0

121.3

603.0

108.6

1,137.2

203.4

2,411.4

246.8

154.4

490.4

106.9

1,087.9

214.5

2,300.9*

-3.6%

-21.4%

+23.0%

+1.6%

+4.5%

-5.2%

+4.8%

220.4

119.1

580.3

104.4

1,137.2

195.2

2,356.5*

* Total management revenue excludes management adjustment items further described in note 4 of the financial statements

Operating costs

Operating expenses were up 2.7% on FY2018 to $1,724.4 million in constant currency terms, predominantly driven by investment in 
US mortgage services and Employee Share Plans. Excluding acquisitions and disposals, costs decreased by 0.2%. Pleasingly, the cost 
to income ratio fell by 150bps to 71.5%. The Group’s cost-out program continues to deliver benefits with $80.1 million of cumulative 
gross benefits achieved to date.

Earnings per share

Statutory basic earnings per share

Statutory diluted earnings per share

Management basic earnings per share

Management diluted earnings per share

2019
cents

76.57

76.42

70.24

70.10

2018
cents

55.17

55.05

63.38

63.24

The management basic and diluted earnings per share amounts have been calculated excluding the impact of management 
adjustment items (refer to note 4 in this financial report). All EPS numbers above have been translated at actual FX rates (not constant 
currency).

 26 

BUSINESS STRATEGIES AND PROSPECTS

OUTLOOK

In August 2019, we provided earnings guidance for FY2020. In constant currency we expect Management EPS to be down by  
around 5%. 

This guidance is adversely impacted by the delay of the platform migration benefits for UK mortgage services as we previously 
announced at Investor Day in May, and the adoption of AASB16, the new accounting standard for leases.

Excluding these two elements, the FY2020 guidance would have been for Management EPS to increase by around 5%.

Importantly, in FY2020 we expect margin income revenue to be similar to FY2019 and that equity markets remain at the levels that 
existed at the time of providing that guidance. We expect the delayed migration of UK loans to have an isolated impact to Management 
EBITDA of $35m. 

This outlook assessment and other references to our FY2020 outlook in this document are subject to the forward-looking statements 
disclaimer and a number of other assumptions provided in our annual results announcement disclosed to the Australian Securities 
Exchange.

Computershare’s strategy is to be the leading provider of services in our selected markets by leveraging our core skills and competencies 
to deliver outstanding client outcomes from engaged staff. We focus on new products and services to reinforce our leadership in 
established markets, and invest in technology and innovation to deliver growth, productivity gains and improved cost outcomes.

We are driving growth in our US mortgage services business by building scale and revenues across the mortgage value chain. Having 
achieved our initial servicing scale and margin targets towards the end of FY2019, we are now planning for further disciplined long term 
growth and returns.  

In our other growth engine, Employee Share Plans, the recent Equatex acquisition enhances our scale, capabilities and earnings. 
Integration to a single market leading technology is well underway. 

We see continuing growth and margin expansion in Issuer Services, our largest business. We have purposefully designed strategies to 
leverage our core registry skills and strong client relationships in to new, large, complementary revenue pools.  

Our cost-out programs continue to progress well with around $60m of additional benefits to come over the next four years.

Computershare’s strong balance sheet, with the leverage ratio below the mid-point of the target range, supports our ongoing capital 
management strategy. We have announced a AUD 200m on market share buy-back to complement dividend payments. We will 
continue to maximise franking available to shareholders. 

RISKS

The Board is ultimately responsible for setting the risk appetite for the Group and otherwise reviewing and approving Computershare’s 
risk management framework and policies and assessing their effectiveness in mitigating the risks present in our business. The Board 
delegates some of this responsibility to the Risk and Audit Committee. The Risk and Audit Committee receives quarterly reports on the 
key and emerging risks in the Group and meets with management to discuss and challenge its view on Group or relevant business line 
risk positions as appropriate.

Computershare has a clear approach to the oversight and management of risk, based on the ‘three lines of defence’ model. This 
model provides a simple framework for the implementation and oversight of risk management in which management, as the first line of 
defence, has responsibility for risk management and control activities.

The risk function, as part of the second line of defence, is responsible for setting and implementing the risk framework and supporting 
tools and methodologies, as well as providing oversight of risk management activities and advisory support to management.

The internal audit function, as the third line of defence, provides an independent and objective assurance function with the responsibility 
of confirming that the framework, policies, and controls designed to manage key risks are being executed effectively by management. 
Internal audit carries out regular, systematic monitoring of control activities and reports its findings to the senior managers of each 
business unit as well as to the Risk and Audit Committee.

RISK SUMMARY

The following outlines areas of material risk that could impact our ability to achieve our strategic objectives and future financial 
prospects including, where applicable, our exposure to economic, environmental or social sustainability risks and how we seek to 
mitigate or manage them.

Strategic and regulatory risk

Our businesses operate in highly-regulated markets around the world and our success can be impacted by changes to the regulatory 
environment and the structure of these markets. As an organisation we pay very close attention to regulatory developments globally 
and play an active role in consulting with regulators on changes which could impact our business.

Many of our key businesses are also subject to direct regulatory oversight and we are required to maintain the appropriate regulatory 
approvals and licenses to operate, and in some cases adhere to certain financial covenants (such as capital adequacy). Computershare 
has robust compliance management and monitoring programs in place to support these regulatory obligations.

27 

Computershare Annual Report 2019In the course of its business, Computershare’s mortgage servicing business purchases Mortgage Servicing Rights (MSR) in order to 
service a group or portfolio of mortgages. Interest rate volatility creates risk related to the market value of the MSR assets and ability to 
generate revenue.

Our business is also at risk of disruption from new technologies and alternative service providers. This means we must be looking 
constantly for ways to improve our services by investing in new technologies and processes. We have a dedicated innovation team 
which is responsible for rapidly assessing the viability of new business ideas and initiatives in an agile yet systematic manner using 
proven innovation techniques.

In recent periods we have seen the emergence of distributed ledger technology or ‘blockchain’, which has the potential to be 
deployed across financial market systems, including post-trade clearing and settlement of securities. Deployment of distributed ledger 
technology into financial markets, if it ultimately proves to be a viable option, will require extensive dialogue and consultation with 
regulators and industry participants and its ultimate market structure implications are not yet known.

Computershare is adopting a measured and considered approach to blockchain. We are pursuing a dual-track approach in terms of 
assessing the commercial value of introducing innovative blockchain services in market adjacencies, while also rigorously defending 
our existing role and overall market positioning. We also believe that our global presence makes us an attractive partner to blockchain 
solution providers and gives us access to a wide range of potential commercial blockchain opportunities.

Our future prospects also depend on finding and executing on opportunities to grow and diversify our business. We are potentially 
constrained by market structure restrictions from significantly growing our registry services footprint by acquisition (unless subsequent 
market structure changes present new opportunities) and this has inevitably changed the focus of our investment decisions. There is also 
inherent risk in any acquisition, including risk of financial loss or missed earnings potential from inappropriate acquisition decisions as well 
as integration risk in its implementation. Computershare has a strong track record of acquiring and integrating businesses successfully, in 
particular in the businesses of registry and employee share plan administration. We have a deliberately focused acquisition strategy with 
rigorous approval processes, and we also undertake subsequent reviews of our acquisitions and their performance.

Computershare also operates across a diverse set of countries and tax jurisdictions. The tax environments in these jurisdictions can be 
complex and subject to change and these changes cannot be accurately predicted. Computershare operates a global finance function 
to manage tax risk within the Group’s risk appetite and engages external tax advice as appropriate.

Financial risk

Our financial performance each year is underpinned by significant annuity revenue. However, there is also a material proportion 
of revenue that is derived from transactional activity that is dependent on factors outside our control, which can be challenging to 
predict. Changes to market activity generally, foreign exchange and interest rates have the ability to impact adversely on our financial 
performance. Computershare generates significant revenues from the transaction processing fees we earn from our services (including 
the interest income earned by investing client funds). These revenue sources are substantially dependent on customer trading volumes, 
market prices and liquidity of securities markets. Sudden sharp or gradual but sustained declines in market values of securities can 
result in reduced investor communication activity, including reduced mutual funds communication volumes, reduced mergers and 
acquisitions activity and reduced proxy activity; reduced trading activity; and illiquid markets.

Margin income is a key contributor to earnings. Changes in investment restrictions, interest rates, and to the level of balances that we 
hold on behalf of clients can have a material impact on the Group’s earnings. We also have strong relationships with the global financial 
institutions that hold our client balances. We have robust policies and other protections to manage interest rate risk and other risks 
associated with placing those funds (including counterparty risk) and we also make significant investments in processes and technology 
to identify, allocate, reconcile and oversee client monies. Computershare’s current policy for hedging its interest rate exposure is for a 
minimum of one year forward and 25% hedging coverage to a maximum of five years forward with 100% hedging coverage.

The market for Computershare’s products and services is rapidly evolving and highly competitive. We compete with a number of 
firms that provide similar products and services to our own. In addition, we compete with our clients’ in-house capabilities to perform 
functions that they might otherwise outsource to us. We continually strive to remain the leading provider of services in all our business 
lines globally and invest significantly in new technology and services to maintain our market-leading position.

Operational risk

Computershare deals with a high volume of daily transactions which can be exposed to data loss and security breaches. The nature of 
cyber-crime is constantly changing and information systems are vulnerable to cyber-attacks. Security breaches may involve unauthorised 
access to Computershare systems and databases, damage to Computershare’s systems and the exposure and/or theft of confidential 
client data. This presents a range of challenges, from ensuring the security and integrity of that data as well as the continuity of our service 
in the face of internal and external factors. We manage these risks through extensive business resiliency planning and testing as well as 
rigorous internal controls around the ability to access and modify client data. We also make significant investments in technology and 
services to protect data at rest, in motion and at end point, including a specialist information security team whose responsibilities include 
ensuring we have appropriate and effective systems in place to protect our and our clients’ data from unauthorised access. Our dedicated 
financial crime team is also responsible for analysing information and transactions to mitigate the risk of fraud (both internal and external), 
and these resources are focused on areas of highest potential exposure.

Computershare also undertakes high volumes of transactional processes, some of which are complex. There is a risk that failure to 
process these transactions correctly could result in liabilities being incurred to third parties. We invest significantly in technology to 
automate processes where possible. We also have policies, processes and corresponding controls to assist in mitigating this risk, 
which are routinely tested. The Group also maintains insurance.

 28 

COMPUTERSHARE’S APPROACH TO CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The Board is committed to maintaining high standards of corporate governance by overseeing a sound and effective governance 
framework for the management and conduct of Computershare’s business. This corporate governance statement sets out a 
description of Computershare’s main corporate governance practices. Computershare’s governance arrangements complied with each 
of the recommendations set by the ASX Corporate Governance Council throughout the reporting period.

In this statement ‘Group’ is used to refer to Computershare Limited and its controlled entities, and references to ‘Group management’ 
refer to the Group’s Chief Executive Officer and the executives reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer.

This Corporate Governance Statement has been approved by the Board and is current as at 23 September 2019.

1.  BOARD RESPONSIBILITIES

The Board is responsible for the corporate governance of the Group and is governed by the principles set out in the Board Charter. A 
copy of the charter is available from http://www.computershare.com/governance.

The principal role of the Board is to ensure the long-term prosperity of the Group and, in doing so, to determine the Group’s 
strategic direction. The Board also sets broad corporate governance principles, which govern the Group’s business operations and 
accountability, and ensures that those principles are effectively implemented by Group management.

The Board’s other reserved powers and duties can be divided into five distinct areas of responsibility, an overview of which is provided 
below:
 > Strategic planning for the Group – involves commenting on, and providing final approval of, the Group’s corporate strategy and 

related performance objectives, as developed by Group management, as well as monitoring Group management’s implementation 
of, and performance with respect to, that agreed corporate strategy.

 > Financial and related matters – includes approving the Group’s budgets and other performance indicators and monitoring progress 

against them, as well as approving and monitoring financial and other reporting, internal and external audit plans, setting the Group’s 
risk appetite and approving enterprise risk management plans and monitoring the progress of major capital expenditure, acquisitions 
and divestitures.

 > Corporate governance – incorporates overseeing Computershare’s corporate governance framework, including approving changes 

made to key supporting Group policies and overseeing Computershare’s reporting to shareholders and its compliance with its 
continuous disclosure obligations.

 > Overseeing Group management – involves the appointment and, if required, removal of the Chief Executive Officer and the 
monitoring of his or her ongoing performance, as well as, if applicable, the appointment and if required, removal of Group 
management personnel, including the Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary.

 > Remuneration – comprises the approval of Computershare’s overall remuneration framework and determining the remuneration of 

non-executive directors within the limits approved by shareholders.

The Board has delegated the responsibility for day-to-day management and administration of Computershare to the Chief Executive 
Officer. Ultimately, Group management is responsible for managing the Group in accordance with the corporate strategy, plans and 
policies approved by the Board, and is required to provide appropriate information to the Board to ensure it can effectively discharge its 
duties.

2.  BOARD COMPOSITION AND DIRECTOR APPOINTMENT

Computershare’s Constitution states that the Board must have a minimum of three and a maximum of ten directors. Re-appointment 
is not automatic and if retiring directors would like to continue to hold office they must submit themselves for re-election by 
Computershare’s shareholders at the Annual General Meeting. No director (other than the Chief Executive Officer) may be in office for 
longer than three years without facing re-election.

In addition to ensuring that the Board has the mix of skills, knowledge and experience commonly required across boards of major ASX 
listed companies, the Board is also focused on ensuring that its composition aligns with the Group’s strategic objectives and that it has 
the necessary skills and expertise to provide oversight of those areas of the Group’s business where there is greatest scope to increase 
shareholder value in the future.

As a global organisation, it is also of great importance to the Board that it has an appropriate balance of directors who are based in 
Australia, as well as directors who are based in or who have experience of regions where there are significant group operations.

The Board also considers its size should be conducive to effective discussion and efficient decision making. The Board regularly 
reassesses its composition to ensure that it continues to meet these requirements.

29 

Computershare Annual Report 2019CORPORATE GOVERNANCE STATEMENTTo assist in this process the Board has developed a Board skills matrix which sets out the skills and experiences that the Board has or 
is looking to achieve. The current skills and experience of the Board, assessed as a whole against the matrix, is as follows:

Leadership and governance

Strategy

Innovation and entrepreneurship

CEO level experience

Other non-executive director experience

Corporate governance

Business experience

M&A and capital markets experience

International business experience

Working in regulated industries

Outsourced business services

Business development/access to networks

Financial and risk

Accounting and finance

Banking and treasury

Audit, risk management and compliance

Other

Technology

HR/remuneration

Geographic experience

North America

UK and Europe

Asia

Australia

Total out of nine Directors

7

5

5

7

8

8

7

7

6

6

5

4

7

5

6

5

7

4

7

During the reporting period Ms Penny Maclagan and Mr Les Owen retired as directors at the conclusion of the 2018 Annual General 
Meeting and one new non-executive director was appointed to the Board, Mr Paul Reynolds. Mr Reynolds is a UK based director with 
extensive CEO and board-leadership level experience in complex, large-scale infrastructure enterprises.

All of Computershare’s non-executive directors have signed formal letters of appointment setting out the key terms and conditions 
relating to their appointment as a director. Senior managers at Computershare also sign employment agreements, except in certain 
overseas jurisdictions due to local employment practices.

Proposed appointees to the Board are subject to appropriate background checks. The format of these checks is dependent on the 
residence of the proposed director but would typically include police and bankruptcy checks and searches of relevant public records 
and filings. This is in addition to confirmation of the proposed director’s experience and character as appropriate.

Any director appointed by the Board will be required to stand for election at the next AGM, at which time the Company will provide in 
the notice of meeting all material information known to the Company that is relevant for shareholders to decide on whether to appoint 
the director.

On appointment, all new directors undertake an induction process. They receive copies of all key governance documents as well as 
briefings from senior management on material matters relating to the Computershare Group including strategic considerations, financial 
performance, major markets and business lines and operational and technological capability. As the Board holds meetings in all the 
major markets in which the Group operates, new directors are, along with the rest of the Board, given the opportunity to meet with 
management and visit operational facilities during those meetings.

Computershare does not have a formal program of professional development for its directors. Directors receive briefings on material 
developments, including structural developments and market changes, which relate to the Group’s operations. Directors may also 
request that the Company provide them with specific development opportunities which they may consider necessary to improve their 
skills and knowledge.

 30 

THE DIRECTORS

As at the date of this Annual Report, the Board composition (with details of the professional background of each director) is as follows:

Stuart Irving 

Christopher Morris 

Position: Chief Executive Officer
Age: 48 
Independent: No 
Years of service: 5

Position: Non-Executive Director
Age: 71 
Independent: No 
Years of service: 41

Term of office

Term of office

Stuart Irving was appointed Chief 
Executive Officer and President of 
Computershare on 1 July 2014. He  
joined Computershare in 1998.

Skills and experience

Stuart held a number of roles at The 
Royal Bank of Scotland before joining 
Computershare as IT Development 
Manager in the UK. 

Stuart subsequently worked in South 
Africa, Canada and the US before 
becoming Chief Information Officer for 
North America in 2005 and then the 
Computershare Group’s Chief Information 
Officer in 2008.

Board Committee membership

Member of the Nomination Committee
Member of the Acquisitions Committee

Chris Morris and an associate established 
Computershare in 1978. Chris was 
appointed Chief Executive Officer in 1990 
and oversaw the listing of Computershare 
on the ASX in 1994.

He became the Group’s Executive 
Chairman in November 2006 and 
relinquished his executive responsibilities in 
September 2010, and subsequently stood 
down as Chairman in November 2015.

Chris was last re-elected in 2018.

Skills and experience

Chris has worked across the global 
securities industry for more than  
30 years. His knowledge, long-term 
strategic vision and passion for the 
industry have been instrumental in 
transforming Computershare from an 
Australian business into a successful 
global public company.

Other directorships and offices

Non-Executive Chairman of Smart Parking 
Limited (appointed in 2009)

Board Committee memberships

Chairman of the Acquisitions Committee
Member of the Nomination Committee

Simon Jones 
M.A. (Oxon), A.C.A.

Position: Chairman Age: 63 
Independent: Yes 
Years of service: 14

Term of office

Simon Jones was appointed to the Board 
in November 2005 as a non-executive 
director. Simon was appointed as 
Computershare’s Chairman in November 
2015 and was last re-elected by 
shareholders in 2016.

Skills and experience

Simon is a chartered accountant with 
extensive experience in investment 
advisory, valuations, mergers and 
acquisitions, public offerings, audit and 
venture capital. Simon was previously a 
Managing Director of N.M. Rothschild 
and Sons (Australia) and Head of Audit 
and Business Advisory (Australia & 
New Zealand) and Corporate Finance 
(Melbourne) at Arthur Andersen.

Other directorships and offices

Director of Canterbury Partners  
Chairman of the Advisory Board of MAB 
Corporation Pty Ltd
Chairman of Melbourne IT Limited  
(retired 2017)

Board Committee membership

Chairman of the Nomination Committee 
Member of the Risk and Audit Committee
Member of the Human Resources and 
Remuneration Committee
Member of the Acquisitions Committee

31 

Computershare Annual Report 2019CORPORATE GOVERNANCE STATEMENTTiffany Fuller 
B.Com, GAICD, ACA

Position: Non-Executive Director
Age: 49 
Independent: Yes 
Years of service: 5

Joseph Velli 
BA, MBA

Position: Non-Executive Director
Age: 60 
Independent: Yes 
Years of service: 5

Abi Cleland 
B.Com, BA, MBA.

Position: Non-Executive Director 
Age: 46 
Independent: Yes 
Years of service: 1

Term of office

Term of office

Term of office

Tiffany Fuller was appointed to the Board 
on 1 October 2014 as a non-executive 
director. Tiffany was last re-elected in 2017.

Skills and experience

Tiffany is an experienced public company 
non-executive director with broad 
experience in chartered accounting, 
corporate finance, investment banking, 
funds management and management 
consulting in Australia and globally. 
Tiffany’s skills include finance and 
accounting, strategy, M&A, risk and 
governance. Her career includes roles 
at Arthur Andersen and Rothschild and 
spans multiple industry sectors including 
financial services, technology, retail, 
resources and telecommunications.

Other directorships and offices

Non-Executive Director of Washington 
H. Soul Pattinson & Company Limited 
(appointed in 2017)
Non-Executive Director of Smart Parking 
Technologies (appointed in 2011) 
Non-Executive Director of Costa Group 
Holdings Limited (resigned 2018)

Board Committee membership

Chair of the Risk and Audit Committee 
Member of the Nomination Committee

Joseph Velli was appointed to the Board 
on 1 October 2014 as a non-executive 
director. Joseph was last re-elected in 
November 2017.

Skills and experience

Joseph is a retired financial services 
and technology executive with extensive 
securities servicing, M&A and public 
board experience. For most of his career, 
Joseph served as Senior Executive Vice 
President of The Bank of New York and 
as a member of the Bank’s Senior Policy 
Committee.

During his 22-year tenure with the Bank, 
Joseph’s responsibilities included heading 
Global Issuer Services, Global Custody 
and related Investor Services, Global 
Liquidity Services, Pension and 401k 
Services, Consumer and Retail Banking, 
Correspondent Clearing and Securities 
Services. Most recently Joseph served as 
the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer 
of Convergex Group.

Other directorships and offices

Non-Executive Director of Paychex, Inc. 
Non-Executive Director of Cognizant 
Technology Solutions Corporation

Board Committee membership

Chairman of the Human Resources and 
Remuneration Committee
Member of the Nomination Committee 
Member of the Acquisitions Committee

Abi Cleland was appointed to the Board 
as an additional non-executive director on 
14 February 2018.

Skills and experience

Abi Cleland has extensive global 
experience in strategy, M&A, digital and 
business growth. She has held senior 
executive roles in the industrial, retail, 
agriculture and financial services sectors 
at companies including ANZ, Amcor, 
Incitec Pivot, Caltex after starting her 
career at BHP. Over the last five years 
Abi set up and ran an advisory and 
management business, Absolute Partners 
which focused on strategy, M&A and 
building businesses leveraging disruptive 
changes.

Other directorships and offices

Non-Executive Director of Orora Limited 
(appointed in 2014)
Non-Executive Director of Sydney Airport 
Limited (appointed in 2018)
Non-Executive Director of Coles Group 
Limited (appointed in 2018)
Non-Executive Director of BWX Limited 
(resigned in 2017)
Non-Executive Director of Swimming 
Australia
Chair of Planwise Australia

Board committee membership

Member of the Human Resources and 
Remuneration Committee
Member of the Nomination Committee

 32 

Lisa Gay 
BA, LLB

Paul Reynolds 
BA, PhD 

Position: Non-Executive Director 
Age: 57 
Independent: Yes 
Years of service: 1

Position: Non-Executive Director 
Age: 62 
Independent: Yes 
Years of service: <1

Term of office

Term of office

Lisa Gay was appointed to the Board as 
an additional non-executive director on 14 
February 2018.

Paul Reynolds was appointed to the 
Board as an additional non-executive 
director on 5 October 2018.

Skills and experience

Skills and experience

Lisa Gay is a highly regarded business 
leader with extensive financial services 
experience in funds management, 
investment banking, and stockbroking. 
She was formerly Chair of the Australian 
Securities and Investment Commission’s 
Markets Disciplinary Panel and Deputy 
Chair of the Indigenous Land Corporation. 
From 1990-2010 Lisa was general 
counsel and managing director of 
Goldman Sachs Group Australia.

Other directorships and offices

Non-executive Director of Victoria Funds 
Management Corporation
Non-executive Director of Koda Capital 
Member of the Council of Trustees of the 
National Gallery of Victoria

Board committee membership

Member of the Risk and Audit Committee 
Member of the Nomination Committee

Paul Reynolds has gained extensive 
leadership skills from his previous 
experience in CEO and Chairman positions 
with complex, large-scale infrastructure 
enterprises. He was a member of the 
board at British Telecom from 2001-2007 
and CEO of one of its largest businesses, 
BT Wholesale, where he led the global 
technology divisions and many of its 
biggest transformation programs. From 
2007-2012, Paul was CEO of Telecom 
New Zealand, during the world’s first 
structural separation into independent retail 
and network companies. Paul is based in 
the UK.

Other directorships and offices

Non-Executive Chairman of 9 Spokes 
Limited (appointed in 2014)
Non-Executive Director of XConnect 
Global Networks Limited

Board committee membership

Member of the Risk and Audit Committee 
Member of the Nomination Committee

33 

Computershare Annual Report 2019CORPORATE GOVERNANCE STATEMENT3.  BOARD INDEPENDENCE

The Board has considered each of the eight directors in office as at the date of this Annual Report and has determined that a majority 
(six out of eight) are independent, and were so throughout the reporting period. The two directors who are not considered to be 
independent are Chris Morris and Stuart Irving, due to their past or present involvement in the senior management of the Company.  
In the case of Chris Morris, this extends to his substantial shareholding in the Company.

To determine the independence of a director, the Board must consider a number of different factors, including those set out below:
 > whether the director acts (or has recently acted) in an executive capacity for the Company
 > the materiality of the director’s shareholding in the Company (if any)
 > the existence of any other material relationship between the director and a member of the Group (for example, where the director is 

or has been an officer of a significant adviser, supplier or customer)
 > the ability of the director to exercise his or her judgement independently

In relation to the Chairman, Simon Jones, the Board notes that he was first appointed as a non-executive director in November 2005 
and subsequently as Chairman in November 2015. The Board has considered and is satisfied that Mr Jones’s tenure as a director 
does not have any impact on his capacity to bring an independent judgement to bear on issues before the Board or to act in the best 
interests of the Company and its shareholders generally. The Board also notes that Joseph Velli is a director of Cognizant Technology 
Solutions Corporation, a company which supplies IT and business outsource services to the Group. The Board has considered and is 
satisfied that Mr Velli’s position as a director of Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation does not have any impact on his capacity 
to bring an independent judgement to bear on issues before the Board. The Board has appropriate procedures in place to manage 
circumstances where a matter relating to Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation might be under consideration by the Board.

4.  BOARD MEETINGS AND REPORTS

The Board met in person on four occasions in the reporting period. In-person meetings will generally take place over three days and 
provide the Board with the opportunity to meet senior management relevant to the agenda for the meeting. At its meetings, the Board 
discuss the Group’s results, prospects and short and long-term strategy, as well as other matters, including operational performance, 
and legal, governance and compliance issues. The Board also convened two other meetings by telephone during the reporting period.

Group management provides monthly reports to the Board detailing current financial information concerning the Group. Management 
also provides additional information on matters of interest to the Board, including operational performance, major initiatives and the 
Group’s risk profile, as appropriate.

The Committees of the Board also meet regularly to fulfil their duties, as discussed further below.

5.  BOARD COMMITTEES

To assist in discharging its responsibilities, the Board has established four committees.

Risk and Audit Committee

The principal function of the Risk and Audit Committee is to provide assistance to the Board in fulfilling its corporate governance and 
oversight responsibilities in relation to the Company’s financial reporting, internal control structure, risk management systems, internal 
audit function and external audit requirements. The Committee also reviews material legal and compliance matters and oversees the 
Group’s Whistleblower program.

The Risk and Audit Committee is chaired by Non-Executive Director Tiffany Fuller. The Committee currently has three other members, 
Simon Jones, Lisa Gay and Paul Reynolds. Each member of this Committee is considered by the Board to be independent.

The Board regards these members as having the required financial expertise and an appropriate understanding of the markets in which 
the Group operates. The Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Group Head of Internal Audit, the Group Risk Officer 
and the Company’s external auditors are invited to meetings of the Risk and Audit Committee at the Committee’s discretion.

The Risk and Audit Committee is governed by a Board-approved charter. A copy of this Risk and Audit Committee Charter is available 
from http://www.computershare.com/governance.

Nomination Committee

The main functions of the Nomination Committee are to review the competence, expertise, performance, constitution and succession 
of the Board, as well as the performance of individual directors.

The Nomination Committee generally meets on each occasion that the Board meets in person. All current directors are members of the 
Nomination Committee and it is chaired by Simon Jones in his capacity as Chairman of the Board.

The Nomination Committee’s policy for the appointment of directors is to select candidates whose skills, expertise, qualifications, 
networks and knowledge of the markets in which Computershare operates (and other markets into which it may expand) complement 
those of existing Board members so that the Board as a whole has the requisite skills, diversity and experience to fulfil its duties.

The Nomination Committee is governed by a Board-approved charter. A copy of this Nomination Committee Charter is available from 
http://www.computershare.com/governance.

 34 

Human Resources and Remuneration Committee

The Human Resources and Remuneration Committee’s principal functions are to advise the Board on matters relating to human 
resources, talent management and diversity as well as the remuneration of the Group’s key management personnel.

In relation to remuneration related matters, the Committee considers, reviews and makes recommendations to the Board about the 
following matters:
 > the Chief Executive Officer’s remuneration policy recommendations
 > remuneration and contract terms for the Chief Executive Officer and the Group’s key executives
 > terms and conditions of long-term incentive plans, short-term incentive plans, share rights plans, performance targets and bonus 

payments for the Chief Executive Officer and the Group’s key executives

 > terms and conditions of any employee incentive plans
 > the recommendations of the Chief Executive Officer on offers to executives under any long-term incentive plan established by the 

Company from time to time

 > remuneration of non-executive directors within the limits approved by shareholders
 > content of the remuneration report to be included in the Company’s Annual Report

In relation to human resources and related matters, the Committee considers, reviews and makes recommendations to the Board 
about the following matters:
 > succession planning for senior management and development frameworks for key talent
 > the effectiveness of the Group’s diversity policies and initiatives
 > monitoring surveys conducted by the company in relation to the culture of the organisation; assessing performance against 
measurable objectives for achieving diversity on an annual basis, including the relative proportion of women at all levels; and 
Computershare’s compliance with external reporting requirements

The Committee is chaired by Joseph Velli. The Committee has two other members, Simon Jones and Abi Cleland. Pursuant to its 
Charter, the Committee must always be comprised of a majority of independent directors.

The Human Resources and Remuneration Committee met on seven occasions during the reporting period. The Committee has access 
to Group management and, where necessary, may consult independent experts to discharge its responsibilities effectively.

The Human Resources and Remuneration Committee is governed by a Board-approved charter. A copy of this Remuneration 
Committee Charter is available from http://www.computershare.com/governance.

Acquisitions Committee

To assist in fulfilling its corporate governance and oversight responsibilities with respect to prospective acquisitions and divestitures 
being considered by the Group, the Board has established an Acquisitions Committee. The Committee receives reports from Group 
management on acquisition and divestiture opportunities and provides advice on matters such as the price, terms, structure and 
strategic management of such opportunities. The Committee is also authorised to approve transactions to be entered into by Group 
companies, provided that it does so within the scope of authority delegated to the Committee by the Board from time to time.

The Acquisitions Committee comprises Simon Jones, Joseph Velli and Chris Morris as well as Stuart Irving and Mark Davis (the 
Group’s Chief Financial Officer).

For details of directors’ attendance at Committee meetings, see the Directors’ Report, which starts on page 42 of this Annual Report.

6.  EQUITY PARTICIPATION BY NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

The Board encourages non-executive directors to own shares in the Company, however the Company has not awarded shares to  
non-executive directors. As at the date of this report, all non-executive directors except for Paul Reynolds (appointed in FY2019) held a 
relevant interest in shares in the Company.

7.  REMUNERATION

For information relating to the Group’s remuneration practices, and details relating to the directors’ remuneration and that of the 
Group’s key management personnel during the year ended 30 June 2019, see the Remuneration Report, which starts on page 45 of 
this Annual Report and is incorporated into this corporate governance statement by reference.

In addition to the disclosures contained in the Remuneration Report, it should be noted that the Board is keen to encourage equity 
holdings in the Company by employees with a view to aligning staff and shareholder interests. Many employees have participated 
(and continue to participate) in the various equity plans offered by the Company, and the directors believe that, historically, this has 
contributed significantly to the Group’s success.

35 

Computershare Annual Report 2019CORPORATE GOVERNANCE STATEMENT8.  ANNUAL REVIEW OF BOARD AND GROUP MANAGEMENT PERFORMANCE

The Board’s performance is regularly reviewed by the directors of the Company as a whole. These reviews are undertaken in an open 
manner each time the Board meets in person. There is a standing agenda item at each in-person Board meeting for directors to be 
given an opportunity to discuss any concerns they may have with the Board’s and its Committees’ performance as well as any steps 
that can be taken to maintain their effectiveness.

Directors also completed questionnaires relating to Board and Committee performance during the reporting period and the Board and 
relevant Committee then reviewed and discussed the responses. The directors believe that this process works well for its size and 
composition.

The process for evaluating the performance of individual directors is an informal one. The Chairman is responsible for engaging directly 
with directors on any individual performance concerns. Directors are able to raise concerns they might have with an individual director’s 
performance directly with the Chairman.

The Board annually reviews the Chief Executive Officer’s performance while the Chief Executive Officer annually reviews the performance 
of the other members of Group management against their KPIs for the year. This review process results in each member of Group 
management receiving a proposed numerical rating which determines their short-term incentive outcomes for the year. The proposed 
rating given to each member of Group management is then reviewed by the Human Resources and Remuneration Committee.

9.  IDENTIFYING AND MANAGING BUSINESS RISKS

The Business Strategies and Prospects section of this Annual Report contains a summary of Computershare’s approach to managing 
risk within the organisation.

In respect of the reporting period, the Board received a report from the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer that 
confirms, among other things, the following:
 > The ‘Declaration to the Board of Directors of Computershare Limited’, a copy of which is included in this Annual Report (see 

page 122) as required by section 295A of the Corporations Act 2001, is founded on a sound risk management and internal control 
system that is operating effectively in all material respects in relation to financial reporting risks

 > The Group’s material business risks have been managed effectively

The Risk and Audit Committee also undertook a review of the Group’s risk management framework during the reporting period and 
was satisfied that it remained sound.

10.  DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

This summary outlines our progress during FY2019 and covers our focus areas for FY2020. 

Progress during FY2019

At a global level we have made some good progress on our D&I initiatives across the board, after the creation of our three-year 
strategic plan in FY2018. We reached a number of significant milestones in the past 12 months:
 > Appointed a global Head of People to champion and coordinate all People-related initiatives across the business
 > Rolled out our three-year D&I strategy with repeated communications to all employees
 > Made significant progress on achieving a better gender balance at senior levels, including new faces in Technology, Issuer Services, 

the global management team and on the Computershare Limited Board

 > Recruited from diverse backgrounds for our Edinburgh Global Technology Centre
 > Announced our ‘Being Purple’ ways of working, which came into effect on 1 July, that clearly communicate our corporate culture 

and outline how we expect people to work on our priorities and associated goals

 > Completed a number of talent development programs around the globe and will build on these via our new global People team
 > Increased the online learning and development opportunities for all staff, including in D&I, and will continue to do so in the coming 

financial year

 > Undertook multiple communications and events to reinforce our D&I agenda

We continue to make progress on our local D&I initiatives, with the UK, Australia and the US (the countries with the largest employee 
populations) engaged in the most specific and notable programs to drive change.

In the US:
 > In February 2019, Computershare’s Women4Women group (W4W) held their first summit in Broomfield, Colorado. The W4W 

network was launched last year to support the career development of women within Computershare North America, and to offer 
them a range of opportunities for mentoring and professional growth. The network aims to increase awareness of the specific 
challenges women encounter in the workplace

 > The local D&I committee in the US kick-started initiatives such as Diversity Month, Black History Month and Pride Month, sharing 

stories and resources with fellow employees

In the UK:
 > In Edinburgh, we have worked with the consultancy Women Returners, which supports women getting back to work after a career 
break. We have recruited three highly skilled women in our Technology department as part of the drive, all of whom have decided to 
stay with the company after their initial trial period

 36 

In Australia:
 > Developed in partnership with DDI (a global leadership consultancy), the Women in Leadership program kicked off in November 2018 

in Australia with 27 participants. It consists of seven modules designed to unleash the confidence and potential of female leaders

 > The Men as Allies module focused on understanding and reflecting on the actions we can take to improve the current state of 
women in leadership. The module was presented to the male managers of participants in the Women in Leadership program 

 > The Propel program was also launched recently to equip people to pursue senior and executive management roles – seven out of 

the first cohort of fifteen were women

Focus for FY2020

With the creation of a global People team, dedicated resources will be assigned to the D&I agenda in the very near future, further 
increasing the focus on our objectives and associated actions. The additional allocated resources will drive positive outcomes for our 
D&I objectives across the business. 

We will also look to re-form the D&I Champions network globally, to align with our transition to global business lines.

Feedback on Measurable Objectives

Objectives

Measurement

Update

1.  Roll out our global 

strategic plan for D&I. 

Plan including metrics to 
be communicated to all 
employees by the end of 
2018.

The plan was completed, signed off by global management and rolled out 
to employees before the end of 2018. It was one of our most widely read 
communications and we have had positive feedback from employees as a 
result. 

Feedback to be evaluated 
from scores in the annual 
global employee survey.

2.  Evaluate employee 

opinion of 
Computershare’s 
progress towards greater 
diversity and inclusion, 
with the aim of increasing 
scores.

On going communications have reinforced the plan. 

We asked five questions related to D&I in our annual employee survey. 
Results from the survey completed December 2018 are as follows, 
showing a continued slight upward trend across the 8531 participants.
 > Computershare is progressing towards greater diversity & inclusion –  

up to 7.33 in 2018 from 7.07 in 2017

 > Computershare offers everyone an equal opportunity to progress –  

up to 6.70 from 6.56

 > Computershare respects individuals and values their differences –  

up to 7.43 from 7.13

 > People are made to feel included and valued within my workplace at 

Computershare – up to 6.78 from 6.61

 > There are opportunities to develop my career at Computershare –  

up to 6.28 from 6.19

Four new questions related to D&I were introduced in the 2018 survey, 
scores of which will be compared against those we receive in 2019’s survey.  
 > My manager works effectively with people with different views and from 

different backgrounds – 7.67 in 2018 

 > In my team we reflect on our learnings and use them to improve the way 

we work – 7.57 in 2018

 > My manager seeks out different perspectives from team members to 

help solve problems – 7.40 in 2018 

 > It’s safe to speak up in my area and challenge the way things are done – 

7.08 in 2018 

3.  Work towards our goal of 
a minimum 30% female 
representation at senior 
levels (Direct reports 
of CEO and Company 
Executive) by 2020.

To be measured using 
statistics from our 
employee records.

We’ve made significant progress on achieving a better gender balance 
at senior levels, including with new faces in Technology, Issuer Services, 
the global management team and on the Computershare Limited Board. 
Please see the table below for details. 

4.  Increase the amount 
of flexible working 
arrangements in place 
across the company.

To be measured using 
statistics from our 
employee records.

During FY2019 we agreed a consistent definition of ‘formal flexible working 
arrangements’ across the various regions.  We are working towards 
capturing the associated data in line with the overall global People data 
strategy. 

We continue to see an increase in formal flexible working arrangements, 
with additional countries and offices embracing the concept.  

37 

Computershare Annual Report 2019CORPORATE GOVERNANCE STATEMENTObjectives

Measurement

Update

5.  Maintain the number of 
women returning from 
maternity leave at 80%+. 
Additionally, measure and 
report on the retention of 
these women in the three 
years after return.

Gender diversity statistics

To be measured using 
statistics from our 
employee records.

We have seen a dip in the percentage of females returning from maternity 
leave, with 72% of women due to return from maternity leave in FY2019 
doing so compared to 85% last FY. We do not have solid data for this drop 
as it is not compulsory for people to tell us why they are not returning. 

More than 73% of females who returned from maternity leave in FY16 
(3 years ago) remain employed with Computershare. This represents an 
increase of 13% year on year.

The table below includes data on global gender statistics at a global level at 30 June 2019. Observations include:
 > Female representation on the CPU Board is now at 38% due to the planned retirement of a board member
 > The proportion of females as a percentage of overall staff has not changed year on year and remains at 54%
 > The percentage of females in executive ranks has increased year on year by 2.8%
 > The percentage of female direct reports to the CEO has increased year on year by 6%
 > The number of females holding senior positions (direct report to CEO and Co Execs respectively) in Australia and NZ has doubled
 > Senior female representation in the US has increased significantly

Board (inc. CEO)

Direct reports of CEO

Company Executive

Senior Manager

Manager

Other

Total

Data valid as at 30 June 2019. 

F

3

3

34

180

642

5,901

6,763

M

5

15

81

312

694

4,672

5,779

F%

38%

17%

30%

37%

37%

56%

54%

M%

63%

83%

70%

63%

63%

44%

46%

Total

8

18

115

492

1,336

10,573

12,542

Change to 
Female %

-

+

+

-

-

=

=

Company Executive means a person reporting to a direct report of the CEO. Senior Manager means a person reporting to a Company 
Executive.

FY2020 focus areas and objectives

Objective

Measurement

1.  Champion realignment: Realign our previously regional champion 
system to a global structure. We aim to do this by the end of 
December 2019. This will go hand in hand with appointing a D&I 
Manager early in 2020. 

2.  Strategy: Drive the execution of our three-year D&I strategy through 
our global business lines, with the realigned champions group and 
dedicated D&I Manager.

3.  Training: Further extend the D&I training available via our Learning 
Management System and Performance Management toolkit, with 
the aim of continuing to raise awareness and improvements in key 
outcomes in line with our D&I strategy.

Successful realignment of champion structure. D&I 
Manager role advertised and appointed. 

Successful delivery of relevant components of strategy.

To be measured using statistics from our Learning 
Management System records.

4.  Communication: Continue to deliver regular, quality D&I related 

communications across all staff.

To be measured using reporting from our internal 
communications reporting system, along with feedback 
from our employee survey.

5.  Reporting: Continue to develop the D&I reporting available across all 

data categories in line with the global People data strategy.

Delivery of global, accurate D&I data points to support 
strategy work.

Our D&I Policy is available from http://www.computershare.com/governance.

 38 

11.  WORKPLACE GENDER EQUALITY REPORT

In each country in which Computershare operates, the company complies with legislated diversity reporting requirements. In Australia, 
Computershare met its reporting requirements under the Federal Government’s Workplace Gender Equality Act 2012, including 
submitting an annual public report on 5 June 2019.

A copy of this report is available from http://www.computershare.com/governance. Any comments regarding this report can be 
submitted via email to the following address: wgea.comments@computershare.com.au.

12.  SECURITIES TRADING POLICY

The Company has a Securities Trading Policy in place which sets out the restrictions that apply to the Group’s directors, officers and 
employees trading in Computershare securities.

The policy explains the insider trading laws as they relate to trading in Computershare securities and the securities of Computershare’s 
clients. It also sets out the penalties that apply to insider trading offences under the Corporations Act 2001 and makes clear that 
Computershare adopts a zero-tolerance approach to breaches of insider trading laws.

The policy imposes additional restrictions on dealings in Computershare securities by Computershare directors and certain specified 
executives (designated persons). These designated persons may deal in Computershare securities during the four week period after 
the Company releases its half year and full year financial results, and after the date on which its Annual General Meeting is held, subject 
always to the laws on insider trading.

In addition, these designated persons may only deal in Computershare securities outside those specified four week trading windows 
with an express prior clearance by a nominated director. During certain prohibited periods, being the period between 15 December 
and the Company’s release of its half year results and the period between 15 June and the Company’s release of its full year results, 
and such other periods as may be determined by the Board from time to time, clearance to deal can only be given in exceptional 
circumstances.

Under the policy, designated persons are also prohibited from entering into an arrangement pursuant to which they seek to hedge the 
economic risk associated with an unvested incentive award made to them by Computershare.

The list of designated persons is set out in Schedule 1 of the Securities Trading Policy. It is reviewed and updated as appropriate, 
having regard to any changes in the structure of or the creation of new roles within Group management. An up-to-date copy of the 
Board-approved Securities Trading Policy is available from http://www.computershare.com/governance.

13.  CORPORATE REPORTING

The Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer have made a Declaration to the Board of Directors in respect of the year ended 
30 June 2019, as detailed on page 122 of this Annual Report. The Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer also provided an 
equivalent statement to the Directors in respect of the Company’s half year report for the period ended 31 December 2018.

14.  CONFLICT OF INTEREST AND INDEPENDENT ADVICE

If a director has an actual or potential conflict of interest in a matter under consideration by the Board or a Committee of the Board, 
that director must promptly disclose that conflict of interest and abstain from deliberations on the matter. In that circumstance, the 
director is not permitted to exercise any influence over other Board members or Committee members on that issue, nor receive 
relevant Board or Committee papers.

The Company permits any director or Committee of the Board to obtain external advice about transactions or matters of concern 
at the Company’s cost. Directors seeking independent advice must obtain the approval of the Chairman, who is required to act 
reasonably in deciding whether the request is appropriate.

15.  ETHICAL STANDARDS

Computershare recognises the need for directors and employees to perform to the highest standards of behaviour and business 
ethics. The Board has adopted a Code of Conduct that sets out the principles and standards with which all officers and employees are 
expected to comply as they perform their respective functions. The Code recognises the legal and other obligations that the Company 
has to legitimate stakeholders, and requires that directors, officers and employees maintain the highest standards of propriety and act 
in accordance with the law.

A copy of the Group’s Board-approved Code of Conduct is available from the corporate governance section of  
http://www.computershare.com/governance.

39 

Computershare Annual Report 2019CORPORATE GOVERNANCE STATEMENT16.  SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS AND INVESTOR RELATIONS

Computershare has an investor relations program in place with the aim of facilitating effective communication between Computershare 
and its investors. A key feature of this program is to ensure that shareholders are notified of, or are otherwise able to access, information 
necessary to assess Computershare’s performance. Information is communicated to shareholders through the following means:
 > The Annual Report, which is distributed to all shareholders who elect to receive it. An overview of the previous financial year is also 

included in the Notice of AGM that all shareholders receive.

 > The AGM and any other shareholder meetings called from time to time to obtain shareholder approval as required. In 2017 and 

2018, the Company conducted its AGM as a hybrid meeting which provided an opportunity for shareholders to attend the meeting 
via an online platform. Attending the meeting online enabled shareholders to view the AGM live and to also ask questions and cast 
direct votes at the appropriate times whilst the meeting was in progress.

 > The Company’s website, which contains information regarding the Company and the Group and its corporate governance 

framework. The Investor Relations section of the website also includes information released to the ASX, a copy of investor and 
analyst briefing documentation, press releases and webcasts.

 > By email to those shareholders who have supplied their email address for the purpose of receiving communications from the 

Company electronically. Computershare actively encourages shareholders to provide an email address to facilitate more timely and 
effective communication with them and runs campaigns from time to time to encourage greater email adoption.

Computershare also encourages shareholders to participate in the Company’s AGM. Shareholders who are unable to attend and vote 
in person at the meeting are encouraged to vote electronically via Computershare’s service known as InvestorVote, where they can 
view an electronic version of the voting form and accompanying materials and submit their votes. Computershare also encourages 
shareholders who are unable to attend the AGM to communicate any issues or questions by writing to the Company.

17.  COMMITMENT TO AN INFORMED MARKET RELATING TO COMPUTERSHARE SECURITIES

The Board has a Market Disclosure Policy to ensure the fair and timely disclosure of price-sensitive information to the investment 
community as required by applicable law.

In order to effectively manage its continuous disclosure obligations, the Chief Executive Officer has established a Disclosure Committee 
which is responsible for the following matters:
 > considering what information needs to be released to the market by Computershare, although routine administrative announcements 

may be made by the Company Secretary without consulting the Disclosure Committee

 > ensuring announcements relating to significant matters are referred to the Board for consideration and approval, namely 

announcements relating to the Company’s half and full year financial reports, financial projections and future financial performance as 
well as changes to the Group’s policy or strategy

 > approving the disclosure of information to the market for matters not referred to the Board
 > implementing adequate systems for ensuring timely disclosure of material information to the market, including where such 

information needs to be released urgently

The Disclosure Committee consists of the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Head of Investor Relations, and the 
Group General Counsel and Company Secretary. Where the urgency of an issue, which under the policy is to be referred to the Board, 
prevents its consideration by the full Board, an announcement relating to that issue may be approved for release to the market by all 
available directors in conjunction with the Disclosure Committee.

Further, in circumstances where it is considered appropriate to request a trading halt (for example, where Computershare is required to 
disclose information to the market, but for whatever reason is unable to do so promptly and without delay) the Chief Executive Officer, 
or if the Chief Executive Officer is unavailable, the Chairman, the Chair of the Risk and Audit Committee or the Chief Financial Officer is 
authorised to request a trading halt on behalf of the Company. The full Board is to be consulted as far as is practicable on any request 
for a trading halt.

A copy of the Board-approved Market Disclosure Policy is available from the corporate governance section of  
http://www.computershare.com/governance.

18.  EXTERNAL AUDITORS

The Company’s policy is to appoint external auditors who demonstrate professional ability and independence. The auditor’s 
performance is reviewed annually.

PricewaterhouseCoopers were appointed as the external auditors in May 2002. Audit services have been put out to tender since their 
initial appointment.

PricewaterhouseCoopers normally rotates audit engagement partners on listed companies every five years. It is also 
PricewaterhouseCoopers’ policy to provide an annual declaration of independence, a copy of which can be found on page 62 of 
this Annual Report. The external auditor is required to attend the Company’s Annual General Meeting and be available to answer 
shareholder questions about the conduct of the audit and the preparation of the content of the audit report, the accounting policies 
adopted by the Company in relation to the preparation of the financial statements and the independence of the auditor in relation to the 
conduct of the audit.

An analysis of fees paid to the external auditors, including a breakdown of fees for non-audit services, is provided in the Directors’ 
Report (see page 61 of this Annual Report).

 40 

19.  INTERNAL AUDITORS

Computershare has a dedicated Group Internal Audit function. The function is led by the Group Head of Internal Audit who has a 
reporting line to the Chair of the Risk and Audit Committee. Group Internal Audit is authorised to audit all areas of the Computershare 
Group without the need for prior approval. In carrying out its responsibilities, it has full and unrestricted access to all records, property, 
functions, IT systems and staff in the Group.

Each financial year, the function develops an annual audit plan which is approved by the Risk and Audit Committee. The function’s 
key responsibilities are to review and appraise the adequacy, design and effectiveness of the Group’s system of internal controls and 
evaluate and improve the effectiveness of risk management, control and governance processes and to identify control gaps.

On completion of audit assignments, Internal Audit will issue written reports which are distributed to management and communicated to 
the Risk and Audit Committee. Where the report identifies specific findings and recommendations, the report will include an action plan 
from management to implement appropriate corrective action within specific timeframes which are actively monitored. All internal audits 
are conducted in accordance with the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing.

In FY2019, an assessment of the Internal Audit function was undertaken by an independent third party in accordance with IIA standards. 
Their report concluded that the function was operating effectively and in compliance with the requirements of IIA standards in all material 
respects.

20.  WHISTLEBLOWING

The Board has approved a Whistleblower Policy that specifically outlines procedures for dealing with allegations of improper conduct 
made by directors, officers or employees of the Company or parties external to Computershare. Concerns can be raised anonymously 
in a number of ways, including through an externally managed hotline and web portal, or by directly contacting designated regional 
Whistleblower officers. Any reported concerns are assessed and handled by these regional Whistleblower officers. The Group 
Whistleblower Officer also provides quarterly reports to the Group Risk and Audit Committee on any concerns reported over the period 
and more serious matters may be escalated to the Committee within a reporting period where appropriate.

All Computershare employees have received training about the Company’s Whistleblower Policy, including how to detect and report 
improper conduct. A copy of the Whistleblower Policy is available from http://www.computershare.com/whistleblowing.

21.  CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY

For details relating to the Company’s corporate responsibility initiatives, see pages 17 to 22 of this Annual Report.

A copy of the Board-approved Corporate Responsibility Policy is also available from the corporate governance section of  
http://www.computershare.com/governance.

22.  HEALTH AND SAFETY

Computershare aims to provide and maintain a safe and healthy work environment. Computershare acts to meet this commitment by 
implementing work practices and procedures throughout the Group that comply with the relevant regulations governing workplaces 
in each country in which the Group operates. Employees are expected to take all practical measures to ensure a safe and healthy 
working environment, in keeping with their defined responsibilities and applicable laws.

23.  COMPANY SECRETARY

The Company Secretary during the reporting period was Dominic Horsley. Under Computershare’s Constitution, the appointment and 
removal of the Company Secretary is a matter for the Board.

Among other matters, the Company Secretary advises the Board on governance procedures and supports their effectiveness by 
monitoring Board policy and procedures, coordinating the completion and dispatch of Board meeting agendas and papers, and 
assisting with the induction of new Directors. The Company Secretary is accountable to the Board, through the Chairman, for these 
responsibilities.

Dominic Horsley joined the Company in June 2006, having previously practised law at one of Asia Pacific’s leading law firms and 
worked as a Corporate Counsel with a major listed Australian software and services supplier. Dominic completed a Bachelor of Arts 
(Hons) in Economics at the University of Cambridge and completed his legal studies at the College of Law in London. Dominic is also 
the Group General Counsel of Computershare and is a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia.

All directors have access to the advice and services of the Company Secretary.

41 

Computershare Annual Report 2019CORPORATE GOVERNANCE STATEMENTDIRECTORS’ REPORT 

The Board of Directors of Computershare Limited has pleasure in submitting its report for the financial year ended 30 June 2019.

DIRECTORS

The names of the directors of the Company in office during the whole year and up to the date of this report, unless otherwise  
indicated, are:

Non-executive

Simon David Jones (Chairman)

Abigail Pip Cleland

Tiffany Lee Fuller

Lisa Mary Gay

Penelope Jane Maclagan (resigned effective 14 November 2018)

Christopher John Morris

Arthur Leslie Owen (resigned effective 14 November 2018)

Paul Joseph Reynolds (appointed effective 5 October 2018)

Joseph Mark Velli 

Executive

Stuart James Irving (President and Chief Executive Officer)

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES 

The principal activities of the Group are outlined in the Group Operating Review set out on pages 25 to 26 and form part of this report.

CONSOLIDATED PROFIT

The profit of the consolidated entity for the financial year was $419.0 million after income tax. Net profit attributable to members of the 
parent entity was $415.7 million, which represents an increase of 38.5% on the previous year’s result of $300.1 million. Profit of the 
consolidated entity for the financial year after management adjustment items was $381.4 million after income tax and non-controlling 
interests. This represents an increase of 10.6% on the 2018 result of $344.7 million.

Net profit after management adjustment items is determined as follows:

Net profit attributable to members of the parent entity  

Management adjustment items (net of tax):

Amortisation

Amortisation of intangible assets

Acquisitions and disposals

Gain on disposal of Karvy

Acquisition and disposal related expenses

One-off tax expense on Equatex IP restructure

Acquisition accounting adjustments

One-off accrual regime tax payable due to acquisition of Equatex

Tax on expected disposal of Karvy

Other

Major restructuring costs

Impairment charge – investments in associates

Restatement of deferred tax balances due to US tax law changes

Marked to market adjustments - derivatives

Put option liability re-measurement

True-up of US tax reform impact on foreign subsidiary profits

Restatement of deferred tax balances due to US tax reform

Voucher Services impairment 

Net profit after management adjustment items 

2019
$000

2018
$000

415,732

300,064

40,074

37,005

(106,442)

13,575

5,801

713

-

-

14,791

13,511

(12,819)

(3,053)

(1,672)

1,153

-

-

-

5,413

-

7,606

5,244

3,777

13,376

-

-

(296)

13,577

-

(44,692)

3,621

381,364

344,695

 42 

 
Management adjustment items 

Management results are used, along with other measures, to assess operating business performance. The Group believes that 
exclusion of certain items permits better analysis of the Group’s performance on a comparative basis and provides a better measure of 
underlying operating performance. Description of management adjustment items can be found in note 4 of the financial statements.

The non-IFRS financial information contained within this Directors’ report has not been audited in accordance with the Australian 
Auditing Standards.

DIVIDENDS

The following dividends of the consolidated entity have been paid or declared since the end of the preceding financial year:

Ordinary shares

A final dividend in respect of the year ended 30 June 2018 was declared on 15 August 2018 and paid on 17 September 2018. This 
was a fully franked ordinary dividend of AU 21 cents per share, amounting to AUD 113,998,579 ($81,820,636).

An interim dividend was declared on 13 February 2019 and paid on 15 March 2019. This was an ordinary dividend of AU 21 cents  
per share franked to 30%, amounting to AUD 113,963,249 ($81,795,279).

A final dividend in respect of the year ended 30 June 2019 was declared by the directors of the Company on 14 August 2019 and paid 
on 16 September 2019. This was an ordinary dividend of AU 23 cents per share, franked to 30%. As the dividend was not declared 
until 14 August 2019, a provision was not recognised as at 30 June 2019.

REVIEW OF OPERATIONS 

The review of operations is outlined in the Group Operating Review set out on pages 25 to 26 and forms part of this report. 

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS AND SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN ACTIVITIES

A discussion of significant events and significant changes in activities, if applicable, is included in the Group Operating Review set out 
on pages 25 to 26 and forms part of this report.

In the opinion of the directors, there were no other significant changes in the affairs of the consolidated entity during the financial year 
under review that are not otherwise disclosed in this report or the consolidated accounts.

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS AFTER YEAR END

No other matters or circumstances have arisen since the end of the financial year which is not otherwise dealt with in this report or in 
the consolidated financial statements that has significantly affected or may significantly affect the operations of the consolidated entity, 
the results of those operations, or the state of affairs of the consolidated entity in subsequent financial years. 

LIKELY DEVELOPMENTS AND FUTURE RESULTS

A discussion of business strategies and prospects is set out on pages 27 to 28 and forms part of this report.

ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS

The Computershare Group is not subject to significant environmental regulation.

INFORMATION ON DIRECTORS

The qualifications, experience and responsibilities of directors together with details of all directorships of other listed companies held 
by a director in the three years to 30 June 2019 and any contracts to which the director is a party to under which they are entitled to a 
benefit are outlined in the Corporate Governance Statement and form part of this report.

43 

DIRECTORS’ REPORT Computershare Annual Report 2019Directors’ interests

At the date of this report, the direct and indirect interests of the directors in the securities of the Company are:

Name

SJ Irving

AP Cleland

TL Fuller

LM Gay

SD Jones

CJ Morris

PJ Reynolds

JM Velli

Meetings of directors

Number of ordinary shares

Number of performance rights

171,396

11,944

5,500

13,703

23,267

32,231,000

-

10,000

220,334

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

The number of meetings of the Board of Directors (and of Board Committees) and the number of meetings attended by each of the 
directors during the financial year were:

Directors’
Meetings

Risk and Audit  
Committee Meetings 

Nomination  
Committee Meetings 

Human Resources  
and Remuneration  
Committee Meetings 

A

6

6

6

6

6

2

6

2

5

6

B

6

6

6

6

6

2

6

2

5

6

A

-

-

7

7

7

-

-

3

2

-

B

-

-

7

7

7

-

-

3

2

-

A

4

4

4

4

4

2

4

2

3

4

B

4

4

4

4

4

2

4

2

3

4

A

-

7

-

-

7

2

-

-

-

7

B

-

7

-

-

7

2

-

-

-

7

SJ Irving

AP Cleland

TL Fuller

LM Gay

SD Jones

PJ Maclagan1

CJ Morris

AL Owen1

PJ Reynolds2

JM Velli

A - Number of meetings attended

B - Number of meetings held during the time the director held office during the financial year.

1  PJ Maclagan and AL Owen resigned effective 14 November 2018.

2  PJ Reynolds was appointed as non-executive director on 5 October 2018

The Board also has an Acquisitions Committee comprising SD Jones, CJ Morris, JM Velli, SJ Irving and MB Davis (Chief Financial 
Officer). The Committee meets on an informal basis as necessary. Accordingly, it is not included in the above table. The Board also 
forms sub-committees to consider specific transaction opportunities as appropriate.

INFORMATION ON COMPANY SECRETARY

The qualifications, experience and responsibilities of the Company Secretary are outlined in the Corporate Governance Statement and 
form part of this report.

INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS

During the period, the Group paid an insurance premium to insure directors and executive officers of the Group and its controlled 
entities against certain liabilities. Disclosure of the amount of insurance premium payable and a summary of the nature of liabilities 
covered by the insurance contract is prohibited by the insurance policy.

 44 

REMUNERATION REPORT

CHAIRMEN’S LETTER

Dear Shareholders

On behalf of the Board of Directors, we are pleased to present Computershare’s Remuneration Report for FY2019.

Computershare is a truly global company with a global workforce. With around 90% of our colleagues and operations located outside 
of Australia, our remuneration practices need to be globally competitive. Our success depends on our ability to attract, motivate and 
retain a talented workforce and to create a strong link between company performance, shareholder returns and results based reward 
outcomes.

FY2019 company performance and link to remuneration

FY2019 was a good financial year for Computershare and your Board is pleased to see the groundwork laid in relation to our long term 
growth strategies translate into strong financial performance. Group management EBITDA exceeded budget and management EPS 
grew a further 12.8% on the record earnings result that was delivered in FY2018. These results underpinned above target outcomes on 
the financial component of the Short-Term Incentive (STI) scheme.

There was good progress made during the year on several of the key strategic objectives that the Board set for the CEO and the 
executive team. Most pleasing was to see organic revenue growth in the registry business, with our market leading offering contributing 
to net client wins over the year and net promoter scores at 50 or above across all regions. The Group’s structural cost out programs 
also delivered incremental cost savings in excess of initial FY2019 expectations. Your Board is also confident that the successful 
transition from a regional business structure to global business lines will improve customer focus and enhance strategic planning for 
new growth opportunities.

Two significant transactions also completed in FY2019. The Equatex acquisition has outperformed initial expectations and good 
progress has been made on adopting the platform across our combined European business. The disposal of our Indian joint venture 
interest with Karvy also resulted in significant post tax proceeds which supported the group’s capital management strategies.

Not all of the FY2019 strategic objectives delivered to plan, and slower than forecast origination volumes in the first half resulted in US 
Mortgage Services revenue and EBITDA being below plan and the delay in migrating third party loans onto the Computershare platform 
in the UK resulted in below target outcomes for management against each of those objectives.

Overall, FY2019 has been a good year with strong results delivered through sound execution and this has resulted in the CEO and 
other management receiving above target outcomes on their STI entitlements.

Importantly, Computershare’s focus on laying the foundations for sustained growth and execution on multi-year growth strategies has 
also resulted in strong shareholder returns with Computershare’s total shareholder returns over the three-year performance period for 
the Long Term Incentive (LTI) plan ending 30 June 2019 being in the top quartile of the ASX100.

Our response to the 2018 AGM strike

At the 2018 AGM, Computershare received a “first strike” against its remuneration report. While a majority of our shareholders voted in 
favour of the resolution to adopt the remuneration report, around 32% of the votes cast at the meeting were against.

Your Board treated this investor sentiment seriously and we committed to understand, and where we can, rectify these concerns. Since 
the meeting the Board has engaged extensively with shareholders and the Australian proxy advisers and the two key concerns raised 
during our engagement program were an increase in the CEO’s remuneration that came into effect in FY2019 and the costs associated 
with an expat arrangement we put in place so that our CEO was located in our major markets in the UK/Europe and US.  

We acknowledge that the increase in the CEO’s remuneration was significant, but your Board believed it was appropriate to ensure that 
Mr Irving was remunerated at a comparable rate to his peers. We believe that is now the case and can confirm that there has been no 
increase to his remuneration in FY2020. We can also confirm that the expat arrangements will conclude in March 2020 and Mr Irving has 
made a personal contribution to these costs of $200,000 (pre-tax) in FY2019.

Section 7 of the remuneration report provides a detailed overview of these matters and what steps we have taken to address the 
concerns raised or better explain our rationale for implementing the arrangements in question.

On the following pages you will find the FY2019 Remuneration Report in its entirety. We are pleased to engage with all shareholders 
should you require further clarification on anything in the report.

With regards

SD Jones
Chairman

45 

JM Velli
Chairman – Human Resources and Remuneration Committee

DIRECTORS’ REPORT Computershare Annual Report 20191. FY2019 PERFORMANCE AND REMUNERATION OUTCOMES

COMPUTERSHARE VS S&P ASX100 INDEX TSR

160.0%

120.0%

80.0%

40.0%

0.0%

Jul-16

-40.0%

Jul-17

Jul-18

Jul-19

CPU

ASX100

Alignment of FY19 remuneration outcomes to performance

TOTAL SHAREHOLDER 
RETURN (TSR) FY17-FY19

84%

FY19 EPS  
GROWTH*

12.8%

AVERAGE EPS  
GROWTH FY17-FY19*

10.2%

*EPS growth on constant currency basis

LTI

STI

Aligns executive rewards with  
long-term sustainable value creation  
for shareholders

Reflects performance across the year 
and designed to reward management for 
achieving financial targets, delivering on 
strategic objectives and managing the 
business in a prudent and sustainable 
manner

Fixed

Designed to be competitive in the 
market where the executive is located

Computershare TSR generated across the 3-year performance period 
ending 30 June 2019 generated top quartile returns for shareholders.

Sustainable earnings growth in each year of the performance period 
resulted in average annual growth in earnings per share (constant currency) 
of more than 10%. 

See page 51 for detailed LTI outcomes.

Computershare delivered a second successive year of record earnings  
growth which translated into above target outcomes against financial metrics.

There was solid performance against the majority of strategic and other  
non-financial objectives over the year.

For executive KMP, STI outcomes varied between 62.5% and 85.5%  
of maximum entitlement.

See pages 49 to 50 for detailed STI outcomes for the CEO.

The adjustment to the CEO’s fixed pay announced in the FY2018 
remuneration report came into effect in FY2019. This was an adjustment 
to bring the CEO’s pay to around the median of his peer group (being 
companies ranked in the ASX 25-75).

Increases in fixed pay for other executive KMP were in line with general staff 
pay increases or adjusted to include changes in responsibilities during the 
year arising from the Group’s restructure.

 46 

2. REMUNERATION STRATEGY AND FRAMEWORK

Given Computershare is a truly global company with a global workforce, our remuneration practices need to be globally competitive 
and flexible to attract, motivate and retain a talented workforce, and to drive success in our growth markets.

The Board is satisfied that the remuneration framework for executives achieves these objectives. The Board and the Human Resources 
and Remuneration Committee review the framework on an ongoing basis. No significant changes were made to the key elements of 
the framework in FY2019 and neither are any anticipated in FY2020 except for the change to the CEO’s remuneration mix highlighted in 
section 3.

Performance conditions

Remuneration strategy and link to performance

Fixed 

Fixed pay for individuals is set by reference to:

Includes fixed pay 
and company paid 
superannuation / 
pension 

 > The scope of the role

 > The skills and experience of the individual 

 > The employment market in which the individual 

is located

 > Market benchmarking data

Designed to be competitive in the local employment market 
where an executive is based and to support the attraction and 
retention of a talented executive team.

STI

A variable at risk 
incentive calculated 
by reference 
to current year 
performance

Financial measures – comprise 50% of the STI 
opportunity for the CEO and CFO and are based on:
 > Group management EBITDA performance against 

budget on a constant currency basis

Performance measures are designed to reward executives for 
strong financial performance outcomes in the year as well as to 
ensure that management are incentivised to deliver on strategic 
priorities which generate shareholder value over the longer term.

The management adjustment items applied to determine 
Group management EBITDA and management EPS for the 
purposes of the STI financial objectives are set out in note 4 
of the financial statements. The Board reviews management 
adjustment items for appropriateness for their inclusion in 
remuneration outcomes. 

Growth in management EPS is assessed on a constant 
currency basis such that the impact of the movement in 
foreign exchange on group earnings over the reporting 
period is eliminated. The Board believes that rewarding 
management against financial targets assessed on a constant 
currency provides a better correlation between management 
performance and their remuneration outcomes.

The delivery of 50% of STI awards in deferred shares ensures 
that the value of that portion of the executive’s variable 
incentive is linked to the longer-term success of the company 
as shares cannot be accessed until the end of the two-year 
vesting period. Shares are also subject to forfeiture in certain 
circumstances within the vesting period – for example, if the 
executive is dismissed for misconduct.

 > Growth in management EPS over the year on a 

constant currency basis

Strategic objectives – comprise 25% of the STI 
opportunity for the CEO and CFO and are set 
each year by the Board based on the key strategic 
objectives for the Group. 

Non-financial measures – comprise 25% of 
the STI opportunity for the CEO and CFO and 
are aligned to priorities around people and 
culture, customer satisfaction and capital and risk 
management.

The maximum STI award that can be achieved by 
the CEO and CFO is 150% of on-target STI, with 
50% of the STI award being paid in cash and the 
remaining 50% being paid in equity with a deferred 
vesting period of two years.

For other senior executives, STI outcomes are 
based on the same Group EPS measures as the 
CEO and CFO and an EBITDA measure related 
to the executive’s area of responsibility. Other 
non-financial measures are set for those executives 
by the CEO. Up to 175% of the on-target STI 
can be awarded to these other executives, with 
50% of the STI award being paid in cash and the 
remaining 50% being paid in equity with a deferred 
vesting period of two years (assuming on target 
performance).

LTI

Awards of 
performance rights 
that vest at the 
end of a three-year 
performance period 
subject to testing 
against applicable 
hurdles 

50% of each award is subject to a hurdle 
tested against the average annual growth in 
management EPS over the performance period on 
a constant currency basis.

The other 50% of each award is subject to a hurdle 
tested against the TSR of Computershare’s 
shares against the TSR of the companies within 
the ASX 100 index at the start of the performance 
period.

Full details of each performance hurdle are set out in 
section 5 of the report.

The LTI plan is designed to incentivise executives to manage 
the business in a manner that drives sustainable growth in 
shareholder value.

The Board has chosen to compare the TSR of Computershare 
against the ASX 100 index as it believes that there is not a 
narrow comparator group of companies that are listed on 
exchanges globally with which Computershare can readily 
compare itself. The use of a TSR hurdle aligns the long-term 
remuneration outcomes of executives with the investment 
performance of shareholders.

The use of management EPS as an additional hurdle means 
that executive rewards are underpinned by strong financial 
performance and not entirely reliant on share price performance 
and associated market forces. Consistent with the STI, constant 
currency is also used as it provides a better correlation between 
management performance and remuneration outcomes.

47 

DIRECTORS’ REPORT Computershare Annual Report 20193. CEO TARGET REMUNERATION MIX

The Board reviewed the target remuneration mix for the CEO in FY2019 and identified that more of Mr Irving’s at risk remuneration 
should be focused on the long-term. Laying down and executing long-term growth strategies has been the key to our recent success 
and outperformance. Accordingly, for FY2020 a portion of Mr Irving’s short-term incentive opportunity equal to $310,000 will be moved 
into the long term incentive opportunity. This is depicted below (based on on-target remuneration):

FY19

30%

15%

15%

40%

FY20

30%

12.5%

12.5%

45%

   FIXED

   STI CASH

   DEFERRED STI (EQUITY)

   LTD (EQUITY)

4. KEY FEATURES OF THE LONG TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

Who participates?

The CEO and CFO and other senior executives who are identified as being particularly important to the  
longer-term future of Computershare.

What type of awards 
are granted?

The awards comprise a grant of performance rights over Computershare shares that vest subject to testing 
against applicable performance hurdles. Awards are typically made annually.

How is the size 
of any award 
calculated?

How is the number 
or rights to be 
awarded calculated

An LTI award is calculated by reference to an executives on-target remuneration package. In FY2019, the CEO 
received an LTI award equal to 40% of his total remuneration package. 

For other eligible executives, the value of their LTI award was in a range of 25% to 40% of their total 
remuneration package. 

The actual number of performance rights that an eligible executive receives is calculated on a ‘face-value’ basis 
by dividing that executive’s LTI award entitlement by Computershare’s share price. 

For a grant of performance rights in a given financial year, the share price used is the volume weighted average 
share price over the five trading days after the full year results announcement for the prior financial year. 

What is the 
performance period

LTI awards are tested over a three year performance period. Awards granted in FY2019 will be tested over the 
period 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2021.

What are the 
performance hurdles 

Earnings per share

Average growth in management adjusted EPS in 
constant currency over the performance period

Performance rights subject to EPS hurdle that vest (%)

12% or greater

Between 5% and 12%

5%

Less than 5%

100%

Progressive pro rata vesting between 50% to 100% (ie. on a 
straight line basis)

50%

0%

Note that for LTI awards granted in FY2017 and FY2018, the average growth in management EPS required for 100% of performance rights 
to vest is 15% pa.

Total Shareholder Return

Relative TSR ranking against peer group  
(comprising the ASX 100)

Performance rights subject to TSR hurdle that vest (%)

At or above the 75th percentile

100%

Between the 50th to 75th percentile

Equal to the 50th percentile

Below the 50th percentile

Progressive pro rata vesting between 50% to 100% (ie. on a 
straight line basis)

50%

0%

Other key features

The Board has discretion to determine award outcomes for executives in certain circumstances such as 
cessation of employment or a change of control and also to cash settle awards on vesting if local regulations 
or practices make it appropriate to do so. 

The LTI plan also includes a clawback mechanism that may be triggered in certain circumstances, which 
include fraud, dishonesty or material misstatement of financial statements. 

 48 

As at the date of this report, there are 1.0 million performance rights outstanding under the LTI plan. These include 542,528 
performance rights that were granted to eligible executives in the financial year 2019 and which remain on issue. These rights are due 
to vest in September 2021 (subject to performance against hurdles).  

5. FY2019 STI OUTCOMES 

In FY2019, the Board’s assessment of the CEO’s performance against his STI objectives was as follows:

Objective

Measure

Performance

Board assessment 
of outcome in 
FY2019

Financial

50% of STI  
(on target)

Group management EBITDA 
performance against budget 
(constant currency)

 > Group management EBITDA was $685.9 million 

 Above target

which was ahead of budget and 10.2% up on the 
prior year

On-target performance is meeting 
budget and maximum is achieved 
when actual results are 120% of 
budget

Growth in Management EPS 
(constant currency)

On-target performance is 7.5% 
EPS growth with maximum 
achieved at 11.25% EPS growth

Performance of Computershare’s 
US mortgage services business 
against long-term plan

Strategic  
Objectives

25% of STI  
(on target)

Delivery on the Equatex 
acquisition integration plan

Progress of the UK loan services 
business on new revenue 
initiatives and cost out program

 > FY2019 Management EPS on a constant currency 
basis was 71.46 cents per share which was an 
increase of 12.8% on FY2018

 At maximum

 Below target

At maximum

Below target

 > Slower than forecast origination volumes in the first 
half of FY2019 resulted in US mortgage services  
revenue and EBITDA being below plan across the 
year 

 > However, overall the business performed well in 
volatile interest rate markets, revenue up 18.0%, 
with acceleration in the second half of FY2019, 
+23.9% aided by LenderLive acquisition

 > Unpaid principal balance (UPB) up 25.7% to 
$101.8bn, carefully building additional scale 

 > Equatex outperforming initial expectations with 
a strong initial contribution in the second half of 
FY2019

 > Platform and broader integration program 
progressing well. Significant upgrade to 
technologies, capabilities and scale. Synergy 
benefits on track

 > Delivered positive revenue growth, +3.7% despite 
runoff of UKAR closed book (includes benefit of 
fixed fee). However, Brexit has impacted new loan 
originations by challenger bank clients

 > Cost out program impacted by a delay in migrating 
third party loans onto the Computershare platform. 
An additional cost saving program of $50 million 
has been launched to improve profitability from 
FY2021 onwards

Reinvigorating growth in the 
registry business

Deployment of new global 
management structure away from 
regional to business line model

Performance against 
Computershare’s Stage 1 and 
Stage 2 cost out program

 > Excellent performance in register maintenance 

Above target

continues, including +5.3% organic revenue growth 
in US with solid margin expansion

 > Successful deployment of new structure to improve 

Above target

customer focus and strategic planning for new 
growth opportunities

 > Cost out programs progressing well with $80.1m of 
cumulative gross savings delivered since FY2017

 Above target

49 

DIRECTORS’ REPORT Computershare Annual Report 2019Objective

Measure

Performance

Non-financial 
objectives

Customer satisfaction and product 
launch

25% of STI  
(on target)

 > Market leading customer satisfaction rankings in 
issuer services with a net promoter score of more 
than 50 in all major markets

 > Investment in front office initiatives leading to 

improved performance with a number of high profile 
client wins (eg Microsoft)

 > Significant uplift in client satisfaction rating in 

Employee share plans with numerous clients who 
utilise Computershare offering being recognised with 
industry awards for their share plans

Board assessment 
of outcome in 
FY2019

 Above target

People and culture

 > Staff survey results maintain positive trends across 

 Above target

metrics and response rates remain high 

 > Good progress made on diversity initiatives, including 
the appointment of female executives into several key 
senior management roles 

 > Successful launch of Computershare “Being Purple” 

framework

Capital and risk management

 > Balance sheet remains strong post funding Equatex 

 Above target

acquisitions and organic growth initiatives
 > Net debt to EBITDA leverage ratio remains 

conservative at 1.84x, below mid point of target 
range

 > Karvy disposal completed, $75.7m post tax proceeds
 > Full year dividend of AU 44 cents per share, +10.0% 

on FY2018

 > New long term funding secured – average debt 
duration extended from 2.8 to 4.0 years. $550m 
USPP completed November 2018 with improved 
terms and conditions

 > Risk management function restructured to align with 

global business lines 

FY2019 STI Outcome

85.5% of maximum

The table below shows the STI paid or payable to each Computershare executive who is identified as key management personnel for 
entitlements referable to performance in the financial year ended 30 June 2019. The table sets out the actual amounts awarded as STI 
and how they relate to the maximum entitlement for each executive.

STI awarded (USD)

STI as percentage of maximum

Executive

SJ Irving

SA Cameron

PA Conn

MB Davis

SHE Herfurth

ML McDougall

SR Rothbloom

N Sarkar

SS Swartz

CP Yap

1,711,390

147,086

282,767

617,544

220,872

206,861

606,407

342,734

171,251

324,803

*   For the CEO and CFO, the maximum STI award is set at 150% of target whereas the maximum award for other executives is 175% of target

85.5%

62.5%

67.7%

78.0%

76.3%

67.8%

67.0%

70.0%

62.6%

73.5%

 50 

6. FY2019 LTI OUTCOMES 

LTI awards that were granted in November 2016 were tested against the performance hurdles over the period 1 July 2016 to  
30 June 2019.

For performance rights subject to the TSR performance hurdle, Computershare achieved positive TSR of 84% across the period and a 
relative TSR ranking against the peer group of 85%. Accordingly, 100% of the LTI awards subject to the TSR performance test vested.

For performance rights subject to the EPS performance hurdle, average annual growth in management EPS on a constant currency 
basis over the performance period was 10.2% and accordingly, 75.8% of the LTI awards subject to the EPS performance test vested.

7. COMPUTERSHARE’S RESPONSE TO ITS STRIKE AT THE 2018 AGM

At the 2018 AGM, Computershare received a “first strike” against its remuneration report. As referenced in the Chairmen’s letter at 
the start of this remuneration report, the Board engaged extensively with shareholders and the Australian proxy advisers to better 
understand the reasons for the strike and this section outlines the steps taken by the Company to address those concerns or 
otherwise explain the Company’s rationale for putting in place the arrangements in question.

The key concerns identified included:
 > The quantum of the expatriate expenses paid by the Company for Stuart Irving, CEO, and his family to relocate to the UK;
 > The significant increase in the CEO fixed pay that we notified shareholders in FY2018 would come into effect in FY2019; and
 > A discretionary bonus awarded by the Board to a select number of senior executives (not including the CEO) in FY2018.

The CEO’s expatriate arrangements were put in place to support the execution of the group’s strategic objectives in the best 
interests of shareholders. The Board recognises the costs were significant and the CEO has made a personal contribution 
towards those costs following shareholder feedback.

It is critical to the delivery of our strategy that the CEO is located in or near our major markets in the UK/Europe and US. These markets 
account for over 90% of our revenues and should continue to provide the greatest opportunities to drive growth in shareholder value. 
The Board therefore decided in 2017 to ask the CEO to relocate to the UK on an expatriate assignment.

The Board recognises that the cost of this assignment is significant and with the benefit of hindsight, would have managed these costs 
better. However, many of these costs are fixed and could not be altered this financial year. In view of shareholder feedback,  
Mr Irving has voluntarily made a personal contribution of A$200,000 (pre-tax) to help mitigate these costs. Please also note that  
Mr Irving receives no cash benefits under this arrangement or cost of living allowance.

Mr Irving’s expatriate assignment ends no later than March 2020 therefore there are less than six months left to run on these 
arrangements. With the Group’s continued global expansion, the Board now expects that the CEO position will be permanently located 
outside of Australia and at the end of Mr Irving’s assignment we will develop an appropriate local package for him.

The Board also initiated an external review of the Group’s expatriate policy. The review confirmed that the types of expat allowances 
provided by Computershare are in line with market practice but had suggestions around benchmarking housing allowances as well as 
enhancements to the overall governance of expat arrangements. These improvements have been implemented by the Company.

Readers will also note there is a significant tax equalisation figure that is associated with Mr Irving’s expatriate arrangements. While 
regulations require the tax to be reported in the remuneration report, Computershare would like to affirm that Mr Irving receives no 
personal benefit from this figure and the tax equalisation arrangements operate so Mr Irving pays the equivalent tax to what he would 
have paid had he not been on an expat assignment. The Board considers this tax equalisation cost as a strategic cost to the Company 
that is appropriate having regard to all the considerations outlined above.

The CEO’s fixed pay increase in FY2019 was adjusted to ensure he was fairly remunerated against peers. No increase 
proposed for FY2020.

On the issue of the CEO’s fixed pay the Board would like to note that the increase to the CEO’s pay recorded in this year’s report was 
foreshadowed in the FY2018 remuneration report. 

The Board understood that Mr Irving’s pay was originally set at a low level when compared to peers when he assumed the position 
in 2014. Independent benchmarking undertaken in May 2018 demonstrated that from a total remuneration standpoint, Mr Irving’s 
package was considerably below the bottom quartile (25th percentile).

Accordingly, the CEO’s fixed remuneration was increased to bring him to around the median of an appropriate comparator group, 
comprising the companies ranked in the ASX25-75. Computershare is positioned around the median of this group by market 
capitalisation. This new pay level is also reasonable given the global nature and complexity of our business.

The Board has reconfirmed the reasonableness of Mr Irving’s remuneration package with benchmarking conducted in 2019 against 
the ASX25-75 peer group and also took into consideration those Australian listed companies with a significant part of their business 
overseas.

No increase to Mr Irving’s fixed pay or total remuneration will be necessary in FY2020.

Since his appointment, Mr Irving’s leadership and performance have been strong. The Board firmly believes Mr Irving has overseen the 
creation of significant value for shareholders and continues to be the best person to lead the Company through the implementation of 
its strategy over the coming years.

51 

DIRECTORS’ REPORT Computershare Annual Report 2019Awarding of discretionary bonuses in FY2018. No discretionary bonuses for FY2019. 

In FY2018 a small number of key senior executives, not including Mr Irving, were awarded a one-off discretionary cash bonus in 
recognition of their contribution to the successful delivery of a number of important strategic priorities which allowed Computershare 
to deliver record earnings in that year. This was the first discretionary bonus the Board has issued to any member of key management 
personnel in more than 15 years. The Board acknowledges the need for better communication around the award of discretionary 
bonuses.

No discretionary bonuses will be awarded in the FY2019 period and all FY2019 STI outcomes were awarded within the parameters of 
agreed compensation arrangements.

8. OTHER REMUNERATION

Like all our employees, key management personnel can participate in the Group’s general employee share plans. An overview of the 
Group’s employee equity plans is disclosed in note 40 of the financial statements. 

9. RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN REMUNERATION AND GROUP’S PERFORMANCE

One of the key principles of Computershare’s remuneration strategy is to ensure that there is a clear and transparent link between the 
remuneration outcomes for executives and Group performance and its consequent impact on shareholder interests. The following table 
highlights some of the key financial results for Computershare over the period from the financial year 2015 to the financial year 2019 
with the corresponding average STI outcomes for executive key management personnel over the same period. 

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

Management EBITDA (USD million)

554.1

532.6

540.8

622.6

674.9

Statutory EPS (US cents)

27.61

28.55

48.76

55.17

76.57

Management EPS (US cents)

59.82

55.09

54.41

63.38

70.24

Management EPS (US cents) –  
constant currency1

Total Dividend (AU cents per share)

Share price as at 30 June (AUD)

Average STI received as % of maximum 
opportunity for executive KMP (%)

1  Translated at FY2019 average exchange rates

10. NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

54.43

53.16

54.87

62.04

70.24

31

11.71

48.7

33

9.17

48.0

36

40

44

14.14

18.43

16.21

56.8

77.4

71.1

Computershare’s total non-executive directors’ fee pool has a limit of AUD 2.0 million. This limit was approved by shareholders in 
November 2014.

Fees payable to non-executive directors in FY2019 are set out in the table below. The base non-executive director fee and Chairman’s 
fee were increased by $10,000 during the year. This was the first increase to these fees since 2015. Benchmarking data demonstrate 
that these fees are at or below the bottom quartile of a comparator group comprising the ASX 25-75. 

Chairman’s 
fee

Non-executive 
director fee

Chair Risk 
and Audit 
Committee

Member Risk 
and Audit
Committee 

Chair Human
Resources and
Remuneration
 Committee

Member Human
Resources and
 Remuneration
Committee

FY19

$335,000*

$160,000**

$75,000

$25,000

$25,000

$10,000

* 

Increased from $325,000 effective 1 October 2018

**  increased from $150,000 effective 1 October 2018

These fees are inclusive of statutory superannuation where applicable. JM Velli and PJ Reynolds receive their director fees in their local 
currency. The exchange rate is set by reference to when they were first appointed as a director of Computershare. No bonuses, either 
short or long-term, are paid to non-executive directors. They are not provided with retirement benefits.

 52 

11. DETAILS OF REMUNERATION AND SERVICE CONTRACTS

Directors

The directors of Computershare Limited who held the position during the current financial year are listed below. 

Executive

SJ Irving

President and Chief Executive Officer

Non-executive

AP Cleland 

TL Fuller 

LM Gay 

SD Jones

PJ Maclagan (resigned effective 14 November 2018)

CJ Morris

AL Owen (resigned effective 14 November 2018)

PJ Reynolds (appointed effective 5 October 2018)

JM Velli

Key management personnel other than directors 

The individuals listed below are key management personnel of the Group other than directors (within the meaning of the Australian 
accounting standard AASB 124 Related Party Disclosures) who have the authority and responsibility for planning, directing and 
controlling the activities of the Group. All individuals named below held their position for the whole of the financial year ended  
30 June 2019 unless otherwise stated.

Name

SA Cameron

PA Conn

MB Davis

SHE Herfurth

ML McDougall

SR Rothbloom

N Sarkar

SS Swartz

CP Yap

Service contracts

Position

Employer

President – Australia and New Zealand

Computershare Investor Services Pty Ltd

President – Global Capital Markets

Computershare Inc (US)

Chief Financial Officer

Computershare Ltd

President – Continental Europe

CPU Deutschland GmbH & Co KG

Chief Information Officer

President – North America

President – United Kingdom, Channel Islands, 
Ireland and South Africa

Computershare Technology Services Pty Ltd

Computershare Inc (US)

Computershare Investor Services PLC (UK)

President – Canada

President – Asia

Computershare Trust Company of Canada

Computershare Hong Kong Investor Services Limited 

On appointment to the Board, all non-executive directors sign a formal appointment letter which includes details of their director fees. 
Non-executive directors do not have notice periods and are not entitled to receive termination payments. 

Except for the Group CEO, no director may be in office for longer than three years without facing re-election. Please refer to Section 3 
of the Corporate Governance Statement for further information on the Company’s re-election process. 

Neither the Group CEO nor other executive key management personnel are employed under fixed-term arrangements with 
Computershare. Their notice periods are based on contractual provisions and local laws (eg, for the Group CEO and CFO and for 
those executives based in Australia this is 30 days’ notice). 

On termination of employment key management personnel are entitled to statutory entitlements in their respective jurisdictions of 
employment. The Deferred Short-Term Incentive (DSTI) plan provides for full vesting on redundancy or termination by the Group 
other than for cause. Under the LTI plan, subject to Board discretion otherwise, performance rights for ‘good leavers’ will not vest on 
cessation of employment but instead a pro rata proportion will be eligible to be retained by the executive and will be subject to vesting 
at the end of the original performance period based on satisfaction of the applicable performance measures. Otherwise, none of 
these executives would, subject in some instances to local requirements in the jurisdictions where the Group operates, receive special 
termination payments should they cease employment for any reason.

53 

DIRECTORS’ REPORT Computershare Annual Report 201912. AMOUNTS OF REMUNERATION 

Details of the nature and amount of each element of the total remuneration for each director and member of key management 
personnel for the year ended 30 June 2019 are set out in the table below. Where remuneration was paid in anything other than USD, it 
has been translated at the average exchange rate for the financial year (for example the FY2019 USD/AUD average rate was 0.71774, 
the FY2018 USD/AUD average rate was 0.77579). 

Statutory remuneration details

Short-term

Long-
term

Post 
employment 
benefits

Share based payments expense

Financial 
Year

Salaries 
and fees

Cash 
profit 
share and 
bonuses

Super-
annuation/
pension

Other1

$

$

$

$

Shares

$

Performance 
rights/
options2

Phantom
 plan3

Other

Tax 
equalisation 
on expatriate

Expatriate

 costs4 

 benefits5 Other6

Total

$

$

$

$

$

$

Directors

SJ Irving4,5,7

2019 1,213,136

855,695 97,048

14,736

307,109

979,867

2018

953,736

575,913 22,520

AP Cleland7

2019

108,152

2018

40,295

TL Fuller7

2019

152,396

2018

159,409

LM Gay7

2019

119,623

2018

47,011

SD Jones7

2019

247,238

2018

256,309

PJ Maclagan7,9  2019

45,648

2018

116,368

CJ Morris7

2019

113,043

2018

116,368

AL Owen7,9

2019

47,630

2018

135,763

PJ Reynolds7,8 2019

90,309

2018

-

JM Velli

2019

166,857

2018

160,000

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

15,554

10,274

3,828

14,478

15,144

11,364

3,888

14,736

15,554

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

89,436

682,458

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

909,662

1,085,425 10,939 5,473,617

995,718

321,173

- 3,656,508

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

118,426

44,123

166,874

174,553

130,987

50,899

261,974

271,863

45,648

116,368

113,043

116,368

47,630

135,763

90,309

-

166,857

160,000

 54 

Short-term

Long-
term

Post 
employment 
benefits

Share based payments expense

Financial 
Year

Salaries 
and fees

Cash 
profit 
share and 
bonuses

Super-
annuation/
pension

Other1

$

$

$

$

Shares

$

Performance 
rights/
options2

Phantom
 plan3

$

Other key management personnel

SA Cameron7

2019

312,481

147,086

6,098

14,736

110,607

177,340

2018

331,948

233,574

1,808

15,554

46,667

176,203

PA Conn

2019

554,662

121,279

2018

544,425

293,972

-

-

-

-

128,510

247,025

86,741

221,413

MB Davis7

2019

596,940

308,772 13,716

14,736

212,442

515,074

2018

644,881

790,250 18,404

15,554

109,501

481,105

SHE Herfurth7 2019

362,157

109,068

2018

343,955

215,787

-

-

-

-

-

-

215,000

75,991

184,783

85,761

ML McDougall7 2019

402,211

86,843

9,555

2018

417,194

308,477

8,866

SR Rothbloom  2019 1,207,500

282,323

2018 1,203,125

575,190

N Sarkar4,5,7

2019

628,256

149,922

2018

570,056

414,198

SS Swartz7

2019

357,865

69,526

2018

348,596

221,229

CP Yap7

2019

586,708

157,082

2018

76,316

27,934

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

14,736

15,554

88,591

221,709

62,258

193,929

30,573

276,490

361,834

30,073

175,242

326,613

-

-

14,621

13,296

133,570

339,781

92,310

290,686

78,405

210,061

55,265

183,972

58,671

106,818

93,851

7,632

13,483

-

1  Other long-term remuneration comprises long service leave accruals and other long-term entitlements.

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

$

-

-

-

-

-

-

Other

Tax 
equalisation 
on expatriate

Expatriate

 costs4 

 benefits5 Other6

Total

$

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

$

-

-

-

-

-

-

$

$

1,794

770,142

1,957

807,711

- 1,051,476

- 1,146,551

2,150 1,663,830

2,357 2,062,052

- 17,634

779,850

- 18,604

848,890

-

-

-

-

2,150

825,795

2,346 1,008,624

- 2,158,720

- 2,310,243

169,144

192,081

2,333 1,615,087

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

2,424 1,369,674

2,567

733,045

2,591

824,949

1,495 1,004,625

-

125,365

2  Performance rights expense has been included in the total remuneration on the basis that it is considered probable at the date of this financial report that the performance 
condition and service condition will be met. In future reporting periods, if the probability requirement regarding the EPS performance condition or the service condition is 
not met, a credit to remuneration will be included consistent with the accounting treatment. As part of the 2020 financial year budget process, it was no longer considered 
probable that the performance condition applicable to the performance rights granted on 5 December 2017 would be fully met. On this basis, the accounting expense 
(excluding the TSR component) related to prior years has been partially reversed. 

3  The Phantom Share Awards Plan (Phantom Plan) functions as an alternative to the DSTI Share Plan to employees who are resident for tax purposes in countries where 

the taxation and/or legal requirements mean the DSTI Share Plan does not achieve the most effective outcome for Computershare or those employees. Awards under the 
Phantom Plan are cash-settled and vest after specified periods of service have been completed.

4  Expatriate costs include payments made to key management personnel engaged on overseas assignments in accordance with Computershare’s expatriate policy. For 

SJ Irving, the amount reflects expatriate benefits related to his and his family’s relocation to the United Kingdom on an assignment ending no later than March 2020. During 
the year, SJ Irving made a personal pre-tax contribution of A$200,000 to these costs, resulting in a reduction in the expatriate costs and lower associated tax equalisation. 
For N Sarkar, the amount reflects relocation costs and expatriate benefits for his and his family’s relocation to the United States on an assignment ending October 2021, 
following his appointment to the role of Global CEO of Issuer Services.

5  Tax equalisation arrangements operate so Computershare employees on an expatriate assignment pay the equivalent tax to what would have paid had they not been on 
an assignment. This includes tax that the Company is required to pay in order to provide expatriate benefits. For SJ Irving, a payment of $266,588 is included in the tax 
equalisation amount for FY2019 that is attributable to benefits provided in FY2018. 

6  Other includes other benefits provided to key management personnel and benefits related to Computershare’s general employee share plan as detailed in note 40 of the 

financial statements. 

7  Key management personnel are paid in their local currency. Foreign exchange rate movements can impact on comparison between the years in US dollar terms.

8  PJ Reynolds was appointed as non-executive director on 5 October 2018.

9  PJ Maclagan and AL Owen resigned effective 14 November 2018.

55 

DIRECTORS’ REPORT Computershare Annual Report 2019Actual remuneration received

The table below represents the actual remuneration outcomes for executive key management personnel in the financial year 2019. 
Amounts paid in currencies other than USD are translated at average exchange rates applicable to each financial year. 

Statutory remuneration disclosures prepared in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001 and Australian Accounting Standards differ 
from the numbers presented below, as they include (among other benefits) expensing for equity grants that are yet to vest and may 
never vest. The below table also does not include expatriate costs and associated tax equalisation payments. Whilst these are clearly 
disclosed in the statutory remuneration table above, the Board does not believe that they represent actual remuneration to the relevant 
executive and have therefore been excluded. The statutory remuneration table in respect of the executive key management personnel 
is presented in the table above. 

SJ Irving6

SA Cameron6

PA Conn

MB Davis6

SHE Herfurth6

ML McDougall6

SR Rothbloom 

N Sarkar6

SS Swartz6

CP Yap6

Financial 
year

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

Fixed 
pay1

$

1,227,872

969,290

327,217

347,502

554,662

544,425

611,676

660,435

362,157

343,955

416,947

432,748

1,238,073

1,233,198

628,256

570,056

372,486

361,892

645,379

83,948

Cash 
STI for
 performance2

Other 
benefits3

Deferred 
STI 
vested4

Performance
 rights 
vested5

Total 
actual
 remuneration

$

532,817

239,915

178,271

111,122

293,971

122,191

731,115

162,296

207,159

86,522

206,384

178,154

528,502

297,960

398,688

126,710

209,307

88,032

27,868

-

$

-

-

3,597

2,397

-

-

4,416

3,293

17,637

18,604

-

-

-

-

3,098

3,100

3,644

4,845

-

-

$

-

-

69,633

45,719

133,429

83,557

157,737

113,925

84,008

55,220

102,874

68,583

271,271

123,541

161,984

100,547

84,171

55,130

-

-

$

822,663

531,580

227,808

833,847

308,992

555,898

727,736

555,898

244,346

555,898

213,572

-

456,877

555,898

425,431

555,898

238,838

-

-

-

$

2,583,352

1,740,785

806,526

1,340,587

1,291,054

1,306,071

2,232,680

1,495,847

915,307

1,060,199

939,777

679,485

2,494,723

2,210,597

1,617,457

1,356,311

908,446

509,899

673,247

83,948

1  Represents base salary plus superannuation/pension.

2  Cash STI for performance is the cash payment received in the relevant year and referable to the prior year performance.

3  Other benefits include other benefits provided to key management personnel and shares held in the Deferred Employee Share Plan (note 40) that vested in the relevant 

financial year. 

4  Deferred STI that vested in the relevant financial year. The five day weighted average share price used to value the deferred STI at vesting date is AUD 19.09 for awards 

vested on 3 September 2018 (1 September 2017: AUD 13.90).

5  Performance rights that vested in the relevant financial year. The five-day weighted average share price used to value the performance rights at vesting date is AUD 19.09 

for awards vested on 3 September 2018 (18 September 2017: AUD 14.33).

6  Key management personnel are paid in their local currency. Foreign exchange rate movements can impact on comparison between the years in US dollar terms.

 56 

13.  SHORT-TERM SALARY AND FEES, CASH PROFIT SHARE AND BONUSES, LONG-TERM OTHER,  

POST-EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS

Directors

SJ Irving, AP Cleland, TL Fuller, LM Gay, SD Jones, PJ Maclagan, AL Owen and CJ Morris are paid in Australian dollars. Director fees 
for JM Velli and PJ Reynolds are paid in local currency. 

Group CEO and other executive key management personnel

All executive key management personnel receive their salary and other cash payments in their local currency.

Shares granted as remuneration under DSTI Plan

Set out below is a summary of shares granted under the DSTI plan and the maximum value of shares that are expected to vest in the 
future if the vesting conditions are met:

Date 
granted

Number
 granted 

Number 
vested 
during
 the year

Number
 outstanding
 end of
 the year

Financial 
year in 
which grant
 may vest

Value at 
grant date 
(if granted 
this year)

Maximum
 total value 
of grant 
yet to be
 expensed

$

25,183

330,901

-

4,700

18,447

-

8,494

$

-

492,109

-

-

98,384

-

-

186,980

114,266

-

-

357,831

-

-

117,091

-

-

132,786

-

-

412,721

-

-

-

11,306

218,675

-

5,443

56,220

-

5,501

81,147

-

17,709

252,218

-

7,551

210,422

128,592

-

-

109,895

-

30,753

-

5,440

67,158

82,904

18,793

SJ Irving

SA Cameron

PA Conn

MB Davis 

SHE Herfurth

ML McDougall

SR Rothbloom 

N Sarkar

SS Swartz

CP Yap

6/12/2017

4/12/2018

1/10/2016

1/10/2017

1/10/2018

1/10/2016

1/10/2017

1/10/2018

1/10/2016

1/10/2017

1/10/2018

1/10/20161

1/10/20171

1/10/20181

1/10/2016

1/10/2017

1/10/2018

1/10/2016

1/10/2017

1/10/2018

1/10/2016

1/10/2017

1/10/2018

1/10/2016

1/10/2017

1/10/2018

14/5/2018

1/10/2018

21,630

39,382

5,082

5,057

6,795

9,738

9,138

12,914

11,512

12,163

24,714

5,935

5,481

8,087

7,508

5,919

9,171

19,798

19,052

28,505

11,822

8,123

14,533

6,143

5,852

7,590

15,000

2,124

-

-

(5,082)

-

-

(9,738)

-

-

(11,512)

-

-

(5,935)

-

-

(7,508)

-

-

(19,798)

-

-

(11,822)

-

-

(6,143)

-

-

-

-

21,630

39,382

-

5,057

6,795

-

9,138

12,914

-

12,163

24,714

-

5,481

8,087

-

5,919

9,171

-

19,052

28,505

-

8,123

14,533

-

5,852

7,590

15,000

2,124

FY 2020

FY 2021

FY 2019

FY 2020

FY 2020

FY 2019

FY 2020

FY 2021

FY 2019

FY 2020

FY 2021

FY 2019

FY 2020

FY 2021

FY 2019

FY 2020

FY 2021

FY 2019

FY 2020

FY 2021

FY 2019

FY 2020

FY 2021

FY 2019

FY 2020

FY 2021

FY 2020

FY 2021

1  Awards made under the Phantom Plan

Fair values of shares at grant date are determined using the closing share price on grant date.

57 

DIRECTORS’ REPORT Computershare Annual Report 2019Performance rights 

Performance rights granted under the LTI plan are for no consideration and carry no dividend or voting rights. Each performance right 
carries an entitlement to one fully paid ordinary share in Computershare Limited. 

Set out below is a summary of performance rights granted under the LTI plans.

Date 
granted

Number
 granted 

Number
 vested 
during 
the year

Number
 lapsed 
during 
the year

Number
 outstanding
 end of 
the year

Financial 
year in 
which grant
 may vest

Value at
 grant date
 (if granted
 this year)

Maximum
 total value 
of grant 
yet to be
 expensed 

SJ Irving 

SA Cameron

PA Conn

MB Davis 

1/12/2015

16/12/2016

5/12/2017

4/12/2018

1/12/2015

16/12/2016

5/12/2017

4/12/2018

1/12/2015

16/12/2016

5/12/2017

4/12/2018

1/12/2015

16/12/2016

5/12/2017

4/12/2018

SHE Herfurth

1/12/2015

16/12/2016

5/12/2017

4/12/2018

ML McDougall

1/12/2015

16/12/2016

5/12/2017

4/12/2018

SR Rothbloom 

1/12/2015

16/12/2016

5/12/2017

4/12/2018

1/12/2015

16/12/2016

5/12/2017

4/12/2018

1/12/2015

16/12/2016

5/12/2017

4/12/2018

4/12/2018

N Sarkar

SS Swartz

CP Yap

130,522

170,170

90,627

129,707

36,144

36,036

26,914

14,709

49,024

45,708

32,817

25,755

115,461

115,115

61,269

44,848

38,768

37,314

28,281

24,127

33,885

33,783

33,916

25,395

72,487

67,583

48,291

37,209

67,498

55,223

44,853

40,423

37,895

37,237

28,265

22,749

27,254

(60,040)

(70,482)

-

-

-

-

-

-

(16,626)

(19,518)

-

-

-

-

-

-

(22,551)

(26,473)

-

-

-

-

-

-

(53,112)

(62,349)

-

-

-

-

-

-

(17,833)

(20,935)

-

-

-

-

-

-

(15,587)

(18,298)

-

-

-

-

-

-

(33,344)

(39,143)

-

-

-

-

-

-

(31,049)

(36,449)

-

-

-

-

-

-

(17,431)

(20,464)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

170,170

90,627

129,707

-

36,036

26,914

14,709

-

45,708

32,817

25,755

-

115,115

61,269

44,848

-

37,314

28,281

24,127

-

33,783

33,916

25,395

-

67,583

48,291

37,209

-

55,223

44,853

40,423

-

37,237

28,265

22,749

27,254

FY 2019

FY 2020

FY 2021

FY 2022

FY 2019

FY 2020

FY 2021

FY 2022

FY 2019

FY 2020

FY 2021

FY 2022

FY 2019

FY 2020

FY 2021

FY 2022

FY 2019

FY 2020

FY 2021

FY 2022

FY 2019

FY 2020

FY 2021

FY 2022

FY 2019

FY 2020

FY 2021

FY 2022

FY 2019

FY 2020

FY 2021

FY 2022

FY 2019

FY 2020

FY 2021

FY 2022

FY 2022

$

-

-

-

1,339,968

-

-

-

151,955

-

-

-

266,068

-

-

-

463,313

-

-

-

249,250

-

-

-

262,349

-

-

-

384,396

-

-

-

417,599

-

-

-

235,014

281,554

$

-

-

219,563

893,312

-

-

5,434

4,221

-

-

79,506

177,378

-

-

148,436

308,875

-

-

68,517

166,167

-

-

82,169

174,899

-

-

116,995

256,264

-

-

108,666

278,400

-

-

68,478

156,676

187,702

 58 

Shareholdings of key management personnel

The number of ordinary shares in Computershare Limited held during the financial year by each director and the other named key 
management personnel, including details of shares granted as remuneration during the current financial year and ordinary shares 
provided as the result of the exercise of remuneration options during the current financial year, are included in the table below.

Balance at
 beginning 
of the year

Vested 
under 
DSTI plan

On exercise
 of options/
 performance
 rights

On market
 purchases/
 (sales)

Balance 
at end of 
the year

Other

Value of 
options/
performance
 rights 
exercised

Directors

SJ Irving

AP Cleland

TL Fuller

LM Gay

SD Jones

PJ Maclagan1

CJ Morris

AL Owen1

PJ Reynolds2

JM Velli

Other key management personnel

SA Cameron

PA Conn

MB Davis

SHE Herfurth

ML McDougall

SR Rothbloom

N Sarkar

SS Swartz

27,837

11,500

2,000

11,031

20,446

11,183,868

34,781,000

12,910

-

10,000

78

524,439

22,476

41,565

2,509

134,186

40,500

3,742

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

5,082

9,738

11,512

-

7,508

19,798

11,822

6,143

60,040

(31,422)

267

 - 

2,672

475

-

-

 - 

-

 - 

56,455

11,767

2,000

13,703

20,921

-

(25,000)

(11,158,868)

(2,550,000)

 - 

32,231,000

 - 

-

-

(12,910)

-

 - 

(22,138)

(10,646)

(53,724)

(42,449)

(25,604)

(20,449)

(30,411)

(12,212)

430

-

717

307

-

-

701

382

-

-

10,000

78

546,082

34,093

17,256

-

166,879

53,661

15,486

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

16,626

22,551

53,112

17,833

15,587

33,344

31,049

17,431

$

 - 

-

 - 

-

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

-

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

1  PJ Maclagan and AL Owen resigned effective 14 November 2018. Their shareholding balance is from the beginning of the year to the date they ceased being KMP. Their 

final shareholding is disclosed in the Other column.

2  PJ Reynolds was appointed as a non-executive director on 5 October 2018.

59 

DIRECTORS’ REPORT Computershare Annual Report 2019 
14. PROPORTIONS OF FIXED AND PERFORMANCE RELATED REMUNERATION

The percentage value of total remuneration relating to the current financial year received by key management personnel that consists of 
fixed and performance related remuneration is as follows:

SJ Irving1 

AP Cleland

TL Fuller

LM Gay

SD Jones

PJ Maclagan

CJ Morris

AL Owen

JM Velli

SA Cameron

PA Conn

MB Davis 

SHE Herfurth

ML McDougall

SR Rothbloom 

N Sarkar2 

SS Swartz

CP Yap

% of fixed/
non-performance 
related remuneration

60.30%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

42.65%

51.82%

36.96%

48.17%

50.67%

56.62%

60.43%

50.05%

64.39%

% of total 
remuneration 
received as cash 
bonus (CSTI)

% of remuneration 
received as equity 
bonus (DSTI)

% of total 
remuneration received 
as performance 
related rights/options*

15.49%

5.56%

18.65%

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

18.72%

11.33%

18.19%

13.70%

10.27%

12.91%

9.13%

9.28%

15.64%

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

14.08%

12.01%

12.51%

9.07%

10.47%

12.65%

8.14%

10.46%

10.63%

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

24.55%

24.84%

32.34%

29.06%

28.59%

17.82%

22.30%

30.21%

9.34%

*  Excludes the performance rights reversal in the year ended 30 June 2019.

1  The percentage of fixed/non-performance related remuneration disclosed is inclusive of expatriate benefits and associated tax equalisation. Excluding these amounts, the 

proportions of total remuneration are: Fixed/non-performance related – 37.86%; CSTI – 24.25%; DSTI – 8.70%; performance rights – 29.19%.

2  The percentage of fixed/non-performance related remuneration disclosed is inclusive of expatriate benefits and associated tax equalisation. Excluding these amounts, the 

proportions of total remuneration are: Fixed/non-performance related – 49.26%; CSTI – 11.71%; DSTI – 10.44%; performance rights – 28.59%.

15. OTHER 

Loans and other transactions with directors and executives

Computershare made no loans to directors and executive directors or other key management personnel during the current financial year.

As a matter of Board approved policy, the Group maintains a register of all transactions between directors and the consolidated entity. 
It is established practice for any director to excuse himself or herself from discussion and voting upon any transaction in which that 
director has an interest. The consolidated entity has a Board approved ethics policy governing many aspects of workplace conduct, 
including management and disclosure of conflicts of interest. 

Derivative instruments

Computershare’s policy forbids key management personnel to deal in derivatives designed as a hedge against exposure to unvested 
shares in Computershare Limited. 

Shares under option

Unissued ordinary shares in Computershare Limited under performance rights at the date of this report are as follows:

Date granted

Performance rights

5/12/2017

14/12/2018

Financial year of expiry

Number under performance rights 

2021

2022

486,550

542,528

 60 

AUDITOR

PricewaterhouseCoopers continues in office in accordance with section 327 of the Corporations Act 2001.

Auditor’s independence declaration

A copy of the auditor’s signed independence declaration as required under section 307C of the Corporations Act 2001 is provided 
immediately after this report.

Non-audit services

The Group may decide to employ its auditor, PricewaterhouseCoopers, on assignments in addition to their statutory audit duties where 
the auditor’s expertise and experience with the Group are important. 

The Board is satisfied that the provision of non-audit services is compatible with the general standard of independence for auditors 
imposed by the Corporations Act 2001 and internal guidelines. Further details regarding the Board’s internal policy for engaging 
PricewaterhouseCoopers for non-audit services are set out in the Corporate Governance Statement. 

The directors are satisfied that the provision of non-audit services by PricewaterhouseCoopers, as set out below, did not compromise 
the auditor independence requirements of the Corporations Act 2001 for the following reasons:
 > No services were provided by PricewaterhouseCoopers that are prohibited by policy (the policy lists services that cannot be 

undertaken). 

 > None of the services provided undermine the general principles relating to auditor’s independence, including reviewing or auditing 

the auditor’s own work, acting in a management capacity or a decision making capacity for the Group, acting as an advocate for the 
Group or jointly sharing economic risks and rewards.

During the year the following amounts were incurred in relation to services provided by PricewaterhouseCoopers and its network firms.

1. Audit services

Audit and review of the financial statements and other audit work by PricewaterhouseCoopers Australia

Audit and review of the financial statements and other audit work by network firms of PricewaterhouseCoopers Australia

2. Other services

Other assurance services performed by PricewaterhouseCoopers Australia

Other assurance services performed by network firms of PricewaterhouseCoopers Australia

Taxation services provided by network firms of PricewaterhouseCoopers Australia

Total Auditor’s Remuneration 

ROUNDING OF AMOUNTS

2019
$000

973

2,573

3,546

372

1,835

375

2,582

6,128

2018
$000

1,073

2,644

3,717

447

1,776

150

2,373

6,090

The Group is of a kind referred to in ASIC Corporations (Rounding in Financial/Directors’ Reports) Instrument 2016/191, issued by the 
Australian Securities and Investments Commission, relating to the “rounding off” of amounts in the Directors’ Report. Amounts in the 
Directors’ Report have been rounded off in accordance with that Class order to the nearest thousand dollars unless specifically stated 
to be otherwise.

Signed in accordance with a resolution of the directors.

SJ Irving
Director

SD Jones
Chairman

23 September 2019

61 

DIRECTORS’ REPORT Computershare Annual Report 2019AUDITOR’S INDEPENDENCE DECLARATION

Auditor’s Independence Declaration

As lead auditor for the audit of Computershare Limited for the year ended 30 June 2019, I declare that 
to the best of my knowledge and belief, there have been: 

(a) 

 no contraventions of the auditor independence requirements of the Corporations Act 2001 in 
relation to the audit; and

(b)  no contraventions of any applicable code of professional conduct in relation to the audit.

This declaration is in respect of Computershare Limited and the entities it controlled during the period.

Anton Linschoten 
Partner  
PricewaterhouseCoopers

Melbourne 
23 September 2019 

PricewaterhouseCoopers, ABN 52 780 433 757 
2 Riverside Quay, SOUTHBANK  VIC  3006, GPO Box 1331, MELBOURNE  VIC  3001  
T: 61 3 8603 1000, F: 61 3 8603 1999, www.pwc.com.au

Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.

 62 

 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME   for the year ended 30 June 2019

Revenue from continuing operations

Sales revenue

Dividends received

Interest received

Total revenue from continuing operations

Other income

Expenses

Direct services

Technology costs

Corporate services 

Finance costs

Total expenses

Share of net profit/(loss) of associates and joint ventures accounted for using the equity method

Profit before related income tax expense

Income tax expense/(credit)

Profit for the year

Other comprehensive income that may be reclassified to profit or loss

Available-for-sale financial assets

Cash flow hedges

Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations

Income tax relating to components of other comprehensive income

Total other comprehensive income for the year, net of tax

Total comprehensive income for the year   

Profit for the year attributable to:

Members of Computershare Limited

Non-controlling interests

Total comprehensive income for the year attributable to:

Members of Computershare Limited

Non-controlling interests

Basic earnings per share (cents per share)

Diluted earnings per share (cents per share)

Note

2019
$000

2018
$000

2,341,247

2,282,728

1,333

3,423

4,193

2,968

2

2

2,346,003

2,289,889

123,025

11,218

1,544,961

1,537,138

294,445

284,302

33,575

66,689

27,951

62,117

1,939,670

1,911,508

(1,006)

528,352

109,397

418,955

-

7,967

6,793

711

15,471

434,426

297

389,896

81,567

308,329

(15)

44

(13,657)

2,711

(10,917)

297,412

31

6

6

415,732

300,064

3,223

418,955

8,265

308,329

431,716

291,009

2,710

434,426

6,403

297,412

4

4

76.57 cents

55.17 cents

76.42 cents

55.05 cents

The above consolidated statement of comprehensive income is presented in United States dollars and should be read in conjunction 
with the accompanying notes.

63 

Computershare Annual Report 2019CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION   as at 30 June 2019

CURRENT ASSETS

Cash and cash equivalents

Bank deposits

Other financial assets

Receivables    

Loan servicing advances

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

Available-for-sale financial assets

Inventories

Current tax assets

Other current assets 

Assets classified as held for sale

Total current assets   

NON-CURRENT ASSETS

Receivables   

Investments accounted for using the equity method

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

Available-for-sale financial assets

Property, plant and equipment 

Deferred tax assets

Intangibles  

Other non-current assets

Total non-current assets  

Total assets  

CURRENT LIABILITIES

Payables

Interest bearing liabilities

Current tax liabilities

Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss

Provisions   

Deferred consideration

Mortgage servicing related liabilities

Liabilities directly associated with assets classified as held for sale

Other liabilities

Total current liabilities   

NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES

Payables

Interest bearing liabilities

Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss

Deferred tax liabilities

Provisions   

Deferred consideration

Mortgage servicing related liabilities

Other liabilities

Total non-current liabilities 

Total liabilities

Net assets   

EQUITY

Contributed equity

Reserves  

Retained earnings

Total parent entity interest 

Non-controlling interests 

Total equity

Note

2019
$000

2018
$000

7

17

15

16

13

18

19

15

31

13

20

6

9

19

21

14

13

22

23

24

25

21

14

13

6

22

23

24

25

27

28

29

26

26

561,346

6,335

67,096

483,301

281,458

24,247

-

4,654

26,950

45,681

-

500,888

6,539

16,517

428,973

156,689

1,791

4,361

3,844

2,236

40,079

79,999

1,501,068

1,241,916

2,639

11,126

102,400

-

136,612

139,179

152

26,770

4,263

26,566

115,249

145,654

2,782,680

2,327,626

9,251

3,183,887

4,684,955

-

2,646,280

3,888,196

489,915

74,525

35,330

3,265

45,170

15,487

35,024

-

2,345

442,270

427,292

42,319

88

50,746

29,432

27,740

69,639

2,083

701,061

1,091,609

6,632

2,842

1,961,784

1,053,844

744

217,589

22,902

16,310

178,596

5,266

2,409,823

3,110,884

1,574,071

5,333

193,026

24,762

26,110

154,404

2,869

1,463,190

2,554,799

1,333,397

-

-

(134,551)

(148,098)

1,706,427

1,571,876

2,195

1,455,187

1,307,089

26,308

1,574,071

1,333,397

The above consolidated statement of financial position is presented in United States dollars and should be read in conjunction with the 
accompanying notes.

 64 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY   for the year ended 30 June 2019

Note

1a

Total equity at 1 July 2018

Change in accounting policy

Restated total equity at the beginning  
of the financial year

Profit for the year

Cash flow hedges

Exchange differences on translation of foreign 
operations

Income tax (expense)/credits

Total comprehensive income for the year

Transactions with owners in their capacity 
as owners:

Dividends provided for or paid

Disposal of non-controlling interest

7

Cash purchase of shares on market

Share based remuneration 

Balance at 30 June 2019

Total equity at 1 July 2017

Profit for the year

Available-for-sale financial assets

Cash flow hedges

Exchange differences on translation  
of foreign operations

Income tax (expense)/credits

Total comprehensive income for the year

Transactions with owners in their capacity 
as owners:

Dividends provided for or paid

Share buy-back

Cash purchase of shares on market

Share based remuneration 

Balance at 30 June 2018

Attributable to members of Computershare Limited

Contributed
 Equity 
$000

Reserves
$000

Retained
 Earnings 
$000

Non-
controlling
 Interests
$000

Total
$000

Total
 Equity 
$000

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(148,098)

1,455,187

1,307,089

26,308

1,333,397

(263)

(876)

(1,139)

-

(1,139)

(148,361)

1,454,311

1,305,950

26,308

1,332,258

-

415,732

415,732

3,223

418,955

7,967

7,306

711

-

-

-

7,967

7,306

711

-

(513)

7,967

6,793

-

711

15,984

415,732

431,716

2,710

434,426

-

-

(21,671)

19,497

(163,616)

(163,616)

(8,110)

(171,726)

-

-

-

-

(18,713)

(21,671)

19,497

-

-

(18,713)

(21,671)

19,497

(134,551)

1,706,427

1,571,876

2,195

1,574,071

(98,487)

1,315,607

1,217,120

19,908

1,237,028

-

(15)

44

(11,795)

2,711

(9,055)

300,064

300,064

8,265

308,329

-

-

-

-

(15)

44

-

-

(15)

44

(11,795)

2,711

(1,862)

(13,657)

-

2,711

300,064

291,009

6,403

297,412

-

(160,484)

(160,484)

(3)

(160,487)

(38,533)

(20,158)

18,135

-

-

-

(38,533)

(20,158)

18,135

-

-

-

(38,533)

(20,158)

18,135

(148,098)

1,455,187

1,307,089

26,308

1,333,397

The above consolidated statement of changes in equity is presented in United States dollars and should be read in conjunction with 
the accompanying notes. 

65 

Computershare Annual Report 2019CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT   for the year ended 30 June 2019

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 

Receipts from customers

Payments to suppliers and employees

Loan servicing advances (net)

Dividends received from associates, joint ventures and equity securities

Interest paid and other finance costs

Interest received

Income taxes paid    

Net operating cash flows

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES 

Payments for purchase of controlled entities and businesses (net of cash acquired)

Payments for intangible assets including MSRs

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment

(Payments for)/proceeds from disposal of associates and joint ventures

Proceeds from/(payments for) investments

Payments for property, plant and equipment  

Proceeds from sale of subsidiaries and businesses (net of cash disposed)

Net investing cash flows

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

Payment for purchase of ordinary shares - share based awards

Proceeds from borrowings

Repayment of borrowings

Loan servicing borrowings (net)

Dividends paid – ordinary shares (net of dividend reinvestment plan)

Purchase of ordinary shares – dividend reinvestment plan

Dividends paid to non-controlling interests in controlled entities

Payments for on-market share buy-back

Repayment of finance leases    

Net financing cash flows

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents held    

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the financial year 

Exchange rate variations on foreign cash balances

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year* 

Note

2019
$000

2018
$000

2,373,626

2,390,107

(1,788,401)

(1,794,529)

7(b)

(124,769)

1,470

(73,089)

3,423

(105,502)

286,758

(445,201)

(101,822)

2,837

-

(18,779)

(55,626)

75,727

61,063

4,337

(63,014)

2,968

(86,881)

514,051

(22,865)

(98,299)

-

(11,866)

3,776

(39,361)

-

(542,864)

(168,615)

7(c)

7(c)

7(c)

(21,671)

(20,158)

2,175,760

1,337,297

(1,792,144)

(1,353,618)

103,047

(75,697)

(155,468)

(150,116)

(8,148)

(8,110)

-

7(c)

(4,021)

289,245

33,139

534,669

(10,368)

(3)

(38,533)

(5,390)

(316,586)

28,850

510,683

(6,462)

(4,864)

561,346

534,669

*  Cash and cash equivalents at 30 June 2019 includes nil (2018: $33.8 million) cash presented in the assets classified as held for sale line item in the consolidated statement 

of financial position.

The above consolidated cash flow statement is presented in United States dollars and should be read in conjunction with the 
accompanying notes.

 66 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. Basis of preparation

Results and key balances

2. Revenue and other income

3. Expenses

4. Earnings per share

5. Segment information

6. Income tax expense and balances

7. Notes to the consolidated cash flow statement

8. Business combinations

9. Intangible assets

10. Impairment

Financial risk management

11. Hedge accounting

12. Financial risk management

13. Financial assets and liabilities at fair value through profit or loss

14. Interest bearing liabilities

Other balance sheet items

15. Receivables

16. Loan servicing advances

17. Other financial assets

18. Inventories

19. Other assets

20. Property, plant and equipment

21. Payables

22. Provisions

23. Deferred consideration

24. Mortgage servicing related liabilities

25. Other liabilities

Equity

26. Interests in equity

27. Contributed equity

28. Reserves

29. Retained earnings and dividends

Group structure

30. Details of controlled entities

31. Investments in associates and joint ventures

32. Deed of cross guarantee

33. Parent entity financial information

Unrecognised items

34. Contingent liabilities

35. Commitments

36. Capital expenditure commitments

37. Significant events after year end

Other disclosures

38. Related party disclosures

39. Key management personnel disclosures

40. Employee and executive benefits

41. Remuneration of auditors

67 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTSComputershare Annual Report 2019 1. BASIS OF PREPARATION 

The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the financial report are set out below. These policies have been 
consistently applied to all the periods presented, unless otherwise stated. The financial report is for the consolidated entity consisting 
of Computershare Limited and its controlled entities, referred to collectively throughout these financial statements as the “consolidated 
entity”, “the Group” or “Computershare”. 

Basis of preparation of full year financial report

This general purpose financial report for the reporting period ended 30 June 2019 has been prepared in accordance with Australian 
Accounting Standards, other authoritative pronouncements of the Australian Accounting Standards Board and the Corporations Act 2001. 
Computershare Limited is a for-profit entity for the purpose of preparing financial statements.

This report is to be read in conjunction with any public announcements made by Computershare Limited during the reporting period in 
accordance with the continuous disclosure requirements of the Corporations Act 2001 and Australian Securities Exchange Listing Rules.

Where necessary, comparative figures have been adjusted to conform with changes in presentation in the current period.

Compliance with IFRS

The financial statements of Computershare Limited and its controlled entities also comply with International Financial Reporting 
Standards (IFRS) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). 

Changes to conceptual framework 

Changes to the Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting have been issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. 
Amendments were made to apply new definition and recognition criteria for assets, liabilities, income and expenses in the framework, 
which will apply for years commencing on or after 1 January 2020. The changes could affect entities that use the Conceptual 
Framework to develop accounting policies for transactions, events or conditions that are not otherwise dealt with under existing IFRS 
Standards. The Group has not yet determined the impact of adopting the criteria in the new framework.

Historical cost convention 

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention as modified by the revaluation of available-for-sale 
financial assets and financial assets and liabilities (including derivative instruments) at fair value through profit or loss.

Principles of consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the assets and liabilities of the parent entity, Computershare Limited, and its controlled 
entities.

All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. Where an entity either began or ceased to be controlled during the 
year, the results are consolidated only from the date control commenced or up to the date control ceased.

Financial statements of foreign controlled entities, associates and joint ventures presented in accordance with overseas accounting 
principles are, for consolidation purposes, adjusted to comply with Group policy and Australian Accounting Standards.

Controlled entities

Controlled entities are all those entities over which the Group has control. The Group controls an entity when the Group is exposed to, 
or has rights to, variable returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over 
the entity. Controlled entities are fully consolidated from the date on which control is transferred to the Group. They are de-consolidated 
from the date that control ceases.

The acquisition method of accounting is used to account for the acquisition of controlled entities by the Group.

Investments in associated entities

Associates are all entities over which the Group has significant influence but not control or joint control. This generally accompanies a 
shareholding of between 20% and 50% of the voting rights. Interests in associates are accounted for using the equity method. 

Investments in joint ventures

Joint ventures are arrangements where Computershare has joint control with another party over that arrangement and each party has 
rights to the net assets of that arrangement. Joint control is the agreed sharing of control, which exists when decisions about relevant 
activities require unanimous consent of parties sharing control. Interests in joint ventures are accounted for using the equity method. 

Changes in ownership interests

The Group treats transactions with non-controlling interests that do not result in a loss of control as transactions with equity owners of 
the Group. A change in ownership interest results in an adjustment between the carrying amounts of the controlling and non-controlling 
interests to reflect their relative interests in the controlled entity. Any difference between the amount of the adjustment to non-controlling 
interests and any consideration paid or received is recognised in a separate reserve within equity attributable to owners of the parent 
entity.

 68 

Foreign currency 

Functional and presentation currency

Items included in the financial statements of each of the Group’s entities are measured using the currency of the primary economic 
environment in which the entity operates (the ‘functional currency’). The consolidated financial statements are presented in US dollars 
as a significant portion of the Group’s activity is denominated in US dollars. 

Transactions and balances

Foreign currency transactions are converted to US dollars at exchange rates approximating those in effect at the date of each transaction. 
Amounts payable and receivable in foreign currencies at balance date are converted to US dollars at the average of the buy and sell rates 
available on the close of business at balance date. Revaluation gains and losses are brought to account as they occur. 

Exchange differences relating to monetary items are included in profit or loss, as exchange gains or losses, in the period when the 
exchange rates change, except when deferred in equity as qualifying cash flow hedges and qualifying net investment hedges. 

Group companies

The results and financial position of all the Group entities that have a functional currency different from the presentation currency are 
translated into the presentation currency as follows:
 > Assets and liabilities for each presented statement of financial position are translated at the closing rate at the date of that statement
 > Income and expenses for each statement of comprehensive income are translated at average exchange rates
 > All resulting exchange differences are recognised in other comprehensive income

On consolidation, exchange differences arising from the translation of any net investment in foreign entities, and of borrowings and other 
currency instruments designated as hedges of such investments, are recognised in other comprehensive income and reflected in equity. 

Goodwill and fair value adjustments arising on acquisition of a foreign entity are treated as assets and liabilities of the foreign entity and 
are translated at the closing rate.

Key estimates and judgements

Estimates and judgements are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of 
future events that may have a financial impact on the entity and that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.

The Group makes estimates and assumptions concerning the future. The resulting accounting estimates will, by definition, seldom equal 
the related actual results. The significant estimates and assumptions made in the current financial year are set out in the relevant notes: 

Note

2

6

6

8

10

Key accounting estimates and judgements

Revenue and other income

Provision for income tax

Deferred tax assets relating to carry forward tax losses

Accounting for business combinations

Impairment

Rounding of amounts

The consolidated entity is of a kind referred to in ASIC Corporations (Rounding in Financial/Directors’ Reports) Instrument 2016/191, 
issued by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, relating to the ‘rounding off’ of amounts in the financial report. In 
accordance with this instrument, amounts in the financial report have been rounded off to the nearest thousand dollars, or in certain 
cases, the nearest dollar.

New and amended accounting standards and interpretations adopted from 1 July 2018

The Group has adopted the following standards and amendments commencing 1 July 2018:
 > AASB 9 Financial Instruments
 > AASB 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers
 > AASB 2016-5 Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards – Classification and Measurement of Share-based Payment 

Transactions

 > AASB 2017-1 Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards – Transfers to Investment Property, Annual Improvements 2014-2016 

Cycle and Other Amendments

 > Interpretation 22 Foreign Currency Transactions and Advance Consideration. 

The Group had to change its accounting policies following the adoption of AASB 9 and AASB 15. This is disclosed in note 1a. 
The other amendments listed above did not have any impact on the amounts recognised in prior periods and are not expected to 
significantly affect future periods. 

69 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTSComputershare Annual Report 2019New and amended standards and interpretations issued but not yet effective 

Certain new accounting standards have been published that are not mandatory for the reporting period ended 30 June 2019 and have 
not been early adopted by the Group. The Group’s assessment of the impact of these new standards is set out below.

AASB 16 Leases

AASB 16 Leases sets out a comprehensive model for identifying and measuring lease arrangements and removes the current 
distinction between operating and financing leases for lessees. A contract contains a lease if it conveys the right to control the use 
of an identified asset for a period of time. Contracts that are leases within the scope of AASB 16 require recognition of a right-of-use 
asset and a related lease liability, being the present value of future lease payments. There are exemptions available for short-term and 
low-value leases. Consequently, adoption of the new lease standard will result in an increase in the recognised assets and liabilities 
in the Group’s statement of financial position. Additionally, operating lease expense in the consolidated statement of comprehensive 
income will be replaced by interest expense on the recognised lease liabilities together with depreciation of the right-of-use assets 
impacting the EBITDA metrics. Compared to AASB 117, the pattern of lease expense recognition for an individual lease will change 
with higher costs recognised in the earlier stages of the lease and lower costs in the later stages. This is due to the associated interest 
expense being calculated on the remaining lease liability, which reduces over the lease term.

The Group has adopted the new standard in the financial year commencing on 1 July 2019. There were several options available to the 
consolidated entity in respect of the transition to the new standard. Computershare will apply the simplified transition approach and will 
not restate comparative amounts for the year prior to adoption. It will measure the right-of-use assets for some of the largest operating 
property leases as if AASB 16 had always been applied. All other right-of-use assets will be measured under the full simplified method 
based on the amount of the related lease liability recognised on 1 July 2019.

Based on the elected transition method, the consolidated entity expects to recognise lease liabilities of approximately $217 million 
and right-of-use assets in the range of $202-$217 million. Based on the current lease portfolio and with all other factors unchanged, 
total management EBITDA used to measure segment results is expected to increase under AASB 16 by approximately $50 million 
in the year ending 30 June 2020. This is due to the fact that operating lease payments currently included in EBITDA will be replaced 
by amortisation and interest expense, which are excluded from this measure. There will be some impact of the new standard on the 
consolidated net profit after tax, but it is not expected to be material. Operating cash flows will increase under the new standard as 
the element of cash paid under lease arrangements attributable to the repayment of principal (currently included in the operating cash 
flows) will be included in financing cash flows after the change.

AASB Interpretation 23 Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments

AASB Interpretation 23 clarifies how to apply the recognition and measurement requirements in AASB 112 when there is uncertainty 
over income tax treatment. This interpretation is applicable to financial years commencing on or after 1 January 2019 and is available 
for early adoption. The Group does not expect to early adopt AASB Interpretation 23. The Group has not yet determined the impact of 
adopting this interpretation. 

There are no other standards that are not yet effective and that would be expected to have a significant impact on the consolidated 
entity in the current or future reporting periods and on foreseeable future transactions. 

1a) CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING POLICIES

This note explains the impact of the adoption of AASB 9 Financial Instruments and AASB 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers 
on the Group’s financial statements. 

AASB 9 Financial Instruments 

AASB 9 replaced the provisions of AASB 139 that relate to the recognition, classification and measurement of financial assets and 
financial liabilities, derecognition of financial instruments, impairment of financial assets and hedge accounting. The adoption of AASB 
9 Financial Instruments from 1 July 2018 resulted in changes in accounting policies and adjustments to the amounts recognised in the 
financial statements. In accordance with the transition provisions of AASB 9, comparative figures have not been restated.

Accounting policy applied from 1 July 2018

Under AASB 9, the Group classifies its financial assets in the following measurement categories:
 > those to be measured subsequently at fair value (either through other comprehensive income, or through profit or loss), and
 > those to be measured at amortised cost

The classification depends on the entity’s business model for managing the financial assets and the contractual terms of the 
cash flows. For assets measured at fair value, gains and losses are recorded in profit or loss or other comprehensive income. For 
investments in equity instruments that are not held for trading, this depends on whether the Group has made an irrevocable election at 
the time of initial recognition to account for the equity investment at fair value through other comprehensive income. 

At initial recognition, the Group measures a financial asset at its fair value plus, in the case of a financial asset not at fair value through 
profit or loss, transaction costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition of the financial asset. Transaction costs of financial assets 
carried at fair value through profit or loss are expensed in profit or loss. 

 70 

Debt instruments

Subsequent measurement of debt instruments depends on the Group’s business model for managing the asset and the cash flow 
characteristics of the asset. There are three measurement categories into which the Group classifies its debt instruments: 
 > Amortised cost: Assets that are held for collection of contractual cash flows where those cash flows represent solely payments 
of principal and interest on specified dates are measured at amortised cost. This category includes cash and bank deposits, 
receivables, loan servicing advances and other financial assets, which include client deposits.

 > Fair value through other comprehensive income: Assets that are held for collection of contractual cash flows and for selling the 

financial assets, where the assets’ cash flows represent solely payments of principal and interest, are measured at fair value through 
other comprehensive income. Unrealised gains and losses for changes in fair value are recognised in other comprehensive income. 
When the financial asset is derecognised, the cumulative gain or loss previously recognised in other comprehensive income is 
reclassified to profit or loss. Currently, the Group has no financial instruments classified into this category.

 > Fair value through profit or loss: Assets that do not meet the criteria for amortised cost or fair value through other comprehensive 
income are measured at fair value through profit or loss. A gain or loss on a debt investment that is subsequently measured at fair 
value through profit or loss is recognised in profit or loss and presented net within other gains/(losses) in the period in which it arises. 

Derivatives

Derivatives are initially recognised at fair value on the date a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently remeasured to 
their fair value at the end of each reporting period. The accounting for subsequent changes in fair value depends on whether the 
derivative is designated as a hedging instrument, and if so, the nature of the item being hedged.

Equity instruments 

The Group measures all equity instruments at fair value through profit or loss. Dividends from such investments continue to be 
recognised in profit or loss as other income. Changes in fair value are recognised in profit or loss as applicable.

Investment in structured entities

The Group measures investments in structured entities at fair value through profit or loss. Dividends from such investments continue to 
be recognised in profit or loss as other income. Changes in fair value are recognised in profit or loss as applicable.

Impairment

From 1 July 2018, the Group assesses, on a forward-looking basis, the expected credit losses associated with its financial assets 
carried at amortised cost. The impairment methodology applied depends on whether there has been a significant increase in credit 
risk. For trade receivables and contract assets, the Group applies the simplified approach, which requires expected lifetime credit 
losses to be recognised from initial recognition of the receivables. For loan servicing advances and other receivables, the Group 
applies the general approach, which requires recognition of a loss allowance based on either 12-month expected credit loss or lifetime 
expected credit loss depending on whether there has been a significant increase in credit risk since initial recognition. The changes in 
the loss allowance balance are recognised in profit or loss as an impairment gain or loss.

Accounting policies applied until 30 June 2018

Classification and measurement

Until 30 June 2018, the Group’s classified financial assets in the following categories: loans and receivables; financial assets at 
fair value through profit or loss and available-for-sale financial assets. The classification depended on the purpose for which the 
investments were acquired. Management determined the classification of financial assets at initial recognition.
 > Loans and receivables comprised non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that were not quoted in 
an active market. Subsequent to initial recognition, loans and receivables were carried at amortised cost, less a provision for 
impairment.

 > Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss comprised financial assets held-for-trading and those designated at fair value 

through profit or loss. A financial asset was classified in this category, if acquired principally for the purpose of selling in the short term 
or if designated by management. Derivatives were classified as held for trading unless they were designated as hedge instruments. 
Gains or losses arising from changes in the fair value were recognised in profit or loss.

 > Available-for-sale financial assets comprised non-derivatives that were either designated in this category or not classified in any other 
category. Available for sale financial assets were initially recognised at fair value plus transaction costs and subsequently carried at fair 
value. Unrealised gains and losses for changes in fair value were recognised in other comprehensive income in the available-for-sale 
asset reserves. When available-for-sale assets were sold, the accumulated fair value adjustments were reclassified to profit or loss.

Impairment

The Group assessed at the end of each reporting period whether there was objective evidence that a financial asset was impaired. 
Impairment was recognised in the profit or loss when there was objective evidence that the Group would not be able to collect the 
amounts due according to the original trade and other receivable terms. In the case of investments classified as available-for-sale, a 
significant or prolonged decline in the fair value below cost was considered an indicator of impairment.

71 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTSComputershare Annual Report 2019Impact of adoption of AASB 9

Classification and measurement

On 1 July 2018, the Group assessed which business models apply to the financial assets held by the Group and classified its financial 
instruments into the appropriate AASB 9 categories. The available-for-sale equity securities, debt securities and investments in 
structured entities were reclassified from available-for-sale to financial assets at fair value through profit or loss as the contractual cash 
flows of these financial assets do not represent solely payments of principal and interest. 

The adoption of AASB 9 resulted in a reclassification of the closing 30 June 2018 balance in available-for-sale financial assets of 
$30.9 million to the opening 1 July 2018 balance of financial assets at fair value through profit or loss. Related fair value gains of 
$0.3 million were also transferred from the available-for-sale asset reserve to retained earnings. 

Impairment of financial assets

Impairment under AASB 9 requires recognition of a loss allowance for expected credit losses rather than incurred credit losses as is the 
case under AASB 139. Expected credit losses are probability-weighted amounts determined by evaluating a range of possible outcomes 
and taking into account the time value of money, past events, current conditions and forecasts of future economic conditions.

Application of the AASB 9 impairment provisioning methodology resulted in an increase of $6.1 million to the loss allowance for trade 
receivables booked through opening retained earnings on 1 July 2018.

Derivatives and hedging activities

The Group hedge relationships at 30 June 2018 qualified for hedge accounting under AASB 9. The Group’s risk management 
strategies and hedge documentation are compliant with the requirements of AASB 9 and these relationships are therefore treated as 
continuing hedges.

AASB 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers

AASB 15 is the new standard for recognition of revenue and replaces AASB 118 which covered revenue arising from the sale of goods 
and the rendering of services and AASB 111 which covered construction contracts. The Group adopted AASB 15 from 1 July 2018, 
which resulted in minor changes in accounting policies and adjustments to the amounts recognised in the financial statements. In 
accordance with the transition provisions in AASB 15, the Group adopted the modified retrospective method of implementation and 
comparative figures were not restated. 

Accounting policy applied from 1 July 2018

Revenue is recognised in a manner that depicts the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the 
consideration to which the provider of the goods or services expects to be entitled. This involves following a 5-step model of revenue 
recognition:
 > Identifying the contract with a customer
 > Identifying performance obligations under the contract
 > Determining the transaction price
 > Allocating the transaction price to performance obligations under the contract
 > Recognising revenue when Computershare satisfies its performance obligations

The Group’s policy for revenue recognition under AASB 15 is largely consistent with the policy applied previously with two minor changes:

Upfront fees

There are a number of customer contracts in the Group’s registry, plan managers and business services business lines which include 
an upfront fee charged at the beginning of the contract for setup and implementation activities. The upfront fees were previously 
recognised when billed at the beginning of the contract. Under AASB 15, the activities underlying the upfront fees are classified as 
fulfilment activities. The revenue associated with these fees is now recognised over the life of the relevant contract term as performance 
obligations are met on a straight line basis. Where the related implementation costs can be measured reliably, they are now deferred 
and amortised over the same period. 

The change in accounting treatment for upfront fees on adoption of AASB 15 resulted in an increase in contract liabilities of 
$10.0 million for deferred upfront fees, an increase in other assets for $13.3 million deferred implementation costs and a net deferred 
tax liability impact of $0.4 million. 

Shareholder meetings

Some of the Group’s customer contracts in the registry business line include the shareholder meeting service in the general registry 
maintenance fee, which is recognised as revenue over time as the registry maintenance service is provided. For contracts where the 
shareholder meeting fee is not billed separately, the portion of the fee attributable to the shareholder meeting service was previously 
recognised progressively over the year. Under AASB 15, revenue related to shareholder meetings is recognised now at a point in time 
when the shareholder meeting service has been provided. 

This change resulted in deferral of some of the registry revenue from the first half of the financial year to the second half of the year. 
This change does not affect full year’s results and therefore no opening retained earnings adjustment was recorded, nor was there an 
impact to profit after tax in the 12 months to 30 June 2019. 

 72 

Accounting policy applied until 30 June 2018

Revenue

Revenue was measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable. Amounts disclosed as revenue were net of returns, 
trade discounts and volume rebates. 

The Group recognised revenue when the amount of revenue could be reliably measured, it was probable that future economic 
benefits would flow to the consolidated entity and specific criteria had been met for each of the Group’s activities. The Group based 
its estimates on historical results, taking into consideration the type of customer, the type of transaction and the specifics of each 
arrangement.

Services revenue was recognised in the accounting period in which the services were rendered. For fixed-price contracts, revenue was 
recognised under the percentage of completion method, based on the actual service provided as proportion of the total services to be 
provided. 

Interest and dividend income

Interest income was recognised using the effective interest method. Dividends were recognised as revenue when the right to receive 
payment was established.

Insurance recoveries

The consolidated entity recognised amounts receivable under its insurance policies, net of any relevant excess amounts, upon 
indemnity being acknowledged by the insurers.

Combined impact of AASB 9 and AASB 15 on the financial statements

The following table shows the adjustments recognised in the opening balance sheet on 1 July 2018 for each individual line item: 

30 June 2018
$000

AASB 9
$000

AASB 15
$000

1 July 2018
 Restated
$000

 428,973 

 4,361 

 1,791 

 40,079 

 26,566 

 4,263 

 145,654 

-

 442,270 

 2,842 

 193,026 

 (148,098)

 1,455,187 

 (6,050)

 (4,361)

 4,361 

-

-

-

-

 3,748 

 (26,566)

 26,566 

 1,948 

-

-

-

 2,152 

 9,598 

 (4,102)

 15,498 

 422,923 

 - 

 6,152 

 43,827 

 - 

 30,829 

 149,754 

 9,598 

-

 -

 -

 - 

 (4,102)

 (263)

 (3,839)

 (4,102)

 4,229 

 446,499 

 8,579 

 195,595 

 5,737 

 2,569 

 12,535 

 2,963 

-

 (148,361)

 2,963 

 2,963 

 1,454,311 

Balance sheet (extract)

Current assets

Receivables

Available-for-sale financial assets

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

Other current assets

Non-current assets

Available-for-sale financial assets

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

Deferred tax assets 

Other non-current assets

Impact of changes on total assets

Current liabilities

Payables 

Non-current liabilities

Payables

Deferred tax liabilities 

Impact of changes on total liabilities

Impact of changes on net assets

Reserves

Retained earnings

Impact of changes on total equity

73 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTSComputershare Annual Report 20192. REVENUE AND OTHER INCOME

Sales revenue

Revenue from contracts with customers 

Dividends received

Interest received

Total revenue from continuing operations

Other income

Gain on disposal of Karvy

Marked to market adjustments – derivatives

Rent received

Put option liability re-measurement

Other

Total other income

Note

2019
$000

2018
$000

2,341,247

2,282,728

1,333

3,423

4,193

2,968

2,346,003

2,289,889

4

4

4

106,456

4,363

1,704

1,672

8,830

123,025

-

217

3,463

-

7,538

11,218

Presentation of comparative consolidated sales revenue is in accordance with the previous standard AASB 118 Revenue.

Sales revenue

Revenue is recognised in a manner that depicts the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the 
consideration to which the provider of the goods or services expects to be entitled. This involves following a five-step model of revenue 
recognition:
 > Identifying the contract with a customer
 > Identifying performance obligations under the contract
 > Determining the transaction price
 > Allocating the transaction price to performance obligations under the contract
 > Recognising revenue when Computershare satisfies its performance obligations

Integrated services 

Integrated services customer contracts for registry maintenance, employee plans management, trust management, loan services 
and some recurring contracts in communication services include an obligation to perform an unspecified number of tasks to provide 
an integrated service over the contract period, where Computershare is compensated over the contract term whether or not any 
specific activities are required to be performed. In these situations, the Group has a stand-ready obligation to perform any of the tasks 
constituting the integrated service whenever needed, which is considered one performance obligation.

Typically, the consideration that Computershare is entitled to for satisfying performance obligations can vary in line with underlying 
measures, such as the number of shareholders or participants in an employee share plan. For the purposes of recording revenue, 
the Group estimates the amount of variable consideration it is entitled to, only to the extent that it is highly probable that a significant 
reversal in the cumulative amount of revenue recognised will not occur. 

In some  instances, particularly for smaller clients, consideration may be fixed. This fixed consideration is recognised as revenue over 
the contract term by measuring progress towards complete satisfaction of the underlying performance obligation, which is generally on 
a straight line basis. Revenue for provision of shareholder meetings (considered a separate performance obligation) is recognised at a 
point in time when the meeting service has been provided. 

The Group sometimes provides services on an ad-hoc basis over the contract period, where those services do not form a part of a 
stand-ready obligation (eg, property valuations). Each of these individual tasks is classified as a separate performance obligation and 
the allocated fee is recognised once that performance obligation has been completed. 

Corporate actions, stakeholder relationship management, class actions

For corporate actions, stakeholder relationship management, class actions, bankruptcy administration and some communication 
services contracts, each customer contract is a separate performance obligation and revenue related to these contracts is typically 
variable. For contracts that qualify for over time revenue recognition, revenue is recognised in line with contractual charging 
arrangements for variable fees as they reflect the transfer of benefit to the customer. 

Margin income

Margin income is part of variable consideration related to customer contracts and is recognised when it becomes receivable.

Upfront fees

Where work reflected by the upfront fees charged to clients is classified as a fulfilment activity, the associated revenue is recognised 
straight line over the relevant contract term. In those instances where the upfront fees represent a separate performance obligation, the 
associated revenue is recognised at a point in time when that performance obligation is satisfied.

 74 

Discounts and rebates

Where a contract includes a variable amount, the consolidated entity determines the transaction price with regard to any variable 
consideration it is entitled to. The estimated consideration can sometimes vary due to discounts and rebates. Accumulated experience 
is used to estimate the highly probable amount of variable consideration to be recognised.

Interest and dividend income

Interest income on deposits is recognised using the effective interest method. Dividends are recognised as revenue when the right to 
receive payment is established.

Key estimates and judgements

As part of Computershare’s appointment by UK Asset Resolution to undertake its mortgage servicing activities, it was agreed that 
a fixed fee would be payable to Computershare over four years for the provision of infrastructure to support core services under 
the contract. A single performance obligation has been identified in the contract between the Group and UK Asset Resolution 
which, under AASB 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers, will be satisfied over a period of time. A portion of the fixed fee is 
recognised as revenue during the period with reference to the percentage of related costs that have been incurred to date.

The Group is required to reassess the related costs which may arise in future and the resulting amount of revenue to be recognised 
on an annual basis. This reassessment may lead to fluctuations in the amount of the fixed fee recognised as revenue each year. 
Judgement is required in estimating the total amount of related costs which are expected to be incurred, the percentage of these 
costs incurred to date and the period over which these costs will be incurred. The remaining fixed fee yet to be recognised as 
revenue as of 30 June 2019 amounts to $55.4 million.

3. EXPENSES

Profit before tax includes the following specific expenses:

Depreciation and amortisation

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment 

Amortisation of intangible assets 

Amortisation of mortgage servicing related liabilities 

Total amortisation (net)

Total depreciation and amortisation

Finance costs

Interest expense

Loan facility fees and other borrowing expenses

Total finance costs

Other operating expense items

Operating lease rentals

Technology spending – research and development

Employee entitlements (excluding superannuation and other pension) expense

Superannuation and other pension expense

Profit before tax includes the following individually significant expenses. Further information is included in note 4. 

Individually significant items

Acquisition and disposal related expenses

Impairment charge – investments in associates

Acquisition accounting adjustments

Put option liability re-measurement

Voucher Services impairment

Depreciation and amortisation

Refer to notes 9, 20 and 24 for further details on depreciation and amortisation.

Finance costs

Finance costs are recognised as an expense when they are incurred. 

75 

17,170

13,953

702

-

-

2019
$000

2018
$000

37,539

32,864

134,283

(31,210)

103,073

140,612

63,057

3,632

66,689

53,667

72,344

921,225

44,325

112,843

(25,257)

87,586

120,450

57,278

4,839

62,117

63,835

73,700

911,520

42,273

5,694

-

7,606

13,577

3,621

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTSComputershare Annual Report 2019Operating lease rentals

Operating leases are leases in which a significant portion of the risks and rewards of ownership have not been transferred to the Group. 
Payments made under operating leases (net of any incentives received from the lessor) are charged to the statement of comprehensive 
income on a straight-line basis over the period of the lease.

Technology spending – research and development

These are operating expenses incurred on research and development activities.

Employee entitlements

Employee entitlements include salaries and wages, leave entitlements, incentives and share-based payment awards. The Group’s 
accounting policy for liabilities associated with employee benefits is set out in notes 21 and 22. The policy relating to share-based 
payments is set out in note 40.

Superannuation and other pension expense

The Group makes contributions to various defined contribution superannuation and pension plans. The Group has no further payment 
obligations once the contributions have been paid. The contributions are recognised as expense when they become payable. 

4. EARNINGS PER SHARE

Year ended 30 June 2019

Earnings per share (cents per share)

Reconciliation of earnings

Profit for the year

Non-controlling interest (profit)/loss

Less management adjustment items (see below)

Basic EPS

Diluted EPS

Management
 Basic EPS

Management
 Diluted EPS

76.57 cents

76.42 cents

70.24 cents

70.10 cents

$000

$000

$000

$000

418,955

418,955

418,955

418,955

(3,223)

(3,223)

-

-

(3,223)

(34,368)

(3,223)

(34,368)

Net profit attributable to the members of Computershare Limited

415,732

415,732

381,364

381,364

Weighted average number of ordinary shares used as denominator in 
calculating earnings per share

542,955,868

543,996,500

542,955,868

543,996,500

Year ended 30 June 2018

Earnings per share (cents per share)

Reconciliation of earnings

Profit for the year

Non-controlling interest (profit)/loss

Add back management adjustment items (see below)

Basic EPS

Diluted EPS

Management
 Basic EPS

Management
 Diluted EPS

55.17 cents

55.05 cents

63.38 cents

63.24 cents

$000

$000

$000

$000

308,329

308,329

308,329

308,329

(8,265)

(8,265)

-

-

(8,265)

44,631

(8,265)

44,631

Net profit attributable to the members of Computershare Limited

300,064

300,064

344,695

344,695

Weighted average number of ordinary shares used as denominator in calculating 
earnings per share

543,874,751

545,090,537

543,874,751

545,090,537

Reconciliation of weighted average number of shares used as the denominator: 

Weighted average number of ordinary shares used as the denominator in calculating basic earnings per share

542,955,868

543,874,751

Adjustments for calculation of diluted earnings per share:

Performance rights

1,040,632

1,215,786

Weighted average number of ordinary shares and potential ordinary shares used as the denominator in calculating 
diluted earnings per share

543,996,500

545,090,537

The weighted average number of potential dilutive ordinary shares excludes 744,431 performance rights (2018: 533,458) as they are 
not dilutive for the year ended 30 June 2019. These performance rights could potentially dilute basic earnings per share in the future. 

No employee performance rights have been issued since year end. 

2019
Number

2018
Number

 76 

Calculation of earnings per share

Basic earnings per share

Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing profit attributable to members of Computershare Limited by the weighted average 
number of ordinary shares outstanding during the financial year.

Diluted earnings per share

Diluted earnings per share is determined by adjusting the weighted average number of shares used in the calculation of basic earnings 
per share to take into account the weighted average number of additional ordinary shares that would have been outstanding assuming 
the conversion of all dilutive potential ordinary shares, such as performance rights.

Management basic earnings per share

Management basic earnings per share exclude certain items. Management adjusted results are used, along with other measures, to 
assess operating business performance. The Group believes that exclusion of certain items permits better analysis of the Group’s 
performance on a comparative basis and provides a better measure of underlying operating performance. The net profit used in the 
management earnings per share calculation is adjusted for management adjustment items net of tax. 

For the year ended 30 June 2019 management adjustment items include the following:

Amortisation

Amortisation of intangible assets

Acquisitions and disposals

Gain on disposal of Karvy 

Acquisition related expenses

One-off tax expense on Equatex IP restructure

Acquisition accounting adjustments

Other

Major restructuring costs

Impairment charge – investments in associates

Restatement of deferred tax balances due to US tax law changes

Marked to market adjustments – derivatives

Put option liability re-measurement

True-up of US tax reform impact on foreign subsidiary profits

Total management adjustment items

Management Adjustment Items

Gross
$000

Tax effect
$000

Net of tax
$000

(55,808)

15,734

(40,074)

106,456

(17,170)

-

(702)

(19,891)

(13,953)

-

4,363

1,672

-

4,967

(14)

3,595

(5,801)

(11)

5,100

442

12,819

(1,310)

-

(1,153)

29,401

106,442

(13,575)

(5,801)

(713)

(14,791)

(13,511)

12,819

3,053

1,672

(1,153)

34,368

Management adjustment items net of tax for the year ended 30 June 2019 were as follows:

Amortisation
 > Customer relationships and most of other intangible assets that are recognised on business combinations or major asset acquisitions 

are amortised over their useful life in the statutory results but excluded from management earnings. The amortisation of these 
intangibles in the year ended 30 June 2019 was $40.1 million. Amortisation of mortgage servicing rights, certain acquired software 
as well as intangibles purchased outside of business combinations is included as a charge against management earnings. 

Acquisitions and disposals
 > An accounting gain of $106.4 million was recognised on disposal of the Indian Karvy venture.
 > Acquisition related expenses of $10.9 million were incurred related to the acquisition of Equatex Group Holding AG (Equatex), 
including a $6.2 million loss on derivatives used to fix the amount of borrowings needed to fund the acquisition. Additionally, 
acquisition related expenses of $2.6 million were incurred related to the acquisition of LenderLive Financial Services LLC.

 > Pursuant to the Australian controlled foreign company rules, a one-off tax expense of $5.8 million has been recognised as a result of 

the Equatex IP restructure.

 > An expense of $0.7 million was recognised for re-measurement of contingent consideration payable to the sellers of RicePoint 

Administration Inc, Capital Markets Cooperative, LLC and Altavera, LLC.

77 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTSComputershare Annual Report 2019Other
 > Costs of $14.8 million were incurred in relation to progress of the shared services and technology components of the structural cost out 

programs and the major operations rationalisation underway in Louisville, USA.

 > An impairment charge of $13.5 million was recognised due to the write-off of Computershare’s investments in SETL Development 

Limited and CVEX Group, Inc (note 31).

 > A restatement of deferred tax balances due to tax law changes in two US states resulted in a tax benefit of $12.8 million.
 > Derivatives that have not received hedge designation are marked to market at the reporting date and taken to profit and loss in the 

statutory results. The marked to market valuation resulted in a gain of $3.1 million.

 > The Karvy put option liability re-measurement up to the date of disposal resulted in a gain of $1.7 million.
 > A true-up of the US tax reform impact on foreign subsidiary profits resulted in a tax expense of $1.2 million.

For the year ended 30 June 2018 management adjustment items were as follows:

Amortisation

Amortisation of intangible assets

Acquisitions and disposals

Acquisition accounting adjustments

Acquisition and disposal related expenses

One-off accruals regime tax payable due to acquisition of Equatex

Tax on expected disposal of Karvy

Other

Restatement of deferred tax balances due to US tax reform

Put option liability re-measurement

Major restructuring costs

Voucher Services impairment

Marked to market adjustments – derivatives

Total management adjustment items

5. SEGMENT INFORMATION

Gross
$000

Tax effect
$000

Net of tax
$000

(52,432)

15,427

(37,005)

(7,606)

(5,694)

-

-

-

(13,577)

(19,904)

(3,621)

217

-

281

(5,244)

(3,777)

44,692

-

6,528

-

79

(7,606)

(5,413)

(5,244)

(3,777)

44,692

(13,577)

(13,376)

(3,621)

296

(102,617)

57,986

(44,631)

The operating segments presented reflect the manner in which the Group has been internally managed and the financial information 
reported to the chief operating decision maker (CEO) in the current financial year. The Group has determined the operating segments 
based on the reports reviewed by the CEO that are used to make strategic decisions and assess performance. 

There are seven operating segments. Six of them are geographic: Asia, Australia and New Zealand, Canada, Continental Europe, 
UCIA (United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Ireland & Africa) and the United States of America. In addition, Technology and Other 
segment comprises the provision of software specialising in share registry and financial services, as well as serving as a research and 
development function. The CEO reviews discrete financial information for this segment.

In each of the six geographic segments the consolidated entity offers a combination of its core products and services: issuer services, 
business services, plans services, communication services and stakeholder relationship management services. Issuer services 
comprise the provision of registry maintenance and corporate actions. Business services comprise the provision of bankruptcy, class 
action and utilities administration services, voucher services, corporate trust services and mortgage servicing activities. Plans services 
comprise the provision of administration and related services for employee share and option plans. Communication services comprise 
laser imaging, intelligent mailing, inbound process automation, scanning and electronic delivery. Stakeholder relationship management 
services comprise the provision of investor analysis, investor communication and management information services to companies, 
including their employees, shareholders and other securities industry participants. 

There is a corporate function which includes entities whose main purpose is to hold intercompany investments and conduct financing 
activities. It is not considered an operating segment and includes activities that are not allocated to other operating segments.

During the year, Computershare has undertaken a review of its management structure to identify ways to intensify customer focus, 
identify opportunities for new business and operating efficiencies and develop additional products. Effective from 1 July 2019, 
the Group’s management structure and reporting has changed from a regional model to a global business model, aligned to 
Computershare’s products. Consequently, the Group will change its operating segments in the financial year ending June 2020 to 
reflect the new management structure and the way financial information will be reported to the CEO.

 78 

 
 
 
External revenue and  
other income

Revenue per business line:

Registry maintenance

Corporate actions

Business services

Stakeholder relationship 
management

Plans services

Communication services

Technology and other

Management adjusted 
EBITDA

June 2018

Total segment revenue  
and other income

External revenue  
and other income

Revenue per business line:

Registry maintenance

Corporate actions

Business services

Stakeholder relationship 
management

OPERATING SEGMENTS

June 2019

Total segment revenue and 
other income

Australia &
 New 
Zealand
$000

Asia
$000

Canada
$000

Continental
 Europe
$000

Technology 
& Other
$000

UCIA
$000

United 
States
$000

Total
$000

123,388

216,059

184,107

104,537

256,114

559,318

1,154,182

2,597,705

Intersegment revenue

(1,628)

(559)

(3,068)

(1,264)

(235,861)

(3,399)

(4,229)

(250,008)

121,760

215,500

181,039

103,273

20,253

555,919

1,149,953

2,347,697

45,679

2,825

57,753

11,725

16,531

6,096

29,055

-

600

84,218

21,208

8,666

963

14,381

85,825

239

58,584

19,415

74,501

-

5,472

20,408

6,767

1,364

21,025

29,708

1,389

121,760

215,500

181,039

103,273

43,005

33,400

83,294

18,751

78,866

12,463

377,540

99,481

302,497

525,177

8,422

46,366

143,347

6,516

3,808

60,323

40,096

970

705,465

164,292

927,372

67,319

288,539

168,912

25,798

555,919

1,149,953

2,347,697

131,368

356,241

684,111

161,481

242,869

183,184

106,755

263,708

484,606

1,108,564

2,551,167

Intersegment revenue

(4,719)

(747)

(2,497)

(894)

(244,993)

(2,199)

(3,435)

(259,484)

156,762

242,122

180,687

105,861

18,715

482,407

1,105,129

2,291,683

64,216

15,352

46,460

5,411

93,117

22,490

9,512

523

61,863

15,731

73,478

-

5,912

44,516

1,488

Plans services

23,891

14,997

21,033

Communication services

-

101,251

Technology and other

1,432

232

7,209

1,373

25,283

28,442

1,708

156,762

242,122

180,687

105,861

55,868

34,479

81,029

18,807

Management adjusted 
EBITDA

Segment revenue 

79,399

9,005

359,724

97,974

298,258

466,734

8,523

74,391

78,182

6,360

2,680

65,056

38,381

2,869

704,323

160,552

894,442

94,760

228,442

181,643

27,521

482,407

1,105,129

2,291,683

103,519

312,645

623,326

The revenue reported to the CEO is measured in a manner consistent with that of the statement of comprehensive income. Sales 
between segments are included in the total segment revenue, whereas sales within a segment have been eliminated from segment 
revenue. Sales between segments are at normal commercial rates and are eliminated on consolidation.

Segment revenue reconciles to total revenue from continuing operations as follows:

Total operating segment revenue and other income

Intersegment eliminations

Corporate revenue and other income

Total revenue from continuing operations

79 

2019
$000

2018
$000

2,597,705

2,551,167

(250,008)

(259,484)

(1,694)

(1,794)

2,346,003

2,289,889

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

17,428

20,253

18,052

-

-

-

-

-

17,227

18,715

16,979

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTSComputershare Annual Report 2019Management adjusted EBITDA

Management adjusted results are used, along with other measures, to assess operating business performance. The Group believes 
that exclusion of certain items permits better analysis of the Group’s performance on a comparative basis and provides a better 
measure of underlying operating performance.

A reconciliation of management adjusted EBITDA to operating profit before income tax is provided as follows:

Management adjusted EBITDA – operating segments

Management adjusted EBITDA – corporate

Management adjusted EBITDA

Management adjustment items (before related income tax effect):

  Amortisation of intangible assets

  Gain on disposal of Karvy

  Major restructuring costs

  Acquisition and disposal related expenses

  Impairment charge – investments in associates

  Marked to market adjustments – derivatives

  Put option liability re-measurement

  Acquisition accounting adjustments

  Voucher Services impairment

Total management adjustment items (note 4)

Finance costs

Other amortisation and depreciation 

Profit before income tax from continuing operations

Geographical Information

Australia

United Kingdom

United States

Canada

Switzerland

Other non-significant countries

Total

2019
$000

2018
$000

684,111

623,326

(9,233)

(680)

674,878

622,646

(55,808)

106,456

(19,891)

(17,170)

(13,953)

4,363

1,672

(702)

-

(52,432)

-

(19,904)

(5,694)

-

217

(13,577)

(7,606)

(3,621)

4,967

(102,617)

(66,689)

(84,804)

(62,117)

(68,016)

528,352

389,896

Geographical allocation  
of external revenue

Geographical allocation 
of non-current assets

2019
$000

208,209

457,824

2018
$000

234,379

427,813

2019
$000

152,708

206,974

2018
$000

160,176

193,980

1,158,265

1,085,301

1,896,276

1,804,930

195,005

45,418

281,282

213,297

11,354

317,745

168,993

383,860

133,497

172,595

5,126

161,237

2,346,003

2,289,889

2,942,308

2,498,044

Revenues are allocated based on the countries in which the entities are located. The parent entity is domiciled in Australia. Revenue 
from external customers in countries other than Australia amounts to $2,137.8 million (2018: $2,055.5 million).

Non-current assets exclude financial instruments and deferred tax assets and are allocated to countries based on where the assets 
are located. Non-current assets held in countries other than Australia amount to $2,789.6 million (2018: $2,337.9 million).

6. INCOME TAX EXPENSE AND BALANCES

Income tax expense

The income tax expense represents tax on the pre-tax accounting profit adjusted for income and expenses never to be assessed 
or allowed for taxation purposes. This is also adjusted for changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities attributable to temporary 
differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts in the financial statements and unused tax losses. 
The income tax expense is calculated on the basis of the tax laws enacted or substantively enacted at the end of the reporting period.

Income tax expense is recognised in profit or loss, except to the extent that it relates to items recognised in other comprehensive 
income or directly in equity. In this case, tax is also recognised in other comprehensive income or directly in equity, respectively.

 80 

 
 
 
a) Income tax expense

Current tax expense

Current tax expense

Under/(over) provided in prior years

Total current tax expense

Deferred tax expense/(benefit)

Decrease/(increase) in deferred tax assets

(Decrease)/increase in deferred tax liabilities

Total deferred tax expense/(credit)

Total income tax expense 

b) Numerical reconciliation of income tax expense to prima facie tax payable

Profit before income tax expense

Prima facie income tax expense thereon at 30%

Variation in tax rates of foreign controlled entities

Tax effect of permanent differences:

Gain on disposal of Karvy 

Effect of changes in tax rates (excluding US tax reform)

Tax payable on one-off Equatex IP restructure

Prior year tax (over)/under provided

Impairment of investment in SETL

True-up of US tax reform impact on foreign subsidiary profits

Restatement of deferred tax balances due to US tax reform

Withholding tax not creditable

One-off accruals regime tax payable due to acquisition of Equatex

Net other

Income tax expense 

(c) Amounts recognised directly in equity

Deferred tax – share based remuneration

(d) Tax benefit/(expense) relating to items of other comprehensive income

Cash flow hedges

Net investment hedges

(e) Unrecognised tax losses

2019
$000

94,328

(4,120)

90,208

2018
$000

113,737

(1,739)

111,998

(11,387)

72,235

30,576

19,189

109,397

(102,666)

(30,431)

81,567

528,352

389,896

158,506

116,969

(7,554)

(2,201)

(32,493)

(14,284)

5,801

(4,120)

2,339

1,153

-

-

-

49

3,777

(6,538)

-

(1,739)

-

-

(44,692)

9,142

5,244

1,605

109,397

81,567

887

826

(2,390)

3,101

711

(13)

2,724

2,711

As at 30 June 2019, companies within the consolidated entity had estimated unrecognised tax losses of $15.4 million 
(2018: $1.1 million) available to offset against future years’ taxable income. The acquisition of Equatex Group Holding AG resulted in an 
increase in this balance of $14.3 million. 

Deferred tax balances

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognised for temporary differences calculated at the tax rates expected to apply when the 
differences reverse. Deferred tax assets are recognised for deductible temporary differences and unused tax losses to the extent it is 
probable that future taxable amounts will be available to utilise them. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally 
enforceable right to offset current tax assets and liabilities and when the deferred tax balances relate to the same taxation authority.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are not recognised for temporary differences between the carrying amount and tax bases of 
investments in controlled entities where the parent entity is able to control the timing of the reversal of the temporary differences and it 
is probable that the differences will not reverse in the foreseeable future. 

81 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTSComputershare Annual Report 2019Deferred tax assets

The balance comprises temporary differences attributable to:

Tax losses

Mortgage servicing related liabilities

Financial instruments and foreign exchange

Intangible assets

Provisions

Employee benefits

Other creditors and accruals

Share based remuneration

Finance leases

Property, plant and equipment

Deferred revenue

Loss allowance

Other 

Total deferred tax assets

Set-off of deferred tax liabilities pursuant to set-off provisions

Net deferred tax assets

Movements during the year

Opening balance at 1 July

Change in accounting policy (note 1a)

Opening balance at 1 July (restated)

Currency translation difference

Credited/(charged) to profit or loss

Credited/(charged) to equity

Credited/(charged) to other comprehensive income

Set-off of deferred tax liabilities

Arising from acquisitions/(disposals)

Other

Closing balance at 30 June

2019
$000

30,810

59,642

59,071

29,642

19,843

7,228

6,166

4,772

3,950

3,853

3,734

2,456

5,947

237,114

(97,935)

139,179

145,654

4,100

149,754

(2,542)

11,387

887

3,101

(37,534)

14,126

-

2018
$000

17,532

49,252

40,613

29,625

20,942

7,496

12,312

4,770

4,834

10,252

3,723

2,024

2,680

206,055

(60,401)

145,654

178,675

-

178,675

(2,582)

(72,235)

826

2,724

37,188

534

524

139,179

145,654

The total deferred tax assets expected to be recovered after more than 12 months amounts to $144.3 million (2018: $122.9 million).

Deferred tax liabilities

The balance comprises temporary differences attributable to:

Goodwill

Intangible assets

Financial instruments and foreign exchange

Other

Total deferred tax liabilities

Set-off of deferred tax assets pursuant to set-off provisions

Net deferred tax liabilities

Movements during the year:

Opening balance at 1 July

Change in accounting policy (note 1a)

Opening balance at 1 July (restated)

Currency translation difference

Charged/(credited) to profit or loss

Charged/(credited) to other comprehensive income

Set-off of deferred tax assets

Arising from acquisitions/(disposals)

Other

Closing balance at 30 June

187,256

100,911

20,640

6,717

315,524

(97,935)

217,589

193,026

2,569

195,595

(424)

30,576

2,390

(37,534)

26,986

-

187,284

53,941

3,610

8,592

253,427

(60,401)

193,026

258,251

-

258,251

(301)

(102,666)

13

37,188

903

(362)

217,589

193,026

The total deferred tax liabilities expected to be settled after more than 12 months amount to $311.7 million (2018: $248.2 million).

 82 

Key estimates and judgements

The Group is subject to income taxes in Australia and jurisdictions where it has foreign operations. Significant judgement is 
required in determining the provision for income taxes. There are many transactions and calculations undertaken during the 
ordinary course of business for which the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. Where the final outcome is different from the 
amounts that were initially recognised, such differences will impact the current and deferred tax provisions in the period in which 
such determination is made.

The Group has recognised deferred tax assets relating to carried forward tax losses to the extent that it is probable that future 
taxable profits will be available against which these assets can be utilised. The assumptions regarding future utilisation, and 
therefore the recognition of deferred tax assets, may change due to future operating performance and other factors.

Contingent liability - Australian thin capitalisation

The Group renewed an existing bilateral advance pricing arrangement with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and Her Majesty’s 
Revenue and Customs in relation to remuneration to be paid to the Australian Group from its ownership and licensing of certain 
intangible assets. As part of that process, the ATO undertook collateral review activities and issued a draft position paper 
challenging the inclusion of these intangible assets in the thin capitalisation calculation used by the Australian Group to determine 
the amount of tax deductible interest on Australian borrowings between 1 July 2010 and 30 June 2014. Computershare disagrees 
with the ATO’s views and responded to the draft position paper in September 2017. If the ATO maintains its views, Computershare 
intends to vigorously defend its position. This process may take some years to resolve. As the Group does not expect to pay 
additional tax related to this matter, no provision was recognised at 30 June 2019. If Computershare is unsuccessful in defending 
its position, the maximum potential primary tax liability in respect of the period from 1 July 2010 to 30 June 2019 excluding interest 
is estimated at $52.1 million.

7. NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT

(a) Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash at bank and on hand, and short-term deposits with original maturities of three months 
or less that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value, net of 
outstanding bank overdrafts. Cash and cash equivalents exclude broker client deposits reflected in the statement of financial position 
that are recorded as other current financial assets.

Cash and cash equivalents in the consolidated cash flow statement are reconciled to the consolidated statement of financial position 
as follows:

Shown as cash and cash equivalents in the consolidated statement of financial position

Shown as cash and cash equivalents in the assets held for sale line item of the consolidated statement  
of financial position

Cash and cash equivalents in the consolidated cash flow statement

(b) Reconciliation of net profit after income tax to net cash from operating activities

Net profit after income tax

Adjustments for:

 Depreciation and amortisation

 Gain on disposal of Karvy 

 Net (gain)/loss on asset disposals and asset write-downs

 Contingent consideration re-measurement

 Share of net (profit)/loss of associates and joint ventures accounted for using equity method

 Employee benefits – share based expense

 Hedge cost of business combination

 Impairment charge

 Fair value adjustments

Changes in assets and liabilities:

 (Increase)/decrease in receivables

 (Increase)/decrease in inventories

 (Increase)/decrease in loan servicing advances

 (Increase)/decrease in other current assets

 Increase/(decrease) in payables and provisions

 Increase/(decrease) in tax balances

2019
$000

561,346

 -  

2018
$000

500,888

 33,781 

561,346

534,669

418,955

308,329

140,612

(106,456)

817

702

1,006

18,049

7,138

13,953

(6,035)

120,450

-

(26)

7,606

(297)

17,564

-

3,621

13,360

(52,636)

(26,577)

(832)

(124,769)

1,899

(29,540)

3,895

(144)

61,063

(11,681)

26,105

(5,322)

Net cash and cash equivalents from operating activities

286,758

514,051

83 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTSComputershare Annual Report 2019Operating cash flows were impacted by the acquisition of $125.0 million loan servicing advances related to an MSR transaction 
completed in a prior reporting period, whereby the Group undertook to purchase on 14 December 2018 any uncollected amounts that 
had been advanced relating to this MSR before it was acquired. Excluding loan servicing advances, operating cash flows decreased by 
$41.5 million.

(c) Reconciliation of liabilities arising from financing activities

Current
 borrowings
$000

Non-current 
borrowings
$000

Current 
lease
 liabilities
$000

Non-current 
lease 
liabilities
$000

Cross 
currency 
swap
$000

Total
$000

423,676

1,051,842

(156,859)

651,399 

3,616

(3,317)

2,002

(704)

-

1,481,136

(7,877)

482,642 

16,993 

 -   

245 

(211,586)

125 

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

1,136 

5,127 

 -   

 -   

50,300 

208,488 

(6,049)

 -   

565 

(69)

 -   

9,781 

 -   

547 

(565)

(56)

5,804

72,594

1,955,980

1,931

-

2,038,760

16,993 

6,263 

60,326 

(3,098)

(5,502)

Opening balance at 1 July 2018

Cash flows

Non-cash changes: 

  Acquisitions of entities and businesses

  Additions

  Fair value adjustments

  Transfers and other 

  Currency translation difference

Balance at 30 June 2019

(d) Disposal of businesses

On 17 November 2018, Computershare completed the sale of its 50% interest in the Indian venture Karvy. A gain of $106.5 million has 
been recognised in other income in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income during the reporting period. Karvy’s revenues 
and EBITDA contribution until the date of disposal are included in the Asia segment in note 5. 

Details of the disposal are as follows:

Cash consideration

Less:

Carrying amount of net assets disposed

Disposal of non-controlling interest

Reclassification of foreign currency translation reserve

Disposal costs

Gain on disposal before income tax 

Income tax expense

Gain on disposal after tax

Carrying amount of net assets disposed:

Assets and liabilities

Cash and cash equivalents

Receivables

Intangibles

Property, plant and equipment

Other assets

Put option liability

Payables

Current tax liabilities

Deferred tax liabilities

Provisions

Net assets

Disposal consideration:

Inflow/(outflow) of proceeds received from sale of subsidiary, net of cash disposed:

Cash consideration

Less cash disposed

Net inflow/(outflow) of cash

For details of businesses acquired during the year and related cash flows refer to note 8.

$000

99,043

 (1,952)

 18,713 

 (7,312)

 (2,036)

106,456

 (14)

106,442

 21,280 

 20,176 

 19,274 

 8,672 

 137 

 (53,563)

 (9,891)

 (2,293)

 (1,081)

 (759)

1,952

 99,043 

 (21,280)

77,763

 84 

 
 
 
 
 
8. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

The Group continues to seek acquisition and other growth opportunities where value can be added and returns enhanced for the 
shareholders. The following controlled entities and businesses were acquired by the consolidated entity at the date stated and their 
operating results have been included in the Group’s results from the acquisition date. Where goodwill is marked as provisional, 
identification and valuation of net assets acquired will be completed within a 12-month measurement period in accordance with the 
Group’s accounting policy.

(a)  On 9 November 2018, the Group acquired 100% of Equatex Group Holding AG, a European employee share plan 

administration business headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. Total consideration was EUR 370.2 million. The acquisition 
enhances Computershare’s Employee Share Plans client base, product suite, capabilities and position in key European 
markets. 

This business combination contributed $67.8 million to the total revenue of the Group. If the acquisition had occurred on 1 July 2018, 
the total revenue contribution by the acquired entity would have been $91.9 million. 

Details of the acquisition are as follows:

Cash consideration

Total consideration paid

Less fair value of identifiable assets acquired

Goodwill on consolidation

Assets and liabilities arising from this acquisition are as follows:

Customer relationships

Client deposits1

Software

Cash and cash equivalents

Receivables

Deferred tax assets

Brand name

Other current assets

Property, plant and equipment

Client deposits liability1

Deferred tax liabilities

Payables

Provisions

Current tax liabilities

Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss

Net assets

Purchase consideration:

Inflow/(outflow) of cash to acquire the entity, net of cash acquired:

Cash balance acquired

Less cash paid

Net inflow/(outflow) of cash

$000

 419,680 

 419,680 

(175,264)

 244,416 

Fair value
$000

 123,962 

 49,642 

 33,594 

 26,131 

 19,632 

 14,126 

 5,499 

 2,350 

 13 

 (49,642)

 (26,986)

 (21,968)

 (845)

 (188)

 (56)

 175,264 

$000

 26,131 

 (419,680)

(393,549)

1  Equatex AG is a registered broker dealer and custodian in Switzerland and the client monies it manages as part of providing plan manager services meet the accounting 

criteria for on-balance sheet recognition. These deposits are recognised in other financial assets in the statement of financial position, with a corresponding offsetting liability 
recognised in payables.

(b)  On 31 December 2018, Computershare acquired 100% of LenderLive Financial Services, LLC. LenderLive is a fulfilment and 
secondary market service provider in the US mortgage industry, based in Denver, USA. This acquisition will further strengthen 
Computershare’s growth in the US mortgage services market, adding scale to existing fulfilment and secondary market 
services.

This business combination contributed $20.3 million to the total revenue of the Group. If the acquisition had occurred on 1 July 2018, 
the total revenue contribution by the acquired entity would have been $40.0 million. 

85 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTSComputershare Annual Report 2019  
Details of the acquisition were as follows:

Cash consideration

Total consideration paid

Less fair value of identifiable assets acquired

Goodwill on consolidation

Assets and liabilities arising from this acquisition are as follows:

Cash and cash equivalents

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

Receivables

Property, plant and equipment

Other current assets

Intangibles

Interest bearing liabilities

Payables

Provisions

Other liabilities

Net assets

Purchase consideration:

Inflow/(outflow) of cash to acquire the entity, net of cash acquired:

Cash balance acquired

Less cash paid

Net inflow/(outflow) of cash

$000

 31,801 

 31,801 

(28,526)

 3,275 

Fair value
$000

 15,817 

 14,654 

 7,995 

 3,033 

 831 

 7,283 

 (16,993)

 (3,290)

 (446)

 (358)

 28,526 

$000

 15,817 

 (31,801)

(15,984)

(c)  On 10 July 2018, Computershare acquired the business of Title XI Software Solutions. Title XI is a provider of software and 

technology solutions for Chapter 11 and Chapter 7 bankruptcy administration based in California, USA. 

This business combination did not materially contribute to the total revenue of the group. 

Details of the acquisition were as follows:

Cash consideration

Deferred consideration

Total consideration paid

Less fair value of identifiable assets acquired

Goodwill on consolidation

$000

 4,078 

 2,454 

 6,532 

(3,750)

 2,782 

The acquisition method of accounting is used to account for all business combinations, regardless of whether equity instruments or 
other assets are acquired. The consideration transferred for the acquisition of a controlled entity comprises the fair value of the assets 
transferred, the liabilities incurred and the equity interests issued by the Group. The consideration transferred also includes the fair value 
of any contingent consideration arrangement and the fair value of any pre-existing equity interest in the controlled entity.

Acquisition-related costs are expensed as incurred. Identifiable assets acquired as well as liabilities and contingent liabilities 
assumed in a business combination are, with limited exceptions, measured initially at their fair values at the acquisition date. Within 
12 months of completing the acquisition, identifiable intangible assets are valued and separately recognised in the statement of 
financial position. On an acquisition-by-acquisition basis, the Group recognises any non-controlling interest in the acquiree either at 
fair value or at the non-controlling interest’s proportionate share of the acquiree’s net identifiable assets. 

The excess of the consideration transferred, the amount of any non-controlling interest in the acquiree and the acquisition-date fair 
value of any previous equity interest in the acquiree over the fair value of the Group’s share of the net identifiable assets acquired is 
recorded as goodwill. If those amounts are less than the fair value of the net identifiable assets of the controlled entity acquired and the 
measurement of all amounts has been reviewed, the difference is recognised directly in profit or loss as a gain on bargain purchase. 

Contingent consideration is classified either as equity or a financial liability. Amounts classified as a financial liability are subsequently 
re-measured to fair value with changes in fair value recognised in profit or loss.

 86 

 
 
Key estimates and judgements

Acquisition accounting requires that management make estimates with regard to valuation of certain non-monetary assets and 
liabilities of the acquired entities. These estimates have particular impact in terms of valuation of intangible assets, contingent 
consideration liabilities and provisions. To the extent that these items are subject to determination during the initial 12 months after 
acquisition, the variation to estimated value will be adjusted through goodwill. To the extent that determination occurs after  
12 months, any variation will impact profit or loss in the relevant period.

9. INTANGIBLE ASSETS 

At 1 July 2018

Opening cost

Opening accumulated amortisation

Opening net book amount

Additions (net of adjustments and reclassifications)1

Amortisation charge2

Currency translation difference

Closing net book amount

At 30 June 2019

Cost

Accumulated amortisation

Closing net book amount

At 1 July 2017

Opening cost

Opening accumulated amortisation

Opening net book amount

Additions (net of adjustments and reclassifications)1

Amortisation charge2

Impairment charge

Currency translation difference

Other4

Closing net book amount

At 30 June 2018

Cost

Accumulated amortisation

Closing net book amount

Customer
 contracts and
 relationships
$000

Mortgage
 Servicing
 Rights
$000

Goodwill
$000

Other3
$000

Total
$000

1,521,575

572,619

599,581

52,561

2,746,336

 -   

(241,786)

(144,832)

(32,092)

(418,710)

1,521,575

250,473

330,833

129,674

454,749

163,715

20,469

45,318

2,327,626

589,180

 -   

(50,058)

(74,542)5

(9,683)

(134,283)

(4,023)

3,184

 -   

996

157

1,768,025

413,633

543,922

57,100

2,782,680

1,768,025

688,864

763,296

98,266

3,318,451

 -   

(275,231)

(219,374)

(41,166)

(535,771)

1,768,025

413,633

543,922

57,100

2,782,680

1,552,976

567,875

 -   

(199,067)

1,552,976

368,808

(3,871)

9,402

485,816

(85,706)

400,110

114,326

 -   

(47,392)

(59,687)5

(3,621)

(12,010)

(11,899)

 -   

15

-

 -   

 -   

-

50,146

2,656,813

(30,184)

(314,957)

19,962

2,341,856

6,365

(5,764)

 -   

(94)

-

126,222

(112,843)

(3,621)

(12,089)

(11,899)

1,521,575

330,833

454,749

20,469

2,327,626

1,521,575

572,619

599,581

52,561

2,746,336

 -   

(241,786)

(144,832)

(32,092)

(418,710)

1,521,575

330,833

454,749

20,469

2,327,626

1  Additions comprise recognition of intangible assets resulting from business combinations and direct purchases as well as adjustments and reclassifications made on 

finalisation of acquisition accounting. 

2  Amortisation charge is included within direct services expense in the statement of comprehensive income.

3  Other intangible assets include intellectual property, licences, software and brands.

4  Includes $11.9 million goodwill reclassified as at 30 June 2018 to held for sale assets.

5  The gross amount of mortgage servicing rights amortisation is partially offset in the statement of comprehensive income by the amortisation of the related mortgage 

servicing liabilities. 

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquisition over the fair value of the Group’s share of the net identifiable assets 
acquired. Goodwill is carried at cost less accumulated impairment losses and is tested for impairment annually or more frequently, if 
events or changes in circumstances indicate that it might be impaired. On disposal or termination of a previously acquired business, 
any associated goodwill is included in the determination of profit or loss on disposal. 

87 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTSComputershare Annual Report 2019The acquired goodwill can be attributed to the expected future cash flows of the acquired businesses associated with the collective 
experience of management and staff and the synergies expected to be achieved as a result of full integration into the Computershare 
Group. Where acquisitions have been made during the period, the Group has 12 months from the acquisition date in which to finalise 
the accounting, including calculation of goodwill. Until finalisation of acquisition accounting within the 12-month period, provisional 
amounts are included in the consolidated results.

Acquired intangible assets

Acquired intangible assets have a finite useful life and are carried at fair value at the date of acquisition less accumulated amortisation 
and impairment losses. Amortisation is calculated using the straight line method to allocate value over their estimated useful lives, 
typically ranging from one to twenty years.

Mortgage servicing rights

Mortgage servicing rights acquired as part of business combination are carried at their fair value at the date of acquisition less 
accumulated amortisation and impairment losses. Mortgage servicing rights acquired as part of ongoing operations are carried at cost 
less accumulated amortisation and impairment losses. Amortisation for all servicing rights is calculated using the straight line method 
over their estimated useful lives of, typically, around nine years.

Software and research and development costs

All research-related costs are expensed as incurred. Software development costs are capitalised where they meet the recognition 
criteria for capitalisation, and are subsequently amortised using the straight line method to allocate their value over their estimated 
useful lives, typically ranging from eight to fifteen years. 

10. IMPAIRMENT

Impairment test for goodwill

For the purpose of impairment testing, assets are grouped at the lowest levels for which there are largely independent cash inflows 
(cash generating units). Goodwill is allocated to cash generating units (CGUs), or groups of CGUs, expected to benefit from synergies 
of the business combination. As the Group continues to acquire operations and reorganise the way that operations are managed, 
reporting structures may change giving rise to a reassessment of cash generating units and/or the allocation of goodwill to those cash 
generating units.

The carrying amount of goodwill has been allocated to the following groups of CGU’s constituting most of the Group’s operating 
segments:

Asia

Australia and New Zealand

Canada

Continental Europe

United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Ireland and Africa (UCIA)

United States

2019
$000

62,722

149,583

116,610

26,940

334,195

2018
$000

64,232

156,687

115,222

27,487

86,057

1,077,975

1,071,890

1,768,025

1,521,575

When testing for impairment, the carrying amount of each group of CGUs is compared with its recoverable amount. The recoverable 
amount is determined based on a value-in-use calculation for each group of CGUs to which goodwill has been allocated. The 
value-in-use calculation uses the discounted cash flow methodology for each CGU typically based upon five years of cash flow 
projections plus a terminal value.

Key estimates and judgements

Key assumptions used in the value-in-use calculations are described below for each group of CGUs with allocated goodwill. As 
there are a number of CGUs in most of the operating segments, presented below are weighted averages of the assumptions 
applied to individual CGUs.

Five-year post-tax cash flow projections are based upon approved budgets covering a one-year period, with subsequent periods 
based upon the Group’s expectations of growth excluding the impact of possible future acquisitions, business improvement and 
restructuring. The earnings growth rates applied beyond the initial five-year period are as follows in 2019: Asia 3.0% (2018: 3.0%), 
Australia and New Zealand 2.5% (2018: 2.5%), Canada 2.0% (2018: 2.0%), Continental Europe 1.7% (2018: 1.8%), UCIA 2.6% 
(2018: 2.5%) and the United States 2.5% (2018: 2.5%).

In performing the value-in-use calculations for each CGU, the Group has applied post-tax discount rates to discount the forecast 
future attributable post-tax cash flows. The discount rates used reflect the risks specific to each CGU. The equivalent pre-tax 
discount rates are as follows: Asia 9.0% (2018: 9.0%), Australia and New Zealand 12.1% (2018: 12.0%), Canada 10.1% (2018: 
10.1%), Continental Europe 9.3% (2018: 9.4%), UCIA 8.7% (2018: 8.7%) and United States 9.7% (2018: 9.7%).

 88 

Impact of reasonably possible changes in key assumptions

As impairment testing is based on assumptions and judgements, the Group has considered sensitivity of the impairment test results 
to changes in key assumptions. For all operating segments, the recoverable amount exceeds the carrying amount when testing for 
reasonably possible changes in key assumptions.

Impairment

Impairment losses are recognised in profit or loss in the reporting period when the carrying amount exceeds recoverable amount. The 
recoverable amount is the higher of an asset’s fair value less costs to sell and value in use.

11. HEDGE ACCOUNTING

The Group applies hedge accounting as follows:

Fair value hedge

Cash flow hedge

Nature of hedge

The hedge of fair value risk of a financial 
liability 

The hedge of a highly probable forecast 
transaction

Hedged risk

Interest rate risk

Interest rate risk

Hedged item 

Hedging 
instruments

Fixed interest rate US Private 
Placement issues

Highly probable interest cash flows from 
which margin income is derived

Interest rate swaps

Interest rate swaps

Hedge of net investment in  
foreign operations

The hedge of changes in the
consolidated entity’s foreign denominated 
net assets due to changes in foreign 
currency rates

Foreign exchange risk

Foreign operations

Cross currency swaps, foreign currency 
denominated issued debt

Designation and
documentation

At the inception of the transaction, the Group documents its risk management objective and strategy for the hedge, hedging 
instrument, hedged item, hedged risk and how the hedge relationship will meet the hedge effectiveness requirements.

Hedge
effectiveness
method

Hedge effectiveness is determined at the inception of the hedge relationship, and through periodic prospective effectiveness 
assessments to ensure that an economic relationship exists between the hedged item and hedging instrument. 
The assessment is based on:

Accounting
treatment for
the hedging
instrument

Accounting
treatment
for the
hedged item

Accounting
treatment
for hedge
ineffectiveness

Accounting
treatment if
the hedge
relationship is
discontinued

 > existence of an economic relationship between the hedged item and the hedging instrument

 > the effect of credit risk not dominating the changes in value of either the hedged item or the hedging instrument

 > the hedge ratio being reflective of the Group’s risk management approach

Fair value through the income 
statement

Fair value through the cash flow hedge 
reserve and then recognised in the 
income statement at the time at which 
the hedged item affects the income 
statement for the hedged risk

Fair value through the foreign currency 
translation reserve and recognised in the 
income statement at the time at which 
there is a disposal of the hedged foreign 
operation

Carrying value adjusted for changes in 
fair value attributable to the hedged risk; 
fair value through the income statement

Accounted for under other accounting 
standards (revenue)

Foreign exchange gains and losses 
are recognised in the Group’s foreign 
currency translation reserve

Recognised in the income statement 
to the extent that changes in fair value 
of the hedged item attributable to the 
hedged risk are not offset by changes in 
fair value of the hedging instrument.

Recognised in the income statement to 
the extent to which changes in fair value 
of the hedging instrument exceed, in 
absolute terms, the change in the fair 
value of the hedged item.

Recognised in the income statement to 
the extent to which changes in fair value 
of the hedging instrument exceed, in 
absolute terms, the change in the fair 
value of the hedged item.

Where the hedged item still exists, 
adjustments to the hedged item are 
amortised to the income statement on 
an effective interest rate basis.

The gain or loss remains in the cash 
flow hedge reserve to the extent that 
the hedged cash flows are still expected 
to take place and subsequently 
recognised in the income statement 
at the time at which the hedged item 
affects the income statement for the 
hedged risk. 
Where the hedged cash flows are no 
longer expected to take place, the gain 
or loss in the cash flow hedge reserve 
is recognised immediately in the income 
statement.

The gain or loss remains recognised in 
the foreign currency translation reserve 
until such time as the foreign operation is 
partially disposed of or sold. 

Hedge ratio

The hedge ratio is reflective of the Group’s risk management objectives

The notional of the interest rate swap 
is allocated to the hedged item on a 
one-for-one basis.

The notional of the interest rate swap 
is allocated to hedged item on a 
one-for-one basis.

Foreign currency borrowings and swaps 
are allocated to the net investments in 
foreign operations on a one-for-one basis.

89 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTSComputershare Annual Report 2019Hedging instruments 

The following table details the hedging instruments, nature of hedged risks, as well as the notional and the carrying amount of 
derivative financial instruments and, in the case of net investment hedges, the notional of foreign denominated debt issued, for each 
type of hedge relationship. The maturity profile for the hedging instruments’ notional amounts is reported based on their contractual 
maturity. Designated cross-currency swaps for foreign exchange risk are included as a single notional amount per derivative. 

Hedging Instrument

Risk

Notional

Carrying
 amount

2019

Assets

Less than 
3 months
 $000s

3 to 12 
months
$000s

1 to 5 
years
$000s

Over 
5 years
$000s

Total 
$000’s

Total 
$000s

Cash flow hedges

Interest rate swaps

Fair value hedges

Interest rate swaps

Interest 

Interest 

Net investment hedges Cross currency swaps

Foreign exchange

 163,690 

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 193,323 

Cash flow hedges

Interest rate swaps

Interest 

 250,000 

 -  

Liabilities

Net investment hedges Cross currency swaps

Foreign exchange

Net investment hedges Borrowings

Foreign exchange

 -  

 -  

Hedging instrument executed rates

 255,938 

 -  

 45,964 

 390,000 

 -  

 553,690 

 7,849 

 385,000 

 450,000 

 835,000 

 54,786 

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 193,323 

 814 

 -  

 -  

 -  

 250,000 

-

 255,938 

 3,265 

 45,964 

 45,964 

The following table shows the executed rates for the hedging instruments that have been designated in cash flow hedges and net 
investment hedges that are in place at balance date. 

Cash flow hedges

Hedging 
instruments

Interest rate swaps

Currency/
Currency pair

GBP

USD

Net investment hedges

Cross currency swaps

EUR/AUD

CHF/AUD

CHF/USD

Hedged 
rate

0.85%

2.28% – 2.58%

0.6128

0.6835

 0.9880 

Executed rates for fair value hedges of interest rate risk have not been shown as these represent the market reference rates at the time of 
designation being USD LIBOR. Refer to note 13(b) for further disclosure on the interest rate derivatives designated as fair value hedges.

Hedge ineffectiveness

Hedge ineffectiveness, in the case of a fair value hedge, is the extent to which the changes in the fair value of the hedging instrument 
differ to that of the hedged item, and in the case of cash flow and net investment hedge relationships, the extent to which the change 
in the hedging instrument exceeds that of the hedged item. Sources of hedge ineffectiveness primarily arise from changes in credit risk 
of the counterparties, breakdown in correlation or impact of the basis spread between short-term interest rates in the same currency, 
changes in market premiums and differences in reset dates, risk and discount rates between the hedged item (possibly represented by 
a hypothetical derivative) and hedging instrument.

The following table reflects the hedge ineffectiveness during the period, as reported in other income in the statement of comprehensive 
income:

Hedging 
instruments

Risk

2019

Cash flow hedges

Fair value hedges

Interest rate swaps

Interest rate swaps

Interest 

Interest 

Net investment hedges

Cross currency swaps

Foreign exchange

Gains/(losses)
on hedging
instruments
$000’s

Gains/(losses)
on hedged items
attributable to 
the hedged risk
$000’s

Hedge
ineffectiveness
recognised in the
income statement
$000’s

 8,304 

 50,838 

 (10,595)

 (8,304)

 (50,546)

 10,593 

 -  

 292 

 (2)

AASB 139’s hedge accounting requirements, which were applied prior to the adoption of AASB 9, for the Group are substantially the 
same as that of AASB 9.

 90 

12. FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT

Financial risk management objectives

The Group’s activities expose it to a variety of financial risks: market risk (including foreign exchange risk and interest rate risk), liquidity 
risk and credit risk. The Group’s overall financial risk management is carried out by a central treasury department (Group Treasury) 
under policies approved by the Board. The Board provides written principles for overall risk management, as well as policies covering 
specific areas such as currency risk management, interest rate risk management, counterparty risk management and the use of 
derivative financial instruments. Derivative financial instruments are used to manage specifically identified interest rate and foreign 
currency risks. 

The Group Treasury function provides services to the business. It also monitors and manages the financial risks relating to the 
operations of the Group. Group Treasury identifies, evaluates and hedges financial risks in close cooperation with the regional treasury 
centres and reports regularly to the Board. 

Capital risk management objectives 

The primary objective of the Group’s capital management is to ensure that it minimises the working capital funding requirements 
through effective controls in order to support its businesses and maximise shareholder value.

A key financial ratio for the Group is net financial indebtedness to management adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and 
amortisation (Management EBITDA). Net debt is calculated as interest bearing liabilities less cash and cash equivalents.

Interest bearing liabilities

Cash and cash equivalents1

Net debt

Management EBITDA (note 5)

Net debt to Management EBITDA

Net debt to Management EBITDA (excluding mortgage servicing debt)2

1  2019 includes nil (2018: $33.8 million) cash presented in assets classified as held for sale. 

2  Excludes mortgage servicing debt of $233.5 million (2018: $118.9 million).

2019
$000

2018
$000

2,036,309

1,481,136

(561,346)

(534,669)

1,474,963

674,878

2.19

1.84

946,467

622,646

1.52

1.33

The Group manages its capital structure and makes adjustments to it in line with changes in economic conditions. To achieve its target 
capital structure, the Group may adjust the dividend payment to shareholders, conduct share buy-backs or issue new shares. No 
changes were made to the capital structure objectives or processes during the current financial year. 

Computershare has a target neutral gearing level such that net debt to EBITDA is between 1.75x - 2.25x excluding the non-recourse 
SLS advance facility debt, with flexibility to temporarily go above this range to take advantage of compelling investment opportunities. 
Computershare will consider capital management initiatives to maintain leverage within this target band.

Financial risk factors

The key financial risk factors that arise from the Group’s activities are outlined below. 

(a) Interest rate risk 

Interest rate risk arises from the possibility that changes in interest rates will affect future cash flows or fair values of financial 
instruments. The consolidated entity is exposed to interest rate risk through its primary financial assets and liabilities and as a result of 
maintaining agent and escrow agent bank accounts on behalf of clients. Given the nature of the client balances, neither the funds nor 
an offsetting liability are included in the Group’s financial statements. Average client balances during the year approximated $18.5 billion 
(2018: $17.0 billion) and in relation to these balances, the consolidated entity has in place interest rate derivatives totalling $1.0 billion 
notionally (2018: $1.0 billion).

Hedging strategy

i) Fixed rate debt

The Group uses interest rate derivatives to manage the change in fair value of fixed rate debt obligations, arising from changes in 
variable interest rates. The Group has issued interest rate swaps, designated as a fair value hedge of US Senior Notes issued (refer 
note 14(b)). Changes in fair value of these derivatives are recorded in profit or loss, together with any changes in the fair value of the 
hedged liability that are attributable to the hedged risk.

91 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTSComputershare Annual Report 2019ii) Margin income

The Group uses interest rate swaps to manage the variability of cash flows attributable to changes in interest rates associated with 
highly probable interest earned on client balances (margin income), designated as cash flow hedges. The effective portion of changes 
in the fair value of derivatives which are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges is recognised in other comprehensive income in 
the cash flow hedge reserve. The gain or loss relating to the ineffective portion is recognised immediately in profit or loss. Amounts 
accumulated in equity are recycled to profit or loss in the periods when the hedged item will affect profit or loss (for instance when the 
future cash flows that are hedged occur).

Interest rate sensitivity

The table below provides an indication of sensitivity of the Group’s profit before tax and other components of equity to movements in 
interest rates with all other variables held constant.

Movement in basis points

Sensitivity of profit before tax

AUD

USD

CAD

GBP

EUR

CHF

Other

Total

Sensitivity of other components of equity

USD

GBP

2019
$000

2018
$000

+50

-50

+50

-50

1,006

(792)

535

(1,464)

(309)

(1,655)

227

(2,452)

(6,379)

-

(1,006)

796

(535)

1,464

309

1,655

(227)

2,456

6,519

-

128

(4,404)

427

(186)

131

-

186

(3,718)

-

(2,730)

(128)

4,405

(427)

186

(131)

-

(186)

3,719

-

2,748

The sensitivity of profit before tax is the effect of assumed reasonably possible changes in interest rates for one year, based on the 
on-balance sheet floating rate financial assets and liabilities as at 30 June 2019. Other components of equity change as a result of an 
increase/decrease in the fair value of cash flow hedges. The total sensitivity analysis is based on the assumption that there are parallel 
shifts in the yield curve. 

The above sensitivity calculation includes the impact of changes in interest rates on the fair value of recognised derivatives but excludes 
the impact on interest income derived from certain client balances. Client balances have been excluded from the sensitivity analysis 
where they are not reflected in the Group’s consolidated statement of financial position. Interest income is earned on these balances 
at various fixed and floating interest rates. In a rising interest rate environment, client balances that earn interest income will result in an 
increase to profit, while in a falling interest rate environment, client balances that earn interest income will result in a decrease to profit. 

Total margin income generated on client balances for the year was $246.5 million (2018: $179.5 million), reflecting a yield of 1.33% 
(2018: 1.06%) on average client balances. If the Group was able to achieve an additional yield of 0.25% on the total average balances 
of $18.5 billion held during the reporting period, the Group’s profit before tax would have increased by $46.4 million.

(b)  Foreign exchange risk

Foreign exchange risk arises from future commercial transactions and recognised assets and liabilities denominated in a currency that 
is not the relevant entity’s functional currency. 

Entities within the Group typically enter into external transactions and recognise external assets and liabilities that are denominated in 
their functional currency. Whilst a number of entities within the Group hold bank account balances in a currency which is not their local 
functional currency, these balances do not expose the Group to significant foreign exchange risk.

Foreign currency translation risk also arises from net investments in foreign operations held in Europe, Canada, South Africa and Asia 
Pacific. Accordingly, the Group’s financial position can be affected significantly by movements in the relevant currency exchange rate 
when translating into the consolidated entity’s presentation currency, the United States dollar. 

Hedging strategy

The risk of changes in the net investments in foreign operations as a result of movements in foreign exchange rates is hedged through 
a combination of foreign denominated borrowings and cross-currency swaps. 

On consolidation, any gain or loss on the hedging instrument designated as net investment hedges are recognised in other 
comprehensive income and accumulated in the foreign currency translation reserve, to the extent that the hedge is effective. To 
the extent that the hedge is ineffective, the foreign currency differences are recognised in the income statement. Gains and losses 
accumulated in equity are reclassified to profit or loss when the foreign operation is partially disposed of or sold. 

 92 

Exchange rate sensitivity

The following table illustrates the sensitivity of the Group’s net assets (after hedging), with all other variables held constant, to 
movements in the United States dollar against foreign currencies as at 30 June 2019. The currencies with largest impact on the 
sensitivity analysis are Canadian dollar, Australian dollars and Great British pound.

Movement in exchange rates %

Sensitivity of other components of equity

Canadian dollar

Australian dollar

Great British pound

(c) Credit risk 

2019
$000

2018
$000

+5%

-5%

+5%

-5%

(15,100)

(20,999)

9,901

15,100

20,999

(9,901)

(10,353)

(8,794)

(1,659)

10,353

8,794

1,659

Credit exposure represents the extent of credit related losses that the consolidated entity may be subject to on amounts to be received 
from financial assets, which include receivables, cash and cash equivalents and other financial instruments. The consolidated entity, 
while exposed to credit related losses in the event of non-payment by clients, does not expect any significant clients to fail to meet 
their obligations. The Group’s trading terms do not generally include the requirement for customers to provide collateral as security for 
financial assets and consequently, the consolidated entity does not hold any collateral as security.

The consolidated entity’s exposure to credit risk is as indicated by the carrying amounts of its financial assets. Concentrations of credit 
risk exist when clients have similar economic characteristics that would cause their ability to meet contractual obligations to be similarly 
affected by changes in economic or other conditions. 

The consolidated entity’s concentration of credit risk is minimised due to transactions with a large number of clients in various 
countries and industries. Issuer services and plans services transacts with various listed companies across a number of countries. 
The consolidated entity does not have a significant exposure to any individual client apart from its contract with UK Asset Resolution 
Limited, a UK government entity.

Transactions involving derivative financial instruments are with counterparties with whom the Group has signed International Swaps and 
Derivatives Association agreements and who maintain sound credit arrangements. To supplement credit ratings of counterparties the 
Group has a Board approved policy on managing client balance exposure.

(d) Liquidity Risk

Liquidity risk management implies maintaining sufficient cash and the availability of funding. The Group has staggered its various debt 
maturities to reduce re-financing risk. Whilst impacted by acquisitions from time to time, the Group maintains sufficient cash balances 
and committed credit facilities to meet ongoing commitments.

Maturity information for the Group’s debt facility is as follows:

Debt facility
 utilised
 $million

Committed
 debt facilities
 $million

72.7

403.9

258.5

440.3

258.5

-

200.0

-

-

205.0

675.0

270.0

450.0

270.0

-

200.0

-

-

350.0

1,983.9

350.0

2,420.0

Maturity profile (in the 12 months ending)

June 2020

June 2021

June 2022

June 2023

June 2024

June 2025

June 2026

June 2027

June 2028

June 2029

Total

93 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTSComputershare Annual Report 2019Maturities of financial liabilities

The table below breaks down the Group’s financial liabilities into relevant maturity groupings.

The amounts disclosed in the table are the contractual undiscounted cash flows. For interest rate swaps, the cash flows have been 
estimated using the forward interest rates applicable at the end of the reporting period.

 Contractual maturities of financial liabilities

As at 30 June 2019

Non-derivatives

Trade payables

Other payables

Borrowings (excluding finance leases)

Finance lease liabilities (undiscounted)

Total non-derivatives

Derivatives

Gross settled (cross currency swaps)

   – (Inflow)

  – Outflow

Total derivatives

As at 30 June 2018

Non-derivatives

Trade payables

Other payables

Borrowings (excluding finance leases)

Finance lease liabilities (undiscounted)

Total non-derivatives

Derivatives

Net settled (interest rate swaps)

Total derivatives

(e) Fair value measurements

Less than 
1 year
$000

Between 
1-5 years
$000

More than 
5 years
$000

Total
 contractual
 cash flows
$000

17,068

472,847

141,990

2,114

-

6,632

-

-

17,068

479,479

1,548,173

631,330

2,321,493

6,109

-

8,223

634,019

1,560,914

631,330

2,826,263

(458,590)

449,434

(9,156)

24,487

417,783

474,141

3,740

-

-

-

-

2,842

-

-

-

-

-

(458,590)

449,434

(9,156)

24,487

420,625

968,543

229,724

1,672,408

2,112

-

5,852

920,151

973,497

229,724

2,123,372

(257)

(257)

-

-

-

-

(257)

(257)

The fair value of financial assets and liabilities must be estimated for recognition and measurement or for disclosure purposes. The 
measurement hierarchy used is as follows: 

Level 1: The fair value of financial instruments traded in active markets is based on quoted market prices at the end of the reporting 
period for identical assets and liabilities. The quoted market price used for financial assets held by the Group is the current bid price. 
These instruments are included in level 1.

Level 2: The fair value of financial instruments that are not traded in an active market is determined using valuation techniques which 
maximise the use of observable market data and rely as little as possible on entity-specific estimates. The Group uses a variety of 
methods and makes assumptions that are based on market conditions existing at the end of each reporting period. This includes 
inputs other than quoted prices included within level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (as prices) or indirectly 
(derived from prices). If all significant inputs required to fair value an instrument are observable, the instrument is included in level 2. 
Such instruments include derivative financial instruments and the portion of borrowings included in the fair value hedge. 

Specific valuation techniques used to value financial instruments are as follows:
 > Quoted market prices or dealer quotes are used for similar instruments.
 > The fair value of interest rate swaps is calculated as the present value of the estimated future cash flows based on observable yield 

curves.

 > The fair value of forward foreign exchange contracts is determined using forward exchange rates at the balance sheet date.
 > The fair value of cross currency swaps is a combination of the fair value of forward foreign exchange contracts determined using 
forward exchange rates at the balance sheet date (for the final principal exchange) and the use of quoted market prices or dealer 
quotes for similar instruments (for the basis valuation).

 > The fair value of interest rate swaptions is calculated using the Black-Scholes formula and quoted market prices.

Level 3: Valuation methodology of the asset or liability uses inputs that are not based on observable market data (unobservable inputs). 
This is the case of investments in unconsolidated structured entities (refer to note 13), which are included in the financial assets at fair 
value and deferred consideration (note 23) arising from business combinations. 

 94 

The amount of contingent consideration recognised on business combinations is typically referenced to revenue or EBITDA 
targets. The Group estimates the fair value of the expected future payments based on the terms of each earn-out agreement and 
management’s knowledge of the business taking into account the likely impact of the current economic environment. Contingent 
consideration amounts are re-measured every reporting period based on most recent projections. Gains or losses arising from changes 
in fair value are recognised in profit or loss in the period in which they arise. 

The fair value of the investment in structured entities is determined by reference to the interest in net assets of these entities, which 
approximate their fair values. As profits are realised and dividends are paid to investors, the net assets of these entities decrease and 
so does the fair value of the Group’s investment.

The following tables present the Group’s financial assets and liabilities measured and recognised at fair value at 30 June 2019. The 
comparative figures are also presented below. 

As at 30 June 2019

Assets

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

Total assets

Liabilities

Borrowings

Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss

Deferred consideration

Total liabilities

As at 30 June 2018

Assets

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

Available-for-sale financial assets

Total assets

Liabilities

Borrowings

Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss

Deferred consideration

Total liabilities

Level 1
$000

Level 2
$000

Level 3
$000

Total
$000

 23,352 

 23,352 

 64,649 

 64,649 

 38,646 

 38,646 

 126,647 

 126,647 

-

-

 -   

-

 885,010 

 4,009 

 -  

 889,019 

 -   

 -   

 31,797 

 31,797 

 885,010 

 4,009 

 31,797 

 920,816 

 -  

6,054

5,518

5,518

 -  

6,054

-

-

 -  

-

419,464

 5,421 

 -  

424,885

 -  

 25,409 

 25,409 

 -  

 -  

 55,542 

55,542

6,054

30,927

36,981

419,464

5,421

55,542

480,427

The following table presents the changes in level 3 items for the periods ended 30 June 2019 and 30 June 2018:

Financial assets at 
fair value through 
profit or loss

Note

Opening balance at 1 July

2019
$000

 -  

Change in accounting policy

1a

 25,409 

Restated balance at the beginning of 
the financial year

Payments

Additions

Return of capital

Gains/(losses) recognised in profit or loss

Transfers to associates

Currency translation difference

Closing balance at 30 June

Fair value of financial assets and liabilities

 25,409 

 - 

 16,227 

 (2,583)

 (407)

 - 

 - 

 38,646 

2018
$000

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 -  

Available-for-sale 
financial assets

Deferred 
consideration liability

2019
$000

 25,409 

 (25,409)

2018
$000

2019
$000

2018
$000

 33,231 

 (55,542)

 (70,867)

 -  

 - 

 - 

 -  

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 -  

 33,231 

 -  

 -  

 (3,919)

 - 

 (4,039)

 136 

 (55,542)

 24,453 

 (994)

 - 

 (702)

 - 

 988 

 (70,867)

 22,863 

 - 

 - 

 (7,606)

 - 

 68 

 25,409 

 (31,797)

 (55,542)

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, loan servicing advances, payables, non-interest bearing liabilities, finance 
leases and loans approximate their fair values for the Group except for the unhedged portion of USD Senior Notes of $155.0 million (2018: 
$325.0 million), where the fair value based on level 2 valuation techniques described above was $164.4 million as at 30 June 2019 (2018: 
$319.5 million).

95 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTSComputershare Annual Report 201913. FINANCIAL ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AT FAIR VALUE THROUGH PROFIT OR LOSS

The Group classifies the following financial assets at fair value through profit or loss: 
 > debt securities that do not qualify for measurement at either amortised cost or fair value through other comprehensive income 

(note 1a);

 > derivatives, which are mandatorily measured at fair value through profit or loss;
 > equity investments for which the entity has not elected to recognise fair value gains and losses through other comprehensive income; 

and

 > investments in structured entities.

At initial recognition, the Group measures a financial asset at its fair value plus, in the case of a financial asset not at fair value through 
profit or loss (FVPL), transaction costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition of the financial asset. Gains or losses from 
subsequent re-measurement to fair value at each balance date are recognised in profit or loss.

See note 1(a) for explanations regarding the change in accounting policy and the reclassification of certain investments from  
available-for-sale to financial assets at FVPL following the adoption of AASB 9.

Financial assets

Current

Debt securities

Derivative assets (b)

Equity securities

Non-current

Investment in structured entities (a)

Derivative assets (b)

Equity securities

Financial liabilities

Current

Derivative liabilities (b)

Non-current

Derivative liabilities (b)

2019
$000

 22,078 

 2,030 

 139 

 24,247 

 38,646 

 62,619 

 1,135 

2018
$000

-

 1,791 

-

 1,791 

-

 4,263 

-

 102,400 

 4,263 

 3,265 

 3,265 

 744 

 744 

 88 

 88 

 5,333 

 5,333 

(a) Investment in structured entities

Non-current financial assets include $38.6 million of investments in unconsolidated structured entities (2018: $25.4 million previously 
classified as available-for-sale financial assets). An overseas subsidiary of the Group occasionally sells economic benefits and 
obligations associated with mortgage servicing rights to unconsolidated structured entities while retaining a 20% interest in these 
entities. An unaffiliated third party, which owns 80% of the structured entities as asset manager, provides investment opportunities to 
investors and is considered a sponsor of these entities. The overseas subsidiary of the Group continues to service the loans associated 
with the mortgage servicing rights sold to the structured entities and receives compensation for providing such services. 

The structured entities are designed to hold assets that will generate cash flows for their investors. The acquisition of these assets is 
fully funded at inception and future financial support is not expected to be required. As there is no obligation to provide further funding, 
the exposure to loss from the Group’s interest in the structured entities is limited to the carrying amount of the investment. 

(b) Derivative financial instruments

The Group uses derivative financial instruments to manage specifically identified interest rate and foreign currency risks. Derivatives are 
initially recognised at fair value on the date a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently re-measured to their fair value at 
each balance date. The method of recognising the resulting gain or loss depends on whether the derivative is designated as a hedging 
instrument, and if so, the nature of the item being hedged. The Group designates certain financial instruments, including derivatives, as 
either hedges of net investments in a foreign operation; hedges of firm commitments or highly probable forecast transactions (cash flow 
hedges); or fair value hedges. Refer to note 11 for further information on the Group’s hedging instruments.

 96 

Derivative assets

Current

Non-current

Derivative assets – current and non-current

Fair values of interest rate derivatives designated as cash flow hedges

Fair values of interest rate derivatives designated as fair value hedges

Fair values of cross currency derivatives designated as hedge of net investment

Fair value of derivatives for which hedge accounting has not been applied

Total derivative assets

Derivative liabilities

Current

Non-current

Derivative liabilities – current and non-current

Fair values of interest rate derivatives designated as cash flow hedges

Fair values of interest rate derivatives designated as fair value hedges

Fair values of cross currency derivatives designated as hedge of net investment

Fair value of derivatives for which hedge accounting has not been applied

Total derivative liabilities

14. INTEREST BEARING LIABILITIES

2019
$000

2,030

62,619

64,649

7,849

54,786

814

1,200

64,649

3,265

744

4,009

-

-

3,265

744

4,009

2018
$000

1,791

4,263

6,054

43

4,446

-

1,565

6,054

88

5,333

5,421

31

57

-

5,333

5,421

Borrowings are initially recognised at fair value and are subsequently measured at amortised cost unless designated in a fair value 
hedge relationship. Any difference between the proceeds (net of transaction costs) and the redemption amount is recognised in profit 
or loss over the borrowing period using the effective interest method. Borrowings are classified as current liabilities unless the Group 
has a legal right to defer settlement of the liability for at least 12 months after the balance sheet date.

Current

Bank loans (SLS non-recourse advance facility) (a)

USD Senior Notes (b)

Other bank loans (c)

Lease liabilities – secured (d)

Non-current

Bank loans (SLS non-recourse advance facility) (a)

USD Senior Notes (b)

Revolving syndicated bank facilities (e)

Lease liabilities – secured (d)

2019
$000

61,068

-

11,526

1,931

74,525

160,880

1,037,160

757,940

5,804

2018
$000

118,922

304,754

-

3,616

427,292

-

439,091

612,751

2,002

1,961,784

1,053,844

(a)  The borrowings of the overseas subsidiary engaged in mortgage servicing activities are secured against the loan servicing 

advances without recourse to the Group.

(b)  On 29 July 2008, Computershare US Inc. issued 26 notes in the United States with a total value of $235.0 million. These notes 
were for a tenor of ten years. These notes were repaid during the 2019 financial year. On 9 February 2012, Computershare 
Investor Services Inc., a controlled entity, issued 62 notes in the United States with a total value of $550.0 million. These 
notes were for tenors of six, seven, ten and twelve years. The six year notes with a total value of $40.0 million were repaid 
during the prior year. The seven year notes with a total value of $70.0 million were repaid during the 2019 financial year. On 
20 November 2018, Computershare US Inc. issued 24 notes in the United States with a total value of $550.0 million. These notes 
were for a tenor of seven and ten years. Fixed interest is paid on all the issued notes on a semi-annual basis. 

97 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTSComputershare Annual Report 2019The Group uses interest rate derivatives to manage the fixed interest exposure. The following table provides a reconciliation of the 
USD Senior Notes.

USD Senior Notes Reconciliation

USD Senior Notes at cost

Fair value adjustments

Total net debt

Interest rate derivative – fair value hedge (note 13)

Total 

2019
$000

2018
$000

990,000

47,160

745,000

(1,155)

1,037,160

743,845

(54,786)

982,374

(4,389)

739,456

Fair value adjustments represent loan origination fees and the revaluation of the hedged portion of the USD Senior Notes. Hedged 
USD Senior Notes amounted to $835.0 million as at 30 June 2019 (2018: $420.0 million).

The gain or loss from re-measuring the hedging instruments (interest rate derivatives) at fair value is recognised immediately in the 
statement of comprehensive income along with the change in fair value of the underlying hedged item (USD Senior Notes). The 
fair value adjustment of the hedged USD Senior Notes reflects the valuation change due to lower market interest rates at balance 
sheet date for the term until maturity. The change is offset by the fair value of interest rate derivatives used to effectively convert the 
USD fixed interest rate notes to floating interest rates. The conversion to floating interest rate using derivatives provides a hedge 
against the Group’s USD interest rate risk exposure. 

(c)  Facilities acquired as part of the LenderLive acquisition. 

(d)  The lease liability is secured directly against the assets to which the leases relate (note 35).

(e)  The consolidated entity maintains revolving syndicated facilities that were executed on 11 April 2018. The first facility is a  

multi-currency facility of $450.0 million maturing on 17 April 2023 and the second facility is a USD only facility of $450.0 million 
maturing on 17 April 2021. The facilities were drawn to an equivalent of $683.3 million at 30 June 2019. The facilities are subject 
to negative pledge undertakings and impose certain covenants upon the consolidated entity. The Group has complied with the 
negative pledge undertakings and covenants imposed on it for the year ended 30 June 2019. 

A bilateral debt facility was executed on 28 June 2018. This is a multi-currency facility of $100.0 million with $50.0 million maturing 
on 5 July 2021 and $50.0 million maturing on 5 July 2023. The bilateral facility was drawn to an equivalent of $77.0 million at  
30 June 2019. In addition, a bridge facility was executed on 10 May 2018 for the Equatex acquisition. This facility was a GBP only 
facility of GBP 332.0 million (USD: $420.6 million) maturing on 20 April 2020. The bridge facility was drawn on 8 November 2018 
to settle the Equatex acquisition, then fully repaid on 22 November 2018 upon which date the facility was terminated. 

 15. RECEIVABLES

Current 

Trade receivables

Unbilled receivables

Less: allowance for expected credit losses

Other non-trade amounts

Non-current

Other

Trade and unbilled receivables 

2019
$000

2018
$000

205,245

238,324

(10,877)

432,692

50,609

483,301

204,122

200,812

(9,997)

394,937

34,036

428,973

2,639

2,639

152

152

Trade receivables and unbilled receivables are recognised initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the 
effective interest method, net of allowances for expected credit losses. Trade receivables generally have settlement terms of 30 days 
and are therefore classified as current. The right to receive consideration is unconditional. 

Impairment

The Group applies the AASB 9 simplified approach to measuring expected credit losses which uses a lifetime expected loss allowance 
for all trade and unbilled receivables. To measure the expected credit losses, trade and unbilled receivables have been grouped based 
on shared credit risk characteristics and the days past due. The historical loss rates are adjusted to reflect current and forward-looking 
information. Trade and unbilled receivables are written off when there is no reasonable expectation of recovery. Indicators that there is no 
reasonable expectation of recovery include, amongst other things, a finalisation of formal liquidation or other proceedings.

 98 

The loss allowance as at 30 June 2019 was determined as follows:

Less than 
30 days 
past due

Current

More than 
30 but 
less than 
60 days 
past due

More than 
60 days but
 less than 
90 days
 overdue 

30 June 2019

Expected loss rate

0.9%

1.0%

2.7%

Trade and unbilled receivables

 358,921 

 45,877 

 13,355 

Loss allowance

(3,228)

(451)

(365)

9.2%

 5,891 

(544)

Movement in the allowance for expected credit losses is as follows:

Loss allowance

At 30 June 2018 – calculated under AASB 139

Change in accounting policy (note 1a)

Opening balance at 1 July – calculated under AASB 9

(Increase)/decrease in loss allowance recognised in profit or loss during the year

Receivables written off as uncollectible

Other

Currency translation differences

Closing balance at 30 June

16. LOAN SERVICING ADVANCES

Current 

Loan servicing advances

More than 
90 days 
overdue

32.2%

Total 

 19,525 

 443,569 

(6,289)

(10,877)

2019
$000

(9,997)

(6,050)

(16,047)

(1,513)

6,049

588

46

(10,877)

2019
$000

2018
$000

281,458

156,689

Loan servicing advances are recognised initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest 
method. 

An overseas subsidiary performing loan servicing activities regularly makes payments on behalf of mortgagors related to taxes, insurance, 
principal and interest. The receivable represents the total value of these payments yet to be recovered. In general, the overseas subsidiary 
is reimbursed for advances from collections from the relevant pool of mortgages. In the event that pool level collections are not adequate 
for full reimbursement, the outstanding advances receive priority over any other liability from the proceeds from the liquidation of the 
property. Although it takes longer than 12 months for a portion of the loan servicing receivables to be collected, all servicing advances are 
classified as current. This reflects the fact that collections occur within the normal operating cycle of the overseas subsidiary.

Impairment

The Group applies the AASB 9 general approach to measuring expected credit losses on loan servicing advances. The loss allowance 
is based on assumptions about risk of default and expected loss rates. The Group uses judgement in making these assumptions and 
selecting the inputs to the impairment calculation, based on the historical losses, existing market conditions, expectations of future 
advances and recoverability of outstanding advances from liquidation of the underlying property.

Movement in the allowance for expected credit losses is as follows:

Loss allowance

At 30 June 2018 – calculated under AASB 139

Change in accounting policy (note 1a)

Opening balance at 1 July – calculated under AASB 9

Increase in loss allowance recognised in profit or loss during the year

Amounts written off as uncollectible

Closing balance 30 June

99 

2019
$000

 976 

 -  

 976 

 3,222 

 (1,610)

 2,588 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTSComputershare Annual Report 2019 
 
17. OTHER FINANCIAL ASSETS 

Current

Client deposits1

Broker deposits2

2019
$000

59,126

7,970

67,096

2018
$000

-

16,517

16,517

1  A subsidiary located in Switzerland is a registered broker-dealer and custodian of clients’ assets. Client monies it manages as part of providing plan managers services meet 

criteria for on-balance sheet recognition as other financial assets, together with a corresponding liability (note 21). 

2  A subsidiary located in Canada is a licensed deposit taker. This subsidiary accepts deposits in its own name, and records these funds as other financial assets together with 

a corresponding liability (note 21). The deposits are insured through a local regulatory authority. 

Client and broker deposits are recognised initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost. 

18. INVENTORIES

Raw materials and stores, at cost

4,654

3,844

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost is assigned on a first-in first-out basis. Net realisable value is 
the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business less the estimated costs of completion and the estimated costs to sell.

19. OTHER ASSETS

Current

Prepayments

Set-up fees

Other

Non-current

Set-up fees

Set-up fees 

42,171

2,789

721

45,681

9,251

9,251

39,086

-

993

40,079

-

-

Where upfront client fees have been deferred and the related implementation costs can be measured reliably, they are capitalised and 
amortised straight-line over the same period.

20. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Building,
 freehold and
 leasehold
$000

Land 
$000

Plant and
 Equipment
 owned and
 leased
$000

At 1 July 2018

Opening net book amount

10,580

32,324

Acquisition of entities and 
businesses

Additions

Disposals

Depreciation charge

Currency translation differences

Transfers and other

Closing net book amount

Cost

Accumulated depreciation

At 30 June 2019

-

-

(1,879)

-

(286)

-

8,415

8,415

-

8,415

-

398

(1,702)

(1,510)

(1,037)

(591)

27,882

38,687

(10,805)

27,882

53,522

2,553

49,173

(48)

(26,590)

(937)

-

77,673

276,392

(198,719)

77,673

Fixtures 
and 
Fittings
$000

4,590

147

2,706

(10)

(2,382)

(71)

-

4,980

29,286

(24,306)

4,980

Motor 
Vehicles
$000

Leasehold
 improvements
$000

60

-

-

-

(21)

(2)

-

37

273

(236)

37

14,173

346

9,572

(13)

(7,036)

(8)

591

17,625

36,264

(18,639)

17,625

Total
$000

115,249

3,046

61,849

(3,652)

(37,539)

(2,341)

-

136,612

389,317

(252,705)

136,612

 100 

Building,
 freehold and
 leasehold
$000

Land 
$000

Plant and
 Equipment
 owned and
 leased
$000

Fixtures 
and 
Fittings
$000

Motor 
Vehicles
$000

Leasehold
 improvements
$000

Total
$000

At 1 July 2017

Opening net book amount

9,236

31,205

47,591

5,848

111

15,906

109,897

Acquisition of entities and 
businesses

Additions

Disposals

Depreciation charge

Currency translation differences

Transfers and other

Closing net book amount

Cost

Accumulated depreciation

At 30 June 2018

- 

-  

-  

-  

11

1,333

10,580

10,580

-  

10,580

- 

- 

-  

1,709

30,243

1,375

-  

(1,596)

95

911

32,324

45,383

(13,059)

32,324

(14)

(21,343)

(361)

(2,594)

53,522

313,354

(259,832)

53,522

-  

(2,531)

4

(106)

4,590

31,887

(27,297)

4,590

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

5,676

39,003

-  

(14)

(51)

(7,343)

(32,864)

-  

-  

60

407

(347)

60

(106)

40

14,173

57,068

(42,895)

14,173

(357)

(416)

115,249

458,679

(343,430)

115,249

Property, plant and equipment are stated at historical costs less accumulated depreciation and impairment. Cost includes the purchase 
price and expenditure that is directly attributable to bringing the asset to the location and condition necessary for its intended use. 

Depreciation

Items of property, plant and equipment excluding freehold land are depreciated on a straight line basis over their estimated useful life. 
The assets’ residual values and useful lives are reviewed, and adjusted if appropriate, at the end of each reporting period. Depreciation 
expense has been determined based on the following typical rates of depreciation:
 > Buildings (2.5% per annum)
 > Plant and equipment (10% to 50% per annum)
 > Fixtures and fittings (13% to 50% per annum)
 > Motor vehicles (15% to 40% per annum)

Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the useful life of the improvements or the term of the lease.

Leased property, plant and equipment

Leased property, plant and equipment where the Group has substantially all the risks and benefits of ownership are classified as 
finance leases. Assets acquired under finance leases are capitalised and depreciated over the shorter of the lease term and the useful 
life of the asset. Lease payments are allocated between interest expense and reduction in the lease corresponding liability.

The following classes of assets include carrying amounts where the Group is a lessee under a finance lease:

Leased assets

Buildings, freehold and leasehold

Plant and equipment owned and leased

2019
$000

1,078

9,034

10,112

2018
$000

1,243

4,830

6,073

Leases in which a significant portion of the risks and rewards of ownership are retained by the lessor are classified as operating leases. 
Operating lease assets are not capitalised and lease payments (net of any incentives received from the lessor) are charged to profit or 
loss on a straight line basis over the period of the lease.

101 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTSComputershare Annual Report 201921. PAYABLES

Current

Trade payables – unsecured

Expense accruals

Contract liabilities1

Interest payable

GST/VAT payable

Broker client deposits (note 17)

Employee entitlements

Other payables

Non-current

Other payables

Trade and other payables

2019
$000

2018
$000

17,068

164,524

30,465

14,779

22,844

67,096

23,384

149,755

489,915

6,632

6,632

24,487

159,379

28,990

25,481

27,831

16,517

20,822

138,763

442,270

2,842

2,842

Trade and other payables represent liabilities for those goods and services provided to the Group prior to the end of the financial year 
that are unpaid. The amounts are unsecured and are usually paid within 30 days of recognition.

Contract liabilities1

A contract liability arises when Computershare has received consideration for performance obligations that have not yet been 
satisfied, including deferred revenue and upfront fees. Revenue is recognised over the life of the relevant contract term as performance 
obligations are satisfied.

22. PROVISIONS

Provisions are recognised when the Group has a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of past events, it is probable that 
an outflow of resources will be required to settle the obligation and the amount can be reliably estimated. Where there are a number of 
similar obligations, the likelihood that an outflow will be required in settlement is determined by considering the class of obligations as a 
whole. 

Provisions are measured at the Group’s best estimate of the expenditure required to settle the present obligation at the reporting date 
and discounted to present value where the impact of discounting is material. The discount rate used to determine the present value 
reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the liability.

Current

Restructuring

Unredeemed voucher provision

Tax related

Lease related

Acquisitions related

Other    

Non-current

Employee entitlements

Acquisitions related

Other   

12,395

13,922

9,377

6,700

1,640

2,563

12,495

45,170

13,097

9,800

5

22,902

8,128

6,724

3,242

1,103

17,627

50,746

13,671

10,355

736

24,762

 102 

Restructuring

Restructuring provisions are recognised when a detailed plan for restructuring has been developed and a valid expectation has been 
raised with the affected employees that the terminations will be carried out. 

Unredeemed vouchers

The unredeemed voucher provision is recognised for the expected usage of unredeemed childcare vouchers over two years old.

Tax related

Tax related provisions relate to potential tax liabilities associated with prior years’ business activities.

Lease related

Lease related provisions represent costs to restore leased premises to their original condition at the end of the respective lease terms.

Acquisitions related

Acquisition related provisions relate to significant provisions acquired as part of business combinations and are first recognised at the 
date of acquisition.

Employee entitlements

Employee entitlements provision represents long service leave and other employee entitlements. Where payments to the employee 
are not expected to be settled wholly within 12 months, they are measured as the present value of expected future payments for the 
services provided by employees up to the reporting date.

Liability for benefits accruing to employees in relation to employee bonuses and annual leave is recognised in payables. 

Movements in each class of current provision during the financial year are set out below.

Restructuring
$000

Unredeemed
 voucher
 provision
$000

Carrying amount at start of year

Additions

Payments

Reversals

Transfers and other

Foreign exchange movements

13,922

9,018

(7,267)

(3,243)

-

(35)

Carrying amount at end of year

12,395

8,128

6,348

(4,846)

-

-

(253)

9,377

Tax
 related
$000

6,724

-

(24)

-

-

-

Lease
 related
$000

3,242

339

(77)

(1,833)

-

(31)

Acquisitions
 related
$000

1,103

1,460

(555)

-

555

-

Other
$000

17,627

7,507

(7,576)

(5,413)

731

(381)

6,700

1,640

2,563

12,495

Total
$000

50,746

24,672

(20,345)

(10,489)

1,286

(700)

45,170

Movements in each class of non-current provision during the financial year, other than employee entitlements, are set out below.

Carrying amount at start of year

Transfers and other

Carrying amount at end of year

23. DEFERRED CONSIDERATION

Current

Deferred settlements on acquisition of entities

Non-current

Deferred settlements on acquisition of entities

Acquisitions
 related
$000

10,355

(555)

9,800

Other
$000

736

(731)

5

Total
$000

11,091

(1,286)

9,805

2019
$000

2018
$000

15,487

29,432

16,310

26,110

Non-current deferred settlements on acquisition of entities are payable in between one and three years.

103 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTSComputershare Annual Report 201924. MORTGAGE SERVICING RELATED LIABILITIES

Current

Mortgage servicing related liabilities

Non-current

Mortgage servicing related liabilities

2019
$000

2018
$000

35,024

27,740

178,596

154,404

Mortgage servicing related liabilities represent the portion of the economic benefits of mortgage servicing rights that has been 
transferred to third parties. The liabilities are amortised over the same useful life as the related mortgage servicing rights (note 9). 

25. OTHER LIABILITIES

Current

Lease inducements

Non-current

Lease inducements

2,345

2,083

5,266

2,869

Lease inducements represent cash payments received as allowances for leasehold improvements made to a number of premises. 
These receipts are accounted for as reductions in rental expense over the lease term.

26. INTERESTS IN EQUITY

Interest in the equity of the consolidated entity:

Contributed equity – ordinary shares

Reserves

Retained earnings

Total interests in equity  

27. CONTRIBUTED EQUITY

Members of the 
parent entity

2019
$000

2018
$000

-

-

(134,551)

(148,098)

1,706,427

1,455,187

1,571,876

1,307,089

Non-controlling 
interests

2019
$000

989

(1,987)

3,193

2,195

2018
$000

990

(7,263)

32,581

26,308

Ordinary share capital bears no special terms or conditions affecting income or capital entitlements of the shareholders and is classified 
as equity. Costs directly attributable to the issue of new shares are recognised directly in equity as a deduction, net of tax, from the 
proceeds.

If the Group reacquires its own equity instruments, for example as the result of a share buy-back, those instruments are deducted from 
equity and the associated shares are cancelled. No gain or loss is recognised in the profit or loss and the consideration paid including 
any directly attributable incremental costs (net of income taxes) is recognised directly in equity.

Share buy-back

On 16 August 2017, Computershare announced an on-market buy-back of shares with an aggregate value of up to AUD 200.0 million 
for capital management purposes starting on 30 August 2017. The on-market share buy-back ended on 29 August 2018. 

Since the effect of share buy-backs over the years has reduced contributed equity to nil, a reserve has been created to reflect the 
excess value of shares bought over the original amount of subscribed capital.

There has been no issue of ordinary shares during the year ended 30 June 2019. 

 Movement in contributed equity

Balance at 1 July 2018

Balance as at 30 June 2019

Number of
 shares

542,955,868

542,955,868

On 14 August 2019, Computershare announced an on-market buy-back of shares with an aggregate value of up to AUD 200.0 million 
for capital management purposes, which commenced on 3 September 2019.

 104 

28. RESERVES

Capital redemption reserve

Foreign currency translation reserve

Share buy-back reserve

Cash flow hedge reserve

Share based payments reserve

Equity related contingent consideration reserve

Available-for-sale asset reserve

Transactions with non-controlling interests

Movements during the year:

Foreign currency translation reserve

Opening balance

Translation of controlled entities

Amounts reclassified to profit or loss during the year

Deferred tax

Closing balance

Share buy-back reserve

Opening balance

Excess value of shares bought over the original amount of subscribed capital

Closing balance

Cash flow hedge reserve

Opening balance

Revaluation

Reclassified to profit or loss

Deferred tax

Closing balance

Share based payments reserve

Opening balance

Cash purchase of shares for employee and executive share plans

Share based payments expense

Closing balance

Equity related contingent consideration reserve

Opening balance

Closing balance

Available-for-sale asset reserve

Opening balance

Change in accounting policy (note 1a)

Revaluation

Closing balance

Transactions with non-controlling interests

Opening balance

Closing balance

105 

2019
$000

2

(71,190)

(79,460)

753

40,047

(8,199)

-

2018
$000

2

(81,597)

(79,460)

(4,824)

42,221

(8,199)

263

(16,504)

(16,504)

(134,551)

(148,098)

(81,597)

(6)

7,312

3,101

(71,190)

(79,460)

-

(79,460)

(4,824)

8,304

(337)

(2,390)

753

42,221

(21,671)

19,497

40,047

(72,526)

(11,795)

-

2,724

(81,597)

(40,927)

(38,533)

(79,460)

(4,855)

44

-

(13)

(4,824)

44,244

(20,158)

18,135

42,221

(8,199)

(8,199)

(8,199)

(8,199)

263

(263)

-

-

278

-

(15)

263

(16,504)

(16,504)

(16,504)

(16,504)

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTSComputershare Annual Report 2019Nature and purpose of reserves

(a)  Foreign currency translation reserve

On consolidation, exchange differences arising on translation of the foreign controlled entities are taken to the foreign currency 
translation reserve. This amount is the net of gains and losses on hedge transactions and intercompany loans after adjusting for 
related income tax effects. When a foreign operation is disposed, the associated exchange differences are reclassified to profit or 
loss as part of the gain or loss on sale.

(b)   Share buy-back reserve

This reserve is used to record the excess value of shares bought over the original amount of subscribed capital.

(c)  Cash flow hedge reserve

This reserve records the portion of the gain or loss on a hedging instrument in a cash flow hedge that is determined to be in an 
effective hedge relationship.

(d)  Share based payments reserve

The share based payments reserve is used to recognise the fair value of shares which will vest to employees under employee and 
executive share plans. This reserve is also used to record cash purchase of shares for employee share plans.

(e)  Equity related contingent consideration reserve

This reserve is used to reflect deferred consideration for acquisitions which is payable through the issue of parent entity equity 
instruments. 

(f)  Transactions with non-controlling interests

This reserve is used to record the differences which may arise as a result of transactions with non-controlling interests that do not 
result in a loss of control.

29. RETAINED EARNINGS AND DIVIDENDS

Retained earnings

Retained earnings at the beginning of the financial year

Change in accounting policy (note 1a)

Ordinary dividends provided for or paid

Net profit attributable to members of Computershare Limited

Retained earnings at the end of the financial year

Dividends

Ordinary

2019
$000

2018
$000

1,455,187

1,315,607

(876)

-

(163,616)

(160,484)

415,732

300,064

1,706,427

1,455,187

Final dividend paid during the financial year in respect of the previous year, AUD 21 cents per share fully franked  
(2018 – AUD 19 cents per share unfranked)

Interim dividend paid in respect of the current financial year, AUD 21 cents per share franked to 30%  
(2018 – AUD 19 cents per share unfranked)

81,821

80,471

81,795

80,013

A final dividend in respect of the year ended 30 June 2019 was declared by the directors of the Company on 14 August 2019, to be paid on  
16 September 2019. This is an ordinary dividend of AUD 23 cents per share, franked to 30%. As the dividend was not declared until 14 August 2019,  
a provision was not recognised as at 30 June 2019. 

Dividend franking account

Franking credits available for subsequent financial years based on a tax rate of 30%

20,030

51,304

The above amounts are calculated from the balance of the franking account as at the end of the reporting period, adjusted for franking 
credits and debits that will arise from the settlement of liabilities or receivables for income tax after the end of the year.

 106 

30. DETAILS OF CONTROLLED ENTITIES

The financial year-end of all controlled entities is 30 June with the exception of Computershare Canada Inc and its controlled entities, 
Equatex Group Holding AG and its controlled entities, Computershare Hong Kong Investor Services Limited and its controlled 
entities and Computershare International Information Consultancy Services (Beijing) Company Ltd due to local statutory reporting 
requirements. These entities prepare results on a 30 June year end basis for consolidation purposes. Voting power is in accordance 
with the ownership interest held unless otherwise stated.

The consolidated financial statements as at 30 June 2019 include the following controlled entities:

Place of incorporation

Percentage of shares held

2019
%

2018
%

Name of controlled entity

Computershare Limited

A.C.N. 080 903 957 Pty Ltd

A.C.N. 081 035 752 Pty Ltd

A.C.N. 617 889 424 Pty Limited

A.C.N. 618 089 688 Pty Limited

CDS International Pty Limited

Communication Services Australia Pty Limited

Computershare Clearing Pty Limited

Computershare Communication Services Pty Limited

Computershare Dealing Services Pty Ltd

Computershare Depositary Pty Limited

Computershare Finance Company Pty Limited

Computershare Investor Services Pty Limited

Computershare Plan Co Pty Ltd

Computershare Plan Managers Pty Ltd

Computershare Technology Services Pty Ltd

Computershare Utility Services Pty Ltd

CPU Share Plans Pty Limited

CRS Custodian Pty Ltd

Financial Market Software Consultants Pty Ltd

Georgeson Shareholder Communications Australia Pty. Ltd.

Global eDelivery Group Pty Ltd

Obadele Pty Ltd

Q M Industries (N.S.W.) Pty. Ltd.

Registrars Holding Pty Ltd

Sepon (Australia) Pty. Limited 

Source One Communications Australia Pty Ltd

Switchwise Pty Ltd 

Karvy Computershare W.L.L

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Bahrain

Computershare Investor Services (Bermuda) Limited 

Bermuda

Computershare Investor Services (BVI) Limited 

British Virgin Islands

Computershare Canada Inc.

Computershare Governance Services Ltd. 

Computershare Investment Inc. 

Computershare Investments (Canada) (Holdings) ULC

Computershare Investments (Canada) (No.1) ULC

Computershare Investments (Canada) (No.2) ULC

Computershare Investments (Canada) (No.3) ULC

Computershare Investments (Canada) (No.4) ULC

Computershare Investor Services Inc.

Computershare Services Canada Inc.

Computershare Technology Services Inc.

Computershare Trust Company of Canada

Georgeson Shareholder Communications Canada Inc.

107 

Canada

Canada

Canada

Canada

Canada

Canada

Canada

Canada

Canada

Canada

Canada

Canada

Canada

(2)

(1)(2)

(1)(2)

(1)

(1)

(1)(2)

(1)(2)

(1)

(1)(2)

(1)

(1)

(1)(2)

(1)(2)

(1)

(1)

(1)(2)

(1)(2)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)(2)

(1)

(1)(2)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(3)(5)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

-

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

-

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

-

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

50

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTSComputershare Annual Report 2019Name of controlled entity

RicePoint Administration Inc. 

SyncBASE Inc. 

Place of incorporation

Canada

Canada

Computershare Investor Services (Cayman) Limited 

Cayman Islands

Computershare International Information Consultancy Services  
(Beijing) Company Limited

Computershare A/S 

Georgeson Shareholder SAS 

Computershare Communication Services GmbH

Computershare Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG

Computershare Governance Services GmbH

Computershare Verwaltungs GmbH

Equatex Deutschland GmbH

Computershare Investor Services (Guernsey) Limited 

Computershare Asia Limited

Computershare Hong Kong Development Limited

Computershare Hong Kong Investor Services Limited

Computershare Hong Kong Nominees Limited

Computershare Hong Kong Trustees Limited

Computershare Investor Services Limited 

Hong Kong Registrars Limited

Karvy Computershare Private Limited

Computershare Finance Ireland Limited

Computershare Governance Services Limited

Computershare Investor Services (Ireland) Limited

Computershare Nominees (Ireland) Limited 

Computershare Services Nominees (Ireland) Limited

Computershare Trustees (Ireland) Limited

HML Mortgage Services Ireland Limited

Specialist Mortgage Services Ireland Limited

Computershare Italy S.r.l.

Computershare S.p.A.

Georgeson S.r.l.

Proxitalia S.r.l.

Computershare Company Secretarial Services (Jersey) Limited 

Computershare DR Nominees Limited

Computershare Investor Services (Jersey) Limited 

Computershare Nominees (Channel Islands) Limited 

Computershare Offshore Services Limited

Computershare Treasury Services Limited

Computershare Trustees (C.I.) Limited 

Computershare Trustees (Jersey) Limited

EES Nominees International Limited 

Karvy Computershare (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd

Computershare Netherlands B.V.

Computershare Investor Services Limited

Computershare Nominees NZ Limited

ConnectNow New Zealand Limited 

CRS Nominees Limited

Equatex Employee Services AS

Equatex Norway AS

Equatex Poland Sp.Z.o.o.

CIS Company Secretaries (Pty) Ltd

China

Denmark

France

Germany

Germany

Germany

Germany

Germany

Guernsey

Hong Kong

Hong Kong

Hong Kong

Hong Kong

Hong Kong

Hong Kong

Hong Kong

India

Ireland

Ireland

Ireland

Ireland

Ireland

Ireland

Ireland

Ireland

Italy

Italy

Italy

Italy

Jersey

Jersey

Jersey

Jersey

Jersey

Jersey

Jersey

Jersey

Jersey

Malaysia

Netherlands

New Zealand

New Zealand

New Zealand

New Zealand

Norway

Norway

Poland

South Africa

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(4)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)(4)

(1)

(3)(5)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)(4)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(3)(5)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(4)

(4)

(4)

(1)

Percentage of shares held

2019
%

2018
%

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

-

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

-

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

74

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

-

100

100

100

100

100

100

-

100

50

100

100

100

-

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

50

100

100

100

100

100

-

-

-

74

 108 

Name of controlled entity

Computershare (Pty) Ltd

Computershare Investor Services (Pty) Ltd

Computershare Nominees (Pty) Ltd

Computershare Outsourcing (Pty) Ltd

Computershare South Africa (Pty) Ltd

Computershare TR Services (Pty) Ltd

Minu (Pty) Ltd

Georgeson S.L

Computershare AB 

Computershare Schweiz AG

Computershare Technology Services AG

Equatex AG 

Equatex Group Holding AG

Equatex Holding AG

Equatex IP AG

Baseline Capital Limited

Computershare Company Nominees Limited

Computershare Global Technology Services Limited

Computershare Governance Services (UK) Limited

Computershare Investments (UK) (No.2) Limited

Computershare Investments (UK) (No.3) Limited

Computershare Investments (UK) (No.7) Limited

Computershare Investments (UK) (No.8) Limited

Computershare Investments (UK) (No.9) Limited

Computershare Investments (UK) Limited

Computershare Investor Services Plc 

Computershare IP (UK) Limited

Computershare Limited

Computershare Mortgage Services Limited

Computershare PEP Nominees Limited

Computershare Regional Services Limited 

Computershare Services Limited

Computershare Services Nominees Limited

Computershare Technology Services (UK) Limited

Computershare Trustees Limited 

Computershare Voucher Services Limited

Credit Advisory Services Limited

DPS Trustees Limited

EES Capital Trustees Limited 

EES Corporate Trustees Limited 

EES Trustees Limited 

Equatex UK Ltd

Equatex UK Nominee Ltd

Homeloan Management Limited

KB Analytics Limited

Mortgage Systems Limited

Rosolite Mortgages Limited

Siberite Mortgages Limited

Topaz Finance Limited

Administar Services Group LLC

Capital Markets Cooperative, LLC

Capital Markets Holdings, Inc.

109 

Percentage of shares held

Place of incorporation

2019
%

South Africa

South Africa

South Africa

South Africa

South Africa

South Africa

South Africa

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

Switzerland

Switzerland

Switzerland

Switzerland

Switzerland

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

United States of America

United States of America

United States of America

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)(4)

(4)

(4)

(4)

(4)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)(4)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(4)

(4)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

2018
%

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

100

100

100

-

-

-

-

-

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

-

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

-

-

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTSComputershare Annual Report 2019Name of controlled entity

CMC Funding, Inc.

Computershare Asset Management LLC

Computershare Communication Services Inc.

Computershare Finance LLC

Computershare Governance Services Inc.

Computershare Holdings Inc.

Computershare Holdings LLC

Computershare Inc.

Computershare Mortgage Services LLC

Computershare Property Solutions LLC

Computershare Technology Services, Inc.

Computershare Title Services LLC

Computershare Trust Company, N.A.

Computershare US Inc. 

Computershare US Investments LLC

Computershare US Services Inc.

Computershare Valuation Services LLC

Credit Risk Holdings, LLC

Credit Risk Solutions LLC

Data Point Analysis Group, LLC

Equatex US Inc.

Georgeson LLC

Georgeson Securities Corporation 

Gilardi & Co., LLC

Gilco LLC

GTU Ops Inc.

HELOC Funding II Trust

KCC Class Action Services LLC

Kurtzman Carson Consultants Inc.

Kurtzman Carson Consultants, LLC

LenderLive Financial Services, LLC

LenderLive Network, LLC

MSR Robin Advances (Depositor) LLC

MSR Robin Advances Issuer Trust

RCNG LLC

Rosenthal & Company, LLC

Settlement Recovery Group LLC

SLS Funding III LLC

SLS Investco LLC

SLS Servicer Advance Revolving Trust 1

Specialized Loan Servicing Holdings LLC

Specialized Loan Servicing LLC

Place of incorporation

United States of America

United States of America

United States of America

(1)

(1)

(1)

United States of America

(1)(5)

United States of America

United States of America

United States of America

United States of America

United States of America

United States of America

United States of America

United States of America

United States of America

United States of America

United States of America

United States of America

United States of America

United States of America

United States of America

United States of America

United States of America

United States of America

United States of America

United States of America

United States of America

United States of America

United States of America

United States of America

United States of America

United States of America

United States of America

United States of America

United States of America

United States of America

United States of America

United States of America

United States of America

United States of America

United States of America

United States of America

United States of America

United States of America

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(4)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)(4)

(1)(4)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

Percentage of shares held

2019
%

2018
%

100

100

100

-

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

-

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

-

-

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

(1)  Controlled entities audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers member firms.

(2)  These wholly owned companies have entered into a deed of cross guarantee dated 26 June 2008 with Computershare Limited which provides that all parties to the deed 
will guarantee to each creditor payment in full of any debt of each company participating in the deed on the winding-up of that company. As a result of ASIC Corporations 
(Wholly-owned Companies) Instrument 2016/785 these companies are relieved from the requirement to prepare a financial report and directors’ report.

(3)  These companies are controlled entities as Computershare Limited is exposed to, or has rights to, variable returns from its involvement with these companies and has the 

ability to affect those returns through its power over these companies.

(4)  These companies became controlled entities during the year ended 30 June 2019.

(5)  These companies ceased to be controlled entities during the year ended 30 June 2019.

 110 

31. INVESTMENTS IN ASSOCIATES AND JOINT VENTURES

Investments in associates and joint ventures are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Under this method, the 
investments are initially recognised at cost and the carrying value is subsequently adjusted for increases or decreases in the Group’s 
share of post-acquisition profit or loss and movements in other comprehensive income. The Group’s share of post-acquisition profits 
or losses from investments in associates and joint ventures is recognised in the profit or loss. Dividends received or receivable are 
recognised as a reduction of the carrying amount of the investment.

Set out below are the associates and joint ventures of the Group at 30 June 2019: 

Place of 
incorporation

Principal activity

Ownership 
interest

Consolidated 
carrying amount

Name

Associates

SETL Development Limited1

United Kingdom Business Services

Expandi Ltd

United Kingdom Investor Services

Milestone Group Pty Ltd

Australia

Technology Services

CVEX Group, Inc2

United States 

Investor Services

The Reach Agency Holdings Pty Ltd

Australia

Investor Services

Mergit s.r.l.

Italy

Technology Services

Total investments in associates

Joint ventures

Computershare Pan Africa Holdings Ltd Mauritius

Investor Services

Asset Checker Ltd

VisEq GmbH

United Kingdom Investor Services

Germany

Investor Services

Total investment in joint ventures

Total investment in associates and joint ventures

June
2019
%

-

25

20

20

46.5

30

60

50

66

June
2018
%

10.8

25

20

20

46.5

30

60

50

66

June
2019
$000

-

6,304

3,611

-

1,172

-

June
2018
$000

13,490

6,354

3,918

1,940

1,023

-

11,087

26,725

-

-

39

39

-

-

45

45

11,126

26,770

1  SETL Development Limited entered into administration during the current reporting period. Consequently, the Group’s investment in this entity was written off in full. Whilst 

the Group still holds an equity interest in SETL Development Limited, it is no longer considered an associate of the consolidated entity.

2  The investment in CVEX Group, Inc was considered impaired during the current financial year and was therefore fully written off.

The movements in the carrying amount of equity accounted investments in associates and joint ventures are as follows: 

Carrying amount at the beginning of the financial year

Impairment charge

Share of net result (after income tax)

Dividends received

Additions

Transfers from available-for-sale financial assets

Share of movement in reserves

Carrying amount at the end of the financial year

Associates

Joint Ventures

2019
$000

26,725

(13,953)

(1,001)

(140)

-

-

(544)

11,087

2018
$000

10,967

-

307

(149)

12,146

4,039

(585)

26,725

2019
$000

2018
$000

45

-

(5)

-

-

-

(1)

39

54

-

(10)

-

-

-

1

45

111 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTSComputershare Annual Report 2019 
32. DEED OF CROSS GUARANTEE

Computershare Limited and each wholly-owned subsidiary party to a deed of cross guarantee dated 26 June 2008 (together the “Closed 
Group”) are listed in note 30. Set out below is a consolidated statement of comprehensive income, a consolidated statement of financial 
position and a summary of movements in consolidated retained earnings of the Closed Group for the year ended 30 June 2019.

Computershare Limited Closed Group – Statement of financial position

Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Receivables

Inventories

Other current assets

Derivative financial instruments

Assets classified as held for sale

Total current assets

Non-current assets

Receivables

Other financial assets

Property, plant and equipment

Deferred tax assets

Intangibles

Derivative financial instruments

Other non-current assets

Total non-current assets

Total assets

Current liabilities

Payables

Lease liabilities

Current tax liabilities

Provisions

Derivative financial instruments

Liabilities directly associated with assets classified as held for sale

Other liabilities

Total current liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Payables

Interest bearing liabilities

Lease liabilities

Deferred tax liabilities

Provisions

Derivative financial instruments

Other liabilities

Total non-current liabilities

Total liabilities

Net assets

Equity

Contributed equity – ordinary shares

Reserves

Retained earnings

Total equity

2019
$000

31,202

63,518

749

4,632

829

-

2018
$000

30,256

63,004

589

9,132

487

8,497

100,930

111,965

30,417

31,916

1,673,025

1,775,206

6,367

59,259

120,233

62,619

957

7,401

57,573

125,393

4,263

535

1,952,877

2,002,287

2,053,807

2,114,252

136,665

268,437

140

13,178

587

3,265

-

38

894

12,022

1,011

88

56,587

80

153,873

339,119

113,061

317,659

188

20,681

10,641

744

145

463,119

616,992

-

402,732

344

5,553

11,132

5,333

192

425,286

764,405

1,436,815

1,349,847

-

-

(251,209)

(187,024)

1,688,024

1,536,871

1,436,815

1,349,847

 112 

 
Computershare Limited Closed Group – Statement of comprehensive income 

Revenues from continuing operations

Sales revenue

Other revenue

Total revenue from continuing operations

Other income

Expenses

Direct services

Technology costs

Corporate services

Finance costs

Total expenses

Share of net profit/(loss) of associates and joint ventures accounted for using the equity method

Profit before income tax expense

Income tax expense/(credit)

Profit for the year

Other comprehensive income 

Available-for-sale financial assets

Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations

Cash flow hedges

Income tax relating to components of other comprehensive income

Total other comprehensive income for the year, net of tax

Total comprehensive income for the year  

Set out below is a summary of movements in consolidated retained profits for the year of the Closed Group.

Retained earnings at the beginning of the financial year

Change in accounting standards

Profit for the year

Dividends provided for or paid

Retained earnings at the end of the financial year

2019
$000

2018
$000

196,066

239,728

435,794

195,656

222,068

324,835

546,903

6,803

165,587

235,961

51,222

33,566

21,051

57,385

27,941

25,517

271,426

346,804

64

360,088

44,748

315,340

323

207,225

27,909

179,316

-

-

(68,186)

(62,089)

7,967

(2,390)

(62,609)

252,731

44

(13)

(62,058)

117,258

1,536,871

1,518,039

(571)

-

315,340

179,316

(163,616)

(160,484)

1,688,024

1,536,871

113 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTSComputershare Annual Report 201933. PARENT ENTITY FINANCIAL INFORMATION

(a) Summary financial information

The individual financial statements for the parent entity show the following aggregate amounts:

Balance sheet

Current assets

Non-current assets

Total assets

Current liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Total liabilities

Equity

Contributed equity – ordinary shares  

Reserves  

  Share buy-back reserve

  Capital redemption reserve

  Foreign currency translation reserve

  Share based payment reserve

  Equity related consideration

  Available-for-sale asset reserve

Retained earnings

Total equity

Profit/(loss) attributable to members of the parent entity

Total comprehensive income attributable to members of the parent entity

(b) Guarantees

The parent entity’s financial guarantees have been outlined in note 34. 

(c) Contingent liabilities

2019
$000

2018
$000

36,002

89,392

1,107,539

1,163,542

1,143,541

1,252,934

83,451

533,594

617,045

66,532

927,215

993,747

-

-

(79,460)

(79,460)

2

48,120

28,555

(2,327)

-

531,606

526,496

452,250

433,230

2

67,200

30,800

(2,327)

(60)

243,032

259,187

65,985

55,481

The parent entity did not have any contingent liabilities as at 30 June 2019 or 30 June 2018 other than the Australian thin capitalisation 
contingent liability outlined in note 6 and the matters outlined in note 34.

(d) Parent entity financial information

The financial information for the parent entity, Computershare Limited has been prepared on the same basis as the consolidated 
financial statements, except as set out below.

Investments in controlled entities, associates and joint venture entities 

Investments in controlled entities, associates and joint venture entities are accounted for at cost in the financial statements of 
Computershare Limited. Dividends received from associates and joint ventures are recognised in the parent entity’s profit or loss, rather 
than being deducted from the carrying amount of these investments.

Tax consolidation legislation

Computershare Limited and its wholly-owned Australian controlled entities formed a tax consolidation group with effect from 1 July 2002. 

Members of the tax consolidated group also entered into a tax sharing deed, which includes a tax funding arrangement. As a 
consequence, Computershare Limited, as the head entity in the tax consolidation group, has recognised the current tax liability 
(or receivable) relating to the wholly owned Australian controlled entities in this group in the financial statements as if that liability 
(or receivable) was its own. Amounts receivable or payable under the tax sharing deed are recognised separately as intercompany 
payables or receivables.

 114 

34. CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

(a) Guarantees and Indemnities

Computershare Limited, ACN 081 035 752 Pty Ltd, Computershare Investments (UK) (No. 3) Ltd, Computershare Finance Company 
Pty Ltd, Computershare US Inc. and Computershare Investor Services Inc are parties to a Guarantor Deed Poll dated 11 April 2018 in 
respect to the following Facility Agreements:
 > $450.0 million 5-year multi-currency Syndicated Facility Agreement executed on 11 April 2018; 
 > $450.0 million 3-year USD Syndicated Facility Agreement executed on 11 April 2018; and a 
 > $100.0 million multi-currency Bilateral Facility Agreement executed on 28 June 2018 (refer to note 14 for further detail).

Guarantees and indemnities of $990.0 million (2018: $745.0 million) have been given to US Institutional Accredited Investors 
by Computershare Limited, ACN 081 035 752 Pty Ltd, Computershare Finance Company Pty Ltd, Computershare US Inc., 
Computershare Investments (UK) (No. 3) Ltd and Computershare Investor Services Inc. under a Note and Guarantee Agreement dated 
9 February 2012 and 20 November 2018.

Guarantees have been given to bankers of LenderLive Network, LLC by Computershare Mortgage Services LLC. As at 30 June 2019, 
this included the current credit facilities of $65 million under a Warehouse Credit and Security Agreement dated 23 July 2018 and 
$15 million under a Mortgage Warehouse Agreement dated 11 June 2019.

Bank guarantees of AUD 2.6 million (2018: AUD 2.7 million) have been given in respect of facilities provided to Australian subsidiaries.

Bank guarantees of ZAR 6.8 million (2018: ZAR 6.8 million) have been given in respect of facilities provided to South African 
subsidiaries. 

A performance guarantee of ZAR 16.0 million (2018: ZAR 16.0 million) has been given by Computershare (Pty) Ltd to provide security 
for the performance of obligations as a Central Securities Depository Participant. 

(b) Legal and Regulatory Matters

Due to the nature of operations, certain commercial claims in the normal course of business have been made against the consolidated 
entity in various countries. An inherent difficulty in predicting the outcome of such matters exists, but in the opinion of the Group, based 
on current knowledge and in consultation with legal counsel, we do not expect any material liability to the Group to eventuate. The 
status of all claims is monitored on an ongoing basis, together with the adequacy of any provisions recorded in the Group’s financial 
statements. For the Australian thin capitalisation contingent liability refer to note 6.

(c) Other

The Group is subject to regulatory capital requirements administered by relevant regulatory bodies in countries where Computershare 
operates. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements, or other ongoing regulatory requirements, can initiate action by the regulators 
that, if undertaken, could revoke or suspend the Group’s ability to provide trust services to customers in these markets. At all relevant 
times Group controlled entities have met all minimum capital requirements. 

Computershare Limited (Australia) has issued a letter of warrant to Computershare (Pty) Ltd. This obligates Computershare Limited 
(Australia) to maintain combined tier one capital of at least ZAR 455.0 million.

Potential withholding and other tax liabilities arising from distribution of all retained distributable earnings of all foreign incorporated 
controlled entities are $34.4 million (2018: $40.2 million). No provision is made for withholding tax on unremitted earnings of applicable 
foreign incorporated controlled entities as there is currently no intention to remit these earnings to the parent entity.

In consideration of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission agreeing to allow AUD 5.0 million to form part of the net 
tangible assets of Computershare Clearing Pty Ltd so that it can meet certain financial requirements under the conditions of its 
Australian Financial Services Licence, Computershare Limited has agreed to make, at the request of Computershare Clearing Pty 
Ltd, a AUD 5.0 million loan to it. Computershare Limited has agreed to subordinate its loan to any other unsecured creditors of 
Computershare Clearing Pty Ltd. The loan was made pursuant to a deed of subordination dated 7 January 2004.

In consideration of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission agreeing to allow AUD 5.0 million to form part of the net 
tangible assets of Computershare Share Plans Pty Ltd so that it can meet certain financial requirements under the conditions of its 
Australian Financial Services Licence, Computershare Limited has agreed to make, at the request of Computershare Share Plans 
Pty Ltd, a AUD 5.0 million loan to it. Computershare Limited has agreed to subordinate its loan to any other unsecured creditors of 
Computershare Share Plans Pty Ltd. The loan was made pursuant to a deed of subordination dated 5 July 2007.

Computershare Limited (Australia), as the parent entity, has undertaken to own, either directly or indirectly, all of the equity interests 
and to guarantee performance of the obligations of Computershare Investor Services Pty Ltd, Computershare Trust Company NA, 
Georgeson LLC, Georgeson Securities Corporation, Computershare Trust Company of Canada and Computershare Investor Services 
Inc with respect to any financial accommodation related to transactional services provided by BMO Harris Bank, Chicago.

115 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTSComputershare Annual Report 201935. COMMITMENTS

(a) Retirement benefits

Defined Contribution Funds

The Group maintains defined contribution superannuation schemes which provide benefits to all employees upon their disability, retirement 
or death. Employee contributions to the funds are based upon various percentages of employees’ gross salaries as set out below: 

Australian controlled entities contribute to the defined contribution funds as follows:
 > Category 1 – Management (employer contributions, voluntary employee contributions)
 > Category 2 – Staff (statutory employer contributions of 9.5%, voluntary employee contributions)
 > Category 3 – SG (Superannuation Guarantee) Staff and casual and fixed-term employees (statutory employer contributions, voluntary 

employee contributions)

Foreign controlled entities contribute to the defined contribution funds as follows:
 > United Kingdom entities – between 7% and 10% of employees’ gross salaries
 > United States entities – voluntary employee contributions with matching employer contribution up to 4% of employees’ base salaries
 > Canadian entities – between 2% and 7% of employees’ base salaries dependent upon years of service
 > South African entities – 12% of employees’ gross salaries
 > New Zealand entities – voluntary employee contributions with matching employer contribution up to 6% of employees’ base salaries
 > Hong Kong entities – between 5% and 20% of employees’ base salary dependent upon years of service

Defined Benefit Funds

Computershare Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG and Computershare Communication Services GmbH maintained a defined benefit 
scheme which provides benefits to 7 employees (2018: 8) An actuarial assessment of the scheme was completed as at 30 June 2019 
and defined benefit plan liability recognised in accordance with the actuarial valuation. The net liability is not material to the Group.

(b) Finance lease commitments

Commitments in relation to finance leases are payable as follows:

  Not later than 1 year 

  Later than 1 year but not later than 5 years 

Minimum lease payments    

Less: Future finance charges

  Not later than 1 year 

  Later than 1 year but not later than 5 years 

Total future finance charges

Net finance lease liability

Reconciled to:

  Current liability (note 14)

  Non-current liability (note 14)

(c) Operating lease commitments

Commitments for minimum lease payments in relation to non-cancellable operating leases are payable as follows:

2019
$000

2,114

6,109

8,223

(183)

(305)

(488)

7,735

1,931

5,804

7,735

2018
$000

3,740

2,112

5,852

(124)

(110)

(234)

5,618

3,616

2,002

5,618

  Not later than 1 year 

  Later than 1 year but not later than 5 years 

  Later than 5 years

48,880

137,373

41,659

227,912

43,228

112,271

42,420

197,919

 116 

(d) Other 

An overseas subsidiary performing loan servicing activities is obliged, in certain circumstances, to make payments on behalf of 
mortgagors related to taxes, insurance, principal and interest. The amount of these advance payments fluctuates over time as it 
depends on the type of loans being serviced and their performance. 

As of 30 June 2019, the Group was servicing approximately $14.6 billion of mortgages owned by the US government sponsored 
mortgage agencies. While the Group, as the owner of the related MSRs, may have the obligation to acquire any mortgages from the 
serviced pool that do not meet the agencies’ lending criteria, the consolidated entity is in possession of indemnities and warranties that 
require originating banks to purchase such mortgages from the Group and cover any transfer costs. Only in the event of bankruptcy or 
dissolution of the originating bank, would Computershare retain the defective mortgage together with the underlying collateral. In these 
limited circumstances, the Group would have the option to either hold the mortgage or seek another buyer in the open market. The 
impact at 30 June 2019 of any retained mortgages is immaterial to the consolidated entity.

36. CAPITAL EXPENDITURE COMMITMENTS

Capital expenditure commitments contracted for at balance date but not recorded in the financial statements are as follows:

Fit-out of premises

Plant and equipment

2019
$000

250

3,251

3,501

2018
$000

6,703

1,676

8,379

37. SIGNIFICANT EVENTS AFTER YEAR END

No matter or circumstance has arisen since the end of the financial year which is not otherwise dealt with in this financial report that 
has significantly affected or may significantly affect the operations of the consolidated entity, the results of those operations or the state 
of affairs of the consolidated entity in subsequent financial years.

38. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

Key management personnel disclosures are included in note 39. Detailed remuneration disclosures are provided in the remuneration 
report. 

Directors’ shareholdings

Ordinary shares held at the end of the financial year

Net ordinary shares purchased/(sold) by directors during the financial year

Ordinary dividends received during the year in respect of those ordinary shares

(a) Wholly owned Group – intercompany transactions and outstanding balances 

Shares in the parent entity

2019

2018

32,345,846

46,060,592

(2,603,008)

(834,901)

2019
$

2018
$

11,787,800

13,780,129

The parent entity and its controlled entities entered into the following transactions during the year within the wholly owned Group:
 > Loans were advanced and repayments received on loans and intercompany accounts 
 > Fees were exchanged between entities 
 > Interest was charged between entities 
 > The parent entity and its Australian controlled entities have been parties to a tax sharing deed, which includes a tax funding 

arrangement (note 33)

 > Dividends were paid between entities 
 > Bank guarantees were provided by the parent entity to its controlled entities (note 34)

These transactions were undertaken on commercial terms and conditions.

Ultimate controlling entity

The ultimate controlling entity of the Group is Computershare Limited.

(b) Ownership interests in related parties

Interests in controlled entities are set out in note 30. Interests held in associates and joint ventures are disclosed in note 31.

117 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTSComputershare Annual Report 2019 
 
(c) Transactions with associates and joint ventures 

The following transactions were entered into with associates and joint ventures:

Sales and purchases of goods and services

  Sales to

  Purchases from

Outstanding balances arising from sales and purchases of goods and services

  Trade receivables

  Trade payables

These transactions were undertaken on commercial terms and conditions.

39. KEY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL DISCLOSURES

Key management personnel compensation

Short-term employee benefits

Other long-term benefits

Post-employment benefits

Share based payments 

Other

Total

2019
$

2018
$

198,541

158,431

2,285,066

1,516,243

22,889

36,650

9,951

236,715

9,600,408

10,744,949

126,417

213,661

51,598

215,998

4,880,075

3,832,350

2,397,374

1,028,212

17,217,935

15,873,107

For detailed remuneration disclosures please refer to section 1 to 15 of the remuneration report within the Directors’ Report.

40. EMPLOYEE AND EXECUTIVE BENEFITS

Certain employees are entitled to participate in share and performance rights schemes. A transaction is classified as share-based 
compensation where the Group receives services from an employee and pays for these in shares or similar equity instruments.

For each of the Group’s share plans, the fair value is measured at grant date and the expense is recognised over the relevant vesting 
period in the income statement with a corresponding increase in the share based payments reserve. The expense is adjusted to reflect 
actual and expected levels of vesting.

(a) Share plans

Exempt Employee Share Plan

During the year ended 30 June 2001 the Group introduced an Exempt Employee Share Plan. The Plan gives Computershare 
employees in Australia the opportunity to acquire shares in Computershare Limited. Each year, participating employees can make 
contributions from their pre-tax salary to acquire AUD 500 worth of shares. Such employee contributions are matched by the Group 
with an additional AUD 500 worth of shares being acquired for each participating employee. All permanent employees in Australia with 
at least 6 months service and employed at the allocation date are entitled to participate in this plan. 

Deferred Employee Share Plan

During the year ended 30 June 2002 a Deferred Employee Share Plan was established to enable Computershare to match dollar for 
dollar any employee pre-tax contributions to a maximum of AUD 3,000 per employee. Shares purchased and funded by an employee’s 
pre-tax salary must remain in the plan for a minimum of one year. Matching shares funded by the Group must be kept in the plan for 
a minimum of two years or they will be forfeited. All permanent employees in Australia employed at the allocation date are entitled 
to participate in this plan. A derivative of this plan and the Exempt Employee Share Plan have been made available to employees in 
New Zealand, Hong Kong, China, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Jersey, Germany, Canada, South Africa and the US.

Subject to the discretion of the Board, shares in the parent entity may also be allocated to selected employees on a discretionary basis 
having regard to special circumstances as determined by the Remuneration Committee. Such shares may be subject to vesting and 
performance criteria as determined by the Board or the Remuneration Committee.

Deferred Short-Term Incentive (DSTI) Share Plan

The Group also provides DSTI awards to key management personnel and other senior executives as part of a structured STI plan and 
other high performing employees on a discretionary basis. Recipients of DSTI awards must complete specified periods of service as a 
minimum before any share awards under the DSTI plan become unconditional.

 118 

 
Number of employee shares held

Opening balance

Shares purchased on the market

Forfeited shares reissued

Shares forfeited

Shares withdrawn

Closing balance

Fair value of shares granted through the employee share plan ($000)*

Ordinary shares

2019

2018

10,495,235

10,795,057

2,650,025

2,785,101

26,159

120,726

(158,325)

(107,166)

(3,232,031)

(3,098,483)

9,781,063

10,495,235

34,694

32,360

*   Weighted average fair value of shares is determined by the closing price at the end of the day’s trading on the Australian Securities Exchange on the allocation date. The 

average price per share purchased on market was AUD $18.06.

Phantom Share Awards Plan

The Phantom Share Awards Plan (Phantom Plan) was introduced in 2013 as an alternative to the DSTI Share Plan to employees who 
are resident for tax purposes in countries where the taxation and/or legal requirements mean the DSTI Share Plan does not achieve 
the most effective outcome for Computershare or those employees. Awards under the Phantom Plan are cash-settled and vest after 
specified periods of service have been completed.

(b) Performance rights 

Long-Term Incentive Plan

The Board has offered to eligible key management personnel and senior group executives in the Group performance rights under 
long-term incentive plans.  

In 2014, the Board approved the terms of the Long-Term Incentive Plan, known as the LTI Plan. Performance rights are granted for 
no consideration and carry no dividend or voting rights. Each performance right carries an entitlement to one fully paid ordinary share 
in Computershare Limited subject to satisfaction of performance hurdles and continued employment over a three year performance 
period. Under the plan, 50% of each award of performance rights is subject to EPS hurdle criteria and 50% is subject to TSR 
Performance criteria. Unvested performance rights lapse on employee’s termination, subject to Board discretion. 

Set out below are summaries of performance rights granted under the LTI Plan:

Grant date

1 Dec 2015

16 Dec 2016

5 Dec 2017

4 Dec 2018

Total

Approximate
 exercise
 date 

Exercise
 price

Balance at
 beginning of 
the year

Granted
 during
 the year

Exercised
 during
 the year 

Lapsed 
during 
the year 

Balance 
at end of 
the year

Exercisable
 at end of 
the year

Sep 2018

Sep 2019

Sep 2020

Sep 2021

$0.00

$0.00

$0.00

$0.00

716,916

750,375

494,774

-

1,962,065

-

-

-

551,925

551,925

(329,778)

(387,138)

-

-

-

(12,019)

-

-

-

738,356

494,774

551,925

(329,778)

(399,157)

1,785,055

-

-

-

-

The fair value of performance rights granted under the 2019 LTI plan were assessed using the following parameters:

Grant Date

Hurdle start date

Hurdle end date

Share price at grant date

Fair value at measurement date (i)

Exercise price 

Expected volatility (ii)

Option life

Expected dividend yield p.a (iii)

Risk free rate p.a. (iv)

i)  To allow for the TSR hurdle, a Monte Carlo simulation was used to value the performance rights. 

To allow for the EPS hurdle, a closed form Black Scholes model was used to value the performance rights.

ii)  Expected volatility is based on historical daily share price for the three-year period preceding the grant date.

iii)  Expected dividend yield is based on historic yield for the three-year period immediately preceding the grant date.

iv) Risk free interest rate is based on the three-year Australian Bank Bill Swap Rate at grant date.

119 

2019 Plan – EPS

2019 Plan – TSR

4 Dec 2018

1 Jul 2018

30 Jun 2021

AUD 18.23

AUD 17.14

AUD 0.00

22.32%

3 years

2.19%

2.04%

4 Dec 2018

1 Jul 2018

30 Jun 2021

AUD 18.23

AUD 11.65

AUD 0.00

22.32%

3 years

2.19%

N/A

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTSComputershare Annual Report 2019(c) Employee benefits recognised

Performance rights expense

Share plan and options expense

Aggregate employee entitlement liability (note 21 and 22)

41. REMUNERATION OF AUDITORS

2019
$000

4,348

15,385

36,481

2018
$000

3,426

15,866

34,493

During the year the following fees were paid or payable for services provided by the auditor of the parent entity, its network firms and 
non-related audit firms:

Assurance services:

Auditing or review of financial statements

  – PricewaterhouseCoopers Australia

  – Network firms of PricewaterhouseCoopers Australia

Other assurance services

  – PricewaterhouseCoopers Australia

  – Network firms of PricewaterhouseCoopers Australia

Taxation services

  – Related practices of PricewaterhouseCoopers Australia

973

2,573

3,546

372

1,835

2,207

375

375

1,073

2,644

3,717

447

1,776

2,223

150

150

Remuneration received, or due and receivable, by auditors other than the auditor of the parent entity and its affiliates for:

Auditing or review of financial statements

416

170

During the year, the Group acquired Equatex Group Holding AG (Equatex), which is audited by the Group’s external tax advisor, and 
provides a number of non-audit services across the Group. The Group has planned for the audit of Equatex to rotate to the Group’s 
auditor in the financial year commencing 1 July 2020. The external tax advisor has confirmed their independence in performing the 
Equatex audit.

 120 

DIRECTORS’ DECLARATION

In the directors’ opinion:

(a) 

the financial statements and notes set out on pages 63 to 120 are in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001, including:

(i)  

(ii) 

 complying with Accounting Standards, the Corporations Regulations 2001 and other mandatory professional reporting 
requirements; and

 giving a true and fair view of the consolidated entity’s financial position as at 30 June 2019 and of its performance for the 
financial year ended on that date; and

(b) 

there are reasonable grounds to believe that the Company will be able to pay its debts as and when they become due and 
payable; and

(c)  at the date of this declaration, there are reasonable grounds to believe that the members of the Closed Group identified in note 30 

will be able to meet any obligations or liabilities to which they are, or may become, subject to by virtue of the deed of cross 
guarantee described in note 32. 

Note 1 confirms that the financial statements also comply with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the 
International Accounting Standards Board. 

The directors have been given the declarations by the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer required by section 295A of 
the Corporations Act 2001.

Signed in accordance with a resolution of the directors.

SD Jones
Chairman

23 September 2019

SJ Irving
Director

121 

Computershare Annual Report 2019DECLARATION TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer state that:

(a) 

(b) 

the financial records of the consolidated entity for the financial year ended 30 June 2019 have been properly maintained in 
accordance with section 286 of the Corporations Act 2001; and

the financial statements, and the notes to the financial statements, of the consolidated entity, for the financial year ended  
30 June 2019:

(i) 

(ii)  

 comply with Accounting Standards, the Corporations Regulations 2001 and other mandatory professional reporting 
requirements; and

 give a true and fair view of the consolidated entity’s financial position as at 30 June 2019 and of their performance for the 
financial year ended on that date.

SJ Irving
Chief Executive Officer

23 September 2019

MB Davis
Chief Financial Officer

 122 

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT

Independent auditor’s report 
To the members of Computershare Limited 

Report on the audit of the financial report 

Our opinion 

In our opinion: 

(a)  The accompanying financial report of Computershare Limited (the Company) and its controlled 

entities (together the Group) is in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001, including: 

i. 

ii. 

giving a true and fair view of the Group's financial position as at 30 June 2019 and of its 
financial performance for the year then ended  

complying with Australian Accounting Standards and the Corporations Regulations 2001. 

(b)  The financial report and notes also comply with International Financial Reporting Standards as 

disclosed in Note 1. 

What we have audited 
The Group financial report comprises: 

 
 
 
 
 

 

the consolidated statement of financial position as at 30 June 2019 

the consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the year then ended 

the consolidated statement of changes in equity for the year then ended 

the consolidated cash flow statement for the year then ended 

the notes to the consolidated financial statements, which include a summary of significant 
accounting policies 

the directors’ declaration. 

Basis for opinion 

We conducted our audit in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards. Our responsibilities under 
those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial 
report section of our report. 

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for 
our opinion. 

Independence 
We are independent of the Group in accordance with the auditor independence requirements of the 
Corporations Act 2001 and the ethical requirements of the Accounting Professional and Ethical 
Standards Board’s APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (the Code) that are relevant 
to our audit of the financial report in Australia. We have also fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities 
in accordance with the Code. 

PricewaterhouseCoopers, ABN 52 780 433 757 
2 Riverside Quay, SOUTHBANK  VIC  3006, GPO Box 1331, MELBOURNE  VIC  3001  
T: 61 3 8603 1000, F: 61 3 8603 1999, www.pwc.com.au

Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.

123 

Computershare Annual Report 2019 
 
 
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT

Our audit approach 

An audit is designed to provide reasonable assurance about whether the financial report is free from 
material misstatement. Misstatements may arise due to fraud or error. They are considered material if 
individually or in aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of 
users taken on the basis of the financial report. 

We tailored the scope of our audit to ensure that we performed enough work to be able to give an 
opinion on the financial report as a whole, taking into account the geographic and management 
structure of the Group, its accounting processes and controls and the industry in which it operates. 

Materiality 

  For the purpose of our audit we used overall Group materiality of $21.0 million, which 

represents approximately 5% of the Group’s profit before tax, excluding the gain on disposal of a 
controlled entity. 

  We applied this threshold, together with qualitative considerations, to determine the scope of 

our audit and the nature, timing and extent of our audit procedures and to evaluate the effect of 
misstatements on the financial report as a whole. 

  We chose Group profit before tax because, in our view, it is the benchmark against which the 

performance of the Group is most commonly measured.  We adjusted for the gain on disposal of 
a controlled entity as it was an infrequent item impacting profit and loss.   

  We utilised a 5% threshold based on our professional judgement, noting it is within the range of 

commonly acceptable thresholds.  

Audit Scope 

  Our audit focused on where the Group made subjective judgements; for example, significant 

accounting estimates involving assumptions and inherently uncertain future events. 

  The Group operates in more than 20 countries, with the majority of its business based in four 

geographical locations – Australia, United States of America, United Kingdom and Canada. The 
Group engagement team determined the nature, timing and extent of work that needed to be 
performed by it and by auditors operating under its instruction (component auditors). We 
structured our audit approach as follows: 

 124 

 
 
 
 
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT

  We audited certain entities in Australia, United States of America, United Kingdom and 

Canada due to their financial significance to the Group. 

  We performed specified risk focused procedures on certain account balances for other 

entities in Australia, United States of America, United Kingdom, Canada, Hong Kong and 
Switzerland. 

  We carried out further procedures at the Group level, including procedures over 

consolidation and preparation of the financial statements. 

  For work performed by component auditors, we determined the level of involvement required 
from us in order to be able to conclude whether sufficient appropriate audit evidence had been 
obtained. Our involvement included discussions, written instructions and meeting with 
component audit teams in Australia, United States of America, United Kingdom, Canada, Hong 
Kong and Switzerland. 

Key audit matters 

Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgement, were of most significance in 
our audit of the financial report for the current period. The key audit matters were addressed in the 
context of our audit of the financial report as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and we do 
not provide a separate opinion on these matters. Further, any commentary on the outcomes of a 
particular audit procedure is made in that context. We communicated the key audit matters to the Risk 
and Audit Committee. 

Key audit matter 

How our audit addressed the key audit matter 

Revenue recognition – Computershare 
Mortgage Services’ (CMS) fixed fee revenue 
(Refer to note 2 of the financial statements) 

In 2016, Computershare was appointed by UK Asset 
Resolution to undertake its mortgage servicing 
activities. The arrangement involved a fixed fee 
payable to Computershare over a total of four years 
for the provision of infrastructure to support the 
contract (CMS fixed fee revenue). A single 
performance obligation has been identified in the 
contract between the Group and UK Asset 
Resolution which, under Australian Accounting 
Standards, will be satisfied over a period of time. A 
portion of the fixed fee is recognised as revenue 
during the period with reference to the percentage 
of related costs that have been incurred to date.  

We continue to consider the recognition of CMS 
fixed fee revenue a key audit matter given the 
judgement required by the Group in determining 
the total amount of related costs which are expected 
to be incurred, the percentage of these costs 

We performed the following procedures, amongst 
others, over the recognition of CMS fixed fee revenue: 

  Compared the Group’s revenue recognition 

policies to the requirements under Australian 
Accounting Standards. 

  Confirmed that the Group had reassessed the 
related costs and obtained a copy of the latest 
projections of the total amount of related costs 
which are expected to be incurred. 

  Considered the appropriateness of key 
assumptions used in determining the 
recognition of revenue, by: 

  Agreed the total amount of related costs 
to the Group’s approved business plan. 

125 

Computershare Annual Report 2019 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT

Key audit matter 

How our audit addressed the key audit matter 

incurred to date and the period over which these 
costs will be incurred.  

Impairment assessment of goodwill 
(Refer to note 10 of the financial statements) 

The Group had a goodwill balance of $1.8 billion at 
30 June 2019, representing approximately 38% of 
the total assets of the Group. 

The Group is required to perform an impairment 
assessment of its goodwill balance at least annually 
under Australian Accounting Standards.  

For the year ended 30 June 2019, the Group 
performed an impairment assessment over the 
goodwill balance by calculating the value in use for 
each operating segment, which is comprised of 
groups of cash generating units (CGUs), using 
discounted cash flow models (the models). These 
valuations were then compared to respective book 
values to determine the need for any impairment. In 
each operating segment, the Group’s valuations 
exceeded book values. The models accounted for 
sensitivity by assessing hypothetical fluctuations in 
key assumptions, which did not identify any 
impairment. 

We considered the impairment assessment of 
goodwill to be a key audit matter as the balance is 
significant to the consolidated statement of financial 
position and significant judgement is required by 
the Group in estimating future cash flows, 
particularly with respect to determining 
appropriate: 

  Discount rates 

 

Five-year cash flow projections (cash flow 
forecasts) 

  Earnings growth rates applied beyond the 

initial five-year period (terminal growth 
rates).  

  Compared a sample of current year 

related costs included in the Group’s 
cash flow forecasts against actual related 
costs incurred to assess the 
appropriateness of their recognition.  

  Recalculated the portion of the fixed fee 

recognised as revenue during the period, with 
reference to the percentage of related costs 
that were incurred to date. 

We evaluated whether the Group’s identification of 
CGUs, which are the smallest identifiable groups of 
assets that can generate largely independent cash 
inflows, was consistent with our knowledge of the 
Group’s operations and internal Group reporting. 

In relation to the models, we performed the following 
procedures, amongst others: 

 

Tested the mathematical accuracy of the 
models’ calculations. 

  Compared cash flow forecasts to Board 

approved business plans. 

  Compared previous cash flow forecasts to 

actual results to assess the Group’s historical 
accuracy of forecasting. 

 

 

Together with PwC valuation experts, we 
compared the discount rate contained in the 
models to valuations of similar companies and 
other relevant external data. 

Tested whether cash flow forecasts and 
terminal growth rates used in the models were 
consistent with our knowledge of current 
business conditions, externally derived data 
(where possible) and our understanding of the 
business. 

For each operating segment, we performed a sensitivity 
analysis by reducing the cash flow forecasts and 
terminal growth rates, and increasing the discount rates 
in the models, within a reasonably foreseeable range.  

We also considered the adequacy of the Group’s 
financial report disclosures in relation to this matter in 
light of the requirements of Australian Accounting 
Standards.  

 126 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT

Key audit matter 

How our audit addressed the key audit matter 

We performed the following procedures, amongst 
others: 

  Read correspondence between the Group and 
the ATO that took place during the year.   

 

Interviewed the Group Tax Director, the Chief 
Financial Officer, and considered the views of 
the Group’s independent expert to determine if 
there had been a change to the Group’s 
strategy, position and approach in relation to 
the ATO draft position paper.  

  Considered whether the current accounting 
treatment applied by the Group remains 
appropriate based on the information obtained 
from the procedures listed above. 

  Considered the adequacy of the Group’s 

contingent liability by obtaining a copy of the 
Group’s calculations and determining if the 
methodology applied in the calculations was 
consistent with existing facts and 
circumstances.  

  Assessed the disclosures in light of the 
requirements of Australian Accounting 
Standards. 

Uncertain tax positions - Australian thin 
capitalisation 
(Refer to note 6 of the financial statements) 

The Group has been working with the Australian 
Taxation Office (ATO) and Her Majesty’s Revenue 
and Customs (HRMC) in the UK to renew an 
existing bilateral advanced pricing arrangement in 
relation to remuneration paid to the Australian tax 
consolidated group from its subsidiaries regarding 
its ownership and licensing of certain intangible 
assets. As part of that process, the ATO undertook 
review activities in relation to the Group’s 
compliance with thin capitalisation rules. Under 
Australian thin capitalisation rules, the amount of 
debt used to fund Australian operations or 
investments is limited. Once certain limits are 
exceeded, debt deductions claimable against 
Australian assessable income are disallowed.  

In April 2017, the ATO issued a draft position paper 
to the Group to indicate that it disagreed with the 
basis applied by the Group in calculating its thin 
capitalisation position in the 2011–2014 income tax 
years. In particular, the ATO questioned the 
recognition of certain intangible assets within the 
calculation. The Group responded to the ATO’s 
position paper, outlining the rationale for its thin 
capitalisation treatment. A contingent liability 
continues to be disclosed for this issue as at 30 June 
2019.  

We considered this a key audit matter, given the 
financial significance of the contingent liability, in 
addition to the significant judgement required by 
the Group in assessing whether the accounting 
treatment remained appropriate as at balance sheet 
date and the adequacy of disclosures in the financial 
report, as required under Australian Accounting 
Standards. 

127 

Computershare Annual Report 2019 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT

Key audit matter 

How our audit addressed the key audit matter 

Acquisition of Equatex Group Holding AG 
(Equatex)  
(Refer to note 8 of the financial statements)  

On 9 November 2018, the Group acquired 100% of 
Equatex Group Holding AG, a European employee 
share plan administration business headquartered 
in Zurich, Switzerland. The total consideration was 
$419.7 million. 

The acquisition was a key audit matter because it 
was a significant transaction during the year given 
the financial impact on the Group and the complex 
judgements made by the Group when accounting for 
the acquisition, including; 

  Determining the fair value of the assets and 
liabilities acquired, including the customer 
relationship and software intangible assets 
which are inherently judgemental. 

  Determining whether the client deposits 

managed by Equatex should be recognised 
as an asset, together with a corresponding 
liability, in accordance with the 
requirements of Australian Accounting 
Standards.  

We performed the following procedures, amongst 
others:  

  Obtained the final signed purchase agreement 

and evaluated whether the transaction 
represents a business combination in line with 
Australian Accounting Standards.  

  Compared the cash consideration paid by the 
Group, including all associated acquisition 
costs, to the final signed purchase agreement. 

  Assessed the business combination disclosures 
in light of the requirements of Australian 
Accounting Standards.  

  Assessed the fair values of the acquired assets 
and liabilities recognised by agreeing the book 
values to supporting documentation.  

  Assessed the Group’s discounted cash flow 

valuation model used for recognising the 
customer relationship intangible asset 
acquired, with a particular focus on the key 
assumptions therein, including forecast 
financial performance, growth rate and 
discount rate. 

  Assessed the Group’s model that estimated the 
fair value of the software intangible asset, with 
a particular focus on the key assumptions 
therein, including the replacement cost. 

 

Tested the mathematical accuracy of the 
models’ calculations. 

  Assessed the Group’s valuation methodology 
in light of the requirements of Australian 
Accounting Standards. 

  Assessed the useful lives of the intangible 
assets in light of our knowledge of the 
business’ operations.  

 

Together with PwC accounting specialists, 
assessed whether the Group had recognised 
client deposits in accordance with the 
requirements of Australian Accounting 
Standards.  

 128 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT

Other information 

The directors are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the 
information included in the annual report for the year ended 30 June 2019, but does not include the 
financial report and our auditor’s report thereon. 

Our opinion on the financial report does not cover the other information and accordingly we do not 
express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. 

In connection with our audit of the financial report, our responsibility is to read the other information 
and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial 
report or our knowledge obtained in the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. 

If, based on the work we have performed on the other information that we obtained prior to the date of 
this auditor’s report, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we 
are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard. 

Responsibilities of the directors for the financial report 

The directors of the Company are responsible for the preparation of the financial report that gives a 
true and fair view in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards and the Corporations Act 2001 
and for such internal control as the directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of the 
financial report that gives a true and fair view and is free from material misstatement, whether due to 
fraud or error. In Note 1, the directors also state, in accordance with Accounting Standard AASB 101 
Presentation of Financial Statements, that the financial statements comply with International 
Financial Reporting Standards. 

In preparing the financial report, the directors are responsible for assessing the ability of the Group to 
continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the 
going concern basis of accounting unless the directors either intend to liquidate the Group or to cease 
operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so. 

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial report 

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial report as a whole is free 
from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that 
includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an 
audit conducted in accordance with the Australian Auditing Standards will always detect a material 
misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material 
if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic 
decisions of users taken on the basis of the financial report. 

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial report is located at the 
Auditing and Assurance Standards Board website at: 
http://www.auasb.gov.au/auditors_responsibilities/ar1.pdf. This description forms part of our 
auditor's report. 

129 

Computershare Annual Report 2019 
 
 
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT

Report on the remuneration report 

Our opinion on the remuneration report 
Report on the remuneration report 
We have audited the remuneration report included in pages 45 to 60 of the directors’ report for the 
year ended 30 June 2019. 
Our opinion on the remuneration report 
Report on the remuneration report 
In our opinion, the remuneration report of Computershare Limited for the year ended 30 June 2019 
We have audited the remuneration report included in pages 45 to 60 of the directors’ report for the 
complies with section 300A of the Corporations Act 2001. 
year ended 30 June 2019. 
Our opinion on the remuneration report 

We have audited the remuneration report included in pages 45 to 60 of the directors’ report for the 
In our opinion, the remuneration report of Computershare Limited for the year ended 30 June 2019 
Responsibilities 
year ended 30 June 2019. 
complies with section 300A of the Corporations Act 2001. 
The directors of the Company are responsible for the preparation and presentation of the 
remuneration report in accordance with section 300A of the Corporations Act 2001. Our responsibility 
In our opinion, the remuneration report of Computershare Limited for the year ended 30 June 2019 
Responsibilities 
is to express an opinion on the remuneration report, based on our audit conducted in accordance with 
complies with section 300A of the Corporations Act 2001. 
Australian Auditing Standards.  
The directors of the Company are responsible for the preparation and presentation of the 
remuneration report in accordance with section 300A of the Corporations Act 2001. Our responsibility 
Responsibilities 
is to express an opinion on the remuneration report, based on our audit conducted in accordance with 
The directors of the Company are responsible for the preparation and presentation of the 
Australian Auditing Standards.  
remuneration report in accordance with section 300A of the Corporations Act 2001. Our responsibility 
PricewaterhouseCoopers 
is to express an opinion on the remuneration report, based on our audit conducted in accordance with 
Australian Auditing Standards.  

PricewaterhouseCoopers 

PricewaterhouseCoopers 

Anton Linschoten 
Partner 

Anton Linschoten 
Partner 

Anton Linschoten 
Partner 

Melbourne 
23 September 2019 

Melbourne 
23 September 2019 

Melbourne 
23 September 2019 

 130 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

This section contains additional information required by the Australian Securities Exchange Limited listing rules not disclosed elsewhere 
in this report.

SHAREHOLDINGS

Substantial Shareholders 

The following information is extracted from the Company’s Register of Substantial Shareholders.

Name

Christopher John Morris

AustralianSuper Pty Ltd

BlackRock Group

Class of shares and voting rights

Number of
 ordinary
 shares

32,231,000

27,396,136

27,152,616

Fully paid
 percentage

5.94%

5.05%

5.00%

At 13 September 2019 there were 32,318 holders of ordinary shares in the Company. The voting rights attaching to the ordinary shares 
set out in clause 4 of the Company’s Constitution are:

(a) 

the right to receive notice of and to attend and vote at all general meetings of the Company;

(b) 

the right to receive dividends; and

(c) 

in a winding up or a reduction of capital, the right to participate equally in the distribution of the assets of the Company (both 
capital and surplus), subject to any amounts unpaid on the Share and, in the case of a reduction, to the terms of the reduction

Distribution of shareholders of shares as at 13 September 2019

Size of holding

1 – 1,000

1,001 - 5,000

5,001 - 10,000

10,001 - 100,000

100,001 and over

Total shareholders

Ordinary shareholders

16,313

12,787

1,894

1,212

112

32,318

There were 649 shareholders holding less than a marketable parcel of 32 ordinary shares as at 13 September 2019.

Twenty Largest Shareholders of ordinary shares as at 13 September 2019

Ordinary shares

HSBC Custody Nominees (Australia) Limited

J P Morgan Nominees Australia Pty Limited

Citicorp Nominees Pty Limited

Mr Chris Morris

National Nominees Limited

Welas Pty Ltd

BNP Paribas Nominees Pty Ltd 

Penelope Maclagan

Computershare Clearing Pty Ltd

BNP Paribas Noms Pty Ltd 

Argo Investments Limited

Australian Foundation Investment Company Limited

Ms Michele Jean O’Halloran

CPU Share Plans Pty Limited

Citicorp Nominees Pty Limited 

HSBC Custody Nominees (Australia) Limited 

HSBC Custody Nominees (Australia) Limited - GSCO ECA 

National Nominees Limited 

AMP Life Limited

Netwealth Investments Limited 

Total

131 

Number

154,905,453

109,500,852

57,714,777

32,231,000

19,355,892

18,950,000

11,520,882

11,158,868

6,430,997

4,902,560

4,901,166

4,660,000

4,303,218

3,681,246

2,622,281

2,517,283

1,870,294

1,781,849

1,418,426

1,377,992

%

28.53

20.17

10.63

5.94

3.56

3.49

2.12

2.06

1.18

0.90

0.90

0.86

0.79

0.68

0.48

0.46

0.34

0.33

0.26

0.25

455,805,036

83.95

Computershare Annual Report 2019SHARE REGISTRY
Computershare Investor Services Pty Limited
Yarra Falls
452 Johnston Street
Abbotsford VIC 3067

PO BOX 103
Abbotsford VIC 3067

Telephone  
(within Australia)  + 61 3 9415 4222
+ 61 3 9473 2500
Facsimile  

1300 307 613

INVESTOR RELATIONS
Yarra Falls
452 Johnston Street
Abbotsford VIC 3067

Telephone   +61 3 9415 5000
Facsimile    +61 3 9476 2500

Email
investor.relations@computershare.com.au

Website
www.computershare.com

CORPORATE DIRECTORY

DIRECTORS
Simon David Jones
(Chairman)
Stuart James Irving
(President and Chief Executive Officer)
Abigail Pip Cleland
Tiffany Lee Fuller
Lisa Mary Gay
Christopher John Morris 
Paul Joseph Reynolds
Joseph Mark Velli

COMPANY SECRETARY
Dominic Matthew Horsley

REGISTERED OFFICE
Yarra Falls
452 Johnston Street
Abbotsford VIC 3067

Telephone   +61 3 9415 5000
Facsimile    +61 3 9476 2500

STOCK EXCHANGE LISTING
Australian Securities Exchange

SOLICITORS
Minter Ellison
Level 23, Rialto Towers
525 Collins Street
Melbourne VIC 3000

AUDITORS
PricewaterhouseCoopers
2 Riverside Quay
Southbank VIC 3006

 132 

NOTES

133 

Computershare Annual Report 2019Computershare Limited
ABN 71 005 485 825

COMPUTERSHARE
HEAD OFFICE

Yarra Falls
452 Johnston Street
Abbotsford Victoria 3067
Australia

Telephone: +61 3 9415 5000
Facsimile: +61 3 9473 2500

The Annual Report
is available online at
www.computershare.com

2019

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