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Pacific Current Group Ltd

pac · ASX Industrials
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FY2017 Annual Report · Pacific Current Group Ltd
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Annual Report 2017

LI M ITE D

CONTENTS 

1 
2 
4 

Results at a Glance 
Chairman’s Report 
President North America,  
and Global Cio’s Report

7  Directors’ Report 
32	 Auditor’s	Independence	Declaration	
33	 Consolidated	Statement	of	Profit	or	Loss
34  Consolidated Statement of Other  

Comprehensive Income

35	 Consolidated	Statement	of	Financial	Position
36  Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
37  Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
38  Notes to the Financial Statements
91	 Directors’	Declaration
92 
99	 ASX	Additional	Information
101	 Corporate	Information

Independent Auditor’s Report

In	accordance	with	ASX	Listing	Rule	4.10.3,	Pacific	
Current	Group	Limited’s	Corporate	Governance	
Statement	can	be	found	on	its	website	at	http://
paccurrent.com/shareholders/corporate-
governance/

Pacific	Current	Group
Limited	(ASX:PAC) is a
global	multi-boutique
asset management
business	committed
to seeking out and
partnering	with	exceptional
investment	managers.

In	this	Annual	Report,	a	reference	to	‘Pacific	Current	
Group’, ‘Group’, ‘the Group’, ‘ the Company’, ‘we’, 
‘us’	and	‘our’	is	to	Pacific	Current	Group	Limited	
ABN	39	006	708	792	and	its	subsidiaries	unless	it	
clearly	means	just	Pacific	Current	Group	Limited

In this Annual Report, a reference to funds under 
management (FUM) means the total market value of all 
the	financial	assets	which	one	of	our	partner	boutiques	
manages	on	behalf	of	its	clients	and	themselves.

Our philosophy 

Each partnership is created with 
flexibility to create exceptional alignment 
with our boutique managers. We apply 
capital, strategic insight, and global 
distribution to support the growth and 
development of our partner boutiques. 
Our goal is to help investment managers 
focus on their core business and 
what matters most – investing.

What we offer our boutiques

•    Strategic and complementary capital – 
we seek to complement their business, 
not control it

•   Flexible ownership structures – our 

goal is to create exceptional alignment 
with our partners, so every partnership 
is uniquely tailored to fit the specific 
manager’s needs 

•   Global distribution and marketing 
services to help grow underlying 
FUM at the boutique level – allowing 
portfolio managers to remain focused 
on investing

•   Access to our global network and 

strategic insight – there are many ways 
we help support the development of 
our boutiques, specifically by providing 
intelligent insight and connecting them 
with the right people

LIMITED 
 
1

RESULTS AT A GLANCE 

Key	Financial	Highlights	during	the	year:

Normalised net profit after tax (NPAT)

$16.6m

Total funds under management1

$62.0bn

Full year dividend (fully franked)

18cps

Aggregate boutique management fees

$193.5m

Final dividend (fully franked)

18cps

¹	

	Note	that	the	relationship	between	the	boutiques’	FUM	and	the	economic	benefits	received	by	
Aurora	can	vary	dramatically	based	on	each	boutique’s	fee	levels,	Aurora’s	ownership	stakes,	and	
the	 specific	 economic	 features	 of	 each	 relationship.	 Accordingly,	 management	 cautions	 against	
simple	extrapolation	based	on	FUM	trends.

Annual Report 2017LI M ITE D

CHAIRMAN’S 
REPORT

I am pleased to be 
writing	to	you	at	the	
end of a year in which 
a	lot	has	been	achieved.

LIMITED2

3

Dear Fellow Shareholders,
I	am	pleased	to	be	writing	to	you	at	the	end	of	a	year	in	which	a	lot	has	been	achieved.

We	have	seen	many	of	the	businesses	in	which	we	have	invested	both	continue	to	deliver	strong	investment	
returns	for	their	clients	and	also	grow	their	funds	under	management.	Of	particular	importance	to	us	is	
the	recent	success	seen	at	our	two	newest	investments,	Aperio	Group,	LLC	and	GQG	Partners	LLC.	Both	
have	achieved	tremendous	growth	in	funds	under	management	and	sound	investment	returns,	strongly	
suggesting	that	our	decisions	to	invest	in	them	was	correct.	

Given	 that	 both	 of	 these	 investments	 occurred	 post	 the	 merger	 with	 Northern	 Lights	 and	 both	 are	
opportunities	that	would	not	have	been	available	to	Pacific	Current	Group	without	the	merger,	they	also	
confirm	that	the	underlying	premises	of	the	merger	remains	sound.

Getting	to	the	point	where	we	can	see	the	benefits	flowing	from	the	merger	has	been	an	arduous	road	to	
travel.	The	journey	of	our	share	price	since	the	merger	is	a	testament	to	the	challenges	of	that	journey.	We	
thank	the	shareholders	who	have	waited	patiently	for	that	journey	to	become	a	smoother	one.

We	believe	that	the	work	done	over	the	last	year	has	pushed	the	company	to	a	position	where	its	focus	
can	be	on	managing	the	existing	portfolio	of	investments	and	pursuing	new	opportunities	-	that	is	looking	
forward.	I	am	delighted	to	say	that	the	management	team	continue	to	identify	attractive	opportunities	on	
a	very	regular	basis.	We	are	confident	that	we	can	continue	to	invest	in	new	opportunities	that	will	be	of	a	
similar	calibre	to	our	existing	portfolio	of	assets.

The	work	done	over	the	last	year	has	materially	altered	the	structure	and	alignment	of	the	business.	The	
Simplification	 that	 shareholders	 supported	 and	 management	 implemented	 means	 that	 all	 stakeholders	
now	have	a	common	interest	because	all	parties	now	hold	ordinary	shares	in	Pacific	Current	Group.	The	
Simplification	also	means	that	the	liabilities	were	reduced	through	changes	to	the	remaining	redeemable	
preference	 unit.	 Unfortunately,	 the	 existence	 of	 these	 preference	 units	 unexpectedly	 stops	 us	 from	
moving	to	a	single	tax	consolidated	group	which	was	one	of	the	initial	benefits	we	hoped	to	achieve	via	
Simplification.	We	are	continuing	to	work	to	achieve	that	goal.	

Post	 Simplification	 we	 have	 raised	 new	 capital	 which	 has	 allowed	 us	 to	 further	 reduce	 liabilities	 and	 so	
improve	the	strength	of	the	balance	sheet.	This	has	reduced	the	risk	of	investing	in	Pacific	Current	Group	
and	we	believe	has	been	an	important	component	of	the	recent	improvement	in	the	share	price.

As	we	start	the	2018	Financial	Year,	we	are	optimistic	about	the	outlook,	with	a	sound	group	of	existing	
investments,	 a	 strong	 capability	 to	 find	 and	 assess	 and	 if	 appropriate	 invest	 in	 new	 opportunities,	 and	
a	 team	 of	 people	 who	 are	 capable	 and	 aligned	 to	 the	 goal	 of	 creating	 value	 for	 Pacific	 Current	 Group	
shareholders.

M. Fitzpatrick 
Chairman

Annual Report 2017 
LI M ITE D

PRESIDENT 
NORTH AMERICA, 
AND GLOBAL 
CIO’S REPORT

Pacific	Current	Group
finished	FY2017	in
a	much	better	place
than	we	started	it.

Business Performance
After	 two	 challenging	 transitional	 years,	 FY17	 marked	 a	
year	 of	 substantial,	 visible	 progress	 for	 Pacific	 Current	
Group.	 The	 most	 noteworthy	 accomplishments	 were	
(1)	simplification	 of	our	 legal	structure,	(2)	strengthening	
of	 our	 balance	 sheet,	 (3)	 continued	 cost	 reductions,	 and	
(4)	 rapid	 growth	 of	 numerous	 Pacific	 Current	 Group	
portfolio	 companies.	 This	 progress	 was	 the	 result	 of	
exceptional	effort	and	dedication	on	behalf	of	the	Pacific	
Current	 Group	 team	 and	 its	 affiliates,	 and	 while	 our	
business	 is	 in	 a	 dynamic	 industry	 where	 fortunes	 can	
change	rapidly,	we	are	confident	in	saying	that	today	our	
business	is	simpler,	stronger,	and	better	positioned	than	it	
was	one	year	ago.	

In	 last	 year’s	 CIO	 Report,	 we	 highlighted	 the	 prospects	
of	a	new	investment	we	had	made	in	GQG	Partners	LLC	
(GQG).	 It	 may	 have	 seemed	 strange	 to	 focus	 so	 much	
attention	 on	 a	 start-up	 investment	 manager,	 given	 that	
GQG	was	just	a	few	months	old	and	had	no	clients.	Our	
optimism	for	GQG	stemmed	from	our	confidence	in	how	
the	 firm’s	 investment	 capabilities	 would	 resonate	 with	
prospective	 clients.	 The	 net	 result	 has	 been	 perhaps	
the	fastest	growing	long-only	start-up	in	the	investment	
industry,	with	GQG’s	FUM	growing	from	roughly	A$90m	
to	A$7.81bn	during	FY17.	

Another	manager	we	discussed	in	last	year’s	Annual	Report	
was	 Aperio	 Group,	 LLC	 (Aperio).	 The	 initial	 rationale	 for	
investing	 in	 Aperio	 was	 that	 the	 firm	 was	 exceptionally	
well	 positioned	 to	 benefit	 from	 multiple	 powerful	
secular	 trends	 (i.e.,	 active	 management	 to	 passive,	 tax	
management,	 “smart	 beta”,	 Environmental,	 Social	 and	
Governance	 (ESG)	 criteria,	 and	 growth	 in	 ultra-high	 net	
worth	 investors),	 and	 it	 had	 a	 top-notch	 management	
team	 overseeing	 a	 business	 that	 is	 more	 operationally	
complex	than	those	of	traditional	active	equity	managers.	
While	 the	 areas	 in	 which	 Aperio	 focuses	 are	 drawing	
increased	attention	from	competitors,	the	firm	continues	
to	 execute	 as	 expected,	 and	 as	 a	 result	 FUM	 has	 grown	
from	A$20.5bn	to	A$25.3bn	during	FY17.	

After	the	merger	of	Treasury	Group	Limited	and	Northern	
Lights,	one	of	our	key	boutiques,	Seizert	Capital	Partners,	
LLP	 (Seizert),	 experienced	 an	 untimely	 downturn	 in	
performance.	 By	 our	 estimation,	 this	 was	 a	 typical	
performance	 cycle,	 common	 among	 managers	 of	 highly	
concentrated	portfolios.	Nevertheless,	it	was	severe,	and	
the	firm	experienced	significant	FUM	attrition.	Thankfully,	
the	 team	 adhered	 to	 its	 longstanding	 disciplines,	 and	
beginning	 in	 mid-2016	 Seizert	 began	 experiencing	 a	
powerful	 performance	 rebound.	 With	 improved	 results	
the	 firm	 is	 better	 positioned	 for	 the	 future,	 though	 fund	
flows	 out	 of	 US	 active	 equity	 strategies	 continue	 to	
represent	a	material	headwind,	and	are	one	reason	Seizert	
is	 working	 to	 expand	 the	 distribution	 channels	 for	 its	
product	offerings.

LIMITED4

5

Aether

Alphashares

Aperio

Aubrey

Blackcrane

Celeste

EAM

Freeholds

Goodhart

GQG

GVI

IML

Octis

RARE

Raven

ROC	Partners

Seizert

Trilogy

FUM1 at 30 June 2017

FUM at 30 June 2016

Aether

Alphashares

Aperio

Aubrey

Blackcrane

Celeste

EAM

Freeholds

Goodhart

GQG

GVI

IML

RARE

Raven

ROC	Partners

SCI

Seizert

¹	

	Note	that	the	relationship	between	the	boutiques’	FUM	and	the	economic	benefits	received	by	Aurora	can	vary	dramatically	based	
on	 each	 boutique’s	 fee	 levels,	 Aurora’s	 ownership	 stakes,	 and	 the	 specific	 economic	 features	 of	 each	 relationship.	 Accordingly,	
management	cautions	against	simple	extrapolation	based	on	FUM	trends.

As	 shareholders	 are	 aware,	 Pacific	 Current	 Group	 sold	
75%	 of	 its	 stake	 in	 RARE	 Infrastructure	 Ltd	 (RARE)	
in	 late	 2015,	 taking	 our	 stake	 from	 40%	 down	 to	 10%.	
Unfortunately,	RARE	has	seen	a	notable	decline	in	FUM	
since	 this	 transaction,	 which	 has	 had	 an	 adverse	 impact	
on	the	value	of	our	remaining	stake.	We	remain	confident	
in	RARE	management	and	its	investment	process	but	are	
nevertheless	disappointed	by	the	reduction	in	FUM.	

Future Investments
While	 many	 of	 our	 portfolio	 companies	 have	 benefitted	
from	 both	 rising	 markets	 and	 significant	 inflows,	 we	
recognize	that	markets	are	not	always	so	hospitable,	and	
that	Pacific	Current	Group’s	fortunes	are	certainly	tied	to	
global	 equity	 markets.	 Accordingly,	 as	 we	 consider	 new	
investments	 we	 are	 placing	 a	 heightened	 emphasis	 on	
finding	companies	with	strong	diversification	properties.

In	particular,	we	are	seeking	to	invest	in	companies	with	
revenue	streams	that	are	not	as	directly	exposed	to	equity	
market	 performance.	 We	 believe	 the	 best	 place	 to	 find	
this	attribute	is	through	private	capital	strategies,	such	as	
private	 equity,	 private	 credit,	 private	 infrastructure,	 and	
private	real	estate.	The	contractual	revenues	these	firms	
receive	 makes	 them	 less	 vulnerable	 to	 market	 gyrations,	
and	thus	a	powerful	diversifier	for	our	existing	portfolio.	
Of	 course,	 our	 business	 is	 inherently	 opportunistic,	
and	 Pacific	 Current	 Group	 shareholders	 should	 always	
expect	us	to	act	if	we	uncover	an	opportunity	that	has	a	
compelling	risk/return	profile.

Selling Investments
It	 is	 worth	 revisiting	 how	 we	 think	 about	 selling	 the	
investments	 we	 make.	 To	 begin	 with,	 we	 almost	 always	
initiate	 an	 investment	 with	 the	 intent	 of	 holding	 it	
indefinitely.	This	“permanent	capital”	approach	is	a	major	
competitive	 differentiator	 for	 us	 in	 the	 marketplace.	 Of	
course,	 there	 are	 times	 when	 it	 makes	 sense	 to	 sell	 an	
investment.	We	generally	sell	for	one	of	two	reasons.	The	
first	 is	 that	 the	 investment	 has	 been	 unsuccessful	 and	
unlikely	to	grow	in	value.	Such	investments	are	frequently	
earlier	 stage	 investments	 that	 didn’t	 reach	 profitability	
and	 have	 insufficiently	 attractive	 prospects	 to	 warrant	
additional	 investments	 from	 us.	 In	 these	 situations	 we	
will	work	with	management	to	sell	our	stake	or	wind	the	
business	down	to	recover	as	much	capital	as	possible.

A	 more	 positive	 situation	 where	 we	 are	 inclined	 to	 sell	
is	 when	 the	 investment	 has	 been	 successful,	 the	 firm	 is	
relatively	mature,	and	the	portfolio	company	management	
has	decided	it	makes	sense	to	monetize	some	or	all	of	its	
ownership	 stake.	 This	 was	 essentially	 the	 case	 with	 our	
investment	in	RARE.	In	these	circumstances	we	are	inclined	
to	be	supportive	of	management	even	if	we	are	a	reluctant	
seller,	 because	 we	 cannot	 force	 management	 to	 remain	
active	 in	 the	 business	 indefinitely	 nor	 is	 it	 unreasonable	
for	them	to	want	to	realize	some	of	the	value	they	have	
created.	 The	 unpredictability	 of	 such	 transactions	 is	 a	
major	 reason	 that	 we	 are	 constantly	 seeking	 attractive	
ways	 to	 recycle	 capital	 into	 faster	 growing	 companies,	
as	 when	 we	 reinvested	 proceeds	 from	 the	 sale	 of	 RARE	
into	Aperio.	

Annual Report 2017PRESIDENT NORTH AMERICA, AND GLOBAL CIO’S REPORT

continued

Conclusion
Pacific	 Current	 Group	 finished	 FY2017	 in	 a	 much	 better	
place	 than	 we	 started	 it.	 Our	 high	 expectations	 for	 our	
portfolio	were	generally	met,	and	we	managed	to	simplify	
our	structure,	reduce	our	costs,	and	enhance	our	balance	
sheet.	 With	 a	 lot	 of	 that	 heavy	 lifting	 behind	 us,	 we	 are	
beginning	 to	 move	 back	 to	 a	 “business	 as	 usual”	 mode,	
which	 to	 us	 means	 working	 on	 growing	 our	 existing	
investments,	 managing	 the	 challenges	 that	 inevitably	
arise,	and	seeking	attractive,	diversifying	investments	for	
our	portfolio.	

On	 behalf	 of	 the	 management	 team	 and	 employees	
of	 Pacific	 Current	 Group,	 I	 would	 like	 to	 thank	 our	
shareholders	for	their	patience	and	support	and	reiterate	
our	 entire	 organization’s	 commitment	 to	 enhancing	
shareholder	value.	

P. Greenwood 
President,	North	America	 
&	Global	Chief	Investment	Officer

Simplification
Over	the	last	year	we	have	attempted	to	heed	the	input	
from	many	shareholders	that	the	complexity	of	our	legal	
structure	 made	 our	 business	 too	 difficult	 to	 analyze	 and	
evaluate.	 While	 the	 structure	 was	 initially	 designed	 to	
preserve	favorable	tax	treatment	for	Australian	investors,	
we	 concluded	 that	 it	 had	 become	 unwieldy	 and	 that	
ultimately	its	costs	outweighed	its	benefits.	After	months	
of	negotiations	between	representatives	of	the	two	pre-
merger	investor	groups,	we	arrived	at	a	simplification	plan	
that	 has	 all	 our	 equity	 investors	 holding	 Pacific	 Current	
Group	 shares,	 and	 provides	 absolute	 clarity	 around	 the	
size	of	the	merger	related	liability.	This	project	was	costly	
and	very	complex,	but	allows	us	to	now	move	forward	with	
a	simple,	more	transparent,	and	less	expensive	structure.

Financial Strength
With	greater	clarity	around	the	X-Redeemable	Preference	
Units	(X-RPUs)	obligation	and	the	proceeds	from	a	June	
2017	 capital	 raise	 of	 A$33m,	 Pacific	 Current	 Group’s	
balance	sheet	is	much	stronger	than	it	was	one	year	ago.	
Contributing	to	the	enhanced	financial	strength	has	been	
further	reductions	in	the	costs	of	managing	the	business.	
Headcount	is	approximately	half	of	it	was	at	the	time	of	
the	merger.	We	have	also	achieved	significant	savings	by	
relocating	 offices	 and	 reducing	 unnecessary	 travel.	 By	
contrast,	legal	and	audit	expenses	remained	high	because	
of	 our	 former	 complexity.	 Going	 forward	 we	 expect	
reductions	in	these	line	items	as	a	result	of	our	simplified	
structure.	

The	 statutory	 results	 for	 FY2017	 reflect	 a	 blend	 of	
reporting	 due	 to	 the	 simplification	 of	 the	 corporate	
structure	 being	 implemented	 nine	 months	 into	 the	
financial	year.	The	Profit	and	Loss	includes	nine	months	of	
The	Aurora	Trust	(Aurora or the Trust)	as	a	joint	controlled	
entity	and	three	months	as	a	subsidiary	of	Pacific	Current	
Group.	 The	 pleasing	 aspect	 of	 the	 result	 is	 the	 increase	
in	 underlying	 earnings	 and	 the	 reduction	 of	 the	 level	 of	
gearing	and	complexity.

The	 underlying	 earnings	 for	 the	 year	 were	 $16.6	 million	
and	 the	 Board	 declared	 a	 fully	 franked	 dividend	 of	
18	cents	per	share.	In	addition	to	the	renegotiation	of	the	
X-RPUs,	the	Group	drew	down	and	repaid	US$10	million	
to	 fund	 the	 second	 installment	 of	 the	 Aperio	 purchase.	
The	 company	 also	 paid	 $9.7	 million	 in	 tax	 due	 to	 the	
liability	that	arose	on	the	capital	gain	on	the	sale	of	RARE	
Infrastructure.	

LIMITEDDIRECTORS’ REPORT 

Your directors submit their Report For the year ended 30 June 2017

6

7

G. Guérin MSc, BA (Non-executive director)

Mr  Guérin  joined  the  Board  on  10  December  2014.  Mr 
Guérin  is  CEO  of  BNP  Paribas  Capital  Partners,  where 
he  has  worked  for  the  past  five  years  developing  the 
alternative  investment  capabilities  of  the  BNP  Paribas 
Group. Mr. Guérin served as CEO and President of Natixis 
Global Associates, Executive of Natixis AM North America 
and  held  Executive  and  senior  leadership  roles  at  HDF 
Finance,  AlphaSimplex,  IXIS  AM  and  Commerz  Financial 
Products.  Mr  Guérin  has  over  20  years  experience  in 
capital markets and investment management. This includes 
cross  asset  class  experience  spanning  the  equities  fixed 
income and commodities markets, with a specific focus on 
alternative strategies and hedge funds.

During  his  career,  Mr  Guérin  has  managed  relationships 
with  investors  and  distributors  across  the  world,  in 
particular in Europe, the US, Japan, the Middle East and 
Australia. Mr Guérin has operated distribution capabilities 
worldwide and developed new products and investment 
capabilities. Mr Guérin has served on the board of various 
Investment 
investment  companies, 
Management  Pty  Limited.  Throughout  his  career,  Mr 
Guérin liaised with regulators across various jurisdictions 
and  worked  with  thought  leaders  of  the  investment 
industry including Dr Andrew Lo and Dan Fuss. Mr Guérin 
is also a director of Ginjer AM and of INNOCAP.

including  Aurora 

Mr Guérin is Chairman of the Governance Commitee and 
a member of the Remuneration Committee.

P. Kennedy B.Ec. L.L.M. (Non-executive director)

Mr  Kennedy  joined  the  Board  on  4  June  2003.  Mr 
Kennedy  is  the  founding  partner  of  the  commercial  law 
firm,  Madgwicks  Lawyers,  and  has  more  than  40  years 
experience  in  commercial  law  advising  a  broad  range  of 
clients  across  a  variety  of  sectors.  He  leads  the  firm’s 
Dispute  Resolution  practice  and  plays  an  integral  role  in 
the governance and management of the firm, having been 
Madgwicks’ Managing Partner for over 10 years. 

Mr  Kennedy  also  sits  on  the  boards  of  a  number  of 
companies  in  the  manufacturing,  property  and  retail 
industries.  His  formal  qualifications  include  B.Ec,  LL.B., 
LL.M (Tax), Monash University. 

Mr  Kennedy  was  the  Chairman  of  the  Audit  and  Risk 
Committee  until  30  June  2017  and  has  assumed  the 
role  of  Chairman  of  the  Remuneration  Committee  from 
14 June 2017.

Directors 
The names and details of Pacific Current Group Limited’s 
directors  in  office  during  the  financial  year  and  until  the 
date  of  this  report  are  listed  below.  Directors  were  in 
office for this entire period unless otherwise stated.

Names, qualifications, experience and special 
responsibilities
M. Fitzpatrick B. Eng, BA (Oxon) Honours (Chairman)

Mr  Fitzpatrick  joined  the  Board  on  5  October  2004. 
He  has  over  39  years  experience  in  the  financial 
services  sector.  After  a  career  in  investment  banking  in 
Australia and the United States, Mr Fitzpatrick founded 
Hastings  Funds  Management  Ltd 
(Hastings)  which 
became  one  of  the  largest  managers  of  infrastructure 
and  alternative  assets  in  Australia.  Hastings  was  a 
pioneering  infrastructure  asset  management  company 
where  Mr  Fitzpatrick  was  Managing  Director  until  he 
sold  his  interest  to  Westpac  Banking  Corporation.  Mr 
Fitzpatrick  is  a  non-executive  director  of  Infrastructure 
Capital  Group,  a  boutique  manager  of  $1.8  billion  of 
energy and infrastructure assets. He also holds a number 
of  other  Non-executive  directorships,  including  Latam 
Autos  Limited  and  Carnegie  Wave  Energy  Limited.  Mr 
Fitzpatrick  was  also  the  Chairman  of  the  Australian 
Football League until March 2017.

Mr  Fitzpatrick  holds  a  B.Eng.  (Hons)  degree  in  electrical 
engineering from the University of Western Australia and 
an  MA  from  the  University  of  Oxford,  where  he  was  a 
Rhodes Scholar.

Mr Fitzpatrick is a member of the Board’s Audit and Risk 
Committee,  Remuneration  and  Nomination  Committee, 
and Governance Committee.

M. Donnelly OAM B.C. (Non-executive director)

Ms  Donnelly  joined  the  Board  on  28  March  2012. 
Ms  Donnelly,  a  Chartered  Accountant,  is  the  founder 
and  former  chairperson  of  the  Centre  for  Investor 
Education,  a  specialist  education  and  consultancy  firm 
for  executives 
in  Australian  superannuation  funds, 
institutional investment bodies and the financial services 
markets. 

Ms  Donnelly  currently  serves  as  a  member  of  the 
Investment  Committee  of  HESTA  Super  Fund  .  Ms 
Donnelly’s previous work experience includes CEO of the 
Queensland  Investment  Corporation,  deputy  managing 
director  of  ANZ  Funds  Management  and  managing 
director of ANZ Trustees.

Ms  Donnelly  has  held  a  range  of  directorships  of  both 
Australian  and  international  companies  including  non 
executive  director  of  Ashmore  Group  plc,  trustee 
director of UniSuper, deputy chair of the Victorian Funds 
Management  Corporation  and  Chair  of  Plum  Financial 
Services Nominees Pty Ltd. 

Ms Donnelly assumed the role of Chair of the Audit and 
Risk Committee from 1 July 2017 and is a member of the 
Governance Committee. 

Annual Report 2017DIRECTORS’ REPORT 

continued

P.  Greenwood  CFA,  BA  (Executive  director;  President, 
North America and Global CIO)

J.  Ferragina  BCom,  M  App  Fin,  CA,  FFin,  GAICD  (CFO 
and COO; resigned as Finance director 24 October 2016)

Mr Greenwood joined the Board on 10 December 2014 
as  an  Executive  director.  Mr  Greenwood  co-founded 
Northern  Lights  Capital  Group,  LLC  (Northern  Lights)  in 
2006.  Prior  to  Northern  Lights,  Mr  Greenwood  created 
Greenwood  Investment  Consulting  (GIC),  a  firm  that 
worked directly with investment managers on investment 
process and organisational issues. 

Before GIC, Mr Greenwood served as director of US Equity 
for Russell Investment Group (Russell), where he managed 
all of Russell’s US equity oriented portfolio management and 
research activities. Mr Greenwood also served as a Russell 
spokesperson  and  authored  many  articles  and  research 
commentaries related to investment manager evaluation. 

T. Robinson BCom, MBA, CFA (Executive director)

Mr Robinson joined the Board on 28 August 2015, in the 
capacity of Non-executive director and became an Executive 
director  on  20  April  2016.  Mr  Robinson  has  significant 
expertise  and  experience  across  a  number  of  industries 
including  banking,  financial  services,  telecommunications, 
and  transport.  Mr  Robinson  is  an  experienced  company 
director and CEO.

Mr  Robinson  is  also  a  director  of  Bendigo  and  Adelaide 
Bank Limited, Tasfoods Limited and Primary Opinion Ltd.

Mr Robinson’s previous executive roles include Managing 
director of IOOF Ltd and OAMPS Limited. Mr Robinson is 
also the Chairman of Investors Mutual Limited.

T. Carver BA (Non-executive director, resigned 24 October 
2016)

Mr Carver joined the Board on 10 December 2014. He is 
the co-founder of Northern Lights. Serving as Managing 
director  for  8  years  prior  to  Northern  Lights  merger 
with  Pacific  Current  Group  Limited,  Mr  Carver  led  the 
transaction  process  for  Northern  Lights  and  provided 
overall  firm  leadership.  Prior  to  Northern  Lights,  he 
co-founded Orca Bay Partners (Orca Bay), a private equity 
firm that focused on investing in boutique asset managers. 
At  Orca  Bay,  Mr  Carver  led  the  investments  and  served 
on  the  boards  of  Parametic  Portfolio  Associates  and 
Envestnet Asset Management. Mr Carver began his career 
at Morgan Stanley in New York. 

Mr  Ferragina  joined  the  Board  on  31  March  2015.  Mr 
Ferragina  is  a  Chartered  Accountant  and  has  worked  in 
funds management for 20 years. He has gained specialised 
experience  in  a  range  of  funds  management  companies 
including  Colonial  First  State 
Investment  Managers 
and  AMP  Global  Investors  Ltd  (AMP),  which  led  him  to 
a  position  as  CFO  and  Company  Secretary  of  Ronin 
Property Group, a separately listed company spun out of 
AMP. Prior to his appointment as CFO of Pacific Current 
Group Limited in October 2005, he was head of finance at 
DBRREEF (now Dexus).

Mr  Ferragina  sits  on  the  boards  of  Celeste  Funds 
Management  Limited 
Investment 
Management, ROC Partners Pty Ltd and Treasury Group 
Investment Services Limited. 

(Celeste),  Freehold 

J. Vincent MBA, BSBA (Non-executive director, resigned 
13 April 2017)

Mr Vincent joined the Board on 10 December 2014. Mr 
Vincent has been the CEO of the Laird Norton Company, 
LLC diversified investment holding company, for the past 
16  years.  In  this  role,  he  has  overseen  US  investments 
in  real  estate,  building  materials  distribution,  financial 
services,  private  equity,  and  consumer  services.  Mr 
Vincent’s experience in the financial services area includes 
direct  responsibility  for  the  Pacific  Northwest’s  largest 
privately  wealth  management.  Mr  Vincent  has  held  a 
variety of board positions and has performed the duties 
of audit, compensation, and board chair.

Mr  Vincent  has  demonstrated  strong  skills  in  mergers 
and  acquisitions,  corporate  governance,  executive 
compensation,  operations  and  financial  management. 
He has also led organisations through significant periods 
of change.

Mr Vincent currently serves on the boards of Laird Norton 
Company, LLC and its affiliates and JM Huber Corporation. 

Mr Vincent was chairman of the remuneration committee 
up until the date of his resignation.

LIMITED8

9

Company secretary
P. Mackey, appointed 26 May 2017

Mr Mackey has over three decades of company secretarial and commercial experience, including multi-jurisdictional board 
practice as both a Company Secretary and a Director. He currently acts as Company Secretary for several of Company 
Matters Pty Limited’s clients. As a member of the Company Matters Pty Limited’s team, clients benefit from both his project 
management knowledge and strong corporate governance skills. Previously, Mr Mackey served as Company Secretary of ASX 
& SGX dual listed Australand Group Limited and Deputy Company Secretary of AMP. Mr Mackey’s commercial experience 
includes appointment as Chief Operating Officer (Specialised Funds) of Babcock & Brown and at Bressan Group and he is 
a Fellow of the Governance Institute Australia and a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Interests in the shares and options/performance rights of Pacific Current Group Limited and related bodies corporate
At the date of this report, the interests of the directors and officers in the shares and options/performance rights of Pacific 
Current Group Limited were:

M. Fitzpatrick

M. Donnelly
P. Kennedy
P. Greenwood
J. Ferragina

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share

Diluted earnings per share
Underlying earnings per share

Dividends

Final dividend declared:

on ordinary shares (fully franked)

Dividends paid in the year:
Interim for the year
on ordinary shares (fully franked) 

Final for 2016 shown as declared in the 2016 report
on ordinary shares (fully franked) paid on 30 September 2016

Options/
performance 
rights over 
ordinary 
shares

–

–
–
750,000
405,000

Cents

34.10

34.10
53.30

$

Ordinary
shares

2,701,285

20,000
242,628
531,781
140,547

Note

10

10

Cents per 
share

18

8,575,619

–

5

–

1,406,298

Annual Report 2017DIRECTORS’ REPORT 

continued

Corporate Information 

Corporate Structure
Pacific  Current  Group  Limited  is  a  company  limited  by 
shares and is incorporated and domiciled in Australia. The 
Company  has  prepared  a  consolidated  financial  report 
incorporating  the  entities  that  it  controlled  and  jointly 
controlled during the financial year. 

During the second half of the year, Pacific Current Group 
undertook  the  Simplification  as  a  result  of  extensive 
discussions  with  various  stakeholders  in  the  Trust.  The 
involved  two  transactions  as  follows: 
Simplification 
1) exchange of the Trust’s Class B and vested B-1 units for 
13,675,667 shares (PAC Shares) (Exchange Transaction); 
and  2)  amending  the  terms  of  the  X-RPUs  so  that  the 
redemption price is fixed at US$21.0 million and the X-RPUs 
are  required  to  be  redeemed  on  or  before  31  March 
2018 
(Settlement  Transaction).  The  Exchange  and 
Settlement Transactions were approved by the Company’s 
shareholders  at  the  Extraordinary  General  Meeting  held 
on 15 March 2017 in Sydney, Australia (EGM). 

The  X-RPU  holders,  Class  B  and  Class  B-1  unitholders 
also approved these transactions on the same date. The 
primary  driver  of  the  Simplification  was  for  the  Trust  to 
become wholly-owned by the Company, without materially 
shifting value among current unitholders in the Trust. The 
Simplification is expected to yield greater alignment of all 
stakeholders and a partial deleveraging of the Trust. The 
Company  issued  the  PAC  Shares  on  13  April  2017.  The 
Trust became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company 
and thus consolidated as at that date.

Prior  to  Simplification,  the  Company  owned  65.15%  in 
the  Trust  (2016:  65.15%).  Since  its  inception  through 
Simplification, the Trust was referred to as a joint venture 
arrangement  among  Pacific  Current  Group,  Northern 
Lights Capital Partners, LLC and Fund BNP Paribas Capital 
Partners  Participations  represented  by  BNP  Paribas 
Capital Partners (BNP Paribas) and the principles of equity 
method of accounting were applied by the Company.

The  Company’s  corporate  structure  at  the  date  of  this 
report is as follows:

Pacific Current Group Limited

Celeste¹

27%

100%

100%

Aurora Investment Management 
Pty Limited (Trustee)

The Aurora Trust

¹  The Company is the legal owner of the shares held in Celeste Funds Management (Celeste) but the economic benefits flow in Aurora.

LIMITED10

11

Operating and Financial Review

Review of Operations 

Nature of operations and principal activities
The  Group  invests  in  global  asset  managers  through  its 
investment  in  the  Trust.  The  Trust  continued  its  overall 
business of managing its investments in the asset managers 
in accordance with the Trust Deed. The Trust is a global 
multi-boutique asset management enity. Its key function 
and the overall business is investment in asset managers.

On  23  June  2017,  the  Company  completed  a  placement 
of ordinary shares to institutional investors (Institutional 
Placement) to raise approximately $33 million at $5.65 per 
fully paid ordinary share. A total of 5,840,708 new shares 
were issued. The issue was fully underwritten and the new 
shares rank equally with existing shares and entitled to the 
final  dividend  for  2017.  The  proceeds  of  the  placement 
were  used  to  strengthen  the  balance  sheet  with  the 
repayment of debt that was originally sourced to finance 
the  second  tranche  of  Aperio  and  to  satisfy  obligations 
on  the  deferred  settlement  with  respect  to  Seizert.  In 
addition, an accelerated payment was made with respect 
to  the  tax  liability  that  had  arisen  due  to  the  capital 
gain  crystallised  on  the  sale  of  RARE  in  October  2015.

The  overall  ownership  in  the  Trust  changed  materially 
during the year as a result of Simplification. On 15 March 
2017,  a  resolution  was  passed  at  the  EGM  to  undertake 
the  simplification  of  the  corporate  structure  involving 
an  Exchange  Transaction  and  a  Settlement  Transaction 
(together  as  the  Transactions).  On  13  April  2017,  the 
Company  issued  13,675,667  shares  in  exchange  for  the 
Class B and vested B-1 units of the Trust. The underlying 
Governing Documents of the Trust were amended to give 
effect to the terms of the Transactions with the Exchange 
Transaction  occurring  on  13  April  2017.  The  primary 
driver  of  the  Simplification  was  for  the  Trust  to  become 
wholly-owned by the Company, without materially shifting 
value between current unitholders in the Trust. As at 30 
June  2017,  the  Trust  is  a  wholly  owned  subsidiary  by 
the  Company  (2016:  65.15%,  Northern  Lights  Capital 
Partners, LLC at 27.19% and BNP Paribas at 7.66%). 

On  23  December  2016,  the  Trust  sold  its  interest  in 
Aubrey  Capital  Management  (Aubrey)  to  Treetop  Asset 
Management S.A. for US$1.14 million. The proceeds were 
received in the first quarter of 2017 following regulatory 
approvals in the United Kingdom.

On  16  December  2016,  the  Trust  made  its  second  and 
final  payment  of  US$16.3  million  for  its  investment  in 
Aperio.  The  second  and  final  payment  was  funded  out 
of existing cash balances and a US$10.0 million US Prime 
+3.5%  interest  rate,  two-year  short-term  secured  debt 
facility entered into by the Trust.

On 14 October 2016, the Trust sold its interest in Raven 
Capital Management LLC (Raven) to Raven’s founder and 
current management team. In exchange for selling its 25% 
interest  in  Raven,  the  Trust  received  US$6.5  million  in 
upfront  cash  consideration  and  US$3.5  million  deferred 
cash consideration based upon future FUM growth. The 
Trust  retained  its  interest  in  the  general  partnerships, 
which have a small investment in Raven’s first two private 
credit funds, and thus retain the right for any performance 
bonuses earned by the two private credit funds. 

Employees
The Group employed 21 full time equivalent employees as 
at 30 June 2017. 

Funds management/business performance
As at 30 June 2017, the FUM1 of the Group was $62.0bn 
(2016:$50.4bn). The increase in FUM was due to positive 
inflows  from  investment  managers;  Aperio,  Investors 
Mutual  Limited  (IML),  GQG  and  Blackcrane  Capital 
Partners, LLC (Blackcrane) offset by outflows at RARE.

1 

 Note  that  the  relationship  between  the  boutiques’  FUM  and  the 
economic benefits received by Aurora can vary dramatically based 
on  each  boutique’s  fee  levels,  Aurora’s  ownership  stakes,  and 
the  specific  economic  features  of  each  relationship.  Accordingly, 
management  cautions  against  simple  extrapolation  based  on 
FUM trends.

Annual Report 2017DIRECTORS’ REPORT 

continued

Operating results for the year
The Company generated net profits attributable to members of the Group of $10.6m for the year ended 30 June 2017 
(2016: loss of $48.2m). The net profit after tax of the Company as reported in the current year compared to the 30 June 
2016 results is shown in the table below reconciling the underlying profit.

Net profit/(loss) after tax

Add/(deduct): Items that are non-recurring/non-cash
 – Impairment of AFS investments, associates and goodwill
 – Gain on disposal of a joint venture
 – Gain on sale of investments
 – Gain on non-cash acquisition of additional shares/units in associates
 – Loss/(gain) on revaluation of investment held at FVTPL
 – Net (gain)/loss recognised on X and Y-RPUs
 – Amortisation of identifiable intangibles
 – Prepayment penalty on loan debts including loan origination costs write off
 – Deal costs 
 – Loss on lease abandonment 
 – Long term incentives amortisation
 – Transaction costs at the Trust for simplification
 – Adjustment in deferred commitments
 – Employee restructuring
 – Costs in relation to responsible entity and other legals
 – Write off of receivables 
 – Transaction costs at the Trust for RARE
 – Back out income tax expense/(benefit) for non-recurring/non-cash items
Total 
Underlying profit
Underlying earnings per share

Consolidated
2017
 $

2016
$

 10,584,997

(48,240,448)

8,121,787
(4,496,157)
(740,239)
(12,305)
5,001,823
(11,688,796)
2,131,814
1,289,160
39,147 
224,131
1,121,655
1,202,463
(1,498,567)
98,000
255,427
–
–
4,984,499
6,033,842
16,618,839
53.3

 77,498,371 
–
(8,650,287)
 (1,177,425)
 (466,356)
4,198,398
 1,903,881
 1,528,714 
 440,487 
–
 228,025 
–
–
 887,460 
–
2,363,977
 4,653,797 
(23,546,053)
 59,862,989 
11,622,541
41.5

Statutory earnings/(losses) per share

34.1

(172.1)

Earnings/(Losses) Per Share
The earnings/(losses) for the year reflect the operations, including the impact of Simplification restructuring for the full year 
to 30 June 2017.

Basic earnings/(losses) per share (cents)

Diluted earnings/(losses) per share (cents)

Underlying earnings per share (cents)

2017

34.10

34.10

53.30

2016

(172.1)

(172.1)

41.5

In the opinion of the management performance rights do not have a dilutive effect on the earnings per share calculation as 
any securities to be allocated on vesting of the performance rights will be purchased on market.

LIMITED12

13

Financial Position
The  financial  position  of  the  Group  was  strengthened 
during  the  year.  Prior  to  Simplification,  the  Company 
recorded its net share of the net assets of the Trust. The 
Trust is the entity through which investments are held and 
the operation of Group conducted. Post Simplification in 
April, the Company consolidated all the Trust’s assets and 
liabilities.  The  position  of  the  Group  was  improved  with 
the  reduction  in  the  notional  value  of  the  X-RPUs  from 
US$ 42.0 million to US$ 21.0 million and the Institutional 
Placement  injected  a  further  $31.3m  of  equity  capital 
net of transaction costs in June 2017. Proceeds from the 
Institutional  Placement  were  used  to  pay  debt  that  was 
originally sourced to finance the second tranche of Aperio 
and to satisfy obligations of the deferred settlement with 
respect to Seizert. In addition, an accelerated payment of 
$5.0m was made with respect to the tax liability that had 
arisen  due  to  the  capital  gain  crystallised  on  the  sale  of 
RARE in October 2015.

The Board has declared a dividend of 18 cents per share 
for the year 2017 payable on 28 September 2017.

Cash flow from operations
Cash  flows  from  operations  fell  from  being  a  positive  of 
$15.3m to a negative of $7.2m. This was mainly due to the 
payment of tax liabilities of $9.7m. The consolidated cash 
flows  reflect  three  months  of  consolidation  of  the  Trust 
including payments to suppliers and employees across the 
Company, Midco, Seizert and Aether. 

Cash flow from financing
During the year, the Group raised $31.3m of equity capital 
net of transaction costs. On 29 June 2017, the debt facility 
that was originally sourced to finance the second tranche 
of Aperio was paid. 

Business strategy

Simplification restructuring
The  directors  expect  Simplification  to  yield  greater 
alignment of all stakeholders and a partial deleveraging of 
the Trust.

Material business risks
The  material  business  risks  faced  by  the  Group  that  are 
likely to have an impact on the financial prospects of the 
Company  and  how  the  Company  manages  these  risks 
include:

Global market risks
With a diversified global portfolio, the Group is exposed 
to  a  variety  of  risks  related  to  global  capital  markets. 
Specifically,  political,  geographical  and  economic  factors 
impact  the  performance  of  different  capital  markets  in 
ways  that  are  difficult  to  predict.  Equity  market  declines 
represents perhaps the largest risk to the Group because 
many  of  its  affiliates’  revenues  are  directly  tied  to  the 
performance of public equities.

Fund manager performance
The  aggregate  FUM  of  many  of  the  Group’s  affiliates 
are  highly  sensitive  to  the  relative  performance  (results 
compared  to  a  market  benchmark)  of  each  investment 
manager as well as the changing demand for specific types 
of  investment  strategies.  In  addition  to  performance 
related risks, many boutique partners have high levels of 
key  person  risk,  making  them  vulnerable  to  the  sudden 
departure of critically important investment professionals. 
Because  many  investments  are  made  in  new  or  young 
firms, there is often the risk of firms failing to reach critical 
mass  and  become  self-sustaining,  which  can  lead  them 
to seek additional capital infusions from the Company or 
other parties.

Foreign currency risks
The Group is exposed to an Australian (A$)/US dollar (US$) 
exchange  rate  risk  through  its  investment  in  the  Trust 
that  holds  US  and  other  foreign  currency  denominated 
investments.  The  Group  has  adopted  hedge  accounting 
such that the impact of foreign currency translation of its 
hedged investment being the US denominated investment 
in  Midco  is  taken  up  through  the  foreign  currency 
translation reserve of the Trust. The investment in Midco 
is the only hedged item of the Group.

Regulatory environment
The business of the Group operates in a highly regulated 
environment  that  is  frequently  subject  to  review  and 
regular  change  of  law,  regulations  and  policies.  The 
Group is exposed to changes in the regulatory conditions 
under  which  it  and  its  boutique  fund  managers  operate 
in  Australia,  the  US,  the  UK  and  India.  Each  member 
boutique has in-house risk and regulatory experts actively 
managing  and  monitoring  each  member  boutique’s 
regulatory  compliance  activities.  Regulatory  risk  is  also 
mitigated by the use of industry experts when the need 
arises.  Other  measures  include  the  establishment  of  the 
risk committee composed of executives to ensure that risk 
management is monitored, managed and controlled. 

Significant Change in State of Affairs 
The  significant  change  in  state  of  the  affairs  during  the 
year  was  the  change  in  the  ownership  in  the  Trust  due 
to  Simplification.  The  Trust  became  a  wholly  owned 
subsidiary  of  the  Company  and  thus  its  operation  are 
consolidated  within  the  accounts  of  the  Group  effective 
13 April 2017.

Significant Events after the Balance Date
On 31 August 2017, the directors of the Group declared 
a  final  dividend  on  ordinary  shares  in  respect  of  the 
2017  financial  year.  The  total  amount  of  the  dividend  is 
$8,575,619  which  represents  a  fully  franked  dividend  of 
18 cents per share. The dividend has not been provided 
for in the 30 June 2017 consolidated financial statements.

Annual Report 2017DIRECTORS’ REPORT 

continued

On  25  August  2017,  the  Company  received  notice 
from  shareholders,  Mr  Michael  de  Tocqueville  and 
Advocate Partners, Pty Ltd an entity controlled by Mr de 
Tocqueville, has made application under section 247A of 
the Corporations Act 2001, for the inspection of certain 
documents  in  relation  to  the  establishment  of  the  joint 
venture  between  Treasury  Group  Limited  and  Northern 
Lights Capital Partners, LLC. 

The  stated  purpose  for  the  application  is  to  obtain  the 
information  to  allow  or  assist  in  the  determination  of 
whether  the  de  Tocqueville  interests  should  continue  to 
hold PAC shares and whether there may be claims to be 
brought  against  the  Company’s  directors  related  to  the 
creation of that joint venture. 

The Company previously offered to provide the documents 
requested  under  an  industry  standard  confidentiality 
agreement. This offer was rejected by Mr de Tocqueville.

On  12  August  2017,  the  restricted  cash  held  in  escrow 
amounting to US$6,083,938 was released and paid to the 
holders of Notes payable – Seizert as an intial payment. 

Apart  from  the  above,  there  has  been  no  matter  or 
circumstance,  which  has  arisen  since  30  June  2017  that 
has significantly affected or may significantly affect:

a. 

 the operations, in financial years subsequent to 
30 June 2017, of the Group, or
b.   the results of those operations, or
c. 

 the state of affairs, in financial years subsequent to 
30 June 2017, of the Group.

Performance Rights
On  26  October  2016,  the  Company  granted  100,000 
performance  rights  to  Mr  Ferragina.  Two  tranches  of 
rights  were  issued  with  equal  proportions  (50%)  vesting 
based  on  the  relative  total  shareholder  return  (TSR)  of 
the Company compared to a ASX 300 comparator group 
(Tranche  1)  and  funds  management  comparator  group 
(Tranche  2).  The  value  of  each  right  for  Tranche  1  and 
2 were $1.65 and $2.02, respectively. The total value of 
these outstanding performance rights as at 30 June 2017 
is  $184,000  amortised  over  two  years  and  nine  months 
from  the  grant  date.  The  vesting  date  of  these  rights  is 
1 July 2019. 

On  5  October  2016,  the  Company  granted  250,000 
performance  rights  to  Mr  Greenwood.  Two  tranches  of 
rights  were  issued  with  equal  proportions  (50%)  vesting 
based  on  the  relative  TSR  of  the  Company  compared 
to Tranche 1 and Tranche 2. The value of each right for 
Tranche 1 and 2 were $1.65 and $2.02, respectively. The 
total  value  of  these  outstanding  performance  rights  as 
at  30  June  2017  is  $458,765  amortised  over  two  years 
and nine months from the grant date. The vesting date of 
these rights is 1 July 2019. 

Any  securities  to  be  allocated  on  vesting  of  the 
performance rights will be purchased on the market under 
the  Long  Term  Incentive  Plan  and  therefore  shareholder 
approval is not required.

Indemnification and Insurance of Directors and 
Officers
The  Company  has  entered  into  an  agreement  for  the 
purpose  of  indemnifying  directors  and  officers  of  the 
Company  in  certain  circumstances  against  losses  and 
liabilities incurred by the directors or officers on behalf of 
the Company.

The following liabilities, except for a liability for legal costs, 
are excluded from the above indemnity:

a.  A liability owed to the Company or related body 

corporate;

b.  A liability for pecuniary penalty order under section 

1317G or a compensation order under section 1317H 
of the Corporations Act 2001;

c.  A liability owed to someone other than the Company 
or a related body corporate and did not arise out of 
conduct in good faith;

d.  Any other liability against which the Company is 
precluded by law from indemnifying the Director.

The  insurance  contract  prohibits  the  disclosure  of  the 
insurance  premium  for  insuring  officers  of  the  Company 
against a liability which may be incurred in that person’s 
capacity as an officer of the Company.

LIMITED14

15

Letter from the Remuneration and Nomination Committee Chairman 

Dear Shareholders

On behalf of the Board, I am pleased to present to you the Remuneration Report for the financial year ended 30 June 2017 
(FY2017).

The  Board  acknowledges  the  concerns  of  shareholders  in  relation  to  the  remuneration  paid  in  the  financial  year  ended 
30 June 2016 (FY2016). The Board proposes to meet with investors and proxy advisers prior to the 2017 AGM to confirm 
the steps the Company has taken to address the concerns of the shareholders. 

In the 2017 Remuneration Report, the quantum of remuneration paid to key management personnel is significantly lower 
than prior years, due in the main to the following factors:
 – the legacy arrangements that were largely responsible for the significant remuneration payments to senior executives, are 

now largely behind us; and

 – the benefits and advantages of the Simplification Transaction approved by shareholders in March this year and the 

consequential downsizing of the operational structure.

In addition, shareholders will note that in FY2017, salaries of key management personnel have remained flat, short-term 
incentives  (bonuses)  are  significantly  lower  than  those  paid  in  FY2016.  Additionally,  the  Remuneration  and  Nomination 
Committee  has  recommended  to  the  Board  that  no  long-term  incentive  bonuses  in  the  form  of  performance  rights  be 
awarded at 30 June 2017.

The Committee is confident that the Company now has the appropriate management structure and remuneration policies 
in place. 

On behalf of the Board, I invite you to review the full Remuneration Report. Thank you for your continued support of Pacific 
Current Group.

Yours sincerely

P. Kennedy

Chairman, Remuneration and Nomination Committee

Annual Report 2017DIRECTORS’ REPORT 

continued

Remuneration Report (Audited)

Contents
1.  About this report
2.  Defined terms used in the remuneration report
3.  Key management personnel (KMP)
4.  Executive KMP remuneration in FY2017
5.  Remuneration philosophy and structure
6.  Relationship between the remuneration philosophy and company performance
7.  Nature and amount of each element of KMP Remuneration in FY2017
8.  Key terms of employment contracts of KMP
9.  Remuneration of Non-executive directors 
10. Share based remuneration
11. KMP equity holdings 
12. Performance Rights

1. About this Report
The Remuneration Report has been prepared and audited against the disclosure requirements of the Corporations Act 2001 
(Act) and its Regulations, Australian Accounting Standards and IFRS.

The Remuneration Report forms part of the Directors’ Report, and outlines the Company’s remuneration framework and 
remuneration outcomes for FY2017 for the Company’s KMP. 

For  the  purposes  of  this  report,  KMP  include  the  Company’s  Non-executive  directors,  Executive  directors  and  senior 
executives, who have the authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of the Group’s 
businesses. 

2. Defined Terms used in the Remuneration Report

TERM
EPS

Fixed 
Remuneration

KMP

LTI

STI

MEANING
Earnings per share, for the purpose of determining performance against LTI performance targets. When 
measuring the growth in EPS to determine the vesting of the long-term incentive awards, we define EPS as 
net profit after tax divided by the weighted average number of issued shares during the year.
Generally  comprises  cash  salary,  superannuation  contribution  benefits  in  Australia  (superannuation 
guarantee contribution) and in the USA (401k defined contribution), and the remainder as nominated benefits. 
Fixed  remuneration  is  determined  based  on  the  role  of  the  individual  employee,  including  responsibility 
and job complexity, performance and local market conditions. It is reviewed annually based on individual 
performance and market data.
Key Management Personnel. Those people who have the authority and responsibility for planning, directing 
and controlling the activities of the Group, directly or indirectly. KMP disclosed in the remuneration report 
are  Non-executive  directors,  Executive  directors,  Chief  Investment  Officer  (CIO)  and  Chief  Operating 
Officer (COO).
Long Term Incentive. It is awarded in the form of share performance rights to executives and employees for 
the purpose of retention and to align the interests of employees with shareholders.
Short Term Incentive. The purpose of the STI is to provide financial rewards to executives in recognition of 
performance aligned with business and personal objectives. The STI is a cash based incentive paid on an 
annual basis and at the discretion of the Board with reference to agreed outcomes and goals and company 
performance.

LIMITED16

17

3. Key Management Personnel (KMP)
The Group’s KMP during or since the end of the financial year were:

Name

Position

Term as KMP

Non-executive directors
Non-executive Chairman
M. Fitzpatrick 
Non-executive director
M. Donnelly
Non-executive director
G. Guérin
Non-executive director
P. Kennedy
J. Vincent (resigned 13 April 2017)
Non-executive director
T. Carver (resigned 21 October 2016) Non-executive director

Full financial year
Full financial year
Full financial year
Full financial year
Ceased 13 April 2017
Ceased 21 October 2016

Executive directors
T. Robinson
P. Greenwood

J. Ferragina

Senior executives
J. Ferragina

Executive director
President, North America and Global 
Chief Investment Officer 
Finance director 

Full financial year
Full financial year

Resigned 24 October 2016

CFO and COO Australia 

Full financial year

4. Executive KMP remuneration in FY2017

4.1 Changes to Executive KMP remuneration in FY2017
During FY2017, there were no changes in Executive KMP remuneration other than for Paul Greenwood, President, North 
America  and  Global  Chief  Investment  Officer,  whose  remuneration  was  amended  on  a  change  in  his  role,  which  was 
announced to the ASX on 7 October 2016.

The  changes  in  the  key  engagement  terms  for  Paul  Greenwood  as  Executive  director  are  set  out  below,  with  all  other 
engagement terms remaining the same:

Title: President North America and Global Chief Investment Officer

Base Salary: US$675,000 per annum.

Participation  in  incentives:  for  FY2017,  a  short  term  incentive  of  up  to  100%  of  his  base  salary  is  available  with  the 
percentage payable determined by assessing performance against a set of pre-determined key performance indicators.

Payment of short term incentive: Payment of 50% of Mr. Greenwood’s STI for his performance in FY2015 was in October 
2016. 50% of his STI in FY2016 was also paid.

Performance  Rights:  Mr.  Greenwood  became  entitled  to  the  issue  of  250,000  performance  rights  on  5  October  2016 
and will become entitled to the issue of another 250,000 performance rights on 5 October 2017, provided that he is still 
employed on that date, subject to vesting conditions. Any securities to be allocated on vesting of the performance rights 
will either be purchased on market under the LTl plan and therefore shareholder approval is not required or at the Board’s 
discretion, shareholder approval may be sought.

4.2 Is FY2017 business performance reflected in Executive KPM remuneration?
The Group’s FY2017 business performance is reflected in the outcome of the variable component of Executive KMP’s total 
remuneration. Details of Executive KMP FY2017 remuneration is set out in section 7.

5. Remuneration Philosophy and Structure

5.1 Remuneration philosophy
The  performance  of  the  Company  depends  upon  the  quality  of  its  directors  and  senior  executives.  The  Group  aims  to 
provide  market  competitive  remuneration  and  rewards  to  successfully  attract,  motivate  and  retain  the  highest  quality 
individuals. Our remuneration and benefits are structured to reward people for their individual and collective contribution 
to our success for demonstrating our values, and for creating and enhancing value for the Group’s stakeholders.

To this end, the Company embodies the following principles in its remuneration framework:

Competitive:  provide competitive rewards to attract high calibre executives.

Alignment: 

link executive remuneration to company performance and enhancing shareholder value year on year.

At risk: 

 a significant portion of executive remuneration is ‘at risk’ and is dependent upon meeting pre-determined 
and agreed performance benchmarks.

Annual Report 2017DIRECTORS’ REPORT 

continued

5.2 Remuneration structure
Executive KMP total remuneration comprises both fixed remuneration and variable remuneration, which includes short-term 
and long-term incentive opportunities. On recommendation from the Remuneration and Nomination Committee, the Board 
establishes  the  proportion  of  fixed  remuneration  and  variable  remuneration,  reviews  Executive  KMP  total  remuneration 
annually, and considers performance, relevant comparative remuneration in the market and advice on policies and practices.

The chart below provides a summary of the structure of Executive KMP remuneration in FY2017:

Fixed remuneration

Base Salary + superannuation / 401K benefits + nominated benefits

Variable remuneration

STI Plan

LTI Plan

Cash

50% paid within 3 months of 
grant and 50% deferred and paid 
approximately one year later

Performance rights

Vest over three year period

Two TSR hurdles

Setting a target remuneration mix for Executive KMP is complicated due to the Company operating in different jurisdictions, 
which have their own target remuneration mix models. Accordingly, the Group has adopted the target remuneration mix that 
is appropriate for each jurisdiction. In Australia, variable remuneration is considered at risk until granted whereas in the USA, 
variable remuneration is a contractual right and is considered earned and therefore not necessarily at risk. 

5.2.1 Elements of Executive KMP remuneration

Fixed remuneration 
Fixed remuneration consists of base salary, superannuation contribution benefits in Australia (superannuation guarantee 
contribution)  and  in  the  USA  (401k  defined  contribution),  and  the  remainder  as  nominated  benefits.  The  level  of  fixed 
remuneration is set to provide a base level of remuneration that is both appropriate to the position and is competitive in 
the market. 

LIMITED18

19

Variable remuneration 

a) STI
Under the STI Plan, Executive KMP have the opportunity to earn an annual incentive award, which is paid in cash. The STI 
plan links the achievement of the Company’s operational targets with the remuneration received by the Executive KMP 
charged with meeting those targets. The awarding of an STI cash award is fully at the discretion of the Remuneration and 
Nomination Committee. 

How is the STI paid?

 Any  STI  award  is  generally  paid  in  two  equal  instalments  with  50%  paid 
after the assessment of annual performance and within three months of the 
grant. The remaining 50% is deferred and paid approximately one year later. 
This arrangement can be varied at the discretion of the Board for Australian 
employees. Any deferred elements are contractural rights for US employees.

How much can each Executive KMP earn?

Executive KMP have a target STI opportunity of up to 100% of base salary. 

Outcomes and goals

How is performance measured?

When is it paid?

What happens if an Executive KMP 
leaves?

What happens if there is a change of 
control?

 Each year, on recommendation from the Remuneration Committee, the Board 
determines  a  total  amount  available  for  the  payment  of  STIs,  based  on  the 
performance of the Group for the year. For FY2017, the total amount available 
for the payment of STIs to KMPs was $249,015 ($2016: $1,049,421), approx. 
76% lower than the FY2016 payment of STIs to KMP.

 The  Board,  on  recommendation  from  the  Remuneration  Committee, 
establishes  outcomes  and  goals  which  it  expects  the  Executive  KMPs  to 
achieve and against which performance is measured. The outcomes and goals 
are based on financial targets, growth and business development targets as 
well  as  operational  management.  The  Board  creates  its  goals  and  outcome 
expectations in a manner that is designed to increase returns to shareholders 
in the short and long-term.

 The focus of the outcomes and goals is to drive decision making in a manner 
that increases returns to shareholders in the short and long-term. The Board 
also  considers  the  general  value  add  to  the  business  and  the  Company’s 
stakeholders  through  areas  such  as  investor  relations,  deal  origination  and 
strategy. 

 The Board, on recommendation from the Remuneration Committee, assesses 
the  individual  performance  of  each  Executive  KMP.  The  Board  base  their 
assessment of the Executive KMP’s performance against a number of financial 
and non-financial outcomes and goals for each Executive KMP and Group and 
business unit performance.

 The  STI  award  is  determined  after  the  end  of  the  financial  year,  following 
a  review  of  the  Executive  KMP’s  performance  over  the  year.  The  Board, 
on recommendation from the Remuneration Committee, approve the grant of 
the STI award and 50% of the STI award is paid within three months after the 
grant. The remaining 50% is deferred and paid approximately one year later.

 If  an  Australian  Executive  KMP  resigns  or  is  terminated  for  cause  before 
the  end  of  the  financial  year,  no  STI  is  awarded  for  that  year.  Similarly,  any 
deferred STI awards are forfeited, unless otherwise determined by the Board 
on recommendation from the Remuneration Committee.

If the Executive KMP ceases employment during the financial year by reason 
of redundancy, ill health, death or other circumstances approved by the Board, 
the Executive KMP will be entitled to a pro-rata cash payment based on the 
Board’s assessment of the Executive KMP’s performance during the financial 
year up to the date of ceasing employment and any deferred STI awards for 
Australian employees will be paid, subject to approval by the Board.

 In  the  event  of  a  change  of  control,  a  pro-rata  cash  payment  will  be  made, 
based  on  the  Remuneration  Committee’s  recommended  assessment  of 
performance during the financial year up to the date of the change of control 
and any deferred STI awards will vest, subject to approval by the Board.

Annual Report 2017DIRECTORS’ REPORT 

continued

b) LTI

What is the LTI Plan?

What is the objective of the LTI 
Plan?

How do the share performance 
rights vest?

Is shareholder approval required?

 The  LTI  plan  allows  for  grants  to  be  in  the  form  of  performance  rights,  options  or 
shares.

 The Board established the Pacific Current Group Employee Share Plan (LTI Plan), with 
the objective to reward senior executives and officers in a manner that aligns the LTI 
element of total remuneration with the creation of shareholder wealth. The awarding 
of an LTI is fully discretionary and grants are determined by the Board, based on a 
recommendation from the Remuneration Committee. 

 The share performance rights vest subject to two different TSR performance hurdles, 
namely: the achievement of TSR performance of the Company compared with the 
growth in TSR over a three-year period of the S&P ASX 300 companies (Hurdle 1) and 
separately compared with the growth in TSR over a three-year period of a selected 
comparator group of companies (Hurdle 2) - see ‘Performance Conditions’ in table 
below for further details.

 Any  securities  to  be  allocated  on  vesting  of  the  performance  rights  will  either  be 
purchased on market under the LTl plan and therefore shareholder approval is not 
required, or at the Board’s discretion, shareholder approval may be sought 

 The Board, based on a recommendation from the Remuneration Committee, has the 
discretion  to  amend  the  vesting  terms  and  performance  hurdles  for  each  offer  of 
performance  rights  to  ensure  that  they  are  aligned  to  current  market  practice  and 
ensure the best outcome for the Group. The Board also has the discretion to change 
the LTI Plan and to determine whether LTI grants will be made in future years.

What are the terms of the LTI 
Plan?

 The structure of LTI Plan is set out below. No grants have been awarded under the 
LTI Plan for FY2017.

Feature

Terms of the LTI Plan

Type of security

Valuation

 Performance rights, which are an entitlement to receive fully, paid ordinary PAC Shares (as traded 
on the ASX) on a one-for-one basis.

 An  independent  valuation  was  conducted  using  a  monte-carlo  simulation  as  well  as  binomial 
option pricing methodology.

Performance Period

The performance period is the three-year period following the grant date.

Performance 
Conditions

 The performance rights are split into two equal groups and each group are subject to a different 
TSR performance hurdle as described below.

Broadly,  TSR  measures  the  return  to  a  shareholder  over  the  performance  period  in  terms  of 
changes in the market value of the shares plus the value of any dividends paid on the shares. 

Each TSR Hurdle compares the TSR performance of Company with the TSR performance of each 
of the entities in a comparator group described below.

Hurdle 1
S&P ASX 300 Comparator Group 

 50% of the performance rights are subject to a TSR Hurdle that compares the TSR performance of 
the Company at the end of the performance period with the growth in TSR over the same period 
of the S&P ASX 300 companies.

Hurdle 2
Selected Comparator Group 

The  other  50%  of  the  performance  rights  are  subject  to  a  TSR  Hurdle  that  compares  the  TSR 
performance  of  the  Company  at  the  end  of  the  performance  period  with  the  growth  in  TSR 
over the same period of a selected comparator group of companies. 

In determining the outcome of the TSR Hurdle for this group of performance rights, each company 
in  the  comparator  group  will  be  weighted  equally.  The  companies  comprising  the  comparator 
group have similar performance drivers to the Company and will be subject to review on the basis 
of relevance and may change at the Board’s discretion.

LIMITED20

21

Feature

Terms of the LTI Plan

The comparator group at the time of this Remuneration Report is as follows:
a.  BT Investment Management Limited (ASX:BTT) 
b.  Perpetual Limited (ASX:PPT) 
c.  Platinum Asset Management Limited (ASX:PTM) 
d.  Magellan Financial Group Limited (ASX:MFG) 
e.  Henderson Group (ASX:HGG) 
f.  Affiliated Managers Group (NYSE:AMG) 
g.  Fortress Investment Group (NYSE:FIG)

Together, Hurdle 1 and Hurdle 2 comprise the total performance conditions but act 
independently relative to their specific target component. 

The  percentage  of  performance  rights  which  vest  (if  any)  will  be  determined  by  the  Board  by 
reference  to  the  percentile  ranking  achieved  by  the  Company  over  the  performance  period 
compared to the comparator group applying under the relevant TSR Hurdle for that group:

TSR growth – percentile ranking 

Performance rights that vest (%)

75th percentile or above 
Between 50th and 75th percentile 

50th percentile 
Below 50th percentile 

100%
 Progressive pro-rata vesting from 50% at 2% for every 
one percentile increase above the 50th percentile
50%
Nil

Re-testing

There is no re-testing. Any unvested LTI after the test at the end of the performance period will 
lapse immediately.

Allocation of shares

 Any securities to be allocated on vesting of the performance rights will either be purchased on 
market under the LTl plan and therefore shareholder approval is not required or at the Board’s 
discretion, shareholder approval may be sought.

Forfeiture

Performance rights will lapse for the following reasons:
a.  upon cessation of employment, except in a good leaver scenario detailed below; 
b.  if the employee acts fraudulently, dishonestly or in breach of obligations;
c. 
d.  if the dealing restrictions are contravened. 

in connection with a change of control event as detailed below; or

Good Leaver
Any unvested performance rights will not lapse (unless the Board determines otherwise) if the 
participant’s employment ceases due to death or total permanent disability. In these circumstances 
performance  rights  will  vest  on  the  basis  that  the  performance  conditions  applicable  to  those 
performance rights have been satisfied on a pro-rata basis over the period from the grant date to 
the date of cessation of employment.

The Board has discretion to allow vesting for other reasons, such as retirement or redundancy.
Change of Control
Generally, in the event of: 
 – a takeover bid being made, recommended by the Board or becoming unconditional; 
 – a scheme of arrangement, reconstruction or winding up of the Company being put to members; or 
 – any other transaction, event or state of affairs that the Board in its discretion determines is likely 
to result in a change in control of the Company, the performance rights may vest at the Board’s 
discretion in accordance with the LTI Plan rules.

Clawback

 The Board has “clawback” powers if, amongst other things, the participant has acted fraudulently 
or dishonestly.

No grants were made under the LTI Plan for FY2017. The following performance rights were awarded to the following KMP 
under the LTI Plan in relation to FY2016 on the same terms and conditions as set out above:

Mr. Ferragina: 

100,000 performance rights issued on 26 October 2016

Mr. Greenwood:  250,000 performance rights issued on 5 October 2016

Annual Report 2017DIRECTORS’ REPORT 

continued

5.3 Remuneration committee
The Remuneration Committee is a committee of the Board. The objective of the committee is to assist the Board in the 
establishment of remuneration and incentive policies and practices for, and in discharging the Board’s responsibilities relative 
to the remuneration setting and review of, the Company’s executive directors and other senior executives and directors. The 
list of responsibilities of the committee is set out in its charter, which is available on the Group’s website at http://paccurrent.
com/shareholders/corporate-governance.

During the year, the Board reviewed the committee’s charter and resolved that with effect from 1 July 2017, to expand the 
committee’s responsibilities to include the responsibilities normally reserved for a nomination committee of the Board and 
to rename the committee as the Remuneration & Nomination Committee.

5.4 External remuneration consultants
It is the Group’s current intention to engage qualified external consultants every second year to ensure that its remuneration 
structure and framework remains current. This was last done in FY2016 when, the Group engaged AON Hewitt (AON) as 
an external remuneration consultant to provide guidance on several key executive and long-term incentive plan matters, 
including recommendations in relation to KMP.

6. Relationship between the Remuneration Philosophy and Company Performance
The table below sets out summary information about the Company’s earnings and movements in shareholder wealth for 
the five years to 30 June 2017. STI and/or LTI awards are paid based on individual and Company performance. The Board, 
based on a recommendation from the Remuneration Committee, has ultimate discretion in determining the amount of the 
bonus pool.

Revenue

Net profit/(loss) before tax

Net profit/(loss) after tax

Share price at start of year ($)

Share price at end of year ($)

Interim dividend (cps)²

Final dividend (cps)²

EPS/(loss)

Diluted EPS/(loss)

KMP bonuses ($)

2017 
$

2016 
$

2015  
(restated) 
$

2014 
$

2013 
$

20,557,207

5,602,651

6,714,712

2,323,656

4,303,143

16,286,314 (78,041,766) 193,627,443¹ 15,187,652 10,803,395

10,584,997 (48,240,448) 135,702,179

13,061,814

10,390,514

4.31

6.65

–

18

34.1

34.1

9.50

4.31

20

5

(172.1)

(172.1)

9.57

9.50

24

28

529.7

529.7

7.07

9.57

23

27

56.6

55

4.09

7.07

17

23

45

45.3

249,015 

1,049,4213

576,185*

629,500

539,200

1.  FY2015 performance was driven by the gain on the sale of business to the Trust and is non-recurring.

2.  Franked to 100% at 30% corporate income tax.

3.   Notwithstanding  the  decline  in  the  financial  performance  of  the  business,  the  Board  decided  that  certain  STI  payments  would  be  made.  This 
recognises that some significant achievements were made during the period and recognising the importance of KMP to the business going forward.
In the case of Paul Greenwood, his role changed during the year and consequently changes were made to his employment contract.

*    Awarded to Mr. Greenwood and Mr. Ferragina in the prior year. These awards were recommended by the then CEO and approved by the Remuneration 

Committee based on their individual performances. 

LIMITED22

23

Nature and amount of each element of KMP Remuneration in FY2017
Details of the nature and amount of each element of the remuneration of each director of the Company and each of the 
KMP of the Company and the consolidated entity for the financial year are set out below:

Short term

Salary & fees 
$

Post-
employment
Super-
annuation
/ 401K
$

Cash 
bonus
$

Share based 
payments

Options/
performance 
rights *
$

Shares 
$

Others

Total

Performance 
related

Others 
$

$

Non-executive Directors
M. Fitzpatrick - Chairman

2017
2016

118,722
118,722 

P. Kennedy - Non-executive director

2017
2016

120,000
120,000

M. Donnelly - Non-executive director

2017
2016

77,626
103,4723

G. Guérin - Non-executive director

2017
2016

75,000
75,000

–
–

–
–

–
–

–
–

11,278 
 11,278

–
–

7,374
9,828

–
–

J. Vincent - Non-executive director (resigned 13 April 2017)

2017
2016

66,777
85,000

–
–

–
–

T. Robinson - Non-executive director (resigned 30 April 2016) 

2017
2016

–
72,300

–
–

–
6,868

T. Carver - Non-executive director (resigned 21 October 2016)

2017
2016

–
–

–
–

–
–

Executive Directors 
T. Robinson - Executive director, appointed 30 April 2016

–
–

–
–

–
–

–
–

–
–

–
–

–
–

 –
 –

–
–

–
–

–
–

–
–

–
–

–
–

2017
2016

–
–
P. Greenwood¹ - President, North America and Global CIO, appointed 30 April 2016

280,384
48,003

19,616
1,608

–
–

–
–

2017
2016

895,565
824,421

199,015
 824,421

14,716
 16,425

–
–

556,670
132,607

–
–

–
–

–
–

–
–

–
–

–
–

–
–

–
–

–
–

130,000
130,000

120,000
120,000

85,000
113,300

75,000
75,000

66,777
85,000

–
79,168

–
–

300,000
49,611

1,665,966
1,797,874

J. Ferragina - Finance director, CFO and COO (resigned as Finance director on 24 October 2016) 

2017
2016

430,384
430,693

50,000
225,000

19,616
19,307

T. Carver¹ - Managing director and CEO (resigned 30 April 2016)

2017
2016

–
882,157

–
–

–
13,725

Total remuneration: KMP

2017
2016

2,064,458
2,759,768

249,015
1,049,421

72,600
79,039

–
–

–
–

–
–

307,879
80,890

–
–

807,879
755,890

–
–

–

–
824,421² 1,720,303

864,549
213,497

– 3,250,622
4,926,146

824,421

–
–

–
–

–
– 

–
–

–
–

–
–

–
–

–
–

12%
46%

6%
30%

–
–

8%
21%

¹ 

 The compensation of these KMP were paid by the US subsidiary of the Trust. The remuneration table is reported in Australian Dollars except where 
noted. No KMP appointed during the year received a payment as part of their consideration for agreeing to hold the position. 

²  Refer to Note 31 for details. 

3  During the 2016 reporting period, there were additional fees paid attributable to affiliated entity board of directors. 

*   The amortisation of the value of LTI’s differs from 2016 to 2017 due to the fact that the first tranche of performance rights were issued in February 
2016 accounting for only 4 months of amortisation and 2017 includes a full twelve months of amortisation expense for this tranche in addition to 
the amortisation for the tranche issued in October 2016.

Annual Report 2017DIRECTORS’ REPORT 

continued

The relative proportions of the elements of remuneration of KMP that are linked to performance:

Maximum potential of 
short-term incentive based 
on fixed remuneration

Actual short-term 
incentive based on fixed 
remuneration linked to 
performance¹

Maximum potential 
of long-term incentive 
based on fixed 
remuneration3

Actual long-term 
incentive based on fixed 
remuneration linked to 
performance3

2017

2016

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

2017

–

22%

12%

2016

–2

100%

50%

2017

N/A

100%

100%

2016

N/A

100%

100%

2017

N/A

62%

77%

2016

N/A

16%

17%

Executives

T. Robinson²

P. Greenwood

J. Ferragina 

Former executive KMP

T. Carver

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

¹ 

 Each  year,  KMP  STI  are  paid  in  two  instalments  being  50%  within  three  months  of  the  grant  and  50%  is  deferred  and  paid  approximately  one 
year later. For FY2017, only the 50% payable in August 2017 is provided for as at 30 June 2017. Payment of 50% of Mr. Greenwood’s STI for his 
performance in FY2015 was paid in October 2016.

²  T. Robinson was appointed Executive director on 30 April 2016.

3  Valuation based on fair-value at grant date using a monte-carlo simulation as well as binomial option pricing methodology.

8. Key Terms of Employment Contracts of KMP

8.1 Key Terms of Employment Contract of Tony Robinson

Contract Details

Tony Robinson, Executive director

Term of Contract

Ongoing until notice is given by either party

Base Salary

$300,000

STI

LTI

Mr. Robinson is eligible for a short-term incentive of up to 100% of his base salary, with the percentage 
payable  determined  by  assessing  performance  against  a  set  of  pre-determined  key  performance 
indicators.  The  STI  will  be  assessable  and  payable  at  the  end  of  the  period  in  which  he  fulfills  an 
executive director role or early by agreement.

There is no LTI component in Mr. Robinson’s contract.

Termination of 
Employment

Under the terms of the contract, Mr. Robinson or the Company may terminate the contract giving one 
month written notice with no termination benefits.

The  Company  may  terminate  the  contract  at  any  time  without  notice  if  serious  misconduct  has 
occurred.  Where  termination  with  cause  occurs,  Mr.  Robinson  is  only  entitled  to  that  portion  of 
remuneration that is fixed, and only up to the date of termination. 

Where  employment  is  terminated  with  notice,  no  further  payments  will  be  paid  by  the  Company 
except unpaid salary accrued to the date of termination and accrued annual leave. 

LIMITED24

25

8.2 Key Terms of Employment Contract of Paul Greenwood

Contract Details

Paul Greenwood, President, North America and Global Chief Investment Officer 

Term of Contract

A term of three years from 24 November 2014 and automatic renewal for successive one year periods 
thereafter until notice is given by either party.

Base Salary

US$675,000

STI

LTI

Termination of 
Employment

Mr.  Greenwood  is  eligible  for  a  short-term  incentive  of  up  to  100%  of  his  base  salary,  with  the 
percentage  payable  determined  by  assessing  performance  against  a  set  of  pre-determined  key 
performance indicators.

Mr. Greenwood’s employment agreement (Contract) was amended, and the changes were announced 
to  the  ASX  on  7  October  2016,  arising  from  the  change  in  his  role  from  Exceutive  director  to  his 
current role. As part of those contract changes, Mr. Greenwood was issued 250,000 performance 
rights as at 5 October 2016, and will be eligible for the issue a further 250,000 performance rights 
on 5 October 2017, provided that Mr. Greenwood is still employed on that date, subject to vesting 
conditions. Any securities to be allocated on vesting of the performance rights will be purchased on 
market under the LTI Plan and therefore shareholder approval is not required.

Termination upon death or permanent disability

If Mr. Greenwood suffers a permanent disability or dies during the term of the Contract, Mr. Greenwood 
(or his estate, as applicable) will be entitled to receive (i) any amount of base salary not paid and any 
accrued but untaken annual leave (Accrued Obligations), (ii) any vested but unpaid amounts owed to 
Mr. Greenwood under the Company’s retirement, non-qualified deferred compensation or incentive 
compensation plans (Accrued Plan Obligations), (iii) any other applicable bonus/ incentive payments 
as per the terms of the contract and grant or plan documents (Accrued Bonus Obligations), and (iv) 
12  months-continuation  coverage  under  the  Company’s  health  plans  under  which  Mr.  Greenwood 
and his dependents participated immediately prior to Mr. Greenwood’s date of death or permanent 
disability.

Termination by the Company for cause

The Company may terminate Mr. Greenwood’s employment at any time for Cause by issuing a Cause 
Notice and allowing Mr. Greenwood at least 15 days to discuss the reasons for the Cause Notice and 
at least 30 days to cure the reasons for the Cause Notice. If after that period Mr. Greenwood has not 
cured the Cause Event, the Company may terminate his employment with immediate effect. In this 
circumstance, Mr. Greenwood will be entitled to receive (i) his Accrued Obligations, (ii) his Accrued 
Plan Benefits and (iii) his Accrued Bonus Obligations.

Termination by the Company without cause

The Company may terminate Mr. Greenwood’s employment without cause by giving six months’ prior 
written  notice.  In  this  circumstance,  Mr.  Greenwood  will  be  entitled  to  (i)  his  Accrued  Obligations, 
(ii) his Accrued Plan Benefits and (iii) his Accrued Bonus Obligations (iv) a lump sum severance payment 
equal to his then current 12 months’ base salary, and (v) 12 months-continuation coverage under the 
Company’s health plans under which Mr. Greenwood and his dependents participated immediately 
prior to his date of termination. 

Resignation for Other than Good Reason

Mr. Greenwood may voluntarily terminate his employment for any reason upon at least six months’ 
prior  written  notice.  On  the  date  of  termination,  Mr.  Greenwood  will  be  entitled  to  receive  (i)  his 
Accrued Obligations, (ii) his Accrued Plan Benefits, (iii) his Accrued Bonus Obligations.

Resignation for Good Reason

Mr. Greenwood may terminate his employment at any time for Good Reason by giving the Company 
written  notice,  which  specifies  the  date  of  termination  and  the  reason  therefor.  On  the  date  of 
termination, Mr. Greenwood will be entitled to receive (i) his Accrued Obligations, (ii) his Plan Benefits, 
(iii) his Accrued Bonus Obligations, (iv) a lump sum payment equal to the Severance Amount payable 
by the Company, and (v) for a period equal to the Severance Period, continuation coverage payable 
by the Company under the Company’s group health plans under which Executive and his dependents 
participated immediately prior to his date of termination.

Annual Report 2017DIRECTORS’ REPORT 

continued

8.3 Key Terms of Employment Contract of Joseph Ferragina

Contract Details

Joseph Ferragina, CFO and COO Australia. Resigned as Finance director on 24 October 2016

Term of Contract

Ongoing until notice is given by either party

Base Salary

$450,000

STI

LTI

Mr.  Ferragina  is  eligible  for  a  STI.  The  STI  is  for  up  to  100%  of  base  salary  and  paid  in  two  equal 
instalments over a two-year period. See further detail in section 5.2.1 above.

Mr. Ferragina is eligible to participate in the Company’s LTI Plan and the offers each year (if any) will be 
disclosed in the Remuneration Report and will be subject to shareholder approval if required.

Termination of 
Employment

Under the terms of the contract, Mr. Ferragina or the Company may terminate the contract giving three 
months written notice with no termination benefits.

The Company may terminate the contract at any time without notice if serious misconduct has occurred. 
Where termination with cause occurs, Mr. Ferragina is only entitled to that portion of remuneration that 
is fixed, and only up to the date of termination. On termination with cause, any unvested performance 
rights will immediately be forfeited. 

Where employment is terminated with notice, no further payments will be paid by the Company except 
unpaid  salary  accrued  to  the  date  of  termination  and  accrued  annual  leave.  Where  employment  is 
terminated with notice, deferred short-term incentives will also be paid. However, the Board retains 
the discretion to determine that some or all unvested performance rights vest or lapse with effect 
from or after the cessation date. 

9. Remuneration of Non-executive directors

Objective
The Board seeks to set aggregate remuneration at a level that provides the Company with the ability to attract and retain 
Non-executive directors of the highest caliber, whilst incurring a cost that is acceptable to shareholders.

Structure
In accordance with the ASX Listing Rules, the aggregate remuneration of Non-executive directors is determined from time to 
time by a general meeting of shareholders. An amount not exceeding the amount approved by shareholders is apportioned 
amongst  directors,  as  agreed  by  the  directors,  and  the  manner  in  which  it  is  apportioned  amongst  directors  is  reviewed 
annually. 
The last determination by shareholders of the aggregate remuneration of Non-executive directors was at the general meeting 
held  on  15  November  2006,  when  shareholders  approved  an  aggregate  remuneration  of  $650,000  per  annum,  for  the 
services of Non-executive directors as directors of the Company and its subsidiaries. 
Non-executive directors do not receive performance-based bonuses from the Company, nor do they receive fees that are 
contingent on performance, shares in return for their services, retirement benefits, other than statutory superannuation or 
termination benefits. 
The Executive directors are not remunerated separately for acting as directors.
There is no intent to seek to increase the Non-executive director fee pool at the 2017 AGM.
Following is the schedule of Non-executive directors’ fees:

Chairman

Non-executive director
Audit and risk committee chair
Audit and risk committee member
Remuneration committee member (includes chair, no fee difference between member and chair)
Governance committee chair
Governance committee member 

2017
$

2016
$

100,000

100,000

60,000
20,000
15,000
10,000
10,000
5,000

60,000
20,000
15,000
10,000
10,000
5,000

The fees above are inclusive of superannuation contributions, except for the director fees paid to Mr. Guérin. Total fees paid 
to Non-executive directors in FY2017 were $476,777 (FY2016: $602,468). Refer to section 7 for details of remuneration 
paid to Non-executive directors in FY2017.
In  FY2016,  there  was  an  increase  in  fees  paid  to  the  governance  committee  chair  and  members  due  to  the  increased 
workload for that committee during that year. 

LIMITED26

27

Directors  are  not  required  under  the  constitution  or  any  other  Board  policy  to  hold  any  shares  in  the  Company.  The 
shareholding level of directors is detailed in the tables set out in section 10 below.

10. Share Based Remuneration

Bonuses and share-based payments granted as a compensation for the current financial year
As detailed in section 5.2.1 above, the Group operates an LTI Plan for eligible employees. The number of performance rights 
granted under the LTI Plan in 2017 are as detailed in the table below and further described in section 5.2.1 above.

Details of share-based payments / performance rights granted as compensation to KMP during the current financial year:

During the financial year

Rights issues

Numbers 
granted

Numbers 
vested

% of grant 
vested

% of grant 
forfeited

% of 
compensation 
for the year 
consisting of 
performance 
rights

 20171
2016
 20171
2016
20171
2016

250,0002
 500,000
–
–
100,0003
305,000

–

–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–

17%
45%
–
–
14%
57%

Executive KMP
P. Greenwood

T. Robinson

J. Ferragina

1.  No grants were made under the LTI Plan in FY2017.

2.   Arising from the amendments to his remuneration on a change in his role, Mr. Greenwood became entitled to the issue of 250,000 performance 
rights on 5 October 2016 and will become entitled to the issue of another 250,000 performance rights on 5 October 2017, provided that he is still 
employed on that date, subject to vesting conditions.

3.  The grant of 100,000 performance rights to Mr. Ferragina was made on 26 October 2016 in relation to his performance in FY2016.

11. KMP Equity Holdings
Fully paid ordinary shares of Pacific Current Group Limited

30 June 2017

Non-executive directors

M. Fitzpatrick

P. Kennedy

M. Donnelly

G. Guérin1

J. Vincent1 (resigned 13 April 2017)

T. Carver (resigned 21 October 2016)

Executive KMP

P. Greenwood2

T. Robinson 

J. Ferragina

Balance
1 July 2016

Granted as 
remuneration

Received on 
vesting of 
performance 
rights

Net change 
other 

Balance
held nominally 

2,701,285

242,628

20,000

–

–

–

–

–

141,400

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

2,701,285

 242,628

20,000

–

–

–

531,781

531,781

–

–

(853)

140,547

Annual Report 2017DIRECTORS’ REPORT 

continued

30 June 2016

Non-executive directors

M. Fitzpatrick

P. Kennedy

M. Donnelly

G. Guérin1

J. Vincent1

T. Carver

Executive KMP 

P. Greenwood2

T. Carver

J. Ferragina

Balance
1 July 2015

Granted as 
remuneration

Received on 
vesting of 
performance 
rights

Net change 
other 

Balance
held nominally

2,701,285

214,929

20,000

–

–

–

–

–

141,400

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

2,701,285

27,699

 242,628

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

20,000

–

–

–

–

–

141,400

1 

2 

 Both Mr. Vincent and Mr. Guérin represented stakeholders who were Class B and B-1 unitholders in the Trust. Pursuant to Simplification, Exchange 
Shares were issued as consideration for the acquisition of all Class B and vested Class B-1 Units in the Aurora Trust, as announced to the ASX on 
13 February 2017 and as approved by existing shareholders at the extraordinary general meeting held on 15 March 2017 

 Pursuant to Simplification and the exchange of class B units in Aurora Trust (Class B Units) and the approval of the issue of shares in accordance with 
resolution 1(b) at an extraordinary general meeting held on 15 March 2017, Mr. Greenwood was issued on 13 April 2017, 1 share for every 1.1 Class B 
Unit and/or vested Class B-1 Unit.

12. Performance rights 

Total performance rights outstanding as at 30 June 2017 were 1,549,000 (2016: 1,299,000) with a value of $2,888,710 
(2016: $2,389,945). 

Details of performance rights on issue are as follows:

Balance at 
1 July 2016

Granted as 
compensation

Received on 
vesting of 
performance 
rights/options

Net change 
other 

Balance
30 June 
2017 

Balance
Vested
 at 30 June 
2016

Vested 
but not 
exercisable

Vested and 
exercisable

Performance 
rights vested 
30 June 2017

30 June 2017

Number

Number

Number

Number

Number

Number

Number

Number

Number

Executive 
KMP

P. Greenwood 500,000

250,000

J. Ferragina

305,000

100,000

–

–

–

–

750,000

405,000

Officers and 
employees

494,000

–

– (100,000) 394,000

Total

1,299,000

350,000

– (100,000) 1,549,000

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

 –

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Balance at 
1 July 2015

Granted as 
compensation

Received on 
vesting of 
performance 
rights/
options

Net change 
other 

Balance
30 June 
2016

Balance
Vested
 at 30 June 
2016

Vested 
but not 
exercisable

Vested and 
exercisable

Performance 
rights vested 
30 June 2016

30 June 2016

Number

Number

Number

Number

Number

Number

Number

Number

Number

Executive 
KMP

P. Greenwood

J. Ferragina

Officers and 
employees

–

–

500,000

305,000

100,000

394,000

Total

100,000

1,199,000

–

–

–

–

– 500,000

–

–

305,000

494,000

– 1,299,000

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

LIMITED28

29

The performance rights issued on 15 February 2016 were issued in two tranches with equal proportions (50%) vesting 
based on the relative TSR of the Company compared to the ASX 300 (Hurdle 1) and a group of seven other domestic and 
international fund managers (Hurdle 2). The value of each right for Hurdle 1 and 2 were $1.26 and $2.46, respectively and 
the performance rights are amortised over two years and four months from the grant date. 

The performance rights on issue were valued based on the valuation made by an independent adviser using a monte-carlo 
pricing model.

As at 13 August 2016, AON Hewitt was commissioned to provide a report to determine if the performance rights issued on 
7 August 2013 had met the required performance hurdles to vest. The calculation determined that the performance hurdles 
had not been met and therefore the rights did not vest. 

The amount of performance rights amortisation expense for FY2017 was $1,121,655 (2016: $372,659).

Grant and vesting dates and the valuation of performance rights on issue are as follows:

30 June 2017

Issued to

P. Greenwood

J. Ferragina

Number 
issued

Grant Date1

Share price on 
Grant Date

Vesting Date

Valuation

500,000

15 February 2016

$5.90

1 July 2018

250,000

5 October 2016

$4.00

1 July 2019

305,000

15 February 2016

$5.90

1 July 2018

100,000

26 October 2016

$4.58

1 July 2019

$1.86

$1.84

$1.86

$1.84

$1.86

Officers & employees

394,000

15 February 2016

$5.90

1 July 2018

Total

30 June 2016

Issued to

P. Greenwood

J. Ferragina

Officers & employees

Officers & employees

Total

1,549,000

Number 
issued

Grant Date

Share price on 
Grant Date

Vesting Date

Valuation

500,000

15 February 2016

305,000

15 February 2016

394,000

15 February 2016

$5.90

$5.90

$5.90

1 July 2018

1 July 2018

1 July 2018

100,000

7 August 2013

N/A 7 August 2016

$1.86

$1.86

$1.86

$1.64

1,299,000

1 

 The rights granted on 15 February 2016 have a performance period from 1 July 2015 to 1 July 2018. The rights issued on 5 and 26 October 2016 
have a performance period from 1 July 2016 to 1 July 2019.

See section 5.2.1 above for applicable performance criteria and further details.

Loans to directors and executives
No loans were made to directors and executives of the Company including their close family and entities related to them 
during FY2017.

Shares under option
There were no unissued ordinary shares of the Company under option outstanding at the date of this remuneration report.

Signed in accordance with a resolution of directors.

P. Kennedy

Remuneration and Nomination Committee Chairman

31 August 2017

Annual Report 2017DIRECTORS’ REPORT 

continued

Directors’ Meetings
The number of meetings of directors (including meetings of committees of directors) held during the year and the number 
of meetings attended by each director were as follows:

Directors’ Meetings

Meetings 
eligible to 
attend

Meetings 
attended

Audit & Risk Committee 
Meetings 
eligible to 
attend

Meetings 
attended

Resigned

Meetings of committees 
Remuneration Committee Governance Committee

Meetings 
eligible to 
attend

Meetings 
attended

Meetings 
eligible to 
attend

Meetings 
attended

M. Fitzpatrick
M. Donnelly
G. Guérin
P. Kennedy
P. Greenwood
T. Robinson
T. Carver*
J. Ferragina*
J. Vincent*

21-Oct-16
04-Oct-16
13-Apr-17

* They were not directors for the full year.

13
13
13
13
13
13
5
5
12

13
10
13
12
13
13
2
5
11

4
4
0
4
0
0
0
0
3

4
3
0
4
0
0
0
0
1

2
0
2
2
0
0
0
0
1

2
0
2
2
0
0
0
0
1

3
3
3
0
0
0
0
0
0

3
3
3
0
0
0
0
0
0

Committee Membership
As at the date of this report, the Company had an audit & risk committee, a remuneration and nomination committee and 
a governance committee of the Board of directors.

Members acting on the committees of the Board during the year were:

Audit & Risk

Remuneration and Nomination

Governance

M. Donnelly (Chairperson)

P. Kennedy (Chairman) 

G. Guérin (Chairman)

M. Fitzpatrick

P. Kennedy

M. Fitzpatrick

G. Guérin 

M. Fitzpatrick

M. Donnelly 

J Vincent (resigned 13 April 2017)

J. Vincent (resigned 13 April 2017)

Tax Consolidation
As  at  the  date  of  this  report,  Pacific  Current  Group  Limited  and  Aurora  Investment  Management  Pty  Limited  are  the 
members of the tax consolidated entity. 

The Company is the head entity of the tax consolidated group. Members of the tax consolidated group have entered into a 
tax sharing arrangement in order to allocate income tax expense to the wholly-owned entities on a pro-rata basis. Under a 
tax funding agreement, each member of the tax consolidated group is responsible for funding their share of any tax liability. 
In addition, the agreement provides for the allocation of income tax liabilities between the entities should the head entity 
default on its tax payment obligations. At the balance date, the possibility of default is remote.

The Trust and its eligible wholly owned subsidiaries can only join the tax consolidated group at the point in time when all 
of the Trust’s “membership interests” are held by the Company. Membership interests include any unit in the Trust, unless 
the unit also constitutes a debt interest for purposes of the provisions of the Tax Act. Given that all units in the Trust other 
than X-RPUs are held by the Company, it follows that if the X-RPUS constitute debt interests, the Company should own 
100% of the existing membership interests in the Trust, and therefore the Trust should join the consolidated tax Company. 
At inception the X-RPUs were classed as equity due to the level of contingencies with respect to the Trust’s obligations to 
repay the maximum redemption value of the US$42.0m. The X-RPUs were varied in 15 March 2017 such that they now 
became a fixed liability of US$21.0m. The variation did not rescind the original instrument and as such whilst the X-RPU have 
debt like features without the contingencies, they are still classed as equity for tax purposes. 

While the Trust was a 100% owned and controlled subsidiary of the Company as at 30 June 2017, the Trust can only join 
the tax consolidated group upon the redemption of the X-RPUs.

Corporate Governance
In recognising the need for the highest standards of corporate behaviour and accountability, the directors of the Group 
support the principles of corporate governance. The Company’s corporate governance statement is available on the 
Group’s website www.paccurrent.com.

LIMITED30

31

Environmental Regulation and Performance 
The Company’s operations are not presently subject to significant environmental regulation under the law of the 
Commonwealth and State.

Non-audit Services
The directors are satisfied that the provision of non-audit services during the year by the auditor is compatible with the 
general standard of independence for auditors imposed by the Corporations Act 2001. 

Auditor Independence 
The Directors received an independence declaration from the auditors of the Group. A copy of the declaration is set out 
on page 32.

Signed in accordance with a resolution of the Directors.

M. Fitzpatrick

Chairman

31 August 2017

Annual Report 2017AUDITOR’S INDEPENDENCE DECLARATION 

To the Directors of Pacific Current Group Limited

Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu 
ABN 74 490 121 060 

Grosvenor Place 
225 George Street 
Sydney  NSW  2000 
PO Box N250 Grosvenor Place 
Sydney NSW 1220 Australia 

Tel:  +61 2 9322 7000 
Fax:  +61 2 9322 7001 
www.deloitte.com.au 

The Board of Directors 
Pacific Current Group Limited  
Level 29, 259 George St 
Sydney NSW 2000 

31 August 2017 

Dear Board Members 

Pacific Current Group Limited  

In  accordance  with  section  307C  of  the  Corporations  Act  2001,  I  am  pleased  to  provide  the  following 
declaration of independence to the directors of Pacific Current Group Limited. 

As  lead  audit  partner  for  the  audit  of  the  financial  statements  of  Pacific  Current  Group  Limited  for  the 
financial year ended 30 June 2017, I declare that to the best of my knowledge and belief, there have been 
no contraventions of: 

(i)  the auditor independence requirements of the Corporations Act 2001 in relation to the audit; 

and 

(ii)  any applicable code of professional conduct in relation to the audit.   

Yours sincerely, 

DELOITTE TOUCHE TOHMATSU 

Declan O’Callaghan 
Partner 
Chartered Accountants 

Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation. 

Member of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited 

32 

LIMITED 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF PROFIT OR LOSS

For the year ended 30 June 2017

32

33

Revenues

Revenue

Net gains on investments

Expenses 

Salaries and employee benefits 

Other expenses 

Depreciation and amortisation expenses 

Interest expenses 

Share of net profits/(losses) of associates and joint venture accounted 
for using the equity method 

Profit/(loss) before income tax expense 

Income tax (expense)/benefit 

Profit(loss) for the year 

Attributable to: 

The members of the parent

Non-controlling interests

Earnings/(losses) per share (cents per share): 
 – basic for profit/(loss) for the year attributable to ordinary equity holders 

of the parent

 – diluted for profit/(loss) for the year attributable to ordinary equity holders 

of the parent

Franked dividends paid per share (cents per share) for the financial year

The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.

Note

2017 
$

2016 
$

6

6

7

7

7

7

7

8

16,040,058

5,602,651

4,517,149

–

20,557,207

5,602,651

(7,356,851)

(4,051,766)

(5,279,481)

(1,105,809)

(858,737)

(2,169,719)

–

–

(15,664,788)

(5,157,575)

11,393,895

(78,486,842)

16,286,314

(78,041,766)

(5,701,317)

29,801,318

10,584,997

(48,240,448)

10,628,889

(48,240,448)

27

(43,892)

–

10,584,997

(48,240,448)

10

10

9

34.1

34.1

5

(172.1)

(172.1)

48

Annual Report 2017CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

For the year ended 30 June 2017

Profit/(loss) for the year

Other comprehensive income/(loss):

Items that were reclassified to profit or loss

Reversal of the share on translating foreign operations of a joint venture 
derecognised during the year (after tax) 

Reversal of the share on net fair value gain on AFS financial assets of a joint 
venture derecognised during the year (after tax)

Total items that were reclassified to profit or loss

Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss 

Exchange differences on translating foreign operations of a subsidiary 

Change in fair value of available-for-sale (AFS) financial assets 

Share of net fair value gain on AFS financial assets of an associate (after tax)

Share of exchange differences on translating foreign operations of a joint 
venture (after tax)

Share of net fair value gain on AFS financial assets of a joint venture (after tax)

Total items that may be reclassified to profit or loss

Other comprehensive (loss)/income for the year 

Total comprehensive (loss) 

Attributable to: 

The members of the parent

Non-controlling interests

The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.

Note

2017 
$

2016 
$

 10,584,997   (48,240,448) 

–

–

–

–

–

–

25

 (12,745,725) 

25

 (5,467,897) 

 (18,213,622) 

 233,378 

 3,299,722 

 48,101 

25

25

25

25

25

 (3,943,260) 

 6,965,730 

 4,010,591 

 (112,125) 

 3,648,532 

 6,853,605 

 (14,565,090) 

 6,853,605 

 (3,980,093)   (41,386,843) 

 (3,936,201)   (41,386,843) 

27

 (43,892) 

–

 (3,980,093)   (41,386,843) 

LIMITEDCONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

34

35

As at 30 June 2017

Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents 

Trade and other receivables 

Loans and other receivables 

Other assets 

Total current assets 

Non-current assets

Loans and other receivables 

Other financial assets 

Investments in associates 

Investment in joint venture 

Intangible assets 

Plant and equipment 

Other assets 

Total non-current assets 

Total assets 

Current liabilities

Trade and other payables 

Financial liabilities 

Provisions 

Current tax liabilities 

Total current liabilities 

Non-current liabilities

Financial liabilities 

Provisions 

Deferred tax liabilities 

Total non-current liabilities 

Total liabilities 

Net assets 

Equity

Share capital 

Reserves 

Retained earnings 

Total equity attributable to owners of the company 

Non-controlling interests 

Total equity 

The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.

Note

2017 
$

2016 
$

 40,248,286 

 2,997,744 

 6,846,038 

 11,906,851 

 303,682 

 2,374,603 

–

–

 49,772,609 

 14,904,595 

 3,292,247 

 52,874,277 

 188,974,745 

–

–

–

–  210,056,666 

13

14

15

16

15

17

18

19

20

 64,846,258 

 561,720 

16

 11,763,771 

–

–

–

 322,313,018  210,056,666 

 372,085,627  224,961,261 

 4,821,961 

 2,000,884 

 27,981,577 

–

 345,102 

 236,468 

 5,069,098 

 14,157,614 

 38,217,738 

 16,394,966 

 28,710,254 

–

 150,614 

 175,268 

 29,822,845 

 20,961,430 

 58,683,713 

 21,136,698 

 96,901,451 

 37,531,664 

 275,184,176   187,429,597 

 166,278,319   74,556,705 

 7,958,207 

 21,401,642 

 100,693,841   91,471,250 

 274,930,367   187,429,597 

 253,809 

–

 275,184,176   187,429,597 

21

22

23

8

22

23

8

24

25

26

27

Annual Report 2017CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

For the year ended 30 June 2017

Balance as at 1 July 2015 

 69,500,943 

 14,231,149   153,075,571 

Share  
capital 
$

Reserves  
$

Retained 
earnings 
$

–  (48,240,448) 

Non- 
controlling 
interests  
$

Total 
equity 
$

–  236,807,663 

–  (48,240,448) 

(Loss) for the year 

Other comprehensive income/(loss):

(i) 

 Net movement in foreign currency 
translation reserve (after tax) 

(ii)   Net movement in investment revaluation 

reserve (after tax) 

Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the year 

Transactions with owners in their capacity as 
owners: 

–

–

–

–

 6,965,730 

 (112,125) 

–

–

–

–

 6,965,730 

 (112,125) 

 6,853,605 

 (48,240,448) 

–  (41,386,843) 

(i) 

 Issuance of ordinary shares (Note 24) 

 4,999,991 

–

–

(ii)   Dividends paid (Note 9) 

(iii)   Share based payments expensed (Note 29) 

–

–

 372,659 

–  (13,363,873) 

 55,771 

 (55,771) 

–

–

(iv)  Issuance of shares due to vesting of 

performance rights (Notes 24 and 25) 

Total transactions with owners in their 
capacity as owners 

 5,055,762 

 316,888 

 (13,363,873) 

–

 4,999,991 

–  (13,363,873) 

–

–

–

 372,659 

–

 (7,991,223) 

Balance as at 30 June 2016 

 74,556,705 

 21,401,642 

 91,471,250 

–  187,429,597 

Share  
capital 
$

Reserves  
$

Retained 
earnings 
$

Non-  
controlling 
interests  
$

Total 
equity 
$

Balance as at 1 July 2016 

 74,556,705 

 21,401,642 

 91,471,250 

–  187,429,597 

Profit for the year 

–

–

 10,628,889 

 (43,892) 

 10,584,997 

Other comprehensive income/(loss):

(i) 

 Net movement in foreign currency 
translation reserve (after tax)

(ii)   Net movement in investment revaluation 

reserve (after tax) 

–  (16,455,607) 

–

 1,890,517 

–

–

–  (16,455,607) 

–

 1,890,517 

Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the year 

–  (14,565,090) 

 10,628,889 

 (43,892) 

 (3,980,093) 

Transactions with owners in their capacity as 
owners: 

(i) 

 Issuance of ordinary shares (Note 24) 

 91,721,614 

(ii)   Dividends paid (Note 9) 

(iii)   Recognition of non-controlling interests 
acquired through business combination 
(Note 27) 

(iv)  Share based payments expensed (Note 29) 

Total transactions with owners in their 
capacity as owners 

–

–

–

 1,121,655 

–

 (1,406,298) 

–

–

 91,721,614 

 (1,406,298) 

–

–

 297,701 

 297,701 

–

 1,121,655 

–

–

–

Balance as at 30 June 2017

 166,278,319 

 7,958,207   100,693,841 

 253,809 

 275,184,176 

The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.

 91,721,614 

 1,121,655 

 (1,406,298) 

 297,701 

 91,734,672 

LIMITEDCONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

For the year ended 30 June 2017

36

37

Cash flow from operating activities 

Receipts from customers 

Payments to suppliers and employees 

Dividends and distributions received 

Interest received 

Interest paid 

Income tax paid 

Note

2017 
$

2016 
$

 13,757,592 

 3,702,852 

 (15,211,539) 

 (4,910,718) 

 4,203,893 

 16,474,272 

 244,525 

 38,968 

 (457,351) 

–

 (9,717,511) 

 38,968 

Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities 

13(b) 

 (7,180,391)   15,305,374 

Cash flow from investing activities

Repayment of loans by associates 

Investments in AFS financial assets 

Additional contributions to associates 

Net cash provided by investing activities 

Cash flow from financing activities

Repayments of financial liabilities 

Dividends paid 

Issuance of shares (net of transaction costs) 

Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents held 

Cash at beginning of the financial year 

Cash and cash equivalents from the acquired subsidiary 
through business combination

Unrealised foreign exchange difference in cash

Cash at end of financial year 

Non-cash investing and financing activities 

Investing activities 

Financing activities 

The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.

 2,160,601 

 (667,651) 

 (92,301) 

 1,400,649 

 (13,422,000) 

–

–

–

–

–

 (1,406,298)   (13,363,873) 

 31,275,166 

–

 16,446,868   (13,363,873) 

 10,667,126 

 1,941,501 

 2,997,744 

 1,056,243 

11(c)

 26,399,375 

 160,545 

–

–

13(a) 

 40,248,286 

 2,997,744 

13(c)

 (71,274,334)   (60,381,631) 

13(c)

 60,446,448 

 4,999,991 

 10,827,886 

 55,381,640 

Annual Report 2017NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 30 June 2017

1. Corporate Information
The consolidated financial report of Pacific Current Group Limited (the Company) and its controlled entities (the Group) for 
the year ended 30 June 2017 was authorised for issue in accordance with a resolution of the directors on 31 August 2017.

The Company is a company limited by shares incorporated and domiciled in Australia whose shares are publicly traded on 
the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX).

The nature of operations and principal activities of the Company are disclosed in the Directors’ Report.

2. Application of New and Revised Accounting Standards

(a)  Amendments to Accounting Standards and the new Interpretation that are mandatorily effective for the 

current year

The following new and revised accounting standards that are mandatorily effective for the current year have been adopted 
by the Group:
 – AASB 2014–3 Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards – Accounting for Acquisitions of Interests in Joint Operations;
 – AASB 2014–4 Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards – Clarification of Acceptable Methods of Depreciation and 

Amortisation;

 – AASB 2014–9 Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards – Equity Method in Separate Financial Statements;
 – AASB 2015–1 Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards – Annual Improvements to Australian Accounting Standards 

2012-2014 Cycle;

 – AASB 2015–2 Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards – Disclosure Initiative: Amendments to AASB 101; and
 – AASB 2015–5 Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards – Investment Entities: Applying the Consolidation Exception

Adoption of the above new and revised accounting standards had no material impact on the Group.

(b) Standards and Interpretations in issue not yet Adopted
The  Australian  Accounting  Standards  Board  (AASB)  has  issued  a  number  of  new  and  amended  Accounting  Standards  and 
Interpretations that have mandatory application dates for future reporting periods, some of which are relevant to the Group. 
The Group has decided not to early adopt any of these new and amended pronouncements. The Group’s assessment of the 
new and amended pronouncements that are relevant to the Group but applicable in future reporting periods is set out below.

At the date of authorisation of the consolidated financial statements, the Standards and Interpretations that were issued 
but not yet effective are listed below. Their adoption may affect the accounting for future transactions or arrangements.

Standard/Interpretation

AASB 9 ‘Financial Instruments’

AASB 15 ‘Revenue from Contracts with Customers’ 
2014–5 ‘Amendments to Australian Accounting 
Standards arising from AASB 15, 2015–8 Amendments 
to Australian Accounting Standards – Effective date 
of AASB 15’, 2016–3 ‘Amendments to Australian 
Accounting Standards – Clarifications to AASB 15’

AASB 16 ‘Leases’

AASB 2014–10 ‘Amendments to Australian Accounting 
Standards – Sale or Contribution of Assets between 
an Investor and its Associate or Joint Venture’, AASB 
2015–10 ‘Amendments to Australian Accounting 
Standards – Effective Date of Amendments to AASB 10 
and AASB 128’

AASB 2015–10 ‘Amendments to Australian Accounting 
Standards – Effective Date of Amendments to AASB 10 
and AASB 128’

AASB 2016–1 ‘Amendments to Australian Accounting 
Standards – Recognition of Deferred Tax Assets for 
Unrealised Losses’

Effective for annual reporting 
periods beginning on or after

Expected to be initially applied in 
the financial year ending

1 January 2018

1 January 2018

30 June 2019

30 June 2019

1 January 2019

1 January 2017

30 June 2020

30 June 2018

1 January 2018

30 June 2019

1 January 2017

30 June 2018

LIMITED38

39

Standard/Interpretation

Effective for annual reporting 
periods beginning on or after

Expected to be initially applied in 
the financial year ending

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 of Investment Property, 
Annual Improvements 2014–2016 Cycle and Other 
Amendments’

AASB 2017–2 ‘Amendments to Australian Accounting 
Standards – Further Annual Improvements 2014–2016 
Cycle’

Interpretation 22 ‘Foreign Currency Transactions and 
Advance Consideration’

1 January 2018

30 June 2019

1 January 2018

30 June 2019

1 January 2017

30 June 2018

1 January 2018

30 June 2019

The Group is in the process of completing the assessment for the impact of AASBs 9, 15 and 16 which are not expected to 
be material. At the date of authorisation of the consolidated financial statements, there have been no IASB Standards and 
IFRIC Interpretations that are issued but not yet effective that could impact the Group. 

The Group is also in the process of completing the impact of the new or amended accounting standards and interpretations 
other than the above aforementioned accounting standards.

3. Accounting Policies

These consolidated financial statements are general purpose financial statements which have been prepared in accordance 
with Australian Accounting Standards, Interpretations and other applicable authoritative pronouncements of the Australian 
Accounting Standards Board and the Corporations Act 2001. 

The financial statements comprise the consolidated financial statements of the Group. For the purposes of preparing the 
consolidated financial statements, the Company is a for-profit entity.

Accounting Standards include Australian Accounting Standards. Compliance with Australian Accounting Standards ensures 
that the consolidated financial statements and notes of the Company and the Group comply with International Financial 
Reporting Standards (IFRS).

The following is a summary of the material accounting policies adopted by the Group in the preparation and presentation of 
the financial statements. The accounting policies have been consistently applied, unless otherwise stated.

(a) Basis of preparation of the financial report

Historical Cost Convention
The  consolidated  financial  statements  have  been  prepared  on  the  basis  of  historical  cost,  except  for  certain  financial 
instruments that are measured at revalued amounts or fair values at the end of each reporting period, as explained in the 
accounting policies below.

Historical  cost  is  generally  based  on  the  fair  values  of  the  consideration  given  in  exchange  for  goods  and  services.  All 
amounts are presented in Australian dollars, unless otherwise stated.

Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between 
market participants at the measurement date, regardless of whether that price is directly observable or estimated using 
another  valuation  technique.  In  estimating  the  fair  value  of  an  asset  or  a  liability,  the  Group  takes  into  account  the 
characteristics of the asset or liability if market participants would take those characteristics into account when pricing the 
asset or liability at the measurement date. Fair value for measurement and/or disclosure purposes in these consolidated 
financial statements is determined on such a basis, except for share-based payment transactions that are within the scope 
of AASB 2 ‘Share-based Payments’, leasing transactions that are within the scope of AASB 117 ‘Leases’ and measurements 
that have some similarities to fair value but are not fair value, such as net realisable value in AASB 102 ‘Inventories’ or value 
in use in AASB 136 ‘Impairment of Assets’.

Annual Report 2017NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 30 June 2017

3. Accounting Policies (continued)
In  addition,  for  financial  reporting  purposes,  fair  value 
measurements are categorised into Level 1, 2 or 3 based 
on  the  degree  to  which  the  inputs  to  the  fair  value 
measurements are observable and the significance of the 
inputs to the fair value measurement in its entirety, which 
are described as follows:
 – Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active 
markets for identical assets or liabilities that the entity 
can access at the measurement date;

 – Level 2 inputs are inputs, other than quoted prices 
included within Level 1, that are observable for the 
asset or liability, either directly or indirectly; and 
 – Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset 

or liability.

(b) Basis of Consolidation
The  consolidated  financial  statements  incorporate  the 
financial statements of the Company and entities (including 
structured  entities)  controlled  by  the  Company  and  its 
subsidiaries. Control is achieved when the Company:
 – has power over the investee;
 – is exposed, or has rights, to variable returns from its 

involvement with the investee; and

 – has the ability to use its power to affect its returns.

The  Company  reassesses  whether  or  not  it  controls  an 
investee if facts and circumstances indicate that there are 
changes to one or more of the three elements of control 
listed above.

When the Company has less than a majority of the voting 
rights of an investee, it has power over the investee when 
the  voting  rights  are  sufficient  to  give  it  the  practical 
ability  to  direct  the  relevant  activities  of  the  investee 
unilaterally. The Company considers all relevant facts and 
circumstances in assessing whether or not the Company’s 
voting rights in an investee are sufficient to give it power, 
including:
 – the size of the Company’s holding of voting rights 

relative to the size and dispersion of holdings of the 
other vote holders;

 – potential voting rights held by the Company, other 

vote holders or other parties;

 – rights arising from other contractual arrangements; and
 – any additional facts and circumstances that indicate 
that the Company has, or does not have, the current 
ability to direct the relevant activities at the time that 
decisions need to be made, including voting patterns 
at previous shareholders’ meetings.

Consolidation of a subsidiary begins when the Company 
obtains control over the subsidiary and ceases when the 
Company  loses  control  of  the  subsidiary.  Specifically, 
income and expenses of a subsidiary acquired or disposed 
of  during  the  year  are  included  in  the  consolidated 
statement  of  profit  or  loss  and  other  comprehensive 
income from the date the Company gains control until the 
date when the Company ceases to control the subsidiary.

Profit or loss and each component of other comprehensive 
income/(loss) are attributed to the owners of the Company 
and to the non-controlling interests. Total comprehensive 
income of subsidiaries is attributed to the owners of the 
Company and to the non-controlling interests even if this 
results  in  the  non-controlling  interests  having  a  deficit 
balance.

When  necessary,  adjustments  are  made  to  the  financial 
statements  of  subsidiaries  to  bring  their  accounting 
policies into line with the Group’s accounting policies. The 
financial statements of the Australian and US subsidiaries 
are  prepared  for  the  same  reporting  period  as  the 
Company (30 June).

intragroup  assets  and 

All 
income, 
expenses and cash flows relating to transactions between 
members  of  the  Group  are  eliminated  in  full  upon 
consolidation.

liabilities,  equity, 

(c) Business Combination
Acquisitions  of  businesses  are  accounted  for  using  the 
acquisition  method.  The  consideration  transferred  in 
a  business  combination  is  measured  at  fair  value  that  is 
calculated  as  the  sum  of  the  acquisition-date  fair  values 
of  assets  transferred,  liabilities  assumed  and  the  equity 
instruments issued by the Group in exchange for control 
of the acquiree.  Acquisition-related costs are  recognised 
in profit or loss as incurred.

At  the  acquisition  date,  the  identifiable  assets  acquired 
and  the  liabilities  assumed  are  recognised  at  their  fair 
value, except that:
 – deferred tax assets or liabilities and assets or liabilities 

related to employee benefit arrangements are 
recognised and measured in accordance with AASB 
112 ‘Income Taxes’ and AASB 119 ‘Employee Benefits’ 
respectively;

 – liabilities or equity instruments related to share-based 
payment arrangements of the acquiree or share-based 
payment arrangements of the Group entered into to 
replace share-based payment arrangements of the 
acquiree are measured in accordance with AASB 2 
‘Share-based Payment’ at the acquisition date; and
 – assets (or disposal groups) that are classified as held 
for sale in accordance with AASB 5 ‘Non-current 
Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations’ are 
measured in accordance with that Standard.

LIMITED40

41

Where a business combination is achieved in stages, the 
Group’s  previously  held  equity  interest  in  the  acquiree 
is  remeasured  to  its  acquisition  date  fair  value  and  the 
resulting gain or loss, if any, is recognised in profit or loss. 
Amounts arising from interests in the acquiree prior to the 
acquisition  date  that  have  previously  been  recognised  in 
other  comprehensive  income  or  loss  are  reclassified  to 
profit or loss where such treatment would be appropriate 
if  that  interest  were  disposed  of.  On  13  April  2017,  the 
Company  acquired  the  remaining  34.85%  of  the  Trust 
by  virtue  of  the  Simplification  as  discussed  in  Note  11. 
Accordingly,  the  Trust  became  a  100%  subsidiary  of 
the  Company.  The  acquisition  of  the  100%  in  the  Trust 
qualified as a business combination achieved in stages and 
the principles of purchase price accounting in accordance 
with  the  AASB  3  ‘Business  Combinations’  were  applied. 
Refer to Note 11 for details.

If  the  initial  accounting  for  a  business  combination  is 
incomplete  by  the  end  of  the  reporting  period  in  which 
the  combination  occurs,  the  Group  reports  provisional 
amounts  for  the  items  for  which  the  accounting  is 
incomplete. Those provisional amounts are adjusted during 
the measurement period (see above), or additional assets 
or  liabilities  are  recognised,  to  reflect  new  information 
obtained about facts and circumstances that existed as of 
the  acquisition  date  that,  if  known,  would  have  affected 
the amounts recognised as of that date.

Goodwill acquired in business combination
Goodwill arising on an acquisition of a business is carried 
at cost as established at the date of the acquisition of the 
business less accumulated impairment losses, if any.

For  the  purposes  of  impairment  testing,  goodwill  is 
allocated to each of the Company’s cash-generating units 
(or  groups  of  cash-generating  units)  that  is  expected  to 
benefit from the synergies of the combination.

A cash-generating unit to which goodwill has been allocated 
is tested for impairment annually, or more frequently when 
there is an indication that the unit may be impaired. If the 
recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit is less than 
its carrying amount, the impairment loss is allocated first 
to reduce the carrying amount of any goodwill allocated to 
the unit and then to the other assets of the unit pro-rata 
based  on  the  carrying  amount  of  each  asset  in  the  unit. 
Any impairment loss for goodwill is recognised directly in 
profit or loss. An impairment loss recognised for goodwill 
is not reversed in subsequent periods.

On  disposal  of  the  relevant  cash-generating  unit,  the 
attributable  amount  of  goodwill  is  included  in  the 
determination of the profit or loss on disposal.

The Group’s policy for goodwill arising on the acquisition 
of an associate is described in Note 3(l).

Goodwill  is  measured  as  the  excess  of  the  sum  of  the 
consideration  transferred,  the  amount  of  any  non-
controlling  interests  in  the  acquiree  and  the  fair  value 
of  the  acquirer’s  previously  held  equity  interest  in  the 
acquiree  (if  any)  over  the  net  of  the  acquisition-date 
amounts  of  the  identifiable  assets  acquired  and  the 
liabilities  assumed.  If,  after  reassessment,  the  net  of 
the  acquisition-date  amounts  of  the  identifiable  assets 
acquired  and  liabilities  assumed  exceeds  the  sum  of 
the  consideration  transferred,  the  amount  of  any  non-
controlling interests in the acquiree and the fair value of 
the  acquirer’s  previously  held  interest  in  the  acquiree  (if 
any), the excess is recognised immediately in profit or loss 
as a bargain purchase gain.

Non-controlling  interests  that  are  present  ownership 
interests and entitle their holders to a proportionate share 
of the entity’s net assets in the event of liquidation may 
be  initially  measured  either  at  fair  value  or  at  the  non-
controlling interests’ proportionate share of the recognised 
amounts  of  the  acquiree’s  identifiable  net  assets.  The 
choice of measurement basis is made on a transaction-by-
transaction basis. Other types of non-controlling interests 
are measured at fair value or, when applicable, on the basis 
specified in another Standard.

is  measured  at 

Where  the  consideration  transferred  by  the  Group 
in  a  business  combination  includes  assets  or  liabilities 
resulting  from  a  contingent  consideration  arrangement, 
the  contingent  consideration 
its 
acquisition-date  fair  value.  Changes  in  the  fair  value  of 
the contingent consideration that qualify as measurement 
period 
retrospectively, 
with  corresponding  adjustments  against  goodwill. 
Measurement  period  adjustments  are  adjustments  that 
arise  from  additional  information  obtained  during  the 
‘measurement  period’  (which  cannot  exceed  one  year 
from the acquisition date) about facts and circumstances 
that existed at the acquisition date.

adjustments 

adjusted 

are 

The  subsequent  accounting  for  changes  in  the  fair 
value  of  contingent  consideration  that  do  not  qualify 
as  measurement  period  adjustments  depends  on  how 
the  contingent  consideration  is  classified.  Contingent 
consideration that is classified as equity is not remeasured 
its  subsequent 
at  subsequent  reporting  dates  and 
settlement  is  accounted  for  within  equity.  Contingent 
consideration  that  is  classified  as  an  asset  or  liability  is 
remeasured at subsequent reporting dates in accordance 
with  AASB  139  ‘Financial  Instruments:  Recognition  and 
Measurement’,  or  AASB  137  ‘Provisions,  Contingent 
Liabilities  and  Contingent  Assets’,  as  appropriate,  with 
the corresponding gain or loss being recognised in profit 
or loss.

Annual Report 2017NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 30 June 2017

3. Accounting Policies (continued)
Intangible assets acquired in a business combination
Intangible  assets  acquired  in  a  business  combination 
and  recognised  separately  from  goodwill  are  initially 
recognised at their fair value at the acquisition date (which 
is regarded as their cost).

intangible  assets 
initial  recognition, 
Subsequent  to 
acquired  in  a  business  combination  are  reported  at 
cost  less  accumulated  amortisation  and  accumulated 
impairment losses, on the same basis as intangible assets 
that are acquired separately.

Other identifiable intangible assets (with finite lives) 
acquired in a business combination
Other identifiable intangible assets with finite lives acquired 
in a business combination and recognised separately from 
goodwill  are  initially  recognised  at  their  fair  value  at  the 
acquisition date (which is regarded as their cost).

initial  recognition,  other 

Subsequent  to 
identifiable 
intangible  assets  with  finite  lives  acquired  in  a  business 
combination  are  reported  at  cost  less  accumulated 
amortisation  and  accumulated  impairment  losses,  on 
the  same  basis  as  intangible  assets  that  are  acquired 
separately. These are amortised on straight line basis over 
their estimated useful life.

(d) Revenue
Revenue is measured at the fair value of the consideration 
received  or  receivable  to  the  extent  it  is  probable  that 
the  economic  benefits  will  flow  to  the  Group  and  the 
revenue can be reliably measured. The following specific 
recognition  criteria  must  also  be  met  before  revenue  is 
recognised:

Service fees
Fees  charged  for  providing  administrative  services  to 
related companies are accrued as services are provided.

Management fees
Management  fees  on  asset  management  activities  are 
accrued as services are provided.

Interest income
Interest income from a financial asset is recognised when 
it is probable that the economic benefits will flow to the 
Group and the amount of revenue can be measured reliably. 
Interest  income  is  accrued  on  a  time  basis,  by  reference 
to the principal outstanding and at the effective interest 
rate  applicable,  which  is  the  rate  that  exactly  discounts 
estimated future cash receipts through the expected life 
of the financial asset to that asset’s net carrying amount 
on initial recognition.

Distributions and dividends
Distribution  and  dividend  income  from  investments 
is  recognised  when  the  shareholder’s  right  to  receive 
payment has been established. Distributions or dividends 
received  from  the  equity  accounted  investments  in  joint 
venture and associates are not recognised in profit or loss 
but are reduced from the equity accounted investments’ 
carrying values.

Carried interest

(i)  Realised carried interest 
Carried Interest may be realised by the Group in situations 
where the General Partner (GP) investment income (and 
corresponding cash) is generated and it is determined that 
the  cumulative  profits  of  the  Fund  provide  enough  cash 
to  exceed  performance  thresholds  (return  of  capital  and 
preferred return). 

(ii)  Unrealised carried interest 
The Group does not book any carried interest income until 
it is more certain and more reliably measurable. The point 
that  performance  can  be  reasonably  measured,  as  being 
when  the  Fund  has  reached  seventy-five  percent  of  its 
expected life. Deferring this income recognition until later 
in  a  Fund’s  existence  minimises  the  time  horizon  where 
underlying asset values may fluctuate broadly enough to 
erode the unrealised carried interest allocable to the GP 
entity.  It  also  reduces  the  amount  of  additional  returns 
needed to satisfy preferred returns to limited partners. 

(e) Recognition of gain or loss on sale of investments
Gain  or  loss  is  recognised  in  the  consolidated  profit  or 
loss  which  is  determined  as  the  difference  between 
the  carrying  amount  of  the  assets  and  liabilities  being 
transferred  or  deemed  sold  and  the  fair  value  of  the 
consideration received.

(f) Leases
The  determination  of  whether  an  arrangement  is  or 
contains  a  lease  is  based  on  the  substance  of  the 
arrangement and requires an assessment of whether the 
fulfilment of the arrangement is dependent on the use of 
a specific asset or assets and the arrangement conveys a 
right to use the asset.

Operating leases
Operating lease payments are recognised as an expense in 
profit or loss on a straight-line basis over the lease term. 
Operating  lease  incentives  are  recognised  as  a  liability 
when  received  and  subsequently  reduced  by  allocating 
lease payments between rental expense and reduction of 
the liability.

(g) Borrowing costs
Borrowing costs directly attributable to the acquisition of 
investment assets are capitalised as part of the loan and 
amortised over the term of the loan.

All other borrowing costs are recognised in profit or loss in 
the period in which they are incurred.

(h) Income tax
The income tax (benefit)/expense for the year comprises 
current  income  tax  (benefit)/expense  and  deferred  tax 
(benefit)/expense.

Current income tax expense charged to the profit or loss 
is  the  tax  payable  on  taxable  income  measured  at  the 
amounts  expected  to  be  paid  to  or  recovered  from  the 
relevant taxation authority.

LIMITED42

43

Deferred  income  tax  expense  reflects  movements  in 
deferred  tax  asset  and  deferred  tax  liability  balances 
during the year as well as unused tax losses. 

Current  and  deferred  income  tax  (benefit)/expense  is 
charged  or  credited  outside  profit  or  loss  when  the  tax 
relates to items that are recognised outside profit or loss.

Except for business combinations, no deferred income tax 
is  recognised  from  the  initial  recognition  of  an  asset  or 
liability, where there is no effect on accounting or taxable 
profit or loss.

Deferred  tax  assets  and  liabilities  are  calculated  at 
the  tax  rates  that  are  expected  to  apply  to  the  period 
when  the  asset  is  realised  or  the  liability  is  settled  and 
their  measurement  also  reflects  the  manner  in  which 
management  expects  to  recover  or  settle  the  carrying 
amount of the related asset or liability.

Deferred tax assets relating to temporary differences and 
unused tax losses are recognised only to the extent that 
it  is  probable  that  future  taxable  profit  will  be  available 
against which the benefits of the deferred tax asset can 
be utilised.

Current tax assets and liabilities are offset where a legally 
enforceable right of set-off exists and it is intended that 
net settlement or simultaneous realisation and settlement 
of  the  respective  asset  and  liability  will  occur.  Deferred 
tax  assets  and  liabilities  are  offset  where:  (a)  a  legally 
enforceable  right  of  set-off  exists;  and  (b)  the  deferred 
tax  assets  and  liabilities  relate  to  income  taxes  levied  by 
the  same  taxation  authority  on  either  the  same  taxable 
entity or different taxable entities where it is intended that 
net settlement or simultaneous realisation and settlement 
of  the  respective  asset  and  liability  will  occur  in  future 
periods in which significant amounts of deferred tax assets 
or liabilities are expected to be recovered or settled.

The  Company  has  applied  the  Stand-Alone  Taxpayer 
approach in determining the appropriate amount of current 
taxes  to  allocate  to  members  of  the  tax  consolidation 
group. The tax funding agreement provides each member 
of  the  tax  consolidated  group  to  pay  a  tax  equivalent 
amount  to  or  from  the  parent  in  accordance  with  their 
current tax liability or current tax asset. Such amounts are 
reflected  in  amounts  receivable  from  or  payable  to  the 
parent company in their accounts and are settled as soon 
as  practicable  after  lodgment  of  the  consolidated  return 
and payment of the tax liability.

The  deferred  taxes  are  allocated  to  members  of  the  tax 
consolidated  group  in  accordance  with  the  principles  of 
AASB 112 ‘Income Taxes’.

Tax Consolidation
The Company and Aurora Investment Management Ltd as 
Trustee of the Trust (the Trustee) are the members of the 
tax consolidated group. Members of the tax consolidated 
group  have  entered  into  a  tax  sharing  arrangement  in 
order  to  allocate  income  tax  expense  to  the  wholly-
owned  entities  on  a  pro-rata  basis.  Under  a  tax  funding 
agreement,  each  member  of  the  tax  consolidated  group 
is  responsible  for  funding  their  share  of  any  tax  liability. 
In  addition,  the  agreement  provides  for  the  allocation 
of  income  tax  liabilities  between  the  entities  should  the 
head entity default on its tax payment obligations. At the 
balance date, the possibility of default is remote.

(i) Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents in the consolidated statement 
of  financial  position  consist  of  cash  at  bank  and  in  hand 
and short-term deposits with an original maturity of three 
months  or  less,  that  are  readily  convertible  to  known 
amounts of cash and which are subject to an insignificant 
risk of change in value.

For  the  purposes  of  the  consolidated  statement  of  cash 
flows, cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and cash 
equivalents as defined above.

(j) Trade, other and loan receivables

(i) Trade and other receivables
Trade receivables, which are generally on 30 days terms, 
are  recognised  at  fair  value  and  subsequently  valued  at 
amortised  cost  using  the  effective  interest  method,  less 
any  allowance  for  uncollectible  amounts.  Cash  flows 
relating  to  short  term  receivables  are  not  discounted  as 
any discount would be immaterial.

Collectability of trade receivables is reviewed on an ongoing 
basis. Debts that are known to be uncollectible are written 
off  when  identified.  An  allowance  for  doubtful  debts  is 
raised  when  there  is  objective  evidence  that  the  Group 
will not be able to collect the debt. Financial difficulties of 
the debtor or default payments are considered objective 
evidence  of  impairment.  The  amount  of  the  impairment 
loss  is  the  receivable  carrying  amount  compared  to  the 
present value of estimated future cash flows, discounted 
at  the  original  effective  interest  rate.  The  Group  did  not 
have any impaired trade receivables (2016: Nil).

(ii) Loans and other receivables
Loans and other receivables that have fixed or determinable 
payments  that  are  not  quoted  in  an  active  market  are 
classified as ‘loans and other receivables’. Loans and other 
receivables  are  measured  at  amortised  cost  using  the 
effective  interest  method,  less  any  impairment.  Interest 
income  is  recognised  by  applying  the  effective  interest 
rate, except for short term receivables when the effect of 
discounting is immaterial.

Annual Report 2017NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 30 June 2017

3. Accounting Policies (continued)

(k) Financial instruments
Financial  assets  and  financial  liabilities  are  recognised 
when  the  Group  becomes  a  party  to  the  contractual 
provisions of the instrument.

Financial assets and financial liabilities are initially measured 
at fair value. Transaction costs that are directly attributable 
to the acquisition or issue of financial assets and financial 
liabilities [other than financial assets and financial liabilities 
at fair value through profit or loss (FTVPL)] are added to 
or deducted from the fair value of the financial assets or 
financial  liabilities,  as  appropriate,  on  initial  recognition. 
Transaction costs directly attributable to the acquisition of 
financial assets or financial liabilities at fair value through 
profit or loss are recognised immediately in profit or loss.

Other Financial assets
Financial assets are classified into the following specified 
categories:  ‘loans  and  receivables’,  financial  assets  ‘at 
FVTPL,  ‘held-to-maturity’  investments,  and  available-
for sale (AFS) financial assets. The classification depends 
on  the  nature  and  purpose  of  the  financial  assets  and  is 
determined  at  the  time  of  initial  recognition.  All  regular 
way purchases or sales of financial assets are recognised 
and  derecognised  on  a  trade  date  basis.  Regular  way 
purchases  or  sales  are  purchases  or  sales  of  financial 
assets  that  require  delivery  of  assets  within  the  time 
frame  established  by  regulation  or  convention  in  the 
marketplace.

(i) Financial assets at FVTPL
A financial asset other than a financial asset held for trading 
may be designated as an FVTPL upon initial recognition if:
 – such designation eliminates or significantly reduces a 
measurement or recognition inconsistency that would 
otherwise arise; or

 – the financial asset forms part of a group of financial 

assets or financial liabilities or both, which is managed 
and its performance is evaluated on a fair value 
basis, in accordance with the Trust’s documented risk 
management or investment strategy, and information 
about the grouping is provided internally on that basis; 
or 

 – it forms part of a contract containing one or more 
embedded derivatives, and AASB 139 permits the 
entire combined contract to be designated as at 
FVTPL.

Financial  assets  at  FVTPL  are  stated  at  fair  value,  with 
any gains or losses arising on remeasurement recognised 
in  profit  or  loss.  Dividends  on  FVTPL  investments  are 
recognised  in  profit  or  loss  when  the  Group’s  right  to 
receive the dividends is established.

(ii) AFS financial assets
AFS  financial  assets  are  non-derivatives  that  are  either 
designated as available-for-sale or are not classified as (a) 
loans and receivables, (b) held-to-maturity investments or 
(c) financial assets at fair value through profit or loss.

The  Group  has  investments  in  unlisted  shares  that  are 
not  traded  in  an  active  market  but  are  classified  as  AFS 
financial assets and stated at fair value at the end of each 
reporting period (because the directors consider that fair 
value can be reliably measured). Fair value is determined 
in  the  manner  described  in  Note  3(a).  Gains  and  losses 
arising  from  changes  in  fair  value  are  recognised  in 
other  comprehensive  income  and  accumulated  in  the 
investments  revaluation  reserve,  with  the  exception  of 
impairment losses, interest calculated using the effective 
interest  method,  and  foreign  exchange  gains  and  losses 
on monetary assets, which are recognised in profit or loss. 
Where  the  investment  is  disposed  of  or  is  determined 
to  be  impaired,  the  cumulative  gain  or  loss  previously 
accumulated  in  the  investments  revaluation  reserve  is 
reclassified to profit or loss.

The  fair  value  of  investments  that  are  actively  traded  in 
organised financial markets is determined by reference to 
quoted market bid prices at the close of business on that 
balance date. 

Dividends on AFS financial assets are recognised in profit 
or loss when the Group’s right to receive the dividends is 
established.

The  fair  value  of  AFS  financial  assets  denominated  in  a 
foreign  currency  is  determined  in  that  foreign  currency 
and translated at the spot rate at the end of each of the 
reporting  period.  The  foreign  exchange  gains  and  losses 
that  are  recognised  in  profit  or  loss  are  determined 
based on the amortised cost of the financial asset. Other 
foreign exchange gains and losses are recognised in other 
comprehensive income.

(iii) Impairment of financial assets
Financial  assets,  other  than  those  at  fair  value  through 
profit  or  loss,  are  assessed  for  indicators  of  impairment 
at  the  end  of  each  reporting  period.  Financial  assets 
are  considered  to  be  impaired  when  there  is  objective 
evidence  that,  as  a  result  of  one  or  more  events  that 
occurred after the initial recognition of the financial asset, 
the  estimated  future  cash  flows  of  the  investment  have 
been affected.

For AFS financial assets, including listed or unlisted shares, 
objective  evidence  of  impairment  includes  information 
about significant changes with an adverse effect that have 
taken place in the technological, market, economic or legal 
environment  in  which  the  issuer  operates,  and  indicates 
that the cost of the investment in the equity instrument 
may not be recovered. A significant or prolonged decline 
in the fair value of the security below its cost is considered 
to  be  an  objective  evidence  of  impairment  for  unlisted 
shares classified as available-for-sale.

LIMITED44

45

increase 

loss.  Any 

In  respect  of  AFS  financial  assets,  impairment  losses 
previously  recognised  in  profit  or  loss  are  not  reversed 
in  fair  value 
through  profit  or 
subsequent  to  an  impairment  loss  is  recognised  in  other 
comprehensive 
income  and  accumulated  under  the 
heading of investments revaluation reserve. In respect of 
AFS  debt  securities,  impairment  losses  are  subsequently 
reversed  through  profit  or  loss  if  an  increase  in  the  fair 
value of the investment can be objectively  related to an 
event  occurring  after  the  recognition  of  the  impairment 
loss.

(iv) Derecognition of financial assets 
The  Group  derecognises  a  financial  asset  when  the 
contractual rights to the cash flows from the asset expire, 
or  when  it  transfers  the  financial  asset  and  substantially 
all  the  risks  and  rewards  of  ownership  of  the  asset  to 
another  party.  If  the  Group  neither  transfers  nor  retains 
substantially  all  the  risks  and  rewards  of  ownership  and 
continues  to  control  the  transferred  asset,  the  Group 
recognises  its  retained  interest  in  the  asset  and  an 
associated  liability  for  amounts  it  may  have  to  pay.  If 
the  Group  retains  substantially  all  the  risks  and  rewards 
of  ownership  of  a  transferred  financial  asset,  the  Group 
continues  to  recognise  the  financial  asset  and  also 
recognises  a  collateralised  borrowing  for  the  proceeds 
received.

On  derecognition  of  a  financial  asset  in  its  entirety,  the 
difference  between  the  asset’s  carrying  amount  and  the 
sum  of  the  consideration  received  and  receivable  and 
the  cumulative  gain  or  loss  that  had  been  recognised  in 
other comprehensive income and accumulated in equity is 
recognised in profit or loss.

it  no 

involvement,  and  the  part 

On  derecognition  of  a  financial  asset  other  than  in 
its  entirety  (e.g.  when  the  Group  retains  an  option 
to  repurchase  part  of  a  transferred  asset),  the  Group 
allocates  the  previous  carrying  amount  of  the  financial 
asset  between  the  part  it  continues  to  recognise  under 
continuing 
longer 
recognises on the basis of the relative fair values of those 
parts on the date of the transfer. The difference between 
the carrying amount allocated to the part that is no longer 
recognised and the sum of the consideration received for 
the  part  no  longer  recognised  and  any  cumulative  gain 
or  loss  allocated  to  it  that  had  been  recognised  in  other 
comprehensive  income  is  recognised  in  profit  or  loss.  A 
cumulative gain or loss that had been recognised in other 
comprehensive income is allocated between the part that 
continues to be recognised and the part that is no longer 
recognised on the basis of the relative fair values of those 
parts.

For  all  other  financial  assets,  objective  evidence  of 
impairment could include:
 – significant financial difficulty of the issuer or 

counterparty;

 – breach of contract, such as a default or delinquency in 

interest or principal repayments; 

 – it becoming probable that the borrower will enter 

bankruptcy or financial re-organisation; or

 – the disappearance of an active market for that financial 

asset because of financial difficulties.

For  certain  categories  of  financial  assets,  such  as  trade 
receivables,  assets  are  assessed  for  impairment  on 
a  collective  basis  even  if  they  were  assessed  not  to  be 
impaired  individually.  Objective  evidence  of  impairment 
for  a  portfolio  of  receivables  could  include  the  Group’s 
past  experience  of  collecting  payments,  an  increase  in 
the number of delayed payments in the portfolio past the 
average  credit  period  of  60  days,  as  well  as  observable 
changes  in  national  or  local  economic  conditions  that 
correlate with default on receivables.

For financial assets carried at amortised cost, the amount 
of  the  impairment  loss  recognised  is  the  difference 
between  the  asset’s  carrying  amount  and  the  present 
value  of  estimated  future  cash  flows,  discounted  at  the 
financial asset’s original effective interest rate.

For  financial  assets  that  are  carried  at  cost,  the  amount 
of  the  impairment  loss  is  measured  as  the  difference 
between  the  asset’s  carrying  amount  and  the  present 
value of the estimated future cash flows discounted at the 
current market rate of return for a similar financial asset. 
Such impairment loss will not be reversed in subsequent 
periods.

The carrying amount of the financial asset is reduced by 
the impairment loss directly for all financial assets with the 
exception of trade receivables, where the carrying amount 
is reduced through the use of an allowance account. When 
a trade receivable is considered uncollectible, it is written 
off against the allowance account. Subsequent recoveries 
of amounts previously written off are credited against the 
allowance account. Changes in the carrying amount of the 
allowance account are recognised in profit or loss.

When an AFS financial asset is considered to be impaired, 
cumulative gains or losses previously recognised in other 
comprehensive income are reclassified to profit or loss in 
the period.

For  financial  assets  measured  at  amortised  cost,  if,  in  a 
subsequent  period,  the  amount  of  the  impairment  loss 
decreases and the decrease can be related objectively to 
an event occurring after the impairment was recognised, 
the  previously  recognised  impairment  loss  is  reversed 
through  profit  or  loss  to  the  extent  that  the  carrying 
amount  of  the  investment  at  the  date  the  impairment  is 
reversed does not exceed what the amortised cost would 
have been had the impairment not been recognised.

Annual Report 2017NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 30 June 2017

3. Accounting Policies (continued)
Financial liabilities and equity instruments
Debt  and  equity  instruments  are  classified  as  either 
financial  liabilities  or  as  equity  in  accordance  with  the 
substance of the contractual arrangement.

(i) Other financial liabilities
Other  financial  liabilities,  including  borrowings  and  trade 
and other payables, are initially measured at fair value, net 
of transaction costs.

The effective interest method is a method of calculating 
the amortised cost of a financial liability and of allocating 
interest  expense  over  the  relevant  period.  The  effective 
interest  rate  is  the  rate  that  exactly  discounts  estimated 
future  cash  payments  through  the  expected  life  of  the 
financial liability, or (where appropriate) a shorter period, 
to the net carrying amount on initial recognition.

(ii) Equity instruments
An  equity  instrument  is  any  contract  that  evidences  a 
residual interest in the assets of an entity after deducting 
all of its liabilities. Equity instruments issued by a Group 
entity  are  recognised  at  the  proceeds  received,  net  of 
direct issue costs.

Repurchase of the Company’s own equity instruments is 
recognised and deducted directly in equity. No gain or loss 
is recognised in profit or loss on the purchase, sale, issue 
or cancellation of the Company’s own equity instruments.

(iii) Derecognition of financial liabilities
The Group derecognises financial liabilities when, and only 
when, the Group’s obligations are discharged, cancelled or 
have expired. The difference between the carrying amount 
of the financial liability derecognised and the consideration 
paid and payable is recognised in profit or loss.

Hedges of net investments in foreign operations
Debt  instruments  such  as  X-RPUs  and  Notes  payable  - 
Seizert  are  designated  as  hedged  instruments  in  respect 
of  foreign  currency  risk  as  hedge  of  net  investments  in 
foreign operation. 

At the inception of the hedge relationship, the relationship 
between the hedged instruments (Notes payable- Seizert 
and  X  RPUs)  and  the  hedged  item  (net  investment 
in  Northern  Lights  MidCo,  LLC  (Midco)),  a  US-based 
subsidiary with a reporting currency all of which are based 
in US dollar, along with its risk management objectives and 
the  strategy  for  undertaking  various  hedge  transactions 
are  documented.  Furthermore,  at  the  inception  of  the 
hedge and on an ongoing basis, the documentation shows 
whether  the  hedged  instruments  are  highly  effective  in 
offsetting the changes in fair values or cash flows of the 
hedged item attributable to the hedged risk.

Any  gain  or  loss  on  the  hedging  instrument  relating  to 
the effective portion of the hedge is recognised in other 
comprehensive 
income  and  accumulated  under  the 
heading of foreign currency translation reserve. The gain 
or  loss  relating  to  the  ineffective  portion  is  recognised 
immediately in profit or loss, and is included in the ’other 
gains and losses’ line item.

Gains and losses on the hedging instrument relating to the 
effective portion of the hedge accumulated in the foreign 
currency  translation  reserve  are  reclassified  to  profit  or 
loss  on  the  disposal  of  the  foreign  operation.  Refer  to 
Note 4 (d) for the hedge effectiveness of the Group.

(l) Investments in associates and joint venture
An  associate  is  an  entity  over  which  the  Group  has 
significant influence. Significant influence is the power to 
participate in the financial and operating policy decisions 
of  the  investee  but  is  not  control  or  joint  control  over 
those policies.

A joint venture is a joint arrangement whereby the parties 
that have joint control of the arrangement have rights to 
the net assets of the joint arrangement. Joint control is the 
contractually agreed sharing of control of an arrangement, 
which  exists  only  when  decisions  about  the  relevant 
activities require unanimous consent of the parties sharing 
control.

As at 30 June 2016 and up to 12 April 2017, the Company 
owned  65.15%  of  the  Trust.  Whilst  the  ownership 
exceeded 50% and resulted in a presumption of control, 
the  Trust  was  considered  a  joint  venture  arrangement 
among  the  Company,  Northern  Lights  and  BNP  Paribas 
and accounted for using the equity method. The Company 
and  Northern  Lights  contributed  their  businesses  to  the 
Trust  to  conduct  investment  activities,  and  BNP  Paribas 
was  an  investor  in  Northern  Lights  prior  to  the  merger 
between  the  Company  and  Northern  Lights.  The  key 
function of the Trust and the overall business is investment 
in  asset  managers.  The  Board  of  the  Trustee  of  Aurora 
has  been  of  the  opinion  that  the  investment  decision 
making  process  is  the  key  function  in  creating  value  for 
shareholders.  Former  Northern  Lights  executives,  led 
by  the  Executive  Director  and  CIO,  were  principally 
responsible  for  investment  analysis,  due  diligence  and 
investment recommendations to the Board of the Trustee 
and  filled  the  role  of  an  investment  committee.  These 
executives were B class unitholders or holders of interests 
related  to  the  B  class  units.  Investment  decisions  were 
then  approved  by  majority  vote  of  the  Trustee  board. 
It was therefore appropriate that the Trust was reflected 
as a joint controlled vehicle. 

The  Company  acquired  the  remaining  34.85%  of  the 
Trust by virtue of Simplification the Group had completed 
on  13  April  2017.  The  Trust  became  a  wholly  owned 
subsidiary  of  the  Company.  Accordingly,  the  Company 
discontinued the use of equity method of accounting and 
the 65.15% in the Trust was treated as if it was disposed of. 
All amounts previously recognised in other comprehensive 
income  in relation to the  Company’s share  in the  Trust’s 
foreign currency and investment revaluation reserve was 
reclassified to profit or loss. Subsequently, the acquisition 
of 100% in the Trust qualified as a business combination 
achieved  in  stages  and  the  principles  of  purchase  price 
accounting  in  accordance  with  the  AASB  3  ‘Business 
Combinations’ were applied as per Note 3(c) and Note 11.

LIMITED46

47

The  financial  statements  of  the  equity  accounted 
investments  that  are  domiciled  in  Australia  are  prepared 
for in the same reporting period as the Group (30 June). 
For  the  US  domiciled  equity  accounted  investments, 
their  reporting  period  vary  between  31  December  and 
31  March.  For  equity  accounting  purposes,  the  Group 
takes up the proportionate share of the net profits/losses 
of these US domiciled investments based on their pro-rata 
financial  statements  to  align  the  period  covered  of  the 
proportionate  share  of  their  net  profits/losses  to  be  the 
same as the Group.

The results of associates or joint venture are incorporated 
in the consolidated financial statements using the equity 
method of accounting, except when the investment, or a 
portion thereof, is classified as held for sale, in which case it 
is accounted for in accordance with AASB 5 ‘Non-current 
Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations’. Under 
the equity method, an investment in an associate is initially 
recognised  in  the  statement  of  financial  position  at  cost 
and adjusted thereafter to recognise the Group’s share of 
the profit or loss and other comprehensive income or loss 
of the associate. When the Group’s share of losses of an 
associate  exceeds  the  Group’s  interest  in  that  associate 
(which includes any long-term interests that, in substance, 
form part of the Group’s net investment in the associate), 
the  Group  discontinues  recognising  its  share  of  further 
losses.  Additional  losses  are  recognised  only  to  the 
extent that the Group has incurred legal or constructive 
obligations or made payments on behalf of the associate 
or joint venture.

An  investment  in  an  associate  or  a  joint  venture  is 
accounted for using the equity method from the date on 
which the investee becomes an associate or a joint venture. 
On acquisition of the investment in an associate or a joint 
venture,  any  excess  of  the  cost  of  the  investment  over 
the Group’s share of the net fair value of the identifiable 
assets  and  liabilities  of  the  investee  is  recognised  as 
goodwill, which is included within the carrying amount of 
the investment.

Distributions  or  dividends  received  from  the  equity 
accounted investments in joint ventures and associates are 
reduced from the investments’ carrying value. Any excess 
of the Group’s share of the net fair value of the identifiable 
assets and liabilities over the cost of the investment, after 
reassessment, is recognised immediately in profit or loss in 
the period in which the investment is acquired.

The  requirements  of  AASB  139  ‘Financial  Instruments: 
Recognition  and  Measurement’  are  applied  to  determine 
whether it is necessary to recognise any impairment loss 
with  respect  to  the  Group’s  investment  in  an  associate 
or  a  joint  venture.  When  necessary,  the  entire  carrying 
amount  of  the  investment  (including  goodwill)  is  tested 
for impairment in accordance with AASB 136 ‘Impairment 
of Assets’ as a single asset by comparing its recoverable 
amount  (higher  of  value  in  use  and  fair  value  less  costs 
to  sell)  with  its  carrying  amount.  Any  impairment  loss 
recognised  forms  part  of  the  carrying  amount  of  the 
investment. 

Any  reversal  of  that  impairment  loss  is  recognised 
in  accordance  with  AASB  136  to  the  extent  that  the 
recoverable  amount  of  the  investment  subsequently 
increases.

The Group discontinues the use of the equity method from 
the date when the investment ceases to be an associate or 
a joint venture, or when the investment is classified as held 
for sale. When the Group retains an interest in the former 
associate  or  joint  venture  and  the  retained  interest  is  a 
financial asset, the Group measures the retained interest 
at fair value at that date and the fair value is regarded as its 
fair value on initial recognition in accordance with AASB 
139. The difference between the carrying amount of the 
associate or joint venture at the date the equity method 
was discontinued, and the fair value of any retained interest 
and any proceeds from disposing of a part interest in the 
associate or joint venture is included in the determination 
of  the  gain  or  loss  on  disposal  of  the  associate  or  joint 
venture. In addition, the Group accounts for all amounts 
previously  recognised  in  other  comprehensive  income  in 
relation  to  that  associate  or  joint  venture  on  the  same 
basis as would be required if that associate or joint venture 
had  directly  disposed  of  the  related  assets  or  liabilities. 
Therefore, if a gain or loss previously recognised in other 
comprehensive income by that associate or joint venture 
would be reclassified to profit or loss on the disposal of the 
related assets or liabilities, the Group reclassifies the gain 
or  loss  from  equity  to  profit  or  loss  (as  a  reclassification 
adjustment) when the equity method is discontinued.

When  the  Group  reduces  its  ownership  interest  in  an 
associate  or  a  joint  venture  but  the  Group  continues  to 
use the equity method, the Group reclassifies to profit or 
loss the proportion of the gain or loss that had previously 
been recognised in other comprehensive income relating 
to that reduction in ownership interest if that gain or loss 
would  be  reclassified  to  profit  or  loss  on  the  disposal  of 
the related assets or liabilities.

When  a  group  entity  transacts  with  an  associate  or  a 
joint  venture  of  the  Group,  profits  and  losses  resulting 
from the transactions with the associate or joint venture 
are  recognised  in  the  Group’s  consolidated  financial 
statements only to the extent of interests in the associate 
or joint venture that are not related to the Group.

(m) Plant and equipment
Plant  and  equipment  are  stated  at  historical  cost 
less  accumulated  depreciation  and  any  accumulated 
impairment losses.

Major depreciation methods and periods are:

Class of plant and 
equipment 

Furniture and 
fittings 

 Period 

 Depreciation basis 

5 – 10 years

Straight line

Office equipment 

3 – 5 years

Straight line

Leasehold 
improvements 

1 – 5 years

Straight line

Annual Report 2017NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 30 June 2017

3. Accounting Policies (continued)
Plant and equipment are depreciated based on the cost of 
the assets over their useful lives, which range from three to 
ten years, with the exception of leasehold improvements 
that are depreciated using straight-line methods over the 
shorter of their useful lives or the lease term.

The  assets’  residual  values,  useful  lives  and  depreciation 
methods  are  reviewed,  and  adjusted  if  appropriate,  at 
each financial year end.

Disposal
An item of property and equipment is derecognised upon 
disposal or when no further future economic benefits are 
expected  to  arise  from  the  continued  use  of  the  asset. 
Any  gain  or  loss  arising  on  the  disposal  or  retirement  of 
an item of property and equipment is determined as the 
difference  between  the  sales  proceeds  and  the  carrying 
amount of the asset and is recognised in profit or loss in 
the year the asset is derecognised.

(n) Impairment

Impairment of tangible and intangible assets other than 
goodwill
At  the  end  of  each  reporting  period,  the  Group  reviews 
the carrying amounts of its tangible and intangible assets 
to  determine  whether  there  is  any  indication  that  those 
assets  have  suffered  an  impairment  loss.  If  any  such 
indication  exists,  the  recoverable  amount  of  the  asset 
is  estimated  in  order  to  determine  the  extent  of  the 
impairment loss (if any). When it is not possible to estimate 
the recoverable amount of an individual asset, the Group 
estimates the recoverable amount of the cash-generating 
unit to which the asset belongs. When a reasonable and 
consistent basis of allocation can be identified, corporate 
assets  are  also  allocated  to  individual  cash-generating 
units,  or  otherwise  they  are  allocated  to  the  smallest 
group of cash-generating units for which a reasonable and 
consistent allocation basis can be identified.

Intangible assets with indefinite useful lives and intangible 
assets not yet available for use are tested for impairment 
at least annually and whenever there is an indication that 
the asset may be impaired.

The recoverable amount is equal to the higher of fair value 
less costs to sell and value in use. In assessing value in use, 
the  estimated  future  cash  flows  are  discounted  to  their 
present  value  using  a  pre-tax  discount  rate  that  reflects 
current  market  assessments  of  the  time  value  of  money 
and the risks specific to the asset for which the estimates 
of future cash flows have not been adjusted.

If the recoverable amount of an asset (or cash-generating 
unit) is estimated to be less than its carrying amount, the 
carrying  amount  of  the asset (or cash-generating  unit) is 
reduced to its recoverable amount. An impairment loss is 
recognised immediately in profit or loss, unless the relevant 
asset  is  carried  at  a  revalued  amount,  in  which  case  the 
impairment loss is treated as a revaluation decrease. 

When  an  impairment  loss  subsequently  reverses,  the 
carrying  amount  of  the  asset  (or  cash  generating  unit) 
is  increased  to  the  revised  estimate  of  its  recoverable 
amount, but so that the increased carrying amount does 
not  exceed  the  carrying  amount  that  would  have  been 
determined  had  no  impairment  loss  been  recognised  for 
the asset (or cash-generating unit) in prior years. A reversal 
of an impairment loss is recognised immediately in profit 
or loss, unless the relevant asset is carried at a revalued 
amount, in which case the reversal of the impairment loss 
is treated as a revaluation increase. 

Derecognition of intangible assets
An intangible asset is derecognised on disposal, or when 
no  future  economic  benefits  are  expected  from  use  or 
disposal.  Gains  or  losses  arising  from  derecognition  of 
an intangible asset, measured as the difference between 
the net disposal proceeds and the carrying amount of the 
asset  are  recognised  in  profit  or  loss  when  the  asset  is 
derecognised.

(o) Trade and other payables
Trade payables and other payables are carried at amortised 
cost  and  due  to  their  short  term  nature  they  are  not 
discounted. They represent liabilities for goods and services 
provided to the Group prior to the end of the financial year 
that are unpaid and arise when the Group becomes obliged 
to make future payments in respect of the purchase of the 
goods  and  services.  The  amounts  are  unsecured  and  are 
usually paid within 30 days of recognition.

(p) Goods and services tax
Revenues, expenses and assets are recognised net of the 
amount of Goods and Services Tax (GST), except:
 – where the amount of GST incurred is not recoverable 
from the taxation authority, it is recognised as part of 
the cost of acquisition of an asset or as part of an item 
of expense; or

 – for receivables and payables which are recognised 

inclusive of GST.

The net amount of GST recoverable from, or payable to, 
the  taxation  authority  is  included  as  part  of  receivables 
or  payables  in  the  consolidated  statement  of  financial 
position.

Cash flows are included in the consolidated statement of 
cash flows on a gross basis. The GST component of cash 
flows arising from investing and financing activities which 
is recoverable from, or payable to, the taxation authority 
is classified within operating cash flows.

Commitments  and  contingencies  are  disclosed  net  of 
the  amount  of  GST  recoverable  from,  or  payable  to,  the 
taxation authority.

(q) Provisions
Provisions are recognised when the Group has a present 
obligation (contractual, legal or constructive) as a result of 
a past event, it is probable that the Group will be required 
to  settle  the  obligation,  and  a  reliable  estimate  can  be 
made of the amount of the obligation.

LIMITED48

49

The amount recognised as a provision is the best estimate of 
the consideration required to settle the present obligation 
at the end of the reporting period, taking into account the 
risks and uncertainties surrounding the obligation. Where 
a provision is measured using the cash flows estimated to 
settle  the  present  obligation,  its  carrying  amount  is  the 
present value of those cash flows.

When  some  or  all  of  the  economic  benefits  required  to 
settle  a  provision  are  expected  to  be  recovered  from  a 
third  party,  a  receivable  is  recognised  as  an  asset  if  it  is 
virtually certain that reimbursement will be received and 
the amount of the receivable can be measured reliably.

(r) Employee benefits

Short term and long term employee benefits
A liability is recognised for benefits accruing to employees 
in respect of wages and salaries, annual leave, long service 
leave  and  sick  leave  in  the  period  the  related  service  is 
rendered  when  it  is  probable  that  settlement  will  be 
required and they are capable of being measured reliably.

Liabilities  recognised  in  respect  of  short  term  employee 
benefits,  are  measured  at  their  nominal  values  using 
the  remuneration  rate  expected  to  apply  at  the  time  of 
settlement.

Liabilities  recognised  in  respect  of  long  term  employee 
benefits are measured as the present value of the estimated 
future cash outflows to be made by the Group in respect 
of services provided by employees up to reporting date.

(s) Share-based payments

Equity-settled transactions
The  Company  provides  benefits  to  employees  (including 
senior  executives  and  directors)  of  the  Company  in  the 
form  of  share-based  payment  transactions,  whereby 
employees render services in exchange for shares or rights 
over shares (equity-settled transactions).

The  Company’s  Long  Term  Incentive  plan  is  in  place 
whereby  the  Company,  at  the  discretion  of  the  Board 
of  Directors,  awards  performance  rights  to  directors, 
executives and certain members of staff of the Company. 
Each  performance  right  at  the  time  of  grant  represents 
one company share upon vesting.

The  cost  of  equity-settled  transactions  is  recognised, 
together with a corresponding increase in equity, over the 
vesting  period  based  on  the  Group’s  estimate  of  equity 
instruments that will eventually vest.

The  cumulative  expense  recognised  for  equity-based 
transactions  at  each  reporting  date  until  vesting  date 
reflects  (i)  the  extent  to  which  the  vesting  period  has 
expired  and  (ii)  the  Company’s  best  estimate  of  the 
number  of  equity  instruments  that  will  ultimately  vest. 
No  adjustment  is  made  for  the  likelihood  of  market 
performance conditions being met as the effect of these 
conditions is included in the determination of fair value at 
grant date. 

The  consolidated  statement  of  profit  or  loss  charge  or 
credit for a period represents the movement in cumulative 
expense  recognised  as  at  the  beginning  and  end  of  that 
period.

No cumulative expense is recognised for awards that do 
not  ultimately  vest  due  to  the  non-fulfilment  of  a  non-
market condition.

If  the  terms  of  an  equity-settled  award  are  modified,  as 
a minimum, an expense is recognised as if the terms had 
not been modified. In addition, an expense is recognised 
for any modification that increases the total fair value of 
the  share-based  payment  arrangement,  or  is  otherwise 
beneficial  to  the  employee,  as  measured  at  the  date  of 
modification.

If an equity-settled award is cancelled, it is treated as if it 
has vested on the date of cancellation, and any expense 
not yet recognised for the award is recognised immediately. 
However, if a new award is substituted for the cancelled 
award,  and  designated  as  a  replacement  award  on  the 
date  that  it  is granted, the  cancelled and new  award are 
treated as if they were a modification of the original award 
as described in the previous paragraph.

In  the  opinion  of  the  management  performance  rights 
do  not  have  a  dilutive  effect  on  the  earnings  per  share 
calculation as any securities to be allocated on vesting of 
the performance rights will be purchased on market.

(t) X-redeemable Preference Units (X-RPUs)
A liability is initially measured at fair value. The effective 
interest method is a method of calculating the amortised 
cost  of  a  financial  liability  and  of  allocating  interest 
expense  over  the  relevant  period.  The  effective  interest 
rate  is  the  rate  that  exactly  discounts  estimated  future 
cash payments through the expected life of the financial 
liability, or (where appropriate) a shorter period, to the net 
carrying amount on initial recognition.

(u) Interest bearing liabilities
All loans and borrowings are initially recognised at fair value 
of  the  consideration  received  less  directly  attributable 
transaction costs. After initial recognition, interest bearing 
loans are subsequently measured at amortised cost using 
the effective interest rate method.

(v) Issued capital
Ordinary shares are classified as equity. Incremental costs 
directly attributable to the issue of new shares or options 
are shown in equity as a deduction, net of tax, from the 
proceeds.

(w) Earnings/(loss) per share
Basic  earnings/(loss)  per  share  is  calculated  as  net  profit 
attributable  to  members  of  the  Company,  adjusted  to 
exclude  costs  of  servicing  equity  (other  than  dividends), 
divided  by  the  weighted  average  number  of  ordinary 
shares, adjusted for any bonus element. 

Annual Report 2017NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 30 June 2017

For the purpose of presenting these consolidated financial 
statements,  the  assets  and  liabilities  of  the  Group’s 
foreign  operations  are  translated  into  Australian  dollar 
using exchange rates prevailing at the end of the reporting 
period.  Income  and  expense  items  are  translated  at  the 
average  exchange  rates  for  the  period,  unless  exchange 
rates fluctuated significantly during that period, in which 
case the exchange rates at the dates of the transactions are 
used. Exchange differences arising, if any, are recognised 
in other comprehensive income and accumulated in equity 
(and attributed to non-controlling interests as appropriate).

On the disposal of a foreign operation (i.e. a disposal of the 
Group’s entire interest in a foreign operation, or a disposal 
involving loss of control over a subsidiary that includes a 
foreign operation, or a partial disposal of an interest in a 
joint arrangement or an associate that includes a foreign 
operation  of  which  the  retained  interest  becomes  a 
financial asset), all of the exchange differences accumulated 
in equity in respect of that operation attributable to the 
owners of the Company are reclassified to profit or loss.

For partial disposals (i.e. partial disposals of associates or 
joint arrangements that do not result in the Group losing 
significant  influence  or  joint  control),  the  proportionate 
share  of  the  accumulated  exchange  differences 
is 
reclassified to profit or loss.

Goodwill and fair value adjustments to identifiable assets 
acquired  and  liabilities  assumed  through  acquisition  of 
a  foreign  operation  are  treated  as  assets  and  liabilities 
of  the  foreign  operation  and  translated  at  the  rate  of 
exchange prevailing at the end of each reporting period. 
Exchange  differences  arising  are  recognised  in  other 
comprehensive income.

(y) Comparatives
Where  necessary,  comparative  information  has  been 
reclassified and repositioned for consistency with current 
year disclosures.

(z) Rounding of amounts to nearest dollar
In  accordance  with  ASIC  Corporations  (Rounding  of 
Financial/Directors’  Reports)  Instrument  2016/191,  the 
amount in the Directors’ Report and in the financial report 
have been rounded to the nearest dollar.

3. Accounting Policies (continued)
Diluted  earnings  per  share  is  calculated  as  net  profit  or 
loss  attributable  to  members  of  the  parent,  adjusted  for 
costs of servicing equity (other than dividends), if any:
 – the after-tax effect of dividends and interest 

associated with dilutive potential ordinary shares that 
have been recognised as expenses;

 – other non-discretionary changes in revenues or 

expenses during the period that would result from the 
dilution of potential ordinary shares; and

 – divided by the weighted average number of ordinary 
shares and dilutive potential ordinary shares, adjusted 
for any bonus if any.

(x) Foreign currency translations and balances

(i) functional and presentation currency
The  individual  financial  statements  of  each  Group  entity 
are  presented  in  the  currency  of  the  primary  economic 
environment  in  which  the  entity  operates  (its  functional 
currency).  For  the  purpose  of  the  consolidated  financial 
statements, the results and financial position of the Group 
are expressed in Australian dollars, which is the functional 
currency of the Company and the presentation currency 
for the consolidated financial statements.

In  preparing  the  consolidated  financial  statements, 
transactions in currencies other than the entity’s functional 
currency  (foreign  currencies)  are  recognised  at  the  rates 
of  exchange  prevailing  at  the  dates  of  the  transactions. 
At  the  end  of  each  reporting  period,  monetary  items 
denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the 
rates prevailing at that date. Non-monetary items carried 
at fair value that are denominated in foreign currencies are 
retranslated at the rates prevailing at the date when the 
fair value was determined.

Exchange differences on monetary items are recognised in 
profit or loss in the period in which they arise except for:
 – exchange differences on foreign currency borrowings 
relating to assets under construction for future 
productive use, which are included in the cost of those 
assets when they are regarded as an adjustment to 
interest costs on those foreign currency borrowings;
 – exchange differences on transactions entered into in 
order to hedge certain foreign currency risks; and
 – exchange differences on monetary items receivable 
from or payable to a foreign operation for which 
settlement is neither planned nor likely to occur 
(therefore forming part of the net investment in the 
foreign operation), which are recognised initially 
in other comprehensive income and reclassified 
from equity to profit or loss on repayment of the 
monetary items.

LIMITED50

51

4. Financial Risk Management
The Group is exposed to a variety of financial risks comprising:

Interest rate risk

a. 
b.  Credit risk
c.  Liquidity risk
d.  Foreign currency risk
e.  Price risk

The Board of Directors have overall responsibility for identifying and managing operational and financial risks.

Details of significant accounting policies and methods adopted, including the criteria for recognition, the basis of measurement 
and the basis on which income and expenses are recognised, in respect of each class of financial asset, financial liability and 
equity instrument are disclosed in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements.

The Group holds the following financial instruments:

Financial assets 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Trade and other receivables 

Loans and other receivables – current 

Loans and other receivables – non-current 

Other receivables 

AFS investments 

Investment held at FVTPL 

Financial liabilities 

Trade and other payables 

Financial liabilities – current 

Financial liabilities – non-current 

2017 
$

2016 
$

 40,248,286 

 2,997,744 

 6,846,038 

 11,906,851 

 303,682 

 3,292,247 

 3,917,420 

 30,174,277 

 22,700,000 

–

–

–

–

–

 107,481,950 

 14,904,595 

 4,821,961 

 2,000,884 

 27,981,577 

 28,710,254 

–

–

 61,513,792

 2,000,884 

(a) Interest rate risk
The Group’s direct exposure to market interest rates relates primarily to the Group’s cash and cash equivalents and the 
Notes payable - Seizert. 

At the balance date, the Group had the following financial assets and liabilities exposed to global variable interest rate risk:

Financial instruments

Financial assets 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Financial liabilities 

Notes payable – Seizert 

Interest bearing

2017 
$

2016 
$

 40,248,286 

 2,997,744 

 26,240,639 

–

Annual Report 2017 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 30 June 2017

4. Financial Risk Management (continued)
Sensitivity
The following sensitivity analysis is based on the interest rate risk exposures in existence at the balance date. 

If interest rates had moved during the year as illustrated in the table below (using an average cash balance), with all other 
variables held constant, post tax profit/(loss) would have been affected as follows:

Net impact on profit/(loss) after tax 

+0.75% [2016:0.75%]/(75 basis points), [2016:75 basis points] 

-0.75% [2016:0.75%]/(75 basis points), [2016:75 basis points] 

2017 
$

2016 
$

 17,114 

 11,837 

 (17,114) 

 (11,837) 

The movements in profit/(loss) are due to higher/(lower) interest income from cash and cash equivalents net of interest 
expense in Notes payable - Seizert. 

(b) Credit risk 
Credit risk arises from the financial assets of the Group, which comprise cash and cash equivalents, trade, loans and other 
receivables.  The  Group’s  exposure  to  credit  risk  arises  from  potential  default  of  the  counterparty,  with  the  maximum 
exposure equal to the carrying amount of these instruments. Exposure at balance date is addressed in each applicable note.

The Group does not hold any credit derivatives to offset its credit exposure.

The Group trades only with related parties and recognised, creditworthy third parties, and as such collateral is not requested 
nor is it the Group’s policy to securitise its trade and other receivables.

Receivables balances and loans made to related entities are monitored on an ongoing basis and remain within approved 
levels, with the result that the Group’s exposure to bad debts is not significant.

It is a core part of the Company’s policy to extend loans to new companies in the Group to provide them financing until they 
reach profitability. As with all new start-ups there is a risk that a new venture will fail, in which case the Company would 
have to write the loan off. All loans made to new ventures are monitored on an ongoing basis at Board level to minimise the 
risk of a write off occurring. The maximum exposure to credit risk is the carrying value of loans.

(c) Liquidity risk 
The Group manages liquidity risk by maintaining adequate reserves and banking by continuously monitoring forecast and 
actual cash flows and by matching the maturity profiles of financial assets and liabilities.

The following table details the Group’s expected maturity for its non-derivative financial assets. The table has been drawn 
up based on the undiscounted contractual maturities of the financial assets including interest that will be earned on those 
assets.  The  inclusion  of  information  on  non-derivative  financial  assets  is  necessary  in  order  to  understand  the  Group’s 
liquidity risk management as the liquidity is managed on a net asset and liability basis.

2017

Weighted 
average 
effective 
interest rate

Advances to other related party 

8.00%

Loans receivables due from 
associates 

Other receivables 

8.00%

–

1 to 3 months

3 months to  
1 year

1 to 2 years

2 to 5 years

Total

–

–

–

–

 315,829 

–

–

 315,829 

–

–

 188,824 

 3,496,871 

 3,685,695 

–

 4,559,639 

 4,559,639 

 315,829 

 188,824 

 8,056,510 

 8,561,163 

The following table details the Group’s remaining contractual maturity for its non-derivative financial liabilities with agreed 
repayment periods. The table have been drawn up based on the undiscounted cash flows of financial liabilities based on the 
earliest date on which the Group can be required to pay. The table includes both interest and principal cash flows. To the 
extent that interest flows are floating rate, the undiscounted amount is derived from interest rate curves at the end of the 
reporting period.

LIMITED 
52

53

2017

X-RPUs 

Notes payable - Seizert 

Deferred commitments 

Sublease liability 

Weighted 
average 
effective 
interest rate

1 to 3 months

3 months to
1 year

1 to 2 years

2 to 5 years

Total

–

–  27,460,440 

–

–  27,460,440 

5.56%

 7,867,251 

–  11,000,648 

 10,029,235 

 28,897,134 

–

–

–

 1,500,000 

–

–

–

 2,340,000 

–

 3,840,000 

 208,744 

 755,294 

 964,038 

 9,367,251 

 27,460,440 

 13,549,392 

 10,784,529 

 61,161,612 

(d) Foreign currency risk
During the year, the Group hedged its dollar net assets for its Investment in Midco for foreign exchange exposure arising 
between the A$ and US$. The Group’s designated external borrowings denominated in US$ (X-RPUs and Note payable - 
Seizert held by the Trustee with a total fair value of US$40.1m) as hedging instruments to hedge a designated portion of the 
Trust’s net investment in Midco. For the period of the hedge relationship, foreign exchange movements on the US$ hedging 
instruments  (being  the  US$  external  borrowings)  are  recognised  in  other  comprehensive  income  as  part  of  the  foreign 
currency translation reserve, offsetting the exchange differences, recognised in other comprehensive income arising on the 
translation of the designated dollar net assets of Midco to AU$. The cumulative foreign exchange movement recognised in 
other comprehensive income will only be reclassified to profit or loss upon loss of control over Midco. There was no hedge 
ineffectiveness recognised in profit or loss during the year. 

X-RPUs 

Notes payable - Seizert 

2017 
$

2016 
$

 26,040,479 

 26,240,639 

 52,281,118 

–

–

–

Consolidated statement of financial position
The Group is an international multi boutique business with operations primarily attributable to Australia and the US and 
the impact of foreign currency translations are taken up in the equity reserves of the Group as disclosed in Note 3(x) to the 
consolidated financial statements.

Consolidated statement of profit or loss
Profits and losses are translated at an average exchange rate. A falling A$ relative to the US$ results in a higher net profit in 
the Group. The day to day expenses in Australia and US operations are funded with cash flows from the local operations.

At year end, the carrying amounts of the Group’s foreign currency denominated financial assets and liabilities are as follows:

Financial assets

Cash including restricted cash – USD 

AFS financial assets – USD 

Financial liabilities

X-RPUs - USD 

Notes payable - Seizert - USD 

2017 
$

2016 
$

 33,806,879 

 30,174,277 

 63,981,156 

 26,040,479 

 26,240,639 

 52,281,118 

–

–

–

–

–

–

Sensitivity
As  at  year  end,  the  Group’s  exposure  in  foreign  currency  is  mitigated  by  hedging  its  debt  instruments  against  its  net 
investment in Midco.

Annual Report 2017 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 30 June 2017

4. Financial Risk Management (continued)

(e) Price risk
The Group is exposed to price risk on financial instruments held at fair value.

Some of the Group’s financial assets are measured at fair value at the end of each reporting period. The following table 
gives information about how the fair values of these financial assets of the Group are determined (in particular, the valuation 
techniques and inputs used):

Financial 
assets

2017 
$

 2016 
$ 

 Fair value 
hierarchy

 Valuation techniques 
and key inputs

 Significant 
unobservable inputs

 Relationship of 
unobservable input

Fair values at 

9,200,000

–  Level 3 

–

–  Level 3 

20,974,277

–  Level 3 

22,700,000

–  Level 3 

AFS - 
Investment in 
EAM Global 
Investors, LLC 
(EAM) 

AFS - 
Investment 
in Nereus 
Holdings LP 
(Nereus) 

AFS - 
Investment 
in GQG 
Partners, LLC 
(GQG) 

FVTPL - 
Investment 
in RARE 
Infrastructure 
Ltd (RARE) 

Discounted cash 
flow. Future 
cash flows are 
determined based 
on current and 
projected FUM of 
the business using 
various growth 
rates discounted at 
16.5%.

Discounted cash 
flow. Future cash 
flow are determined 
from expected 
cash available for 
distribution to 
shareholders. Net 
cash flows are 
based on revenues 
and expenses 
generated by the 
two solar projects 
discounted at 
10.5%.

Discounted cash 
flow. Future 
cash flows are 
determined based 
on current and 
projected FUM of 
the business using 
various growth 
rates discounted at 
16.5%. 

Discounted cash 
flow. Future 
cash flows are 
determined based 
on current and 
projected FUM of 
the business using 
various growth 
rates discounted at 
12% to 14%. 

The higher the 
discount rate, 
the lower the fair 
value. The higher 
the growth rate, 
the higher the fair 
value.

The higher the 
discount rate, 
the lower the fair 
value. The higher 
the growth rate, 
the higher the fair 
value.

16.5% discount rate  
Long term revenue 
growth rates, 
taking into account 
management’s 
experience and 
knowledge of 
market conditions 
of the specific 
industries.

10.5% discount rate  
Long term revenue 
growth rates, 
taking into account 
management’s 
experience and 
knowledge of 
market conditions 
of the specific 
industries.

The higher the 
discount rate, 
the lower the fair 
value. The higher 
the growth rate, 
the higher the fair 
value.

The higher the 
discount rate, 
the lower the fair 
value. The higher 
the growth rate, 
the higher the fair 
value.

16.5% discount rate 
Long term revenue 
growth rates, 
taking into account 
management’s 
experience and 
knowledge of 
market conditions 
of the specific 
industries.

12% to 14% 
discount rate Long 
term revenue 
growth rates, 
taking into account 
management’s 
experience and 
knowledge of 
market conditions 
of the specific 
industries.

LIMITED54

55

Conversely,  an  assumed  increase  in  cost  of  capital  of  a 
potential acquirer would reduce the net proceeds of a sale 
of the Nereus projects, and the value to the Company. For 
example, an 11% cost of capital would result in a value in 
Nereus of approximately US$19.6M with the redemption 
of the preferred Class H Shares remaining at $US19.75M 
the  Company  would  have  an  obligation  to  fund  an 
approximate US$150,000 to redeem the Class H Shares.

EAM
In determining the fair value of the investment in EAM, a 
revenue growth derived from FUM growth factors ranging 
from 5% to 175% based on current fund maturity profile 
and  know  fund  raising  activities.  Significant  growth  of 
potentially 175% in FY 2018 was based on the expectation 
of  a  large  mandate  being  awarded  which  had  been 
assigned a 50% probability weighting to. This mandate is 
yet to be awarded. The 5% to 20% growth is assumed to 
normalised in the next four years to FY 2022. In addition, 
5% fee compression has been used and a discount factor 
of  16.5%  has  been  applied.  If  these  revenue  inputs  to 
the valuation model were 10% higher/lower while all the 
other variables were held constant, the carrying amount 
of the equity would increase by $700,930 and decrease 
by $732,099. 

RARE
The  fair  value  of  the  FVTPL  investment  in  RARE  is 
estimated  using  a  discount  cash  flow  model,  which 
includes  some  assumptions  that  are  not  supportable  by 
observable  market  prices  or  rates.  In  determining  the 
fair  value,  a  revenue  growth  derived  from  FUM  growth 
factors  ranging  from  -5%  to  10%  has  been  used  with 
appropriate  probabilities  assigned  to  each.  In  addition, 
5% fee compression has been used and a discount factor 
of  12%  to  14%  has  been  applied.  The  nature  of  the 
instrument entitles the Group to receive a revenue share 
based on a sliding scale proportion of the net revenues of 
RARE that if these revenue inputs to the valuation model 
were 10% higher/lower while all the other variables were 
held  constant,  the  carrying  amount  of  the  equity  would 
increase by $1,300,000 or decrease by $3,000,000. 

The fair values of the financial assets and financial liability 
included in the Level 3 category have been determined in 
accordance with generally accepted pricing models based 
a discounted cash flow analysis, with the most significant 
inputs being the discount rate that reflects the credit risk 
of counterparties.

The  financial  assets  and  financial  liabilities  that  are 
measured  subsequent  to  initial  recognition  at  fair  value, 
grouped into Levels 1 to 3 on the degree to which the fair 
value is observable.

There were no transfers between any levels.

Significant assumptions in determining fair value of 
financial assets
The  fair  values  of  the  AFS  investments  are  estimated 
using a discounted cash flow model, which includes some 
assumptions  that  are  not  supportable  by  observable 
market prices or rates.

GQG
In  determining  the  fair  value  of  the  investment  in  GQG, 
a  revenue  growth  derived  from  FUM  growth  factors 
ranging from 10% to 50% has been used with appropriate 
probabilities assigned to each, applying an average revenue 
rate based on the expected, weighted average fees across 
all funds. In addition, 5% fee compression has been used, 
discount  factor  of  16.5%  and  3%  terminal  growth  have 
been applied. If the terminal growth was 1% lower or 2% 
higher,  while  all  the  other  variables  were  held  constant, 
the  carrying  amount  of  the  equity  would  increase  by 
$2,344,957 and decrease by $911,928. 

Nereus
In determining the fair value of the investment in Nereus, 
revenues were derived from applying terms of long-term 
power  purchase  agreements  to  the  expected  output  of 
the  solar  pv  power  projects  owned  by  Nereus.  Power 
output was determined using PVSyst, the standard in solar 
output forecasting. Expenses are based on executed long-
term operating and maintenance contracts for the service 
of the solar projects. With output/revenues and expenses 
effectively stable, varying the cost of capital demands of 
a potential acquirer is the primary variable for determining 
the value of Nereus. Applying a 10.5% cost of capital to 
the projected earnings of the projects, the total value of 
the  Nereus  is  approximately  US$20M.  After  redemption 
of  the  preferred  Class  H  Shares  (US$19.75M)  the  net 
proceeds available would be approximately US$250,000. 
The  first  US$1.25M  of  any  net  proceeds  are  payable 
to  Nereus  management,  if  net  proceeds  are  less  than 
US$1.25M then Nerues management would receive only 
the  net  proceeds.  Any  net  proceeds  above  $1.25M  will 
then go to the Company. Thus the value of Nereus to the 
Company is nil at 10.5% cost of capital. Applying 9% cost 
of capital would result in value in Nereus of approximately 
US$22M. The proceeds after redemption of the preferred 
Class H Shares (US$19.75M) would be $2.25M. Of these 
proceeds,  Nereus  management  would  receive  the  full 
value of the US$1.25M and the Company would receive 
the remaining US$1M. 

Annual Report 2017NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 30 June 2017

4. Financial Risk Management (continued)
Sensitivity
As at year end, if the key inputs have moved as per the above, post tax profit/(loss) and reserves would have been affected 
as follows:

Investment held at FVTPL

10% increase in variable inputs - impact on profit/(loss) after tax 

10% decrease variable inputs - impact on profit/(loss) after tax 

AFS investments 

Increase in variable inputs - impact on equity after tax

Decrease in variable inputs - impact on equity after tax

Reconciliation of recurring level 3 fair value movements

2017 
 $

2016 
 $

 910,000 

 (2,100,000) 

2,132,122

 (1,150,818) 

–

–

–

–

For  each  asset  and  liability  categorised  as  recurring  level  3  fair  value  measurements,  the  following  table  presents  the 
reconciliation of fair value from opening balances to the closing balances.

AFS investments 

Acquired through business combination 

Contributions

Impairment

Total gains and losses recognised in other comprehensive income 

Closing balance 

Investment held at FVTPL (RARE) 

Acquired through business combination 

Total gains and losses recognised in profit or loss 

Closing balance 

 27,200,000 

 667,651 

 (667,651) 

 2,974,277 

 30,174,277 

 22,700,000 

–

 22,700,000 

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

LIMITED 
56

57

Factors  that  are  considered 
in  assessing  possible 
impairment  in  addition  to  financial  performance  include 
changes  to  key  investment  staff,  significant  investment 
underperformance and litigation. A significant or prolonged 
decline  in  the  fair  value  of  equity  accounted  associate 
below its cost is also an objective evidence of impairment. 
During  the  first  half  year,  the  Trust  impaired  its  AFS 
investment in Nereus, and further goodwill attributable to 
the  Trust’s  subsidiaries.  These  impairment  charges  were 
accounted within Aurora and the Company took its share 
in  these  losses  through  its  share  in  the  profits/losses  of 
Aurora. As at 30 June 2017, the AFS investment in Nereus 
was impaired, refer to Notes 7 (b) and 17.

Impairment of goodwill
At the end of each reporting period, management is required 
to assess the level of goodwill of each of the underlying 
assets of the Group. Should assets underperform or not 
meet expected growth targets from prior expectations, a 
resulting impairment of the goodwill is recognised if that 
deterioration  in  performance  is  deemed  not  be  derived 
from short term factors such as market volatility. Factors 
that  are  considered  in  assessing  possible  impairment  in 
addition to financial performance include changes to key 
investment staff, significant investment underperformance 
and  litigation.  Impairments  of  goodwill  in  relation  to 
subsidiaries cannot be reversed if a business recovers or 
exceeds previous levels of financial performance. As at the 
end of the year, the goodwill was assessed for impairment 
and it was deemed not to be impaired.

Share based payment transactions
The  Company  measures  the  cost  of  equity  settled 
transactions  with  employees  by  reference  to  the  fair 
value  of  the  equity  instruments  at  the  date  at  which 
they  are  granted.  The  fair  value  is  determined  using 
hybrid  Monte  Carlo/binomial  option  pricing  model  with 
the  assumptions  detailed  in  Note  29.  The  accounting 
estimates and assumptions relating to equity settled share 
based  payments  would  have  no  impact  on  the  carrying 
amounts  of  assets  and  liabilities  within  the  next  annual 
reporting period but may impact expenses and equity. In 
the opinion of the management performance rights do not 
have a dilutive effect on the earnings per share calculation 
as the vesting of these rights is uncertain.

5.  Critical Accounting Judgements and Key 

Sources of Estimation Uncertainty

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements 
requires  management  to  make  judgments,  estimates 
and  assumptions  that  affect  the  reported  amounts  in 
the  consolidated  financial  statements.  Management 
continually  evaluates  its  judgments  and  estimates  in 
relation to assets, liabilities, contingent liabilities, revenue 
and  expenses.  Management  bases  its  judgments  and 
estimates  on  experience  and  other  factors,  including 
expectations  of  future  events  that  may  have  an  impact 
on the Group. All judgments, estimates and assumptions 
made  are  believed  to  be  reasonable  based  on  the  most 
current  set  of  circumstances  available  to  management. 
Actual  results  may  differ  from  the  judgments,  estimates 
and assumptions.

Significant accounting judgments, estimates 
and assumptions
Significant  judgments,  estimates  and  assumptions  made 
by management in the preparation of these consolidated 
financial statements are outlined below.

Purchase price allocation
During the year and in any subsequent acquisition of assets 
by the Group, management ensures that the investments 
are  originally  accounted  as  required  under  Purchase 
Price  Allocation  (PPA),  as  detailed  in  Note  11.  Typically, 
management will engage an independent expert to assist in 
determining the fair value of identifiable intangible assets 
such as customer relationships, brand and trademarks and 
intellectual property in addition to goodwill. 

Useful lives of other identifiable intangibles
The estimated useful lives of other identifiable intangibles 
that have finite lives as detailed in Note 20 are determined 
at acquisition through an independent valuation process. 
Useful lives are reassessed at each reporting period.

Valuation of investments
In  preparing  the  consolidated  financial  statements  of 
the  Group,  management  needs  to  exercise  significant 
judgement  in  areas  that  are  highly  subjective  (refer  to 
Note  4(e)).  The  valuation  of  assets  and  the  assessment 
of carrying values as per Note 17 require that a detailed 
valuation  be  undertaken  which  reflects  assumptions  on 
markets,  manager  performance  and  expected  growth  to 
project future cash flows that are discounted at a rate that 
imputes relative risk and cost of capital considerations.

Impairment of investments 
At the end of each reporting period, management is required 
to  assess  the  carrying  values  of  each  of  the  underlying 
assets of the Group. Should assets underperform or not 
meet  expected  growth  targets,  a  resulting  impairment 
of  the  investments  is  recognised  if  that  deterioration  in 
performance  is  deemed  not  be  derived  from  short  term 
factors such as market volatility. 

Annual Report 2017NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 30 June 2017

6. Revenues

Revenue

– Fund management fee

– Service fees

Other revenue

Dividends and distributions

– Dividends

Interest income

– Related parties – associates

– Other persons/corporations

Other income

– Commission revenue

– Retainer revenue

– Rental income

– Adjustment in deferred commitments (Note 22)

– Sundry income from other consolidated entities

Total revenues

Net gains on investments

– Gain on disposal of a joint venture (Note 11 (g))

– Net gain on winding up a subsidiary

Total net gains on investments

2017
$

2016
$

7,763,745

–

3,208,638

5,563,683

10,972,383

5,563,683

1,096,798

1,096,798

91,464

153,061

244,525

246,226

1,255,093

77,906

1,498,567

648,560

3,726,352

–

–

–

38,968

38,968

–

–

–

–

–

–

16,040,058

5,602,651

4,496,157

20,992

4,517,149

–

–

–

20,557,207

5,602,651

LIMITED7. Expenses and Share in Profits/(Losses)

Profit/(loss) before income tax has been determined after:

(a) Salaries and employee benefits:

– Salaries and employee benefits

–  Share based payment expense arising from equity-settled share-based 

payment transactions

Total salaries and employee benefits

(b) Other expenses:

– Accounting and audit fees 

– Directors’ fees 

– Insurance expenses 

– Legal and compliance fees 

– Net foreign exchange loss 

– Operating lease rental – minimum lease payments 

– Payroll tax 

– Share registry and ASX fees 

– Travel and accommodation costs 

– Impairment expense (Note 4(e)) 

– Other expenses 

Total other expenses

(c) Depreciation and amortisation expenses: 

– Leasehold improvements 

– Furniture and fittings 

– Office equipment 

– Software 

– Client relationships 

– Management rights 

Total depreciation and amortisation expenses 

(d) Interest expenses: 

– East West debt facility 

– Notes payable - Seizert 

– X-RPUs 

– Adjustment of deferred commitments 

– Other 

Total interest expenses

Total expenses

(e) Share of net profits/(losses) of equity accounted investments:

– Share in net profits from associates

–  Share in net profit/(loss) of a joint venture (until 12 April 2017)

Total share of net profits/(losses) of equity accounted investments

58

59

2017
$

2016
$

6,235,196

3,679,107

1,121,655

372,659

7,356,851

4,051,766

365,778

454,277

392,631

248,808

1,205,290

507,056

83,435

118,583

856,498

667,651

379,474

– 

574,829

1,014

– 

– 

358,514

163,631

– 

– 

– 

7,821

5,279,481

1,105,809

16,518

3,193

26,466

7,980

85,938

718,642

858,737

1,289,161

427,494

469,915

(33,334)

16,483

2,169,719

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

15,664,788

5,157,575

4,713,122

–

6,680,773 (78,486,842)

11,393,895 (78,486,842)

Annual Report 2017 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 30 June 2017

8. Income Tax

(a)  Income tax expense/(benefit) recognised in profit or loss

The major components of income tax expense/(benefit) are:

  Current tax 

  Deferred tax

  Under/(over) provision in prior years

Total income tax expense/(benefit) recognised in the current year 

2017
 $

2016
$

–

14,157,614

5,664,967 (43,516,985)

36,350

(441,947)

5,701,317 (29,801,318)

(b)   Reconciliation between aggregate tax expense/(benefit) recognised in the 
consolidated statement of profit or loss and tax expense calculated per the 
statutory income tax rate

A reconciliation between tax expense/(benefit) and the product of accounting profit/(loss) 
before income tax multiplied by the Company’s applicable income tax rate is as follows:

Prima facie income tax expense on profit before income tax at 30% (2016: 30%)

4,885,894 (23,412,530)

Add tax effect of:

– Share-based payments 

– Uplift of deferred tax on pre-existing 65.15% ownership in the Trust

– Trust’s non-assessable income 

– Under provision of income tax from prior years 

– Others 

Less tax effect of: 

– Accounting elimination of Trust's expenses 

– Franking credits received net of tax 

– Capital losses recognised 

– Over provision of income tax in prior years 

Income tax expense/(benefit) attributable to profit

(c)  Provision for income tax

Provision for income tax 

336,497

111,797

5,510,620

63,266

36,350

494,399

–

–

–

–

6,441,132

111,797

2,622,284

– 

2,924,612

6,058,638

78,813

– 

– 

441,947

5,625,709

6,500,585

5,701,317 (29,801,318)

5,069,098

14,157,614

This represents the balance of unpaid income tax liability that arose as a result of the prior year’s capital gains distributions 
from the Trust.

LIMITED 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
60

61

2017
 $

2016
$

3,339,441

– 

– 

284,536

258,100

217,017

351,106

100,220

3,882,077

668,343

33,704,922

21,629,773

33,704,922

21,629,773

29,822,845

20,961,430

3,339,441

(1,531,938)

157,880

(217,017)

– 

–

(81,571)

(53,902)

(8,863,700) 45,102,825

(5,664,967) 43,516,985

–

–

–

29,142

(2,985,314)

(2,956,172)

(d)  Deferred tax

Deferred tax relates to the following: 

Deferred tax assets 

The balance comprises: 

Tax losses carried forward 

Impairment of investment in AR Capital Management Pty Ltd (ARCM) 

Accruals and provisions 

Deductible capital expenditures 

Deferred tax liabilities 

The balance comprises: 

Investment in the Trust¹ 

Net deferred tax 

(e)  Deferred income tax (revenue)/expense included in income tax expense comprises

Tax losses 

Deductible capital expenditures 

Impairment of investment in ARCM 

Accruals and provisions and deductible capital expenditures 

Investment in the Trust 

(f)  Deferred income tax related to items charged or credited directly to equity

Share of the movement of the Trust’s investment revaluation reserve* 

Share of the movement of the Trust’s foreign currency translation reserve* 

¹ 

 The increase in the deferred tax was due to the uplift of deferred tax attributable to Aurora as a subsidiary. Refer to Note 11 for the take up of the 
deferred tax on the 34.85% acquired. The uplift of the deferred tax on the existing equity ownership was taken up in the profit or loss for $5.5m.

*   The Trust was treated as an investment in joint venture of which the principles of equity accounting were applied up to the period it was consolidated 
in the accounts of the Company. The Company took the origination of deferred tax through equity. The Company’s share of the Trust’s investment 
revaluation  reserve  and  foreign  currency  translation  reserve  ($97,139  and  $9,951,045,  respectively)  was  recognised  from  the  prior  years.  Upon 
derecognition of the previously equity accounted investment in the Trust, the share of reserve balances in the Trust were also derecognised and 
treated as addition or reduction in the gain on derecognition of a joint venture.

Annual Report 2017NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 30 June 2017

8. Income Tax (continued)

(g) Tax consolidation 
As at the date of this report, the Company and Aurora Investment Management Pty Limited are the members of the tax 
consolidated entity.

The Company is the head entity of the tax consolidated group. Members of the tax consolidated group have entered into a 
tax sharing arrangement in order to allocate income tax expense to the wholly owned entities on a pro-rata basis. Under a 
tax funding agreement, each member of the tax consolidated group is responsible for funding their share of any tax liability. 
In addition, the agreement provides for the allocation of income tax liabilities between the entities should the head entity 
default on its tax payment obligations. At the balance date, the possibility of default is remote.

The Trust and its eligible wholly owned subsidiaries can only join the tax consolidated group at the point in time when all of 
the Trust’s “membership interests” are held by the Company. Membership interests include any unit in the Trust, unless the 
unit also constitutes a debt interest for purposes of the provisions of the Tax Act. Given that all units in the Trust other than 
X-RPUs are held by the Company, it follows that if the X-RPUS constitute debt interests, the Company should own 100% 
of the existing membership interests in the Trust, and therefore the Trust should join the consolidated tax Company. As the 
X-RPUs are not classified as debt interests for Australian tax purposes due to the existence of contingencies with respect of 
the Trust’s obligation to repay the maximum redemption price of US$42.0 million, instead the X-RPUs are likely to constitute 
equity interests from inception.

While the Trust was a 100% owned and controlled subsidiary of the Company as at 30 June 2017, the Trust can only join 
the tax consolidated group upon the redemption of the X-RPUs.

9. Dividends Paid and Proposed

Current year interim:

2017 
$

2016 
$

Fully franked dividend (nil cents per share) (2016: 20 cents per share) 

– 

5,625,191

Previous year final:

Fully franked dividend (5 cents per share) (2016: 28 cents per share) 

Total paid during the year (5 cents per share) (2016: 48 cents per share) 

1,406,298

7,738,682

1,406,298 13,363,873

Dividends declared after the reporting period and not recognised* 

Since the end of the reporting period the directors have recommended/declared a dividend 
at $18 cents per share (2016: 5 cents) fully franked at 30% 

8,575,619

1,406,298

*  Calculation based on the ordinary shares on issue as at 31 July 2017

Franking credit balance

The amount of franking credits available for the subsequent financial year are:

– franking account balance as at the end of the financial year at 30% (2016: 30%)¹ 

22,057,878

4,524,639

–  franking credits that will arise from the receipt of distributions recognised as receivables by 

the parent entity at the reporting date 

Franking credits that will arise on payment of current tax liability

The amounts of franking credits available for future reporting periods:

–  impact on the franking account of dividends proposed or declared before the financial 
report was authorised for issue but not recognised as a distribution to equity holders 
during the year 

4,178,017

8,655,199

26,235,895

13,179,838

4,912,287

–

(3,675,265)

(602,699)

27,472,917

12,577,139

¹ The increase in franking credits arose from the payment of current tax liabilities.

The tax rate at which paid dividends have been franked is 30% (2016: 30%).

Dividends proposed will be franked at the rate of 30% (2016: 30%).

LIMITED10. Earnings Per Share

62

63

2017
$

2016
$

The following reflects the income and share data used in the calculations of basic and diluted 
earnings/(losses) per share:

Net profit/(loss) attributable to the members of the parent 

10,628,889 (48,240,448)

Weighted average  
number of shares

Weighted average number of ordinary shares used in calculating basic earnings/(losses) 
per share: 

31,192,444

28,031,112

Effect of dilutive securities:

Adjusted weighted average number of ordinary shares used in calculating diluted earnings/
(losses) per share 

–

–

31,192,444

28,031,112

Earnings/(losses) per share (cents per share):

Basic profit/(loss) for the year attributable to the members of the parent 

Diluted profit/(loss) for the year attributable to the members of the parent 

34.1

34.1

(172.1)

(172.1)

In the opinion of the management performance rights do not have a dilutive effect on the earnings per share calculation 
as any securities to be allocated on vesting of the performance rights will be purchased on market. 

11. Business Combination
During the second half of the year, the Group undertook a simplification of its corporate structure (Simplification) as a result 
of extensive discussions with various stakeholders in the Trust. The Simplification involved two transactions as follows: 1) 
exchange of the Trust’s Class B and vested B-1 units for 13,675,667 shares (PAC Shares) (Exchange Transaction); and 2) 
amending the terms of the X-redeemable preference units (X-RPUs) so that the redemption price is fixed at US$21.0 million 
and the X-RPUs are required to be redeemed on or before 31 March 2018 (Settlement Transaction). The Exchange and 
Settlement  Transactions  were  approved  by  the  Company  shareholders  (PAC  Shareholders)  at  the  Extraordinary  General 
Meeting held on 15 March 2017 in Sydney, Australia (EGM). The X-RPU holders, Class B and Class B-1 unitholders also 
approved these transactions on the same date. The primary driver of the Simplification was for the Trust to become wholly-
owned by the Company, without materially shifting value among current unitholders in the Trust. 

On 13 April 2017, the Company issued the PAC Shares. Accordingly, the Trust became a wholly owned subsidiary of the 
Company and thus its operations were consolidated as at that date. The acquisition of the remaining 34.85% in the Trust 
qualified as a business combination achieved in stages and the principles of purchase price accounting in accordance with 
the AASB 3 as per Note 3(c) were applied. As at 30 June 2016 and up to 12 April 2017, the Company owned 65.15% of 
the Trust.

Details of the acquisition including consideration transferred and the related gain on acquisition are as follows:

(a) Subsidiary acquired
Aurora Trust is a global multi boutique asset management firm. Its key function and the overall business is investment in 
asset managers.

Subsidiary

Aurora Trust

Principal activity

Date of 
acquisition

Proportion of 
units acquired 
%

Investment management

13 April 2017

34.85

Annual Report 2017 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 30 June 2017

11. Business Combination (continued)

(b)  Consideration transferred

13,675,667 ordinary shares issued on 13 April 2017

(c)  Fair values of the assets and liabilities of the Trust at the date of acquisition

Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Trade and other receivables

Loans and other receivables

Other assets

Non-current assets

Loans and other receivables

Other financial assets

Investments in associates

Intangible assets

Plant and equipment

Other assets

Current liabilities

Trade and other payables

X-RPUs

Financial liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Financial liabilities

Fair value of 100% net identifiable assets acquired in the Trust

$

60,446,448

Recognised 
on acquisition
at fair value
$

26,399,375

6,303,505

610,356

1,660,454

34,973,690

7,567,808

49,900,000

187,952,326

26,442,548

547,571

12,279,858

284,690,111

 (9,762,849)

 (25,860,661)

 (7,822,280)

(43,445,790)

(38,047,664)

(38,047,664)

238,170,346

The fair values of the underlying assets and liabilities of the Trust have been determined by an external party.

(d)  Goodwill on acquisition

Consideration transferred, 13,675,667 ordinary shares

Fair value of pre-existing 65.15% interest in the Trust

Non-controlling interests 

Fair value of 100% net identifiable assets acquired

Deferred tax on the 34.85% interest acquired in the Trust

Goodwill on acquisition of 100% in the Trust

(e)  Net cash inflow on acquisition

Consideration paid in cash

Add: cash and cash equivalents balances acquired

60,446,448

206,138,212

297,701

(238,170,346)

11,358,873

40,070,888

–
26,399,375

26,399,375

LIMITED(f)  Impact to revenues and net profit before tax

64

65

Revenues
$

Net profit/(loss) 
before tax
$

Amount of revenue and profit or loss of the Trust included in Group accounts 
since acquisition

12,192,270

8,740,947

Amount of revenue and profit or loss of the Trust that would have been included in Group 
accounts had acquisition occurred at the beginning of the reporting period

45,592,956

(58,512,039)

(g)  Net gain on disposal of the 65.15% equity (Note 6)

The gain on derecognition of a joint venture is composed of:

– Excess of fair value over carrying value of the joint venture being derecognised

–  Reversal of the share on translating foreign operations of a joint venture derecognised 

during the year (after tax)

–  Reversal of the share on net fair value gain on AFS financial assets of a joint venture 

derecognised during the year (after tax)

– Reversal of the deferred tax on the share of reserves of a joint venture

(21,523,304)

12,745,725

5,467,897

7,805,839

4,496,157

(h)  Impact of acquisition on the results of the Group
The Company has prepared a consolidated financial report incorporating the entities that it controlled and jointly controlled 
during the financial year. As the Trust is owned 100% and controlled by the Company, it is thus consolidated in the accounts 
of the Company.

12. Segment Information

(a) Reportable segments
Information  reported  to  the  Company’s  Board  of  Directors  as  chief  operating  decision  maker  (CODM)  for  the  purposes 
of resource allocation and assessment of performance is focused on the profit/(loss) after tax earned by each segment. 

As at 30 June 2017, the Group’s reportable segments under AASB 8 ‘Operating Segments’ are as follows:
 –  Core boutiques (include Seizert and Aether which are being consolidated; Aperio and IML as equity accounted 

investments and RARE as FVTPL investment)

 –  Growth boutiques (include ROC Group and Blackcrane as equity accounted investments and EAM and GQG as AFS 

investments)

 –  Other boutiques (Strategic Capital Investments, LLP (SCI)) which is consolidated and all other equity accounted 

investments)

Core boutiques include holdings in larger strategic partnerships with well established businesses with a relatively stable/
growing earnings contribution.

Growth boutiques include smaller capital commitments compared to core boutiques. These are highly scalable opportunities. 
Emerging managers offer the ability for rapid growth and value creation.

Other  boutiques  are  the  ones  that  are  in  very  early  stages  of  business  cycle  or  contribute  smaller  portion  of  earnings 
compared to Core and Growth boutiques.

As at 30 June 2016, the Company had identified the Trust as the sole operating segment. The Trust was equity accounted by 
the Company. All the operational and investment activities were undertaken by the Trust. It was the financial performance 
of the Trust that impacted on the financial performance of the Group as no other significant operations were undertaken 
by the Company.

Annual Report 2017NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 30 June 2017

12. Segment Information (continued)

(b) Segment revenues and results
The following is an analysis of the Group’s revenues and results by reportable segments:

Core boutiques

Growth boutiques

Other boutiques 

Australian unlisted trust

Central administration

Segment revenue 
for the year

Segment profit/(loss) after tax 
for the year

2017 
$

2016 
$

2017 
$

2016 
$

14,712,101

(50,831)

454,888

–

–

–

7,876,917

(50,831)

(922,273)

–

–

–

14,379,416

5,602,651

9,570,327 (54,940,789)

29,495,574

5,602,651

16,474,140 (54,940,789)

2,455,528

–

(5,889,143)

6,700,341

Total per consolidated statement of profit or loss

31,951,102

5,602,651

10,584,997 (48,240,448)

Central administration consists of:

Retainer revenue 

Commission and distribution income

Interest income from other persons/corporations 

Fund management fees

Rental income 

Sundry

Employee costs 

Interest expense on X-RPUs and subleases 

Depreciation expense 

Other operational expenses

Income tax expense

1,255,093

246,226

139,803

102,650

77,906

633,851

–

–

–

–

–

2,455,528

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

1,255,093

246,226

139,803

102,650

77,906

633,851

(2,092,391)

(480,165)

(43,280)

(1,661,308)

(4,067,528)

(5,889,143)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

As  at  30  June  2017,  the  Australian  unlisted  trust  above  includes  the  equity  accounted  investment  in  the  Trust  from 
1 July 2016 until 12 April 2017. 

The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as the Group’s accounting policies described in Note 3. 
Segment profit represents the profit after tax earned by each segment without allocation of central administration costs. 
This is the measure reported to the CODM for the purposes of resource allocation and assessment of segment performance.

LIMITED66

67

Segment assets at end of the 
financial year

Segment liabilities at end of the 
financial year

2017 
$

2016 
$

2017 
$

2016 
$

279,521,261

41,203,557

19,669,980

–

340,394,798

31,690,829

372,085,627

23,221,622

1,571,583

1,209,530

3,917,420

1,304,143

466,531

–

–

–

–

31,690,829

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

65,878,074

485,246

580,527

–

66,943,847

29,957,604

96,901,451

–

–

–

–

–

–

2,187,468

– 26,040,479

–

–

–

5,069,098

(3,339,441)

29,957,604

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

2017 
$

2016 
$

213,643,187

40,718,311

19,089,453

–

–

–

– 185,765,507

273,450,951 185,765,507

1,733,225

1,664,090

275,184,176 187,429,597

(c) Segment assets and liabilities

Core boutiques 

Growth boutiques

Other boutiques 

Australian unlisted trust

Central administration

Total per consolidated statement of financial position

Central administration consists of:

Cash and cash equivalents 

Trade and other receivables

Prepayments 

Other receivables

Other current and non-current assets 

Plant and equipment

Trade creditors, provisions and other payables 

X-RPUs 

Provision for income tax

Deferred tax asset

Segment net assets at end of the financial year

Core boutiques 

Growth boutiques

Other boutiques 

Australian unlisted trust

Central administration

Total per consolidated statement of financial position

Annual Report 2017NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 30 June 2017

12. Segment Information (continued)

(d) Other segment information

Depreciation and amortisation of segment

Core boutiques 

Growth boutiques

Other boutiques 

Australian unlisted trust

Central administration

Total per consolidated statement of profit or loss

(e) Geographical information

2017 
$

2016 
$

756,445

–

59,012

–

815,457

43,280

858,737

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

2017

Revenues

Australia

US

Core 
boutiques
$

Growth 
boutiques 
$

Other 
boutiques 
$

Unallocated 
$

Total 
$

5,397,733

(86,364)

125,846

685,868

6,123,083

9,314,368

35,533

329,042

1,769,660 11,448,603

Australian unlisted trust

–

–

–

14,379,416

14,379,416

14,712,101

(50,831)

454,888 16,834,944

31,951,102

Profit/(loss) after tax

Australia

US

5,431,066

(86,364)

125,846

(6,057,373)¹

(586,825)

2,445,851

35,533

(1,048,119)

168,230

1,601,495

Australian unlisted trust

–

–

–

9,570,327

9,570,327

7,876,917

(50,831)

(922,273)

3,681,184

10,584,997

Other than Australia and US, no other country represents more than 10% of revenue for the Group and its associates.

¹ This includes the income tax expense during the year.

(f) Information about major customers
No individual customer represents more than 10% of revenue for the Group and its associates.

LIMITED13. Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash at bank and on hand

Restricted cash

68

69

2017
$

2016 
$

32,322,411

2,997,744

7,925,875

–

40,248,286

2,997,744

The restricted cash refers to the cash held in escrow for the benefit of the Trust as part of the agreement when the Trustee 
issued the notes (Notes payable – Seizert) to the former owners of Seizert as part of the consideration for the acquisition 
by Midco for the equity interest in Seizert as per Note 22 (c).

Under the promissory note, in the event the Trustee sells a material asset, or strategy or receives a distribution with respect 
to a sale of a material asset or strategy, then the Trustee will deposit the lesser of 1) Cash Obligations or (2) 10% of the net 
proceeds from such sale, up to the total amount of cash obligations, into an interest bearing separate account held for the 
benefit of the Trust. Cash obligations means all obligations at the applicable time, less the amount of securities obligations, 
at the applicable time, in all cases minus any amounts set-off. The sale of the 75% of the equity previously held by the Trust 
in RARE in October of 2015 is considered a sale of a material asset.

On 12 August 2017, the restricted cash held in escrow amounting to US$6,083,938 was released and paid to the holders of 
notes payable - Seizert as an initial payment on the notes.

(a) Reconciliation of cash
Cash at the end of the financial year as shown in the consolidated statement of cash flows is reconciled to the related items 
in the consolidated statement of financial position as follows:

Cash and cash equivalents

40,248,286

2,997,744

40,248,286

2,997,744

(b) Reconciliation of cash flow from operations with profit after income tax

Profit/(loss) from ordinary activities after income tax

10,584,997 (48,240,448)

Adjustments and non-cash items:

Dividends and distributions received from equity accounted investments 

3,107,095

71,855,912

Elimination of intercompany advances

Non-cash interest expense 

Share-based payments

Depreciation and amortisation expenses

Impairment of AFS financial assets

Reinvestment of distributions in the Trust

Share of net (profit)/losses from joint venture

Share of net profit from associates 

Net gains on derecognition of joint venture 

Adjustment in deferred commitments 

Other

2,421,634

1,712,368

–

–

1,121,655

372,659

858,737

667,651

–

–

(10,827,886)

(55,381,640)

(6,680,773) 78,486,842

(4,713,122)

(4,496,157)

(1,498,567)

–

–

–

62,507

(944,219)

Annual Report 2017NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 30 June 2017

13. Cash and Cash Equivalents (continued)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

Decrease/(increase) in trade and other receivables

(Increase) in other assets

(Decrease) in trade and other payables

(Decrease)/increase in current tax liabilities

Net decrease/(increase) in deferred taxes

Increase/(decrease) in provisions

Cash flows (used in)/from operating activities

(c) Non-cash investing and financing activities
Investing activities

Reinvestment of distributions received from the Trust

Financing activities

Issuance of ordinary shares in exchange for the units of the Trust

14. Trade and Other Receivables

Current

Trade receivables 

Sundry receivables

Related party receivables:

– Joint venture – distributions

Trade receivables are non-interest bearing and generally on 30 day terms.

2017
$

2016 
$

11,364,318

(1,860,832)

(198,062)

–

(6,941,772)

(1,327)

(9,088,516) 14,065,317

5,279,522 (43,014,713)

83,980

(32,177)

(7,180,391) 15,305,374

(71,274,334)

(60,381,631)

(71,274,334) 60,381,631

60,446,448

4,999,991

60,446,448

4,999,991

2017
$

2016 
$

6,668,575

1,017,762

177,463

61,203

–

10,827,886

6,846,038

11,906,851

LIMITED(a) Allowance for impairment loss
Trade and other receivables ageing analysis at 30 June is:

Not past due

Past due 31-60 days

Past due 61-90 days

Past due more than 91 days

70

71

Gross 
2017
$

Gross 
2016 
$

6,846,038

11,480,367

–

–

–

–

237,183

189,301

6,846,038

11,906,851

Receivables past due but not impaired is $nil (2016: $426,484). Management is satisfied that payment will be received in full.

Bad debts written off during the financial year were $4,763 (2016: $nil) and there were no provisions for bad debts as at 
year end (2016: $nil). 

An  allowance  for  impairment  loss  is  recognised  when  there  is  objective  evidence  that  an  individual  trade  receivable  is 
impaired. No allowance for impairment losses has been made. 

(b) Related party receivables
For terms and conditions of related party receivables refer to Note 34.

(c) Fair value and credit risk
Due to the short term nature of these receivables, their carrying value is assumed to approximate their fair value.

Trade receivables represent the Group’s outstanding invoices for management fees receivable from related parties and the 
credit risk is therefore very low.

15. Loans and Other Receivables

Current

Advances to other related party

Non Current

Loans receivable due from associates

2017
$

2016 
$

303,682

3,292,247

–

–

All amounts are receivable in Australian dollars and are not considered past due or impaired.

The advances to other related party of $303,682 has a maturity date of 31 December 2017. Interest rate on the advances 
is 8%. The loans receivable due from associates represent the loans to ROC Partners (2016: $nil). Maturity date is five (5) 
years from first drawdown date which was 29 May 2014. Interest rate on the loan is 8%.

Annual Report 2017NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 30 June 2017

16. Other Assets

Current

Prepayments

Other current assets

Non Current

Security deposit – HSBC escrow account¹

Receivable from Raven² 

Other security deposits and assets

2017
$

2016 
$

2,359,907

14,696

2,374,603

6,513,770

3,917,420

1,332,581

11,763,771

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

¹  Pursuant to and in connection with the Aurora Share Subscription and Assignment Deed, dated 28 July 2015, by and between Hareon Solar Singapore 
Private Limited (Hareon), the Trustee, Nereus Capital Investments (Singapore) Pte. Ltd (NCI), and Nereus, Holdings LP, (Nereus), the Trust agreed to 
make a contingent “Additional Contribution” to NCI of up to US$25,000,000. This Additional Contribution can be drawn by NCI only to fund the 
exercise of the Put Option, which is held by Hareon, when and if it is exercised. The exercise of the put option and the potential $25.0m contingent 
additional contribution have been factored in the fair value calculation. Pursuant to the Shareholders’ Deed, dated 28 July 2015, Hareon may put its 
Class H Shares back to NCI at the “Put Option Price” any time within 60 days following the sixth anniversary of the commissioning of the first solar 
project sponsored by NCI, which occurred in June 2016. The Trust further agreed to place US$5,000,000 in an escrow account with the Hong Kong 
and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited Singapore (the Escrow Account). The amounts can be drawn upon by NCI if and when certain prescribed 
thresholds with regard to annual revenues of NCI are not achieved. The Trust shall contribute additional amounts to the Escrow Account equal to any 
amounts drawn down by NCI pursuant to the previous sentence, so that the balance of the Escrow Account will be US$5,000,000. The account will 
be closed and all funds distributed to the Trust at the redemption of the Class H Shares of NCI, which are held by Hareon. NCI currently expects to 
redeem all Class H Shares in the next twelve months through the proceeds of a sale of the solar assets held by NCI. Nereus was accounted as AFS 
investment. As at 30 June 2017, the fair value is $nil. Refer to Note 4(e) and Note 17.

²  This is the earn out component as part of the consideration on the sale of the Investment in Raven. The earn out is based upon new FUM received. 
Payments will be calculated quarterly until the US$3,500,000 earn out cap is met. The earn-out was discounted by using an 8% rate to determine the 
net present value of the future payments from Raven.

17. Other Financial Assets

Non Current

Financial assets at FVTPL

Investment in RARE Infrastructure Ltd (RARE)¹

AFS investments

Investment in EAM²

Investment in Nereus³
Investment in GQG4

Total available-for-sale financial assets

Total other financial assets

2017
$

2016 
$

22,700,000

9,200,000

–

20,974,277

30,174,277

52,874,277

–

–

–

–

–

–

¹  Investment held at FVTPL represents 10% interest in RARE subject to a two year differentiated option pricing: call option by Legg Mason at a fixed 
multiple of RARE revenues or put option by the Trust at ‘fair market value’ and an earn-out arrangement. The earn-out payments are contingent to the 
achievement of growth by RARE and are recognised only when they are reliably measured and it is probable that the economic benefits will flow to 
Aurora. The fair value as at 30 June 2017 was based on net present value of the discounted cash flows of this investment. Refer to Note 4 (e) for details. 

²  EAM Investors, LLC (EAM), founded in July 2007 is organised as a California Limited Liability Company. EAM Global Investors LLC (EAM Global), 
founded  in  March  2014  is  organised  as  a  Delaware  Limited  Liability  Company.  EAM  and  EAM  Global  collectively  (the  EAM)  comprise  a  privately 
owned investment advisor with EAM and EAM Global each individually being registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. EAM 
offers  investment  advisory  services  on  a  discretionary  basis  to  mutual  funds,  private  pools,  pension  and  profit  sharing  plans,  trusts,  estates,  and 
charitable organisations. Client relationship asset levels generally range between $5 million and $150 million. The Company generates the majority of 
its revenues by providing advisory services to domestic customers. Fees for such services are asset based and as a result the Company’s revenues are 
variable and subject to market volatility.

3  The Trust and MidCo own interests in Nereus, a private equity firm based in India focused on renewable energy assets, and in NCI. During the period, 

the investment in Nereus of $667,651 was fully impaired.

4  GQG  was  formed  on  April  4,  2016  in  the  state  of  Delaware  as  a  limited  liability  company.  GQG  is  registered  with  the  Securities  and  Exchange 
Commission as an investment advisor and provides investment advisory and asset management services to a number of investment funds and managed 
accounts for US and Non-US investors. The Company acts as investment manager for GQG Partners International Equity Fund, GQG Partners Global 
Equity Fund, GQG Partners Emerging Markets Equity Fund as well as two mutual funds that invest in global and emerging markets equities.

LIMITED72

73

The fair values of the AFS investments as at 30 June 2017 were based on net present value of the discounted cash flows of 
these investments. Refer to Note 4 (e) for details.

18. Investments in Associates

Non Current

Investments in associates

(a)  Name of associates

Associates

2017
$

2016 
$

188,974,745

–

Reportable 
segments

Principal activity

2017 
%

Ownership interest

2016 
%

Place of 
incorporation 
and operation

Investors Mutual Ltd – ordinary shares

Core

ROC Group (see below)

Growth

Celeste Funds Management Limited 
– ordinary shares

Freehold Investment Management Limited 
– ordinary shares

AlphaShares, LLC

Aperio Group, LLC

Blackcrane Capital, LLC

Goodhart Partners, LLP (UK)

Other

Other

Other

Core

Growth

Other

Northern Lights Alternative Advisors Ltd

Other

Aether GPs

Core

Funds 
Management

Funds 
Management

Funds 
Management

Funds 
Management

Funds 
Management

Funds 
Management

Funds 
Management

Funds 
Management

Funds 
Management

Funds 
Management

45.44

17.59

27.48

30.89

31.03

23.38

25.00

18.81

20.00

25.00

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

USA

USA

USA

UK

UK

USA

The Trust was consolidated to the Company on 13 April 2017 therefore, these associates effectively became associates of 
the Company on 13 April 2017.

Investors Mutual Ltd provides a funds management capability specialising in Australian equities to both institutional and retail 
investors.

ROC Group includes ROC Partners Pty Ltd, ROC Management Services Trust and ROC Partners (Cayman) Limited. Ownership 
in  ROC  Group  constitutes  shares  or  units  held  in  these  three  entities.  The  Trust’s  ownership  interest  changed  to  17.59% 
effective February 2017. Prior year ownership in the three entities were 31.10%; 15.03% and 15.03% respectively.

Celeste Funds Management Limited is an Australian equity manager with smaller company focus. The equity holding in Celeste 
is legally owned by the Company, but the economic benefits flow to the Trust and therefore the investment carrying value and 
the share of net profits/ (losses) of Celeste are reflected in the Trust.

Freehold Investment Management Limited is a specialist investment manager focusing on Australian and global real estate and 
infrastructure sectors.

AlphaShares, LLC provides investors with direct exposure to Chinese markets primarily through a series of China indexes.

Annual Report 2017NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 30 June 2017

18. Investments in Associates (continued)
Aperio, based in Sausalito, California is an investment management firm with highly customised index based portfolios using 
Aperio’s expertise in tax management, factor tilts and passive investments. It is a pioneer in designing and managing custom 
portfolios to track index benchmarks or deliver targeted risk, factor, geographic, or industry exposures, customised to a 
client’s specific tax situation, values and/ or desired economic exposure. Aperio works with both taxable and tax exempt 
investors to track a broad range of USA and international indexes. The Trust holds two of six board seats at Aperio. 

Blackcrane Capital, LLC is boutique asset management firm focusing on global and international equities.

Goodhart Partners, LLP (UK) is a multi boutique manager with investment strategies across global equities, Japan equities 
and emerging markets.

Northern Lights Alternative Advisors Ltd is a strategic partner and financial advisory business for private companies, hedge 
funds and private equity.

Aether Real Assets GP I, LLC, Aether Real Assets GP II, LLC, Aether Real Assets GP III, LLC, Aether Real Assets III Surplus 
GP, LLC (collectively the Aether GPs) are the General Partners of Aether Real Assets I, L.P., Aether Real Assets II, L.P., Aether 
Real Assets III, L.P., and Aether Real Assets III Surplus, L.P. (collectively the Funds). The Aether GPs are responsible for the 
operation of the Funds and the conduct and management of its business.

(b) Carrying amount of investments in associates

Acquired through business combination

Acquisition/contribution

Share of net profits/(losses) of associates

Share of unrealised gains reserve of an associate

Dividends and distributions received/receivable

Foreign currency movement

Balance at the end of the year

2017 
$

2016 
$

187,952,326

92,301

4,713,122

48,101

(3,107,095)

(724,010)

188,974,745

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

LIMITED74

75

(c) Summarised financial information for associates

2017

Current assets

Non-current assets

Current liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Net assets

Aperio Group, 
LLC 
$

Investors 
Mutual Group 
$

Aggregate 
of other 
associates 
which are 
not deemed 
material 
$

Total 
$

10,308,829

24,465,316

20,557,797

55,331,942

541,735

19,212,947

24,468,908 44,223,590

(4,182,204)

(9,495,753)

(7,308,303)

(20,986,260)

(1,476,522)

(661,317)

(12,814,262)

(14,952,101)

5,191,838

33,521,193

24,904,140

63,617,171

The above amounts of assets and liabilities include the 
following:

Cash and cash equivalents

9,855,102

16,681,987

10,991,668

37,528,757

Current financial liabilities (excluding trade and other payables 
and provisions)

(1,472,112)

Non-current financial liabilities (excluding trade and other 
payables and provisions)

–

–

–

(2,074,411)

(3,546,523)

(7,341,805)

(7,341,805)

13 April to 30 June 2017

Revenue for the period

Profit after tax for the period

13,310,918

14,044,161

9,796,755

37,151,834

6,677,372

6,783,995

1,765,384

15,226,751

Other comprehensive income for the period

–

48,101

–

48,101

Total comprehensive income for the period

6,677,372

6,832,096

1,765,384

15,274,852

Dividends/distributions received during the period

1,006,981

2,045,267

54,847

3,107,095

The above profit after tax for the period includes the following:

Depreciation and amortisation

Interest income

Interest expense

Income tax expense

20,226

–

–

–

65,518

47,857

264,123

349,867

5,762

53,619

–

211,067

211,067

3,308,244

84,279

3,392,523

Reconciliation of the above summarised financial information to 
the carrying amount of the interest in the associates recognised 
in the consolidated financial statements:

Net assets of the associates before determination of fair values

5,191,838

33,521,193

24,904,140

63,617,171

Ownership interest in %

23.38%

45.44%

Proportion of the Group’s ownership interest in the associates

1,213,852 15,232,030

5,674,130

22,120,012

Goodwill

63,106,175

88,426,506

15,604,515 167,137,196

Amortisation of other identifiable assets of the associates as per 
PPA

(158,947)

(95,000)

(28,516)

(282,463)

Balance at the end of the year

64,161,080 103,563,536 21,250,129 188,974,745

Annual Report 2017NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 30 June 2017

19. Investment in Joint Venture

Non Current

Investment in joint venture

(a)  Interest in joint venture

2017 
$

2016 
$

– 210,056,666

Joint venture

Principal activity

Ownership interest

2017 
%

2016 
%

Place of registration and 
operation

Aurora Trust – units

Funds Management

–

65.15 Australia

(b) Change in the Group’s ownership interest in the joint venture
On 13 April 2017, the Company acquired the remaining 34.85% of the Trust by virtue of the Simplification as discussed in 
Note 11. Accordingly, the Trust became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company effective as at that date. The acquisition 
of  the  Trust  qualified  as  a  business  combination  achieved  in  stages  and  the  principles  of  purchase  price  accounting  in 
accordance with the AASB 3 as per Note 3(c) were applied.

As at 30 June 2016 and up to 12 April 2017, the Company owned 65.15% of the Trust. Whilst the ownership exceeded 
50% and resulted in a presumption of control, the Trust was considered a joint venture arrangement between the Company, 
Northern Lights and BNP Paribas and accounted for using the equity method. The Company and Northern Lights contributed 
their businesses to the Trust to conduct investment activities, and BNP Paribas was an investor in Northern Lights prior to 
the merger between the Company and Northern Lights. The key function of the Trust and the overall business is investment 
in asset managers. Former Northern Lights executives were responsible for investment analyses and recommendations as 
investment due diligence and recommendations were undertaken by the majority Northern Lights controlled investment 
committee. Investment decisions require approval by a majority vote of the Trustee board. The decision-making process 
leading to execution required all parties to agree. It was therefore deemed appropriate that the Trust be reflected as a joint 
venture investment.

(c) Carrying amount of investment in joint venture accounted for using the equity method

Balance at the beginning of the year

Reinvestment of distribution payable by Trust

Share of net profits/(losses) of investment in joint venture

Share of unrealised gains reserve of investment in joint venture

Share in unrealised foreign currency translation reserve

Distributions received/receivable

Disposal of investment in joint venture

Balance at the end of the year

2017 
$

2016 
$

210,056,666 290,163,883

10,827,886 60,381,631

6,680,772 (78,486,842)

5,729,417

(97,139)

(5,633,224)

9,951,045

– (71,855,912)

(227,661,517)

–

– 210,056,666

LIMITED76

77

(d) Summarised financial information in respect of the Group’s investment in joint venture 
The summarised financial information below represents amount shown in the joint venture’s consolidated financial statements 
in accordance with AASB 128 (‘Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures’). 

Current assets

Non-current assets

Current liabilities

Non-current liabilities

The above amounts of assets and liabilities include the following:

Cash and cash equivalents (including restricted cash)

Current financial liabilities (excluding trade and other payables and provisions) 

Non-current financial liabilities (excluding trade and other payables and provisions)

Revenue

Profit/(loss) for the year

Other comprehensive (loss)/income for the year

Total comprehensive profit/(loss) for the year

Distributions received/receivable from the joint venture during the year

The above income/(loss) for the year includes the following:

Depreciation and amortisation

Interest income

Interest expense

Income tax expense¹

Reconciliation of the above summarised financial information to the carrying amount of 
the interest in the joint venture derecognised in the consolidated financial statements:

Net assets of the joint venture before determination of fair values

Ownership interest in %

Proportion of the Company’s ownership interest in the joint venture

Carrying amount of the Company’s interest in the joint venture²

¹ This is the income tax expense of the joint venture’s subsidiaries.

2017 
$

2016 
$

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

30,890,115

411,833,098

(45,982,007)

(73,939,097)

20,784,134

(21,874,929)

(73,939,097)

38,400,404

(120,484,314)

14,693,516

(105,790,798)

71,855,912

2,496,045

613,470

10,718,834

1,975,742

322,802,109

65.15

210,305,574

210,056,666

²  The discrepancy between the Company’s share of net assets of the Trust and the carrying value of the investment in the Trust before derecognition 

is due to the impact of equity accounting the share in losses of the Trust which is based on ownership at each reporting date.

Annual Report 2017NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 30 June 2017

20. Intangible Assets

Goodwill

Goodwill at cost

Provision for impairment loss

Net goodwill

Other identifiable assets, at carrying amount

Management rights

Brand and trademark

Customer relationships

Total other identifiable assets

Total intangible assets

(a) Cash-Generating Units (CGUs)

As at 13 April 2017, the Goodwill had been allocated to the following CGUs:

Goodwill (Note 11)

Allocation:

Aether

Seizert

2017 
$

2016 
$

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

39,591,536

–

39,591,536

12,700,801

7,238,587

5,315,334

25,254,722

64,846,258

40,070,888

21,865,236

18,205,652

40,070,888

Aether
The recoverable amount of Aether as a cash-generating unit is determined based on a value in use calculation which uses 
cash flow projections by Aether for the business which includes expected revenues from existing funds which are largely 
certain and anticipated new fund raising every two years. A ten-year discrete period was applied as it is believed that it 
is sufficient time for the business to be in steady state in terms of launching new funds based on the existing plan for the 
business.  A  weighted  average  discount  rate  of  16%  was  applied  in  the  cash  flow  projections  during  the  discrete  period. 
In  addition,  a  tax  rate  of  35%  is  applied.  The  tax  benefits  associated  with  the  tax  deductible  amortisation  of  acquired 
intangibles in the assessed value was also included in the cash flow projections. The terminal growth rate of 3% was applied.

Management believes that any reasonably possible change in the key assumptions on which recoverable amount is based 
would not cause the aggregate carrying amount to exceed the aggregate recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit.

LIMITED78

79

Seizert
The recoverable amount of this cash-generating unit is determined based on a value in use calculation which uses cash flow 
projections by Seizert for the business which includes expected revenues from existing funds (which are largely certain), as 
well as expectation of timing and size of funds to be launched covering a five-year period. A market growth rate of 5% per 
annum based on a relatively conservative estimate of prospective returns from the underlying asset classes. No new inflows 
until FY 2019 is assumed that is reflecting the stabilization of the funds and improved performance which has stemmed from 
recent inflows. Once stabilized, the fund is projected to have inflows of 6% based on its previous track record and further 
diversification of distribution sources from defined benefit funds into retail and other channels. A weighted average discount 
rate of 13.5 was applied in the cash flow projections during the discrete period. The terminal growth rate of 3% was applied.

Management believes that any reasonably possible change in the key assumptions on which recoverable amount is based 
would not cause the aggregate carrying amount to exceed the aggregate recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit.

The goodwill is assessed for impairment every reporting period.

The following useful lives are used in the calculation of amortisation:

Aether

Seizert

SCI

Management rights

Customer relationships

5 years

Not applicable

Not applicable

16 years

1.5 years

Not applicable

(b)  Reconciliation 
Reconciliation of the carrying amounts of intangible assets at the beginning and end of the current financial year:

2017

Goodwill  
$

Management 
rights  
$

Brand and 
trademark1  
$

Customer 
relationships  
$

Total  
$

Acquired through business combination

40,070,888

13,649,848

7,326,020

5,466,679

66,513,435

Amortisation expense

–

(718,642)

–

(85,938)

(804,580)

Effect of foreign currency differences

(479,352)

(230,405)

(87,433)

(65,407)

(862,597)

Balance at end of the year

39,591,536 12,700,801

7,238,587

5,315,334 64,846,258

¹ These intangibles have no definite lives.

Annual Report 2017NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 30 June 2017

21. Trade and Other Payables

Current

Trade creditors

Other payables

Related parties other payables – Trust

2017 
$

2016 
$

214,429

27,590

4,607,532

1,858,030

–

115,264

4,821,961

2,000,884

(a) Fair value
Due to the short term nature of these payables, their carrying value is assumed to approximate their fair value.

(b) Related party payables
For terms and conditions relating to related party payables please refer to Note 34.

(c) Interest rate and liquidity risks
Trade and other payables are non-interest bearing. Liquidity risk exposure is not regarded as significant. Trade, other and 
related party payables are all due within less than 90 days.

22. Financial Liabilities

Current

X-RPUs

Share of deferred commitments

Sublease liability

Non Current

Notes payable – Seizert

Share of deferred commitments

Sublease liability

(a)

(b)

(c)

(b)

2017 
$

2016 
$

26,040,479

1,732,353

208,745

27,981,577

26,240,639

1,857,567

612,048

28,710,254

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

LIMITED80

81

(a) X-RPUs 
As at 15 March 2017, the Trust resettled its X-PRUs. Before resettlement, full payment of the US$42m face value of the 
X-RPUs was contingent on the performance of six previously held Northern Lights asset management firms, relative to two 
asset management firms previously owned by PAC before forming the Aurora Trust. The Settlement Transaction resulted 
in the new face value of this debt being a fixed amount of US$21m, to be repaid on or before 31 March 2018, and will bear 
interest at a rate beginning at 10% per annum if not repaid by that date. A 7.25% discount rate was applied to determine the 
net present value of this liability as at 15 March 2017. The gain on revaluation of the instrument of $2,538,069 which was 
the difference between the fair value of the instrument as at 31 December 2016 and the net present value of $25,789,371 
was recorded by the Trust on 15 March 2017 before the Trust was consolidated to the Company’s accounts.

(b) Share of deferred commitments 
This represents the 40% share of the Trust for the deferred commitments to RARE in accordance with the side agreement 
amongst the former owners of RARE to lock in the employment of the investment team with RARE for a certain number 
of years. An 8% discount rate was applied to determine the net present value of this liability as at 21 October 2015. The 
current portion is due in September 2017. 

(c) Notes payable – Seizert
In  November  2015,  the  Trust  issued  notes  for  A$20,226,070  (US$17,500,000)  to  the  former  owners  of  Seizert  as  part 
of the consideration for the acquisition by Midco for the equity interest in Seizert. The interest rate associated with the note 
equals the twelve-month LIBOR rate plus 5%. The note is subject to two repayment dates, 50% of the total outstanding due 
and payable on 24 November 2018 and the remaining 50% due and payable on 24 November 2019.

On 12 August 2017, the restricted cash held in escrow amounting to US$6,083,938 was released and paid to the holders 
of Notes payable - Seizert as an initial payment. Refer to Note 13 for details.

(d) Movement of financial liabilities

Acquired 
through 
business 
combination  
$

Amortisation 
of loan fees  
$

Interest 
accrued/ 
Imputed 
interest  
$

Repayment/ 
(Adjustment)  
$

Foreign 
currency 
movement  
$

Total  
$

2017

Current

East West debt facility¹

5,938,387

662,585

451,117

(7,127,630)

75,541

–

X-RPUs

25,860,661

Share of deferred commitments

1,675,400

Sublease liability

208,493

–

–

–

469,915

–

(290,097) 26,040,479

–

56,953

–

1,732,353

2,815

–

(2,563)

208,745

Balance

Non-current

33,682,941

662,585

923,847

(7,070,677)

(217,119) 27,981,577

East West debt facility¹

6,419,396

175,458

–

(6,676,513)

81,659

–

Notes payable-Seizert

27,501,622

Share of deferred commitments

3,446,421

680,225

Sublease liability

Balance

–

–

–

427,494

–

(1,688,477) 26,240,639

(33,334)

(1,555,520)

–

1,857,567

7,435

(68,974)

(6,638)

612,048

38,047,664

175,458

401,595

(8,301,007)

(1,613,456) 28,710,254

¹  On 14 December 2016, the Group secured a debt facility of US$10m from East West Bank with a US Prime plus 3.50% interest rate secured over a 
two-year period to fund the second and final payment of US$16.3 million for the Group’s investment in Aperio. The balance of the repayment for the 
investment in Aperio was funded out of existing cash. The debt facility was fully paid in 29 June 2017.

Annual Report 2017NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 30 June 2017

23. Provisions

Current

Provision for annual leave, beginning balance

Provisions during the year 

Annual leave taken

Provision for annual leave, closing balance

Non Current

Provision for long service leave, beginning balance

Provisions during the year

Long service leave taken

Provision for long service leave, closing balance

24. Share Capital

(a) Issued capital

Issued and fully paid ordinary shares

(b) Movements in ordinary shares on issue

Opening balance

Shares issued:

31 July 2015

7 September 2015

13 April 2017

21 June 2017

Balance at end of the year

2017 
$

2015 
$

236,468

328,765

219,712

70,713

(111,078)

(163,010)

345,102

236,468

175,268

207,445

(24,654)

(32,177)

–

–

150,614

175,268

2017 
$

2015 
$

166,278,319

74,556,705

2017

No of  
shares

2016

$

No of  
shares

$

28,125,955

74,556,705

27,604,144

69,500,943

–

–

–

–

34,007

55,771

487,804

4,999,991

13,675,667 60,446,448

5,840,708

31,275,166

–

–

–

–

19,516,375

91,721,614

521,811

5,055,762

47,642,330 166,278,319

28,125,955

74,556,705

LIMITED82

83

Effective  1  July  1998,  the  Corporations  legislation  in  place  abolished  the  concepts  of  authorised  capital  and  par  value 
shares. Accordingly, the Company does not have authorised capital nor par value in respect of its issued shares.

On 23 June 2017, the Company completed an Institutional Placement to raise approximately $33 million at $5.65 per fully 
paid ordinary share. A total of 5,840,708 new shares were issued. Total transaction costs of $1,724,835 were deducted 
from the proceeds and capitalized against the share issue. The issue was fully underwritten and the new shares rank equally 
with existing shares and entitled to the final dividend for 2017. The proceeds of the placement were used to strengthen the 
balance sheet with the repayment of debt that was originally sourced to finance the second tranche of Aperio and to satisfy 
obligations on the deferred settlement with respect to Seizert. In addition, an accelerated payment was made with respect 
to the tax liability that had arisen due to the capital gain crystallised on the sale of RARE in October 2015.

On 13 April 2017, the Company issued 13,675,667 fully paid ordinary shares in exchange for Class B units and vested Class 
B 1 units in the Trust by virtue of the Simplification discussed on Note 11.

Rights of each type of share
Fully paid ordinary shares carry one vote per share and carry the right to dividends.

Long-term incentives – performance rights
Refer to Note 29 for the issue of performance rights. 

Capital management
The Company’s capital management policies focus on ordinary share capital. When managing capital, the board’s objective 
is to ensure the entity continues as a going concern as well as to maintain optimal returns to shareholders and benefits to 
other stakeholders. 

During the year ended 30 June 2017, the Company paid dividends of $1,406,298 (2016: $13,363,873) and repaid bank debt 
of US$10.0m. The Board anticipates that the payout ratio is 60-80% of the underlying earnings of the Company. The Board 
continues to monitor the appropriate dividend payout ratio over the medium term.

The board is constantly reviewing the capital structure to take advantage of favourable cost of capital or high returns on 
assets. As the market is constantly changing, the board may change the amount of dividends to be paid to shareholders or 
conduct share buybacks. 

25. Reserves

Foreign currency translation reserve

Equity-settled employee benefits reserve

Investment revaluation reserve

2017
$

2016 
$

233,378

16,688,985

4,377,006

3,255,351

3,347,823

1,457,306

7,958,207 21,401,642

(a) Foreign currency translation reserve
The reserve records the Group’s foreign currency translation reserve which is derived from foreign exchange differences 
arising on translation of the Trust’s foreign operations. The comparative is the Company’s share of after tax foreign currency 
translation reserve of the Trust which was transferred to the current profit or loss when the equity accounted investment 
in the Trust was derecognised.

Movements in reserve

Opening balance

Exchange differences on translating foreign operations of a subsidiary

16,688,985

9,723,255

233,378

–

Share on exchange differences on translating foreign operations of a joint venture (after tax)

(3,943,260)

6,965,730

Reversal of the share on translating foreign operations of a joint venture derecognised during 
the year

(12,745,725)

–

Closing balance

233,378

16,688,985

Annual Report 2017NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 30 June 2017

(b) Equity settled employee benefits reserve
This reserve is used to record the value of equity benefits provided to employees and directors as part of their remuneration. 
Refer to Note 29 for further details of these plans.

Movements in reserve

Opening balance

Share based payments expensed

Issuance of shares due to vesting of performance rights

Closing balance

2017
$

2016 
$

3,255,351

2,938,463

1,121,655

372,659

–

(55,771)

4,377,006

3,255,351

(c) Investment revaluation reserve
This  reserve  records  the  Group’s  gain  on  its  AFS  investments  and  the  share  on  the  after  tax  gain  of  an  associate’s  AFS 
investments. The comparative is the Company’s share of after tax gain on AFS investments of the Trust which was transferred 
to the current profit or loss when the equity accounted investment in the Trust was derecognised.

Movements in reserve

Opening balance

Share of net fair value gain on AFS financial assets of a joint venture (after tax)

Reversal of the share on net fair value gain on AFS financial assets of a joint venture 
derecognised during the year (after tax)

Share of net fair value gain on AFS financial asset of an associate (after tax) 

Net fair value gain on AFS financial assets 

Closing balance

26. Retained Earnings

Retained earnings at beginning of year

Net profit/(loss)

Dividends provided for or paid

27. Non-Controlling Interests

Balance at beginning of year

Recognition of non-controlling interests acquired through business combination, Note 11

Share of profit attributable to the non-controlling interests

Balance at end of the year

The non-controlling interest represents 46% in SCI.

1,457,306

1,569,431

4,010,591

(112,125)

(5,467,897)

48,101

3,299,722

–

–

–

3,347,823

1,457,306

91,471,250 153,075,571

10,628,889 (48,240,448)

(1,406,298)

(13,363,873)

100,693,841 91,471,250

–

297,701

(43,892)

253,809

–

–

–

–

LIMITED84

85

28. Operating Lease Commitments
The  Company  has  entered  into  commercial  property  leases  to  meet  its  office  accommodation  requirements.  All  leases 
include a clause to enable upward revision of the rental charge on an annual basis according to prevailing market conditions. 

Future minimum rentals payable under non cancellable operating leases as at 30 June are as follows:

Future minimum rentals:

Minimum lease payments

– not later than one year

– later than one year and not later than five years

– later than five years

Aggregate lease expenditure contracted for at reporting date

Amounts not provided for:

– rental commitments

Aggregate lease expenditure contracted for at reporting date

29. Employee Benefits and Superannuation Commitments

2017
$

2016 
$

922,075

234,386

2,230,246

232,082

–

–

3,384,403

234,386

3,384,403

234,386

3,384,403

234,386

The Group Long Term Incentive Plan
On 26 October 2016, the Company granted 100,000 performance rights to Mr Ferragina. Two tranches of rights were 
issued with equal proportions (50%) vesting based on the relative TSR of the Company compared to the ASX 300 (Hurdle 
1) and a group of seven other domestic and international fund managers (Hurdle 2). The value of each right for Hurdle 1 and 
Hurdle 2 were $1.65 and $2.02, respectively. Total value of the outstanding performance rights is $184,000 amortised over 
two years and seven months from the grant date. The performance rights on issue were valued on 26 October 2016 by an 
independent adviser using a Monte Carlo pricing model. The vesting date of these rights is 1 July 2019.

On 5 October 2016, the Company granted 250,000 performance rights to Mr Greenwood. Two tranches of rights were 
issued with equal proportions (50%) vesting based on the relative TSR of the Company compared to the ASX 300 (Hurdle 
1) and a group of seven other domestic and international fund managers (Hurdle 2). The value of each right for Hurdle 1 and 
Hurdle 2 were $1.65 and $2.02, respectively. Total value of the outstanding performance rights is $458,765 amortised over 
two years and seven months from the grant date. The performance rights on issue were valued on 5 October 2016 by an 
independent adviser using a Monte Carlo pricing model. The vesting date of these rights is 1 July 2019. 

Mr Greenwood will become entitled to the issue of another 250,000 performance rights on 5 October 2017 provided that 
he is still employed on that date, subject to vesting conditions.

On  15  February  2016,  the  Company  granted  1,199,000  performance  rights  which  have  a  vesting  date  of  1  July  2018 
to  officers  and  certain  employees  as  part  of  their  long  term  incentives.  Two  tranches  of  rights  were  issued  with  equal 
proportions (50%) vesting based on the relative TSR of the Group compared to the ASX 300 (Hurdle 1) and a group of seven 
other domestic and international fund managers (Hurdle 2). The value of each right for Hurdle 1 and Hurdle 2 were $1.26 
and $2.46, respectively. Total value of the outstanding performance rights is $2,225,945 amortised over two years and four 
months from the grant date. The performance rights on issue were valued based on the valuation made by an independent 
adviser using a Monte Carlo pricing model. The vesting date of these rights is 1 July 2018.

On 7 August 2016, the 100,000 performance rights that were issued to an officer on 7 August 2013 did not vest.

In the opinion of the management performance rights do not have a dilutive effect on the earnings per share calculation as 
any securities to be allocated on vesting of the performance rights will be purchased on market. 

The amount of performance rights amortisation expense for the period was $1,121,655 (2016: $372,659).

Annual Report 2017NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 30 June 2017

30. Events Subsequent To Reporting Date
On 31 August 2017, the directors of the Group declared a final dividend on ordinary shares in respect of the 2017 financial 
year. The total amount of the dividend is $8,575,619 which represents a fully franked dividend of 18 cents per share. The 
dividend has not been provided for in the 30 June 2017 consolidated financial statements.

On 25 August 2017, the Company received notice from shareholders, Mr Michael de Tocqueville and Advocate Partners Pty 
Ltd, an entity controlled by Mr de Tocqueville, has made application under section 247A of the Corporations Act 2001, for 
the inspection of certain documents in relation to the establishment of the joint venture between Treasury Group Limited 
and Northern Lights Capital Partners, LLC. 

The stated purpose for the application is to obtain the information to allow or assist in the determination of whether the de 
Tocqueville interests should continue to hold Pacific Current Group shares and whether there may be claims to be brought 
against the Company’s directors related to the creation of that joint venture. 

The Company previously offered to provide the documents requested under an industry standard confidentiality agreement. 
This offer was rejected by Mr de Tocqueville.

On 12 August 2017, the restricted cash held in escrow amounting to US$6,083,938 was released and paid to the holders of 
Notes payable - Seizert as an initial payment to the notes. Refer to Note 13 for details.

Apart from the above, there has been no matter or circumstance, which has arisen since 30 June 2017 that has significantly 
affected or may significantly affect:

(a)  the operations, in financial years subsequent to 30 June 2017, of the Group, or

(b)  the results of those operations, or

(c)  the state of affairs, in financial years subsequent to 30 June 2017, of the Group.

31. Key Management Personnel Disclosures

(a) Compensation received by key management personnel of the company

– short term employee benefits

– post employment benefits

– share based payments

– others¹

2017
$

2016 
$

2,313,473

3,809,189

72,600

864,549

–

79,039

213,497

824,421

3,250,622

4,926,146

¹  This was a special arrangement for Mr Carver in the prior year. Mr Carver’s employment contract was renegotiated as part of Mr Carver’s stepping up 
as a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) following Mr Andrew McGill’s departure as CEO of the Group on 31 August 2015. Mr Carver agreed to relinquish 
certain rights and entitlements to which he was previously entitled under his prior arrangement with Northern Lights and agreed to include non-
compete provisions in his contract, in exchange for a one-time payment of US$600,000 at signing of the contract subject to remaining employed 
through to 30 September 2016. On 30 April 2016, Mr Carver resigned as CEO and transitioned from being an Executive director to being a Non-
executive director. Mr Carver resigned as Non-executive director on 21 October 2016.

LIMITED86

87

(b) The names of key management personnel during the year are:

Name

Position

Term as KMP

(i) Non-executive directors

M. Fitzpatrick

M. Donnelly

G. Guérin

P. Kennedy

T. Carver

J. Vincent

(ii) Executive directors

P. Greenwood

T. Robinson

J. Ferragina

(iii) Senior executive

J. Ferragina

Chairman, non executive

Non executive director

Non executive director

Non executive director

Non executive director

Non executive director

Full financial year

Full financial year

Full financial year

Full financial year

Ceased 21 October 2016

Ceased 13 April 2017

Global CIO and President, North America

Full financial year

Executive director

Finance director

Full financial year

Resigned 24 October 2016

COO and CFO Australia

Full financial year

Each year, KMP STI are paid in two instalments being 50% following the performance year in August and 50% in June the 
following year. For the current year, only the 50% payable in August is provided for as at 30 June 2017. For the comparative 
period, only the 50% payable in August was provided for as at 30 June 2016. 

(c) Transactions with directors and director related entities
Mr Greenwood was a Class B and B 1 unitholder in the Trust. As a result of the Exchange Transaction discussed on Note 11, 
Mr Greenwood received 531,781 PAC shares. 

Both Mr Vincent and Mr Guerin represent stakeholders who were Class B and B 1 unitholders in the Trust. As a result of 
the Exchange Transaction discussed on Note 11, the stakeholders whom they represent received 3,004,887 and 3,399,252 
PAC shares respectively

(d) Loans to KMP
No loans have been advanced to KMP at any stage during the financial year ended 30 June 2017 (2016: Nil).

Annual Report 2017NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 30 June 2017

32. Auditors’ Remuneration

Amounts received or due and receivable by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu:

– an audit or review of the financial report of the entity 

– an audit or review of the financial report of any other entity in the consolidated group

– tax advisory and compliance services 

– other non-audit services 

Network firm of the parent entity auditor:

–  an audit or review of the financial report of the entity and any other entity in the 

consolidated group

Other firms:

– amount received or due receivable by other audit firms

2017*
$

2016** 
$

68,250

206,063

231,234

66,150

–

–

20,000

489,990

25,623

234,762

785,932

–

–

556,140

*   Auditor’s remuneration in the current year includes amounts attributable to the Company for the whole year and borne by the Group from the date 
of acquisition of the Trust on 13 April 2017. Amounts attributable to the audit of the Trust for the period from 30 June 2016 to 12 April 2017 is 
recognised by the Group as part of share of net profits/(losses) of a joint venture.

** Auditor’s remuneration and non audit services in the prior year was borne by the Trust on behalf of the Company.

33. Interests In Subsidiaries

(a) Subsidiaries
The following are the Company’s subsidiaries:

Subsidiaries of Pacific Current Group Limited:

Aurora Investment Management Pty Ltd, the Trustee of the Trust

Aurora Trust (b)

AR Capital Management Pty Ltd

Treasury Group Investment Services Ltd

Global Value Investors Ltd

Northern Lights MidCo, LLC (Midco)

Northern Lights Capital Group, LLC

NLCG Distributors, LLC

Northern Lights Capital Partners (UK) Ltd

Aether Investment Partners, LLC (Aether)

Seizert Capital Partners, LLC (Seizert)¹

Strategic Capital Investments, LLP (SCI)

Country of  
incorporation

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

US

US

US

UK

US

US

UK

Ownership interest  
held by the Company

2017 
%

2016 
%

100

100

-

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

50

54

100

65.15

100

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

¹  The Trust owns 50% of the common units which are entitled to the 50% voting rights and the 100% of the preferential units which have a preference 

in the allocation of income and the majority of Board seats which are the basis of control and therefore the treatment of Seizert as a subsidiary.

LIMITED88

89

(b)  Changes in a parent’s ownership interest 

Transactions between subsidiaries of the Company

in a subsidiary

On  13  April  2017,  the  Company  acquired  100%  of  the 
units in the Trust. As at 30 June 2017, the Trust is wholly 
owned by the Company.

As at 30 June 2016 and up to 12 April 2017, the Company 
owned  65.15%  of  the  Trust.  Whilst  the  ownership 
exceeded 50% and resulted in a presumption of control, 
the  Trust  was  considered  a  joint  venture  arrangement 
between  the  Group,  Northern  Lights  Capital  Partners, 
LLC and BNP Paribas and accounted for using the equity 
method. Refer Note 19 for other details.

34. Related Party Transactions
The  following  transactions  with  related  parties  were  on 
normal terms and conditions. Bad debts written off during 
the financial year were $4,763 (2016: Nil) and there were 
no provisions for bad debts as at year end (2016: Nil).

Transactions between Pacific Current Group Limited 
and subsidiaries

AURORA TRUST

Service fees
During  the  period  1  July  2016  to  31  March  2017,  the 
Company  provided  management  and  administrative 
services  to  the  Trust  and  received  fees  of  $660,849 
(2016: $1,142,451).

Receivables, payables and advances
As  at  30  June  2017,  the  Company  has  $nil  outstanding 
receivables (2016: $849,146) and $1,522,092 outstanding 
payables (2016: $nil) relating to the Trust.

During  the  year,  the  Company  made  advances  of 
$17,036,856 to the Trust. 

All intercompany receivables, payables and advances are 
eliminated on consolidation.

AURORA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT PTY LTD
During  the  year,  there  were  intercompany  transactions 
comprising  expense 
intercompany 
recharges 
receivables  and  payables.  These  are  eliminated  upon 
consolidation.

and 

Service fees
During  the  year,  the  Trustee  provided  management  and 
administrative services to the Trust and received fees of 
$2,492,768 (2016: $4,007,802). 

Receivables and payables
As  at  30  June  2017,  the  Trustee  has  $nil  outstanding 
receivables  (2016:  $125,920)  and  $815,165  outstanding 
payables (2016: $nil) relating to the Trust. 

As  at  30  June  2017,  the  Trustee  has  outstanding 
receivables  of  $100,477  (2016:  $23,711)  relating  to 
Treasury Group Investment Services Ltd.

Loans
During  the  year,  the  Trust  made  advances  to  Midco  of 
$18,512,074 (2016: $97,964,899).

Transactions with associates

Service fees
During  the  period  1  April  to  31  May  2017,  distribution 
services  were  provided  to  Investors  Mutual  Limited  and 
fees of $16,667 were received (2016: Nil). 

Dividends and distributions
During the year, dividends and distributions of $3,107,095 
(2016:  $nil)  were  received  or  receivable  from  the 
associates. These are disclosed in Note 18 of the financial 
report.

Loans and other receivables
As  at  30  June  2017,  the  total  loans  to  associates  were 
$3,595,930. On 27 April 2017, a loan amount of $1,927,265 
including  interest  were  repaid  by  ROC  Partners  Pty  Ltd 
and on 5 May 2017, a loan amount of $324,800 including 
interest was repaid by Freehold Investment Management 
Pty Ltd.

Transactions with directors
Transactions with the directors are disclosed in Note 31.

Annual Report 2017NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 30 June 2017

35. Parent Entity Disclosure
Summarised presentation of the parent entity, Pacific Current Group Limited, financial statements:

(a) Summarised statement of financial position

Assets

Current assets

Non-current assets

Total assets

Liabilities

Current liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Total liabilities

Net assets

Equity

Share capital

Retained earnings

Reserves

Share based payments reserve

Total equity

(b) Summarised consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income

(Loss)/Profit for the year

Other comprehensive income for the year

Total comprehensive (loss)/income for the year

The accounting policies of the parent are consistent with the consolidated entity.

2017* 
$

2016 
$

6,162,912

14,258,907

333,442,501 356,162,682

339,605,413 370,421,589

6,608,897

16,695,161

16,598,713

16,958,123

23,207,610 33,653,284

316,397,803 336,768,305

166,278,319

74,556,705

147,297,015 259,389,131

2,822,469

2,822,469

316,397,803 336,768,305

(110,347,541) 101,854,471

–

–

(110,347,541) 101,854,471

LIMITEDDIRECTORS’ DECLARATION

90

91

In accordance with a resolution of the Directors of Pacific Current Group Limited, I state that:

1. 

In the opinion of the Directors:

a. 

the consolidated financial statements and notes are in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001, including:

i. 

ii. 

iii. 

 giving a true and fair view of the consolidated entity’s financial position as at 30 June 2017 and of its 
performance for the year ended on that date;

complying with Accounting Standards and Corporations Regulations 2001; and

 complying with International Financial Reporting Standards, as stated in Note 3 to the consolidated financial 
statements;

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.

2. 

 This declaration has been made after receiving the declarations required to be made to the Directors in accordance with 
section 295A of the Corporations Act 2001 for the year ended 30 June 2017.

On behalf of the Board 

M. Fitzpatrick 
Chairman

31 August 2017

Annual Report 2017 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT

For the year ended 30 June 2017

Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu 
A.C.N. 74 490 121 060 

Grosvenor Place 
225 George Street 
Sydney  NSW  2000 
PO Box N250 Grosvenor Place 
Sydney NSW 1217 Australia 

DX 10307SSE 
Tel:  +61 (0) 2 9322 7000 
Fax:  +61 (0) 2 9322 7001 
www.deloitte.com.au 

Independent Auditor’s Report to the members of Pacific Current 
Group Limited 

Report on the Audit of the Financial Report 

Opinion  

We  have  audited  the  financial  report  of  Pacific  Current  Group  Limited  (the  “Company”)  and  its 
subsidiaries (the “Group”), which comprises the consolidated statement of financial position as at 
30 June 2017, the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, the consolidated statement of 
changes in equity and the consolidated statement of cash flows for the year then ended, and notes 
to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies, and the directors’ 
declaration. 

In our opinion, the accompanying financial report of the Group is in accordance with the Corporations 
Act 2001, including:  

(i)  

giving a true and fair view of the Group’s financial position as at 30 June 2017 and of its 
financial performance for the year then ended; and   

(ii)  

complying with Australian Accounting Standards and the Corporations Regulations 2001. 

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  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.  

We confirm that the independence declaration required by the  Corporations Act 2001, which has 
been given to the directors of the Company, would be in the same terms if given to the directors as 
at the time of this auditor’s report. 

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a 
basis for our opinion. 

Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee, and its 
network of member firms, each of which is a legally separate and independent entity. Please see www.deloitte.com/au/about 
for a detailed description of the legal structure of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited and its member firms. 

Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation. 
Member of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limite 

92 

LIMITED 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
92

93

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.  These  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. 

Key Audit Matter 

Group restructure and acquisition of the 
remaining  interest  in  Aurora  Trust  by 
the Company  

How the scope of our audit responded to the 
Key Audit Matter 
Our procedures on the Group restructure included, 
but were not limited to:  

Refer  to  note  3(c)  and  5  for  the  Group’s 
accounting  policy  on  business  combinations 
and  note  11  for  disclosure  of  the  Group 
restructure and acquisition of 100% interest 
in Aurora Trust by the Company.  

 

On  15  March  2017  the  shareholders  of  the 
Company approved the issue of 1 PAC share 
for each 1.1 B-class unit in the Aurora Trust 
which resulted in the Aurora Trust becoming 
a  100%  owned  and controlled subsidiary  of 
the Company (the Group restructure).  

The accounting for the Group restructure and 
the  acquisition  of  100%  of  Aurora  Trust 
required 
to 
appropriately recognise and estimate the:  

judgement 

significant 

 

 

 

financial 

Fair  value  of  acquired  assets  and 
liabilities  of  Aurora  Trust  including 
investments  in  associates,  financial 
liabilities, 
assets  and 
identification  and 
including 
the 
valuation  of  acquired 
intangible 
assets;  
The gain  on  re-measurement of  the 
existing  65.15%  ownership  interest 
in Aurora Trust; and 
The  purchase  consideration  paid, 
with  specific  judgement  relating  to 
the re-measurement to fair value of 
the  65.15%  existing  ownership 
interest in Aurora Trust. 

  Reviewing 

the 

documentation, 
approvals, of the transaction;  

legal 

contractual 
including  the  shareholder 

and 

In  conjunction  with  our  Corporate  Finance 
specialists  evaluating 
fair  value  of 
investments  held  by  Aurora  Trust,  including 
the 
associates, 
investments in financial assets and intangibles 
assets by; 

subsidiaries, 

Trust’s 

the 

o  Evaluating the competence and objectivity 
and 
scope  and  any 

of 
understanding 
limitations of their work; 

management’s 

expert 

the 

o  Assessing the methodology applied in the 

to  historical 

management’s expert report;  
o  Evaluating  key  assumptions, 

including 
comparing 
figures  and 
industry benchmarks, including the useful 
lives of each identified intangible asset;  
o  Assessing  the  appropriateness  of  the 
applied  discount  rates  in  the  individual 
investment  fair  value  calculations  using 
industry and peer company data;  
the 
applied 

valuation 
industry 

earnings 
with 

o  Comparing 
multiples 
benchmarks; and  

o  Evaluating  the  sensitivity  analysis  to 
assess  the  impact  of  key  assumptions 
including  the  discount  rate  and  revenue 
and  expense  growth  forecasts  on  the 
individual fair value calculations.  

  Recalculating 

the  purchase  consideration 
comprising  the  equity  shares  issued  and  the 
re-measurement  to  fair  value  of  the  65.15% 
existing  ownership  interest  in  Aurora  Trust 
with  reference  to  the  share  price  of  the 
Company  at  the  Group  restructure  date,  the 
fair value of the investments held by the Trust, 
and the other identifiable assets and liabilities 
of the Trust at the acquisition date;  
In  conjunction  with  our  Tax  specialists  we 
assessed the recognition and calculation of the 
current and deferred tax impacts of the Group 

 

93 

Annual Report 2017 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT

continued

Key Audit Matter 

Assessment 
investments in associates  

for 

impairment  of  the 

Refer to:  
-  note  3  (l)  and  (n)  for  the  Group’s 

accounting policy for impairment; 

-  note  5  for  the  Group’s  approach  to 
the  Critical 
impairment  set  out 
Accounting Judgements and Key Sources 
of Estimation Uncertainty; and  
information on the Group’s Associates set 
out in note 18.  

in 

- 

How the scope of our audit responded to the 
Key Audit Matter 

restructure  through  consideration  of  the  fair 
value  of  the  identifiable  net  assets  acquired 
and  the  underlying  tax  cost  bases  of  the 
acquired assets and liabilities; and 

  Recalculating the residual goodwill and gain on 
disposal from re-measurement of the current 
investment  in  the  Aurora  Trust  joint  venture 
for mathematical accuracy.  

We  also  assessed  the  appropriateness  of  the 
disclosures in note 11 to the financial statements.  

Our procedures included, but were not limited to:  

  Assessing  the  fair  value  assessment  of  the 
investments in associates held by Aurora Trust 
undertaken by management’s expert as part of 
the  Group  restructure,  including  the  key 
assumptions  and  drivers  of  the  value  of  the 
associate;  

  Evaluating  the  competence  and  objectivity  of 
management’s  expert  and  understanding  the 
scope and any limitations of their work; 

The assessment of the recoverable amount of 
the  carrying  value  of  the  investment  in 
associates requires management to exercise 
judgement in relation to the: 

 

 

of 

the 

Performance 
individual 
investments,  including  assessment  of 
the 
forecast  profitability  of 
both 
associate  and 
funds  under 
its 
management; and  

  External 

industry 
investment 
performance  in  the  United  States  of 
America,  Australia  and  the  United 
the  primary 
Kingdom,  which  are 
operating markets of the Group.   

Testing  on  a  sample  basis  the  dividends 
received and the recognition of share of profit 
of associates from the Group restructure date 
to  30  June  2017  as  part  of  the  equity 
accounted 
value 
movement reconciliation to 30 June 2017;  

investments 

carrying 

  Assessing 

qualitative 
management’s 
assessment of impairment and identification of 
indicators  of  impairment  of  investments  in 
associates  performed  for the  period  from  the 
Group  restructure  date  to  30  June  2017 
including; 

o  Reviewing  the  performance  of  the 
equity  accounted  investments  from 
the Group restructure date to 30 June 
2017; and 

o  Evaluating  any  significant  or  adverse 
changes  in  the  business  or  economic 
environment.  

We  also  assessed  the  appropriateness  of  the 
disclosures  in  note  5  and  18  to  the  financial 
statements.   

94 

LIMITED 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
94

95

How the scope of our audit responded to the 
Key Audit Matter 
Our procedures included, but were not limited to:  

  Reviewing  management’s  expert  valuation 

reports;  

  Evaluating  the  competence  and  objectivity  of 
the  management  expert  and  understanding 
the scope and any limitations of their work;  
  Assessing management’s process and controls 
for  the  preparation  of  the  value  in  use 
calculations;  

  Assessing 

the  key  assumptions 

the 
impairment  assessment,  including  the  cash 
flows,  growth  rates,  underlying  funds  under 
management  forecasts  supporting  revenue 
and  expenses,  discount  rate,  terminal  value 
calculations through; 

in 

o  Comparing  key  assumptions  to  historical 

figures and industry benchmarks; 

o  Assessing the applied discount rates in the 
value in use calculation using industry and 
peer company data; 

o  Comparing 

the 

earnings 

valuation 

multiples with industry benchmarks; and 
o  Evaluating  the  sensitivity  analysis  to 
assess  the  impact  of  key  assumptions, 
including the discount rate on the value in 
use calculation. 

 

Testing  on  a  sample  basis  the  mathematical 
accuracy of the cash flow models 

We  also  assessed  the  appropriateness  of  the 
disclosures  in  note  5  and  20  to  the  financial 
statements.   

In conjunction with our internal valuation experts 
our procedures included, but were not limited to: 

  Reviewing  management’s  expert  valuation 

reports;  

  Evaluating  the  competence  and  objectivity  of 
the  management  expert  and  understanding 
the scope and any limitations of their work; 

  Assessing the key assumptions in the fair value 
calculations  including  the  future  cash  flows, 
growth 
funds  under 
management  forecasts,  discount  rate  and 
terminal value calculations through;  

rates,  underlying 

o  Comparing  them  to  historical  figures  and 

industry benchmarks;  

o  Assessing the applied discount rates in the 
fair value calculation using industry and peer 
company data;  

95 

Key Audit Matter 

Assessment 
goodwill and intangibles  

for 

impairment  of  the 

Refer to:  
-  note  3  (n)  for  the  Group’s  accounting 

policy for impairment;  

-  note  5  for  the  Group’s  approach  to 
impairment  set  out 
the  Critical 
Accounting Judgements and Key Sources 
of Estimation Uncertainty; and 

in 

-  Intangible  assets  disclosures,  including 

goodwill in note 20.   

As at 30 June 2017 the carrying value of the 
goodwill  totals  $39,591,536.  Goodwill  has 
been attributed to the following businesses: 
  Aether Investment Partners LLC; and  
  Seizert Capital Partners. 

As at 30 June 2017 the identified intangibles 
relationships, 
assets 
management rights and brands, which have 
a carrying value of $25,254,722.  

customer 

include 

Goodwill and brands are subject to an annual 
impairment test and other intangible assets 
are assessed for indicators of impairment. 

The  impairment  testing  process  for  these 
assets  is  subject  to  significant  judgement 
around  the  identification  of  indicators  of 
impairment and key inputs and assumptions 
applied in the value in use calculations. 

Fair value of available for sale financial 
assets  and  financial  assets  designated 
at fair value through profit or loss 

Refer to note 3(k) for the Group’s accounting 
policy for financial instruments and note 17 
for  details  of  the  carrying  value  of  the 
investments  and  note  4(e)  for  disclosure  in 
relation to ‘level 3’ financial instruments.  

As at 30 June 2017 the Groups available for 
financial  assets  were  valued  at 
sale 
$30,174,277 and financial assets designated 
at  fair  value  through  profit  or  losses  were 
valued at $22,700,000.  

judgement 
the 

is 
fair  value  of 

in 
Significant 
estimating 
these 
investments  as  all  of  these  financial  assets 
are  classified  as  ‘level  3’  financial  assets 
where values are derived substantially from 

involved 

Annual Report 2017 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT

continued

Key Audit Matter 

unobservable inputs.  

How the scope of our audit responded to the 
Key Audit Matter 

o  Comparing the earnings valuation multiples 

with industry benchmarks; and  

and 

o  Performing sensitivity analysis to assess the 
impact 
key 
assumptions, including the discount rate and 
revenue  and  expense  growth  forecasts  on 
the individual fair value calculations. 

reasonableness 

of 

 

Testing  on  a  sample  basis  the  mathematical 
accuracy of the cash flow models. 

We  also  assessed  the  appropriateness  of  the 
disclosures  in  note  4  and  17  to  the  financial 
statements.  

Other Information  

The  directors  are  responsible  for  the  other  information.  The  other  information  comprises  the 
Directors’ Report which we obtained prior to the date of this auditor’s report, and also includes the 
following information which will be included in the Company’s annual report (but does not include 
the financial report and our auditor’s report thereon): ASX additional information, which is expected 
to be made available to us after that date.  

Our opinion on the financial report does not cover the other information and we do not and will 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 
identified above 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.  

When we read the ASX additional information, if we conclude that there is a material misstatement 
therein,  we  are  required  to  communicate  the  matter  to  the  directors  and  use  our  professional 
judgement to determine the appropriate action. 

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 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 has 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 

96 

LIMITED 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
96

97

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 this financial report. 

As part of an audit in accordance with the Australian Auditing Standards, we exercise professional 
judgement and maintain professional scepticism throughout the audit. We also:   

 

Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial report, whether due 
to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain 
audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk 
of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting 
from  error,  as 
intentional  omissions, 
involve  collusion, 
fraud  may 
misrepresentations, or the override of internal control.  

forgery, 

  Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit 
procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing 
an opinion on the effectiveness of the Group’s internal control.  

  Evaluate  the  appropriateness  of  accounting  policies  used  and  the  reasonableness  of 

accounting estimates and related disclosures made by the directors.  

  Conclude  on  the  appropriateness  of  the  directors’  use  of  the  going  concern  basis  of 
accounting and, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists 
related  to  events  or  conditions  that  may  cast  significant  doubt  on  the  Group’s  ability  to 
continue  as  a  going  concern.  If  we  conclude  that  a  material  uncertainty  exists,  we  are 
required to draw attention in our auditor’s report to the related disclosures in the financial 
report  or,  if  such disclosures  are  inadequate,  to modify  our  opinion. Our  conclusions  are 
based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of our auditor’s report. However, future 
events or conditions may cause the Group to cease to continue as a going concern.  

  Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the financial report, including the 
disclosures,  and  whether  the  financial  report  represents  the  underlying  transactions  and 
events in a manner that achieves fair presentation.  

  Obtain  sufficient  appropriate  audit  evidence  regarding  the  financial  information  of  the 
entities or business activities within the Group to express an opinion on the financial report. 
We are responsible for the direction, supervision and performance of the Group audit. We 
remain solely responsible for our audit opinion. 

We communicate with the directors regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing 
of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control 
that we identify during our audit.  

We  also  provide  the  directors  with  a  statement  that  we  have  complied  with  relevant  ethical 
requirements regarding independence, and  to communicate with them all relationships and other 
matters that may reasonably be thought to bear on our independence, and where applicable, related 
safeguards.  

From the matters communicated with the directors, we determine those matters that were of most 
significance in the audit of the financial report of the current period and are therefore the key audit 
matters. We describe these matters in our auditor’s report unless law or regulation precludes public 
disclosure about the matter or when, in extremely rare circumstances, we determine that a matter 
should not be communicated in our report because the adverse consequences of doing so would 
reasonably be expected to outweigh the public interest benefits of such communication. 

97 

Annual Report 2017 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT

continued

Report on the Remuneration Report 

Opinion on the Remuneration Report 

We have audited the Remuneration Report included in pages 16 to 29 of the Directors’ Report for 
the year ended 30 June 2017.  

In our opinion, the Remuneration Report of Pacific Current Group Limited, for the year ended 30 
June 2017, complies with section 300A of the Corporations Act 2001.  

Responsibilities  

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 is to express an opinion on the Remuneration Report, based on our audit conducted in 
accordance with Australian Auditing Standards.  

DELOITTE TOUCHE TOHMATSU 

Declan O’Callaghan 
Partner 
Chartered Accountants 
Sydney, 31 August 2017  

98 

LIMITED 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
ASX ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

98

99

Corporate Governance
In accordance with ASX Listing Rule 4.10.3, Pacific Current Group’s Corporate Governance Statement can be found on its 
website at www.paccurrent.com/shareholders/corporate- governance/.

The Directors approved the 2017 Corporate Governance Statement on 31 August 2017.

Shareholder Information as at 28 August 2017
Additional information required by the Australian Securities Exchange listing rules and not shown elsewhere in this report 
is as follows.

a.  Distribution of equity securities (as at 28 August 2017)
The number of shareholders by size of holding for fully paid ordinary shares are:

Holding

1 – 1,000
1,001 – 5,000

5,001 – 10,000

10,001 – 100,000

100,001 and over

Total

Number of shareholders

Number of shares

1,476
1,437

301

195

47

3,456

708,976
3,626,003

2,208,360

5,275,658

35,823,333

47,642,330

The number of shareholders holding less than a marketable parcel of shares is 203, a total of 2,456 shares.

b. Twenty largest shareholders (as at 28 August 2017)
The names of the twenty largest holders of quoted shares are:

Name

1

HSBC CUSTODY NOMINEES (AUSTRALIA) LIMITED

NORTHERN LIGHTS CAPITAL PARTNERS LLC
FUND BNP PARIBAS CAPITAL PARTNERS PARTICIPATIONS
CITICORP NOMINEES PTY LIMITED
NATIONAL NOMINEES LIMITED
SQUITCHY LANE HOLDINGS PTY LTD
RBC INVESTOR SERVICES AUSTRALIA NOMINEES PTY LTD 
J P MORGAN NOMINEES AUSTRALIA LIMITED
BNP PARIBAS NOMS PTY LTD 
ANDREW TURNER
BROWN INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT LP
TFV II LLC
PAUL GREENWOOD
BNP PARIBAS CAPITAL PARTNERS 

2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15 MR TIMOTHY GERARD RYAN
16

HSBC CUSTODY NOMINEES (AUSTRALIA) LIMITED  

BALLYSHANNON PARTNERS L.P.

17
18 MR MICHAEL BRENDAN PATRICK DE TOCQUEVILLE
19
20

BANSON NOMINEES PTY LTD
TIMOTHY CARVER

Number of 
shares

7,284,238

3,399,252
3,004,887
2,690,457
2,490,094
2,401,500
2,038,465
1,600,935
970,593
883,388
616,026
536,731
531,781
487,804
484,573

456,449
447,813
400,000
370,854
341,181

%

1.49
7.61

4.64

11.07

75.19

100

%

15.29

7.13
6.31
5.65
5.23
5.04
4.28
3.36
2.04
1.85
1.29
1.13
1.12
1.02
1.01

0.96
0.94
0.84
0.78
0.72

Total

Balance of Register

31,437,021

16,205,309

65.99

34.01

Annual Report 2017ASX ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

continued

c. Substantial shareholders
The names of substantial shareholders who have notified the Company in accordance with section 671B of the Corporations 
Act 2001 are:

Name

Pacific Current Group Limited and its subsidiaries1

Perpetual Limited and its related bodies corporate
BNP Paribas Capital Partners (as representative of the Fund BNP Capital Partners 
Participations), BNP Paribas S.A. and each of its controlled entities
Northern Lights Capital Partners, LLC, LNC Investment Co. LLC (LNCIC), Laird Norton 
Company, LLC (LNC), White Pine, Inc. (White Pine), Jeff Vincent, each body corporate 
controlled by LNCIC, LNC and White Pine and each body corporate controlled by 
Jeff Vincent
Michael Fitzpatrick

Number of 
Shares

13,675,667
6,944,950

Current 
Interest

28.70%
14.58%

3,492,691

7.33%

3,399,252
2,701,285

7.13%
5.67%

1  Restrictions on the disposal of shares under voluntary escrow arrangements disclosed in the Notice of Meeting and Explanatory Memorandum dated 
13  February  2017  give  Pacific  Current  Group  Limited  a  technical  “relevant  interest”  under  section  608(1)(c)  of  the  Corporations  Act  2001  (Cth).  
However, Pacific Current Group Limited has no right to acquire these shares or to control the voting rights attaching to these shares.

d. Voting rights
All ordinary shares (whether fully paid or not) carry one vote per share without restriction.

e. Buyback 
There is no current on-market buy-back.

LIMITEDCORPORATE INFORMATION

Annual Report 2017 100

101

ABN 39 006 708 792 

Directors
M. Fitzpatrick, Chairman

M. Donnelly, Non-executive director

G. Guérin, Non-executive director

P. Kennedy, Non-executive director

P. Greenwood, Executive director; President, North America and Global Chief Investment Officer (CIO)

T. Robinson, Executive director

T. Carver, Non-executive director (resigned 21 October 2016)

J. Ferragina,  Finance director (resigned as Finance director 24 October 2016);  

Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Chief Operating Officer Australia (COO) 

J. Vincent, Non-executive director (resigned 13 April 2017)

Company Secretaries
P. Mackey (appointed 26 May 2017)

N. Bartrop (appointed 15 September 2016, resigned 26 May 2017)

Registered Office
Level 29 
259 George Street  
Sydney, NSW, 2000

Phone 
Facsimile 

+61 2 8243 0400 
+61 2 8243 0410

Share Register  
Computershare Investor Services Pty Ltd
452 Johnston Street 
Abbotsford, Victoria, 3067 

Phone 

+61 3 9415 5000

Bankers
Westpac Banking Corporation

Auditors
Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu

Internet Address
www.paccurrent.com 

 
 
SYDNEY

Level 29, Suite 2,  
259 George Street 
Sydney NSW 2000

Ph: +61 2 8243 0400

–

MELBOURNE

Level 2, 88 Collins Street 
Melbourne, Victoria 3000

Ph: +61 2 8243 0400

–

DENVER

3300 E 1st Avenue, Suite 610 
Denver, CO 80206

Ph: +1 (303) 321-9900

–

TACOMA

2323 North 30th Street, Suite 201 
Tacoma, WA 98403

Ph: +1 (253) 238 0417

–

PARIS

5 rue du Helder 75009 
Paris, France

www.paccurrent.com