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Reckon Limited

rkn · ASX Technology
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Industry Software - Infrastructure
Employees 501-1000
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FY2009 Annual Report · Reckon Limited
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Reckon Limited Annual Report 

ABN 14 003 348 730 
for the Financial Year Ended 31 December 2009

Contents

Our results at a glance 

Message to shareholders from the Chairman and the Group CEO 

Directors’ Report 

Remuneration Report 

Corporate Governance Report 

Auditor’s Report 

Financial Report 

Directors’ Declaration 

Statement of Comprehensive Income 

Statement of Financial Position 

Statement of Changes in Equity 

Statement of Cash Flows 

Notes to the Financial Statements 

Additional Information  

2

3

6

10

17

21

24

24

25

26

27

29

30

64

Our results at a glance

Revenue

Operating revenue was 
up 42% to $85.3 million 
from $60.0 million  

$m

% Growth

EBITDA

Group EBITDA was up 38% 
to $26.1 million from $19.0 
million.
(before acquisition restructure costs).

$m

% Growth

NPBT

Group NPBT was up 27% 
to $19.0 million from $15.1 
million.
(before acquisition restructure costs).

$m

% Growth

90

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

-

30

25

20

15

10

5

-

20

16

12

8

4

-

2

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

85.3

8%

23%

8%

42%

26.1

29%

26%

15%

38%

19.0

19%

21%

14%

27%

Message to shareholders from  
the Chairman and Group CEO

The overall results were positively impacted by the efficient 
integration of the Corporate Services and Billback businesses, 
together with organic growth in existing businesses.

The Operating Revenue in the Business Division from the 
underlying business was down on the prior year by 2%, 
because of substantially lower sales to the retail channel 
(-35%). A significant part of the reduced sales to the retail 
channel was due to the one-off impact of de-stocking by 
the bigger retailers. However, this was markedly set off by 
strong positive growth (+ 20%) in Enterprise and Elite product 
sales and 7% growth on the previous year in the direct core 
business. This revenue result together with cost reductions has 
resulted in a pleasing underlying EBITDA growth of 9% in the 
Business Division.

The Operating Revenue in the Professional Division from 
underlying business grew by 9%, and EBITDA by 13% (before 
a negative foreign exchange impact of 2%) on the back of 
healthy growth in maintenance revenue.

nQueue Billback has proved to be a profitable business 
with operating revenues of $7.3 million and EBITDA of $2.4 
million.

Professional Division

The Professional Division continues to enjoy the benefits of 
being a market leader in the provision of practice management 
systems to accounting practices. The Division’s product 
extension and integration strategies continue to resonate 
with existing clients and prospects alike. The product suite 
comprises 14 accounting products, and following the Billback 
acquisition, now includes 7 legal products.

The Professional Division has focused predominantly on the 
Top 300 accounting firms market and has conducted its 
business on the basis of a one-to-one highly relationship based 
offering of the best of breed technology into that market. 

Overview

It is with pleasure that we present the Reckon Limited results 
for the year ending 31 December 2009. 

2009 was once again an excellent result for the Company.

The table below sets out the key indicators for 2009 compared 
to 2008.

2009

2008 % Change

$85.3 million

$60.0 million

42% up

$26.1 million

$19.0 million

38% up

Operating  
Revenue

Group 
EBITDA*

Group NPAT* 
EPS*

$14.4 million

$11.3 million

10.5 cents

8.5 cents 

27% up

24% up

* Excludes business acquisition restructure costs.

Dividend

On 9 February 2010 the board declared a final dividend for 
2009 of 4 cents per share, fully franked. The interim dividend 
for 2009, declared on 14 August 2009 was 3 cents per share, 
fully franked, for a combined dividend total for 2009 of 7 cents 
per share. The final dividend for 2008 was 3.5 cents per share.

Operations

The Reckon Group operations are currently divided into three 
main divisions: Professional, Business and nQueue Billback 
all of which contributed to the strong growth experienced by 
Reckon in 2009. 

The table below illustrates the performance of each division.

Operating  
Revenue

% change  
on 2008  
Revenue

EBITDA*

% change  
on 2008 
EBITDA

$28.1 million

32% up $11.6 million

26% up

$49.9 million

29% up $15.9 million

29% up

$7.3 million

-

$2.4 million

-

Professional  
Division

Business 
Division

nQueue 
Billback Division

*Excludes business acquisition restructure costs.

3

Message to shareholders from  
the Chairman and Group CEO continued

As a result of its strong reputation as a supplier of best of 
breed products and services, demand from smaller sized 
accounting firms for compliance products now compels this 
Division to expand its market to the next tier of accounting 
firms beyond the Top 300. 

With the acquisition of the Corporate Services business, 
an opportunity has presented itself for sales of the 
Group’s company formation and compliance products and 
services to the wider professional accountancy market. In 
addition the launch of QuickBooks Online has opened an 
opportunity to cross-sell these products to accountants and 
their clients. Equally the acquisition of Billback solutions, 
especially once fully integrated into the APS suite of 
products, also presents a new opportunity in the wider 
accountancy market.

In addition as touched upon below it is anticipated that the 
Group as a whole will look to implementing strategies that 
take advantage of the growing complementarity between 
our Divisions as they move outside of their traditional 
markets. This will be achieved by the further integration of 
our product offerings across business divisions, for example 
our Professional Division expanding into QuickBooks 
Enterprise, QuickBooks Online and compliance solutions  
for its customers.

Business Division

The Business Division once again experienced many 
successes in the 2009 financial year.

In product development we saw the successful launch of 
QuickBooks 2009/10 QBi series; Quicken 2009-2010, and 
the rest of the wide product range, as well the launch of 
Reckon Docs Desktop, an all in one simple and convenient 
desktop application for company registration, searches and 
ASIC compliance management.

Sales in Enterprise products and Elite products were 
good contributors to performance. The highly scalable 
QuickBooks Enterprise product is proving to be a solution 
that easily meets the demands of growing businesses. Elite 
sales growth in turn shows acceptance of quality practice 
management and compliance technology at good value 
for the professional accounting market outside the Top 
2000 accounting firms. A new Elite Enterprise version with 
an SQL database will allow us to move up into mid-size 
accounting practices.

We also paid special attention to growing our partner 
network. The attraction of the ease of use and efficiency 
gains possible from QuickBooks, saw growth in new 
accountants joining our network. Significantly, QuickBooks 
Online is also attracting attention from accountants who see 
the value in a SaaS product. We concentrated on closer 
liaison with our partners through regular representative 
forums and greater participation of our partners in 
presenting products to other partners at our annual 
conference.

Marketing efforts were focused on increasing the brand 
awareness of the Reckon Group products through 
improving uptake in professional partner membership, 
partner conference attendance, road shows, master 
classes, webinars, in store product demonstrations and 
product promotions; as well as the creation of a new 
dedicated sales team for the partner channel.

Finally, the soft launch of QuickBooks Online in the last 
quarter of 2009 was very successful with over 1000 users 
signed up. 

In 2010 the Business Division will build on its performance 
in 2009 by:

•  Maintaining focus on product strength;
•  Growing cross-selling opportunities across the Group;
•  Exploring opportunities in online applications;
•  Exploring opportunities in Enterprise sales;
• 

 Building on existing partner relationships and increasing 
our relevance to them;

•  Focusing on market share growth.

Billback and nQueue Billback

The acquisition of the Billback business, as mentioned 
below, has added a new dimension to the product offering 
of the Group, not only as a profitable business, but also 
because it provides an opportunity to widen the territories 
and markets into which the Group sells.

As far as the USA operations are concerned, effective 
1 July 2009, the Company entered into an agreement 
with nQueue Inc and launched nQueue Billback LLC with 
an ownership share of 67%. The strategic aim of the 
creation of nQueue Billback was to create a business 
with scale, totally focused on the USA legal market and 
thereby cementing market share, and obtaining committed 
management on the ground with a direct financial interest.

4

Acquisitions

Partners

Every year it is important to acknowledge the support 
of Reckon’s network of partners amongst accountants, 
bookkeepers and business and IT consultants. 

We also extend our thanks to the support of all our 
employees, customers and suppliers who contributed to our 
success in 2009.

John Thame   
Chairman 

Clive Rabie 
Group CEO

In January 2009 we announced the completion of the 
acquisition of the Corporate Services and Billback businesses 
from Espreon Limited. These businesses were integrated into 
existing Group infrastructures during 2009. 

Billback operations were progressively integrated into our 
Professional Division in Australia and the UK. From 1 July 2009 
the Company created nQueue Billback as the vehicle for its 
USA operations.

Corporate Services was merged into our existing Reckon 
Shelco business. We have derived some benefit from the 
efficiency of these integrations. Corporate Services is being 
gradually re-branded to be brought to market under the 
banner of Reckon Docs.

We have been traditionally conservative in our approach to 
acquisitions and continue to take that approach.

Future Outlook

The success for 2009 was based on the execution of our 
acquisition strategy and organic growth.

It is our intention to stick to our strategies while keeping an eye 
on market dynamics and adapting as needs may dictate. 

We recognise untapped potential in both our products and 
customer base which prompts a focus on organic growth  
for 2010.

5

  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Clive Rabie 
Age 50, Group Chief Executive Officer 

Clive was Chief Operating Officer of Reckon from 2001 until 
February 2006 and in that time played a pivotal role in its 
turn-around. In February 2006 Clive was appointed to the 
position of Group Chief Executive Officer. He has extensive 
management and operational experience in the IT and retail 
sectors as both an owner and Director of companies. 

Myron Zlotnick LLM, GCertAppFin  
Age 45, General Counsel and Company Secretary

Myron Zlotnick has 20 years experience as a legal practitioner, 
general and corporate counsel, and as a Director of 
companies in the information, communications and technology 
sector. Myron also assumes responsibility for some aspects 
of the management and operations of the Reckon Docs and 
nQueue Billback businesses. 

Marianne Kopeinig LLM, GDipApplCorpGov 
Age 48, Legal Counsel and Assistant Company 
Secretary

Marianne has over 15 years experience as a private 
practitioner and corporate counsel for private and ASX listed 
companies and broad industry experience in commercial, risk 
management and compliance functions. 

directors' Report 

The Directors of Reckon Limited submit these financial  
statements for the financial year ended 31 December 2009 

BOARd Of diRECtORs 

John Thame AAIBF FCPA 
Age 68, Non-Executive Chairman

John Thame has over 30 years’ experience in the retail 
financial services industry. He was Managing Director of 
Advance Bank Limited from 1986 until it merged with St 
George Bank Limited in January 1997 and held a variety 
of senior positions in his career with Advance. John was 
Chairman of St George Bank Limited until April 2008 and a 
member of the St George Bank Limited board until 1 July 
2008. He is also Chairman of Abacus Property Trust Group 
Limited, where he has been a Director since 2002. John was 
appointed to the Board on 19 July 1999.

Ian Ferrier FCA 
Age 69, Non-Executive Director

Ian Ferrier is the founder of Ferrier Hodgson. He is a Fellow 
of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia. He 
has more than 40 years experience in company corporate 
recovery and turnaround practice. He is also a Director of a 
number of private and public companies. Ian was appointed 
Chairman of InvoCare Limited in 2001 and was Chairman 
of Port Douglas Reef Resorts Limited until April 2006. Ian is 
a Director of McGuigan Simeon Wines Limited since 1991, 
Goodman Limited since 2003 and Australian Oil Company 
Limited since 2005. He has significant experience in property 
and development, tourism, manufacturing, retail, hospitality 
and hotels, infrastructure and aviation and service industries. 
Ian joined the Board on 17 August 2004. In January 2008 
Ian assumed the Chair of a new accounting practice, Ferrier 
Green Krejci & Silvia, which after merging with insolvency 
practice BRI, now trades as BRI Ferrier.

Greg Wilkinson 
Age 54, Deputy Executive Chairman 

Greg Wilkinson has over 20 years experience in the computer 
software industry. Greg entered the industry in the early 
1980s in London where he managed Caxton Software, which 
became one of the UK’s leading software publishers. Greg 
co-founded Reckon in 1987 and was the Chief Executive 
Officer until February 2006. He was appointed to the position 
of Deputy Chairman in February 2006 and became a member 
of the Board of the listed entity on 19 July 1999.

6

 
 
Principal Activities 

Reckon Limited conducts business predominantly across 
the following areas: (1) the sales and support of small 
and enterprise business accounting and personal wealth 
management software under the QuickBooks and Quicken 
brands; the sales and support of corporate services such as 
company incorporations, SMSF documentation and ASIC 
compliance management under the Reckon Docs brand, (2) 
the sales and support of accounting practice management 
and allied software, including the newly acquired modules 
for revenue and expense management, under the APS 
brand to larger professional accounting firms, and to smaller 
professional accounting firms under the Reckon Elite brand; (3) 
supplying software solutions to legal firms in the main areas of 
revenue management, expense management, print solutions, 
business process automation, business intelligence, document 
service automation, and document management. 

Through strategic acquisition of businesses and technology, 
Reckon continues to broaden its scope of operations to 
provide complementary products and services across 
these business areas. The main products and services 
are principally organised into three operating units, the 
Business Division; the Professional Division and nQueue 
Billback Division.

In the Business Division, under the QuickBooks and 
Quicken brands, Reckon develops, localises, distributes 
and provides after sales technical support for the 
accounting software needs of small to medium sized 
and enterprise businesses and in the personal finance 
and wealth management sector. In addition, Reckon 
independently develops and distributes a payroll and point 
of sale solution. Under the Reckon Tools brand, Reckon 
develops applications that enhance these products, for 
example: electronic data interchange (“EDI”) functionality, 
bill payment solutions, super choice management solutions, 
on-line backup, and on-line trading. 

Reckon has also recently developed QuickBooks Online. 
This offers end user and accountants a convenient secure 
online version accessible from anywhere that effectively very 
closely mimics the traditional desktop package.

Reckon operates its QuickBooks and Quicken business 
under an exclusive evergreen licence from Intuit Inc. Intuit is 
the leading US-based accounting software house with over 
25 million customers worldwide, annual sales of over US$2 
billion and a market capitalisation of close to US$10 billion. 
Intuit’s annual research and development budget exceeds 
US$300 million. Reckon is able to leverage off this extensive 
research and development spend without the usual associated 
development risk. The licence from Intuit has an effective 
continuing rolling term of 10 years. Reckon continues to 
maintain an excellent working relationship with Intuit Inc.

The Reckon Elite business develops and distributes tax 
return preparation tools, practice management tools 
and related solutions for accountants and tax agents in 
public practice. Reckon Elite focuses on sales to smaller 
accounting firms compared to APS which focuses on the 
larger firms. 

Through its New Zealand subsidiary Reckon distributes 
QuickBooks and Quicken products as well as IBankData; 
Intrepid Payroll, Bit Defender and IBackup solutions.

Espreon Corporate Services, which was acquired by 
Reckon in January 2009, increases Reckon’s presence 
and market share in the corporate services (company 
registrations and compliance) market and presents growth 
opportunities in the data supply market. Espreon Corporate 
Services also adds depth to the product offering in the 
market for documentation for trusts and self managed 
superannuation funds. Espreon Corporate Services is 
gradually being re-branded and will be merged under the 
Reckon Docs banner.

The Reckon Docs services business comprises the 
technology and established client base for the registration 
of companies and other business structures using the 
traditional full service method. This business provides 
clients with an on-line company registration service 
available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It also 
provides services for the establishment of unit trusts and 
family trusts (discretionary trusts), as well as services for 
constitution updates, domain name registrations and self-
managed super funds.

The Reckon Docs data business provides comprehensive 
accredited business name and ASIC information 
electronically combined with a highly personalised client 
relationship. A full range of sophisticated information 
services to assist customers with the provision of financial, 
corporate and statutory information is also offered. 

Reckon has now also developed a desktop utility called 
Reckon Docs Desktop (RDD) that is a simple and 
convenient desktop application for company registration, 
searches, and ASIC compliance management. The same 
product is being developed for integration into the Practice 
Management suite of APS and will be known as Advance 
Company Registers (ACR).

In the Professional Division, the APS business develops, 
distributes and supports a suite of solutions for 
professional service firms in Australia, New Zealand and 
the United Kingdom. For professional accountants these 
solutions also include tax and accounts production. APS 
also delivers a wide range of complementary applications 
to practice management. 

7

Principal Activities continued. 

Dividends

The APS business continues to be considered a market 
leader in the provision of its products and services to 
professional accounting firms. This is reflected in the market 
share that APS enjoys in Australia and New Zealand. 

APS has committed several years of research and 
development to delivering unique integrated practice 
software to work off a single platform, offering all its 
solutions under the collective “Advance” suite.

The Advance suite comprises several integrated modules 
for several business critical functions in professional firms: 
Practice Management (PM); Reporting (PIQ); Document and 
E-mail Management (DM); Taxation (Tax); Client Accounting 
(XPA); Client Relationship Management (CRM); Resource 
Planning (RP); Superannuation (DS); Corporate Secretarial 
(ACR) Workpaper Management (WM); and others.

With the acquisition of BillBack by Reckon in January 2009, 
APS commenced integrating technologies for revenue 
management, expense management, print solutions, 
document service automation, and document management 
into its practice management suite. APS is also adapting 
accounting solutions for sale into the legal professional market.

In July 2009, Reckon entered into an agreement with 
nQueue Inc for a more efficient and competitive means of 
delivering legal products in the USA.

The nQueue Billback business assists USA law firms 
by enhancing the automation and processing of any 
operational and administrative expenses, including print, 
copy, scan, telephone, online searches, emails, court 
fees, car services, credit card charges, courier costs 
and more. nQueue Billback’s software offerings can be 
embedded directly into multi-function devices or reside on 
tablet computers or terminals to provide clients with the 
knowledge required to run their businesses more profitably.

Review of Operations 

Overview of financial performance 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

 Operating revenue was up 42% to $85.3 million from 
$60.0 million. 
 Group EBITDA was up 38% to $26.1 million from $19.0 
million (before business acquisition restructure costs). 
 Group NPAT was up 27% to $14.4 million from $11.3 
million (before business acquisition restructure costs).
 Basic EPS was up 24% to 10.5 cents per share from 8.5 
cents (before business acquisitions restructure costs).
 Final dividend of 4 cents per share – 100% franked with a 
full year dividend payout ratio of 71%.
 Operating cash flow was up 16% to $18.9 million resulting 
in zero net debt at 31 December 2009.
 Cash utilised in the acquisition of Espreon Corporate 
Services and BillBack was $18.4 million.

Growth in revenue, strong management of costs, and the 
benefits of a sustainable customer base has resulted in strong 
Group performance from all Divisions.

On 9 February 2010, the Board declared a final dividend of 
4 cents per share (100% franked) payable to shareholders 
recorded on the Company’s Register as at the record date 
of 20 February 2010. Reckon does not have a dividend re-
investment plan currently in operation. On 11 August 2009, 
the Board declared an interim dividend of 3 cents per share 
(100% franked) payable to shareholders recorded on the 
Company’s Register at record date of 25 August 2009. 

The Future

As we have previously stated Reckon’s overall strategy 
continues to involve:  
•  expanding the product and service offering to its  

customer base,

•  leveraging cross selling opportunities across its  

customer base,

•  generating recurring revenue streams through  

subscription products,

•  generating repeat revenue through consulting and  

technical support, 

•  enhancing relationships with sales channels, including 

retailers and professional partners, and 

•  maintaining operating efficiencies resulting in  

increasing margins.

In the Business Division: 

•  the QuickBooks 2010/11 QBi series release will show 

attractive new capabilities and offerings; 

•  we propose to leverage the scalability of QuickBooks 

Enterprise Editions; 

•  we will expand the QuickBooks Online offering; 
•  we will expand the Reckon Elite customer base with a 

broader product offering; 

•  we aim to grow Reckon Docs market share; and 
• take advantage of an expanded direct sales team.

In the Professional Division: 

•  we will continue to rollout an integrated compliance and 

practice management suite; 

• leverage our expanded legal product suite;  
•  explore and expand cross-selling opportunities presented by 

company formations and QuickBooks Online; and 

•  present new products for Expense Management, Print 

Solutions, Digital Imaging, Workpaper Management, and 
Resource Planning.

nQueue Billback will continue to pursue market growth in the 
USA legal market and take advantage of the greater product 
suite offered by the rest of the Group.

It also is anticipated that 2010 and beyond will show some 
structural changes to the businesses to obtain the maximum 
efficiency in pursuing Reckon’s tactics and strategies. For 
example, we propose equipping the Professional Division sales 
team to offer QuickBooks, QuickBooks Online and compliance 
solutions to their customers.

8

Significant Changes in State of Affairs

Future Developments

Other than as outlined above, disclosure of information 
regarding likely developments in the operations of the 
consolidated entity in future financial years and the expected 
results of those operations is likely to result in unreasonable 
prejudice to the consolidated entity. Accordingly, this 
information has not been disclosed in this report.

Directors’ Shareholdings 

As at the date of this report, the directors held shares in 
Reckon Limited as set out in the Remuneration Report 
immediately below. Options, if any, were granted under the 
Executive Share Option Plan. None of the directors hold any 
options in Reckon Limited.

Apart from the acquisition of the Corporate Services and 
Billback businesses referred to above, there were no other 
events in 2009 that represented material changes to the state 
of affairs of the Company.

Matters Subsequent to the End of the 
Financial Year

On 9 February 2010 the Company announced a buy-back 
of shares which under the provisions of the Corporations Act 
2001 permits the Company to buy back up to 10% of its 
shares on the open market. It is anticipated to keep the buy 
back in place until 31 December 2010. 

Dividend

A final dividend for 2009 was declared on 9 February 2010  
as disclosed above.

Options

Since balance date 10,344 shares were issued after exercise 
of options under Share Option Plan 2. See Note 19 for the 
details of this plan.

Since 31 December 2009 no options have lapsed.

Effective 31 December 2005, the Company terminated Share 
Option Plan 2. Going forward the Board will continue to 
assess the merits of incentive based schemes pursuant to 
the share scheme approved at the Special General Meeting 
on 20 December 2005 or such other plan that the Company 
may lawfully put in place from time to time. The Remuneration 
Report in the Directors’ Report contains details of the 
relevant long-term incentive plans approved by shareholders 
at the Special General Meeting of the Company held on 20 
December 2005.

Other matters

Other than as disclosed in this Directors’ Report no other 
matter or circumstance has arisen since 31 December 2008 
that has significantly affected, or may significantly affect:

• 

• 
• 

 the consolidated entity’s operations in future financial 
years, or
the results of those operations in future financial years, or
 the consolidated entity’s state of affairs in future financial 
years

9

 
Remuneration Report

Key management

The key management personnel include the directors and 
Group executives who have responsibility for planning, 
directing and controlling the activities of the Company and the 
consolidated entity. Key management personnel details are set 
out on page 12 below. 

Policy for determining remuneration of key 
management personnel

Policy for determining remuneration of key management 
personnel, including the directors, Group CEO, Group CFO, 
Divisional CEO’s and other Company officers is the ultimate 
responsibility of a remuneration committee comprising 
the Chairman of the Board and the other independent 
non-executive director. The Chairman of the remuneration 
committee is Ian Ferrier. There is no formal charter for the 
remuneration committee. Policy is set with due consideration 
for the need to motivate directors and management to pursue 
the long-term growth and success of the Company as well as 
to tie remuneration in with performance as contemplated in the 
ASX Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations 
(“ASX Guidelines”). It is the view of the Board that the 
Company complies with the substance of the aims and 
aspirations of the ASX Guidelines in the context of the size 
of the Company, the size of the Board, the size of the senior 
management team and the size of the business.

Policy for determining remuneration of other management 
personnel has been delegated to the Group CEO, Group 
CFO and Divisional CEO’s by the Board to be exercised 
in accordance with the same broad principles as apply for 
the Group CEO, Group CFO, other Company officers and 
Divisional MD’s. The Board reviews all remuneration in its 
consideration of the Company’s annual budget process. The 
Board, through the remuneration committee will consider for 
approval the levels of remuneration set in the annual budget, 
taking into account the relevant performance budgeted as well 
as compared with historical performance. 

The policy is to pay the relevant officers and employees’ 
remuneration consistent with applicable market comparisons 
suited to the unique features of the Company, the competitive 
landscape, the scale of the business, the responsibilities of 
the individual directors and employees, internal relativities and 
performance. The Board is conscious of the need to attract 
and retain talent. The remuneration policy takes account of 
striking the right balance between short term benefits and 
long term incentives. All remuneration is reviewed annually. 
Generally increases, if justified, will not exceed comparable 
market increases. 

10

Terms of employment for key management 
personnel

Executive directors and Group executives are all appointed on 
standard employment terms that are not fixed term contracts. 
These contracts include a notice period of between 1 – 3 months 
to be provided by either the executive or the Company. No 
contract provides for termination payments except where the 
employee is to receive payment in lieu of notice.

For 2009, remuneration for key management personnel including 
the Group CEO, Group CFO, other Company officers, Divisional 
CEOs and other senior executives, comprises a fixed element, a 
short-term incentive element and a long-term incentive element.

Fixed component

The fixed component of remuneration is determined in 
preparing the annual budget for the year and then subjected to 
the approval of the Board through the remuneration committee.

Short term incentive payments

The short-term incentive component of remuneration is 
dependent on satisfaction of performance conditions. Each 
annual budget fixes a pool representing the total potential amount 
in which the relevant employees can share if the performance 
conditions are met. There are three weighted elements to the 
performance conditions, viz: a revenue target, a net profit after 
tax (NPAT) target, and earnings per share (EPS) target measured 
against the budgeted performance of the Company. The Board 
retains a discretion regarding the allocation of the pool between 
employees as well as regarding weightings. Short term incentives 
are paid in cash as bonuses usually in about February or March 
of the following year. If the relevant performance targets are 
exceeded, then the amount of short term incentive can be 
increased by an amount not exceeding 10% of the total pool.

Long term incentive payments

The long-term incentive component is the last of the mix of the 
components comprising remuneration packages. It is aimed at 
retaining the long term services of the key management personnel 
to whom it applies and to align their remuneration with the longer 
term performance of the Company. The substance of the long-
term incentive component for key management was approved by 
Special General Meeting on 20 December 2005. In general terms, 
the long-term incentive component comprises three possible 
methods of participation: an option plan, a performance share 
plan and a share appreciation plan. The Board has discretion to 
approve the making of offers to applicable employees to participate 
in any of these plans. Options granted and/or performance shares 
awarded (all in respect of the Company’s ordinary shares) and/or 
share appreciation rights do not vest before three years after their 
grant date. Vesting is also conditional upon the Company achieving 
defined performance criteria. The performance criteria are based 
upon a total shareholder return (TSR) target. A TSR is the return to 
shareholders over a prescribed period, based upon the growth in 

the Company’s share price plus dividends or returns of capital for 
that period. The Company’s initial TSR target will be the Company 
achieving a median or higher ranking against the TSR position of 
individual companies within a ‘comparator group’ of companies 
(i.e. a group of comparable ASX listed companies pre-selected by 
the Board) over the same period. The initial comparator group (and 
indeed the entire design of the long term incentive component) was 
determined after taking advice from independent advisers and was 
set out in the Chairman’s speech at the Special General Meeting on 
20 December 2005.

The Board will review the suitability of the comparator group on 
an ongoing basis. During 2009 some of the entities comprising 
the comparator group were delisted either as part of merger 
and acquisition activity or for other reasons. This was factored 
into the calculation of the Company’s performance by the 
independent valuers who undertook the exercise on behalf of the 
Company. Where companies were de-listed for example, it was 
assumed that the Company out-performed that company. The 
comparator group of companies used in the performance period 
for assessment included (1) Adacel Technologies Limited, (2) 
Firstfolio Limited (previously listed as AFS), (3) Altium Limited, (4) 
Amcom Telecommunications Limited, (5) ASG Group Limited, (6) 
CPT Global Limited, (7) Eftel Limited, (8) Eservglobal Limited, (9) 
Hansen Technologies Limited, (10) Infomedia Ltd, (11) Integrated 
Research Limited, (12) Melbourne IT Limited, (13) Lifestyle 
Communities Limited (previously listed as NMB), (14) MYOB Limited 
(no longer listed), (15) Newsat Limited, (16) Objective Corporation 
Limited, (17) Oakton Limited, (18) Powerlan Limited, (19) Queste 
Communications Limited, (20) Rea Group Ltd, , (21) Sirius 
Corporation Limited, (23) Asian Pacific Limited (previously listed 
as TMO, no longer listed), (24) Technology One Limited and (25) 
Talent2 International Limited, (26) Chariot Limited (no longer listed), 
and (27) Citect Corporation Limited (no longer listed).

Only 50 percent of options or performance shares become 
exercisable or vest if the initial performance criterion is satisfied. 
The extent to which the balance of options or performance shares 
become exercisable or vest will depend on the extent to which the 
initial performance criterion is exceeded (i.e., the extent to which the 
Company exceeds a median ranking against the TSR position of 
the comparator group of companies). 

The share appreciation right plan represents an alternative 
remuneration component (to offering options or performance shares) 
under which the Board can invite relevant employees to apply for 
a right to receive a cash payment from the Company equal to the 
amount (if any) by which the market price of the Company’s shares 
at the date of exercise of the right exceeds the market price of the 
Company’s shares at the date of grant of the right. The right may 
only be exercised if performance criteria are met. The performance 
criteria are fixed by the Board in the exercise of its discretion. At 
present these are the same as the TSR target set for the right to 
exercise options or for performance shares to vest.

Balance between salary, short term and long 
term incentives

It is the Board’s opinion that an adequate balance is struck 
between the three components comprising the relevant 
remuneration. For short term incentives, the performance targets 
reflect, in part, the key factors that the Company pursues in 
measuring its performance: volume of sales; profit generated; and 
value returned to shareholders in terms of EPS. The targets also 
represent a measure of an incentive to encourage commitment 
to the business and to its growth. The audited financial results for 
the year are used to assess whether the performance conditions 
are satisfied. Audited results represent an independent accurate 
method of determining the attainment of the conditions. For 
long-term incentives, the additional targets comprising TSR 
reflect a further assessment of value to shareholders before the 
remuneration is earned. As stated above the comparator group 
to which reference will be had will be subject to review. 

The remuneration committee is satisfied that to date, the 
remuneration of the relevant employees accords with the general 
upward trend of the performance of the Company and returns to 
shareholders, as set out in the table below; and also takes into 
account the imperative to retain their services so as to avoid the 
business and opportunity costs associated with replacing them 
as well as the need to be commensurate with market rates. 

Consequence of performance on shareholder wealth

NPAT

EPS

Reduction of 
Capital

Dividend

Changes in Share Price between the 
beginning and the end of the year

Beginning of 
January

End of  
December

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009*

$’000

7,034

8,169

9,893

11,312

14,425

 *Before business acquisition restructure costs.

5.1 

6.2 

7.5

8.5

10.5

(cents per share)

(cents)

4

-

-

-

-

2

4.5

5.5

6.0

7.0

85

76

102

139

105

76

102

139

105

184

The Company’s “Trading Policy” prohibits directors, key management personnel and employees from entering into a transaction 
with securities which limit the economic risk of any unvested entitlements awarded under any Reckon equity-based remuneration 
scheme. Prior to presenting full-year results Reckon equity plan participants are required to confirm that they have not entered into 
any transactions which would contravene the Company’s “Trading Policy”.

11

Remuneration Report continued

Remuneration 2009  

Fixed 

Short term Incentive 

Other 

component

component

compensation

Long term incentive component

2009

Office

Salary

Bonus1

term benefits2 Superannuation

Other short 

Equity settled 

Cash settled 

share based 

share based 

payments-

payments-

Performance 
shares3 9

Appreciation 
rights4 7

Total 

remuneration

Directors8

John Thame

Chairman, Non-
executive Director

$90,000

Greg Wilkinson

Deputy Chairman, 
Executive Director

$78,000

0

$0

Clive Rabie

Ian Ferrier

Executives8

Group CEO,  
Executive Director

Non-executive  
Director

$500,000

$181,884

$75,000

0

Brian Armstrong

CEO,  
Professional Division 

$340,000

$103,934

Chris Hagglund

CFO

$305,000

$79,250

Paul James

GM, Professional 
Division Australia

$203,029

$40,560

Myron Zlotnick

General Counsel & 
Company Secretary

$250,000

$51,967

$188,307

$45,000

Brian Coventry

Gavin Dixon

Grant Linton

Nigel Boland

Richard Hellers5

MD, Professional 
Division United 
Kingdom

CEO, Business 
Division 

GM, Professional 
Division New Zealand

GM Development, 
Professional Division

President and CEO, 
nQueue Billback 
Division 

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

$8,100

$7,020

$45,000

$6,750

0

0

0

0 

$30,600

$83,109

$27,450

$73,472

$21,902

$3,506

$22,500

$40,017

$9,010

$4,908

0

0

$98,100

$85,020

$661,8437

$1,388,727

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

$81,750

$557,643

$485,172

$268,997

$364,484

$247,225

$539,328

$171,126

$200,687

$203,628

$230,550

$220,014

$340,000

$88,344

0 

$30,600

$80,384

$105,696

$20,032

$29,928

$11,964

$163,346

$20,032

0

$12,401

$126,263

$63,131

$7,380

$6,854

$3,506

$4,908

0

0

0

Russell Scott

GM, Reckon Docs

$195,000

Andrew Moon6

GM, Billback 

$57,340

$0

$0

$18,000 

$17,550

$157,514

$5,160

TOTAL

$3,016,981

$694,134

$212,822

$262,861

$293,810

$661,843

$5,142,451

1 

2 

3 

4 

 The potential amounts payable for the short term cash performance bonuses are determined at the 
beginning of the year and are earned based upon the performance criteria for the year described in 
more detail on pages 10 and 11.
 For Mr Linton this represents a sales commission. For Mr Hellers this represents a contribution to life 
and medical insurance. For Mr Scott this represents a motor vehicle allowance. For Mr Moon this 
represents terminations benefits.
 Mr Armstrong (80,952 shares), Mr Hagglund (72,619 shares), Mr James (9,524 shares), Mr Zlotnick 
(47,619 shares), Mr Coventry, (13,333 shares), Mr Dixon (80,952 shares), Mr Linton (9,524 shares) 
and Mr Boland (13,333 shares) are participants in the 2009 performance share plan. The date 
of grant for each of these participants was 1 January 2009. The value of the long term incentive 
is obtained by reference to the market price of the shares on the grant date allocated over each 
year of the 3 year performance period. If the performance criteria are met, then the shares are 
released at no consideration. The fair value of the performance shares at grant date was $1.05. 
The performance shares are exercisable on 31 December 2011 at zero cents. The fair value of 
performance shares which vested and were forfeited during the financial year are set out in the table 
below.
 Mr Rabie is a participant in the share appreciation plan. 888,324 rights were issued under the plan 
on 1 January 2009. The value of the rights was $0.197 determined using a Monte Carlo simulation 
with a Black Scholes based valuation model to determine the value as at hurdle dates. The fair value 
of appreciation rights which vested and were forfeited during the financial year are set out in the 
table below.

5  Appointed 1 July 2009. 
6.  Employment ended on 31 March 2009. 
7.   The amount is calculated based on the difference between the Company share price at vesting  
and the share price at date of issue spread over the three year performance period. The share 
based remuneration earned by Mr Rabie relative to share price movement is as follows:

Share based remuneration

Share price movements

2007

2008

2009

$284,833
$34,088

$661,843

+36%
-24%

+75%

2009 reflects a catch up of share based payment expense following the strong re-bound of  
the share price in 2009. 
8.   To the extent that any of the above are directors of any wholly owned subsidiaries of the 

Company listed on page 52, no additional remuneration is paid. 

9.   No options were granted to any person during the year as part of their remuneration. No options 
vested during the financial year. All options issued in previous years as set out in Note 27 in the 
financial statements were fully vested in prior years. 47,500 options were exercised during 2009.

12

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Remuneration Report continued

2009

Directors

John Thame

Greg Wilkinson

Clive Rabie

Ian Ferrier

Executives

Brian Armstrong

Chris Hagglund

Paul James

Myron Zlotnick

Brian Coventry

Gavin Dixon

Grant Linton

Nigel Boland

Richard Hellers

Russell Scott

Andrew Moon

TOTAL

Percentage 
of total 
remuneration 
that is 
performance 
related

Percentage 
of available 
bonus which 
vested in the 
year

Percentage 
of available 
bonus which 
was forfeited 
during the 
year

No of 
performance 
shares 
vested in 
2009

Value of 
Performance 
shares vested 
in 2009

Value of 
Performance 
shares 
forfeited in 
2009

Value of 
Appreciation 
rights vested 
in 2009

Value of 
Appreciation 
rights forfeited 
in 2009

0%

0%

61%

0%

34%

31%

16%

25%

20%

31%

31%

12%

31%

0%

0%

n/a

n/a

100%

n/a

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

0%

0%

n/a

n/a

0

n/a

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

72,451 

$86,937

63,630 

$76,350

0

$0

28,204 

$33,843

9,823

$11,788

67,539 

$81,042

0

$0

9,823

$11,788

0

0

0

$0

$0

$0

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

n/a

n/a

$477,528

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

251,470

$301,748

$0

$477,528

n/a

n/a

0 

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

$0

13

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Remuneration Report continued

Remuneration 2008

Fixed 
component

Short term Incentive 
component

Other 
compensation

Long term incentive 
component

2008

Office

Salary

Bonus1

benefits2 Superannuation

Other 
short term 

Equity settled 
share based 
payments-
Performance 
shares3 8

Cash settled 
share based 
payments-
Appreciation 
rights4

Total 
remuneration

Directors7

John Thame

Chairman, Non-
Executive Director

$86,000

Greg Wilkinson

Deputy Chairman, 
Executive Director

$75,000

0

0

Clive Rabie

Group CEO, 
Executive Director

$460,000

$164,095

Ian Ferrier

Non-executive 
Director

$66,000

0

Executives7

Brian Armstrong

CEO, APS 

$320,000

$109,400

Chris Hagglund

CFO

$280,000

$70,900

Paul James

GM, APS Australia

$193,806

$21,448

Myron Zlotnick

Brian Coventry

General Counsel 
& Company 
Secretary

MD, APS United 
Kingdom

$210,540

$31,400

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

$7,740

$6,750

$41,400

$5,940

0

0

0

0

$31,488

$65,828

$25,200

$52,576

$19,373

$9,124

$18,949

$27,005

$194,003

$34,117

$17,794

$9,649

$9,124

Gavin Dixon

CEO, Quicken 
Australia

$310,000

$75,200

Michael Donnelley5 MD, APS New 

Zealand

$172,501

$68,160

0

0

$27,900

$50,584

$17,107

$9,124

Grant Linton6

GM, APS New 
Zealand

$36,277

0

$11,497

$4,051

0

Nigel Boland

GM Development, 
APS

$161,366

$20,047

0

$12,103

$9,124

0

$93,740

$5,000

$86,750

$34,088

$699,583

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

$71,940

$526,716

$428,676

$243,751

$287,894

$264,687

$463,684

$266,892

$51,825

$202,640

TOTAL

$2,565,493

$594,767

$29,291

$227,650

$232,489

$39,088

$3,688,778

1   The potential amounts payable for the short term cash performance bonuses are determined 
at the beginning of the year and are earned based upon the performance criteria for the year 
described in more detail on pages 10 and 11.

2   For Mr Coventry and Mr Linton this reflects a sales commission.
3   Mr Armstrong (58,656 shares), Mr Hagglund (51,324 shares), Mr Dixon (56,823 shares), Mr 

Zlotnick (27,018 shares), Mr Donnelley (7,332 shares), Mr James (7,332 shares), Mr Coventry, 
(7,332 shares), and Mr Boland (7,332 shares) are participants in the 2008 performance share 
plan. The date of grant for each of these participants was 1 January 2008. The value of the 
long term incentive is obtained by reference to the market price of the shares on the grant date 
allocated over each year of the 3 year performance period. If the performance criteria are met, 
then the shares are released at no consideration. The fair value of the performance shares at 
grant date was $1.36. The performance shares are exercisable on 31 December 2010 at zero 
cents. The fair value of performance shares which vested and were forfeited during the financial 
year are set out in the table below.

4   Mr Rabie is a participant in the share appreciation plan. 495,356 rights were issued under the 

plan on 1 January 2008.The value of the rights was 32.3 cents determined using a Monte Carlo 
simulation with a Black Scholes based valuation model to determine the value as at hurdle dates. 
The fair value of appreciation rights which vested and were forfeited during the financial year are 
set out in the table below.

5   Mr Donnelley resigned effective 15 October 2008 and Mr Linton was appointed MD on 1 
September 2008.  Mr Donnelley’s salary includes accrued leave paid out on resignation.

6   Mr Linton received remuneration of: salary $55,544, commission $61,901 and superannuation of 

$9,956 in the period 1 January 2008 – 31 August 2008.

7   To the extent that any of the above are directors of any wholly owned subsidiaries of the 

Company listed on page 52, no additional remuneration is paid. 

8    No options were granted to any person during 2008 as part of their remuneration. No options 
vested during the financial year. All options issued in previous years as set out in Note 27 in the 
financial statements are fully vested. 82,333 options were exercised during 2008.

14

 
 
Remuneration Report continued

Percentage 
of total 
remuneration 
that is 
performance 
related

Percentage 
of available 
bonus which 
vested in the 
year

Percentage 
of available 
bonus which 
was forfeited 
during the year

No of 
performance 
shares 
vested in 
2008

Value of 
Performance 
shares 
vested in 
2008

Value of 
Performance 
shares 
forfeited in 
2008

Value of 
Appreciation 
rights vested 
in 2008

Value of 
Appreciation 
rights 
forfeited in 
2008

2008

Directors

John Thame

Greg Wilkinson

0%

6%

0

0

Clive Rabie

28%

100%

Ian Ferrier

Executives

Brian Armstrong

Chris Hagglund

Paul James

Myron Zlotnick

Brian Coventry

Gavin Dixon

Michael Donnelley

Grant Linton

Nigel Boland

TOTAL

0%

0

33%

29%

13%

20%

23%

27%

29%

22%

14%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

75%

0

100%

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

25%

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

46,762

$37,557

21,802

$17,511

0

0

16,873

$13,551

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

$20,912

0

0

0

$18,750

$93,750

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

85,437

$68,619

$20,912

$112,500

 Options and shareholding for directors and relevant employees can be found at Note 27 to the accounts.

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

15

Remuneration Report continued

Indemnification of Directors and Officers and Auditors

During the financial year, the Company paid a premium in respect of a contract insuring the directors of the Company (as named 
above), the Company Secretary and all executive officers of the Company, and of any related body corporate, against a liability 
incurred as a Director, secretary or executive officer to the extent permitted by the Corporations Act 2001. The contract of insurance 
prohibits disclosure of the nature of the liability and the amount of the premium.

In addition, Rule 12 of the Company’s constitution obliges the Company to indemnify on a full indemnity basis and to the full extent 
permitted by law, every Director, officer or former officer for all losses or liabilities incurred by the person as an officer. This obligation 
continues after the person has ceased to be a Director or an officer of the Company or a related body corporate, but operates only 
to the extent that the loss or liability is not covered by insurance.

The Company has not otherwise, during or since the financial year, indemnified or agreed to indemnify an officer or auditor of the 
Company, or any related body corporate, against a liability incurred as an officer or auditor.

Directors’ Meetings

The following table sets out the number of directors’ meetings held during the financial year and the number of meetings attended 
by each Director. 

Directors

Board

Audit Committee

Remuneration Committee

Reckon Limited - Attendance Tables

Meetings

A

10

10

10

10

B

10

10

8

10

A

2

2

n/a

n/a

B

2

2

n/a

n/a

A

2

2

n/a

n/a

B

2

2

n/a

n/a

Key:    A – number of meetings eligible to attend; B - number of meetings attended

JM Thame

I Ferrier

GJ Wilkinson

C Rabie

Non audit fees

Details of the non-audit services can be found in Note 4 to the financial statements.

Rounding of Amounts

ASIC Class Order 98/0100 applies to the Company, and in accordance with that Class Order, amounts in the Directors’ Report and 
the financial statements have been rounded off to the nearest thousand dollars, except where otherwise indicated.

Auditors’ Independence Declaration

The auditors independence declaration for the year ended 31 December 2009 has been received and can be found on page 21 of 
the Directors Report.

Signed in accordance with a resolution of the directors made pursuant to Section 298 of the Corporations Act 2001. 

On behalf of the directors

Mr J Thame 
Chairman 
Sydney, 24 March 2010

16

 
Corporate Governance Report 

The Company is committed to a system of relationships, 
policies and processes which align with the ASX Corporate 
Governance Principles and Recommendations, 2nd Edition 
(“the ASX Governance Principles”). It is a priority of the 
board to ensure the Company’s governance framework 
and support processes uphold these principles. The board 
is of the opinion that the Company’s existing policies 
and processes effectively achieve the objectives of the 
relevant Recommendations. The few departures from the 
Recommendations in the ASX Governance Principles are 
generally justified on the basis that the formal requirements 
of the Recommendations are not applicable to the size 
of the Company and the resources available. Where 
appropriate, the board seeks opportunities to adopt 
these Recommendations to suit the circumstances of 
the Company and continue to improve the Company’s 
governance policies and processes.

1. Management and Oversight

The Company is governed on behalf of the shareholders 
by its Board of Directors who in turn oversee the 
Company’s management team. The responsibilities 
and duties of the board are set out in the Constitution. 
The board is responsible for ensuring appropriate risk 
management, accountability and control mechanisms. The 
board also provides advice and input into development 
of the businesses generally, overall corporate strategy, 
performance objectives, and appointment of senior 
executives. The board monitors and reviews the 
performance of the Company, financial reporting and 
implementation of strategy. The board approves the annual 
budget, material capital expenditure and large acquisitions.

The Company has adopted each of the Recommendations 
relating to Principle 1 of the ASX Governance Principles, 
except for the requirement in Recommendation 1.1, only to 
the extent that there is no formal charter. The board is of the 
opinion, given the relatively small size of the composition 
of the board, the relatively flat structure of management, 
the size of the management team and open and frequent 
channels of communication between management and the 
board, that there is adequate definition and understanding 
of the functions and responsibilities of the board and 
management. The board maintains sufficiently close 
oversight of operations and has close input to material 
decisions to ensure compliance with principles of good 
corporate governance. The board recognises that with the 
growth and evolution of the Company, it is important to 
review the division of matters and responsibilities reserved 
to the board or delegated to senior executives regularly and 
where needed, to formalise these by way of a charter. 

The board is able to efficiently deal with issues which, 
in other larger enterprises, may normally be delegated 
to committees because of the size of the Company and 
the management team. The Audit & Risk Committee and 
Remuneration Committee are the only committees of the 
board.

The Company undertakes an annual performance 
evaluation of key management personnel. The nature of the 
review process is as follows:

• 

• 

 In the case of key management personnel other than 
head of divisions the review process is managed and 
administered by the Group Human Resources Manager. 
It generally involves a 360 degree feedback review in 
which selected peers and reporting staff assess the 
performance of relevant executives and managers 
according to a set of questions benchmarked against 
key performance indicators. The process also includes 
a series of reviews with the Divisional CEO’s in which 
the 360 degree feedback review is discussed with the 
relevant executive or manager and remedial steps and 
coaching, if applicable, are implemented. There may be 
further additional reviews undertaken through the year if 
necessary. 

 In the case of head of divisions and head office 
management (CEO, General Counsel and Company 
Secretary) the review process is managed and 
administered by the Group Chief Executive Officer. 
The review involves a one-on-one interview in which 
performance against key performance indicators is 
assessed and discussed and feedback from peers 
(where relevant) is reviewed. Where necessary remedial 
steps are identified and coaching is implemented. There 
may be additional reviews undertaken through the year if 
necessary.

In addition, a portion of remuneration for key management 
personnel is tied into the financial performance of the 
Company as set out in more detail in the Remuneration 
Report. Performance evaluation for key management 
personnel was undertaken in 2009 and it was in 
accordance with the processes disclosed in this report.

The independent non-executive directors also generally 
informally monitor and review the ongoing performance of 
senior executives.

The Group Human Resources Manager is also responsible 
for managing and administering an induction process for 
newly appointed senior executives. In addition the Group 
CEO and divisional CEO’s undertake a rigorous process of 
briefing new senior executives.

17

Corporate Governance Report continued 

2. The Board

At present, the board comprises four members: John 
Thame, Ian Ferrier, Greg Wilkinson and Clive Rabie. Mr 
Thame is Chairman of the board and he, together with Mr 
Ferrier, are independent non-executive directors. Further 
details of the directors, including a summary of their skills 
and experience and period of office, are set out in the 
Directors’ Report.

The Company has adopted each of the Recommendations 
relating to Principle 2 of the ASX Governance Principles, 
except for the requirements in Recommendation 2.1 
and 2.4 due to the size and circumstances of the board. 
However in the opinion of the board, the existing structure 
and processes are appropriate for the Company and still 
meet the objectives of the Recommendations and Principle 
2. While there is not strictly an independent majority in the 
sense described in Recommendation 2.1, as there are 
only four directors, the non-executive directors ensure that 
all issues that come before the board are considered in 
an impartial manner and from a variety of perspectives to 
meet the objectives of Recommendation 2.1. Mr Wilkinson, 
although still a substantial shareholder, has occupied a 
non-executive position for more than three years since 
he resigned from the management of the Company. The 
Chairman, who is independent, has a casting vote where 
necessary. The independent non-executive directors 
oversee the nomination of any potential directors.

The criteria for directorship and the election process 
are set out in the Company’s constitution. The directors 
periodically review the composition of the board to ensure 
that members have the desired breadth of experience 
and expertise to govern the Company effectively. The 
size of the board dictates that there is no efficiency 
obtained in establishing a formal nomination committee. 
Accordingly, the Company departs from this requirement in 
Recommendation 2.4.

Directors are entitled to seek independent professional 
advice at the Company’s expense to assist them in 
fulfilling their duties in order to comply with all applicable 
laws and regulations. There is no formal procedure for 
the board to agree when to take independent advice at 
the expense of the Company, but given the size of the 
board there is no efficiency to be obtained in formalising 
this process. The independent non-executive directors 
exercise their judgment to call for such advice when 
they deem appropriate. The Chairman also has frequent 
contact with internal legal counsel to assess the need for 
external advice. 

The board met ten times during 2009. The details of 
attendance at these meetings are set out in the  
Directors’ Report.

18

The independent non-executive directors monitor and 
review the ongoing performance of the executive directors 
and key executives. The independent non-executive 
directors occasionally meet informally without management 
being present to generally discuss the affairs of the 
Company and the overall performance of key executives.

The independent non-executive directors are subject to 
the Company’s constitution and their continuity of tenure is 
dependent on re-election by shareholders in accordance with 
the constitution. 

Any decision regarding the appointment of new directors 
is taken cognizant of the need to appoint someone who is 
technically qualified and as far as possible familiar with the 
Company’s market sector.

While there is no formal induction process in place, 
the Chairman, Deputy Chairman and Group CEO will 
appropriately brief new board members, if and when 
appointed. 

Given the size of the Company there is also direct informal 
communication on a regular basis between the Chairman 
and the Company Secretary on governance matters.

3. Ethical and Responsible Decision Making

The Company’s governance policies and processes 
incorporate all the Recommendations relating to Principle 3 
of the ASX Governance Principles. 

The board’s policy is that the Company, the directors 
and employees in addition to their legal obligations must 
maintain high ethical standards in their dealings with the 
public and other members of the industry.

The initial Directors’ Code of Conduct adopted in 2003 was 
reviewed and updated in 2007 to apply to all employees. 

The Company’s Human Resources Policy and Procedures, 
binding on all employees, also collectively embrace the 
substance of the ASX Governance Principles in a Code of 
Conduct, including expectations regarding behaviour in the 
workplace, disciplinary processes, grievance processes, 
discrimination and harassment, occupational health and 
safety, ethical business practices, conflict of interest, 
corporate opportunity and the like.

The Trading Policy is accessible to employees and the 
public at the Company web site.

The Company is committed to training employees and 
maintaining employees’ relevant technical expertise and 
understanding of their ethical and legal obligations, for 
example by way of trade practices training from time to time 
for relevant staff.

Corporate Governance Report continued 

4. Integrity in Financial Reporting

5. Timely and Balanced Disclosure

The board assumes the responsibility to ensure the integrity 
of the Company’s financial reporting and has established the 
Audit & Risk Committee to focus on the issues relating to the 
integrity of the financial reporting of the Company and oversight 
and review of the Company’s risk management. The terms of 
reference for the Audit & Risk Committee, to review and monitor 
all financial, risk management and compliance policies, were 
formalised in a Charter in 2003 to meet the requirements of 
the ASX Governance Principles. The Audit & Risk Committee 
consists of John Thame and Ian Ferrier, independent, non-
executive directors, and Greg Wilkinson (from 8 February 2010), 
to ensure independent review of financial reporting over and 
above formal audit processes. Details of their experience and 
qualifications are set out in the Directors’ Report.

The Audit & Risk Committee also meets informally to 
discuss matters including risk management and reporting. 

Due to the size of the board, where only two of the four 
members meet the criteria in Recommendation 4.2, the 
Audit & Risk Committee only had two members in 2009, 
as such the Company was not in a position to fully adopt 
all of Recommendation 4.2. The board is of the opinion 
that the existing structure of the Committee, with the 
independent non-executive directors and its considerable 
technical expertise in the market sector of the Company 
and financial literacy, enable it to discharge it functions 
effectively and in accordance with the objectives of Principle 
4, Recommendation 4.2. With the appointment of Greg 
Wilkinson to the Audit and Risk Committee in February 2010, 
the Company will have fully adopted Recommendation 4.2.

Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, the Company’s auditors, 
report directly to the Audit & Risk Committee on the 
appropriateness of the Company’s internal accounting 
policies and practices. The board reviews the adequacy 
of existing external audit arrangements each year, with 
particular emphasis on the scope and quality of the audit.

At each Audit & Risk Committee meeting, the independent 
non-executive directors meet separately with the auditors, 
without management being present, to review any 
concerns that the auditors may have regarding the financial 
management of the Company.

The Audit & Risk Committee met twice during 2009. The 
Audit & Risk Committee reports back to the board after 
each Audit & Risk Committee meeting. The details of 
attendance at these meetings are set out in the Directors’ 
Report. The board is aware of its obligations to ensure 
the appropriate selection and rotation of external auditors 
and the external audit engagement partners and closely 
monitors and reviews the engagement of the Company’s 
external auditors. 

The Company has adopted each of the Recommendations 
relating to Principle 5 of the ASX Governance Principles. 
The board remains conscious of the Company’s disclosure 
obligations under the Corporations Act 2001, the ASX 
listing rules and the ASIC guidance principles. These 
obligations are reflected in the Continuous Disclosure 
Policy. All required disclosures are also made in accordance 
with the Continuous Disclosure policy which is accessible to 
the public at the Company web site. A review of operations 
and commentary on the financial results is provided in the 
Annual Report 2009 and the Finance Report. 

6. Rights of Shareholders

The board is conscious of the requirements of Principle 6 
of the ASX Governance Principles and takes into account 
the rights and needs of shareholders to balanced and 
understandable information about the Company and acts in 
accordance with this Principle. The Company communicates 
with shareholders through its ASX disclosures to the market. 
The Company also communicates with shareholders through 
the posting of statutory notices to shareholders and at the 
general and special meetings of the Company. The Company 
keeps recent announcements and general Company 
information on its web site with a dedicated investor relations 
section which is accessible to the public. The web site 
contains a link to the ASX web site for older announcements. 
Given the size and circumstances of the Company, there is 
no formally documented communications strategy, and in this 
respect the Company has not adopted Recommendation 6.1. 

The Company’s auditor attends the Annual General Meeting 
and is available to answer shareholder questions about the 
conduct of the audit and the preparation and content of the 
Auditor’s Report at the meeting.

7. Recognise and Manage Risk

As stated above in paragraph 1, the board is responsible for 
ensuring appropriate risk management, accountability, and 
control mechanisms. It constantly monitors the operational 
and financial aspects and material risks of the Company’s 
activities and, through the Audit & Risk Committee, 
considers the recommendations and advice of the auditors 
and other external advisers on the operational and financial 
risks that face the Company. The Group CEO and Group 
CFO monitor and review the financial performance of the 
Company and monitor any potential risk virtually on a daily 
basis. The board has received assurance from the CEO 
and the CFO that the S295A Declaration provided in the 
Financial Report is founded on a sound system of risk 
management and internal control and that the system is 
operating effectively in all material respects in relation to 

19

Corporate Governance Report continued 

8. Remunerate Fairly and Responsibly

The Company remunerates directors and key executives in 
accordance with the aspirations set out in ASX Governance 
Principle 8. Accordingly the board has adopted a remuneration 
policy designed to attract and maintain talented and motivated 
directors and senior employees so as to encourage enhanced 
performance of the Company. There is a clear relationship 
between performance and remuneration and a desire to strike 
the correct balance between the various components making 
up remuneration. The Remuneration Committee consists of 
the independent, non-executive directors, John Thame and 
Ian Ferrier. Details of their experience and qualification are set 
out in the Directors’ Report. The Remuneration Committee 
ensures independent review of financial reporting over and 
above formal audit processes. The Remuneration Committee 
supervises the development and implementation of the 
Company’s remuneration policy including the operation of 
option plans, and reviews the performance of the executive 
directors and senior executives. There is no formal charter 
for the remuneration committee, but it does fix policy and 
reward in accordance with ASX Governance Principle 8. The 
full detail of the policy and remuneration is contained in the 
Remuneration Report.

The Remuneration Committee met twice during 2009. The 
details of attendance at these meetings are set out in the 
Directors’ Report. 

financial reporting risks. The board is of the opinion that 
there is substantial compliance with the ASX Governance 
Principle 7 although Recommendations 7.1 and 7.2 have 
not yet been fully adopted. 

As described above, the size of the Company and the 
management team enables the board to have effective 
oversight of the overall risk management of the Company. In 
the board’s opinion, especially with the existence of an Audit 
& Risk Committee, there is no efficiency for the Company to 
establish a separate risk management committee. 

The board is provided with a declaration from the Group 
CEO and the Group CFO under section 295A of the 
Corporations Act 2001, that due consideration is given to 
budgets, cash flows, realisation of current assets, continuity 
of terms of trade, and consideration of contingencies in the 
day to day operations of the Company and in the monthly 
management financial reporting and statutory reporting of 
the Company. 

At present the nature of operations and scope of the 
business is reasonably well established and understood 
by management and the board. The decision making 
and reporting processes in the Company incorporate an 
assessment of the relevant material risks, for example in the 
planning, budget, HR, product development, R&D, legal and 
compliance activities and, where relevant, any material risk 
issues are reported to and considered by the board. The 
planning and budget process involves both the executive and 
senior management, which means all of these employees have 
a more than adequate understanding of the issues, activities 
and opportunities across the Company. In turn this enables 
them to manage operational, planning, strategic and risk 
issues in the Company. In addition, the Company regularly 
conducts reviews of the material risks in the context of the 
annual insurance renewals and, in relation to acquisitions 
through due diligence. Relevant risk factors are included in the 
various management and financial reports to the board and 
are then considered by the board. The reporting, identification 
and management of risk are now effectively a standing board 
agenda item.

Due to the effectiveness of the existing processes and the size 
of the business, business risk management systems, policies 
and procedures have not been comprehensively formalised. 
With a view to fully adopting Recommendations 7.1 and 
7.2, the Company’s risk management systems, policies and 
processes are under consideration to be formalised and 
documented, if necessary. 

20

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

DX 10307SSE 
Tel: +61 (0) 2 9322 7000 
Fax: +61 (0) 2 9322 7001 
www.deloitte.com.au

24 March 2010

The Board of Directors

Reckon Limited

35 Saunders Street

Pyrmont NSW 2009

Dear Board Members

RECKON 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 Reckon Limited.

As lead audit partner for the audit of the financial statements of Reckon Limited 
for the financial year ended 31 December 2009, 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

Michael Kaplan 
Partner 
Chartered Accountants

Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.

21

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

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 Reckon Limited

Report on the Financial Report 

We have audited the accompanying financial report of Reckon Limited, which 
comprises the statement of financial position as at 31 December 2009, and 
the statement of comprehensive income, the statement of cash flows and the 
statement of changes in equity for the year ended on that date, a summary 
of significant accounting policies, other explanatory notes and the directors’ 
declaration of the consolidated entity comprising the company and the entities it 
controlled at the year’s end or from time to time during the financial year as set 
out on pages 24 to 63. 

Directors’ Responsibility for the Financial Report

The directors of the company are responsible for the preparation and fair presentation 
of the financial report in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards (including 
the Australian Accounting Interpretations) and the Corporations Act 2001. This 
responsibility includes establishing and maintaining internal control relevant to the 
preparation and fair presentation of the financial report that is free from material 
misstatement, whether due to fraud or error; selecting and applying appropriate 
accounting policies; and making accounting estimates that are reasonable in the 
circumstances. In Note 1, the directors also state, in accordance with Accounting 
Standard AASB 101 Presentation of Financial Statements, that compliance with the 
Australian equivalents to International Financial Reporting Standards ensures that 
the financial report, comprising the financial statements and notes, complies with 
International Financial Reporting Standards.

Auditor’s Responsibility

Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial report based on our audit. 
We conducted our audit in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards. These 
Auditing Standards require that we comply with relevant ethical requirements relating 
to audit engagements and plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance 
whether the financial report is free from material misstatement.  

An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts 
and disclosures in the financial report. The procedures selected depend on the 
auditor’s judgement, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of 
the financial report, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, 
the auditor considers internal control relevant to the entity’s preparation and fair 
presentation of the financial report 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 entity’s internal control. An audit also includes evaluating the 
appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting 
estimates made by the directors, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the 
financial report.

Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.

22

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to 
provide a basis for our audit opinion.

Auditor’s Independence Declaration

In conducting our audit, we have complied with the independence requirements of the 
Corporations Act 2001. 

Auditor’s Opinion

In our opinion: 

(a)   the financial report of Reckon Limited is in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001, 

including:

(i) 

 giving a true and fair view of the company’s and consolidated entity’s financial position 
as at 31 December 2009 and of their performance for the year ended on that date; and

(ii)   complying with Australian Accounting Standards (including the Australian Accounting 

Interpretations) and the Corporations Regulations 2001; and

(b)   the financial report also complies with International Financial Reporting Standards as 

disclosed in Note 1.

Report on the Remuneration Report 

We have audited the Remuneration Report included in pages 10 to 16 of the directors’ report 
for the year ended 31 December 2009. 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.

Auditor’s Opinion

In our opinion the Remuneration Report of Reckon Limited for the year ended 31 
December 2009, complies with section 300A of the Corporations Act 2001. 

DELOITTE TOUCHE TOHMATSU 

Michael Kaplan 
Partner 
Chartered Accountants 
Sydney, 24 March 2010

23

financial Report

Directors’ Declaration

The directors of the Company declare that:

1.   the financial statements and notes as set out on pages 25 to 63, are in accordance with the Corporations 

Act 2001, and: 

• 

 comply with Accounting Standards; and

• 

 give a true and fair view of the financial position as at 31 December 2009 and of the performance for the 
year ended on that date of the Company and the consolidated Group;

2.  the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Finance Officer have each declared that:

• 

 the financial records of the Company for the financial year have been properly maintained in accordance 
with s 286 of the Corporations Act 2001;

• 

 the financial statements and notes for the financial year comply with the Accounting Standards, and

• 

the financial statements and notes for the financial year give a true and fair view;

3.   in the directors’ opinion there are reasonable grounds to believe that the Company will be able to pay its 

debts as and when they become due and payable; and

This declaration is made in accordance with a resolution of the Board of Directors. 

On behalf of the directors

Mr J Thame 
Chairman

Sydney, 24 March 2010

24

 
statement of Comprehensive income 

for the year ended 31 December 2009

Note

Consolidated

Parent

Continuing operations

Revenue 

Product and selling costs

Royalties

Employee benefits expenses

Share-based payments expenses

Marketing expenses

Premises and establishment expenses

Depreciation and amortisation of other non-current assets

Telecommunications

Legal and professional expenses

Finance costs

Other expenses 

Profit before business acquisition restructure costs

Business acquisition restructure costs

Profit before income tax 

Income tax expense

Profit for the year

Other comprehensive income

2

2

3

2009

$’000

85,389

(14,623)

(4,204)

2008

$’000

60,775

(5,358)

(4,211)

2009

$’000

46,016

(3,480)

(4,079)

2008

$’000

44,788

(3,728)

(4,200)

(26,913)

(20,051)

(11,320)

(11,027)

(1,027)

(3,106)

(2,683)

(6,897)

(995)

(889)

(303)

(301)

(4,467)

(1,771)

(4,663)

(809)

(441)

-

(1,028)

(2,297)

(1,473)

(5,364)

(569)

(571)

(438)

(301)

(3,736)

(1,144)

(4,511)

(530)

(350)

(93)

(4,761)

(3,580)

(1,735)

(1,991)

18,988

(1,176)

17,812

(4,210)

15,123

13,662

13,177

-

-

-

15,123

(3,811)

13,662

(1,413)

13,177

(2,214)

13,602

11,312

12,249

10,963

Exchange difference on translation of foreign operations

21

(258)

(194)

-

-

Total comprehensive income for the year

13,344

11,118

12,249

10,963

Profit attributable to:

Owners of the parent

Minority interest

Total comprehensive income attributable to:

Owners of the parent

Minority interest

22

13,226

11,312

12,249

10,963

376

-

-

-

13,602

11,312

12,249

10,963

12,968

11,118

12,249

10,963

376

-

-

-

13,344

11,118

12,249

10,963

Basic Earnings per Share

Alternative Basic Earnings per Share (excluding after tax effect 
of restructure costs) 

Diluted Earnings per Share

23

23

23

Cents

Cents

9.9

10.5

9.9

8.5

8.5

8.5

The above statement of comprehensive income should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

25

statement of financial Position 

as at 31 December 2009

Note

Consolidated

Parent

2009
$’000

2008
$’000

2009
$’000

2008
$’000

ASSETS

Current Assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Trade and other receivables

Inventories

Other assets

Total Current Assets

Non-Current Assets

Receivables

Financial assets

Property, plant and equipment

Deferred tax assets

Intangible assets

Other assets

Total Non-Current Assets

Total Assets

LIABILITIES

Current Liabilities

Trade and other payables

Borrowings

Current tax payables

Provisions

Deferred revenue

Deferred rent contribution 

Total Current Liabilities

Non-Current Liabilities

Borrowings

Deferred tax liabilities

Provisions

Deferred rent contribution

Total Non-Current Liabilities

Total Liabilities

Net Assets

Equity

Issued capital

Reserves

Retained earnings

Equity attributable to owners of the parent

Minority interest

Total Equity

28

6

5

7

6

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

15

20

21

22

29

2,350

9,152

1,159

1,164

16,134

4,993

440

855

712

1,540

235

466

14,889

1,161

280

401

13,825

22,422

2,953

16,731

617

64

3,768

586

45,270

192

50,497

64,322

6,022

375

813

1,899

6,048

250

-

629

2,543

426

24,088

905

28,591

51,013

4,918

-

1,742

808

2,863

213

15,407

10,544

2,023

1,972

850

795

5,640

21,047

43,275

18,037

239

24,625

42,901

374

43,275

-

640

605

841

2,086

12,630

38,383

17,566

816

20,003

38,385

(2)

2,203

33,566

1,823

-

15,019

192

52,803

55,756

2,883

4,412

632

940

2,072

142

11,081

2,012

594

665

591

3,862

14,943

40,813

18,037

639

22,137

40,813

-

1,029

15,069

1,613

-

13,062

905

31,678

48,409

3,036

3,052

1,569

351

1,868

142

10,018

-

210

432

733

1,375

11,393

37,016

17,566

958

18,492

37,016

-

The above statement of financial position should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

26

38,383

40,813

37,016

statement of Changes in Equity 

for the year ended 31 December 2009

Consolidated

Balance at 1 January 2009

Profit for the year

Exchange differences on translation of 
foreign operations 

Total comprehensive income for the year

Share based payments expense

Dividends paid

Treasury shares vested/lapsed

Transfer to share capital

Treasury shares acquired

Contributions of equity, net of transaction costs

Issued 
capital

$’000

17,566

-

-

-

-

-

498

132

(415)

256

Foreign 
currency 
translation 
reserve

Share-
based 
payments 
reserve

Retained 
earnings

Attributable 
to owners 
of the 
parent

Minority 
interest

Total

$’000

(142)

-

(258)

(258)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

$’000

$’000

$’000

$’000

$'000

958

20,003

13,226

38,385

13,226

(2)

38,383

376

13,602

-

(258)

-

(258)

13,226

12,968

376

13,344

311

-

311

-

(8,604)

(8,604)

(498)

(132)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(415)

256

-

-

-

-

-

-

311

(8,604)

-

-

(415)

256

Balance at 31 December 2009

18,037

(400)

639

24,625

42,901

374

43,275

Balance at 1 January 2008

18,203

Profit for the year

Exchange differences on translation of 
foreign operations 

Total comprehensive income for the year

Dividends paid

Share based payments expense

Transfer to share capital

Treasury shares acquired

Contributions of equity, net of transaction costs

-

-

-

-

-

62

(812)

113

52

-

(194)

(194)

-

-

-

-

-

461

15,938

-

-

-

-

559

(62)

-

-

11,312

-

11,312

(7,247)

-

-

-

-

34,654

11,312

(194)

11,118

(7,247)

559

-

(812)

113

(2)

34,652

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

11,312

(194)

11,118

(7,247)

559

-

(812)

113

Balance at 31 December 2008

17,566

(142)

958

20,003

38,385

(2)

38,383

The above statement of changes in equity should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

27

statement of Changes in Equity 

for the year ended 31 December 2009

Parent

Issued capital

Share-based 
payments 
reserve

Retained 
earnings

Balance at 1 January 2009

Profit for the year

Total comprehensive income for the year

Share based payments expense

Dividends paid

Treasury shares vested/lapsed

Transfer to share capital

Treasury shares acquired

Contributions of equity, net of transaction costs

Balance at 31 December 2009

Balance at 1 January 2008

Profit for the year

Total comprehensive income for the year

Dividends paid

Share based payments expense

Transfer to share capital

Treasury shares acquired

Contributions of equity, net of transaction costs

$’000

17,566

-

-

-

-

498

132

(415)

256

18,037

18,203

-

-

-

-

62

(812)

113

$’000

958

-

-

311

-

(498)

(132)

-

-

639

461

-

-

-

559

(62)

-

-

Total

$’000

37,016

12,249

12,249

311

(8,604)

-

-

(415)

256

$’000

18,492

12,249

12,249

-

(8,604)

-

-

-

-

22,137

40,813

14,776

10,963

10,963

(7,247)

-

-

-

-

33,440

10,963

10,963

(7,247)

559

-

(812)

113

Balance at 31 December 2008

17,566

958

18,492

37,016

The above statement of changes in equity should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

28

statement of Cash flows

for the year ended 31 December 2009

Cash Flows From Operating Activities

Receipts from customers

Note

Consolidated

Parent

Inflows/(Outflows)

Inflows/(Outflows)

2009

$’000

2008

$’000

2009

$’000

2008

$’000

93,451

65,180

39,374

41,236

Payments to suppliers and employees

 (69,701)

 (46,548)

(24,482)

(27,312)

Interest received

Interest paid

Dividends received

Income taxes paid

81

(303)

-

804

-

-

71

(438)

4,952

626

(93)

3,312

(4,647)

(3,137)

(1,966)

(1,942)

Net cash inflow from operating activities

28(c)

18,881

16,299

17,511

15,827

Cash Flows From Investing Activities

Payment for purchase of business, net of cash acquired

28(b)

(18,394)

Payments for purchase of intellectual property

Payment for deferred acquisition costs

28(b)

Payment for capitalised development costs 

Payment for property, plant and equipment

Increase/(decrease) in loans from subsidiaries

Proceeds/(payments) for security deposits 

(164)

-

(6,485)

(1,822)

-

565

(366)

(40)

(905)

(18,165)

(46)

-

(366)

(40)

(905)

(4,634)

(6,723)

(4,841)

(664)

-

(249)

(762)

(72)

573

(309)

2,183

(249)

Net cash outflow from investing activities

(26,300)

(6,858)

(25,195)

(4,527)

Cash Flows From Financing Activities

Proceeds from issues of equity securities

Proceeds from borrowings

Payment for treasury shares

Dividends paid 

256

2,398

(415)

113

-

(314)

256

2,270

(415)

113

-

(314)

(8,604)

(7,247)

(8,604)

(7,247)

Net cash outflow from financing activities

(6,365)

(7,448)

(6,493)

(7,448)

Net Increase/(Decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

(13,784)

1,993

(14,177)

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the financial year

16,134

14,141

14,889

3,852

11,037

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the financial year

28(a) 

2,350

16,134

712

14,889

The above statement of cash flows should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

29

 
Notes to the financial statements 

for the year ended 31 December 2009

(c) Depreciation and Amortisation 
Depreciation is provided on plant and equipment. Depreciation 
is calculated on a straight-line basis. Leasehold improvements 
are amortised over the period of the lease or the estimated 
useful life, whichever is the shorter, using the straight-line 
method. The following estimated useful lives are used in the 
calculation of depreciation and amortisation:

Plant and equipment  

Leasehold improvements 

3 - 5 years

3 - 6 years

(d) Employee Benefits  
Provision is made for benefits accruing to employees in 
respect of wages and salaries, annual leave and long service 
leave, when it is probable that settlement will be required and 
they are capable of being measured reliably.

Provisions made in respect of wages and salaries, annual 
leave, and other employee entitlements expected to be settled 
within 12 months are measured at the amounts expected to 
be paid when the liabilities are settled.

Provisions made in respect of long service leave which are 
not expected to be settled within 12 months are measured 
as the present value of the estimated future cash outflows 
to be made by the consolidated entity in respect of services 
provided by employees up to the reporting date, using 
the projected unit credit method. Consideration is given 
to expected future wage and salary levels, experience of 
employee departures and periods of service.

The Group recognises a liability and an expense for the long-
term incentive plan for selected executives based on a formula 
that takes into consideration the ranking of total shareholder 
return measured against a comparator group of companies. 

Contributions are made by the Group to defined contribution 
employee superannuation funds and are charged as expenses 
when incurred.

(e) Contributed Equity

Transaction Costs on the Issue of Equity Instruments 
Transaction costs arising on the issue of equity instruments are 
recognised directly in equity as a reduction of the proceeds of 
the equity instruments to which the costs relate. Transaction 
costs are the costs that are incurred directly in connection with 
the issue of those equity instruments and which would not 
have been incurred had those instruments not been issued.

1.  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies 

The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of 
the financial report are set out below. Unless otherwise stated, 
the accounting policies adopted are consistent with those 
of the previous year. The financial report includes separate 
financial statements for Reckon Limited as an individual entity 
and the consolidated entity consisting of Reckon Limited and 
its subsidiaries.

Basis of preparation

This general purpose financial report has been prepared 
in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards and 
Interpretations and the Corporations Act 2001, and complies 
with the other requirements of the law.

Australian Accounting Standards include Australian 
equivalents to International Financial Reporting Standards 
(AIFRS). Compliance with AIFRS ensures that the consolidated 
financial statements and notes of Reckon Limited, comply with 
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs).

The financial report has been prepared in accordance with the 
historical cost convention, except for the revaluation of certain 
non-current assets and financial instruments.

Significant Accounting Policies

(a) Trade Payables 
These amounts represent liabilities for goods and services 
provided to the consolidated entity prior to the end of the 
financial year and which are unpaid. These amounts are 
unsecured and are usually paid within 30 days of the month of 
recognition. Trade payables are recognised initially at fair value, 
and subsequently at amortised cost.

(b) Acquisition of Assets  
Assets acquired are recorded at the cost of acquisition, being 
the fair value of the purchase consideration determined as at the 
date of acquisition plus costs incidental to the acquisition.  Where 
equity instruments are issued in an acquisition, the value of the 
instruments is the weighted average of their closing market price for 
the total of the five business days either side of the acquisition date.

In the event that settlement of all or part of the consideration 
given in the acquisition of an asset is deferred, the fair value of 
the purchase consideration is determined by discounting the 
amounts payable in the future to their present value as at the 
date of acquisition. However, where the deferred component 
is subject to certain criteria being met, the amount deferred is 
recognised based on an estimate where it is probable that the 
relevant criteria will be met. If the amount is not probable or 
cannot be reliably measured, no amount is recognised.

30

 
 
Notes to the financial statements 

for the year ended 31 December 2009

(f) Foreign Currency Translation

(g) Goods and Services Tax

Functional and presentation currency 
Items included in the financial statements of each of the 
Group’s entities are measured using the currency of the 
primary economic environment in which the entity operates 
(“the functional currency”). The consolidated financial 
statements are presented in Australian dollars, which is 
Reckon Limited’s functional and presentation currency.

Transactions and balances  
All foreign currency transactions during the financial year have 
been brought to account in the functional currency using the 
exchange rate in effect at the date of the transaction. Foreign 
currency monetary items at reporting date are translated at the 
exchange rate existing at that date. Exchange differences are 
brought to account in the profit or loss in the period in which 
they arise.

Group companies 
The results and financial position of all the Group entities (none 
of which has the currency of a hyperinflationary economy) 
that have a functional currency different from the presentation 
currency are translated into the presentation currency of the 
consolidated entity as follows:

• 

• 

 Assets and liabilities are translated at the closing rate at the 
date of the statement of financial position;

 Income and expenses are translated at average rates 
(unless this is not a reasonable approximation of the 
cumulative effect of the rates prevailing on the transaction 
dates, in which case income and expenses are translated 
at the dates of the transactions); and

• 

 All resulting exchange differences are recognised as a 
separate component of equity.

On consolidation, exchange differences arising from the 
translation of monetary items forming part of the net 
investment in foreign entities, and of borrowings and 
other currency instruments designated as hedges of such 
investments, are taken directly to reserves. When a foreign 
operation is sold or borrowings repaid, a proportionate share 
of such exchange differences are recognised in the income 
statement as part of the gain or loss on sale.

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

Revenues, expenses and assets are recognised net of the 
amount of goods and services tax (GST), except:

i.    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

ii.    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.

(h) Intangible Assets 

Goodwill 
Where an entity or operation is acquired, the identifiable 
net assets acquired are measured at fair value. Goodwill 
represents the excess of the fair value of the cost of 
acquisition over the fair value of the identifiable net assets 
acquired. Goodwill is not amortised, and is tested for 
impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes 
in circumstances indicate that it might be impaired. Following 
initial recognition goodwill is measured at cost less any 
accumulated impairment losses. If an impairment has been 
identified, the goodwill is written down and an expense 
recognised in profit or loss. Impairment losses recognised for 
goodwill are not subsequently reversed.

Intellectual Property 
Acquired Intellectual Property is recognised at cost, less 
accumulated amortisation and any impairment losses, and is 
amortised on a straight line basis between 3-5 years.

Research and development costs

Research and development expenditure is recognised as an 
expense when incurred, except in the undernoted instances.

Development costs in respect of enhancements on existing 
Professional Division and Elite suites of software applications are 
capitalised and written off over a 3 to 4 year period. Development 
costs on technically and commercially feasible new Professional 
Division and Elite products are capitalised and written off on a 
straight line basis over a period of 3 to 4 years commencing at 
the time of commercial release of the new product.

Development costs include cost of materials, direct labour and 
appropriate overheads.

At each balance sheet date, a review of the carrying value of 
the capitalised development costs being carried forward is 
undertaken to ensure the carrying value is recoverable from 
future revenue generated by the sale of that software.

31

Notes to the financial statements 

for the year ended 31 December 2009

(i) Income Tax 
The income tax expense or revenue for the period is the tax 
payable on the current period’s taxable income based on 
the national income tax rate for each jurisdiction adjusted 
by changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities attributable 
to temporary differences between the tax bases of assets 
and liabilities, and their carrying amounts in the financial 
statements, and to unused tax losses.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognised for 
temporary differences at the tax rates expected to apply 
when the assets are recovered or liabilities are settled, 
based on those tax rates which are enacted or substantively 
enacted for each jurisdiction. The relevant tax rates are 
applied to the cumulative amounts of deductible and taxable 
temporary differences to measure the deferred tax asset 
or liability. An exception is made for certain temporary 
differences arising from the initial recognition of an asset 
or liability. No deferred tax asset or liability is recognised 
in relation to those temporary differences if they arose in a 
transaction, other than a business combination, that at the 
time of the transaction did not affect either accounting profit 
or taxable profit or loss.

Deferred tax assets are recognised for deductible temporary 
differences and unused tax losses only if it is probable that 
future taxable amounts will be available to utilise those 
temporary differences and losses. All deferred tax liabilities 
are recognised.

Current and deferred tax balances attributable to amounts 
recognised directly in equity are also recognised directly in 
equity.

Reckon Limited, and its wholly owned Australian controlled 
entities have formed a tax consolidated group. 

Under the tax consolidation regime, the parent Company 
is responsible for recognising the current tax assets and 
liabilities both for itself and its underlying subsidiaries. 
Therefore any current tax assets or liabilities attributable 
to the underlying subsidiaries are assumed by the parent 
Company. 

Deferred tax is recognised by each entity within the Group, 
with the exception of deferred tax assets arising from 
available tax losses and tax credits, which are assumed by 
the parent Company.

Both current and deferred tax assets and liabilities are 
calculated as if each entity were a standalone taxpayer.

All the wholly-owned Australian subsidiaries in the Group 
have entered into a tax funding agreement, which requires 
that all balances assumed by the head entity are settled 
in full. Furthermore, in the event that the head entity 
defaults in its obligations under the tax consolidation 
system, each entity in the Group is limited in its obligation 
to fund the income tax obligation of the head entity to the 
proportion that the tax liability to which the entity would 
have been liable had the Group not elected to become a tax 
consolidated entity bears to the total taxation liability of the 
head entity.

(j) Inventories 
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable 
value. Costs are assigned to inventory on hand on a 
weighted average cost basis.

(k) Investments in subsidiaries 
Investments in subsidiaries are recorded at cost. 

Dividend revenue is taken to income on a receivable basis. 

(l) Leased Assets 
A distinction is made between finance leases which 
effectively transfer from the lessor to the lessee substantially 
all the risks and benefits incident to ownership of leased 
assets, and operating leases under which the lessor 
effectively retains substantially all the risks and benefits.

Operating lease payments are recognised on a straight line 
basis over the lease term, except where another systematic 
basis is more representative of the time pattern in which 
economic benefits from the leased assets are consumed. 
Contingent rentals arising under operating leases are 
recognised as an expense in the period in which they are 
incurred. Lease incentives are initially recognised as a liability 
and are amortised over the term of the lease on a straight 
line basis.

(m) Principles of Consolidation 
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared 
by combining the financial statements of all the entities that 
comprise the consolidated entity, being the Company (the 
parent entity) and its subsidiaries. Subsidiaries are all entities 
over which the Group has the power to govern the financial 
and operating policies.

The consolidated financial statements include the 
information and results of each subsidiary from the date on 
which the Company obtains control and until such time as 
the Company ceases to control the entity.

In preparing the consolidated financial statements, all inter-
company balances and transactions, and unrealised profits 
arising from transactions within the consolidated entity are 
eliminated in full.

32

Notes to the financial statements 

for the year ended 31 December 2009

(n) Receivables 
Trade receivables and other receivables are recorded at 
amortised cost, less impairment.

(o) Impairment of assets 
Assets that have an indefinite useful life are not subject to 
amortisation and are tested annually for impairment. Assets 
that are subject to amortisation are reviewed for impairment 
whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that 
the carrying amount may not be recoverable. An impairment 
loss is recognised for the amount by which the asset’s 
carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount. The 
recoverable amount is the higher of an asset’s fair value less 
costs to sell and value in use. For the purposes of assessing 
impairment, assets are grouped at the lowest levels for 
which there are separately identifiable cash flows (cash 
generating units). 

(p) Revenue Recognition

Sale of Goods and Disposal of Assets 
Revenue from the sale of goods and disposal of other assets 
is recognised when the consolidated entity has passed 
control of the goods or other assets to the buyer, the fee is 
fixed or determinable and collectability is probable.

Professional Division software licence fee revenue is 
recognised at the point when the customer is in agreement 
for a “live operation” (i.e. when the customer accepts that all 
users can use the system on a fully functional basis).

Rendering of Services 
Revenue from a contract to provide services is recognised 
by reference to the stage of completion of the contract or on 
a time and materials basis depending upon the nature of the 
contract.

Support and maintenance revenue is recognised on a 
straight-line basis over the period of the contract, unless the 
cost of providing the technical support is insignificant. Under 
those circumstances the revenue and the associated cost of 
providing the technical support is accrued upon shipment of 
the goods. In multiple element arrangements where goods 
and services are sold as a bundled product, the fair value of 
the services is recognised as revenue over the period during 
which the service is performed, unless cost of providing 
those services is insignificant. Under those circumstances 
the revenue and the associated cost of providing the 
services is accrued upon shipment of the goods.

Royalty Income 
Royalty income is recognised on an accruals basis in 
accordance with the substance of the relevant agreement.

Interest and Other Revenue 
Interest revenue is recognised on a time proportional basis 
taking into account the effective interest rates applicable to 
the financial assets. Other revenue is recognised when the 
right to receive the revenue has been established. 

(q) Deferred Revenue 
Revenue earned from maintenance and support services 
provided on sales of certain products by the consolidated 
entity are deferred and then recognised in the income 
statement over the contract period as the services are 
performed, normally 12 months. Refer Note 1(p) for further 
detail. 

(r) Earnings per share 
Basic earnings per share is determined by dividing net profit 
after income tax attributable to members of the Company 
by the weighted average number of ordinary shares 
outstanding during the financial year, adjusted for bonus 
elements in ordinary shares issued during the year.

Diluted earnings per share adjusts the figures in the 
determination of basic earnings per share by taking into 
account the after income tax effect of interest and other 
financing costs associated with dilutive potential ordinary 
shares and the weighted average number of dilutive 
potential ordinary shares.

(s) Cash and cash equivalents 
Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, deposits 
held at call with financial institutions and bank overdrafts. 

(t) Other financial assets 
Other financial assets represent security deposits held as 
rental guarantees. They are valued at amortised cost.

(u) Provisions 
Provisions are recognised when the Group has a legal or 
constructive obligation, as a result of past events, for which 
it is probable that an outflow of economic benefits will result 
and that the outflow can be reliably measured.

(v) Fair Value estimation 
The fair value of financial instruments and share based 
payments that are not traded in an active market is 
determined using valuation techniques. The Group uses 
a variety of methods and assumptions that are based on 
existing market conditions. Other techniques, such as 
estimated discounted cash flows, are used to determine fair 
value for the remaining instruments. 

The directors consider that the nominal value less estimated 
credit adjustments of trade receivables and payables 
approximate their fair values.

33

Notes to the financial statements 

for the year ended 31 December 2009

(w) Rounding of amounts

The parent entity has applied the relief available to it under 
ASIC Class Order 98/100, and accordingly, amounts in the 
financial report have been rounded off to the nearest thousand 
dollars, except where otherwise indicated.

(x)  Significant accounting judgments, estimates and 

assumptions

Significant accounting judgments 
In applying the Group’s accounting policies, management has 
made the following judgments which have the most significant 
effect on the financial statements:

Capitalisation of development costs – the Group has adopted 
a policy of capitalising development costs only for products for 
which an assessment is made that the product is technically 
feasible and will generate definite economic benefits for the 
Group going forward. The capitalised costs are subsequently 
amortised over the expected useful life of the product.

Revenue recognition - in multiple element arrangements where 
goods and services are sold as a bundled product, the fair 
value of the services is recognised as revenue over the period 
during which the service is performed.

Significant accounting estimates and assumptions 
The carrying amount of certain assets and liabilities are often 
determined based on estimates and assumptions of future 
events. The key estimates and assumptions that have a 
significant risk of causing material adjustment to the carrying 
amounts of certain assets and liabilities are:

Impairment of goodwill – the Group determines whether 
goodwill is impaired on an annual basis. This requires an 
estimation of the recoverable amount of the cash-generating 
unit to which the goodwill is allocated. The assumptions used 
in this estimation, and the effect if these assumptions change, 
are disclosed in Note 11.

Share based payments – the Group measures the cost of 
equity-settled transactions with employees by reference to the 
fair value of the equity instruments at the date on which they 
are granted. The fair value has been determined using the 
Binomial Option Pricing Model, and the assumptions related to 
this can be found in Note 19.

34

Notes to the financial statements 

for the year ended 31 December 2009

(y) New accounting standards not yet effective

At the date of authorisation of the financial report, a number of Standards and Interpretations were in issue but not yet effective.

Initial application of the following Standards will not affect any of the amounts recognised in the financial report, but will change  
the disclosures presently made in relation to the Group and the Company’s financial report.

Standard/Interpretation 

Effective for annual 
reporting periods beginning 
on or after

Expected to be initially 
applied in the financial year 
ending

 •  AASB 3 ‘Business Combinations’ (revised), AASB 127 

‘Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements’ (revised) 
and AASB 2008-3 ‘Amendments to Australian Accounting 
Standards arising from AASB 3 and AASB 127’

Business combinations 
occurring after the beginning 
of annual reporting periods 
beginning 1 July 2009

31 December 2010

 •   AASB 2008-6 ‘Further Amendments to Australian Accounting 
Standards arising from the Annual Improvements Project’

1 July 2009

31 December 2010

•  AASB 2008-8 ‘Amendment to Australian Accounting 

Standards - Eligible Hedged Items’

•  AASB 2009-4‘Amendment to Australian Accounting 

Standards arising from the Annual Improvements Process’

•  AASB 2009-5‘Further Amendments to Australian Accounting 
Standards arising from the Annual Improvements Process’

1 July 2009

31 December 2010

1 July 2009

31 December 2010

1 January 2010

31 December 2010

•  AASB 2009-7 ‘Amendment to Australian Accounting Standards’

1 July 2009

31 December 2010

 • AASB 1 ‘First-time Adoption of Australian Accounting Standards’

1 July 2009

31 December 2010

 •   AASB Interpretation 17 ‘Distributions of Non-cash Assets 
to Owners’, AASB 2008-13 ‘Amendments to Australian 
Accounting Standards arising from AASB Interpretation 17 – 
Distributions of Non-cash Assets to Owners’

 •   AASB 2009-8 ‘Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards 

– Group Cash-settled Share-based Payment Transactions’

•  AASB 124 ‘Related Party Disclosures (2009)’, AASB 2009-12 

‘Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards’ 

 •  AASB 9 ‘Financial Instruments’, AASB 2009-11 ‘Amendments 

to Australian Accounting Standards arising from AASB 9’

•  AASB 2009-9 ‘Amendments to Australian Accounting 

Standards – Additional Exemptions for First-time Adopters’

•  AASB 2009-10 ‘Amendments to Australian Accounting 

Standards – Classification of Rights Issues’

•  AASB 2009-14 ‘Amendments to Australian Interpretation – 

Prepayments of a Minimum Funding Requirement’

•  AASB Interpretation 19 ‘Extinguishing Liabilities with Equity 

Instruments’

•   AASB 2010-1 – 'Amendments to Australian Accounting 

Standards – Limited Exemption from Comparative AASB 7 
Disclosures for First-time Adopters'

1 July 2009

31 December 2010

1 January 2010

31 December 2010

1 January 2011

31 December 2011

1 January 2013

31 December 2013

1 January 2010

31 December 2010

1 February 2010

31 December 2011

1 January 2011

31 December 2011

1 July 2010

31 December 2011

1 July 2010

31 December 2011

35

Notes to the financial statements 

for the year ended 31 December 2009

2. Profit for the year

Profit before income tax includes the following items of 
revenue and expense:

Revenue 

Sales revenue

Consolidated

Parent

2009

$’000

2008

$’000

2009

$’000

2008

$’000

Sale of goods and rendering of services

85,231

59,871

36,031

37,026

Other Revenue

Other income

Interest revenue – Bank deposits

Royalty revenue

Dividend income

Expenses

Cost of Sales

Bad debt expense:

Other Entities

Finance costs expensed: 

  Wholly-owned controlled entities

  Bank loans and overdraft

Net transfers to/(from) provisions:

  Sales returns and rebates

  Employee benefits

  Allowance for doubtful debts

Depreciation of non-current assets:

  Property, plant and equipment

Amortisation of non-current assets:

  Leasehold improvements

  Intellectual property

  Development costs

Foreign exchange losses/(gains) 

Research and Development costs

77

81

-

-

158

85,389

100

804

-

-

904

60,775

108

71

4,854

4,952

9,985

163

626

3,661

3,312

7,762

46,016

44,788

18,827

9,569

7,559

7,928

103

-

303

149

796

47

871

425

1,529

4,072

(59)

2,190

-

-

-

55

32

23

552

196

602

3,313

(155)

2,342

54

135

303

149

630

1

399

153

605

4,207

1

2,001

-

93

-

55

(19)

43

346

119

602

3,444

4

2,260

  Minimum lease payments

2,362

1,718

1,075

1,015

Business acquisition restructure costs

1,176

-

-

-

Business acquisition restructure costs relate predominantly to surplus premises and staff redundancies.

36

Notes to the financial statements 

for the year ended 31 December 2009

3. Income Tax

(a) Income tax expense

Current tax

Deferred tax

Under /(over) provided in prior years

(b)  The prima facie income tax expense on pre-tax accounting 
profit reconciles to the income tax expense/(income tax 
revenue) in the financial statements as follows:

Consolidated

Parent

2009

$’000

4,215

733

(738)

4,210

2008

$’000

4,169

(133)

(225)

3,811

2009

$’000

1,820

384

(791)

1,413

2008

$’000

2,540

(92)

(234)

2,214

Profit before income tax

Income tax expense calculated at 30% of profit 

17,812

5,344

15,123

4,537

13,662

4,099

13,177

3,953

Tax Effect of:

Effect of higher tax rates on overseas income

Tax effect of non-deductible/non-taxable items:

Dividends

Minority interest component

Research and development claims

Sundry items

Under/(over) provision in prior years – R&D claims 

Under/(over) provision in prior years - other

Income tax expense attributable to profit

(c)  Future income tax benefits not brought to account as an 

asset: not probable of recovery

Tax losses:

Revenue

Capital

60

-

(113)

(389)

46

4,948

(791)

53

4,210

-

2,295

2,295

-

-

-

(530)

29

4,036

-

(225)

3,811

-

2,261

2,261

-

-

(1,486)

-

(389) 

(20)

2,204

(791)

-

1,413

-

2,295

2,295

(994)

-

(530) 

19

2,448

-

(234)

2,214

-

2,261

2,261

37

Notes to the financial statements 

for the year ended 31 December 2009

4. Remuneration of Auditors

(a) Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu

During the year, the auditors of the parent entity earned the 
following remuneration:

Consolidated

Parent

2009

$

2008

$

2009

$

2008

$

Auditing and reviewing of financial reports

184,851

164,777

134,851

135,915

Due diligence and other assurance services

Tax compliance and consulting services

14,850

56,767

42,750

80,914

14,850

56,767

42,750

80,914

(b) Other Auditors

Auditing and reviewing of financial reports

Tax compliance services

5. Inventories

Finished goods:

256,468

288,441

206,468

259,579

56,842

19,766

76,608

32,181

25,139

57,320

-

-

-

-

-

-

333,076

345,761

206,468

259,579

Consolidated

Parent

2009

$’000

2008

$’000

2009

$’000

2008

$’000

At lower of cost and net realisable value

1,159

440

235

280

38

 
Notes to the financial statements 

for the year ended 31 December 2009

6. Trade and Other Receivables

Current:

Trade receivables (i)

Allowance for doubtful debts 

Other receivables

Non current:

Unsecured loans to subsidiaries (ii)

Other receivables

(i)  The ageing of past due receivables at year end is  

detailed as follows:

Past due 0-30 days

Past due 31-60 days

Past due 61+ days

The movement in the allowance for doubtful accounts in 
respect of trade receivables is detailed below:

Balance at beginning of the year

Amounts written off during the year

Increase in allowance recognised in the profit and loss

Balance at end of year

Consolidated

Parent

2009

$’000

8,552

(261)

8,291

861

9,152

-

617

617

1,271

988

1,474

3,733

317

(103)

47

261

2008

$’000

4,670

(317)

4,353

640

4,993

-

-

-

982

466

504

1,952

294

-

23

317

2009

$’000

1,301

(179)

1,122

418

1,540

2008

$’000

912

(233)

679

482

1,161

2,203

1,029

-

-

2,203

1,029

105

118

80

303

233

(55)

1

179

168

107

-

275

190

-

43

233

The average credit period on provision of services is 30 days. No interest is charged on trade or other receivable balances overdue.

The Group has used the following basis to assess the allowance loss for trade receivables and as a result is unable to specifically 
allocate the allowance to the ageing categories shown above:

the general economic conditions;

•  a general provision based on historical bad debt experience;
• 
•  an individual account by account specific risk assessment based on past credit history; and
•  any prior knowledge of debtor insolvency or other credit risk.

Included in the Group’s trade receivable balance are debtors with a carrying amount of $3,472 thousand (2008: $1,635 thousand) 
which are past due at the reporting date which the Group has not provided for as there has been no significant change in credit 
quality and the Group believes that the amounts are still considered recoverable. Furthermore, the above balances are partially offset 
by amounts included in deferred revenue in current liabilities. The Group does not hold any collateral over these balances.

(ii) The loans to wholly owned subsidiaries have no fixed repayment terms. The loans are interest free and at call.

39

Notes to the financial statements 

for the year ended 31 December 2009

7. Other Assets

Prepayments

Other

8. Other Financial Assets

Security deposits

Shares in controlled entities - at cost (Note 26)

9. Property, Plant And Equipment

Leasehold Improvements

At cost

Less: Accumulated amortisation

Total leasehold improvements

Plant and equipment

At cost

Less: Accumulated depreciation

Total plant & equipment

Reconciliations

Consolidated

Parent

2009

$’000

820

344

1,164

64

-

64

2,472

858

1,614

5,382

3,228

2,154

3,768

2008

$’000

740

115

855

629

-

629

2,329

1,119

1,210

5,417

4,084

1,333

2,543

2009

$’000

466

-

466

56

33,510

33,566

1,093

349

744

2,174

1,095

1,079

1,823

2008

$’000

401

-

401

629

14,440

15,069

1,732

835

897

4,234

3,518

716

1,613

Reconciliations of the carrying amounts of each class of property, plant and equipment at the beginning and end of the financial 
year are set out below.

Consolidated

Carrying amount at 1 January 2009

Additions

Depreciation/amortisation expense

Balance at 31 December 2009

Parent entity

Carrying amount at 1 January 2009

Additions

Depreciation/amortisation expense

Balance at 31 December 2009

40

Leasehold 
Improvements

Plant and 
Equipment

$’000

$’000

1,210

829

(425)

1,614

897

-

(153)

744

1,333

1,741

(920)

2,154

716

762

(399)

1,079

Total

$’000

2,543

2,570

(1,345)

3,768

1,613

762

(552)

1,823

 
Notes to the financial statements 

for the year ended 31 December 2009

Consolidated

Carrying amount at 1 January 2008

Additions

Depreciation/amortisation expense

Balance at 31 December 2008

Parent entity

Carrying amount at 1 January 2008

Additions

Depreciation/amortisation expense

Balance at 31 December 2008

10. Deferred Tax Asset

Leasehold 
Improvements

Plant and 
Equipment

$’000

$’000

431

975

(196)

1,210

47

969

(119)

897

1,283

647

(597)

1,333

764

298

(346)

716

Total

$’000

1,714

1,622

(793)

2,543

811

1,267

(465)

1,613

Consolidated

Parent

2009

$’000

2008

$’000

2009

$’000

2008

$’000

The balance comprises temporary differences attributable to:

Doubtful debts

Employee benefits

Deferred revenue

Other provisions

Details of unrecognised deferred tax assets can be  
found in Note 3(c)

Reconciliation:

Opening balance at 1 January

Credited/(charged) to the income statement

Acquisition of businesses

Balance at 31 December

22

319

65

180

586

426

(955)

1,115

586

22

314

-

90

426

387

39

-

426

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

41

 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements 

for the year ended 31 December 2009

Consolidated

Parent

11. Intangibles

Intellectual property – at cost

Accumulated amortisation

Development costs – at cost

Accumulated amortisation

2009

$’000

12,588

(6,667)

5,921

23,107

(12,397)

2008

$’000

6,270

2009

$’000

6,316

2008

$’000

6,270

(5,138)

(5,743)

(5,138)

1,132

16,573

(8,325)

573

23,978

(12,934)

Goodwill – at cost

28,639

14,708

3,402

10,710

8,248

11,044

1,132

17,255

(8,727)

8,528

3,402

Impairment test for goodwill

Goodwill is allocated to the Group’s Cash Generating Units (CGUs) identified according to the business entities acquired, as follows:        

45,270

24,088

15,019

13,062

Professional Division Australia

Professional Division New Zealand 

Professional Division United Kingdom

nQueue Billback Division

Elite

Corporate Services

10,361

1,742

426

2,449

2,536

11,125

28,639

9,564

1,742

-

-

2,536

866

14,708

The recoverable amount of a CGU is determined based on value-in-use calculations. Management has based the value in use 
calculations on the most recently completed Board approved budget for the forthcoming one year (2010) period. Subsequent 
cash flows between years two and five are projected using forecast EBITDA growth rates of 10% per annum based on recent 
historical performance and managements expectation of continued organic growth during this period. Thereafter growth rates are 
projected at a constant growth rate of 3% (based on historical industry averages) into perpetuity. An average post-tax discount 
rate of 13.4% (2008: 13.4%)  (2009 pre-tax rate: 17.5%) reflecting assessed risks associated with CGU’s have been applied 
to determine the present value of future cash flow projections. No impairment write-offs have been recognised during the year 
(2008: nil). Should the projected EBITDA growth rates of 10% per annum in years two to five reduce to 0%, an impairment would 
still not arise.

42

Notes to the financial statements 

for the year ended 31 December 2009

Consolidated movements in intangibles

Goodwill

Intellectual 
Property

Development 
Costs

At 1 January 2009

Additions (Note 28(b))

Amortisation charge

At 31 December 2009

At 1 January 2008

Additions

Adjustment to purchase price

Amortisation charge

$’000

14,708

13,931

$’000

1,132

6,318

-

(1,529)

28,639

14,750

-

(42)

-

5,921

1,694

40

-

(602)

$’000

8,248

6,534

(4,072)

10,710

6,882

4,679

-

(3,313)

Total

$’000

24,088

26,783

(5,601)

45,270

23,326

4,719

(42)

(3,915)

At 31 December 2008

14,708

1,132

8,248

24,088

Parent movements in intangibles

Goodwill

Intellectual 
Property

Development 
Costs

At 1 January 2009

Additions

Amortisation charge

At 31 December 2009

At 1 January 2008

Additions

Adjustment to purchase price

Amortisation charge

$’000

3,402

-

-

3,402

3,444

-

(42)

-

$’000

1,132

46

(605)

573

1,694

40

-

(602)

$’000

8,528

6,723

(4,207)

11,044

7,131

4,841

-

(3,444)

Total

$’000

13,062

6,769

(4,812)

15,019

12,269

4,881

(42)

(4,046)

At 31 December 2008

3,402

1,132

8,528

13,062

12. Other Assets

Prepayments – deferred acquisition costs

Prepayments - other

Consolidated

Parent

2009

$’000

-

192

192

2008

$’000

905

-

905

2009

$’000

-

192

192

2008

$’000

905

-

905

43

Notes to the financial statements 

for the year ended 31 December 2009

13. Trade and Other Payables

Current:

Trade payables and sundry accruals (i)

Employee benefits (Note 19)

Consolidated

Parent

2009

$’000

4,683

1,339

6,022

2008

$’000

3,885

1,033

4,918

2009

$’000

2,356

527

2,883

2008

$’000

2,466

570

3,036

(i)  The credit period for the majority of goods purchased is 30 days. No interest is charged. The Group has policies in place to ensure 

payables are paid within the credit periods.

14. Borrowings

Current:

Bank overdraft (i)

Unsecured loans from subsidiaries (ii)

Other borrowings

Consolidated

Parent

2009

$’000

2008

$’000

258

-

117

375

-

-

-

-

2009

$’000

258

4,154

-

4,412

2008

$’000

-

3,052

-

3,052

(i)  During the year the consolidated entity secured bank facilities totaling $23.0 million. The facility comprises a bank overdraft facility, and a multi 
option facility (which includes a bill facility and bank guarantee/transactional facility). The facility covers a 3 year term, except for $1.0 million 
which is subject to annual review. The facility is secured over the Australian net assets of the Group ($38.6 million at 31 December 2009). The 
balance drawn down to date has been used to fund a portion of the Corporate Services and Billback acquisitions.

2009

Bank 
overdraft

Bill  
facility

Bank 
guarantee 
facility

$’000

$’000

$’000

The available, used and unused components of the facility at year end is as follows: 

Available

Used

Unused

1,000

258

742

19,000

2,012

16,988

The remaining contractual maturity for the facility (including both interest and principal) is as follows:

0-12 months

12-24 months

Weighted average interest rate

258

-

7.08%

-

2,192

4.33%

(ii)  Loans from related parties are interest bearing at 5% (2008: 7%) on normal commercial terms with no  

fixed terms  of repayment.

3,000

1,078

1,922

-

-

-

44

 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements 

for the year ended 31 December 2009

15. Provisions

Current:

Sales returns, volume rebates

Employee benefits (Note 19)

Commissions and sundry provisions

Non-current:

Employee benefits (Note 19)

Movement in provisions

Movements in each class of provision during the financial 
year, excluding employee benefits, are set out below:

2009 Consolidated

Carrying amount at the start of the year

Additional provisions recognised

Released to profit or loss

Carrying amount at the start of the year

2009 Parent

Carrying amount at the start of the year

Additional provisions recognised

Released to profit or loss

Carrying amount at the end of the year

Consolidated

2009

$’000

339

1,052

508

1,899

850

2008

$’000

190

343

275

808

605

Parent

2009

$’000

339

601

-

940

665

2008

$’000

190

161

-

351

432

Sales returns, 
volume rebates

 Commissions 
and sundry

Total

$’000

$’000

$’000

190

149

-

339

190

149

-

339

275

233

-

508

-

-

-

-

465

382

-

847

190

149

-

339

45

Notes to the financial statements 

for the year ended 31 December 2009

16. Borrowings

Borrowings

Non–current:

Bank loans (Note 14)

Other borrowings

17. Deferred tax liabilities

The temporary differences are attributable to:

Withholding tax payable in event of distribution of  
pre-acquisition dividend

Doubtful debts

Employee benefits

Sales returns and volume rebates

Deferred revenue

Difference between book and tax value of non-current assets

Other provisions

Details of unrecognised deferred tax assets can be 
found in Note 3(c)

Reconciliation:

Opening balance at 1 January

Charged (credited) to profit or loss

Acquisition of businesses

Balance at 31 December

18. Working capital deficiency

Consolidated

2009

$’000

2,012

11

2,023

430

(54)

(600)

(101)

(762)

3,387

(328)

1,972

640

(222)

1,554

1,972

2008

$’000

-

-

-

430

(70)

(260)

(57)

(560)

1,634

(477)

640

732

(92)

-

640

Parent

2009

$’000

2008

$’000

2,012

-

2,012

-

(54)

(254)

(101)

(619)

1,954

(332)

594

210

384

-

594

-

-

-

-

(70)

(260)

(57)

(560)

1,634

(477)

210

302

(92)

-

210

The statement of financial position indicates an excess of current liabilities over current assets of $1,582 thousand in respect 
of the consolidated entity and $8,128 thousand in respect of the parent. This arises due to the cash management structure 
adopted by management, whereby surplus funds are used to repay long-term debt. The consolidated entity and the Company 
had available unused long-term bank facilities at year end totaling $19,652 thousand. Furthermore, included in current liabilities 
is deferred revenue of $6,048 thousand for the consolidated entity and $2,072 thousand for the Company, settlement of which 
liabilities will involve substantially lower cash flows.

46

 
Notes to the financial statements 

for the year ended 31 December 2009

19. Employee Benefits

The aggregate employee benefit liability recognised and 
included in the financial statements is as follows:

Accrued annual leave:

Current (Note 13)

Long term incentive:

Current (Note 15)

Non-current (Note 15)

Provision for long service leave:

Current (Note 15)

Non-current (Note 15)

Long-term incentive plan 

Consolidated

2009

$’000

2008

$’000

Parent

2009

$’000

1,339

1,033

492

407

560

443

3,241

119

176

224

429

1,981

527

492

407

109

258

1,793

2008

$’000

570

119

176

42

256

1,163

The long-term incentive plan was approved at the Special General Meeting on 20 December 2005, and comprises three possible 
methods of participation: an option plan, a performance share plan and a share appreciation plan. The Board has discretion to 
make offers to applicable employees to participate in any of these plans. Options granted and/or performance shares awarded 
(all in respect of the Company’s ordinary shares) and/or share appreciation rights do not vest before three years after their grant 
date. Vesting is also conditional upon the Company achieving defined performance criteria. The performance criteria are based 
upon a total shareholder return (TSR) target. A TSR is the return to shareholders over a prescribed period, being the growth in the 
Company’s share price plus dividends or returns of capital for that period. The Company’s initial TSR target will be the Company 
achieving a median or higher ranking against the TSR position of individual companies within a ‘comparator Group’ of companies 
(i.e. a group of comparable ASX listed companies pre-selected by the Board) over the same period. The initial comparator group 
was determined by independent advisers and was set out in the Chairman’s speech at the Special General Meeting on 20 
December 2005. The Board will review the suitability of the comparator group on an on going basis.

Only 50% of options or performance shares become exercisable or vest if the initial performance criterion is satisfied. The extent 
to which the balance of options or performance shares become exercisable or vest will depend on the extent to which the initial 
performance criterion is exceeded (i.e. the extent to which the Company exceeds a median ranking against the TSR position of the 
comparator group of companies). The performance shares are held in trust after vesting.

The share appreciation rights plan represents an alternative remuneration element (to offering options or performance shares) 
under which the Board can invite relevant employees to apply for a right to receive a cash payment from the Company equal to 
the amount (if any) by which the market price of the Company’s shares at the date of exercise of the right exceeds the market 
price of the Company’s shares at the date of grant of the right. The right may only be exercised if performance criteria are met. The 
performance criteria are fixed by the Board in the exercise of its discretion. At present these are the same as the TSR target set for 
the right to exercise options or for performance shares to vest.

No options were issued during the year (2008: Nil).

888,324 (2008: 495,356) appreciation rights and 375,475 (2008: 252,477) performance shares were issued during the year. The fair 
value of these rights was 19.7 cents (2008: 32.3 cents) and the shares were $1.05 (2008: $1.36), using market price for the shares, 
and a model that incorporates the Black Scholes model for the rights. The expense recognised in 2009 for appreciation rights/
performance shares was $1,027,823 (2008: $300,666).

47

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements 

for the year ended 31 December 2009

Set out below are summaries of performance shares and appreciation rights granted under the long-term incentive plan:

Performance Shares

Grant Date

Expiry 
Date

Shares 
Granted

Shares lapsed  
during the year

Shares vested  
during the year

Shares available at  
the end of the year

2009

2008

2009

2008

2009

2008

85,437

300,590

252,477

375,475

-

9,823

7,332

-

-

-

-

-

-

85,437

290,762

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

300,585

245,145

252,477

375,475

-

Jan’06

Jan’07

Jan’08

Jan’09

Dec’08

Dec’09

Dec’10

Dec’11

Appreciation Rights

Grant Date

Expiry 
Date

Rights 
Granted

Rights lapsed during  
the year

Rights vested during  
the year

Rights available at  
the end of the year

Jan’06

Jan’07

Jan’08

Jan’09

Dec’08

Dec’09

Dec’10

Dec’11

401,785

561,798

495,356

888,324

Reckon Limited Employee Option Plans

2009

2008

2009

2008

2009

2008

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

401,785

561,798

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

561,798

495,356

495,356

888,324

-

The Company has previously had two ownership-based remuneration schemes:

Executive share option plan 
The executive share option plan has been terminated.

Executive share option plan No. 2 
The Reckon Limited Executive Share Option Plan No. 2 was established on 19/7/2000. Under the provisions of the plan, the 
directors may grant options over unissued shares in the Company to executives and directors of the Company (or their associates) 
or subsidiaries of the Company selected by the directors from time to time, subject to the ASX Listing Rules and the Corporations 
Act 2001. 

Options are granted for a five-year period and 50% of each new tranche becomes exercisable after each of the first two 
anniversaries of the grant date. The entitlements are vested as soon as they are exercisable (i.e. they are not conditional on future 
employment). Each option entitles the holder to one ordinary share.

Amounts receivable on exercise of any options are recognised as share capital. Options exercised during the year were exercised 
with an average exercise price of $0.67. 

No further options will be issued under either of these plans. The plans have been replaced by the employee incentive plans 
approved by the Special General Meeting on 20 December 2005.

Options are valued using the Binomial Option Pricing Model, taking into account the exercise price, the expected life of the options 
(estimated at 4.5 years), the price of the underlying shares (range is between $0.65 and $0.82), the expected volatility of those 
shares based on historical volatility, the expected dividends and the risk-free rate of interest. The weighted average share price 
during the year was $1.34.

48

Notes to the financial statements 

for the year ended 31 December 2009

Set out below are summaries of options granted under the Executive Share Option Plan No. 2.

Grant 
date

Expiry 
date

Exercise 
Price

Options 
Initially 
Granted

Options lapsed 
during the year

2009

2008

Feb 01

Mar 01

Jun 03

Sep 03

Dec 03

Jan 04

Mar 04

Jun 04

Sep 04

Dec 04

Mar 05

Jul 05

Sep 05

Dec 05

Feb 06

Mar 06

Jun 08

Sep 08

Dec 08

Jan 09

Mar 09

Jun 09

Sep 09

Dec 09

Mar 10

Jul 10

Sep 10

Dec 10

$0.198

1,123,334

$0.162

$0.270

$0.505

$0.619

22,145

58,891

115,002

48,890

-

-

-

8,339

10,555

$0.551

1,061,159

217,076

$0.789

$0.960

$0.823

$0.796

$0.743

$0.741

$0.779

$0.722

56,110

76,668

151,166

250,554

75,555

79,999

113,887

144,445

35,889

45,389

45,441

78,281

-

-

-

-

-

-

19,001

50,407

24,808

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Options exercised 
and shares issued 
during the year

Options vested and 
available at the end 
of the year

2008

2009

2009

9,340

5,937

-

18,050

7,298

-

-

-

7,387

3,789

161,168

176,806

-

24,278

42,223

80,315

-

-

31,139

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

2008

9,340

5,937

-

26,389

19,272

378,244

35,889

69,667

87,664

158,596

57,527

49,876

84,180

81,809

-

-

-

-

1,419

-

-

-

-

-

57,527

49,876

53,041

81,809

Number of shares that can be issued for unexercised options                           

243,672 1,064,390

440,970

94,216

379,748

187,982

243,672 1,064,390

20. Issued Capital

Fully Paid Ordinary Share Capital

2009

No.

$’000

2008

No.

Balance at beginning of financial year

132,937,807

18,378

132,749,825

Transfer from share-based payments reserve for options 
exercised during the year

Issue of shares

-

379,748

132

256

-

187,982

$’000

18,203

62

113

Balance at end of financial year

133,317,555

18,766

132,937,807

18,378

Less Treasury shares

Balance at beginning of financial year

Shares purchased in prior periods

Shares purchased in current period

Shares lapsed 

Shares vested 

Balance at end of financial year

717,319

-

375,475

(17,155)

(455,019)

620,620

812

-

415

(20)

(478)

729

-

464,842

252,477

-

-

717,319

Balance at end of financial year net of treasury shares

132,696,935

18,037

132,227,820

-

498

314

-

-

812

17,566

Fully paid ordinary shares carry one vote per share and carry the right to dividends. 

Changes to the then Corporations Law abolished the authorised capital and par value concepts in relation to share capital from 1 
July 1998. Therefore the Company does not have a limited amount of authorised capital and issued shares do not have a par value. 

379,748 (2008; 187,982) Options were exercised during the year with an average exercise price of $0.67. Details of the options that 
were exercised and further details in respect of the share option plans are contained in Note 19 to the financial statements.

Total consideration for options exercised during the year is $255,419.

49

Notes to the financial statements 

for the year ended 31 December 2009

21. Reserves

Foreign currency translation reserve

Balance at beginning of financial year

Translation of foreign operations

Balance at end of financial year

Share-based payments reserve

Balance at beginning of financial year

Treasury share expense

Treasury shares vested/lapsed

Transfer to share capital (options exercised)

Balance at end of financial year

Nature and purpose of reserves

(a)  Foreign currency translation reserve 

Consolidated

2009

$’000

2008

$’000

Parent

2009

$’000

2008

$’000

(142)

(258)

(400)

958

311

(498)

(132)

639

239

52

(194)

(142)

461

559

-

(62)

958

816

-

-

-

958

311

(498)

(132)

639

639

-

-

-

461

559

-

(62)

958

958

Exchange differences arising on translation of the financial reports of foreign subsidiaries are taken to the foreign currency 
translation reserve, as described in Note 1(f)

(b)  Share-based payments reserve 

The share-based payments reserve is for the fair value of options granted and recognised to date but not yet exercised, and 
treasury shares purchased which have not yet vested.

22. Retained Earnings

Balance at beginning of financial year

Net profit

Dividends 

Balance at end of financial year

Consolidated

Parent

2009

$’000

20,003

13,226

(8,604)

24,625

2008

$’000

15,938

11,312

(7,247)

20,003

2009

$’000

18,492

12,249

(8,604)

22,137

2008

$’000

14,776

10,963

(7,247)

18,492

50

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements 

for the year ended 31 December 2009

23. Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share

Diluted earnings per share

2009

2008

¢

9.9

9.9

¢

8.5

8.5

Weighted average number of ordinary shares used in the calculation of basic earnings per share

133,115,106

132,786,989

Weighted average number of ordinary shares and potential ordinary shares used in the 
calculation of diluted earnings per share

133,358,778

133,833,461

Earnings per share calculations are based on profit for the year as set out in the statement of comprehensive income of $13,226 
thousand (2008: $11,312 thousand).

Alternative earnings per share is based on profit for the year, adjusted for the after tax impact of business acquisition restructure costs of 
$814 thousand (i.e. adjusted profit of $14,040 thousand).

Potential ordinary shares of 243,672 (2008: 1,064,390) are options issued but not exercised as disclosed in note 19.

24. Contingent Liabilities

There are no material contingent liabilities as at 31 December 2009.

25. Commitments For Expenditure

(a) Capital Expenditure Commitments

Consolidated

2009

$’000

2008

$’000

Parent

2009

$’000

2008

$’000

The consolidated entity has capital expenditure commitments of $nil as at 31 December 2009 (2008: $53,000).

(b) Lease Commitments

Operating Leases

Within 1 year

Later than 1 year and not longer than 5 years

Later than 5 years

1,976

7,344

1,949

11,269

1,720

4,736

1,111

7,567

985

3,835

159

4,979

1,021

3,803

1,111

5,935

Operating leases relate to office and warehouse premises with lease terms of between 1 to 7 years. All operating lease contracts 
contain market review clauses in the event that the consolidated entity exercises its option to renew. The consolidated entity does 
not have an option to purchase the leased asset at the expiry of the lease period. 

51

 
Notes to the financial statements 

for the year ended 31 December 2009

26. Subsidiaries

Name of Entity

Country of 
Incorporation

Ownership Interest

2009

%

2008

%

Parent Entity

Reckon Limited 

Subsidiaries

Reckon.com.au Pty Limited 

Reckon Australia Pty Limited 

Reckon Investment Centre Limited

Reckon Online Holdings Pty Limited 

Reckon Pacrim Pty Limited 

Reckon Training Pty Limited

Reckon Limited Performance Share Plan Trust

Reckon New Zealand Pty Limited 

Advanced Professional Solutions Pty Limited1

Advanced Professional Solutions Limited1

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

New Zealand

Australia

New Zealand

Advanced Professional Solutions Limited1

United Kingdom

Reckon Docs Pty Limited

Independent Corporate Services Pty Limited

Quickdocs.com.au Pty Limited

Recount Expense Management Pty Limited1

Billback Systems (UK) Limited1

Billback LLC2

nQueue Billback LLC2

All shares held are ordinary shares. 
1 Professional Division subsidiaries. 
2 nQueue Billback Division subsidiaries.

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

United Kingdom

United States of 
America

United States of 
America

100

100

100

100

100

90

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

67

100

100

100

100

100

90

100

100

100

100

100

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

52

Notes to the financial statements 

for the year ended 31 December 2009

27. Related Party Disclosures

(a) Key Management Personnel Remuneration

Short term benefits

Post-employment benefits

Share based payments

Consolidated

2009

$

2008

$

Parent

2009

$

2008

$

3,923,937

3,189,551

2,039,445

1,829,135

262,861

955,653

227,650

271,577

147,420

855,716

133,879

169,253

5,142,451

3,688,778

3,042,581

2,132,267

The names of and positions held by the key management are set out in Note 27(e). Further details of the remuneration of key 
management are disclosed in the Directors’ Report.

 (b) Other Transactions with Key Management Personnel

There were no transactions with directors apart from those disclosed in this note.

(c) Transactions within the Wholly-Owned Group

During the financial year, Reckon Limited provided management, accounting and administration services, at no cost, to other 
entities in the wholly-owned Group.

During the financial year, Reckon Limited charged royalties on intellectual property at market rates to the Professional and nQueue 
Billback Divisions of $4,854,368 (2008; $3,660,961), and was charged interest at normal commercial rates on the inter-company 
loan with Advanced Professional Solutions Limited in New Zealand of $134,954 (2008; $93,289). The Professional Division has 
also provided development services to Reckon Limited at market rates and has charged fees for these services of $6,722,251 
(2008; $4,541,519). The Professional Division and Reckon Docs Pty Limited paid dividends to Reckon Limited of $4,951,626 
(2008; $3,311,804). Receivables/payables from entities within the wholly-owned Group include amounts arising under the Group’s 
tax funding arrangement. These loans are interest free and repayable on demand. The Professional and nQueue Billback Division 
subsidiaries are as set out in Note 26.

(d) Other Related Party Transactions

Intuit Ventures Inc

Intuit Ventures Inc, a significant shareholder (11.1%) in Reckon Limited provides the rights for Reckon to market and distribute Intuit 
software throughout Australasia and parts of South-East Asia. In return for this, Intuit receives a royalty payment based on sales 
made throughout the territory. These royalties amounted to $4,056,227 (2008; $4,209,212) which is expensed in the month that the 
associated product was sold. The balance due at 31 December 2009 is $161,238 (2008; $150,843).

53

 
Notes to the financial statements 

for the year ended 31 December 2009

27. Related Party Disclosures continued

(e) Directors’ and Key Management Equity Holdings

Options and Shareholding 2009

Shareholding  

Shareholding  

Performance 

Performance 

Performance 

Performance 

at start of  

at end of  

Options at start 

Options at end 

shares at start 

shares vested 

shares issued 

shares held at 

2009

20092

of 2009

of 20091

of 2009

in 2009

2009

end of 2009

Office

Deputy 
Chairman, 
Executive 
Director

Greg 
Wilkinson

Clive 
Rabie

Brian 
Armstrong

CEO, 
Professional 
Division

Brian 
Coventry

MD, Professional 
Division United 
Kingdom

John 
Thame

Myron 
Zlotnick

Ian 
Ferrier

Chairman, 
Non-Executive 
Director

General 
Counsel & Co 
Secretary

Non-Executive 
Director

Chris 
Hagglund

Chief Financial 
Officer

Nigel 
Boland

Paul 
James

Gavin 
Dixon

Grant 
Linton

Russell 
Scott

Andrew 
Moon3

Richard 
Hellers4

GM, 
Development 
Professional 
Division

GM 
Professional 
Division 
Australia

CEO Business 
Division

GM, 
Professional 
Division New 
Zealand

GM Reckon 
Docs

GM Billback

President & 
CEO nQueue 
Billback Division

7,450,000

7,450,000

CEO, Executive 
Director

10,508,000

10,508,000

748,222

768,673

287,766

297,589

19,000

19,000

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

28,204

0

0

0

0

111,130

47,500

23,222

13,039

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

67,539

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

221,007

72,451

80,952

229,508

17,155

9,823

13,333

20,665

0

0

0

0

87,660

28,204

47,619

107,075

0

0

0

0

156,868

63,630

72,619

165,857

17,155

9,823

13,333

20,665

7,332

0

9,524

16,856

124,362

67,539

80,952

137,775

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

9,524

9,524

0

0

0

0

0

0

1 No options were issued in 2009.

2  Shareholdings at the date of the Directors' Report remain unchanged, apart from Brian Armstrong, who has sold 42,222 shares 

since year end, and Brian Coventry, who has sold 25,000 shares since year end.

3 Employment ended on 31 March 2009.

4 Mr Hellers was appointed President & CEO of the merged Billback USA and nQueue business effective from 1 July 2009. 

54

Notes to the financial statements 

for the year ended 31 December 2009

27. Related Party Disclosures continued

(e) Directors’ and Key Management Equity Holdings

Options and Shareholding 2008

Shareholding 

Shareholding  

Performance 

Performance 

Performance 

Performance 

at start of  

at end of  

Options at 

Options at end 

shares at start 

shares vested 

shares issued 

shares held at 

2008

20085

start of 2008

of 20084

of 2008

in 2008

in 2008

end of 2008

Office

Deputy 
Chairman, 
Executive 
Director

Executive 
Director

MD, APS United 
Kingdom

Chairman, 
Non-Executive 
Director

General Counsel 
& Co Secretary

Non-Executive 
Director

Greg 
Wilkinson

Clive 
Rabie

Brian 
Armstrong

Brian 
Coventry

John 
Thame

Myron 
Zlotnick

Ian 
Ferrier

Chris 
Hagglund3

Chief Financial 
Officer

Nigel 
Boland

GM, 
Development 
APS

Paul 
James

Gavin 
Dixon

GM APS 
Australia

CEO Quicken 
Australia

Michael 
Donnelly1

MD, APS New 
Zealand

Grant 
Linton2

GM, APS New 
Zealand

7,450,000

7,450,000

10,508,000

10,508,000

0

0

CEO, APS

728,000

748,222

42,222

287,766

287,766

40,111

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

162,351

46,762

58,656

221,007

9,823

0

0

0

7,332

17,155

0

0

60,642

16,873

27,018

87,660

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

47,500

47,500

105,544

21,802

51,324

156,868

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

9,823

0

67,539

9,823

0

0

0

0

0

0

7,332

17,155

7,332

7,332

56,823

124,362

7,332

0

0

0

19,000

19,000

0

0

0

0

0

0

23,222

23,222

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

1 Mr Donnelly resigned on 15 October 2008.

2 Mr Linton was appointed GM on 1 September 2008.

3  Options granted on: 15 December 2004; fair value per option granted: $0.3809; options expire on 15 December 2009.  

At exercise of options, an exercise price of $0.796 is payable per share.

4 All options have vested and are exercisable. No options were issued in 2008.

5 Shareholdings at the date of the Directors' Report remain unchanged.

55

Notes to the financial statements 

for the year ended 31 December 2009

28. Notes To The Statement of Cash Flows

(a) Reconciliation of Cash

For the purposes of the statement of cash flows, cash includes cash 
on hand and in banks and investments in money market instruments, 
net of outstanding bank overdrafts. Cash at the end of the financial 
year as shown in the statement of cash flows is reconciled to the 
related items in the statement of financial position as follows:

Cash (i)

(i)  Cash balance is predominantly in the form of short-term money 

market deposits, which can be accessed at call.

(b) Businesses Acquired

   Corporate Services and Billback businesses

   Consideration:

   Cash consideration (i)

   Net debt acquired

   Direct costs relating to the acquisition

  Fair value of net assets of entity acquired:

   Receivables

   Inventories

   Intellectual property – customer contracts

   Intellectual property – development and software

   Intellectual property – trademarks and domain names

   Fixed assets

   Deferred tax liabilities

   Trade payables 

   Deferred revenue

   Other current liabilities

   Other non-current liabilities

Goodwill

(i) Reckon Limited has commenced legal proceedings against 
Espreon in relation to several claims which is expected to reduce the 
consideration paid. The amount of the claim is yet to be finalised.

56

Consolidated

Parent

2009

$’000

2008

$’000

2009

$’000

2008

$’000

2,350

16,134

2,350

16,134

712

712

14,889

14,889

18,000

228

1,045

19,273

3,437

881

4,210

1,793

150

728

(439)

(772)

(3,361)

(1,121)

(138)

5,368

13,905

19,273

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements 

for the year ended 31 December 2009

 NQueue Billback 

Consideration:

Cash consideration

Direct costs relating to the acquisition

Fair value of net assets of entity acquired:

Receivables - current

Receivables – non current

Inventories

Fixed assets

Deferred revenue

Other current liabilities

Goodwill

-

26

26

334

684

301

20

(1,082)

(257)

-

26

26

Corporate Services and Billback businesses

Reckon Limited acquired the Corporate Services and Billback businesses previously owned by Espreon Limited effective from 2 
January 2009 for $18 million. The acquisition was funded predominantly from existing cash reserves. Debt funding was used to fund 
the difference. 

The Corporate Services business is a provider of documentation for company formations, secretarial services, trusts and self 
managed super fund trust deeds. This is a range of products and services which is similar to Reckon’s Shelco business.

The Billback business is a provider of technologies for the capture, reporting and billing of client expenses by professional services 
suppliers such as lawyers and accountants, and hence has a natural fit with Reckon’s Professional Division.

nQueue Billback

Reckon Limited merged its United States subsidiary of Billback with nQueue Inc effective from 1 July 2009. Reckon holds a 67% 
controlling interest in the merged entity.

The merged entity brings together the best of the parties cost recovery and cost management products and service offerings in the 
USA and gives the business greater scale. 

All of these businesses contributed revenue of $24,700 thousand and EBITDA of $6,266 thousand (before restructure costs) to the 
Group results for the year. 

57

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements 

for the year ended 31 December 2009

Consolidated

Parent

28.  Notes To The Statement of Cash  

Flows continued

2009

$’000

2008

$’000

(c) Reconciliation of Profit After Income Tax To Net Cash Flows From Operating Activities

Profit after income tax

Depreciation and amortisation of non-current assets

Non-cash employee benefits expense – 

share based payment

Increase/(decrease) in current tax liability/asset

Increase/(decrease) in deferred tax balances

Unrealised foreign currency translation amount

(Increase)/decrease in assets:

Current receivables

Current inventories

Other current assets

Non-current receivables

Increase/(decrease) in liabilities:

Current trade payables

Other current liabilities

Other non-current liabilities

13,602

6,897

311

(1,106)

733

(258)

(388)

463

(309)

(125)

(371)

(629)

61

11,312

4,663

-

805

(131)

(194)

(788)

(91)

52

324

288

327

(268)

2009

$’000

12,249

5,364

311

(937)

384

-

(379)

45

(65)

(192)

(153)

793

91

2008

$’000

10,963

4,511

-

(664)

(92)

-

328

(84)

121

324

346

162

(88)

Net cash inflow from operating activities

18,881

16,299

17,511

15,827

29.  Outside Equity Interests in  

Controlled Entities

Interest in:

Share Capital

 Accumulated profits/(losses)

Consolidated

2009

$’000

-

374

374

2008

$’000

-

(2)

(2)

58

Notes to the financial statements 

for the year ended 31 December 2009

30. Dividends – ordinary shares

Final franked dividend for the year ended 31 December 2008 of 3.5 cents (2007: 3.0 cents) 
per share paid on 6 March 2009

Interim franked dividend for the year ended 31 December 2009 of 3.0 cents per share (2008: 
2.5 cents) paid on 11 September 2009

Franking credits available for subsequent financial years based on a tax rate of 30% (2008: 30%)

31. Financial Instruments

(a) Significant Accounting Policies

Consolidated

2009

$’000

4,636

3,968

8,604

1,932

2008

$’000

3,983

3,264

7,247

2,507

Details of the significant accounting policies and methods adopted, including the criteria for recognition, the basis of measurement 
and the basis on which revenues and expenses are recognised, in respect of each class of financial asset, financial liability and 
equity instrument are disclosed in Note 1 to the financial statements.

(b) Financial Risk Management Objectives

The Board of Directors has overall responsibility for the establishment and oversight of the Company and Group’s financial 
management framework.

The Board of Directors oversees how Management monitors compliance with risk management policies and procedures and 
reviews the adequacy of the risk management framework in relation to the risks. The main risk arising from the Company and 
Group’s financial instruments are currency risk, credit risk, liquidity risk and cash flow interest rate risk.

(c) Interest Rate Risk

The Group and parent are exposed to interest rate risk on the cash held in bank deposits and on bank borrowings. Cash deposits 
of $2,350 thousand and $712 thousand were held by the consolidated entity and parent entity respectively at the reporting date, 
attracting an average interest rate of 1.5% (2008: 4.1%). If interest rates had been 50 basis points higher or lower (being the relevant 
volatility considered relevant by management) and all other variables were held constant, the Group’s net profit would increase/
decrease by $12 thousand (2008: $81 thousand) and the parent’s net profit would increase/decrease by $4 thousand (2008: $74 
thousand).

Borrowings by the consolidated entity and the parent entity at the reporting date were $2,270 thousand, attracting an average 
interest rate of 7.08% on overdraft facilities and 4.33% on bank bill facilities (2008: nil). If interest rates had been 50 basis points 
higher or lower and all other variables were held constant, the Group’s net profit would increase/decrease by $11 thousand (2008: 
nil) and the parent’s net profit would increase/decrease by $11 thousand (2008: nil).

The Board of Directors monitors these exposures and does not presently hedge against these risks.

The parent entity is also exposed to an immaterial interest rate risk on interest bearing loan balances due to its overseas subsidiaries.

(d) Credit Risk

Credit risk refers to the risk that a counter party will default on its contractual obligations resulting in financial loss to the consolidated 
entity. The consolidated entity has adopted the policy of only dealing with creditworthy counterparties and obtaining sufficient 
collateral or other security where appropriate, as a means of mitigating the risk of financial loss from defaults.

The consolidated entity does not have any significant credit risk exposure to any single counterparty or any group of counterparties 
having similar characteristics.

The carrying amount of financial assets recorded in the financial statements, net of any provisions for losses, represents the 
consolidated entity’s maximum exposure to credit risk without taking account of the value of any collateral or other security obtained.

59

Notes to the financial statements 

for the year ended 31 December 2009

(e) Foreign Currency Risk

The consolidated entity and Company undertakes certain transactions denominated in foreign currencies that are different to the 
functional currencies of the entities undertaking the transactions, hence exposures to exchange rate fluctuations arise. The Board of 
Directors monitor these exposures and does not presently hedge against this risk.

The carrying amount of the consolidated entity and Company’s foreign currency denominated monetary assets and liabilities at the 
reporting date that are denominated in a currency that is different to the functional currency of respective entities undertaking the 
transactions is as follows:

Consolidated

Parent

Liabilities

Assets

Liabilities

Assets

2009

$’000

-

-

2008

$’000

-

-

2009

$’000

33

28

2008

$’000

-

96

2009

$’000

-

-

2008

$’000

-

-

2009

$’000

-

-

2008

$’000

-

-

Euro

US Dollar

At 31 December 2009, if the US Dollar weakened against the New Zealand Dollar by 10% (being the relevant volatility considered 
relevant by Management), with all other variables held constant the net profit of the consolidated entity would increase by $3 
thousand (2008: $10 thousand). At 31 December 2009, if the Euro weakened against the UK Pound by 10% (being the relevant 
volatility considered relevant by Management), with all other variables held constant the net profit of the consolidated entity would 
increase by $3 thousand (2008: nil). At 31 December 2009, if the New Zealand Dollar, US Dollar and UK Sterling weakened against 
the Australian Dollar by 10% (being the relevant volatility considered relevant by Management), with all other variables held constant 
the net profit of the consolidated entity would increase by $231 thousand (2008: $269 thousand). This latter sensitivity relates to 
inter-group loan balances denominated in Australian Dollars, which are eliminated on consolidation.

In Management’s opinion, the sensitivity analysis is not fully representative of the inherent foreign exchange risk as the year-
end exposure does not necessarily reflect the exposure during the course of the years. The consolidated entity includes certain 
subsidiaries whose functional currencies are different to the consolidated entity presentation currency. The main operating entities 
outside of Australia are based in New Zealand, United States of America and the United Kingdom. These entities transact primarily 
in their functional currency and, aside from inter-group loan balances, do not have significant foreign currency exposures due to 
outstanding foreign currency denominated items. As stated in the Company and consolidated entity’s accounting policies per Note 
1, on consolidation the assets and liabilities of these entities are translated into Australian Dollars at exchange rates prevailing at 
year end. The income and expenses of these entities is translated at the average exchange rates for the year. Exchange differences 
arising are classified as equity and are transferred to a foreign exchange translation reserve. The Company and consolidated entity’s 
future reported profits could therefore be impacted by changes in rates of exchange between the Australian Dollar and the New 
Zealand Dollar, and the Australian Dollar and the US Dollar and the Australian Dollar and the UK Sterling.

(f) Liquidity

The Group manages liquidity risk by maintaining adequate cash reserves and banking facilities by continuously monitoring forecast 
and actual cash flows.

(g) Capital risk management

The Group manages its capital to ensure that entities in the Group will be able to continue as a going concern. The capital structure 
of the Group consists of cash, debt and equity attributable to equity holders of the parent. The Board reviews the capital structure 
on a regular basis. Based upon this review, the Group balances its overall capital structure through borrowings, the payment of 
dividends, issues of shares, share buy-backs and returns of capital. This strategy remains unchanged since the prior year.

(h) Fair Value

The fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities with standard terms and conditions and traded on active liquid markets, is 
determined with reference to quoted market prices. The fair value of other financial assets and liabilities is determined in accordance 
with generally accepted pricing models based on discounted cash flow analysis using prices from observable market transactions. 
The carrying amount of financial assets and financial liabilities recorded in the financial report approximates their respective fair 
values, determined in accordance with the accounting policies disclosed in Note 1 to the financial statements.

60

 
Notes to the financial statements 

for the year ended 31 December 2009

32. Segment Information

The Group has adopted AASB 8 Operating Segments and AASB 2008-3 Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards arising 
from AASB 8 with effect from 1 January 2009. AASB 8 requires operating segments to be identified on the basis of internal reports 
about components of the Group that are regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision maker in order to allocate resources to 
the segment and to assess its performance.

(a) Business segment information

The consolidated entity is organised into three operating divisions:

Business Division 
Professional Division  
nQueue Billback Division

These divisions are the basis upon which the consolidated entity reports its financial information to the chief operating decision 
maker, being the Board of Directors. 

The principal activities of these divisions are as follows:   

• 

• 

 Business Division - development, distribution and support of personal financial and accounting software, as well as related 
products and services to professional partners. Products sold in this division include QuickBooks, Quicken, Reckon Docs and 
Reckon Elite. 

 Professional Division - development, distribution and support of practice management, tax, client accounting, cost management 
and related software under the APS and Billback brands. 

• 

 nQueue Billback Division – distribution and support of cost recovery, cost management and related software to the USA legal market. 

Segment revenues and results

Business Division

Professional 
Division

nQueue Billback 
Division

Total

Operating revenue

49,854

38,643

28,115

21,328

2009

$’000

2008

$’000

2009

$’000

2008

$’000

2009

$’000

7,339

2008

$’000

2009

$’000

2008

$’000

-

85,308

59,971

Interest revenue

Total revenue

Segment EBITDA

15,869

12,322

11,612

9,193

2,382

Depreciation and amortisation

(1,782)

(1,140)

(4,570)

(3,523)

Business acquisition restructure costs

(275)

-

(724)

-

(545)

(177)

Total segment profit before tax

13,812

11,182

6,318

5,670

1,660

Central administration costs

Interest revenue/(Financing costs)

Profit before income tax

Income tax expense 

Profit for the year

-

-

-

-

81

804

85,389

60,775

29,863

21,515

(6,897)

(4,663)

(1,176) 

- 

21,790

16,852

(3,756)

(2,533)

(222)

804

17,812

15,123

(4,210)

(3,811)

13,602

11,312

61

 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements 

for the year ended 31 December 2009

The revenue reported above represents revenue generated from external customers.

Segment profit represents the profit earned by each segment without allocation of central administration costs, finance costs and 
income tax expense, all of which are allocated to Corporate head office. This is the measure reported to the chief operating decision 
maker for the purposes of resource allocation and assessing performance. 

Amounts reported in the prior period have been restated to conform to the requirements of AASB 8. As a result the following have 
been restated in 2008:

•  Corporate head office expenses previously included in the Business Division has been separated out.

• 

 Royalties paid by the Professional Division to the Business Division in lieu of development costs incurred by the latter have been 
removed and replaced by amortisation. Amortisation was previously reflected in the Business Division.

Segment assets and liabilities

Assets

Liabilities

Business Division

Professional Division

nQueue Billback Division

Total of all segments

Eliminations

Consolidated

2009

$’000

23,331

35,107

10,486

  68,924

(4,602)

64,322

2008

$’000

26,569

25,764

-

52,333

(1,320)

51,013

2009

$’000

12,613

9,182

3,854

25,649

(4,602)

21,047

2008

$’000

10,012

 3,938

-

13,950

(1,320)

12,630

Additions to  
non-current assets

2009

$’000

6,673

 8,152

7,081

2008

$’000

1,797

3,907 

-

21,906

5,704

-

-

21,906

5,704

(b) Geographical information

Revenues from external 
customers

Non-current assets

Australia

Other countries (i)

(i)  No single country outside of Australia is  
considered to generate revenues which  
are material to the Group.

2009

$’000

67,628

17,680

85,308

2008

$’000

51,626

8,345

59,971

2009

$’000

36,512

13,985

50,497

(c)   Segment revenues

External sales

Business and wealth management products

Accounting industry products

Legal industry products

62

2009

$’000

44,433

28,203

12,672

85,308

2008

$’000

23,224

5,367

28,591

2008

$’000

33,498

26,473

-

59,971

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the financial statements 

for the year ended 31 December 2009

33. Economic Dependency

Reckon Limited generates a significant volume of its revenue from products supplied by Intuit under the manufacturing and 
distribution agreement it has with Intuit Inc. The term of the agreement is 10 years and is subject to market growth objectives. If 
these objectives are met the agreement is automatically extended by one year for each calendar year in which Reckon meets or 
exceeds its market growth objective. To date Reckon Limited has exceeded these growth objectives.

34. Subsequent Events 

Subsequent to the end of the financial year:

Share buy-back

A share buy back of up 10% of the Company’s share capital, was announced on 9 February 2010, as part of the Company’s 
strategy to manage its capital base.

Dividend

The Board has declared a dividend of 4 cents per share to shareholders on 9 February 2010. The dividend will be franked. The 
record date for the dividend is 19 February 2010. The impact on the franking account balance of unrecognised dividends is $2,275 
thousand.

Options

Nil options in the Executive Share Option Plan No. 2 have lapsed and 10,034 options have been exercised with an average exercise 
price of $0.72.

35. Company information 

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

35 Saunders Street 
Pyrmont Sydney  
NSW 2009

A description of the nature of the consolidated entity’s operations and its principal activities is included in the review of operations 
and activities in the Directors’ Report, which is not part of this financial report.

The Financial Report was authorised for issue by the directors on 24 March 2010.

63

 
 
Additional information 

as at 2 March 2010

 Twenty Largest Holders of Quoted Equity Securities

Ordinary Shareholder

Intuit Ventures Inc

National Nominees Limited

JP Morgan Nominees Australia Limited

HSBC Custody Nominees (Australia) Limited

Gregory John Wilkinson

RBC Dexia Investor Services Australia Nominees Pty Ltd

Australian Executor Trustees NSW Ltd

DJZ Investments Pty Limited

Mr Clive Rabie and Mrs Kerry Rose Rabie 

Citicorp Nominees Pty Limited

UBS Nominees Pty Limited

Mr Stephen James Rickwood

Cogent Nominees Pty Limited

Mr Clive Alan Rabie

Rawform Pty Ltd

ANZ Nominees Limited

Mr Philip Ross Hayman

Queensland Investment Corporation

Citicorp Nominees Pty Limited

Reckon Australia Pty Ltd (as trustee for the Reckon Limited Performance Share Plan Trust)

Number

Percentage

14,828,304

14,405,727

12,849,579

9,712,580

6,300,000

5,082,273

5,031,301

4,750,000

3,764,071

3,417,596

3,211,718

2,751,062

2,730,461

1,993,929

1,150,000

1,149,239

1,000,000

1,000,000

941,204

713,252

11.12

10.80

9.64

7.28

4.73

3.81

3.77

3.56

2.82

2.56

2.41

2.06

2.05

1.50

0.86

0.86

0.75

0.75

0.71

0.53

96,782,296

72.57

Number of Holders of Equity Securities

Equity securities include shares, units, options over issued or unissued securities, rights to any one of the  
former securities and convertible securities.

Ordinary Share Capital

133,327,589 fully paid ordinary shares are held by 4,202 individual shareholders as at 2 March 2010.

All issued ordinary shares carry one vote per share.

Options

243,672 options were held by 28 individual option holders as at 31 December 2009. These options do not carry a  
right to vote and are not listed on the ASX.

Since 31 December 2009, NIL options have lapsed.

64

Additional information 

as at 2 March 2010

Distribution of Holders of Equity Securities 
As at 2 March 2010

Number of Ordinary 
Shares

Number of 
Shareholders

Number of 
Option Holders

1 – 1,000

1,001 – 5,000

5,001 – 10,000

10,001 – 100,000

100,001 and over

Total

993

1,976

652

585

56

4,202

0

5

15

8

0

28

Substantial Shareholders 
As at 2 March 2010

Ordinary Shares 
(Number)

Ordinary Shares 
(Percentage)

11.12

10.80

9.64

7.88

7.60

5.59

Intuit Ventures Inc

14,828,304

National Nominees 
Limited

JP Morgan Nominees 
Australia Limited

Mr Clive Rabie and Mrs 
Kerry Rose Rabie

HSBC Custody Nominees 
(Australia) Limited

14,405,727

12,849,579

10,508,000

9,712,580

Gregory John Wilkinson

7,450,000

Principal Registered Office 
Ground Floor, 35 Saunders Street 
Pyrmont NSW 2009 
Tel: (02) 9577 5000 

Share Registry 
Computershare Investor Services Pty Limited 
Level 3  
60 Carrington Street 
Sydney NSW 2000 
Tel: (02) 8234 5000 

Auditors 
Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu 
225 George Street 
Sydney NSW 2000 

Principal Administration Office 
Ground Floor, 35 Saunders Street 
Pyrmont NSW 2009 
Tel: (02) 9577 5000 

Stock Exchange Listings 
Reckon Limited’s ordinary shares are listed on the Australian 
Stock Exchange Limited under the symbol ‘RKN’.

Company Secretary 
Mr Myron Zlotnick

Annual General Meeting 
The Annual General Meeting for Reckon Limited will be held 
on Tuesday 25 May 2010 at 10:00am at 35 Saunders Street, 
Pyrmont NSW. If you are unable to attend, you are invited 
to complete the Proxy Form included with your Notice of 
Meeting. The completed Proxy Form must be received no later 
than 48 hours before the Annual General Meeting.

Important Information – Corporate Notices 
Securityholders will be aware that recent legislative changes 
have had an impact on the options to receive statutory corporate 
notices and reports. In the interest of cost saving and the 
environment (every little bit helps), we encourage you to opt in to 
receive all notices and reports electronically. 

Please go to: www.computershare.com.au and follow the 
prompts to register your opting in to receive ALL NOTICE AND 
REPORTS IN ELECTRONIC FORMAT.

To register to be notified by email when the Annual Report and 
other Announcements are available online:

•  Visit the share registry at www.computershare.com
•  Click on ‘Securityholders’
•  Click on ‘Elect to receive eCommunications from your companies’
•  Type ‘RKN’ in the Company Code field
• 

 You will need to enter your personal security information: 
Holder Identification Number (HIN) or Securityholder 
Reference Number (SRN); family or company name, 
postcode or country (if outside Australia); and click ‘Submit’
 After you have entered your email address and selected 
the publications you wish to receive, a confirmation email 
will be sent to you

• 

Should you have any further enquiries, contact the Registry  
on 1300 855 080 or +61 3 9415 4000 (if outside Australia).

For web enquiries, please send an email to  
web.queries@computershare.com.au. 

Alternatively, email your full name and address of the 
securityholder to shareholders@reckon.com.au to receive the 
Annual Report, corporate and statutory notices electronically.

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