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Sequoia Financial Group

seq · ASX Financial Services
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Employees 201-500
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FY2016 Annual Report · Sequoia Financial Group
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Sequoia Financial Group Ltd 
ACN 091 744 84 

Sequoia Financial Group Ltd 
ACN:091 744 884 
ASX: SEQ 

ASX: SEQ 

Registered Office: 
Level 36, 50 Bridge St 
Sydney NSW 2000 Australia  

Registered Office: 
Level 36, 50 Bridge St 
Sydney NSW 2000 Australia  

Phone: 
+61 2 8114 2222 

Phone: 
+61 2 8114 2222 

Fax: 
+61 2 8114 2200 

Email: 
admin@sequoia.com.au 

Email: 
admin@sequoia.com.au 

Website: 
www.sequoia.com.au 

Website: 
www.sequoia.com.au 

ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2016 

Sydney, 31th August 2016: Sequoia Financial Group Limited (the “Company”) is pleased to submit 
its full year audited results for the financial year ended 30 June 2016. 

A copy of the full report is attached and can be downloaded from the Company’s website at 
www.sequoia.com.au 

– ENDS – 

For further information please contact: 
Scott Beeton, Managing Director & CEO +61 2 8114 2222 

Released through: Ben Jarvis, Six Degrees Investor Relations +61 413 150 448 

ABOUT SEQUOIA FINANCIAL GROUP 

ASX-listed Sequoia Financial Group Limited (ASX: SEQ) is an integrated financial services company providing 

products and services to self-directed retail and wholesale clients and those of third party professional service 

firms. It provides: 

• Investment and superannuation products 

• Wealth management and advisory services 

• Corporate advisory and capital markets expertise 

• Retail, wholesale and institutional trading platforms 

• Market data and financial news services 

Sequoia operates various AFS Licenses and its subsidiary D2MX is an ASX Market Participant 

\ 

For personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Results for Announcement to the Market 
Summary of Financial Information 

The Board of  Sequoia Financial Group Limited (“the Group”) is pleased to report that  Sequoia Financial Group 
(SEQ) has made a profit after tax for the 2016 financial year. 

Review of Results 

The consolidated group has reported revenue for the year ended 30 June 2016 of $22,980,597, an increase on 
prior year revenue by 7.4% and a statutory profit after tax of $285,733. 

Further to this, the Group is pleased to report total profit attributable to members of $320,397. The comprehensive 
income reported relates to the revaluation of a strategic shareholding held and subsequent deferred income tax to 
the Group in relation to the revaluation. 

The consolidated entity incurred an operating cash outflow of $248,798 for the year ended 30 June 2016 (2015: 
$1,761,525).  

Full Year Comparison 

Revenue from ordinary activities 
Profit / (loss) from ordinary activities 
Profit / (loss) for period attributable to 
members 

Net Tangible Assets per Security 

12 months ended 
30 June 2016 
$ 
22,980,597 
285,733 
320,397 

12 months ended 
30 June 2015 
$ 

21,406,293 
(17,974,192) 
(17,974,192) 

Change 
% 

7.4 
101.6 
101.8 

Current Period 

Net tangible assets per security 

0.20 cents 

Dividend Details 
There was no dividend paid or proposed during the year. 

Previous 
Corresponding 
Period 
0.17 cents 

Control Gained or Lost over Entities in the Year 
On 1 October 2015, the Group acquired 100% interest of Sequoia Wealth Group Pty Ltd (SWG). SWG contributed 
$830,473 profit to the Group’s consolidated profit from ordinary activities during the year ended 30 June 2016. 

On 12 February 2016, the Group acquired a further 38.53% interest of Finance TV Pty Ltd (FNN). FNN contributed 
$69,454 loss to the Group’s consolidated profit from ordinary activities during the year ended 30 June 2016. 

Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income 
Refer to page 25 of the 30 June 2016 financial report and accompanying notes. 

Statement of Financial Position 
Refer to page 26 of the 30 June 2016 financial report and accompanying notes. 

Statement of Accumulated Losses Movements 
Refer to page 27 of the 30 June 2016 financial report and accompanying notes. 

Statement of Cash Flows 
Refer to page 28 of the 30 June 2016 financial report and accompanying notes. 

For personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sequoia Financial Group Limited 
 ABN 90 091 744 884 

Annual Report 2016 

For personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
Sequoia Financial Group Limited 
ABN 90 091 744 884 

Contents 

Sequoia Financial Group Limited 
Portfolio of Companies 
Chairman’s Report 
Corporate Governance Statement 
Directors’ Report 
Summary of Results 
Business Review 
Remuneration Report (audited) 
Consolidated Statement of Profit and Loss and Other 
Comprehensive Income 
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position 
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity 
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows 
Notes to the Financial Statements 
Directors’ Declaration 
Auditor’s Independence Declaration 
Auditor’s Report 
Additional ASX Information 
Corporate Information 

1 
2 
3 
4 
14 
18 
19 
20 

25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
66 
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70 
72 

Sequoia Financial Group Limited - Annual Report 2016 

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Sequoia Financial Group Limited 
ABN 90 091 744 884 

Sequoia  Financial  Group  Ltd  (SEQ)  is  an  integrated  financial  services 
Company  that  provides  products  and  services  to  self-directed  retail  and 
wholesale clients and those of third party professional service firms. 

SEQ now offers a comprehensive range of products and services including:  

 
Investment and superannuation products;  
  Wealth management and advisory services;   
  Corporate advisory and capital markets expertise; 
  Retail, wholesale and institutional trading platforms; and 
  Market data and financial news services. 

SEQ operates various Australian Financial Services (AFS) Licenses and its 
subsidiary D2MX Pty Ltd is an Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) market 
participant. 

Sequoia Financial Group Limited - Annual Report 2016 

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Portfolio of Companies 

D2MX  Pty  Ltd  is  an  ASX  market  participant 
providing advisory and trade execution services 
to  retail  investors,  institutional  and  wholesale 
dealer groups. Services include: 

general and personal advice; 
corporate advisory; 
institutional equity sales; and 

 
 
 
  wholesale broking. 

Sequoia Direct Pty Ltd (formerly known as Trader 
Dealer Online Pty Ltd) is an online trading Company 
providing general advice, execution-only trading and 
software  solutions  for  clients  investing  in  ASX 
equities, options and warrants.  

Bourse Data Pty Ltd is a software technology 
Company that develops, sells and supports The 
Bourse market data platform. 

Proprietary 
d2mxIRESS and Market Analyser. 

software 

platforms 

include 

Sequoia Specialist Investments Pty Ltd (“SSI”) is a 
leading  issuer  of  bespoke  investment  products  to 
retail,  sophisticated  and  other  wholesale  investors. 
SSI  has  established  a  suite  of  products  providing 
investors  with  exposure 
investment 
themes. 

to  unique 

Sequoia  Asset  Management  Pty  Ltd is  an 
investment  services  firm  and  holder  of  an 
Australian  Financial  Services  License.  Our 
team  of  experts  provide  general  advice  on 
portfolio  management,  SMSFs,  direct  shares, 
superannuation,  structured  products,  option 
trading, personal insurance, margin lending and 
cash solutions. 

Sequoia  Superannuation  Pty  Ltd  provides  a 
complete  portfolio  administration  solution  to  the 
SMSF market, designed specifically for anyone that 
has or wants a SMSF. Sequoia Superannuation also 
provides  SMSF  portfolio  administration  solutions  to 
financial  planners,  stock  brokers,  mortgage  brokers 
and accountants Australia wide. 

Sequoia Corporate Finance Pty Ltd provides 
specialised  corporate  advisory  services 
to 
clients. Clients include successful domestic and 
multi-national  corporations,  emerging  growth 
companies, private equity sponsors and family-
owned  and  entrepreneur-led  businesses.  We 
are rigorous in our working practices, ensuring 
compliance, confidentiality and protection of our 
client’s business. 

Sequoia Wealth Management Pty Ltd offers general 
and  personal  advice  on  financial  services  products. 
These  products 
include  Australian  equities, 
International  Shares,  options,  corporate  finance, 
managed  portfolios,  margin  lending,  fixed  income, 
structured  products  and  contracts  for  difference 
(CFD’s). 

Finance TV Pty Ltd (“FNN”) is a partly owned 
(50.09%)  subsidiary  of  Sequoia  Financial 
Group  Ltd.  FNN  is  an  independent  news 
the 
that  specialises 
organisation 
production  and  distribution  of  financial  news 
content, 
and 
productions services to ASX-Listed companies 
and  managed  funds.  Annually  FNN  produces 
more than 3000 video news items. 

communications 

in  both 

digital 

Sequoia  Funds  Management  Pty  Ltd  manages 
various activities in bringing unit trust and managed 
schemes to retail investors. 

Sequoia Financial Group Limited - Annual Report 2016 

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Chairman’s Report 

Dear Shareholders, 

On behalf of the Board of Directors, I am pleased to present to our shareholders the Annual Report of Sequoia 
Financial Group Limited (the Company) for the year ended 30 June 2016. 

Over the past 12 months the Company has experienced a strong rise in operating revenue, an improved balance 
sheet position and a pleasing return to profit. Each of our main business divisions continue to perform well and 
deliver further scale to our integrated business model.  

The Company completed two important transactions during the year with the acquisition of a 100% interest in 
Sequoia Wealth Group Pty Ltd in October 2015 and a majority interest in Finance TV Pty Ltd trading as Finance News 
Network in February 2016. These transactions remain consistent with the Boards’ ongoing long-term strategic focus 
toward selectively assessing both organic and acquisition growth opportunities to improve earnings and further 
build shareholder value. 

The overall result for the period was strong year on year growth in operating revenue of 7.4% and net profit after 
tax totalling $285,733, a particularly pleasing result. In the period the Company also made a number of significant 
investments including upgrading technology and transitioning to larger premises in Sydney and Melbourne.  

Management have also strengthened the balance sheet through the reduction of in approximately $1.9m in trade 
and other payables over the course of the year. Importantly, our improved balance sheet position is also reflective 
of an increase in the recognised valuations of our strategic investment holdings in both NobleOak Life Ltd and 
Finance News Network.  

While the Company continues to identify that there is still much work to do, the outlook for the year ahead is very 
encouraging with revenue from several projects having being recognised post 30 June 2016. I am also delighted to 
acknowledge the positive feedback resulting from the Sequoia rebranding and website rollout together with the 
response to date to our new strategic relationship with Aitken Investment Management Pty Ltd, interest in several 
new innovative investment thematics available for investors and the quality mandates being secured through our 
corporate advisory activities.   

I would like to acknowledge the valuable contribution, hard work and extra commitment made by my fellow 
Directors over the course of the year as the business has expanded and changes have occurred with the composition 
and makeup of the Board.  

I would especially like to thank the executive team and our staff for their diligence and effort that has underscored 
this year’s result. 

Finally, thank you once again to our shareholders for your past and ongoing support. Your patience whilst the 
business continues to transform and fully realise new business opportunities and its cross divisional synergies is 
appreciated. We remain committed to initiating a share consolidation to broaden investor support. 

Michael Carter 
Chairman 
Sequoia Financial Group Ltd  

Sequoia Financial Group Limited - Annual Report 2016 

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Corporate Governance Statement 

The Board of Directors (“the Board”) of Sequoia Financial Group Limited (“the Company”) is responsible for the corporate 
governance of the consolidated entity. The Board guides and monitors the business and affairs of the Company on behalf 
of the shareholders by whom they are elected and to whom they are accountable.  

The  table  below  summarises  the  Company’s  compliance  with  the  ASX  Corporate  Governance  Council’s  Revised 
Principles and Recommendations. 

Principles and Recommendations 

Compliance 

Comply 

Principle 1 – Lay solid foundations for management and oversight 

The Board is responsible for the overall 
corporate governance of the Company. 

Complies. 

1.1  Establish the functions 

reserved to the Board and 
those delegated to manage 
and disclose those functions. 

1.2  Disclose the process for 

evaluating the performance of 
senior executives. 

The Board has adopted a Board charter that 
formalises its roles and responsibilities and 
defines the matters that are reserved for the 
Board and specific matters that are delegated 
to management. 

The Board has adopted a Delegations of 
Authority that sets limits of authority for 
senior executives. 

On appointment of a director, the Company 
issues a letter of appointment setting out the 
terms and conditions of appointment to the 
Board. 

Senior executives prepare strategic 
objectives that are reviewed and signed off 
by the Board.  These objectives must then be 
met by senior executives as part of their key 
performance targets.  The chief executive 
officer (CEO) then reviews the performance 
of the senior executives against those 
objectives.  The Board reviews the CEO’s 
compliance against his and the Company’s 
objectives.  These reviews occur annually or 
more frequently as required. 

1.3  Provide the information 

indicated in Guide to reporting 
on Principle 1. 

A Board charter has been disclosed on the 
Company’s website and is summarised in 
this Corporate Governance Statement. 

A performance evaluation process is included 
in the Board Charter, which has been 
disclosed on the Company’s website and is 
summarised in this Corporate Governance 
Statement. 

The Board conducted a performance 
evaluation for senior executives in the 
financial year in accordance with the process 
above. 

Complies. 

Complies. 

Complies. 

Complies. 

Sequoia Financial Group Limited - Annual Report 2016 

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Corporate Governance Statement 

Principles and Recommendations 

Compliance 

Comply 

Principle 2 – Structure the Board to add value 

2.1  A majority of the Board should 
be independent directors 

The majority of the Board’s directors are not 
independent as a majority of the Board are 
either a substantial shareholder or are 
executive directors of the Company. 

Mr Michael Carter is engaged in the capacity 
of Non–Executive Director and Chairman.  

Mr Scott Beeton is the Managing Director, 
Chief Executive Officer and a substantial 
shareholder. 

Mr Marcel Collignon is an Executive Director 
and a substantial shareholder. 

Mr Delan Pagliaccio was an Executive 
Director (resigned 2 May 2016). 

Mr Richard Symon was Chairman and a 
substantial shareholder (resigned 10 August 
2015). 

2.2  The chair should be an 

independent director. 

Mr Michael Carter is the Chairman and Non-
Executive Director. 

Does not comply however 
the skills and experience of 
the Board composition 
allows the Board to act in 
the best interests of 
shareholders.  

As the Company develops 
the Board intends to 
appoint further suitably 
skilled Independent 
Directors. 

Does not comply as the 
Chairman whilst a Non-
Executive Director is a 
shareholder of the 
Company. The skills and 
experience of the Board 
composition allows the 
Board to act in the best 
interests of shareholders. 

2.3  The roles of the chair and chief 
executive officer should not be 
exercised by the same 
individual. 

2.4 

The Board should establish a 
Nomination and Remuneration 
Committee. 

2.5 

Disclose the process for 
evaluating the performance of 
the Board, its committees and 
individual directors. 

Michael Carter is the Chairman and Mr Scott 
Lionel Beeton is an Executive Director and 
Chief Executive Officer. 

Complies. 

The Company has established a separate 
Nomination and Remuneration Committee. 

Complies. 

The Board has undertaken a review of the 
mix of skills and experience on the Board in 
light of the Company’s principal activities and 
direction, and has considered diversity in 
succession planning.  The Board considers 
the current mix of skills and experience of the 
members of the Board and its senior 
management is sufficient to meet the 
requirements of the Company. 

The Board supports the nomination and re-
election of the directors at the Company’s 
forthcoming Annual General Meeting, should 
these directors wish to continue on the 
Board. 

The Company conducts the process for 
evaluating the performance of the Board, its 
committees and individual directors as 
outlined in the Board Charter which is 
available on the Company’s website. 

The Board’s induction program provides 
incoming directors with information that will 
enable them to carry out their duties in the 
best interests of the Company.  This includes 
supporting ongoing education of directors for 
the benefit of the Company. 

Complies. 

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Comply 

Complies. 

The Nomination and 
Remuneration Committees 
operate under respective 
separate charters. 

The Board does not 
consist of a majority of 
independent directors 
however the skills and 
experience of executive 
directors allows the Board 
to act in the best interests 
of shareholders. 

Corporate Governance Statement 

Principles and Recommendations 

Compliance 

2.6  Provide the information 
indicated in the Guide to 
reporting on Principle 2. 

This information has been disclosed (where 
applicable) in the directors’ report attached to 
this Corporate Governance Statement. 

Michael Carter, Non-Executive Director and 
Chairman was appointed in this capacity on 
the 10 August 2015, he previously held the 
position of Executive Director. The initial 
Board appointment was made on the 9 March 
2015. 

Scott Beeton, Managing Director and Chief 
Executive Officer was appointed to the Board 
on the 24 December 2014 following the 
successful transaction with Sequoia Financial 
Group Ltd. 

Marcel Collignon, Executive Director was 
appointed to the Board on the 24 December 
2014 following the successful Sequoia 
Financial Group Ltd transaction. 

Delan Pagliaccio was appointed to the Board 
in the capacity of Executive Director on the 7 
August 2015, he resigned 2 May 2016. 

Richard Symon was appointed to the Board 
in the capacity of Executive Director on the 
27 November 2008, he resigned 10 August 
2015. 

The Company has established a separate 
Nominations and Remuneration Committee. 

The Board has undertaken a review of the 
mix of skills and experience on the Board in 
light of the Company’s principal activities and 
direction, and has considered diversity in 
succession planning.   

The Board considers the current mix of skills 
and experience of members of the Board and 
its senior management is sufficient to meet 
the requirements of the Company. 

In accordance with the information suggested 
in Guide to Reporting on Principle 2, the 
Company has disclosed full details of its 
directors in the director’s report attached to 
this Corporate Governance Statement.  Other 
disclosure material on the Structure of the 
Board has been made available on the 
Company’s website. 

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Corporate Governance Statement 

Principles and Recommendations 

Compliance 

Comply 

Principle 3 – Promote ethical and responsible decision making 

3.1  Establish a code of conduct 

and disclose the code or a 
summary of the code. 

3.2  Companies should establish a 
policy concerning diversity and 
disclose the policy or a 
summary of that policy.  The 
policy should include 
requirements for the Board to 
establish measurable 
objectives for achieving gender 
diversity and for the Board to 
assess annually both the 
objectives and progress in 
achieving them. 

3.3  Provide the information 

indicated in Guide to reporting 
on Principle 3. 

Complies. 

The Board has adopted a Code of Conduct.  
The code establishes a clear set of values 
that emphasise a culture encompassing 
strong corporate governance, sound 
business practices and good ethical conduct. 

The code is available on the Company’s 
website. 

The Board has undertaken a review of the 
mix of skills and experience on the Board in 
light of the Company’s principal activities and 
direction. 

Complies. 

The code is available on the Company’s 
website. 

The Board has a Diversity Policy which 
acknowledges ‘Merit and Ability’. The 
Company diversity policy can be located on 
the Company website.  

Complies. 

On completion and acceptance of a Diversity 
Policy, the Company will report in each 
annual report the measurable objectives for 
achieving gender diversity set by the Board. 

The Company has two females in executive 
positions, appointed in accordance with the 
companies above mentioned policies. 

The Company will include in the directors’ 
report the proportion of women executives 
and their position held within the Company. 

Complies 

Number of Board members:                          3 

Number of female Board members:               - 

Number of senior executive staff:                10 

Number of female senior executive staff:      2 

Female positions held: 

-  Chief Financial Officer 
-  Compliance Manager 

Principle 4 – Safeguard integrity in financial reporting 

4.1  The Board should establish 
and audit committee. 

The Board has established an Audit 
Committee which operates under an Audit 
Committee Charter to focus on issues 
relevant to the integrity of the Company’s 
financial reporting. 

Complies. 

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Corporate Governance Statement 

Principles and Recommendations 

Compliance 

Comply 

4.2  The audit committee should be 
structured so that it consists of 
only non-executive directors, a 
majority of independent 
directors, is chaired by an 
independent chair who is not 
chair of the Board and have a 
least 3 members.  

Members of the Audit Committee are Marcel 
Collignon (Chair), Scott Beeton and Michael 
Carter. Marcel Collignon is an Executive 
Director and is not chair of the Board. The 
committee consists of two executive directors 
and one non - executive chairman. 

During the year Delan Pagliaccio (resigned 2 
May 2016) and Richard Symon (resigned 10 
August 2015) were members of the audit 
committee. 

The Audit Committee did not comply with 
Recommendation 4.2 in that the committee: 

  did not consist of only Non-Executive 

Directors and; 

  did not consist of a majority of 

independent Directors. 

Does not comply due to 
the composition of the 
Committee.  However, the 
Board considers the 
directors to be the most 
appropriate members to 
constitute the audit 
committee given their 
technical and broad 
knowledge of the industry 
in which the Company 
operates. 

4.3  The audit committee should 
have a formal charter. 

The Board has adopted an Audit Charter. 

Complies.  

This charter is available on the Company’s 
website. 

4.4  Provide the information 

indicated in Guide to reporting 
on Principle 4. 

Complies. 

In accordance with the information suggested 
in Guide to Reporting on Principle 4, this has 
been disclosed in the director’s report 
attached to this Corporate Governance 
Statement and is summarised in this 
Corporate Governance Statement. 

The members of the Audit Committee are 
appointed by the Board and 
recommendations from the committee are 
presented to the Board for further discussion 
and resolution. 

The Audit Committee held two meetings 
during the period to the date of the Directors’ 
report and meets at least twice per annum. 

The Audit Charter, and information on 
procedures for the selection and appointment 
of the external auditor, and for the rotation of 
external audit engagement partners (which is 
determined by the Audit Committee), is 
available on the Company’s website. 

Principle 5 – Make timely and balanced disclosure 

5.1  Establish written policies 

designed to ensure compliance 
with ASX Listing Rules 
disclosure requirements and to 
ensure accountability at a 
senior executive level for that 
compliance and disclose those 
policies or a summary of those 
policies. 

5.2  Provide the information 
indicated in the Guide to 
reporting on Principle 5. 

Complies. 

The Company has adopted a Continuous 
Disclosure Policy, to ensure that it complies 
with the continuous disclosure regime under 
the ASX Listing Rules and the Corporations 
Act 2001. 

This policy is available on the Company’s 
website 

The Company’s Continuous Disclosure 
Policy is available on the Company’s website. 

Complies. 

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Corporate Governance Statement 

Principles and Recommendations 

Compliance 

Comply 

Principle 6 – Respect the rights of shareholders 

6.1  Design a communications 

policy for promoting effective 
communication with 
shareholders and encouraging 
their participation at general 
meetings and disclose that 
policy or a summary of that 
policy. 

The Company has adopted a Shareholder 
Communications Policy.  The Company uses 
its website (www.sequoia.com.au), annual 
report, market announcements and media 
disclosures to communicate with its 
shareholders, as well as encourages 
participation at general meetings. 

This policy is available on the Company’s 
website. 

Complies. 

6.2  Provide the information 
indicated in the Guide to 
reporting on Principle 6. 

The Company’s shareholder communications 
policy is available on the Company’s website. 

Complies. 

Principle 7 – Recognise and manage risk 

7.1  Establish policies for the 

oversight and management of 
material business risks and 
disclose a summary of these 
policies. 

7.2  The Board should require 

management to design and 
implement the risk 
management and internal 
control system to manage the 
Company’s material business 
risks and report to it on whether 
those risks are being managed 
effectively.  The Board should 
disclose that management has 
reported to it as to the 
effectiveness of the Company’s 
management of its material 
business risks. 

7.3  The Board should disclose 

whether it has received 
assurance from the chief 
executive officer and chief 
financial officer that the 
declaration provided in 
accordance with section 295A 
of the Corporations Act is 
founded on a sound system of 
risk management and internal 
control and that the system is 
operating efficiently in all 
material respects in relation to 
the financial reporting risks 

Complies. 

Complies. 

The Company has adopted a Risk 
Management Statement within each of the 
Audit Committee Charter and the Risk and 
Compliance Committee Charters.  These 
Committees are responsible for managing 
risk; however, ultimate responsibility for risk 
oversight and risk management rests with the 
Board. 

The Audit and Risk and Compliance 
Committee Charters are available on the 
Company’s website and is summarised in this 
Corporate Governance Statement. 

The Company has identified key risks within 
the business.  In the ordinary course of 
business, management monitor and manage 
these risks. 

Key operational and financial risks are 
presented to and reviewed by the Board at 
each Board meeting. 

Complies. 

The Board has received a statement from the 
Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial 
Officer that the declaration provided in 
accordance with section 295A of the 
Corporations Act 2001 is founded on a sound 
system of risk management and internal 
control and that they system is operating 
efficiently and effectively in all material 
respects in relation to the financial reporting 
risks. 

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Corporate Governance Statement 

Principles and Recommendations 

Compliance 

7.4  Provide the information 
indicated in the Guide to 
reporting on Principle 7. 

The Board has adopted an Audit and Risk 
and Compliance Committee Charter includes 
a statement of the Company’s risk policies. 

Comply 

Complies. 

These charters are available on the 
Company’s website and are summarised in 
this Corporate Governance Statement. 

The Company has identified key risks within 
the business and has received a statement of 
assurance from the Chief Executive Officer 
and Chief Financial Officer. 

Principle 8 – Remunerate fairly and responsibly 

8.1  The Board should establish a 
remuneration committee 

The Board has established a Nomination and 
Remuneration Committee and has adopted a 
remuneration charter.  

Complies. 

8.2  The remuneration committee 

should be structured 

The Nomination and Remuneration 
Committee: 

 

 

 

consist of a majority of independent 
Directors; 
are chaired by an independent Director; 
and;  
has three members. 

Does not comply due to 
the composition of the 
Committee.  However, the 
Board considers the 
members of the committee 
to be appropriate. 

8.3  Clearly distinguish the structure 
of Non-Executive Directors’ 
remuneration from that of 
Executive Directors and senior 
executives. 

The Company complies with the guidelines 
for executive remuneration packages and 
non-executive director remuneration. 

No senior executive is involved directly in 
deciding their own remuneration. 

Complies. 

8.4  Provide the information 

indicated in Guide to reporting 
on Principle 8. 

The Board has adopted a Nomination and 
Remuneration Committee Charter. 

Complies. 

The Company does not have any schemes 
for retirement benefits. 

Sequoia Financial Group Limited’s corporate governance practices were in place for the financial year ended 30 June 
2016 and to the date of signing the directors’ report. 

Various  corporate  governance  practices  are  discussed  within  this  statement.    For  further  information  on  corporate 
governance policies adopted by Sequoia Financial Group Limited, refer to our website: www.sequoia.com.au. 

As required by the ASX Listing Rules, this statement sets out the extent to which the  Company has followed the ASX 
Corporate Governance Council’s Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations (“Recommendations”) during 
the year to 30 June 2016. The Company considers that its governance practices are generally consistent, where possible, 
with the Recommendations except where stated. 

Sequoia Financial Group Limited - Annual Report 2016 

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Corporate Governance Statement 

Board functions 

The Board’s primary role is the protection and enhancement of long-term shareholder value. 

To fulfil this role, the Board is responsible for the overall corporate governance of the Group including formulating its 
strategic  direction,  approving  and  monitoring  capital  expenditure,  setting  remuneration,  appointing,  removing  and 
creating  succession  policies  for  directors  and  senior  executives,  establishing  and  monitoring  the  achievement  of 
management’s goals and ensuring the integrity of internal control and management information systems. 

The Board is also responsible for approving and monitoring financial and other reporting. 

Responsibilities/functions of the Board include: 

 
 
 
 
 

 

 

setting the direction, financial objectives and goals for management; 
reviewing and approving strategies for the Company; 
monitoring management’s performance against these goals and objectives; 
ensuring there are appropriate standards of Corporate Governance and ethical standards; 
evaluating the performance and determining the remuneration of the senior executive officers of the 
Company; 
ensuring appropriate risk management systems, internal control, reporting systems and compliance 
frameworks are in place and operating effectively; and 
ensuring there are plans and procedures for recruitment, training, remuneration and succession planning for 
senior executives. 

The Board has delegated responsibility for operating and administration of the Company to the executive management. 
Responsibilities are delineated by formal authority delegations. 

Matters which are specifically reserved for the Board or its committees include the following: 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

appointment of the Chairman and if applicable, the Deputy Chairman; 
appointment and removal of the Chief Executive Officer(s); 
appointment of directors to fill a vacancy or as additional directors; 
establishment of Board committees, their membership and delegated authorities; 
approval of dividends; 
development and review of corporate governance principles and policies; 
approval of major capital expenditure, acquisitions and divestitures in excess of authority levels delegated to 
management; 
calling meetings of shareholders and; 
any other specific matters nominated by the Board from time to time. 

Structure of the Board 

The Company’s constitution governs the regulation and proceedings of the Board. 
It is intended that the composition of the Board be determined using the following principles: 

 
 

 
 

 

a minimum of three directors, with a broad range of expertise; 
a majority of directors having extensive knowledge of the Company’s industries, and those who do not, having 
extensive  experience  in  significant  aspects  of  auditing  and  financial  reporting,  or  risk  management  of  large 
companies; 
a majority of independent non-executive directors; 
enough directors to serve on various committees without overburdening the directors or making it difficult for 
them to fully discharge their responsibilities; and, 
a  maximum  period  of  ten  years’  service,  subject  to  re-election  every  three  years  (except  for  the  managing 
director). 

At present the Company does not have a majority of independent directors and continues to consist of a majority of 
executive directors involved in the general management of the Company. The Directors are of the view that maintaining 
this structure is appropriate to the circumstances of the Group as the Board consolidates the restructure of its operations 
and repositioning of its business. 

The  Board  only  considers  directors  to  be  independent  where  they  are  independent  of  management  and  free  of  any 
business or other relationship that could materially interfere with, or could reasonably be perceived to interfere with, the 
exercise of their unfettered and independent judgment.  The Board has adopted a definition of independence based on 
that set out in Principle 2 of the ASX Corporate Governance Revised Principles and Recommendations.  The Board will 
review the independence of each director in light of interests disclosed to the Board from time to time. 

Sequoia Financial Group Limited - Annual Report 2016 

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Corporate Governance Statement 

Below is a summary of directors at Sequoia Financial Group Limited. 

There are procedures in place, agreed by the Board, to enable directors in furtherance of their duties to seek independent 
professional advice at the Company’s expense. 

The appointment date of each director in office at the date of this report is as follows: 

Name 
Michael Kenneth Carter  
Scott Lionel Beeton 
Marcel John Collignon 
Delan Pasquale Pagliaccio  
Bruce Richard Sydney Symon 

Position 
Non-Executive Chairman (appointed as Chairman 10 August 2015) 
Executive Director 
Executive Director 
Executive Director (appointed 7 August 2015, resigned 2 May 2016) 
Executive Director (resigned 7 August 2015) 

Further details on each director can be found in the directors’ report attached to this Corporate Governance Statement. 

The Board will appoint an independent Non – Executive Director/s at an appropriate time, to be determined by the Board.  

Securities trading policy 

The Company has adopted a Share Trading Policy which complies with the requirements of ASX Listing Rules. 

Under  the  Company’s  Share  Trading  Policy,  directors,  officers  and  employees  of  the  Company  are  prohibited  from 
dealing in the Company’s securities at any time that they may be in possession of unpublished price-sensitive information 
concerning  the  Company.    In  addition,  there  are  specified  closed  periods  during  which  dealing  in  the  Company’s 
securities is prohibited except under very exceptional circumstances. A closed period is the period commencing from the 
end of a reporting period and concluding on the business day following the announcement to the market of the Company’s 
full year results or half-year results (as the case may be). 

Directors, officers and employees can only deal in the Company’s securities after having first obtained clearance from 
the Chairman or his delegate and must notify the Company Secretary when a trade has occurred. 

As required by the ASX Listing Rules, the Company notifies the ASX of any transaction conducted by directors in the 
securities of the Company within five days of the transaction taking place. 

The Share Trading Policy has been issued to ASX and can be found on the Company’s website. 

Audit committee 

The Board has established an Audit Committee which operates under a Charter approved by the Board.  It is the Board’s 
responsibility to ensure that an effective internal control framework exists within the entity.  This includes internal controls 
to  deal  with  both  the  effectiveness  and  efficiency  of  significant  business  processes,  the  safeguarding  of  assets,  the 
maintenance of proper accounting records, the reliability of financial information as well as non-financial considerations 
such  as  the  benchmarking  of  operational  key  performance  indicators.    The  Board  has  delegated  responsibility  for 
establishing and maintaining a framework of internal control and ethical standards to the Audit Committee. 

The  Committee also provides  the  Board  with  additional assurance  regarding  the  reliability  of  financial  information  for 
inclusion in the financial reports. 

The members of the Audit Committee during the year were: 

Scott Beeton 
Marcel Collignon (Chair) 
Michael Carter  

The external auditors and the executive management are invited to audit committee meetings at the discretion of the 
committee. 

For details on the number of meetings of the Audit Committee held during the year and the attendees at those meetings, 
refer to the directors’ report. 

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Corporate Governance Statement 

Risk and Compliance 

The  responsibility  for overseeing  risk falls  within  the  charter  of  the  Risk and  Compliance Committee.    The  Company 
identifies areas of risk within the Company and management and the Board continuously undertake a risk assessment 
of the Company’s operations, procedures and processes.  The risk assessment is aimed at identifying the following: 

 

 

 

 

a culture of risk control and the minimisation of risk throughout the Company, which is being done through natural 
or instinctive processes by employees of the Company; 

a culture of risk control that can easily identify risks as they arise and amend practices; 

the installation of practices and procedures in all areas of the business that are designed to minimise an event or 
incident that could have a financial or other effect on the business and its day to day management; and, 

adoption of these practices and procedures to minimise many of the standard commercial risks, ie taking out the 
appropriate insurance policies, or ensuring compliance reporting is up to date. 

CEO and CFO certification 
The Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have given a written declaration to the Board required by section 
295A of the Corporations Act 2001 that in their view: 

 

 

 

 

the Company’s financial report is founded on a sound system of risk management and internal compliance and 
control which implements the financial policies adopted by the Board; 

the Company’s risk management and internal compliance and control system is operating effectively in all material 
respects; 

the Company’s financial statements and notes thereto comply with the accounting standards; and, 

the Company’s financial statements and notes thereto give a true and fair view of the consolidated entity’s financial 
position as at 30 June 2016 and of its performance for the financial year ended on that date. 

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Directors’ Report 

The  directors  of  Sequoia  Financial  Group  Limited  formerly  MDS  Financial  Group  Limited  (“the  Company”  or  “SEQ”) 
present the annual financial report for the Group, being parent entity and its subsidiaries, for the year ended 30 June 
2016.  In order to comply with the provisions of the Corporations Act 2001, the directors report as follows: 
The names and particulars of the directors of the Company during or since the beginning of the year are: 

Michael Carter 
Non–Executive Director and Chairman (initially appointed 9 March 2015 as Executive Director, appointed Non–Executive 
Chairman 10 August 2015). 

Michael Carter has over 25 years’ experience in financial services with previous executive roles at companies such as 
Macquarie Bank (now Macquarie Group), NRMA Insurance Group (now IAG) and Bridges Financial Services / IOOF 
Holdings. 

Michael was Managing Director at Bridges Financial Services, Executive Wealth Management and associated entities 
until April 2014 and was part of the Leadership Group at IOOF Holdings. Bridges was a Market Participant and a major 
financial planning organisation. 

Michael has a Bachelor of Engineering (Mining) from the University of New South Wales and Diploma of Financial 
Services. He is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. 

Scott Beeton 
Executive Director and Managing Director (appointed 24 December 2014). 

Scott Beeton has 17 years’ experience in the finance industry working in a variety of roles across Superannuation, 
funds management, investment management, stockbroking, AFSL dealer services & advice. 

Scott was appointed Managing Director of SEQ in December 2014, following the approval for SEQ to acquire 
Sequoia Financial Group and became CEO for the newly formed Group. Scott is co-founder of Sequoia and has 
developed the capabilities of the various Sequoia businesses.  

Scott has a Bachelor of Business from Newcastle University. 

Marcel Collignon 
Executive Director (appointed 24 December 2014). 

Marcel Collignon was appointed as Executive Director in December 2014. Marcel is Founder and Managing Director of 
Sequoia Specialist Investments and is head of Investment Solutions at Sequoia.  For 16 years Marcel, has worked in 
financial markets developing extensive experience in equities and derivatives, trading, portfolio management, 
superannuation and financial planning.  

Marcel holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the Australian National University, a Diploma of Financial Planning and 
has completed the ASX derivative accreditation course.  

Directorships of other listed companies 
Directorships of other listed companies held by directors in the last 3 years immediately before the end of the financial 
year are as follows: 

Director 

Company 

Exchange 

Period from 

Period to 

DP Pagliaccio  

AG Financial Ltd 

ASX 

20 March 2013 

4 December 2014 

Directors’ shareholdings 
The following table sets out the number of each director’s relevant interest in shares and options over shares or interest 
in contracts relating to shares of the Company or a related body corporate as at the date of this report. 

Director 

SL Beeton 
MK Carter 
MJ Collignon 
DP Pagliaccio 

Fully paid ordinary 
shares 

Indirect interest in 
shares 

Indirect interest in share 
options 

1,195,875,439 
52,500,000 
412,982,375 
- 

- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 

Remuneration of directors and senior management 
Information about the remuneration of directors and key management personnel is set out in the remuneration report of 
this directors’ report on page 21. 

Company Secretary 
Mr Andrew Phillips 

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Directors’ Report 

Principal Activities 

The  Group’s  principal  activities  offer  diversified  financial  products,  including  but  not  limited  to  investment  and 
superannuation products, wealth management services and retail, wholesale and institutional trading platforms.   

Review of Operations 

The consolidated operating profit after income tax attributable to members is $320,397 (2015 loss: $17,974,212), the 
comprehensive income attributable to members is $618,042 (2015: Loss $17,974,212). 

The  main  reason  for  comprehensive  income  being  recognised  was  due  to  a  favourable  revaluation  in  a  strategic 
shareholding held by the Group. 

During  the  year  the  Sequoia  Financial  Group  Limited  completed  two  strategic  acquisitions,  the  first  being  a  100% 
ownership in Sequoia Wealth Group Pty Ltd and the second being controlling ownership in Finance TV Pty Ltd from 
11.56% to 50.09%.  

Change in the state of affairs 

On the 3rd December 2015, the Company changed its name from MDS Financial Group Limited to Sequoia Financial 
Group Limited following shareholder approval and in addition to this changed it ASX code from MDS to SEQ.  

On the 19th April 2016 the Company changed its registered office from Level 8, 25 Bligh Street, Sydney to Level 36, 50 
Bridge Street, Sydney. 

Subsequent events 

There  have  not  been  any  matters  or  circumstance  occurring  subsequent  to  the  end  of  the  financial  year  that  has 
significantly affected the operations of the Group, the results of those operations, or the state of affairs of the Group in 
future financial years.  

Future Developments 

Disclosure of information regarding likely developments in the operations of the Group in future financial years and the 
expected  results  of  those  operations  is  likely  to  result  in  unreasonable  prejudice  to  the  Group.  Accordingly,  this 
information has not been disclosed in this report. 

Environmental regulation and performance 

The Group’s operations are not involved in any activities that have a marked influence on the environment.  As such, the 
directors  are  not  aware  of  any  material  issues  affecting  the  Group  or  its  compliance  with  the  relevant  environment 
agencies or regulatory authorities. 

Dividends 

There have been no dividends paid or provided for (2015: nil). 

Share options 

As at the date of this report, there are nil (2015: nil) unissued ordinary shares of Sequoia Financial Group Limited under 
options. 

Indemnification and insurance of officers and auditors 

During the financial year, the Company paid premiums based on normal commercial terms and conditions to insure all 
directors, officers and employees of the Group against the costs and expenses in defending claims brought against the 
individual  while  performing  services  for  the  Group.  The  premium  paid  has  not  been  disclosed  as  it  is  subject  to  the 
confidentiality provisions of the insurance policy. The Company has not otherwise, during or since the financial year, 
except to the extent permitted by law, indemnified or agreed to indemnify an officer or auditor of the Company or of any 
related body corporate against a liability incurred as such an officer or auditor. 

The Company has previously entered into a Deed of Indemnity, Insurance and Access with each of its current and former 
directors. The purpose of the Deed is to: 

  Confirm the indemnity provided by the Company in favour of Directors under the Company’s Constitution; 
 
  Confirm the right of access to certain documents under the Corporations Act. 

Include an obligation upon the Company to maintain adequate Directors and Officers liability insurance; and 

Sequoia Financial Group Limited - Annual Report 2016 

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Directors’ Report 

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 (while they were a director). During the financial year, there were ten Board meetings held. All 
other Board matters arising during the year being resolved by Circulating Resolutions. 

Director  

SL Beeton 

MK Carter 

MJ Collignon 

DP Pagliaccio 

BRS Symon 

Audit Committee 

Eligible to attend 

Attended 

9 

10 

9 

6 

2 

9 

10 

9 

6 

1 

During the financial year, there were one Audit Committee meetings held. Other matters arising during the year were 
resolved by Circulating Resolutions. 

Member 

MK Carter 

MJ Collignon 

DP Pagliaccio 

Eligible to attend 

Attended 

2 

2 

2 

2 

2 

2 

Remuneration and Nomination Committee 

During the financial year, there was one Remuneration and Nomination Committee meeting held. This meeting was 
added to the agenda of one of the Board meetings held. 

Member 

MK Carter 

MJ Collignon 

DP Pagliaccio 

Eligible to attend 

Attended 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

- 

Risk and Compliance Committee 

During the financial year, there were seven Risk and Compliance Committee meeting held.  

Member 

SL Beeton 

MK Carter 

MJ Collignon 

DP Pagliaccio 

Eligible to attend 

Attended 

7 

7 

7 

3 

7 

4 

7 

2 

Governance Committee 

During the financial year, there was one Governance Committee meeting held.  

Member 

MK Carter 

MJ Collignon 

BRS Symon 

Eligible to attend 

Attended 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

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Directors’ Report 

Non-audit services 

Details  of  amounts  paid  or  payable  to  the  auditor  for  non-audit  services  provided  during  the  year  by  the  auditor  are 
outlined in note 22 to the financial statements. Engagement services include the review of financial reports for the Group 
consolidated accounts, the review of three of the subsidiaries licences and corresponding financial reports and for tax 
related services for all entities within the Group. 

The fees included in general and administrative expenses for the year ended June 2016 for all auditor engaged services 
are as follows: 

Audit services 
Audit or review of the financial report, including licences 

Other services 
Tax services 

$ 
134,000 

23,000 

157,000 

The directors are satisfied that the provision of non-audit services in the form of tax compliance services and a balance 
sheet review, during the year, by the auditor (or another person or firm on the auditors’ behalf) is compatible with the 
general standard of independence for auditors imposed by the Corporations Act 2001. 

The directors are of the opinion that the services as disclosed in note 22 to the financial statements do not compromise 
the external auditor’s independence, based on advice received from the audit committee, for the following reasons: 

 

 

all non-audit services have been reviewed and approved to ensure that they do not impact the integrity and 
objectivity of the auditor; and, 

none of the services undermine the general principles relating to auditor independence as set out in Code of 
Conduct  APES  110  Code  of  Ethics  for  Professional  Accountants  issued  by  the  Accounting  Professional  & 
Ethical  Standards  Board,  including  reviewing or  auditing  the  auditors  own  work,  acting in  a management  or 
decision making capacity for the  Company, acting as advocate for the Company or jointly sharing economic 
risks and rewards. 

Officers of the Company who are former audit partners of Hall Chadwick 

There are no officers of the Company who are former audit partners of Hall Chadwick. 

Auditor’s independence declaration 

The auditor’s independence declaration is included on page  67 of the financial report and forms part of the Directors’ 
Report for the year ended 30 June 2016. 

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Directors’ Report 

Summary of Results 

Operating Performance 

Year ended 30 June 

Revenue 
Expenses 
Profit / (Loss) before tax 
Tax expense 
Profit / (Loss) after tax 

Cash Flow 

Year ended 30 June 

Operating cash flow 
Investing cash flow 
Financing cash flow 
Net decrease in cash 

Opening cash 
Cash received on acquisition 

Closing cash 

Financial Position 

As at 30 June 

Total current assets 
Total non-current assets 
Total assets 

Total current liabilities 
Total non-current liabilities 
Total liabilities 

Net assets 

2016 
$’000 

22,981 
(22,479) 
502 
(216) 
286 

2016 
$’000 

(249) 
(841) 
1,289 
199 

614 
813 

813 

2016 
$’000 

6,318 
22,115 
28,433 

9,005 
10,133 
19,138 

9,295 

2015 
$’000 

21,406 
(39,728) 
(18,322) 
347 
(17,974) 

2015 
$’000 

(1,762) 
(287) 
865 
(1,183) 

1,459 
337 

614 

2015 
$’000 

12,927 
21,569 
34,496 

14,960 
12,881 
27,841 

6,655 

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Directors’ Report 

Business Review 

Trading & Execution 

During the 2016 financial year, D2MX Pty Ltd transformed compared to the prior year. The “Group” is continuing to attract new 
wholesale clients (holders of an AFSL issued by ASIC and referred to in the industry as ‘shadow brokers’) which has seen a revenue 
contribution increase to the Group of 345% (2016: $8,265,683 and 2015: $1,855,709, prior year was 6 months’ contribution). In 
addition, the execution and trading division has continued to make branding conscious choices, renaming Trader Dealer Online Pty 
Ltd to Sequoia Direct Pty Ltd, establishing new websites and through the launch of a new wholesale trading platform in the 2017 
financial year.  

D2MX Pty Ltd has also seen solid and ongoing growth in the number of client trading accounts since January 2016. 

Software Subscriptions 

SEQ has two analytical software products, robust trading tools that are used by retail and wholesale traders alike. These proprietary 
trading platforms are branded as Bourse Data and Market Analyser, names that are highly regarded and trusted in the market place, 
having been established in the share trading industry for over 15 years. Our subscription based software allows easy scanning and 
analysis of market information through a web based interface for convenient access. 

Capital Markets Advisory 

The capital markets division is continuing to be a valuable contributor to the “Group”. Sequoia Corporate Finance Pty Ltd signed a 
number of exclusive mandates during the financial year that resulted in positive revenue events which contributed to the financial year 
result. 

Self-Managed Superannuation Fund Administration 

Sequoia Superannuation Pty Ltd gained considerable traction during financial year 2016, with an increase in new mandates secured 
for the administration of SMSFs. The Company has a particular focus on this division as a platform for further growth and as a source 
of recurring revenue. 

Wealth Advisory 

Sequoia Asset Management Pty and Sequoia Wealth Management Pty Ltd’s specialised teams provide general advice and support 
regarding portfolio management, SMSFs, direct shares, superannuation, structured products, option trading, personal insurance, 
margin lending and cash solutions. This division is now seeking to maximise the many cross-selling opportunities for such products 
and services across the Group’s growing and diverse client base. 

Investment Solutions 

Sequoia Specialist Investments had great success with its structured products during the period, which have been increasingly 
popular with self-directed investors and third party advisors, and which have generated some excellent returns for investors. 

Financial news services 

FNN  is  an  independent  news  organisation  that  specialises  in  both  the  production  and  distribution  of  financial  news  content,  digital 
communications  and  productions  services  to  ASX-Listed  companies  and  managed  funds.  Annually  FNN  produces  more  than  3000 
video news items and is one of the largest suppliers of wholesale online finance video in the country. 

Future Developments 

The Company has commenced the new financial year strongly. We are encouraged by the growing market profile and new mandates 
being  secured  across  our key  business  units.  We  expect  to  enhance the  trading  software  options  on  offer to  our  wholesale trading 
clients,  allowing  further  growth  in  wholesale  client  relationships  this  year.  Synergies  from  the  strategic  investment  in  FNN  and  the 
expansion of our funds management activities are anticipated to be earnings accretive in FY17. 

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Directors’ Report 

Sequoia Financial Group Limited ABN 90 091 744 884 

Remuneration Report (audited) 

The remuneration report, which has been audited, outlines the director and executive remuneration arrangements for 
the consolidated  entity  and  the  Company,  in  accordance  with  the  requirements  of  the  Corporations  Act  2001  and its 
Regulations. 

The remuneration report is set out under the following main headings: 

A.  Director and senior management details 
B.  Remuneration policies 
C.  Remuneration of directors and senior management 
D.  Additional information 

A. 

Director and senior management details 

Mr Scott Lionel Beeton 

Mr Michael Kenneth Carter 

Mr Marcel John Collignon 

Managing Director 
Executive Director appointed 9 March 2015, appointed Non-Executive Chairman 10 
August 2015 
Executive Director 

Mr Bruce Richard Sydney Symon 

Executive Director, resigned 7 August 2015 

Mr Delan Pasquale Pagliaccio 

Executive Director appointed 7 August 2015, resigned 2 May 2016 

In addition to the directors noted above, the following persons represent the senior management of the Group during the 
year: 

Mr Andrew Guy Phillips 

Company Secretary and Chief Financial Officer until 10 August 2015 

Ms Renee Louise Minchin 

Chief Financial Officer 

B. 

Remuneration policies 

The performance of the Group depends upon the quality of its directors and executives. The Group recognises the need 
to attract, motivate and retain highly skilled directors and executives. 

The  Board  of  Directors,  through  its  Remuneration  Committee,  accepts  responsibility  for  determining  and  reviewing 
remuneration arrangements for the directors and the senior management team. The Remuneration Committee assesses 
the appropriateness of the nature and amount of remuneration of directors and senior managers on a periodic basis by 
reference to relevant employment market  conditions, giving due consideration to the overall profitability and financial 
resources of the Group, with the objective of ensuring maximum stakeholder benefit from the retention of a high quality 
Board and executive team. 

The Board proposes to review reward structures and the remuneration arrangements for  Directors and executives in 
conjunction with a return to profitability. 

Non-executive director remuneration 
Fees  and  payments  to  non-executive  directors  reflect  the  demands  which  are  made  of  the  directors  in  fulfilling  their 
responsibilities.  Non-executive  director  fees  are  reviewed  annually  by  the  Board.  The  constitution  of  the  Company 
provides that the non-executive directors of the Company are entitled to such remuneration, as determined by the Board, 
which must not exceed in aggregate the maximum amount determined by the Company in general meeting. The most 
recent determination was at the Annual General Meeting held on 15 December 2006 where the shareholders approved 
an aggregate remuneration of $200,000. 

Senior management and executive director remuneration 
Executive remuneration comprises: 
 
 
 

Fixed remuneration component 
Variable remuneration component including short-term incentive (STI) and long-term incentive (LTI) 
An Employee Share Option Plan was approved at a meeting of shareholders on the 27 November 2015 (LTI) 

Fixed remuneration 
Fixed remuneration consists of base remuneration as well as employer contributions to superannuation. Remuneration 
levels are reviewed annually through a process that considers individual performance and that of the overall Group. 

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Directors’ Report 

Remuneration Report (audited) 

Variable remuneration – short term incentive (STI) 
STIs are available to executives who achieve revenue and/or profit targets.  The Board is responsible for determining 
who is eligible to participate in STI arrangements as well as the structure  of those arrangements. No STI’s, including 
options have been awarded in the current financial year. 

Variable remuneration – long term incentive (LTI) 
The objective of the LTI plan is to reward senior managers in a manner which aligns this element of remuneration with 
the  creation  of  shareholder  wealth.  As  such,  LTI  grants  are  only  made  to  executives  who  are  able  to  influence  the 
generation of shareholder wealth and thus have a direct impact on the Group’s performance against relevant long term 
performance hurdles. LTI grants to executives are delivered in the form of options or shares. 

No LTI grants were allocated during 2016.   

C. 

Remuneration of directors and senior management 

Remuneration shown below relates to the period in which the director or executive was a member of key management 
personnel. Amounts below have either been paid out or accrued in the period. Included in the cash salary and fees are 
short term benefits being; director fees, management contracts and fees earned from mandated corporate activity. 

Short-term 
benefits 

Cash 
salary and 
fees 

Post 
employment 
benefits 

Share 
based 
payments 

Super-
annuation 

Shares 

Short-term 
benefits 

Post 
employment 
benefits 

Share 
based 
payments 

Total 

Total 

Cash salary and 
fees 

Super-
annuation 

Shares 

2016 

2015 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

Executive Directors: 

276,386 

       19,308  

            -         295,694  

      276,867  

       18,783  

            -         295,650  

246,513 

       19,308  

            -         265,821  

      247,983  

       18,476  

            -         266,459  

165,000 

45,000 

- 

-  

-  

-  

            -         165,000  

               -    

-  

      45,000  

        60,000  

-  

-  

            -    

              -    

    60,000  

    120,000  

            -    

              -    

        42,549  

         4,042  

            -           46,591  

Non-Executive Directors: 

      69,745  

     6,626  

            -           76,371  

               -    

               -    

            -    

              -    

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

Other Key Management 

102,000 

               -    

-  

    102,000  

        60,000  

               -         60,000  

    120,000  

- 

-  

            -    

              -    

      152,098  

         6,460  

            -         158,558  

131,667 

       12,508  

-  

    144,175  

-  

-  

-  

-  

 1,036,311  

       57,750  

            -      1,094,061  

      839,497  

       47,761  

  120,000  

 1,007,258  

SL Beeton 

MJ Collignon 

DP Pagliaccio 

BRS Symon 

MK Carter 

MK Carter 

JGK Khoo 

PJ Stirling 

AG Phillips 

CB Foley 

RL Minchin 

 Total 

Sequoia Financial Group Limited - Annual Report 2016 

21 

For personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Directors’ Report 

Remuneration Report (audited) 

The proportion of remuneration linked to performance and the fixed proportion are as follows: 

Name 

Executive Directors: 

SL Beeton 
MK Carter 
MJ Collignon 
BRS Symon 
DP Pagliaccio 

Non-Executive Directors: 

MK Carter 
JGK Khoo 
PJ Stirling 

Other Key Management 
Personal 

AG Phillips 
CB Foley 
RL Minchin 

Fixed remuneration 

At risk - STI 

At risk - LTI 

2016 
$ 

2015 
$ 

2016 
$ 

2015 
$ 

2016 
$ 

2015 
$ 

100% 
-% 
100% 
100% 
100% 

100% 
-% 
-% 

100% 
-% 
100% 

100% 
100% 
100% 
100% 
-% 

-% 
100% 
100% 

100% 
100% 
-% 

-% 
-% 
-% 
-% 
-% 

-% 
-% 
-% 

-% 
-% 
-% 

-% 
-% 
-% 
-% 
-% 

-% 
-% 
-% 

-% 
-% 
-% 

-% 
-% 
-% 
-% 
-% 

-% 
-% 
-% 

-% 
-% 
-% 

-% 
-% 
-% 
-% 
-% 

-% 
-% 
-% 

-% 
-% 
-% 

There is no link between remuneration and the market price of the Company’s shares. 

Shareholding 
The number of shares in the parent entity held during the financial year by each director and other members of key 
management personnel of the consolidated entity, including their personally related parties is set out below; 

30 June 2016 

S Beeton 
M Carter 
M Collignon 
R Symon 
A Phillips 
R Minchin 

Balance at the 
start of the year 
1,060,903,816 
2,500,000 
371,469,875 
84,691,435 
32,071,429 
12,500,000 
1,564,136,555 

Received as part 
of remuneration 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

Additions 

134,971,623 
50,000,000 
41,512,500 
- 
21,000,000 
11,764,706 
259,248,829 

Disposals/ 
other 

Balance at the 
end of the year 
1,195,875,439 
52,500,000 
412,982,375 
84,691,435 
53,071,429 
24,264,706 
1,823,385,384  

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

30 June 2015 

Balance at the 
start of the year 

Received as part 
of remuneration 

Additions 

Disposals/ 
other 

Balance at the 
end of the year 

S Beeton 
M Carter 
M Collignon 
J Khoo 
R Symon 
P Stirling 
C Foley 
A Phillips 

143,569,687 
- 
15,099,451 
- 
68,666,669 
210,000,000 
114,242 
60,000 
473,510,049 

- 
- 
- 
- 
8,571,429 
- 
- 
8,571,429 
17,142,858 

937,403,467 
2,500,000 
356,370,424 
12,500,000 
7,453,337 
- 
- 
23,494,000 
1,303,727,228 

20,069,338 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
20,069,338 

1,060,903,816 
2,500,000 
371,469,875 
12,500,000 
84,691,435 
210,000,000 
114,242 
32,071,429 
1,774,310,797 

Escrow shares held by S Beeton and M Collignon are included in the total shareholding, the shares come out of 
escrow on the 1 October 2016, the escrowed shareholding for each director was 83,025 shares and relate to 
performance expectations of Sequoia Wealth Group Pty Ltd. 

Sequoia Financial Group Limited - Annual Report 2016 

22 

For personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Directors’ Report 

Remuneration Report (audited) 

Key terms of employment contracts 
Where contracts have been established, employment terms and conditions of key management personnel and Group 
executives are formalised in standard contracts of employment.  All contracts are for no fixed term with 1 to 3 months’ 
notice required for termination by either party. 

Currently not all key management personal have formal contracts, however this will be put into place. 

D. 

Other transactions with directors and senior management 

Receivable from and payable to key management personnel 
The following balances are outstanding at the reporting date in relation to loan and remuneration arrangements with key 
management personnel: 

Trade receivable from Mr SL Beeton 
Trade payable to Ms JC Khoo 

Trade payables to Mr PJ Stirling 
Trade payables to Mr CB Foley 

Consolidated 

2016 
$ 

- 
- 

- 
- 

2015  
$ 

(87,100) 
40,000 

27,500 
70,523 

Ms JC Khoo and Mr PJ Stirling have converted the above outstanding debt to equity as at the 6 August 2015. Mr SL 
Beeton has repaid $87,100 of the loan in full. Mr CB Foley was paid as at the 15 August 2015. 

E. 

Additional information 

The following table shows the gross revenue, profits and dividends for the last five years of the listed entity, as well as 
the share prices at the end of the respective financial years. 

Revenue 

Net profit or (loss) after tax 

Share price at year end 

Dividends paid 

2014 

2015 

2016 

$’000 

6,491 

(1,260) 

$0.002 

Nil 

$’000 

21,406 

(17,974) 

$0.001 

Nil 

$’000 

22,981 

286 

$0.002 

Nil 

This concludes the remuneration report, which has been audited. 

The  directors’  report  is  signed  in  accordance  with  a  resolution  of  the  directors  made  pursuant  to  s298(2)  of  the 
Corporations Act 2001. 

On behalf of the Directors 

Michael Carter 
Chairman 

31 August 2016 

Sequoia Financial Group Limited - Annual Report 2016 

23 

For personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
General Information 

The financial report covers  Sequoia Financial Group Limited  as a consolidated entity consisting of  Sequoia Financial 
Group  Limited  and  the  entities  it  controls.  The  financial  report  is  presented  in  Australian  dollars,  which  is  Sequoia 
Financial Group Limited functional and presentation currency. 

The financial report consists of the financial statements, notes to the financial statements and the directors’ declaration. 

Sequoia Financial Group Limited is a listed public Company limited by shares, incorporated and domiciled in Australia.  
Its registered office and principal place of business is: 

Level 36 
50 Bridge Street 
Sydney NSW 2000 

A description of the nature of the consolidated entity’s operation and its principal activities are included in the directors’ 
report, which is not part of the financial report. 

The  financial  report  was  authorised  for  issue,  in  accordance  with  a  resolution  of  directors,  on  31  August  2016.  The 
directors have the power to amend and reissue the financial report. 

Sequoia Financial Group Limited - Annual Report 2016 

24 

For personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive 
Income 
For the year ended 30 June 2016 

Revenue  

Expenses 

Data fees 

Dealing and settlement 
Payments to investors 

Commission and hedging 
Employee benefits 

Occupancy 
Telecommunications 
Marketing 
General and administrative 

Impairment 
Other expenses 

Profit / (loss) before income tax from continuing operations 

Income tax (expense)/ benefit 
Profit / (loss) from continuing operations 

Other comprehensive income 
Items that will be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss when 
specific conditions are met: 
Fair value gains on available-for-sale financial assets, net of tax 
Total other comprehensive income 

Total comprehensive income for the year 

Total profit/(loss) and comprehensive income attributable to: 
-  Members of the parent entity 
-  Non-controlling interest 

Note 

Consolidated 

2016 
$ 

2015 
$ 

4 

22,980,597 

21,406,293 

5 

5 

6 

(1,139,430) 

(6,498,185) 
(3,965,169) 

(4,128,428) 
(4,103,466) 

(379,491) 
(268,881) 
(203,995) 
(1,390,344) 

(160,861) 
(240,756) 

501,591 
(215,858) 
285,733 

(575,189) 

(2,098,539) 
(9,690,353) 

(4,773,828) 
(2,814,908) 

(307,135) 
(135,299) 
(245,994) 
(1,836,170) 

(17,130,595) 
(119,866) 

(18,321,583) 
347,371 
(17,974,212) 

297,645 
297,645 

- 
-  

583,378 

(17,974,212)  

618,042 

(34,664) 

583,378 

(17,974,212)  

- 

(17,974,212)  

Earnings per share for loss attributable to the owners of 
Sequoia Financial Group Limited 

Cents 

Cents 

Basic earnings per share 

Diluted earnings per share 

33 

33 

0.008 

0.007 

(40.00) 
(40.00) 1 

1 All potential ordinary shares, being options to acquire ordinary shares are not considered dilutive, as the exercise of 
the options would decrease the basic loss per share. 

The above statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income should be read in conjunction with the 
accompanying notes. 

Sequoia Financial Group Limited - Annual Report 2016 

25 

For personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position 
As at 30 June 2016 

Assets 

Cash and cash equivalents 
Trade and other receivables 
Derivative assets 
Income tax receivable 
Other assets 
Deferred costs 
Total current assets 

Financial assets 

Plant and equipment 
Intangible assets 

Derivative assets 
Deferred tax assets 

Other assets 
Deferred costs 
Total non-current assets 

Total assets 

Trade and other payables 

Derivative liabilities 
Employee benefits 

Deferred revenue 
Borrowings 
Total current liabilities 

Borrowings 
Derivative liabilities 

Employee benefits 
Deferred tax liabilities 

Deferred revenue 
Total non-current liabilities 

Total liabilities 

Net assets 

Equity 

Contributed equity 
Reserves 

Accumulated losses 

Parent interest 
Non-controlling interest 
Total equity 

Note 

Consolidated 

2016 
$ 

2015 
$ 

7 
8 
9 

10 
11 

12 

13 
14 

9 
6 

10 
11 

15 

9 
18 

17 
16 

16 
9 

18 
6 

17 

19 
20 

34 

812,831 
1,594,641 
883,111 
- 

161,038 
2,865,995 

6,317,616 

1,836,575 

154,647 
8,813,012 

5,278,666 
2,482,036 

1,215,652 
2,334,591 

613,527 
2,582,290 
5,390,430 
10,529 

152,805 
4,177,366 

12,926,947 

1,213,248 

30,349 
7,655,166 

5,499,896 
3,321,786 

1,088,507 
2,759,619 

22,115,179 

21,568,571 

28,432,795 

34,495,518 

2,274,715 

883,111 
370,451 

3,491,262 
2,060,000 

9,004,539 

- 
5,278,666 

32,517 
1,778,045 

3,043,758 

4,181,572 

5,390,430 
267,721 

5,119,825 
- 

14,959,548 

1,860,000 
5,499,896 

13,107 
2,204,782 

3,303,385 

10,132,986 

12,881,170 

19,137,525 

27,840,718 

9,295,270 

6,654,800 

26,724,112 
177,098 

24,765,885 
(482,765) 

(17,670,141) 

(17,628,320) 

9,231,069 
64,201 

9,295,270 

6,654,800 
- 

6,654,800 

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

Sequoia Financial Group Limited - Annual Report 2016 

26 

For personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity 
For the year ended 30 June 2016 

Consolidated  

Contributed 
Equity 

Reserves 

Accumulated 
Losses 

$ 

$ 

$ 

Non-
controlling 
interest 
$ 

Total Equity 

$ 

Balance at 1 July 2014 

15,906,960 

(482,765) 

345,892 

- 

15,770,087 

Comprehensive income: 
Loss for the year 
Other comprehensive income for the year 
Total comprehensive income for the year 

Transactions with owners in their capacity as 
owners: 
Deemed issue of shares from reverse 
acquisition 
Share capital issued  
Transaction costs 
Total transactions with owners and other 
transfer 

- 
- 
- 

8,553,712 
315,000 
(9,787) 

8,858,925 

- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 

- 

(17,974,212) 
- 
(17,974,212)  

-  
- 
-  

(17,974,212)  
- 
(17,974,212)  

- 
- 
- 

- 

- 
- 
- 

- 

- 

- 

8,553,712 
315,000 
(9,787)  

8,858,925 

6,654,800 

6,654,800 

Balance at 30 June 2015  

24,765,885 

(482,765) 

(17,628,320) 

Balance at 1 July 2015 

24,765,885 

(482,765) 

(17,628,320) 

Comprehensive income: 
Profit for the year 
Other comprehensive income for the year 
Total comprehensive income for the year 

Transactions with owners in their capacity as 
owners: 

Share capital issued  
Transaction costs 
Transfer from reserve to accumulated losses 
Recognition of non-controlling interest on 
acquisition of subsidiary 
Total transactions with owners and other 
transfers 

- 
- 
- 

- 
297,645 
297,645 

320,397 
- 
320,397 

(34,664) 
- 
(34,664) 

285,733 
297,645 
583,378 

1,997,514 
(39,287) 
- 

- 
- 
362,218 

- 
- 
(362,218) 

- 
- 
- 

1,997,514 
(39,287) 
- 

- 

- 

- 

98,865 

98,865 

1,958,227 

362,218 

(362,218) 

98,865 

2,057,092 

Balance at 30 June 2016 

26,724,112 

177,098 

(17,670,141) 

64,201 

9,295,270 

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

Sequoia Financial Group Limited - Annual Report 2016 

27 

For personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows 
For the year ended 30 June 2016 

Cash flows from operating activities 

Receipts from customers 
Payment to suppliers and employees 

Interest received 
Interest paid 

Income tax paid 

Note 

Consolidated 

2016 
$ 

2015 
$ 

20,982,069 

(20,827,543) 
5,338 

(240,756) 
(167,906) 

22,876,588 

(23,588,375) 
13,493 

(119,866) 
(943,365) 

Net cash used in operating activities 

32 

(248,798) 

(1,761,525) 

Cash flows from investing activities 

Payment for acquisition of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired 

31 

Proceeds from sale of financial assets 
Payment for plant and equipment 

Payment for intangible assets 
Payment for bonds, guarantees and other assets 

Net cash used in investing activities 

Cash flows from financing activities 

Proceeds from borrowings 
Proceeds from issue of shares, net of transaction costs 

Net cash provided by financing activities 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents 

Cash acquired from subsidiary on acquisition 

Cash and cash equivalents at 1 July 

Cash and cash equivalents at 30 June 

(571,240) 

41,506 
(120,874) 

(63,556) 
(127,145) 

- 

(150,000) 
- 

- 
(136,633) 

(841,309) 

(286,633) 

200,000 
1,089,411 

560,000 
305,212 

1,289,411 

865,212 

  199,304 

(1,182,946) 

- 

337,454 

613,527 

1,459,019 

812,831 

613,527 

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

Sequoia Financial Group Limited - Annual Report 2016 

28 

For personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies 

The  financial  statements  are  those  of  the  consolidated  entity  consisting  of  Sequoia  Financial  Group  Limited  (the 
“Company”) and its controlled entities (the “consolidated entity” or “Group”).  Separate financial statements of Sequoia 
Financial Group Limited as an individual entity are no longer presented as a consequence of a change to the Corporations 
Act 2001, however limited financial information on Sequoia Financial Group Limited as an individual entity is included in 
Note 28. 

The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the financial statements have been consistently applied 
to all the years presented. 

The financial statements were authorised for issue on 31 August 2016 by the directors of the Company. 

a) Basis of Preparation 

These general purpose financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001, Australian 
Accounting  Standards  and  Interpretations  of  the  Australian  Accounting  Standards  Board  and  International  Financial 
Reporting  Standards  as  issued  by  the  International  Accounting  Standards  Board.  The  Group  is  a  for-profit  entity  for 
financial  reporting  purposes  under  Australian  Accounting  Standards.  Material  accounting  policies  adopted  in  the 
preparation of these financial statements are presented below and have been consistently applied unless stated otherwise. 

The financial statements, except for cash flow information, have been prepared on an accruals basis and are based on 
historical costs, modified, where applicable, by the measurement at fair value of selected non-current assets, financial 
assets and financial liabilities. The amounts presented in the financial statements have been rounded to the nearest dollar. 

b) Going concern 

The financial report shows that for year ended 30 June 2016 the consolidated entity has a total comprehensive income 
attributable  to  members  of  $618,042  and  a  negative  cash  flow  from  operating  cash  flows  of  $248,798  and  a  large 
reduction in trade and other payables of $1,906,857. 

At balance date the consolidated entity has a current asset deficiency of $2,686,923 a net tangible asset deficiency of 
$221,733. These conditions indicate an uncertainty that may cast doubt about the consolidated entity’s ability to continue 
as a going concern, however the business continues to improve, which is reducing this uncertainty. 

The ability of the consolidated entity to continue as a going concern is dependent upon a number of critical factors, one 
being the continuation and availability of funds.  To this end the consolidated entity is expecting to fund its obligations 
beyond the reported working capital position as follows: 

 
 
 
 

The Group is actively seeking new revenue opportunities which will add value to the consolidated Group; 
The Group is benefiting from cross revenue segment opportunities; 
The Group has significantly reduced outstanding creditor obligations; and 
The Group is actively looking for funding alternatives as the Company’s risk profile is reducing. 

Cash flow forecasts prepared by management demonstrate the consolidated entity has sufficient cash flows to meet its 
commitments over the next 12 months based on the above factors. For that reason, the financial statements have been 
prepared  on  the  basis  that  the  consolidated  entity  is  a  going  concern,  which  contemplates  the  continuity  of  normal 
business activity, realisation of assets and settlement of liabilities in the normal course of business. 

Sequoia Financial Group Limited - Annual Report 2016 

29 

For personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies 

c) Principles of Consolidation 

The consolidated financial statements incorporate all of the assets, liabilities and results of the parent (Sequoia Financial 
Group Limited) and all of the subsidiaries (including any structured entities). Subsidiaries are entities the parent controls. 
The parent controls an entity when it is exposed to, or has rights to, variable returns from its involvement with the entity 
and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the entity. A list of the subsidiaries is provided in Note 
28. 

The assets, liabilities and results of all subsidiaries are fully consolidated into the financial statements of the Group from 
the date on which control is obtained by the Group. The consolidation of a subsidiary is discontinued from the date that 
control  ceases.  Intercompany  transactions,  balances  and  unrealised  gains  or  losses on  transactions between  Group 
entities are fully eliminated on consolidation. Accounting policies of subsidiaries have been changed and adjustments 
made where necessary to ensure uniformity of the accounting policies adopted by the Group. 

Equity  interests  in  a  subsidiary  not  attributable,  directly  or  indirectly,  to  the  Group  are  presented  as  “non-controlling 
interests”. The Group initially recognises non-controlling interests that are present ownership interests in subsidiaries 
and are entitled to a proportionate share of the subsidiary’s net assets on liquidation at either fair value or at the non-
controlling interests’ proportionate share of the subsidiary’s net assets. Subsequent to initial recognition, non-controlling 
interests are attributed their share of profit or loss and each component of other comprehensive income. Non-controlling 
interests  are  shown  separately  within  the  equity  section  of  the  statement  of  financial  position  and  statement  of 
comprehensive income. 

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared using reverse acquisition accounting. In reverse acquisition 
accounting, the cost of business combination is deemed to have been incurred by the legal subsidiary Sequoia Group 
Holdings Pty Ltd (the acquirer for accounting purposes) in the form of equity instruments issued to the owners of the 
legal parent, Sequoia Financial Group Limited (the acquiree for accounting purposes).  

d) Foreign currency translation 
The  financial  report  is  presented  in  Australian  dollars,  which  is  Sequoia  Financial  Group  Limited’s  functional  and 
presentation currency. 

e) Business combinations 
Business combinations occur where an acquirer obtains control over one or more businesses. 

A business combination is accounted for by applying the acquisition method, unless it is a combination involving entities 
or  businesses  under  common  control.  The  business  combination  will  be  accounted  for  from  the  date  that  control  is 
attained, whereby the fair value of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities (including contingent liabilities) assumed 
is recognised (subject to certain limited exemptions). 

When  measuring  the  consideration  transferred  in  the  business  combination,  any  asset  or  liability  resulting  from  a 
contingent  consideration  arrangement  is  also  included.  Subsequent  to  initial  recognition,  contingent  consideration 
classified  as  equity  is  not  remeasured  and  its  subsequent  settlement  is  accounted  for  within  equity.  Contingent 
consideration  classified  as  an  asset  or  liability  is  remeasured  in  each  reporting  period  to  fair  value,  recognising  any 
change to fair value in profit or loss, unless the change in value can be identified as existing at acquisition date. 

All  transaction  costs  incurred  in  relation  to  business  combinations,  other  than  those  associated  with  the  issue  of  a 
financial instrument, are recognised as expenses in profit or loss when incurred. The acquisition of a business may result 
in the recognition of goodwill or a gain from a bargain purchase. 

If the business combination is achieved in stages, the acquisition date carrying value of the acquirer’s previously held 
equity interest in the acquire is re-measured to fair value at the acquisition date; any gains or losses arising from such 
re-measurement are recognised in profit or loss. 

Sequoia Financial Group Limited - Annual Report 2016 

30 

For personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued) 

f) Income Tax 

The income tax expense (income) for the year comprises current income tax expense (income) and deferred tax expense 
(income). Current income tax expense charged to profit or loss is the tax payable on taxable income. Current tax liabilities 
(assets) are measured at the amounts expected to be paid to (recovered from) the relevant taxation authority. 

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 that are enacted or substantively enacted except 
for: 

  When the deferred income tax asset or liability arises from the initial recognition of goodwill or an asset or liability 
in a transaction that is not a business combination and that, at the time of the transaction, affects neither the 
accounting nor taxable profits; or 

  When the taxable temporary difference is associated with investments in subsidiaries, associates or interests in 
joint ventures, and the timing of the reversal can be controlled and it is probable that the temporary difference 
will not reverse in the foreseeable future. 

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. 

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

The carrying amount of recognised and unrecognised deferred tax assets are reviewed each reporting date.  Deferred 
tax assets recognised are reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that future taxable profits will be available for 
the carrying amount to be recovered.  Previously unrecognised deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is 
probable that there are future taxable profits available to recover the asset. 

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset only where there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets 
against current tax liabilities and deferred tax assets against deferred tax liabilities; and they relate to the same taxable 
authority on either the same taxable entity or different taxable entity’s which intent to settle simultaneously. 

Sequoia Financial Group Limited (the ‘head entity’) and its wholly-owned Australian controlled entities have formed an 
income tax consolidated Group under the tax consolidation regime.  The head entity and the controlled entities in the tax 
consolidated Group continue to account for their own current and deferred tax amounts.  The tax consolidated Group has 
applied the Group allocation approach in determining the appropriate amount of taxes to allocate to member of the tax 
consolidated Group. 

In addition to its own current and deferred tax amounts, the head entity also recognises the current tax liabilities (or assets) 
and the deferred tax assets arising from unused tax losses and unused tax credits assumed from controlled entities in the 
tax consolidated Group. 

Assets or liabilities arising under tax funding agreements with the tax consolidated entities are recognised as amounts 
receivable from or payable to other entities in the tax consolidated Group. The tax funding arrangement ensures that the 
intercompany charge equals the current tax liability or benefit of each tax consolidated Group member, resulting in neither 
a contribution by the head entity to the subsidiaries nor a distribution by the subsidiaries to the head entity. 

Sequoia Financial Group Limited - Annual Report 2016 

31 

For personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued) 

g) Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities 
The Group measures some of its assets and liabilities at fair value on either a recurring or non-recurring basis, depending 
on the requirements of the applicable Accounting Standard. 

Fair value is the price the Group would receive to sell an asset or would have to pay to transfer a liability in an orderly (ie 
unforced) transaction between independent, knowledgeable and willing market participants at the measurement date. 

As  fair  value  is  a  market-based  measure,  the  closest  equivalent  observable  market  pricing  information  is  used  to 
determine fair value. Adjustments to market values may be made having regard to the characteristics of the specific asset 
or liability. The fair values of assets and liabilities that are not traded in an active market are determined using one or 
more valuation techniques. These valuation techniques maximise, to the extent possible, the use of observable market 
data. 

To the extent possible, market information is extracted from either the principal market for the asset or liability (ie the 
market with the greatest volume and level of activity for the asset or liability) or, in the absence of such a market, the most 
advantageous market available to the entity at the end of the reporting period (ie the market that maximises the receipts 
from the sale of the asset or minimises the payments made to transfer the liability, after taking into account transaction 
costs and transport costs). 

For non-financial assets, the fair value measurement also takes into account a market participant’s ability to use the asset 
in its highest and best use or to sell it to another market participant that would use the asset in its highest and best use. 

The  fair  value  of  liabilities  and  the  entity’s  own  equity  instruments  (excluding  those  related  to  share-based  payment 
arrangements)  may  be  valued,  where  there  is  no  observable  market  price  in  relation  to  the  transfer  of  such  financial 
instrument,  by  reference  to  observable  market  information  where  such  instruments  are  held  as  assets.  Where  this 
information is not available, other valuation techniques are adopted and, where significant, are detailed in the respective 
note to the financial statements. 

h) Plant and equipment 
Plant and equipment and leasehold improvements are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment. Cost 
includes expenditure that is directly attributable to the acquisition of the item. In the event that settlement of all or part of 
the  purchase  consideration  is  deferred,  cost  is  determined  by  discounting  the  amounts  payable  in  the  future  to  their 
present value as at the date of acquisition. 

In the event the carrying amount of plant and equipment is greater than the estimated recoverable amount, the carrying 
amount is written down immediately to the estimated recoverable amount and impairment losses are recognised either in 
profit or loss or as a revaluation decrease if the impairment losses relate to a revalued asset. 

Depreciation is provided on plant and equipment. Depreciation is calculated on a straight line basis so as to write off the 
net cost or other revalued amount of each asset over its expected useful life to its estimated residual value. The estimated 
useful lives, residual values and depreciation method are reviewed at the end of each annual reporting period. 

The depreciable amounts of all fixed assets are depreciated on a reducing balance basis over their estimated useful lives 
commencing from the time the asset is held ready for use. 

Plant and equipment: 

2016 
11% to 50% 

2015 
11% to 50% 

Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the period of the lease or estimated useful life, whichever is the shorter, 
using the straight line method. 

i) Financial Instruments 

(i) Recognition and initial measurement 
Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised when the entity becomes a party to the contractual provisions to 
the instrument. For financial assets, this is equivalent to the date that the Company commits itself to either the purchase 
or sale of the asset (ie trade date accounting is adopted). 

Financial instruments are initially measured at fair value plus transaction costs, except where the instrument is classified 
“at fair value through profit or loss”, in which case transaction costs are expensed to profit or loss immediately. 

(ii) Classification and subsequent measurement 
Financial instruments  are  subsequently measured  at  fair  value, amortised cost using the effective  interest method,  or 
cost.  

Sequoia Financial Group Limited - Annual Report 2016 

32 

For personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued) 

Fair  value  is  determined  based  on  current  bid  prices  for  all  quoted  investments.  Valuation  techniques  are  applied  to 
determine  the  fair  value  for  all  unlisted  securities,  including  recent  arm’s  length  transactions,  reference  to  similar 
instruments and option pricing models. 

Amortised cost is calculated as the amount at which the financial asset or financial liability is measured at initial recognition 
less principal repayments and any reduction for impairment, and adjusted for any cumulative amortisation of the difference 
between that initial amount and the maturity amount calculated using the effective interest method. 

The  effective  interest  method  is  used  to  allocate  interest  income  or  interest  expense  over  the  relevant  period  and  is 
equivalent to the rate that discounts estimated future cash payments or receipts (including fees, transaction costs and 
other premiums or discounts) over the expected life (or when this cannot be reliably predicted, the contractual term) of 
the financial instrument to the net carrying amount of the financial asset or financial liability. Revisions to expected future 
net cash flows will necessitate an adjustment to the carrying amount with a consequential recognition of an income or 
expense item in profit or loss. 

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss 
Financial assets are classified at “fair value through profit or loss” when they are held for trading for the purpose of short-
term profit taking, derivatives not held for hedging purposes, or when they are designated as such to avoid an accounting 
mismatch  or  to  enable  performance  evaluation  where  a  Group  of  financial  assets  is  managed  by  key  management 
personnel on a fair value basis in accordance with a documented risk management or investment strategy. Such assets 
are subsequently measured at fair value with changes in carrying amount being included in profit or loss. 

Loans and receivables 
Loans and receivables are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an 
active market and are subsequently measured at amortised cost. Gains or losses are recognised in profit or loss through 
the amortisation process and when the financial asset is derecognised. 

Available-for-sale investments 
Available-for-sale investments are non-derivative financial assets that are either not capable of being classified into other 
categories  of  financial  assets  due  to  their  nature  or  they  are  designated  as  such  by  management.  They  comprise 
investments in the equity of other entities where there is neither a fixed maturity nor fixed or determinable payments. 

They  are  subsequently  measured  at  fair  value  with  any  remeasurements  other  than  impairment  losses  and  foreign 
exchange gains and losses recognised in other comprehensive income. When the financial asset is  derecognised, the 
cumulative gain or loss pertaining to that asset previously recognised in other comprehensive income is reclassified into 
profit or loss. 

Available-for-sale financial assets are classified as non-current assets when they are expected to be sold after 12 months 
from the end of the reporting period. All other available-for-sale financial assets are classified as current assets. 

Financial liabilities 
Non-derivative financial liabilities other than financial guarantees are subsequently measured at amortised cost. Gains 
or losses are recognised in profit or loss through the amortisation process when the financial liability is derecognised. 

Derivative instruments 
Derivative instruments entered into by the consolidated  Group include options in the equity markets. These derivative 
instruments  are  principally  used  for  the  risk  management  of  existing  financial  assets  and  liabilities.  All  derivatives, 
including those used for statement of financial position hedging purposes, are recognised on the statement of financial 
position and are disclosed as an asset where they have a positive fair value at balance date or as a liability where the fair 
value at balance date is negative.  

Derivatives  are  initially  recognised  at  fair  value on  the  date a  derivative contract  is entered  into and  subsequently  re-
measured to their fair value. Changes in the fair value of derivative instrument that does not qualify for hedge accounting 
are recognised immediately in the profit or loss in commission and hedging 

Sequoia Financial Group Limited - Annual Report 2016 

33 

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Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued) 

j) Impairment of financial assets 
At the end of each reporting period, the Group assesses whether there is objective evidence that a financial asset has 
been impaired. A financial asset (or a Group of financial assets) is deemed to be impaired if, and only if, there is objective 
evidence of impairment as a result of one or more events (a “loss event”) having occurred, which has an impact on the 
estimated future cash flows of the financial asset(s). 

In the case of available-for-sale financial assets, a significant or prolonged decline in the market value of the instrument 
is  considered  to  constitute  a  loss  event.  Impairment  losses  are  recognised  in  profit  or  loss  immediately.  Also,  any 
cumulative decline in fair value previously recognised in other comprehensive income is reclassified to profit or loss at 
this point. 

In the case of financial assets carried at amortised cost, loss events may include: indications that the debtors or a Group 
of  debtors  are  experiencing  significant  financial  difficulty,  default  or  delinquency  in  interest  or  principal  payments; 
indications that they will enter bankruptcy or other financial reorganisation; and changes in arrears or economic conditions 
that correlate with defaults. 

For financial assets carried at amortised cost (including loans and receivables), a separate allowance account is used to 
reduce  the carrying  amount  of  financial  assets  impaired  by credit  losses.  After  having  taken  all  possible measures of 
recovery, if management establishes that the carrying amount cannot be recovered by any means, at that point the written-
off amounts are charged to the allowance account or the carrying amount of impaired financial assets is reduced directly 
if no impairment amount was previously recognised in the allowance account. 

When the terms of financial assets that would otherwise have been past due or impaired have been renegotiated, the 
Group recognises the impairment for such financial assets by taking into account the original terms as if the terms have 
not been renegotiated so that the loss events that have occurred are duly considered. 

k) Intangible assets 
Intangible assets acquired as part of a business combination, other than goodwill, are initially measured at their fair value 
at the date of the acquisition.  Intangible assets acquired separately are initially recognised at cost. Intangible assets are 
subsequently measured at cost less amortisation and any impairment. The gains or losses recognised in profit or loss 
arising from the derecognition of intangible assets are measured as the difference between net disposal proceeds and 
the carrying amount of the intangible asset. The method and useful lives of finite life intangibles are reviewed annually. 
Changes  in  the  expected  pattern  of  consumption  or  useful  life  are  accounted  for  prospectively  by  changing  the 
amortisation method or period. 

Goodwill 
Where an entity or operation is acquired in a business combination, the identifiable net assets acquired are measured at 
fair value.  The excess of the fair value of the cost of acquisition over the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired 
is brought to account as goodwill.  Goodwill is not amortised.  Instead, goodwill is tested annually for impairment, or more 
frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that it might be impaired, and is carried at cost less accumulated 
impairment losses. Impairment losses on goodwill are taken to profit or loss and are not subsequently reversed. 

Australian Securities Exchange licence 
The licence relating to participant status of the Australian Securities Exchange is being amortised on a straight-line basis 
over a period of 5 years commencing 1 July 2011.  

Impairment of non-financial assets 
Goodwill  and  other  intangible  assets  that  have  an  indefinite  useful  life  are  not  subject  to  amortisation  and  are  tested 
annually for impairment, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that they might be impaired.  
Other non-financial assets 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. 

Recoverable amount is the higher of an asset’s fair value less costs to sell and value-in-use.  The value-in-use is the 
present value of the estimated future cash flows relating to the asset using a pre-tax discount rate specific to the asset or 
cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs. Assets that do not have independent cash flows are grouped together 
to form a cash-generating unit. 

l) Functional and presentation currency 
The  functional  currency  of  each  of  the  Group’s  entities  is  measured  using  the  currency  of  the  primary  economic 
environment in which that entity operates. The consolidated financial statements are presented in Australian dollars, which 
is the parent entity’s functional currency. 

Sequoia Financial Group Limited - Annual Report 2016 

34 

For personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued) 

m) Employee benefits 
Wages and salaries and annual leave 
Provision is made for the Group’s obligation for short-term employee benefits. Short-term employee benefits are benefits 
(other  than  termination  benefits)  that are  expected  to  be  settled  wholly  before  12 months  after  the  end  of  the  annual 
reporting period in which the employees render the related service, including wages, salaries and sick leave. Short-term 
employee benefits are measured at the (undiscounted) amounts expected to be paid when the obligation is settled.  

The Group’s obligations for short-term employee benefits such as wages, salaries and sick leave are recognised as a 
part of current trade and other payables in the statement of financial position. The Group’s obligations for employees’ 
annual leave and long service leave entitlements are recognised as provisions in the statement of financial position. 

Long service leave 
Provision  is made  for employees’  long service  leave  and  annual  leave  entitlements  not expected  to  be  settled  wholly 
within 12 months after the end of the annual reporting period in which the employees render the related service. Other 
long-term  employee  benefits  are  measured  at  the  present  value  of  the  expected  future  payments  to  be  made  to 
employees. Expected future  payments incorporate anticipated future wage and salary levels, durations of service and 
employee departures and are discounted at rates determined by reference to market yields at the end of the reporting 
period on government bonds that have maturity dates that approximate the terms of the obligations. Any remeasurements 
for changes in assumptions of obligations for other long-term employee benefits are recognised in profit or loss in the 
periods in which the changes occur. 

The  Group’s  obligations  for  long-term  employee  benefits  are  presented  as  non-current  provisions  in  its  statement  of 
financial position, except where the Group does not have an unconditional right to defer settlement for at least 12 months 
after the end of the reporting period, in which case the obligations are presented as current provisions 

Defined contribution superannuation benefits 
Contributions to defined contribution superannuation plans are expensed in the period in which they are incurred. 

Share-based payments 
Share-based payments to non-employees are measured at the fair value of goods or services received or the fair value 
of the equity instruments issued, if it is determined the fair value of the goods or services cannot be reliably measured, 
and are recorded at the date the goods or services are received. 

n) Provisions 
Provisions are recognised when the consolidated entity has a present (legal or constructive) obligation as a result of a 
past event, it is probable that the consolidated entity will be required to settle the obligation, and a reliable estimate can 
be made of the amount of the obligation.  The amount recognised as a provision is the best estimate of the consideration 
required to settle the present obligation at the reporting date, taking into account the risks and uncertainties surrounding 
the obligation.  If the time value of money is material, provisions are discounted using a current pre-tax rate specific to the 
liability.  The increase in the provision resulting from the passage of time is recognised as a finance cost. 

o) Cash and cash equivalents 
Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term highly liquid 
investments with original maturities of three months or less.  

p) Revenue and other income 
Revenue is recognised when it is probable that the economic benefit will flow to the consolidated entity and the revenue 
can be reliably measured.  Revenue is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable. 

Rendering of services 
Revenue from the provision of services to customers is recognised upon delivery of the service to the customer. Revenue 
received that relates to the provision for future services is accounted for as deferred income.  

Interest revenue 
Interest revenue is recognised on a time proportionate basis that takes into account the effective yield on the financial 
asset. 

Commissions and fee income 
When the consolidated entity acts in the capacity of an agent rather than as the  principal in a transaction, the revenue 
recognised is the net amount of commission made by the consolidated entity. 

Commission and fee income is recognised as related services are performed. Where commissions and fees are subject 
to the clawback or meeting certain performance hurdles, they are recognised as income at the point when those conditions 
can no longer affect the outcome. 

Sequoia Financial Group Limited - Annual Report 2016 

35 

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Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued) 

Other revenue 
Other revenue is recognised when it is received or when the right to receive payment is established. 

All revenue is stated net of the amount of goods and services tax (GST). 

q) Trade Receivables 

Trade receivables are initially recognised at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective 
interest method, less any provision for impairment.  Trade receivables are generally due for settlement within 30 days. 

Collectability of trade receivables is reviewed on an ongoing basis. Debts which are known to be uncollectable are written 
off  by  reducing  the  carrying  amount  directly.    A  provision  for  impairment  of  trade  receivables  is  raised  when  there  is 
objective evidence that the consolidated entity will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the original terms 
of the receivables.  Significant financial difficulties of the debtor, probability that the debtor will enter bankruptcy or financial 
reorganisation  and  default  are  considered  indicators  that  the  trade  receivable  may  be  impaired.  The  amount  of  the 
impairment allowance is the difference between the asset’s carrying amount and the present value of estimated future 
cash  flows,  discounted  at  the  original  effective  interest  rate.  Cash  flows  relating  to  short-term  receivables  are  not 
discounted if the effect of discounting immaterial. Other receivables are recognised at amortised cost, less any provision 
for impairment. 

r) Trade and other payables 
Trade and other payables represent the liabilities for goods and services received by the Group that remain unpaid at the 
end of the reporting period. The balance is recognised as a current liability with the amounts normally paid within 30 days 
of recognition of the liability. 

s) Borrowings 
Borrowings  are  initially  recognised  at  the  fair  value  of  the  consideration  received,  net  of  transaction  costs.    They  are 
subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method. Where there is an unconditional right to 
defer settlement of the liability for at least 12 months after the reporting date, the borrowings are classified as non-current. 

t) Leases 
Lease payments for operating leases, where substantially all the risks and benefits remain with the lessor, are 
recognised as expenses in the periods in which they are incurred. 

Lease incentives under operating leases are recognised as a liability and amortised on a straight-line basis over the 
lease term. 

u) Goods and Services Tax (‘GST’) and other similar taxes 
Revenues, expenses and assets are recognised net of the amount of GST, except where the amount of GST incurred is 
not recoverable from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). Receivables and payables are stated inclusive of the amount 
of GST receivable or payable. The net amount of GST recoverable from, or payable to, the ATO is included with other 
receivables or payables in the statement of financial position.  

Cash  flows  are  presented  on  a  gross  basis.  The  GST  components  of  cash  flows  arising  from  investing  or  financing 
activities, which are recoverable from or payable to the ATO, are presented as operating cash flows included in receipts 
from  customers  or  payments  to  suppliers.  Commitments  and  contingencies  are  disclosed  net  of  the  amount  of  GST 
recoverable from, or payable to, the tax authority. 

v) Comparative Figures 
When required by Accounting Standards, comparative figures have been adjusted to conform to changes in presentation 
for the current financial year. 

Where the Group has retrospectively applied an accounting policy, made a retrospective restatement or reclassified items 
in its financial statements, an additional statement of financial position as at the beginning of the earliest comparative 
period will be disclosed. 

w) Critical accounting judgements, estimates and assumptions 
The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumption that 
affect the reported amounts in the financial statements. Management continually evaluates its judgements and estimates 
in relation to assets, liabilities, contingent liabilities, revenue and expenses. Management bases its judgements, estimates 
and  assumptions  on  historical  experience  and  on  other  various  factors,  including  expectations  of  future  events, 
management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances, the resulting accounting judgements and estimates will 
seldom equal the related actual results. The judgements, estimates and assumptions that have a significant risk of causing 
a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year are discussed below. 

Sequoia Financial Group Limited - Annual Report 2016 

36 

For personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued) 

(i) Provision for impairment of receivables 
The  provision  for  impairment of  receivables  assessment  requires  a  degree of estimation  and  judgement.  The  level  of 
provision is assessed by taking into account the recent sales experience, the ageing of receivables, historical collection 
rates and specific knowledge of the individual debtor’s financial position.  

(ii) Fair value and hierarchy of financial instruments 
The consolidated entity is required to classify financial instruments, measured at fair value, using a three level hierarchy, 
being Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; Level 2: Inputs other than 
quoted prices included within level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (as prices) or indirectly 
(derived  from  prices);  and  Level  3:  Inputs  for  the  asset  or  liability  that  are  not  based  on  observable  market  data 
(unobservable inputs). An instrument is required to be classified in its entirety on the basis of the lowest level of valuation 
inputs that is significant to fair value. Considerable judgement is required to determine what is significant to fair value and 
therefore which category the financial instrument is placed in can be subjective. 

The fair value of financial instruments classified as level 3 is determined by the use of valuation models.  These include 
discounted cash flow analysis or the use of observable inputs that require significant adjustments based on unobservable 
inputs. 

(iii) Goodwill and other indefinite life intangible assets 
The  consolidated entity  tests annually,  or  more  frequently if  events  or changes in circumstances  indicate  impairment, 
whether  goodwill  and  other  indefinite  life  intangible  assets  have  suffered  any  impairment,  in  accordance  with  the 
accounting policy stated in Note 1(k). The recoverable amounts of cash-generating units have been determined based 
on value-in-use calculations. These calculations require the use of assumptions, including estimated discount rates based 
on the current cost of capital and growth rates of the estimated future cash flows. 

(iv) Recovery of deferred tax assets 
Deferred  tax  assets  are  recognised  for  deductible  temporary  differences  only  if  the  consolidated  entity  considers  it  is 
probable that future taxable amounts will be available to utilise those temporary differences and losses. 

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

y) Dividends 
Dividends are  recognised  when  declared  during  the financial  year  and no longer  at  the discretion  of  the  consolidated 
entity. 

z) Earnings per share 
Basic earnings per share 
Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the profit attributable to the owners of Sequoia Financial Group Limited, 
excluding  any  costs  of  servicing  equity  other  than  ordinary  shares,  by  weighted  average  number  of  ordinary  shares 
outstanding during the financial year, adjusted for bonus elements in ordinary shares issued during the financial year. 

Diluted earnings per share 
Diluted earnings per share adjusts the figures used in the determination of basic earnings per share to take 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 shares assumed to have been issued for no consideration in relation to dilutive potential 
ordinary shares. 

Note 2. New Accounting Standards for Application in Future Periods 

Accounting  Standards  and  Interpretations  issued  by  the  AASB  that  are  not  yet  mandatorily  applicable  to  the  Group, 
together  with  an  assessment  of  the  potential  impact  of  such  pronouncements  on  the  Group  when  adopted  in  future 
periods, are discussed below: 

-  AASB 9: Financial Instruments and associated Amending Standards (applicable to annual reporting periods beginning 

on or after 1 January 2018). 

The  Standard  will  be  applicable  retrospectively  (subject  to  the  provisions  on  hedge  accounting  outlined  below)  and 
includes revised requirements for the classification and measurement of financial instruments, revised recognition and 
derecognition requirements for financial instruments and simplified requirements for hedge accounting. 

Sequoia Financial Group Limited - Annual Report 2016 

37 

For personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 2. New Accounting Standards for Application in Future Periods (continued) 

The  key  changes  that  may  affect  the  Group  on initial application  include certain simplifications  to the classification  of 
financial assets, simplifications to the accounting of embedded derivatives, upfront accounting for expected credit loss, 
and  the irrevocable election  to  recognise  gains and  losses  on  investments  in  equity  instruments  that  are  not  held  for 
trading in other comprehensive income. AASB 9 also introduces a new model for hedge accounting that will allow greater 
flexibility in the ability to hedge risk, particularly with respect to hedges of non-financial items. Should the entity elect to 
change its hedge policies in line with the new hedge accounting requirements of the Standard, the application of such 
accounting would be largely prospective. 

Although the directors anticipate that the adoption of AASB 9 may have an impact on the Group’s financial instruments, 
it is impracticable at this stage to provide a reasonable estimate of such impact. 

-  AASB 15: Revenue from Contracts with Customers (applicable to annual reporting periods commencing on or after 1 

January 2018). 

When  effective,  this  Standard  will  replace  the  current  accounting  requirements  applicable  to  revenue  with  a  single, 
principles-based model. Except for a limited number of exceptions, including leases, the new revenue model in AASB 15 
will apply to all contracts with customers as well as non-monetary exchanges between entities in the same line of business 
to facilitate sales to customers and potential customers. 

The core principle of the Standard is that an entity will recognise revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or 
services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange 
for the goods or services. To achieve this objective, AASB 15 provides the following five-step process: 
- 
- 
-  determine the transaction price; 
-  allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract(s); and 
- 

identify the contract(s) with a customer; 
identify the performance obligations in the contract(s); 

recognise revenue when (or as) the performance obligations are satisfied. 

This Standard will require retrospective restatement, as well as enhanced disclosures regarding revenue.  

Although the directors anticipate that the adoption of AASB 15 may have an impact on the Group’s financial statements, 
it is impracticable at this stage to provide a reasonable estimate of such impact. 

-  AASB 16: Leases (applicable to annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2019). 

When effective, this Standard will replace the current accounting requirements applicable to leases in AASB 117: Leases 
and related Interpretations. AASB 16 introduces a single lessee accounting model that eliminates the requirement for 
leases to be classified as operating or finance leases. 

The main changes introduced by the new Standard include: 
- 

recognition of a right-to-use asset and liability for all leases (excluding short-term leases with less than 12 months of 
tenure and leases relating to low-value assets); 

-  depreciation of right-to-use assets in line with AASB 116: Property, Plant and Equipment in profit or loss and unwinding 

of the liability in principal and interest components; 

-  variable lease payments that depend on an index or a rate are included in the initial measurement of the lease liability 

using the index or rate at the commencement date; 

-  by applying a practical expedient, a lessee is permitted to elect not to separate non-lease components and instead 

account for all components as a lease; and 

-  additional disclosure requirements. 

The transitional provisions of AASB 16 allow a lessee to either retrospectively apply the Standard to comparatives in line 
with AASB 108 or recognise the cumulative effect of retrospective application as an adjustment to opening equity on the 
date of initial application. 

Although  the  directors  anticipate  that  the  adoption  of  AASB  16  will  impact  the  Group's  financial  statements,  it  is 
impracticable at this stage to provide a reasonable estimate of such impact. 

Sequoia Financial Group Limited - Annual Report 2016 

38 

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Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 3.  Operating Segments 

Identification of reportable operating segments 
The consolidated entity is organised into seven operating segments: trading and execution, software subscriptions, capital 
markets  advisory,  SMSF  administration,  wealth  advisory,  investment  solutions  and  financial  news  services.    These 
operating segments are based on the internal reports that are reviewed and used by the Board of Directors (who are 
identified as the Chief Operating Decision Makers (‘CODM’)) in assessing performance and in determining the allocation 
of resources. There is no aggregation of operating segments. 

The information reported to the CODM is on a least a monthly basis. 

Types of products and services 
The principal products and services of each of these operating segments are as follows: 

Trading and Execution 
Software Subscriptions 
Capital Markets Advisory 
SMSF Administration  
Wealth Advisory 
Investment Solutions 
Finance News Services 

Provision of execution only, online trading services 
Provision of financial market data and analysis tools for sophisticated investors 
Provision of capital markets advice and related services 
Provision of complete market solutions for SMSF 
Provision of client advisory services 
Provision of bespoke investment products 
Provision of financial news services 

All products and services are provided predominantly to customers in Australia. 

Intersegment transactions 
Intersegment transactions were made at cost. Intersegment transactions are eliminated on consolidation. 

Intersegment receivables, payables and loans 
Intersegment loans are initially recognised at the consideration received. Intersegment loans receivable and loans payable 
that earn or incur non-market interest are not adjusted to fair value based on market interest rates.  Intersegment loans 
are eliminated on consolidation. 

Sequoia Financial Group Limited - Annual Report 2016 

39 

For personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 3.  Operating Segments (continued) 

2016 

Revenue 

Segment  result  before  impairment  expense 
and revaluation increments to fair value 
Segment result 

Trading and 
Execution 

Software 
Subscriptions 

$ 

$ 

Capital 
Markets 
Advisory 

$ 

SMSF 
Administration 

$ 

8,265,683 

1,291,884 

701,021 

1,884,922 

277,144 

486,914 

443,828 

562,550 

Assets 

Segment assets 

Liabilities 

Segment liabilities 

2016 

Revenue 

Segment  result  before  impairment 
expense 
revaluation 
increments to fair value 

and 

3,420,738 

806,369 

583,219 

1,872,142 

1,377,180 

316,884 

200,453 

169,163 

Wealth 
Advisory 

Investment 
Solutions 

Financial 
News 
Services 

Unallocated 

Total 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

1,520,098 

8,723,043 

523,209 

70,737 

22,980,597 

Segment result 

273,027 

940,665 

(69,454) 

(2,628,945) 

285,729 

Assets 

Segment assets 

2,357,346 

18,556,296 

836,685 

Liabilities 

Segment liabilities 

1,137,639 

15,751,619 

184,587 

- 

- 

28,432,795 

19,137,525 

Sequoia Financial Group Limited - Annual Report 2016 

40 

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Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 3.  Operating Segments (continued) 

2015 

Revenue 

Segment  result  before  impairment  expense 
and revaluation increments to fair value 

Impairment (Note 14) 
Segment result 

Assets 
Segment assets 

Liabilities 
Segment liabilities 

2015 

Revenue 

Segment  result  before  impairment  expense 
and revaluation increments to fair value 

Impairment (Note 14) 
Segment result 

Assets 
Segment assets 

Liabilities 
Segment liabilities 

Trading and 
Execution 

Software 
Subscriptions 

$ 

$ 

Capital 
Markets 
Advisory 
$ 

SMSF 
Administration 

$ 

1,855,709 

684,662 

(281,873) 

1,765,133 

134,550 

56,741 

(401,873) 

190,939 

- 
134,550 

(530,000) 
(473,259) 

- 
(401,873) 

- 
190,939 

2,658,567 

662,293 

37,121 

2,069,492 

784,495 

980,432 

- 

94,798 

Wealth 
Advisory 
$ 

Investment 
Solutions 
$ 

Unallocated 

Total 

$ 

$ 

1,400,547 

16,345,507 

(363,392) 

21,406,293 

(431,937) 

1,299,799 

(1,869,571) 

 (1,021,352) 

(5,883,397) 
(6,315,334) 

(2,000,000) 
(700,201) 

(8,539,463) 
(10,409,034) 

(16,952,860) 
(17,974,212) 

1,904,340 

27,163,703 

1,993,939 

23,987,054 

- 

- 

34,495,518 

27,840,718 

Sequoia Financial Group Limited - Annual Report 2016 

41 

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Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 4. 

Revenue 

Data subscriptions fees 

Brokerage and commissions revenue 
Superannuation product revenue 

Structured product revenue 
Corporate advisory fees 

Media revenue 
Other Income 

Total operating income 

Other revenue 

Interest 

Other 

Total other revenue 

Total revenue 

Note 5. 

Expenses 

Loss before income tax includes the following specific expenses: 

a)  Employee benefits expense  

Wages and salaries 
Other employment costs 

b)  Depreciation  

Plant and equipment 

Leasehold improvements 

c)  Amortisation  

Websites and blackhole 

Regulator membership 
Client list 

Impairment  

d) 
Goodwill 
Regulator membership 

Consolidated 

2016 
$ 

1,320,224 
9,147,216 
1,881,653 

8,796,832 
522,363 
520,255 
359,610 

2015 
$ 

679,238 
1,809,753 
1,760,350 

16,341,608 
34,000 

- 
- 

22,548,153 

20,624,949 

5,338 
427,106 

432,444 

13,493 
767,851 

781,344 

22,980,597 

21,406,293 

Consolidated 

2016 

$ 

3,357,611 
745,855 

4,103,466 

20,555 

9,132 

29,687 

8,774 
- 

92,400 

101,174 

- 
30,000 

30,000 

2015 

$ 

2,297,737 
517,171 

2,814,908 

50,271 

18,800 

69,071 

8,264 
15,000 

85,400 

108,664 

16,952,860 
- 

16,952,860 

Total depreciation, amortisation and impairment 

160,861 

17,130,595 

Sequoia Financial Group Limited - Annual Report 2016 

42 

For personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 6. 

Income Tax Expense 

a) 

Income tax expense/ (benefit) 

Income tax expense 

Under provision in respect of prior year 
Deferred tax 

Numerical reconciliation of income tax expense to prima facie 
income tax payable 
Profit/ loss before income tax  

Tax at the Australian rate of 30% 

Tax effect amounts which are not deductible/(taxable) in 
calculating taxable income: 
- 
Impairment of goodwill 
-  Accounting for reverse acquisition 
-  Losses not previously recognised 
-  Under provision in respect of prior year 
- 

Impact of tax cost base resetting from acquisition of Sequoia 
assets 

-  Tax losses not brought to account 
-  Other non-allowable items 

Income tax expense 

b)  Deferred tax  

Consolidated 

2016 

Balance at 30 June 2015  
Changes in the year 
Balance at 30 June 2016 

2015 

Balance at 30 June 2014  
Changes in the year 
Balance at 30 June 2015 

Consolidated 

2016 
$ 

2015 
$ 

221,317 
(5,459) 

215,858 

111,571 
(458,942) 

(347,371) 

501,591 

(18,321,583) 

150,477 

(5,496,475) 

- 
- 

- 
(5,459) 

- 
20,801 

50,039 

5,085,858 
(418,698) 

(43,890) 
80,323 

201,077 
- 

244,434 

215,858 

(347,371) 

Deferred tax asset 

Deferred tax liability 

$ 

$ 

3,321,786 
(839,750) 
2,482,036 

2,672,325 
649,461 
3,321,786 

2,204,782 
(426,737) 
1,778,045 

2,100,493 
104,289 
2,204,782 

Sequoia Financial Group Limited - Annual Report 2016 

43 

For personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 7. 

Cash and Cash Equivalents 

Current 

Cash at bank and on hand 

Note 8. 

Trade and Other Receivables 

Current 

Trade receivables 
Related party trade receivables 

Provision for impairment 

Other receivables 

Total trade and other receivables 

Consolidated 

2016 
$ 

2015 
$ 

812,831 

613,527 

Consolidated 

2016 
$ 

1,420,379 
- 

(33,909) 

1,386,470 
208,171 

1,594,641 

2015 
$ 

1,672,519 
836,016 

(3,909) 

2,504,626 
77,664 

2,582,290 

Impairment of receivables 
The Company has recognised an additional impairment to receivables in 2016 of $30,000 (2015: $3,909).  

The ageing of the impaired receivables recognised above are as follows: 

Over 60 days overdue 

Consolidated 

2016 
$ 

2015 
$ 

33,909 

33,909 

3,909 

3,909 

Sequoia Financial Group Limited - Annual Report 2016 

44 

For personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 8. 

Trade and Other Receivables (continued) 

Movements in the provision for impairment of receivables are as follows: 

Opening balance 

Additional provisions recognised 

Closing balance 

Consolidated 

2016 
$ 

3,909 

30,000 

33,909 

2015 
$ 

- 

3,909 

3,909 

Past due but not impaired 
Customers with balances past due but without provision for impairment of receivables amount to $187,132 as at 30 June 
2016 (2015: $1,146,956). The consolidated entity did not consider a credit risk on the aggregate balances after reviewing 
agency credit information and credit terms of customers based on recent collection practices. In 2015 the related party 
receivables relates to Sequoia Wealth Group Pty Ltd which the Company has acquired during the year. 

The ageing of the past due but not impaired receivables are as follows: 

Trade receivables 
31 to 60 days overdue 

Over 60 days overdue 

Related party receivables 
31 to 60 days overdue 

Over 60 days overdue 

Note 9. 

Derivative Instruments 

Current 

Derivative assets 
Non-Current 

Derivative assets 

Total derivative assets 

Current 

Derivative liabilities 
Non-Current 

Derivative liabilities 

Total derivative liabilities 

Consolidated 

2016 
$ 

29,614 

153,518 

182,132 

- 
- 
- 

2015 
$ 

61,482 

189,458 

250,940 

177,996 
718,020 

896,016 

182,132 

1,146,956 

Consolidated 

2016 
$ 

2015 
$ 

883,111 

5,390,430 

5,278,666 

6,161,777 

5,499,896 

10,890,326 

883,111 

5,390,430 

5,278,666 

6,161,777 

5,499,896 

10,890,326 

The Group is party to derivative financial instruments in the normal course of business in order to hedge exposure to 
fluctuations  in  the  value  of  its  investment  products  issued  to  the  Group’s  investors  in  accordance  with  the  Group’s 
financial risk management policies (refer to Note 22). 

The Group enters into hedging instruments with financial institutions to hedge its exposure to fluctuations in the value of 
its investment and loan products. The hedging instruments are fair valued by financial institutions to reflect the market 
value of the hedged instruments. The hedge assets are selected so that the fair value of the hedged liabilities equates 
to the fair value of the hedged assets and loans. In this way the liabilities and assets are hedged and the risk associated 
with changes in market conditions has been neutralised. 

Information about the Group's exposure to market risk, liquidity risk, and credit risk is disclosed in Note 22. The maximum 
exposure to credit risk at the end of the reporting period is the carrying amount of each class of derivative financial assets 
outlined above.  

Sequoia Financial Group Limited - Annual Report 2016 

45 

For personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 10.   

Other Assets 

Current 

Prepayments 

Other assets 

Non-current 

Bonds and guarantees 

Others 

Note 11.  Deferred Costs 

Current 

Deferred costs 

Non-Current 

Deferred costs 

Total deferred costs 

Consolidated 

2016 

$ 

161,038 
- 

161,038 

1,201,250 

14,402 

1,215,652 

2015 

$ 

152,301 
504 

152,805 

1,074,105 

14,402 

1,088,507 

Consolidated 

2016 
$ 

2015 
$ 

2,865,995 

4,177,366 

2,334,591 

5,200,586 

2,759,619 

6,936,985 

Deferred costs, classified as current and non-current, consists of the appropriate recognition of option premium expenses 
incurred by Sequoia Specialist Investments. 

Note 12.  Financial Assets 

Investment in listed entities 
Investment in listed entities – escrowed shares 
Investments in other non-listed entities 

Total financial assets 

Consolidated 

2016 
$ 

437,460 

- 
1,399,115 

1,836,575 

2015 
$ 

418,747 

42,501 
752,000 

1,213,248 

Sequoia Financial Group Limited - Annual Report 2016 

46 

For personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 13.  Plant and Equipment 

Plant and equipment: 

At cost  
Accumulated depreciation 

Leasehold improvements: 
At cost 

Accumulated depreciation 

Total plant and equipment 

Consolidated 

2016 
$ 

637,195 

(550,880) 

86,315 

138,735 

(70,403) 

68,332 

154,647 

2015 
$ 

560,674 

(530,325) 

30,349 

61,271 

(61,271) 

- 

30,349 

Reconciliations 
Reconciliation of the carrying amount of plant and equipment at the beginning and end of the current financial year as 
follows: 

Plant and 
equipment 
$ 

Leasehold 
improvements 
$ 

Total 

$ 

Consolidated 

Balance at 30 June 2014 

Additions 
Acquisition through business combinations (Note 31) 
Depreciation 
Balance at 30 June 2015 

Additions 
Acquisition through business combinations (Note 31) 
Depreciation 
Balance at 30 June 2016 

 45,263 

  8,699 
 21,952 
 (45,565) 
 30,349 

 43,410 
 33,111 
 (20,555) 
 86,315 

- 

45,263 

- 
4,237 
(4,237) 
- 

77,464 
- 
(9,132) 
68,332 

8,699 
26,189 
(49,801) 
30,349 

120,874 
33,111 
(29,687) 
154,647 

Sequoia Financial Group Limited - Annual Report 2016 

47 

For personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 14.   

Intangible Assets 

Goodwill: 

At cost 
Accumulated impairment losses 

Websites: 

At cost 
Accumulated amortisation 

Black hole: 

At cost 
Accumulated amortisation 

Regulator memberships and licences: 

At cost 
Accumulated amortisation 

Customer list: 

At cost 
Accumulated amortisation 

Total intangibles assets 

Consolidated 

2016 
$ 

2015 
$ 

25,560,156 
(16,952,860)  

24,334,692 
(16,952,860)  

8,607,296 

7,381,832 

72,112 
(44,815) 

27,297 

29,912 

(29,912) 

- 

102,500 
(60,000) 

42,500 

413,472 

(277,553) 

135,919 

48,556 
(39,794) 

8,762 

29,912 

(26,159) 

3,753 

62,500 
(30,000) 

32,500 

413,472 

(185,153) 

228,319 

8,813,012 

7,655,166 

Sequoia Financial Group Limited - Annual Report 2016 

48 

For personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 14.   

Intangible Assets (continued) 

Reconciliations 
Reconciliations of the written down values at the beginning and end of the current and previous financial year are set out 
below: 

Goodwill 

Websites 

$ 

$ 

Regulator 
membership 
and licences 
$ 

Black Hole 

Client List 

Total 

$ 

$ 

$ 

Consolidated 

Balance at 1 July 2015  
Acquisition through 
business combinations 
(Note 31) 
Additions 
Impairment 
Amortisation 
Balance at 30 June 2015  

Acquisition through 
business combinations 
(Note 31) 
Additions 
Impairment 
Amortisation 

14,734,397 

- 

- 

8,766 

292,719 

15,035,881 

9,600,295 
- 
(16,952,860) 
- 
7,381,832 

1,225,464 
- 
- 
- 

1,838 
10,175 

(3,251) 
8,762 

- 
23,556 
- 
(5,021) 

47,500 
- 

(15,000) 
32,500 

- 
40,000 
(30,000) 
- 

- 

21,000 
- 

(5,013) 
3,753 

(85,400) 
228,319 

9,670,633 
10,175 
(16,952,860) 
(108,664) 
7,655,166 

- 
- 
- 
(3,753) 

- 
- 
- 
(92,400) 

1,225,464 
63,556 
(30,000) 
(101,174) 

Balance at 30 June 2016 

8,607,296 

27,297 

42,500 

- 

135,919 

8,813,012 

Impairment testing 
Goodwill acquired through business combinations has been allocated to the following cash generating units: 

Consolidated 

Sequoia Specialist Investments Pty Ltd 
Sequoia Superannuation Pty Ltd 

Software Subscriptions Pty Ltd 
Sequoia Wealth Group Pty Ltd 

Finance TV Pty Ltd 

2016 
$ 

5,162,392 
1,688,608 

530,832 
674,686 

550,778 

2015 
$ 

5,162,392 
1,688,608 

530,832 
- 

- 

8,607,296 

7,381,832 

The recoverable amount of the consolidated entity’s goodwill has been determined by a value-in-use calculations using 
a discounted cash flow model, based on a 12-month projection period approved by management and extrapolated for a 
further 4 years by using key assumptions.  

Key assumptions are those to which the recoverable amount of an asset or cash-generating units is most sensitive. 

The following key assumptions were used in the discounted cash flow model in relation to the goodwill associated to 
various cash generating units: 

Sequoia Specialist Investments  Pty Ltd had a revenue growth rate of 1%, with a 1% increase in direct and overhead 
costs per  annum  and a  discount  rate  of  15%.  In  2015,  goodwill  associated  with  Sequoia  Specialist  Investments  was 
impaired by $2,000,600 due to a conservative approach taken by management. 

Sequoia Superannuation Pty Ltd had a revenue growth rate of 5%, with a 2.5% increase in direct and overhead costs 
per annum and a discount rate of 15%. 

Software Subscriptions Pty Ltd had no revenue growth rate, with a 2.5% increase in direct and overhead costs per annum 
and a discount rate of 15%. The software subscription segment was impaired in 2015 down due to the increasing number 
of competitive platforms in the market. 

Sequoia Wealth Group Pty Ltd had a revenue growth rate of 5%, with a 2.5% increase in direct and overhead costs per 
annum and a discount rate of 15%. 

The goodwill is considered to be sensitive to these assumptions and is carried in the statement of financial position at a 
written-down value. Impairment has been recognised in respect of goodwill at the end of the reporting period.  

Sequoia Financial Group Limited - Annual Report 2016 

49 

For personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 14. Intangible Assets (continued) 

Websites 
Websites are amortised on a straight-line basis over a period of two to five years. 

Regulator membership and licences 
ASX membership 
The cost of acquiring D2MX Pty Ltd’s market participant status of the Australian Securities Exchange is being amortised 
over  a  period  of  five  years  commencing  from  the  time  that  the  Group’s  existing  third-party  execution  facilities  were 
transferred to D2MX Pty Ltd in August 2011. The membership in D2MX was fully impaired in 2016. 

Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL) 
During the year, Sequoia Wealth Management Pty Ltd applied for a AFSL licence. The costs involved with applying for 
the licence will be amortised over a period of 5 years. 

Black hole expenditure 
Sequoia Asset Management Pty Ltd has got black hole expenditure relating to the Australian Financial Services Licence 
(AFSL) application. 

Client list 
The Company has two separate clients lists: Sequoia Asset Management Pty Ltd acquired a list from JB Global Pty Ltd 
and the Company acquired a separate client list from MINC and transferred it to Sequoia Direct Pty Ltd (formerly Trader 
Dealer Pty Ltd).  The client lists have a finite life considered to be five years, amortised on a straight-line basis. The 
customer list in Sequoia Direct Pty Ltd was fully impaired in 2016. 

Sensitivity analysis 
The recoverable amount of the Sequoia Superannuation Pty Ltd is estimated to be $2,226,674. This exceeds the carrying 
amount of the CGU at 31 June 2016 by $538,066. If the pre-tax discount rate applied to the cash flow projections of 
Sequoia Superannuation was 18% instead of 15%, the recoverable amount of the CGU would equal its carrying value. 

The recoverable amount of the Sequoia Specialist Investments Pty Ltd is estimated to be $8,164,998. This exceeds the 
carrying  amount  of  the  CGU  at  31  June  2016  by  $3,002,606.  If  the  pre-tax  discount  rate  applied  to  the  cash  flow 
projections of  Sequoia Specialist Investments Pty Ltd was 20% instead of 15%, the recoverable amount of the CGU 
would still exceed its carrying value. 

Note 15. Trade and Other Payables 

Current 

Trade payables 
Other payables 

Accruals 

Total trade and other payables 

Note 16.  Borrowings 

Current 
Convertible notes 

Non-Current 

Convertible notes 

Total borrowings 

Consolidated 

2016 
$ 

1,662,557 
418,437 

193,721 

2,274,715 

2015 
$ 

3,297,713 
262,580 

621,279 

4,181,572 

Consolidated 

2016 
$ 

2015 
$ 

2,060,000 

- 

- 

2,060,000 

1,860,000 

1,860,000 

Borrowings comprised of a number of convertible loans to the value of $2,060,000 (2015: $1,860,000).  Interest is payable 
at a rate of  between 10.0-12.0 percent per annum. The convertible notes remain outstanding and repayable and  are 
anticipated to be refinanced or repaid as they mature, commencing November 2016 until the 29 January 2017. 

Further information about this loan is included as part of Note 22 – Financial Risk Management. 

Sequoia Financial Group Limited - Annual Report 2016 

50 

For personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 17.  Deferred Revenue 

Current 

Deferred revenue 

Non-Current 
Deferred revenue 

Total deferred revenue 

Consolidated 

2016 
$ 

2015 
$ 

3,491,262 

5,119,825 

3,043,758 

6,535,020 

3,303,385 

8,423,210 

Deferred revenue, classified as current and non-current, consists of fees paid in advance for customer subscriptions and 
investment solutions. 

Note 18.  Employee Benefits 

Current 

Liability for annual leave 
Liability for long service leave 

Non-current 

Liability for long service leave 

Note 19. Contributed - Equity 

4,879,870,632 (2015: 3,881,112,532) fully Paid Ordinary shares 
Transaction costs 

Movements in ordinary share capital 

Consolidated 

2016 
$ 

205,394 

165,057 

370,451 

32,517 

32,517 

2015 
$ 

118,776 

148,945 

267,721 

13,107 

13,107 

Consolidated 

2016 
$ 

26,851,001 
(126,889)  

26,724,112 

2015 
$ 

24,853,485 
(87,600)  

24,765,885 

Details 

Date 

No of shares 

Issue price 
(cent) 

$ 

Opening balance 

Payment in shares 

Share placement/ script 

Script issue 

Placement 

Placement 

Jun 2015 

Aug 2015 

Sept 2015 

Oct 2015 

Dec 2015 

Feb 2016 

3,881,112,532 

59,408,100 

76,000,000 

375,000,000 

305,850,000 

182,500,000 

4,879,870,632 

0.20 

0.20 

0.20 

0.20 

0.20 

24,853,485 

118,816 

152,000 

750,000 

611,700 

365,000 

26,851,001 

Ordinary shares 
Ordinary  shares  have  the  right  to  receive  dividends  as  declared,  and,  in  the  event  of  winding  up  the  Company,  to 
participate in the proceeds from the sale of all surplus assets in proportion to the number of and amounts paid up on 
shares held. 

Ordinary shares entitle their holder to one vote, either in person or by proxy, at a meeting of the Company. The shares 
have no par value. 

Sequoia Financial Group Limited - Annual Report 2016 

51 

For personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 19. Contributed – Equity (continued) 

Capital risk management 

The consolidated entity’s objectives when managing capital are to safeguard its ability to continue as a going concern, 
so that it can provide returns to shareholders and benefits for other stakeholders and to maintain an optimum capital 
structure to reduce the cost of capital. 

In order to maintain or adjust the capital structure, the consolidated entity may adjust the amount of dividends paid to 
shareholders, return capital to shareholders, issue new shares or sell assets to reduce debt. 

The consolidated entity would look to raise capital when an opportunity to invest in a business or Company was seen as 
value adding relative to the current parent entity’s share price at the time of the investment.  The consolidated entity is 
not actively pursuing additional investments in the short term as it continues to integrate and grow its existing business 
in order to maximise synergies. 

The consolidated entity is subject to certain financing arrangements covenants and meeting these are given priority in 
all capital risk management decisions.  There have been no events of default on the financing arrangements during the 
financial year. 

Note 20. Reserves 

Available for sale reserve 

Consolidated 

2016 
$ 

2015 
$ 

177,098 

(482,765) 

Available-for-sale reserve records revaluation of available-for-sale financial assets. 

Available-for-sale reserve 

Balance at beginning of the financial year 

Fair value gains on available-for-sale financial assets 

Transfer from reserve to accumulated losses 

Balance at end of the financial year 

Accumulated losses 

Balance at the beginning of the financial year 

Loss after income tax expense for the year 

Transfer from reserve to accumulated losses 

Balance at the end of the financial year 

Note 21. Dividends 

Dividends 

No dividends have been paid or declared during 2016 (2015: Nil) 

Consolidated 

2016 

$ 

2015 

$ 

(482,765) 

(482,765) 

297,645 

362,218 

117,098 

- 

- 

(482,765) 

(17,628,320) 

345,892 

320,397 

(17,974,212) 

(362,218) 

- 

(17,670,141) 

(17,628,320) 

2016 
$ 

Company 

2015 
$ 

Franking credits 

Franking credits available at the reporting date based on a tax 
rate of 30% 

3,139,720 

2,985,198 

Sequoia Financial Group Limited - Annual Report 2016 

52 

For personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 22. Financial Risk Management 

The Group’s financial instruments consist mainly of deposits with banks, accounts receivable and payable,  derivative 
assets and liabilities, convertible notes and loans receivable and payable. 

This note provides details of the Group’s financial risk management objectives and policies and describes the methods 
used  by  management  to  control  risk.  In  addition,  this  note  includes  a  discussion  of  the  extent  to  which  financial 
instruments are used, the associated risks and the business purpose served. 

One  of  the  Group’s  main activities  is  to  issue  investments to  its product  holders  which  provide  returns  based on  the 
performance  of  an  underlying  reference  asset,  typically  a  single  index  or  a  single  listed  equity.  Different  underlying 
reference  assets,  with  varying  features  are  issued  in  separate  series.  The  series  are  exposed  to  securities  listed  on 
global or local exchanges. The products issued to the product holders have a maturity of 3 years from the date of issue. 
On  maturity,  if  the  investment  has  performed sufficiently,  the  product  holder  has  the  option  to contribute  in cash  the 
notional value of the investment on issue date to receive a delivery asset (a liquid security on the ASX) equal to the value 
of the underlying reference asset or the value in cash of the financial liability. The Group enters into a financial instrument 
with an investment bank, which hedges each series that is offered to its product holders. The Group ensures that the 
notional exposure across all its products are covered via the arrangement, and as such mitigates its risk in this fashion. 

General Risk Management 

The Group has exposure to the following risks from its use of financial instruments: 

(a) Market Risk 

(b) Credit Risk 

(c) Liquidity Risk 

See further details in relation to each of these risks towards the end of this note. 

Financial Risk Management Policies 
The  Board  of  Directors  are  monitoring  and  managing  financial  risk  exposures  of  the  Group.  The  Board  of  Directors 
monitors the Group’s financial risk management policies and exposures and approves financial transactions within the 
scope of its authority. It also reviews the effectiveness of internal controls relating to financing risk and interest rate risk. 

Financial Assets 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Trade and other receivable 

Derivative assets 

Available-for-sale financial assets 

Total Financial Assets 

Financial Liabilities 

Trade and other payables 

Derivative liabilities 

Convertible notes 

Total Financial Liabilities 

Note 

2015 

$ 

2015 

$ 

7 

8 

9 

12 

15 

9 

16 

812,831 

1,594,641 

6,161,777 

1,836,575 

10,405,824 

2,274,715 

6,161,777 

2,060,000 

10,496,494 

613,527 

2,582,290 

10,890,326 

1,213,248 

15,299,391 

4,181,572 

10,890,326 

1,860,000 

16,931,898 

Specific Financial Risk Exposures and Management 

The main risks the Group are exposed to through its financial instruments are market risk, credit risk and liquidity risk. 
a.  Market risk 

Market risk is the risk that changes in market prices, such as interest rates and foreign exchange rates will affect 
the Group’s income or value of its holdings of financial instruments. The objective of market risk management is to 
manage and control market risk exposures within acceptable parameters, while optimising the return on risk. 
The  Group  issues  a  structures  product  to  the  product  holder  that  is  hedged  with  the  financial  instrument  that  it 
purchases from an investment bank. The details of the financial instruments are such that the future cash flows from 
the financial assets offset the cash flows needed to settle the financial liabilities. The Group uses this arrangement 
to mitigate the market risks below, except for credit risk. 

Sequoia Financial Group Limited - Annual Report 2016 

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Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 22. Financial Risk Management (continued) 

(i) 

Interest rate risk 

Interest rate risk is the risk that the value of the Group’s financial instruments will fluctuate due to changes in market 
interest rates. 

The Group’s cash and cash equivalents are exposed to Interest rate risk. Interest rate risk in the financial instruments 
offset with one another, and the Directors of the Group manage the instruments to ensure that this remains the case. 

Floating 
Interest Rate 

Non - Interest 
Bearing 

Fixed Rate 
10-12% 

Total 

2016  
Financial Assets  

Cash and cash equivalents                

         812,831 

                    -                     -    

          812,831 

Trade and other receivables                        

                   -    

1,594,641 

                 -    

1,594,641 

Financial Liabilities               

Trade and other payables 

                   -    

(2,274,715) 

                 -    

       (2,274,715) 

Convertible notes 

Net Exposure 

2015  
Financial Assets                 

- 

- 

(2,060,000) 

812,831 

(680,074) 

(2,060,000) 

(2,060,000) 

(1,927,243) 

Cash and cash equivalents                

         613,527  

                    -                     -    

          613,527 

Trade and other receivables                        

                   -    

        2,582,290  

                 -    

        2,582,290 

Financial Liabilities               

Trade and other payables 

Convertible notes 

Net Exposure 

                   -    

       (4,181,572) 

                 -    

       (4,181,572) 

- 

- 

(1,860,000) 

613,527 

(1,599,282) 

(1,860,000) 

(1,860,000) 

(2,845,755) 

The Group is not exposed to interest rate risk on the financial assets and liabilities held through the profit and loss as the 
financial asset offsets and hedges the risk of changes in interest rate for the financial liability. 

The table below illustrates the sensitivity attributable to profit or loss for the year for reasonably possible changes in 
interest rates: 

2016 

Net Exposure 

+1% (Op Profit) 

-1% (Op Profit) 

Cash flow interest rate risk 

         812,831 

8,128  

          (8,128) 

2015 

Net Exposure 

+1% (Op Profit) 

-1% (Op Profit) 

Cash flow interest rate risk 

         613,527  

               6,135  

          (6,135) 

(ii) 

Price risk 

Price risk arises from changes in underlying investments designated in the financial instruments held by the Group for 
which values in the future are uncertain. 

The Group mitigates the above price risk to ensure that price risk in the financial instruments are offset with one another. 
The  difference  in  fair  value  between  the  financial  asset  and  liability  held  through profit  and  loss  is  as  a  result  of  the 
premium associated with the financial liability arising from being issued in the retail market. The Group does not monitor 
the price risk associated with the premium, as this would only result if the Group were to transfer the liability, and since 
the Group has no intention of transferring the financial liability, no disclosures regarding the sensitivity to the risk has 
been disclosed. 

Sequoia Financial Group Limited - Annual Report 2016 

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Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 22.  Financial Risk Management (continued) 

b.  Credit risk 

The maximum exposure to credit risk, excluding the value of any collateral or other security, at balance date to recognised 
financial  assets,  is  the  carrying  amount,  net  of  any  provisions  for  impairment  of  those  assets,  as  disclosed  in  the 
statement of financial position and notes to the financial statements. 

Credit risk is managed through the maintenance of procedures (such procedures include the utilisation of systems for 
the approval, granting and renewal of credit limits, regular monitoring of exposures against such limits and monitoring of 
the financial stability of significant customers and counterparties), ensuring to the extent possible, that customers and 
counterparties  to  transactions  are  of  sound  credit  worthiness.  Such  monitoring  is  used  in  assessing  receivables  for 
impairment. 

Risk is also minimised through investing surplus funds in financial institutions that maintain a high credit rating, or in 
entities  that  the  Board  of  Directors  has otherwise  cleared as  being  financially sound.  Where the  Group  is  unable  to 
ascertain  a  satisfactory  credit  risk  profile  in  relation  to  a  customer  or  counterparty,  the  risk  may  be  further managed 
through title retention clauses over goods or obtaining security by way of personal or commercial guarantees over assets 
of sufficient value which can be claimed against in the event of any default. 

The financial products issued by Sequoia Specialist Investments Pty Ltd (Issuer) are secured obligations of the Issuer. 
The  issuer may  not be able  to  meet  its  obligations  but  has  granted  Investors  a charge which  is held  on  trust  by  the 
Security Trustee (Australian Equity Trustee).  If the Issuer fails to (i) make a payment or delivery on its due date; or (ii) 
meet  any  other  obligation  and  in  the  Security  Trustee's  opinion  the  failure is materially  adverse  to  the  investors  and 
cannot  be  remedied  (or  has  not  been  remedied  within  5  business  days  of  written  notice),  the  Security  Trustee  may 
enforce the charge. In this case the investors are unsecured creditors of the provider of the  hedge assets. Investors' 
rights of recourse against the Issuer on a default are limited to the assets subject to the charge. This structure has the 
effect of passing through the credit rating of the provider of the hedge asset and protecting different financial product 
series from cross-liability issues (other than on an insolvency of either the Issuer or the provider of the hedge asset). The 
Issuer will only deal with investment-grade or better bank or a subsidiary of an investment-grade or better bank.  
The following table details the Group’s potential exposure, should the counterparties be unable to meet their obligations: 
                                                                                                            Fair Value at  

                                                                                                            30 June 2016                  Notional Value 

Derivative liabilities  

c.  Liquidity risk 

6,161,777                      113,351,387            

Liquidity risk arises from the possibility that the Group might encounter difficulty in settling its debts or otherwise meeting 
its obligations related to financial liabilities. The consolidated Group manages liquidity risk by monitoring forecast cash 
flows and ensuring that adequate unutilised borrowing facilities are maintained 

The tables below reflect an undiscounted contractual maturity analysis for financial liabilities.   
Cash flows realised from financial assets reflect management’s expectation as to the timing of realisation. Actual timing 
may therefore differ from that disclosed. The timing of cash flows presented in the table to settle financial liabilities reflects 
the earliest contractual settlement dates and does not reflect management’s expectations that banking facilities will be 
rolled forward. 

Sequoia Financial Group Limited - Annual Report 2016 

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Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 22.  Financial Risk Management (continued) 

Maturity Analysis 

Consolidated  

Financial liabilities due for 
payment 

Within 1 Year 

1 to 5 Years 

2016 

2015 
$ 

$ 

2016 
$ 

2015 
$ 

Over 5 Years 
2015 
2016 
$ 
$ 

Total 

2016 

$ 

2015 
$ 

Trade and other payables  

2,274,715  

4,181,572  

- 

-        

- 

Derivative liabilities 

883,111 

5,390,430  

5,278,666 

5,499,896 

Convertible notes 

2,060,000 

- 

- 

1,860,000  

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

2,274,715 

4,181,572 

6,161,777 

10,890,326  

2,060,000 

1,860,000  

Total contractual outflows 
Financial assets — cash 
flows realisable 

      5,217,826  

9,572,002  

5,278,666 

7,359,896  

-                      

-    

10,496,492  

16,931,898  

Cash and cash equivalents 

812,831  

613,527  

Trade and other receivables 

1,594,641  

2,582,290  

- 

- 

- 

- 

Derivative assets 

883,111 

5,390,430 

5,278,666 

5,499,896 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

812,831  

613,527  

1,594,641  

2,582,290  

6,161,777 

10,890,326 

Total anticipated inflows 
Net (outflow)/inflow on 
financial instruments 

      3,290,583 

8,586,247  

5,278,666     5,499,896 

-    

-    

8,569,249 

14,086,143 

(1,927,243) 

(985,755) 

- 

1,860,000  

- 

- 

(1,927,243) 

(2,845,755) 

Fair value measurement 
The following table details the consolidated entity’s fair values of financial instruments categorised by the following levels: 

Level1: Measurements based on quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the 
entity can access at the measurement date. 

Level 2: Measurements based on inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset 
or liability, either directly or indirectly. 

Level 3: Measurements based on unobservable inputs for the asset or liability. 

2016 
Assets/ (liabilities) 
Listed ordinary shares 
Unlisted ordinary shares 
Derivative assets  
Derivative liabilities 

2015 
Assets/ (liabilities) 
Listed ordinary shares 
Unlisted ordinary shares 
Derivative assets  
Derivative liabilities 

Level 1 

Level 2 

Level 3 

Total 

437,460  
- 

                        -    

- 

437,460 

                            -                                -    

- 
6,161,777 
(6,161,777) 

1,399,115 

437,460 
1,399,115 
                6,161,777 
             (6,161,777) 

-                  
- 

- 

            1,399,115 

1,836,575 

              461,248  

                        -    

- 
- 

461,248 

                            -                                -    
                            -                     752,000  
- 
- 

10,890,326 
(10,890,326) 

             461,248  
             752,000  
10,890,326 
(10,890,326) 

- 

752,000 

1,213,248 

There were no transfers between levels during the financial year. 

Unless  otherwise  stated,  the  carrying  amounts  of  financial  assets  and  liabilities  reflect  their  fair  value.  The  carrying 
amounts of trade receivables and trade payables are assumed to approximate their fair values due to their short-term 
nature. The fair value of financial liabilities is estimated by discounting the remaining contractual maturities at the current 
market interest rate that is available for similar financial instruments. 

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Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 23.  Key Management Personnel Compensation 

Refer to the Remuneration Report contained in the Directors Report for details of the compensation paid or payable to 
each member of the Group’s key management personal (KMP) for the year ended 30 June 2016. 

Short-term employee benefits 

Post-employment benefits 
Share based payments 

Short-term employee benefits 

Consolidated 

2016 
$ 

1,036,311 

57,750 
- 

1,094,061 

2015 
$ 

839,497 
47,761 

120,000 

1,007,258 

These amounts include fees and benefits paid to the non-executive chairman as well as all salary, paid leave benefits, 
fringe benefits and cash bonuses awarded to executive directors and other KMP. 

Post-employment benefits 

These  amounts  are  the  current-year’s  estimated  costs  of  providing  for  the  Group’s  defined  benefits  scheme  post-
retirement, superannuation contributions made during the year and post-employment life insurance benefits. 

Share-based payments 

These amounts represent the expense related to the participation of KMP in equity-settled benefit schemes as measured 
by the fair value of the options, rights and shares granted on grant date. 

Further information in relation to KMP remuneration can be found in the Directors’ Report. 

Note 24.  Remuneration of Auditors 

During the financial year the following fees were paid or payable for services provided by Hall Chadwick, the auditor of 
the Company, and its related practices: 

Consolidated 

2016 
$ 

2015 
$ 

Audit services 
Audit or review of the financial report, including licences 

134,000 

86,000 

Other services 
Tax services 

Note 25.  Contingent Liabilities 

23,000 

157,000 

20,000 

106,000 

The consolidated entity provided a credit card facility guarantee to its bankers of $100,000 (2015: $25,000). 

Other than the above, there are no contingent liabilities as at 30 June 2016 and 30 June 2015. 

Sequoia Financial Group Limited - Annual Report 2016 

57 

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Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 26.  Capital and Operating Leasing Commitments 

Less than one year 

Between one and five years 
More than five years 

Consolidated 

2016 
$ 

531,069 

417,409 
- 

948,478 

2015 
$ 

138,543 

33,750 
- 

172,293 

Commitments relate to the lease of the Group’s Melbourne and Sydney premises, insurance commitments and leased 
technology  equipment.  The  property  leases  are  a  non-cancellable  lease  with  rent  payable  monthly  in  advance.  
Contingent rental provisions within the lease agreement require that minimum lease payments shall be increased by 4% 
per annum.  The Group has two five-year operational lease for printers; leased at a flat rate commenced in January 2013 
and August 2014. 

Note 27.  Related Party Transactions 

The Groups Main related parties are as follows 
Parent entity 
Sequoia Financial Group Limited is the parent entity and ultimate controlling entity. 

Subsidiaries 
Interests in subsidiaries are set out in Note 29. 

Key management personnel 
Any person(s) having authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of the entity, directly 
or  indirectly,  including  any  director  (whether  executive  or  otherwise)  of  that  entity,  are  considered  key  management 
personnel. Disclosures relating to key management personnel are set out in Note 23 and the Remuneration Report in 
the Directors’ Report. 

Transactions with related parties 
The following transactions occurred with related parties which were made on normal commercial terms and conditions 
no more favourable then those available to other parties unless otherwise stated. 

Services payable to related parties 
Payment of services to Symon Financial Services Pty Ltd (director, related entity of 
Richard Symon), paid in full 

Payment of services to Sarah Guy Pty Ltd (key person, related entity of Andrew 
Phillips), paid in full 

Accounts receivable/(payables) from/(to) related parties 

Trade receivable from Sequoia Wealth Management Pty Ltd 
Loans to/(from) key management personal 

Trade receivable from Mr SL Beeton 
Trade payable to Ms JC Khoo 
Trade payable to Mr PJ Stirling 
Trade payable to Mr CB Foley 
Remuneration of loan to/(from) key management personal 

Beginning of the year 
Loan advanced to KMP 
Loan advanced from KMP 
Loan repayment from KMP 
Loan repaid to KMP 
Conversion of loan to equity 
End of financial year 

1 Refer to Note 31(a) 

Consolidated 

2016 

$ 

2015 

$ 

- 

- 

- 1 

- 
- 
- 
- 

(50,923) 
- 
- 
(87,100) 
70,523 
67,500 
- 

60,000 

60,000 

231 

87,100 
(40,000) 
(27,500) 
(70,523) 

- 
87,100 
(138,023) 
- 
- 
- 
(50,923) 

Sequoia Financial Group Limited - Annual Report 2016 

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Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 28.  Parent Entity Information 

Set out below is the supplementary information about the parent entity. 

Statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income 
Loss after tax 

Total comprehensive income 

Statement of financial position 

Total current assets 

Total non- current assets 

Total assets 

Parent 

2016 
$ 

2015 
$ 

(846,739) 

(503,920) 

(846,739) 

(503,920) 

11,892 

12,460,829 

12,472,721 

260,010 

11,186,816 

11,446,826 

Total current liabilities 

3,097,755 

3,376,226 

Total liabilities 

Net assets 

Equity 

  Contributed equity 
  Reserves 

  Accumulated losses 

Total equity 

3,097,755 

3,376,226 

9,374,966 

8,070,600 

62,351,171 
- 

60,388,442 
- 

(52,976,205) 

(52,317,842) 

9,374,966 

8,070,600 

Contingent liabilities 
There are no contingent liabilities with the parent Company as at 30 June 2016 and 30 June 2015. 

Capital commitments – Plant and equipment 
The parent entity had no capital commitments for property plant and equipment as at 30 June 2016 and 30 June 2015. 

Significant accounting policies 
The accounting policies of the parent entity are consistent with those of the consolidated entity, as disclosed in Note 1, 
except for investments in subsidiaries are accounted for at cost, less any impairment. 

Sequoia Financial Group Limited - Annual Report 2016 

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Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 29.  Subsidiaries 

The  consolidated  financial  statements  incorporate  the  assets,  liabilities  and  results  of  the  following  subsidiaries  in 
accordance with the accounting policy described in Note 1: 

Name of entity 

Subsidiaries of Sequoia Financial Group Limited 

Sequoia Financial Group Limited (A) 
(formerly MDS Financial Group Limited)  
Sequoia Group Holdings Pty Ltd (B) 

(A)  Subsidiaries of Sequoia Financial Group Limited 

Bourse Data Pty Ltd 
The Cube Financial Group Pty Ltd 
D2MX Pty Ltd 
Market Data Services Pty Ltd 
MDSnews.com Pty Ltd (A1) 

(A1) Subsidiaries of MDSnews.com Pty Ltd 
Sequoia Direct Pty Ltd 
(formerly Trader Dealer Online Pty Ltd) 
Finance TV Pty Ltd  

(B)  Subsidiaries of Sequoia Group Holdings Pty Ltd 
Sequoia Superannuation Pty Ltd (B1) 
Sequoia Specialist Investments Pty Ltd (B2) 
Sequoia Asset Management Pty Ltd (B3) 
Sequoia Lending Pty Ltd 
Sequoia Funds Management Pty Ltd 
Sequoia Wealth Group Pty Ltd (B4) 

(B1) Subsidiaries of Sequoia Superannuation Pty Ltd 
Sequoia Brisbane Pty Ltd 

(B2) Subsidiaries of Sequoia Specialist Investments Pty Ltd 
Sequoia Nominees No 1 Pty Ltd 

(B3) Subsidiaries of Sequoia Asset Management Pty Ltd 
Acacia Administrative Services Pty Ltd* 

(B4) Subsidiaries of Sequoia Wealth Group Pty Ltd 
Sequoia Wealth Management Pty Ltd 
Sequoia Corporate Finance Pty Ltd 

Country of 
Incorporation 

Percentage Owned 
(%) 

2016 

2015 

Australia 

Australia 
Australia 

Australia 

Australia 
Australia 
Australia 
Australia 
Australia 

100 

100 
100 

100 

100 
100 
100 
100 
100 

Australia 

100 

Australia 

50.09 

Australia 
Australia 
Australia 
Australia 
Australia 
Australia 

Australia 

Australia 

Australia 

Australia 
Australia 

100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
100 

100 

100 

100 

100 
100 

- 

100 
- 

100 

100 
100 
100 
100 
100 

100 

- 

100 
100 
100 
100 
100 
- 

100 

100 

100 

- 
- 

* Acacia Administrative Services Pty Ltd acts as a service entity for the  Group with all employees engaged under this 
entity. 

Sequoia Financial Group Limited - Annual Report 2016 

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Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 30.  Events Occurring After the Reporting Date 

There were no subsequent events that occurred after the date of this report. 

Note 31.  Business Combinations 

a.  Acquisition of Sequoia Wealth Group Pty Ltd (SWG) 

Summary of acquisition 

On  14  October  2015,  the  Group  acquired  100%  of  the  issued  capital  of  Sequoia  Wealth  Group  Pty  Ltd  (“SWG”),  a 
financial  services  and  wealth  management  Company,  for  a  purchase  consideration  of  $750,000.  As  contracted,  the 
financial performance of SWG was taken into the results of the Group from 1 October 2015. 

The  acquisition  is  part  of  the  Group’s  overall  strategy  to  expand  its  diversified  financial  service  offerings.  Through 
acquiring 100% of the issued capital of SWG, the Group has obtained control of the Company. 

The purchase was satisfied by the issue of 375,000,000 ordinary shares at an issue price of $0.002 each. The issue 
price was based on the market price on date of purchase. 

Purchase consideration – equity issued 

Less: Fair value of net assets at acquisition date 
Goodwill (ii) 

Fair value of net assets: 

Cash 

Trade and other receivables (i) 
Plant and equipment 

Other assets 

Trade and other payables 
Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed 

Fair Value 
$ 

750,000 

(75,314) 

674,686 

7,089 

381,228 

4,589 

8,963 

(326,555) 

75,314 

(i)  The Directors believe the receivables are fully recoverable and no provision for impairment is required. 
(ii)  The goodwill is attributable to Sequoia Wealth Group Pty Ltd’s strong position and developing service offering which 

complements the Company’s business offerings. 

Net profit and revenue resulting from the acquisition of Sequoia Wealth Group Pty  Ltd amounting to $2,145,171 and 
$830,473 respectively are included in the consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income for 
the year ended 30 June 2016. 

If the acquisition had occurred on 1 July 2015, consolidated revenue and profit for the Group for the year ended 30 June 
2016 would have been $23,669,931 and $245,131 respectively. 

At the time the financial statements were authorised for issue, the Group had not yet completed the accounting for 
acquisition of SWG. In particular, the fair values of the net assets and liabilities disclosed above have only been 
determined provisionally as the independent valuations have not been finalised. 

Purchase consideration – cash inflow 

Outflow of cash to acquire subsidiary, net of cash acquired 

Less: Cash acquired 

Inflow of cash – investing activities 

$ 

- 

(7,089) 

(7,089) 

Sequoia Financial Group Limited - Annual Report 2016 

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Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 31.  Business Combinations (continued) 

b.  Acquisition of Finance TV Pty Ltd (FNN) 

Summary of acquisition 

In 2013, the Group acquired 11.56% of the share capital of Finance TV Pty Ltd ("FNN" or "Finance News Network"). On 
12 February 2016, the Group acquired a further 38.53% of the share capital and obtained control of FNN, an independent 
news  organisation  that  specialises  in  both  the  production  and  distribution  of  financial  news  content,  digital 
communications and productions services to ASX-listed companies and manage funds. The Group now holds 50.09% 
of the share capital of FNN. 

As a result of the acquisition, the Group is expected to increase its presence in these markets. The goodwill of $554,789 
arising from the acquisition is attributable to the acquired economies of scale expected from combining the operations of 
FNN and the Group. None of the goodwill recognised is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes. 

Purchase consideration – equity issued 

Fair value of equity interest in FNN held before the business combination 

Less Fair value of net assets at acquisition date 
Goodwill  

Fair value of net assets: 

Cash 

Trade and other receivables (i) 

Plant and equipment 

Trade and other payables 

Employee benefits 

Less: Non-controlling interest 
Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed 

Fair Value 
$ 

650,000 

- 

(99,222) 

550,778 

71,671 

270,401 

28,522 

(115,314) 

(57,193) 

198,087 

(98,865) 

99,222 

(i)  The Directors believe the receivables are fully recoverable and no provision for impairment is required. 

The acquired business contributed revenues of $523,209 and net loss of $69,454 to the Group for the period from 12 
February 2016 to 30 June 2016.  

If the acquisition had occurred on 1 July 2015, consolidated revenue and profit for the Group for the year ended 30 June 
2016 would have been $23,738,931 and $317,156 respectively. 

At the time the financial statements were authorised for issue, the Group had not yet completed the accounting for 
acquisition of SWG. In particular, the fair values of the net assets and liabilities disclosed above have only been 
determined provisionally as the independent valuations have not been finalised. 

Purchase consideration – cash inflow 

Outflow of cash to acquire subsidiary, net of cash acquired 

Less: Cash acquired 

Outflow of cash – investing activities 

$ 

650,000 

(71,671) 

578,329 

Sequoia Financial Group Limited - Annual Report 2016 

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Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 31.  Business Combinations (continued) 

c.  Acquisition of Sequoia Group Holdings Pty Ltd (SFG) 

In  2015,  SEQ  acquired  100%  of  the  issued  capital  of  Sequoia  Group  Holdings  Pty  Ltd  (“SGH”).  SGH  is  a  private 
Company. The acquisition was seen as an opportunity to use the existing listed Company structure of SEQ, to provide 
existing shareholders of SEQ the opportunity to participate in significant future opportunities that the arrangement offers. 

The acquisition was achieved following a share issue of 2,618,445,438 to SGH shareholders. Following completion, the 
previous shareholders of SEQ hold 31.2% and shareholders of SGH held 68.8% respectively. As a consequence of this 
and other factors, for accounting purposes the acquisition is accounted for as a reverse acquisition.  

Purchase consideration 

Less: Fair value of net assets at acquisition date 
Goodwill (i) 

Fair value of net assets: 

Current assets 

Non – current assets 

Total assets 

Current liabilities 

Total liabilities 

Net Assets 

Fair Value 
$ 

8,553,731 

(14,268) 

8,539,463 

982,834 

1,975,971 

2,958,805 

2,973,073 
2,973,073 
(14,268) 

(i)  The acquisition resulted in goodwill of $8,539,463 which has been impaired in the year ended 30 June 2015. 
(ii)  Receivables and payables have been included at their fair value. Directors were of the opinion that these were fully 

recoverable and that no impairment of these was required.  

Sequoia Financial Group Limited - Annual Report 2016 

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Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 32.  Reconciliation of Profit/(loss) after Income Tax to Net Cash from Operating Activities 

(a) Reconciliation of loss for the year to net cash flow used in 
operating activities: 

Consolidated 

2016 
$ 

2015 
$ 

Profit/(loss) for the year 

285,733 

(17,974,212) 

Non-cash flows in operating profit/(loss): 

Depreciation, amortisation and impairment 
Fair value adjustment on investments 

Impairment of receivables 
Loss on disposal of financial assets 

Share-based payments 
Others 

Changes in working capital and provisions: 

(Increase)/decrease in trade and other receivables 
(Increase)/decrease in other assets 

(Increase)/decrease in deferred costs 
(Increase)/decrease in deferred tax assets 

(Decrease)/increase in deferred tax liability 
 (Decrease) in trade and other payables 

 (Decrease) in deferred revenue 
Increase/(decrease) in income tax liabilities/assets 

Increase in employee benefits  

160,861 

- 
30,000 

8,402 
118,816 

- 

1,609,278 

730 
1,736,399 

839,750 
(802,327) 

(2,348,726) 
(1,963,190) 

10,529 
64,947 

17,130,595 

361,536 
- 

- 

98,488 

1,562,757 

(234,479) 
64,657 

(649,461) 
104,289 

(1,487,929) 
(78,969) 

(745,564) 
86,767 

Net cash used in operating activities 

(248,798) 

(1,761,525) 

Note 33.  Earnings per Share 

Earnings per share from continuing operations 
Profit/ (loss) after income tax attributable to the owners of the 
Company was used in calculating basic and diluted earnings per 
share 

Weighted average number of ordinary shares used in 
calculating basic earnings per share 
Adjustments for calculation of ordinary shares used in 
calculating basic earnings per share: 
Options 

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

Basic earnings per share 

Diluted earnings per share 

Consolidated 

2016 
$ 

2015 
$ 

320,397 

(17,974,212) 

Number 

Number 

4,479,817,035 

44,948,808 

360,000,000 

- 

4,839,817,035 

44,948,808 

Cents 

Cents 

0.008 

0.007 

(40.00) 

(40.00) 

Sequoia Financial Group Limited - Annual Report 2016 

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Notes to the Financial Statements 

Note 34.  Transaction with Non-Controlling Interest 

Set out below is the summarised financial information for Finance TV Pty Ltd that has non-controlling interest that are 
material to the Group, before any intragroup eliminations. Note that Finance TV Pty Ltd became a controlled entity of the 
Group during the reporting year ended 30 June 2016. 

Summarised Financial Position 

Current assets 

Non-current assets 

Current liabilities 

Non-current liabilities 

Net assets 

Carrying amount of non-controlling interests 

Summarised Financial Performance 

Revenue 

Loss after tax 

Other comprehensive income after tax 

Total comprehensive income 

Loss attributable to non-controlling interests 

Summarised Cash Flow Information 

Net cash from operating activities 

Net cash (used in) financing activities 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 

2016 
$ 

230,000 

28,522 

(127,859) 

- 

130,663 

64,201 

523,209 

73,030 

- 

73,030 

34,664 

38,327 

(16,000) 

22,327 

Sequoia Financial Group Limited - Annual Report 2016 

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Directors’ Declaration 

In the directors’ opinion 

 

 

 

 

the  attached  financial  statements  and  notes thereto comply with  the  Corporations  Act  2001,  the  Accounting 
Standards, the Corporations Regulations 2001 and other mandatory professional reporting requirements; 

the attached financial statements and notes thereto comply with International Financial Reporting Standards as 
issued by the International Accounting Standards Board as described in note 1 to the financial statements; 

the attached financial statements and notes thereto give a true and fair view of the consolidated entity’s financial 
position as at 30 June 2016 and of its performance for the year ended on that date; and 

there  are  reasonable  grounds  to  believe  that  the  Company  will  be  able  to  pay  its  debts  as  and  when  they 
become due and payable. 

The directors have been given the declarations required by section 259A of the Corporations Act 2001. 

Signed in accordance with a resolution of directors made pursuant to section 295(5) of the Corporations Act 2001. 

On behalf of the directors 

Michael Carter 
Chairman 

31 August 2016 

Sequoia Financial Group Limited - Annual Report 2016 

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SEQUOIA FINANCIAL GROUP LIMITED 
ABN 90 091 744 884 
AND ITS CONTROLLED ENTITIES 

AUDITOR’S INDEPENDENCE DECLARATION UNDER S 307C OF THE 
CORPORATIONS ACT 2001 TO THE DIRECTORS OF  
SEQUOIA FINANCIAL GROUP LIMITED  

I declare that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, during the year ended 30 June 2016 
there have been no contraventions of: 

i. 

the auditor’s independence requirements as set out in the Corporations Act 2001 in 
relation to the audit; and 

ii. 

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

HALL CHADWICK 
Level 40, 2 Park Street 
Sydney NSW 2000 

DREW TOWNSEND 
Partner 
Dated: 31 August 2016 

For personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SEQUOIA FINANCIAL GROUP LIMITED 
ABN 90 091 744 884 
AND ITS CONTROLLED ENTITIES 

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF 
SEQUOIA FINANCIAL GROUP LIMITED 

Report on the Financial Report 

We  have  audited  the  accompanying  financial  report  of  Sequoia  Financial  Group  Limited 
and its controlled entities, which comprises the consolidated statement of financial position 
as at 30 June 2016, the consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive 
income, the consolidated statement of changes in equity and the consolidated statement of 
cash flows for the year then ended, notes comprising a summary of significant accounting 
policies and other explanatory information 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. 

Directors’ Responsibility for the Financial Report 

The directors of the company are responsible for the preparation of the financial report that 
gives  a  true  and  fair  view  in  accordance  with  Australian  Accounting  Standards  and  the 
Corporations Act 2001 and for such internal control as the directors determine is necessary 
to  enable  the  preparation  of  the  financial  report  that  is  free  from  material  misstatement, 
whether  due  to  fraud  or  error.  In  Note  1,  the  directors  also  state,  in  accordance  with 
Accounting  Standard  AASB  101:  Presentation  of  Financial  Statements  that  the  financial 
statements comply with International Financial Reporting Standards. 

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.  Those  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. 

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

Independence 

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

For personal use only   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SEQUOIA FINANCIAL GROUP LIMITED 
ABN 90 091 744 884 
AND ITS CONTROLLED ENTITIES 

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF 
SEQUOIA FINANCIAL GROUP LIMITED 

Auditor’s Opinion 

In our opinion: 

a. 

the financial report of Sequoia Financial Group Limited and its controlled entities is in 
accordance with the Corporations Act 2001, including: 

i. 

ii. 

giving a true and fair view  of the  consolidated  entity’s financial position as at 
30 June 2016 and of its performance for the year ended on that date; and 

complying  with  Australian  Accounting  Standards  and  the  Corporations 
Regulations 2001; and 

b. 

the financial report also complies with International Financial Reporting Standards as 
disclosed in Note 1. 

Emphasis of Matter 
Without modifying our opinion, we draw attention to Note 1(b) in the financial report, which 
indicates  that  the  consolidated  entity  had  a  working  capital  deficiency  of  $2,686,923  and 
negative  cash  flows  from  operating  activities  of  $248,798  during  the  year  ended  30  June 
2016.  These  conditions,  along  with  other  matters  as  set  forth  in  Note  1(b),  indicate  the 
existence  of a material uncertainty  that may cast significant doubt about the consolidated 
entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and therefore, the consolidated entity may be 
unable to realise its assets and discharge its liabilities in the normal course of business and 
at the amount stated in the financial report. 

Report on the Remuneration Report 

We have audited the remuneration report included in pages 20 to 23 of the directors’ report 
for  the  year  ended  30  June  2016.  The  directors  of  the  company  are  responsible  for  the 
preparation and presentation of the remuneration report in accordance with s 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  Sequoia  Financial  Group  Limited  and  its 
controlled  entities  for  the  year  ended  30  June  2016  complies  with  s300A  of  the 
Corporations Act 2001. 

HALL CHADWICK 
Level 40, 2 Park Street 
Sydney NSW 2000 

DREW TOWNSEND 
Partner 
Dated: 31 August 2016 

For personal use only 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Additional ASX Information (un-audited) 

SHARE HOLDER INFORMATION 

Additional information required by the Australian Securities Exchange Limited Listing Rules and not disclosed 
elsewhere in this report.  This additional information was applicable as at 30 August 2016. 

1. 

Top 20 Shareholders 

The names of the twenty largest shareholders of each class of listed securities are listed below: 

Rank  Name 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

7. 

8. 

9. 

10. 

11. 

12. 

13. 

14. 

BEETON ENTERPRISES PTY LTD 

VISTA INVESTMENTS (NSW) PTY 

PAMELA BEETON INVESTMENT PTY LTD 

MR PETER STIRLING + MRS ROS STIRLING 

ONE MANAGED INVT FUNDS LTD  

INTERPRAC FINANCIAL PLANNING PTY LTD 

AUST EXECUTOR TRUSTEES LTD  

SOPHAT PTY LTD  

MR BRADLEY JOHN MAGUIRE 

KALI GANDAKI INVESTMENTS PTY LTD  

MR HAMISH MCCATHIE 

BURATU PTY LTD  

AUSTRALIAN EXECUTOR TRUSTEES LIMITED  

MANLY LANE PTY LTD  

15. 

MR RICHARD SYMON 

16. 

KALI GANDAKI INVESTMENTS PTY LTD  

17. 

JMN SERVICES PTY LTD 

18. 

19. 

20. 

TOTAL LEGEND SUPER P/L  

KABILA INVESTMENTS PTY LIMITED 

MR ANDREW PHILLIPS 

Totals: Top 20 holders of FULLY PAID ORDINARY (TOTAL) 

Total Remaining Holders Balance 
2.  Distribution of equity securities 

Analysis of ordinary shareholders by size of holding: 

Range 

Total holders 

1 - 1,000 

1,001 - 5,000 

5,001 - 10,000 

10,001 - 100,000 

100,001 - 999,999,999 

1,000,000,000 - 9,999,999,999 

Rounding 

Total 

29 

6 

14 

106 

240 

1 

396 

Units 

% of Units 

1,089,618,392 

22.33 

407,982,375 

358,606,243 

223,750,000 

114,000,000 

104,706,501 

100,000,000 

97,004,676 

83,070,001 

83,025,000 

83,025,000 

80,388,999 

72,500,000 

71,793,466 

68,666,669 

66,165,797 

60,000,000 

60,000,000 

53,500,000 

53,071,429 
3,330,874,548 

1,548,996,084 

8.36 

7.35 

4.59 

2.34 

2.15 

2.05 

1.99 

1.70 

1.70 

1.70 

1.65 

1.49 

1.47 

1.41 

1.36 

1.23 

1.23 

1.10 

1.09 
68.26 

31.74 

Units 

3,415 

% of Issued 
Capital 
0.00 

15,921 

136,000 

4,577,671 

3,868,544,233 

1,006,593,392 

0.00 

0.00 

0.09 

79.28 

20.63 

0.00 

4,879,870,632 

100.00 

Sequoia Financial Group Limited - Annual Report 2016 

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Additional ASX Information (un-audited) 

3.  Restricted Securities 

There are no restricted securities on issue. 

4.  Voting Rights 

The voting rights attaching to ordinary shares, set out in the Company’s Constitution are: 

(a)  at meetings of members, each member is entitled to vote in person or by proxy, attorney or representative; and, 

(b)  on a show of hands, every person present who is a member has one vote, and on a poll every member present 

has a vote for each fully paid share owned. 

There are no voting rights attached to un-listed ordinary shares or unlisted options, voting rights will be attached to un-
listed ordinary shares once issued and to options upon exercise. 

5.  On-market Buy Back 

There is no current on-market buy back. 

6.  Review of Operations 

A review of operations for the Group is set out on pages 2 to 3 and 18 to 19 of this annual report, commencing with the 
Portfolio of Companies. 

Sequoia Financial Group Limited - Annual Report 2016 

71 

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Directory 

Company Directors 
Mr Scott Lionel Beeton 
Mr Michael Kenneth Carter 
Mr Marcel John Collignon 

Company Secretary 
Mr Andrew Guy Phillips 

Registered Office 
Level 36 
50 Bridge Street  
Sydney NSW 2000 
Telephone: + 61 2 8114 2222 
Facsimile: + 61 2 8114 2200 

Share Registry 
Computershare Limited 
Yarra Falls 
452 Johnston Street 
Abbotsford   VIC   3067 

Bankers 
National Australia Bank 
330 Collins Street 
Melbourne   VIC   3000 

Westpac Australia Bank 
275 George Street 
Sydney NSW 2000 

Auditor 
Hall Chadwick 
Level 40, 2 Park Street 
Sydney NSW   2000 

Securities Exchange 

Managing Director 
Non-Executive Chairman 
Executive Director 

The Company’s securities are quoted on the official list of the 
Australian Securities Exchange Limited, the home branch 
being Melbourne. 

ASX Code 

SEQ 

Sequoia Financial Group Limited is a public Company limited 
by shares incorporated and domiciled in Australia. 

Sequoia Financial Group Limited - Annual Report 2016 

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For personal use only