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Sequoia Financial Group

seq · ASX Financial Services
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Employees 201-500
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FY2019 Annual Report · Sequoia Financial Group
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Appendix 4E
Preliminary final report

1. Company details

Name of entity: 

Sequoia Financial Group Limited

ABN: 

90 091 744 884

Reporting period: 

For the year ended 30 June 2019

Previous period: 

For the year ended 30 June 2018 

2. Results foR announCement to the maRket

Revenues from ordinary activities

up

9.7% 

to

83,018,040

Loss from ordinary activities after tax attributable to the owners  
of Sequoia Financial Group Limited

Loss for the year attributable to the owners of Sequoia Financial 
Group Limited

down

143.3% 

to

(1,001,368)

down

143.3% 

to

(1,001,368)

Dividends  
There were no dividends paid, recommended or declared during the current financial period.

$

Reporting period 
Cents

previous period 
Cents

8.87

6.27

3. net tangible assets

Net tangible assets per ordinary security

4. ContRol gained oveR entities

Not applicable.

5. loss of ContRol oveR entities

Not applicable.

6. dividends

Current period  
There were no dividends paid, recommended or declared during the current financial period.

Previous period

Final dividend for the year ended 30 June 2018

0.500

0.500

amount  
per security 
Cents

franked amount  
per security 
Cents

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Sequoia Financial Group limited  AnnuAl RepoRt — 30 June 2019Appendix 4E
Preliminary final report

7. dividend Reinvestment plans

The Company has implemented a Dividend Reinvestment Plan (‘DRP’).

The DRP was active for the final dividend for the year ended 30 June 2018 paid out during the year 
ended 30 June 2019, where the directors determined that a 2.5% discount would apply.

8. details of assoCiates and joint ventuRe entities

Not applicable.

9. foReign entities

Details of origin of accounting standards used in compiling the report:  
Not applicable.

10. audit qualifiCation oR Review

Details of audit/review dispute or qualification (if any):  
The financial statements have been audited and an unqualified opinion has been issued.

11. attaChments

Details of attachments (if any):  
The Annual Report of Sequoia Financial Group Limited for the year ended 30 June 2019 is attached.

12. signed

Date: 19 August 2019

John Larsen  
Chairman  
Sydney

i i

Sequoia Financial Group limited  AnnuAl RepoRt — 30 June 2019Sequoia Financial  
Group Limited

abn 90 091 744 884

Annual Report

3 0 JuNE 2019

Contents

Directors’ report .................................................................................................................6

Auditor’s independence declaration ...........................................................................21

Consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income ..........22

Consolidated statement of financial position ..............................................................23

Consolidated statement of changes in equity ............................................................25

Consolidated statement of cash flows .........................................................................26

Notes to the consolidated financial statements ..........................................................27

Directors’ declaration ......................................................................................................67

Independent auditor’s report to the members  
of Sequoia Financial Group Limited ..............................................................................68

Shareholder information .................................................................................................73

Corporate directory .........................................................................................................75

2

Sequoia Financial Group limited  AnnuAl RepoRt — 30 June 2019Chairman’s report
30 June 2019

The 2019 financial year was extremely challenging for everyone associated with Sequoia 
Financial Group, particularly our staff and shareholders but we are pleased to report the 
outlook has improved greatly with revenues growing and the business now on a solid 
financial footing to move forward. Following various acquisitions in previous years, the true 
effects of integration started to impact our people, and we saw the departure of our CEO 
and others across the Group. 

The 1H19 result was poor as we undertook a thorough review of the Group’s assets and 
liabilities. This saw us write down the value of several assets and we also incurred several 
other unexpected one-off expenses. At the same time, we were dealing with the impact 
of the Hayne Royal Commission which has caused ructions through the industry but which 
overall, we see as a positive for our business. 

Our biggest challenge emanated within our equity markets division and related to the 
2018 Morrison Securities acquisition. Here we needed to overhaul the existing outsourced 
clearing and execution model, to become a provider of these services directly to our 
Group companies and other licensees. Our shift from clearing through Pershing significantly 
impacted our 1H19 results, however we are now ‘coming out the other side’ with Morrison as 
one of our faster growing businesses.

The initial costs associated with ramping up our capability to clear almost 5 times the number 
of trades per month than we were previously handling, is reflected in this period’s results, but 
we believe this initial investment will prove the appropriate strategy over the longer term, as 
we continue to increase transactions within this business. It’s very pleasing to see our team 
transform this business from incurring heavy monthly losses to three consecutive profitable 
months in the last quarter of the year. Revenue in this business has increased by over 70% 
since we moved to self-clearing. 

Importantly, we have a strong customer pipeline and are budgeting for 40% increase in 
revenue for FY2020 for the Morrison business with little, if any, increase in head count. The 
specialist investment team has also performed well in 2019. Our team is filling a market 
need for sophisticated investment products for self-directed investors and continues to get 
the support of major banks able to price and place these products through their and our 
distribution channels.  

The wealth management division continued to perform well, as it did in 2018, by generating 
increased revenues and cash flow within InterPrac, Sequoia Wealth Management and 
Sequoia Asset Management. All three businesses will continue to benefit from the changing 
landscape within financial services, where many advisors are having to find alternative 
homes, as banks and insurers start divesting their advisory businesses. This gives Sequoia and 
InterPrac an excellent opportunity to be very selective about which advisors we onboard 
over the coming years as we grow these businesses. Our core offering within Wealth 
Management remains as the provision of education, compliance, licensee oversight and 
business support packages to advisers, on a fee for advice basis, rather than the generation 
of income from product sales.

On the Compliance front, shareholders would be well aware of some of the industry 
challenges that were identified during the Hayne Royal Commission. Importantly, the Group 
has moved to phase out commission-based remuneration in the personal advice business 
and for a number of years has operated all Divisions on a fee for service model rather than 
product commissions. This, coupled with the upcoming changes to the professional and 
educational standards for financial advisors, places the group in a strong position to improve 

3

Sequoia Financial Group limited  AnnuAl RepoRt — 30 June 2019Chairman’s report
30 June 2019

its market share. We continue to invest in our experienced compliance team and this 
investment has included both an internal and an external functionality which has resonated 
well with the advisers across the group. 

Within the direct division, Financial News Network performed well, growing revenue, 
subscribers and viewers. As the media landscape within Australia continues to evolve into the 
digital space, the need for media, education and financial market information is increasing. 
The business is ideally placed to take advantage of this. The past investment to build our own 
studios, and to employ researchers and in-house journalists is seeing the number of attendees 
at seminars increase and subscriptions to our online media increase month on month. Our 
news items and videos are viewed over 85,000 times each month directly plus through our 
35+ content distribution partners.

Our online retail broking division, Sequoia Direct, in undergoing a website refresh and we 
are focusing a greater marketing effort on this channel. This is a highly competitive space 
however we believe that the business has cost and distribution advantages as well a strong 
technology offering through our Bourse Data platforms. 

The professional services division results were impacted by investments in software and 
resources which have a longer-term outlook, and significant write downs. While these 
investments have caused some short term pain, they are necessary to ensure that this 
Division can grow and remain competitive in the future. The superannuation administration 
business and general insurance business were the positive performers in this unit with many 
accountants and financial planners within the broader group referring customers to the 
business. 

Throughout the year we undertook a review of the Group’s people management 
framework in order to: speed up the integration of our various businesses under the Sequoia 
banner; streamline the various remuneration structures currently in force across the Group; 
improve the link between performance and remuneration; and generally improve the 
fairness of remuneration and working conditions for all staff across the Group. In order 
to implement the recommendations of that review, we have employed a full time HR 
Manager who will be working closely with the CEO throughout 2020, as they deal with the 
various aspects of this review, including organisational structure, employment contracts, job 
descriptions, balanced scorecards and remuneration. These changes will ensure that our 
entire team is pulling in the one direction, and that everyone will be aligned to the Group’s 
ongoing business strategy. 

looking forward

Despite the tough 2019 financial year, we enter 2020 very positively, and expect to deliver a 
significantly improved FY2020 result for all stakeholders. The Group ended FY2019 with cash 
and cash equivalents of just under $19M. This was a broadly similar level to FY2018, however 
we raised additional capital through the year as well as reducing debt from $7.4M to $1.4M. 
Total equity is currently $31M and our short-term goal is to focus on getting all of the current 
businesses to generate at least 15% return (before tax) on the non-cash equity component of 
that equity whilst ensuring that any new acquisition we make is able to generate this type of 
return.

The changes occurring in the financial industry are profound and part of the reasoning for 
seeking to put the company on a sounder financial footing is to take advantage of these 
changes. We are well placed to participate in any rationalisation that may occur and grow 
our business in a judicious fashion. Sequoia is positioned as an attractive partner to advisers 

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Sequoia Financial Group limited  AnnuAl RepoRt — 30 June 2019Chairman’s report
30 June 2019

looking to relocate from the major banks and life companies and we will continue to add 
advisers where it makes sense to do so.

The Board and I understand that shareholders have borne some of the pain in positioning 
ourselves for the FY2020 and beyond with the share price under-performing but we firmly 
believe the business has shown improvement in the 2nd half and is primed for sustained 
growth and profitability. 

We thank all staff and shareholders for their patience and support throughout 2019 and look 
forward to repaying that faith with a strong financial performance in the coming years.

5

Sequoia Financial Group limited  AnnuAl RepoRt — 30 June 2019Directors’ report
30 June 2019

The directors present their report, together with the financial statements, on the consolidated 
entity (referred to hereafter as the ‘Group’) consisting of Sequoia Financial Group Limited 
(referred to hereafter as the ‘Company’ or ‘parent entity’) and the entities it controlled at 
the end of, or during, the year ended 30 June 2019.

diReCtoRs

The following persons were directors of Sequoia Financial Group Limited during the whole of 
the financial year and up to the date of this report, unless otherwise stated:

Garry Crole

Executive Director
Chief Executive Officer from 5 February 2019

John Larsen (resigned 18 December 2018  
and re-appointed 1 March 2019)

Non-Executive Director
Chairman from 1 March 2019

Kevin Pattison (appointed 5 February 2019)

Non-Executive Director

Charles Sweeney (appointed 1 March 2019) Non-Executive Director

Scott Beeton (resigned 4 February 2019)

Timothy Martin (appointed 5 October 2018 
and resigned 1 March 2019)

Former Managing Director
Former Chief Executive Officer

Former Non-Executive Director

pRinCipal aCtivities

The Group’s principal activity is to offer financial planners, stock brokers, self-directed 
investors , superannuation funds and accountants a range of services that include but is 
not limited to business support and advice, coaching, compliance, education, licensing , 
wholesale clearing and execution, legal documents, investments, media and administration 
services.

There was no change in the principal activities during the financial year.

dividends

Dividends paid during the financial year were as follows:

Final dividend for the year ended 30 June 2018 of 0.5 cents per  
ordinary share*

Consolidated

2019 
$

2018 
$

589,777 

-  

* The dividend comprised of a cash dividend paid of $286,302 and dividend reinvestment 
allotment of $303,475, that occurred during the year ended 30 June 2019.

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Sequoia Financial Group limited  AnnuAl RepoRt — 30 June 2019Directors’ report
30 June 2019

Review of opeRations

The loss for the Group after providing for income tax and non-controlling interest amounted 
to $1,001,368 (30 June 2018: profit of $2,310,985).

This financial year was a major transitional one for the Group.

In the first nine months of the year, the Group invested heavily in improving capability to 
cope with the heavy growth aspirations we have begun to see trend in our direction.

At the same time as investing heavily in these business units we took a conservative stance 
and wrote down the value of the non-core business, intangibles, fixed assets and wrote off 
some of the past accrued revenues as bad debts.

Finally, in discussing non-recurring items the Group incurred some heavy acquisition related 
costs, redundancy costs and contract renegotiation costs associated with improving 
the technology solutions around the clearing, direct to market sales units and the legal 
document business.

In addition to the actual write downs we estimate the sum of all the non-recurring items to be 
around $1.5 million.

That said on the surface the reported operating result of $1,092,882 may seem unfavourable 
when compared to the prior year.

The decisions made to focus on the long term at short term cost however places the business 
on a very sound platform to generate growth and in looking forward we are budgeting for 
revenue growth of between 10% and 40% across the various businesses in the Group.

There were no material impacts on the adoption of AASB 15 “Revenue from Contracts with 
Customers”.

signifiCant Changes in the state of affaiRs

On 24 July 2018, the Company raised $5,000,000 by issuing 15,151,515 new fully paid ordinary 
shares at $0.33 per share. The placement was strongly supported by both existing and new 
institutional and sophisticated investors. The proceeds of the placement were used to pay 
down existing short-term debt and enhance the Group’s financial position to support ASX 
clearing activities.

In February 2019, the Group sold its entire private share investment of $1,657,850 in Noble Oak.

There were no other significant changes in the state of affairs of the Group during the 
financial year.

matteRs subsequent to the end of the finanCial yeaR

On 7 August 2019, the Company announced the acquisition of Libertas Financial Planning 
Pty Ltd (‘Libertas’). Libertas is a successful financial advice dealer group with approximately 
70 authorised representatives. The acquisition provides Sequoia with further scale in the 
advice marketplace and based on the latest Money Management dealer group survey 
makes Sequoia one of the largest non-bank owned financial adviser groups in the country.

As part of the consideration the Company will issue 1,500,000 fully paid ordinary shares 
at 20 cents per share to the seller. $1,000,000 cash will be paid upfront with an additional 

7

Sequoia Financial Group limited  AnnuAl RepoRt — 30 June 2019Directors’ report
30 June 2019

cash payment in 12 months capped at $1,000,000 subject to revenue and earnings 
targets being achieved.

At this stage, it is not practicable to disclose the other details of the acquisition given its 
timing relative to the issue of the financial statements.

No other matter or circumstance has arisen since 30 June 2019 that has significantly 
affected, or may significantly affect the Group’s operations, the results of those operations, 
or the Group’s state of affairs in future financial years.

likely developments and expeCted Results of opeRations

The Group does not expect any major developments changes or variation to results if the 
Group were to continue as normal. However major variation would be expected to revenue 
and the expected results if shareholders approve any acquisition proposed by the directors.

enviRonmental Regulation

The Group is not subject to any significant environmental regulation under Australian 
Commonwealth or State law.

infoRmation on diReCtoRs

name: Garry Peter Crole

title: Chief Executive Officer (from 5 February 2019)

experience and expertise: Garry is a highly experienced and  
well-regarded Financial Services Executive. He founded Deakin 
Financial Planning, an ASX listed company that was later acquired by 
IOOF. In more recent years, Garry started Interprac Financial Planning 
Pty Ltd, which is a leading independently owned Australian Financial 
Services Licensee.

other current directorships: Non-Executive Director of Glennon Small Companies Limited 
(ASX: GC1)

former directorships (last 3 years): Non-Executive Director of Diversa Ltd (ASX: DVA) which 
merged with OneVue Ltd (ASX: OVH)

special responsibilities: Member of Risk and Compliance Committee, Audit Committee and 
Remuneration and Nomination Committee

interests in shares: 10,777,934 ordinary shares (directly held) and 899,200 ordinary shares 
(indirectly held)

interests in options: None

interests in rights: None

8

Sequoia Financial Group limited  AnnuAl RepoRt — 30 June 2019Directors’ report
30 June 2019

name: John Larsen

title: Non-Executive Director (resigned 18 December 2018 and  
re-appointed 1 March 2019) and Chairman (from 1 March 2019)

experience and expertise: John brings in excess of 30 years’ 
experience in financial services to the Company, including senior 
management positions and directorships across various businesses 
licensed to provide financial services including funds management 
and stock broking. John has significant experience in the management of private portfolios 
and individually managed accounts. He was also the Chairman of Odyssey Funds 
Management between 2002 and 2009, part of the investment committee responsible for ASX 
listed, Huntley Investment Company Limited, between 2006 and 2008 and previously held 
the position of Group Investment Manager at ING (then Mercantile Mutual Group) retaining 
responsibility for the entire Australian investments portfolio with over $500 million of funds 
under management.

other current directorships: Non-Executive Director of Glennon Small Companies Limited 
(ASX: GC1)

former directorships (last 3 years): None

special responsibilities: Chair of Audit Committee and member of Remuneration and 
Nomination Committee

interests in shares: 101,549 ordinary shares (directly held) and 203,098 ordinary shares 
(indirectly held)

interests in options: None

interests in rights: None

name: Kevin Pattison

title: Non-Executive Director (appointed 5 February 2019)

experience and expertise: Experience and expertise: Kevin has over 30 
years’ experience in financial services. He has been a Non-Executive 
Director for the past 4 years on private companies and prior to that he 
was the CEO of various large national businesses for over  
20 years. He is currently the Chairman of MBA Insurance Services.

other current directorships: None

former directorships (last 3 years): None

special responsibilities: Chair of Remuneration and Nomination Committee and member of 
Risk and Compliance Committee

interests in shares: 367,500 ordinary shares (indirectly held)

interests in options: None

interests in rights: None 

9

Sequoia Financial Group limited  AnnuAl RepoRt — 30 June 2019Directors’ report
30 June 2019

name: Charles Sweeney

title: Non-Executive Director (appointed 1 March 2019)

qualifications: B.Comm, LL.B (Melb), Partner of Cooper Grace Ward 
Lawyers

experience and expertise: Charles is a partner in Cooper Grace 
Ward’s corporate and commercial group. Charles provides wide-
ranging general commercial advice to clients, with particular areas 
of focus including corporate advisory and intellectual property / information technology. 
Acting for listed and unlisted public and private clients, Charles advises across a broad 
range of industries, including agribusiness, financial services, technology and mining. Charles 
has served as a non-executive director of an ASX listed company (including during its ASX 
listing) and has practical experience of the issues faced by boards in relation to corporate 
governance, dealings with regulators (especially ASX and ASIC), major transactions and 
capital raisings. Charles is also a regular presenter on such topics.

other current directorships: None

former directorships (last 3 years): None

special responsibilities: Chair of Risk and Compliance Committee and member of Audit 
Committee

interests in shares: 195,000 ordinary shares (indirectly held)

interests in options: None

interests in rights: None 

‘Other current directorships’ quoted above are current directorships for listed entities only 
and excludes directorships of all other types of entities, unless otherwise stated.

‘Former directorships (last 3 years)’ quoted above are directorships held in the last 3 years 
for listed entities only and excludes directorships of all other types of entities, unless otherwise 
stated.

Company seCRetaRy

Mr Hasaka Martin was appointed Company Secretary on 7 August 2018. He is employed by 
Boardroom Pty Ltd in their Corporate Secretarial Services Division in Melbourne. He is currently 
completing a Masters of Commercial Law. And holds a Graduate Diploma of Corporate 
and Securities Law, Banking, Corporate, Finance and Securities Law, a Graduate Diploma in 
Applied Corporate Governance, a PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and a B.Ag.Sc 
(hons) in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry.

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Sequoia Financial Group limited  AnnuAl RepoRt — 30 June 2019Directors’ report
30 June 2019

meetings of diReCtoRs

The number of meetings of the Company’s Board of Directors (‘the Board’) and of each 
Board committee held during the year ended 30 June 2019, and the number of meetings 
attended by each director were:

G Crole

J Larsen

K Pattison

C Sweeney

S Beeton

T Martin

G Crole

J Larsen

K Pattison

C Sweeney

S Beeton

T Martin

full board

audit Committee

attended

held

attended

held

17

10

5

2

13

12

18

10

5

2

13

12

3

3

1

1

1

1

3

3

1

1

1

1

Risk and Compliance 
Committee

Remuneration and nomination 
Committee

attended

held

attended

held

5

-

1

1

2

3

5

-

1

1

4

3

3

3

1

-

2

-

3

3

1

-

2

-

Held: represents the number of meetings held during the time the director held office or was 
a member of the relevant committee.

RemuneRation RepoRt (audited)

The remuneration report details the key management personnel remuneration arrangements 
for the Group, in accordance with the requirements of the Corporations Act 2001 and its 
Regulations.

Key management personnel are those persons having authority and responsibility for planning, 
directing and controlling the activities of the entity, directly or indirectly, including all directors.

The key management personnel of the Group consisted of the following directors of Sequoia 
Financial Group Limited:

•  Garry Crole - Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer (from 5 February 2019)

•  John Larsen - Chairman and Non-Executive Director (resigned 18 December 2018 and  

re-appointed 1 March 2019)

• Kevin Pattison - Non-Executive Director (appointed 5 February 2019)

• Charles Sweeney - Non-Executive Director (appointed 1 March 2019)

•  Scott Beeton - Former Managing Director and Former Chief Executive Officer  

(resigned 4 February 2019)

•  Timothy Martin - Former Non-Executive Director (appointed 5 October 2018 and  

resigned 1 March 2019) 

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Sequoia Financial Group limited  AnnuAl RepoRt — 30 June 2019Directors’ report
30 June 2019

And the following person:

• Renee Louise Minchin - Chief Financial Officer (on sabbatical leave from 15 March 2019) 

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

• Principles used to determine the nature and amount of remuneration

• Details of remuneration

• Service agreements

• Share-based compensation

• Additional information

• Additional disclosures relating to key management personnel

Principles used to determine the nature and amount of remuneration  
The objective of the Group’s executive reward framework is to ensure reward for 
performance is competitive and appropriate for the results delivered. The framework aligns 
executive reward with the achievement of strategic objectives and the creation of value 
for shareholders, and it is considered to conform to the market best practice for the delivery 
of reward. The Board of Directors (‘the Board’) ensures that executive reward satisfies the 
following key criteria for good reward governance practices:

• competitiveness and reasonableness

• acceptability to shareholders

• performance linkage / alignment of executive compensation

• transparency 

The Board of Directors, through its Remuneration and Nomination Committee, accepts 
responsibility for determining and reviewing remuneration arrangements for the directors 
and the senior management team. The Remuneration and Nomination 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.

In accordance with best practice corporate governance, the structure of non-executive 
director and executive director remuneration is separate.

Non-executive directors’ 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.

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Sequoia Financial Group limited  AnnuAl RepoRt — 30 June 2019Directors’ report
30 June 2019

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.

Variable remuneration – short-term incentive (STI)  
STIs are available to executives who achieve performance criteria including compliance. 
The Board is responsible for determining who is eligible to participate in STI arrangements as 
well as the structure of those arrangements.

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.

Sequoia Employee Incentive Plan (‘SEIP’)  
On 1 February 2017, the Company established an employee equity scheme, called the 
Sequoia Employee Incentive Plan (‘SEIP’) to offer options and performance rights to certain 
employees employed in the Company.

Options  
All options offered under the December 2017 grant were granted for nil consideration and 
had a $0.45 exercise price.

Options vest in two tranches:

tranche

Tranche 1

Tranche 2

vesting date

30 June 2018

30 June 2019

The vesting conditions of the options granted under the December 2017 grant are:

•  Tranche 1 - full time employee of the Company and net profit after tax exceeding the  

30 June 2017 result; and

•  Tranche 2 - full time employee of the Company and net profit after tax exceeding the  

30 June 2018 result. 

All option tranches expire on 31 December 2019.

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Sequoia Financial Group limited  AnnuAl RepoRt — 30 June 2019Directors’ report
30 June 2019

Performance rights  
All performance rights offered under the February 2017 and October 2018 grants were 
granted for nil consideration and had a nil exercise price.

Performance rights vest in three tranches:

tranche

Tranche 1

Tranche 2

Tranche 3

february 2017  
vesting date

october 2017  
vesting date

31 January 2018

30 June 2019

31 January 2019

30 June 2020

31 January 2020

30 June 2021

The vesting conditions of the performance rights granted are:

• 50% of each tranche where the employee meets the service condition; and

•  50% of each tranche where the employee meets the service condition and the Company 

meets the performance conditions. 

All performance rights tranches relating to February 2017 grant expire on 31 January 2022.

The service conditions are that Tranche 1, Tranche 2 and Tranche 3 will vest if continuous 
employment is maintained with the Company from the date the performance rights are 
granted until their respective vesting dates.

The performance conditions relating to the February 2017 grant are related to share price 
hurdles as follows:

•  Tranche 1 will vest if the Company’s 90 Day VWAP up to and including 31 January 2018 is  

at least $0.25.

•  Tranche 2 will vest if the Company’s 90 Day VWAP up to and including 31 January 2019 is  

at least $0.30.

•  Tranche 3 will vest if the Company’s 90 Day VWAP up to and including 31 January 2020 is  

at least $0.35. 

All performance rights tranches related to the October 2018 grant expire on 30 June 2023.

The service conditions are that Tranche 1, Tranche 2 and Tranche 3 will vest if continuous 
employment is maintained with the Company from the date the performance rights are 
granted until their respective vesting dates.

The performance conditions relating to the October 2018 grant are related to share price 
hurdles as follows:

•  Tranche 1 will vest if the Company’s 90 Day VWAP up to and including 30 June 2019 is  

at least $0.36.

•  Tranche 2 will vest if the Company’s 90 Day VWAP up to and including 30 June 2020 is  

at least $0.45.

•  Tranche 3 will vest if the Company’s 90 Day VWAP up to and including 30 June 2021 is  

at least $0.55. 

Any performance rights which meet the vesting conditions above will be available for 
exercise up until the expiry date. On exercise of vested performance rights Company shares 
may be acquired and held by an Employee Share Trust (‘EST’) to be established for the 
purpose of settlement. Shares may be held subject to the EST and the Company’s Securities 
Trading Policy.

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Sequoia Financial Group limited  AnnuAl RepoRt — 30 June 2019Directors’ report
30 June 2019

If the Company provide an EST, the employee can apply to the Trustee to have their shares transferred 
or sold from the EST, subject to compliance with the Company’s Securities Trading Policy.

Consolidated entity performance and link to remuneration  
Remuneration for certain individuals is directly linked to the performance of the Group. A portion of cash 
bonus and incentive payments are dependent on defined earnings per share targets being met. The 
remaining portion of the cash bonus and incentive payments are at the discretion of the Remuneration 
and Nomination Committee. Refer to the section ‘Additional information’ below for details of the 
earnings and total shareholders return for the last four years.

Use of remuneration consultants  
During the financial year ended 30 June 2019, the Group did not engage remuneration consultants, to 
review its existing remuneration policies and provide recommendations.

Voting and comments made at the Company’s 2018 Annual General Meeting (‘AGM’)  
At the 23 November 2018 AGM, 99.94% of the votes received supported the adoption of the 
remuneration report for the year ended 30 June 2018. The Company did not receive any specific 
feedback at the AGM regarding its remuneration practices.

Details of remuneration

Amounts of remuneration  
Details of the remuneration of key management personnel of the Group are set out in the following 
tables.

2019

Non-Executive Directors:

J Larsen

K Pattison**

C Sweeney**

T Martin*

Executive Directors:

G Crole

S Beeton*

Other Key Management 
Personnel:

R Minchin***

short-term benefits

post-
employment 
benefits

share-based 
payments

Cash salary
and fees
$

Cash
bonus
$

directors’
fees
$

movement 
in leave 
entitlements
$

super-
annuation
$

equity-
settled
$

total
$

39,059

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

21,250

18,250

15,000

-

-

-

-

3,711

-

-

-

21,317

(114,105)

20,531

15,399

326,920

420,245

10,000

60,000

180,057

966,281

13,699

83,699

-

-

-

(8,025)

54,500

(100,813)

14,817

54,458

8,775

8,775

209,323

1,066,900

-

-

-

-

-

-

42,770

21,250

18,250

15,000

378,768

381,539

* Remuneration is for the period from 1 July 2018 to date of resignation as a key management personnel.

** Remuneration is for the period from date of appointment as a key management personnel to 30 June 
2019.

*** Remuneration is for the period from 1 July 2018 to date of leave of absence as a key management 
personnel. 

1 5

Sequoia Financial Group limited  AnnuAl RepoRt — 30 June 2019Directors’ report
30 June 2019

2018

Non-Executive Directors:

J Larsen**

M Carter*

Executive Directors:

G Crole

S Beeton

M Collignon*

Other Key Management Personnel:

R Minchin

short-term benefits

Cash salary
and fees
$

Cash
bonus
$

post-
employment 
benefits

super-
annuation
$

share-based 
payments

equity-
settled
$

total
$

15,221

126,374

160,235

314,948

139,366

164,384

920,528

-

-

-

60,000

-

13,699

73,699

1,446

12,005

12,565

19,835

6,684

16,918

69,453

-

-

-

14,867

-

16,667

138,379

172,800

409,650

146,050

18,000

32,867

213,001

1,096,547

* Remuneration is for the period from 1 July 2017 to date of resignation as a key management personnel.

** Remuneration is for the period from date of appointment as a key management personnel to 30 June 
2018 

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

name

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

fixed remuneration

at risk - sti

at risk - lti

Non-Executive Directors:

J Larsen

K Pattison

C Sweeney

T Martin

M Carter

Executive Directors:

G Crole

S Beeton

M Collignon

Other Key Management 
Personnel:

100% 

100% 

100% 

100% 

-

97% 

84% 

-

100% 

-

-

-

100% 

100% 

81% 

100% 

-

-

-

-

-

3% 

16% 

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

15% 

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

4% 

-

R Minchin

89% 

86% 

7% 

6% 

4% 

8% 

Service agreements  
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 one to three months’ notice required for termination by either party.

1 6

Sequoia Financial Group limited  AnnuAl RepoRt — 30 June 2019Directors’ report
30 June 2019

Share-based compensation

Issue of shares  
There were no shares issued or granted to directors and other key management personnel as part of 
compensation during the year ended 30 June 2019.

Options  
There were no options over ordinary shares issued or granted to directors and other key management 
personnel as part of compensation that were outstanding as at 30 June 2019.

Performance rights  
The terms and conditions of each grant of performance rights over ordinary shares affecting 
remuneration of directors and other key management personnel in this financial year or future reporting 
years are as follows:

grant date

1 Feb 2017

26 Oct 2018

name

vesting date and 
exercisable date

expiry date

share price hurdle  
for vesting

fair value per right at 
grant date

31 Jan 2018

31 Jan 2022

30 Jun 2019

30 Jun 2023

$0.000

$0.000

$0.3200 

$0.3100 

number of
rights
granted

grant date

vesting date and
exercisable date

expiry date

share price
hurdle for
vesting

fair value
per right
at grant date

Renee Minchin

100,000

26 Oct 2018

30 Jun 2019

30 Jun 2023

$0.000

$0.3100 

Performance rights granted carry no dividend or voting rights.

The number of performance rights over ordinary shares granted to and vested in directors and other 
key management personnel as part of compensation during the year ended 30 June 2019 are set out 
below:

name

number of rights granted 
during the year 2019

number of rights granted 
during the year 2018

number of rights vested 
during the year 2019

number of rights vested 
during the year 2018

Renee Minchin

100,000

150,000

33,750

60,000

All performance rights were granted for nil consideration and had a nil exercise price.

Additional information  
The earnings of the Group for the five years to 30 June 2019 are summarised below:

2019
$

2018
$

2017
$

2016
$

2015
$

Sales revenue

83,018,040

75,674,127

35,075,151

22,980,597

21,406,293

Profit/(loss) after income tax

(1,001,368)

2,369,718

725,573

285,733

(17,974,212)

The factors that are considered to affect total shareholders return (‘TSR’) are summarised below:

Share price at financial year end ($)

0.170

0.340

0.320

0.200

0.100

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

1 7

Sequoia Financial Group limited  AnnuAl RepoRt — 30 June 2019Directors’ report
30 June 2019

Additional disclosures relating to key management personnel

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

Ordinary shares

GP Crole***

J Larsen***

K Pattison*

C Sweeney***

SL Beeton**/***

RL Minchin

balance at the 
start of the year

Received 
as part of 
remuneration

additions

disposals/ 
other

balance at the 
end of the year

11,401,500

300,000

-

-

9,183,358

302,647

21,187,505

-

-

-

-

-

275,634

4,647

367,500

195,000

-

-

-

-

730,024

(9,913,382)

11,677,134

304,647

367,500

195,000

-

33,750

33,750

-

-

336,397

1,572,805

(9,913,382)

12,880,678

* Additions represents holding at date of becoming a key management personnel, not necessarily an 
addition of holding during the year.

** Disposals/other represents no longer a key management personnel, not necessarily a disposal of 
holding. Scott Beeton resigned on 4 February 2019.

*** Shares acquired via on-market trade. 

Option holding  
The number of options over ordinary shares in the Company held during the financial year by each 
director and other members of key management personnel of the Group, including their personally 
related parties, is set out below:

Options over ordinary shares

SL Beeton

balance at the 
start of the year

granted

exercised

expired/ 
forfeited/ 
other

balance at the 
end of the year

2,000,000

2,000,000

-

-

-

-

(2,000,000)

(2,000,000)

-

-

* Options were forfeited on date of resignation, 4 February 2019. 

Performance rights holding  
The number of performance rights over ordinary shares in the Company held during the financial year 
by each director and other members of key management personnel of the Group, including their 
personally related parties, is set out below:

Performance rights over ordinary shares

RL Minchin

balance at the 
start of the year

granted

exercised

expired/ 
forfeited/ 
other

balance at the 
end of the year

90,000

90,000

100,000

100,000

(33,750)

(33,750)

-

-

156,250

156,250

This concludes the remuneration report, which has been audited.

1 8

Sequoia Financial Group limited  AnnuAl RepoRt — 30 June 2019Directors’ report
30 June 2019

shaRes undeR option

There were no unissued ordinary shares of Sequoia Financial Group Limited under option outstanding at 
the date of this report.

shaRes undeR peRfoRmanCe Rights

unissued ordinary shares of Sequoia Financial Group Limited under performance rights at the date of this 
report are as follows:

grant date

1 February 2017

26 October 2018

expiry date

31 January 2022

30 June 2023

number under rights

150,000

925,000

1,075,000

No person entitled to exercise the performance rights had or has any right by virtue of the performance 
right to participate in any share issue of the Company or of any other body corporate.

shaRes issued on the exeRCise of options

There were no ordinary shares of Sequoia Financial Group Limited issued on the exercise of options 
during the year ended 30 June 2019 and up to the date of this report.

shaRes issued on the exeRCise of peRfoRmanCe Rights

The following ordinary shares of Sequoia Financial Group Limited were issued during the year ended 30 
June 2019 and up to the date of this report on the exercise of performance rights granted:

date performance rights granted

share price as at date of exercise

number of shares issued

1 February 2017

$0.260 

112,500

indemnity and insuRanCe of offiCeRs

The Company has indemnified the directors and executives of the Company for costs incurred, in their 
capacity as a director or executive, for which they may be held personally liable, except where there is 
a lack of good faith.

During the financial year, the Company paid a premium in respect of a contract to insure the directors 
and executives of the Company against a liability to the extent permitted by the Corporations Act 
2001. The contract of insurance prohibits disclosure of the nature of the liability and the amount of the 
premium.

indemnity and insuRanCe of auditoR

The Company has not, during or since the end of the financial year, indemnified or agreed to indemnify 
the auditor of the Company or any related entity against a liability incurred by the auditor.

During the financial year, the Company has not paid a premium in respect of a contract to insure the 
auditor of the Company or any related entity.

1 9

Sequoia Financial Group limited  AnnuAl RepoRt — 30 June 2019Directors’ report
30 June 2019

pRoCeedings on behalf of the Company

No person has applied to the Court under section 237 of the Corporations Act 2001 for leave to bring 
proceedings on behalf of the Company, or to intervene in any proceedings to which the Company 
is a party for the purpose of taking responsibility on behalf of the Company for all or part of those 
proceedings.

non-audit seRviCes

Details of the amounts paid or payable to the auditor for non-audit services provided during the 
financial year by the auditor are outlined in note 22 to the financial statements.

The directors are satisfied that the provision of non-audit services during the financial year, by the 
auditor (or by another person or firm on the auditor’s 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 requirements of the Corporations Act 2001 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 APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants issued by the Accounting Professional 
and Ethical Standards Board, including reviewing or auditing the auditor’s 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.

auditoR’s independenCe deClaRation

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

This report is made in accordance with a resolution of directors, pursuant to section 298(2)(a) of the 
Corporations Act 2001.

On behalf of the directors

John Larsen 
Chairman

19 August 2019  
Melbourne

2 0

Sequoia Financial Group limited  AnnuAl RepoRt — 30 June 2019Auditor’s Independence declaration

2 1

Sequoia Financial Group limited  AnnuAl RepoRt — 30 June 2019Consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income

Revenue

expenses

Data fees

Dealing and settlement

Commission and hedging

Employee benefits

Occupancy

Telecommunications

Marketing

General and administrative

Operating profit

Interest revenue calculated using the effective interest method

Depreciation and amortisation

Impairment of assets

Finance costs

Profit/(loss) before income tax (expense)/benefit

Income tax (expense)/benefit

Profit/(loss) after income tax (expense)/benefit for the year

other comprehensive income

Items that will not be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss

Gain on the revaluation of financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive 
income, net of tax

Loss on the revaluation of financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive 
income, net of tax

Other comprehensive income for the year, net of tax

total comprehensive income for the year

Profit/(loss) for the year is attributable to:

Non-controlling interest

Owners of Sequoia Financial Group Limited

Total comprehensive income for the year is attributable to:

Non-controlling interest

Owners of Sequoia Financial Group Limited

Basic earnings per share

Diluted earnings per share

Consolidated

note

2019 
$

2018 
$

5

83,018,040 

75,674,127 

(1,161,134)

(1,806,693)

(8,349,140)

(16,885,741)

(54,375,311)

(38,731,824)

6

(11,734,219)

(9,259,008)

(1,127,414)

(938,733)

(1,137,711)

(636,949)

(393,591)

(421,999)

(3,646,638)

(2,660,293)

1,092,882 

4,332,887 

220,170 

99,111 

(1,563,159)

(473,888)

12

(530,832)

(222)

(323,215)

(499,717)

(1,104,154)

3,458,171

7

102,786

(1,088,453)

(1,001,368)

2,369,718

-

289,530

(157,173)

- 

(157,173)

289,530

(1,158,541)

2,659,248

-  

58,733 

(1,001,368)

2,310,985 

(1,001,368)

2,369,718 

-  

58,733 

(1,158,541)

2,600,515 

(1,158,541)

2,659,248 

Cents

Cents

29

29

(0.851)

(0.851)

2.800

2.676

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

2 2

Sequoia Financial Group limited  AnnuAl RepoRt — 30 June 2019Consolidated statement of financial position

assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Trade and other receivables

Contract assets and deferred costs

Inventories

Financial assets

Derivative financial instruments

Deposits

Prepayments

Total current assets

non-current assets

Contract assets and deferred costs

Derivative financial instruments

Financial assets

Plant and equipment

Intangibles

Deferred tax

Prepayments

Total non-current assets

total assets

Consolidated

note

2019 
$

2018 
$

8

9

10

11

9

11

12

7

18,852,029 

11,675,680 

7,510,057 

6,386 

675,614 

19,031,987 

7,088,606 

9,211,254 

18,547 

1,494,444 

5,042,611 

13,924,686 

138,452 

706,591 

1,306,000 

586,958 

44,607,420 

52,662,482 

8,078,679 

9,707,879 

13,719,935 

17,438,251 

40,000 

1,654,060 

1,944,646 

2,291,997 

20,621,472 

21,322,703 

7,775,014 

392,950 

8,394,867 

779,440 

52,282,110 

61,879,783 

96,889,530

114,542,265

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

2 3

Sequoia Financial Group limited  AnnuAl RepoRt — 30 June 2019Consolidated statement of financial position

liabilities

Current liabilities

Trade and other payables

Contract liabilities and deferred revenue

Borrowings

Derivative financial instruments

Income tax payable

Employee benefits

Lease incentives

Total current liabilities

non-current liabilities

Contract liabilities and deferred revenue

Borrowings

Derivative financial instruments

Deferred tax

Employee benefits

Total non-current liabilities

total liabilities

net assets

equity

Issued capital

Reserves

Accumulated losses

total equity

Consolidated

note

2019
$

2018
$

13

14

15

11

14

15

11

7

16

17

15,551,526 

10,585,148 

1,431,658 

5,042,610 

1,759,066 

555,206 

624,563 

13,673,154 

11,748,491 

6,680,717 

13,924,686 

1,439,605 

645,768 

643,582 

35,549,777 

48,756,003 

11,394,362 

13,646,018 

-  

719,506 

13,719,936 

17,438,251 

4,928,398 

124,369 

6,141,711 

76,604 

30,167,065 

38,022,090 

65,716,842

31,172,688

86,778,093

27,764,172

48,025,034 

42,788,182 

579,708 

816,899 

(17,432,054)

(15,840,909)

31,172,688

27,764,172

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

2 4

Sequoia Financial Group limited  AnnuAl RepoRt — 30 June 2019Consolidated statement of changes in equity

Consolidated

issued
capital
$

financial 
assets at 
fair value 
through other 
comprehen-
sive income
reserve
$

share-
based 
payments
reserve
$

accumulated
losses
$

non-
controlling
interest
$

total 
equity
$

Balance at 1 July 2017

26,724,112

297,951

110,384

(17,005,876)

75,509

10,202,080

Profit after income tax expense for 
the year

Other comprehensive income for 
the year, net of tax

Total comprehensive income for 
the year

Transactions with owners in their 
capacity as owners:

-

-

-

-

289,530

289,530

Contributions of equity, net of 
transaction costs (note 16)

16,064,070

Share-based payments 

Acquisition of non-controlling 
interest

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

119,034

2,310,985

58,733

2,369,718

-

-

289,530

2,310,985

58,733

2,659,248

-

-

-

-

16,064,070

119,034

-

(1,146,018)

(134,242)

(1,280,260)

Balance at 30 June 2018

42,788,182

587,481

229,418

(15,840,909)

-

27,764,172

Consolidated

issued
capital
$

financial 
assets at 
fair value 
through other 
comprehen-
sive income
reserve
$

share-
based 
payments
reserve
$

accumulated
losses
$

non-
controlling
interest
$

total 
equity
$

Balance at 1 July 2018

42,788,182

587,481

229,418

(15,840,909)

Loss after income tax benefit for 
the year

Other comprehensive income for 
the year, net of tax

Total comprehensive income for 
the year

Transactions with owners in their 
capacity as owners:

-

-

-

-

(157,173)

(157,173)

Contributions of equity, net of 
transaction costs (note 16)

5,236,852

Share-based payments

Dividends paid (note 18)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(80,018)

(1,001,368)

-

(1,001,368)

-

-

-

(589,777)

Balance at 30 June 2019

48,025,034

430,308

149,400

(17,432,054)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

27,764,172

(1,001,368)

(157,173)

(1,158,541)

5,236,852

(80,018)

(589,777)

31,172,688

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

2 5

Sequoia Financial Group limited  AnnuAl RepoRt — 30 June 2019Consolidated statement of cash flows

Cash flows from operating activities

Receipts from customers (inclusive of GST)

Payments to suppliers and employees (inclusive of GST)

Interest received

Interest and other finance costs paid

Income taxes paid

Consolidated

note

2019
$

2018
$

78,370,946 

78,977,716 

(77,910,306)

(69,385,242)

460,640 

220,170 

(323,215)

(171,213)

9,592,474 

99,111 

(499,717)

(320,485)

Net cash from operating activities

28

186,382

8,871,383

Cash flows from investing activities

Payment for purchase of business, net of cash acquired

Payments for purchase of additional equity in subsidiaries

Payments for investments

Payments for plant and equipment

Payments for intangibles

Payments for bonds, guarantees and other assets

Proceeds from disposal of investments

Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment

Net cash from/(used in) investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities

Proceeds from issue of shares

Share issue transaction costs

Proceeds from borrowings

Repayment of convertible notes

Dividends paid

Repayment of borrowings

-  

-  

-  

(754,364)

(4,877)

-  

1,709,973 

4,418 

(771,845)

(1,280,260)

(296,664)

(1,175,937)

(716,128)

(568,548)

-  

-  

955,150

(4,809,382)

5,236,852 

3,096,240 

-  

-  

(200,000)

(589,777)

(5,768,565)

(2,720)

5,999,048 

(300,000)

-  

-  

12

18

Net cash from/(used in) financing activities

(1,321,490)

8,792,568

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the financial year

(179,958)

19,031,987 

12,854,569 

6,177,418 

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the financial year

18,852,029

19,031,987

The Group holds cash reserves which are required to meet its broker licensing commitments. The 
conditions of the license, amongst other requirements, mandate that its wholly owned subsidiary, 
Morrison Securities Pty Ltd must maintain at all times core capital greater than $12,000,000, where at 
least 90% of this core capital is cash at bank.

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

2 6

Sequoia Financial Group limited  AnnuAl RepoRt — 30 June 2019note 1. geneRal infoRmation

The financial statements cover Sequoia Financial Group Limited as a Group consisting of 
Sequoia Financial Group Limited (‘Company’ or ‘parent entity’) and the entities it controlled 
at the end of, or during, the year (referred to in these financial statements as the ‘Group’). 
The financial statements are presented in Australian dollars, which is Sequoia Financial Group 
Limited’s functional and presentation currency.

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 7  
7 Macquarie Place  
Sydney NSW 2000

A description of the nature of the Group’s operations and its principal activities are included 
in the directors’ report, which is not part of the financial statements.

The financial statements were authorised for issue, in accordance with a resolution of 
directors, on 19 August 2019. The directors have the power to amend and reissue the 
financial statements.

note 2. signifiCant aCCounting poliCies

The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the financial statements 
are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all the years presented, 
unless otherwise stated.

new or amended accounting standards and interpretations adopted
The Group has adopted all of the new or amended Accounting Standards and 
Interpretations issued by the Australian Accounting Standards Board (‘AASB’) that are 
mandatory for the current reporting period.

Any new or amended Accounting Standards or Interpretations that are not yet mandatory 
have not been early adopted.

The following Accounting Standards and Interpretations are most relevant to the Group:

AASB 9 Financial Instruments  
The Group has adopted AASB 9 from 1 July 2018. The standard introduced new classification 
and measurement models for financial assets. A financial asset shall be measured at 
amortised cost if it is held within a business model whose objective is to hold assets in 
order to collect contractual cash flows which arise on specified dates and that are solely 
principal and interest. A debt investment shall be measured at fair value through other 
comprehensive income if it is held within a business model whose objective is to both hold 
assets in order to collect contractual cash flows which arise on specified dates that are 
solely principal and interest as well as selling the asset on the basis of its fair value. All other 
financial assets are classified and measured at fair value through profit or loss unless the 
entity makes an irrevocable election on initial recognition to present gains and losses on 
equity instruments (that are not held-for-trading or contingent consideration recognised in a 
business combination) in other comprehensive income (‘OCI’). Despite these requirements, 
a financial asset may be irrevocably designated as measured at fair value through profit 
or loss to reduce the effect of, or eliminate, an accounting mismatch. For financial liabilities 

2 7

Notes to the consolidated financial statementsSequoia Financial Group limited  ANNuAl RepoRt — 30 JuNe 2019note 2. signifiCant aCCounting poliCies (Continued)

designated at fair value through profit or loss, the standard requires the portion of the change 
in fair value that relates to the entity’s own credit risk to be presented in OCI (unless it would 
create an accounting mismatch). New simpler hedge accounting requirements are intended 
to more closely align the accounting treatment with the risk management activities of the 
entity. New impairment requirements use an ‘expected credit loss’ (‘ECL’) model to recognise 
an allowance. Impairment is measured using a 12-month ECL method unless the credit risk 
on a financial instrument has increased significantly since initial recognition in which case 
the lifetime ECL method is adopted. For receivables, a simplified approach to measuring 
expected credit losses using a lifetime expected loss allowance is available.

The Group previously held investments classified as ‘available-for-sale’, with changes in fair 
value of those investments, net of tax, taken to the financial assets at fair value through other 
comprehensive income reserve. upon adopting AASB 9, the Group elected to continue to 
account for these equity investments at ‘fair value through other comprehensive income’. As a 
consequence, there was no adjustment to these financial statements arising from this change.

AASB 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers  
The Group has adopted AASB 15 from 1 July 2018. The standard provides a single 
comprehensive model for revenue recognition. The core principle of the standard is that 
an entity shall recognise revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to 
customers at an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be 
entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The standard introduced a new contract-
based revenue recognition model with a measurement approach that is based on an 
allocation of the transaction price. This is described further in the accounting policies below. 
Credit risk is presented separately as an expense rather than adjusted against revenue. 
Contracts with customers are presented in an entity’s statement of financial position as a 
contract liability, a contract asset, or a receivable, depending on the relationship between 
the entity’s performance and the customer’s payment. Customer acquisition costs and costs 
to fulfil a contract can, subject to certain criteria, be capitalised as an asset and amortised 
over the contract period.

Impact of adoption  
AASB 9 and AASB 15 were adopted using the transitional rules not to restate comparatives. 
There was no impact on the adoption on opening accumulated losses as at 1 July 2018.

The impact of the new Accounting Standards compared with the previous Accounting 
Standards on the current reporting period is as follows:

extRaCt

Statement of profit or loss

Revenue

Current 
standard
(as reported)
$

previous 
standard
$

Change
$

83,018,040

83,238,210

(220,170)

Interest revenue calculated using the effective interest method

220,170

-

220,170

Loss before income tax benefit

Income tax benefit

(1,104,154)

(1,104,154)

102,786

102,786

Loss after income tax benefit

(1,001,368)

(1,001,368)

-

-

-

2 8

Notes to the consolidated financial statementsSequoia Financial Group limited  ANNuAl RepoRt — 30 JuNe 2019note 2. signifiCant aCCounting poliCies (Continued)

basis of preparation
These general purpose financial statements have been prepared in accordance with 
Australian Accounting Standards and Interpretations issued by the Australian Accounting 
Standards Board (‘AASB’) and the Corporations Act 2001, as appropriate for for-profit 
oriented entities. These financial statements also comply with International Financial 
Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (‘IASB’).

Historical cost convention  
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, 
except for, where applicable, the revaluation of financial assets at fair value through other 
comprehensive income, financial assets and liabilities at fair value through profit or loss and 
derivative financial instruments.

Critical accounting estimates  
The preparation of the financial statements requires the use of certain critical accounting 
estimates. It also requires management to exercise its judgement in the process of applying 
the Group’s accounting policies. The areas involving a higher degree of judgement or 
complexity, or areas where assumptions and estimates are significant to the financial 
statements, are disclosed in note 3.

parent entity information
In accordance with the Corporations Act 2001, these financial statements present the results 
of the Group only. Supplementary information about the parent entity is disclosed in note 26.

principles of consolidation
The consolidated financial statements incorporate the assets and liabilities of all subsidiaries 
of Sequoia Financial Group Limited as at 30 June 2019 and the results of all subsidiaries for the 
year then ended.

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

Intercompany transactions, balances and unrealised gains on transactions between entities 
in the Group are eliminated. unrealised losses are also eliminated unless the transaction 
provides evidence of the impairment of the asset transferred. Accounting policies of 
subsidiaries have been changed where necessary to ensure consistency with the policies 
adopted by the Group.

The acquisition of subsidiaries is accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting. 
A change in ownership interest, without the loss of control, is accounted for as an equity 
transaction, where the difference between the consideration transferred and the book 
value of the share of the non-controlling interest acquired is recognised directly in equity 
attributable to the parent.

Where the Group loses control over a subsidiary, it derecognises the assets including 
goodwill, liabilities and non-controlling interest in the subsidiary together with any cumulative 
translation differences recognised in equity. The Group recognises the fair value of the 
consideration received and the fair value of any investment retained together with any gain 
or loss in profit or loss.

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Notes to the consolidated financial statementsSequoia Financial Group limited  ANNuAl RepoRt — 30 JuNe 2019note 2. signifiCant aCCounting poliCies (Continued)

operating segments
Operating segments are presented using the ‘management approach’, where the 
information presented is on the same basis as the internal reports provided to the Chief 
Operating Decision Makers (‘CODM’). The CODM is responsible for the allocation of 
resources to operating segments and assessing their performance.

Revenue recognition
The Group recognises revenue as follows:

Revenue from contracts with customers  
Revenue is recognised at an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Group is 
expected to be entitled in exchange for transferring goods or services to a customer. For 
each contract with a customer, the Group: identifies the contract with a customer; identifies 
the performance obligations in the contract; determines the transaction price which takes 
into account estimates of variable consideration and the time value of money; allocates the 
transaction price to the separate performance obligations on the basis of the relative stand-
alone selling price of each distinct good or service to be delivered; and recognises revenue 
when or as each performance obligation is satisfied in a manner that depicts the transfer to 
the customer of the goods or services promised.

Variable consideration within the transaction price, if any, reflects concessions provided 
to the customer such as discounts, rebates and refunds, any potential bonuses receivable 
from the customer and any other contingent events. Such estimates are determined 
using either the ‘expected value’ or ‘most likely amount’ method. The measurement of 
variable consideration is subject to a constraining principle whereby revenue will only be 
recognised to the extent that it is highly probable that a significant reversal in the amount of 
cumulative revenue recognised will not occur. The measurement constraint continues until 
the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is subsequently resolved. Amounts 
received that are subject to the constraining principle are recognised as a refund liability.

Timing of revenue recognition  
Sequoia Equity Markets Group: The Group offers structured products to investors seeking 
exposure to investment opportunities. Management determined after lengthy evaluation 
that there are different types of structured product revenue. Each revenue type has 
numerous and distinct performance obligations, this allows different treatment to each of 
these revenue streams.

The different revenue streams include:

•  application fee revenue is recognised up-front as it is at a point in time (upon signing 

contract);

•  structured product revenue is released over the duration of the contract as it is earned 

over a period of time (duration of the contract); and

•  coupon premium revenue is earned upon completion of the contract, as it is earned upon 

concluding the contract (conclusion of contract). 

The costs of entering into the contract with wholesale counter parties are matched to the 
revenue streams.

Interest  
Interest revenue is recognised as interest accrues using the effective interest method. This is 
a method of calculating the amortised cost of a financial asset and allocating the interest 

3 0

Notes to the consolidated financial statementsSequoia Financial Group limited  ANNuAl RepoRt — 30 JuNe 2019note 2. signifiCant aCCounting poliCies (Continued)

income over the relevant period using the effective interest rate, which is the rate that 
exactly discounts estimated future cash receipts through the expected life of the financial 
asset to the net carrying amount of the financial asset.

Other revenue  
Revenues from other services, including brokerage, financial planning, superannuation 
and corporate advisory services are performed as they are rendered to the customer, net 
of any commissions. For brokerage, this occurs upon the date of settlement of clearing the 
underlying transaction on behalf of the client. For corporate advisory income relating to a 
transaction, this occurs upon the execution of the transaction. Where corporate advisory 
services relate to fees earned under a retainer agreement, revenue is accrued pro-rata 
according to the servicing of that retainer.

Contract assets and contract liabilities (previously classified as deferred costs and deferred 
revenue)  
Contract assets relate to hedging costs and contract liabilities relate primarily to structured 
product revenues. The contract assets represents costs deferred and contract liabilities 
represent revenue deferred due to recognition requirements where the revenue and cost 
are spread over the product life.

income tax
The income tax expense or benefit for the period is the tax payable on that period’s taxable 
income based on the applicable income tax rate for each jurisdiction, adjusted by the 
changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities attributable to temporary differences, unused 
tax losses and the adjustment recognised for prior periods, where applicable.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognised for temporary differences at the tax rates 
expected to be applied 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 interests in subsidiaries, 

associates or 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.

The carrying amount of recognised and unrecognised deferred tax assets are reviewed at 
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 entities which intend to settle simultaneously.

3 1

Notes to the consolidated financial statementsSequoia Financial Group limited  ANNuAl RepoRt — 30 JuNe 2019note 2. signifiCant aCCounting poliCies (Continued)

Current and non-current classification
Assets and liabilities are presented in the statement of financial position based on current 
and non-current classification.

An asset is classified as current when: it is either expected to be realised or intended to be 
sold or consumed in the Group’s normal operating cycle; it is held primarily for the purpose of 
trading; it is expected to be realised within 12 months after the reporting period; or the asset 
is cash or cash equivalent unless restricted from being exchanged or used to settle a liability 
for at least 12 months after the reporting period. All other assets are classified as non-current.

A liability is classified as current when: it is either expected to be settled in the Group’s normal 
operating cycle; it is held primarily for the purpose of trading; it is due to be settled within 12 
months after the reporting period; or there is no unconditional right to defer the settlement of 
the liability for at least 12 months after the reporting period. All other liabilities are classified as 
non-current.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are always classified as non-current.

Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents includes cash on hand, deposits held at call with financial 
institutions, other short-term, highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months 
or less that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash and which are subject to an 
insignificant risk of changes in value.

trade and other receivables
Trade receivables are initially recognised at fair value and subsequently measured at 
amortised cost using the effective interest method, less any allowance for expected credit 
losses. Trade receivables are generally due for settlement within 30 days.

The Group has applied the simplified approach to measuring expected credit losses, which 
uses a lifetime expected loss allowance. To measure the expected credit losses, trade 
receivables have been grouped based on days overdue.

Other receivables are recognised at amortised cost, less any allowance for expected credit 
losses.

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

Derivatives are classified as current or non-current depending on the expected period of 
realisation, based upon the maturity date set in the underlying derivative agreement.

investments and other financial assets
Investments and other financial assets are initially measured at fair value. Transaction 
costs are included as part of the initial measurement, except for financial assets at fair 
value through profit or loss. Such assets are subsequently measured at either amortised 
cost or fair value depending on their classification. Classification is determined based on 
both the business model within which such assets are held and the contractual cash flow 
characteristics of the financial asset unless, an accounting mismatch is being avoided.

3 2

Notes to the consolidated financial statementsSequoia Financial Group limited  ANNuAl RepoRt — 30 JuNe 2019note 2. signifiCant aCCounting poliCies (Continued)

Financial assets are derecognised when the rights to receive cash flows have expired or 
have been transferred and the Group has transferred substantially all the risks and rewards of 
ownership. When there is no reasonable expectation of recovering part or all of a financial 
asset, it’s carrying value is written off.

Financial assets at amortised cost  
A financial asset is measured at amortised cost only if both of the following conditions are 
met: (i) it is held within a business model whose objective is to hold assets in order to collect 
contractual cash flows; and (ii) the contractual terms of the financial asset represent 
contractual cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest.

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss  
Financial assets not measured at amortised cost or at fair value through other 
comprehensive income are classified as financial assets at fair value through profit or loss. 
Typically, such financial assets will be either: (i) held for trading, where they are acquired for 
the purpose of selling in the short-term with an intention of making a profit, or a derivative; or 
(ii) designated as such upon initial recognition where permitted. Fair value movements are 
recognised in profit or loss.

Impairment of financial assets  
The Group recognises a loss allowance for expected credit losses on financial assets which 
are either measured at amortised cost or fair value through other comprehensive income. 
The measurement of the loss allowance depends upon the Group’s assessment at the end 
of each reporting period as to whether the financial instrument’s credit risk has increased 
significantly since initial recognition, based on reasonable and supportable information that 
is available, without undue cost or effort to obtain.

Where there has not been a significant increase in exposure to credit risk since initial 
recognition, a 12-month expected credit loss allowance is estimated. This represents a 
portion of the asset’s lifetime expected credit losses that is attributable to a default event 
that is possible within the next 12 months. Where a financial asset has become credit 
impaired or where it is determined that credit risk has increased significantly, the loss 
allowance is based on the asset’s lifetime expected credit losses. The amount of expected 
credit loss recognised is measured on the basis of the probability weighted present value of 
anticipated cash shortfalls over the life of the instrument discounted at the original effective 
interest rate.

For financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income, the loss 
allowance is recognised within other comprehensive income. In all other cases, the loss 
allowance is recognised in profit or loss.

plant and equipment
Plant and equipment is stated at historical cost less accumulated depreciation and 
impairment. Historical cost includes expenditure that is directly attributable to the acquisition 
of the items.

Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis to write off the net cost of each item of 
plant and equipment (excluding land) over their expected useful lives as follows:

Leasehold improvements

Over the term of the lease

Plant and equipment

3 years

3 3

Notes to the consolidated financial statementsSequoia Financial Group limited  ANNuAl RepoRt — 30 JuNe 2019note 2. signifiCant aCCounting poliCies (Continued)

The residual values, useful lives and depreciation methods are reviewed, and adjusted if 
appropriate, at each reporting date.

An item of plant and equipment is derecognised upon disposal or when there is no future 
economic benefit to the Group. Gains and losses between the carrying amount and the 
disposal proceeds are taken to profit or loss.

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

A distinction is made between finance leases, which effectively transfer from the lessor to 
the lessee substantially all the risks and benefits incidental to the ownership of leased assets, 
and operating leases, under which the lessor effectively retains substantially all such risks and 
benefits.

Finance leases are capitalised. A lease asset and liability are established at the fair value of 
the leased assets, or if lower, the present value of minimum lease payments. Lease payments 
are allocated between the principal component of the lease liability and the finance costs, 
so as to achieve a constant rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability.

Leased assets acquired under a finance lease are depreciated over the asset’s useful life or 
over the shorter of the asset’s useful life and the lease term if there is no reasonable certainty 
that the Group will obtain ownership at the end of the lease term.

Operating lease payments, net of any incentives received from the lessor, are charged to 
profit or loss on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.

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. Finite life 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 intangible assets 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  
Goodwill arises on the acquisition of a business. 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.

Website  
Significant costs associated with the development of the revenue generating aspects of the 
website, including the capacity of placing orders, are deferred and amortised on a straight-
line basis over the period of their expected benefit, being their finite life of 3 years.

3 4

Notes to the consolidated financial statementsSequoia Financial Group limited  ANNuAl RepoRt — 30 JuNe 2019note 2. signifiCant aCCounting poliCies (Continued)

Customer list  
Customer lists acquired in a business combination are amortised on a straight-line basis over 
the period of their expected benefit, being their finite life of 5 to 10 years.

Regulatory memberships and licences  
Costs in relation to regulatory memberships and licences are capitalised as an asset. These 
costs are not subsequently amortised but reviewed annually for impairment.

impairment of non-financial assets
Goodwill is not subject to amortisation and is 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 of disposal 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.

trade and other payables
These amounts represent liabilities for goods and services provided to the Group prior to 
the end of the financial year and which are unpaid. Due to their short-term nature they are 
measured at amortised cost and are not discounted. The amounts are unsecured and are 
usually paid within 30 days of recognition.

borrowings
Loans and 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 loans or borrowings are classified as non-current.

The component of the convertible notes that exhibits characteristics of a liability is 
recognised as a liability in the statement of financial position, net of transaction costs.

On the issue of the convertible notes the fair value of the liability component is determined 
using a market rate for an equivalent non-convertible bond and this amount is carried 
as a non-current liability on the amortised cost basis until extinguished on conversion or 
redemption. The increase in the liability due to the passage of time is recognised as a 
finance cost. The remainder of the proceeds are allocated to the conversion option that 
is recognised and included in shareholders equity as a convertible note reserve, net of 
transaction costs. The carrying amount of the conversion option is not remeasured in the 
subsequent years. The corresponding interest on convertible notes is expensed to profit or loss.

employee benefits
Short-term employee benefits  
Liabilities for wages and salaries, including non-monetary benefits, annual leave and long 
service leave expected to be settled wholly within 12 months of the reporting date are 
measured at the amounts expected to be paid when the liabilities are settled.

3 5

Notes to the consolidated financial statementsSequoia Financial Group limited  ANNuAl RepoRt — 30 JuNe 2019note 2. signifiCant aCCounting poliCies (Continued)

Other long-term employee benefits  
The liability for annual leave and long service leave not expected to be settled within 
12 months of the reporting date are measured at the present value of expected future 
payments to be made in respect of services provided by employees up to the reporting 
date. Consideration is given to expected future wage and salary levels, experience of 
employee departures and periods of service. Expected future payments are discounted 
using market yields at the reporting date on high-quality corporate bonds with terms to 
maturity and currency that match, as closely as possible, the estimated future cash outflows.

fair value measurement
When an asset or liability, financial or non-financial, is measured at fair value for recognition 
or disclosure purposes, the fair value is based on the price that would be received to sell 
an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants 
at the measurement date; and assumes that the transaction will take place either: in the 
principal market; or in the absence of a principal market, in the most advantageous market.

Fair value is measured using the assumptions that market participants would use when 
pricing the asset or liability, assuming they act in their economic best interests. For non-
financial assets, the fair value measurement is based on its highest and best use. Valuation 
techniques that are appropriate in the circumstances and for which sufficient data are 
available to measure fair value, are used, maximising the use of relevant observable inputs 
and minimising the use of unobservable inputs.

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value are classified into three levels, using a fair value 
hierarchy that reflects the significance of the inputs used in making the measurements. 
Classifications are reviewed at each reporting date and transfers between levels are 
determined based on a reassessment of the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair 
value measurement.

For recurring and non-recurring fair value measurements, external valuers may be used when 
internal expertise is either not available or when the valuation is deemed to be significant. 
External valuers are selected based on market knowledge and reputation. Where there is a 
significant change in fair value of an asset or liability from one period to another, an analysis 
is undertaken, which includes a verification of the major inputs applied in the latest valuation 
and a comparison, where applicable, with external sources of data.

issued capital
Ordinary shares are classified as equity.

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

dividends
Dividends are recognised when declared during the financial year and no longer at the 
discretion of the Company.

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 the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the financial 
year, adjusted for bonus elements in ordinary shares issued during the financial year.

3 6

Notes to the consolidated financial statementsSequoia Financial Group limited  ANNuAl RepoRt — 30 JuNe 2019note 2. signifiCant aCCounting poliCies (Continued)

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.

goods and services tax (‘gst’) and other similar taxes
Revenues, expenses and assets are recognised net of the amount of associated GST, unless 
the GST incurred is not recoverable from the tax authority. In this case it is recognised as part 
of the cost of the acquisition of the asset or as part of the expense.

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 tax authority is included in other 
receivables or other 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 tax authority, 
are presented as operating cash flows.

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

new accounting standards and interpretations not yet mandatory or early adopted
Australian Accounting Standards and Interpretations that have recently been issued or 
amended but are not yet mandatory, have not been early adopted by the Group for the 
annual reporting period ended 30 June 2019. The Group’s assessment of the impact of these 
new or amended Accounting Standards and Interpretations, most relevant to the Group, are 
set out below.

AASB 16 Leases  
This standard is applicable to annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2019. 
The standard replaces AASB 117 ‘Leases’ and for lessees will eliminate the classifications 
of operating leases and finance leases. Subject to exceptions, a ‘right-of-use’ asset and 
lease liability are recognised at the commencement of the lease. The right-of-use asset is 
recognised at an amount that is equivalent to the initial measurement of the lease liability, 
adjusted for lease prepayments, lease incentives received, initial direct costs incurred, 
and an estimate of any future restoration, removal or dismantling costs. The lease liability is 
recognised at the present value of future lease payments comprising fixed lease payments 
less incentives, variable lease payments, residual guarantees payable, payment of purchase 
options where exercise is reasonably certain, and any anticipated termination penalties. 
The lease payments are discounted at the rate implicit in the lease, or where not readily 
determinable, the entity’s incremental borrowing rate. The exceptions relate to short-term 
leases of 12 months or less and leases of low-value assets (such as personal computers and 
small office furniture) where an accounting policy choice exists whereby either a ‘right-
of-use’ asset is recognised or lease payments are expensed to profit or loss as incurred. 
Straight-line operating lease expense recognition will be replaced with a depreciation 
charge for the leased asset (included in operating costs) and an interest expense on the 
recognised lease liability (included in finance costs). In the earlier periods of the lease, the 
expenses associated with the lease under AASB 16 will be higher when compared to lease 

3 7

Notes to the consolidated financial statementsSequoia Financial Group limited  ANNuAl RepoRt — 30 JuNe 2019note 2. signifiCant aCCounting poliCies (Continued)

expenses under AASB 117. However, EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation 
and Amortisation) results will be improved as the operating expense is replaced by 
interest expense and depreciation in profit or loss under AASB 16. For classification within 
the statement of cash flows, the lease payments will be separated into both a principal 
(financing activities) and interest (either operating or financing activities) component. 
For lessor accounting, the standard does not substantially change how a lessor accounts 
for leases. The Group will adopt this standard from 1 July 2019 and it is expected that the 
operating and lease commitments identified in note 29 will be required to be included in the 
consolidated statement of financial position when the standard becomes effective.

New Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting  
A revised Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting has been issued by the AASB and 
is applicable for annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2020. This release 
impacts for-profit private sector entities that have public accountability that are required by 
legislation to comply with Australian Accounting Standards and other for-profit entities that 
voluntarily elect to apply the Conceptual Framework. Phase 2 of the framework is yet to be 
released which will impact for-profit private sector entities. The application of new definition 
and recognition criteria as well as new guidance on measurement will result in amendments 
to several accounting standards. The issue of AASB 2019-1 Amendments to Australian 
Accounting Standards – References to the Conceptual Framework, also applicable from 1 
January 2020, includes such amendments. Where the Group has relied on the conceptual 
framework in determining its accounting policies for transactions, events or conditions that 
are not otherwise dealt with under Australian Accounting Standards, the Group may need to 
revisit such policies. The Group will apply the revised conceptual framework from 1 July 2020 
and is yet to assess its impact.

note 3. CRitiCal aCCounting judgements, estimates   
and assumptions

The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make judgements, 
estimates and assumptions 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 (refer to the 
respective notes) within the next financial year are discussed below.

Goodwill  
The Group tests annually, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate 
impairment, whether goodwill has suffered any impairment, in accordance with the 
accounting policy stated in note 2. 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.

3 8

Notes to the consolidated financial statementsSequoia Financial Group limited  ANNuAl RepoRt — 30 JuNe 2019note 3. CRitiCal aCCounting judgements, estimates and assumptions 
(Continued)

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

Other significant estimates  
Other significant estimates include fair value assessment of derivatives and investments (refer to note 20).

note 4. opeRating segments

Identification of reportable operating segments  
The Group is organised into five operating segments which 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.

The information reported to the CODM is on a monthly basis. The CODM reviews operating profit 
which is earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation adjusted for impairment 
(adjusted ‘EBITDA’). Previously the CODM reviewed operating results. Comparatives have been restated 
accordingly.

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

Sequoia Wealth 
Group

Sequoia 
Professional 
Services Group

Sequoia Equity 
Markets Group

Sequoia Direct 
Investment 
Group

Sequoia Wealth Group comprises the Financial Planning, Wealth Management and 
Corporate advisory business units. This is our personal advice division and specialises 
in supporting accountants, financial planners, mortgage brokers, insurance 
advisers and investment advisers with an array of solutions such as AFSL and ACL 
licensing, merger and acquisitions corporate advice, equity capital market advice, 
administration and investment platforms, investment and superannuation products, 
model portfolios, mortgage broking and life insurance advice. This is delivered 
through adviser networks and dedicated direct relationships with clients.

Sequoia Professional Services Group provides complete SMSF solutions to Financial 
Planners, Stock Brokers, Mortgage Brokers and Accountants Australia wide. This 
division also manages a legal practice establishment business and is an Australian 
leading provider of General Insurance solutions specifically for accountants.

Sequoia Equity Markets Group delivers white label Australian Stockbroking and 
Specialised Investment solutions to third party institutional and adviser networks that 
operate their own AFSL such as financial planners, financial advisors, banks, building 
societies and trading educators.

Sequoia Direct Investment Group provides general advice for investors on portfolio 
management, SMSFs, share trading, superannuation, structured products and 
insurance. This division also includes market data and trading tools for self-directed 
investors and has an independent news organisation specialising in finance 
and business news updates, events and investor communication for ASX-Listed 
companies.

Head Office

Head Office relates to the corporate running costs of the Group.

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

3 9

Notes to the consolidated financial statementsSequoia Financial Group limited  ANNuAl RepoRt — 30 JuNe 2019note 4. opeRating segments (Continued)

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.

Operating segment information

Consolidated - 2019

Revenue

Revenue

Gains/(losses) on portfolio 
investments

sequoia 
wealth
group
$

sequoia 
professional 
services
group
$

sequoia 
equity 
markets
group
$

sequoia 
direct 
investment
group
$

head
office
$

total
$

26,806,237

4,644,997

48,554,256

3,145,461

308,540

83,459,491

(438,307)

-

(3,144)

-

-

(441,451)

total revenue

26,367,930

4,644,997

48,551,112

3,145,461

308,540

83,018,040

adjusted ebitda

1,939,362

1,842,443

2,714,199

878,496

(6,281,618)

1,092,882

Depreciation and amortisation

Impairment of assets

Interest revenue

Finance costs

Loss before income tax benefit

Income tax benefit

Loss after income tax benefit

assets

Segment assets

total assets

liabilities

Segment liabilities

total liabilities

(1,563,159)

(530,832)

220,170

(323,215)

(1,104,154)

102,786

(1,001,368)

4,291,975

7,438,106

69,256,950

1,002,038

14,900,461

96,889,530

96,889,530

1,800,007

431,121

53,409,040

977,006

9,099,668

65,716,842

65,716,842

4 0

Notes to the consolidated financial statementsSequoia Financial Group limited  ANNuAl RepoRt — 30 JuNe 2019note 4. opeRating segments (Continued)

Consolidated - 2018

Revenue

Revenue

Gains/(losses) on portfolio 
investments

sequoia 
wealth
group
$

sequoia 
professional 
services
group
$

sequoia 
equity 
markets
group
$

sequoia 
direct 
investment
group
$

head
office
$

total
$

18,989,482

4,168,623

45,771,151

5,100,571

1,164,434

75,194,261

479,866

-

-

-

-

479,866

total revenue

19,469,348

4,168,623

45,771,151

5,100,571

1,164,434

75,674,127

adjusted ebitda

2,703,521

1,188,701

1,767,011

944,050

(2,270,396)

4,332,887

Depreciation and amortisation

Impairment of assets

Interest revenue

Finance costs

Profit before income tax expense

Income tax expense

Profit after income tax expense

assets

Segment assets

total assets

liabilities

Segment liabilities

total liabilities

(473,888)

(222)

99,111

(499,717)

3,458,171

(1,088,453)

2,369,718

6,330,185

6,401,348

96,389,821

2,764,420

2,656,491

114,542,265

114,542,265

1,953,106

505,416

83,092,348

1,227,223

-

86,778,093

86,778,093

4 1

Notes to the consolidated financial statementsSequoia Financial Group limited  ANNuAl RepoRt — 30 JuNe 2019note 5. Revenue

Sales revenue

Data subscriptions fees

Brokerage and commissions revenue

Superannuation product revenue

Structured product revenue

Corporate advisory fees

Media revenue

Leasing

Other income

Other revenue

Consolidated

2019
$

2018
$

863,635

37,711,607

2,584,074 

36,707,013

2,967,596

1,581,260 

293,766 

750,540

1,209,386 

28,670,705 

2,197,532 

32,979,899 

7,857,531 

1,601,788 

480,210 

197,210 

83,459,491

75,194,261 

Gains/(losses) on portfolio investments

(441,451)

479,866

Revenue

83,018,040

75,674,127

Other revenue includes general service revenue and held for trading revenue.

Disaggregation of revenue  
The disaggregation of revenue from contracts with customers is as follows:

Consolidated - 2019

Timing of revenue recognition

Services transferred at a point in 
time

sequoia 
wealth
group
$

sequoia 
professional 
services
group
$

sequoia 
equity 
markets
group
$

sequoia 
direct 
investment
group
$

head
office
$

total
$

26,367,930

4,644,997

11,725,198

819,467

308,540

43,866,132

Services transferred over time

- 

- 

36,825,914

2,325,994

-

39,151,908

26,367,930

4,644,997

48,551,112

3,145,461

308,540 

83,018,040

AASB 15 was adopted using the transitional rules not to restate comparatives. As such, no 
disaggregation of revenue is disclosed for the year ended 30 June 2018.

4 2

Notes to the consolidated financial statementsSequoia Financial Group limited  ANNuAl RepoRt — 30 JuNe 2019note 6. expenses

Profit/(loss) before income tax includes the following specific expenses:

Rental expense relating to operating leases

Minimum lease payments

Employee benefits

Wages and salaries

Defined contribution superannuation expense

Other employment costs

Total employee benefits

note 7. inCome tax

Income tax expense/(benefit)

Current tax

Deferred tax - origination and reversal of temporary differences

Adjustment recognised for prior periods

Aggregate income tax expense/(benefit)

Deferred tax included in income tax expense/(benefit) comprises:

Decrease/(increase) in deferred tax assets

Increase/(decrease) in deferred tax liabilities

Consolidated

2019
$

2018
$

1,046,956

885,109

8,653,292 

731,184 

2,349,743 

7,115,620 

599,504 

1,543,884 

11,734,219

9,259,008

Consolidated

2019
$

2018
$

500,152 

1,522,876 

(606,428)

(450,853)

3,490 

16,430 

(102,786)

1,088,453 

606,885 

(2,101,073)

(1,213,313)

1,650,220 

Deferred tax - origination and reversal of temporary differences

(606,428)

(450,853)

Numerical reconciliation of income tax expense/(benefit) and tax at the statutory rate

Profit/(loss) before income tax (expense)/benefit

(1,104,154)

3,458,171 

Tax at the statutory tax rate of 30%

(331,246)

1,037,451 

Tax effect amounts which are not deductible/(taxable) in calculating taxable income:

Impairment of goodwill

Sundry items

Adjustment recognised for prior periods

Income tax expense/(benefit)

159,250 

65,720 

-  

34,572 

(106,276)

1,072,023 

3,490 

16,430 

(102,786)

1,088,453 

4 3

Notes to the consolidated financial statementsSequoia Financial Group limited  ANNuAl RepoRt — 30 JuNe 2019note 7. inCome tax (Continued)

Amounts charged/(credited) directly to equity

Deferred tax assets

Deferred tax liabilities

Deferred tax asset

Deferred tax asset comprises temporary differences attributable to:

Allowance for expected credit losses

Employee benefits

Accrued expenses

Deferred income

Share issue expenses

Net fair value loss on investment

Deferred tax assets attributable to business combinations

Lease incentives

Deferred tax asset

Movements:

Opening balance

Credited/(charged) to profit or loss

Charged to equity

Additions through business combinations 

Closing balance

Consolidated

2019
$

2018
$

12,968 

23,871 

-  

(46,070)

12,968 

(22,199)

Consolidated

2019
$

2018
$

63,153 

225,664 

390,875 

36,052 

235,880 

385,092 

6,593,853 

7,618,353 

37,226 

138,712 

109,976 

215,555 

24,258 

14,954 

80,278 

-  

7,775,014 

8,394,867 

8,394,867 

5,718,881 

(606,885)

2,101,073 

(12,968)

-  

(23,871)

598,784 

7,775,014 

8,394,867 

4 4

Notes to the consolidated financial statementsSequoia Financial Group limited  ANNuAl RepoRt — 30 JuNe 2019note 7. inCome tax (Continued)

Deferred tax liability

Deferred tax liability comprises temporary differences attributable to:

Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income

Deferred expenses

Deferred tax liability

Movements:

Opening balance

Charged/(credited) to profit or loss

Credited to equity

Closing balance

note 8. tRade and otheR ReCeivables

Current assets

Trade receivables

Less: Allowance for expected credit losses

Other receivables

Consolidated

2019
$

2018
$

251,778 

251,778 

4,676,620 

5,889,933 

4,928,398 

6,141,711 

6,141,711 

4,537,561 

(1,213,313)

1,650,220 

-  

(46,070)

4,928,398 

6,141,711 

Consolidated

2019
$

2018
$

766,543 

2,110,743 

(210,510)

(120,174)

556,033 

1,990,569 

11,119,647 

5,098,037 

11,675,680 

7,088,606 

* Includes trade settlement receivable for Morrison Securities Pty Ltd of $9,782,441 in 2019. 

Allowance for expected credit losses  
The ageing of the receivables and allowance for expected credit losses provided for above are as 
follows:

Consolidated

Not overdue

1 to 30 days overdue

31 to 60 days overdue

Over 60 days overdue

expected credit loss rate

Carrying amount

allowance for expected  
credit losses

2019
%

2018
%

2019
$

2018
$

2019
$

2018
$

-

3.27% 

12.21% 

43.03% 

-

-

-

100.00% 

10,909,150

7,088,606

437,146

117,087

422,807

-

-

120,174

11,886,190

7,208,780

-

14,300

14,300

181,910

210,510

-

-

-

120,174

120,174

4 5

Notes to the consolidated financial statementsSequoia Financial Group limited  ANNuAl RepoRt — 30 JuNe 2019note 8. tRade and otheR ReCeivables (Continued)

Movements in the allowance for expected credit losses are as follows:

Opening balance

Additional provisions recognised

Closing balance

note 9. ContRaCt assets and defeRRed Costs

Current assets

Contract assets - deferred costs

Non-current assets

Contract assets - deferred costs

Consolidated

2019
$

2018
$

120,174 

90,336 

210,510

60,551 

59,623 

120,174

Consolidated

2019
$

2018
$

7,510,057

9,211,254

8,078,679 

9,707,879 

Contract assets - deferred costs relates to hedging costs. The costs are deferred due to recognition 
requirements where the revenue and cost is spread over the product life.

Changes in contract assets and liabilities reflect both:

(a) the release of deferred revenues and costs to the profit and loss through the performance of a 
contract; and

(b) new receipts and prepayments for contracts that are yet to be performed. 

note 10. finanCial assets

Current assets

Investment in shares

Reconciliation

Reconciliation of the fair values at the beginning and end of the current and previous 
financial year are set out below:

Opening fair value

Net additions/(disposals)

Revaluation decrements

Contract assets - deferred costs

Refer to note 20 for further information on fair value measurement.

Ordinary shares are held in ASX listed companies and are actively traded.

Consolidated

2019
$

2018
$

675,614

1,494,444

1,494,444 

26,460 

(307,447)

(511,383)

1,644,259 

(176,275)

675,614

1,494,444

4 6

Notes to the consolidated financial statementsSequoia Financial Group limited  ANNuAl RepoRt — 30 JuNe 2019 
note 11. deRivative finanCial instRuments

Current assets

Derivatives - financial assets

Non-current assets

Derivatives - financial assets

Current liabilities

Derivatives - financial liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Derivatives - financial liabilities

Consolidated

2019
$

2018
$

5,042,611

13,924,686

13,719,935

17,438,251

(5,042,610)

(13,924,686)  

(13,719,936)

(17,438,251)

Refer to note 19 for further information on financial instruments.

Refer to note 20 for further information on fair value measurement.

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 20).

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 19. 
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 has an obligation to its clients to pay the value of the investment at expiry. The current asset 
amount and the non-current asset amount equals that of the investment obligation described as a 
current liability and a non-current liability. The carrying amount equals the amount of the investment 
obligation. The rise or fall offset each other.

4 7

Notes to the consolidated financial statementsSequoia Financial Group limited  ANNuAl RepoRt — 30 JuNe 2019note 12. intangibles

Non-current assets

Goodwill

Less: Impairment

Website - at cost

Less: Accumulated amortisation

Customer list - at cost

Less: Accumulated amortisation

Regulatory memberships and licences - at cost

Other intangibles - at cost

Less: Accumulated amortisation

Consolidated

2019
$

2018
$

11,304,708 

11,304,708 

(530,832)

-  

10,773,876 

11,304,708 

60,831 

(52,951)

7,880 

74,262 

(66,066)

8,196 

5,872,704 

5,872,704 

(508,306)

(426,422)

5,364,398 

5,446,282 

3,845,121

3,849,539

713,978 

(83,781)

630,197 

713,978 

-  

713,978 

20,621,472

21,322,703 

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

Consolidated

goodwill
$

website
$

Customer
list
$

Regulatory 
memberships 
and
licences
$

other
intangibles
$

total
$

Balance at 1 July 2017

8,607,296

Additions

-

17,290

2,150

58,980

35,556

-

8,719,122

-

-

713,978

716,128

Additions through business 
combinations 

2,697,412

-

5,459,232

3,814,206

Amortisation expense

-

(11,244)

(71,930)

(223)

-

-

11,970,850

(83,397)

Balance at 30 June 2018

11,304,708

Additions

Disposals

-

-

Impairment of assets

(530,832)

8,196

4,877

-

-

5,446,282

3,849,539

713,978

21,322,703

-

-

-

-

(4,418)

-

-

-

-

-

4,877

(4,418)

(530,832)

(83,781)

(170,858)

Amortisation expense

-

(5,193)

(81,884)

Balance at 30 June 2019

10,773,876

7,880

5,364,398

3,845,121

630,197

20,621,472

4 8

Notes to the consolidated financial statementsSequoia Financial Group limited  ANNuAl RepoRt — 30 JuNe 2019 
note 12. intangibles (Continued)

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

Cash generating units (‘CGus’):

Sequoia Wealth Group

Sequoia Professional Services Group

Sequoia Equity Markets Group

Sequoia Direct Investment Group

Consolidated

2019
$

2018
$

674,686 

674,686 

4,386,020 

4,386,020 

5,162,392 

5,162,392 

550,778 

1,081,610 

10,773,876 

11,304,708 

The recoverable amount of the Group’s goodwill has been determined by a value-in-use calculation 
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:

key assumptions

Sequoia Wealth Group

Sequoia Professional Services Group

Sequoia Equity Markets Group

Sequoia Direct Investment Group

Revenue growth rate
%

Cost of sales growth rate
%

pre-tax discount rate
%

3.0% 

3.0% 

3.0% 

3.0% 

2.5% 

2.5% 

2.5% 

2.5% 

15.0% 

15.0% 

15.0% 

15.0% 

Based on the value-in-use calculations the goodwill for the Sequoia Direct Investment Group was below 
recoverable amount and was impaired by $530,832 during the financial year ended 30 June 2019.

The goodwill is considered to be sensitive to these assumptions and is carried in the statement of 
financial position at a written-down value.

Sensitivity  
The directors have made judgements and estimates in respect of impairment testing of goodwill. Should 
these judgements and estimates not occur the resulting goodwill carrying amount may decrease. The 
sensitivities are as follows:

(a) Revenue growth would need to decrease by 0.5% before goodwill would need to be impaired, with 
all other assumptions remaining constant.

(b) The discount rate would be required to increase by 2% before goodwill would need to be impaired, 
with all other assumptions remaining constant. 

Management believes that other reasonable changes in the key assumptions on which the recoverable 
amount of goodwill is based would not cause the cash-generating unit’s carrying amount to exceed its 
recoverable amount.

If there are any negative changes in the key assumptions on which the recoverable amount of goodwill 
is based, this would result in a further impairment charge for goodwill.

4 9

Notes to the consolidated financial statementsSequoia Financial Group limited  ANNuAl RepoRt — 30 JuNe 2019note 13. tRade and otheR payables

Current liabilities

Trade payables

Accrued expenses

Client trading and security bond

Other payables

Refer to note 19 for further information on financial instruments.

note 14. ContRaCt liabilities and defeRRed Revenue

Current liabilities

Contract liabilities - deferred revenue

Non-current liabilities

Contract liabilities - deferred revenue

Consolidated

2019
$

2018
$

10,990,779 

8,099,325 

3,391,747 

4,831,966 

1,169,000 

-  

-  

741,863 

15,551,526

13,673,154

Consolidated

2019
$

2018
$

10,585,148

11,748,491

11,394,362

13,646,018

Contract liabilities - deferred revenue relate primarily to structured product revenues. The revenue is 
deferred due to recognition requirements where the revenue and cost are spread over the product life.

Changes in contract assets and liabilities reflect both:

(a) the release of deferred revenues and costs to the profit and loss through the performance of a 
contract; and

(b) new receipts and prepayments for contracts that are yet to be performed.

5 0

Notes to the consolidated financial statementsSequoia Financial Group limited  ANNuAl RepoRt — 30 JuNe 2019note 15. boRRowings

Current liabilities

Bank loans

Capital finance

Other loans

Convertible notes payable

Lease liability

Non-current liabilities

Bank loans

Consolidated

2019
$

2018
$

785,225 

400,000 

100 

200,000 

46,333 

364,008 

5,823,038 

3,273 

400,000 

90,398 

1,431,658

6,680,717

-

719,506

Refer to note 19 for further information on financial instruments.

Interest on borrowings is payable at rates between 4% and 12%.

Bank loans  
Included in bank loans is an amount of $785,225 that is repayable after more than 12 months from the 
reporting date. However, due to a technical breach of the bank covenants (Earnings before interest 
and taxation covenant) the loan has been classified as current in accordance with the accounting 
standards.

Capital finance  
During the financial year to 30 June 2019, the Group settled its capital finance from share issue proceeds 
and working capital.

Convertible notes payable  
Convertible notes payable comprised a number of convertible loans to the value of $200,000 (2018: 
$400,000). Interest is payable at a rate of 7 (2018: 7) percent per annum.

Total secured liabilities  
The total secured liabilities are as follows:

Bank loans

Lease liability

Consolidated

2019
$

2018
$

785,225 

1,083,514 

46,333 

90,398 

831,558

1,173,912

Assets pledged as security  
The bank loans are secured by first mortgages over all assets.

The lease liabilities are effectively secured as the rights to the leased assets, recognised in the statement 
of financial position, revert to the lessor in the event of default.

5 1

Notes to the consolidated financial statementsSequoia Financial Group limited  ANNuAl RepoRt — 30 JuNe 2019note 15. boRRowings (Continued)

Financing arrangements  
unrestricted access was available at the reporting date to the following lines of credit:

Total facilities

Bank loans

used at the reporting date

Bank loans

unused at the reporting date

Bank loans

note 16. issued Capital

Consolidated

2019
$

2018
$

861,063

971,172

785,225

877,906

75,838

93,266

Ordinary shares - fully paid

119,009,824

102,805,456

48,025,034

42,788,182

Movements in ordinary share capital

Consolidated

2019  
shares

2018  
shares

2019 
$

2018 
$

Balance

Issue of shares

Issue of shares

Issue of shares

details

date

shares

issue price

$

1 July 2017

48,798,706

26,724,112

4 September 2017

3,394,750

$0.320 

1,086,320

15 September 2017

5,583,750

$0.320 

1,786,800

Issue of shares on acquisition of Morrison Securities Pty Ltd 18 September 2017

1,562,500

Issue of shares

25 September 2017

187,500

18 September 2017

501,250

$0.320 

$0.360 

$0.320 

160,400

562,500

60,000

Issue of shares on acquisition of Interprac Ltd

1 December 2017

42,777,000

$0.290 

12,405,330

Share issue transaction costs

Balance

Issue of shares

30 June 2018

102,805,456

42,788,182

24 July 2018

15,151,515

$0.330 

5,000,000

2,720

Issue of shares on Dividend Reinvestment Plan

25 October 2018

940,353

$0.323 

303,475

Issue of shares on exercise of performance rights under 
the Long Term Incentive Plan

Share issue transaction costs

19 February 2019

112,500

$0.260 

29,250

Balance

30 June 2019

119,009,824

(95,873)

48,025,034

5 2

Notes to the consolidated financial statementsSequoia Financial Group limited  ANNuAl RepoRt — 30 JuNe 2019note 16. issued Capital (Continued)

Ordinary shares  
Ordinary shares entitle the holder to participate in dividends and the proceeds on the winding up of the 
Company in proportion to the number of and amounts paid on the shares held. The fully paid ordinary 
shares have no par value and the Company does not have a limited amount of authorised capital.

On a show of hands every member present at a meeting in person or by proxy shall have one vote and 
upon a poll each share shall have one vote.

Share buy-back  
There is no current on-market share buy-back.

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

Capital is regarded as total equity, as recognised in the statement of financial position, plus net debt. 
Net debt is calculated as total borrowings less cash and cash equivalents.

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

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

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

The capital risk management policy remains unchanged from the 2018 Annual Report.

note 17. ReseRves

Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income reserve

Share-based payments reserve

Consolidated

2019
$

2018
$

430,308 

149,400 

587,481 

229,418 

579,708

816,899

Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income reserve  
The reserve is used to recognise increments and decrements in the fair value of financial assets at fair 
value through other comprehensive income.

5 3

Notes to the consolidated financial statementsSequoia Financial Group limited  ANNuAl RepoRt — 30 JuNe 2019note 18. dividends

Dividends  
Dividends paid during the financial year were as follows:

Consolidated

2019
$

2018
$

Final dividend for the year ended 30 June 2018 of 0.5 cents per ordinary share*

589,777

-

* The dividend comprised of a cash dividend paid of $286,302 and dividend reinvestment allotment of 
$303,475, that occurred during the year ended 30 June 2019. 

Franking credits

Consolidated

2019
$

2018
$

Franking credits available for subsequent financial years based on a tax rate of 30%

6,160,369

3,238,375

The above amounts represent the balance of the franking account as at the end of the financial year, 
adjusted for:

•  franking credits that will arise from the payment of the amount of the provision for income tax at the 

reporting date

•  franking debits that will arise from the payment of dividends recognised as a liability at the reporting 

date

•  franking credits that will arise from the receipt of dividends recognised as receivables at the reporting 

date

note 19. finanCial instRuments

Financial risk management objectives  
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 between 18 months and 48 months 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.

5 4

Notes to the consolidated financial statementsSequoia Financial Group limited  ANNuAl RepoRt — 30 JuNe 2019note 19. finanCial instRuments (Continued)

The Group’s activities expose it to a variety of financial risks: market risk (including interest rate risk), credit 
risk and liquidity risk. 

The Board of Directors monitor and manage 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 receivables

Derivative assets

Financial assets

Total financial assets

financial liabilities

Trade and other payables

Derivative liabilities

Bank loans and capital finance

Convertible notes

Other loans

Total financial liabilities

Consolidated

2019
$

2018
$

18,852,029 

19,031,987 

11,675,680 

7,088,606 

18,762,546 

31,362,937 

715,614 

3,439,090 

50,005,869 

60,922,620 

13,680,088 

13,673,154 

18,762,546 

31,362,937 

831,558 

200,000 

400,100 

6,906,552 

400,000 

3,273 

33,874,292 

52,345,916 

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 structured 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.

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 by ensuring that price risk in the financial instruments is 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 price risk 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 price risk have been made.

The Group is, therefore, not exposed to any significant price risk.

5 5

Notes to the consolidated financial statementsSequoia Financial Group limited  ANNuAl RepoRt — 30 JuNe 2019note 19. finanCial instRuments (Continued)

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, however the 
Directors of the Group manage financial instruments to ensure that interest rate risk remains 
hedged and is therefore offsetting.

The Group is also exposed to interest rate risk arising from long-term borrowings. Borrowings 
obtained at variable rates expose the Group to interest rate risk. Borrowings obtained at fixed 
rates expose the Group to fair value interest rate risk. 

The Group is not exposed to any significant interest rate risk.

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.

The Group has adopted a lifetime expected loss allowance in estimating expected credit 
losses to trade receivables through the use of a provisions matrix using fixed rates of credit 
loss provisioning. These provisions are considered representative across all customers of the 
Group based on recent sales experience, historical collection rates and forward-looking 
information that is available.

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.

Generally, trade receivables are written off when there is no reasonable expectation of 
recovery. Indicators of this include the failure of a debtor to engage in a repayment plan, 
no active enforcement activity and a failure to make contractual payments for a period 
greater than 1 year.

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 by 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. Investors are granted a charge which is held on trust by the security 
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 

5 6

Notes to the consolidated financial statementsSequoia Financial Group limited  ANNuAl RepoRt — 30 JuNe 2019note 19. finanCial instRuments (Continued)

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 an investment-grade (or better) bank or a subsidiary of an 
investment-grade (or better) bank.

Investments grades are a rating or indicator of particular debt obligations which have a reasonably 
low risk of default. Various rating agencies rate an investment bank’s creditworthiness. Different rating 
firms use different designations. Sequoia Specialist Investments Pty Ltd hedge providers are considered 
“investment grade” and the credit worthiness of our investment bank hedge contracts providers are 
between high credit quality (‘AAA’ and ‘AA’ ) and medium credit quality (‘A’ and ‘BBB’). Therefore, the 
risk of default of the selected hedge providers are considered low. In addition, if the investment bank 
were to unexpectedly default the resulting financial risk would be ultimately borne by the end investor, 
due to the pass through of the credit risk of the hedge provider to the end investor.

The following tables detail the Group’s potential exposure, should the counterparties be unable to meet 
their obligations:

2019

Derivative liabilities

2018

Derivative assets

fair value
$

notional value
$

18,762,546

289,458,434

fair value
$

notional value
$

31,362,937

253,865,633

Liquidity risk  
Vigilant liquidity risk management requires the Group to maintain sufficient liquid assets (mainly cash and 
cash equivalents) and available borrowing facilities to be able to pay debts as and when they become 
due and payable.

The Group manages liquidity risk by maintaining adequate cash reserves and available borrowing 
facilities by continuously monitoring actual and forecast cash flows and matching the maturity profiles of 
financial assets and liabilities.

Remaining contractual maturities  
The following tables detail the Group’s maturity for its financial instrument liabilities. The tables have been 
drawn up based on the undiscounted cash flows of financial liabilities based on the earliest date on 
which the financial liabilities are required to be paid.

5 7

Notes to the consolidated financial statementsSequoia Financial Group limited  ANNuAl RepoRt — 30 JuNe 2019note 19. finanCial instRuments (Continued)

Consolidated - 2019

non-derivatives

Non-interest bearing

Trade payables

Client trading and security bond

Interest-bearing - variable

Bank loans

Other loans

Interest-bearing - fixed rate

Convertible notes payable

Total non-derivatives

derivatives

Value hedges, net settled

Total derivatives

Consolidated - 2018

non-derivatives

Non-interest bearing

Trade payables

Other payables

Interest-bearing - variable

Bank loans

Other loans

Interest-bearing - fixed rate

Capital finance

Convertible notes payable

Total non-derivatives

derivatives

Value hedges, net settled

Total derivatives

1 year or less
$

between 1 
and 5 years
$

Remaining 
contractual 
maturities
$

10,990,779

1,169,000

831,558

400,100

200,000

13,591,437

-

-

-

-

-

-

10,990,779

1,169,000

831,558

400,100

200,000

13,591,437

5,042,610

13,719,936

18,762,546

5,042,610

13,719,936

18,762,546

1 year or less
$

between 1 
and 5 years
$

Remaining 
contractual 
maturities
$

8,099,325

741,863

-

-

8,099,325

741,863

364,008

719,506

1,083,514

3,273

5,823,038

400,000

-

-

-

3,273

5,823,038

400,000

15,431,507

719,506

16,151,013

13,924,686

17,438,251

31,362,937

13,924,686

17,438,251

31,362,937

The cash flows in the maturity analysis above are not expected to occur significantly earlier than 
contractually disclosed above.

5 8

Notes to the consolidated financial statementsSequoia Financial Group limited  ANNuAl RepoRt — 30 JuNe 2019note 20. faiR value measuRement

Fair value hierarchy  
The following tables detail the Group’s assets and liabilities, measured or disclosed at fair value, using 
a three level hierarchy, based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the entire fair value 
measurement, being:

Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the entity can 
access at the measurement date

Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or 
liability, either directly or indirectly

Level 3: unobservable inputs for the asset or liability

Consolidated - 2019

Assets

Listed ordinary shares

unlisted ordinary shares

Derivative financial instruments

Total assets

Liabilities

Derivative financial instruments

Total liabilities

Consolidated - 2018

Assets

Listed ordinary shares

unlisted ordinary shares

Derivative financial instruments

Total assets

Liabilities

Derivative financial instruments

Total liabilities

level 1
$

level 2
$

level 3
$

total
$

675,614

-

-

-

-

-

675,614

40,000

40,000

18,762,546

-

18,762,546

675,614

18,762,546

40,000

19,478,160

-

-

18,762,546

18,762,546

level 1
$

level 2
$

level 3
$

1,494,444

-

-

-

-

18,762,546

18,762,546

total
$

1,494,444

-

-

1,818,850

125,796

1,944,646

31,362,937

-

31,362,937

1,494,444

33,181,787

125,796

34,802,027

-

-

31,362,937

31,362,937

-

-

31,362,937

31,362,937

There were no transfers between levels during the financial year.

Convertible notes are held at amortised cost so are excluded from the fair value tables above.

The carrying amounts of trade and other receivables, trade and other payables and other financial 
liabilities 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 liabilities.

Valuation techniques for fair value measurements categorised within level 2 and level 3  
Financial instruments that are not traded in an active market are determined using valuation 
techniques. These valuation techniques maximise the use of observable market data where it is 

5 9

Notes to the consolidated financial statementsSequoia Financial Group limited  ANNuAl RepoRt — 30 JuNe 2019note 20. faiR value measuRement (Continued)

available and relies as little as possible on entity specific estimates. If all significant inputs required to fair 
value an instrument are observable, the instrument is included in level 2. If one or more of the significant 
inputs is not based on observable market data, the instrument is included in level 3.

unquoted investments have been valued using prices evident in recent third party transactions.

The valuation process is managed by the Chief Operating Decision Makers (‘CODM’) of the Group 
who perform and validate valuations of non-property assets required for financial reporting purposes 
(including level 3 fair values). Discussion on valuation processes and outcomes are held between the 
CODM, CFO and audit committee every six months.

Level 3 assets and liabilities  
Movements in level 3 assets and liabilities during the current and previous financial year are set out 
below:

Consolidated

Balance at 1 July 2017

Additions

Balance at 30 June 2018

Disposals

Balance at 30 June 2019

unlisted 
ordinary shares
$

-

125,796

125,796

(85,796)

40,000

note 21. key management peRsonnel disClosuRes

Compensation  
The aggregate compensation made to directors and other members of key management personnel of 
the Group is set out below:

Short-term employee benefits

Post-employment benefits

Share-based payments

Consolidated

2019
$

2018
$

1,003,667 

994,227 

54,458 

8,775 

69,453 

32,867 

1,066,900

1,096,547

6 0

Notes to the consolidated financial statementsSequoia Financial Group limited  ANNuAl RepoRt — 30 JuNe 2019note 22. RemuneRation of auditoRs

During the financial year the following fees were paid or payable for services provided by William Buck, 
the auditor of the Company:

Audit services - William Buck

Audit or review of the financial statements

Other services - William Buck

Tax services

Other services

Consolidated

2019
$

2018
$

154,410

149,250

81,627 

23,118 

104,745

259,155

27,850 

21,938 

49,788

199,038

note 23. Contingent liabilities

The Group has given a bank guarantee as at 30 June 2019 of $677,238 (2018: $764,938) in relation to 
rental bonds.

note 24. Commitments

Commitments - operating

Committed at the reporting date but not recognised as liabilities, payable:

Within one year

One to five years

More than five years

Consolidated

2019
$

2018
$

1,197,904 

902,650 

2,626,464 

3,314,707 

-  

306,141 

3,824,368

4,523,498

Operating lease commitments includes contracted amounts for the Group’s Melbourne and Sydney 
premises, insurance commitments and leased technology equipment under non-cancellable operating 
leases. The property leases are payable monthly in advance and have contingent rental provisions 
within the lease agreement which require that minimum lease payments shall be increased by 4% 
per annum with options to extend for between 2.7 years and 3 years. The Group has two five-year 
operational lease for printers, leased at a flat-rate and expiring in February 2024.

note 25. Related paRty tRansaCtions

Parent entity  
Sequoia Financial Group Limited is the parent entity.

Subsidiaries  
Interests in subsidiaries are set out in note 27.

6 1

Notes to the consolidated financial statementsSequoia Financial Group limited  ANNuAl RepoRt — 30 JuNe 2019note 25. Related paRty tRansaCtions (Continued)

Key management personnel  
Disclosures relating to key management personnel are set out in note 21 and the remuneration report 
included in the directors’ report.

Transactions with related parties  
The following transactions occurred with related parties:

Other transactions:

Loan to Director, Garry Crole

Consolidated

2019
$

2018
$

- 

10,056

Terms and conditions  
All transactions were made on normal commercial terms and conditions and at market rates.

note 26. paRent entity infoRmation

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

Statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income

Profit/(loss) after income tax

Total comprehensive income

Statement of financial position

Total current assets

Total assets

Total current liabilities

Total liabilities

Equity

Issued capital

Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income reserve

Share-based payments reserve

Accumulated losses

Total equity

parent

2019
$

2018
$

292,688 

(370,481)

292,688 

(370,481)

parent

2019
$

2018
$

165,317 

41,194 

33,914,269 

36,266,384 

3,115,729 

8,157,640 

5,065,803 

11,819,692 

83,958,163 

78,691,011 

46,070 

149,400 

-  

229,418 

(55,305,167)

(54,473,737)

28,848,466 

24,446,692 

6 2

Notes to the consolidated financial statementsSequoia Financial Group limited  ANNuAl RepoRt — 30 JuNe 2019note 26. paRent entity infoRmation (Continued)

Guarantees entered into by the parent entity in relation to the debts of its subsidiaries  
The parent entity has guaranteed the bank loan by a general security arrangement over existing and 
future assets and undertakings in the case of default by Sequoia Superannuation Pty Ltd and Sequoia 
Asset Management Pty Ltd at 30 June 2019 and 30 June 2018.

Contingent liabilities  
The parent entity had no contingent liabilities as at 30 June 2019 and 30 June 2018.

Capital commitments - Property, plant and equipment  
The parent entity had no capital commitments for property, plant and equipment as at 30 June 2019 
and 30 June 2018.

Significant accounting policies  
The accounting policies of the parent entity are consistent with those of the Group, as disclosed in note 
2, except for the following:

• Investments in subsidiaries are accounted for at cost, less any impairment, in the parent entity.

•  Dividends received from subsidiaries are recognised as other income by the parent entity and its 

receipt may be an indicator of an impairment of the investment.

note 27. inteRests in subsidiaRies

The consolidated financial statements incorporate the assets, liabilities and results of the following 
subsidiaries with non-controlling interests in accordance with the accounting policy described in note 2:

name

Sequoia Financial Group Limited

Sequoia Group Holdings Pty Ltd

Sequoia Financial Australia Ltd

Sequoia Wealth Group Pty Ltd

My Own Super Fund Pty Ltd

Bourse Data Pty Ltd

The Cube Financial Group Ltd

D2MX Pty Ltd****

Trader Dealer Online Pty Ltd

MDSnews.com Pty Ltd

Interprac Pty Ltd

Sequoia Direct Pty Ltd

Finance TV Pty Ltd

Morrison Securities Pty Ltd

Sequoia Superannuation Pty Ltd

Sequoia Specialist Investments Pty Ltd

Sequoia Asset Management Pty Ltd

parent

note

principal place 
of business /  
Country of 
incorporation

ownership 
interest 
2019 
%

ownership 
interest 
2018 
%

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

(a)

(a)

(a)

(a)

(a)

(a)

(a)

(a)

(a)

(b)

(c)

(c)

(c)

(c)

(c)

100.00% 

100.00% 

100.00% 

100.00% 

100.00% 

100.00% 

100.00% 

100.00% 

100.00% 

100.00% 

100.00% 

100.00% 

100.00% 

100.00% 

-

100.00% 

100.00% 

100.00% 

100.00% 

100.00% 

100.00% 

100.00% 

100.00% 

-

100.00% 

100.00% 

100.00% 

100.00% 

100.00% 

100.00% 

100.00% 

100.00% 

100.00% 

100.00% 

6 3

Notes to the consolidated financial statementsSequoia Financial Group limited  ANNuAl RepoRt — 30 JuNe 2019note 27. inteRests in subsidiaRies (Continued)

Sequoia Lending Pty Ltd

Sequoia Funds Management Pty Ltd

Sequoia Investment Management Pty Ltd

Sequoia Brisbane Pty Ltd

Acacia Administrative Services Pty Ltd*

Sequoia Nominees No 1, Pty Ltd

Sequoia Wealth Management Pty Ltd

Sequoia Corporate Finance Pty Ltd

Centreboard Super Pty Ltd **

Property Engine Pty Ltd

Investor1st Pty Ltd

Investorfirst Pty Ltd

InterPrac Financial Planning Pty Ltd***

Sage Capital Group Pty Ltd

Interprac Securities Pty Ltd

Interprac General Insurance Pty Ltd

InterPrac Mortgage Management Pty Ltd

InterPrac Finance Services Pty Ltd

SMSF Engine Pty Ltd

(c)

(c)

(c)

(c)

(c)

(d)

(e)

(e)

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

100.00% 

100.00% 

100.00% 

100.00% 

100.00% 

-

100.00% 

100.00% 

100.00% 

100.00% 

100.00% 

100.00% 

100.00% 

100.00% 

100.00% 

100.00% 

(c) (f)

Australia

100.00% 

100.00% 

(f)

(f)

(f)

(f)

(f)

(f)

(f)

(f)

(f)

(f)

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

100.00% 

100.00% 

100.00% 

100.00% 

100.00% 

100.00% 

100.00% 

100.00% 

100.00% 

100.00% 

100.00% 

100.00% 

100.00% 

100.00% 

100.00% 

100.00% 

100.00% 

100.00% 

100.00% 

100.00% 

(a) Subsidiary of Sequoia Financial Group Limited

(b) Subsidiary of MDSnews.com Pty Ltd

(c) Subsidiary of Sequoia Group Holdings Pty Ltd

(d) Subsidiary of Sequoia Specialist Investments Pty Ltd

(e) Subsidiary of Sequoia Wealth Group Pty Ltd

(f) Subsidiary of Interprac Pty Ltd  

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

** 50% owned by Sequoia Group Holdings Pty Ltd and 50% owned by Interprac Pty Ltd.

*** 50% owned by Interprac Pty Ltd and 50% owned by Sage Capital Group Pty Ltd.

**** D2MX Pty Ltd was sold on 1 January 2019. 

6 4

Notes to the consolidated financial statementsSequoia Financial Group limited  ANNuAl RepoRt — 30 JuNe 2019note 28. Cash flow infoRmation

Reconciliation of profit/(loss) after income tax to net cash from operating activities

Profit/(loss) after income tax (expense)/benefit for the year

(1,001,368)

2,369,718 

Consolidated

2019
$

2018
$

Adjustments for:

Depreciation and amortisation

Impairment of non-current assets

Impairment of investments

Net loss on disposal of non-current assets

Share-based payments

Non-cash expenses

Change in operating assets and liabilities:

Increase in trade and other receivables

Decrease in contract assets and deferred costs

Decrease/(increase) in inventories

Decrease/(increase) in deferred tax assets

Decrease/(increase) in other operating assets

Increase in trade and other payables

Decrease in contract liabilities and deferred revenue

Increase in provision for income tax

Increase/(decrease) in deferred tax liabilities

Increase/(decrease) in employee benefits

Increase/(decrease) in other provisions

Increase in other operating liabilities

1,563,159 

473,888 

530,832 

37,500 

-  

(80,018)

-  

222 

-  

1,705 

119,034 

2,720 

(4,587,074)

(4,497,549)

3,330,397 

-  

12,161 

(18,547)

619,853 

(2,629,916)

2,253,235 

(1,018,697)

1,878,372 

3,106,248 

(3,414,999)

-  

319,461 

589,910 

(1,213,313)

1,604,150 

(42,797)

(19,019)

234,406 

643,582 

-

7,890,509 

Net cash from operating activities

186,382 

8,871,383 

Changes in liabilities arising from financing activities

Consolidated

bank
loans
$

Capital
finance
$

other
loans
$

Convertible
notes
$

lease
liability
$

total
$

Balance at 1 July 2017

986,688

14,487

-

700,000

-

1,701,175

Net cash from/(used in) financing 
activities

96,826

5,808,551

3,273

(300,000)

90,398

5,699,048

Balance at 30 June 2018

1,083,514

5,823,038

3,273

400,000

90,398

7,400,223

Net cash from/(used in) financing 
activities

(251,956)

(5,823,038)

396,827

(200,000)

(90,398)

(5,968,565)

Balance at 30 June 2019

831,558

-

400,100

200,000

-

1,431,658

6 5

Notes to the consolidated financial statementsSequoia Financial Group limited  ANNuAl RepoRt — 30 JuNe 2019note 29. eaRnings peR shaRe

Profit/(loss) after income tax

Non-controlling interest

Profit/(loss) after income tax attributable to the owners of Sequoia Financial Group 
Limited

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

Adjustments for calculation of diluted earnings per share:

Options over ordinary shares

Performance rights

Consolidated

30 jun 2019
$

30 jun 2018
$

(1,001,368)

2,369,718 

-

(58,733)

(1,001,368)

2,310,985 

number

number

117,643,751

82,523,837

-

-

3,500,000

340,000

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

117,643,751

86,363,837

Basic earnings per share

Diluted earnings per share

Cents

Cents

(0.851)

(0.851)

2.800

2.676

705,000 performance rights have been excluded from the above calculation for the year ended 30 
June 2019 as their inclusion would be anti-dilutive.

note 30. events afteR the RepoRting peRiod

On 7 August 2019, the Company announced the acquisition of Libertas Financial Planning Pty Ltd 
(‘Libertas’). Libertas is a successful financial advice dealer group with approximately 70 authorised 
representatives. The acquisition provides Sequoia with further scale in the advice marketplace and 
based on the latest Money Management dealer group survey makes Sequoia one of the largest non-
bank owned financial adviser groups in the country.

As part of the consideration the Company will issue 1,500,000 fully paid ordinary shares at 20 cents per 
share to the seller. $1,000,000 cash will be paid upfront with an additional cash payment in 12 months 
capped at $1,000,000 subject to revenue and earnings targets being achieved.

At this stage, it is not practicable to disclose the other details of the acquisition given its timing relative to 
the issue of the financial statements.

No other matter or circumstance has arisen since 30 June 2019 that has significantly affected, or may 
significantly affect the Group’s operations, the results of those operations, or the Group’s state of affairs 
in future financial years.

6 6

Notes to the consolidated financial statementsSequoia Financial Group limited  ANNuAl RepoRt — 30 JuNe 2019Directors’ declaration

In the directors’ opinion:

•  the attached financial statements and notes 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 comply with International Financial Reporting Standards 

as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board as described in  
note 2 to the financial statements; 

•  the attached financial statements and notes give a true and fair view of the Group’s financial position 

as at 30 June 2019 and of its performance for the financial 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 295A of the Corporations Act 2001.

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

On behalf of the directors

John Larsen  
Chairman

19 August 2019  
Melbourne

6 7

Sequoia Financial Group limited  AnnuAl RepoRt — 30 June 2019Independent auditor’s report to the members  
of Sequoia Financial Group Limited

6 8

Sequoia Financial Group limited  AnnuAl RepoRt — 30 June 2019Independent auditor’s report to the members  
of Sequoia Financial Group Limited

6 9

Sequoia Financial Group limited  AnnuAl RepoRt — 30 June 2019Independent auditor’s report to the members  
of Sequoia Financial Group Limited

7 0

Sequoia Financial Group limited  AnnuAl RepoRt — 30 June 2019Independent auditor’s report to the members  
of Sequoia Financial Group Limited

7 1

Sequoia Financial Group limited  AnnuAl RepoRt — 30 June 2019Independent auditor’s report to the members  
of Sequoia Financial Group Limited

7 2

Sequoia Financial Group limited  AnnuAl RepoRt — 30 June 2019Sharehholder information

The shareholder information set out below was applicable as at 12 August 2019.

distribution of equitable securities
Analysis of number of equitable security holders by size of holding:

1 to 1,000

1,001 to 5,000

5,001 to 10,000

10,001 to 100,000

100,001 and over

Holding less than a marketable parcel

number of holders
of ordinary shares

157 

59 

26 

117 

102

461

-

equity security holders
Twenty largest quoted equity security holders  
The names of the twenty largest security holders of quoted equity securities are listed below:

ordinary shares

SARGON CAPITAL PTY LTD

uNRANDOM PTY LTD (uNRANDOM A/C)

MR GARRY PETER CROLE

BEETON ENTERPRISES PTY LTD (THE SCOTT & SALLY BEETON A/C)

COJONES PTY LTD (THE JONES FAMILY TRuST NO 2)

NATIONAL NOMINEES LIMITED

TOCLO INVESTMENTS PTY LTD (THE TLC INVESTMENT TRuST)

PAMELA BEETON INVESTMENTS PTY LTD

MR PETER STIRLING + MRS ROS STIRLING

RuFFY STEEDEN LEGACY PTY LTD (RuFFY STEEDEN LEGACY SuPERANNuATION FuND)

MR ANTHONY CHRISTOPHER JONES

TIBARRuM PTY LTD (PAuL ROBINSON FAM S/F A/C)

J P MORGAN NOMINEES AuSTRALIA PTY LIMITED

VONETTA PTY LTD (TRBC S/F A/C)

WATERLINE PROPERTIES PTY LTD (MuRNANE FAMILY A/C)

GROMORE INVESTMENT HOLDINGS PTY LTD

COJONES PTY LTD (JONES FAMILY NO 2 A/C)

TIBARRuM PTY LTD (PAuL ROBINSON FAM S/F A/C)

MR ROGER C COTTON + MRS JuNE COTTON

DS VENTuRES PTY LTD

number held

23,032,816

10,461,500

10,026,470

8,253,068

6,394,052

3,930,722

3,433,381

2,586,063

2,237,500

1,886,500

1,492,773

1,251,093

1,248,128

1,193,238

1,151,500

1,110,000

1,063,288

1,038,907

1,016,000

984,143

% of total 
shares issued

19.32

8.78

8.41

6.92

5.36

3.30

2.88

2.17

1.88

1.58

1.25

1.05

1.05

1.00

0.97

0.93

0.89

0.87

0.85

0.83

83,791,142

70.29

7 3

Sequoia Financial Group limited  AnnuAl RepoRt — 30 June 2019Sharehholder information

Unquoted equity securities

Performance rights

substantial holders
Substantial holders in the Company are set out below:

SARGON CAPITAL PTY LTD

uNRANDOM PTY LTD (uNRANDOM A/C)

MR GARRY PETER CROLE

BEETON ENTERPRISES PTY LTD (THE SCOTT & SALLY BEETON A/C)

COJONES PTY LTD (THE JONES FAMILY TRuST NO 2)

voting rights
The voting rights attached to ordinary shares are set out below:

number on issue

number of holders

705,000

18

ordinary shares

number held

% of total  
shares issued

23,032,816

10,461,500

10,026,470

8,253,068

6,394,052

19.32

8.78

8.41

6.92

5.36

Ordinary shares  
On a show of hands every member present at a meeting in person or by proxy shall have one vote and 
upon a poll each share shall have one vote.

There are no other classes of equity securities.

Restricted securities
There are no restricted securities on issue.

7 4

Sequoia Financial Group limited  AnnuAl RepoRt — 30 June 2019Directors

Corporate directory

Garry Crole

John Larsen

Kevin Pattison

Charles Sweeney

Company secretary

Hasaka Martin

Registered office

Level 7

7 Macquarie Place

Sydney NSW 2000

Telephone: + 61 2 8114 2222

Facsimile: + 61 2 8114 2200

Share register

Registry Direct

Auditor

Level 6

2 Russell Street

Melbourne VIC 2000

Telephone: 1300 556 635

Facsimile: +61 3 9111 5652

William Buck

Level 20

181 William Street

Melbourne VIC 3000

Bankers

National Australia Bank

330 Collins Street

Melbourne VIC 3000

Westpac Australia Bank

Royal Exchange, Cnr Pitt & Bridge Streets

Sydney NSW 2000

Maldon & District Community Bank® Branch of Bendigo Bank

81 High Street

Maldon VIC 3463

Commonwealth Bank of Australia

Level 20, Tower 1 Collins Square

727 Collins Street

Melbourne VIC 3008

7 5

Sequoia Financial Group limited  AnnuAl RepoRt — 30 June 2019Corporate directory

Stock exchange listing

Sequoia Financial Group Limited shares are listed on the Australian 
Securities Exchange (ASX code: SEQ)

Website

www.sequoia.com.au

Corporate Governance 
Statement

The Board of Directors of Sequoia Financial Group Limited is committed 
to maintaining high standards of Corporate Governance. This Corporate 
Governance Statement discloses the extent to which the Company has 
followed the 4th Edition of the ASX Corporate Governance Council’s 
Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations (‘ASX Principles 
and Recommendations’).

The Corporate Governance Statement adopted by the Board can be 
found in the Company’s Corporate Governance section:

www.sequoia.com.au/about-sequoia/corporate-governance/

7 6

Sequoia Financial Group limited  AnnuAl RepoRt — 30 June 2019