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Serko

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FY2017 Annual Report · Serko
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SERKO LIMITED 
ANNUAL REPORT 
For the period ended 31 MARCH 2017

TRANSFORMING BUSINESSTRAVELSERKO LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2017

CONTENTS

Key Highlights

Chairman and CEO’s Report

About Serko

Overview of Performance

Financial Statements and Notes to the Financial Statements

Corporate Profiles

Governance and Statutory Disclosures

Glossary

Corporate Directory

3

4

8

10

12

46

48

58

59

KEY DATES

23 AUG 2017

ANNUAL MEETING

30 SEP 2017

HALF-YEAR END

22 NOV 2017

HALF-YEAR RESULT 
ANNOUNCED

31 MAR 2018

FINANCIAL YEAR END

THIS REPORT IS DATED 6 JUNE 2017 AND IS SIGNED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF SERKO LIMITED BY SIMON BOTHERWAY, 
CHAIRMAN, AND DARRIN GRAFTON, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER.

Simon Botherway 
Chairman 

Darrin Grafton
Chief Executive Officer

INVESTOR CENTRE: You can access our Annual Report online at www.serko.com/investor-centre/

PAGE 2

 
SERKO LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2017

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

On track to 
generate 
annual 
profit as 
recurring 
revenues 
grow

44%

  Net Loss Before Tax  

narrows 44% to $3.3 million, 
while Revenue rises  
9% to $14.3 million

53%

  EBITDA1 loss narrows 53%  
to $2.5 million, due to  
increasing Revenue and  
active cost management

18%

  Online transaction growth of 18%; 

recurring revenues, representing 91% of 
Revenue, rises 9% to $12.9 million

37%

  Annualised Transactional Monthly Revenue 

(ATMR)2 as at 31 March 2017 was $15.3 million,  
a 37% increase over the same month prior year

  Research and development spend for FY17 was  
$5.8 million and led to the launch of serko.travel, 
booking on a mobile, expense submission via mobile 
and Serko Zeno ready into testing phase

5 Years running 
finalist  
High Tech Company 
of the year

  Celebrated 10 years transforming travel and expense 

management on 23 May 2017

1.  EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure representing Earnings Before the deduction of costs relating to Interest, Taxation, Depreciation and Amortisation and Impairment.
2.  ATMR (Annualised Transactional Monthly Revenue) is a non-GAAP measure. Serko uses this as a useful indicator of recurring revenues from Serko products, based on 

the monthly transactions from the most recent month (March 2017).

PAGE 3

SERKO LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2017

CEO AND CHAIRMAN’S LETTER

SERKO ON TRACK TO GENERATE ANNUAL 
PROFIT AS RECURRING REVENUES GROW

Dear Shareholder

Serko is on track to generate profit for the current financial year 
as it consolidates its position as the Australasian market leader in 
corporate travel and expense management solutions and readies 
itself for expansion.  

Serko, which this year celebrates its ten-year anniversary, has 
made strong progress over the last financial year. With more than 
50%1 of all corporate travel in Australasia now booked through the 
Serko enterprise platform, we are clearly the leading solution in 
our home market. 

Transactional travel revenue grew by 8% for the year and lagged 
transaction growth (18%) owing to a higher level of minimum 
contractual payments recorded in the 2016 year and adverse 
currency impacts in the 2017 year. Minimum contractual payments 
are received when a customer’s actual transactions fall short 
of their contracted minimum. However, in looking forward it is 
important to understand that transaction volumes grew strongly, 
particularly in the second half. Due to this acceleration in the 
second half, the overall transactional growth of 18% during the 
year masks the run-forward growth rate. A comparison of March 
2016 transactional revenues with March 2017 shows an increase 
of 37%, which is attributable to both an increase in the number 
of transactions and the Average Revenue per Booking (ARPB). 
The current pipeline of new customers expected to join Serko’s 
platform gives us confidence we will achieve positive profit in the 
current financial year and cash flow break even for the full year.       

We are also in a sound financial position. In the second half of 
the 2017 financial year, net cash outflows were just $0.3 million, 
sharply lower than the $2.3 million outflow in the first half as 
the Company benefited from growing revenues as well as cost 
synergies achieved from the integration of the Arnold booking 
platform. At the end of the financial year we had $4.5 million 
of cash on hand. This figure is ahead of the $3-$4 million that 
we advised as our target on 23 November 2016. We expect our 
cash balance to fall below $4 million following the payment of 

employee performance incentives and annual prepayments due in 
the first half of the year, however we have sufficient cash to fund 
both our current level of activity and anticipated growth.

Contrast this result with the Company’s performance just six 
years ago. Today we process the same volume of transactions 
per month as we did for the total 2011 year. It is clear we have 
come a long way and the team is justified in being proud of their 
achievements.  

  transaction volumes continue to grow 
strongly. today we process the same 
volume of transactions per month as 
we did for the total 2011 year.

Financial Results 

Total revenue for the year to 31 March 2017 rose 9% to $14.3 million 
from $13.1 million in the prior year, including $12.9 million from 
the Serko Online and Serko Expense platforms, as well as service 
revenue from customised development work. 

Total income, which includes research and development grants, 
rose 7% to $15.4 million from $14.4 million in 2016. Revenue  
growth in the current financial year was adversely impacted  
by the strength of the New Zealand dollar against the  
Australian dollar as Serko’s contracts are predominantly  
in Australian dollars. 

Annualised Transactional Monthly Revenue (ATMR) for March 
2017, an indicator of recurring revenues from the Serko products 
projected annually, stood at $15.3 million, a 37% improvement on 
the $11.2 million for the same month a year ago. 

1.  Source: GBTA (Global Business Travel Association)

PAGE 4

 
SERKO LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2017

CEO AND CHAIRMAN’S LETTER

Transaction volumes on the Serko Online platforms grew 18%. This 
growth rate was lower than the prior year, however, the growth 
rate in the 2016 year was boosted by a near full-year contribution 
from the May 2015 acquisition of the Arnold Travel Technology 
platform.  There were no acquisitions in the 2017 financial year.

Serko’s annual net loss before tax narrowed by 44% to $3.3 million 
from $5.4 million in the prior year. EBITDA losses narrowed by 53% 
to $2.5 million from $5.4 million in the prior year. This was owing to 
increased transaction volumes, careful management of operating 
expenses and the benefits achieved by integrating the Arnold 
platform. Overall, expenses reduced by 10% to $18.8 million from 
$20.7 million a year earlier. 

2017 Performance Drivers

Our purpose remains to transform the way businesses manage 
travel and expenses, enabling stress-free travel so team members 
can always be at their most productive and delivering tangible 
benefits to the organisations that use the Serko line of products.

Over the last twelve months we have concentrated on a 
three-pronged strategy towards this goal of:  growing our 
customer base; increasing ARPB; and delivering market-leading 
technological innovations to underpin our platform for global 
expansion. 

We have made good progress on all three fronts. With our 

  WITH OUR AUSTRALASIAN CORPORATE 
TRAVEL BUSINESS FIRMLY ESTABLISHED, 
WE ARE LOOKING TO expand into 
new markets through strategic 
partnerships

Australasian corporate travel business now firmly established, 
we are looking to drive uptake on the small business platform, 
serko.travel, and expand into new markets through strategic 
partnerships.

Partnerships

Travel Management Company (TMC) on-boarding of new 
corporate customers was a key driver of Serko’s growth and 
contributed to the increase in transaction volume for Serko Online 
and an increase in corporate customers using Serko Expense.  This 
growth is expected to continue into FY18 with a strong pipeline of 
new customers expected to join Serko’s platform. 

We signed an agreement with Sabre Corporation, North 
America’s largest provider of global airline bookings, to replace 
its proprietary online booking tool (Sabre Online) with a new tool 

  With more than 50%1 of all corporate travel in Australasia now booked through 
the Serko enterprise platform, we are the undisputed leader in our home market.

PAGE 5

SERKO LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2017

CEO AND CHAIRMAN’S LETTER

based on Serko Online. Sabre is now in the process of transferring 
its customers to Sabre Powered by Serko. Serko also signed 
agreements with the Helloworld and Magellan Travel Group TMCs. 
These agreements have extended Serko Online to a potential 50+ 
new TMCs.   

strong relationships with other large numbers of SMEs. We have 
already signed agreements with Xero and 2degrees, and we are 
in discussion with other parties. Through these partnerships, the 
serko.travel platform will also be rolled out to customer bases in 
Hong Kong and Singapore. 

Platform Development

Serko’s leadership in travel and expense management is 
dependent on the continued development of its platforms.  
We were delighted this year by Callaghan Innovation’s decision  
in March 2017 to extend its research and development grant by  
$2 million over the next two years. In addition to the launch of  
serko.travel, key product developments in the year included:

  Serko Mobile: We launched a predictive booking workflow for 
Serko Mobile in September 2016. This feature puts the power 
of our predictive software booking technology into the hands 
of the travellers themselves. This new feature is assisting our 
channel partners to target new accounts. 

  Serko Expense: In December 2016, one of the highlights for 

Serko Expense was the launch of the upgraded Serko Mobile 
app, allowing users to submit expenses directly from their 
phones. In an industry first, this gives business travellers end-
to-end control of their trips via a single app, from booking and 
managing travel itineraries, right through to submission of 
associated expenses.

  Serko Zeno Zeno is our new corporate travel booking and 

expense management platform and incorporates a number of 
leading-edge features. The demonstration of Zeno to some of 
our key accounts has been well received. It is currently being 
tested and we expect to launch later in the current financial 
year. It will be offered as a premium solution alongside the 
existing Serko Online product. 

We have initiated an incentive program for our TMC resellers to 
activate expense across our 6,000 travel customers in a drive 
to increase awareness and sales of the expense management 
platform. This move has started to increase revenue, with sales in 
this product-line increasing 15% over the prior year.  In addition, 
Serko is winning expense work as customers increasingly look for 
combined expense and travel platforms. The integration of the 
travel and expense platforms on our mobile app has enhanced our 
ability to meet this demand. 

New Content 

We successfully introduced new content providers such as 
Expedia, Wotif and Booking.com to our platform. The initiative 
has been well received by our TMC customers and is contributing 
a growing revenue stream as Serko takes a share of content 
sales commissions. While it is early days, around 5% of bookings 
through our platform are buying services from these content 
providers. Commissions on this new content grew over 900% 
and is on-track to contribute significantly to Serko’s FY18 results.  
Serko has signed with new content providers Hotel Hub and HRS 
and their content will be available in FY18. 

  successful introduction of content 
grows average revenue per booking  
by 7%

serko.travel

In July 2016, we launched our platform for small and medium 
enterprises (SME), serko.travel. It offers companies with less than 
150 employees a way to book and manage their company travel 
online and benefit from many of the enterprise platform’s cost 
control, approval and reporting features. 

serko.travel is a self-service system that uses the Serko Online 
technology platform, offering users further opportunities to reduce 
corporate travel management overheads. It also offers customers 
the services of the Helloworld and Fight Centre TMCs if needed 
on a pay-per-use basis. Users incur no initial booking fee. Instead, 
Serko generates revenue from the sharing of commissions. The 
system also integrates with Xero to streamline the process of 
reconciling travel-related expenses.

Serko is continuing to broaden its user-base for this platform via 
white-labelling arrangements. Helloworld and Flight Centre will 
launch their own white-label versions of serko.travel to support 
their SME businesses during 2017. We intend to further grow 
uptake of the platform by sharing revenue with partners that have 

PAGE 6

  Serko is in a strong position and 
is looking to the remainder of the 
current financial year and beyond 
with confidence.

Outlook 

Serko is in a strong position and is looking to the remainder of the 
current financial year and beyond with confidence. Transactional 
revenue is expected to grow with our TMC partners seeing a 
strong pipeline of new customers they expect will begin using 
Serko Online and Serko Expense in the current financial year. 

We also expect to see continued growth in content revenue 
through our various platforms.  We expect that content revenue 
growth will accelerate as additional content providers are added 
to the platform, including taxis, transfers and rental cars, as well 
as other providers of hotel bookings. We expect Serko Zeno to 
begin to contribute to revenue later in the current financial year 
and into the 2019 financial year as we launch into new markets in 
association with our partners such as Sabre. 

Serko will continue to invest in its platforms to expand its product 
use globally. And, through careful management of our costs, 
and our financial and capital position, we expect to achieve 
sustainable cash flow for the current financial year and record 
positive earnings for the full year.   

Simon Botherway
Chairman

Darrin Grafton
Chief Executive Officer

PAGE 7

Our purpose 
is to transform the way 
businesses manage 
travel and expenses, 
enabling stress-free travel so team 
members can always be at their most 
productive, delivering  
tangible benefits to the 
organisations that use the Serko line  
of products

SERKO LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2017

ABOUT SERKO

cloud-based corporate 
travel and expense 
management solution 
provider

We’ve been the leading Online Booking Tool (OBT) for 
corporate travel in Australasia since 2007. Since then 
we’ve expanded into expense management and become 
a publicly listed business (SKO.NZ) employing more 
than 100 people across three countries and servicing 
customers in more than 26 countries around the world. 
Serko is growing rapidly and is one of New Zealand’s most 
successful tech companies. Today, many of the largest 
corporate businesses in Australia, New Zealand and Asia 
trust Serko to help them manage their corporate travel 
programmes and make sense of their corporate expenses. 
By the numbers, more than two million people have access 
to Serko’s OBT and more than 50% of Australia’s corporate 
travel spend passes through Serko every year.

OUR STRATEGY

Serko has concentrated on a three-pronged strategy of 
growing our customer base, increasing average revenue 
per booking (ARPB) and delivering market-leading 
technological innovations to underpin our platform for 
global expansion.

Serko is currently developing Serko Zeno, which will be 
a premium offering alongside our existing Serko Online, 
with a number of leading-edge features.  Combined with 
Expense Management and serko.travel for small and 
medium businesses, we will have an integrated, globally 
competitive offering where Serko can expand its customer 
base through strategic alliances and reach unserved 
markets.  Together with growing content, this will continue 
to increase our ARPB.

HOW SERKO GENERATEs REVENUE 

Corporate traveller 
makes a booking 
via Serko Online

Supplier commission 
paid to Serko from 
content suppliers

à

Traveller downloads 
and uses Serko 
Mobile

Monthly active 
user fee paid by 
corporation to Serko

à

à

à

à

Booking and other 
fees paid by TMC 
to Serko

à

Corporate books 
a hotel or taxi via 
Serko Online

Subscription paid 
to Serko per year

à

Traveller pays, takes photo 
of receipt using Serko Mobile 
for use in Serko Expense

PAGE 8

Serko – transforming business travel & expense management

Serko Online – Making Business Travel Personal 
Serko Online is an enterprise-grade independent web-based technology platform 
that talks to the main Global Distribution Systems (GDSs), providing Serko users the 
ability to search all the content stored in the GDSs, while applying their company’s 
travel policy. Unlike GDS-owned Online Booking Tools (OBTs), Serko also talks to 
a large number of other travel providers, such as low-cost carriers and discount 
accommodation providers, which gives corporate users access to a huge range of 
flights and hotel rooms at every price point.

Serko expense – your personal expense manager
Serko Expense is a powerful cloud-based expense management solution that 
simplifies every aspect of expense management. Through Serko Expense, users can 
manage cash claims, mileage, allowance and corporate credit card expenses. Unique 
cloud-based matching technology makes the process of reconciling corporate card 
expenses a painless experience that saves hours of admin time and dramatically 
improves policy compliance.

Serko.travel – for small and medium businessES going places
For smaller businesses based in Australia and New Zealand serko.travel is a brand 
new way to manage business travel. It’s a self-service system that uses the  
Serko Online technology platform to give organisations with fewer than  
150 employees the ability to make and change bookings online for free. Companies 
simply sign up at serko.travel and can start making bookings online immediately.

serko.travel pulls together all of the local travel suppliers, including content from 
Expedia, Booking.com and Wotif to ensure that users can book all the hotels, airlines 
and hire car suppliers that matter. The system also integrates with Xero, the leading 
small business accounting platform to streamline the process of reconciling credit 
cards. 

SERKO - PARTNERS WITH TMCS TO DELIVER ENTERPRISE-LEVEL  
SOLUTIONS TO BLUE CHIP CORPORATES

Corporate Travel US$1.2tr 
global market

Australasia 
US$21.8bn enterprise 
market opportunity 

à

Serko addresses 
66% of the 
$21.8bn of 
corporate spend 
with its current 
technology 
platform

à

Serko’s  
transacted 
customer 
market share  
is 57%

Source: GBTA (Global Business Travel Association)

Market-leading 
reseller  
base (TMCs) 
covering large 
market share  
& provides  
a global 
footprint

à

Blue chip 
customer base 
numbering 
over 6,000 
corporate 
entities

PAGE 9

SERKO LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2017

OVERVIEW OF PERFORMANCE

á9%

INCREASE
revenue

$14.3 Million

Recurring Revenue 
91% of Revenue

  serko is emerging into profitability. 
transactional revenue will increase 
and we will benefit from the 
scalability of our platform, while 
controlLing costs.

  TRANSACTIONAL REVENUE

16m

14m

12m

10m

8m

6m

4m
2m

-

NZD $’000

FY17

fy16

increase

Serko Online

11,796

10,919

Serko Expense

1,125

981

Recurring Revenue

12,921

11,900

Services

Revenue

1,356

1,222

14,277

13,122

8%

15%

9%

11%

9%

Recurring vs Non-Recurring Revenue Trend

FY13

FY14

FY15

FY16

FY17

SOL

Expense

Services

Recurring revenue grew by 9% for the year and lagged 
transactional travel growth of 18% owing to a higher level 
of minimum contractual payments recorded in the 2016 
year and adverse currency impact in the 2017 year. Minimum 
contractual payments are received when a customer’s 
actual transactions fall short of their contracted minimum. 
However, in looking forward it is important to understand 
that transaction volumes grew strongly, particularly in the 
second half. Due to this acceleration in the second half, the 

overall transactional growth of 18% during the year masks 
the run-forward growth rate. A comparison of March 2016 
transactional revenue with March 2017 shows an increase of 
37%, which is attributable to both an increase in the number 
of transactions and the Average Revenue per Booking. The 
current pipeline of new customers expected to join Serko’s 
platform gives us confidence we will achieve positive profit in 
the current financial year and cash flow break even for a full 
year.

online booking trend

á37%
INCREASE
ATMR1

$15.3 Million

Indicator of future 
growth potential

FY13

FY14

FY15

FY16

FY17

  18% Increase fy17

Online transaction growth 
continues

SELECTED OPERATIONAL METRICS

Total revenue growth (%)

Revenue growth – Serko Online (%)

Operating costs2 (excluding depreciation & amortisation) (%)

No. of transactions (indexed, where FY13=100)

Transaction growth

Product/recurring revenue as % of total revenue

Employees (number at end of year)

Average revenue per full-time equivalent (NZ$’000)

FY17

9%

8%

-10%

326

18%

91%

108

122

FY16

27%

49%

13%

275

54%

93%

127

101

FY15

55%

62%

105%

179

45%

80%

133

94

FY14

39%

12%

62%

123

23%

71%

87

100

FY13

27%

41%

35%

100

35%

84%

47

119

Research & development costs – expense and capex (NZ$000)

5,836

6,268

5,762

3,387

2,340

1.  ATMR (Annualised Transactional Monthly Revenue) is a non-GAAP measure. Serko uses this as a useful indicator of recurring revenues from Serko products based 

on the monthly transactions from the most recent month (March 2017).

2.  Operating Costs is a non-GAvAP measure that excludes costs relating to taxtion, interest, depreciation, amortisation and impairment charges.

PAGE 10

 
 
  revenue

Reconciliation of NET PROFIT BEFORE TAX to ebitda1

Serko’s main source of revenue is from its Serko Online 
travel booking application. This is predominantly invoiced to 
TMC resellers on a monthly basis for the total transactions 
generated from the online travel bookings made by their 
end user customer bases. Revenue is made up of per 
transaction fees, ancillary service fees, content commissions, 
and contracted minimum payments where applicable and 
is stated net of volume-related rebates and discounts. It 
also includes revenue from serko.travel license fees, content 
commissions and Mobile license fees. 

Serko also earns income from its Expense Management 
application, which allows registered users of corporate 
customers to process travel and expense claims for 
accounting and reimbursement. Revenues are derived from 
a combination of fees for active users, registered users and 
reports processed. 

Services revenue is derived from installation service and 
customised software development undertaken on behalf of 
customers. The basis of charging can vary depending on the 
contractual terms with the cusotmer, which may specify time 
and materials, capped or fixed pricing.   

Other income is primarily related to government grants and 
is related to applicable research and development projects.

á44%
IMPROVEMENT
NPBT 
(LOSS)

$(3.3) Million

Increase in Recurring 
Revenues and on 
track to achieve profit

  expenses from ordinary activities

The classifications of Operating Expenses included in the 
Statement of Comprehensive Income are as follows:

•  Selling and Marketing Expenses comprise all direct costs 

of sale that are not people or salary related

•  Remuneration and Benefits are the total costs of 
employees and contractors engaged within the  
business during the financial year, including gross  
salary, additional payroll taxes, superannuation and 
KiwiSaver, bonuses, commissions and the value of any 
share-based remuneration or awards

•  Administration Expenses are other general overheads  

and operating costs, including depreciation and 
amortisation charges 

3m

2m

1m

0

-1m

-2m

-3m

-4m

-5m

-6m

-7m

NZD $’000

Revenue

Other income

TOTAL INCOME

FY17

14,277

1,092

fy16

change

13,122

1,296

9%

-16%

7%

15,369

14,418

Operating expenses (including 
D&A)

18,763

20,735

-10%

Net finance income

88

374

-76%

NET PROFIT BEFORE TAX (LOSS)

(3,306)

(5,943)

-44%

Add back (deduct):

Depreciation and amortisation

Net finance income

EBITDA (loss)

858

(88)

952

(374)

-10%

-76%

(2,536)

(5,365)

-53%

Share based payments (SBP)2

133

517

-74%

EBITDA (excluding SBP)

(2,403)

(4,848)

-50%

Research & development 
(expensed)3

5,056

5,514

-8%

Grant income relating to R&D

(1,073)

(1,296)

-17%

EBITDA (excluding SBP and R&D)

1,580

(630)

351%

â10%
DECREASE
OPERATING 
COSTS

$18.8 Million

Active reduction of 
cost base

R&D Effect on ebitda

FY13

FY14

FY15

FY16

FY17

•  Other Expenses comprise direct technology costs 

EBITDA (losses)

EBITDA (Excluding SBP and R&D)

including hosting.

1.  EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure representing Earnings Before the deduction of costs relating to Interest, Taxation, Depreciation and Amortisation and Impairment.
2.  Share Based Payments (SBP) are a non-cash expenditure.
3.    Research and Development is a discretionary spend.

PAGE 11

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SERKO LIMITED 

FINANCIALS

FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS

Directors’ statement

Independent auditor’s report

Statement of comprehensive income

Statement of changes in equity

Statement of financial position

Statement of cash flows

13

14

18

19

20

21

Notes to the financial statements

22-45

PAGE 12
PAGE 12

Directors’ Statement
The Board of Directors is pleased to present the 
consolidated financial statements for Serko Limited and 
the auditors’ report for the year ended 31 March 2017.

The directors present financial statements for each 
financial year that fairly present the financial position of 
the Group and its financial performance and cash flows for 
that period.

The directors consider that the financial statements of the 
group have been prepared using appropriate accounting 
policies consistently applied and supported by reasonable 
judgements and estimates and that all relevant financial 
reporting and accounting standards have been followed.

The directors believe that proper accounting records have 
been kept, which enable, with reasonable accuracy, the 
determination of the financial position of the group and 
facilitate compliance of the financial statements with the 
Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013.

The Board of Directors of Serko Limited authorised these 
financial statements for issue on 25 May 2017.

For and on behalf of the Board

Simon Botherway 

Director 

Darrin Grafton

Director

PAGE 13
PAGE 13

SERKO LIMITED financial statements 2017

independent auditor’s report

Chartered Accountants

Report on the Audit of the Financial Statements

To the shareholders of Serko Limited

Opinion 

Key Audit Matters

Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional 
judgement, were of most significance in our audit of the financial 
statements of the current year.  These matters were addressed in 
the context of our audit of the financial statements as a whole, 
and in forming our opinion thereon, but we do not provide a 
separate opinion on these matters. For each matter below, our 
description of how our audit addressed the matter is provided in 
that context.

We have fulfilled the responsibilities described in the Auditor’s 
responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section 
of the audit report, including in relation to these matters. 
Accordingly, our audit included the performance of procedures 
designed to respond to our assessment of the risks of material 
misstatement of the financial statements.  The results of our 
audit procedures, including the procedures performed to address 
the matters below, provide the basis for our audit opinion on the 
accompanying financial statements. 

We have audited the financial statements of Serko Limited (“the 
company”) and its subsidiaries (together “the group”) on pages 18 
to 45, which comprise the statement of financial position of the 
group as at 31 March 2017, and the statement of comprehensive 
income, statement of changes in equity and statement of cash 
flows for the year then ended of the group, and the notes to 
the financial statements including a summary of significant 
accounting policies. 

In our opinion, the financial statements on pages 18 to 45 present 
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the group as 
at 31 March 2017 and its financial performance and cash flows for 
the year then ended in accordance with New Zealand equivalents 
to International Financial Reporting Standards and International 
Financial Reporting Standards.

This report is made solely to the company’s shareholders, as a 
body. Our audit has been undertaken so that we might state to 
the company’s shareholders those matters we are required to 
state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose.  
To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or 
assume responsibility to anyone other than the company and 
the company’s shareholders as a body, for our audit work, for this 
report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Basis for Opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International 
Standards on Auditing (New Zealand).  Our responsibilities 
under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s 
Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Statements section 
of our report.  

We are independent of the group in accordance with Professional 
and Ethical Standard 1 (revised) Code of Ethics for Assurance 
Practitioners issued by the New Zealand Auditing and Assurance 
Standards Board, and we have fulfilled our other ethical 
responsibilities in accordance with these requirements.  

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

We provide taxation advice and other assurance service to  the 
group. We have no other relationship with, or interest in, the 
company or any of its subsidiaries. Partners and employees of our 
firm may deal with the group on normal terms within the ordinary 
course of trading activities of the business of the group.

PAGE 14

Chartered Accountants

1.  ACCOUNTING FOR DEVELOPMENT EXPENDITURES

Why significant

How our audit addressed the key audit matter

  Capitalised software development expenditures are significant 

  We performed audit procedures over the accuracy and 

to our audit due to the amount of expenditures being 
capitalised, the rapid technological change in the group’s 
industry, and the specific criteria that have to be met for 
capitalisation.

  During the year ended 31 March 2017 the group capitalised 

$780,000 of expenditures relating to development of software.

  Judgement is required in determining development 

expenditures that should be capitalised. Such judgements 
include consideration of matters such as generation of future 
economic benefits and distinction between development 
of new software and maintenance and upgrade of existing 
software. These costs are then amortised over the estimated 
useful life of the software. 

  Disclosure regarding capitalised development costs is included 

in Note 10 to the financial statements.

valuation of amounts capitalised in the current year and the 
amount expensed relating to software development. Our 
procedures included assessing the capitalised costs against 
the recognition criteria in NZ IAS 38: Intangible Assets, 
assessing the key assumptions used and estimates made in 
capitalising development costs and testing the accuracy of 
costs included on a sample basis. 

  We also assessed the adequacy of the group’s disclosure in 

Note 10 Intangibles.

2.  REVENUE RECOGNITION

Why significant

How our audit addressed the key audit matter

  The group’s revenue of $14,277,000 is based on contracts with 
customers which include a variety of arrangements such as 
the recognition of actual transaction based revenue, minimum 
contracted transaction based revenue, establishment or licence 
fees and installation fees, all of which potentially have different 
revenue recognition triggers.  

  There is often a mismatch between cash flows from customer 

contracts and when revenues can be recognised which is based 
on performance obligations. 

  Given the specific nature of individual customer contracts 

which may bundle together several inter-related or separate 
services and performance obligations, and the presence of 
contingent fee arrangements where, for example, a transaction 
fee is conditional on meeting future transaction volume 
commitments, there is some complexity and elements of 
judgement required in recognition of revenue. 

  Our audit procedures over revenue recognition included 
testing a sample of revenue transactions and reviewing 
contracts with key customers to assess:

-  that revenue has been recorded in the correct period;

-  the amount of revenue recognised is appropriate; and

-  the impact of any ongoing performance obligations have 

been included.

  We performed data analytical procedures focusing on 
integrity of revenue data and identification of unusual 
transactions.

  We reviewed key judgements adopted by the group in 
recognising revenue for individual revenue streams. 

  We concentrated in particular on contingent revenue 

arrangements and assessed the group’s assumptions applied

  We assessed the adequacy of the group’s disclosure in Note 4 

  Disclosures regarding this item are included in Note 4 to the 

to the financial statements.  

financial statements.

PAGE 15

SERKO LIMITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTs 2017

independent auditor’s report

Chartered Accountants

3.  IMPAIRMENT ASSESSMENT OF INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Why significant

How our audit addressed the key audit matter

  The group has intangible assets of $1,603,000 recorded on 
its statement of financial position. This represents 16% of 
total assets. Intangibles contain the following components: 
computer software and development work in progress.

   NZ IAS 38 Intangible Assets requires that finite life 

intangible assets be impairment tested whenever there is an 
indication that the intangible assets may be impaired and 
this assessment requires judgement. The assessment as 
to whether there are any indicators of impairment requires 
judgement as it involves consideration of both internal and 
external sources of information. This includes assessing the 
useful life of the assets.

  Relatively small changes in assumptions may significantly 

affect the outcome of impairment assessments. In addition, 
recoverability of the group’s assets depend on the group’s 
ability to make profits and generate sufficient cash flows 
from those assets. The group suffered losses of $3,450,000 
and generated negative cash flow from operating activities 
of $1,595,000 for the year ended 31 March 2017, which were 
indicators of impairment and therefore an impairment test was 
performed.  

  Disclosures relating to Intangible Assets are included in Note 10 

to the financial statements.

  We concentrated our impairment testing audit work on 

intangible assets developed internally because of the higher 
uncertainty regarding recoverability of these intangibles given 
continuing losses and negative operating cash flows reported 
by the group. 

  Our procedures included assessing the assumptions and 

methodologies used by the group in their assets’ value-in-use 
impairment model. We compared the group’s assumptions to 
our own assessments of key inputs such as revenue growth, 
cost inflation and discount rates and assessed sensitivities, as 
well as performed a break-even analysis on key assumptions. 

  We tested the group’s procedures related to the preparation 
of the budget approved by the Board upon which the value-
in-use model is based, as well as compared the sum of 
projected discounted cash flows to the market capitalisation 
of the group to assess whether the projected cash flows 
appeared consistent with the market assessment of the 
group’s value. 

  We assessed the useful lives of finite life assets to determine 
if they remained appropriate in the context of the expected 
future period of economic consumption. 

  We assessed the adequacy of the group’s disclosure included 

in Note 10 to the financial statements.

PAGE 16

Chartered Accountants

Information Other than the Financial Statements and Auditor’s 
Report

The directors of the company are responsible for the Annual 
Report, which includes information other than the financial 
statements and auditor’s report which is expected to be made 
available to us after the date of the auditor’s report.

Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the 
other information and we do not express any form of assurance 
conclusion thereon.

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our 
responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, 
consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent 
with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained during 
the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated.

When we read the Annual Report if we conclude that there is a 
material misstatement therein, we are required to communicate 
the matter to those charged with the governance and, if 
uncorrected, to take appropriate action to bring the matter to the 
attention of users for whom our autitor’s report was prepared.

Directors’ Responsibilities for the Financial Statements

The directors are responsible, on behalf of the entity, for the 
preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements 
in accordance with New Zealand equivalents to International 
Financial Reporting Standards and International Financial 
Reporting Standards, and for such internal control as the directors 
determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial 
statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due 
to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the directors are responsible 
for assessing the group’s ability to continue as a going concern, 
disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and 
using the going concern basis of accounting unless the directors 

either intend to liquidate the group or cease operations, or have 
no realistic alternative but to do so. 

Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit  
of the Financial Statements 

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether 
the financial statements as a whole are free from material 
misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an 
auditor’s report that includes our opinion.  Reasonable assurance 
is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit 
conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing 
(New Zealand) will always detect a material misstatement when 
it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are 
considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could 
reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions 
of users taken on the basis of these consolidated financial 
statements.

A further description of the auditor’s responsibilities for the audit 
of the financial statements is located at External Reporting 
Board’s website: https://www.xrb.govt.nz/Site/Auditing_
Assurance_Standards/Current_Standards/Page1.aspx. This 
description forms part of our auditor’s report.

Report on the Other Legal and Regulatory Requirements

The engagement partner on the audit resulting in this 
independent auditor’s report is Jon Hooper.

25 May 2017

Auckland

PAGE 17

 
SERKO LIMITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTs 2017

PERFORMANCE

STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2017

Revenue

Other income

Total revenue and other income

Operating expenses

Selling and marketing expenses

Remuneration and benefits

Administration expenses

Other expenses

Total operating expenses

Finance income

Finance costs

Loss before income tax

Income tax expense

Net loss for the year

Other comprehensive income/(loss) to be reclassified  
to profit or loss in subsequent periods (net of tax)

Movement in foreign currency reserve

Total comprehensive loss for the year

Loss for the year attributable to:

Equity holders of the parent

Total comprehensive loss for the year attributable to:

Equity holders of the parent

Earnings per share

Basic and diluted profit (loss) for the year attributable to  
ordinary equity holders of the parent

The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.

PAGE 18

Notes

2017

2016

$(000)

$(000)

4

4

5

5

5

6

14,277

1,092

15,369

 (1,658)

 (12,285)

 (3,880)

 (940)

13,122

1,296

14,418

 (1,267)

 (13,941)

 (4,405)

 (1,122)

 (18,763)

 (20,735)

142

 (54)

430

 (56)

 (3,306)

 (5,943)

 (144)

 (291)

 (3,450)

 (6,234)

 (140)

 (42)

 (3,590)

 (6,276)

 (3,450)

 (6,234)

 (3,590)

 (6,276)

21

 $(0.05)

 $(0.10)

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2017

NoteS

Contributed 
equity 

Share-based 
Payment  
Reserve

Foreign  
currency 
reserve

Accumulated 
 losses

Total

$(000)

$(000)

$(000)

$(000)

$(000)

Balance as at 1 April 2016

Net loss for the period

Other comprehensive income/(loss) to be 
reclassified to profit or loss in subsequent 
periods (net of tax)

Total comprehensive loss for the year

Transactions with owners

Allocated shares to employees

Forfeiture of shares from employees

Interest on convertible notes

Balance as at 31 March 2017

Balance as at 1 April 2015

Net loss for the period

Other comprehensive income/(loss) to be 
reclassified to profit or loss in subsequent 
periods (net of tax)

Total comprehensive loss for the year

Transactions with owners

Issue of share capital

Cancellation of shares in Salary Sacrifice 
Scheme

Cost of equity issued

Allocated shares to employees

Balance as at 31 March 2016

25,185

 –  

 –  

 –  

 –  

 –  

 –  

25,185

17,604

 –  

 –  

 –  

8,096

(10)

(505)

 –  

25,185

15

15

15

15

15

15

The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.

888

 –  

 –  

107

 –  

(140)

(16,447)

9,733

(3,450)

(3,450)

 –  

(140)

 –  

(140)

(3,450)

(3,590)

372

(239)

 –  

1,021

371

 –  

 –  

 –  

 –  

 –  

 –  

517

888

 –  

 –  

 –  

(33)

149

 –  

(42)

 –  

 –  

 –  

372

(239)

 –  

(19,897)

6,276

(10,213)

(6,234)

 –  

7,911

(6,234)

(42)

(42)

(6,234)

(6,276)

 –  

 –  

 –  

 –  

 –  

 –  

 –  

 –  

8,096

(10)

(505)

517

107

(16,447)

9,733

PAGE 19

SERKO LIMITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTs 2017

PERFORMANCE

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
AS AT 31 MARCH 2017

Current assets

Cash at bank and on hand

Receivables

Derivative financial instruments

Non-current assets

Property, plant and equipment

Intangible assets 

Deferred tax asset

Total assets

Current liabilities

Trade and other payables

Income tax payable

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

Derivative financial instruments

Non-current liabilities

Deferred tax liability

Trade and other payables

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

Derivative financial instruments

Total liabilities

Equity

Contributed equity

Share-based payment reserve

Foreign currency reserve

Retained earnings – accumulated (deficit)

Total equity

Total equity and liabilities

Notes

2017

2016

$(000)

$(000)

11

7

8

9

10

6

12

14

8

6

12

14

8

15

15

4,451

3,167

–

7,618

886

1,603

112

2,601

10,219

2,582

160

399

245

3,386

 –   

269

254

34

557

3,943

25,185

1,021

(33)

(19,897)

6,276

10,219

7,118

3,969

5

11,092

613

1,439

–

2,052

13,144

2,557

315

344

 –   

3,216

58

137

 –   

–

195

3,411

25,185

888

107

(16,447)

9,733

13,144

For and on behalf of the Board who authorised these financial statements for issue on 25 May 2017.

Simon Botherway 
Chairman 

Darrin Grafton
Chief Executive Officer

The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.

PAGE 20

 
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2017

Cash flows from operating activities

Receipts from customers

Interest received

Receipts from grants

Taxation (paid)/refund received

Payments to suppliers and employees

Interest payments

Net Goods and Services Tax (GST) refunded (paid)

Net cash flows used in operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

Purchase of intangibles

Net cash flows used in investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities

Share issue

Cost of new share issue

Net cash flows from financing activities

Net increase (decrease) in total cash

Net foreign exchange difference

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

Cash and cash equivalents comprises the following:

Cash at bank and on hand

The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.

Notes

2017

2016

$(000)

$(000)

15,113

99

1,075

(469)

(17,349)

(16)

(48)

12,464

78

1,382

(214)

(18,161)

(35)

34

18

(1,595)

(4,452)

(247)

(791)

(1,038)

 –   

–   

–

(2,633)

(34)

7,118

4,451

4,451

4,451

11

(65)

(677)

(742)

8,096

(470)

7,626

2,432

199

4,487

7,118

7,118

7,118

PAGE 21

SERKO LIMITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTs 2017

PERFORMANCE

Notes to the financial statements
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2017

1  CORPORATE INFORMATION

The financial statements of Serko Limited (‘the company’) and 
subsidiaries (‘the group’) were authorised for issue in accordance 
with a resolution of directors.

The company is a limited liability company domiciled and 
incorporated in New Zealand under the Companies Act 1993. Its 
registered office is at Unit 14d, 125 The Strand, Parnell, Auckland.

The group is involved in the provision of computer software 
solutions for corporate travel. The group is headquartered in 
Auckland, New Zealand. 

2  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of 
these consolidated financial statements are set out below and 
within this notes section. These policies have been consistently 
applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated.

a)  Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with 
generally accepted accounting practice in New Zealand and 
the requirements of the Financial Market Conduct Act 2013. The 
financial statements have been prepared on a historical cost basis, 
modified by the revaluation of certain assets and liabilities as 
identified in specific accounting policies.

The financial statements are presented in New Zealand dollars 
and all values are rounded to the nearest thousand dollars unless 
stated otherwise.

The financial statements provide comparative information in 
respect of the previous period.

b)  Going concern

The directors have carefully considered the ability of the group 
to continue to operate as a going concern for at least the next 
12 months from the date the financial statements are authorised 
for issue. It is the conclusion of the directors that the group 
will continue to operate as a going concern and the financial 
statements have been prepared on that basis.                                   

In reaching their conclusion, the directors have considered the 
following factors: 

  Cash reserves at 31 March 2017 of $4.5 million provides a 

sufficient level of headroom to help support the business for at 
least the next twelve months

  The FY18 budget has been prepared to achieve profitability and 

positive net cash flow over the year

  The directors have made due enquiry into the appropriateness 

of the assumptions underlying the budgetary forecasts

  In approving the FY18 budget, the directors have considered 
detailed contingency plans presented by the management, 
including the ability to adjust resource levels and reduce 
operating costs, that can be implemented in the event that 
adverse variances in performance versus budget exceed certain 
thresholds.

A number of significant judgements have been made in preparing 
the budget for FY18, the most significant relate to the timing and 
level of uptake of demand for new products and services that are 

PAGE 22

expected to launch or grow significantly during the year. However, 
in view of the contingencies and risk mitigations that have been 
identified, the directors consider there is a reasonable expectation 
that the group can continue to operate as a going concern for the 
foreseeable future.

c)  Statement of compliance

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance 
with NZ GAAP. They comply with New Zealand equivalents to 
International Financial Reporting Standards and International 
Financial Reporting Standards, as appropriate for profit-oriented 
entities. 

d)  New accounting standards and interpretations

NZ IFRS standards that have recently been issued or amended but 
are not yet effective and have not been adopted by the group are: 

  NZ IFRS 9 Financial Instruments, effective for accounting 

periods beginning on or after 1 January 2018, is replacing NZ 
IAS39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement.

  NZIFRS 9 includes a revised model for classification and 

measurement and will result in changes to financial statement 
disclosures. Management does not expect a significant change 
to the way in which the group measures its financial statements 
as a result but has not yet performed a full assessment.

  NZ IFRS 15 Revenue Recognition, effective for accounting 

periods beginning on or after 1 January 2018. Management 
does not expect the recognition and measurement of revenue 
to materially change under the new standard, however, a full 
assessment has not yet been performed.

  NZ IFRS 16 Leases, effective for accounting periods beginning 

on or after 1 January 2019. 

The group has assessed the impact of NZ IFRS 16 Leases.  
There will be an impact on the statement of financial position 
where future minimum lease payments per note 16 are 
discounted back and shown as a lease liability and a  
‘right-of-use asset’ for substantively all lease contracts.  
The standard will not have any effect on the total amount  
of cash flows reported but it is expected to have an effect on 
the presentation of cash flows. This is because, applying  
NZ IAS 17 Leases, cash flows relating to operating leases 
are presented as cash flows from operating activities, while 
applying  NZ IFRS 16, will result in the presentation within 
financing activities of cash flows relating to the repayment  
of principal on lease liabilities.

e)  Basis of consolidation

The consolidated financial statements comprise the financial 
statements of Serko Limited and subsidiaries as at and for the 
year ended 31 March each year.

Control is achieved when the group is exposed, or has rights, to 
variable returns from its involvement with the investee and has 
the ability to affect those returns through its power over the 
investee. Specifically, the group controls an investee if and only if 
the group has:

  Power over the investee (i.e. existing rights that give it the 

current ability to direct the relevant activities of the investee

 
 
 
 
 
  Exposure, or rights, to variable returns from its involvement 

with the investee

Any gain on bargain purchase is recognised immediately on 
acquisition to profit and loss.

  The ability to use its power over the investee to affect its 

returns.

When the group has less than a majority of the voting or similar 
rights of an investee, the group considers all relevant facts and 
circumstances in assessing whether it has power over an investee, 
including:

  The contractual arrangement with the other vote holders of the 

Inter-company transactions, balances and unrealised gains and 
losses on transactions between group companies are eliminated.

Non-controlling interests are allocated their share of 
comprehensive income after tax in the statement of 
comprehensive income and are presented within equity in the 
consolidated statement of financial position, separately from the 
equity of the owners of the parent.  

investee

  Rights arising from other contractual arrangements

  The group’s voting rights and potential voting rights.

The group reassesses whether or not it controls an investee if 
facts and circumstances indicate there are changes to one or more 
of the three elements of control. Consolidation of a subsidiary 
begins when the group obtains control over the subsidiary 
and ceases when the group loses control of the subsidiary. 
Assets, liabilities, income and expenses of a subsidiary acquired 
or disposed of during the year are included in the financial 
statements from the date the group gains control until the date 
the group ceases to control the subsidiary.

A change in the ownership interest of a subsidiary, without a loss 
of control, is accounted for as an equity transaction. If the group 
loses control over a subsidiary, it:

  Derecognises the assets (including goodwill) and liabilities of 

the subsidiary

  Derecognises the carrying amount of any non-controlling 

interests

f)  Foreign currency translation

I) FUNCTIONAL AND PRESENTATION CURRENCY

Items included in the financial statements of each of the group’s 
entities are measured using the currency of the primary economic 
environment in which the entity operates (the ‘functional 
currency’). These financial statements are presented in New 
Zealand dollars, which is the group’s presentation currency.

II) TRANSACTIONS AND BALANCES

Transactions in foreign currencies are initially recorded in the 
functional currency by applying the exchange rates ruling at 
the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities 
denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the rate of 
exchange ruling at balance date.  Non-monetary items measured 
in terms of historical cost in a foreign currency are translated 
using the exchange rate as at the date of the initial transaction.  
Non-monetary items measured at fair value in a foreign currency 
are translated using the exchange rates at the date when the fair 
value was determined.

  Derecognises the cumulative translation differences recorded 

g)  Financial instruments

in equity

  Recognises the fair value of the consideration received

  Recognises the fair value of any investment retained

  Recognises any surplus or deficit in profit or loss

  Reclassifies the parent’s share of components previously 

recognised in other comprehensive income to profit or loss or 
retained earnings, as appropriate, as would be required if the 
group had directly disposed of the related assets or liabilities.

The acquisition of subsidiaries is accounted for using the 
acquisition method of accounting. The acquisition method of 
accounting involves recognising at acquisition date, separately 
from goodwill, the identifiable assets acquired, liabilities assumed 
and any non-controlling interest in the acquiree. The identifiable 
assets acquired and liabilities assumed are measured at their 
acquisition date fair values. Acquisition-related costs are 
expensed as incurred and recognised in profit or loss.

The difference between the above items and the fair value of the 
consideration is recorded as either goodwill or gain on bargain 
purchase. After initial recognition, goodwill is measured at cost 
less any accumulated impairment losses. For the purpose of 
impairment testing, goodwill acquired in a business combination 
is, from the acquisition date, allocated to each of the group’s 
cash-generating units expected to benefit from the combination, 
irrespective of whether other assets or liabilities of the acquiree 
are assigned to those units.

Goodwill is tested annually for impairment, or immediately if 
events or changes in circumstances indicate that it might be 
impaired, and carried at cost less accumulated impairment losses. 
Impairment losses on goodwill are not reversed. 

Financial assets in the scope of NZ IAS 39 Financial Instruments: 
Recognition and Measurement are classified as either loans and 
receivables or available-for-sale financial assets. When financial 
assets are recognised initially they are measured at fair value plus 
directly attributable transaction costs. The group determines the 
classification of its financial assets on initial recognition and, when 
allowed and appropriate, re-evaluates this designation at each 
financial year end.

I) LOANS AND RECEIVABLES

Loans and receivables are non-derivative financial assets with fixed 
or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market. 
They arise when the group provides money, goods or services 
directly to a debtor with no intention of selling the receivable. 
Such assets are subsequently carried at amortised cost using 
the effective interest method. Gains and losses are recognised in 
profit or loss when the loans and receivables are derecognised or 
impaired, as well as through the amortisation process.

The group’s loans and receivables comprise trade receivables, 
loans and GST receivable.

The group has no financial assets classified as available for sale.

II) FINANCIAL LIABILITIES

Financial liabilities are classified as ‘other financial liabilities’. Other 
financial liabilities, including borrowings, are initially measured 
at fair value, net of transaction costs. Other financial liabilities 
are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective 
interest method, with interest expense recognised using an 
effective interest method.

The effective interest method calculates the amortised cost of 

PAGE 23

 
SERKO LIMITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTs 2017

PERFORMANCE

a financial liability and allocates the interest expense over the 
relevant period. The effective interest rate is the rate that exactly 
discounts estimated future cash payments through the expected 
life of the financial liability or, where appropriate, a shorter period 
to the net carrying amount of the liability.

Financial liabilities are classified as current liabilities unless the 
group has an unconditional right to defer settlement of the 
liability for at least 12 months after balance date.

III) IMPAIRMENT OF FINANCIAL ASSETS

The group assesses, at each reporting date, whether there is 
objective evidence that a financial asset or a group of financial 
assets is impaired. A financial asset or a group of financial 
assets is deemed to be impaired if there is objective evidence of 
impairment as a result of one or more events that has occurred 
since the initial recognition of the asset (an incurred ‘loss event’) 
and that loss event has an impact on the estimated future cash 
flows of the financial asset or the group of financial assets that 
can be reliably estimated. Evidence of impairment may include 
indications that the debtors or a group of debtors is experiencing 
significant financial difficulty, default or delinquency in interest or 
principal payments, the probability that they will enter bankruptcy 
or other financial reorganisation and observable data indicating 
that there is a measurable decrease in the estimated future cash 
flows, such as changes in arrears or economic conditions that 
correlate with defaults.

IV) FINANCIAL ASSETS CARRIED AT AMORTISED COST

For financial assets carried at amortised cost, the group first 
assesses whether objective evidence of impairment exists 
individually for financial assets that are individually significant or 
collectively for financial assets that are not individually significant. 
If the group determines that no objective evidence of impairment 
exists for an individually assessed financial asset, whether 
significant or not, it includes the asset in a group of financial 
assets with similar credit risk characteristics and collectively 
assesses them for impairment. Assets that are individually 
assessed for impairment and for which an impairment loss is, 
or continues to be, recognised are not included in a collective 
assessment of impairment. 

If there is objective evidence that an impairment loss has been 
incurred, the amount of the loss is measured as the difference 
between the asset’s carrying amount and the present value of 
estimated future cash flows (excluding future expected credit 
losses that have not yet been incurred). The present value of the 
estimated future cash flows is discounted at the financial asset’s 
original effective interest rate. If a loan has a variable interest rate, 
the discount rate for measuring any impairment loss is the current 
effective interest rate (EIR). 

The carrying amount of the asset is reduced through the use 
of an allowance account and the loss is recognised in profit or 
loss. Interest income continues to be accrued on the reduced 
carrying amount and is accrued using the rate of interest used to 
discount the future cash flows for the purpose of measuring the 
impairment loss. The interest income is recorded as finance income 
in the income statement. Loans, together with the associated 
allowance, are written off when there is no realistic prospect of 
future recovery and all collateral has been realised or has been 
transferred to the group. If, in a subsequent year, the amount of 
the estimated impairment loss increases or decreases because 
of an event occurring after the impairment was recognised, the 
previously recognised impairment loss is increased or reduced by 

PAGE 24

adjusting the allowance account. If a write off is later recovered, 
the recovery is credited to finance costs in the income statement.

h)  Borrowing costs

Borrowing costs directly attributable to the acquisition, 
construction or production of a qualifying asset are capitalised as 
part of the cost of that asset. A qualifying asset is one that takes 
six months or longer to prepare for its intended use or sale. Other 
borrowing costs are expensed when incurred. 

i)  Other taxes

Revenues, expenses and assets are recognised net of the amount 
of GST except where the GST incurred on a purchase of goods and 
services is not recoverable from the taxation authority, in which 
case the GST is recognised as part of the cost of acquisition of the 
asset or as part of the expense item as applicable. All receivables 
and payables are stated GST inclusive.

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

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

3  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING JUDGEMENTS, ESTIMATES 
AND ASSUMPTIONS

The preparation of the group’s consolidated financial statements 
requires management to make judgements, estimates and 
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of revenues, 
expenses, assets and liabilities, and the accompanying disclosures.

SIGNIFICANT JUDGEMENTS

In the process of applying the group’s accounting policies, 
management has made the following judgements, which have an 
effect on the amounts recognised in the consolidated financial 
statements.

SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS

The group measured the fair value of the first tranche of shares 
granted under the restricted share plan in June 2014 to employees 
using the listing price (Initial Public Offering on 24 June 2014) 
of the shares when granted. Management considered this a 
reasonable basis of fair value, given that the grant date and 
listing date were concurrent. The fair value applied to subsequent 
shares granted under the restricted share plan is the volume 
weighted average price (VWAP) of shares traded in the previous 
20 trading days preceding the date of grant. Vesting of the shares 
is reviewed periodically to determine that the assumptions around 
vesting dates and employee churn rate are still valid. 

DEVELOPMENT COSTS

Development costs of a project are capitalised in accordance 
with the accounting policy. Initial capitalisation of costs is based 
on management’s judgement that technological and economic 
feasibility is confirmed, usually when a product development 
project has reached a defined milestone according to an 
established project management model. In determining the 
amounts to be capitalised, management makes assumptions 
regarding the expected future cash generation of the project, 
discount rates applied and the expected period of benefits. At 
31 March 2017 the carrying amount of capitalised development 
costs was $204,600 (2016: $407,019).

This amount represents development of a new innovative user 
booking experience.

FUNCTIONAL CURRENCY

4  REVENUE & OTHER INCOME

The group periodically reviews the functional currency for 
reporting purposes. Based on the assessment of the NZ IAS 21 
criteria, management believes, that there is sufficient justifications 
for the continued use of New Zealand dollars (NZD) as the 
functional currency. The key factors behind this conclusion are:

Revenue is recognised and measured at the fair value of the 
consideration received or receivable to the extent it is probable 
that the economic benefits will flow to the group and the revenue 
can be reliably measured. Revenue is disclosed net of credit notes, 
rebates and discounts.

a) Serko is NZX listed and has raised capital in NZD

I) REVENUE FROM TRANSACTION AND USAGE FEES

b) Research and development grant funding is in NZD

c) NZD is the main currency for labour, operating cost and capital 
expenditure.

Revenue from transaction and usage fees is recorded at the time 
travel or expense transactions are processed through Serko’s 
platforms.

IMPAIRMENT OF INTANGIBLE OR NON-FINANCIAL ASSETS

II) REVENUE FROM SERVICES

Management reviews the carrying value of intangible and  
non-financial assets on an annual basis and in accordance 
with NZ IAS 36. Consideration depends on a number of factors, 
depending on the specific asset in question, which may include 
discounted cash flow forecasts, the ability to continue to generate 
discrete cash flow and returns, any changes or anticipated 
changes in the business or product circumstances and the nature 
of the events that originally gave rise to the recognition of any 
non-financial assets. Further details are disclosed in note 10 of the 
financial statements in respect of the specific adjustments and 
entries reflected in the 2016 financial year.

REVENUE RECOGNITION

Serko has reseller customer agreements that contain annual 
minimum transaction volume commitments that span financial 
reporting periods. Based on this, management needs to make 
a judgement about estimated future transaction volumes to 
determine related revenue for the specific financial reporting 
period.

Revenue from a contract to provide installation services is 
recognised by reference to the completion of the contract or 
services delivered at balance date. When the contract outcome 
cannot be estimated reliably, revenue is recognised only to the 
extent of expenses recognised that are recoverable. Customised 
software development services are recognised by reference to the 
stage of completion at balance date.

III) LICENCE FEE REVENUE

Revenue from licence fees is recognised over the term of the 
licence agreement.

III) INTEREST REVENUE

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 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.

IV) GOVERNMENT GRANTS

When the grant relates to an expense item, it is recognised as 
income over the periods necessary to match the grant on a 
systematic basis to the costs it is intended to compensate. 

Revenue – transaction and usage fees

Revenue – services

Total operating revenue

Other income

Government grants

Sundry income

Note

2017

2016

$(000)

$(000)

12,921

1,356

14,277

1,073

19

1,092

11,900

1,222

13,122

1,296

 –

1,296

13

PAGE 25

SERKO LIMITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTs 2017

PERFORMANCE

5  EXPENSES

Operating loss before taxation includes the following expenses:

Auditor remuneration and advisory fees

Amortisation of intangibles

Impairment of intangibles

Depreciation

Rental and operating lease expenses

Employee & contractor remuneration

Contributions to defined contribution plans

Share-based payment expenses

Marketing expenses

Hosting expenses

Other operating expenses

Expenses from ordinary activities

Research expenses (excluding capitalised development costs)

Notes

2017

2016

$(000)

$(000)

10

10

9

15

116

633

–   

225

686

99

486

220

246

658

11,462

12,715

416

133

936

904

3,252

18,763

5,056

496

517

540

923

3,835

20,735

5,514

Research expenditure includes all reasonable expenditure associated with R&D activities that does not give rise to an intangible asset. 
R&D expenses include employee & contractor remuneration related to these activities.

Research expenditure includes expenditure that meets the definition of research expenditure as defined in NZ IAS 38.

116

1

25

142

(36)

(18)

(54)

88

117

1

312

430

(55)

(1)

(56)

374

Finance income and expenses includes:

Finance income

Interest received

Dividends received

Foreign exchange gains – net

Total finance income

Finance expenses

Interest expense

Other finance expenses

Total finance expenses

Total finance income and expenses

PAGE 26

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AUDITOR REMUNERATION 

The directors of Serko Limited appointed Ernst & Young as the auditor of the group for the year ended 31 March 2017.

Amounts received or due and receivable by: 

Ernst & Young

Audit of financial statements

Other assurance-related services (a)

Total audit fees

Tax services (b)

Total non-audit fees

2017

2016

$(000)

$(000)

82

15

97

19

19

59

11

70

29

29

(a)  Other assurance-related services include services for research and development assurance procedures and half year agreed upon procedures.
(b)  Tax services relate to compliance services.

6 

INCOME TAX

Current tax assets and liabilities for the current period are 
measured at the amount expected to be recovered from or paid 
to the taxation authorities based on the current period’s taxable 
income. The tax rates and tax laws used to compute the amount 
are those that are enacted or substantively enacted at the 
reporting date. 

Current income tax relating to items recognised directly in equity 
is recognised in equity and not in the statement of comprehensive 
income. Management periodically evaluates positions taken in 
the tax returns with respect to situations in which applicable 
tax regulations are subject to interpretation and establishes 
provisions where appropriate.

Deferred income tax is provided on all temporary differences at 
the balance sheet date between the tax bases of assets and 
liabilities and their carrying amounts for financial reporting 
purposes.

Deferred income tax liabilities are recognised for all taxable 
temporary differences:

  Except for a deferred income tax liability arising from the initial 

recognition of goodwill;

  Except where the deferred income tax liability arises from the 

initial recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction that is 
not a business combination and, at the time of the transaction, 
affects neither the accounting profit nor taxable profit or loss.

Deferred income tax assets are recognised for all deductible 
temporary differences and unused tax losses, to the extent that 
it is probable that taxable profit will be available against which 
the deductible temporary differences can be utilised. The carry-
forward of unused tax losses can be utilised except where the 
deferred income tax asset relating to the deductible temporary 
difference arises from the initial recognition of an asset or liability 
in a transaction that is not a business combination and, at the 
time of the transaction, affects neither the accounting profit nor 
taxable profit or loss.

The carrying amount of deferred income tax assets is reviewed at 
each balance date and reduced to the extent that it is no longer 
probable that sufficient taxable profit will be available to allow all 
or part of the deferred income tax asset to be utilised.

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are measured at the 
tax rates that are expected to apply to the year when the asset 
is realised or the liability is settled, based on tax rates (and tax 
laws) relevant to the appropriate tax jurisdiction that have been 
enacted or substantively enacted at the balance date.

PAGE 27

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SERKO LIMITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTs 2017

PERFORMANCE

6 

INCOME TAX – CONTINUED

Statement of comprehensive income

Current income tax

Current income tax charge/(credit)

Adjustments in respect of previous years

Deferred income tax

Origination and reversal of temporary differences

Adjustments in respect of previous years

Income tax expense reported in the statement of comprehensive income

The prima facie tax payable on profit before income tax is reconciled to the income tax 
expense as follows:

Accounting profit (loss) before income tax

At the statutory income tax rate of 28% (2016:28%) 

Non-deductible items

Adjustments in respect of current income tax of previous years

Chinese branch tax

Foreign tax credits not utilised

Future income tax benefit, not recognised

Effect of tax on overseas subsidiaries at different rate

At effective income tax rate of:

2017

2016

$(000)

$(000)

308

6

314

(170)

 –  

(170)

144

(3,306)

(926)

7

6

61

16

971

9

144

-4.4%

272

87

359

(2)

(66)

(68)

291

(5,943)

(1,664)

83

21

62

13

1,768

8

291

-4.9%

PAGE 28

 
Deferred income tax 

Deferred income tax at 31 March relates to the following: 

2017

2016

Statement of  
financial position

STATEMENT OF 
ComPHENSIVE 
INCOME

STATEMENT OF  
FINANCIAL POSITION

STATEMENT OF 
ComPHENSIVE INCOME

$(000)

$(000)

$(000)

$(000)

Deferred income tax liabilities recognised

Intangibles

Unrealised foreign exchange

Deferred income tax assets recognised

Intangibles

Employee entitlements

Net deferred tax asset/(liability) recognised

Deferred income tax assets not recognised

Employee entitlements

Bonus provision

Long-term incentive fair value adjustment

Accruals

Allowance for impairment

Deferred revenue

Tax losses available to be carried forward and 
offset against future income

Total deferred tax asset not recognised

 –  

(51)

87

76

112

107

92

435

 –   

2

(20)

616

4,484

5,100

71

15

87

(3)

170

3

92

94

(28)

–   

(33)

128

(71)

(66)

–

79

(58)

103

 –   

341

28

2

14

488

3,779

4,267

29

(66)

–

39

2

(20)

–

227

(11)

(16)

(2)

178

PAGE 29

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SERKO LIMITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTs 2017

PERFORMANCE

7  RECEIVABLES

Receivables are recognised initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost, using the effective interest method, less 
provision for impairment.

Collectibility of receivables is reviewed on an ongoing basis. Debts that are known to be uncollectible are written off when identified. 
A provision for impairment of receivables is established when there is objective evidence that the group will not be able to collect all 
amounts due according to the original terms of the receivable, changes in credit quality and past default experience.

The impairment, and any subsequent movement, including recovery, is recognised in the statement of comprehensive income.

Trade receivables

Allowance for impairment

Trade receivables (net)

GST receivable

Prepayments

nuTravel Loan receivable

Total receivables

FOREIGN CURRENCY RISK

The carrying amounts of the group’s receivables are denominated in the following currencies:

New Zealand dollars

Australian dollars

US dollars

Indian rupees

NOTE

2017

2016

$(000)

$(000)

17

2,544

(7)

2,537

22

255

353

3,167

1,493

1,634

29

11

3,167

3,338

(7)

3,331

54

249

335

3,969

1,760

1,745

459

5

3,969

ALLOWANCE FOR IMPAIRMENT LOSS   
Trade receivables are non-interest bearing and are generally on 30-60-day terms. A provision for impairment loss is recognised where 
there is objective evidence that an individual trade receivable is impaired. No impairment loss has been recognised (2016: $nil) by the 
group in the current year. No individual amount within the impairment allowance is material.

At 31 March the ageing analysis of trade receivables is as follows: 

2017

2016

Total

0 – 30 days

31 – 60 days

61 – 90 days

$(000)

$(000)

$(000)

$(000)

2,544

3,338

2,432

2,697

8

247

11

83

91+ days

$(000)

93

311

Group receivables over 60 days of $103,287 (2016: $394,046) include a provision for impairment of $7,429. The balance of $95,858 is 
not considered impaired as amounts outstanding are in accordance with agreed payment plans and payment record of the customers 
concerned.

NUTRAVEL LOAN RECEIVABLE
On 9 April 2014 an interest-bearing loan to nuTravel Technology Solutions LLC of US$200,000 was assigned by Financial Equities 
Limited to Serko Limited in return for an interest-bearing loan repayable on receipt of the loan receivable. The loan expired on  
30 June 2016. The loan is currently outstanding and action is being taken to recover the loan. There is no financial risk to Serko as  
the loan receivable is back to back with the associated loan payable to Financial Equities Limited (refer note 14). Financial Equities 
Limited is a company associated with directors Robert Shaw and Darrin Grafton. 

PAGE 30

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
8  FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The group uses derivatives in the form of forward exchange contracts (FECs) to reduce the risk that movements in the exchange rate will 
affect the group’s New Zealand dollar cash flows. Such derivative financial instruments are initially recognised at fair value on the date on 
which a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently remeasured at fair value. Derivatives are carried as financial assets when 
the fair value is positive and as financial liabilities when the fair value is negative.

FAIR VALUE HEDGES 
The change in fair value of a hedging derivative is recognised in the statement of comprehensive income as finance income. The change 
in fair value of the hedged item attributable to the risk hedged is recorded as part of the carrying value of the hedged item and is also 
recognised in the statement of comprehensive income as finance income.

The following table presents the group’s foreign currency forward exchange contracts measured at fair value:

Current:

Foreign currency forward exchange contracts

Non-current:

Foreign currency forward exchange contracts

2017

$(000)

(245)

(34)

2016

$(000)

5

-

Contractual amounts of forward exchange contracts outstanding were as follows:

Purchase commitments forward exchange contracts

13,027

4,163

Derivative Financial Instruments have been determined to be within level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. Foreign currency forward exchange 
contracts have been fair valued using published market foreign exchange rates. The purchase commitment increase in 2017 from 2016 
represents a full hedging position of the group’s forecast net cash flow in Australian dollars for FY18.

9  PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

All items of property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment. Initial cost includes 
purchase consideration and those costs attributable to bringing the asset to the location and condition necessary for its intended use. 
Where an item is self-constructed, its construction cost includes the cost of materials, direct labour and an appropriate proportion of 
production overheads. 

Subsequent expenditure relating to an item of property, plant and equipment is added to its gross carrying amount when such 
expenditure either increases the future economic benefits beyond its existing service potential or is necessarily incurred to enable future 
economic benefits to be obtained and if that expenditure would have been included in the initial cost of the item had it been incurred at 
that time. The carrying amount of any replaced part is derecognised. 

All other repairs and maintenance expenditure is recognised in profit or loss as incurred.

Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the asset. The residual value of assets is reviewed and 
adjusted if appropriate at each balance date. The following estimates have been used:

  Leasehold improvements 

7% 

  Furniture and fittings 

8.5 – 80.4%  

  Computer equipment 

17.5 – 67%

I) IMPAIRMENT 

The carrying values of property, plant and equipment are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate the 
carrying value may not be recoverable.

If any such indication exists, and where the carrying values exceed the estimated recoverable amount, the assets are written down to 
their recoverable amounts.

II) DISPOSAL

An item of property, plant and equipment is derecognised upon disposal or when no further future economic benefits are expected from 

PAGE 31

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SERKO LIMITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTs 2017

PERFORMANCE

its use or disposal. Any gain or loss arising on derecognition of the asset (calculated as the difference between the net disposal proceeds 
and the carrying amount of the asset) is included in profit or loss in the year the asset is derecognised.

9  PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT – CONTINUED

Leasehold 
improvement

$(000)

Furniture  
& fittings 

$(000)

Computer  
equipment

$(000)

Total

$(000)

2017

Cost or valuation

Balance at 1 April 2016

Additions

Disposals

Currency translation

Balance at 31 March 2017

Depreciation

Balance at 1 April 2016

Depreciation expense

Disposals

Balance at 31 March 2017

Net carrying amount

2016

Cost or valuation

Balance at 1 April 2015

Additions

Disposals

Currency translation

Balance at 31 March 2016

Depreciation

Balance at 1 April 2015

Depreciation expense

Disposals

Currency translation

Balance at 31 March 2016

Net carrying amount

296

501

(29)

(1)

767

48

68

 –   

116

651

529

15

(251)

3

296

70

35

(57)

 –   

48

248

343

27

(16)

–

354

106

39

(6)

139

215

377

7

(43)

2

343

100

44

(39)

1

106

237

Tangible assets per security

Prior year has been restated based on issued capital rather than weighted average.

PAGE 32

388

10

–   

–

398

260

118

–

378

20

480

35

(131)

4

388

220

167

(130)

3

260

128

2017

CENTS

1.18

1,027

538

(45)

(1)

1,519

414

225

(6)

633

886

1,386

57

(425)

9

1,027

390

246

(226)

4

414

613

2016

CENTS

0.84

10 INTANGIBLES

Intangible assets acquired separately or in a business combination 
are initially measured at cost. The cost of an intangible asset 
acquired in a business combination is its fair value as at the date 
of acquisition. Following initial recognition, intangible assets 
are carried at cost less any accumulated amortisation and any 
accumulated impairment losses. Costs related to internally 
generated intangible assets, excluding capitalised development 
costs, are not capitalised and expenditure is recognised in profit or 
loss in the year in which the expenditure is incurred.

The useful lives of intangible assets are assessed to be either 
finite or indefinite. Intangible assets with finite lives are amortised 
over the useful life and tested for impairment whenever there 
is an indication that the intangible asset may be impaired. 
The amortisation period and the amortisation method for an 
intangible asset with a finite useful life is reviewed at least at 
each financial year end. Changes in the expected useful life 
or the expected pattern of consumption of future economic 
benefits embodied in the asset are accounted for prospectively 
by changing the amortisation period or method, as appropriate, 
which is a change in accounting estimate. The amortisation 
expense on intangible assets with finite lives is recognised in profit 
or loss.

Intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are tested for 
impairment annually either individually or at the cash-generating 
unit level. Such intangibles are not amortised. An intangible asset 
with an indefinite useful life is reviewed each reporting period 
to determine whether indefinite life assessment continues to be 
supportable. If not, the change in the useful life assessment from 
indefinite to finite is accounted for as a change in an accounting 
estimate and is thus accounted for on a prospective basis.

Gains or losses arising from derecognition of an intangible asset 
are measured as the difference between the net disposal proceeds 
and the carrying amount of the asset and are recognised in profit 
or loss when the asset is derecognised. 

A summary of the policies applied to the group’s intangible assets 
is as follows: 

Computer Software 

– finite, amortised on a straight line basis 

40 – 60%

Capitalised software
development costs 

– finite, amortised on 5 years straight line

Expense software 

– finite, amortised on 3 years straight line

Customer contracts 

– finite, amortised on 3 years straight line

Key employee retention – finite, amortised on 3 years straight line

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
Research costs are expensed as incurred.

An intangible asset arising from development expenditure 
on an internal project is recognised only when the group can 
demonstrate the technical feasibility of completing the intangible 
asset so that it will be available for use or sale, its intention to 
complete and its ability to use or sell the asset. Also how the 
asset will generate future economic benefits, the availability 
of resources to complete the development and the ability to 
measure reliably the expenditure attributable to the intangible 
asset during its development. Following initial recognition of the 
development expenditure, the cost model is applied requiring the 
asset to be carried at cost less any accumulated amortisation and 
impairment losses. Any expenditure capitalised is amortised over 
the period of expected benefit from the related project.

Intangible assets under development at balance date are recorded 
as capital work in progress and are not subject to amortisation.

Impairment of non-financial assets

Intangible assets that have indefinite useful lives are not subject 
to amortisation and are tested annually for impairment or more 
frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that 
they might be impaired. Other assets are tested for impairment 
whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the 
carrying amount may not be recoverable.

In undertaking an impairment review of non-financial assets that 
have definite useful lives, the following assumptions were used in 
the impairment model:

  5-year forecast period

  Discount rate of 15%

  Discount factor applied using a mid-year convention.

An impairment loss is recognised for the amount by which 
the asset’s carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount. 
Recoverable amount is the higher of an asset’s fair value less 
costs to sell and value in use. For the purposes of assessing 
impairment, assets are grouped at the lowest levels for which 
there are separately identifiable cash inflows that are largely 
independent of the cash inflows from other assets or groups of 
assets (cash-generating units).

Non-financial assets, other than goodwill, that suffered 
impairment are tested for possible reversal of the impairment 
whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the 
impairment may have reversed.

PAGE 33

Goodwill

Key employee 
retention

Customer 
contracts

Development 
– work in 
progress

Computer 
software

Total

$(000)

$(000)

$(000)

$(000)

$(000)

$(000)

1,377

 –

982

17

2,525

780

 –  

17

2,376

3,322

220

 –  

 –  

 –  

220

220

 –  

220

 –   

171

33

 –  

16

220

 –  

 –  

220

 –  

220

 –  

78

 –  

 –  

 –  

78

58

20

78

 –   

71

 –  

 –  

7

78

29

26

 –  

3

58

20

443

 –  

 –  

 –  

443

280

163

443

 –   

305

111

 –  

27

443

126

143

 –  

11

280

163

407

780

(982)

 –  

205

 –  

 –  

 –   

528

450

978

205

1,398

86

558

(237)

 -   

407

 –  

 –  

 –  

 –  

 –  

407

1,013

110

237

17

1,377

204

317

 –  

7

528

849

1,086

633

1,719

1,603

1,646

812

 –  

67

2,525

359

486

220

21

1,086

1,439

SERKO LIMITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTs 2017

PERFORMANCE

10  INTANGIBLES – CONTINUED

2017

Cost

Balance at 1 April 2016

Additions

Transfer of cost

Currency translation

Balance at 31 March 2017

Amortisation and impairment

Balance at 1 April 2016

Amortisation

Balance at 31 March 2017

Net carrying amount

2016

Cost

Balance at 1 April 2015

Additions

Transfer of cost

Currency translation

Balance at 31 March 2016

Amortisation and impairment

Balance at 1 April 2015

Amortisation

Impairment

Currency translation

Balance at 31 March 2016

Net carrying amount

PAGE 34

11  CASH AT BANK AND ON HAND

Cash and short-term deposits in the statement of financial position comprise cash at bank, and in hand, short-term highly liquid 
investments with an original maturity of three months or less. 

Cash at bank – New Zealand dollar balances

Cash at bank – foreign currency balances

FOREIGN CURRENCY RISK

The carrying amounts of the group’s cash at bank and on hand are denominated in the following currencies:

New Zealand dollars

Australian dollars

US dollars

Indian rupees

2017

2016

$(000)

$(000)

3,053

1,398

4,451

3,045

1,340

58

8

4,451

5,813

1,305

7,118

5,810

1,266

40

2

7,118

12  TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
Liabilities for wages and salaries, including non-monetary benefits, long service leave and annual leave expected to be settled within 
12 months of the reporting date are recognised in respect of employees’ services up to the reporting date. They are measured at the 
amounts expected to be paid when the liabilities are settled. 

Liabilities for wages and salaries that are not expected to be settled within 12 months are measured at the present value of the 
estimated future cash outflows to be made by the group in respect of services provided by employees up to the reporting date.

POST-EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
Contributions made on behalf of eligible employees to defined contribution funds are recognised in the period they are incurred. 
The defined contribution funds receive fixed contributions from the group whose legal or constructive obligation is limited to these 
contributions only. 

TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES
Trade payables and other payables are carried at amortised cost and represent liabilities for goods and services provided to the group 
prior to the end of the financial year that are unpaid and arise when the group becomes obliged to make future payments in respect of 
the purchase of these goods and services.

Trade payables

Accrued expenses

Lease incentive

Holiday pay accrual

GST payable

Total trade and other payables

Disclosed as:

Current

Non-current

2017

2016

$(000)

$(000)

532

1,442

227

634

16

2,851

2,582

269

2,851

848

1,040

174

632

–

2,694

2,557

137

2,694

PAGE 35

SERKO LIMITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTs 2017

PERFORMANCE

13  GOVERNMENT GRANTS

Government grants are received for direct reimbursement of expenses to assist with research and development of software solutions to 
improve service delivery and develop new enhancements to existing platforms.

There are no unfulfilled conditions or contingencies attached to these grants.

14  INTEREST-BEARING LOANS AND BORROWINGS

Current

Financial Equities loan payable

Obligations under finance leases

Leasehold fitout loan

Non-current

Leasehold fitout loan

During the current and prior years, there were no defaults or breaches on any of the loans.

Financial Equities is a loan payable against a loan receivable from nuTravel (refer note 7).

Finance leases are secured over the assets specified in the leases. 

Note

2017

2016

$(000)

$(000)

17

353

–  

46

399

254

254

335

9

–  

344

–

–  

PAGE 36

15  EQUITY

Ordinary share capital is recognised at the fair value of the consideration received. Transaction costs relating to the listing of new 
ordinary shares and the simultaneous sale and listing of existing shares are allocated to those transactions on a proportional basis.

Transaction costs relating to the sale and listing of existing shares are not considered costs of an equity instrument as no equity 
instrument is issued and consequently costs are recognised as an expense in the statement of comprehensive income when incurred. 
Transaction costs relating to the issue of new share capital are recognised directly in equity as a reduction of the share proceeds received.

Ordinary shares and Share-Based Payments

Share capital at beginning of year

Issue of shares pursuant to institutional capital placement

Issue of shares pursuant to Share Purchase Plan (SPP) placement

Issue of new shares to employees via Restricted Share Scheme

Allocated shares to employees via Restricted Share Scheme

Forfeiture of shares from employees via Restricted Share Scheme

Cancellation of shares under Salary Sacrifice Scheme

Transaction costs for issue of new shares

Share capital at end of year

Total equity at end of year

2017

2016

2017

NUMBER  
OF SHARES

2016

NUMBER  
OF SHARES

$(000)

$(000)

(000)

(000)

26,073

 -   

 -   

 -   

372

(239)

 -   

 -   

26,206

26,206

17,975

8,000

96

 -   

517

 -   

(10)

(505)

26,073

26,073

72,894

 -   

 -   

2,000

 -   

 -   

 -   

 -   

62,699

9,524

114

566

 -   

 -   

(9)

 -   

74,894

74,894

72,894

72,894

In the prior year an institutional capital placement was completed in December 2015, which raised an additional $8 million of issued 
capital. In addition, an SPP placement was completed in February 2016, which raised an additional $96,000 of issued capital.

During the year the group issued 2,000,000 (2016: 565,874) shares under the Restricted Share Scheme (RSS). In respect of the RSS 
710,313 restricted shares (2016: 41,662) have been allocated to key management personnel and 228,519 (2016: 229,690) allocated to other 
Serko employees. Unallocated shares are 1,819,732 (2016: 466,936).

PAGE 37

SERKO LIMITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTs 2017

PERFORMANCE

16  COMMITMENTS

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 ownership, and operating leases under which the lessor effectively retains substantially all such risks and benefits.

I) FINANCE LEASES
Finance leases, which transfer to the group substantially all the risks and benefits incidental to ownership of the leased item, are 
capitalised at the inception of the lease at the fair value of the leased asset or, if lower, at the present value of the minimum lease 
payments.  Lease payments are apportioned between the finance charges and reduction of the lease liability so as to achieve a constant 
rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability.  Finance charges are recognised as an expense in profit or loss.

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

a) Operating lease commitments

No later than one year

Later than one year and not later than five years

Later than five years

b) Finance lease commitments

No later than one year

Total minimum lease payments

Present value of minimum lease payments

17  RELATED PARTIES 

a)  Subsidiaries

2017

2016

$(000)

$(000)

514

1,755

193

2,462

 –   

 –   

 –   

432

1,105

 –   

1,537

8

8

8

The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of Serko Limited and subsidiaries as listed in the following table:

% equity interest

Investment $(000)

NAME

Serko Australia Pty Limited

Serko Trustee Limited

Serko India Private Limited

Serko Investments Limited

BALANCE DATE

31 March

31 March

31 March

31 March

2017

100%

100%

99%

100%

2016

100%

100%

99%

100%

2017

2016

1

0

2

0

3

1

0

2

0

3

Serko Australia Pty Limited’s principal business is the marketing and support of travel booking software solutions supplied by Serko 
Limited. 

Serko Trustee Limited was incorporated on 4 June 2014 to hold the shares issued to key management and staff in the Restricted Share 
Scheme and Salary Sacrifice Scheme in trust until vesting.

Serko India Private Limited was incorporated on 18 February 2015 as a subsidiary for the Indian-based operations.

Serko Investments was incorporated on 5 November 2014 as a holding company. It holds 1% of the shares in Serko India Private Limited.

PAGE 38

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
b)  Transactions with related parties   

The following table provides the total amount of transactions that have been entered into with related parties, excluding key 
management and director remuneration.

Other related parties

Financial Equities Limited

Simon Botherway – Chairman

Clyde McConaghy – Non-Executive Director

Claudia Batten – Non-Executive Director

Total

NOTE

14

Purchases 
from related 
parties

Interest 
to related 
parties

Amounts owed 
to related 
parties

Amounts owed 
by related 
parties

$(000)

$(000)

$(000)

$(000)

2017

2016

2017

2016

2017

2016

2017

2016

2017

2016

 –   

 –   

70

70

60

60

60

60

190

190

20

20

 –   

 –   

 –   

20

20

353

335

 –   

 –   

 –   

353

335

 –   

 –   

 –   

 –   

 –   

 –   

 –   

Non-executive directors provide services to Serko in their capacity as non-executive directors and have a service agreement with a 
specified amount of fees payable per annum.

On 9 April 2014 an interest-bearing loan to nuTravel Technology Solutions LLC of US$200,000 was assigned by Financial Equities 
Limited to Serko Limited in return for an interest-bearing loan repayable on receipt of the loan receivable. The loan expired on 30 June 
2016. Financial Equities Limited is a company associated with directors Robert Shaw and Darrin Grafton (refer note 7).

c)  Key management remuneration

Short-term benefits employees (*)

Post-employment benefits

Total compensation

2017

2016

$(000)

$(000)

2,974

94

3,068

2,125

87

2,212

(*) Key management personnel includes the executive management team, sales management team and the executive directors in their 
capacity as Chief Executive Officer and Chief Strategy Officer.

d)  Terms and conditions of transactions with related parties.

Outstanding balances at year end are unsecured and settlement occurs in cash.

For the year ended 31 March 2017, the group has not made any allowance for impairment loss relating to amounts owed by related parties 
(2016: $nil). An impairment assessment is undertaken each financial year by examining the financial position of the related party and the 
market in which the related party operates to determine whether there is objective evidence that a related party receivable is impaired. 
When such objective evidence exists, the group recognises an allowance for the impairment loss.

PAGE 39

 
 
 
 
 
 
SERKO LIMITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTs 2017

PERFORMANCE

18  RECONCILIATION OF OPERATING PROFIT TO NET CASH INFLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

Net loss after tax

Add non-cash items

Amortisation

Impairment

Depreciation

Loss on property, plant and equipment disposal

Increase/(decrease) in deferred tax

Loss/(gain) on foreign exchange transactions

Share-based compensation

Add/(less) movements in working capital items

(Increase)/decrease in receivables excluding loans

Decrease in derivative financial instruments

Increase/(decrease) in trade and other payables

Increase/(decrease) in income tax

Net cash flow from operating activities

2017

$(000)

(3,450)

633

 –   

225

36

(170)

(110)

133

2016

$(000)

(6,234)

486

220

246

199

(2)

(113)

517

(2,703)

(4,681)

820

285

158

(155)

1,108

(1,595)

(550)

111

534

134

229

(4,452)

PAGE 40

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
19  FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES

The group’s principal financial instruments comprise cash at bank, bank overdrafts, receivables, payables and loans.

The group manages its exposure to key financial risks, including currency risk, in accordance with the group’s financial risk management 
policy. The objective of the policy is to support the delivery of the group’s financial targets while protecting future financial security.

Group capital consists of share capital and retained earnings.  To maintain or adjust the capital structure, the group may adjust amounts 
of dividends paid to shareholders, return capital to shareholders, issue new shares or amend capital spending plans.

The main risks arising from the group’s financial instruments are foreign currency, interest, credit and liquidity risk. The group uses different 
methods to measure and manage different types of risks to which it is exposed. These include monitoring levels of exposure to foreign 
exchange risk, and assessments of market forecasts for foreign exchange. Ageing analyses and monitoring of specific credit allowances 
are undertaken to manage credit risk. Liquidity risk is monitored through the development of future rolling cash flow forecasts.

The Board reviews and agrees policies for managing each of these risks as summarised below.

Risk exposures and responses

INTEREST RATE RISK
The group has exposure to interest rate risk to the extent it borrows funds at fixed and floating interest rates. The risk specifically relates 
to the variability of interest rates and the impact this will have on the group’s financial results. The group manages its cost of borrowing 
by placing limits on the proportion of borrowings at floating rate and the proportion of fixed rate borrowing repriced in any year.

At balance date this year and prior year, the group did not have any financial liabilities exposed to variable interest rate risk. 

LIQUIDITY RISK 
Liquidity risk represents the group’s ability to meet its financial obligations on time.  In terms of managing its liquidity risk, the group 
generates sufficient cash flows from its operating activities and holds sufficient cash reserves to meet its obligations arising from its 
financial liabilities and has credit lines in place to cover potential shortfalls. 

The following table sets out the contractual cash flows for all financial liabilities settled on a gross cash flow basis.

Contractual 
cash flows

6 months  
or less

6-12 months

1-2 years

2-5 years

More than  
5 years

$(000)

$(000)

$(000)

$(000)

$(000)

$(000)

GROUP – 2017

Accounts payable

Related party loans

Leasehold fitout 

GROUP – 2016

Accounts payable

Related party loans

Finance leases

2,624

353

300

3,277

2,520

335

9

2,864

2,624

353

23

3,000

2,520

335

5

2,860

 –   

 –   

23

23

 –   

 –   

4

4

 –   

 –   

20

20

 –   

 –   

 –   

 –   

 –   

 –   

234

234

 –   

 –   

 –   

 –   

 –   

 –   

 –   

 –   

 –   

 –   

 –   

PAGE 41

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SERKO LIMITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTs 2017

PERFORMANCE

19  FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES – CONTINUED

CURRENCY RISK
The group has exposure to foreign exchange risk as a result of transactions denominated in foreign currencies. The risk specifically relates 
to the variability of foreign exchange rates for the currencies the group trades in and the impact this has on the group’s financial results. 
The majority of the group’s trading activities occur in New Zealand dollars, however, sales to overseas customers are transacted in United 
States and Australian dollars.

Refer to notes 7 and 11 for further details on the group’s foreign currency-denominated accounts receivable and cash balances.

The following table summarises the sensitivity to foreign currency exchange rate movements. A sensitivity of +/- 15% (2016: +/- 15%) has 
been selected owing to exchange rate volatility observed.

Foreign currency risk

CARRYING  
AMOUNT

-15%

POST-TAX  
PROFIT

EQUITY

+15%

POST-TAX  
PROFIT

EQUITY

$(000)

$(000)

$(000)

$(000)

$(000)

1,398

1,310

(176)

2,532

1,305

1,869

(176)

2,998

179

223

(16)

386

166

244

(28)

382

179

223

(16)

386

166

244

(28)

382

(132)

(165)

12

(285)

(123)

(180)

21

(282)

(132)

(165)

12

(285)

(123)

(180)

21

(282)

2017

Foreign exchange balances

Cash at bank

Trade receivables

Trade payables

Net exposure

2016

Foreign exchange balances

Cash at bank

Trade receivables

Trade payables

Net exposure

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

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

Receivable balances are monitored on an ongoing basis with the result that the group’s exposure to bad debts is not significant. 

At reporting date 100% (2016: 100%) of the group’s cash and cash equivalents were with one bank. The group has no other concentrations 
of credit risk.

PAGE 42

20  SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Board and senior management team monitors the results of the group’s operations as a whole for the purpose of making decisions 
about resource allocation and performance assessment and therefore the Board has determined the group is a single reportable 
segment. 

Revenues are derived from installation and configuration projects and through the provision of support and maintenance, however, these 
activities are not independent of the principal activity of the group, being the provision of software solutions for the management and 
administration of corporate travel bookings. 

Geographic information

New Zealand

Australia

India

Singapore

United States

Other

Total Operating Revenue 

Other Income

Grant Income

Sundry Income

Total Revenue & Other Income

2017

2016

$(000)

$(000)

672

13,195

136

18

158

98

616

12,229

167

24

47

39

14,277

13,122

1,073

19

15,369

1,296

–

14,418

New Zealand and Australia geographic information has been restated in the prior year. The total operating revenue has not changed.

As required under IFRS 8 Serko is required to report on major customers making up more than 10% of the revenue for the year. Under this 
disclosure Serko advises that two customers had more than 10% of the revenue for the group. These customers accounted for $7,709,305 
of the revenue for the year ended 31 March 2017.

Receivables as part of the segmental revenue above

New Zealand

Australia

India

Singapore

United States

Other

Allowance for impairment as part of trade receivables above

India

The revenue information above is based on the locations of the customers. 

Non-current operating assets

New Zealand

Australia

Non-current assets for this purpose consist of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets.

81

2,089

19

1

10

23

77

2,772

89

4

36

6

2,223

2,984

7

7

7

7

2,464

25

2,489

1,767

285

2,052

PAGE 43

SERKO LIMITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTs 2017

PERFORMANCE

21  EARNINGS PER SHARE (EPS)

Basic EPS amounts are calculated by dividing the loss for the year, attributable to ordinary equity holders of the parent, by the weighted 
average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the year.

Diluted EPS amounts are calculated by dividing the loss attributable to ordinary equity holders of the parent by the weighted average 
number of ordinary shares outstanding during the year, plus the weighted average number of shares that would be issued on conversion 
of all of the dilutive potential ordinary shares into ordinary shares.

The following reflects the income and share data used in the basic and diluted EPS computations:

Loss attributable to ordinary equity holders of the parent

Continuing operations

Basic and diluted earnings per share

Issued ordinary shares (refer note 15)

Weighted average of issued ordinary shares

Basic and diluted earnings per share (dollars)

2017

2016

$(000)

$(000)

(3,450)

(3,450)

2017

NUMBER

74,894

73,074

(0.05)

(6,234)

(6,234)

2016

NUMBER

72,894

64,738

(0.10)

There have been no other transactions involving ordinary shares or potential ordinary shares between the reporting date and the date of 
authorisation of these financial statements.

22  SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS

Employees of the group receive remuneration at the Board’s discretion in the form of share-based payment transactions, where services 
are provided as consideration for the receipt of equity instruments.

The cost of share-based payment transactions are recognised, together with a corresponding increase in equity, over the period in 
which the service conditions are fulfilled. The cumulative expense recognised for share-based transactions at each reporting date, until 
the vesting date, reflects the extent to which the vesting period has expired and the group’s best estimate of the number of equity 
instruments that will ultimately vest. The expense or credit for a period represents the movement in cumulative expenses recognised at 
the beginning and end of that period. 

No expense is recognised for awards that do not ultimately vest except where vesting is conditional upon a market condition.

PAGE 44

Employee Restricted Share Plan

The Serko Limited Employee Restricted Share Plan (RSP) was introduced for selected executives and employees of the group. Under 
the RSP, ordinary shares in Serko Limited are issued to a trustee, Serko Trustee Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary, and allocated to 
participants, on grant date, using funds lent to them by the company.

The price for each share issued during the year under the RSP is the higher of the market price of the share on the date on which the 
shares are allocated or the invitation price.

Under the RSP, shares are beneficially owned by the participants. The length of retention period before the shares vest is between one 
and three years.  If the individual is still employed by the group at the end of this specific period, the employee is awarded a cash bonus 
that must be used to repay the loan and shares are then transferred to the employee. The number of shares awarded is determined by 
the Remuneration Committee of the Board. The weighted average grant date fair value of restricted shares issued during the year was 
$0.46 (2016: $0.95) and was determined by the volume weighted average price (VWAP) of shares traded in the previous 20 trading days 
preceding the date of grant. The group has no legal or constructive obligation to repurchase the shares or settle the RSP for cash.

Unvested shares at 1 April

Granted

Forfeited

Vested

Unvested shares at 31 March – allocated to employees

Plus

Forfeited shares not yet reallocated – held by trustee

Unallocated shares - held by trustee

Total Shares in Restricted Share Plan

Percentage of total ordinary shares

Ageing of unvested shares

Vest within one year

Vest after one year

Total

2017

2016

1,275,502

1,021,650

938,832

(264,135)

(590,973)

271,352

(13,500)

(4,000)

1,359,226

1,275,502

287,590

1,532,142

23,455

443,481

3,178,958

1,742,438

4.2%

2.4%

184,084

536,364

2,994,874

1,206,074

3,178,958

1,742,438

The number of shares awarded pursuant to the RSP does not equal the number of shares created for the scheme, as the scheme had an 
allocated pool of shares upon set up and forfeited shares are held in the trust and reissued.

Share Appreciation Rights

The group’s non-executive directors are granted share appreciation rights (SARs), settled by way of a non-recourse loan. The SARs vest 
when the directors continue to be employed as non-executive directors at the vesting date. The contractual term of the SARs is three 
years. The non-recourse loan is due for repayment in June 2017.

23  EVENTS AFTER BALANCE SHEET DATE

There have been no significant events occurring after balance date (2016: no significant events).

24  CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

There were no contingent liabilities at balance date (2016: $nil).

PAGE 45

SERKO LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2017

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Simon Botherway
INDEPENDENT NON-EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN, NEW ZEALAND
Appointed 30 April 2014

Simon is based in New Zealand. He holds a BCom, as well as the US-based Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) 
designation. Simon has extensive experience in corporate governance, banking and investment management. 
In 2002 Simon co-founded Brook Asset Management and was Chairman from 2004 to 2008. He is also a past 
President of the CFA Society of New Zealand and was a member of the CFA Asia-Pacific Advocacy Committee.

Simon was appointed as a member of the Securities Commission in 2009 and was appointed by the New Zealand 
Government to chair the Financial Markets Authority Establishment Board in 2010. Simon is currently also a 
director of the Callaghan Innovation Board and Fidelity Life Assurance.

CLAUDIA BATTEN
INDEPENDENT NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, UNITED STATES
Appointed 30 April 2014

Claudia is based in the United States. She holds an LLB (Hons) and BCA. Claudia has been a founding member  
of two highly successful entrepreneurial ventures. Starting with Massive Incorporated, a network for advertising 
in video games, she helped pioneer ‘digital’ as a media buy. Massive was sold to Microsoft in 2006. In 2009 she 
co-founded Victors & Spoils (‘V&S’), the first advertising agency built on the principles of crowdsourcing. V&S was 
majority acquired by French holding company Havas Worldwide in 2011.

Claudia has achieved great success in the United States market but remains a strong supporter of the New 
Zealand start-up scene. Claudia runs the North American operations for New Zealand Trade & Enterprise (NZTE), 
supporting New Zealand businesses as they grow internationally into that market and is the digital advisor to the 
Board of Westpac New Zealand.

CLYDE McCONAGHY
INDEPENDENT NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, AUSTRALIA
Appointed 30 April 2014

Clyde is based in Australia. He holds a BBus and MBA from Cranfield University United Kingdom (UK). Clyde is 
a fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a fellow of the Institute of Directors UK. He is the 
founder of Optima Boards, providing independent director and advisory services to public, private, family office and 
charitable entities around the world. Clyde has worked in publishing, media, online and technology sectors, living 
in the UK, Germany, China and Australia. He is a director of ASX-listed technology company, Infomedia Limited and 
Chairman of the Board of Chapman Eastway Pty Limited.

DARRIN GRAFTON
CO-FOUNDER, chief executive officer & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, NEW ZEALAND
Appointed 05 April 2007

Darrin has 25+ years’ experience in the travel technology industry and is a highly-experienced innovator. He 
has been responsible for leading major changes in the corporate travel industry throughout his career and was 
recognised as one of the top 25 most influential executives in the travel industry by the BTN Group in 2014. Darrin 
has held senior management positions with Gullivers Travel Group (listed on the Australian and New Zealand 
Stock Exchanges between 2004 and 2006) and Interactive Technologies. Darrin has previously been awarded 
the NZX Hi-Tech Entrepreneur Award and been a finalist for the NZ Hi-Tech Company Leader Award and the EY 
Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Darrin is a member of the Institute of IT Professionals New Zealand and the 
Institute of Directors New Zealand and New Zealand CDP.

ROBERT SHAW
CO-FOUNDER, CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, NEW ZEALAND
Appointed 05 April 2007

Robert (Bob) has 30 years’ experience creating and commercialising technology for the travel industry. Bob has 
held a number of directorships and senior management positions in various companies, including Gullivers Travel 
Group (listed on the Australian and New Zealand Stock Exchanges between 2004 and 2006) and Interactive 
Technologies. Bob’s strengths lie in his ability to translate opportunities into successful commercial ventures 
and build the relationships necessary to see them through to fruition. Bob has previously been a finalist for 
EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award. He is a Member of the Institute of IT Professionals NZ, and the Institute of 
Directors NZ. 

PAGE 46

SERKO LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2017

EXECUTIVE TEAM

CHARLIE NOWACZEK
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, NEW ZEALAND

Charlie has over 25 years’ of experience as an operations executive and management adviser, specialising in 
business transformation and operational excellence. Over the last decade he has been Chief Operating Officer for a 
number of technology start-ups in the United States and Canada, including most recently, Kinetic Social – a social 
media and technology company, where he was part of the founding team.

Prior to these entrepreneurial endeavours, Charlie has been a consultant for PIPC, PA Consulting and Parsons 
Brinckerhoff, focusing on the delivery of complex change programmes for a variety of United States and  
European clients.

SUSAN PUTT
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, NEW ZEALAND

Susan has over 25 years’ experience working in New Zealand and has also worked in Australia and Canada. She 
is a Chartered Accountant and Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors. Susan has worked as CFO, Head 
of Strategy, and director for a number of New Zealand businesses including Airways Corporation, Genesis Power, 
Metrowater, Simpl Group and Radiola Corporation.

Over the last 10 years Susan has specialised in contract Chief Financial Officer engagements working with high 
growth companies.

PHILIP BALL
CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER, NEW ZEALAND

Philip has been a cornerstone of the Serko technology story since 1999. After graduating with a Bachelor of 
Information Systems degree he joined Serko as a junior developer and moved up through the ranks, being 
appointed Chief Technology Officer in 2013.

Philip wrote much of the original Serko Online code, having started working on the product in 2000. Since then 
he has guided the company’s technology strategy and now provides leadership across the technology function. 
He was a finalist for the title of New Zealand Software Developer of the year award in 2011 and is listed in New 
Zealand’s CIO Top 100 for 2017.

JOHN CHALLIS
CHIEF REVENUE OFFICER, AUSTRALIA

John has 17 years’ experience in the Australian corporate travel industry, with operational, technology 
implementation and sales experience. John has been with Serko for nine years and in that time has managed the 
sales team to meet the demands of Serko’s growth. John specialises in market activation and technical sales for 
Asia Pacific businesses. Prior to Serko, John worked at Carlson Wagonlit Travel for seven years in various roles 
and was primarily responsible for technical online booking platform sales to Carlson Wagonlit Travel’s existing 
and prospective clients in Asia Pacific, as well as managing a team of software implementation specialists with a 
strong focus on Serko’s solution.

TONY STANLEY
CHIEF CLIENT OFFICER, NEW ZEALAND

Tony has more than 20 years’ experience managing teams and leading profit centres in technology companies (10 
years with the Serko product) and travel-related organisations. Tony is responsible for the Client Services Team 
at Serko where he manages Professional Services and the Customer Support Centre. Tony spent nearly five years 
at Datacom Group establishing a solid client base with multimillion dollar accounts. Prior to that Tony’s travel 
industry experience included Branch Manager of United Holidays and Operations Manager of Travelplan Holidays.

DARRIN GRAFTON AND ROBERT (BOB) SHAW are also part of the executive team.
See facing page for their details.

PAGE 47

SERKO LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2017

GOVERNANCE AND STATUTORY DISCLOSURES

governance

The Board and management of Serko Limited (Serko or the 
company) are very committed to ensuring that Serko maintains 
corporate governance practices that are in line with, or where 
possible exceed, current best practice and that Serko adheres to 
the highest ethical standards.

Serko is currently listed on the New Zealand stock exchange (NZX 
Main Board). The Board considers that its policies and practices 
comply with the corporate governance requirements of the Listing 
Rules applying to the NZX Main Board (NZX Listing Rules) and 
are substantially consistent with the principles contained in the 
NZX Corporate Governance Best Practice Code, and the Financial 
Markets Authority Handbook ‘Corporate Governance in New 
Zealand Principles and Guidelines’ (collectively, the ‘Principles’). 
While Serko is not required to comply with the Australian 
Securities Exchange (ASX) Corporate Governance Council 
Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations (3rd 
Edition), the Board believes that its practices largely also meet 
the ASX Principles and Recommendations.

This Governance Statement outlines the main corporate 
governance practices adopted by Serko. Serko’s constitution 
and principal governance documents are available on Serko’s 
website. Go to: www.serko.com/investor-centre/. In this Corporate 
Governance Statement, we report on how the company has 
followed the recommendations set out in the Principles.

ETHICAL STANDARDS

Code of Ethics

The Board recognises that high ethical standards and behaviours 
are central to good corporate governance and has implemented 
a Code of Ethics to guide the behaviour of its directors and 
employees. Serko’s Code of Ethics establishes the framework by 
which directors and staff of Serko are expected to conduct their 
professional lives by facilitating behaviour and decision-making 
that meets Serko’s business goals and is consistent with Serko’s 
values, policies and legal obligations. Serko’s Code of Ethics is 
available on Serko’s intranet and forms part of the induction 
process for new employees. There have been no instances 
raised with either the Board or management around any alleged 
breaches of the Code of Ethics. Serko encourages staff to report 
any concerns they have about compliance with the Code of 
Ethics, Serko policies or legal obligations by undertaking refresher 
training on the Code during the year and establishing an email 
address that enables employees to raise any concerns directly 
with the non-executive directors. 

The Code of Ethics addresses:

  Serko’s Values 

  Conflicts of interest

  Receipt of gifts

  Proper use of Serko property and information

  Confidentiality

  Expected behaviours

  Compliance with laws and Serko policies

  Additional director responsibilities

  Delegated Authority

  Reporting issues regarding breaches of the Code, legal 

obligations or other Serko policies.

PAGE 48

Serko Culture and Values

Serko’s culture is upbeat, nimble, dynamic and inclusive. We 
hire top talent from the technology and travel industries to 
ensure that our people (Serkodians) have the skills and astute 
judgement to make smart decisions that lead us to success – 
within a strategic framework established collaboratively with our 
leadership group, Executive Team and Board. 

Serko’s people are incentivised for achieving results. We are 
establishing OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) throughout all 
teams and supporting our people with learning and development 
initiatives to encourage us to keep finding new ways to innovate. 

To articulate our culture we developed the following eight values 
that not only describe what is important to us but also provide a 
code for how we behave toward each other, influencing decisions 
such as who we hire, how people select what they work on and 
how our people are led. As a result we have a highly engaged, 
energised culture resulting in turnover that is low compared to 
industry norms. 

Mastery

Serkodians continuously strive to become masters 
of what they do

Autonomy Serkodians are able to work independently and 

make decisions for themselves

Teamwork Serkodians work well with people not just in their 

own teams but in teams across the organisation

Passion

Integrity

Success

Family

Serkodians are passionate about what they do and 
what Serko does

Serkodians deliver on their commitments, are 
honest and make ethical business decisions

Serkodians strive toward their goals to ensure 
Serko reaches its goals

Serkodians are valued as part of the Serko family 
and Serko recognises the importance of their 
families to them

Fun

We value humour, laughter and enjoying our time 
at Serko.

Securities Trading Policy

Serko is committed to complying with legal and statutory 
requirements with respect to ensuring directors and employees do 
not trade Serko securities while in possession of inside information.

Serko’s Securities Trading Policy and Guidelines apply to all 
directors, officers, employees and contractors of Serko and its 
subsidiaries. This Policy seeks to ensure that those subject to the 
Policy do not trade in Serko securities if they hold undisclosed 
price-sensitive information. The Policy sets out additional rules, 
which includes the requirement to seek company consent before 
trading, and prescribes certain black-out periods during which 
trading is prohibited.

Compliance with the Securities Trading Policy is monitored 
through the consent process, through education and via 
notification by Serko’s share registrar when any director or senior 
manager trades in Serko securities. All trading by directors and 
senior managers (as defined by the Financial Markets Conduct Act 
2013) is required to be reported to NZX and recorded in Serko’s 
securities trading registers.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Role of the Board

The Board of Directors (the Board) is elected by shareholders to 
govern Serko in the interests of shareholders and to protect and 
enhance the value of Serko’s assets. The Board is responsible for 
corporate governance and Serko’s overall strategic direction and 
is the overall and final body responsible for all decision-making 
within Serko. The Board Charter describes the Board’s role and 
responsibilities and regulates internal Board procedure.

The Board has delegated a number of its responsibilities to Board 
committees. The role of each committee is described below.

To enhance efficiency, remain agile and ensure decision-making 
occurs at the right level, the Board has also delegated to the Chief 
Executive Officer the day-to-day leadership and management 
of Serko. The Chief Executive Officer has, in some cases, formally 
delegated certain authorities to his direct reports within set 
limits. The Board regularly monitors and reviews management’s 
performance in the execution of its delegated responsibilities and 
the appropriateness of its Delegation of Authority Policy.

The Board met for 12 regularly scheduled meetings during the 
financial year and additional special meetings. In addition to 
formally scheduled Board meetings, the directors regularly engage 
with management on areas of focus for management. There were 
also separate meetings of the Board committees during the year. 
The Board currently intends to meet 11 or 12 times during the 
financial year ending 31 March 2018. 

The Board and management also met during the year to 
undertake strategic planning for the business.

Board membership, size and composition

The NZX Listing Rules state that the number of directors 
must not be fewer than three and a Board must have at least 
two independent directors. Subject to this limitation, and in 
accordance with the provisions of Serko’s constitution and the 
Board Charter, the size of the Board is determined by the Board 
from time to time.

As at 31 March 2017, and the date of this Annual Report, the 
Board comprised five directors – being the two co-founders 
and executive directors, Darrin Grafton and Robert Shaw; and 
three independent non-executive directors – Simon Botherway, 
Claudia Batten and Clyde McConaghy. For biographical details of 
individual directors see Board of Directors. 

The Remuneration and Nominations Committee is responsible 
for making recommendations to the Board regarding the Board’s 
size and composition. When recommending candidates to act as 
director, the Committee will take into account factors as it deems 
appropriate, including the diversity of background, experience and 
qualifications of the candidate. When appointing directors, the 
Board undertakes appropriate background checks.

The Board’s broader commitment to diversity includes building 
diversity of thought within the Board. The current Board 
has a broad range of experience and skills, both locally and 
internationally, that are appropriate to meet its objectives. 

To assist in maintaining an appropriate mix of experience, the 
Board has developed a skills matrix. Areas of expertise and 
experience that have been identified as relevant to governing 

Serko’s business include, among other skills:

  Innovation, entrepreneurship and partnership

  Digital business and high-growth technology

  Travel

  Marketing, sales and channel management in core markets

  Governance, legal and compliance

  Strategy and operations

  Finance, accounting and risk management

  Capital markets

  Public company director experience.

The Board regularly reviews the skills matrix as part of its 
succession planning.

Independence of directors

A majority of Serko’s directors are independent. A director is 
considered to be independent if that director is not an executive 
of Serko and if the director has no direct or indirect interest or 
relationship that could reasonably influence, in a material way, the 
director’s decisions in relation to Serko.

The Board has determined that each non-executive director is an 
independent director for the purposes of the NZX Listing Rules 
and in accordance with the Board Charter. As at 31 March 2017, 
Serko had two non-independent directors and three independent 
directors.

The Board will review any determination it makes on a director’s 
independence on becoming aware of any new information 
that may affect that director’s independence. For this purpose, 
directors are required to ensure they immediately advise Serko 
of any new or changed relationship that may affect their 
independence or result in a conflict of interest.

The Board supports the separation of the role of Chairman and 
Chief Executive Officer. The Chairman is elected by the Board from 
the non-executive directors. The Chairman’s role is to manage 
and provide leadership to the Board and to facilitate the Board’s 
interface with the Chief Executive Officer. The current Chairman, 
Simon Botherway, was appointed on 30 April 2014 and is an 
independent director.

Board appointment, training and evaluation

The procedure for the appointment and removal of directors is 
ultimately governed by the company’s constitution and relevant 
NZX Listing Rules. A director is appointed by ordinary resolution 
of the shareholders although the Board may fill a casual vacancy. 
Every director appointed by the Board must submit himself or 
herself for reappointment by shareholders at the next annual 
meeting following his or her appointment. Directors are subject to 
the rotation requirements set out in the NZX Listing Rules.

At the time of appointment, each new director signs a 
comprehensive letter of appointment setting out the terms of 
their appointment, including their duties and expectations in 
the role. Each director also receives a copy of Serko’s Corporate 
Governance Manual (comprising all of Serko’s core governance 
documents) and is introduced to the business through a 
specifically tailored induction programme. All directors are 
regularly updated on relevant industry and company issues and 
are expected to undertake training to remain current on how to 

PAGE 49

SERKO LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2017

GOVERNANCE AND STATUTORY DISCLOSURES

best perform their duties as directors of Serko. During the Board’s 
annual evaluation process, training needs are considered to 
assist directors to remain upskilled on the business, industry and 
legislative developments.

All directors have access to senior management to discuss issues 
or obtain information on specific areas or items to be considered 
at Board meetings or other areas they consider appropriate, and 
each director actively utilises this access to support the company 
and the executives.

The Board, Board committees and each director have the right to 
seek independent professional advice at Serko’s expense to assist 
them in carrying out their responsibilities.

The Board undertakes a regular review of its own and its 
committees’ performance. This is to ensure it has the right 
composition and appropriate skills, qualifications, experience and 
background to effectively govern Serko and to monitor Serko’s 
performance in the interests of shareholders. During the financial 
period ended 31 March 2017, performance reviews took place in 
accordance with that process, including undertaking an externally 
facilitated Board evaluation process.

Conflicts of interest

The Board is conscious of its obligations to ensure that directors 
avoid conflicts of interest (both real and perceived) between their 
duty to Serko and their own interests. The Board Charter outlines 
the Board’s policy on conflicts of interest. Serko maintains an 
interests’ register in which relevant disclosures of interest and 
securities dealings by the directors are recorded.

Company Secretary

The Company Secretary, Susan Putt, is responsible for supporting 
the effectiveness of the Board by ensuring that its policies and 
procedures are followed and for coordinating the completion 
and dispatch of the Board agendas and papers. The Company 
Secretary is accountable to the Board, via the Chairman, on all 
governance matters.

BOARD COMMITTEES

The Board uses committees to deal with issues requiring detailed 
consideration, thereby enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness 
of the Board. However, the Board retains ultimate responsibility 
for the functions of its committees and determines each 
committee’s roles and responsibilities.

The current committees of the Board and their members are: 

  Audit and Risk Committee

  Remuneration and Nominations Committee.

Details of the roles and responsibilities of these committees are 
described in their respective charters and summarised below. From 
time to time the Board may constitute an ad-hoc committee to 
deal with a particular issue that requires specialised knowledge 
and experience.

The table below shows the Board and Committee meeting 
attendance during the year ended 31 March 2017:

director attendance

BOARD

Total number of meetings held

Darrin Grafton

Bob Shaw

Simon Botherway

Clyde McConaghy

Claudia Batten

12

12

12

12

11

12

AUDIT & RISK 
COMMITTEE

REMUNERATION  
& NOMINATIONS 
COMMITTEE

6

–

–

6

6

6

4

–

–

4

4

4

–  Indicates the director is not a member of the Committee (although they were 

in attendance for these meetings).

Audit and Risk Committee

The primary function of the Audit and Risk Committee is to 
assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities relating 
to Serko’s risk management and internal control framework, the 
integrity of its financial reporting and auditing processes. 

Under the Audit and Risk Committee charter, the Committee must 
be comprised of a minimum of three members who are each non-
executive directors, the majority of whom are also independent 
directors, and at least one director with an accounting or financial 
background. Further, the Chairman of the Committee is required to 
be independent and not be the Chairman of the Board.

The current members of the Committee are Clyde McConaghy 
(Chairman), Simon Botherway and Claudia Batten. All members 
are independent, non-executive directors. Their qualifications and 
experience is set out under Board of Directors.

Remuneration and Nominations Committee

The primary function of the Remuneration and Nominations 
Committee is to oversee remuneration policies and practices 
at Serko, oversee management succession planning, consider 
the composition of the Board and recommend candidates to fill 
Board vacancies as and when they arise. The Committee is also 
tasked with annually monitoring and evaluating the company’s 
performance with respect to its diversity policy.

Under the Remuneration and Nominations Committee Charter, the 
Committee must be comprised of a minimum of three members, a 
majority of whom are independent directors. All members of the 
Committee are currently independent directors. The Chairman of 
the Committee is required to be independent.

The current members of the Committee are Claudia Batten 
(Chairman), Simon Botherway and Clyde McConaghy. All members 
are independent, non-executive directors. Their qualifications and 
experience is set out under Board of Directors.

PAGE 50

REPORTING AND DISCLOSURE

Market Disclosure Policy

Serko is committed to the promotion of investor confidence by 
ensuring that the trading of Serko’s securities takes place in 
an efficient, competitive and informed market. Serko’s Market 
Disclosure Policy establishes the company’s disclosure policies for 
meeting the continuous disclosure requirements of the NZX Main 
Board. In addition, directors and management consider at each 
Board meeting whether there are any issues that have arisen that 
require disclosure to the market.

Serko has established a Disclosure Committee whose role it is 
to determine whether information is ‘material information’ and 
whether the material information is required to be released to the 
NZX. The Disclosure Committee comprises the Board Chairman, 
the Audit and Risk Committee Chairman, the Chief Executive 
Officer and the Chief Financial Officer (the Disclosure Officer).

Financial Reporting

The Board is responsible for ensuring the integrity of its financial 
reporting. As noted above under Board Committees, the Audit 
and Risk Committee closely monitors financial reporting risks in 
relation to the preparation of the financial statements. The Audit 
and Risk Committee, with the assistance of management, works 
to ensure that the financial statements are founded on a sound 
system of risk management and internal control and that the 
system is operating effectively in all material respects in relation 
to financial reporting risks. As part of this process, the Chief 
Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer are required to state 
in writing to the Board that, to the best of their knowledge, the 
company’s financial reports present a true and fair view of the 
company’s financial condition and operational results, and are in 
accordance with the relevant accounting standards, and those 
reports are founded on a sound system of risk management and 
internal control that is operating effectively.

REMUNERATION

Non-executive director remuneration

Serko’s shareholders have approved a total cap of $350,000 per 
annum for non-executive directors’ fees, for the purposes of the 
NZX Listing Rules. This annual fee pool has not been increased 
since it was approved by shareholders in 2014. Serko currently 
pays directors’ fees which, in aggregate, amount to approximately 
$190,0001 per annum, comprising $70,000 per annum for the 
Chairman and A$55,000 per annum for each of the other non-
executive directors. Currently no Committee fees are paid to 
directors. 

The additional level of directors’ fees is intended to provide 
flexibility for Serko to appoint additional non-executive directors 
in the future and to allow for an increase in directors’ fees in 
the future. Serko may undertake a review of directors’ fees 
during the current financial year to ensure that the company is 
offering appropriate levels of remuneration to both existing and 
prospective directors.

Non-executive directors do not currently take a portion of their 
remuneration under an equity security plan but directors may hold 
shares in the company, details of which are set out in the Director 
Interest Disclosures section of this Annual Report.

1  Subject to exchange rate fluctuations.

It is Serko’s policy to encourage directors to hold shares in the 
company. At the date of this Annual Report, all directors hold 
shares in Serko.

The non-executive directors are entitled to be reimbursed for all 
reasonable travel, accommodation and other expenses incurred by 
them in connection with their attendance at Board or shareholder 
meetings or otherwise in connection with Serko’s business. No 
retirement benefits will be paid to the non-executive directors on 
their retirement.

In addition to the remuneration detailed above, the Board has, 
with the approval of Serko’s existing shareholders, introduced a 
loan facility for the independent directors, which enabled them to 
acquire a specified number of Serko shares at the time of the IPO 
(Director Loan Shares). 

Details of the total remuneration of, and the value of other 
benefits received by, each non-executive Director of Serko during 
the financial year ended 31 March 2017 were as follows:

Simon Botherway

Clyde McConaghy

Claudia Batten

total REMUNERATION (a) ($)

70,000

60,207

60,207

190,414

(a)  The figures shown are gross amounts and exclude GST (where applicable). 
In addition to these amounts, Serko meets costs incurred by non-executive 
directors that are incidental to the performance of their duties. This includes 
paying the costs of directors’ travel. As these costs are incurred by Serko to 
enable directors to perform their duties, no value is attributable to them as 
benefits to directors for the purposes of the above table. 

Executive director remuneration

Darrin Grafton and Bob Shaw, the executive directors on the 
Board for the period ended 31 March 2017, did not receive any 
remuneration in their capacity as directors. They were, however, 
remunerated for services as Chief Executive Officer and Chief 
Strategy Officer of Serko. The executive directors each receive 
a base salary of $250,000 per annum for performing these 
executive roles. They are also eligible to receive a performance-
based, at-risk, short-term incentive payment if pre-determined 
individual and company performance criteria is met. The executive 
directors may also participate in Serko’s long-term incentive 
scheme (detailed below) if specified performance criteria is met.

The executive directors’ performance is reviewed by the Board 
annually. During the financial period ended 31 March 2017, 
performance reviews took place in accordance with that process. 

During the period ended 31 March 2017, both executive directors 
were responsible for contributing to key performance indicators 
relating to: (1) delivery of operational value drivers linked to Serko’s 
strategy; (2) delivering shareholder value; (3) meeting performance 
targets in respect of customer satisfaction and retention; and 
(4) maintaining a positive and safe working environment. Delivery 
of these KPIs is used to assess whether pre-performance hurdles 
are met in relation to the granting of long-term incentives for the 
FY18 year and determining the individual component of any short-
term incentive payable for the FY17 year. In addition, pay out of 
any short-term incentive is dependent on meeting pre-determined 
revenue and EBITDA targets during the financial period.

No termination payments are payable to the executive directors in 
the event of serious misconduct.

PAGE 51

SERKO LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2017

GOVERNANCE AND STATUTORY DISCLOSURES

Details of the total remuneration earned by or paid to each 
executive director of Serko during the financial year ended 
31 March 2017 was as follows:

BASE  
SALARY (a)

SHORT-TERM 
INCENTIVES (b)

LONG-TERM  
INCENTIVE (c)

Darrin 
Grafton 

287,636

21,000

Robert Shaw

285,414

10,500

$25,599.82  
in the form of 39,512 
restricted shares

$5,899.78  
in the form of 9,106 
restricted shares

(a)  Darrin Grafton’s and Robert Shaw’s base salary each includes an accrual 
of $62,500, which was earned during FY17 but paid in FY18. Base salary 
includes employer contributions towards KiwiSaver and certain benefits (a car 
allowance, carpark and medical insurance). No executive director receives any 
directors’ fees. 

(b)  The short-term incentive stated was earned in FY17 and will be paid in FY18. 

No short-term incentive was earned in FY16 and paid in FY17. 

(c)  The FY17 long-term incentive was granted in July 2016, following partial 

achievement of pre-grant performance targets based on FY16 performance. 
The restricted shares will vest three years after the allocation date.

Employee remuneration

Serko’s remuneration framework aims to support and reward 
execution of its strategy; create a performance-focused culture; 
and attract, develop and retain talented employees. Serko’s 
remuneration framework is designed to encourage and reward 
behaviour consistent with achievement of these objectives.

Serko adopts a total remuneration policy, where an employee’s 
total remuneration may include, but is not limited to, their base 
salary and a short-term incentive or sales plan incentive in the 
form of a cash bonus upon achievement of pre-determined 
targets. The base salary aims to reflect the mid-point in the 
employment market when considering the position’s requirements 
pertaining to skills, level of responsibility and complexity; while 
the short-term incentive and sales incentive schemes reward 
superior performance and enable employees to earn at the upper 
end of the employment market if pre-determined performance 
targets are met. No short-term incentive in respect of the FY16 
financial year was paid during the year ended 31 March 2017, owing 
to the organisation not reaching the target thresholds allowing 
any pay out. It is anticipated that a short-term incentive payment 
based on the performance of the company relative to a number of 
KPI measures  will be made in respect of the FY17 year during the 
FY18 year.

In addition, Serko operates a long-term incentive scheme in the 
form of restricted shares. This scheme is designed to attract and 
retain key people within the business, to align senior managers’ 
remuneration with long-term shareholder value and to reward 
the achievement of Serko’s strategies and business plans. During 
the year ended 31 March 2017, eligible Australian and New 
Zealand resident employees were only allocated a portion of their 
contractual potential under this scheme owing to the organisation 
only reaching some of its pre-grant company-wide performance 
targets. This allocation vests three years after the allocation date. 
Under the Restricted Share Scheme, no director or employee is 
permitted to enter into financial products or arrangements that 
operate to limit the economic risk of their unvested shares.

Serko’s senior managers are subject to regular performance 
reviews, measuring their performance against pre-agreed key 
performance targets (both financial and non-financial). 

PAGE 52

The performance of senior executives is undertaken by the Chief 
Executive Officer with oversight from the Remuneration and 
Compensation Committee. During the financial period ended 
31 March 2017, performance reviews took place in accordance with 
that process.

The table below shows the number of employees and former 
employees of Serko and its subsidiaries, not being directors of 
Serko, who, in their capacity as employees, received remuneration 
and other benefits during the period ended 31 March 2017 totalling 
at least NZ$100,000.

The remuneration of those employees paid outside of New Zealand 
has been converted into New Zealand dollars. No employee 
appointed as a director of a subsidiary company of Serko receives 
any remuneration or other benefits for acting in that capacity.

REMUNERATION RANGE

total number of employees

$100,000 –  $110,000

$110,001  –  $120,000

$120,001  –  $130,000

$130,001  –  $140,000

$140,001  –  $150,000

$150,001  –  $160,000

$160,001  –  $170,000

$200,001  –  $210,000

$220,001  –  $230,000

$430,001  –  $440,000 (d)

$930,001  –  $940,000 (d)

Total

5

10

7

7

6

2

2

1

2

1

1

44

The table includes base salaries, short-term incentives and vested or exercised 
long-term incentives. The table does not include long-term incentives that 
have been granted and have not yet vested. Where the individual is a KiwiSaver 
member, contributions of 3% of gross earnings towards that individual’s KiwiSaver 
scheme are included in the above table. Where the individual works in Australia 
contributions of 9.5% of gross earnings towards Australian Superannuation are 
included in the above table.

(d) Includes the vesting of long-term incentives for departing executives.

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

The Board is committed to providing equal employment 
opportunities and, as such, has a workforce consisting of many 
individuals with diverse skills, values, backgrounds, ethnicity 
and experiences. The company works to ensure that its 
selection processes for recruitment and employee development 
opportunities are free from bias and are based on merit.

The Board recognises that building diversity across Serko will 
deliver enhanced business performance. Serko has adopted a 
Diversity Policy and is committed to achieving diversity in the skills, 
attributes and experience of its Board members, management and 
staff across a broad range of criteria (including, but not limited 
to, culture, gender and age). The Board as a whole is responsible 
for overseeing and implementing the Diversity Policy but has 
delegated to the Remuneration and Nominations Committee the 
responsibility to develop and to recommend objectives to the 
Board that are designed to adhere to Serko’s Diversity Policy.

As at 31 March 2017, Serko employees represented 19 different 
nationalities. Serko believes this diversity is critical for 
encouraging awareness of cultural experiences as we expand into 
different markets. Serko’s employees range in age from early 20s 
to mid 50s, with the spread peaking in early 30s.

The respective numbers and proportions of men and women at various levels within the Serko workforce as at 31 March 2016 and 31 March 
2017 are set out in the table below:

Female

male

2017

2016

2017

2016

No.

1

1

7

40

%

20%

14%

47%

44%

No.

1

0

8

44

%

20%

0%

62%

40.7%

No.

4

6

8

47

%

80%

86%

53%

56%

No.

4

7

5

64

%

80%

100%

38%

59.3%

Directors

Senior executives(a)

Senior employees(b)

Remaining workforce

NOTES:
(a)  senior executives are considered to be the Chief Executive Officer and his direct reports (the Executive Team). Note that Chief Executive Officer Darrin Grafton and 

Chief of Strategy Bob Shaw are included in both the number of directors and senior executives reported.

(b)  Direct reports to senior executives with managerial responsibilities.

Diversity objectives

This year the Board agreed to reinforce Serko’s commitment to 
diversity by extending Serko’s diversity goals to include measures 
of success. The Board’s evaluation of Serko’s performance during 
the financial period with respect to the objectives contained in its 
Diversity Policy are set out below:

  Objective: Facilitate and promote equal employment 

opportunities, including (but not limited to) diversity of culture, 
gender and age when considering opportunities for new and 
existing Serko people. At the end of each year report the 
statistics relating to new hires to demonstrate a continuation 
of our current diverse talent pool, including ensuring a 
diverse range of cultures, ages and genders is maintained (or 
strengthened), with the long-term goal of having 50% of the 
Board, Executive and Leadership Team being women. 

  Progress: A conscious effort has been made during FY17 

to improve gender diversity in the leadership group. While 
appointments were made on merit, consideration was also 
given during the process to ensuring more women were 
represented amongst the Leadership Team. The result is that 
we now have women not only represented on our Board but 
also in our Executive Team and wider leadership group. Serko 
also puts effort into ensuring we maintain the diversity of 
ethnicity that we have at Serko and currently have 20 different 
nationalities represented amongst our employees.  Our people 
are encouraged to celebrate their cultures at work, with regular 
fun highlights of cultural festivals taking place. This diversity of 
ethnicity helps us also in bringing perspectives from around the 
world to influence the way our product is developed. 

  Objective: Promote a merit-based environment in which 
employees have the opportunity to develop and perform 
to their full potential in alignment with the company’s 
commitment to the ongoing training and wellbeing of its 
employees. Measure and report on the gender composition of 
internal movements/promotions of our people with a view to 
achieving greater diversity at leadership levels. 

  Progress: While the organisation size shrunk during FY17, as 
we had a keen eye on cost control, this also had the effect 
of reducing the imbalance between men and women in the 
organisation as a whole – with the gap narrowing to 56% men, 
43% women. We believe this ratio of female representation to 
be high in comparison to hi-tech industry standards. 

  While women are represented now at all levels in our 

organisation (although in low numbers in leadership still) there 

are a number of professions that have a dominant female 
workforce and others that have very low female representation 
within Serko. We believe, however, that given the cross-
functional nature of many of our working teams, we still 
experience the benefit of diverse perspectives within our work 
(for example, in many instances male developers and female 
testers are collaborating on the same piece of work). 

  Objective: Reward excellence and ensure employees are 

treated fairly, evaluated objectively and promoted on the basis 
of their performance. Conduct an annual pay parity audit to 
ensure that groups are not being disadvantaged on the basis 
of their gender. Ensure this covers both internal pay equity and 
also application of budget for pay review. 

  Progress: Our pay equality audit demonstrated general 

pay parity across roles. The salary review budget was also 
demonstrated to have been applied fairly across both genders. 
Equal numbers of male and female employees were promoted 
into new roles during the FY17 year. 

RISK MANAGEMENT

Risk Management Framework

Serko has designed and implemented a comprehensive risk 
management framework for the oversight and management 
of financial and non-financial business risks, as well as related 
internal compliance systems that are designed to:

  Optimise the return to, and protect the interests of, 

stakeholders

  Safeguard the company’s assets and maintain its reputation
  Improve the company’s operating performance
  Fulfill the company’s strategic objectives
  Manage the risks associated with Serko’s operations.

The Board ultimately has responsibility for risk management 
processes. The Audit and Risk Committee assists the Board in 
discharging its responsibilities.

The Audit and Risk Committee, in conjunction with management, 
regularly reports to the Board on the effectiveness of the 
company’s management of its material business risks and 
whether the risk management framework and systems of internal 
compliance and control are operating effectively and efficiently 
in all material respects. The Audit and Risk Committee conducts 
six-monthly reviews of Serko’s risk management framework, risk 
appetite and principal risks and satisfied itself that the company’s 
approach to risk continues to be sound.

PAGE 53

SERKO LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2017

GOVERNANCE AND STATUTORY DISCLOSURES

Principal risks for the group are:

  Failure to execute strategy and inability to achieve planned 

revenues 

  Reliance on Travel Management Companies (TMCs) and the 
revenue concentration among our largest TMC customers 

  Unpredictable sales cycle and lead-time for on-boarding of key 

customers

  Protecting its intellectual property and competition from new 

entrants

  IT security and privacy breaches and interruptions to service 

hosting affecting continuity of service 

  Key personnel, recruitment and staff retention
  Global impacts to travel industry
  Currency risk

Serko has in place mitigation strategies for managing each of 
these risks.

management present and the lead audit partner has direct contact 
with the Chairman of the Audit and Risk Committee.

The auditor is restricted in the non-audit work it may perform, 
as detailed in Serko’s External Audit Independence Policy. In the 
last financial year the audit firm has undertaken specific non-
audit work. None of that non-audit work is considered to have 
compromised (or be seen to have compromised) the independence 
of the auditor. For further details on the audit and non-audit fees 
paid and work undertaken during the period, refer to note 5 of 
the Financial Statements above. The Audit and Risk Committee 
regularly monitors the ratio of fees for audit to non-audit work. 

SHAREHOLDER RELATIONS

Serko is committed to maintaining a full and open dialogue with 
its shareholders. The company has in place an investor relations 
programme to facilitate effective two-way communication with 
investors.

Serko does not have a dedicated internal auditor, instead internal 
controls are managed on a day-to-day basis by the finance team. 
Compliance with internal controls is reviewed annually by Serko’s 
auditor, with oversight from the Audit and Risk Committee. 

The aim of the company’s communication programme is to 
provide shareholders with information about the company and 
to enable shareholders to actively engage with the company and 
exercise their rights as shareholders in an informed manner.

Health and Safety

The Board and management have sought to establish leading 
practices within Serko that promote a safe and healthy working 
environment for everyone working in, or interacting with, Serko’s 
business. Serko has adopted a Health and Safety Policy that 
requires Serko people to endeavour to take all practicable steps 
to provide a working environment that promotes health and 
wellbeing, while minimising the potential for any risk, personal 
injury, ill health or damage. The Board reviews health and 
safety reports at each Board meeting and oversees a detailed 
programme of work to ensure Serko remains compliant with its 
health and safety obligations under the new Health and Safety 
at Work Act 2015 that came into force in April 2016. The Accident 
Compensation Corporation conducted an independent audit 
of Serko’s Health and Safety Management system during the 
financial period, awarding Serko with secondary accreditation.

AUDITORS

Auditor independence

Serko has adopted an External Audit Independence Policy that 
requires, and sets out the criteria for, the external auditor to be 
independent. The Policy recognises the importance of the Board’s 
role in facilitating frank dialogue among the Audit and Risk 
Committee, the auditor and management.

The Policy requires that the lead and engagement audit partners 
be rotated after a maximum of five years so that no such 
persons shall be engaged in an audit of Serko for more than 
five consecutive years. The Ernst & Young Lead Audit Partner, 
Jon Hooper, is required to rotate for the FY18 audit and the Audit 
and Risk Committee is actively managing this transition.

The Audit and Risk Committee Charter requires the Committee to 
facilitate the continuing independence of the external auditor by 
assessing the external auditor’s independence and qualifications 
and overseeing and monitoring its performance. This involves 
monitoring all aspects of the external audit, including the 
appointment of the auditor, the nature and scope of its audit and 
reviewing the auditor’s service delivery plan.

In carrying out these responsibilities the Audit and Risk Committee 
meets regularly with the auditor without executive directors or 

PAGE 54

The company facilitates communication with shareholders 
through written and electronic communication and by facilitating 
shareholder access to directors, management and the company’s 
auditors.

The company provides shareholders with communication through 
the following channels:

  The investor section of the Serko’s website.  

Go to: www.serko.com/investor-centre/

  The annual report
  The interim report
  The annual shareholders’ meeting
  Regular disclosures on company performance and news via the 

NZX online disclosure platform

  Disclosure of presentations provided to analysts and investors 

during regular briefings.

Serko’s website is an important part of the company’s shareholder 
communications strategy. Included on the website is a range 
of information relevant to shareholders and others concerning 
the operation of the company and its subsidiaries, including 
information about the company and its history, biographies of 
the company’s directors and senior management, the company’s 
constitution, Board Charter (and the charters of the various Board 
committees) and other corporate governance policies of the 
company.

Shareholders may, at any time, direct questions or requests for 
information to directors or management through Serko’s website 
or by sending an email to investor.relations@serko.com.

Serko provides shareholders with the option to receive 
communications from, and send communications to, the company 
and its share registrar electronically. A large number of Serko 
shareholders have elected to receive electronic communications.

Annual Shareholders’ Meeting

Serko’s 2017 Annual Shareholders’ Meeting will be held in Auckland 
on 23 August 2017. Shareholders will be given an opportunity at 
the meeting to ask questions and comment on relevant matters. 

In addition, Serko’s auditor Ernst & Young will be available to 
answer any questions about its audit report. A Notice of Meeting 
will be sent to shareholders in advance of the meeting. 

DIRECTOR INTEREST DISCLOSURES 

Directors have given general notices disclosing interests pursuant to section 140(2) of the Companies Act 1993. Those interests (and any 
changes to interests) notified and recorded in Serko’s Interests Register during the financial year ended 31 March 2017 are set out below:

Director

Simon Botherway

Claudia Batten

Clyde McConaghy

Entity

Relationship

Fidelity Life Assurance 

Appointed Director

Westpac New Zealand Limited

Appointed Digital Advisor to the Board

Chapman Eastway Pty Limited

Appointed Chairman

There were no entries in the Interests Register for the purposes of section 140(1) of the Companies Act 1993.

In accordance with Section 148(2) of the Companies Act 1993, directors disclosed the following acquisitions or disposals of relevant 
interests in Serko ordinary shares during the financial year ended 31 March 2017:

Name

Date of  
Acquisition/Disposal

Number of Shares  
Acquired/(Disposed)

Darrin Grafton

7 July 2016

39,512 restricted shares(a)

7 July 2016

2,017 restricted shares(b)

Bob Shaw

7 July 2016

9,106 restricted shares(c)

Nature of Relevant Interest

Beneficial interest in ordinary shares with 
restrictive conditions allocated pursuant 
to the Serko Limited Employee Restricted 
Share Scheme, held in trust until vesting.

The power to dispose of, or to control the 
disposal of, 2,017 ordinary shares with 
restrictive conditions issued pursuant to 
the Serko Restricted Share Scheme.

Beneficial interest in Ordinary Shares with 
restrictive conditions allocated pursuant 
to the Serko Limited Employee Restricted 
Share Scheme, held in trust until vesting.

Consideration 
 Paid/Received

$25,599.82

$1,306.81

$5,899.78

NOTES:
(a)  These shares are subject to a deed restricting exercise of voting rights attached to the shares. 
(b)  These shares are subject to a deed restricting exercise of voting rights attached to the shares. The director has the power to exercise, or to control the exercise of, a 

right to vote attached to these shares by virtue of a personal relationship with the legal and beneficial holder of these shares.

(c)  These shares are subject to a deed restricting exercise of voting rights attached to the shares. 

In accordance with the NZX Listing Rules, as at 31 March 2017, directors had a relevant interest (as defined in the Financial Markets 
Conduct Act 2013) in Serko ordinary shares as follows:

Name

Darrin Grafton (a)

Bob Shaw (b)

Simon Botherway (c)

Claudia Batten 

Clyde McConaghy (d)

Relevant Interest

14,250,562

12,893,402

2,319,000

181,818

181,818

Percentage

19.028%

17.215%

3.096%

0.243%

0.243%

NOTES:
(a)  12,667,629 shares are held via a trust in which the director is a trustee and beneficiary. Includes the power to exercise, or to control the exercise of, a right to vote 

attached to 1,537,594 shares and 5,917 restricted shares by virtue of a personal relationship with the legal and beneficial holder respectively of these shares. Includes 
beneficial interest in 39,512 restricted shares allocated pursuant to the Serko Employee Restricted Share Scheme and held on trust until vesting. 

(b)  12,884,296 shares are held via a trust in which the director is a trustee and beneficiary. Includes beneficial interest in 9,106 restricted shares allocated pursuant to the 

Serko Employee Restricted Share Scheme and held on trust until vesting. 
(c)  Partially held via a trust in which the director is a trustee and beneficiary.
(d)  Held via a trust in which the director is a trustee and beneficiary.

For the purposes of section 161 of the Companies Act 1993, the following entries were made in the Interests Register in relation to the 
payment of remuneration and other benefits to directors:

Date

Director

Particulars of Board Authorisation

21 June 2016

Bob Shaw

Darrin Grafton

The payment of remuneration and the provision of other benefits by the c   ompany and 
making of the loan by the company under the Restricted Share Scheme on the terms set out 
in the resolution dated 21 June 2016 and in accordance with the terms of the Serko Employee 
Restricted Share Scheme documentation.

For the purposes of section 162 of the Companies Act 1993, an entry was made in the Interests Register in relation to insurance effected 
for directors and officers of Serko, in relation to any act or omission in their capacity as directors.

PAGE 55

SERKO LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2017

GOVERNANCE AND STATUTORY DISCLOSURES

Shareholder information
As at 30 April 2017 there were 74,894,342 Serko Limited ordinary shares on issue, each conferring on the registered holder the right to 
vote on any resolution at a meeting of shareholders, held as follows:

Size of Shareholding

1 to 1,000

1,001 to 5,000

5,001 to 10,000

10,001 to 50,000

50,001 to 100,000

100,001 and over

Number of  

Holders (a)

Number of  
Ordinary Shares

%

%

0.11

1.34

1.33

4.79

3.07

13.06

40.88

15.27

20.57

4.14

6.08

 81,695 

 1,005,087 

 999,276 

 3,585,772 

 2,295,893 

 66,926,619 

89.36

100.00

 74,894,342 

100.00

101

316

118

159

32

47

773

(a)  Includes 3,178,958  ordinary shares with restrictive conditions held by Serko Trustee Limited on behalf of 65 beneficial holders pursuant to the Serko Restricted Share 
Scheme. Restricted shares have voting rights attached, which are exercised on behalf of a beneficial holder by the Trustee at the direction of the beneficial holder.

As at 30 April 2017 there were 101 shareholders holding between 1 and 1,000 ordinary shares (a minimum holding under the NZX Listing 
Rules), in respect of 81,695 shares.

Set out below are details of the 20 largest shareholders of Serko as at 30 April 2017:

Shareholder (a)

Robert James Shaw & Sarah Elizabeth Shaw

Darrin Grafton & Geoffrey Robertson Ashley Hosking

National Nominees New Zealand Limited

Serko Trustee Limited

Cogent Nominees Limited

Simon John Botherway & Msh Trustee (Arrow) Limited

JPMORGAN Chase Bank

Public Trust Forte Nominees Limited

Donna Bailey

Philip Rodger Ball

Michael John Thorburn

Sherie Robyn Hammond

Accident Compensation Corporation

Joanne Maree Phipps

Public Trust

Tracey Ann Shorter

Robert Alan Hawker & Elizabeth Anne Hawker

John S Challis & Ah Trustees (Challis Holdings) Ltd

Timothy Mark Bluett

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

Public Trust Rif Nominees Limited

Number of Ordinary  
Shares Held

 12,884,296 

 12,667,629 

 9,033,276 

 3,178,958 

 2,477,462 

 2,034,091 

 1,749,992 

 1,646,893 

 1,537,594 

 1,537,594 

 1 , 5 2 1 , 7 1 1 

 1,485,344 

 1,380,000 

 1,345,972 

 1,174,174 

 1,123,041 

 1,117,050 

 865,762 

 814,404 

 492,123 

%

17.20

16.91

12.06

4.24

3.31

2.72

2.34

2.20

2.05

2.05

2.03

1.98

1.84

1.80

1.57

1.50

1.49

1 .1 6

1.09

0.66

(a)  The shareholding of New Zealand Central Securities Depository Limited (custodian for members trading through NZClear) has been re-allocated to the applicable 

members.

PAGE 56

SERKO LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2017

GOVERNANCE AND STATUTORY DISCLOSURES

According to notices given to Serko under the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013 (and Securities Markets Act), the following persons 
were substantial product holders as at 31 March 2017. As at the balance date (31 March 2017) there were 74,894,342 Serko Limited 
ordinary shares on issue.

SUBSTANTIAL PRODUCT HOLDER

Geoffrey Hosking

Darrin Grafton

Robert (Bob) Shaw and Sarah Shaw

Milford Asset Management Limited

SUBSIDIARY COMPANY DIRECTORS

NUMBER OF ORDINARY SHARES IN  
WHICH RELEVANT INTEREST IS HELD

% OF CLASS HELD AT  
DATE OF LAST NOTICE

25,573,925

14,209,033

12,884,296

6,095,817

35.084%

19.493%

17.675%

8.376%

Directors of Serko’s subsidiaries do not receive any remuneration or other benefits in respect of their appointments. The remuneration and 
other benefits of any such directors who are employees of the group totalling $100,000 or more during the year ended 31 March 2017 are 
included in the relevant bandings for remuneration disclosed on page 52 of this Annual Report.

The following persons held office as directors of subsidiary companies as at 31 March 2017:

Serko Australia Pty Limited

Darrin Grafton 
Bob Shaw 
John Challis

Serko Trustee Limited*

Susan Putt 
Fiona Rockel

*Timothy Bluett retired as a director during the financial year. 

Serko Investments Limited

Darrin Grafton 
Bob Shaw

Serko India Private Limited

Darrin Grafton 
Bob Shaw 
Yogita Chadha

As at 31 March 2017 Serko also has a representative office in China.

There were no entries made in the subsidiary company Interest Registers during the financial reporting period. 

REGULATORY MATTERS

On 22 July 2015, NZX regulation granted Serko a waiver from NZX Listing Rule 7.6.4(b)(iii) to the extent required to allow Serko to provide 
financial assistance to executive directors, and an associated person of one of the executive directors, to enable them to participate in 
Serko’s Restricted Share Scheme (described in more detail under Remuneration above). The full waiver is available on Serko’s website. Go 
to: www.serko.com/investor-centre/.

Neither the NZX or the Financial Markets Authority has taken any disciplinary action against Serko during the financial year ending 
31 March 2017.

DONATIONS

Serko made no donations during the financial reporting period.

CREDIT RATING

Serko does not currently have an external credit rating status.

DISTRIBUTIONS

There were no dividends or distributions paid to shareholders during the financial period.

PAGE 57

SERKO LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2017

GLOSSARY

Asia Pacific

ATMR

Vietnam, Thailand, Taiwan, Sri Lanka,
South Korea, South Africa, Singapore,
Philippines, Pakistan, New Zealand,
Malaysia, Japan, Indonesia, India, Hong
Kong, China, Bangladesh and Australia
for the purposes of this Annual Report

ATMR (Annualised Transactional Monthly 
Revenue) is a non-GAAP measure.   
Serko uses this as a useful indicator of 
recurring revenue from Serko products 
based on the monthly transactions from 
the most recent month (March 17)

AUD or A$

Australian dollar

Australasia

New Zealand and Australia for the 
purposes of this Annual Report

Board or Board  
of Directors

Cloud or  
cloud-based

The board of directors of Serko

Cloud computing is when the software
and associated data is hosted outside 
the customer’s premises and delivered 
over a network or the Internet as a 
service, which allows immediate access 
to the software

Company or  
Serko

Serko Limited, a New Zealand
incorporated company that owns a
wholly-owned subsidiary in Australia

EBITDA

FTE

FX

FY

GST

IFRS

EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure 
representing Earnings Before the 
deduction of costs relating to Interest, 
Taxation, Depreciation and Amortisation, 
and Impairment

Full-time equivalent

Foreign exchange

Financial year ended, or ending, on 
31 March (unless otherwise stated)

Goods and Services Tax

International Financial Reporting 
Standards

Listing

The date Serko shares started trading on 
the NZX Main Board, 24 June 2014

NZ

New Zealand

NZD or NZ$

New Zealand dollar

NZ GAAP or 
GAAP

New Zealand Generally Accepted 
Accounting Practice

NZ IAS

NZ IFRS  
or IFRS

NZX

New Zealand equivalents to International 
Accounting Standards

New Zealand equivalents to International 
Financial Reporting Standards

NZX Limited, also known as the New 
Zealand Stock Exchange

NZX Listing Rules 
or Listing Rules

The Listing Rules applying to the NZX 
Main Board as amended from time to 
time

NZX Main Board

The New Zealand main board equity 
security market operated by NZX

R&D

Research and Development expenditure

Serko Expense 
Management 
business

The Australian-based travel 
management expense business, Incharge 
Group Pty Limited, that Serko acquired 
on 20 December 2013

Serko Mobile

Serko’s mobile app for iPhones and 
Android devices that gives users access 
to information and travel booking 
functionality on their mobile devices

Serko Online

Serko’s cloud-based online travel 
booking solution for large organisations

serko.travel

Serko’s cloud-based online travel 
booking solution for small to medium 
enterprises

TMC, Travel 
Agency or Travel 
Management 
Company

A travel management company that 
provides specialised travel-related 
services to corporate customers

Independent 
Directors

Simon Botherway, Claudia Batten and
Clyde McConaghy

USD or US$

United States dollar

IPO

Initial Public Offering

$

All figures are in New Zealand dollars, 
unless otherwise stated

PAGE 58

 
 
SERKO LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2017

CORPORATE DIRECTORY AND SHAREHOLDER ENQUIRIES

Serko is a company incorporated with limited liability under the 
New Zealand Companies Act  (Companies Office registration 
number 1927488).

Registered Office

Directors 
(as at date of this  
Annual Report)

Share Registrar

Auditor

Unit 14D 
Saatchi & Saatchi Building
125 The Strand
Parnell
Auckland 1010
New Zealand
+64 9 309 4754

www.serko.com

ARBN: 611 613 980

Simon Botherway (Chariman)
Claudia Batten
Robert (Clyde) McConaghy
Darrin Grafton
Robert (Bob) Shaw

Link Market Services Limited
Level 11, Deloitte House
80 Queen Street
Auckland 1010
New Zealand
+64 9 375 5998
serko@linkmarketservices.co.nz

Ernst & Young Auckland
EY Building
2 Takutai Square
Britomart
Auckland 1010
+64 9 377 4790

PAGE 59

 
SERKO.com

2007-2017

a decade transforming travel & expense management