Sopra Steria - 2019 Universal registration document
5 2019 CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Statutory Auditors’ report on the consolidated financial statements
Our response Our work consisted primarily of: reviewing the compliance of the methodology used by the Group p with applicable accounting standards; assessing the reasonable nature of assumptions used to p determine future cash flows in relation to operating data, with regard to the business and financial context for the Group’s operations, and their consistency with the most recent estimates presented to the Board of Directors within the framework of budgetary processes; assessing, with the help of our valuation experts, the consistency p of the perpetual growth rate and the weighted average unit cost of capital in all components; analysing the sensitivity of the value in use determined by p management to a change in the main assumptions made. Lastly, we verified that Note 10.2 to the consolidated financial statements provided appropriate information. Post-employment benefits arise mainly from the Group’s obligations towards its employees to provide retirement benefits in France and defined-benefit pension plans in the United Kingdom, Germany and other European countries (Belgium, Norway). The actuarial value of accumulated benefits as at 31 December 2019 was €350.0 million. The net liability in respect of retirement benefits and similar obligations was calculated at the balance sheet date based on the most recent valuations available. As these liabilities are covered by plan assets with a fair value of €1,658.2 million, net liabilities as at 31 December 2019 totalled €339.7 million. The most significant plan assets concern the United Kingdom and France. Valuing pension scheme assets and liabilities, as well as the actuarial cost for the year, requires a high level of judgment by management to determine appropriate assumptions to be made such as the discount rate and the rate of inflation, future pay rises, staff turnover and mortality tables. The change in some of these assumptions may have a material impact on determining net liabilities recognised as well as on the Group’s profit. In view of the amounts represented by these liabilities and associated plan assets, as well as the technical skill required to evaluate these amounts, we considered this type of liability relating to post-employment benefits to be a key audit matter. POST-EMPLOYMENT BENEFIT LIABILITIES (Note 5.3.1 to the consolidated financial statements) Risk identified
Our response We familiarised ourselves with the process for valuing post-employment benefit liabilities implemented by the Group. A review of actuarial assumptions was performed by means of: assessing discount rates and rates of inflation in order to evaluate p their consistency with market conditions; assessing the reasonable nature of assumptions relating to pay p rises, staff turnover and mortality in order to evaluate their consistency with the specific characteristics of each pension scheme and, if applicable, with national and sector benchmarks; a review of calculations made by the Group’s external actuaries. p As regards plan assets, we also assessed whether the assumptions made by management to value these assets and the documentation provided by management to justify the recognition of net plan assets were appropriate. Lastly, we verified the appropriateness of the information provided in Note 5.3.1 to the consolidated financial statements. Specific verifications We also performed the specific procedures in accordance with professional standards applicable in France and required by law in relation to the information on the Group contained in the Management Report of the Board of Directors, approved for publication on 9 April 2020. Concerning events occurring and data of which the Company becomes aware after the publication date of the financial statements relating to the Covid-19 crisis, management informed us that these will be communicated at the General Meeting convened to approve the financial statements. We have no matters to report as to their fair presentation and their consistency with the consolidated financial statements. We certify that the consolidated declaration of non-financial performance in accordance with Article L. 225-102-1 of the French Commercial Code is provided in the information relating to the Group in the Management Report, it being understood that in accordance with Article L. 823-10 of the French Commercial Code, we have not checked the information contained in this declaration for fairness or consistency with the consolidated financial statements and it should be the object of a report by an independent third-party organisation. Information resulting from other legal and regulatory requirements Mazars was appointed Statutory Auditor of Sopra Steria Group by the shareholders at the General Meeting of 1 June 2000, and Auditeurs et Conseil Associés – ACA Nexia by the shareholders at the General Meeting of 30 June 1986. As at 31 December 2019, Mazars was in its 20 th consecutive year as Statutory Auditor and Auditeurs et Conseil Associés – ACA Nexia was in its 34 th consecutive year as Statutory Auditor, respectively 20 years and 30 years since the company’s shares were first listed for trading on a regulated market.
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SOPRA STERIA UNIVERSAL REGISTRATION DOCUMENT 2019
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