Auditor’s Report
Report on the Consolidated Financial Statements
Audit Opinion
We have audited the consolidated financial statements of UNIQA Insurance Group AG, Vienna, and its subsidiaries (the Group), which comprise the consolidated statement of financial position as at 31 December 2020, the consolidated income statement, the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, the consolidated statement of cash flows and the consolidated statement of changes in equity for the financial year then ended, and the notes.
In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated financial statements comply with legal requirements and give a true and fair view of the financial position of the Group as at 31 December 2020, and of its financial performance and cash flows for the financial year then ended in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the EU (IFRSs) and the additional regulations of section 245a Austrian Company Code and the supplementary provisions of section 138 para. 8 Austrian Insurance Supervision Act.
Basis for Opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with Regulation (EU) No. 537/2014 (hereinafter EU Regulation) and Austrian Generally Accepted Standards on Auditing. Those standards require the application of the International Standards on Auditing (ISAs). Our responsibilities under those provisions and standards are further described in the “Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Consolidated Financial Statements” section of our report. We are independent of the Group in accordance with Austrian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and professional requirements, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained until the date of the auditor’s report is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion by this date.
Key Audit Matters
Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgment, were of most significance in our audit of the consolidated financial statements of the financial year. These matters were addressed in the context of our audit of the consolidated financial statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters.
We have structured key audit matters as follows:
- Description
- Audit approach and key observations
- Reference to related disclosures
1. Recognition and measurement of the restructuring provision in the course of the strategy programme UNIQA 3.0
- Description
In the financial year 2020, an extensive strategy programme for the upcoming years called UNIQA 3.0 was agreed and approved. An essential element of the programme is the downsizing of the workforce intended to be achieved by terminating contracts by way of mutual consent and agreeing on a social plan. Taking into account the planned measures, a provision in the amount of EUR 98,587k was set up. The measurement of this restructuring provision is based on discretionary decisions, estimates and assumptions, in particular with regard to the likelihood of whether the affected employees will accept the termination offers presented to them.
Due to the matter described, we considered the recognition and measurement of the restructuring provision as a key audit matter in our audit.
- Audit approach and key observations
We:- examined the criteria and prerequisites for recognizing the provision,
- tested the systematics in deriving the assumptions and parameters for calculating the provision,
- checked whether these assumptions and parameters match the agreed social plan,
- reconciled, based on samples, the inputs taken into consideration in the calculation of the provision and
- took into consideration, in our assessment of the measurement of the provision at the reporting date, the findings established in the course of employee interviews and the actual contract terminations occurred within the adjustment period until the date of this report.
The accounting and measurement methods applied are in accordance with IFRSs. We consider the recognition and measurement of the restructuring provision to be plausible and reasonable.
- Reference to related disclosures
Refer to chapter “Use of discretionary decisions and estimates” under General information in the notes as well as “19. Restructuring measures” in the notes to the consolidated financial statements
2. Measurement of goodwill as well as of other intangible assets
- Description
Goodwill in the amount of EUR 352,922k as well as intangible assets still under development in the amount of EUR 64,544k, which mainly relate to software development in the course of the renewal of the Group-wide IT systems, are tested for impairment at least once a year and additionally whenever there is an indication for impairment.
The impairment tests carried out for this purpose require the Management Board to make discretionary decisions, estimates and assumptions, which particularly includes budgeted cash flows in the individual cash-generating units, future market conditions, growth rates and capital costs. Changes in these assumptions as well as in the methods used may have a material impact on measurement.
Due to the matter described, we considered the measurement of goodwill as well as of other intangible assets as a key audit matter in our audit.
- Audit approach and key observations
We:- evaluated work flows and the measurement approach as well as tested selected key controls,
- compared the accounting and measurement methods with the accounting provisions of IAS 38 and IAS 36,
- examined whether the calculation method of the impairment test is appropriate and assessed the significant discretionary decisions and assumptions,
- verified the derivation of the capital costs and juxtaposed it to a calculation we made ourselves and
- compared the company planning approved by the Management Board and Supervisory Board with the cash flows included in the impairment test.
The accounting and measurement methods applied are in accordance with IFRSs. We consider the underlying assumptions and measurement parameters to be plausible and reasonable.
- Reference to related disclosures
Refer to chapter “Use of discretionary decisions and estimates” under General information in the notes as well as “12. Intangible assets” in the notes to the consolidated financial statements
3. Acquisition of AXA subsidiaries in Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia
- Description
On 7 February 2020, a purchase agreement was concluded with AXA and its subsidiary Sociéte Beaujon covering the acquisition of AXA subsidiaries and branches in Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The acquisition was completed after all necessary regulatory approvals were obtained as per 15 October 2020. The purchase price amounted to EUR 998,330k.
The business combination is accounted for according to IFRS 3.
The assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities acquired were stated at their fair values which were determined in the course of the purchase price allocation performed. This results in preliminary net assets measured at fair value in the amount of EUR 778,653k and goodwill in the amount of EUR 219,677k.
The purchase price allocation performed requires the Management Board to make discretionary decisions, estimates and assumptions. Changes in these assumptions may have a material impact on the fair values.
Due to the matter described, we considered the business combination and in particular the purchase price allocation as a key audit matter in our audit.
- Audit approach and key observations
We:- verified, based on the purchase agreements and the agreements under company law as well as the criteria defined in IFRS 10, the assessment made by the Management Board with regard to the control over the shares taken over and the consolidation in the consolidated financial statements,
- assessed the methodical approach in identifying the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date,
- verified the measurement methods applied and examined, consulting component auditors in Poland and the Czech Republic, the determination of the identifiable assets acquired as well as of the liabilities and contingent liabilities assumed and
- examined the disclosures on the acquisition made in the notes in accordance with the requirements of IFRS 3.
The accounting and measurement methods applied are in accordance with IFRSs. We consider the underlying assumptions and measurement parameters to be plausible and reasonable.
- Reference to related disclosures
Refer to chapter “1. Acquisition of AXA companies” under General information in the notes
Other Information
Management is responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the annual report, but does not include the consolidated financial statements, the management report for the Group and our auditor’s report thereon.
Our opinion on the consolidated 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 consolidated financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information identified above and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the consolidated financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated.
If, based on the work we have performed on the other information that we obtained prior to the date of this auditor’s report, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard.
Responsibilities of Management and the Audit Committee for the Consolidated Financial Statements
Management is responsible for the preparation of the consolidated financial statements that give a true and fair view in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the EU (IFRSs) and the additional regulations of section 245a Austrian Company Code and the supplementary provisions of section 138 para. 8 Austrian Insurance Supervision Act, and for such internal control as management determines is necessary to enable the preparation of consolidated financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the consolidated financial statements, management is 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 management either intends to liquidate the Group or to cease operations, or has no realistic alternative but to do so.
The Audit Committee is responsible for overseeing the Group’s financial reporting process.
Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Consolidated Financial Statements
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated 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 the EU Regulation and with Austrian Generally Accepted Standards on Auditing, which require the application of ISAs, 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.
As part of an audit in accordance with the EU Regulation and with Austrian Generally Accepted Standards on Auditing, which require the application of ISAs, we exercise professional judgment and maintain professional skepticism throughout the audit.
We also:
- identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risks of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control.
- obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Group’s internal control.
- evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related disclosures made by management.
- conclude on the appropriateness of management’s use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our auditor’s report to the related disclosures in the consolidated financial statements or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of our auditor’s report. However, future events or conditions may cause the Group to cease to continue as a going concern.
- evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the consolidated financial statements, including the disclosures, and whether the consolidated financial statements represent the underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation.
- obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the financial information of the entities or business activities within the Group to express an opinion on the consolidated financial statements. We are responsible for the direction, supervision and performance of the group audit. We remain solely responsible for our audit opinion.
We communicate with the Audit Committee regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.
We also provide the Audit Committee with a statement that we have complied with all relevant ethical requirements regarding independence, and to communicate with them all relationships and other matters that may reasonably be thought to bear on our independence, and where applicable, related safeguards.
From the matters communicated with the Audit Committee, we determine those matters that were of most significance in the audit of the consolidated financial statements of the current period and are therefore the key audit matters. We describe these matters in our auditor’s report unless law or regulation precludes public disclosure about the matter or when, in extremely rare circumstances, we determine that a matter should not be communicated in our report because the adverse consequences of doing so would reasonably be expected to outweigh the public interest benefits of such communication.
Report on Other Legal and Regulatory Requirements
Comments on the Management Report for the Group
Pursuant to Austrian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, the management report for the Group is to be audited as to whether it is consistent with the consolidated financial statements and as to whether the management report for the Group was prepared in accordance with the applicable legal regulations.
Management is responsible for the preparation of the management report for the Group in accordance with Austrian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and the provisions of the Austrian Insurance Supervision Act.
We conducted our audit in accordance with Austrian standards on auditing for the audit of the management report for the Group.
Opinion
In our opinion, the management report for the Group was prepared in accordance with the applicable legal regulations, comprising the details in accordance with section 243a UGB, and is consistent with the consolidated financial statements.
Statement
Based on the findings during the audit of the consolidated financial statements and due to the obtained understanding concerning the Group and its circumstances no material misstatements in the management report for the Group came to our attention.
Additional Information in Accordance with Article 10 of the EU Regulation
We were elected as statutory auditor at the ordinary general meeting dated 20 May 2019. We were appointed by the Supervisory Board on 16 December 2019. Besides that, we were elected as auditor for the following financial year by the ordinary general meeting on 25 May 2020 and appointed by the Supervisory Board on 30 November 2020. We have audited the Company for an uninterrupted period since 31 December 2013.
We confirm that the audit opinion in the “Report on the Consolidated Financial Statements” section is consistent with the additional report to the Audit Committee referred to in Article 11 of the EU Regulation.
We declare that no prohibited non-audit services (Article 5 para. 1 of the EU Regulation) were provided by us and that we remained independent of the audited company in conducting the audit.
Responsible Engagement Partner
Responsible for the proper performance of the engagement is Werner Stockreiter, Austrian Certified Public Accountant.
Vienna, 22 March 2021
PwC Wirtschaftsprüfung GmbH
signed:
Werner Stockreiter
Austrian Certified Public Accountant
This report is a translation of the original report in German, which is solely valid. Publication and sharing with third parties of the financial statements together with our auditor’s report is only allowed if the financial statements and the management report are identical with the German audited version. This auditor’s report is only applicable to the German and complete financial statements with the management report. For deviating versions, the provisions of section 281 para. 2 UGB apply.