# BCS AMERICAS, INC. X-17A-5 (2021-02-26) — Broker-dealer annual report - Company: BCS AMERICAS, INC. - Form: X-17A-5 - Filed: 2021-02-26 - Period: 2020-12-31 - Accession: 0001091484-21-000001 - CIK: 1091484 - File #: 8-51950 - Material weakness: No - Auditor: Mazars USA LLP - Auditor location: Woodbury, NY - Contact: David Denson - Phone: 212 421 7500 - Website: mazars.us - Signed by: David Denson (Chief Operating Officer) Original filing: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1091484/000109148421000001/bcspublic.pdf --- {0}------------------------------------------------ # **BCS AMERICAS, INC.** **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL CONDITION** **DECEMBER 31, 2020** {1}------------------------------------------------ UNITEDSTATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 # ANNUAL AUDITED REPORT FORM X-17A-5 PART III | OMB APPROVAL | | | |---------------------------|------------------|--| | OMB Number: | 3235-0123 | | | Expires: | October 31, 2023 | | | Estimated average burden | | | | hours per response 12.00 | | | | SEC FILE NUMBER | |-----------------| | 8-51950 | FACING PAGE Information Required of Brokers and Dealers Pursuant to Section 17 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 17a-5 Thereunder | REPORT FOR THE PERIOD BEGINNING 01/01/2020 | | AND ENDING | 12/31/2020 | | |-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------|------------|---------------|--------------------------------| | | MM/DD/YY | | | MM/DD/Y Y | | | A. REGISTRANT IDENTIFICATION | | | | | NAME OF BROKER-DEALER: | BCS Americas, Inc. | | | OFFICIAL USE ONLY | | | ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS: (Do not use P.O. Box No.) | | FIRM I.D. NO. | | | 1270 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 1805 | | | | | | | (No. and Street) | | | | | New York | NY | | 10020 | | | (City) | (State) | | (Zip Code) | | | NAME AND TELEPHONE NUMBER OF PERSON TO CONTACT IN REGARD TO THIS REPORT
David Denson | | | 212-421-7500 | | | | | | | (Area Code - Telephone Number) | | | B. ACCOUNTANT IDENTIFICATION | | | | | INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT whose opinion is contained in this Report* | | | | | | Mazars USA P | | | | | | | (Name - if individual, state last, first, middle name) | | | | | 60 Crossways Park Drive W. | Woodbury | NY | | 11797 | | (Address) | (City) | (State) | | (Zip Code) | | CHECK ONE: | | | | | | Certified Public Accountant | | | | | | Public Accountant | | | | | | Accountant not resident in United States or any of its possessions. | | | | | | | FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | laims for aromation from the undermannen there th | | | | | exemption from the requirement that the annual report be covered by the opinion of an independent public accountant must be supported by a statement of facts and circumstances relied on and of the exemption. See Section 240. Uccomation > Potential persons who are to respond to the collection of . Contain porcono Who are to Tespond To The contection of > information contained in this form are not required to respond > unless the form displays a currently valid SEC 1410 (11-05) {2}------------------------------------------------ # OATH OR AFFIRMATION | BCS Americas, Inc. | my knowledge and belief the accompanying financial statement and supporting schedules pertaining to the firm of | |------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | of December 31 | | | classified solely as that of a customer, except as follows: | ر 20 20 _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
neither the company nor any partner, principal officer or director has any proprietary interest in any account | | | | | | | | SIEVEN G. HANEVELD JR
NOTARY PUBLIC OF NEW JERSEY
Commission # 50042480
My Commission Expires 7/22/2021 | Signature
Chief Operating Officer | | | Title | | | | | Notary Public | | | This report ** contains (check all applicable boxes): | | | (a) Facing Page.
(b) Statement of Financial Condition. | | | of Comprehensive Income (as defined in §210.1-02 of Regulation S-X). | (c) Statement of Income (Loss) or, if there is other comprehensive income in the period(s) presented, a Statement | | (d) Statement of Changes in Financial Condition. | | | (f) Statement of Changes in Liabilities Subordinated to Claims of Creditors. | (e) Statement of Changes in Stockholders' Equity or Partners' or Sole Proprietors' Capital. | | (g) Computation of Net Capital. | | | | (h) Computation for Determination of Reserve Requirements Pursuant to Rule 15c3-3. | | | (i) Information Relating to the Possession or Control Requirements Under Rule 15c3-3.
(i) A Reconciliation, including appropriate explanation of Net Capital Under Rule 15c3-1 and the | | | Computation for Determination of the Reserve Requirements Under Exhibit A of Rule 15c3-3. | | consolidation. | (k) A Reconciliation between the audited Statements of Financial Condition with respect to methods of | | (1) An Oath or Affirmation. | | | (m) A copy of the SIPC Supplemental Report. | (n) A report describing any material inadequacies found to existed since the date of the previous audit. | | (o) Exemption Report | | {3}------------------------------------------------ # **BCS AMERICAS, INC.** # **DECEMBER 31, 2020** # **TABLE OF CONTENTS** | Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | | |---------------------------------------------------------|------| | | Page | | Statement of Financial Condition 1 | | | Notes to Statement of Financial Condition 2-9 | | {4}------------------------------------------------ ![](_page_4_Picture_0.jpeg) Mazars USA LLP 60 Crossways Park Drive West Suite 301 Woodbury, New York 11797 Tel: 516.488,1200 www.mazars.us # Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm To the Directors and Shareholder of BCS Americas, Inc. #### Opinion on the Financial Statement We have audited the accompanying statement of financial condition of BCS Americas, Inc., (the "Company"), as of December 31, 2020, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statement"). In our opinion, the statement of financial condition presents fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company, as of December 31, 2020, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. #### Basis for Opinion This financial statement is the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statement based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and requlations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB. We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statement is free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statement, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statement. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statement. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion. We have served as the Company's auditor since 2014. Woodbury, NY February 23, 2021 {5}------------------------------------------------ #### **ASSETS** | Cash
Due from clearing organizations
Fixed assets, net of accumulated depreciation of \$53,781
Commissions receivable
Right of use asset
Other assets | \$
541,787
5,356,438
14,547
40,586
181,959
103,210 | |----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------| | Total
assets | \$
6,238,527 | | LIABILITIES
AND
SHAREHOLDER'S
EQUITY | | | Liabilities: | | | Accrued expenses | \$
150,025 | | Capitalized lease obligation | 192,244 | | Total
liabilities | 342,269 | | Commitments and contingencies | | | Shareholder's equity: | | | Preferred stock - no par value; 500 shares authorized, none issued | | | Common stock - no par value; 500 shares authorized, | 11,500 | | 187 shares issued and outstanding | | | Additional paid in capital | 18,500,000 | | Accumulated deficit | (12,615,242) | | Total
shareholder's
equity | 5,896,258 | | Total
liabilities
and
shareholder's
equity | \$
6,238,527 | See notes to the financial statement. {6}------------------------------------------------ #### **1. ORGANIZATION AND DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS** BCS Americas, Inc. (the "Company") is a broker-dealer in securities registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority ("FINRA") and the Securities Investor Protection Corporation ("SIPC"). The Company conducts business under the name of BCS Global Markets. The Company is also a member of the New York Stock Exchange, LLC and the NYSE American, LLC. The Company provides brokerage and investment services as an introducing broker for U.S. institutional clients investing in Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States. On June 29, 2016, the Company was acquired by FG BCS Limited (the "Parent"). # **2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES** #### *Fixed assets, net* Depreciation of computer and equipment is provided for on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of such assets. Estimated useful lives of the computer and equipment are from five to seven years. #### *Income taxes* Income taxes are determined on an asset and liability approach for financial accounting and reporting of income taxes. Deferred income taxes are recognized for the tax consequences in future years of differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their financial reporting amounts at each year end based on enacted tax laws and statutory tax rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. The types of temporary differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their financial reporting amounts generally relate to differences between depreciation methods used for book and tax purposes. In addition, the Company has temporary differences relating to net operating loss carryforwards. #### *Concentration of risk* The Company maintains cash in bank accounts which, at times, may exceed federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts and does not believe it is exposed to any significant credit risk on cash. At December 31, 2020, the Company maintained cash of \$291,787 in excess of FDIC insurance limits. #### *Foreign currency* The Company's functional currency is the U.S. dollar and its reporting currency is the U.S. dollar. However, the Company maintains several accounts in foreign currencies. {7}------------------------------------------------ #### **2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES** *(continued)* #### *Uncertain tax positions* The Company has adopted the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") No. 740, Income Taxes. As a result of the implementation of ASC No. 740, the Company has not recognized any respective liability for unrecognized tax benefits, as it has no known tax positions that would subject the Company to any material income tax exposure. The tax years that remain subject to examination are the periods beginning on January 1, 2017 for all major tax jurisdictions. ## *Fair Value Measurements* The Company follows the guidance in FASB ASC 820, *Fair Value Measurement*. Using that guidance, fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. A fair value measurement assumes that the transaction to sell the asset or transfer the liability occurs in the principal market for the asset or liability or, in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market. Valuation techniques that are consistent with the market, income or cost approach, as specified by FASB ASC 820, are used to measure fair value. Using the provisions within FASB ASC 820, the Company has characterized its investments in securities, based on the order of liquidity of the inputs used to value the investments, into a three-level fair value hierarchy. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest order of liquidity to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities [Level 1], and the lowest order of liquidity to unobservable inputs [Level 3]. If the inputs used to measure the investments fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the categorization is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement of the investment. The Company's fair value measurements are classified into one of three categories as follows based on the measurement inputs: *Level 1.* These are investments where values are based on unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets in an active market the Company has ability to access. *Level 2*. These are investments where values are based on quoted prices in markets that are not active or model inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly for substantially the full term of the investments. These investments would be comprised of less liquid restricted securities and warrants that trade less frequently. If the asset or liability has a specified (contractual) term, the Level 2 input must be observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability. *Level 3*. These are investments where values are based on prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. These inputs reflect assumptions of management about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the investments. {8}------------------------------------------------ ## **2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES** *(continued)* ## *Securities owned, securities sold not yet purchased* Securities owned, securities sold not yet purchased are recorded at fair value in accordance with FASB ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements. The Company may sell a security it has not yet purchased, in anticipation of a decline in the fair value of that security. When the Company sells a security it has not yet purchased, it must borrow the security and deliver it to the broker dealer through which it made the sale. A gain limited to the price at which the Company sold the security it has not yet purchased, or a loss, unlimited in size will be recognized upon termination of such a sale. #### *Use of estimates* The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect certain reported amounts and disclosures. Accordingly, actual results could differ from those estimates. #### *Revenue recognition* In accordance with ASU No. 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers" ("ASC Topic 606") revenues from contracts with customers is recognized when, or as, the Company satisfies its performance obligations by transferring the promised services to the customers. A service is transferred to a customer when, or as, the customer obtains control of that service. A performance obligation may be satisfied at a point in time or over time. Revenue from a performance obligation satisfied at a point in time is recognized at the point in time that the Company determines the customer obtains control over the promised service. Revenue from a performance obligation satisfied over time is recognized by measuring the Company's progress in satisfying the performance obligation in a manner that depicts the transfer of the services to the customer. The amount of revenue recognized reflects the consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for those promised services (i.e., the "transaction price"). In determining the transaction price, the Company considers multiple factors, including the effects of variable consideration, if any. #### *Agency commissions* The Company earns commission revenue by acting as an agent on behalf of customers. The Company's performance obligations consist of trade execution and are satisfied on the trade date; accordingly, commission revenues are recorded on the trade date. The Company believes that the performance obligation is satisfied on the trade date because that is when the underlying financial instrument or purchaser is identified, the pricing is agreed upon and the risks and rewards of ownership have been transferred to/from the customer. #### *Brokerage services – affiliates* The Company receives a commission/mark up for introducing counterparties to affiliates for potential trades for the purchase or sale of securities. The Company believes that the performance obligation is satisfied at the point in time that the performance obligations as contemplated in the agreement with the affiliates are completed, which is generally when all eligible costs are incurred. {9}------------------------------------------------ # **2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES** *(continued)* ## *Revenue recognition (continued)* #### *Trading gains (losses*) Trading gains and losses are recorded on trade date and are reported on a net basis. Trading gains and losses are comprised of changes in the fair value of financial instruments owned, at fair value and financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value. Included in trading gains are net gains and losses on U.S. and foreign stocks. The Company believes that the performance obligation is satisfied on the trade date because that is when the underlying financial instrument or purchaser is identified, the pricing is agreed upon and the risks and rewards of ownership have been transferred to/from the customer. # *Rebate income* Rebate income are fees received from execution venues to which the Company sends trade orders in relation to its agency trading activity. The Company believes that the performance obligation is satisfied on the trade date because that is when the underlying financial instrument or purchaser is identified, the pricing is agreed upon and the risks and rewards of ownership have been transferred to/from the customer. #### *Research fees* The Company provides research on Russian based stocks and bonds to U.S. based institutional investors. The Company is compensated and receives its fee income via payments directly from clients. The revenue is recognized at the point in time that the performance under the arrangement is completed, which is when the research is utilized by the customer and the customer advises the Company of its usage. The following table provides information about receivables, contract assets and contract liabilities from contracts with customers: | | 1-Jan-20 | 31-Dec-20 | |---------------------------------|-----------------|-----------------| | Due from clearing organizations | \$
3,767,970 | \$
5,356,438 | | Due from affiliates | \$
35,691 | \$
- | | Commissions receivable | \$
73,962 | \$
40,586 | {10}------------------------------------------------ # **2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES** *(continued)* # *Leases* The FASB issued (ASU) 2016-02, "Leases (Topic 842)" which includes a lease accounting model that recognizes two types of leases – finance leases and operating leases. The standard requires that a lessee recognize on the statement of financial condition a right of use asset and a corresponding lease liability relating to leases with terms of more than twelve months. The recognition, measurement, and presentation of expenses and cash flows arising from a lease by a lessee will depend on its classification as a finance or operating lease. The Company adopted the new guidance effective January 1, 2019. # *Credit Losses* Effective January 1, 2020, the Company adopted ASC Topic 326, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses ("ASC 326"). ASC 326 impacts the impairment model for certain financial assets by requiring a current expected credit loss ("CECL") methodology to estimate expected credit losses over the entire life of the financial asset. Under the accounting update, the Company has the ability to determine that there are no expected credit losses in certain circumstances (e.g., based on the credit quality of the customer). The Company identified commissions receivables and due from clearing organizations as impacted by the new guidance. ASC 326 specifies that the Company adopt the new guidance prospectively by means of a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening shareholder's equity as of January 1, 2020. Accordingly, the Company recognized no adjustment upon adoption. # **3. DUE FROM AFFILIATES** The Company had a brokerage service agreement with its affiliates, whereby the Company would introduce potential counterparties to those affiliates, as well as, negotiate if appropriate, potential trades for the purchase or sale of securities between the affiliates and such counterparties. The Company received a commission/mark up for providing those services. This arrangement was mutually terminated as of June 30, 2020. # **4. FIXED ASSETS, net** As of December 31, 2020, fixed assets consist of the following: | Computer and office equipment | \$
68,328 | |--------------------------------|--------------| | Less: accumulated depreciation | 53,781 | | | \$
14,547 | {11}------------------------------------------------ ## **5. CLEARANCE AGREEMENT** The Company has entered into an agreement with a clearing broker to execute and clear, on a fully disclosed basis, customer and proprietary accounts of the Company. As part of the agreement, the clearing broker executes orders, settles contracts and transactions in securities, and engages in all cashiering functions, including the receipt, delivery, and transfer of securities purchased, sold, borrowed or loaned and the receipt and distribution of interest and principal payments. As of December 31, 2020, the balance consisted of monies held at the clearing brokers in the amount of \$4,856,438 and a clearing deposit of \$500,000 on the Statement of Financial Condition. Additionally, included in this amount is \$42,011 due from an affiliated broker dealer. # 6. **INCOME TAXES** At December 31, 2020, the Company had net remaining operating loss carryforwards for income tax purposes of approximately \$2,600,000, which are available to offset federal taxable income through 2037. The carryforwards resulted in a deferred tax asset of approximately \$880,000 at December 31, 2020, for which the Company has provided a full valuation allowance due to the uncertainty about future realization of this tax benefit. The valuation allowance increased by approximately \$140,000 during the year ended December 31, 2020. In the current year the Company increased the net operating loss carryforwards by approximately \$430,000. As a result of a change in ownership in 2017, the Company's net operating loss carryforwards are limited pursuant to section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code. As a result, the net operating loss carryforwards and the resulting deferred tax asset and valuation allowance have been reduced to reflect this limitation. # **7. RIGHT OF USE ASSET AND LEASE LIABILITY** The Company is obligated under a non-cancelable lease agreement for office space expiring through January 2022. In general, the terms of the lease agreements require the Company to pay for insurance, taxes, and other costs relative to the leased property. In accordance with FASB (ASU) 2016-02, "Leases (Topic 842)" the Company classified the lease as an operating lease and has no other short-term leases. The lease does not contain a renewal option but can be extended month to month at the end of the lease. The Company has reviewed and based the right of use asset and lease liabilities, primarily, on the present value of unpaid future minimum lease payments. In accordance with the guidance, the Company reported on its statement of financial condition a right of use asset of \$181,959, offset by a lease liability of \$192,244. The present value of the existing operating lease was determined by using the incremental collateralized borrowing rate at January 1, 2019 of 6.5%. {12}------------------------------------------------ # **7. RIGHT OF USE ASSET AND LEASE LIABILITY** *(continued)* A reconciliation of operating lease liabilities by minimum lease payments and discount amount by year, as of December 31, 2020, are as follows: | | | Less | Total | |----------------------------------|---------------|--------------------|--------------------| | Year
Ending
December
31 | Lease | Discount
Amount | Lease
Liability | | | | | | | 2021 | 189,882 | 12,496 | 177,386 | | 2022 | 15,824 | 966 | 14,858 | | | \$
205,706 | \$
13,462 | \$
192,244 | # **8. OFFǦBALANCE SHEET RISK** The Company may be liable for charge backs on introduced customer accounts carried by the clearing broker. In addition, the Company may be exposed to off balance sheet credit risk in the event the clearing broker is unable to fulfill its contractual obligations. The Company sells securities it does not currently own and will therefore be obligated to purchase such securities at a future date. The Company records these obligations, if any, in the financial statement at year-end, at fair value of the related securities and will incur a loss, if the fair value of the securities increases subsequent to year-end. At December 31, 2020, the Company had no open short positions. # **9. NET CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS** The Company is subject to the uniform net capital requirements of Rule 15c3-1 of the Securities and Exchange Act, as amended, which requires the Company to maintain, at all times, sufficient liquid assets to cover indebtedness. In accordance with the Rule, the Company is required to maintain defined minimum net capital of the greater of \$250,000 or 6 2/3% of aggregate indebtedness. At December 31, 2020, the Company had net capital, as defined, of \$5,726,811, which exceeded the required minimum net capital of \$250,000 by \$5,476,811. Aggregate indebtedness at December 31, 2020, totaled \$160,310. The Company's percentage of aggregate indebtedness to net capital was 2.80%. # **10.CONTINGENCIES** As a regulated securities broker dealer, from time to time the Company may be involved in legal proceedings and investigations. The Company had an ongoing NYSE investigation and a FINRA review, but these regulatory assessments are normal in the ordinary course of business. During 2020, the investigations were concluded, resulting in a sanction and fine which did not have a material impact on the Company's financial position. The Company is not currently involved in any legal proceedings or investigations. {13}------------------------------------------------ # **10.CONTINGENCIES** *(continued)* During the year ended December 31, 2020, an outbreak of COVID-19, the Coronavirus Disease, has caused economic uncertainty and its consequences have had negative implications for both the global and U.S. economies. A recession or severe market reaction to any of the foregoing could have a material effect on our business operations and financial conditions. The long-term effect, if any, is not currently determinable as of the date of this financial statement. # **11.SUBSEQUENT EVENTS** Management of the Company has evaluated events and transactions that have occurred since December 31, 2020, through the date of this report and determined that there are no material events that would require disclosures in the Company's financial statement. Source: SEC EDGAR via Adviser Search (https://search.stillhousedata.com). Agents: see https://search.stillhousedata.com/llms.txt.