# SEQUENCE FINANCIAL SPECIALISTS LLC X-17A-5 (2022-02-24) — Broker-dealer annual report

- Company: SEQUENCE FINANCIAL SPECIALISTS LLC
- Form: X-17A-5
- Filed: 2022-02-24
- Period: 2021-12-31
- Accession: 0001303465-22-000001
- CIK: 1303465
- File #: 8-66657
- Type: Broker-dealer
- Material weakness: No
- Auditor: Phillip V. George, PLLC
- Auditor location: Celeste, TX
- Contact: Emanuel Xenick
- Phone: 843-853-8222
- Email: mxenick@sequencefinancialspecialists.com
- Website: sequencefinancialspecialists.com
- Signed by: Emanuel Xenick (Chief Executive Officer)

Original filing: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1303465/000130346522000001/2021sequencepublicaudit-.pdf

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**OMB APPROVAL UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. <sup>20549</sup>**

**OMB Number: 3235-0123 Expires: Oct. 31, 2023 Estimated average burden hours per response: 12**

# **ANNUAL REPORTS FORM X-17A-5 PART III**

| SEC FILE NUMBER |  |
|-----------------|--|
| 8-66657         |  |

**FACING PAGE**

**Information Required Pursuant to Rules 17a-5, 17a-12, and 18a-7 under the Securities Exchange Act of <sup>1934</sup>**

| FILING FOR THE PERIOD BEGINNING                                                                                        |                                                                            | 01/01/2021                             | AND ENDING                                          | 12/31/2021                    |                  |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------|------------------|
|                                                                                                                        |                                                                            | MM/DD/YY                               |                                                     |                               | MM/DD/YY         |
|                                                                                                                        | A.                                                                         | REGISTRANT IDENTIFICATION              |                                                     |                               |                  |
| NAME OF FIRM:                                                                                                          | Financial<br>Sequence                                                      | Specialists                            | LLC                                                 |                               |                  |
| TYPE OF REGISTRANT (check all<br>B<br>Broker-dealer                                                                    | Security-based swap<br>Check here if respondent is also an OTC derivatives | applicable boxes):<br>dealer<br>dealer | Major<br>security-based                             |                               | swap participant |
| ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS:(Do                                                                             |                                                                            | not                                    | use a P.O.<br>box no.)                              |                               |                  |
| 781<br>Street,<br>Meeting                                                                                              | STE<br>B                                                                   |                                        |                                                     |                               |                  |
|                                                                                                                        |                                                                            | (No. and Street)                       |                                                     |                               |                  |
| Charleston                                                                                                             |                                                                            | SC                                     |                                                     |                               | 29403            |
|                                                                                                                        | (City)                                                                     |                                        | (State)                                             |                               | (Zip Code)       |
| PERSON TO CONTACT WITH REGARD TO THIS FILING                                                                           |                                                                            |                                        |                                                     |                               |                  |
| Emanuel<br>Xenick<br>(Name)                                                                                            |                                                                            | 843-853-8222<br>(Area Code -Telephone  | mxenick@sequencefinancialspecialists.com<br>Number) | (Email Address)               |                  |
|                                                                                                                        | B.                                                                         | ACCOUNTANT IDENTIFICATION              |                                                     |                               |                  |
| INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT whose                                                                                    |                                                                            | reports                                | filing*<br>are contained<br>in<br>this              |                               |                  |
| V.<br>Phillip<br>George,                                                                                               | PLLC                                                                       |                                        |                                                     |                               |                  |
|                                                                                                                        | (Name-if                                                                   | individual,<br>state last,first,       | and middle name)                                    |                               |                  |
| 5179<br>1026<br>CR                                                                                                     |                                                                            | Celeste                                | TX                                                  |                               | 75423            |
| (Address)<br>02/24/2009                                                                                                |                                                                            | (City)                                 | 3366                                                | (State)                       | (Zip Code)       |
| (Date of Registration with PCAQB)(if applicable)                                                                       |                                                                            |                                        |                                                     | (PCAOB Registration Number,if | applicable)      |
|                                                                                                                        |                                                                            | FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY                  |                                                     |                               |                  |
|                                                                                                                        |                                                                            |                                        |                                                     |                               |                  |
| * Claims for exemption from the requirement that the annual reports be covered by the reports of an independent public |                                                                            |                                        |                                                     |                               |                  |

accountant must be supported by <sup>a</sup> statement of facts and circumstances relied on as the basis of the exemption. See <sup>17</sup> CFR 240.17a-5(e)(l)(ii),if applicable.

**Persons who are torespond to the collection of information contained in this form are notrequired to respond unless the form displays a currently valid OMB control number.**

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#### **OATH OR AFFIRMATION**

| 1/   | Emanuel<br>Xenick<br>, swear (or affirm) that,to the best of my knowledge and belief,the                                                                                          |
|------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|      | Sequence<br>Financial<br>Specialists LLC<br>financial report pertaining to the firm of<br>, as of                                                                                 |
|      | December<br>31<br>, 2 021<br>,is true and correct. Ifurther swear (or affirm) that neither the company nor<br>any                                                                 |
|      | partner,officer,director,or equivalent person,as the case may be,has any proprietary interest<br>in any account classified solely                                                 |
|      | as that of a customer.                                                                                                                                                            |
|      |                                                                                                                                                                                   |
|      | Jennifer<br>Cruz<br>Signature:                                                                                                                                                    |
|      | Notary<br>Public                                                                                                                                                                  |
|      | Title:<br>State<br>of<br>Florida<br>Chief<br>Executive<br>Officer                                                                                                                 |
|      | My<br>Commission<br>Expires<br>04/07/2024                                                                                                                                         |
| N    | Commission<br>No<br>GG<br>976766                                                                                                                                                  |
|      |                                                                                                                                                                                   |
| This | filing**<br>contains (check all applicable boxes):                                                                                                                                |
| 25   | (a) Statement of financial condition.                                                                                                                                             |
| M    | (b) Notes to consolidated statement of financial condition.                                                                                                                       |
|      | (c) Statement of income (loss) or,if there is other comprehensive income in the period(s) presented, a<br>statement of                                                            |
|      | comprehensive income (as defined in § 210.1-02 of Regulation S-X).                                                                                                                |
|      | (d) Statement of cash flows.                                                                                                                                                      |
|      | (e) Statement of changes in stockholders'<br>or partners' or sole proprietor's equity.                                                                                            |
|      | (f) Statement of changes in liabilities subordinated to claims of creditors.                                                                                                      |
|      | (g) Notes to consolidated financial statements.                                                                                                                                   |
|      | (h) Computation of net capital under 17 CFR 240.15c3-lor 17 CFR 240.18a-l,as applicable.                                                                                          |
|      | (i) Computation of tangible net worth under 17 CFR 240.18a-2.                                                                                                                     |
|      | (j) Computation for determination of customer reserve requirements pursuant to Exhibit A<br>to 17 CFR 240.15c3-3.                                                                 |
|      | (k) Computation for determination of security-based swap reserve requirements pursuant to Exhibit B<br>to 17 CFR 240.15c3-3 or                                                    |
|      | Exhibit A to 17 CFR 240.18a-4,as applicable.<br>(I) Computation for Determination of PAB Requirements under Exhibit A to § 240.15c3-3.                                            |
|      | (m) Information relating to possession or control requirements for customers under 17 CFR 240.15c3-3.                                                                             |
|      | (n) Information relating to possession or control requirements for security-based swap customers under<br>17 CFR                                                                  |
|      | 240.15c3-B(p)(2) or 17 CFR 240.18a-4,as applicable.                                                                                                                               |
|      | (o) Reconciliations,including appropriate explanations,of the FOCUS Report with computation of net capital or<br>tangible net                                                     |
|      | worth under 17 CFR 240.15c3-l,17 CFR 240.18a-l,or 17 CFR 240.18a-2,as applicable,and the reserve requirements under<br>17                                                         |
|      | CFR 240.15c3-3 or 17 CFR 240.18a-4, as applicable,if material differences exist,or a statement that no material differences                                                       |
|      | exist.                                                                                                                                                                            |
|      | (p) Summary of financial data for subsidiaries not consolidated in the statement of financial condition.                                                                          |
|      | IS (q) Oath or affirmation in accordance with 17 CFR 240.17a-5,17<br>CFR 240.17a-12,or 17 CFR 240.18a-7, as applicable.                                                           |
|      | (r) Compliance report in accordance with 17 CFR 240.17a-5 or 17 CFR 240.18a-7,as applicable.                                                                                      |
|      | (s) Exemption report in accordance with 17 CFR 240.17a-5 or 17 CFR 240.18a-7,as applicable.                                                                                       |
|      | (t) Independent public accountant's report based on an examination of the statement of financial condition.                                                                       |
|      | IS (u) Independent public accountant's report based on an examination<br>of the financial report or financial statements under 17                                                 |
|      | CFR 240.17a-5,17 CFR 240.18a-7,or 17 CFR 240.17a-12,as applicable.                                                                                                                |
|      | (v) Independent public accountant's report based on an examination of certain statements in the compliance report under<br>17<br>CFR 240.17a-5 or 17 CFR 240.18a-7,as applicable. |
|      | (w) Independent public accountant's report based on a review of the exemption report under 17 CFR 240.17a-5 or 17                                                                 |
|      | CFR 240.18a-7,as applicable.                                                                                                                                                      |
|      | (x) Supplemental reports on applying agreed-upon procedures,in accordance with 17 CFR 240.15c3-le or 17 CFR 240.17a-12,                                                           |
|      | as applicable.                                                                                                                                                                    |
|      | (y) Report describing any material inadequacies found to exist or found to have existed since the date of the previous audit,or                                                   |
|      | a statement that no material inadequacies exist,under 17 CFR 240.17a-12(k).                                                                                                       |
|      | (z) Other:                                                                                                                                                                        |
|      | **To request confidential<br>treatment of<br>certain portions of<br>this filing, see 17 CFR 240.17a-5(e)(3) or 17 CFR 240.18a-7(d)(2), as                                         |

*applicable.*

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# **SEQUENCE FINANCIAL SPECIALISTS LLC**

# **AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021**

**PUBLIC REPORT**

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# **SEQUENCE FINANCIAL SPECIALISTS LLC AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021**

# **TABLE OF CONTENTS Page**

| of<br>Independent<br>Registered<br>Accounting<br>Finn<br>Report<br>Public |         |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------|
| of<br>Statement<br>Financial<br>Condition                                 | 2       |
| Notes<br>to<br>the<br>Financial<br>Statements                             | 3<br>-8 |

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# PHILLIP V. GEORGE, PLLC CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT

# **REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM**

Managing Member Sequence Financial Specialists LLC

## **Opinion on the Financial Statement**

We have audited the accompanying statement of financial condition of Sequence Financial Specialists LLC as of December 31, 2021, 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 Sequence Financial Specialists LLC as of December 31, 2021 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

## **Basis for Opinion**

This financial statement is the responsibility of Sequence Financial Specialists LLC's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on Sequence Financial Specialists LLC's financial statement based on our audit. We are a public accounting Finn registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to Sequence Financial Specialists LLC in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations 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 statements. 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 statements. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

PHILLIP V. GEORGE, PLLC

We have served as Sequence Financial Specialists LLC auditor since 2021.

Celeste, Texas February 23, 2022

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# **SEQUENCE FINANCIAL SPECIALISTS LLC STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL CONDITION DECEMBER 31, 2021**

#### **ASSETS**

| Cash                                                                                        | \$<br>841,651   |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------|
| Accounts<br>receivable                                                                      | 432,087         |
| expenses<br>Prepaid                                                                         | 96,393          |
| equipment,<br>\$44,273<br>Property<br>and<br>net<br>of<br>accumulated<br>depreciation<br>of | 10,728          |
| of<br>asset<br>Right<br>use                                                                 | 46,384          |
| Total<br>Assets                                                                             | \$<br>1,427,243 |
|                                                                                             |                 |
|                                                                                             |                 |

# **LIABILITIES AND MEMBER'S EQUITY**

| LIABILITIES                                       |                 |
|---------------------------------------------------|-----------------|
| payable<br>Accounts                               | \$<br>110,877   |
| Accrued<br>expenses                               | 218,158         |
| Operating<br>lease<br>liability                   | 46,383          |
| Total<br>Liabilities                              | 375,418         |
| MEMBER'S EQUITY                                   | 1 ,051,825      |
| Member's<br>Total<br>Liabilities<br>and<br>Equity | \$<br>1,427,243 |

**See accompanying notes to financial statements.**

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#### **1. ORGANIZATION AND NATURE OF BUSINESS**

#### **Organization and Nature of Business**

Sequence Financial Specialists LLC (the "Company"), was organized in April 2005 as a South Carolina limited liability company. TheCompany is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sequence Holdings, LLC (the "Parent"), a South Carolina limited liability company. The Company is registered as a broker-dealer with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. ("FINRA") and Securities Investor Protection Coip. ("SIPC").

The Company is considered a Non-Covered Firm exempt from 17 C.F.R. § 240.15c3-3 relying on Footnote 74 of the SEC Release No. 34-70073 adopting amendments to 17 C.F.R. § 240.17a-5. The Company limits its business activities exclusively to ( <sup>1</sup> ) effecting securities transactions via subscriptions on a subscription way basis where the funds are payable to the issuer or its agent and not to the Company and (2) receiving transaction-based compensation for identifying potential merger and acquisition opportunities for clients and 3) referring securities transactions to other broker-dealers.

The Company's primary lines of business are providing access to capital for alternative investments including serving as the managing broker dealer for such investments; serving as intermediary for mergers and acquisitions and special financing needs and debt restructuring; serving as an administrative service provider to direct pooled investments for EB-5 transactions; and serve as referring broker dealer for EB5 transactions involving foreign investors.

## **2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES**

#### **Use of Estimates**

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of the assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

#### **Property and Equipment**

Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation is computed using accelerated methods over estimated useful lives of related assets.

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# **2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - CONTINUED**

#### **Revenue Recognition**

The recognition and measurement of revenue is based on the assessment of individual contract terms. Significant judgment is required to determine whether performance obligations are satisfied at a point in time or over time; how to allocate transaction prices where multiple performance obligations are identified; when to recognize revenue based on the appropriate measure of the Company's progress under the contract; whether revenue should be presented gross or net of certain costs; and whether constraints on variable consideration should be applied due to uncertain future events. The majority of the Company's revenue arrangements generally consist of a single performance obligation.

The Company participates in the distribution of securities in private placement offerings of securities on a bestefforts basis. Commissions are recognized at closing. The Company believes that the performance obligation is satisfied at closing because that is when the underlying private placement interest is identified, the pricing is agreed upon and the risks and rewards of ownership have been transferred to the customer. Each time a customer enters into a buy transaction, the Company charges a commission.

Revenue for merger and acquisition services is generally recognized at the point in time that performance under the arrangement is completed, generally the closing date of the transaction.

Fees for transactions under the U.S. Citizenship and Immigrations Services Immigrant Investor Program ("EB-5 Program") are recognized by the Company over time as the performance obligations are simultaneously provided by the Company and consumed by the customers.

Other revenue consists primarily of consulting fees, referral fees and hourly fees which are recognized by the Company over time as the performance obligations are simultaneously provided by the Company and consumed by the customers.

#### **Advertising**

The Company expenses advertising costs as they are incurred. For the year ended December 31, 2021, Sequence Financial Specialists LLC had \$45,163 in advertising expenses.

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#### **2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - CONTINUED**

## **Leases**

The Company leases office space. The determination of whether an arrangement is a lease is made at the lease's inception. Under ASC 842, a contract is(or contains) a lease if it conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. Control is defined under the standard as having both the right to obtain substantially all of the economic benefits from use of the asset and the right to direct the use of the asset. Management only reassesses its determination if the terms and conditions of the contract are changed.

The office space lease is included in operating lease right-of-use (ROU) asset and operating lease liability in the statement of financial condition. There are currently no finance leases.

ROU asset represents the right to use the underlying asset for the lease term, and lease liability represents the obligation to make lease payments. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. The Company uses the implicit rate when it is readily detenninable. Since the Company's lease does not provide an implicit rate, to determine the present value of lease payments, management uses the Company's incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at lease commencement. Operating lease ROU asset also includes any lease payments made and excludes any lease incentives. Lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The Company's lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain the option will be exercised.

The office lease agreement includes provisions for variable rent payments, which are adjusted periodically for inflation. The office lease agreement does not contain any material residual value guarantees.

The Company has elected to apply the short-term lease exception to all leases with a term of one year or less.

#### **Income Taxes**

The Company is a single member limited liability company and is disregarded for federal income tax purposes. The Company's taxable income or loss is included in the Partnership tax return of its Parent, resulting in all the federal tax liabilities or benefits relating to the operations of the Company and the Parent passing through to the members of the Parent; therefore, federal income taxes are not payable by, or provided for, the Company.

As of December 31, 2021, open Federal tax years subject to examination include the tax years ended December 31, 2018 through December 31, 2020.

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#### **3. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT**

Property and equipment at December 31, 2021 are as follows:

| Software                              | 8,457<br>\$      |
|---------------------------------------|------------------|
| Office<br>furniture<br>equipment<br>& | 46,544<br>55,001 |
| Accumulated<br>depreciation           | (44,273)         |
| Net<br>property<br>and<br>equipment   | 10,728<br>\$     |

## **4. NET CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS**

The Company is subject to the SEC Uniform Net Capital Rule (SEC Rule 15c3-l ), which requires the maintenance of minimum net capital and requires that the ratio of aggregate indebtedness to net capital, both as defined, shall not exceed 15 to 1. Rule 15c3-1 also provides that equity capital may not be withdrawn or cash dividends paid if the resulting net capital ratio would exceed 10 to <sup>1</sup> . At December 31, 2021, the Company had net capital of \$512,617, which was \$490,681 in excess of its net capital requirement of \$21,936. The Company's net capital ratio was .64 to 1.

### **5. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES**

#### Office Lease

The Company leases office space and equipment under noncancelable operating leases through May 2024. The following summarizesthe line items in the statement of financial condition which include amounts for the office space lease as of December 31, 2021:

| Operating<br>Lease |          |
|--------------------|----------|
| Right-of-use-asset | \$46.384 |
| Lease<br>liability | \$46.343 |

The discount rate used on the operating lease was 0%.

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#### **5. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES - CONTINUED**

#### Office Lease - Continued

The maturities of the lease liability as of December 31, 2021, were as follows:

| 2022                                         | \$ | 26,011 |
|----------------------------------------------|----|--------|
| 2023                                         |    | 16,011 |
| 2024                                         |    | 4,321  |
| Thereafter                                   |    |        |
| Total<br>lease<br>payments                   |    | 46,343 |
| Less:<br>interest                            |    | IQ)    |
| Present<br>value<br>of<br>liability<br>lease | ft | 46.343 |

Operating lease expense totaled \$37,635 for the year ended December 31, 2021, and is reflected in the accompany statement of income as occupancy and equipment.

#### Contingencies

There are currently no asserted claims or legal proceedings against the Company, however, the nature of the Company's business subjects it to various claims, regulatory examinations, and other proceedings in the ordinary course of business. The ultimate outcome of any such action against the Company could have an adverse impact on the financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows of the Company

#### **6. CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK AND REVENUE**

At various times during the year the Company maintains cash balances at one national bank in excess of federally insured amounts. Cash balances fluctuate on a daily basis. At December 31, 2021, cash held in excess of the FDIC insurance totaled \$591,651.

The Company has accounts receivable due from one customer totaling \$300,000, or approximately 69% of total accounts receivable and 21% of total assets, at December 31, 2021.

During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company earned 67% of its private placement commissions, or 50% of its total revenue, from one customer.

Due to the nature of the Company's business, it is reasonably possible that the loss of a customer or the default on receivables due from customers could have an adverse effect on the Company's results of operations and financial condition.

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#### **7. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN**

The Company adopted a defined contribution plan covering substantially all employees during the year. The Company and eligible employees both may contribute to the Plan. The Company made matching contributions totaling \$3,852 for the year endings December 31, 2021.

## **8. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS**

Management has evaluated the effect subsequent events would have on the financial statements of the Company at December 31, 2021, through February 23, 2022, which is the date the financial statements were available to issue. There were no material subsequent events requiring recognition or additional disclosure in these financial statements.


Source: SEC EDGAR via Adviser Search (https://search.stillhousedata.com). Agents: see https://search.stillhousedata.com/llms.txt.
