Item 1. Business.
General
GEE Group Inc. (the “Company”, “us”, “our” or “we”) was incorporated in the State of Illinois in 1962 and is the successor to employment offices doing business since 1893. We are a provider of permanent and temporary professional, industrial and physician assistant staffing and placement services in and near several major U.S cities. We specialize in the placement of information technology, engineering, medical and accounting professionals for direct hire and contract staffing for our clients, and provide temporary staffing services for our commercial clients.
The Company has several subsidiary corporations all of which are wholly owned and consolidated under GEE Group, Inc. The Company’s material operating subsidiaries include Access Data Consulting Corporation, Agile Resources, Inc., BMCH, Inc., Paladin Consulting, Inc., Scribe Solutions, Inc., SNI Companies, Triad Logistics, Inc., and Triad Personnel Services, Inc. In addition, the Company and its operating subsidiaries own and operate under other trade names, including Ashley Ellis, Certes Financial Professionals, General Employment Enterprises and Omni One.
Acquisitions
On October 4, 2015, the Company entered a Stock Purchase Agreement with William Daniel Dampier and Carol Lee Dampier (the “Access Sellers”) pursuant to which the Company acquired on October 4, 2015, 100% of the outstanding stock of Access Data Consulting Corporation., a Colorado corporation, for a purchase price equal to approximately $16.0 million in consideration. The purchase price consisted of $8.0 million in cash (subject to minimum working capital), the issuance to the Access Sellers 327,869 shares of Company common stock, a Promissory note in the aggregate of $3.0 million and up to $2.0 million of an “earnout”. On April 4, 2016, the Company issued approximately 123,000 of additional shares of common stock to the Sellers of Access Data Consulting Corporation. This was based on the market value of the stock on April 4, 2016 being approximately $0.5 million less than $2.0 million six month guaranteed and based on the closing stock price of $4.44 per common share. The Company recognized a loss on change of contingent consideration of approximately $44,000 for the year ended September 30, 2016. The earnout was not achieved. In addition, the Company increased the original purchase price by approximately $0.6 million related to a mutual tax election as described in the purchase agreement.
On January 1, 2016, the Company entered a Stock Purchase Agreement (the “Paladin Agreement”) with Enoch S. Timothy and Dorothy Timothy. Pursuant to the terms of the Paladin Agreement the Company acquired on January 1, 2016, 100% of the outstanding stock of Paladin Consulting Inc., a Texas corporation (“Paladin”), for a purchase price (the “Purchase Price”) equal to $1.8 million, minus the Circle Lending Loan Amount ( as defined in the Paladin Agreement) plus up to $1.0 million in contingent promissory notes, minus the NWC Reduction Amount (as defined in the Paladin Agreement ) (if any) plus up to $1.3 million of “earnouts”, for a total of approximately $2.6 million.
The Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of March 31, 2017 (the “Merger Agreement”) by and among the Company, GEE Group Portfolio, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, (the “GEE Portfolio”), SNI Holdco Inc., a Delaware corporation (“SNI Holdco”), Smith Holdings, LLC a Delaware limited liability company, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, a Wisconsin corporation, organized as a fraternal benefits society (“Thrivent”), Madison Capital Funding, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Madison”) and Ronald R. Smith, in his capacity as a stockholder (“Mr. Smith” and collectively with Smith Holdings, LLC, Thrivent and Madison, the “Principal Stockholders”) and Ronald R. Smith in his capacity as the representative of the SNIH Stockholders (“Stockholders’ Representative”). The Merger Agreement provided for the merger subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement of SNI Holdco with and into GEE Portfolio pursuant to which GEE Portfolio would be the surviving corporation (the “Merger”). The Merger was consummated on April 3, 2017. As a result of the Merger, GEE Portfolio became the owner 100% of the outstanding capital stock of SNI Companies, a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of SNI Holdco (“SNI Companies” and collectively with SNI Holdco, the “Acquired Companies”).
The aggregate consideration paid for the shares of SNI Holdco (the “Merger Consideration”) was $86.0 million minus the $20.2 million of Long Term Debt (as defined in the Merger Agreement) of the Acquired Companies immediately before closing plus or minus the “NWC Adjustment Amount” or the difference in the book value of the Closing Net Working Capital (as defined in the Merger Agreement) of the Acquired Companies as compared to the Benchmark Net Working Capital (as defined in the Merger Agreement) of the Acquired Companies of $9.2 million.
On April 3, 2017, the Company paid to certain SNIH Stockholders as part of the Merger Consideration (i) an aggregate of approximately $18.6 million in cash, (ii) an aggregate of $12.5 million in aggregate principal amount of its 9.5% Convertible Subordinated Notes and (iii) an aggregate of 5,926,000 shares of its Series B convertible preferred stock. The 9.5% Notes mature on October 3, 2021 . The 9.5% Notes are convertible into shares of the Company’s Common Stock at a conversion price equal to $5.83 per share. The Series B Convertible Preferred Stock has a liquidation preference of $4.86 per share. Each share of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock is convertible at the option of the holder thereof into one share of Common Stock at an initial conversion price equal to $4.86 per share.
At Closing, $1.5 million of the cash of the Merger Consideration was retained by the Company (the “Working Capital Reserve Fund”) and is subject to payment and adjustment as follows. The Merger Consideration will be adjusted (positively or negatively) based upon the difference in the book value of the Closing Net Working Capital (as defined in the Merger Agreement) as compared to the Benchmark Net Working Capital (as defined in the Merger Agreement) of $9.2 million (such difference to be called the “NWC Adjustment Amount”). If the NWC Adjustment Amount is positive, the Merger Consideration will be increased by the NWC Adjustment Amount. If the NWC Adjustment Amount is negative, the Merger Consideration will be decreased by the NWC Adjustment Amount. If the Merger Consideration increases, then the Company will pay the Stockholders’ Representative account for payment to SNIH Stockholders the amount of the increase plus the Working Capital Reserve Fund in immediately available funds within three (3) business days of a final determination thereof. If the Merger Consideration decreases, then SNIH Stockholders will pay the amount of the decrease to the Company within three (3) business days of a final determination thereof, which first shall be funded from the Working Capital Reserve Fund (which shall be credited to the SNIH Stockholders). If the amount of the Merger Consideration decrease exceeds the Working Capital Reserve Fund, then the SNIH Stockholders, will pay the difference to the Company, severally, not jointly, in accordance with their SNIH Ownership Proportion (as defined in the Merger Agreement), in immediately available funds within twenty (20) days of a final determination. If the Working Capital Reserve Fund exceeds the payment due from SNIH Stockholders then the remaining balance of those funds after the payment to the Company shall be paid to the Stockholders’ Representative’s account for payment to the SNIH Stockholders in immediately available funds.
As of September 30, 2018, the SNI Merger Consideration held in the Working Capital Reserve Fund of $1.5 million was reduced by $0.6 million (“NWC Adjustment Amount”), following completion of the process provided for in the Merger Agreement, in which an independent accounting firm (the “firm”) was engaged to review related working capital-related claims made by the Company against such funds. As a result of the firm’s findings, the Company has recognized and reported a corresponding gain in its consolidated statement of operations for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018. As of September 30, 2019, the SNI Merger Consideration held in the Working Capital Reserve Fund is $0.8 million.
Services Provided
The Company and its subsidiaries provide the following services: (a) professional placement services specializing in the placement of information technology, engineering, medical data entry assistants (medical scribes) who specialize in electronic medical records (EMR) services for emergency departments, specialty physician practices and clinics and accounting professionals for direct hire and contract staffing, and (b) temporary staffing services in light industrial staffing.
Together with its subsidiaries, the Company provides staffing services through a network of branch offices located in major metropolitan areas throughout the United States. The Company’s professional staffing services provide information technology, engineering, medical and accounting professionals to clients on either a regular placement basis or a temporary contract basis. The Company’s industrial staffing business provides weekly temporary staffing for light industrial clients, primarily in Ohio.
The Company’s contract and placement services are principally provided under two operating divisions or segments: Professional Staffing Services and Industrial Staffing Services.
The Company’s operating subsidiaries and service verticals served under each of its operating divisions are as follows:
Access Data Consulting provides higher-end IT consulting and IT contract staffing services including project management support to businesses regionally and throughout the U.S.
Agile Resources delivers unique CIO advisory services and IT project support resources in the areas of application architecture and delivery, enterprise operations, information lifecycle management and project management all with flexible delivery options
Ashley Ellis works with C-suite and senior executives to offer full cycle engineering and IT contract staffing services, with a focus on business intelligence, application development and network infrastructure, to clients throughout the U.S.
General Employment Enterprises is the oldest brand and primarily provides direct hire placements for Accounting and Engineering, with an emphasis on mechanical, manufacturing and equipment maintenance, clients throughout the Midwest
Omni One specializes in technical and professional direct-hire and contract staffing solutions, for manufacturing and engineering clients primarily spread-out through the Midwest
Paladin Consulting provides IT, Accounting and Human Resource contract staffing through Resource Process Outsourcing (RPO), Managed Service Provider (MSP) and Vendor Management (VMS) capabilities
Scribe Solutions provides Emergency Room and Physician Practices with highly trained medical scribes for personal assistant work in connection with electronic medical records (EMR)
SNI Companies provides recruitment and both direct hire and contract staffing services, specializing in Admin, Accounting, Finance, Banking, and IT, to fourteen major U.S. metropolitan markets
Triad Staffing provides light industrial contract labor for all phases of manufacturing and assembly, warehousing, packing and shipping, custodial and general labor operations throughout Ohio
Business Strategy
GEE Group Inc.’s business strategy is multi-dimensional and encompasses both organic growth and growth through strategic acquisitions. Since 2015, the Company has completed three acquisitions, the most recent of which was SNI which to date has been its largest. The main tenants of the Company’s strategy are to:
·Provide innovative solutions for clients delivered through an enhanced menu of professional service offerings in the Company’s existing markets and comprised of multiple specialties, including IT, Finance and Accounting, Engineering, and Healthcare;
·Enter fastest growing markets by leveraging strategic customer relationships and through geographic footprint expansion with a complete menu of service offerings;
·Create national wholesale division for IT and aggressively pursue MSP & VMS accounts; and
·Capitalize on commercial opportunities following shortages of blue collar, office clerical and service workers, as the current economy returns to sustained growth and with a particular focus on logistics and E-Commerce.
The percentage of revenues derived from each of the Company’s direct hire and contract services lines are as follows:
Marketing
The Company markets its staffing services using its corporate and trade names in their respective vertical markets. As of September 30, 2019, we operated thirty-three branch offices in downtown or suburban areas of major U.S. cities in fourteen states. We have one office located in each of Arizona, Washington D.C., Iowa, Connecticut, Georgia, Minnesota, New Jersey, and Virginia, three offices in Colorado and Massachusetts, two offices in Illinois, four offices in Texas, seven offices in Ohio and six offices in Florida.
The Company markets its staffing services to prospective clients primarily through telephone marketing by its recruiting and sales consultants, and through mailing of employment bulletins which list candidates available for placement and contract employees available for assignment.
There was no customer that represented more than 10% of the Company’s consolidated revenue in fiscal 2019 or fiscal 2018.
Competition
The staffing industry is highly competitive. There are relatively few barriers to entry by firms offering placement services, while significant amounts of working capital typically are required for firms offering contract services. The Company’s competitors include many sole-proprietorship operations, as well as regional and national organizations. Many of them are large corporations with substantially greater resources than the Company.
The Company’s professional and industrial staffing services compete by providing highly qualified candidates who are well matched for the position, developing and maintaining outstanding client relationships, responding quickly to client requests, and by establishing offices in convenient locations. As part of its service, the Company provides professional reference checking, scrutiny of candidates’ work experience and optional background checks. In general, the Company believes pricing is secondary to quality of service as a competitive factor. During slow hiring periods, however, competition can put pressure on the Company’s pricing.
Recruiting
The success of the Company’s services is highly dependent on its ability to obtain qualified candidates. Prospective employment candidates are generally recruited over the telephone, by the Company’s employment consultants or through postings on the Internet. For Internet postings, the Company maintains its own web page at www.geegroup.com and uses other Internet job posting bulletin board services. The Company maintains database records of applicants’ skills to assist in matching them with job openings and contract assignments. The Company generally screens and interviews all applicants who are presented to its clients.
Employees
As of September 30, 2019, the Company had approximately 344 regular employees and the number of contract service employees varied week to week from a minimum of approximately 1,961 to a maximum of 2,778.
Available Information
We file annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, proxy and information statements and amendments to reports filed or furnished pursuant to Sections 13(a), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act. The public may obtain these filings at the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington DC 20549 or by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains a web site at http//www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding the Company and other companies that file material with the SEC electronically. Copies of the Company’s reports can be obtained, free of charge, electronically through our internet website, http//www.geegroup.com. Information on the Company’s website is not incorporated in this report by the foregoing reference.
Item 1A.
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
WE HAVE EXPERIENCED LOSSES FROM OPERATIONS AND MAY NOT BE PROFITABLE IN THE FUTURE.
The Company experienced net losses for the years ended September 30, 2019 and 2018. Among the consequences of the net losses experienced, the Company has been required to obtain amendments and waivers for missed covenants under its senior revolving credit, term loan and security agreement. Other possible consequences of recurring net losses include, but are not limited to, negative cash flows, asset impairments, defaults under the Company’s debt agreements, and possibly, the inability of the Company to continue operating as a going concern. Management has taken definitive actions to improve operations, reduce costs and improve operating profitability, and position the Company for future growth. The Company also is actively seeking replacement financing with a view towards reducing its borrowing costs and improving its net cash flow and overall financial profile. However, there are no assurances that the Company will be able to generate sufficient revenue to meet its operating expenditures or operate profitably in the future.
THE TERMS OF OUR SENIOR CREDIT AGREEMENT PLACE RESTRICTIONS ON OUR OPERATING AND FINANCIAL FLEXIBILITY, AND FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH COVENANTS OR TO SATISFY CERTAIN CONDITIONS OF THE AGREEMENT MAY RESULT IN ACCELERATION OF OUR REPAYMENT OBLIGATIONS, WHICH COULD SIGNIFICANTLY HARM OUR LIQUIDITY, FINANCIAL CONDITION, OPERATING RESULTS, BUSINESS AND PROSPECTS AND CAUSE THE PRICE OF OUR SECURITIES TO DECLINE. THE COVENANTS CONTAINED IN OUR SENIOR CREDIT AGREEMENT ALSO INCLUDE THE REQUIREMENT THAT WE MAINTAIN SPECIFIC FINANCIAL RATIOS. IF WE CANNOT COMPLY WITH THESE COVENANTS, WE ALSO MAY BE IN DEFAULT UNDER THE CREDIT AGREEMENT.
We and our subsidiaries are parties to a Revolving Credit, Term Loan and Security Agreement dated as of March 31, 2017, as amended (the “Credit Agreement”) with certain investment funds managed by MGG Investment Group LP. Initial funds were distributed on April 3, 2017 to repay existing indebtedness, pay fees and expenses relating to the Credit Agreement, and to pay a portion of the purchase price for the acquisition of the SNI Companies. Under the terms of the Credit Agreement, we may borrow up to $73.8 million consisting of a four-year term loan in the principal amount of $48.8 million and revolving loans in a maximum amount up to the lesser of (i) $25.0 million or (ii) an amount determined pursuant to a borrowing base that is calculated based on the outstanding amount of our eligible accounts receivable, as described in the Credit Agreement. The loans under the Credit Agreement mature on March 31, 2021. As of September 30, 2019, a total of approximately $56.1 million was outstanding under the Credit Agreement. As of September 30, 2019, a total of $19.7 million of additional subordinated indebtedness also was outstanding.
The Credit Agreement contains restrictions and limitations on our ability to engage in activities and transactions that may be in our long-term best interests. The affirmative and negative covenants contained in the Credit Agreement that may adversely affect our ability to operate our business include covenants that limit and restrict, among other things, our ability to incur additional indebtedness, transfer or sell certain assets, issue stock of subsidiaries, pay dividends on, repurchase or make distributions with respect to our capital stock or make other restricted payments, incur or permit liens or other encumbrances on assets, make certain investments, loans and advances, acquire other businesses, merge, consolidate, sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets, enter into certain transactions with our affiliates and amend certain agreements.
The Credit Agreement also contains a fixed charge coverage ratio covenant, a senior leverage ratio covenant and a minimum EBITDA covenant. Events beyond our control could affect our ability to meet these and other covenants under the Credit Agreement. The Credit Agreement also contains customary events of default, including, among others, payment default, bankruptcy events, cross-default, breaches of covenants and representations and warranties, change of control and judgment defaults.
A breach of any of these covenants could result in default under our Credit Agreement, which could prompt the lenders to declare all amounts outstanding under the Credit Agreement to be immediately due and payable and terminate all commitments to extend further credit. In addition, a breach of the Credit Agreement would cause a cross- default of our subordinated indebtedness. If we were unable to repay those amounts, the lenders could proceed against the collateral granted to them to secure that indebtedness. If the lenders under the Credit Agreement accelerate the repayment of borrowings, we cannot ensure that we will have sufficient assets and funds to repay the borrowings under the Credit Agreement and our subordinated indebtedness. An acceleration of our outstanding indebtedness could have serious consequences to our financial condition, operating results, and business, and could cause us to become insolvent or enter bankruptcy proceedings.
Since the date of the Credit Agreement, we have sought and been granted waivers and amendments with respect to certain provisions of the Credit Agreement on six occasions. There can be no assurance that we will be able to continue to comply with the covenants set forth in the Credit Agreement in the future or, that any additional waivers with respect to these covenants would be granted by the lenders.
This indebtedness has important consequences for us and our shareholders, including the following:
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requiring a substantial portion of cash flows from operating activities to be dedicated to the payment of principal and interest on our indebtedness, and as a result, reducing our ability to use our cash flows to fund our operations and capital expenditures, capitalize on future business opportunities and expand our business and execute our strategy;
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making it more difficult for us to make payments on the debt itself, if our business is unable to generate sufficient cash flows from operating activities to meet our debt service obligations;
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limiting our ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures, debt service requirements and general, corporate or other purposes;
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increasing our vulnerability to general economic and industry conditions; and
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limiting our ability to adjust to changing market conditions and reacting to competitive pressure and placing us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors who are less highly leveraged.
IF WE ARE UNABLE TO GENERATE OR BORROW SUFFICIENT CASH TO MAKE PAYMENTS ON OUR INDEBTEDNESS, OUR FINANCIAL CONDITION WOULD BE MATERIALLY HARMED, OUR BUSINESS COULD FAIL AND OUR SHAREHOLDERS MAY LOSE ALL OF THEIR INVESTMENT.
Our ability to make scheduled payments on or to refinance our obligations will depend on our financial and operating performance, which will be affected by economic, financial, competitive, business, and other factors, some of which are beyond our control. We cannot assure you that our business will generate sufficient cash flow from operations to service our indebtedness or to fund our other liquidity needs. If we are unable to meet our debt obligations or fund our other liquidity needs, we may need to restructure or refinance all or a portion of our indebtedness on or before maturity or sell certain of our assets. We cannot assure you that we will be able to restructure or refinance any of our indebtedness on commercially reasonable terms, if at all, which could cause us to default on our debt obligations and impair our liquidity. Any refinancing of our indebtedness could be at higher interest rates and may require us to comply with more onerous covenants, which could further restrict our business operations.
We are currently seeking to refinance our outstanding indebtedness. However, there can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully refinance our indebtedness on terms that are favorable to us or at all.
RECENT GLOBAL TRENDS IN THE FINANCIAL MARKETS COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR BUSINESS, LIQUIDITY AND FINANCIAL RESULTS.
Recent global economic conditions, including disruption of financial markets, could adversely affect our business and results of operations, primarily through limiting our access to credit, our ability to refinance debt and disrupting our customers’ businesses, which are heavily dependent on retail and e-commerce transactions. Although we believe that we ultimately will be able to obtain the necessary financing in the future, there is no assurance that these institutions will be able or willing to loan us or invest the necessary capital, which could have a material adverse impact on our business. In addition, continuation or worsening of general market conditions in the United States economy important to our businesses may adversely affect our customers’ level of spending, ability to obtain financing for acquisitions and ability to make timely payments to us for our services, which could require us to increase our allowance for doubtful accounts, negatively impact our days sales outstanding and adversely affect our results of operations.
WE DEPEND ON ATTRACTING, INTEGRATING, MANAGING, AND RETAINING QUALIFIED PERSONNEL.
Our success depends upon our ability to attract, integrate, manage and retain personnel who possess the skills and experience necessary to fulfill our clients’ needs. Our ability to hire and retain qualified personnel could be impaired by any diminution of our reputation, decrease in compensation levels relative to our competitors or modifications to our total compensation philosophy or competitor hiring programs. If we cannot attract, hire and retain qualified personnel, our business, financial condition and results of operations would be negatively impacted. Our future success also depends upon our ability to manage the performance of our personnel. Failure to successfully manage the performance of our personnel could affect our profitability by causing operating inefficiencies that could increase operating expenses and reduce operating income.
WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO COMPETE EFFECTIVELY.
Competition in the market for placement and staffing services is intense. The Company faces competition from many larger, more established companies. In addition, other companies could seek to introduce competing services and increased competition could result in a decrease in the price charged by the Company’s competitors for their services or reduce demand for the Company’s products and services, which would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, operating results and financial condition. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to compete successfully with its existing or potential competitors, which may have substantially greater financial, technical, and marketing resources, longer operating histories, greater name recognition or more established relationships in the industry than the Company. If any of these competitors provides competitive services to the marketplace in the future, the Company cannot be sure that it will have the resources or expertise to compete successfully.
CHANGES IN GOVERNMENT REGULATION COULD LIMIT OUR GROWTH OR RESULT IN ADDITIONAL COSTS OF DOING BUSINESS.
We are subject to the same federal, state and local laws as other companies conducting placement and staffing services, which is extensive. The adoption or modification of laws related to the placement and staffing industry, such as the Healthcare for America Plan, could harm our business, operating results and financial condition by increasing our costs and administrative burdens.
INTERRUPTION OF THE COMPANY’S BUSINESS COULD RESULT FROM INCREASED SECURITY MEASURES IN RESPONSE TO TERRORISM.
The continued threat of terrorism within the United States and the ongoing military action and heightened security measures in response to such threat has and may cause significant disruption to commerce. The U.S. economy in general is being adversely affected by terrorist activities and potential activities. Any economic downturn could adversely impact the Company’s results of operations, impair the Company’s ability to raise capital or otherwise adversely affect the Company’s ability to grow the business. It is impossible to predict how this may affect the Company’s business or the economy in the U.S. and in the world. In the event of further threats or acts of terrorism, the Company’s business and operations may be severely and adversely affected.
SUBSTANTIAL ALTERATION OF THE COMPANY’S CURRENT BUSINESS AND REVENUE MODEL COULD HURT SHORT-TERM RESULTS.
The Company’s present business and revenue model represents the current view of the optimal business and revenue structure, which is to derive revenues and achieve profitability in the shortest period. There can be no assurance that current models will not be altered significantly or replaced with an alternative model that is driven by motivations other than near-term revenues and/or profitability (for example, building market share before the Company’s competitors). Any such alteration or replacement of the Company’s current business and revenue model may ultimately result in the deferring of certain revenues in favor of potentially establishing larger market share. The Company cannot assure that any adjustment or change in the business and revenue model would prove to be successful whether adopted in response to industry changes or for other reasons.
THE REQUIREMENTS OF BEING A PUBLIC COMPANY MAY STRAIN OUR RESOURCES AND DISTRACT MANAGEMENT.
As a public company, we are subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”). These requirements are extensive. The Exchange Act requires that we file annual, quarterly and current reports with respect to our business and financial condition. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires that we maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls over financial reporting.
We incur significant costs associated with our public company reporting requirements and costs associated with applicable corporate governance requirements. These applicable rules and regulations significantly increase our legal and financial compliance costs and to make some activities more time consuming and costly than privately owned companies that are not SEC registrants. This also may divert management’s attention from other business concerns, which must be balanced so as not to cause material adverse effects on our business, financial condition and results of operations. We also believe compliance risks associated with these rules and regulations tend to make it more difficult and expensive to obtain director and officer liability insurance and could result in our need to accept reduced policy limits and coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain the same or similar coverage. As a result, it may be more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified individuals to serve on our Board of Directors or as executive officers. We are currently evaluating and monitoring developments with respect to these rules, and we cannot predict or estimate the amount of additional costs we may incur or the timing of such costs.
FAILURE TO ACHIEVE AND MAINTAIN EFFECTIVE INTERNAL CONTROLS IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 404 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT COULD HAVE A MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT ON OUR BUSINESS AND OPERATING RESULTS. IN ADDITION, CURRENT AND POTENTIAL STOCKHOLDERS COULD LOSE CONFIDENCE IN OUR FINANCIAL REPORTING, WHICH COULD HAVE A MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT ON OUR STOCK PRICE.
Effective internal controls are necessary for us to provide reliable financial reports and effectively prevent fraud. If we cannot provide reliable financial reports or prevent fraud, our operating results could be harmed. We are required to document and test our internal control procedures in order to satisfy the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which requires annual management assessments of the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting. During the course of our testing, we may identify deficiencies which we may not be able to remediate in time for compliance with the requirements of Section 404. In addition, if we fail to maintain the adequacy of our internal controls, as such standards are modified, supplemented or amended from time to time; we may not be able to ensure that we can conclude on an ongoing basis that we have effective internal controls over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Failure to achieve and maintain an effective internal control environment could also cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, which could have a material adverse effect on our stock price.
We cannot provide assurance as to the result of these efforts. We cannot be certain that any measures we take will ensure that we implement and maintain adequate internal controls in the future. Any failure to implement required new or improved controls, or difficulties encountered in their implementation, could harm our operating results or cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations.
A MORE ACTIVE, LIQUID TRADING MARKET FOR OUR COMMON STOCK MAY NOT DEVELOP, AND THE PRICE OF OUR COMMON STOCK MAY FLUCTUATE SIGNIFICANTLY.
Although our common stock is listed on the NYSE American, we cannot assure you that an active public market will develop for our common stock. There has been relatively limited trading volume in the market for our common stock, and a more active, liquid public trading market may not develop or may not be sustained. Limited liquidity in the trading market for our common stock may adversely affect a stockholder’s ability to sell its shares of common stock at the time it wishes to sell them or at a price that it considers acceptable. If a more active, liquid public trading market does not develop, we may be limited in our ability to raise capital by selling shares of common stock and our ability to acquire other companies or assets by using shares of our common stock as consideration. In addition, if there is a thin trading market or “float” for our stock, the market price for our common stock may fluctuate significantly more than the stock market as a whole. Without a large float, our common stock would be less liquid than the stock of companies with broader public ownership and, as a result, the trading prices of our common stock may be more volatile. Furthermore, the stock market is subject to significant price and volume fluctuations, and the price of our common stock could fluctuate widely in response to several factors, including:
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our quarterly or annual operating results;
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changes in our earnings estimates;
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investment recommendations by securities analysts following our business or our industry;
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additions or departures of key personnel;
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changes in the business, earnings estimates or market perceptions of our competitors;
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our failure to achieve operating results consistent with securities analysts’ projections;
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changes in industry, general market or economic conditions; and
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announcements of legislative or regulatory changes.
The stock market has experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations in recent years that have significantly affected the quoted prices of the securities of many companies, including companies in our industry. The changes often appear to occur without regard to specific operating performance. The price of our common stock could fluctuate based upon factors that have little or nothing to do with our Company and these fluctuations could materially reduce our stock price.
NO DIVIDENDS ANTICIPATED.
We intend to retain all future earnings for use in the development of our business and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our common stock in the near future.
WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO OBTAIN THE NECESSARY ADDITIONAL FINANCING TO ACHIEVE OUR STRATEGIC GOALS.
There is no guarantee that we will be able to obtain any additional financing that may be required to continue to expand our business. Our continued viability depends on our ability to raise capital. Changes in economic, regulatory or competitive conditions may lead to cost increases. Management may also determine that it is in our best interest to expand more rapidly than currently intended, to expand marketing activities, to develop new or enhance existing services or products, to respond to competitive pressures or to acquire complementary services, businesses or technologies. In any such case or other change of circumstance, additional financing will be necessary. If any additional financing is required, there can be no assurances that we will be able to obtain such additional financing on terms acceptable to us and at times required by us, if at all. In such event, we may be required to materially alter our business plan or curtail all or a part of our expansion plans.
WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO MANAGE EXPECTED GROWTH AND INTERNAL EXPANSION.
Our inability to manage growth could hurt our results of operations. Expansion of our operations will be required to address anticipated growth of our customer base and market opportunities. Expansion will place a significant strain on our management, operational and financial resources. We will need to improve existing procedures and controls as well as implement new transaction processing, operational and financial systems, procedures and controls to expand, train and manage our employee base. Our failure to manage growth effectively could have a damaging effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
WE COULD BE HARMED BY IMPROPER DISCLOSURE OR LOSS OF SENSITIVE OR CONFIDENTIAL COMPANY, EMPLOYEE, ASSOCIATE OR CLIENT DATA, INCLUDING PERSONAL DATA, BY EMPLOYEE ERROR AND/OR CYBER RISKS.
In connection with the operation of our business, we store, process and transmit a large amount of data, including personnel and payment information, about our employees, clients, associates and candidates, a portion of which is confidential and/or personally sensitive. In doing so, we rely on our own technology and systems, and those of third-party vendors we use for a variety of processes. We and our third-party vendors have established policies and procedures to help protect the security and privacy of this information. Unauthorized disclosure or loss of sensitive or confidential data may occur through a variety of methods. These include, but are not limited to, systems failure, employee negligence, fraud or misappropriation, or unauthorized access to or through our information systems, whether by our employees or third parties, including a cyberattack by computer programmers, hackers, members of organized crime and/or state-sponsored organizations, who may develop and deploy viruses, worms or other malicious software programs.
Such disclosure, loss or breach could harm our reputation and subject us to government sanctions and liability under our contracts and laws that protect sensitive or personal data and confidential information, resulting in increased costs or loss of revenues. It is possible that security controls over sensitive or confidential data and other practices we and our third-party vendors follow may not prevent the improper access to, disclosure of, or loss of such information. The potential risk of security breaches and cyberattacks may increase as we introduce new services and offerings, such as mobile technology. Further, data privacy is subject to frequently changing rules and regulations, which sometimes conflict among the various jurisdictions in which we provide services. Any failure or perceived failure to successfully manage the collection, use, disclosure, or security of personal information or other privacy related matters, or any failure to comply with changing regulatory requirements in this area, could result in legal liability or impairment to our reputation in the marketplace.
WE COULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH ACQUISITIONS AND JOINT VENTURES.
We intend to expand our business through acquisitions of, or investments in joint ventures with, complementary businesses, technologies, services or products, subject to our business plans and management’s ability to identify, acquire and develop suitable acquisition or investment targets in both new and existing service categories. In certain circumstances, acceptable acquisition or investment targets might not be available. Acquisitions involve a number of risks, including: (1) difficulty in integrating the operations, technologies, products and personnel of an acquired business, including consolidating redundant facilities and infrastructure; (2) potential disruption of our ongoing business and the distraction of management from our day-to-day operations; (3) difficulty entering markets in which we have limited or no prior experience and in which competitors have a stronger market position; (4) difficulty maintaining the quality of services that such acquired companies have historically provided; (5) potential legal and financial responsibility for liabilities of acquired businesses; (6) overpayment for the acquired company or assets or failure to achieve anticipated benefits, such as cost savings and revenue enhancements; (7) increased expenses associated with completing an acquisition and amortizing any acquired intangible assets; (8) challenges in implementing uniform standards, accounting policies, customs, controls, procedures and policies throughout an acquired business; (9) failure to retain, motivate and integrate key management and other employees of the acquired business; and (10) loss of customers and a failure to integrate customer bases.
In addition, if we incur indebtedness to finance an acquisition, it may reduce our capacity to borrow additional amounts and requiring us to dedicate a greater percentage of our cash flow from operations to payments on our debt, thereby reducing the cash resources available to us to fund capital expenditures, pursue other acquisitions or investments in new business initiatives and meet general corporate and working capital needs. This increased indebtedness may also limit our flexibility in planning for, and reacting to, changes in or challenges relating to our business and industry.
The use of our common stock or other securities (including those that might be convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for our common stock) to finance any such acquisition may also result in dilution of our existing shareholders.
The potential risks associated with recent and future acquisitions could disrupt our ongoing business, result in the loss of key customers or personnel, increase expenses and otherwise have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
WE FACE SIGNIFICANT EMPLOYMENT-RELATED LEGAL RISK.
We employ people internally and in the workplaces of other businesses. Many of these individuals have access to client information systems and confidential information. An inherent risk of such activity includes possible claims of errors and omissions; intentional misconduct; release, misuse or misappropriation of client intellectual property, confidential information, funds, or other property; cyber security breaches affecting our clients and/or us; discrimination and harassment claims; employment of illegal aliens; criminal activity; torts; or other claims. Such claims may result in negative publicity, injunctive relief, criminal investigations and/or charges, civil litigation, payment by us of monetary damages or fines, or other material adverse effects on our business.
OUR ABILITY TO UTILIZE OUR NET OPERATING CARRYFORWARDS AND CERTAIN OTHER TAX ATTRIBUTES MAY BE LIMITED.
Federal and state tax laws impose restrictions on the utilization of net operating loss (“NOL”) and tax credit carryforwards in the event of an “ownership change” as defined by section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Section 382”). Generally, an ownership change occurs if the percentage of the value of the stock that is owned by one or more direct or indirect “five percent shareholders” increases by more than 50% over their lowest ownership percentage at any time during the applicable testing period (typically, three years).
Under Section 382, if a corporation undergoes an “ownership change,” the corporation’s ability to use its pre-change NOL carryforwards and other pre-change tax attributes to offset its post-change income may be limited. We have not completed a study to assess whether an “ownership change” has occurred or whether there have been multiple ownership changes since we became a “loss corporation” as defined in Section 382. Future changes in our stock ownership, which may be outside of our control, may trigger an “ownership change”. In addition, future equity offerings or acquisitions that have equity as a component of the purchase price could result in an “ownership change.” If an “ownership change” has occurred or does occur in the future, utilization of the NOL carryforwards or other tax attributes may be limited, which could potentially result in increased future tax liability to us.
Item 1B.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.
Not applicable.
Item 2.
Item 2. Properties.
The Company’s policy is to lease commercial office space for all of its offices. The Company’s headquarters are located in Jacksonville Florida, for which the applicable lease expires in 2020.
The Company markets its services using the trade names General Employment Enterprises, Omni One, Ashley Ellis, Agile Resources, Scribe Solutions Inc., Access Data Consulting Corporation, Paladin Consulting Inc., SNI Companies, Triad Personnel Services and Triad Staffing. As of September 30, 2019, we operated thirty-three branch offices in downtown or suburban areas of major U.S. cities in fourteen states. We have one office located in each of Arizona, Washington D.C., Iowa, Connecticut, Georgia, Minnesota, New Jersey, and Virginia, three offices in Colorado and Massachusetts, two offices in Illinois, four offices in Texas, seven offices in Ohio and six offices in Florida.
Established offices are operated from leased space ranging from 800 to 7,500 square feet, generally for initial lease periods of one to seven years, with cancellation clauses after certain periods of occupancy in some cases. Management believes that existing facilities are adequate for the Company’s current needs and that its leasing strategies provide the Company with sufficient flexibility to open or close offices to accommodate business needs.
Item 3.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings.
As of September 30, 2019, the Company was not a party to any material legal proceedings.
Item 4.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.
Not applicable.
PART II
Item 5.
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.
Market Information
The Company’s common stock is listed on the NYSE American and is traded under the symbol “JOB.” The following table sets forth the quarterly high and low sales prices per share of the Company’s common stock on the consolidated market for each quarter within the last two fiscal years.
Holders of Record
There were approximately 705 holders of record of the Company’s common stock on September 30, 2019.
Dividends
No dividends were declared or paid during the years ended September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018. We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends for the foreseeable future.
During the years ended September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018, no equity securities of the Company were repurchased by the Company.
Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans
As of September 30, 2019, there were stock options outstanding under the Second Amended and Restated 1997 Stock Option Plan and the Company’s Amended and Restated 2013 Incentive Stock Plan. Both plans were approved by the shareholders. The plans granted specified numbers of options to non-employee directors, and they authorized the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors to grant either incentive or non-statutory stock options to employees. Vesting periods are established by the Compensation Committee at the time of grant. All stock options outstanding as of September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018 were non-qualified stock options, had exercise prices equal to the market price on the date of grant, and had expiration dates ten years from the date of grant. The maximum number of shares that may be granted under the 2013 Plan is 4,000,000. This number is subject to adjustment to reflect changes in the capital structure or organization of the Company.
_____________
(1) Includes only the number of securities that could be issuable under the 2013 Plan.
Item 6.
Item 6. Selected Financial Data.
Not applicable.
Item 7.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Management’s discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that are provided to assist in the understanding of anticipated future performance. However, future performance involves risks and uncertainties which may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. Item 7 should be read in conjunction with the information contained in “Forward-Looking Statements” at the beginning of this report and with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto included in Item 8. References such as the “Company,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to GEE Group Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.
Overview
We specialize in the placement of information technology, engineering, and accounting professionals for direct hire and contract staffing for our clients, data entry assistants (medical scribes) who specialize in electronic medical records (EMR) services for emergency departments, specialty physician practices and clinics and provide temporary staffing services for our light industrial clients. The acquisitions of Agile Resources, Inc., a Georgia corporation (“Agile”), Access Data Consulting Corporation, a Colorado corporation (“Access”), Paladin Consulting Inc. (“Paladin”) and SNI Companies, a Delaware corporation (“SNI”) expanded the array and numbers of end markets and clients we serve, as well as our geographical footprint within the placement and contract staffing end markets we serve, including information technology, in particular.
The Company markets its services using the trade names General Employment Enterprises, Omni One, Ashley Ellis, Agile Resources, Scribe Solutions Inc., Access Data Consulting Corporation, Paladin Consulting Inc., SNI Companies, Triad Personnel Services and Triad Staffing. As of September 30, 2019, we operated thirty-three branch offices in downtown or suburban areas of major U.S. cities in fourteen states. We have one office located in each of Arizona, Washington D.C., Iowa, Connecticut, Georgia, Minnesota, New Jersey, and Virginia, three offices in Colorado and Massachusetts, two offices in Illinois, four offices in Texas, seven offices in Ohio and six offices in Florida.
Management has implemented a strategy which includes organic and acquisition growth components. Management’s organic growth strategy includes seeking out and winning new client business, as well as expansion of existing client business and on-going cost reduction and productivity improvement efforts in operations. Management’s acquisition growth strategy includes identifying strategic acquisitions, financed primarily through the issuance of equity and debt to improve the overall profitability and cash flows of the Company.
The Company’s contract and placement services are principally provided under two operating divisions or segments: Professional Staffing Services and Industrial Staffing Services. We believe our current segments complement one another and position us for future growth.
Results of Operations
Fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 (“fiscal 2019”), and fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 (“fiscal 2018”)
Net Revenues
Consolidated net revenues are comprised of the following:
Contract staffing services contributed $133.1 million or approximately 88% of consolidated revenue and direct hire placement services contributed $18.5 million or approximately 12% of consolidated revenue for fiscal 2019. This compares to contract staffing services revenue of $142.2 million, or approximately 86% of consolidated revenue and direct hire placement revenue of $23.1 million or approximately 14% of consolidated revenue, respectively, for fiscal 2018.
The overall decrease in contract staffing services revenue of $9.1 million, or 6.4% for fiscal 2019 compared to fiscal 2018 was primarily attributable to the continuing effects of office consolidations and office closures and other reductions in core workforce that have been undertaken by the Company to maximize productivity, reduce overall field costs and improve profitability following SNI acquisition. Reductions in the temporary workforce requirements of a few key customers in the professional and industrial services divisions, and to a lesser extent, higher incidences of bad weather in Midwest and northeastern markets in fiscal 2019, as compared to fiscal 2018, also contributed.
Direct hire placement revenue for fiscal 2019 decreased by $4.5 million or 19.6% over fiscal 2018. The decrease in direct hire placement revenues also is attributable to the continuing effects of office consolidations and office closures and other reductions in its core workforce that were undertaken by the Company to maximize productivity, reduce overall field costs and improve profitability. Management also believes market speculation of an impending recession in the U.S economy during the first fiscal quarter of 2019 had a cooling effect on hiring, especially around the holiday season and into the beginning of the 2019 calendar year.
Cost of Contract Services
Cost of contract services includes wages and related payroll taxes, employee benefits of the Company’s contract services employees, and certain other employee-related costs, while they work on contract assignments. Cost of contract services for fiscal 2019 decreased by approximately 6.3% to $99.7 million compared to fiscal 2018 of $106.4 million. The $6.7 million decrease in cost of contract services for fiscal 2019 compared to fiscal 2018 is consistent with the decline in revenues and also was primarily attributable to the continuing effects of office consolidations and office closures and other reductions in its core workforce that were undertaken by the Company to maximize productivity, reduce overall field costs and improve profitability.
Gross Profit percentage by service:
(1)Includes gross profit from direct hire placements, for which all associated costs are recorded as selling, general and administrative expenses.
The Company’s combined gross profit margin, including direct hire placement services (recorded at 100% gross margin) for fiscal 2019 was approximately 34.3% versus approximately 35.7% for the fiscal 2018. The change in the overall gross margin from the comparable prior fiscal year was primarily due to a decrease in amount and mix of direct hire placement services revenue.
In the professional contract staffing services segment, the gross margin (excluding direct placement services) was approximately 26.0% for fiscal 2019 compared to approximately 26.5% for fiscal 2018. The change in professional contract staffing services gross margin was primarily due to proportionally higher revenue from Vendor Management Systems (“VMS”), Managed Service Providers (“MSP”), Master Service Agreements (“MSA”) and other volume corporate accounts that occurred in fiscal 2019, all of which typically have lower gross margins. Other differences in the composition of revenues among the specialties served by the Company (information technology, engineering, healthcare, finance and accounting and others) also contributed to the change in the professional contract services gross profit and margin.
The Company’s industrial staffing services gross margin for fiscal 2019 was approximately 20.8% versus approximately 17.9% for fiscal 2018. The increase in gross margin for fiscal 2019 was principally due to increases in the estimated amounts of return premiums and experience refunds the Company’s light industrial business is eligible to receive under the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation retrospectively-rated insurance program, which accounted for approximately $0.7 million of the increase in gross profits and 2.9 percentage points (288 basis points) of the increase in gross margin for fiscal 2019, as compared with the gross margin for 2018.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses include the following categories:
·Compensation and benefits in the operating divisions, which includes salaries, wages and commissions earned by the Company’s employment consultants, recruiters and branch managers on permanent and temporary placements;
·Administrative compensation, which includes salaries, wages, payroll taxes and employee benefits associated with general management and the operation of the finance, legal, human resources and information technology functions;
·Occupancy costs, which includes office rent, depreciation and amortization, and other office operating expenses;
·Recruitment advertising, which includes the cost of identifying job applicants; and
·Other selling, general and administrative expenses, which includes travel, bad debt expense, fees for outside professional services and other corporate-level expenses such as business insurance and taxes.
In addition to depreciation and amortization, which are broken out and reported separately in the consolidated statement of operations from other selling, general and administrative expenses (SG&A), the Company separately reports expenses incurred that are related to acquisition, integration and restructuring activities. These include expenses associated with former closed and consolidated locations, personnel costs associated with eliminated positions, and other costs incurred related to acquisitions, including associated legal and professional costs. Management believes reporting these expenses separately from other SG&A provides useful information considering the Company’s dual track growth strategy of internal (organic) growth and growth by acquisitions and when comparing and considering the Company’s operating results and activities with other entities.
The Company’s SG&A for fiscal 2019, decreased by approximately $4.9 million as compared to fiscal 2018. SG&A for fiscal 2019, as a percentage of revenue was approximately 28.0% versus 28.7% for fiscal 2018. The decline in SG&A expenses is primarily attributable to the continuing effects of office consolidations and office closures and other reductions in its core workforce that were undertaken by the Company to maximize productivity, reduce overall field costs and improve profitability.
Acquisition, Integration and Restructuring Expenses
The Company classifies and reports costs incurred related to acquisition, integration and restructuring activities separately from other SG&A within its operating expenses. These costs were $4.3 million in fiscal 2019 and $3.1 million in fiscal 2018. These costs include mainly expenses associated with former closed and consolidated locations, personnel costs associated with eliminated positions, costs incurred related to acquisitions and associated legal and professional costs. The increase in acquisition, integration and restructuring expenses in fiscal 2019 were related to potential acquisitions and restructuring costs of prior acquisitions.
Depreciation Expense
Depreciation expense was $0.3 million for fiscal 2019 and $0.4 million for fiscal 2018.
Amortization Expense
Amortization expense was $5.6 million for fiscal 2019, and remained approximately level compared with 2018.
Goodwill Impairment Charge
In 2019, the Company early adopted ASU 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350), Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment, which simplifies the subsequent measurement of goodwill by eliminating the second step from the quantitative goodwill impairment test. Under this guidance, annual or interim goodwill impairment testing is performed by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An impairment charge is recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value, not to exceed the carrying value of goodwill.
Due to a sustained decline in the market capitalization of our common stock during fiscal 2019, we performed an interim goodwill impairment test during our third quarter in accordance with the provisions of ASU 2017-04. The outcome of this goodwill impairment test resulted in a non-cash charge for the impairment of goodwill of $4.3 million, which was recorded in the consolidated financial statements for fiscal 2019. For purposes of performing this interim goodwill impairment assessment, management mainly considered recent trends in the Company’s stock price, estimated control or acquisition premium, and related matters, including other possible factors affecting the recent declines in the Company’s stock price and their effects on estimated fair value of the Company’s reporting units.
Loss from Operations
As the net result of the matters discussed regarding revenues and operating expenses above, income from operations decreased $7.4 million, to a loss of approximately $(5.0) million for fiscal 2019 from income of approximately $2.5 million for fiscal 2018.
Change in Acquisition Deposit for Working Capital Guarantee
As of September 30, 2018, the SNI Merger Consideration held in the Working Capital Reserve Fund of $1.5 million was reduced by $0.6 million (“NWC Adjustment Amount”), following completion of the process provided for in the Merger Agreement, in which an independent accounting firm (the “firm”) was engaged to review related working capital-related claims made by the Company against such funds. As a result of the firm’s findings, the Company has recognized and reported a corresponding gain in its consolidated statement of operations for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018. As of September 30, 2019, the SNI Merger Consideration held in the Working Capital Reserve Fund is $0.8 million.
Interest Expense
Interest expense for fiscal 2019, increased by approximately $0.9 million or 8% compared to fiscal 2018. The increase in interest expense is attributable to a scheduled increase in the required interest margin under the Company’s senior credit facilities of approximately 500 basis points (5%) annually, that began as of June 1, 2018.
Provision for Income Taxes
The Company recognized a tax expense of approximately $0.4 million in fiscal 2019. The Company recognized a tax benefit of approximately $0.8 million primarily associated with recognition of the newly adopted Tax Cuts and Jobs Act enacted in fiscal 2018.
Net Loss
As a result of the matters discussed regarding revenues and expenses above, the Company incurred net losses for 2019 and 2018 of $17.8 million and $7.6 million, respectively.
The Company continues to pursue opportunities to selectively increase revenue producing headcount in key markets and industry verticals. The Company also seeks to organically grow its professional contract services revenue and direct hire placement revenue, including business from staff augmentation, permanent placement, statement of work (SOW) and other human resource solutions in the information technology, engineering, healthcare and finance and accounting higher margin staffing specialties. The Company’s strategic plans to achieve this goal involve setting aggressive new business growth targets, including initiatives to increase services to existing customers, increasing its numbers of revenue producing core professionals, including primarily, business development managers and recruiters, changes to compensation, commission and bonus plans to better incentivize producers, and frequent interaction with the field to monitor and motivate growth. The Company’s strategic plan contains both internal and acquisition growth objectives to increase revenue in the aforementioned higher margin and more profitable professional services sectors of staffing.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The primary sources of liquidity for the Company are revenues earned and collected from its clients for the placement of contractors and permanent employment candidates and borrowings available under the Senior Credit Agreement. Uses of liquidity include primarily the costs and expenses necessary to fund operations, including payment of compensation to the Company’s contract and permanent employees, operating costs and expenses, payment of taxes, payment of interest and principal under its debit agreements, and capital expenditures.
The Company experienced significant net losses in fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2018, which also have negatively impacted the Company’s ability to generate liquidity. Management believes the Company can generate adequate liquidity to meet its obligations for the foreseeable future and has taken definitive actions to improve operations, reduce costs and improve profitability and liquidity, and position the Company for future growth. In addition, management has successfully negotiated amendments and waivers to the Credit Agreement with the Company’s current senior lenders on six occasions to date as we work to improve the Company’s operations and to refinance and restructure its current debt and equity capitalization. However, there can be no assurance that the Company will not fall into non-compliance with its loan covenants in the future or that its Lenders will continue to provide waivers or amendments to the Company in the event of future non-compliance with debt covenants or other possible events of default that could happen. There also can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in its efforts to refinance and restructure the Company’s debt and equity capitalization under reasonable terms or at all, or that it will generate adequate liquidity to fund operations and meet its debt service obligations in the future.
The following table sets forth certain consolidated statements of cash flows data:
At September 30, 2019, the Company had approximately $4.1 million of cash which was an increase of approximately $0.9 million from approximately $3.2 million at September 30, 2018. At September 30, 2019, the Company had working capital of approximately $8.5 million compared to $13.1 million of working capital at September 30, 2018.
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities for fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2018 was approximately $(0.4) million and $1.5 million, respectively. The negative operating cash flow in the fiscal 2019 corresponds with negative income from operations and other net changes in working capital.
The primary uses of cash for investing activities were for the acquisition of property and equipment in fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2018.
Cash flow provided by financing activities for fiscal 2019 was primarily from the proceeds of the 8% Convertible Subordinated Notes issued to related parties in May 2019 and borrowings under the Company’s Revolving Credit Facility, offset by payments on the Company’s debt, principally its Term Loan. Cash flow used in financing activities for fiscal 2018 was primarily from net borrowings on the Revolving Credit Facility offset by payments on the Company’s debt, principally its term loan and subordinated debt.
Minimum debt service payments (principal) for the twelve-month period commencing after the close of business on September 30, 2019, are approximately $6.5 million. All the Company’s office facilities are leased. Minimum lease payments under all the Company’s lease agreements for the twelve-month period commencing after the close of business on September 30, 2019, are approximately $2.0 million.
Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan
After the close of business on March 31, 2017, the Company and its subsidiaries, as borrowers, entered into a Revolving Credit, Term Loan and Security Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with PNC Bank National Association (“PNC”), and certain investment funds managed by MGG Investment Group LP (“MGG”). Initial funds were distributed on April 3, 2017 (the “Closing Date”) to repay existing indebtedness, pay fees and expenses relating to the Credit Agreement, and to pay a portion of the purchase price for the acquisition of the SNI Companies.
Under the terms of the Credit Agreement, the Company may borrow up to $73.8 million consisting of a four-year term loan in the principal amount of $48.8 million and revolving loans in a maximum amount up to the lesser of (i) $25.0 million or (ii) an amount determined pursuant to a borrowing base that is calculated based on the outstanding amount of the Company’s eligible accounts receivable, as described in the Credit Agreement. The loans under the Credit Agreement mature on March 31, 2021.
The Credit Agreement, as amended, contains certain financial covenants, which are required to be maintained as of the last day of each fiscal quarter, including the following:
Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (“FCCR”). This is the ratio of consolidated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) to Fixed Charges, each of which is as defined in the Credit Agreement, as amended. The minimum FCCR requirements are: 1.00 to 1.00 for the trailing two fiscal quarters ending March 31, 2019; 0.60 to 1.00 for the trailing three fiscal quarters ending June 30, 2019; 0.70 to 1.00 for the trailing four fiscal quarters ending September 30, 2019; 0.75 to 1.00 for the trailing four fiscal quarters ending December 31, 2019; 0.85 to 1.00 for the trailing four fiscal quarters ending March 31, 2020; and 1.00 to 1.00 for each of the trailing four fiscal quarterly periods ending thereafter.
Minimum EBITDA. Minimum EBITDA, which is determined on a consolidated basis and measured on a trailing four (4) quarter basis, as defined in the Credit Agreement, as amended, are: $13 million for the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2019; $10 million for the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2019; $10.0 million for the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2019; $10.0 million for the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2019; and $11.0 million for the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2020, and each fiscal quarter thereafter.
Senior Leverage Ratio. This is the ratio of maximum Indebtedness, which is substantially comprised of consolidated senior indebtedness, to consolidated EBITDA, each of which is as defined under the Credit Agreement, as amended. The Senior Leverage Ratios are: 4.25 to 1.00 for the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2019; 5.50 to 1.00 for the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2019; 5.50 to 1.00 for the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2019; 5.60 to 1.00 for the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2019; and 5.00 to 1.00 for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2020, and for each fiscal quarter thereafter.
In addition to these financial covenants, the Credit Agreement includes other restrictive covenants. The Credit Agreement permits capital expenditures up to a certain level and contains customary default and acceleration provisions. The Credit Agreement also restricts, above certain levels, acquisitions, incurrence of additional indebtedness, and payment of dividends.
On August 31, 2017, the Company entered into a Consent to Extension of Waiver to the Credit Agreement (the “Waiver”). Under the terms of the Waiver, the Lenders and the Agents agreed to extend to October 3, 2017 the deadline by which the Company must deliver updated financial information satisfactory to the lenders in order to amend the financial covenant levels, execute a fully executed amendment to the Credit Agreement, and any other terms and conditions required by the lenders in their sole discretion. Additionally, the Company paid a $0.07 million consent fee to the Agents for the pro rata benefit of the lenders, in connection with the Waiver. On August 31, 2017, an additional waiver to the Credit Agreement (“Additional Waiver”), pursuant to which the due date for the Company to deliver the subordination agreement and an amended subordinated note, executed by one of the Company’s subordinated lenders was extended from August 31, 2017 to October 3, 2017, also was obtained.
On October 2, 2017, the Company, the other borrower entities and guarantor entities named therein (collectively, the “Loan Parties”), PNC, and certain investment funds managed by MGG (collectively the (“Lenders”) entered into a First Amendment and Waiver (the “First Amendment”) to the Revolving Credit, Term Loan and Security Agreement dated as of March 31, 2017 (the “Credit Agreement”) by and among the Loan Parties, and the Lenders. The First Amendment, which was effective as of October 2, 2017, modified the required principal repayment schedule with respect to the Term Loans. The Amendment also modified the ability of the Loan Parties to repay or make other payments with respect to certain other loans that are subordinated in right of payment to the indebtedness under the Credit Agreement.
Pursuant to the First Amendment the Lenders also waived any Event of Default arising out of the Loan Parties’ failure to deliver, on or before October 3, 2017, the materials satisfying the requirements of clauses (i) and (ii) of Section 5 of the Waiver to Revolving Credit, Term Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of August 14, 2017, as amended.
On November 14, 2017, the Company and its subsidiaries, as Borrowers, entered into a second amendment (the “Second Amendment”) to the Revolving Credit, Term Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2017 (the “Credit Agreement”). Pursuant to the Second Amendment the Borrowers agreed, among other things, to use commercially reasonable efforts to prepay, or cause to be prepaid, $10.0 million in principal amount of Advances (as defined in the Credit Agreement) outstanding, which amount shall be applied to prepay the Term Loans in accordance with the applicable terms of the Credit Agreement. Any prepayment to the term loan is contingent upon a future financing, non-operational cash flow or excess cash flow as defined in the agreement. The Company also agreed to certain amendments to the loan covenants required to be maintained.
The Company did not meet its financial loan covenants at September 30, 2018 or at June 30, 2018 or March 31, 2018, previously. On May 15, 2018, the Company obtained a temporary waiver from its lenders for the missed financial covenants at March 31, 2018. On August 10, 2018, the Company and its subsidiaries, as Borrowers, entered into a third amendment and waiver (the “Third Amendment and Waiver”) to the Credit Agreement. Pursuant to the Third Amendment and Waiver, the Lenders agreed to modify the definition of EBITDA in the Credit Agreement to allow for the recognition and exclusion of certain additional acquisition, integration and restructuring expenses not previously specified and to provide a temporary waiver for any Defaults and Events of Default under the Credit Agreement that have solely arisen by reason of the Company failing to comply with the financial covenants of the Credit Agreement for the period ending June 30, 2018.
On December 27, 2018, the Company and its subsidiaries, as Borrowers, entered into a fourth amendment and waiver (the “Fourth Amendment and Waiver”) to the Revolving Credit, Term Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2017 (the “Credit Agreement”). Under the Fourth Amendment and Waiver, the Company and its Lenders have negotiated and agreed to a waiver for noncompliance with the financial covenants under the Credit Agreement as of September 30, 2018, and amendments to the financial covenants and to the remaining scheduled principal payments.
On May 15, 2019, the Company and its subsidiaries, as Borrowers, entered into a fifth amendment and waiver (the “Fifth Amendment”) to the Revolving Credit, Term Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2017 (the “Credit Agreement”). Under the Fifth Amendment, the Company and its Lenders have negotiated and agreed to a waiver for non-compliance with the financial covenants under the Credit Agreement as of March 31, 2019, and amendments to the financial covenants and to the remaining scheduled principal payments.
Following the Fifth Amendment, the Company has met its financial covenants, as amended, for the quarters ended June 30, 2019 and September 30, 2019.
The primary sources of liquidity for the Company are revenues earned and collected from its clients for the placement of contractors and permanent employment candidates and borrowings available under the Senior Credit Agreement. Uses of liquidity include primarily the costs and expenses necessary to fund operations, including payment of compensation to the Company’s contract and permanent employees, payment of operating costs and expenses, payment of taxes, payment of interest and principal under its debt agreements, and capital expenditures.
The Company experienced significant net losses in fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2018, which also have negatively impacted the Company’s ability to generate liquidity. Management believes the Company can generate adequate liquidity to meet its obligations for the foreseeable future and has taken definitive actions to improve operations, reduce costs and improve profitability and liquidity, and position the Company for future growth. In addition, management has successfully negotiated amendments and waivers to the Senior Credit Agreement with the Company’s current senior lenders on six occasions to date as management works to improve the Company’s operations and refinancing and restructuring its current debt and equity capitalization. However, there can be no assurance that the Company will not fall into non-compliance with its loan covenants in the future or that its Lenders will continue to provide waivers or amendments to the Company in the event of future non-compliance with debt covenants or other possible events of default that could happen. There also can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in its efforts to refinance and restructure the Company’s debt and equity capitalization under reasonable terms or at all, or that it will generate adequate liquidity to fund operations and meet its debt service obligations in the future.
Subordinated Debt - Convertible and Non-Convertible
On October 2, 2015, the Company issued and sold a Subordinated Note in the aggregate principal amount of $4,185,000 to JAX Legacy - Investment 1, LLC (“JAX”) pursuant to a Subscription Agreement dated October 2, 2015 between the Company and Jax. On April 3, 2017, the Company and JAX amended and restated the Subordinated Note in its entirety in the form of the 10% Convertible Subordinated Note (the “10% Note”) in the aggregate principal amount of $4,185,000. The 10% Note matures on October 3, 2021. The 10% Note is convertible into shares of the Company’s Common Stock at a conversion price equal to $5.83 per share (subject to adjustment as provided in the 10% Note upon any stock dividend, stock combination or stock split or upon the consummation of certain fundamental transactions) (the “Conversion Price”). The 10% Note is subordinated in payment to the obligations of the Company to the lending parties to the Credit Agreement, pursuant to a Subordination and Inter-creditor Agreements, dated as of March 31, 2017 by and among the Company, the Borrowers, the Agent and JAX. The 10% Note issued to JAX is not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). JAX is an accredited investor. The issuance of the 10% Note to JAX is exempt from the registration requirements of the Act in reliance on an exemption from registration provided by Section 4(2) of the Act.
On October 4, 2017, the Company executed an Amended and Restated Non-Negotiable Promissory Note in favor of William Daniel Dampier and Carol Lee Dampier in the amount of $1,202,405 (the “Note”). This Note amends and, as so amended, restates in its entirety and replaces that certain Subordinated Nonnegotiable Promissory Note dated October 4, 2015, issued by the Company to William Daniel Dampier and Carol Lee Dampier in the original principal amount of $3,000,000. The Company agreed to pay William Daniel Dampier and Carol Lee Dampier 12 equal installments of $107,675, commencing on November 4, 2017 and ending on October 4, 2018, and is fully paid off as of September 30, 2019.
On January 20, 2017, the Company entered into Addendum No. 1 (the “Addendum”) to the Paladin Agreement Pursuant to the terms of the Addendum, the Company and the Sellers agreed (a) that the conditions to the “Earnouts” (as defined in the Paladin Agreement) had been satisfied or waived and (b) that the amounts payable to the Sellers in connection with the Earnouts shall be amended and restructured as follows: (i) the Company shall pay $250,000 in cash to the Sellers on or prior to January 31, 2017 (the “Earnout Cash Payment”) and (ii) the Company shall issue to the Sellers a subordinated promissory note in the principal amount of $1,000,000 (the “Subordinated Note”), The Subordinated Note shall bear interest at the rate of 5.5% per annum. Interest on the Subordinated Note shall be payable monthly. The Subordinated Note shall have a term of three years and may be prepaid without penalty. The principal of and interest on the Subordinated Note may be paid, at the option of the Company, either in cash or in shares of common stock of the Company or in any combination of cash and common stock. The Sellers have agreed that all payments and obligations under the Subordinated Note shall be subordinate and junior in right of payment to any “Senior Indebtedness” (as defined in the Paladin Agreement) now or hereafter existing to “Senior Lenders” (current or future) (as defined in the Paladin Agreement). The Company has paid the $250,000 cash payment to the Sellers.
On April 3, 2017, the Company issued and paid to certain SNIH Stockholders as part of the SNIH acquisition an aggregate of $12.5 million in aggregate principal amount of its 9.5% Notes. The 9.5% Notes mature on October 3, 2021 (the “Maturity Date”). The 9.5% Notes are convertible into shares of the Company’s Common Stock at a conversion price equal to $5.83 per share. Interest on the 9.5% Notes accrues at the rate of 9.5% per annum and shall be paid quarterly in arrears on June 30, September 30, December 31 and March 31, beginning on June 30, 2017, on each conversion date with respect to the 9.5% Notes (as to that principal amount then being converted), and on the Maturity Date (each such date, an “Interest Payment Date”). At the option of the Company, interest may be paid on an Interest Payment Date either in cash or in shares of Common Stock of the Company, which Common Stock shall be valued based on the terms of the agreement, subject to certain limitations defined in the loan agreement. Each of the 9.5% Notes is subordinated in payment to the obligations of the Company to the lending parties to the Credit Agreement, pursuant to those certain Subordination and Inter-creditor Agreements, each dated as of March 31, 2017 by and among the Company, the other borrowers under the Credit Agreement, the Agent under the Credit Agreement and each of the holders of the 9.5% Notes.
On May 15, 2019, the Company issued and sold to members of its executive management and Board of Directors (the “Investors”) $2.0 million in aggregate principal amount of its 8% Notes. The 8% Notes mature on October 3, 2021 (the “Maturity Date”). The 8% Notes are convertible into shares of the Company’s Series C 8% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series C Preferred Stock”) at a conversion price equal to $1.00 per share (subject to adjustment as provided in the 8% Notes upon any stock dividend, stock combination or stock split or upon the consummation of certain fundamental transactions) (the “Conversion Price”). Interest on the 8% Notes accrues at the rate of 8% per annum and shall be paid quarterly in non-cash payments-in-kind (“PIK”) in arrears on June 30, September 30, December 31 and March 31, beginning on June 30, 2019, on each conversion date with respect to the 8% Notes (as to that principal amount then being converted), and on the Maturity Date (each such date, an “Interest Payment Date”). Interest shall be paid on an Interest Payment Date in shares of Series C Preferred Stock of the Company, which Series C Preferred Stock shall be valued at its liquidation value. All or any portion of the 8% Notes may be redeemed by the Company for cash at any time. The redemption price shall be an amount equal to 100% of the then outstanding principal amount of the 8% Notes being redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid PIK interest thereon. The Company may, at its option, prepay any portion of the principal amount of the 8% Notes without the prior consent of the holders thereof; provided, however, that any prepayments of the 8% Notes shall be made on a pro rata basis to all holders of 8% Notes based on the aggregate principal amount of 8% Notes held by such holders. The Company shall be required to prepay the 8% Notes together with accrued and unpaid PIK interest thereon upon the consummation by the Company of any Change of Control. For purposes of the 8% Notes, a Change of Control of the Company shall mean any of the following: (A) the Company effects any sale of all or substantially all of its assets in one transaction or a series of related transactions or (B) the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any merger or consolidation), the result of which is that any person or entity together with their affiliates, becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the Common Stock of the Company. Each of the 8% Notes is subordinated in payment to the obligations of the Company to the lenders parties to that certain Revolving Credit, Term Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2017, as amended, by and among the Company, the Company’s subsidiaries named as borrowers therein (collectively with the Company, the “Borrowers”), the senior lenders named therein and MGG Investment Group LP, as administrative agent and collateral agent (the “Agent”) for the senior lenders (the “Credit Agreement”), pursuant to those certain Subordination and Intercreditor Agreements, each dated as of May 15, 2019 by and among the Company, the Borrowers, the Agent and each of the holders of the 8% Notes.
Series B Convertible Preferred Stock
On April 3, 2017, the Company agreed to issue to certain SNIH Stockholders upon receipt of duly executed letters of transmittal as part of the SNIH acquisition, an aggregate of approximately 5,926,000 shares of its Series B Convertible Preferred Stock. The Series B Convertible Preferred Stock has a liquidation preference equal to $4.86 per share and ranks senior to all “Junior Securities” (including the Company’s Common Stock) with respect to any distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary. In the event that the Company declares or pays a dividend or distribution on its Common Stock, whether such dividend or distribution is payable in cash, securities or other property, including the purchase or redemption by the Company or any of its subsidiaries of shares of Common Stock for cash, securities or property, the Company is required to simultaneously declare and pay a dividend on the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock on a pro rata basis with the Common Stock determined on an as-converted basis assuming all Shares had been converted as of immediately prior to the record date of the applicable dividend or distribution. On April 3, 2017, the Company filed a Statement of Resolution Establishing its Series B Convertible Preferred Stock with the State of Illinois. (the “Resolution Establishing Series”). Except as set forth in the Resolution Establishing Series, the holders of the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock have no voting rights. Pursuant to the Resolution Establishing Series, without the prior written consent of holders of not less than a majority of the then total outstanding Shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, voting separately as a single class, the Company shall not create, or authorize the creation of, any additional class or series of capital stock of the Company (or any security convertible into or exercisable for any class or series of capital stock of the Company) that ranks pari passu with or superior to the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock in relative rights, preferences or privileges (including with respect to dividends, liquidation or voting). Each share of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock is convertible at the option of the holder thereof into one share of Common Stock at an initial conversion price equal to $4.86 per share, each as subject to adjustment in the event of stock splits, stock combinations, capital reorganizations, reclassifications, consolidations, mergers or sales, as set forth in the Resolution Establishing Series.
None of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock issued to the SNIH Stockholders are registered under the Securities Act. Each of the SNIH Stockholders who received shares of Series B Preferred Stock is an accredited investor. The issuance of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock to such SNIH Stockholders is exempt from the registration requirements of the Act in reliance on an exemption from registration provided by Section 4(2) of the Act.
During fiscal 2019, the Company issued 250,000 shares of common stock for the conversion of approximately 250,000 shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock.
Series C Convertible Preferred Stock
On May 17, 2019, the Company filed a Statement of Resolution Establishing its Series C Preferred Stock with the State of Illinois (the Resolution Establishing Series”). Pursuant to the Resolution Establishing Series, the Company designated 3,000,000 of its authorized preferred stock as “Series C 8% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock”, without par value. The Series C Preferred Stock has a Liquidation Value equal to $1.00 per share and ranks pari passu with the Company’s Series B Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series B Preferred Stock”) and senior to all “Junior Securities” (including the Company’s Common Stock) with respect to any distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary. Holders of shares of Series C Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive an annual non-cash (“PIK”) dividend of 8% of the Liquidation Value per share. Such dividend shall be payable quarterly on June 30, September 30, December 31 and March 31 of each year commencing on June 30, 2019, in preference to any dividend paid on or declared and set aside for the Series B Preferred Stock or any Junior Securities and shall be paid-in-kind in additional shares of Series C Preferred Stock. Except as set forth in the Resolution Establishing Series or as may be required by Illinois law, the holders of the Series C Preferred Stock have no voting rights. Pursuant to the Resolution Establishing Series, without the prior written consent of holders of not less than a majority of the then total outstanding Shares of Series C Preferred Stock, voting separately as a single class, the Company shall not create, or authorize the creation of, any additional class or series of capital stock of the Company (or any security convertible into or exercisable for any class or series of capital stock of the Company) that ranks superior to the Series C Preferred Stock in relative rights, preferences or privileges (including with respect to dividends, liquidation or voting). Each share of Series C Preferred Stock shall be convertible at the option of the holder thereof into one share of Common Stock at an initial conversion price equal to $1.00 per share, each as subject to adjustment in the event of stock splits, stock combinations, capital reorganizations, reclassifications, consolidations, mergers or sales, as set forth in the Resolution Establishing Series.
During fiscal 2019, the Company issued approximately 60,400 shares of Series C Preferred Stock to Investors related to interest of $60,400 on the 8% Notes and PIK dividend on the Series C Preferred Stock.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
As of September 30, 2019, and 2018, and during the two fiscal years then ended, there were no transactions, agreements or other contractual arrangements to which an unconsolidated entity was a party, under which the Company (a) had any direct or contingent obligation under a guarantee contract, derivative instrument or variable interest in the unconsolidated entity, or (b) had a retained or contingent interest in assets transferred to the unconsolidated entity.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and the rules of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
Management makes estimates and assumptions that can affect the amounts of assets and liabilities reported as of the date of the consolidated financial statements, as well as the amounts of reported revenues and expenses during the periods presented. Those estimates and assumptions typically involve expectations about events to occur subsequent to the balance sheet date, and it is possible that actual results could ultimately differ from the estimates. If differences were to occur in a subsequent period, the Company would recognize those differences when they became known.
Significant accounting and disclosure matters requiring the use of estimates and assumptions include, but may not be limited to, accounting for acquisitions, determining fair values of financial assets and liabilities, accounting for asset impairments, revenue recognition, accounts receivable allowances, deferred income tax valuation allowances, and accounting for derivative liabilities and beneficial conversion features. Management believes that its estimates and assumptions are reasonable, based on information that is available at the time they are made.
The following accounting policies are considered by management to be “critical” because of the judgments and uncertainties involved, and because different amounts would be reported under different conditions or using different assumptions.
Revenue Recognition
Revenues from contracts with customers are generated through the following services: direct hire placement services, temporary professional services staffing, and temporary light industrial staffing. Revenues are recognized when promised services are performed for customers, and in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for those services. Our revenues are recorded net of variable consideration such as sales adjustments or allowances.
Direct hire placement service revenues from contracts with customers are recognized when employment candidates accept offers of employment, less a provision for estimated credits or refunds to customers as the result of applicants not remaining employed for the entirety of the Company’s guarantee period (referred to as “falloffs”). The company’s guarantee periods for permanently placed employees generally range from 60 to 90 days from the date of hire. Fees associated with candidate placement are generally calculated as a percentage of the new employee’s annual compensation. No fees for permanent placement services are charged to employment candidates.
Temporary staffing service revenues from contracts with customers are recognized in amounts for which the Company has a right to invoice, as the services are rendered by the Company’s temporary employees. The Company records temporary staffing revenue on a gross basis as a principal versus on a net basis as an agent in the presentation of revenues and expenses. The Company has concluded that gross reporting is appropriate because the Company controls the specified service before that service is performed for a customer. The Company has the risk of identifying and hiring qualified employees, has the discretion to select the employees and establish their price, and bears the risk for services that are not fully paid for by customers.
Falloffs and refunds during the period are reflected in the consolidated statements of operations as a reduction of placement service revenues. Expected future falloffs and refunds are reflected in the consolidated balance sheet as a reduction of accounts receivable.
See Note 13 for disaggregated revenues by segment.
Payment terms in our contracts vary by the type and location of our customer and the services offered. The terms between invoicing and when payments are due are not significant.
Accounts Receivable
The Company extends credit to its various customers based on evaluation of the customer’s financial condition and ability to pay the Company in accordance with the payment terms. An allowance for placement fall-offs is recorded, as a reduction of revenues, for estimated losses due to applicants not remaining employed for the Company’s guarantee period. An allowance for doubtful accounts is recorded, as a charge to bad debt expense, where collection is considered to be doubtful due to credit issues. These allowances together reflect management’s estimate of the potential losses inherent in the accounts receivable balances, based on historical loss statistics and known factors impacting its customers. The nature of the contract service business, where companies are dependent on employees for the production cycle allows for a small accounts receivable allowance.
Fair Value Measurement
The Company follows the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820, “Fair Value Measurement”, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and enhances fair value measurement disclosure. Under these provisions, fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (i.e., the “exit price”) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.
The standard establishes a hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Company. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the Company’s assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. The hierarchy is described below:
Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for assets or liabilities. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to Level 1 inputs.
Level 2: Observable prices that are based on inputs not quoted on active markets, but corroborated by market data.
Level 3: Unobservable inputs are used when little or no market data is available. The fair value hierarchy gives the lowest priority to Level 3 inputs.
Income Taxes
We account for income taxes under the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements. Under this method, we determine deferred tax assets and liabilities on the basis of the differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities by using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
We recognize deferred tax assets to the extent that we believe that these assets are more likely than not to be realized. In making such a determination, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income, tax-planning strategies, and results of recent operations. If we determine that we would be able to realize our deferred tax assets in the future in excess of their net recorded amount, we would make an adjustment to the deferred tax asset valuation allowance, which would reduce the provision for income taxes.
We record uncertain tax positions in accordance with ASC 740 on the basis of a two-step process in which (1) we determine whether it is more likely than not that the tax positions will be sustained on the basis of the technical merits of the position and (2) for those tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, we recognize the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50 percent likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement with the related tax authority.
We recognize and group interest and penalties, if any, with income tax expense in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations. As of September 30, 2019, no material accrued interest or penalties are included on the related tax liability line in the consolidated balance sheet.
Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of cost over the fair value of the net assets acquired in the various acquisitions. In 2019, the Company early adopted ASU 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350), Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment, which simplifies the subsequent measurement of goodwill by eliminating the second step from the quantitative goodwill impairment test. Under this guidance, annual or interim goodwill impairment testing is performed by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An impairment charge is recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value, not to exceed the carrying value of goodwill.
Due to a sustained decline in the market capitalization of our common stock during the third quarter of 2019, we performed an interim goodwill impairment test in accordance with the provisions of ASU 2017-04. The outcome of this goodwill impairment test resulted in a non-cash charge for the impairment of goodwill of $4.3 million, which was recorded in the consolidated financial statements for the fiscal 2019. For purposes of performing this interim goodwill impairment assessment, management mainly considered recent trends in the Company’s stock price, estimated control or acquisition premium, and related matters, including other possible factors affecting the recent declines in the Company’s stock price and their effects on estimated fair value of the Company’s reporting units.
Intangible Assets
Customer lists, non-compete agreements, customer relationships, management agreements and trade names were recorded at their estimated fair value at the date of acquisition and are amortized over their estimated useful lives ranging from two to ten years using both accelerated and straight-line methods.
Impairment of Long-lived Assets
The Company recognizes an impairment of long-lived assets used in operations, other than goodwill, when events or circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired and the estimated undiscounted cash flows to be generated by those assets over their remaining lives are less than the carrying amount of those items. The net carrying value of assets not recoverable is reduced to fair value, which is typically calculated using the discounted cash flow method. The Company did not recognize and record any impairments of long-lived assets used in operations in fiscal 2019 and 2018, other than goodwill in fiscal 2019.
Beneficial Conversion Feature
The Company evaluates embedded conversion features within a convertible instrument under ASC 815 Derivatives and Hedging to determine whether the embedded conversion feature(s) should be bifurcated from the host instrument and accounted for as a derivative at fair value with changes in fair value recorded in earnings. If the conversion feature does not require treatment under ASC 815, the instrument is evaluated under ASC 470-20 Debt with Conversion and Other Options for consideration of any beneficial feature.
The Company records a beneficial conversion feature (“BCF”) when the convertible instrument is issued with conversion features at fixed or adjustable rates that are below market value when issued. The BCF for convertible instruments is recognized and measured by allocating a portion of the proceeds equal to the intrinsic value of that feature to additional paid-in capital. The intrinsic value is generally calculated at the commitment date as the difference between the conversion price and the fair value of the common stock or other securities into which the security is convertible, multiplied by the number of shares into which the security is convertible. If certain other securities are issued with the convertible security, the proceeds are allocated among the different components. The portion of the proceeds allocated to the convertible security is divided by the contractual number of the conversion shares to determine the effective conversion price, which is used to measure the BCF. The effective conversion price is used to compute the intrinsic value. The value of the BCF is limited to the basis that is initially allocated to the convertible security.
The BCF for the convertible instrument is recorded as a reduction, or discount, to the carrying amount of the convertible instrument equal to the fair value of the conversion feature. The discount is then amortized as interest or deemed dividends over the period from the date of the convertible instrument’s issuance to the earliest redemption date, provided that the convertible instrument is not currently redeemable but probable of becoming redeemable in the future.
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company accounts for stock-based awards to employees in accordance with FASB ASC 718, “Compensation-Stock Compensation”, which requires compensation expense related to share-based transactions, including employee stock options, to be measured and recognized in the financial statements based on a determination of the fair value of the stock options. The grant date fair value is determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton (“Black-Scholes”) pricing model. For all employee stock options, we recognize expense on an accelerated basis over the employee’s requisite service period (generally the vesting period of the equity grant). The Company’s option pricing model requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, including the expected stock price volatility, expected term, and forfeiture rate. Any changes in these highly subjective assumptions significantly impact stock-based compensation expense.
Options awarded to purchase shares of common stock issued to non-employees in exchange for services are accounted for as variable awards in accordance with FASB ASC 718, “Compensation-Stock Compensation”. Such options are valued using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.
Segment Data
The Company provides the following distinctive services: (a) direct hire placement services, (b) temporary professional services staffing in the fields of information technology, engineering, medical, and accounting, and (c) temporary light industrial staffing. These distinct services can be divided into two reportable segments, industrial staffing services and professional staffing services. Selling, general and administrative expenses are not completely separately allocated among light industrial services and professional staffing services.
Operating results are regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision maker to make decisions about resources to be allocated to the segment and to assess its performance. Other factors, including type of business, type of employee, length of employment and revenue recognition are considered in determining these operating segments.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements.
For a discussion of recent accounting pronouncements and their potential effect on our results of operations and financial condition, refer to Note 3 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Item 7A.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
Not applicable.
Item 8.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and
Stockholders of GEE Group, Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of GEE Group, Inc. (the “Company”) as of September 30, 2019 and 2018, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended September 30, 2019, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the financial statements). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of September 30, 2019, and 2018, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended September 30, 2019, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. 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 the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits 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 statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, 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 audits 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 audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ Friedman LLP
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2012
Marlton, New Jersey
December 23, 2019
GEE GROUP INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
GEE GROUP INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
GEE GROUP INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
GEE GROUP INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
1. Description of Business
GEE Group Inc. (the “Company”, “us”, “our” or “we”) was incorporated in the State of Illinois in 1962 and is the successor to employment offices doing business since 1893. We are a provider of permanent and temporary professional and industrial staffing and placement services in and near several major U.S cities. We specialize in the placement of information technology, engineering, medical and accounting professionals for direct hire and contract staffing for our clients and provide temporary staffing services for our commercial clients.
The Company’s fiscal year begins on October 1 and ends on September 30 of each year. Fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2018 refer to the fiscal years ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
2. Significant Accounting Policies and Estimates
Basis of Presentation
The consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and the rules of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
Liquidity
The primary sources of liquidity for the Company are revenues earned and collected from its clients for the placement of contractors and permanent employment candidates and borrowings available under the Credit Agreement. Uses of liquidity include primarily the costs and expenses necessary to fund operations, including payment of compensation to the Company’s contract and permanent employees, payment of operating costs and expenses, payment of taxes, payment of interest and principal under its debt agreements, and capital expenditures.
The Company experienced significant net losses in fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2018, which also have negatively impacted the Company’s ability to generate liquidity. Management believes the Company can generate adequate liquidity to meet its obligations for the foreseeable future and has taken definitive actions to improve operations, reduce costs and improve profitability and liquidity, and position the Company for future growth. In addition, management has successfully negotiated amendments and waivers to the Credit Agreement with the Company’s current senior lenders on six occasions to date as management works to improve the Company’s operations and to refinance and restructure its current debt and equity capitalization. However, there can be no assurance that the Company will not fall into non-compliance with its loan covenants in the future or that its Lenders will continue to provide waivers or amendments to the Company in the event of future non-compliance with debt covenants or other possible events of default that could happen. There also can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in its efforts to refinance and restructure the Company’s debt and equity capitalization under reasonable terms or at all, or that it will generate adequate liquidity to fund operations and meet its debt service obligations in the future.
As of September 30, 2019, the Company had cash of approximately $4.1 million, which was an increase of approximately $0.9 million from approximately $3.2 million at September 30, 2018. Net working capital at September 30, 2019 was approximately $8.7 million, as compared to net working capital of approximately $13.1 million for September 30, 2018.
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts and transactions of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.
Estimates and Assumptions
Management makes estimates and assumptions that can affect the amounts of assets and liabilities reported as of the date of the consolidated financial statements, as well as the amounts of reported revenues and expenses during the periods presented. Those estimates and assumptions typically involve expectations about events to occur subsequent to the balance sheet date, and it is possible that actual results could ultimately differ from the estimates.
Revenue Recognition
Revenues from contracts with clients are generated through the following services: direct hire placement services, temporary professional services staffing, and temporary light industrial staffing. Revenues are recognized when promised services are performed for customers, and in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for those services. Our revenues are recorded net of variable consideration such as sales adjustments or allowances.
Direct hire placement service revenues from contracts with customers are recognized when employment candidates accept offers of employment, less a provision for estimated credits or refunds to customers as the result of applicants not remaining employed for the entirety of the Company’s guarantee period (referred to as “falloffs”). The Company’s guarantee periods for permanently placed employees generally range from 60 to 90 days from the date of hire. Fees associated with candidate placement are generally calculated as a percentage of the new employee’s annual compensation. No fees for permanent placement services are charged to employment candidates.
Temporary staffing service revenues from contracts with customers are recognized in amounts for which the Company has a right to invoice, as the services are rendered by the Company’s temporary employees. The Company records temporary staffing revenue on a gross basis as a principal versus on a net basis as an agent in the presentation of revenues and expenses. The Company has concluded that gross reporting is appropriate because the Company controls the specified service before that service is performed for a client. The Company has the risk of identifying and hiring qualified employees, has the discretion to select the employees and establish their price, and bears the risk for services that are not fully paid for by client.
Falloffs and refunds during the period are reflected in the statements of operations as a reduction of placement service revenues and were approximately $2.2 million in fiscal 2019 and $2.1 million in fiscal 2018. Expected future falloffs and refunds are reflected in the consolidated balance sheet as a reduction of accounts receivable as described under Accounts Receivable, below.
See Note 13 for disaggregated revenues by segment.
Payment terms in our contracts vary by the type and location of our customer and the services offered. The terms between invoicing and when payments are due are not significant.
Cost of Contract Staffing Services
The cost of contract services includes the wages and the related payroll taxes, employee benefits and certain other employee-related costs of the Company’s contract service employees while they work on contract assignments.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased are considered to be cash equivalents. As of September 30, 2019, and September 30, 2018, there were no cash equivalents. The Company maintains deposits in financial institutions in excess of amounts guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Cash and cash equivalents are maintained at financial institutions and, at times, balances may exceed federally insured limits. We have never experienced any losses related to these balances.
Accounts Receivable
The Company extends credit to its various customers based on evaluation of the customer’s financial condition and ability to pay the Company in accordance with the payment terms. An allowance for doubtful accounts is recorded as a charge to bad debt expense where collection is considered to be doubtful due to credit issues. An allowance for placement fall-offs also is recorded as a reduction of revenues for estimated losses due to applicants not remaining employed for the Company’s guarantee period. These allowances together reflect management’s estimate of the potential losses inherent in the accounts receivable balances, based on historical loss statistics and known factors impacting its customers. The nature of the contract service business, where client companies are generally dependent on their contract employees in the same manner as permanent employees for the production cycle and the conduct of their respective businesses allows for a relatively small accounts receivable allowance. As of September 30, 2019, and September 30, 2018 allowance for doubtful accounts was $0.5 million and $0.3 million, respectively. The Company charges uncollectible accounts against the allowance once the invoices are deemed unlikely to be collectible. The allowance also includes permanent placement falloff reserves of $0.2 million as of September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018, respectively.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation expense is calculated on a straight-line basis over estimated useful lives of five years for computer equipment and two to ten years for office equipment, furniture and fixtures. The Company capitalizes computer software purchased or developed for internal use and amortizes it over an estimated useful life of five years. The carrying value of property and equipment is reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that it may not be recoverable. If the carrying amount of an asset group is greater than its estimated future undiscounted cash flows, the carrying value is written down to the estimated fair value. There was no impairment of property and equipment for fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2018.
Goodwill
In 2019, the Company early adopted ASU 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350), Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment, which simplifies the subsequent measurement of goodwill by eliminating the second step from the quantitative goodwill impairment test. Under this guidance, annual or interim goodwill impairment testing is performed by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An impairment charge is recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value, not to exceed the carrying value of goodwill.
Due to a sustained decline in the market capitalization of our common stock during the third quarter of 2019, we performed an interim goodwill impairment test in the third quarter in accordance with the provisions of ASU 2017-04. The outcome of this goodwill impairment test resulted in a non-cash charge for the impairment of goodwill of $4.3 million. For purposes of performing this interim goodwill impairment assessment, management mainly considered recent trends in the Company’s stock price, estimated control or acquisition premium, and related matters, including other possible factors affecting the recent declines in the Company’s stock price and their effects on estimated fair value of the Company’s reporting units.
Fair Value Measurement
The Company follows the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820, “Fair Value Measurement”, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and enhances fair value measurement disclosure. Under these provisions, fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (i.e., the “exit price”) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.
The standard establishes a hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Company. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the Company’s assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. The hierarchy is described below:
Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for assets or liabilities. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to Level 1 inputs.
Level 2: Observable prices that are based on inputs not quoted on active markets, but corroborated by market data.
Level 3: Unobservable inputs are used when little or no market data is available. The fair value hierarchy gives the lowest priority to Level 3 inputs.
The fair value of the Company’s current assets and current liabilities approximate their carrying values due to their short-term nature. The carrying value of the Company’s long-term liabilities represents their fair value based on level 3 inputs. The Company’s goodwill and other intangible assets are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis using level 3 inputs, as discussed in Note 5.
Earnings and Loss per Share
Basic loss per share is computed by dividing net loss attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted loss per share is computed giving effect to all potentially dilutive common shares. Potentially dilutive common shares may consist of incremental shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options and warrants and the conversion of notes payable and preferred stock to common stock. In periods in which a net loss has been incurred, all potentially dilutive common shares are considered anti-dilutive and thus are excluded from the calculation.
Common stock equivalents, which are excluded because their effect is anti-dilutive, were 12.8 million and 11.0 million for fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2018, respectively.
Advertising Expenses
The Company expenses the costs of print and internet media advertising and promotions as incurred and reports these costs in selling, general and administrative expenses. Advertising expense totaled $2.3 million for fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2018, respectively.
Intangible Assets
Separately identifiable intangible assets held in the form of customer lists, non-compete agreements, customer relationships, management agreements and trade names were recorded at their estimated fair value at the date of acquisition and are amortized over their estimated useful lives ranging from two to ten years using straight-line methods.
Impairment of Long-lived Assets (other than Goodwill)
The Company recognizes an impairment of long-lived assets used in operations, other than goodwill, when events or circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired and the estimated undiscounted cash flows to be generated by those assets over their remaining lives are less than the carrying amount of those items. The net carrying value of assets not recoverable is reduced to fair value, which is typically calculated using the discounted cash flow method. The Company did not record any impairment during fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2018.
Beneficial Conversion Feature
The Company evaluates embedded conversion features within a convertible instrument under ASC 815 Derivatives and Hedging to determine whether the embedded conversion feature(s) should be bifurcated from the host instrument and accounted for as a derivative at fair value with changes in fair value recorded in earnings. If the conversion feature does not require treatment under ASC 815, the instrument is evaluated under ASC 470-20 Debt with Conversion and Other Options for consideration of any beneficial feature.
The Company records a beneficial conversion feature (“BCF”) when the convertible instrument is issued with conversion features at fixed or adjustable rates that are below market value when issued. The BCF for convertible instruments is recognized and measured by allocating a portion of the proceeds equal to the intrinsic value of that feature to additional paid-in capital. The intrinsic value is generally calculated at the commitment date as the difference between the conversion price and the fair value of the common stock or other securities into which the security is convertible, multiplied by the number of shares into which the security is convertible. If certain other securities are issued with the convertible security, the proceeds are allocated among the different components. The portion of the proceeds allocated to the convertible security is divided by the contractual number of the conversion shares to determine the effective conversion price, which is used to measure the BCF. The effective conversion price is used to compute the intrinsic value. The value of the BCF is limited to the basis that is initially allocated to the convertible security.
The BCF for the convertible instrument is recorded as a reduction, or discount, to the carrying amount of the convertible instrument equal to the fair value of the conversion feature. The discount is then amortized as interest or deemed dividends over the period from the date of the convertible instrument’s issuance to the earliest redemption date, provided that the convertible instrument is not currently redeemable but probable of becoming redeemable in the future.
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company accounts for stock-based awards to employees in accordance with FASB ASC 718, “Compensation-Stock Compensation”, which requires compensation expense related to share-based transactions, including employee stock options, to be measured and recognized in the financial statements based on a determination of the fair value of the stock options. The grant date fair value is determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton (“Black-Scholes”) pricing model. For all employee stock options, we recognize expense on an accelerated basis over the employee’s requisite service period (generally the vesting period of the equity grant). The Company’s option pricing model requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, including the expected stock price volatility, expected term, and forfeiture rate. Any changes in these highly subjective assumptions significantly impact stock-based compensation expense.
Options awarded to purchase shares of common stock issued to non-employees in exchange for services are accounted for as variable awards in accordance with FASB ASC 718, “Compensation-Stock Compensation”. Such options are valued using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.
See Note 9 for the assumptions used to calculate the fair value of stock-based employee and non-employee compensation. Upon the exercise of options, it is the Company’s policy to issue new shares rather than utilizing treasury shares.
Income Taxes
We account for income taxes under the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements. Under this method, we determine deferred tax assets and liabilities on the basis of the differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities by using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
We recognize deferred tax assets to the extent that we believe that these assets are more likely than not to be realized. In making such a determination, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income, tax-planning strategies, and results of recent operations. If we determine that we would be able to realize our deferred tax assets in the future in excess of their net recorded amount, we would make an adjustment to the deferred tax asset valuation allowance, which would reduce the provision for income taxes.
We record uncertain tax positions in accordance with ASC 740 on the basis of a two-step process in which (1) we determine whether it is more likely than not that the tax positions will be sustained on the basis of the technical merits of the position and (2) for those tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, we recognize the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50 percent likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement with the related tax authority.
We recognize and group interest and penalties, if any, with income tax expense in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations. As of September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018, no material accrued interest or penalties are included on the related tax liability line in the consolidated balance sheet.
Reclassification
Certain reclassifications have been made to the financial statements as of and for the years ended September 30, 2019 to conform to the current year presentation.
Segment Data
The Company provides the following distinctive services: (a) direct hire placement services, and (b) temporary professional contract services staffing in the fields of information technology, engineering, medical, and accounting, and (c) temporary contract light industrial staffing. The Company’s services can be divided into two reportable segments, Industrial Staffing Services and Professional Staffing Services. Selling, general and administrative expenses are not entirely allocated among Industrial and Professional Staffing Services. Operating results are regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision maker to make decisions about resources to be allocated to the segment and to assess its performance. Other factors, including type of business, type of employee, length of employment and revenue recognition are considered in determining the Company’s operating segments.
3. Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
Revenue from Contracts with Customers. On May 28, 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”), which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The ASU superseded the existing revenue recognition guidance under U.S. GAAP. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date, which delayed the effective date of the new standard from January 1, 2017 to January 1, 2018. The FASB also agreed to allow entities to choose to adopt the standard as of the original effective date. This ASC 606 permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The new standard was adopted by the Company under the modified retrospective approach effective October 1, 2018. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.
Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. In January 2017, the FASB issued authoritative guidance to simplify the goodwill impairment testing process. The new standard eliminates Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test. If a company determines in Step 1 of the goodwill impairment test that the carrying value of goodwill is greater than the fair value, an impairment in that amount should be recorded to the income statement, rather than proceeding to Step 2. The new guidance is effective for the Company for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, although early adoption is permitted.
In 2019, the Company early adopted ASU 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350), Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment, which simplifies the subsequent measurement of goodwill by eliminating the second step from the quantitative goodwill impairment test. Under this guidance, annual or interim goodwill impairment testing is performed by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An impairment charge is recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value, not to exceed the carrying value of goodwill.
Due to a sustained decline in the market capitalization of our common stock during the third quarter of 2019, we performed an interim goodwill impairment test in accordance with the provisions of ASU 2017-04. The outcome of this goodwill impairment test resulted in a non-cash charge for the impairment of goodwill of $4.3 million, which was recorded in the consolidated financial statements for the fiscal 2019. For purposes of performing this interim goodwill impairment assessment, management mainly considered recent trends in the Company’s stock price, estimated control or acquisition premium, and related matters, including other possible factors affecting the recent declines in the Company’s stock price and their effects on estimated fair value of the Company’s reporting units.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
Lease Accounting. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (“ASC 842”), which introduces the recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities by lessees for those leases classified as operating leases under previous ASC 840 guidance. The update is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those reporting periods, with early adoption permitted. The original guidance required application on a modified retrospective basis with the earliest period presented. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11, Targeted Improvements to ASC 842, which includes an option to not restate comparative periods in transition and elect to use the effective date of ASC 842, Leases, as the date of initial application of transition. We adopted this ASU beginning on October 1, 2019 and elected the transition option provided under ASU 2018-11. This standard has a material effect on our consolidated balance sheets with the recognition of new right of use assets and lease liabilities for all operating leases, except for those leases where we elected the short-term lease recognition exemption, as these leases have a non-cancelable lease term of approximately one year or less.
The Company elected the package of practical expedients available under the transition provisions of the new lease standard, including (i) not reassessing whether expired or existing contracts contain leases, (ii) lease classification, and (iii) not revaluing initial direct costs for existing leases. Also, the Company elected the practical expedient which allows aggregation of non-lease components with the related lease components when evaluating accounting treatment. Lastly, the Company applied the modified retrospective adoption method, utilizing the simplified transition option available in the ASC 842, which allows entities to continue to apply the legacy guidance in ASC 840, including its disclosure requirements, in the comparative periods presented in the year of adoption.
We estimate that approximately $6.3 million will be recognized as total lease liabilities and right-of-use assets on our consolidated balance sheet, offset by approximately $0.4 million of accrued rent, which will reduce the right-of-use assets. Other than the recognition of right of use assets and related lease liabilities and related newly required disclosures, we do not expect the new standard to have a material impact on our remaining consolidated financial statements.
Stock Compensation. In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-07, Compensation-Stock Compensation (“ASC 718”), which simplifies the accounting for nonemployee share-based payment transactions. The amendments specify that Topic 718 applies to all share-based payment transactions in which a grantor acquires goods or services to be used or consumed in a grantor’s own operations by issuing share-based payment awards. The update is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those reporting periods, with early adoption permitted (but no sooner than the adoption of Topic 606). The Company adopted the new guidance as of October 1, 2019. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.
Current Expected Credit Losses Model. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (“ASC 326”), authoritative guidance amending how entities will measure credit losses for most financial assets and certain other instruments that are not measured at fair value through net income. The guidance requires the application of a current expected credit loss model, which is a new impairment model based on expected losses. The new guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2022. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the new guidance on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
No other recent accounting pronouncements were issued by FASB and the SEC that are believed by management to have a material impact on the Company’s present or future financial statements.
4. Property and Equipment
Property and equipment, net consisted of the following:
Depreciation expense for fiscal 2019 and 2018 was approximately $0.3 million and $0.4 million, respectively.
5. Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Goodwill
Goodwill asset for fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2018 was $72.3 million and $76.6 million, respectively. Due to a sustained decline in the market capitalization of our common stock during the third quarter of 2019, we performed an interim goodwill impairment test in accordance with the provisions of ASU 2017-04. The outcome of this goodwill impairment test resulted in a non-cash charge for the impairment of goodwill of $4.3 million, which was recorded in the consolidated financial statements for the fiscal 2019. For purposes of performing this interim goodwill impairment assessment, management mainly considered recent trends in the Company’s stock price, estimated control or acquisition premium, and related matters, including other possible factors affecting the recent declines in the Company’s stock price and their effects on estimated fair value of the Company’s reporting units.
Intangible Assets
The following tables set forth the costs, accumulated amortization and net book value of the Company’s separately identifiable intangible assets as of September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018, and estimated future amortization expense.
The trade names are amortized on a straight - line basis over the estimated useful life of between five and ten years. Intangible assets that represent customer relationships are amortized on the basis of estimated future undiscounted cash flows or using the straight - line basis over estimated remaining useful lives of five to ten years. Non-compete agreements are amortized based on a straight-line basis over the term of the respective noncompete agreements, which are typically five years in duration.
The intangible assets amortization expense was approximately $5.6 million and $5.5 million for fiscal 2019 and 2018, respectively.
6. Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan
Revolving Credit, Term Loan and Security Agreement
After the close of business on March 31, 2017, the Company and its subsidiaries, as borrowers, entered into a Revolving Credit, Term Loan and Security Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with PNC Bank National Association (“PNC”), and certain investment funds managed by MGG Investment Group LP (“MGG”). Initial funds were distributed on April 3, 2017 (the “Closing Date”) to repay existing indebtedness, pay fees and expenses relating to the Credit Agreement, and to pay a portion of the purchase price for the acquisition of the SNI Companies.
Under the terms of the Credit Agreement, the Company may borrow up to approximately $73.8 million consisting of a four-year term loan in the principal amount of approximately $48.8 million and revolving loans in a maximum amount up to the lesser of (i) $25.0 million or (ii) an amount determined pursuant to a borrowing base that is calculated based on the outstanding amount of the Company’s eligible accounts receivable, as described in the Credit Agreement. The loans under the Credit Agreement mature on March 31, 2021.
Loan Covenants
The Credit Agreement, as amended, contains certain financial covenants, which are required to be maintained as of the last day of each fiscal quarter, including the following:
Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (“FCCR”). This is the ratio of consolidated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) to Fixed Charges, each of which is as defined in the Credit Agreement, as amended. The minimum FCCR requirements are: 1.00 to 1.00 for the trailing two fiscal quarters ending March 31, 2019; 0.60 to 1.00 for the trailing three fiscal quarters ending June 30, 2019; 0.70 to 1.00 for the trailing four fiscal quarters ending September 30, 2019; 0.75 to 1.00 for the trailing four fiscal quarters ending December 31, 2019; 0.85 to 1.00 for the trailing four fiscal quarters ending March 31, 2020; and 1.00 to 1.00 for each of the trailing four fiscal quarterly periods ending thereafter.
Minimum EBITDA. Minimum EBITDA, which is determined on a consolidated basis and measured on a trailing four (4) quarter basis, as defined in the Credit Agreement, as amended, are: $13 million for the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2019; $10 million for the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2019; $10.0 million for the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2019; $10.0 million for the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2019; and $11.0 million for the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2020, and each fiscal quarter thereafter.
Senior Leverage Ratio. This is the ratio of maximum Indebtedness, which is substantially comprised of consolidated senior indebtedness, to consolidated EBITDA, each of which is as defined under the Credit Agreement, as amended. The Senior Leverage Ratios are: 4.25 to 1.00 for the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2019; 5.50 to 1.00 for the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2019; 5.50 to 1.00 for the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2019; 5.60 to 1.00 for the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2019; and 5.00 to 1.00 for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2020, and for each fiscal quarter thereafter.
In addition to these financial covenants, the Credit Agreement includes other restrictive covenants. The Credit Agreement permits capital expenditures up to a certain level and contains customary default and acceleration provisions. The Credit Agreement also restricts, above certain levels, acquisitions, incurrence of additional indebtedness, and payment of dividends.
On August 31, 2017, the Company entered into a Consent to Extension of Waiver to the Credit Agreement (the “Waiver”). Under the terms of the Waiver, the Lenders and the Agents agreed to extend to October 3, 2017 the deadline by which the Company must deliver updated financial information satisfactory to the lenders in order to amend the financial covenant levels, execute a fully executed amendment to the Credit Agreement, and any other terms and conditions required by the lenders in their sole discretion. Additionally, the Company paid approximately $0.07 million as a consent fee to the Agents for the pro rata benefit of the lenders, in connection with the Waiver. On August 31, 2017, an additional waiver to the Credit Agreement (“Additional Waiver”), pursuant to which the due date for the Company to deliver the subordination agreement and an amended subordinated note, executed by one of the Company’s subordinated lenders was extended from August 31, 2017 to October 3, 2017, also was obtained.
On October 2, 2017, the Company, the other borrower entities and guarantor entities named therein (collectively, the “Loan Parties”), PNC, and certain investment funds managed by MGG (collectively the (“Lenders”) entered into a First Amendment and Waiver (the “First Amendment”) to the Revolving Credit, Term Loan and Security Agreement dated as of March 31, 2017 (the “Credit Agreement”) by and among the Loan Parties, and the Lenders. The First Amendment, which was effective as of October 2, 2017, modified the required principal repayment schedule with respect to the Term Loans. The Amendment also modified the ability of the Loan Parties to repay or make other payments with respect to certain other loans that are subordinated in right of payment to the indebtedness under the Credit Agreement.
Pursuant to the First Amendment the Lenders also waived any Event of Default arising out of the Loan Parties’ failure to deliver, on or before October 3, 2017, the certain materials satisfying the requirements of clauses (i) and (ii) of Section 5 of the Waiver to Revolving Credit, Term Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of August 14, 2017, as amended.
On November 14, 2017, the Company and its subsidiaries, as Borrowers, entered into a second amendment (the “Second Amendment”) to the Revolving Credit, Term Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2017 (the “Credit Agreement”). Pursuant to the Second Amendment the Borrowers agreed, among other things, to use commercially reasonable efforts to prepay, or cause to be prepaid, $10.0 million in principal amount of Advances (as defined in the Credit Agreement) outstanding, which amount shall be applied to prepay the Term Loans in accordance with the applicable terms of the Credit Agreement. Any prepayment to the term loan is contingent upon a future financing, non-operational cash flow or excess cash flow as defined in the agreement. The Company also agreed to certain amendments to the loan covenants required to be maintained.
The Company did not meet its financial loan covenants at September 30, 2018 or at June 30, 2018 or March 31, 2018, previously. On May 15, 2018, the Company obtained a temporary waiver from its lenders for the missed financial covenants at March 31, 2018. On August 10, 2018, the Company and its subsidiaries, as Borrowers, entered into a third amendment and waiver (the “Third Amendment and Waiver”) to the Credit Agreement. Pursuant to the Third Amendment and Waiver, the Lenders agreed to modify the definition of EBITDA in the Credit Agreement to allow for the recognition and exclusion of certain additional acquisition, integration and restructuring expenses not previously specified and to provide a temporary waiver for any Defaults and Events of Default under the Credit Agreement that have solely arisen by reason of the Company failing to comply with the financial covenants of the Credit Agreement for the period ending June 30, 2018.
On December 27, 2018, the Company and its subsidiaries, as Borrowers, entered into a fourth amendment and waiver (the “Fourth Amendment and Waiver”) to the Revolving Credit, Term Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2017 (the “Credit Agreement”). Under the Fourth Amendment and Waiver, the Company and its Lenders have negotiated and agreed to a waiver for noncompliance with the financial covenants under the Credit Agreement as of September 30, 2018, and amendments to the financial covenants and to the remaining scheduled principal payments.
On May 15, 2019, the Company and its subsidiaries, as Borrowers, entered into a fifth amendment and waiver (the “Fifth Amendment”) to the Revolving Credit, Term Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2017 (the “Credit Agreement”). Under the Fifth Amendment, the Company and its Lenders have negotiated and agreed to a waiver for non-compliance with the financial covenants under the Credit Agreement as of March 31, 2019, and amendments to the financial covenants and to the remaining scheduled principal payments.
Following the Fifth Amendment, the Company has met its financial covenants, as amended, for the quarters ended June 30, 2019 and September 30, 2019.
The Company experienced significant net losses in fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2018, which also have negatively impacted the Company’s ability to generate liquidity. Management believes the Company can generate adequate liquidity to meet its obligations for the foreseeable future and has taken definitive actions to improve operations, reduce costs and improve profitability and liquidity, and position the Company for future growth. In addition, management has successfully negotiated amendments and waivers to the Credit Agreement with the Company’s current senior lenders on six occasions to date as management works to improve the Company’s operations and to refinance and restructure its current debt and equity capitalization. However, there can be no assurance that the Company will not fall into non-compliance with its loan covenants in the future or that its Lenders will continue to provide waivers or amendments to the Company in the event of future non-compliance with debt covenants or other possible events of default that could happen. There also can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in its efforts to refinance and restructure the Company’s debt and equity capitalization under reasonable terms or at all, or that it will generate adequate liquidity to fund operations and meet its debt service obligations in the future.
Revolving Credit Facility
As of September 30, 2019, the Company had $14.2 million in outstanding borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility, of which approximately $13.4 million was at an interest rate of approximately 17.06%, and the remainder was at an interest rate of approximately 19.00%.
As of September 30, 2019, the Company had $0.5 million available on the Revolving Credit facility.
The Revolving Credit Facility is secured by all the Company’s property and assets, whether real or personal, tangible or intangible, and whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or in which it now has or at any time in the future may acquire any right, title or interests.
Term Loan
The Company had outstanding balances under its Term Loan, as follows:
The Term Loan is payable as follows, subject to acceleration upon the occurrence of an Event of Default under the Credit Agreement or termination of the Credit Agreement and provided that all unpaid principal, accrued and unpaid interest and all unpaid fees and expenses shall be due and payable in full on March 31, 2021. Further principal payments are required as follows: fiscal 2020 - $5.5 million and fiscal 2021 - $36.4 million.
The Company also is required to prepay the outstanding amount of the Term Loan in an amount equal to the Specified Excess Cash Flow Amount (as defined in the agreement) for the immediately preceding fiscal year, commencing with the fiscal year ending September 30, 2018. The Company did not owe any amounts designated as Specified Excess Cash Flow under Credit Agreement as of September 30, 2019 or 2018.
Interest
The loans under the Credit Agreement for the period commencing on the Second Amendment Effective Date up to and including May 31, 2018, (i) so long as the Senior Leverage Ratio is equal to or greater than 3.75 to 1.00, an amount equal to the bank prime rate plus 9.75% for Advances consisting of Domestic Rate Loans and LIBOR plus 10.75% for Advances consisting of LIBOR Rate Loans and (ii) so long as the Senior Leverage Ratio is less than 3.75 to 1.00, an amount equal to the bank prime rate plus 9.00% for Advances consisting of Domestic Rate Loans and LIBOR plus 10.00% for Advances consisting of LIBOR Rate Loans.
Commencing on June 1, 2018 up to and including August 31, 2018, (i) so long as the Senior Leverage Ratio is equal to or greater than 4.00 to 1.00, interest on the loans is payable in an amount equal to the bank prime rate plus 14.00% for Advances consisting of Domestic Rate Loans and LIBOR plus 15.00% for Advances consisting of LIBOR Rate Loans and (ii) so long as the Senior Leverage Ratio is less than 4.00 to 1.00, interest is payable in an amount equal to the prime rate plus 9.75% for Advances consisting of Domestic Rate Loans and LIBOR plus 10.75% for Advances consisting of LIBOR Rate Loans.
Commencing on September 1, 2018 through the remainder of the Term, (i) so long as the Senior Leverage Ratio is equal to or greater than 3.50 to 1.00, interest on the loans is payable in an amount equal to the bank prime rate plus 14.00% for Advances consisting of Domestic Rate Loans and LIBOR plus 15.00% for Advances consisting of LIBOR Rate Loans and (ii) so long as the Senior Leverage Ratio is less than 3.50 to 1.00, interest is payable in an amount equal to bank prime rate plus 9.00% for Advances consisting of Domestic Rate Loans and LIBOR plus 10.00% for Advances consisting of LIBOR Rate Loans.
As of September 30, 2019, the Company had $41.9 million in outstanding borrowings under the Term Loan Facility, of which approximately $35.7 million was at an interest of approximately 17.05%, and approximately $6.2 million was at an interest of approximately 17.06%.
Loan Fees and Amortization
In connection with the Credit Agreement, the Company agreed to pay an original discount fee of approximately $0.9 million, a closing fee for the term loan of approximately $0.1 million, a finder’s fee of approximately $1.6 million and a closing fee for the revolving credit facility of approximately $0.5 million. The total of the loan fees paid at closing was approximately $3.1 million. The Company has reported these direct loan-related costs in the form of a discount and reduction of the term loan in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and is amortizing them as interest expense over the term of the loans. During fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2018, the Company amortized approximately $0.8 million, respectively, of debt discount.
7. Accrued Compensation
Accrued compensation includes accrued wages and commissions, the related payroll taxes, and employee benefits earned by the Company’s employees, including the Company’s contract employees while they work on contract assignments, and including commissions earned and not yet paid and estimated commissions payable and related payroll-related items.
8. Subordinated Debt - Convertible and Non - Convertible
The Company had outstanding balances under its 10% Convertible and Non-Convertible Subordinated Debt agreements, as follows:
10% Convertible Subordinated Note
The Company had a Subordinated Note payable to JAX Legacy - Investment 1, LLC (“JAX Legacy”), pursuant to a Subscription Agreement dated October 2, 2015, in the amount of $4.2 million, and which was scheduled to become due on October 2, 2018.
On April 3, 2017, the Company and JAX Legacy amended and restated the 10% Subordinated Note in its entirety in the form of a 10% Convertible Subordinated Note (the “10% Note”) in the aggregate principal amount of $4.2 million. The replacement 10% Note matures on October 3, 2021 (the “Maturity Date”). The 10% Note is convertible into shares of the Company’s Common Stock at a conversion price equal to $5.83 per share. All or any portion of the 10% Note may be redeemed by the Company for cash at any time on or after April 3, 2018 that the average daily VWAP of the Company’s Common Stock reported on the principal trading market for the Common Stock exceeds the then applicable Conversion Price for a period of 20 trading days. The redemption price shall be an amount equal to 100% of the then outstanding principal amount of the 10% Note being redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon. The Company agreed to issue to the investors in JAX Legacy approximately 77,775 shares of common stock, at a value of approximately $0.4 million which was expensed as loss on the extinguishment of debt during the year ended September 30, 2017.
Total discount recorded at issuance of the original JAX Legacy subordinated note payable was approximately $0.6 million. Total amortization of debt discount for the year ended September 30, 2017 was approximately $0.1 million, and the remaining $0.3 million was written off to loss on extinguishment of debt upon amendment and restatement resulting in the 10% Note.
During fiscal 2019 and 2018, the Company issued approximately 408,891 and 264,280 shares of common stock to Jax Legacy as payment-in-kind interest of approximately $0.4 million and $0.9 million, respectively, on the 10% Note.
On October 3, 2019 the Company issued 148,783 shares of common stock to Jax Legacy related to interest of $0.1 million on the 10% Note.
Amended and Restated Non-Negotiable Promissory Note
On October 4, 2017, the Company executed an Amended and Restated Non-Negotiable Promissory Note in favor of William Daniel Dampier and Carol Lee Dampier (sellers of Access Data Consulting Corporation) in the amount of approximately $1.2 million (the “Note”). This Note restates in its entirety and replaces the earlier Subordinated Nonnegotiable Promissory Note dated October 4, 2015, issued by the Company to William Daniel Dampier and Carol Lee Dampier in the original principal amount of $3.0 million. The Company agreed to pay William Daniel Dampier and Carol Lee Dampier 12 equal installments of approximately $107,675, commencing on November 4, 2017 and ending on October 4, 2018. The note was paid off during the three months ended December 31, 2018.
Subordinated Promissory Note
On January 20, 2017, the Company entered into Addendum No. 1 (the “Addendum”) to the Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of January 1, 2016 (the “Paladin Agreement”) by and among the Company and Enoch S. Timothy and Dorothy Timothy (collectively, the “Sellers”). Pursuant to the terms of the Addendum, the Company and the Sellers agreed (a) that the conditions to the “Earnouts” (as defined in the Paladin Agreement) had been satisfied or waived and (b) that the amounts payable to the Sellers in connection with the Earnouts shall be amended and restructured as follows: (i) the Company paid $250,000 in cash to the Sellers prior to January 31, 2017 (the “Earnout Cash Payment”) and (ii) the Company issued to the Sellers a subordinated promissory note in the principal amount of $1.0 million (the “Subordinated Note”), The Subordinated Note bears interest at the rate of 5.5% per annum. Interest on the Subordinated Note is payable monthly and principal can only be paid in stock until the term loan and Revolving Credit Facility are repaid. The Subordinated Note is due January 20, 2020 and may be prepaid without penalty. The principal of and interest on the Subordinated Note may be paid, at the option of the Company, either in cash or in shares of common stock of the Company or in any combination of cash and common stock. The Sellers have agreed that all payments and obligations under the Subordinated Note shall be subordinate and junior in right of payment to any “Senior Indebtedness” (as defined in the Paladin Agreement) now or hereafter existing to “Senior Lenders” (current or future) (as defined in the Paladin Agreement).
9.5% Convertible Subordinated Notes
On April 3, 2017, the Company issued and paid to certain SNIH Stockholders as part of the acquisition of SNIH an aggregate of $12.5 million in the form of 9.5% Convertible Subordinated Notes (the “9.5% Notes”). The 9.5% Notes mature on October 3, 2021 (the “Maturity Date”). The 9.5% Notes are convertible into shares of the Company’s Common Stock at a conversion price equal to $5.83 per share. Interest on the 9.5% Notes accrues and is payable quarterly in arrears on June 30, September 30, December 31 and March 31, beginning on June 30, 2017, and on each conversion date with respect to the 9.5% Notes (as to that principal amount then being converted), and on the Maturity Date (each such date, an “Interest Payment Date”). At the option of the Company, interest may be paid on an Interest Payment Date either in cash or in shares of Common Stock of the Company, which Common Stock shall be valued based on the terms of the agreement, subject to certain limitations defined in the loan agreement. Each of the 9.5% Notes is subordinated in payment to the obligations of the Company under its Credit Agreement (see Note 6) pursuant to Subordination and Inter-creditor Agreements dated as of March 31, 2017 by and among the Company, the Credit Agreement lenders, and each of the holders of the 9.5% Notes.
During the fiscal 2019 and 2018 the Company issued approximately 1,095,787 shares and 530,071 shares of common stock to the SNI Sellers as payment-in-kind interest of approximately $1.2 million and $1.5 million, respectively, on the 9.5% Notes.
On October 3, 2019 the Company issued approximately 402,509 shares of common stock to the SNI Sellers related to interest of $0.3 million on the 9.5% Notes.
8% Convertible Subordinated Notes to Related Parties
On May 15, 2019, the Company issued and sold to members of its executive management and Board of Directors (the “Investors”) $2.0 million in aggregate principal amount of its 8% Notes. The 8% Notes mature on October 3, 2021 (the “Maturity Date”). The 8% Notes are convertible into shares of the Company’s Series C 8% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series C Preferred Stock”) at a conversion price equal to $1.00 per share (subject to adjustment as provided in the 8% Notes upon any stock dividend, stock combination or stock split or upon the consummation of certain fundamental transactions) (the “Conversion Price”). Interest on the 8% Notes accrues at the rate of 8% per annum and shall be paid quarterly in non-cash payments-in-kind (“PIK”) in arrears on June 30, September 30, December 31 and March 31, beginning on June 30, 2019, on each conversion date with respect to the 8% Notes (as to that principal amount then being converted), and on the Maturity Date (each such date, an “Interest Payment Date”). Interest shall be paid on an Interest Payment Date in shares of Series C Preferred Stock of the Company, which Series C Preferred Stock shall be valued at its liquidation value. All or any portion of the 8% Notes may be redeemed by the Company for cash at any time. The redemption price shall be an amount equal to 100% of the then outstanding principal amount of the 8% Notes being redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid PIK interest thereon. The Company may, at its option, prepay any portion of the principal amount of the 8% Notes without the prior consent of the holders thereof; provided, however, that any prepayments of the 8% Notes shall be made on a pro rata basis to all holders of 8% Notes based on the aggregate principal amount of 8% Notes held by such holders. The Company shall be required to prepay the 8% Notes together with accrued and unpaid PIK interest thereon upon the consummation by the Company of any Change of Control.
For purposes of the 8% Notes, a Change of Control of the Company shall mean any of the following: (A) the Company effects any sale of all or substantially all of its assets in one transaction or a series of related transactions or (B) the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any merger or consolidation), the result of which is that any person or entity together with their affiliates, becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the Common Stock of the Company. Each of the 8% Notes is subordinated in payment to the obligations of the Company to the lenders parties to that certain Revolving Credit, Term Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2017, as amended, by and among the Company, the Company’s subsidiaries named as borrowers therein (collectively with the Company, the “Borrowers”), the senior lenders named therein and MGG Investment Group LP, as administrative agent and collateral agent (the “Agent”) for the senior lenders (the “Senior Credit Agreement”), pursuant to those certain Subordination and Intercreditor Agreements, each dated as of May 15, 2019 by and among the Company, the Borrowers, the Agent and each of the holders of the 8% Notes.
During fiscal 2019, the Company issued approximately 60,400 shares of Series C Preferred Stock to Investors related to interest of $60,400 on the 8% Notes.
The BCF for the 8% Notes is recorded as a discount to their carrying value and is equal to the fair value of the conversion feature. The discount will be amortized as interest over the period from the date of issuance to maturity. The total BCF recorded was approximately $0.8 million. During fiscal 2019 and 2018, the Company amortized approximately $0.1 million and $0 of debt discount, respectively.
Future minimum payments of all subordinated debt will total approximately as follows: fiscal 2020 - $1.0 million, fiscal 2021- $0.0 and fiscal 2022 - $18.7 million.
9. Equity
During fiscal 2019 and 2018, the Company issued 250,000 and 110,083 shares of common stock for the conversion of approximately 250,000 and 110,083 shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, respectively (See Note 10).
Restricted Common Stock
The Company granted 400,000 and 1,100,000 restricted shares of common stock in fiscal 2019 and 2018, respectively. In fiscal 2018, the Company granted 600,000 and 500,000 restricted shares of common stock to its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and President, respectively. The restricted shares are to be earned over a three-year period and cliff vest at the end of the third year from the date of grant. Stock-based compensation expense attributable to restricted stock was $0.8 million and $0.3 million in fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2018, respectively. As of September 30, 2019, there was approximately $1.6 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to restricted stock outstanding. Mr. Bajalia’s 500,000 shares of restricted common stock were fully vested on November 23, 2019 upon his passing.
A summary of restricted stock activity is presented as follows:
Warrants
No warrants were granted or exercised during fiscal 2019.
A summary of warrant activity is presented as follows:
Stock Options
As of September 30, 2019, there were stock options outstanding under the Company’s, Second Amended and Restated 1997 Stock Option Plan and the Company’s Amended and Restated 2013 Incentive Stock Plan. Both plans were approved by the shareholders. The plans granted specified numbers of options to non-employee directors, and they authorized the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors to grant either incentive or non-statutory stock options to employees. Vesting periods are established by the Compensation Committee at the time of grant. All stock options outstanding as of September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018 were non-statutory stock options, had exercise prices equal to the market price on the date of grant, and had expiration dates ten years from the date of grant.
Stock-based compensation expense attributable to stock options and warrants was $1.4 million in fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2018, respectively. As of September 30, 2019, there was approximately $1.5 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested stock options outstanding, and the weighted average vesting period for those options was 3.97 years.
A summary of stock option activity is as follows:
The fair value of stock options granted was made using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and the following assumptions:
10. Mezzanine Equity
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock
On April 3, 2017, the Company filed a Statement of Resolution Establishing its Series A Preferred Stock with the State of Illinois. (the Resolution Establishing Series”). Pursuant to the Resolution Establishing Series, the Company designated 160,000 shares of its authorized preferred stock as Series A Preferred Stock. There are no shares issued and outstanding under this designation.
Series B Convertible Preferred Stock
On April 3, 2017, the Company issued an aggregate of approximately 5.9 million shares of no par value, Series B Convertible Preferred Stock to certain of the SNIH Stockholders as part of the Merger Consideration. The no par value, Series B Convertible Preferred Stock has a liquidation preference equal to $4.86 per share and ranks senior to all “Junior Securities” (including the Company’s Common Stock) with respect to any distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary.
In the event that the Company declares or pays a dividend or distribution on its Common Stock, whether such dividend or distribution is payable in cash, securities or other property, including the purchase or redemption by the Company or any of its subsidiaries of shares of Common Stock for cash, securities or property, the Company is required to simultaneously declare and pay a dividend on the no par value, Series B Convertible Preferred Stock on a pro rata basis with the Common Stock determined on an as-converted basis assuming all shares had been converted as of immediately prior to the record date of the applicable dividend or distribution.
Except as set forth in the Resolution Establishing Series or as may be required by Illinois law, the holders of the no par value, Series B Convertible Preferred Stock have no voting rights. Pursuant to the Resolution Establishing Series, without the prior written consent of holders of not less than a majority of the then total outstanding Shares of no par value, Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, voting separately as a single class, the Company shall not create, or authorize the creation of, any additional class or series of capital stock of the Company (or any security convertible into or exercisable for any class or series of capital stock of the Company) that ranks pari passu with or superior to the no par value, Series B Convertible Preferred Stock in relative rights, preferences or privileges (including with respect to dividends, liquidation or voting).
Each share of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock is convertible at the option of the holder thereof into one share of Common Stock at an initial conversion price equal to $4.86 per share, which is subject to adjustment in the event of stock splits, stock combinations, capital reorganizations, reclassifications, consolidations, mergers or sales, as set forth in the Resolution Establishing Series.
None of the shares of no par value, Series B Convertible Preferred Stock issued to the SNIH Stockholders are registered under the Securities Act. Each of the SNIH Stockholders who received shares of Series B Preferred Stock is an accredited investor. The issuance of the shares of no par value, Series B Convertible Preferred Stock to such SNIH Stockholders is exempt from the registration requirements of the Act in reliance on an exemption from registration provided by Section 4(2) of the Act.
Based on the terms of the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, if certain fundamental transactions were to occur, the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock would require redemption, which precludes permanent equity classification on the accompanying consolidated Balance Sheet.
During fiscal 2019, the Company issued 250,000 shares of common stock for the conversion of approximately 250,000 shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock. During fiscal 2018 the Company issued 110,083 shares of common stock for the conversion of approximately 110,083 shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock.
Series C Convertible Preferred Stock
On May 17, 2019, the Company filed a Statement of Resolution Establishing Series C 8% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series C Convertible Preferred Stock”) with the State of Illinois (the “Resolution Establishing Series”). Pursuant to the Resolution Establishing Series, the Company designated 3,000,000 of its authorized preferred stock as its Series C Convertible Preferred Stock, without par value. The Series C Convertible Preferred Stock has a Liquidation Value equal to $1.00 per share and ranks pari passu with the Company’s Series B Convertible Preferred Stock and senior to all “Junior Securities” (including the Company’s Common Stock) with respect to any distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary. Holders of shares of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock are entitled to receive an annual non-cash (“PIK”) dividend of 8% of the Liquidation Value per share. Such dividend shall be payable quarterly on June 30, September 30, December 31 and March 31 of each year commencing on June 30, 2019, in preference to any dividend paid on or declared and set aside for the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock or any Junior Securities and shall be paid-in-kind in additional shares of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock. Except as set forth in the Resolution Establishing Series or as may be required by Illinois law, the holders of the Series C Convertible Preferred Stock have no voting rights. Pursuant to the Resolution Establishing Series, without the prior written consent of holders of not less than a majority of the then total outstanding Shares of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock, voting separately as a single class, the Company shall not create, or authorize the creation of, any additional class or series of capital stock of the Company (or any security convertible into or exercisable for any class or series of capital stock of the Company) that ranks superior to the Series C Convertible Preferred Stock in relative rights, preferences or privileges (including with respect to dividends, liquidation or voting). Each share of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock shall be convertible at the option of the holder thereof into one share of Common Stock at an initial conversion price equal to $1.00 per share, each as subject to adjustment in the event of stock splits, stock combinations, capital reorganizations, reclassifications, consolidations, mergers or sales, as set forth in the Resolution Establishing Series.
During fiscal 2019, the Company issued approximately 60,400 shares of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock to Investors related to interest of $60,400 on the 8% Notes.
11. Income Taxes
The components of the provision for income taxes is as follows:
A reconciliation of the Company s statutory income tax rate to the Company s effective income tax rate is as follows:
The net deferred income tax asset balance related to the following:
As of September 30, 2019, the Company had federal and state net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $25.1 million and $22.8 million, respectively, which begin to expire in 2029 for federal and 2020 for state purposes. Of the $25.1 million of federal net operating losses, $5.9 million can be carried indefinitely. As of September 30, 2018, the Company had federal and state net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $27.3 million and $23.7 million, respectively.
Future realization of the tax benefits of existing temporary differences and net operating loss carryforwards ultimately depends on the existence of sufficient taxable income within the carryforward period. As of September 30, 2019, and 2018, the Company performed an evaluation to determine whether a valuation allowance was needed. The Company considered all available evidence, both positive and negative, which included the results of operations for the current and preceding years. The Company also considered whether there was any currently available information about future years. Because long-term contracts are not a significant part of the Company’s business, future results cannot be reliably predicted by considering past trends or by extrapolating past results. Moreover, the Company’s earnings are influenced by national economic conditions and have been volatile in the past. Considering these factors, the Company determined that it was not possible to reasonably quantify future taxable income. The Company determined that it is more likely than not that all of the net deferred tax assets (deferred tax assets in excess of corresponding deferred tax liabilities) will not be realized. Accordingly, the Company maintained a valuation allowance as of September 30, 2019 and 2018.
With the passage of time, the Company will continue to generate additional deferred tax assets and liabilities related to amortization of acquired intangible assets for tax purposes. As goodwill, an indefinite-lived intangible asset, will not be amortized for financial reporting purposes under current accounting standards, any tax amortization related goodwill claimed by the Company in future years will give rise to an increasing deferred tax liability, which will only reverse at the time of a future impairment under current accounting rules or ultimate sale of the underlying intangible assets. Due to the uncertain timing of this reversal, the temporary difference cannot be considered as a source of future taxable income, but for the amount of indefinite federal NOL carryforwards available due to the U.S. Tax Reform Act as noted above, for purposes of determining a valuation allowance against the Company’s other net deferred tax assets. As a result, the Company’s net deferred tax position at September 30, 2019 and 2018, represents the tax impact of the cumulative tax amortization of goodwill, which is primarily attributable to historical tax deductible goodwill from SNI.
Under Internal Revenue Code 382, if a corporation undergoes an “ownership change,” the corporation’s ability to use its pre-change NOL carryforwards and other pre-change tax attributes to offset its post-change income may be limited. We have not completed a study to assess whether an “ownership change” has occurred or whether there have been multiple ownership changes since we became a “loss corporation” as defined in Section 382. Future changes in our stock ownership, which may be outside of our control, may trigger an “ownership change”. In addition, future equity offerings or acquisitions that have equity as a component of the purchase price could result in an “ownership change.” If an “ownership change” has occurred or does occur in the future, utilization of the NOL carryforwards or other tax attributes may be limited, which could potentially result in increased future tax liability to us.
The calculation of our tax liabilities involves dealing with uncertainties in the application of complex tax laws and regulations for both federal taxes and the many states in which we operate or do business in. ASC 740 states that a tax benefit from an uncertain tax position may be recognized when it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination, including resolutions of any related appeals or litigation processes, on the basis of the technical merits.
We record tax positions as liabilities in accordance with ASC 740 and adjust these liabilities when our judgement changes as a result of the evaluation of new information not previously available. Because of the complexity of some of these uncertainties, the ultimate resolution may result in a payment that is materially different from our current estimate of the recognized tax benefit liabilities. These differences will be reflected as increases or decreases to income tax expense in the period in which new information is available. As of September 30, 2019, and 2018 we have not recorded any uncertain tax positions in our financial statements.
We recognize interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits on the income tax expense line in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations. As of September 30, 2019, and 2018, no accrued interest or penalties are included on the related tax liability line in the consolidated balance sheet.
The Company files tax returns as prescribed by the tax laws of the jurisdictions in which it operates. In the normal course of business, the Company is subject to examination by federal and state jurisdictions, where applicable. There are currently no pending tax examinations. The Company’s tax years are still open under statute from September 30, 2016, to the present. Earlier years may be examined to the extent that the net operating loss carryforwards form those earlier years are used in future periods. The resolution of tax matters is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
12. Commitment and Contingencies
Leases
The Company leases space for all its branch offices, which are generally located either in downtown or suburban business centers, and for its corporate headquarters. Branch offices are generally leased over periods ranging from three to seven years. The corporate office lease expires in 2020. The leases generally provide for payment of basic rent plus a share of building real estate taxes, maintenance costs and utilities.
Rent expense was approximately $2.9 million and $3.1 million for fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2018, respectively.
As of September 30, 2019, future minimum lease payments due under non-cancelable lease agreements having initial terms in excess of one year, including certain closed offices are as follows:
Litigation and Claims
The Company and its subsidiaries are involved in various litigation that arises in the ordinary course of business. There are no pending significant legal proceedings to which the Company is a party for which management believes the ultimate outcome would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position.
13. Segment Data
The Company provides the following distinctive services: (a) direct hire placement services, (b) temporary professional services staffing in the fields of information technology, accounting, finance, office, engineering, and medical, and (c) temporary light industrial staffing. These Company’s services can be divided into two reportable segments, Industrial Staffing Services and Professional Staffing Services. Some selling, general and administrative expenses are not fully allocated among light industrial services and professional staffing services.
Unallocated corporate expenses primarily include, certain executive compensation expenses and salaries, certain administrative salaries, corporate legal expenses, stock compensation expenses, consulting expenses, audit fees, corporate rent and facility costs, board fees, acquisition, integration and restructuring expenses, and interest expense.
1 Professional Staffing Services operating income for the year ended September 30, 2019 includes the effect of a goodwill impairment charge of $4.3 million.
2 Certain administrative expenses previously allocated to the Professional Staffing Services segment for the year ended September 30, 2018, in the amount of approximately $0.9 million, have been reclassified to corporate administrative expenses presented above, in order to conform with the current classification of these expenses for the year ended September 30, 2019.
14. Subsequent Events
None.
Table of Contentes
Item 9.
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.
None.
Item 9A.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures.
We carried out an evaluation required by Rule 13a-15 of the Exchange Act under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s “disclosure controls and procedures” and “internal control over financial reporting” as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report.
The evaluation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting included a review of our objectives and processes, implementation by us and the effect on the information generated for use in this Annual Report. In the course of this evaluation and in accordance with Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act, we sought to identify material weaknesses in our controls, to determine whether we had identified any acts of fraud involving personnel who have a significant role in our internal control over financial reporting that would have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements, and to confirm that any necessary corrective action, including process improvements, were being undertaken. Our evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures is done quarterly and management reports the effectiveness of our controls and procedures in our periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Our internal control over financial reporting is also evaluated on an ongoing basis by our executive management and by other individuals in our organization. The overall goals of these evaluation activities are to monitor our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting and to make modifications as necessary. We periodically evaluate our processes and procedures and make improvements as required.
Because of inherent limitations, disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. In addition, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Management applies its judgment in assessing the benefits of controls relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected. The design of any system of controls is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions, regardless of how remote.
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Disclosure controls and procedures are designed with the objective of ensuring that (i) information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission and (ii) information is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. Based on their evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2019.
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Accounting and Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the 2013 framework in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit the preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. Based on the foregoing evaluation, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of September 30, 2019.
There were no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting during fiscal 2019, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Item 9B.
Item 9B. Other Information.
None.
PART III
Item 10.
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Executive Officers
The named executive officers and directors of the Company are as follows:
____________
(1)Member of the Audit Committee.
(2)Member of the Compensation Committee.
(3)Member of the Nominating Committee.
Derek Dewan - Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the Board
Mr. Dewan, former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Scribe Solutions, Inc. was elected Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO of the Company effective April 1, 2015. Mr. Dewan was previously Chairman and CEO of MPS Group, Inc. In January 1994, Mr. Dewan joined AccuStaff Incorporated, MPS Group’s predecessor, as President and Chief Executive Officer, and took that company public in August 1994. Under Mr. Dewan’s leadership the company became a Fortune 1000 world-class, global multi-billion-dollar staffing services provider through significant organic growth and strategic acquisitions. MPS Group grew to include a vast network of offices in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Continental Europe, Asia and Australia. MPS Group experienced many years of continued success during Mr. Dewan’s tenure, including having completed successful secondary stock offerings of $110 million and $370 million, being featured on the Wall Street Journal’s “top performing stock list” for three consecutive years and being included in the Standard and Poor’s (S&P) Mid-Cap 400. In 2009, Mr. Dewan was instrumental in the sale of MPS Group to the largest staffing company in the world, Adecco Group, for $1.3 billion.
Alex Stuckey - Chief Administrative Officer
Mr. Stuckey became the Company’s Chief Administrative Officer on April 10, 2017. He joined the Company in April 2015 as its Chief Operating Officer and President and served in those positions until April 10, 2017. Prior to its acquisition by the Company, Mr. Stuckey was the President and Chief Operating Officer of Scribe Solutions, Inc. Prior to joining Scribe, Mr. Stuckey was the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Fire Fighters Equipment Co. He led that company from a start up to a multi-million-dollar enterprise with substantial net profits through both organic growth and growth through acquisition. At Fire Fighters, Mr. Stuckey developed unique marketing strategies, which were revolutionary to the industry. His efforts led to a successful stock sale of Fire Fighters to Cintas. Mr. Stuckey also has extensive experience in banking and finance, which he obtained after a successful career at Barnett Bank as a special assets officer. Mr. Stuckey graduated from Florida State University with a bachelor’s in Entrepreneurship and Business Enterprises.
Kim Thorpe, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Thorpe joined the Company as the Vice President-Finance on May 1, 2018 and was appointed as the Company’s Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer effective June 15, 2018. Since February 2013, Mr. Thorpe also has served as Managing Principal of FRUS Capital LLC and from November 2013 through May 2017, Mr. Thorpe served as the Chief Financial Officer of Delta Company of Insurance Services, Inc. and as a director and Chief Financial Officer of NeuLife Neurological Services LLC. From May 2006 to February 2013, Mr. Thorpe served in senior executive positions in a privately-owned insurance organization and a specialty real estate lender. From November 1999 to March 2006, Mr. Thorpe served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of FPIC Insurance Group, Inc., a public company formerly listed on Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “FPIC”. Mr. Thorpe also served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of a large insurance and financial services business unit of GE Capital from March 1998 to November 1999. From October 1993 to February 1998, Mr. Thorpe was a partner of the international accounting firm, Coopers & Lybrand (a predecessor firm to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP). Mr. Thorpe holds a BSBA in Accounting from the University of Florida and is a Certified Public Accountant.
William M. Isaac - Director
Mr. Isaac joined the Company as a director in June 2015 and is a senior managing director of FTI Consulting, Inc. (“FTI”) and serves as Global Head of FTI’s Financial Institutions practice. Mr. Isaac also is a former Chairman of the United States Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”). He has significant experience as a director on the boards of several public and private companies, including having served as a director of publicly traded MPS Group, Inc. (NYSE: MPS), which was one of the largest staffing companies in the U.S. and was sold to the largest staffing firm in the world, Adecco Group for $1.3 billion in 2009.
Mr. Isaac has extensive experience in business, finance and governance. In 1986, he founded The Secura Group, a leading financial institution consulting firm and operated the business until it was acquired by FTI in 2011. Prior to forming Secura, Mr. Isaac served as a Chairman of the FDIC during the banking crisis of the 1980s, under Presidents Carter and Reagan from 1978 through 1985. Mr. Isaac served as chairman of the FDIC during one of the most tumultuous periods in US banking history. Some 3,000 banks and thrifts failed during the 1980s, including Continental Illinois and nine of the ten largest banks in Texas. The President appointed Mr. Isaac to the board of the FDIC at the age of 34, making him the youngest FDIC board member and chairman in history. Mr. Isaac also served as chairman of the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (1983-85), as a member of the Depository Institutions Deregulation Committee (1981-85), and as a member of the Vice President’s Task Group on Regulation of Financial Services (1984).
Mr. Isaac currently serves as a member of the board of TSYS, a leading worldwide payments system processing company, and is the former Chairman of Fifth Third Bancorp, one of the nation’s leading banking companies. Also, Mr. Isaac is a former member of the boards of Trans Union Corporation; The Associates prior to its sale to Citigroup and Amex Centurion Bank. He is involved extensively in thought leadership relating to the financial services industry. Mr. Isaac is the author of Senseless Panic: How Washington Failed America with a foreword by legendary former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker. Senseless Panic provides an inside account of the banking and S&L crises of the 1980s and compares that period to the financial crisis of 2008-2009. Mr. Isaac’s articles are published in the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, New York Times, American Banker, Forbes, Financial Times, Washington Times, and other leading publications. He also appears regularly on television and radio, testifies before Congress, and is a frequent speaker before audiences throughout the world.
Mr. Isaac began his career as an attorney with Foley & Lardner and was a senior partner with Arnold & Porter. He holds a JD, summa cum laude, College of Law, The Ohio State University (“OSU”) and a B.S in economics and LLD (“honorary”) from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio. He received a “Distinguished Achievement Medal” in 1995 from Miami University and a “Distinguished Alumnus Award” in 2013 from OSU. Mr. Isaac is involved with several charitable and not for profit organizations including current and past service on the OSU Foundation Board, member of the OSU “Presidents Club”, former Trustee of the Miami University Foundation Board and a member the University’s “Business Advisory Council”, Goodwill Industries and the Community Foundation of Sarasota, Fl.
Dr. Arthur B. Laffer - Director
Dr. Laffer joined the Company as a director in January 2015. Dr. Arthur Laffer is the founder and chairman of Laffer Associates, an economic research and consulting firm. A former member of President Reagan’s Economic Policy Advisory Board during the 1980s, Dr. Laffer’s economic acumen and influence have earned him the distinction in many publications as “The Father of Supply-Side Economics”. He has served on several boards of directors of public and private companies, including MPS Group, Inc. Dr. Laffer previously served as a consultant to Secretary of the Treasury William Simon, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, and Secretary of the Treasury George Shultz. In the early 1970s, Dr. Laffer was the first to hold the title of Chief Economist at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under Mr. Shultz.
Additionally, Dr. Laffer was formerly the Distinguished University Professor at Pepperdine University and a member of the Pepperdine Board of Directors. He also served as Charles B. Thornton Professor of Business Economics at the University of Southern California and as Associate Professor of Business Economics at the University of Chicago.
Dr. Laffer is credited with advancing the concept of supply-side economics and is best remembered from the time he drew a curve on the back of a napkin at a dinner meeting, showing how government tax receipts can sometimes increase when federal income tax rates are lowered. The “Laffer Curve,” which it subsequently became known as, and supply-side economics served as the foundation for Reaganomics in the 1980s when Dr. Laffer served on the President’s Economic Policy Advisory Board from 1981 to 1989. Dr. Laffer has been recognized for his achievements in economics, including having been featured in Time Magazine’s 1999 cover story, “The Century’s Greatest Minds”, for inventing the Laffer Curve, which Time deemed “one of a few of the advances that powered this extraordinary century”. Bloomberg BusinessWeek recently featured the Laffer Curve as part of “The 85 Most Disruptive Ideas in Our History”. A video is available on its website which features a re-creation of the famous drawing of the Laffer Curve with Donald Rumsfeld and Dick Cheney.
Dr. Laffer has received multiple awards for his economic work, including most recently, the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Donald Trump. In addition, Dr. Laffer has been awarded two Graham and Dodd Awards from the Financial Analyst Federation; the Distinguished Service Award by the National Association of Investment Clubs; the Adam Smith Award for his insights and contributions to the Wealth of Nations; and the Daniel Webster Award for public speaking by the International Platform Association. Dr. Laffer received a B.A. in economics from Yale University and an MBA and Ph.D. in economics from Stanford University.
Darla Moore - Director
Ms. Moore joined the Company as a director in June 2018. Ms. Moore is the Founder and Chair of the Palmetto Institute, a nonprofit think-tank aimed at bolstering per capita income in South Carolina. Until 2012, Ms. Moore was the Vice President of Rainwater, Inc., a private investment company. Ms. Moore is also the founder and chair of the Charleston Parks Conservancy, a foundation focused on enhancing the parks and public spaces of the City of Charleston. Ms. Moore is the first woman to be profiled on the cover of Fortune magazine and named to the list of the Top 50 Most Powerful Women in American Business. Ms. Moore has served on numerous corporate and philanthropic boards, including Hospital Corporation of America (HCA), Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, The South Financial Group, MPS Group, the National Advisory Board of JP Morgan, the National Teach for America Board of Directors, the Board of Trustees of the New York University Medical School and Hospital and the University of South Carolina Board of Trustees. Ms. Moore was formerly a managing director of the predecessor Chemical Bank (now a part of JP Morgan Chase) and currently serves on the Culture Shed Board. The University of South Carolina’s business school is named in her honor, the first business school in America named for a woman. Ms. Moore received the Business Person of the Year Award from the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce and was inducted into the South Carolina Business Hall of Fame. Currently, she serves as Chairman of the Darla Moore and Richard Rainwater Foundation. A graduate of the University of South Carolina, Ms. Moore holds an M.B.A. from George Washington University.
Peter J. Tanous - Director
Mr. Tanous joined the Company as a director in May 2015. Mr. Tanous is Chairman of Lynx Investment Advisory of Washington D.C., an SEC registered investment advisory firm, and an accomplished author on the topics of economics and investments. He has served on several boards of directors of public and private companies, including MPS Group, Inc. In prior years, Mr. Tanous was International Regional Director with Smith Barney and a member of the executive committee of Smith Barney International, Inc. He served for ten years as executive vice president and a director of Bank Audi (USA) in New York and was earlier chairman of Petra Capital Corporation in New York. A graduate of Georgetown University, he serves on the university’s investment committee and as a member of the Georgetown University Library Board.
Mr. Tanous’ book, Investment Gurus, published by Prentice Hall in 1997, received wide critical acclaim in financial circles and was chosen as a main selection of The Money Book Club. His subsequent book, The Wealth Equation, was also chosen as a Money Book Club main selection. Investment Visionaries, was published in August 2003 by Penguin Putnam and Kiplinger’s Build a Winning Portfolio, was published by Kaplan Press in January 2008. Tanous co-authored (with Dr. Arthur Laffer, the “Father of Supply Side Economics” and Stephen Moore, former Wall Street Journal writer and editorial board member) “The End of Prosperity,” published by Simon & Schuster in October 2008. His most recent book, Debt, Deficits and the Demise of the American Economy, co-authored with Jeff Cox, finance editor at CNBC, was published by Wiley in May 2011. In addition to Georgetown University, Tanous serves on several investment committees including: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Lebanese American University.
Mr. Tanous’ experience as a director on corporate boards is extensive. At MPS Group (“MPS”), he served as chairman of the audit committee and on several other committees over many years. He gained significant staffing industry knowledge and experience as MPS was one of the largest companies in the U.S. in the field of professional staffing with specialization in accounting, engineering, health care and legal services including a significant concentration on information technology delivered through its “Modis” brand. Also, Mr. Tanous served on the board of Cedars Bank, Los Angeles, a California state commercial bank with branches in Orange County and San Francisco, and as a director at Worldcare Ltd., Cambridge, Mass, a company in the field of health care services and telemedicine diagnostics.
George A. Bajalia - Former President and Director
Mr. Bajalia served as the Company’s President and a director from April 10, 2017 until his passing on November 23, 2019. Mr. Bajalia initially joined the Company as a director in January 2015. Mr. Bajalia had over 30 years of business experience, with financial, operational and management expertise in many industries including the staffing industry. Since 2001, he provided consulting, advisory and interim management services to executive management, boards, business owners and private equity firms. He also assisted them with implementing their growth and working capital strategies, turnarounds, recapitalizations and strategic objectives. Mr. Bajalia received his B.S. in Accounting from Florida State University, was a licensed CPA and real estate broker, and was a member of several professional associations.
Ronald Smith - Former Director
Mr. Smith served as a director from August 16, 2017 until his resignation from the Board effective July 25, 2019. Mr. Smith co-founded SNI and was the Chairman and CEO until March 31, 2017. Mr. Smith is a seasoned staffing executive with over 40 years’ experience in the industry. Smith previously worked for a large international staffing and recruiting firm where he ultimately owned six franchises. After selling his franchises to a large international staffing and recruiting firm in 1988, Smith was promoted to Regional Manager and integrated 20 locations for a large international staffing and recruiting firm.
All executive officers are elected annually by the Board of Directors at the first meeting of the Board of Directors held following each Annual Meeting of Shareholders, and they hold office until their successors are elected and qualified. There are no family relationships among any of the directors or executive officers of the Company.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company’s directors and officers, and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of its equity securities, to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership (typically, Forms 3, 4 and/or 5) of such equity securities with the SEC. Such entities are also required by SEC regulations to furnish the Company with copies of all such Section 16(a) reports.
To our knowledge, based solely on a review of the copies of such reports furnished to us regarding the filing of required reports, we believe that all Section 16(a) reports applicable to our directors, executive officers and greater-than-ten-percent beneficial owners with respect to fiscal 2019 were timely filed.
Board of Directors Leadership Structure and Role in Risk Oversight
Our Board has no policy regarding the separation of the offices of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer and we currently bestow the roles and responsibilities of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer with Mr. Dewan. The Board believes that Mr. Dewan’s service as both Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders. Mr. Dewan possesses detailed and in-depth knowledge of the issues, opportunities and challenges facing the Company and its business and is thus best positioned to develop agendas that ensure that the Board’s time and attention are focused on the most critical matters. His combined role enables decisive leadership, ensures clear accountability and enhances the Company’s ability to communicate its strategy clearly and consistently to the Company’s shareholders, employees and customers.
Independent directors and management have different perspectives and roles in strategy development. The Company’s independent directors bring experience, oversight and expertise from outside the company and industry, while the management brings company-specific experience and expertise. The Board of Directors believes that a board of directors combined with independent board members and management is in the best interest of shareholders because it promotes strategy development and execution, and facilitates information flow between management and the Board of Directors, which are essential to effective governance.
The Board of Directors does not have a lead independent director. The Board of Directors provides overall risk oversight for the Company as part of its normal, ongoing responsibilities. It receives reports from Mr. Dewan, Mr. Bajalia and other members of senior management on a periodic basis on areas of risk facing the Company. In addition, Board of Directors committees oversee specific elements of risk or potential risk.
Director Independence
The Board of Directors has determined that each director, other than Mr. Dewan, is an independent director under the listing standards of the NYSE American. In addition, the Board of Directors has determined that each current member of the Audit Committee meets the additional independence criteria required for audit committee membership under the listing standards of the NYSE American and Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act.
Board of Directors and Committee Meetings
The Board of Directors meets on a regularly scheduled basis to review significant developments affecting the Company and to act on matters requiring Board of Directors approval. It also holds special meetings when an important matter requires Board of Directors action between scheduled meetings. The Board of Directors held seven meetings and executed four unanimous consents in lieu of meetings during fiscal 2019. No director of the Company attended less than 75% of the total meetings of the Board of Directors and Committees on which such Board of Directors members served during this period.
The members of the Board of Directors are expected to attend the Company’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders. There are three standing committees of the Board of Directors, which are the Nominating Committee, the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee.
Nominating Committee
The functions of the Nominating Committee are to assist the Board of Directors in identifying, interviewing and recommending to the Board of Directors qualified candidates to fill positions on the Board of Directors. The Nominating Committee executed one unanimous consent during fiscal 2019.
The Company does not have a policy regarding the consideration of diversity, however defined, in identifying nominees for director. Instead, in evaluating candidates to serve on the Company’s Board of Directors, consideration is given to the level of experience, financial literacy and business acumen of the candidate. In addition, qualified candidates for director are those who, in the judgment of the Nominating Committee, have significant decision-making responsibility, with business, legal or academic experience. The Nominating Committee will consider recommendations for Board of Directors candidates that are received from various sources, including directors and officers of the Company, other business associates and shareholders, and all candidates will be considered on an equal basis, regardless of source.
Shareholders may contact the Nominating Committee to make such recommendations by writing in care of the Secretary of the Company, at 7751 Belfort Road, Suite 150, Jacksonville, FL 32256. Submissions must be in accordance with the Company’s By-Laws and include: (a) a statement that the writer is a shareholder and is proposing a candidate for consideration by the Nominating Committee; (b) the name, address and number of shares beneficially owned by the shareholder; (c) the name, address and contact information of the candidate being recommended; (d) a description of the qualifications and business experience of the candidate; (e) a statement detailing any relationships between the candidate and the Company and any relationships or understandings between the candidate and the proposing shareholder; and (f) the written consent of the candidate that the candidate is willing to serve as a director if nominated and elected.
The Nominating Committee is presently composed of three non-employee, independent directors: Darla Moore (Chairwoman), Dr. Arthur B. Laffer, and William Issac.
The Board of Directors has adopted a written charter for the Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee Charter is available on the Company’s website. A copy of the Nominating Committee Charter was attached as an appendix to the proxy statement prepared in connection with the January 21, 2011, Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee is primarily concerned with the effectiveness of the Company’s accounting policies and practices, its financial reporting and its internal accounting controls. In addition, the Audit Committee reviews and approves the scope of the annual audit of the Company’s books, reviews the findings and recommendations of the independent registered public accounting firm at the completion of their audit, and approves annual audit fees and the selection of an auditing firm. The Audit Committee met five times and executed one unanimous consent during fiscal 2019.
The Audit Committee is presently composed of four non-employee, independent directors: Peter J. Tanous (Chairman), Dr. Arthur B. Laffer, Darla Moore and William M. Isaac. The Board of Directors has determined that Ms. Moore, Dr. Laffer, Mr. Tanous and Mr. Isaac are each considered an “audit committee financial expert” as defined by rules of the SEC. The Board of Directors has determined that each audit committee financial expert meets the additional independence criteria required under the listing standards of the NYSE American and Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act.
The Board of Directors has adopted a written charter for the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee Charter is available on the Company’s website. A copy of the Audit Committee Charter is attached to the form 10-Q filed with the SEC on February 16, 2016.
Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee has the sole responsibility for approving and evaluating the officer compensation plans, policies and programs. It may not delegate this authority. It meets as often as necessary to carry out its responsibilities. The Compensation Committee has the authority to retain compensation consultants but has not done so. The Compensation Committee met two times during fiscal 2019.
Compensation Committee meets each September to consider the compensation of the Company’s executive officers, including the establishment of base salaries and performance targets for the succeeding year, and the consideration of restricted common stock and stock option awards. Management provides the Compensation Committee with such information as may be requested by the Compensation Committee, which in the past has included historical compensation information of the executive officers, tally sheets, internal pay equity statistics, and market survey data. Under the guidelines of the NYSE American, the Chief Executive Officer may not be present during the Compensation Committee’s deliberations regarding his compensation. If requested by the Committee, the Chief Executive Officer may provide recommendations regarding the compensation of the other officers.
The Compensation Committee also has the responsibility to make recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding the compensation of directors.
The Compensation Committee is presently composed of three non-employee, independent directors: Dr. Arthur B. Laffer (Chairman), Peter Tanous and Darla Moore.
The Board of Directors has adopted a written charter for the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee Charter is not available on the Company’s website. A copy the Compensation Committee Charter was attached as an appendix to the proxy statement prepared in connection with the January 28, 2010, Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
Mergers and Acquisition Committee
The Mergers and Acquisition Committee has the responsibility for evaluating acquisitions and the necessary financing to complete the acquisitions that are determined by management to meet the minimum criteria for evaluation. The Mergers and Acquisitions Committee has the responsibility to keep the entire board informed of managements acquisitions and only after the Committee has determined an acquisition qualifies is the acquisition presented to the entire board for approval. The Mergers and Acquisition Committee has the authority to retain compensation consultants, but has not done so. The Mergers and Acquisition Committee did not meet during fiscal 2019.
The Mergers and Acquisition Committee is presently composed of one employee and two non-employee, independent directors: Derek E. Dewan (Chairman), Dr. Arthur B. Laffer, and William M. Isaac.
Shareholder Communications
The Board of Directors has established a procedure by which shareholders of the Company can communicate with the Board of Directors. Shareholders interested in communicating with the Board of Directors as a group or with individual directors may do so, in writing. Correspondence to the directors should be sent by regular mail c/o the Secretary, GEE Group Inc., 7751 Belfort Road, Suite 150, Jacksonville, Florida 32256. Any such correspondence will be reviewed by the Secretary, who will then forward it to the appropriate parties. Communications that are solicitations or deemed to be irrelevant to the Board of Directors’ responsibilities may be discarded, at the discretion of the Secretary.
Corporate Code of Ethics
We have a Code of Ethics that applies to all directors and employees, including our senior management team. The Code of Ethics is designed to deter wrongdoing, to promote the honest and ethical conduct of all employees and to promote compliance with applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations. We intend to satisfy the disclosure requirements under applicable SEC rules relating to amendments to the Code of Ethics or waivers from any provision thereof applicable to our principal executive officer, our principal financial and accounting officer by posting such information on our website pursuant to SEC rules.
Our Code of Ethics was attached as an exhibit to our Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 29, 2013. In addition, you may obtain a printed copy of the Code of Ethics, without charge, by sending a request to: GEE Group Inc., 7751 Belfort Road, Suite 150, Jacksonville, FL 32256, Attn.: Secretary.
Item 11.
Item 11. Executive Compensation.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Summary Compensation Information
The following table summarizes total compensation to named executive officers including principal executive officer, principal financial and accounting officer, and other two most highly compensated executive officers. Throughout this section, the term “named executive officers” is intended to refer to the individuals listed in “Summary Compensation Table.”
Summary Compensation Table
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(1)Mr. Stuckey was appointed as Chief Administrative Officer on April 10, 2017. Mr. Stuckey served as President and Chief Operating Officer from April 1, 2015 until his resignation on April 10, 2017.
(2)Mr. Bajalia served as a President of the Company from April 10, 2017 until his passing on November 23, 2019.
(3)Mr. Thorpe was appointed as Chief Financial officer and Senior Vice President on June 15, 2018.
(4)Mr. Norstrud served as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer from April 1, 2015 until his resignation effective June 15, 2018.
Employment and Change in Control Agreements
Derek Dewan, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer: On August 12, 2016, the Company entered an employment agreement with Derek Dewan (the “Dewan Employment Agreement”). The Dewan Employment Agreement provides for a five-year term ending on August 15, 2021, unless employment is earlier terminated in accordance with the provisions thereof and after the initial term has a standard 1 year automatic extension clause if there is no notice by the Company of termination. Mr. Dewan received a starting base salary at the rate of $300,000 per year which can be adjusted by the Compensation Committee. Mr. Dewan is entitled to receive an annual bonus based on criteria to be agreed to by Mr. Dewan and the Compensation Committee. The Dewan Employment Agreement contains standard termination, change of control, non-compete and confidentiality provisions. On June 15, 2018, the Company granted 600,000 restricted shares of common stock to Mr. Dewan. The restricted shares are to be earned over a three-year period and cliff vest at the end of the third year from the date of grant.
George Bajalia, Former President and Director: On December 26, 2017, the Company and Mr. Bajalia entered into a written employment agreement with respect to Mr. Bajalia’s service as President of the Company. The Company and Mr. Bajalia agreed to an initial term of five years and that Mr. Bajalia would receive a base salary of $270,000 per year, subject to increase, but not decrease, at the discretion of the Board. In addition, the Company and Mr. Bajalia agreed that Mr. Bajalia would be eligible to receive an annual bonus of up to 100% of his base salary based on his meeting certain performance-based targets. On June 15, 2018, the Company granted 500,000 restricted shares of common stock to Mr. Bajalia. The restricted shares were to be earned over a three-year period and cliff vest at the end of the third year from the date of grant. These shares vested upon Mr. Bajalia’s passing on November 23, 2019. Mr. Bajalia was also eligible to participate in the Company’s employee benefit plans as in effect from time to time on the same basis as generally made available to other senior executives of the Company in addition to other benefits provided to executives of the Company.
Kim Thorpe, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer: On June 15, 2018, the Company appointed Kim Thorpe as the Company’s new Chief Financial Officer. On February 13, 2019, the Company and Mr. Thorpe entered into a written employment agreement with respect to Mr. Thorpe’s service as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company (the “Thorpe Employment Agreement”). The Company and Mr. Thorpe agreed to an initial term of five years and that Mr. Thorpe will receive a base salary of $200,000 per year, subject to increase, but not decrease, at the discretion of the Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Thorpe is entitled to receive an annual bonus based on criteria to be agreed to by Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Thorpe is also eligible to participate in the Company’s employee benefit plans as in effect from time to time on the same basis as generally made available to other senior executives of the Company in addition to other benefits provided to executives of the Company. The Thorpe Employment Agreement contains standard termination, change of control, non-compete and confidentiality provisions. On August 21, 2019, the Company granted 100,000 restricted shares of common stock to Mr. Thorpe. The restricted shares are to be earned over a three-year period and cliff vest at the end of the third year from the date of grant.
Alex Stuckey, Chief Administrative Officer: On June 1, 2018 the Company and Mr. Stuckey entered into a written employment agreement with respect to Mr. Stuckey’s service as Chief Administrative Officer of the Company (the “Stuckey Employment Agreement”).The Company and Mr. Stuckey agreed to an initial term of five years and that Mr. Stuckey will receive a base salary of $220,000 per year, subject to increase, but not decrease, at the discretion of the Board. In addition, the Company and Mr. Stuckey have agreed that Mr. Stuckey shall be eligible to receive Incentive Compensation that shall be determined by the Chief Executive Officer or the Board. Mr. Stuckey is also eligible to participate in the Company’s employee benefit plans as in effect from time to time on the same basis as generally made available to other senior executives of the Company in addition to other benefits provided to executives of the Company. The Stuckey Employment Agreement contains standard termination, change of control, non-compete and confidentiality provisions. On August 21, 2019, the Company granted 100,000 restricted shares of common stock to Mr. Thorpe. The restricted shares are to be earned over a three-year period and cliff vest at the end of the third year from the date of grant.
Option Awards
The option awards column represents the fair value of the stock options as measured on the grant date. The methods and assumptions used to determine the fair value of stock options granted are disclosed in Note 9 in the notes to consolidated financial statements contained elsewhere herein.
All stock options awarded to the named executive officers during fiscal 2019 and 2018 were at option prices that were equal to the market price on the date of grant, had vesting dates five years or less after the date of grant, and had expiration dates ten years after the date of grant.
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year- End Table
The following table summarizes equity awards granted to Named Executive Officers and directors that were outstanding as of September 30, 2019:
Retirement Benefits
The Company does not maintain a tax-qualified defined benefit retirement plan for any of its executive officers or employees. The Company has a 401(k)-retirement plan in which all full-time employees may participate after one year of service.
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
Compensation of Directors
Under the Company’s standard compensation arrangements that were in effect during fiscal 2015, each non-employee director received a monthly retainer of $2,000. This was discontinued as of April 18, 2015 and the members of the Board of Directors have only received stock options for their services as board members. Employees serving as directors of the Company did not receive any additional compensation for service on the Board of Directors.
The following table sets forth information concerning the compensation paid to each of the non-employee directors during fiscal 2019:
Director Compensation
Option Awards
The option awards column represents the fair value of the stock options as measured on the grant date. The methods and assumptions used to determine the fair value of stock options granted are disclosed in Note 9 in the notes to consolidated financial statements in the Company’s Annual Report for fiscal 2019.
Item 12.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth information concerning the beneficial ownership of our voting securities as of December 20, 2019 by (i) each person who is known by us, based solely on a review of public filings, to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of any class of our outstanding voting securities, (ii) each director, (iii) each executive officer named in the Summary Compensation Table and (iv) all executive officers and directors as a group.
Under applicable SEC rules, a person is deemed to be the “beneficial owner” of a voting security if such person has (or shares) either investment power or voting power over such security or has (or shares) the right to acquire such security within 60 days by any of a number of means, including upon the exercise of options or warrants or the conversion of convertible securities. A beneficial owner’s percentage ownership is determined by assuming that options, warrants and convertible securities that are held by the beneficial owner, but not those held by any other person, and which are exercisable or convertible within 60 days, have been exercised or converted.
Unless otherwise indicated, we believe that all persons named in the table below have sole voting and investment power with respect to all voting securities shown as being owned by them. Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each beneficial owner in the table below is care of GEE Group Inc., 7751 Belfort Parkway, Suite 150, Jacksonville, Florida 32256.
_______________*
Represents less than 1%.
Item 13.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.
Director Independence
Our Board of Directors is responsible to make independence determinations annually with the assistance of the Nominating Committee. Such independence determinations are made by reference to the independence standard under the definition of “independent director” under the NYSE American Listed Company Manual. Our Board of Directors has affirmatively determined that William Isaac, Dr. Arthur B. Laffer, Darla Moore, and Peter Tanous satisfy the independence standards under the NYSE American Listed Company Manual.
In addition to the independence standards provided in the NYSE American Listed Company Manual, our Board of Directors has determined that each director who serves on our Audit Committee satisfies standards established by the SEC providing that, in order to qualify as “independent” for the purposes of membership on that committee, members of audit committees may not (1) accept directly or indirectly any consulting, advisory or other compensatory fee from the Company other than their director compensation or (2) be an affiliated person of the Company or any of its subsidiaries. The Board of Directors has also determined that each member of the Compensation Committee satisfies the NYSE American standards for independence of Compensation Committee members.
Related Party Transactions
Other than as disclosed below, and except for the Dewan Employment Agreement, the Bajalia Employment Agreement and the Thorpe Employment Agreement described in “Executive Compensation”, there have been no transactions since October 1, 2018, or any currently proposed transaction or series of similar transactions to which the Company was or is to be a party, in which the amount involved exceeds $120,000 and in which any current or former director or officer of the Company, any 5% or greater stockholder of the Company or any member of the immediate family of any such persons had or will have a direct or indirect material interest.
8% Convertible Subordinated Notes to Related Parties
On May 15, 2019, the Company issued and sold to members of its executive management and Board of Directors (the “Investors”) $2.0 million in aggregate principal amount of its 8% Notes. The 8% Notes mature on October 3, 2021 (the “Maturity Date”). The 8% Notes are convertible into shares of the Company’s Series C 8% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series C Preferred Stock”) at a conversion price equal to $1.00 per share (subject to adjustment as provided in the 8% Notes upon any stock dividend, stock combination or stock split or upon the consummation of certain fundamental transactions) (the “Conversion Price”). Interest on the 8% Notes accrues at the rate of 8% per annum and shall be paid quarterly in non-cash payments-in-kind (“PIK”) in arrears on June 30, September 30, December 31 and March 31, beginning on June 30, 2019, on each conversion date with respect to the 8% Notes (as to that principal amount then being converted), and on the Maturity Date (each such date, an “Interest Payment Date”). Interest shall be paid on an Interest Payment Date in shares of Series C Preferred Stock of the Company, which Series C Preferred Stock shall be valued at its liquidation value. All or any portion of the 8% Notes may be redeemed by the Company for cash at any time. The redemption price shall be an amount equal to 100% of the then outstanding principal amount of the 8% Notes being redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid PIK interest thereon. The Company may, at its option, prepay any portion of the principal amount of the 8% Notes without the prior consent of the holders thereof; provided, however, that any prepayments of the 8% Notes shall be made on a pro rata basis to all holders of 8% Notes based on the aggregate principal amount of 8% Notes held by such holders. The Company shall be required to prepay the 8% Notes together with accrued and unpaid PIK interest thereon upon the consummation by the Company of any Change of Control.
For purposes of the 8% Notes, a Change of Control of the Company shall mean any of the following: (A) the Company effects any sale of all or substantially all of its assets in one transaction or a series of related transactions or (B) the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any merger or consolidation), the result of which is that any person or entity together with their affiliates, becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the Common Stock of the Company. Each of the 8% Notes is subordinated in payment to the obligations of the Company to the lenders parties to that certain Revolving Credit, Term Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2017, as amended, by and among the Company, the Company’s subsidiaries named as borrowers therein (collectively with the Company, the “Borrowers”), the senior lenders named therein and MGG Investment Group LP, as administrative agent and collateral agent (the “Agent”) for the senior lenders (the “Senior Credit Agreement”), pursuant to those certain Subordination and Intercreditor Agreements, each dated as of May 15, 2019 by and among the Company, the Borrowers, the Agent and each of the holders of the 8% Notes.
During fiscal 2019, the Company issued approximately 60,400 shares of Series C Preferred Stock to Investors related to interest of $60,400 on the 8% Notes.
The Company entered into the Merger Agreement as of March 31, 2017 and consummated the Merger on April 3, 2017. Mr. Ronald R. Smith, a former stockholder of SNIH and a former member of the Company’s Board of Directors received $1,879,127 and 4,424,169 shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock as Merger Consideration for his shares of SNIH. Mr. Smith also serves as the Stockholder Representative for the former SNIH Stockholders. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Company has agreed to reimburse Mr. Smith for up to $500,000 in expenses he may incur in his role as Stockholder Representative. The Company did not have reimbursable expenses related to Mr. Ronald R. Smith role as Stockholder Representative.
Item 14.
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
The Audit Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors has selected Friedman, LLP to serve as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm and to audit the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the fiscal years ending September 30, 2019 and 2018. Friedman LLP has served as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm since November 29, 2012.
The following table presents fees billed by Friedman, LLP for the following professional services rendered for the Company for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2019 and 2018:
“Audit fees” relate to services for the audit of the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year and for reviews of the interim consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s quarterly reports filed with the SEC.
“Audit-related fees” relate to services that are reasonably related to the audit of the Company’s consolidated financial statements and are not included in “audit fees.” These services include audits of the Company’s 401(k) retirement plan and audits related to acquisitions and S-8 filings.
The Audit Committee’s policy is to pre-approve all audit and non-audit services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm, and to not engage them to perform the specific non-audit services proscribed by law or regulation. At the beginning of each fiscal year, the Audit Committee meets with the independent registered public accounting firm and approves the fees and services to be performed for the ensuing year. On a quarterly basis, the Audit Committee reviews the fees billed for all services provided for the year to date, and it pre-approves additional services if necessary. The Audit Committee’s pre-approval policies allow management to engage the independent registered public accounting firm for consultations on tax or accounting matters up to an aggregate of $10,000 annually. All fees listed in the table above were approved in accordance with the Audit Committee’s policies.
PART IV
Item 15.
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.
Exhibits
The following exhibits are filed as part of this report:
__________ * Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
GEE GROUP INC.
(Registrant)
Pursuant to the requirements of the Exchange Act, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Date: December 23, 2019
By:
/s/ Derek Dewan
Derek Dewan
Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the Board
(Principal Executive Officer)
Date: December 23, 2019
By:
/s/ Kim Thorpe
Kim Thorpe
Senior Vice President-Finance and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
Date: December 23, 2019
By:
/s/ William M. Isaac
William M. Isaac, Director
Date: December 23, 2019
By:
/s/ Dr. Arthur B. Laffer
Dr. Arthur B. Laffer, Director
Date: December 23, 2019
By: /s/ Peter J. Tanous
Peter J. Tanous, Director
Date: December 23, 2019
By:
/s/ Darla D. Moore
Darla D. Moore, Director