Form: 10-Q

Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

November 9, 2009

Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

 

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 2009

Commission File No. 0-21886

 

 

BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Maryland   52-0812977

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

8100 NE Parkway Drive, Suite 200

Vancouver, Washington

  98662
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

(360) 828-0700

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ¨    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

 

Large accelerated filer   ¨    Accelerated filer   x
Non-accelerated filer   ¨    Smaller reporting company   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

Number of shares of common stock, $.01 par value, outstanding at October 30, 2009 was 10,488,202 shares.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.

INDEX

 

      Page

Part I - Financial Information

  

Item 1.

   Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements   
   Consolidated Balance Sheets – September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008    3
   Consolidated Statements of Operations - Three Months Ended September 30, 2009 and 2008    4
   Consolidated Statements of Operations - Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009 and 2008    5
   Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009 and 2008    6
   Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements    7

Item 2.

   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    16

Item 3.

   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk    25

Item 4.

   Controls and Procedures    26

Part II - Other Information

  

Item 1A.

   Risk Factors    28

Item 2.

   Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds    28

Item 6.

   Exhibits    28

Signatures

   29

Exhibit Index

   30

 

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Part I - Financial Information

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

     September 30,
2009
   December 31,
2008

ASSETS

     

Current assets:

     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 38,505    $ 42,214

Marketable securities

     8,919      17,968

Trade accounts receivable, net

     46,194      34,389

Income taxes receivable

     4,455      —  

Prepaid expenses and other

     1,365      1,440

Deferred income taxes

     2,963      2,373

Workers’ compensation receivables for insured claims

     225      225
             

Total current assets

     102,626      98,609

Marketable securities

     6,389      427

Goodwill, net

     47,338      47,338

Property, equipment and software, net

     15,014      15,503

Restricted marketable securities and workers’ compensation deposits

     3,454      2,701

Other assets

     1,650      1,645

Workers’ compensation receivables for insured losses and recoveries

     3,552      3,837
             
   $ 180,023    $ 170,060
             
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY      

Current liabilities:

     

Accounts payable

   $ 648    $ 881

Accrued payroll, payroll taxes and related benefits

     42,134      32,296

Other accrued liabilities

     557      902

Workers’ compensation claims liabilities

     9,872      7,186

Workers’ compensation claims liabilities for insured claims

     225      225

Safety incentives liability

     4,588      4,626
             

Total current liabilities

     58,024      46,116

Customer deposits

     614      706

Long-term workers’ compensation claims liabilities

     15,377      5,235

Long-term workers’ compensation claims liabilities for insured claims

     2,350      2,438

Deferred income taxes

     3,911      4,394

Deferred gain on sale and leaseback

     457      549

Commitments and contingencies

     

Stockholders’ equity:

     

Preferred stock, $.01 par value; 500,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding

     —        —  

Common stock, $.01 par value; 20,500 shares authorized, 10,526 and 10,583 shares issued and outstanding

     105      106

Additional paid-in capital

     28,970      30,959

Other comprehensive income

     161      25

Retained earnings

     70,054      79,532
             
     99,290      110,622
             
   $ 180,023    $ 170,060
             

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements

 

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BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2009    2008  

Revenues:

     

Staffing services

   $ 33,180    $ 44,468   

Professional employer service fees

     32,314      32,993   
               

Total revenues

     65,494      77,461   
               

Cost of revenues:

     

Direct payroll costs

     25,095      32,941   

Payroll taxes and benefits

     20,399      21,201   

Workers’ compensation

     7,859      8,410   
               

Total cost of revenues

     53,353      62,552   
               

Gross margin

     12,141      14,909   

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     8,416      10,007   

Depreciation and amortization

     422      385   
               

Income from operations

     3,303      4,517   
               

Loss on impairment of investments

     —        (3,483

Other income:

     

Investment income, net

     305      470   

Other

     660      (5
               

Other income

     965      465   
               

Income before income taxes

     4,268      1,499   

Provision for income taxes

     1,323      849   
               

Net income

   $ 2,945    $ 650   
               

Basic earnings per share

   $ .28    $ .06   
               

Weighted average number of basic shares outstanding

     10,475      10,781   
               

Diluted earnings per share

   $ .28    $ .06   
               

Weighted average number of diluted shares outstanding

     10,559      10,997   
               

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements

 

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BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2009     2008  

Revenues:

    

Staffing services

   $ 85,224      $ 120,891   

Professional employer service fees

     88,607        94,947   
                

Total revenues

     173,831        215,838   
                

Cost of revenues:

    

Direct payroll costs

     64,291        89,267   

Payroll taxes and benefits

     62,460        66,367   

Workers’ compensation

     33,473        22,679   
                

Total cost of revenues

     160,224        178,313   
                

Gross margin

     13,607        37,525   

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     24,792        27,841   

Depreciation and amortization

     1,218        1,143   
                

(Loss) income from operations

     (12,403     8,541   
                

Loss on impairment of investments

     —          (3,483

Other income:

    

Investment income, net

     794        1,646   

Other

     579        32   
                

Other income

     1,373        1,678   
                

(Loss) income before income taxes

     (11,030     6,736   

(Benefit from) provision for income taxes

     (4,069     2,745   
                

Net (loss) income

   $ (6,961   $ 3,991   
                

Basic (loss) earnings per share

   $ (.67   $ .36   
                

Weighted average number of basic shares outstanding

     10,442        10,935   
                

Diluted (loss) earnings per share

   $ (.67   $ .36   
                

Weighted average number of diluted shares outstanding

     10,442        11,214   
                

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements

 

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BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2009     2008  

Cash flows from operating activities:

    

Net (loss) income

   $ (6,961   $ 3,991   

Reconciliations of net (loss) income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

    

Depreciation and amortization

     1,218        1,143   

(Gains) losses recognized on marketable securities

     (580     3,454   

Purchase of marketable securities

     —          (31

Gain recognized on sale and leaseback

     (92     (92

Deferred income taxes

     (1,159     3   

Share based compensation

     75        —     

Changes in certain assets and liabilities, net of amounts purchased in acquisitions:

    

Trade accounts receivable, net

     (11,805     (11,193

Income taxes receivable

     (4,445     —     

Prepaid expenses and other

     75        560   

Accounts payable

     (233     (309

Accrued payroll, payroll taxes and related benefits

     9,677        7,770   

Income taxes payable

     —          475   

Other accrued liabilities

     (345     (145

Workers’ compensation claims liabilities

     13,025        3,138   

Safety incentives liability

     (38     (1,016

Customer deposits and other assets, net

     (136     (90
                

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

     (1,724     7,658   
                

Cash flows from investing activities:

    

Cash paid for acquisitions, including other direct costs

     —          (5,860

Purchase of property and equipment, net of amounts purchased in acquisitions

     (690     (694

Proceeds from sales and maturities of marketable securities

     23,369        81,904   

Purchase of marketable securities

     (19,490     (55,356

Proceeds from maturities of restricted marketable securities

     3,230        2,630   

Purchase of restricted marketable securities

     (3,983     (3,701
                

Net cash provided by investing activities

     2,436        18,923   
                

Cash flows from financing activities:

    

Proceeds from credit-line borrowings

     323        5,667   

Payments on credit-line borrowings

     (323     (5,667

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

     21        937   

Dividends paid

     (2,517     (2,615

Repurchase of common stock

     (2,370     (6,447

Tax benefit of stock option exercises

     445        69   
                

Net cash used in financing activities

     (4,421     (8,056
                

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

     (3,709     18,525   

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     42,214        9,777   
                

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   $ 38,505      $ 28,302   
                

Supplemental schedule of noncash investing activities:

    

Acquisitions of other businesses:

    

Cost of acquisitions in excess of fair market value of net assets acquired

   $ —        $ 5,830   

Intangible assets acquired

     —          15   

Tangible assets acquired

     —          15   
                

Net cash paid for acquisitions

   $ —        $ 5,860   
                

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements

 

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BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

Note 1 - Basis of Presentation of Interim Period Statements

The accompanying consolidated financial statements are unaudited and have been prepared by Barrett Business Services, Inc. (“Barrett”, “BBSI” or the “Company”), pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and note disclosures typically included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. In the opinion of management, the consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results may differ from such estimates and assumptions. The consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K at pages F1 - F25. The results of operations for an interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for a full year.

Marketable securities

As of September 30, 2009, the Company’s marketable securities consisted of tax-exempt municipal securities, variable rate demand notes (“VRDN”), closed-end bond funds, equity securities, U.S. treasuries and corporate bonds. The Company classifies municipal securities, VRDN, the closed-end bond funds, U.S. treasuries and certain of its corporate bonds as available for sale; they are reported at fair value with unrealized gains and losses, net of taxes, shown as a component of other comprehensive income (loss) in stockholders’ equity. In the event a loss is determined to be other-than-temporary, the loss will be recognized in the statement of operations. The equity securities are classified as trading and are reported at fair value with unrealized gains and losses, net of taxes, shown as a component of net income. Certain of the Company’s corporate bonds are classified as held-to-maturity and are reported at amortized cost.

Allowance for doubtful accounts

The Company had an allowance for doubtful accounts of $480,000 and $409,000 at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively. The Company must make estimates of the collectibility of accounts receivable. Management analyzes historical bad debts, customer concentrations, customer creditworthiness, current economic conditions and changes in customers’ payment trends when evaluating the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts. The Company deems an account balance uncollectible only after it has pursued all available assets of the customer and, where applicable, the assets of the personal guarantor.

Workers’ compensation claims

The Company is a self-insured employer with respect to workers’ compensation coverage for all of its employees (including employees subject to Professional Employer Organization (“PEO”) contracts) working in California, Oregon, Maryland, Delaware and Colorado. In the state of Washington, state law allows only the Company’s staffing services and internal management employees to be covered under the Company’s self-insured workers’

 

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BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

Note 1 - Basis of Presentation of Interim Period Statements (Continued)

Workers’ compensation claims (Continued)

compensation program. To manage our financial exposure, in the event of catastrophic injuries or fatalities, we maintain excess workers’ compensation insurance (through our wholly owned captive insurance company, Associated Insurance Company for Excess (“AICE”) with a per occurrence retention of $5.0 million, except in Maryland and Colorado, where our per occurrence retention is $1.0 million. AICE maintains excess workers’ compensation insurance coverage with AIG between $5.0 million and $15.0 million per occurrence, except in Maryland and Colorado, where coverage with AIG is between $1.0 million and $25.0 million per occurrence. AIG’s exposure to subprime mortgage securities and disruptions in the U.S. financial markets has adversely impacted AIG. However, AIG’s commercial insurance subsidiary continues to be a fully accepted insurance carrier for all major brokers. As a result, we do not expect these developments to have a material impact on our insurance coverage with AIG. However, we will continue to evaluate the financial capacity of our insurers to assess the recoverability of the related insurer receivables.

The Company has provided a total of $27.8 million and $15.1 million at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively, as an estimated future liability for unsettled workers’ compensation claims liabilities. Included in the foregoing liabilities are insured claims that will be paid by the Company’s former excess workers’ compensation insurer and for which the Company has reported a receivable from the insurer for the insured claims liability. Insured claims totaled $2.6 million and $2.7 million at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively. The estimated liability for unsettled workers’ compensation claims represents management’s best estimate based upon an actuarial valuation provided by a third party actuary. Included in the claims liabilities are case reserve estimates for reported losses, plus additional amounts based on projections for incurred but not reported claims and anticipated increases in case reserve estimates. These estimates are continually reviewed and adjustments to liabilities are reflected in current operating results as they become known.

During the second quarter of 2009, the Company engaged a new actuary to review its workers’ compensation liabilities. While the Company historically obtained an actuarial study, management determined the study was not the best estimate of the workers’ compensation liability. Based upon discussions with the new actuary and a thorough review of the Company’s reserving process and consideration of recent developments, management determined the actuarial estimate as of June 30, 2009 was the best estimate of the ultimate cost to settle open claims. Our primary considerations included the significant erosion in the economy, the increasing complexity and uncertainty surrounding healthcare costs, unexpected development in open claims and growth in our business. The change in estimate resulted in the Company increasing its workers’ compensation claims liabilities by approximately $11.8 million at June 30, 2009.

Safety incentives liability

Safety incentives represent cash incentives paid to certain PEO client companies for maintaining safe-work practices in order to minimize workplace injuries, thereby meeting certain established loss objectives. The Company has provided $4.6 million at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively, as an estimate of the liability for unpaid safety incentives.

 

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BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

Note 1 - Basis of Presentation of Interim Period Statements (Continued)

Safety incentives liability (Continued)

The incentive is based on a percentage of annual payroll and is paid annually to customers who meet predetermined workers’ compensation claims cost objectives. Safety incentive payments are made only after closure of all workers’ compensation claims incurred during the customer’s contract period. The liability is estimated and accrued each month based upon the incentive earned less the then-current amount of the customer’s estimated workers’ compensation claims reserves as established by the Company’s internal and third-party claims administrators, adjusted for expected future development of claims reserves.

Comprehensive income (loss)

Comprehensive income (loss) includes all changes in equity during a period except those that resulted from investments by or distributions to a company’s stockholders. Other comprehensive income (loss) refers to revenues, expenses, gains and losses that under GAAP are included in comprehensive income (loss), but are excluded from net income as these amounts are recorded directly as an adjustment to stockholders’ equity. The Company’s other comprehensive income (loss) is comprised of unrealized holding gains and losses on its publicly traded marketable securities designated as “available-for-sale”, net of realized gains or losses included in net income.

Subsequent events

We have evaluated events and transactions occurring after the balance sheet date through November 9, 2009, which is the date that the financial statements are issued, and noted no events that are subject to recognition or disclosure.

Note 2 - Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued new accounting guidance on fair value measurements. The new guidance defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in GAAP, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The new guidance is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years for financial assets and liabilities. The effective date of the provisions of the new guidance for non-financial assets and liabilities, except for items recognized at fair value on a recurring basis, was deferred by the FASB and are effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. The adoption of the new guidance for both financial and non-financial assets and liabilities has not had a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

In December 2007, the FASB issued new accounting guidance for business combinations. The new guidance requires the acquiring entity in a business combination to recognize all (and only) the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the transaction; establishes the acquisition-date fair value as the measurement objective for all assets acquired

 

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BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

Note 2 - Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Continued)

and liabilities assumed; and requires the acquirer to disclose to investors and other users all the information they need to evaluate and understand the nature and financial effect of the business combination. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. The adoption of the new guidance has not had a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

In May 2009, the FASB issued new accounting guidance on subsequent events. The new guidance requires disclosure of the date through which an entity has evaluated subsequent events and the basis for that date. We adopted the guidance effective for the second quarter of 2009. See Note 1 for the disclosure.

In June 2009, the FASB issued FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 105, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, which establishes the FASB ASC as the sole source of authoritative generally accepted accounting principles. Pursuant to the provisions of FASB ASC 105, the Company has updated references to GAAP in its financial statements issued for the period ended September 30, 2009. The adoption of FASB ASC 105 did not impact the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

Note 3 - Acquisitions

Effective February 4, 2008, the Company acquired certain assets of First Employment Services, Inc., a privately held staffing company with offices in Tempe and Phoenix, Arizona. The Company paid $3.8 million in cash upon closing and agreed to pay additional consideration of $1.2 million in cash contingent upon the first 12 months of financial performance. Management completed the evaluation of the financial performance criteria for the 12-month period during the first quarter of 2009 and determined no additional consideration was due. The transaction resulted in the recognition of $3.8 million of goodwill, $15,000 of other assets and $15,000 of fixed assets. The Company’s consolidated income statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 include First Employment’s results of operations since February 4, 2008.

 

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BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

Note 4 - Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share are computed based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share reflect the potential effects of the exercise of outstanding stock options. Basic and diluted shares outstanding are summarized as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2009     2008     2009    2008  

Weighted average number of basic shares outstanding

   10,475,323      10,780,696      10,442,203    10,934,809   

Stock option plan shares to be issued at prices ranging from $2.00 to $17.50 per share

   416,102      506,360      —      626,680   

Less: Assumed purchase at average market price during the period using proceeds received upon exercise of options and purchase of stock, and using tax benefits of compensation due to premature dispositions

   (332,853   (289,910   —      (347,670
                       

Weighted average number of diluted shares outstanding

   10,558,572      10,997,146      10,442,203    11,213,819   
                       

As a result of the net loss reported for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, 155,521 potential common shares have been excluded from the calculation of diluted loss per share because their effect would be anti-dilutive.

Note 5 - Stock Incentive Plans and Stock-Based Compensation

The Company’s 2009 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2009 Plan”), which provides for stock-based awards to Company employees, non-employee directors and outside consultants or advisors, was approved by shareholders on May 13, 2009. No options have been issued under the 2009 Plan. The number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance under the 2009 Plan is 1,000,000, of which the aggregate number of shares for which incentive stock options may be granted under the Plan is 900,000. No new grants of stock options may be made under the Company’s 2003 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2003 Plan”). At September 30, 2009, there were option awards covering 316,319 shares outstanding under the 2003 Plan and its predecessor, the 1993 Stock Incentive Plan. Outstanding options under both plans generally expire ten years after the date of grant. Options are generally exercisable in four equal annual installments beginning one year after the date of grant.

In accordance with the current accounting guidance for share-based payments, the Company recognizes compensation expense for options awarded under its stock incentive plans. Current accounting guidance requires the grant-date fair value of all share-based payment awards, including employee stock options, to be recognized as employee compensation expense over the requisite service period.

 

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BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

Note 5 - Stock Incentive Plans and Stock-Based Compensation (Continued)

The following table summarizes options activity in 2009:

 

     Number
of Options
    Grant Prices

Outstanding at December 31, 2008

   501,006      $ 2.00   to   $ 17.50

Options granted

   79,500      $ 10.74   to   $ 11.08

Options exercised

   (264,187   $ 2.01   to   $ 2.58

Options cancelled or expired

   —           
            

Outstanding at September 30, 2009

   316,319      $ 2.00   to   $ 17.50
            

Exercisable at September 30, 2009

   229,319         
            

Available for grant at September 30, 2009

   1,000,000         
            

The following table presents information on stock options outstanding for the periods shown:

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
($ in thousands, except per share data)    2009    2008    2009    2008

Intrinsic value of options exercised in the period

   $ 604    $ 269    $ 672    $ 1,325

 

     As of September 30,
     2009    2008

Stock options:

     

Number of options

     316,319      501,006

Options fully vested and currently exercisable

     229,319      491,006

Weighted average exercise price

   $ 13.77    $ 7.53

Aggregate intrinsic value

   $ 166    $ 3,086

Weighted average contractual term of options

     6.52 years      5.28 years

The aggregate intrinsic value of stock options represents the difference between the Company’s closing stock price at the end of the period and the relevant exercise price multiplied by the number of options outstanding at the end of the period at each such price.

Stock-based compensation expense for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 was $25,000 and $0, respectively, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, was $75,000 and $0, respectively.

 

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BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

Note 5 - Stock Incentive Plans and Stock-Based Compensation (Continued)

The fair value of the stock-based awards, as determined under the Black-Scholes model, granted in the three months ended March 31, 2009 of $349,000 or $4.39 per share, was estimated with the following weighted-average assumptions:

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31, 2009
 

Stock options:

  

Risk-free interest rate

   1.36

Expected dividend yield

   2.93

Expected term

   7.1 years   

Expected volatility

   61.94

Estimated forfeiture rate

   4.24

There were no stock-based awards granted during the quarter ended September 30, 2009.

The following table summarizes stock-based compensation expense related to stock option awards for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
     2009    2008    2009    2008

Stock-based compensation expense included in selling, general and administrative expenses

   $ 25    $ —      $ 75    $ —  

Income tax benefit related to stock-based compensation

     10      —        30      —  
                           

Stock-based compensation expense related to stock options, net of tax

   $ 15    $ —      $ 45    $ —  
                           

As of September 30, 2009, unamortized compensation expense related to stock options was $317,000.

 

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BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

Note 6 - Workers’ Compensation

The following table summarizes the aggregate workers’ compensation reserve activity (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
     2009    2008    2009    2008

Beginning balance

           

Workers’ compensation claims liabilities

   $ 27,557    $ 14,560    $ 15,084    $ 12,741

Add: claims expense accrual

     3,707      3,977      22,362      12,162

Less: claim payments related to:

           

Current year

     1,092      952      1,803      1,846

Prior years

     2,348      2,190      7,819      7,662
                           

Total paid

     3,440      3,142      9,622      9,508
                           

Ending balance

           

Workers’ compensation claims liabilities

   $ 27,824    $ 15,395    $ 27,824    $ 15,395
                           

Incurred but not reported (IBNR)

   $ 17,569    $ 6,365    $ 17,569    $ 6,365
                           

During the second quarter of 2009, the Company engaged a new actuary to review its workers’ compensation liabilities. While the Company historically obtained an actuarial study, management determined the study was not the best estimate of the workers’ compensation liability. Based upon discussions with the new actuary and a thorough review of the Company’s reserving process and consideration of recent developments, management determined the actuarial estimate as of June 30, 2009 was the best estimate of the ultimate cost to settle open claims. Our primary considerations included the significant erosion in the economy, the increasing complexity and uncertainty surrounding healthcare costs, unexpected development in open claims and growth in our business. The change in estimate resulted in the Company increasing its workers’ compensation claims liabilities by approximately $11.8 million at June 30, 2009.

Note 7 - Fair Value Measurement

The Company has determined that its marketable securities should be presented at their fair value. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Company has determined that its closed-end bond funds, U.S. treasuries and equity securities components of its marketable securities fall into the Level 1 category, which values assets at the quoted prices in active markets for the same identical assets. The Company has also determined its municipal bonds, VRDN and corporate bonds components fall into the Level 2 category, which values assets using inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset either directly or indirectly. There were no assets or liabilities where Level 3 valuation techniques were used and there were no assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis.

 

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BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

Note 7 - Fair Value Measurement (Continued)

Marketable securities consist of the following investments (in thousands):

 

     September 30, 2009    December 31, 2008
     Cost
Basis
   Gross
Unrealized
Gains
(Losses)
    Recorded
Basis
   Cost
Basis
   Gross
Unrealized
Gains
(Losses)
    Recorded
Basis

Current:

               

Trading:

               

Equity securities

   $ 349    $ (84   $ 265    $ 349    $ (92   $ 257

Available-for-sale:

               

Municipal bonds

     6,909      7        6,916      16,704      55        16,759

Variable rate demand notes

     400      —          400      401      —          401

Closed-end bond funds

     491      336        827      491      60        551

U.S. treasuries

     511      —          511      —        —          —  
                                           
   $ 8,660    $ 259      $ 8,919    $ 17,945    $ 23      $ 17,968
                                           

Long term:

               

Available-for-sale:

               

Corporate bonds

   $ 5,918    $ 37      $ 5,955    $ —      $ —        $ —  

Held-to-maturity:

               

Corporate bonds

     434      —          434      427      —          427
                                           
   $ 6,352    $ 37      $ 6,389    $ 427    $ —        $ 427
                                           

During the third quarter ended September 30, 2009, the Company realized a $572,000 gain on the sale of certain corporate bonds.

 

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Table of Contents

BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Overview

Barrett Business Services, Inc. (“Barrett”, the “Company” or “we”), a Maryland corporation, offers a comprehensive range of human resource management services to help small and medium-sized businesses manage the increasing costs and complexities of a broad array of employment-related issues. The Company’s principal services, professional employer organization (“PEO”) services and staffing services, assist its clients in leveraging their investment in human capital. The Company believes that the combination of these two principal services enables it to provide clients with a unique blend of services not offered by the Company’s competition. Barrett’s platform of outsourced human resource management services is built upon expertise in payroll processing, employee benefits and administration, workers’ compensation coverage, effective risk management and workplace safety programs, and human resource administration.

To provide PEO services to a client, the Company enters into a contract to become a co-employer of the client’s existing workforce and Barrett assumes responsibility for some or all of the client’s human resource management responsibilities. PEO services are normally used by organizations to satisfy ongoing human resource management needs and typically involve contracts with a minimum term of one year, renewable annually, which cover all employees at a particular work site. Staffing services include on-demand or short-term staffing assignments, long-term or indefinite-term contract staffing and comprehensive on-site management. The Company’s staffing services also include direct placement services, which involve fee-based search efforts for specific employee candidates at the request of PEO clients, staffing customers or other companies.

The Company’s ability to offer clients a broad mix of services allows Barrett to effectively become the human resource department and a strategic business partner for its clients. The Company believes its approach to human resource management services is designed to positively affect its clients’ business results by:

 

  •  

allowing clients to focus on core business activities instead of human resource matters;

 

  •  

increasing clients’ productivity by improving employee satisfaction and generating greater employee retention;

 

  •  

reducing overall payroll expenses due to lower workers’ compensation and health insurance costs; and

 

  •  

assisting clients in complying with complex and evolving human resource-related regulatory and tax issues.

The Company serves a growing and diverse client base of small and medium-sized businesses in a wide variety of industries through a network of branch offices in California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, Maryland, Delaware and North Carolina. Barrett also has several smaller recruiting offices in its general market areas, which are under the direction of a branch office.

 

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BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Continued)

Results of Operations

The following table sets forth percentages of total revenues represented by selected items in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008.

 

     Percentage of Total Revenues  
     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2009     2008     2009     2008  

Revenues:

        

Staffing services

   50.7   57.4   49.0   56.0

Professional employer service fees

   49.3      42.6      51.0      44.0   
                        

Total revenues

   100.0      100.0      100.0      100.0   
                        

Cost of revenues:

        

Direct payroll costs

   38.4      42.5      37.0      41.4   

Payroll taxes and benefits

   31.1      27.4      35.9      30.7   

Workers’ compensation

   12.0      10.9      19.3      10.5   
                        

Total cost of revenues

   81.5      80.8      92.2      82.6   
                        

Gross margin

   18.5      19.2      7.8      17.4   

Selling, general and administrative expenses

   12.9      12.9      14.2      12.9   

Depreciation and amortization

   0.6      0.5      0.7      0.5   
                        

Income (loss) from operations

   5.0      5.8      (7.1   4.0   

Loss on impairment of investments

   —        (4.5   —        (1.7

Other income

   1.5      0.6      0.8      0.8   
                        

Income (loss) before taxes

   6.5      1.9      (6.3   3.1   

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes

   2.0      1.1      (2.3   1.3   
                        

Net income (loss)

   4.5   0.8   (4.0 )%    1.8
                        

We report PEO revenues in accordance with the current accounting guidance for revenue recognition, which requires us to report such revenues on a net basis because we are not the primary obligor for the services provided by our PEO clients to their customers pursuant to our PEO contracts. We present for comparison purposes the gross revenues and cost of revenues information set forth in the table below. Although not in accordance with GAAP, management believes this information is more informative as to the level of our business activity and more illustrative of how we manage our operations, including the preparation of our internal operating forecasts, because it presents our PEO services on a basis comparable to our staffing services.

 

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Table of Contents

BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Continued)

Results of Operations (Continued)

The presentation of revenues on a net basis and the relative contributions of staffing and PEO revenues can create volatility in our gross margin percentage. The general impact of fluctuations in our revenue mix is described below.

 

  •  

A relative increase in staffing revenues will typically result in a lower gross margin percentage. Staffing revenues are presented at gross with the related direct costs reported in cost of sales. While staffing relationships typically have higher margins than PEO relationships, an increase in staffing revenues and related costs presented at gross dilutes the impact of the net PEO revenue on gross margin percentage.

 

  •  

A relative increase in PEO revenue will result in a higher gross margin percentage. Improvement in gross margin percentage occurs because incremental PEO revenue dollars are reported as revenue net of all related direct costs.

 

(in thousands)

   Unaudited
Three Months Ended
September 30,
   Unaudited
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
     2009    2008    2009    2008

Revenues:

           

Staffing services

   $ 33,180    $ 44,468    $ 85,224    $ 120,891

Professional employer services

     239,872      243,927      663,847      696,579
                           

Total revenues

     273,052      288,395      749,071      817,470
                           

Cost of revenues:

           

Direct payroll costs

     231,532      242,396      635,808      686,136

Payroll taxes and benefits

     20,399      21,201      62,460      66,367

Workers’ compensation

     8,980      9,889      37,196      27,442
                           

Total cost of revenues

     260,911      273,486      735,464      779,945
                           

Gross margin

   $ 12,141    $ 14,909    $ 13,607    $ 37,525
                           

 

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Table of Contents

BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Continued)

Results of Operations (Continued)

A reconciliation of non-GAAP gross PEO revenues to net PEO revenues is as follows:

 

     Unaudited
     Three Months Ended September 30,

(in thousands)

   Gross Revenue
Reporting Method
   Reclassification     Net Revenue
Reporting Method
     2009    2008    2009     2008     2009    2008

Revenues:

               

Staffing services

   $ 33,180    $ 44,468    $ —        $ —        $ 33,180    $ 44,468

Professional employer services

     239,872      243,927      (207,558     (210,934     32,314      32,993
                                           

Total revenues

   $ 273,052    $ 288,395    $ (207,558   $ (210,934   $ 65,494    $ 77,461
                                           

Cost of revenues

   $ 260,911    $ 273,486    $ (207,558   $ (210,934   $ 53,353    $ 62,552
                                           

 

     Unaudited
     Nine Months Ended September 30,

(in thousands)

   Gross Revenue
Reporting Method
   Reclassification     Net Revenue
Reporting Method
     2009    2008    2009     2008     2009    2008

Revenues:

               

Staffing services

   $ 85,224    $ 120,891    $ —        $ —        $ 85,224    $ 120,891

Professional employer services

     663,847      696,579      (575,240     (601,632     88,607      94,947
                                           

Total revenues

   $ 749,071    $ 817,470    $ (575,240   $ (601,632   $ 173,831    $ 215,838
                                           

Cost of revenues

   $ 735,464    $ 779,945    $ (575,240   $ (601,632   $ 160,224    $ 178,313
                                           

The amount of the reclassification is comprised of direct payroll costs and safety incentives attributable to our PEO client companies.

Three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008

Net income for the third quarter of 2009 amounted to $2.9 million, an increase of $2.3 million over net income of $650,000 for the third quarter of 2008. The increase for the third quarter of 2009 was primarily due to a $1.6 million decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses from 2008 and the 2008 third quarter mark-to-market impairment charge of approximately $3.5 million taken on the Company’s investment in four closed-end bond funds, partially offset by a 15.5% decline in revenues and a $2.8 million decline in gross margin dollars. Included in the 2009 third quarter earnings was a pre-tax gain of $572,000 or approximately $.04 per diluted share from the sale of certain corporate bonds. Diluted income per share for the third quarter of 2009 was $.28 compared to diluted earnings per share of $.06 for the comparable 2008 period.

 

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Table of Contents

BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Continued)

Results of Operations (Continued)

Three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 (Continued)

Revenues for the third quarter of 2009 totaled $65.5 million, a decrease of approximately $12.0 million or 15.5%, which reflects a decrease in the Company’s staffing services revenue and a small decline in PEO service fee revenue. Staffing services revenue decreased approximately $11.3 million or 25.4% due to a continued decline in demand for our staffing services from existing customers in the majority of our markets. Management expects demand for the Company’s staffing services will continue to reflect overall economic conditions in its market areas. PEO service fee revenue decreased approximately $679,000 or 2.1% from the comparable 2008 quarter. Our PEO business from new customers during the third quarter of 2009 nearly equaled the sum of our lost PEO business compared to the third quarter of 2008 from former customers and the decline in hours worked at existing PEO customer worksites.

Gross margin for the third quarter of 2009 totaled approximately $12.1 million, or a decrease of $2.8 million from the third quarter of 2008, primarily due to a 15.5% decline in revenues and higher payroll taxes and benefits and higher workers’ compensation expense as a percentage of revenues. The increase in payroll taxes and benefits, as a percentage of revenues, from 27.4% for the third quarter of 2008 to 31.1% for the third quarter of 2009, was principally due to higher statutory state unemployment tax rates in various states in which the Company operates as compared to the second quarter of 2008, as well as to an increase in business mix of PEO services where payroll taxes and benefits are presented at gross cost whereas the related direct payroll costs are netted against PEO services revenue.

Workers’ compensation expense, as a percent of revenues, increased from 10.9% in the third quarter of 2008 to 12.0% in the third quarter of 2009. Workers’ compensation expense for the third quarter of 2009 totaled $7.9 million, compared to $8.4 million for the third quarter of 2008. The decrease in dollars was primarily due to a decline in the number of injury claims incurred during the 2009 quarter.

The decrease in direct payroll costs, as a percentage of revenues, from 42.5% for the third quarter of 2008 to 38.4% for the third quarter of 2009 was largely due to the significant decline in our staffing services business.

Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses for the third quarter of 2009 amounted to approximately $8.4 million, a decline of $1.6 million or 15.9% from the third quarter of 2008. The decrease from the third quarter of 2008 was primarily attributable to lower profit sharing and commissions due to the decline in business activity and profitability, and to lower branch management payroll.

During the third quarter of 2008, the Company recorded a non-cash, other-than-temporary impairment charge of approximately $3.5 million relating to its investment in four closed-end bond funds. The impairment charge assumed no income tax benefit given the uncertainty of the Company’s ability to generate future taxable investment gains required to utilize these investment losses.

 

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Table of Contents

BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Continued)

Results of Operations (Continued)

Three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 (Continued)

Other income for the third quarter of 2009 was $965,000 compared to other income of $465,000 for the third quarter of 2008. The increase in other income for the third quarter of 2009 was primarily attributable to a gain of $572,000 on the sale of certain corporate bonds.

The income tax rate for the 2009 third quarter was 31.0% compared to the 2008 third quarter rate of 56.6%. The higher income tax rate for the 2008 third quarter resulted from the Company’s establishment of a valuation allowance on the $3.5 million impairment charge on its investments, offset in part by state tax benefits attributable to AICE, our wholly-owned captive insurance company, recognized upon the completion and filing of the Company’s 2007 state income tax returns during the 2008 third quarter.

Nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008

Net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 amounted to $7.0 million, a decline of $11.0 million from net income of $4.0 million for the comparable period of 2008. The decline for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was primarily due to lower revenues and lower gross margin dollars principally due to an $11.8 million increase in workers’ compensation expense resulting from the Company’s change in estimate of its workers’ compensation reserves during the second quarter of 2009. Diluted loss per share for the first nine months of 2009 was $.67 compared to diluted earnings per share of $.36 for the comparable 2008 period.

Revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 totaled $173.8 million, a decrease of approximately $42.0 million or 19.5%, which reflects a decrease in both the Company’s staffing services revenue and PEO service fee revenue. Staffing services revenue decreased approximately $35.7 million or 29.5% due to a significant decline in demand for our staffing services from existing customers in the majority of our markets. PEO service fee revenue decreased approximately $6.3 million or 6.7% from the comparable 2008 period primarily due to a decline in business as a result of decreased hours worked at existing PEO customer worksites, partially offset by the net effect of the addition of new customers.

Gross margin for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 totaled approximately $13.6 million, which represented a decrease of $23.9 million from the comparable period of 2008, primarily due to the $11.8 million additional workers’ compensation expense adjustment, a 19.5% decline in revenues and higher payroll taxes and benefits as a percentage of revenues. The gross margin percent decreased from 17.4% of revenues for the first nine months of 2008 to 7.8% for the first nine months of 2009. The increase in payroll taxes and benefits, as a percentage of revenues, from 30.7% for the first nine months of 2008 to 35.9% for the first nine months of 2009, was principally due to higher statutory state unemployment tax rates in various states in which the Company operates in 2009 as compared to 2008 and to an increase in business mix of PEO services where payroll taxes and benefits are presented at gross cost whereas the related direct payroll costs are netted against PEO services revenue.

 

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Table of Contents

BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Continued)

Results of Operations (Continued)

Nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 (Continued)

During the second quarter of 2009, the Company engaged a new actuary to review its workers’ compensation liabilities. While the Company historically obtained an actuarial study, management has determined the study was not the best estimate of the workers’ compensation liability. Based upon discussions with the new actuary and a thorough review of the Company’s reserving process and consideration of recent developments, management determined the actuarial estimate as of June 30, 2009 was the best estimate of the ultimate cost to settle open claims. Our primary considerations included the significant erosion in the economy, the increasing complexity and uncertainty surrounding healthcare costs, unexpected development in open claims and growth in our business. The change in estimate resulted in the Company increasing its workers’ compensation claims liabilities by approximately $11.8 million at June 30, 2009.

Workers’ compensation expense, as a percent of revenues, increased from 10.5% in the first nine months of 2008 to 19.3% in the first nine months of 2009. Workers’ compensation expense for the first nine months of 2009 totaled $33.5 million, compared to $22.7 million for the first nine months of 2008. The increase in the expense as a percentage of revenues was primarily due to the $11.8 million additional workers’ compensation expense adjustment. The decrease in direct payroll costs, as a percentage of revenues, from 41.4% for the first nine months of 2008 to 37.0% for the first nine months of 2009 was largely due to the significant decline in staffing services business.

SG&A expenses for the first nine months of 2009 amounted to approximately $24.8 million, a decline of $3.0 million or 11.0% from the first nine months of 2008. The decrease from the first nine months of 2008 was primarily attributable to lower profit sharing and an overall reduction in variable operating expenses due to the decline in business activity and profitability, and lower branch management payroll.

The first nine months of 2008 included the Company’s approximately $3.5 million non-cash, other-than-temporary impairment charge on a portion of its investments. The impairment charge assumed no income tax benefit due to the uncertainty of the Company’s ability to generate future taxable investment gains to offset these losses.

Other income for the first nine months of 2009 was $1.4 million compared to other income of $1.7 million for the comparable period of 2008. The decline in other income for the first nine months of 2009 was primarily attributable to decreased investment income earned on the Company’s cash and investments resulting from a significant decline in investment yields, partially offset by a gain on the sale of certain corporate bonds.

Factors Affecting Quarterly Results

The Company has historically experienced significant fluctuations in its quarterly operating results and expects such fluctuations to continue in the future. The Company’s operating results may fluctuate due to a number of factors such as seasonality, wage limits on statutory payroll taxes, claims experience for workers’ compensation, demand and competition

 

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Table of Contents

BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Continued)

Factors Affecting Quarterly Results (Continued)

for the Company’s services and the effect of acquisitions. The Company’s revenue levels may fluctuate from quarter to quarter primarily due to the impact of seasonality on its staffing services business and on certain of its PEO clients in the agriculture, food processing and construction-related industries. As a result, the Company may have greater revenues and net income in the third quarter of its fiscal year. Revenue levels in the fourth quarter may be affected by many customers’ practice of operating on holiday-shortened schedules. Payroll taxes and benefits fluctuate with the level of direct payroll costs, but tend to represent a smaller percentage of revenues and direct payroll later in the Company’s fiscal year as federal and state statutory wage limits for unemployment and social security taxes are exceeded on a per employee basis. Workers’ compensation expense varies with both the frequency and severity of workplace injury claims reported during a quarter and the estimated future costs of such claims. Adverse loss development of prior period claims during a subsequent quarter may also contribute to the volatility in the Company’s estimated workers’ compensation expense.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company’s cash position for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 decreased $3.7 million from December 31, 2008, which compares to an increase of $18.5 million for the comparable period in 2008. The decrease in cash at September 30, 2009 as compared to December 31, 2008, was primarily due to a net loss from operating activities of $7.0 million and purchases of marketable securities of $19.5 million, offset in part by proceeds from sales and maturities of marketable securities of $23.4 million.

Net cash used in operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 amounted to $1.7 million, compared to cash provided by operating activities of $7.7 million for the comparable 2008 period. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, cash flow was principally used by a $7.0 million net loss, an increase in trade accounts receivable of $11.8 million and an increase in deferred income taxes and income taxes receivable totaling $5.6 million, offset in part by an increase in workers’ compensation claims liabilities of $13.0 million and an increase in accrued payroll, payroll taxes and related benefits of $9.7 million.

Net cash provided by investing activities for the nine month period ended September 30, 2009 was $2.4 million as compared to $18.9 million for the similar 2008 period. For the 2009 period, cash from investing activities was principally provided by the proceeds from the sales and maturities of marketable securities of $23.4 million, offset in part by the purchase of marketable securities totaling $19.5 million. The transactions related to restricted marketable securities were scheduled maturities and the related replacement of such securities held for workers’ compensation surety deposit purposes. The Company presently has no material long-term capital commitments.

Net cash used in financing activities for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2009, was $4.4 million as compared to $8.1 million for the similar 2008 period. For the 2009 period, the principal use of cash for financing activities was the payment of regular quarterly cash dividends totaling $2.5 million to holders of the Company’s common stock and the Company’s repurchase of 252,500 shares of its common stock for $2.4 million under the approved repurchase program, offset in part by the tax benefit of stock option exercises of $445,000.

 

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Table of Contents

BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Continued)

Liquidity and Capital Resources (Continued)

As disclosed in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements in this report, the Company acquired certain assets of First Employment Services, Inc., a privately held staffing services company with offices in Tempe and Phoenix, Arizona, effective February 4, 2008. As consideration for the acquisition, the Company paid $3.8 million in cash and agreed to pay additional consideration of $1.2 million contingent upon the first 12 months of financial performance. Management completed the evaluation of the financial performance criteria for the 12-month period during the first quarter of 2009 and determined no additional consideration was due.

During the third quarter of 2008, management completed the evaluation of the financial performance criteria for the 12-month period following the Company’s acquisition of certain assets of Strategic Staffing, Inc., effective July 2, 2007, and paid $2.0 million of additional consideration.

The Company’s business strategy continues to focus on growth through the expansion of operations at existing offices, together with the selective acquisition of additional personnel-related business, both in its existing markets and other strategic geographic markets. The Company periodically evaluates proposals for various acquisition opportunities, but there can be no assurance that any additional transactions will be consummated.

The Company entered into a new Standby Letter of Credit Agreement dated as of June 30, 2009 (the “Credit Agreement”) with its principal bank. The Credit Agreement provides for standby letters of credit as to which there were $6.7 million outstanding at September 30, 2009 in connection with various surety deposit requirements for workers’ compensation purposes.

Pursuant to the Credit Agreement, the Company is required to maintain compliance with the following covenants: (1) to incur a net loss after taxes of no more than $8.0 million for the year ending December 31, 2009 and maintain net income after taxes not less than $1.00 (one dollar) on an annual basis thereafter, determined as of each fiscal year end; (2) to maintain liquid assets (defined as unencumbered cash, cash equivalents, and publicly traded and quoted marketable securities) having an aggregate fair market value at all times not less than $10.0 million, determined as of the end of each fiscal quarter; and (3) to not borrow or permit to exist indebtedness (other than from or to the bank), or mortgage, pledge, grant, or permit to exist a security interest in, or a lien upon, all or any portion of the Company’s assets now owned or hereafter acquired, except for purchase money indebtedness (and related security interests) which does not at any time exceed $500,000. The Company was in compliance with all covenants at September 30, 2009.

Management expects that current liquid assets and the funds anticipated to be generated from operations will be sufficient in the aggregate to fund the Company’s working capital needs for the next twelve months.

 

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BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Continued)

Inflation

Inflation generally has not been a significant factor in the Company’s operations during the periods discussed above. The Company has taken into account the impact of escalating medical and other costs in establishing reserves for future expenses for self-insured workers’ compensation claims.

Forward-Looking Information

Statements in this report which are not historical in nature, including discussion of economic conditions in the Company’s market areas and effect on revenue levels, the potential for and effect of past and future acquisitions, the effect of changes in the Company’s mix of services on gross margin, the adequacy of the Company’s workers’ compensation reserves and the effect of changes in estimate of its claims liabilities, the adequacy of the Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts, the effect of the Company’s formation of a wholly owned, fully licensed captive insurance subsidiary and becoming self-insured for certain business risks, the financial viability of the Company’s excess insurance carriers, the effectiveness of the Company’s management information systems, payment of future dividends, and the availability of financing and working capital to meet the Company’s funding requirements, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company or industry to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors with respect to the Company include difficulties associated with integrating acquired businesses and clients into the Company’s operations, economic trends in the Company’s service areas, material deviations from expected future workers’ compensation claims experience, the effect of changes in the workers’ compensation regulatory environment in one or more of the Company’s primary markets, collectibility of accounts receivable, the carrying values of deferred income tax assets and goodwill, which may be affected by the Company’s future operating results, the availability of capital or letters of credit necessary to meet state-mandated surety deposit requirements for maintaining the Company’s status as a qualified self-insured employer for workers’ compensation coverage, and the use of $47.4 million in cash and current marketable securities, among others. The Company disclaims any obligation to update any such factors or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect future events or developments.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

The Company’s exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates primarily relates to its investment portfolio of liquid assets. As of September 30, 2009, the Company’s investment portfolio consisted principally of approximately $36.7 million in tax-exempt money market funds, $6.9 million in tax-exempt municipal bonds with an average maturity of 35 days, and approximately $7.2 million in bond funds and corporate bonds. Based on the Company’s overall interest exposure at September 30, 2009, a 100 basis point increase in market interest rates would not have a material effect on the fair value of the Company’s investment portfolio of liquid assets or its results of operations because of the predominantly short maturities of the securities within the investment portfolio.

 

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BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company conducted an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2009, continued to be ineffective in providing a reasonable level of assurance that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, as a result of the material weakness identified as of December 31, 2006 and that continued to exist as of September 30, 2009, the nature of which is summarized below.

Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

In our assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, a material weakness existed and is summarized as follows:

Our Company did not maintain effective controls over information technology (“IT”); specifically, general IT controls over program changes and program development were ineffectively designed and/or operating as of December 31, 2008. These aggregate deficiencies, along with their associated reflection on the control environment, resulted in more than a remote likelihood that a material misstatement of the Company’s annual or interim financial statements would not be prevented or detected.

In order to address the material weakness over program changes to our IT systems described above and to ensure that adequate personnel resources, independent oversight and documentation for financial reporting are in place, management initiated the following remedial action during 2008 and completed these priorities during the first quarter of 2009:

1. Application user acceptance testing.

2. Systematic testing of automated functionality.

3. Validation of data conversion and migration to the Company’s upgraded financial system.

4. Formal authorization for deployment of the financial system upgrade.

 

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Item 4. Controls and Procedures (Continued)

In addition to implementing changes in our IT systems, we are evaluating our entity level controls and business application controls that serve as compensating controls for the weaknesses in our IT controls.

Management completed a software upgrade to its primary financial application system in late March 2009 and continues to document, implement and test IT system controls related to areas described above. Management believes that these measures coupled with the identification and documentation of compensating entity level and business process controls, when fully tested, will mitigate the material weakness described above. Until testing is completed, however, we cannot yet conclude that any changes in our internal control over financial reporting occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2009, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors continues to monitor the effectiveness of our internal controls and procedures on an ongoing basis and will instruct management to take further action as appropriate.

 

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BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.

 

Part II – Other Information

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no material changes in our risk factors from those disclosed in our 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

The following table summarizes information related to stock repurchases during the quarter ended September 30, 2009.

 

Month

   Total Number
of Shares
Repurchased (1)
   Average Price
Paid

Per Share
   Total Number of
Shares Repurchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plan (2)
   Maximum Number of
Shares that May Yet
Be Repurchased
Under the Plan (2)

July

   —      $ —      —      1,891,500

August

   54,322      10.065    —      1,891,500

September

   31,695      10.549    16,700    1,874,800
               

Total

   86,017       16,700   
               

 

(1) Shares repurchased by the Company during the quarter include shares repurchased from employees in connection with the payment of the exercise price and withholding taxes on stock option exercises totaling 0 shares, 54,322 shares, and 14,995 shares, respectively, for the periods indicated.
(2) In November 2006, the Board adopted a stock repurchase program and authorized the repurchase of up to 500,000 shares of the Company’s stock from time to time in open market purchases. In November 2007, the Board approved an increase in the authorized shares to be repurchased up to 1.0 million shares. In October 2008, the Board approved a second increase in the authorized shares to be repurchased up to 3.0 million shares.

 

Item 6. Exhibits

The exhibits filed with this report are listed in the Exhibit Index following the signature page of this report.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

     BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.
     (Registrant)
Date: November 9, 2009     

/s/    JAMES D. MILLER        

     James D. Miller
     Vice President-Finance, Treasurer and Secretary
     (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit

   
31.1   Certification of the Chief Executive Officer under Rule 13a-14(a).
31.2   Certification of the Chief Financial Officer under Rule 13a-14(a).
32   Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.

 

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