UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2017

For the Transition Period From           to          

Commission File Number 0-21886

BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

(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   ☒    No   ☐ 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, 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 for 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, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.   ☐

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

As of May 1, 2017, 7,251,729 shares of the registrant’s common stock ($0.01 par value) were outstanding.

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BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.

INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

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PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Barrett Business Services, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Unaudited)

(In Thousands, Except Par Value)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

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Barrett Business Services, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Unaudited)

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

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Barrett Business Services, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

(Unaudited)

(In Thousands)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

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Barrett Business Services, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 and 2016

(Unaudited)

(In Thousands)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

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Barrett Business Services, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

(In Thousands)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

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Barrett Business Services, Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

Note 1 - Basis of Presentation of Interim Period Statements

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited and have been prepared by Barrett Business Services, Inc. (“BBSI”, the “Company”, “our” or “we”), 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 (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations.  In the opinion of management, the condensed 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 condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes.  Actual results may differ from such estimates and assumptions.  The condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K at pages F1 – F29.  The results of operations for an interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for a full year.

Revenue recognition

We recognize professional employer (“PEO”) service and staffing service revenue as services are rendered by our workforce.  PEO services are normally used by organizations to satisfy ongoing needs related to the management of human capital and are governed by the terms of a client services agreement which covers all employees at a particular work site. Our client services agreements have a minimum term of one year, are renewable on an annual basis and typically require 30 days’ written notice to cancel or terminate the contract by either party.  In addition, our client services agreements provide for immediate termination upon any default of the client regardless of when notice is given.  

We report PEO revenues on a net basis because we are not the primary obligor for certain of the services provided to our clients on behalf of their employees pursuant to our client services agreements. Specifically, we present revenue net of the amounts received or billed for direct payroll expenses such as salaries, wages, health insurance, and employee out-of-pocket expenses incurred incidental to employment. Safety incentive costs are also netted against PEO service revenue in our condensed consolidated statements of operations. Safety incentives represent cash incentives paid to certain client companies for maintaining safe-work practices and minimizing workplace injuries. The safety incentive is based on a percentage of annual payroll and is paid annually to clients who meet predetermined workers’ compensation claims cost objectives.

Cost of revenues

Our cost of revenues for PEO services includes employer payroll-related taxes and workers’ compensation costs. Our cost of revenues for staffing services includes direct payroll costs, employer payroll-related taxes, employee benefits, and workers’ compensation costs. Direct payroll costs represent the gross payroll earned by staffing services employees based on salary or hourly wages. Payroll taxes and employee benefits consist of the employer’s portion of Social Security and Medicare taxes, federal and state unemployment taxes, and staffing services employee reimbursements for materials, supplies and other expenses, which are paid by our customer. Workers’ compensation costs consist primarily of the costs associated with our workers’ compensation program, including claims reserves, claims administration fees, legal fees, medical cost containment (“MCC”) expense, state administrative agency fees, third-party broker commissions, risk manager payroll, premiums for excess insurance, the fronted insurance program and costs associated with operating our two wholly owned insurance companies, AICE and Ecole.

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Cash and cash equivalents

We consider non-restricted short-term investments, which are highly liquid, readily convertible into cash, and have maturities at acquisition of less than three months to be cash equivalents for purposes of the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows and condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Company maintains cash balances in bank accounts that normally exceed FDIC insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses related to its cash concentration.

Investments

As of March 31, 2017, the Company’s investments consisted of corporate bonds and municipal bonds.  We classify our investments as trading or available-for-sale.  The Company had no trading securities at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016. The Company classifies corporate bonds and municipal bonds as available for sale. They are reported at fair value with unrealized gains and losses, net of taxes, shown as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in stockholders’ equity.  Management considers available evidence in evaluating potential impairment of investments, including the duration and extent to which fair value is less than cost. Realized gains and losses on sales of investments are included in other income (expense) as other, net in our condensed consolidated statements of operations. In the event a loss is determined to be other-than-temporary, the loss will be recognized in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.  

Restricted cash and investments

The Company holds restricted cash and investments primarily for the future payment of workers’ compensation claims. At March 31, 2017, restricted cash and investments consisted of U.S. treasuries, money market funds, commercial paper, corporate bonds, mortgage backed securities, and municipal bonds. At March 31, 2017, the approximate fair value of restricted cash and investments equaled their approximate amortized cost. Restricted investments have been categorized as available-for-sale. They are reported at fair value with unrealized gains and losses, net of taxes, shown as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in stockholders’ equity. Management considers available evidence in evaluating potential impairment of restricted investments, including the duration and extent to which fair value is less than cost. Realized gains and losses on sales of restricted investments are included in other income (expense) as other, net in our condensed consolidated statements of operations. In the event a loss is determined to be other-than-temporary, the loss will be recognized in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Allowance for doubtful accounts

The Company had an allowance for doubtful accounts of $78,000 at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016.  We make estimates of the collectability of our accounts receivable for services provided to our customers.  Management analyzes historical bad debts, customer concentrations, customer credit-worthiness, current economic trends and changes in customers’ payment trends when evaluating the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts.  If the financial condition of our customers deteriorates, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required.

Workers’ compensation claims liabilities

Our workers’ compensation claims liabilities do not represent an exact calculation of liability but rather management’s best estimate, utilizing actuarial expertise and projection techniques, at a given reporting date. The estimated liability for open workers’ compensation claims is based on an evaluation of information provided by our internal claims adjusters and our third-party administrators for workers’ compensation claims, coupled with an actuarial estimate of future adverse loss development with respect to reported claims and incurred but not reported claims (together, “IBNR”). At March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, workers’ compensation claims liabilities included case reserve estimates for reported losses, plus additional amounts for estimated IBNR claims, MCC and legal costs, and unallocated loss adjustment expenses, including future administrative fees to be paid to third-party service providers. These estimates are reviewed at least quarterly and adjustments to estimated liabilities are reflected in current operating results as they become known.

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The process of arriving at an estimate of unpaid claims and claims adjustment expense involves a high degree of judgment and is affected by both internal and external events, including changes in claims handling practices, changes in reserve estimation procedures, changes in individuals involved in the reserve estimation process, inflation, trends in the litigation and settlement of pending claims, and legislative changes.

Our estimates are based on informed judgment, derived from individual experience and expertise applied to multiple sets of data and analyses. We consider significant facts and circumstances known both at the time that loss reserves are initially established and as new facts and circumstances become known. Due to the inherent uncertainty underlying loss reserve estimates, the expenses incurred through final resolution of our liability for our workers’ compensation claims will likely vary from the related loss reserves at the reporting date. Therefore, as specific claims are paid out in the future, actual paid losses may be materially different from our current loss reserves.

The Company’s independent actuary provides management with an estimate of the current and long-term portions of our total workers’ compensation claims, which is an important factor in our process for estimating workers’ compensation claims liabilities. The current portion represents the independent actuary’s best estimate of payments the Company will make related to workers’ compensation claims over the ensuing twelve months.

A basic premise in most actuarial analyses is that historical data and past patterns demonstrated in the incurred and paid historical data form a reasonable basis upon which to project future outcomes, absent a material change. Significant structural changes to the available data can materially impact the reserve estimation process. To the extent a material change affecting the ultimate claim liability becomes known, such change is quantified to the extent possible through an analysis of internal Company data and, if available and when appropriate, external data. Nonetheless, actuaries exercise a considerable degree of judgment in the evaluation of these factors and the need for such actuarial judgment is more pronounced when faced with material uncertainties.

Safety incentives liability

Safety incentives represent cash incentives paid to certain PEO client companies for maintaining safe-work practices and minimizing workplace injuries. 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 safety incentive liability is estimated and accrued each month based upon contract year-to-date payroll and the then current amount of the customer’s estimated workers’ compensation claims reserves as established by us and our third party administrator and the expected payout as determined by historical incentive payment trends. The Company provided $24.2 million and $24.8 million at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, as an estimate of the liability for unpaid safety incentives.

Customer deposits

We require deposits from certain PEO customers to cover a portion of our accounts receivable due from such customers in the event of default of payment.

Comprehensive income (loss)

Comprehensive income (loss) includes all changes in equity during a period except those that resulted from investments by or distributions to the Company’s stockholders.

Other comprehensive income (loss) refers to revenues, expenses, gains and losses that under U.S. GAAP are included in comprehensive income (loss), but excluded from net income (loss) as these amounts are recorded directly as an adjustment to stockholders’ equity. Our other comprehensive income (loss) comprises unrealized holding gains and losses on our available for sale investments.

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Statements of cash flows

Interest paid during the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 did not materially differ from interest expense. Income taxes received during the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 totaled $0.3 million and $1.3 million, respectively.

Basic and diluted earnings per share

Basic earnings per share are computed based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for each year using the treasury method. Diluted earnings per share reflect the potential effects of the exercise of outstanding stock options and the issuance of stock associated with outstanding restricted stock units. Basic and diluted shares outstanding are summarized as follows (in thousands):

As a result of the net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, 292,611 and 110,797 potential common shares have been excluded from the calculation of diluted loss per share because their effect would be anti-dilutive.

Reclassifications

Due to the adoption of ASU No. 2015-17, Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes, prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. Such reclassifications had no impact on the Company’s financial condition, operating results, cash flows or stockholders’ equity.

Accounting estimates

The preparation of our condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods.  Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources.  Estimates are used for fair value measurement of investments, allowance for doubtful accounts, deferred income taxes, carrying values for goodwill and property and equipment, accrued workers’ compensation liabilities and safety incentive liabilities.  Actual results may or may not differ from such estimates.

Recent accounting pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The core principle of the update is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which an entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The update also requires disclosure of sufficient information to enable users of financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers.

In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Deferral of the Effective Date. The update defers the effective date of ASU 2014-09 by one year, requiring public business entities to apply the guidance in ASU 2014-09 to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period.

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In March, April and May 2016, the FASB issued the following ASUs: ASU No. 2016-08, Principal versus Agent Considerations - Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net; ASU No. 2016-10, Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing; and ASU No. 2016-12, Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients. The amendments in these updates do not change the core principles of the guidance in ASU 2014-09. The effective date and transition requirements for these updates are the same as the effective date and transition requirements in ASU 2015-14. The Company is currently evaluating the impact on its condensed consolidated financial statements and footnote disclosures of ASU 2014-09 and all related ASUs.

In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-17, Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes. The amendments in this update simplify the presentation of deferred income taxes by requiring that deferred tax liabilities and assets be classified as noncurrent on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The amendments in this update are effective for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. The Company adopted this standard in the first interim period for the year ending December 31, 2017. The adoption of this standard resulted in a current to noncurrent adjustment to the Company’s current deferred tax asset balance, which was $25.3 million and $25.2 million at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases. The core principle is that a lessee should recognize the assets and liabilities that arise from leases, including operating leases. Under the new guidance, a lessee should recognize in the statement of financial position a liability to make lease payments (the lease liability) and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. For leases with a term of 12 months or less, a lessee is permitted to make an accounting policy election by class of underlying asset not to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities. The recognition, measurement, and presentation of expenses and cash flows arising from a lease by a lessee have not significantly changed from previous GAAP. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating the standard and the impact on its condensed consolidated financial statements and footnote disclosures.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, Compensation – Stock Compensation. The amendments in this update simplify several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company adopted this standard in the first interim period for the year ending December 31, 2017. Beginning in the first interim period for the year ending December 31, 2017 an immaterial amount of excess tax benefit was recognized in income tax benefit on the condensed consolidated statement of operations, and was classified along with other income tax cash flows as an operating activity on the statement of cash flows. On a prospective basis, when applying the treasury stock method for computing diluted earnings-per-share, the assumed proceeds will not include any windfall tax benefits.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows: Restricted Cash. The amendments in this update require that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. Therefore, amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company’s balance of restricted cash, which is within restricted cash and investments under current and non-current assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheets, was $4.4 million and $4.5 million for the periods ended March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. The Company is currently evaluating the standard and the impact on its condensed consolidated financial statements and footnote disclosures.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other: Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. The amendments in this update simplify how an entity is required to test goodwill for impairment by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Step 2 measures a goodwill impairment loss by comparing the implied fair value of a reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. The amendments in this update are effective for annual or any interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company is currently

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evaluating the standard but does not expect it to have a material impact on its condensed consolidated financial statements or footnote disclosures.

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-08, Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt. The amendments in this update shorten the amortization period for certain callable debt securities held at a premium. Specifically, the amendments require the premium to be amortized to the earliest call date. Under current GAAP, premiums and discounts on callable debt securities generally are amortized to the maturity date. The amendments do not require an accounting change for securities held at a discount; the discount continues to be amortized to maturity. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2018. As of March 31, 2017, the amendments in this update would not have a material impact on the Company. However, the Company will continue to evaluate the standard to determine the impact.

Note 2 - Fair Value Measurement

The following table summarizes the Company’s investments at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (in thousands):

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The following table summarizes the Company’s investments at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 measured at fair value on a recurring basis by fair value hierarchy level (in thousands):

Note 3 – Workers’ Compensation Claims

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

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The Company is a self-insured employer with respect to workers' compensation coverage for all of its employees (including employees co-employed through our client service agreements) working in Colorado, Maryland and Oregon, except as described below. 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' compensation program.

Effective January 1, 2015, the Company stopped maintaining a certificate to self-insure in the state of California, and it now obtains individual policies from Chubb Limited (“Chubb”) for all California-based clients along with clients in Delaware, Virginia, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, New Jersey, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. The arrangement with Chubb, known as a fronted program, provides BBSI a licensed, admitted insurance carrier to issue policies on behalf of BBSI. The risk of loss up to the first $5.0 million per claim is retained by BBSI through a reinsurance agreement. Chubb assumes credit risk should BBSI be unable to satisfy its indemnification obligations.

As part of its fronted workers’ compensation insurance program with Chubb, the Company makes monthly payments into a trust account (“the Chubb trust account”) to be used for the payment of future claims. The balance in the Chubb trust account was $299.6 million and $277.1 million at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. The Chubb trust account balances are included as a component of the current and long-term restricted cash and investments in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets.

At March 31, 2017, the Company recorded an asset of $11.3 million related to a payment remitted to Chubb on March 24, 2017 but not deposited into the Chubb trust account until April 2017. This amount is included in other assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheet.

The states of California, Maryland, Oregon, Washington, Colorado and Delaware required us to maintain specified investment balances or other financial instruments totaling $135.0 million at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 to cover potential workers’ compensation claims losses related to the Company’s current and former status as a self-insured employer.  In addition to restricted cash and investments held to satisfy these requirements, at March 31, 2017, we have provided surety bonds and standby letters of credit totaling $128.8 million, including a California requirement of $123.3 million.

The Company provided a total of $326.2 million and $312.5 million at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, as an estimated future liability for unsettled workers' compensation claims liabilities. Of this amount, $9.2 million and $9.1 million at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, represents case reserves incurred in excess of the Company’s retention. The accrual for costs incurred in excess of retention limits is offset by a receivable from excess insurance carriers of $9.2 million and $9.1 million at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, included in other assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Note 4 - Revolving Credit Facility and Long-Term Debt

The Company maintains a credit agreement (the “Agreement”) with its principal bank, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (the “Bank”).

The Agreement provided for a $25.0 million revolving credit line, with a $6.0 million sublimit for standby letters of credit. Of the $6.0 million sublimit for standby letters of credit, $5.3 million was used at March 31, 2017.  Advances under the revolving credit facility bear interest, as selected by the Company, of either (a) a daily floating rate of one month LIBOR plus 1.75% or (b) a fixed rate of LIBOR plus 1.75%. The Agreement also provides for an unused commitment fee of 0.35% per year through December 31, 2016 and 0.375% per year thereafter on the average daily unused amount of the revolving credit facility, and a fee of 1.75% of the face amount of each letter of credit reserved under the line of credit and 0.95% on standalone, fully secured letters of credit. The Company had no outstanding borrowings on its revolving credit line at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016. The line of credit expires on July 1, 2018.

The Agreement also included $5.0 million in cash-secured letters of credit at March 31, 2017 to satisfy collateral requirements associated with the Company’s former status as a self-insured employer in California.  In conjunction with these letters of credit, the Company posted with the Bank as collateral $5.3 million in restricted money market funds and restricted certificates of deposit.

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The credit facility is collateralized by the Company’s accounts receivable and other rights to receive payment, general intangibles, inventory and equipment.

The Agreement requires the satisfaction of certain financial covenants as follows:

The Agreement includes certain additional restrictions as follows:

The Agreement also contains customary events of default.  If an event of default under the Agreement occurs and is continuing, the Bank may declare any outstanding obligations under the Agreement to be immediately due and payable. At March 31, 2017, the Company was in compliance with all covenants.

The Company maintains a mortgage loan with the Bank with a balance of approximately $4.6 million at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, secured by the Company’s corporate office building in Vancouver, Washington.  This loan requires monthly principal payments of $18,375 plus interest at a rate of one month LIBOR plus 2.25%, with the unpaid principal balance due February 1, 2018.

Note 5 - Income Taxes

Under ASC 740, “Income Taxes,” management evaluates the realizability of the deferred tax assets on a quarterly basis under a “more-likely than not” standard. As part of this evaluation, management reviews all evidence both positive and negative to determine if a valuation allowance is needed.  One component of this analysis is to determine whether the Company was in a cumulative loss position for the most recent 12 quarters.  The Company was in a cumulative income position for the 12 quarters ended March 31, 2017. Based on management’s analysis, no valuation allowance of deferred tax assets was recorded at March 31, 2017.

The Internal Revenue Service is examining the Company’s federal tax returns for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.

Note 6 – Litigation

BBSI received a subpoena from the San Francisco office of the Division of Enforcement of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) in April 2016 in connection with the SEC’s inquiry into reported errors in our financial statements. The Company previously received a subpoena from the SEC in May 2015 in connection with the SEC’s investigation of the Company’s accounting policies with regard to its workers’ compensation reserves. BBSI was also advised by the United States Department of Justice in June 2016 that it has commenced an investigation. The Company is cooperating with the investigations.

On June 17, 2015, Daniel Salinas (“Salinas”) filed a shareholder derivative lawsuit against BBSI and certain of its officers and directors in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Maryland. The complaint alleges breaches of fiduciary duty, unjust enrichment and other violations of law and seeks recovery of various damages, including the costs and expenses incurred in connection with BBSI’s reserve strengthening process, reserve study and consultants, the cost of stock repurchases by BBSI in October 2014, compensation paid to BBSI’s officers, and costs of negotiating BBSI’s credit facility with its principal lender, as well as the proceeds of sales of stock by certain of BBSI’s officers and directors during 2013 and 2014. On September 28, 2015, BBSI and the individual defendants filed motions to dismiss the

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derivative suit and a motion to stay pending resolution of In re Barrett Business Services Securities Litigation. On December 4, 2015, Salinas filed an opposition to each motion. On January 27, 2016, the defendants filed a reply to the opposition brief. On February 11, 2016, Judge Michel Pierson heard oral argument on the motions. A decision has not been issued.

Management is unable to estimate the probability, or the potential range of loss arising from the legal actions described above.

BBSI is subject to other legal proceedings and claims, which arise in the ordinary course of our business. In the opinion of management, the amount of ultimate liability with respect to other currently pending or threatened actions is not expected to materially affect BBSI’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

Note 7 – Subsequent Events

We have evaluated events and transactions occurring after the balance sheet date through our filing date and noted no events that are subject to recognition or disclosure.

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General

Company Background.  Barrett Business Services, Inc. (“BBSI,” the “Company,” “our” or “we”), is a leading provider of business management solutions for small and mid-sized companies.  The Company has developed a management platform that integrates a knowledge-based approach from the management consulting industry with tools from the human resource outsourcing industry.  This platform, through the effective leveraging of human capital, helps our business owner clients run their businesses more effectively.  We believe this platform, delivered through a decentralized organizational structure, differentiates BBSI from our competitors.  BBSI was incorporated in Maryland in 1965.

Business Strategy.  Our strategy is to align local operations teams with the mission of small and mid-sized business owners, driving value to their business. To do so, BBSI:

Business Organization.  We operate a decentralized delivery model using operationally-focused business teams, typically located within 50 miles of our client companies. These teams are led by senior level business generalists and comprise senior level professionals with expertise in human resources, organizational development, risk mitigation and workplace safety and various types of administration, including payroll. These teams are responsible for growth of their operations, and for providing strategic leadership, guidance and expert consultation to our client companies. The decentralized structure fosters autonomous decision-making in which business teams deliver plans that closely align with the objectives of each business owner client. This structure also provides a means of incubating talent to support increased growth and capacity. We support clients with employees located in 20 states and the District of Columbia through a network of 57 branch locations in California, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Idaho, Arizona, Colorado, Maryland, North Carolina, Delaware, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Virginia. We also have several smaller recruiting locations in our general market areas, which are under the direction of a branch office.

BBSI believes that making significant investments in the best talent available allows us to leverage the value of this investment many times over.  We motivate our management employees through a compensation package that includes a competitive base salary and the opportunity for profit sharing.  At the branch level, profit sharing is in direct correlation to client performance, reinforcing a culture focused on achievement of client goals.

Services Overview.  BBSI’s core purpose is to advocate for business owners, particularly in the small and mid-sized business segment. Our evolution from an entrepreneurially run company to a professionally managed organization has helped to form our view that all businesses experience inflection points at key stages of growth. The insights gained through our own growth, along with the trends we see in working with more than 4,900 companies each day, define our approach to guiding business owners through the challenges associated with being an employer. BBSI’s business teams align with each business owner client through a structured three-tiered progression. In doing so, business teams focus on the objectives of each business owner and deliver planning, guidance and resources in support of those objectives.

Tier 1: Tactical Alignment

The first stage focuses on the mutual setting of expectations and is essential to a successful client relationship.  It begins with a process of assessment and discovery in which the business owner’s business objectives, attitudes, and culture are aligned with BBSI’s processes, controls and culture.  This stage includes an implementation process, which addresses the administrative components of employment.  

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Tier 2: Dynamic Relationship

The second stage of the relationship emphasizes organizational development as a means of achieving each client’s business objectives. There is a focus on process improvement, development of best practices, supervisor training and leadership development.

Tier 3: Strategic Counsel

With an emphasis on advocacy on behalf of the business owner, the third stage of the relationship is more strategic and forward-looking with a goal of cultivating an environment in which all efforts are directed by the mission and long-term objectives of the business owner.

In addition to serving as a resource and guide, BBSI has the ability to provide workers’ compensation coverage as a means of meeting statutory requirements and protecting our clients from employment-related injury claims.  Through our internal claims managers and our third-party administrators, we provide claims management services for our clients.  We work aggressively to manage and reduce job injury claims, identify fraudulent claims and structure optimal work programs, including modified duty.

Results of Operations

The following table sets forth the percentages of total revenues represented by selected items in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016.