Form 10-Q
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, 2010

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 29, 2010 was 10,201,222 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, 2010 and December 31, 2009      3   
      Consolidated Statements of Operations - Three Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009      4   
      Consolidated Statements of Operations - Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009      5   
      Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009      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      25   
Part II - Other Information   
   Item 1A.    Risk Factors      26   
   Item 2.    Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds      26   
   Item 6.    Exhibits      26   
Signatures      27   
Exhibit Index      28   

 

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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,
2010
     December 31,
2009
 
ASSETS      

Current assets:

     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 18,261       $ 36,671   

Marketable securities

     24,227         13,766   

Trade accounts receivable, net

     56,483         33,070   

Income taxes receivable

     3,898         4,274   

Prepaid expenses and other

     1,772         979   

Deferred income taxes

     4,271         4,071   
                 

Total current assets

     108,912         92,831   

Marketable securities

     7,166         7,473   

Property, equipment and software, net

     14,929         14,795   

Restricted marketable securities and workers’ compensation deposits

     9,305         2,666   

Other assets

     3,091         3,104   

Workers’ compensation receivables for insured losses and recoveries

     3,610         3,865   

Goodwill

     47,820         47,338   
                 
   $ 194,833       $ 172,072   
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY      

Current liabilities:

     

Accounts payable

   $ 1,042       $ 1,117   

Accrued payroll, payroll taxes and related benefits

     52,288         30,244   

Other accrued liabilities

     370         499   

Workers’ compensation claims liabilities

     11,018         10,509   

Safety incentives liability

     4,753         4,437   
                 

Total current liabilities

     69,471         46,806   

Long-term workers’ compensation claims liabilities

     16,351         14,560   

Long-term workers’ compensation claims liabilities for insured claims

     2,665         2,729   

Deferred income taxes

     6,322         6,323   

Customer deposits and other long-term liabilities

     1,451         1,527   

Commitments and contingencies

     

Stockholders’ equity:

     

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

     —           —     

Common stock, $.01 par value; 20,500 shares authorized, 10,201 and 10,303 shares issued and outstanding

     102         105   

Additional paid-in capital

     25,093         28,358   

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     176         256   

Retained earnings

     73,202         71,408   
                 
     98,573         100,127   
                 
   $ 194,833       $ 172,072   
                 

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,
 
     2010      2009  

Revenues:

     

Staffing services

   $ 33,954       $ 33,180   

Professional employer service fees

     39,922         32,314   
                 

Total revenues

     73,876         65,494   
                 

Cost of revenues:

     

Direct payroll costs

     25,846         25,095   

Payroll taxes and benefits

     24,501         20,399   

Workers’ compensation

     9,473         7,859   
                 

Total cost of revenues

     59,820         53,353   
                 

Gross margin

     14,056         12,141   

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     9,156         8,416   

Depreciation and amortization

     341         422   
                 

Income from operations

     4,559         3,303   
                 

Other income:

     

Investment income, net

     244         305   

Other

     344         660   
                 

Other income

     588         965   
                 

Income before income taxes

     5,147         4,268   

Provision for income taxes

     1,461         1,323   
                 

Net income

   $ 3,686       $ 2,945   
                 

Basic earnings per share

   $ .36       $ .28   
                 

Weighted average number of basic shares outstanding

     10,217         10,475   
                 

Diluted earnings per share

   $ .36       $ .28   
                 

Weighted average number of diluted shares outstanding

     10,251         10,559   
                 

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,
 
     2010      2009  

Revenues:

     

Staffing services

   $ 92,991       $ 85,224   

Professional employer service fees

     106,577         88,607   
                 

Total revenues

     199,568         173,831   
                 

Cost of revenues:

     

Direct payroll costs

     70,519         64,291   

Payroll taxes and benefits

     71,990         62,460   

Workers’ compensation

     25,881         33,473   
                 

Total cost of revenues

     168,390         160,224   
                 

Gross margin

     31,178         13,607   

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     25,787         24,792   

Depreciation and amortization

     1,051         1,218   
                 

Income (loss) from operations

     4,340         (12,403
                 

Other income:

     

Investment income, net

     645         794   

Other

     608         579   
                 

Other income

     1,253         1,373   
                 

Income (loss) before income taxes

     5,593         (11,030

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes

     1,315         (4,069
                 

Net income (loss)

   $ 4,278       $ (6,961
                 

Basic earnings (loss) per share

   $ .41       $ (.67
                 

Weighted average number of basic shares outstanding

     10,376         10,442   
                 

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

   $ .41       $ (.67
                 

Weighted average number of diluted shares outstanding

     10,410         10,442   
                 

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,
 
     2010     2009  

Cash flows from operating activities:

    

Net income (loss)

   $ 4,278      $ (6,961

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

    

Depreciation and amortization

     1,051        1,218   

Gains recognized on marketable securities

     (399     (580

Gain recognized on sale and leaseback

     (92     (92

Deferred income taxes

     (148     (1,159

Share based compensation

     137        75   

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

    

Trade accounts receivable, net

     (23,413     (11,805

Income taxes receivable

     376        (4,445

Prepaid expenses and other

     (793     75   

Accounts payable

     (75     (233

Accrued payroll, payroll taxes and related benefits

     22,044        9,677   

Other accrued liabilities

     (254     (345

Workers’ compensation claims liabilities

     2,491        13,025   

Safety incentives liability

     316        (38

Customer deposits, long-term liabilities and other assets, net

     20        (136
                

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

     5,539        (1,724
                

Cash flows from investing activities:

    

Cash paid for acquisitions

     (375     —     

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

     (1,158     (690

Proceeds from sales and maturities of marketable securities

     10,569        23,369   

Purchase of marketable securities

     (23,769     (19,490

Proceeds from maturities of restricted marketable securities

     3,772        3,230   

Purchase of restricted marketable securities

     (7,099     (3,983
                

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities

     (18,060     2,436   
                

Cash flows from financing activities:

    

Proceeds from credit-line borrowings

     —          323   

Payments on credit-line borrowings

     —          (323

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

     4        21   

Dividends paid

     (2,484     (2,517

Repurchase of common stock

     (3,415     (2,370

Tax benefit of stock option exercises

     6        445   
                

Net cash used in financing activities

     (5,889     (4,421
                

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     (18,410     (3,709

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     36,671        42,214   
                

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   $ 18,261      $ 38,505   
                

Supplemental schedule of noncash investing activities:

    

Acquisitions of other businesses:

    

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

   $ 357      $ —     

Intangible assets acquired

     15        —     

Tangible assets acquired

     3        —     
                

Net cash paid for acquisitions

   $ 375      $ —     
                

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 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K at pages F1 - F28. The results of operations for an interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for a full year. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current year presentation. Such reclassifications had no impact on net income or stockholders’ equity.

Effective January 5, 2010, the Company formed a wholly owned insurance company, Ecole Insurance Company (“Ecole”). Ecole is a fully licensed insurance company holding a certificate of authority from the Arizona Department of Insurance. Ecole provides workers’ compensation coverage to the Company’s employees working in Arizona for claims occurring on or after March 1, 2010. The cost to capitalize the insurance company was approximately $6.1 million and is included in restricted marketable securities and workers’ compensation deposits in the consolidated balance sheet.

Revenue recognition

We recognize revenue as services are rendered by our workforce. Staffing services are engaged by customers to meet short-term and long-term personnel needs. 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, which cover all employees at a particular work site. Our PEO contracts are renewable on an annual basis and typically require 30 days’ written notice to cancel or terminate the contract by either party. Our PEO contracts provide for immediate termination upon any default of the client regardless of when notice is given. 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. Consequently, our PEO service fee revenues represent the gross margin generated from our PEO services after deducting the amounts invoiced to PEO customers for direct payroll expenses such as salaries, wages, health insurance and employee out-of-pocket expenses incurred incidental to employment and safety incentives. These amounts are also excluded from cost of revenues. PEO service fees also include amounts invoiced to our clients for employer payroll-related taxes and workers’ compensation coverage.

 

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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)

 

Marketable securities

As of September 30, 2010, the Company’s marketable securities consisted of tax-exempt municipal securities, variable rate demand notes (“VRDN”), equity securities and corporate bonds. The Company classifies municipal securities, VRDN, 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 accumulated 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 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 $414,000 and $516,000 at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, 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’ compensation program. Additionally, effective January 5, 2010, we incorporated a wholly-owned fully licensed insurance company in Arizona to provide workers’ compensation coverage to our employees in Arizona.

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 and $500,000, respectively. AICE maintains excess workers’ compensation insurance coverage with AIG between $5.0 million and $15.0 million per occurrence, except in Maryland, where coverage with AIG is between $1.0 million and $25.0 million per occurrence, and in Colorado, where the coverage with AIG is between $500,000 and statutory limits per occurrence. We continue to evaluate the financial capacity of our insurers to assess the recoverability of the related insurer receivables.

 

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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)

 

The Company has provided a total of $30.0 million and $27.8 million at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, 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 $2.7 million at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009. 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.

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 agreed-upon loss objectives. The Company has provided $4.8 million at September 30, 2010 and $4.4 million at December 31, 2009 as an estimate of the liability for unpaid safety incentives. 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. Comprehensive income (loss) totaled $3.7 million and $3.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 and $4.2 million and $(6.8) million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. 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.

 

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BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

Note 2 - Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Variable Interest Entities - In June 2009, the FASB amended previously issued authoritative guidance on the consolidation of variable interest entities. The amended guidance is effective for reporting periods beginning after November 15, 2009. The new guidance requires revised evaluations of whether entities represent variable interest entities, ongoing assessments of the primary beneficiary who exercises control over such entities and is required to consolidate the variable interest entity and additional disclosure when the reporting entity holds a variable interest in a variable interest entity but is not the primary beneficiary. Determinations of whether the Company holds a variable interest in a variable interest entity and the determination of who was the primary beneficiary that were made previously are not allowed to be carried forward. The adoption of the new authoritative guidance effective January 1, 2010 has not had a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

Note 3 - 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,
 
         2010     2009     2010     2009  

Weighted average number of basic shares outstanding

     10,216,705        10,475,323        10,376,239        10,442,203   

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

     396,395        416,102        367,407        —     

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      (362,281     (332,853     (333,648     —     
                                  

Weighted average number of diluted shares outstanding

     10,250,819        10,558,572        10,409,998        10,442,203   
                                  

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.

 

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BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

Note 4 - 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 to outside consultants or advisors. 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, 2010, there were option awards covering 400,819 shares outstanding under the 2009 Plan, together with the 2003 Plan and its predecessor, the 1993 Stock Incentive Plan. Outstanding options under all three 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.

The following table summarizes options activity in 2010:

 

     Number
of Options
    Grant Prices  

Outstanding at December 31, 2009

     315,319      $ 2.00        to       $ 17.50   

Options granted

     87,000      $   13.25        to       $   13.75   

Options exercised

     (1,500   $ 2.58        to       $ 2.58   

Options cancelled or expired

     —            
               

Outstanding at September 30, 2010

     400,819      $ 2.00        to       $ 17.50   
               

Exercisable at September 30, 2010

     249,194          
               

Available for grant at September 30, 2010

     913,000          
               

 

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BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

Note 4 - Stock Incentive Plans and Stock-Based Compensation (Continued)

 

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)    2010      2009      2010      2009  

Intrinsic value of options exercised in the period

   $ 4       $ 604       $ 4       $ 672   

 

     As of September 30,  
     2010      2009  

Stock options:

     

Number of options

     400,819         316,319   

Options fully vested and currently exercisable

     249,194         229,319   

Weighted average exercise price

   $ 13.65       $ 13.77   

Aggregate intrinsic value

   $ 419       $ 166   

Weighted average contractual term of options

     6.40 years         6.52 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.

The fair value of the stock-based awards, as determined under the Black-Scholes model, granted in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 were $486,000 and $349,000 or $5.59 and $4.39 per share, respectively, estimated with the following weighted-average assumptions:

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2010
     Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2009
 

Stock options:

     

Risk-free interest rate

     3.00%         1.36%   

Expected dividend yield

     2.39%         2.93%   

Expected term

     7.0 years         7.1 years   

Expected volatility

     58.83%         61.94%   

 

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BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

Note 4 - Stock Incentive Plans and Stock-Based Compensation (Continued)

 

The following table summarizes stock-based compensation expense related to stock option awards for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
September  30,
     Nine Months Ended
September  30,
 
     2010      2009      2010      2009  

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

   $ 53       $ 25       $ 137       $ 75   

Income tax benefit related to stock-based compensation

     21         10         55         30   
                                   

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

   $ 32       $ 15       $ 82       $ 45   
                                   

As of September 30, 2010 unamortized compensation expense related to stock options was $642,000.

Note 5 - Workers’ Compensation

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

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2010      2009      2010      2009  

Beginning balance

           

Workers’ compensation claims liabilities

   $ 29,274       $ 27,557       $ 27,798       $ 15,084   

Add: claims expense accrual:

           

Current year

     4,541         3,470         12,187         9,960   

Prior years

     137         237         328         12,402   
                                   

Total expense accrual

     4,678         3,707         12,515         22,362   
                                   

Less: claim payments related to:

           

Current year

     1,151         1,092         2,006         1,803   

Prior years

     2,767         2,348         8,273         7,819   
                                   

Total paid

     3,918         3,440         10,279         9,622   
                                   

Ending balance

           

Workers’ compensation claims liabilities

   $ 30,034       $ 27,824       $ 30,034       $ 27,824   
                                   

Incurred but not reported (IBNR)

   $ 18,504       $ 17,569       $ 18,504       $ 17,569   
                                   

 

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Table of Contents

BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

Note 5 - Workers’ Compensation (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 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 6 - 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.

Factors used in determining the fair value of our financial assets and liabilities are summarized into three broad categories:

 

   

Level 1 - quoted prices in active markets for identical securities;

 

   

Level 2 - other significant observable inputs, including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.; and

 

   

Level 3 - significant unobservable inputs, including our own assumptions in determining fair value.

The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

The Company has determined that its closed-end bond funds and equity securities components of its marketable securities fall into the Level 1 category. The Company has also determined that its municipal bonds, VRDN and corporate bonds components fall into the Level 2 category. 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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Table of Contents

BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

Note 6 - Fair Value Measurement (Continued)

 

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

 

     September 30, 2010      December 31, 2009  
     Cost
Basis
     Gross
Unrealized
Gains
(Losses)
    Recorded
Basis
     Cost
Basis
     Gross
Unrealized
Gains
(Losses)
    Recorded
Basis
 

Current:

               

Trading:

               

Equity securities

   $ 349       $ (111   $ 238       $ 349       $ (24   $ 325   

Available-for-sale:

               

Municipal bonds

     22,650         (15     22,635         11,637         —          11,637   

Corporate bonds

     927         27        954         —           —          —     

Variable rate demand notes

     400         —          400         400         —          400   

Closed-end bond funds

     —           —          —           491         402        893   

U.S. treasuries

     —           —          —           511         —          511   
                                                   
   $ 24,326       $ (99   $ 24,227       $ 13,388       $ 378      $ 13,766   
                                                   

Long term:

               

Available-for-sale:

               

Corporate bonds

   $ 6,389       $ 333      $ 6,722       $ 6,947       $ 89      $ 7,036   

Held-to-maturity:

               

Corporate bonds

     444         —          444         437         —          437   
                                                   
   $ 6,833       $ 333      $ 7,166       $ 7,384       $ 89      $ 7,473   
                                                   

During the third quarter ended September 30, 2010, the Company realized a $181,000 gain on the sale of certain closed-end bond funds. During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Company realized a total of $484,000 in gains on the sales of certain closed-end bond funds.

 

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Table of Contents

 

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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Table of Contents
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, 2010 and 2009.

 

     Percentage of Total Revenues  
     Three Months Ended
September  30,
    Nine Months Ended
September  30,
 
     2010     2009     2010     2009  

Revenues:

        

Staffing services

     46.0     50.7     46.6     49.0

Professional employer service fees

     54.0        49.3        53.4        51.0   
                                

Total revenues

     100.0        100.0        100.0        100.0   
                                

Cost of revenues:

        

Direct payroll costs

     35.0        38.4        35.3        37.0   

Payroll taxes and benefits

     33.2        31.1        36.1        35.9   

Workers’ compensation

     12.8        12.0        13.0        19.3   
                                

Total cost of revenues

     81.0        81.5        84.4        92.2   
                                

Gross margin

     19.0        18.5        15.6        7.8   

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     12.4        12.9        12.9        14.2   

Depreciation and amortization

     0.4        0.6        0.5        0.7   
                                

Income (loss) from operations

     6.2        5.0        2.2        (7.1

Other income

     0.8        1.5        0.6        0.8   
                                

Income (loss) before income taxes

     7.0        6.5        2.8        (6.3

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes

     2.0        2.0        0.7        (2.3
                                

Net income (loss)

     5.0     4.5     2.1     (4.0 )% 
                                

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
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,
 
     2010      2009      2010      2009  

Revenues:

           

Staffing services

   $ 33,954       $ 33,180       $ 92,991       $ 85,224   

Professional employer services

     298,941         239,872         799,557         663,847   
                                   

Total revenues

     332,895         273,052         892,548         749,071   
                                   

Cost of revenues:

           

Direct payroll costs

     283,421         231,532         759,690         635,808   

Payroll taxes and benefits

     24,501         20,399         71,990         62,460   

Workers’ compensation

     10,917         8,980         29,690         37,196   
                                   

Total cost of revenues

     318,839         260,911         861,370         735,464   
                                   

Gross margin

   $ 14,056       $ 12,141       $ 31,178       $ 13,607   
                                   

 

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Table of Contents
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
 
     2010      2009      2010     2009     2010      2009  

Revenues:

               

Staffing services

   $ 33,954       $ 33,180       $ —        $ —        $ 33,954       $ 33,180   

Professional employer services

     298,941         239,872         (259,019     (207,558     39,922         32,314   
                                                   

Total revenues

   $ 332,895       $ 273,052       $ (259,019   $ (207,558   $ 73,876       $ 65,494   
                                                   

Cost of revenues

   $ 318,839       $ 260,911       $ (259,019   $ (207,558   $ 59,820       $ 53,353   
                                                   
     Unaudited
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
(in thousands)    Gross Revenue
Reporting Method
     Reclassification     Net Revenue
Reporting Method
 
     2010      2009      2010     2009     2010      2009  

Revenues:

               

Staffing services

   $ 92,991       $ 85,224       $ —        $ —        $ 92,991       $ 85,224   

Professional employer services

     799,557         663,847         (692,980     (575,240     106,577         88,607   
                                                   

Total revenues

   $ 892,548       $ 749,071       $ (692,980   $ (575,240   $ 199,568       $ 173,831   
                                                   

Cost of revenues

   $ 861,370       $ 735,464       $ (692,980   $ (575,240   $ 168,390       $ 160,224   
                                                   

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, 2010 and 2009

Net income for the third quarter of 2010 amounted to $3.7 million, an improvement of $741,000 over the net income of $2.9 million for the third quarter of 2009. The improvement for the third quarter of 2010 was primarily due to a 12.8% increase in revenues. Diluted earnings per share for the third quarter of 2010 was $.36 compared to diluted income per share of $.28 for the comparable 2009 period.

Revenues for the third quarter of 2010 totaled $73.9 million, an increase of approximately $8.4 million or 12.8%, which reflects an increase in the Company’s PEO service fee revenue of $7.6 million or 23.5% and a small increase in staffing services revenue of $774,000 or 2.3%. Our growth in PEO revenues was primarily attributable to new customers as PEO business from new customers during the third quarter of 2010 exceeded our lost

 

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

Results of Operations (Continued)

Three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 (Continued)

 

PEO business compared to the third quarter of 2009 from former customers. PEO revenues from continuing customers reflected a small increase on a quarter over quarter basis. Staffing revenues increased slightly as a result of an increased demand for our staffing services from existing customers. Our new staffing business during the quarter slightly exceeded the loss of business from former customers. The decline in economic activity and associated reductions in employment levels in the Company’s market areas in late 2008 and 2009 continue to impact our existing client base, resulting in ongoing pressure on demand for the Company’s staffing services.

Gross margin for the third quarter of 2010 totaled approximately $14.1 million or an increase of $1.9 million over the third quarter of 2009, primarily due to a 12.8% increase in revenues and a decline in direct payroll costs, as a percentage of revenues.

The decrease in direct payroll costs, as a percentage of revenues, from 38.4% for the third quarter of 2009 to 35.0% for the third quarter of 2010 was primarily due to the increase in our mix of PEO services over the third quarter of 2009, as PEO service fee revenue is reflected net of direct payroll costs.

Payroll taxes and benefits, as a percentage of revenues, for the third quarter of 2010 was 33.2% compared to 31.1% for the third quarter of 2009. The percentage rate increase was largely due to the effect of significant growth in PEO services, offset in part by slightly lower effective state unemployment tax rates in various states in which the Company operates as compared to the third quarter of 2009.

Workers’ compensation expense, as a percentage of revenues, increased from 12.0% in the third quarter of 2009 to 12.8% in the third quarter of 2010. Workers’ compensation expense for the third quarter of 2010 totaled $9.5 million, compared to $7.9 million for the third quarter of 2009. The increase in dollars was primarily due to an increase in the number of injury claims incurred during the 2010 third quarter.

Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses for the third quarter of 2010 totaled approximately $9.2 million, an increase of $740,000 or 8.8% over the third quarter of 2009. The increase was primarily attributable to increased profit sharing resulting from improved branch profitability.

Other income for the third quarter of 2010 was $588,000 compared to other income of $965,000 for the third quarter of 2009. The third quarter of 2010 included a $181,000 gain on the sale of certain closed-end bond funds. The third quarter of 2009 included a gain of $572,000 on the sale of certain corporate bonds.

The income tax rate for the 2010 third quarter was 28.4% compared to the 2009 third quarter of 31.0%. The 2010 third quarter included benefit from additional prior year employment tax credits as a result of the Company amending its 2008 federal tax return and a reduction to a deferred tax asset allowance as sales of certain closed-end bond funds during the quarter generated unanticipated gains.

 

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

Results of Operations (Continued)

 

Nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009

Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 amounted to $4.3 million, an improvement of $11.3 million over the net loss of $7.0 million for the comparable period of 2009. The improvement for the 2010 period was primarily due to a 14.8% increase in revenues and the inclusion of a $11.8 million increase in workers’ compensation expense resulting from the Company’s change in estimate of its workers’ compensation reserves in the nine months ended September 30, 2009. Diluted earnings per share for the first nine months of 2010 was $.41 compared to diluted loss per share of $.67 for the comparable 2009 period.

Revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 totaled $199.6 million, an increase of approximately $25.8 million or 14.8%, which reflects an increase in the Company’s PEO service fee revenue of $18.0 million or 20.3% and an increase in staffing services revenue of $7.8 million or 9.1%. Our growth in PEO revenues was attributable to new customers as PEO business from new customers during the first nine months of 2010 exceeded the sum of our lost PEO business from the comparable 2009 period from former customers, partially offset by a slight decline in revenue from existing PEO customers. Staffing revenues increased as a result of an increased demand for our staffing services from existing customers in our northwest and intermountain markets as our new staffing business during the period slightly exceeded the loss of business from former customers.

Gross margin for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 totaled approximately $31.2 million or an increase of $17.6 million over the comparable period of 2009, primarily due to a 14.8% increase in revenues and the inclusion of the $11.8 million in workers’ compensation adjustment in the nine months ended September 30, 2009, and to a decline in payroll and direct payroll costs, as a percentage of revenues.

Workers’ compensation expense, as a percent of revenues, decreased from 19.3% in the first nine months of 2009 to 13.0% in the first nine months of 2010. Workers’ compensation expense for the first nine months of 2010 totaled $25.9 million, compared to $33.5 million for the first nine months of 2009. The decrease in dollars was primarily due to the inclusion of the $11.8 million workers’ compensation adjustment in 2009, partially offset by an increase in the number of injury claims incurred during the comparable period of 2010.

The decrease in direct payroll costs, as a percentage of revenues, from 37.0% for the first nine months of 2009 to 35.3% for the first nine months of 2010 was primarily due to the increase in our mix of PEO services over the first nine months of 2009 as PEO service fee revenue is reflected net of direct payroll costs.

Payroll taxes and benefits for the first nine months of 2010, as a percentage of revenues, increased from 35.9% to 36.1%, primarily resulting from the growth in PEO services, offset in part by the Company’s changing to client specific state unemployment wage reporting in California for all our PEO clients. The change resulted in a decline in the Company’s overall average effective California state unemployment rate.

 

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

Results of Operations (Continued)

Nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 (Continued)

 

SG&A expenses for the first nine months of 2010 amounted to approximately $25.8 million, an increase of $1.0 million or 4.0% over the first nine months of 2009. The increase over the first nine months of 2009 was primarily attributable to higher profit sharing due to improved profitability and to an increased level of business activity.

Other income for the first nine months of 2010 was $1.3 million compared to other income of $1.4 million for the first nine months of 2009. The decrease in other income for the first nine months of 2010 was primarily attributable to 2009 having higher gains on the sale of certain marketable securities as compared to 2010.

The provision for income taxes for the first nine months of 2010 included a benefit of $282,000 primarily from a reduction to a deferred tax asset allowance as sales of certain closed-end bond funds during the 2010 period allowed the Company to apply current year capital losses to 2009 capital gains and to benefit from additional prior year employment tax credits resulting from the Company amending its 2008 federal tax return.

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 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, 2010 decreased $18.4 million from December 31, 2009, which compares to a decrease of $3.7 million for the comparable period in 2009. The decrease in cash at September 30, 2010 as compared to December 31, 2009, was primarily due to net purchases of marketable securities of $13.2 million, Company common stock repurchases of $3.4 million, net purchases of restricted marketable securities of $3.3 million, and cash dividends paid of $2.5 million, offset in part by net income from operating activities of $4.3 million.

 

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

Liquidity and Capital Resources (Continued)

 

Net cash provided by operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 amounted to $5.5 million compared to $1.7 million of net cash used in operations for the comparable 2009 period. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, cash flow was principally provided by net income of $4.3 million and increases in accrued payroll, payroll taxes and benefits of $22.0 million and workers’ compensation claims liabilities of $2.5 million, partially offset by an increase in accounts receivable of $23.4 million.

Net cash used in investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was $18.1 million as compared to $2.4 million of net cash provided by investing activities for the similar 2009 period. For the 2010 period, cash from investing activities was principally used for the purchase of marketable securities totaling $23.8 million and the net purchases of restricted marketable securities of $3.3 million, partially offset by the proceeds from the sales and maturities of marketable securities of $10.6 million. Approximately $2.8 million of the purchases of restricted marketable securities coupled with $3.3 million of existing marketable securities were used to capitalize the Company’s wholly-owned fully licensed insurance company in Arizona. The remaining transactions related to restricted marketable securities were scheduled maturities and the 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 months ended September 30, 2010 and September 30, 2009 was $5.9 million and $4.4 million, respectively. For the 2010 period, the principal use of cash for financing activities was the $3.4 million used to repurchase approximately 267,000 shares of the Company’s common stock and payment of regular quarterly cash dividends totaling $2.5 million to holders of the Company’s common stock.

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 is a party to a 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, 2010 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 maintain net income after taxes not less than $1.00 (one dollar) on an annual basis, 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

 

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

Liquidity and Capital Resources (Continued)

 

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, 2010.

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.

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 the ability to retain current customers and attract new customers, 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 $42.5 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.

 

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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, 2010, the Company’s investment portfolio consisted principally of approximately $15.9 million in tax-exempt money market funds, $22.6 million in tax-exempt municipal bonds with an average maturity of 217 days, and approximately $7.7 million in bond funds and corporate bonds. Based on the Company’s overall interest exposure at September 30, 2010, 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.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As of September 30, 2010, the Company carried out 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 design and operation of the Company’ disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Based on the evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There has been no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Company’s fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2010 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, such internal control over financial reporting.

 

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Part II - Other Information

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no material changes in our risk factors from those disclosed in our 2009 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, 2010.

 

Month

   Total
Number of
Shares
Repurchased
     Average Price
Paid
Per Share
     Total Number of
Shares  Repurchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plan (1)
     Maximum Number of
Shares that May Yet
Be Repurchased
Under the Plan (1)
 

July

     87,275       $ 12.62         87,275         1,564,100   

August

     16,490         13.00         16,490         1,547,600   

September

     —           —           —           —     
                       

Total

     103,765            103,765      
                       

 

(1) 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, 2010    

/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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