GILMAN CIOCIA, INC.
REPORT ON FORM 10-K
FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED JUNE 30, 2008
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
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PART I
Item 1. Business 2
Item 1A. Risk Factors 8
Item 2. Properties 14
Item 3. Legal Proceedings 14
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Shareholders 14
PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Shareholder Matters, and Issuer Purchases of Equity
Securities 15
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 17
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 26
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure 26
Item 9A(T). Controls and Procedures 26
Item 9B. Other Information 27
PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance 28
Item 11. Executive Compensation 32
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management 35
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence 39
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services 41
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules 42
SIGNATURES 44
PART I
Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Disclosure
The information contained in this Form 10-K and the exhibits hereto may contain
forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities
Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the
"Exchange Act"). Such statements, including statements regarding our
expectations about our ability to raise capital, our strategy to achieve our
corporate objectives, including our strategy to pursue growth through
acquisitions, to increase revenues through our registered representative
recruiting program and expand our brand awareness and business presence, our
liquidity, our expectations regarding personnel needs, revenues, the payment of
dividends, the outcome of litigation, arbitration and regulatory investigations,
the impact of certain accounting pronouncements, and others, are based upon
current information, expectations, estimates and projections regarding us, the
industries and markets in which we operate, and management's assumptions and
beliefs relating thereto. Words such as "will," "plan," "expect," "remain,"
"intend," "estimate," "approximate," and variations thereof and similar
expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These
statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, are not guarantees
of future performance, and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions
that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results could
materially differ from what is expressed, implied or forecast in such
forward-looking statements. Such differences could be caused by a number of
factors including, but not limited to, the uncertainty of laws, legislation,
regulations, supervision and licensing by federal, state and local authorities
and their impact on the lines of business in which we and our subsidiaries are
involved; unforeseen compliance costs; changes in economic, political or
regulatory environments; changes in competition and the effects of such changes;
the inability to implement our strategies; changes in management and management
strategies; our inability to successfully design, create, modify and operate our
computer systems and networks and litigation involving us. Readers should take
these factors into account in evaluating any such forward-looking statements. We
undertake no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking
statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise,
except as required by law.
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
BUSINESS OVERVIEW
Gilman Ciocia, Inc. (together with its wholly owned subsidiaries, "we", "us",
"our" or the "Company") was founded in 1981 and is incorporated under the laws
of the State of Delaware. We provide federal, state and local tax preparation
services to individuals, predominantly in the middle and upper income tax
brackets, accounting services to small and midsize companies and financial
planning services, including securities brokerage, investment management
services, insurance and financing services.
As of June 30, 2008, we had 26 offices operating in three states (New York, New
Jersey, and Florida). Our financial planning clients are generally introduced to
us through our tax return preparation services, accounting services and
educational workshops. We believe that our tax return preparation and accounting
services are inextricably intertwined with our financial planning activities in
our offices and that overall profitability will depend, in part, on the two
channels leveraging off each other since many of the same processes, procedures
and systems support sales from both channels. Accordingly, management views and
evaluates the Company as one segment.
We also provide financial planning services through approximately 54
independently owned and operated offices in 12 states. We benefit from economies
of scale associated with the aggregate production of both our offices and
independently owned offices.
All of our financial planners are employees or independent contractors of the
Company and registered representatives of Prime Capital Services, Inc. ("PCS"),
our wholly owned subsidiary. PCS conducts a securities brokerage business
providing regulatory over-sight and products and sales support to its registered
representatives, who sell investment products and provide services to their
clients. PCS earns a share of commissions from the services that the financial
planners provide to their clients in transactions for securities, insurance and
related products. PCS is a registered securities broker-dealer with the
Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and a member of the Financial
Industry Regulatory Authority ("FINRA") formerly known as the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD"). We also have a wholly owned
subsidiary, Asset & Financial Planning, Ltd. ("AFP"), which is registered with
the SEC as an investment advisor. Almost all of our financial planners are also
authorized agents of insurance underwriters. We have the capability of
processing insurance business through PCS and Prime Financial Services, Inc.
("PFS", a wholly owned subsidiary), which are licensed insurance brokers, as
well as through other licensed insurance brokers. We are also a licensed
mortgage broker in the state of New York and through GC Capital Corp, our wholly
owned subsidiary, a licensed mortgage brokerage business in the State of
Florida.
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In fiscal 2008(1), approximately 87% of our revenues were derived from
commissions and fees from financial planning services, including our financing
and insurance activities, and approximately 13% were derived from fees for tax
preparation and accounting services.
A majority of the financial planners located in our offices are also tax
preparers and/or accountants. Our tax preparation business is conducted
predominantly in February, March and April. During the 2008 tax season, we
prepared approximately 25,600 United States tax returns, up approximately 11.7%
from 22,900 prepared in 2007.
On April 23, 2008, FINRA cleared the request of vFinance Investments, Inc. for a
quotation on the OTC Bulletin Board for Gilman Ciocia, Inc. common stock
pursuant to NASD Rule 6640 and Rule 15c2-11 under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934. We are now quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol GTAX.
Our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current
Reports on Form 8-K can be obtained, free of charge, on our website at
www.gtax.com.
OUR STRATEGY
Overall Strategy. We believe that our recurring tax return preparation and
accounting services are inextricably intertwined with our financial planning
services. Clients often consider other aspects of their financial needs, such as
investments, insurance, retirement and estate planning, when having their tax
returns and business records prepared by us. We believe that this combination of
services to our recurring tax and accounting clients has created, and will
continue to create, optimum revenue for us.
Expand our client base through acquisitions. We are actively pursuing
acquisitions of tax preparation and accounting firms to increase our client base
and accounting business. In an effort to facilitate identifying potential
acquisitions, we have launched an advertising campaign involving targeted direct
mail, a customized website and inbound and outbound telemarketing to prospect
for leads. We believe that, in addition to the tax preparation and accounting
services revenue generated from the acquired practices, there are additional
opportunities to increase financial planning revenue by providing financial
planning services to many of the acquired clients.
Recruiting financial planners. We are actively recruiting financial planners.
These efforts are supported by advertising, targeted direct mail, and inbound
and outbound telemarketing.
Increase brand awareness; expand business presence. We plan to increase our
brand recognition to attract new clients and financial planners. We are
executing a comprehensive marketing plan to attract more clients and experienced
financial planners, build market awareness, and educate consumers and maintain
customer loyalty through direct marketing, advertising through our marketing
department, use of our website, various public relations programs, live
seminars, print advertising, radio, and television.
Provide value-added services to our clients. We provide our clients with access
to a pool of well-trained financial planners and access to up-to-date market and
other financial information. We provide our representatives with information and
training regarding current financial products and services.
Create technologically innovative solutions to satisfy client needs. We continue
to pursue additional technologies to service the rapidly evolving financial
services industry.
Build recurring revenue. Over the past three years, we have focused our
financial planning efforts on building our fee-based investment advisory
business. We believe that fee-based investment advisory services may be better
for certain clients. While these fees generate substantially lower first year
revenue than most commission products, the recurring nature of these fees
provides a platform for accelerating future revenue growth.
Provide technological solutions to our employee and independent representatives.
We believe that it is imperative that we continue to possess state-of-the-art
technology so that our employees and independent registered representatives can
effectively facilitate, measure and record business activity in a timely,
accurate and efficient manner. By continuing our commitment to provide a highly
capable technology platform to process business, we believe that we can achieve
economies of scale and potentially reduce the need to hire additional personnel.
Expand our product and service offering through strategic relationships. We
continue to pursue business alliances, capitalize on cross-selling
opportunities, create operational efficiencies and further enhance our name
recognition.
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(1) Fiscal years are denominated by the year in which they end. Accordingly,
fiscal 2008 refers to the year ended June 30, 2008.
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TAX RETURN PREPARATION AND ACCOUNTING SERVICES
The United States Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") reported that more than
146.0 million individual 2007 federal income tax returns and more than 131.0
million individual 2006 federal income tax returns were filed in the United
States through July 2008 and July 2007, respectively. According to the IRS, a
paid preparer completes approximately 70.0% of the tax returns e-filed in the
United States each year.
Among paid preparers, H&R Block, Inc. ("H&R Block") dominates the low-cost tax
preparation business with approximately 13,000 offices located throughout the
United States. According to information released by H&R Block, H&R Block
prepared an aggregate of approximately 20.7 million United States tax returns
during the 2008 tax season and 20.3 million United States tax returns during the
2007 tax season.
Regulation
Federal legislation requires income tax return preparers to, among other things,
set forth their signatures and identification numbers on all tax returns
prepared by them, and retain all tax returns prepared by them for three years.
Federal laws also subject income tax preparers to accuracy-related penalties in
connection with the preparation of income tax returns. Preparers may be
prohibited from further acting as income tax return preparers if they
continuously and repeatedly engage in specified misconduct. In addition,
authorized IRS e-filer providers are required to comply with certain rules and
regulations, as per IRS Publication 1345 and other notices of the IRS applicable
to e-filing.
The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and related Federal Trade Commission ("FTC")
regulations require us to adopt and disclose customer privacy policies and
provide customers the opportunity to opt-out of having their information shared
with certain third parties.
Competition
We compete with national tax return preparers such as H&R Block, Jackson Hewitt,
and Liberty Tax. The remainder of the tax preparation industry is highly
fragmented and includes regional tax preparation services, accountants,
attorneys, small independently owned companies, and financial service
institutions that prepare tax returns as ancillary parts of their business. To a
much lesser extent, we compete with the on-line and software self preparer
market. We believe that H&R Block's dominance as the industry leader and the
fragmentation of the rest of the industry represents a very attractive growth
opportunity for us.
The principle methods of competition within the tax return preparation industry
include price, service and reputation for quality. We believe that within the
middle to upper income tax brackets, (the niche-market in which we concentrate),
service and reputation for quality are the key to competing in the tax return
preparation business.
FINANCIAL PLANNING
All of our financial planners are registered representatives of PCS. PCS
conducts a securities brokerage business providing regulatory oversight and
product and sales support to its registered representatives, who provide
investment products and services to their clients. PCS is a registered
securities broker-dealer with the SEC and a member of FINRA.
To become a registered representative, a person must pass one or more of a
series of qualifying exams administered by FINRA that test the person's
knowledge of securities and related regulations. Thereafter, PCS supervises the
registered representatives with regard to all regulatory matters. In addition to
certain mandatory background checks required by FINRA, we also require that each
registered representative respond in writing to a background questionnaire. PCS
has been able to recruit and retain experienced and productive registered
representatives who seek to establish and maintain personal relationships with
their clients. We believe that continuing to add experienced, productive
registered representatives is an integral part of our growth strategy.
Regulation (Compliance and Monitoring)
PCS, AFP and the securities industry in general, are subject to extensive
regulation in the United States at both the federal and state levels, as well as
by self-regulatory organizations ("SROs") such as FINRA.
The SEC is the federal agency primarily responsible for the regulation of
broker-dealers and investment advisers doing business in the United States.
Certain aspects of broker-dealer regulation have been delegated to securities
industry SROs, principally FINRA and the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"). These
SROs adopt rules (subject to SEC approval) that govern the industry, and, along
with the SEC, conduct periodic examinations of the operations of PCS. PCS is a
member of FINRA and the NYSE. The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System also promulgates regulations applicable to securities credit transactions
involving broker-dealers. Securities firms are also subject to regulation by
state securities administrators in those states in which they conduct business.
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Broker-dealers are subject to regulations covering all aspects of the securities
industry, including sales practices, trade practices among broker-dealers,
capital requirements, the use and safekeeping of clients' funds and securities,
recordkeeping and reporting requirements, supervisory and organizational
procedures intended to ensure compliance with securities laws and to prevent
unlawful trading on material nonpublic information, employee related matters,
including qualification and licensing of supervisory and sales personnel,
limitations on extensions of credit in securities transactions, clearance and
settlement procedures, requirements for the registration, underwriting, sale and
distribution of securities and rules of the SROs designed to promote high
standards of commercial honor and just and equitable principles of trade. A
particular focus of the applicable regulations is the relationship between
broker-dealers and their clients. As a result, many aspects of the relationship
between broker-dealers and clients are subject to regulation, including, in some
instances, requirements that brokers make "suitability" determinations as to
certain customer transactions, limitations on the amounts that may be charged to
clients, timing of proprietary trading in relation to client's trades, and
disclosures to clients.
Additional legislation, changes in rules promulgated by the SEC, state
regulatory authorities or SROs, or changes in the interpretation or enforcement
of existing laws and rules may directly affect the mode of operation and
profitability of broker-dealers. The SEC, SROs and state securities commissions
may conduct administrative proceedings that can result in censure, fines, the
issuance of cease-and-desist orders or the suspension or expulsion of a
broker-dealer, its officers or employees. The principal purpose of regulating
and disciplining broker-dealers is for the protection of customers and the
securities markets, not the protection of creditors or shareholders of
broker-dealers.
As a registered broker-dealer, PCS is required to, and has established and
maintains a system to supervise the activities of its retail brokers, including
its independent contractor offices and other securities professionals. The
supervisory system must be reasonably designed to achieve compliance with
applicable securities laws and regulations, as well as SRO rules. The SROs have
established minimum requirements for such supervisory systems; however, each
broker-dealer must establish procedures that are appropriate for the nature of
its business operations. Failure to establish and maintain an adequate
supervisory system may result in sanctions imposed by the SEC or an SRO, which
could limit PCS' ability to conduct its securities business. Moreover, under
federal law and certain state securities laws, PCS may be held liable for
damages resulting from the unauthorized conduct of its account executives to the
extent that PCS has failed to establish and maintain an appropriate supervisory
system.
Competition
The financial planning and investment advisory business is highly competitive
and contains businesses with a wide range of services. We compete with both
large and small investment management companies, commercial banks, brokerage
firms (including discount brokerage firms that have electronic brokerage
services), insurance companies, independent financial planners, independent
broker-dealers and other financial institutions. Many of our larger competitors
have greater marketing, financial and technical resources than we have.
In addition, we may suffer from competition from departing employees and
financial planners, and may compete for talent with other financial service
businesses. Our ability to compete effectively in our businesses is
substantially dependent on our continuing ability to attract, retain, and
motivate qualified financial advisors.
COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES
Tax Return Preparation and Accounting Services
We believe that we offer clients a cost effective and proactive tax preparation
and tax planning service compared to services provided by H&R Block, accountants
and many independent tax preparers. Our volume allows us to provide uniform
services at competitive prices. In addition, as compared to certain of our
competitors that are open only during tax season, all of our offices are open
year round to provide financial planning and other services to our clients.
Almost all of our professional tax preparers have tax preparation experience or
are trained by us to meet the required level of expertise to properly prepare
tax returns.
Our tax preparers are generally not certified public accountants, attorneys or
enrolled agents. Therefore, they are limited in the representation that they can
provide to clients of ours in the event of an audit by the IRS. However, through
our acquisition of accounting firms, we expect the percentage of our tax
preparers who are certified public accountants to increase. Only an attorney, a
certified public accountant or a person specifically enrolled to practice before
the IRS can represent a taxpayer in an audit.
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Financial Planning
A majority of our tax preparers and accountants also perform financial planning
services. We provide financial planning services, including securities
brokerage, investment management services, insurance and financing services.
Most middle and upper income individuals require a variety of financial planning
services. Clients often consider other aspects of their financial needs, such as
insurance, investments, retirement and estate planning, while having their tax
returns prepared by us. We offer every client the opportunity to complete a
questionnaire that is designed to ascertain if the client needs services for
other aspects of the client's financial situation. These questionnaires are
reviewed to determine whether the client may benefit from our financial planning
services.
We provide a variety of services and products to our financial planners to
enhance their professionalism and productivity.
Approved Investment Products. Our financial planners offer a wide variety of
approved investment products to their clients that are sponsored by
well-respected, financially sound companies. We believe that this is critical to
the success of our financial planners and us. We follow a selective process in
determining approved products to be offered to clients by our financial
planners, and we periodically review the product list for continued maintenance
or removal of approved status.
Marketing. We provide advertising and public relations assistance to our
financial planners that enhance their profile, public awareness, and
professional stature in the public's eye, including FINRA-approved marketing
materials, corporate and product brochures and client letters.
Supervision/Compliance. Our financial planners seek and value assistance in the
area of compliance. Keeping in step with the latest industry regulations, our
compliance department provides to our representatives, among other things:
o Advertising and sales literature review;
o Field inspections, followed up with written findings and
recommendations;
o Assistance with customer complaints and regulatory inquiries;
o Workshops, seminars and in-house publications on various compliance
matters;
o Regional and national meetings; and
o Interpretation of rules and regulations and general compliance
training.
Clearing. We utilize the services of National Financial Services, LLC, which is
a wholly owned subsidiary of Fidelity Investments, to clear our transactions.
Engaging the processing services of a clearing firm exempts us from the
application of certain capital reserve requirements and other complex regulatory
requirements imposed by federal and state securities laws.
MARKETING
We market our services principally through referrals from customers, media,
direct mail, promotions and workshops. The majority of clients in each office
return to us for tax preparation services during the following year.
Branding. We have invested in upgrading our offices and developing a consistent
look including a distinctive logo and the use of green and gold in our direct
mail pieces, website, promotional pieces and signage. In addition, we
consistently direct individuals to our 1-800-TAX-TEAM toll free telephone
number.
Media. We advertise on television, radio, newspapers, magazines and outdoor
media.
Sports Marketing. We advertise and do special promotions with the New York Mets
at Shea Stadium during the regular season and with other major league baseball
teams during spring training.
Direct Mail. We regularly send direct mail advertisements to residences in the
areas surrounding our offices. The direct mail advertising solicits business for
our tax preparation and financial planning services. Many of our new clients
each year are first introduced to us through our direct mail advertising.
Workshops. We promote local tax planning workshops. At these workshops,
prospective new clients can learn easy to follow strategies for reducing their
taxes and for accumulating, preserving and transferring their wealth.
Online. We have a website on the internet at www.gtax.com for Company
information, including financial information and our latest news releases. In
addition, we utilize search engine marketing tools and advertising to attract
interest to our site.
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SEASONALITY
Our fiscal year ends on June 30. All references to quarters and years in this
document are to fiscal quarters and fiscal years unless otherwise noted. The
seasonal nature of our tax return business results in our recognition of
approximately 57% of our tax revenues in the third quarter and approximately 30%
of our tax revenues in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year, the peak tax
preparation season.
ACQUISITIONS
In fiscal 2008, we completed the purchase of four tax preparation firms
generating approximately $1.5 million annually in tax preparation fees. We made
five acquisitions in fiscal 2007. See Note 3 to Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements for more on acquisitions.
EMPLOYEES
As of June 30, 2008, we employed 218 persons on a permanent full-time basis.
During tax season, we typically employ seasonal employees who do only tax return
preparation or provide support functions. The minimum requirements for a tax
preparer at the Company are generally some tax preparation experience and the
completion of our proprietary tax preparation training course or equivalent
educational experience.
Each of the registered representatives licensed with PCS and insurance agents
licensed through us have entered into a commission sharing agreement with us.
Each such agreement generally provides that a specified percentage of the
commissions earned by us are paid to the registered representative or insurance
agent. In the commission sharing agreements, the employee registered
representatives also agree to maintain certain Company information as
confidential and not to compete with us.
TRADEMARK
We have registered our "Gilman Ciocia Tax and Financial Planning" trademark with
the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The trademark is registered through 2017.
EQUITY FINANCING
On August 20, 2007, we closed the sale (the "Investment Purchase Closing") of
40.0 million shares of our common stock, par value $0.01 per share, at a price
of $0.10 per share (the "Investment Purchase") for proceeds of $4.0 million
pursuant to an Investor Purchase Agreement dated April 25, 2007 (the "Purchase
Agreement") with Wynnefield Small Cap Value Offshore Fund, Ltd., Wynnefield
Partners Small Cap Value, L.P., Wynnefield Partners Small Cap Value, L.P.I and
WebFinancial Corporation (the "Investment Purchasers"). The 40.0 million shares
of common stock were issued pursuant to an exemption from the registration
requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 under Regulation D, Rule 506 ("Rule
506"). The proceeds from the Investment Purchase Closing were used as follows:
$2.4 million was paid to Met Life Insurance Company of Connecticut ("Met Life"),
formerly known as the Travelers Insurance Company, in full satisfaction of the
approximately $6.8 million, including principal and interest, owed to Met Life
by us; $50.0 thousand was paid to Wachovia Bank, National Association
("Wachovia") as a principal payment, which reduced our loan balance with
Wachovia to approximately $0.7 million; $19.2 thousand was paid to Wachovia for
a loan fee and legal fees; and the $1.6 million balance was retained by us to be
used as working capital.
The Investment Purchase Closing was contingent upon, among other things, the
purchase of an additional 40.0 million shares of common stock at a price of
$0.10 per share in cash or by the conversion of outstanding debt or other
liabilities of ours (the "Private Placement") by other purchasers (the "Private
Placement Purchasers") including officers, directors and employees of ours.
Prime Partners II, LLC ("Prime Partners II"), a holding company owned in part by
Michael Ryan (the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer and a member
of the Company's Board of Directors) purchased 15.4 million shares of common
stock in the Private Placement by the conversion of $1.5 million of Company
debt. The closing of the Private Placement (the "Private Placement Closing")
occurred on August 20, 2007 simultaneously with the Investment Purchase Closing.
At the Private Placement Closing, we issued 16.9 million shares of Company Stock
for cash proceeds of $1.7 million and 23.1 million shares of common stock for
the conversion of $2.3 million of our debt, including 15.4 million shares issued
to Prime Partners II, for the conversion of $1.5 million of our debt. Such
shares were issued pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements
under Rule 506. The $1.7 million of cash proceeds from the Private Placement
Closing were disbursed as follows: $3.8 thousand for escrow agent fees; and the
$1.7 million balance was retained by us to be used to retire the debt of
affiliates.
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On April 14, 2008, the SEC declared effective our registration statement, which
included a prospectus filed with the SEC on April 14, 2008 for a public stock
offering (the "Public Stock Offering"). Pursuant to this offering, we
distributed, for no consideration to our holders of common stock,
non-transferable subscription rights to purchase shares of our common stock.
Each eligible shareholder received one subscription right for each share of
common stock owned at the close of business on April 14, 2008, the record date.
We distributed subscription rights exercisable for up to an aggregate of 20.0
million shares of our common stock.
Each subscription right entitled an eligible shareholder to purchase up to four
shares of common stock, subject to adjustment, at a subscription price of $0.10
per share. This is the same price at which we sold 80.0 million shares of common
stock in the two private placements described above. Shareholders who exercised
their basic subscription rights in full could over-subscribe for additional
shares to the extent additional shares were available. The Public Stock Offering
expired on June 20, 2008. A total of 3.9 million shares of the common stock were
issued pursuant to the Public Stock Offering.
The Investment Purchasers and the Private Placement Purchasers (collectively,
the "2007 Investors") did not receive subscription rights, but had the right
until September 15, 2008 to purchase at $0.10 per share the shares that remained
unsold on June 20, 2008. On September 12, 2008, we filed a supplement to our
prospectus extending until December 31, 2008 the period during which the 2007
Investors have a right to purchase up to the 16.1 million shares of common stock
offered under the prospectus that remained unsold at the expiration of the
Public Stock Offering. Accordingly, until December 31, 2008, the 2007 Investors
have the right, on a "first come, first served" basis, to purchase these shares
at the $0.10 per share subscription price.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Our business could be harmed by market volatility and declines in general
economic conditions
If the financial markets deteriorate, our financial planning channel will suffer
decreased revenues. Our revenue and profitability may be adversely affected by
declines in the volume of securities transactions and in market liquidity, which
generally result in lower revenues from trading activities and commissions.
Lower securities price levels may also result in a reduced volume of
transactions as well as losses from declines in the market value of securities
held in trading, investment and underwriting positions. In periods of low
volume, the fixed nature of certain expenses, including salaries and benefits,
computer hardware and software costs, communications expenses and office leases,
will adversely affect profitability. Sudden sharp declines in market values of
securities and the failure of issuers and counterparts to perform their
obligations can result in illiquid markets in which we may incur losses in
principal trading and market making activities.
We have a history of losses and may incur losses in the future
While, we reported a profit for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2008 and 2007,
we incurred losses in fiscal years 2006, 2005, and 2004 and may incur losses
again in the future. As of June 30, 2008, our accumulated deficit was $29.8
million. If we fail to continue to earn profits, the value of a shareholders
investment may decline.
Certain private shareholders, including some of our directors and officers,
control a substantial interest in us and thus may influence certain actions
requiring a vote of our shareholders
On August 20, 2007, Michael Ryan (our Chief Executive Officer), Carole Enisman
(our Executive Vice President of Operations), Ted Finkelstein (our Vice
President and General Counsel), Dennis Conroy, Prime Partners, Inc. and Prime
Partners II, LLC (holding companies owned in part by Michael Ryan), Wynnefield
Small Cap Value Offshore Fund, Ltd., Wynnefield Partners Small Cap Value, L.P.,
Wynnefield Partners Small Cap Value, L.P.I and WebFinancial Corporation entered
into a Shareholders Agreement concerning the voting of their shares of our
common stock. These shareholders collectively own approximately 66.1% of our
issued and outstanding shares of common stock. Pursuant to the shareholders
agreement, these shareholders will have the ability to influence certain actions
requiring a shareholder vote, including, the election of directors. This
concentration of ownership and control by these shareholders could delay or
prevent a change in our control or other action, even when a change in control
or other action might be in the best interests of our other shareholders.
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Our staggered board may entrench management, could prevent or delay a change of
control of our Company and discourage unsolicited shareholder proposals or bids
for our common stock that may be in the best interests of our shareholders
Our restated certificate of incorporation provides that our board of directors
is divided into three classes, serving staggered three-year terms. As a result,
at any annual meeting only a minority of our board of directors will be
considered for election. Since our "staggered board" would prevent our
shareholders from replacing a majority of our board of directors at any annual
meeting, it may entrench management, delay or prevent a change in our control
and discourage unsolicited shareholder proposals or unsolicited bids for our
common stock that may be in the best interests of our shareholders.
Making and integrating acquisitions could impair our operating results
Our current strategy is to actively pursue acquisitions of tax preparation and
accounting firms. Acquisitions involve a number of risks, including: diversion
of management's attention from current operations; disruption of our ongoing
business; difficulties in integrating and retaining all or part of the acquired
business, its customers and its personnel; and the effectiveness of the acquired
company's internal controls and procedures. The individual or combined effect of
these risks could have an adverse effect on our business. In paying for an
acquisition, we may deplete our cash resources. Furthermore, there is the risk
that our valuation assumptions, customer retention expectations and our models
for an acquired product or business may be erroneous or inappropriate due to
foreseen or unforeseen circumstances and thereby cause us to overvalue an
acquisition target. There is also the risk that the contemplated benefits of an
acquisition may not materialize as planned or may not materialize within the
time period or to the extent anticipated.
Our operations may be adversely affected if we are not able to expand our
financial planning business by hiring additional financial planners and opening
new offices
If the financial planners that we presently employ or recruit do not perform
successfully, our operations may be adversely affected. We plan to continue to
expand in the area of financial planning, by expanding the business of presently
employed financial planners and by recruiting additional financial planners. Our
revenue growth will in large part depend upon the expansion of existing business
and the successful integration and profitability of the recruited financial
planners. Our growth will also depend on the success of independent financial
planners who are recruited to join us. The financial planning channel of our
business has generated an increasing portion of our revenues during the past few
years, and if such channel does not continue to be successful, our revenue may
not increase.
Our Consolidated Financial Statements do not include any adjustments that might
result due the opening of new offices or from the uncertainties of a shift in
the our business
We may choose to open new offices. When we open a new office, we incur
significant expenses to build out the office and to purchase furniture,
equipment and supplies. We have found that a new office usually suffers a loss
in its first year of operation, shows no material profit or loss in its second
year of operation and does not attain profitability, if ever, until its third
year of operation. Therefore, our operating results could be materially
adversely affected in any year that we open a significant number of new offices.
If the financial markets deteriorate, our financial planning channel will suffer
decreased revenues. Our revenue and profitability may be adversely affected by
declines in the volume of securities transactions and in market liquidity, which
generally result in lower revenues from trading activities and commissions.
Lower securities price levels may also result in a reduced volume of
transactions as well as losses from declines in the market value of securities
held in trading, investment and underwriting positions. In periods of low
volume, the fixed nature of certain expenses, including salaries and benefits,
computer hardware and software costs, communications expenses and office leases,
will adversely affect profitability. Sudden sharp declines in market values of
securities and the failure of issuers and counterparts to perform their
obligations can result in illiquid markets in which we may incur losses in our
principal trading and market making activities.
Our sale of 80.0 million shares of common stock in August 2007 and the 3.9
million shares in the Public Stock Offering significantly diluted the common
stock ownership of our shareholders. Our potential sale of 16.1 million shares
of common stock in the Public Stock Offering to the 2007 Investors will further
dilute the common stock ownership of our shareholders, all of which could
adversely affect future prices of our stock
The significant dilution of the common stock ownership of existing shareholders
resulting from our August 2007 private placements, and the dilution of common
stock ownership resulting from our sale of 3.9 million shares of common stock in
the Public Stock Offering, along with the potential sale of 16.1 million of
common stock to the 2007 Investors in the Public Stock Offering could have an
adverse effect on the future price of the shares of our common stock and on the
future volume of the shares traded.
9
We are not quoted on a national securities exchange, which would limit our
ability to raise capital and your ability to trade in our securities, and which
results in additional regulatory requirements
On April 23, 2008, FINRA cleared the request of vFinance Investments, Inc. for a
quotation on the OTC Bulletin Board for Gilman Ciocia, Inc. common stock
pursuant to NASD Rule 6640 and Rule 15c2-11 under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934. The Company is now trading on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol
GTAX. If the Company fails to meet criteria set forth in Rule 15c2-11 (for
example, by failing to file periodic reports as required by the Exchange Act),
various practice requirements are imposed on broker-dealers who sell securities
governed by the Rule to persons other than established customers and accredited
investors. For these types of transactions, the broker-dealer must make a
special suitability determination for the purchaser and have received the
purchaser's written consent to the transactions prior to sale. Consequently, the
Rule may have a material adverse effect on the ability of broker-dealers to sell
the Company's securities, which may materially affect the ability of
shareholders to sell the securities in the secondary market. Not being listed on
a national securities exchange may make trading our shares difficult for
investors, potentially leading to declines in the share price. It may also make
it more difficult for us to raise additional capital.
The low trading volume of the our common stock increases volatility, which could
impair our ability to obtain equity financing
Low trading volume in our common stock increases volatility, which could result
in the impairment of our ability to obtain equity financing. As a result,
historical market prices may not be indicative of market prices in the future.
In addition, the stock market has recently experienced extreme stock price and
volume fluctuation. Our market price may be impacted by changes in earnings
estimates by analysts, economic and other external factors and the seasonality
of our business. Fluctuations or decreases in the trading price of the common
stock may adversely affect the shareholders' ability to buy and sell the common
stock and our ability to raise money in a future offering of common stock.
Changing laws and regulations have resulted in increased compliance costs for
us, which could affect our operating results
Changing laws, regulations and standards relating to corporate governance and
public disclosure, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and newly enacted
SEC regulations have created additional compliance requirements for companies
such as ours. We are committed to maintaining high standards of internal
controls over financial reporting, corporate governance and public disclosure.
As a result, we intend to continue to invest appropriate resources to comply
with evolving standards, and this investment has resulted and will likely
continue to result in increased general and administrative expenses and a
diversion of management time and attention from revenue-generating activities to
compliance activities. See Item 9A(T)."Controls and Procedures."
The expense and diversion of management attention which result from litigation
could have an adverse effect on our operating results and could harm our ability
to effectively manage our business
If we were to be found liable to clients for misconduct alleged in civil
proceedings, our operations may be adversely affected. Many aspects of our
business involve substantial risks of liability. There has been an increase in
litigation and arbitration within our securities industry in recent years,
including class action suits seeking substantial damages. Broker-dealers such as
PCS are subject to claims by dissatisfied clients, including claims alleging
they were damaged by improper sales practices such as unauthorized trading,
churning, sale of unsuitable securities, use of false or misleading statements
in the sale of securities, mismanagement and breach of fiduciary duty.
Broker-dealers may be liable for the unauthorized acts of their retail brokers
and independent contractors if they fail to adequately supervise their conduct.
PCS is currently a defendant/respondent in numerous such proceedings. PCS
maintains securities broker-dealer's professional liability insurance to insure
against this risk, but the insurance policy contains a deductible (presently
$50,000) and a cumulative cap on coverage (presently $3,000,000). In addition,
certain activities engaged in by brokers may not be covered by such insurance.
The adverse resolution of any legal proceedings involving us could have a
material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of
operations or cash flows.
The outcome of the SEC investigation could have a material affect on our
operating results
On September 6, 2005, we received an informal inquiry from the SEC regarding
variable annuity sales by our registered representatives during the period
January 1, 2002 through August 1, 2005. On June 22, 2006, the SEC entered a
formal order of investigation. Pursuant to SEC subpoenas, we have supplied
documents to the SEC and several officers, employees and former employees have
testified before the SEC. We cannot predict whether or not the investigation
will result in an enforcement action. Further, if there were an enforcement
action, we cannot predict whether or not our operating results would be
affected.
10
Dependence on technology software and systems and our inability to provide
assurance that our systems will be effective could adversely affect our
operations
As an information-financial services company with a subsidiary broker-dealer, we
are greatly dependent on technology software and systems and on the internet to
maintain customer records, effect securities transactions and prepare and file
tax returns. In the event that there is an interruption to our systems due to
internal systems failure or from an external threat, including terrorist
attacks, fire and extreme weather conditions, our ability to prepare and file
tax returns and to process financial transactions could be affected. We have
offsite backup, redundant and remote failsafe systems in place to safeguard
against these threats but there can be no assurance that such systems will be
effective to prevent malfunction and adverse effects on operations.
We face substantial competition. If we fail to remain competitive, we may lose
customers and our results of operations would be adversely affected.
The financial planning and tax planning industries are highly competitive. If
our competitors create new products or technologies, or are able to take away
our customers, our results of operations may be adversely affected. Our
competitors include companies specializing in income tax preparation as well as
companies that provide general financial services. Our principal competitors are
H&R Block and Jackson Hewitt in the tax preparation field and many well-known
national brokerage and insurance firms in the financial services field,
including Merrill Lynch and Citigroup. Many of these competitors have larger
market shares and significantly greater financial and other resources than us.
We may not be able to compete successfully with such competitors. Competition
could cause us to lose existing clients, impact our ability to acquire new
clients and increase advertising expenditures, all of which could have a
material adverse effect on our business or operating results.
Additionally, federal and state governments may in the future become direct
competitors to our tax offerings. If federal and state governments provide their
own software and electronic filing services to taxpayers at no charge it could
have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results
of operations. The federal government has proposed legislation that could
further this initiative.
Government initiatives that simplify tax return preparation could reduce the
need for our services as a third party tax return preparer
Many taxpayers seek assistance from paid tax return preparers such as us because
of the level of complexity involved in the tax return preparation and filing
process. From time to time, government officials propose measures seeking to
simplify the preparation and filing of tax returns or to provide additional
assistance with respect to preparing and filing such tax returns. The passage of
any measures that significantly simplify tax return preparation or otherwise
reduce the need for a third party tax return preparer could reduce demand for
our services, causing our revenues or profitability to decline.
Changes in the tax law that result in a decreased number of tax returns filed or
a reduced size of tax refunds could harm our business
From time to time, the United States Treasury Department and the Internal
Revenue Service adopt policy and rule changes and other initiatives that result
in a decrease in the number of tax returns filed or reduce the size of tax
refunds. Similar changes in the tax law could reduce demand for our services,
causing our revenues or profitability to decline.
The highly seasonal nature of our business presents a number of financial risks
and operational challenges which, if we fail to meet, could materially affect
our business
Our business is highly seasonal. We generate substantially all of our tax
preparation revenues during tax season, which is the period from January 1
through April 30. The concentration of this revenue-generating activity during
this relatively short period presents a number of operational challenges for us
including: (i) cash and resource management during the first eight months of our
fiscal year, when we generally operate at a loss and incur fixed costs and costs
of preparing for the upcoming tax season; (ii) flexible staffing, because the
number of employees at our offices during the peak of tax season is much higher
than at any other time; (iii) accurate forecasting of revenues and expenses; and
(iv) ensuring optimal uninterrupted operations during peak season, which is the
period from late January through April.
11
If we were unable to meet these challenges or were to experience significant
business interruptions during tax season, which may be caused by labor
shortages, systems failures, work stoppages, adverse weather or other events,
many of which are beyond our control, we could experience a loss of business,
which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition
and results of operations.
Competition from departing employees and our ability to enforce contractual
non-competition and non-solicitation provisions could adversely affect our
operating results
If a large number of our employees and financial planners depart and begin to
compete with us, our operations may be adversely affected. Although we attempt
to restrict such competition contractually, as a practical matter, enforcement
of contractual provisions prohibiting small-scale competition by individuals is
difficult. In the past, departing employees and financial planners have competed
with us. They have the advantage of knowing our methods and, in some cases,
having access to our clients. No assurance can be given that we will be able to
retain our most important employees and financial planners or that we will be
able to prevent competition from them or successfully compete against them. If a
substantial amount of such competition occurs, the corresponding reduction of
revenue may materially adversely affect our operating results.
Departure of key personnel could adversely affect our operations
If any of our key personnel were to leave the Company, our operations may be
adversely affected. We believe that our ability to successfully implement our
business strategy and operate profitably depends on the continued employment of
James Ciocia, our Chairman of the Board of Directors, Michael Ryan, our
President and Chief Executive Officer, Ted Finkelstein, our Vice President and
General Counsel, Kathryn Travis, our Secretary, Carole Enisman, our Executive
Vice President of Operations, and Karen Fisher, our Chief Accounting Officer.
Michael Ryan and Carole Enisman are married. If any of these individuals become
unable or unwilling to continue in his or her present position, our business and
financial results could be materially adversely affected.
The decision not to pay dividends could impact the marketability of our common
stock
Our decision not to pay dividends could negatively impact the marketability of
our common stock. Since our initial public offering of securities in 1994, we
have not paid dividends and do not plan to pay dividends in the foreseeable
future. We currently intend to retain future earnings, if any, to finance our
growth.
The release of restricted common stock may have an adverse affect on the market
price of the common stock
The release of various restrictions on the possible future sale of our common
stock may have an adverse affect on the market price of our common stock. Based
on information received from our transfer agent, approximately 83.3 million
shares of the common stock outstanding are "restricted securities" under Rule
144 of the Securities Act of 1933.
In general, under Rule 144, a person who has satisfied a six-month holding
period may, under certain circumstances, sell, within any three month period, a
number of shares of "restricted securities" that do not exceed the greater of
one percent of the then outstanding shares of common stock or the average weekly
trading volume of such shares during the four calendar weeks prior to such sale.
Rule 144 also permits, under certain circumstances, the sale of shares of common
stock by a person who is not an "affiliate" of the Company (as defined in Rule
144) and who has satisfied a six-month holding period, without any volume or
other limitation.
The general nature of the securities industry as well as its regulatory
requirements could materially affect our business
If a material risk inherent to the securities industry was to be realized, the
value of our common stock may decline. The securities industry, by its very
nature, is subject to numerous and substantial risks, including the risk of
declines in price level and volume of transactions, losses resulting from the
ownership, trading or underwriting of securities, risks associated with
principal activities, the failure of counterparties to meet commitments,
customer, employee or issuer fraud risk, litigation, customer claims alleging
improper sales practices, errors and misconduct by brokers, traders and other
employees and agents (including unauthorized transactions by brokers), and
errors and failure in connection with the processing of securities transactions.
Many of these risks may increase in periods of market volatility or reduced
liquidity. In addition, the amount and profitability of activities in the
securities industry are affected by many national and international factors,
including economic and political conditions, broad trends in industry and
finance, level and volatility of interest rates, legislative and regulatory
changes, currency values, inflation, and the availability of short-term and
long-term funding and capital, all of which are beyond our control.
12
Several current trends are also affecting the securities industry, including
increasing consolidation, increasing use of technology, increasing use of
discount and online brokerage services, greater self-reliance of individual
investors and greater investment in mutual funds. These trends could result in
our facing increased competition from larger broker-dealers, a need for
increased investment in technology, or potential loss of clients or reduction in
commission income. These trends or future changes could have a material adverse
effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations or cash
flows.
If new regulations are imposed on the securities industry, our operating results
may be adversely affected. The SEC, FINRA, the NYSE and various other regulatory
agencies have stringent rules with respect to the protection of customers and
maintenance of specified levels of net capital by broker-dealers. The regulatory
environment in which we operate is subject to change. We may be adversely
affected as a result of new or revised legislation or regulations imposed by the
SEC, FINRA, other U.S. governmental regulators or SROs. We also may be adversely
affected by changes in the interpretation or enforcement of existing laws and
rules by the SEC, other federal and state governmental authorities and SROs.
PCS is subject to periodic examination by the SEC, FINRA, SROs and various state
authorities. PCS sales practice, operations, recordkeeping, supervisory
procedures and financial position may be reviewed during such examinations to
determine if they comply with the rules and regulations designed to protect
customers and protect the solvency of broker-dealers. Examinations may result in
the issuance of letters to PCS, noting perceived deficiencies and requesting PCS
to take corrective action. Deficiencies could lead to further investigation and
the possible institution of administrative proceedings, which may result in the
issuance of an order imposing sanctions upon PCS and/or their personnel.
Our business may be materially affected not only by regulations applicable to it
as a financial market intermediary, but also by regulations of general
application. For example, the volume and profitability of our, or our clients'
trading activities in a specific period could be affected by, among other
things, existing and proposed tax legislation, antitrust policy and other
governmental regulations and policies (including the interest rate policies of
the Federal Reserve Board) and changes in interpretation or enforcement of
existing laws and rules that affect the business and financial communities.
System or network failures or breaches in connection with our services and
products could reduce our sales, impair our reputation, increase costs or result
in liability claims, and seriously harm our business
Any disruption to our services and products, our own information systems or
communications networks or those of third-party providers upon whom we rely as
part of its own product offerings, including the internet, could result in the
inability of our customers to receive our products for an indeterminate period
of time. Our services may not function properly for any of the following
reasons:
o System or network failure;
o Interruption in the supply of power;
o Virus proliferation;
o Security breaches;
o Earthquake, fire, flood or other natural disaster; or
o An act of war or terrorism.
Although we have made significant investments, both internally and with
third-party providers, in redundant and back-up systems for some of our services
and products, these systems may be insufficient or may fail and result in a
disruption of availability of our products or services to our customers. Any
disruption to our services could impair our reputation and cause us to lose
customers or revenue, or face litigation, customer service or repair work that
would involve substantial costs and distract management from operating our
business.
Failure to comply with laws and regulations that protect customers' personal
information could result in significant fines and harm our brand and reputation
We manage highly sensitive client information, which is regulated by law.
Problems with the safeguarding and proper use of this information could result
in regulatory actions and negative publicity, which could adversely affect our
reputation and results of operations.
13
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Our corporate headquarters is located at 11 Raymond Avenue, Poughkeepsie, NY
10603, where we lease approximately 19,000 square feet of space. All our
company-owned offices are leased. We believe that any of our rental spaces could
be replaced with comparable office space, however, location and convenience is
an important factor in marketing our services to our clients.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Company and PCS are defendants and respondents in lawsuits and FINRA
arbitrations in the ordinary course of business. In accordance with Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 5 "Accounting for Contingencies," we
have established liabilities for potential losses from such complaints, legal
actions, investigations and proceedings. In establishing these liabilities, our
management uses its judgment to determine the probability that losses have been
incurred and a reasonable estimate of the amount of the losses. In making these
decisions, we base our judgments on our knowledge of the situations,
consultations with legal counsel and our historical experience in resolving
similar matters. In many lawsuits, arbitrations and regulatory proceedings, it
is not possible to determine whether a liability has been incurred or to
estimate the amount of that liability until the matter is close to resolution.
However, accruals are reviewed regularly and are adjusted to reflect our
estimate of the impact of developments, rulings, advice of counsel and any other
information pertinent to a particular matter. Because of the inherent difficulty
in predicting the ultimate outcome of legal and regulatory actions, we cannot
predict with certainty the eventual loss or range of loss related to such
matters. If our judgments prove to be incorrect, our liability for losses and
contingencies may not accurately reflect actual losses that result from these
actions, which could materially affect results in the period other expenses are
ultimately determined. We accrued $0.2 million as a reserve for potential
settlements, judgments and awards at June 30, 2008. PCS has errors and omissions
coverage that will cover a portion of such matters. In addition, under the PCS
registered representatives contract, each registered representative is
responsible for covering awards, settlements and costs in connection with these
claims. While we will vigorously defend our self in these matters and will
assert insurance coverage and indemnification to the maximum extent possible,
there can be no assurance that these lawsuits and arbitrations will not have a
material adverse impact on our financial position.
On September 6, 2005, we received an informal inquiry from the SEC regarding
variable annuity sales by our registered representatives during the period
January 1, 2002 through August 1, 2005. On June 22, 2006, the SEC entered a
formal order of investigation. Pursuant to SEC subpoenas, we have supplied
documents to the SEC and several officers, employees and former employees have
testified before the SEC. We cannot predict whether or not the investigation
will result in an enforcement action. Further, if there were an enforcement
action, we cannot predict whether or not our operating results would be
affected.
On February 4, 2004, we were served with a Summons and a Shareholder's Class
Action and Derivative Complaint with the following caption: "Gary Kosseff,
Plaintiff, against James Ciocia, Thomas Povinelli, Michael Ryan, Kathryn Travis,
Seth A. Akabas, Louis P. Karol, Edward Cohen, Steven Gilbert and Doreen
Biebusch, Defendants and Gilman & Ciocia, Inc., Nominal Defendant". The nature
of the action is that the Company, our board of directors and our management,
breached their fiduciary duty of loyalty in connection with the sale of certain
of the Company's offices. The action was filed in the Court of Chancery of the
State of Delaware in and for New Castle County under Civil Action No. 188-N. The
case was scheduled for trial on June 4, 2007. The trial was postponed without a
new date pending settlement negotiations. On February 15, 2008, a Settlement
Agreement was executed settling the lawsuit. At a hearing on September 22, 2008,
the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware approved the Settlement Agreement
and reserved decision on setting an award of attorney's fees and expenses for
plaintiff's counsel. We believe there will be no material adverse impact on our
financial position from any award of attorney's fees and expenses.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SHAREHOLDERS
None.
14
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS AND
ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Prior to April 23, 2008, the shares of our common stock were traded on what is
commonly called the grey sheets under the symbol "GTAX.PK". On April 23, 2008,
FINRA cleared the request of vFinance Investments, Inc. for a quotation on the
OTC Bulletin Board for Gilman Ciocia, Inc. common stock pursuant to NASD Rule
6640 and Rule 15c2-11 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. We are now
quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol GTAX.
The following table sets forth the high and low closing prices for the common
stock for the fiscal 2008 and 2007 quarters indicated:
------------------------------------
High Low
Fiscal Fiscal Fiscal Fiscal
Year Year Year Year
Quarter Ended 2008 2007 2008 2007
------------- ------ ------ ------ ------
September 30, $ 0.25 $ 0.35 $ 0.05 $ 0.01
December 31, $ 0.33 $ 0.25 $ 0.05 $ 0.05
March 31, $ 0.50 $ 0.25 $ 0.05 $ 0.05
June 30, $ 0.40 $ 0.20 $ 0.10 $ 0.02
DIVIDENDS AND DIVIDEND POLICY
Since our initial public offering of securities in 1994, we have not paid
dividends, and we do not plan to pay dividends in the foreseeable future. We
currently intend to retain any future earnings to finance our growth.
HOLDERS OF COMMON STOCK
On June 30, 2008, there were approximately 427 shareholders of common stock of
record. This does not reflect persons or entities that hold common stock in
nominee or "street" name through various brokerage firms. On the close of
trading on June 30, 2008, the price of the common stock was $0.12 per share.
RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES
During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2008, we issued the following shares of
common stock in privately negotiated transactions that were not registered under
the Securities Act pursuant to the exemption provided by Section 4(2) of the
Securities Act:
o On August 2, 2007 we issued 24,027 shares to an employee in
consideration for services as compensation pursuant to the terms of
his financial planner agreement.
o On August 21, 2007, we issued 0.1 million shares for no additional
consideration to a group of Company management and employees who
purchased a loan owed by the Company ("Purchasing Group") as
interest on this loan. On November 2, 2007 we issued 7,500 shares as
a final interest payment for no additional consideration.
o On August 22, 2007, we issued 15,000 shares to certain of our Board
Directors in consideration for services as director compensation.
o On August 20, 2007 we sold, for $0.10 per share, 40.0 million shares
of our common stock to the Investment Purchasers, as further
described above, and an additional 40.0 million shares of our common
stock to the Private Placement Purchasers in consideration for the
conversion of certain Company debt and other liability of the
Company. See Equity Financing and Note 21 to Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements for a further discussion of these sales.
No underwriters participated in these transactions. These sales were privately
negotiated with the individual(s) with whom we had prior relationships.
15
SECURITIES AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE UNDER EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS
Equity Compensation Plan Information
(c)
(a) (b) Number of Securities Remaining
Number of Securities to be Weighted-Average Available for Future Issuance
Issued Upon Exercise of Exercise Price of Under Equity Compensation Plans
Outstanding Options, Warrants Options, Warrants and (Excluding Securities Reflected
Plan Category and Rights Rights in Column (a) )
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equity Compensation Plans Approved
by Shareholders -- -- 16,128,106
Equity Compensation Plans not Approved
by Shareholders 80,000 $1.04 --
---------------------- --------------------
Total 80,000 16,128,106
We maintain records of option grants by year, exercise price, vesting schedule
and grantee. In certain cases, we have estimated, based on all available
information, the number of such options that were issued pursuant to each plan.
The material terms of each option grant varied according to the discretion of
the board of directors. In addition, from time to time, we have issued, and in
the future may issue, additional non-qualified options pursuant to individual
option agreements, the terms of which vary from case to case. See Note 14 to
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Our 2007 Stock Incentive Plan was adopted at our shareholders meeting on July
19, 2007. Subject to anti-dilution adjustments as provided in the 2007 Plan, (i)
the 2007 Plan provides for a total of 16.1 million shares of our common stock to
be available for distribution pursuant to the 2007 Plan, and (ii) the maximum
number of shares of our common stock with respect to which stock options,
restricted stock, deferred stock, or other stock-based awards may be granted to
any participant under the 2007 Plan during any calendar year or part of a year
may not exceed 0.6 million shares.
16
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS.
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated
Financial Statements and related Notes thereto set forth in Item 8. "Financial
Statements and Supplementary Data". In addition to historical information, this
discussion includes forward-looking information that involves risks and
assumptions which could cause actual results to differ materially from our
expectations. See "Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Disclosure" included in
Part I of this report.
OVERVIEW
Company Model
We provide federal, state and local income tax return preparation for
individuals predominantly in middle and upper income brackets and accounting
services to small and midsize companies and financial planning services,
including securities brokerage, investment management services, insurance, and
financing services. Clients often consider other aspects of their financial
needs such as investments, insurance, pension and estate planning, while having
their tax returns prepared by us. We believe that our tax return preparation and
accounting services are inextricably intertwined with our financial planning
activities. Neither channel would operate as profitably by itself and the two
channels leverage off each other, improving profitability and client retention.
The financial planners who provide such services are employees of the Company
and/or independent contractors of the Company's Prime Capital Services, Inc.
("PCS") subsidiary. The Company and PCS earn a share of commissions (depending
on what service is provided) from the services that the financial planners
provide to the clients in transactions for securities, insurance and related
products. We also earn substantial revenue from asset management services
provided through Asset & Financial Planning, Ltd. ("AFP"), our wholly owned
subsidiary. We also earn revenues from commissions for acting as an insurance
agent and as a broker for financing services. PCS also earns revenues ("PCS
Marketing") from its strategic marketing relationships with certain product
sponsors which enables PCS to efficiently utilize its training, marketing and
sales support resources.
For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2008, approximately 13% of our revenues were
earned from tax preparation and accounting services and 87% were earned from all
financial planning and related services of which approximately 71% was earned
from mutual funds, annuities and securities transactions, 23% from asset
management, 3% from insurance, 2% from PCS Marketing, and 1% from financing
services.
Managed Assets
As indicated in the following table, as of June 30, 2008, assets under AFP
management decreased $33.2 million, to $596.4 million, from $629.6 million as of
June 30, 2007. This decrease is mostly attributable to market declines of $58.7
million offset by net increases in assets under management of approximately
$25.5 million. As of June 30, 2008, total Company assets under custody were $4.2
billion, down $729.6 million from June 30, 2007.
The following table presents the market values of assets under management by
AFP:
(in thousands)
Market Value Total Assets
as of Under AFP
June 30, Annuities Brokerage Management
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
2008 $330,503 $265,850 $596,353
2007 $354,659 $274,943 $629,602
The following table presents the market values of total Company assets under
custody:
(in thousands)
Market Value Total Company
as of Assets Under
June 30, Custody
---------------------------------
2008 $4,231,803
2007 $4,961,358
17
Debt
On August 20, 2007, we sold 80.0 million shares of our common stock at the
Investment Purchase Closing and the Private Placement Closing. On August 20,
2007, we paid Met Life $2.4 million from the proceeds of the Investment Purchase
Closing and the Private Placement Closing in full satisfaction of the
approximately $6.8 million, including principal and interest, previously owed to
Met Life. During the period the loan was outstanding, we were in default on our
$5.0 million distribution financing with Met Life. See Note 21 to Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of the stock sales.
As of June 30, 2008, we were in default of certain covenants under our term
loan/revolving letter of credit financing with Wachovia. Our debt forbearance
agreement with Wachovia was last amended on April 1, 2006. We do not believe
that Wachovia will issue a notice of default for any of these defaults. As a
result of these defaults, our debt with Wachovia has been classified as a
current liability on our financial statements. On August 20, 2007, as a result
of the Investment Purchase Closing and the Private Placement Closing, a $50.0
thousand principal payment was made to Wachovia. On April 7, 2008, Wachovia
agreed to waive our principal payments for the months of April, May and June of
2008 and to extend the due date of the loan with us from October 2008 to January
2009. We resumed our monthly payments in July 2008. As of September 15, 2008,
our outstanding principal balance was $0.2 million.
A $1.0 million loan (the "Purchasing Group Loan") owed by us and 0.8 million
shares of our common stock were sold to a group of Company management and
employees (the "Purchasing Group") on April 29, 2005 for the amount of $0.8
million. The $0.3 million debt reduction agreed to by the Purchasing Group was
recorded to paid-in-capital, as the Purchasing Group is a related party. On
August 20, 2007, as part of the Private Placement Closing, $0.7 million of the
Purchasing Group Loan was converted to 7.1 million shares of Company common
stock.
See Note 11 to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a further
discussion of the Company's debt.
Acquisitions
We are actively pursuing acquisitions of tax preparation and accounting firms to
increase our client base and accounting business. In an effort to facilitate
identifying potential acquisitions, we have launched an advertising campaign
involving targeted direct mail, a customized website and inbound and outbound
telemarketing to prospect for leads. In fiscal 2008, we entered into four
agreements to purchase tax preparation and accounting businesses.
Regulatory Investigations
On September 6, 2005, we received an informal inquiry from the SEC regarding
variable annuity sales by our registered representatives during the period
January 1, 2002 through August 1, 2005. On June 22, 2006, the SEC entered a
formal order of investigation. Pursuant to SEC subpoenas, we have supplied
documents to the SEC and several officers, employees and former employees have
testified before the SEC. We cannot predict whether or not the investigation
will result in an enforcement action. Further, if there were an enforcement
action, we cannot predict whether or not our operating results would be
affected.
18
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following table sets forth certain items from our statements of operations
expressed as a percentage of revenue for fiscal years ended June 30, 2008 and
2007. The trends illustrated in the following table are not necessarily
indicative of future results.
For Fiscal Years Ended June 30,
2008 2007
-------------------------------
Revenues
Financial Planning Services 87.0% 89.9%
Tax Preparation and Accounting Fees 13.0% 10.1%
-------------------------------
Total Revenue 100.0% 100.0%
-------------------------------
Operating Expenses
Commissions 57.8% 61.5%
Salaries 18.9% 16.6%
General and Administrative Expense 11.3% 9.1%
Advertising 3.9% 3.3%
Brokerage Fees & Licenses 2.6% 2.3%
Rent 5.2% 4.6%
Depreciation and Amortization 2.1% 1.8%
-------------------------------
Total Operating Expenses 101.8% 99.2%
-------------------------------
Income/(Loss) Before Other Income/(Expense) -1.8% 0.8%
Other Income/(Expense) 9.2% 0.7%
-------------------------------
Income Before Income Taxes 7.4% 1.5%
Income Taxes 0.2% 0.0%
-------------------------------
Net Income 7.2% 1.5%
-------------------------------
The following table sets forth a summary of our consolidated results of
operations for fiscal years ended June 30, 2008 and 2007:
(in thousands, except share data) For Fiscal Years Ended June 30,
Consolidated Results of Operations 2008 2007 % Change
--------------------------------
Revenues $ 50,877 $ 53,052 -4.1%
Commissions 29,419 32,643 -9.9%
Other Operating Expenses 22,386 19,970 12.1%
Net Income 3,698 793 366.3%
Diluted EPS from Net Income $ 0.05 $ 0.08 -37.5%
19
The following two tables set forth a breakdown of our consolidated revenue
detail by product line and brokerage product type for the fiscal years ended
June 30, 2008 and 2007:
(in thousands) For Fiscal Years Ended June 30,
Consolidated Revenue Detail 2008 2007 % Change
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue by Product Line
Brokerage Commissions $ 31,524 $ 35,057 -10.1%
Advisory Fees 10,023 9,905 1.2%
Tax Preparation and Accounting Fees 6,623 5,358 23.6%
Insurance Commissions 1,459 1,056 38.2%
Marketing Revenue 911 1,003 -9.2%
Lending Services 337 673 -49.9%
----------- ---------
Total Revenue $ 50,877 $ 53,052 -4.1%
=========== =========
Brokerage Commissions by Product Type
Annuities $ 16,589 $ 19,564 -15.2%
Trails 8,122 7,438 9.2%
Mutual Funds 4,473 5,410 -17.3%
Equities, Bonds & UIT 1,106 1,379 -19.8%
All other products 1,234 1,266 -2.5%
----------- ---------
Brokerage Commissions $ 31,524 $ 35,057 -10.1%
=========== =========
The following table sets forth a breakdown of our consolidated financial
planning revenue by company-owned offices and independent offices for the fiscal
years ended June 30, 2008 and 2007:
For Fiscal Years Ended June 30,
-------------------------------
% of % of
(in thousands) 2008 Total 2007 Total
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Company-Owned Offices $ 19,868 45% $ 17,694 37%
Independent Offices 24,386 55% 30,000 63%
-------- --------
Total $ 44,254 $ 47,694
======== ========
The following table sets forth a breakdown of our consolidated revenue detail by
company-owned offices for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2008 and 2007:
For Fiscal Years Ended June 30,
-------------------------------
% of % of
(in thousands) 2008 Total 2007 Total
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Financial Planning $ 19,868 75% $ 17,694 77%
Tax Preparation and Accounting
Services 6,623 25% 5,358 23%
-------- --------
Total $ 26,491 $ 23,052
======== ========
FISCAL 2008 COMPARED WITH FISCAL 2007
Our revenues for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2008 were $50.9 million, down
4.1%, compared with $53.1 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2007. This
decrease was primarily attributable to a decline in our revenues from annuity
sales as we focus on products and services that generate recurring revenue and
mutual fund sales resulting from a weak market, as well as attrition mostly in
independently-owned offices, which we refer to as the independent channel. These
declines were partially offset by a 23.6% increase in our tax preparation and
accounting services business resulting from our acquisitions and marketing
efforts to increase organic growth, an increase of 4.6% in advisory fees and
trails revenue as well as a 38.2% increase in our insurance business.
Our total revenues for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2008 consisted of $44.3
million for financial planning services and $6.6 million for tax preparation
services. Financial planning services represented approximately 87.0% and tax
preparation and accounting services represented approximately 13.0% of our total
revenues for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2008. Our total revenues for the
fiscal year ended June 30, 2007 consisted of $47.7 million for financial
planning services and $5.4 million for tax preparation and accounting services.
Financial planning represented approximately 90.0% and tax preparation and
accounting fees represented approximately 10.0% of our revenues for the fiscal
year ended June 30, 2007.
20
Our financial planning revenue was split approximately 45.0% for company owned
offices and 55.0% for independent offices for the fiscal year ended June 30,
2008. Thus within Company offices, financial planning services represented
approximately 75.0% of revenues and tax preparation services represented
approximately 25.0%. Our financial planning revenue was split approximately
37.0% for company owned offices and 63.0% for independent offices for the fiscal
year ended June 30, 2007. Within company owned offices approximately 77.0% of
revenues for this time period came from financial planning and 23.0% came from
tax preparation and accounting services for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2007.
This trend indicates a shift in our channel mix to more production coming from
our company representatives versus independents where last year the independent
channel was a bigger contributor.
We continue to focus on products and services that generate recurring revenue.
This focus is principally manifested in the growth of our investment advisory
business through AFP. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2008, revenues from
recurring revenues sources (advisory and trails) increased to $18.1 million, up
$0.8 million from $17.3 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2007,
representing a 4.6% increase in recurring revenue. For the fiscal year ended
June 30, 2008, recurring revenue (advisory and trails) was 35.7% of our total
revenue compared to 32.7% for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2007.
For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2008, revenues from variable annuity sales
were $16.6 million compared with $19.6 million for the same period last year,
representing a 15.2% drop in annuity revenue. This trend is mostly indicative of
our efforts to diversify our product mix.
Total operating expenses for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2008 were $51.8
million compared to $52.6 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2007.
Operating expenses decreased mostly due to a decline in commission expense
resulting from reduced revenues partially offset by increases in all other
expense categories.
Commission expense for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2008 was $29.4 million
(57.8% of revenue), a decrease of $3.2 million from $32.7 million (61.5% of
revenue) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2007. The decrease in commission
expense is mostly attributable to declines in financial planning revenue
including mutual fund sales and lending services resulting from a weaker market
during the period, as well as our trend to increase recurring revenue as
evidenced by significantly lower annuity sales during the period.
Salaries which consist primarily of salaries, related payroll taxes and employee
benefit costs, increased by $0.9 million, or 9.8% for the fiscal year ended June
30, 2008 compared with the same period last year. The increase is mostly
attributable to increased staff from acquisitions, increased staff at our
headquarters related to our marketing and public relations efforts and
compliance needs, as well as increases in branch office staff and new recruits
who receive salary as part of their transition financing.
General and administrative expense consists primarily of expenses for general
corporate functions including outside legal and professional fees, insurance,
utilities, bad debt expenses and general corporate overhead costs. General and
administrative expenses increased by $0.9 million in the fiscal year ended June
30, 2008 compared with the same period last year. This increase is primarily
attributable to higher bad debt expense of $0.4 million resulting from an
increase in the allowance related to certain receivables compared with the same
period last year where we recorded a reduction of the allowance resulting from
the collections of two previously determined uncollectible balances relating to
the sale of two company owned offices. In addition, we recognized an additional
cost of $0.4 million in fiscal 2008 due to moving our annual awards conference
into the fourth quarter of 2008 from the first quarter of 2009. The remaining
$0.1 million is mostly attributable to incremental general and administrative
costs associated with acquisitions.
Advertising expense increased 12.4% to $2.0 million for the fiscal year ended
June 30, 2008 compared with $1.8 million for the same period last year. This
increase is attributable to a decision to spend more on tax season marketing in
certain offices in an effort to increase revenues.
Brokerage fees and license expense for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2008 was
$0.1 million higher compared with the same period last year. This increase is
due to more accounts under management with third party money managers in AFP.
Rent expense increased 8.9% to $2.6 million for the fiscal year ended June 30,
2008 compared with $2.4 million for the same period last year. This increase is
due to annual rent increases, new offices related to acquisitions and the
relocation of existing offices to more prominent office locations, offset
partially by the closing and consolidation of certain of our offices during
fiscal 2008.
Depreciation and amortization for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2008 was $1.1
million, an increase from $0.9 million for the same period last year. This
increase is mostly attributable to increased amortization expense related to the
amortization of intangible assets related to our acquisitions.
21
Our loss before other income and expense for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2008
was $0.9 million compared with income of $0.4 million for the same period last
year. This decline was primarily attributable to decreased financial planning
revenue due to declines in market conditions and attrition mostly on the
independent channel and increased operating expenses, except for commission
expense, which declined relative to the decline in financial planning revenue,
all partially offset by increased tax preparation and accounting services
revenue.
Total other income for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2008 improved to $4.7
million in income, up from $0.4 million in the fiscal year ended June 30, 2007.
The improvement is the result of the gain from the extinguishment of debt of
$6.8 million owed to Met Life resulting from the Investment Purchase and the
Private Placement closings on August 20, 2007, which also resulted in decreased
interest expense, the adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
No. 157 "Fair Value Measurements" ("SFAS No. 157") (See Note 9 to Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements for a further discussion of fair value
measurement), and from the gain on the sale of one of our Company offices.
Net income for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2008, was $3.7 million, or $0.05
per diluted share, compared to $0.8 million, or $0.08 per diluted share for the
fiscal year ended June 30, 2007, an improvement of $2.9 million. The increase in
net income is mostly attributable to the extinguishment of our debt owed to Met
Life, the adoption of SFAS No. 157 and increased tax preparation and accounting
services revenue, partially offset by decreased financial planning revenue and
increased operating expenses. The decrease in earnings per diluted share is
primarily due to the issuance of shares related to the Investment Purchase and
Private Placement on August 20, 2007.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Our ability to satisfy our obligations depends on our future performance, which
will be subject to prevailing economic, financial, and business conditions.
Capital requirements, at least in the near term, are expected to be provided by
cash flows from operating activities, cash on hand at June 30, 2008 or a
combination thereof. To the extent future capital requirements exceed cash on
hand plus cash flows from operating activities, we anticipate that working
capital will be financed by the sale of the remaining unsold shares from the
Public Stock Offering to the 2007 Investors which was extended to December 31,
2008 (See Note 21 to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion
of the Public Stock Offering) and by pursuing financing through outside lenders.
We are also continuing to control operating expenses and are implementing our
acquisition strategy to increase earnings and cash flow.
While we believe that payments to tax preparation and accounting practices which
we have acquired have been and will continue to be funded through cash flow
generated from those acquisitions, we need additional capital to fund initial
payments on future acquisitions. If we do not have adequate capital to fund
those future acquisitions, we may not be able to acquire all of the acquisitions
available to us which could result in our not fully realizing all of the revenue
which might otherwise be available to us.
As described elsewhere herein, at the Investment Purchase Closing and the
Private Placement Closings on August 20, 2007, we sold 80.0 million shares of
our common stock to the 2007 Investors. A portion of the proceeds of these
private placements were used to pay Met Life $2.4 million in full satisfaction
of the approximately $6.8 million, including principal and interest, previously
owed to Met Life. See Note 21 to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for
a discussion of the stock sales.
Also as described elsewhere herein, on April 14, 2008, the SEC declared
effective our registration statement, which included a prospectus filed with the
SEC on April 14, 2008 for our Public Stock Offering. Pursuant to this offering,
we distributed, for no consideration to our holders of common stock,
non-transferable subscription rights to purchase shares of our common stock.
Each eligible shareholder received one subscription right for each share of
common stock owned at the close of business on April 14, 2008, the record date.
We distributed subscription rights exercisable for up to an aggregate of 20.0
million shares of our common stock. See Note 21 to Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements for a discussion of the Public Stock Offering.
Each subscription right entitled an eligible shareholder to purchase up to four
shares of our common stock, subject to adjustment, at a subscription price of
$0.10 per share. This is the same price at which we sold in two private
placements a total of 80.0 million shares of our common stock to the 2007
Investors. Shareholders who exercised their basic subscription rights in full
could over-subscribe for additional shares to the extent additional shares were
available. The subscription rights expired on June 20, 2008. A total of
3,899,561 shares of our common stock were issued pursuant to the Public Stock
Offering.
As of June 30, 2008, we were in default of certain covenants under our term
loan/revolving letter of credit financing with Wachovia. Our debt forbearance
agreement with Wachovia was last amended on April 1, 2006. We do not believe
that Wachovia will issue a notice of default for any of these defaults. As a
result of these defaults, our debt with Wachovia has been classified as a
current liability on our financial statements. On August 20, 2007, as a result
of the Investment Purchase Closing and the Private Placement Closing, a $50.0
thousand principal payment was made to Wachovia. On April 7, 2008, Wachovia
agreed to waive our principal payments for the months of April, May and June of
2008 and to extend the due date of the loan with us from October 2008 to January
2009. We resumed our monthly payments in July 2008. As of September 15, 2008,
our outstanding principal balance was $0.2 million.
22
The $1.0 million Purchasing Group Loan owed by us and 0.8 million shares of our
common stock were sold to the Purchasing Group on April 29, 2005 for $0.8
million. The $0.3 million debt reduction agreed to by the Purchasing Group was
recorded to paid-in-capital, as the Purchasing Group is a related party. On
August 20, 2007, as part of the Private Placement Closing, $0.7 million of the
Purchasing Group Loan was converted to 7.1 million shares of our common stock.
During fiscal 2008, we had net income of $3.7 million and at June 30, 2008 had a
working capital deficit of $2.7 million. In prior fiscal years, we had
significantly higher working capital deficiencies. Additionally, our debt was
significantly reduced as a result of the Investment Purchase Closing and the
Private Placement Closing. At June 30, 2008 we had $1.4 million of cash and cash
equivalents, $35.0 thousand in marketable securities and $2.7 million of trade
account receivables, net, to fund short-term working capital requirements. PCS
is subject to the SEC's Uniform Net Capital Rule 15c3-1, which requires that PCS
maintain minimum regulatory net capital of $0.1 million and, in addition, that
the ratio of aggregate indebtedness to net capital, both as defined, shall not
exceed 15 to one. At June 30, 2008 we were in compliance with this regulation.
We had previously funded working capital commitments through loans from Prime
Partners, Inc. ("Prime Partners"). As of June 30, 2008, we owed Prime Partners a
total of $1.3 million in principal consisting of two separate notes. A $1.0
million note to Prime Partners dated January 31, 2008 was due on June 30, 2008
(the "$1.0 Million Note"). On December 26, 2007, we entered into a promissory
note in the amount of $0.3 million with Prime Partners for related party debt
which was previously included in accrued expenses. The note pays interest at the
rate of 10.0% per annum. The note is payable over 31 months and the first
payment of approximately $11.0 thousand was paid in January 2008 and continues
to be paid monthly.
A trust, of which Ted Finkelstein, our Vice President and General Counsel, is
the trustee ("the Trust"), made a short-term loan to Prime Partners for $0.3
million on July 18, 2006, which paid interest at 10% per annum. On October 16,
2006, the Trust made an additional short-term loan to Prime Partners for $0.2
million, which paid interest at 10% per annum. As of June 30, 2008, Prime
Partners owed the Trust $0.5 million in principal pursuant to a promissory note
dated January 31, 2008 (the "Old Note"). As security for the total loan in the
amount of $0.5 million, Prime Partners gave the Trust a security interest in the
note related to the sale of two of our offices that we assigned to Prime
Partners and a security interest in the notes that we owed to Prime Partners.
As of September 1, 2008, Prime Partners assigned $0.5 million from the $1.0
Million Note to the Trust in payment of the Old Note. As of September 1, 2008,
we entered into a new $0.5 million promissory note with Prime Partners at 10%
interest with interest payable monthly and principal due on or before June 30,
2009 (the "New Prime Partners Note").
As of September 1, 2008, we entered into a new $0.5 million promissory note with
the Trust (the "New Trust Note"). The New Trust Note provides for 10% interest
to be paid in arrears through the end of the previous month on the 15th date of
each month commencing on October 15, 2008. The principal of the New Trust Note
will be paid to the Trust as follows: $55.0 thousand on January 31, 2009; $55.0
thousand on February 28, 2009; $90.0 thousand on March 31, 2009, April 30, 2009,
May 31, 2009 and June 30, 2009. We gave the Trust a collateral security interest
in all of our assets, including the stock of PCS, subordinate only to the
outstanding security interest of Wachovia. We agreed that the only loan debt
principal that we are permitted to pay until the New Trust Note is paid in full
is: the existing Wachovia debt, the scheduled principal payments on certain
executive notes with de minimis balances and the scheduled principal payments to
Prime Partners for the $0.3 million Promissory Note dated December 26, 2007. No
payments of loan principal can be paid to any other existing or future lenders,
including to Prime Partners on the New Prime Partners Note. Prime Partners and
Ted Finkelstein guaranteed the New Trust Note. The guarantee of Prime Partners
is secured by a collateral assignment of the promissory note dated January 23,
2004 between Daniel R. Levy and the Company in the original amount of $0.9
million which was assigned to Prime Partners on June 26, 2006.
DISCUSSION OF CASH FLOWS
Operating Activities
For fiscal 2008, cash used in operating activities was $1.4 million, as compared
to cash provided by operating activities of $0.2 million for fiscal 2007. The
change of $1.6 million was due to increased cash outflows to pay down accounts
payable and accrued expenses, including commissions payable.
Investing Activities
During fiscal 2008, we completed four acquisitions with a total aggregate
purchase price of $0.5 million, made payments of $0.1 million on 2007
acquisitions for final contingency payments and spent $0.3 million for fixed
assets. We received $40.0 thousand from the sale of certain assets.
Additionally, we provide certain loans as a way to attract new financial
planners. Consistent with industry practice, some of these loans will be
forgiven if the financial planner meets certain predetermined production targets
and/or length of service commitments. During fiscal 2008, these loans increased
by $0.1 million.
23
Financing Activities
For fiscal 2008, cash flows provided by financing activities were $2.1 million,
as compared to cash provided by financing activities of $0.2 million for the
fiscal year ended 2007. The increase of $1.9 million can be attributed to the
proceeds from the Investment Purchase and Private Placement and the sale of
stock in the public offering, offset in part by the pay-down of the Met Life
Note (See Note 21 to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion
of the stock sales).
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In May 2008, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB") issued
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") Statement No. 162, "The
Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles" ("SFAS No. 162"), which
identifies the sources of accounting principles and the framework for selecting
the principles to be used in the preparation of financial statements of
non-governmental entities that are presented in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") in the United States. SFAS No. 162 is
effective sixty days following the SEC's approval of The Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board's related amendments to remove the GAAP hierarchy
from auditing standards. We do not expect adoption of SFAS No. 162 will have a
material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.
In April 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position ("FSP") FAS 142-3,
"Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets" ("FSP FAS 142-3"). This
position amends the factors that should be considered in developing renewal or
extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of a recognized
intangible asset under SFAS No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets."
This FSP is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning
after December 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The
guidance contained in this FSP for determining the useful life of a recognized
intangible asset shall be applied prospectively to intangible assets acquired
after the effective date. We are currently assessing the effects of FSP FAS
142-3 and have not yet determined its impact on our consolidated financial
statements.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141 (revised 2007), "Business
Combinations" ("SFAS No. 141R"). This statement replaces SFAS Statement No. 141,
"Business Combinations" ("SFAS No. 141"). This statement retains the fundamental
requirements in SFAS No. 141 that the acquisition method of accounting (which
SFAS No. 141 called the purchase method) be used for all business combinations
and for an acquirer to be identified for each business combination. SFAS No.
141R defines the acquirer as the entity that obtains control of one or more
businesses in the business combination and establishes the acquisition date as
the date that the acquirer achieves control. SFAS No. 141R's scope is broader
than that of SFAS No. 141, which applied only to business combinations in which
control was obtained by transferring consideration.
SFAS No. 141R requires an acquirer to recognize the assets acquired, the
liabilities assumed, and any non-controlling interest in the acquiree at the
acquisition date, measured at their fair values as of that date, with limited
exceptions specified in the statement. That replaces SFAS No. 141's
cost-allocation process, which required the cost of an acquisition to be
allocated to the individual assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on
their estimated fair values.
SFAS No. 141R applies to all transactions or other events in which an entity
(the acquirer) obtains control of one or more businesses (the acquiree),
including those sometimes referred to as "true mergers" or "mergers of equals"
and combinations achieved without the transfer of consideration, for example, by
contract alone or through the lapse of minority veto rights. This statement
applies to all business entities, including mutual entities that previously used
the pooling-of-interests method of accounting for some business combinations. It
does not apply to: (a) The formation of a joint venture, (b) The acquisition of
an asset or a group of assets that does not constitute a business, (c) A
combination between entities or businesses under common control, or (d) A
combination between not-for-profit organizations or the acquisition of a
for-profit business by a not-for-profit organization.
SFAS No. 141R applies prospectively to business combinations for which the
acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting
period beginning on or after December 15, 2008. An entity may not apply it
before that date. Management is assessing the impact on our financial statements
once adopted.
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, "Fair Value Measurements"
("SFAS No. 157"). SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for
measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, and expands
disclosures about fair value measurements. This statement applies under other
accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements, the
Board having previously concluded in those accounting pronouncements that fair
value is a relevant measurement attribute. Accordingly, this statement does not
require any new fair value measurements. We have adopted SFAS No. 157 effective
September 30, 2007 and have recorded a $0.2 million allowance against our
accounts payable balance as of June 30, 2008 representing our fair value
assessment of that account. See also Note 9 describing fair value measurements.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with Generally Accepted
Accounting Principles requires management to establish accounting policies and
make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts of assets and
liabilities at the date of the Consolidated Financial Statements. We evaluate
our policies and estimates on an on-going basis. Our Consolidated Financial
Statements may differ based upon different estimates and assumptions. Our
critical accounting estimates have been reviewed with the Audit Committee of the
Board of Directors.
24
Our significant accounting policies are discussed in Note 2 to the Consolidated
Financial Statements. We believe the following are our critical accounting
policies and estimates:
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles 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 financial statements and
the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.
Actual results could differ from these estimates. Furthermore, the Company,
including our wholly owned subsidiary PCS, has been named as a defendant in
various customer arbitrations. These claims result from the actions of brokers
affiliated with PCS. In addition, under the PCS registered representatives
contract, each registered representative has indemnified us for these claims. In
accordance with SFAS No. 5 "Accounting for Contingencies," we have established
liabilities for potential losses from such complaints, legal actions,
investigations and proceedings. In establishing these liabilities, our
management uses its judgment to determine the probability that losses have been
incurred and a reasonable estimate of the amount of losses. In making these
decisions, we base our judgments on our knowledge of the situations,
consultations with legal counsel and our historical experience in resolving
similar matters. In many lawsuits, arbitrations and regulatory proceedings, it
is not possible to determine whether a liability has been incurred or to
estimate the amount of that liability until the matter is close to resolution.
However, accruals are reviewed regularly and are adjusted to reflect
management's estimates of the impact of developments, rulings, advice of counsel
and any other information pertinent to a particular matter. Because of the
inherent difficulty in predicting the ultimate outcome of legal and regulatory
actions, we cannot predict with certainty the eventual loss or range of loss
related to such matters. If our judgments prove to be incorrect, our liability
for losses and contingencies may not accurately reflect actual losses that
result from these actions, which could materially affect results in the period
other expenses are ultimately determined. As of June 30, 2008, we accrued
approximately $0.2 million for these matters. A majority of these claims are
covered by our errors and omissions insurance policy. While we will vigorously
defend ourselves in these matters, and will assert insurance coverage and
indemnification to the maximum extent possible, there can be no assurance that
these lawsuits and arbitrations will not have a material adverse impact on our
financial position.
Impairment of Intangible Assets
Impairment of intangible assets results in a charge to operations whenever
events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset
may not be recoverable. Recoverability of an asset to be held and used is
measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of the asset to future net cash
flows expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets are considered to be
impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the
carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. The
measurement of the future net cash flows to be generated is subject to
management's reasonable expectations with respect to our future operations and
future economic conditions which may affect those cash flows. We test goodwill
for impairment annually or more frequently whenever events occur or
circumstances change, which would more likely than not reduce the fair value of
a reporting unit below its carrying amount. The measurement of fair value, in
lieu of a public market for such assets or a willing unrelated buyer, relies on
management's reasonable estimate of what a willing buyer would pay for such
assets. Management's estimate is based on its knowledge of the industry, what
similar assets have been valued at in sales transactions and current market
conditions.
Income Tax Recognition of Deferred Tax Items
We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the differences
between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax basis of assets and
liabilities. Significant management judgment is required in determining our
deferred tax assets and liabilities. Management makes an assessment of the
likelihood that our deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable
income, and to an amount that it believes is more likely than not to be
realized. As of June 30, 2008 we are fully reserved for our deferred tax assets.
Revenue Recognition
We recognize all revenues associated with income tax preparation, accounting
services and asset management fees upon completion of the services. Financial
planning services include securities and other transactions. The related
commission revenue and expenses are recognized on a trade-date basis. Marketing
revenue associated with product sales is recognized quarterly based on
production levels. Marketing event revenues are recognized at the commencement
of the event offset by its cost.
25
Fair Value Measurements
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157. SFAS No. 157 defines fair
value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted
accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.
This Statement applies under other accounting pronouncements that require or
permit fair value measurements, the Financial Accounting Standards Board having
previously concluded in those accounting pronouncements that fair value is a
relevant measurement attribute. Accordingly, this Statement does not require any
new fair value measurements. This Statement is effective for financial
statements for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. Early adoption is
permitted provided that the reporting entity has not yet issued financial
statements for that fiscal year. We adopted SFAS No. 157 effective September 30,
2007.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
See Financial Statements and Financial Statement Indexing commencing on page F-1
hereof.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
ITEM 9A(T). CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our senior management is responsible for establishing and maintaining a system
of disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15 and 15d-15
under the Exchange Act) designed to ensure that information required to be
disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is
recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified
in the SEC's rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include,
without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information
required to be disclosed by an issuer in the reports that it files or submits
under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the issuer's
management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial
officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
We have carried out an evaluation under the supervision and with the
participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and
Principal Financial and Chief Accounting Officer, of our disclosure controls and
procedures as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e). In designing and
evaluating disclosure controls and procedures, we and our management recognize
that any disclosure controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and
operated, can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control
objective. As of June 30, 2008 management concludes that our disclosure controls
and procedures are effective.
Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal
control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules
13a-15(f). Under the supervision and with the participation of our management,
including our Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial and Chief
Accounting Officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our
internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal
Control--Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring
Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on our evaluation of internal
control over financial reporting, our management concluded that our internal
control over financial reporting was effective as of June 30, 2008.
Attestation Report of the Registered Public Accounting Firm
This annual report does not include an attestation report of our registered
public accounting firm, Sherb and Co., LLP, regarding internal control over
financial reporting. Management's report was not subject to attestation by our
registered public accounting firm pursuant to temporary rules of the SEC that
permit us to provide only management's report in this annual report.
Changes in Internal Controls
There were no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting during
the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008 that materially affected, or are reasonably
likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
26
Inherent Limitations Over Internal Controls
We believe that a control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can
not provide absolute assurance that the objectives of the control system are
met, and no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all
control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been
determined.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
27
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following table sets forth our directors and executive officers as of
September 1, 2008, their ages and the positions held by them with the Company.
Our executive officers are appointed by, and serve at the discretion of the
board of directors. Each executive officer is a full-time employee of the
Company. Michael Ryan and Carole Enisman are married.
Name Age Position Year Board Term Will Expire
--------------------------- ----- ----------------------------------------------- ---------------------------
James Ciocia 52 Chairman of the Board of Directors 2008
Michael Ryan 50 Chief Executive Officer, President and Director 2008
Edward Cohen (2)(3) 69 Director 2010
John Levy (1)(2)(4) 53 Director 2009
Allan Page (1)(3) 61 Director 2009
Frederick Wasserman (1)(2) 54 Director 2010
Nelson Obus (3) 61 Director 2009
Carole Enisman 49 Executive Vice President of Operations n/a
Ted Finkelstein 55 Vice President and General Counsel n/a
Karen Fisher 42 Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer n/a
Kathryn Travis 60 Secretary n/a
(1) Audit Committee member
(2) Compensation Committee member
(3) Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee member
(4) Lead Director
JAMES CIOCIA, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. Mr. Ciocia is a principal
founder of the Company having opened the Company's first tax preparation office
in 1981. In addition to serving the Company as its Chief Executive Officer until
November 6, 2000, Mr. Ciocia is a registered representative of PCS. Mr. Ciocia
holds a B.S. in Accounting from St. John's University.
MICHAEL RYAN, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, PRESIDENT AND DIRECTOR. Mr. Ryan was
appointed the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer in August 2002.
Mr. Ryan co-founded PCS and has served as its President since it's founding in
1987. Mr. Ryan is a founding member and past President of the Mid-Hudson Chapter
of the International Association for Financial Planning. Mr. Ryan is a
Registered Principal with FINRA and serves on the Independent Firms Committee of
the Securities Industry Association. Mr. Ryan holds a B.S. in Finance from
Syracuse University. Mr. Ryan was first elected as a director in 1999.
EDWARD COHEN, DIRECTOR. Mr. Cohen has been a director of the Company since 2003.
Mr. Cohen has been Counsel to the international law firm of Katten Muchin
Rosenman LLP since February 2002, and before that was a partner in the firm
(with which he has been affiliated since 1963). Mr. Cohen is a director of
Phillips-Van Heusen Corporation, a manufacturer and marketer of apparel and
footwear, Franklin Electronic Publishers, Incorporated, an electronic publishing
company, and Merrimac Industries, Inc., a manufacturer of passive RF and
microwave components for industry, government and science. Mr. Cohen is a
graduate of the University of Michigan and Harvard Law School.
JOHN LEVY, DIRECTOR. Mr. Levy has been a director of the Company since October
2006. Since May 2005, Mr. Levy has served as the Chief Executive Officer of
Board Advisory Services, a consulting firm which advises public companies in the
areas of corporate governance, corporate compliance, financial re