SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-KSB
(Mark One):
[X] ANNUAL REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
1934 For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997
OR
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934 For the transition period from ________ to ___________
Commission file number: 0-22945
THE A CONSULTING TEAM, INC.
(Name of Small Business Issuer in Its Charter)
New York 13-3169913
(State or Other Jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
Incorporation or Organization)
200 Park Avenue South (212) 979-8228
New York, New York 10003 (Issuer's Telephone Number,
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) Including Area Code)
Securities registered under Section 12(b) of the Act:
None
Securities registered under Section 12(g) of the Act:
Common Stock
Check whether the issuer: (1) filed all reports required to be filed by Section
13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the past 12 months (or for such shorter
period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been
subject to such filing requirements for past 90 days. Yes X No ____
Check if there is no disclosure of delinquent filers in response to Item 405 of
Regulation S-B contained in this form, and no disclosure will be contained, to
the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information
statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-KSB or any
amendment to this Form 10-KSB. [X]
Issuer's revenues for its most recent fiscal year: $35,215,911.
The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the
registrant was $24,783,600 based on the last reported sales price of $12.00 on
The Nasdaq Stock Market(SM) on March 17, 1998 as reported by Nasdaq.
As of March 17, 1998, there were 5,485,000 shares of Common Stock, $.01 par
value per share, outstanding.
Transitional Small Business Disclosure Format: Yes No X
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the Registrant's definitive Proxy Statement for the 1998 Annual
Meeting of Shareholders, which will be filed on or before April 15, 1998, are
incorporated by reference into Part III of this Report.
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
----
Item 1. Description of Business................................................1
General ...............................................................1
Industry Background....................................................1
Growth Strategy........................................................2
TACT Operations........................................................3
Clients ...............................................................5
TACT Recruiting........................................................5
TACT Research..........................................................6
Marketing Activities...................................................6
Competition............................................................7
Human Resources........................................................7
Intellectual Property Rights...........................................7
Item 2. Description of Properties..............................................8
Item 3. Legal Proceedings......................................................8
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders....................8
Item 5. Market for Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters...............8
Price Range of Common Stock............................................8
Dividend Policy........................................................8
Approximate Number of Stockholders.....................................8
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities................................8
Item 6. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Plan of Operation..............8
Overview...............................................................9
Results of Operations.................................................10
Comparison of Year Ended December 31, 1997
to the Year Ended December 31, 1996..................................10
Comparison of Year Ended December 31, 1996
to the Year Ended December 31, 1995..................................11
Liquidity and Capital Resources.......................................12
New Accounting Pronouncements.........................................13
Impact of Year 2000...................................................13
Factors That Could Affect Operating Results...........................13
Item 7. Financial Statements..................................................16
Item 8. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and
Financial Disclosure..................................................16
Item 9. Directors, Executive Officers, Promoters and Control Persons;
Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act.....................16
Item 10. Executive Compensation...............................................16
Item 11. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.......16
Item 12. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.......................16
Item 13. Exhibits List and Reports on Form 8-K................................17
Signatures....................................................................18
<PAGE>
PART I
This Annual Report on Form 10-KSB contains forward-looking statements.
Additional written and oral forward-looking statements may be made by the
Company from time to time in Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") filings
and otherwise. The Company cautions readers that results predicted by
forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, those relating to the
Company's future business prospects, revenues, working capital, liquidity,
capital needs, interest costs, and income are subject to certain risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those
indicated in the forward-looking statements due to risks and factors identified
from time to time in the Company's filings with the SEC including those
discussed in this Report.
Item 1. Description of Business
General
The A Consulting Team, Inc., a New York company incorporated in 1983
(the "Company" or "TACT"), provides enterprise-wide information technology
("IT") consulting, software and training services and solutions primarily to
Fortune 1000 companies in a wide range of industries. The Company generally
serves as an outside resource to a client's internal IT staff, providing a broad
range of consulting services including strategic IT consulting, IT solutions and
IT professional services to improve the client's productivity, competitive
position and performance. Strategic IT consulting includes technology
infrastructure advisory services and systems architecture design. IT solutions
include planning, designing and implementing enterprise-wide information
systems, such as workgroup solutions (Microsoft Exchange and Lotus Notes(R));
client/server; internet/intranet and EDI; database management services;
application design, development and implementation; networking; imaging and
workflow; and systems integration. IT professional services include systems
support, maintenance and contract programming. TACT's ability to provide
comprehensive services and solutions across diverse technology platforms allows
its clients to maintain and enhance their current systems while embracing new
technologies. Clients of the Company include Alamo Rent-A-Car Inc., Allied
Signal, Inc., BMW of North America, Inc., Chase Manhattan Bank, ChaseMellon
Shareholder Services, Citibank, N.A., Dreyfus Corporation, First Chicago Trust
Company, General Electric Company, Goldman Sachs & Co., The Guardian Life
Insurance Company of America, Humana Inc., International Business Machines
Corporation, Metropolitan Life Insurance Co., Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner &
Smith Incorporated, National Broadcasting Co., Inc., New York Life Insurance
Company, Norfolk Southern Corporation, Pacific Telecom, Inc., Pfizer Inc.,
Prudential Insurance Company, St. John's University and Summit Bancorp. For the
year ended December 31, 1997, no client accounted for more than 10% of revenues,
except for one client which accounted for 24% of revenues. The Company's
customers are primarily located in the New York/New Jersey/Connecticut
metropolitan area.
On August 8, 1997, the Company commenced an underwritten public offering
(the "Offering") whereby 1,935,000 shares of Common Stock, $.01 par value (the
"Common Stock"), were sold by the Company (including 135,000 shares of Common
Stock sold by the Company pursuant to the underwriters' over-allotment option).
Mr. Shmuel BenTov, Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President
of TACT, also sold 135,000 shares of Common Stock as part of the underwriters'
over-allotment option. Net proceeds to the Company from the Offering were
approximately $21,071,000. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Plan of
Operation--Liquidity and Capital Resources."
Industry Background
The IT industry has experienced accelerating growth in recent years due
to rapid technological advances. These advances include more powerful and less
expensive computer technology and the transition from predominantly centralized
mainframe computer systems to open and distributed computing environments.
Additionally, information technology is becoming more critical to successful
business operations. IT services are no longer a peripheral component of most
organizations but instead are integral to many key business processes. At the
same time, managing information technology, especially distributed
architectures, has become more complex and expensive. Accordingly, organizations
are increasingly turning to external IT services organizations to develop,
support and enhance their internal IT systems.
<PAGE>
By outsourcing IT services,companies are able to (i) focus on their core
business, (ii) access specializedtechnical skills, (iii) implement IT solutions
more rapidly, (iv) benefit fromflexible staffing, providing a variable cost
solution to a fixed cost issue, and(v) reduce the cost of recruiting, training,
and adjusting the number of employees as IT requirements change. Based on
industry sources, IT outsourcing in the United States is estimated to increase
from approximately $50 billion in 1995 to approximately $100 billion in 2000,
representing a compound annual growth rate of approximately 15%. The Company has
achieved a compound annual revenue growth rate of 52.4% for the four year period
ended December 31, 1997.
The Company operates in a highly fragmented segment of the IT services
industry. In addition to the consulting divisions of the "Big Six" accounting
firms, the Company's competitors include a large number of small and
medium-sized consulting firms as well as divisions of national and regional
consulting firms. The Company believes that the industry is experiencing a trend
toward consolidation and that there may be opportunities to expand TACT's
current business through acquisitions of small local or regional competitors.
Growth Strategy
The Company's objective is to be a leading provider of IT services and
solutions for Fortune 1000 companies and other organizations with diverse IT
needs in select geographic markets nationwide. In order to achieve this
objective, the Company is pursuing the following strategies:
Cross-Sell Additional IT Services To Existing Clients. TACT is
leveraging its existing client base by offering its current clients
additional IT consulting, software and training services.
Expand Client Base. The Company is developing additional client
relationships in geographic markets where the Company maintains
Solution Branches, through targeted marketing initiatives,
participation in local and national trade shows, user group meetings
and conventions, referrals from existing clients and direct mail.
Expand the Range of Technical Practices. The Company has developed an
array of technical service offerings organized into specific Technical
Practices in particular information technologies, such as
Client/Server, Windows NT, Messaging, and Year 2000 and Conversions.
The Company is committed to continuously expanding its Technical
Practice expertise and plans to add additional Technical Practices,
such as PeopleSoft and SAP, in the future. TACT believes the expansion
of its service offerings will allow the Company to continue to address
its clients' needs throughout the life-cycle of their IT systems,
thereby providing the opportunity to become a preferred provider of IT
solutions for its client base.
Open Additional Solution Branches. The Company opened a Solution Branch
in Connecticut in December of 1997, and expects to increase its client
base by opening additional Solution Branches in select major markets
throughout the country. The Company plans to target markets where its
existing consulting, software and training clients have operations.
TACT believes that local Solution Branches create a competitive
advantage over competing firms without a local presence by establishing
greater name recognition for the Company and increasing referrals for
its services within the potential client base in that market.
Increase Sales and Marketing of Software Products and Training
Services. The Company intends to continue to add to its software
product offerings by identifying and marketing innovative third-party
developed software products, particularly in the area of Windows NT
add-on products. TACT also intends to increase its marketing efforts of
its software products through trade shows, direct mail, telemarketing,
telesales, client presentations and referrals, as well as expand its
training services.
Attract, Develop, Motivate and Retain Quality IT Professionals. The
Company's past and future success is dependent upon its ability to
attract, develop, motivate and retain highly qualified
2
<PAGE>
personnel. The Company offers attractive compensation and benefit
packages, free training opportunities, and devotes significant
resources to recruiting.
TACT Operations
The Company provides enterprise-wide IT consulting, software and
training services and solutions to Fortune 1000 companies and other
organizations in a wide range of industries. The Company's services offered
through TACT Consulting include strategic IT consulting, IT solutions and IT
professional services designed to improve the client's productivity, competitive
position and performance. TACT Software markets software add-on tools to enhance
database environments, mainframe and non-mainframe connectivity and Windows NT
administration. TACT Training offers a wide selection of technical and end-user
training courses in client/server, internet/intranet, legacy and networking
technologies for both clients and consultants.
TACT Consulting. TACT Consulting provides enterprise-wide IT Consulting
Services across diverse technology platforms for Fortune 1000 companies and
other organizations. Strategic IT consulting includes technology infrastructure
advisory services and systems architecture design. IT solutions include
planning, designing and implementing enterprise-wide information systems, such
as workgroup solutions (Microsoft Exchange and Lotus Notes); internet/intranet
and EDI; client/server; database management services; application design,
development and implementation; networking; imaging and workflow; and systems
integration. Revenues from consulting services were $32,481,000 (92.2% of total
revenues), $18,981,000 (90.4% of total revenues) and $14,430,000 (90.1% of total
revenues) for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.
By focusing on its technical expertise, high level of service and
business-oriented IT solutions, the Company has attempted to build a reputation
as a quality provider of IT consulting services. The Company continuously
identifies and develops additional technical expertise in emerging technologies
in anticipation of the evolving IT needs of its clients. In order to become a
one stop solution provider for its client's IT needs, the Company has organized
its extensive service offerings into specific Technical Practices having
specialized expertise in particular information technologies. The Company's
current Technical Practices and other specialized areas of expertise include
Internet/Intranet, Client/Server, Legacy Systems, Networking and System
Management, Windows NT, Year 2000 and Conversions, Imaging and Workflow, Quality
Assurance and Testing, Messaging, Security, Data Warehousing and Lotus
Notes/Microsoft Exchange.
Each Technical Practice is managed by an expert in that particular IT
field. Technical Practice Managers architect and develop solutions for the
Company's clients as well as interact closely with one another to devise a total
solution that spans multiple technologies and platforms for a client.
Additionally, the Technical Practice Managers continually perform quality
assurance reviews to ensure that the proposed solution addresses both the
technical and business needs of the client. The Company has organized its
services into Technical Practices in an effort to enable TACT to deliver IT
services quickly and efficiently to solve the diverse IT needs of its clients.
TACT markets and delivers its IT solutions through TACT Solution Teams
composed of Project Managers, Technical Practice Managers and Technical
Specialists. These professionals possess the project management skills,
technical expertise and industry experience to identify and effectively address
a particular client's technical needs in relation to its business objectives.
TACT's focus on providing highly qualified IT professionals allows the Company
to identify additional areas of the client's business which could benefit from
the Company's IT solutions, thereby facilitating the cross-marketing of multiple
Company services. The Company keeps its Solution Teams at the forefront of
emerging technologies through close interaction with TACT research personnel who
identify innovative IT tools and technologies with significant applications for
Fortune 1000 companies and other organizations. As a result, management believes
that TACT Solution Teams are prepared to anticipate client needs, develop
appropriate strategies and deliver comprehensive IT services, thereby allowing
the Company to deliver the highest quality IT services in a timely fashion.
3
<PAGE>
A Solution Team is typically deployed from one of the Company's local
Solution Branches in order to provide solutions to its clients by utilizing
local resources. Currently, the Company maintains three Solution Branches - one
in each of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Management's experience has
been that the local presence established by a Solution Branch improves the
Company's ability to attract local clients, as well as its ability to attract,
develop, motivate and retain locally-based IT professionals. The Company's
corporate headquarters supports each Solution Branch and performs many functions
which allow the Solution Branches to focus on recruiting, sales and marketing.
Management has developed the TACT Solution Teams, as well as TACT's local
Solution Branch structure, in an effort to advance the Company's objective of
establishing and maintaining long-term relationships with its clients. Sixteen
of the Company's top twenty clients measured by revenue for the year ended
December 31, 1997 had been clients for over three years.
Solution Branch Managers are responsible for recruiting consultants,
assigning consultants to fulfill client requirements, implementing sales and
marketing programs, and managing client and employee relations. In employing new
Solution Branch Managers, the Company seeks candidates who have demonstrated IT
industry and local client knowledge, managerial and organizational skills,
initiative and strong interpersonal skills. In addition, a portion of the
Solution Branch Managers' compensation results from an incentive bonus package
based upon revenue and profit generated by the Solution Branch, fostering an
entrepreneurial culture throughout the Company.
TACT has established professional affiliations that enable the Company
to share technical and industry knowledge and pursue marketing opportunities.
TACT is currently an IBM BESTeam Member, Microsoft Solution Provider and
Computer Associates Consulting Partner. These relationships typically allow the
Company to receive information, products and product support and participate in
training programs which may enable the Company's employees to become certified
in a given technology.
TACT Software. TACT markets and distributes over 20 software products
developed by independent software developers. The Company believes its
relationships with over 150 software clients throughout the country provide
opportunities for the delivery of additional TACT consulting services. The
software products offered by TACT Software are developed in England and Finland
and marketed primarily through trade shows, direct mail, telemarketing, client
presentations and referrals. TACT Software personnel currently includes sales
and marketing personnel as well as 24-hour technical support. Revenues from the
sale of software products were approximately $2.5 million, $1.8 million and $1.4
million, representing 7.2%, 8.5% and 8.6% of total revenues for the years ended
December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.
TACT's software product offerings include add-on tools that enhance
functionality, performance and productivity of IDMS database environments, IDMS
and DB2 connectivity, and mainframe and non-mainframe connectivity. For example,
the Company's VEGA-90's software allows coexistence of mainframe and
non-mainframe clients in a client/server environment as well as connectivity
between IDMS and DB2 database systems.
The Company intends to continue to focus on adding to its software
product offerings by identifying and marketing innovative third-party developed
software products and become a leading provider of Windows NT add-on products.
TACT intends to increase its marketing efforts of new and existing software
products through telemarketing, telesales, direct mail, client presentations,
trade shows and referrals. The Company intends to leverage existing software
client relationships by targeting new Solution Branches in or near markets where
software clients are located to cross-sell consulting services.
In 1997, TACT engaged in discussions with a number of third-party
software developers, and in particular the Company entered into definitive
agreements with Computer Associates ("CA"). TACT Software is an authorized
reseller of CA software products, including Unicenter TNG, an advanced, multiple
component, multifunctional system management product. TACT has also begun
training consultants in-house to become CA-Certified Unicenter Engineers
("CUE's"), who will be trained to install, configure and customize Unicentering
for TACT clients. In keeping with the Company's integrated
4
<PAGE>
services approach to serving the marketplace, TACT Consulting presently plans
to make CUE's available for placement at client sites to implement the Unicenter
TNG applications.
TACT Training. TACT offers an extensive selection of technical training
courses to Fortune 1000 companies and other organizations at either TACT's
Training Center or at a client's site. These courses include classes in
client/server and legacy technologies as well as in recent technologies, such as
JAVA, ActiveX, Active Server Pages and HTML. In addition, the Company conducts
presentations on specific topics, such as co-existence of legacy and
client/server systems, use of legacy mainframe databases as servers,
conversion/migration of legacy systems to new architectures and performance
monitoring/tuning. TACT offers end-user training for both off-the-shelf
software, such as Microsoft Office and Lotus Notes, and customer specific
applications. Revenues from training services represented less than 1% for the
year ended December 31, 1997 and approximately 1% of total revenues for the
years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995 respectively.
The Company's training services are often included in total project
solutions for businesses, in retraining MIS personnel in new technologies, and
in software vendor product training. These courses may be customized to address
a client's specific needs and are taught at the client's site or at the TACT
Training Center. TACT utilizes computer labs to enable participants to gain
practical experience in the materials presented. TACT's training curriculum is
developed in-house by technicians with a working experience in the technologies
being taught. In addition, TACT provides a "Fast Track" program and a series of
"For Consultants Only" classes on evenings and weekends to train/re-train the
consultant community in new technologies. All classes are free of charge for
TACT employees. Consultants who are non-TACT employees pay a nominal fee which
is refunded if the consultant joins TACT within three months after completing
the training.
Management believes that TACT's training services are an important and
differentiating factor in attracting and retaining IT professionals. TACT
training courses introduce prospective consultants to the Company and provide
for technical advancement for the Company's existing consultants. TACT training
clients also represent an opportunity for the Company to market additional
services such as consulting services. The Company has been successful in
generating consulting business from its training clients and plans to continue
to identify situations where its knowledge of a training client's needs can lead
to other IT business.
Clients
The Company's clients consist primarily of Fortune 1000 companies.
Because of the diverse range of industries in which the Company's clients
operate, the Company believes that it is not dependent upon any single industry
or market. The Company seeks to establish and maintain long-term relationships
with its clients. Sixteen of the Company's top twenty clients measured by
revenue for the year ended December 31, 1997 had been clients for over three
years. In each of the last three years, the Company has had at least one
customer with revenues exceeding 10% of the Company's revenues. In 1997, the
largest customer represented 24% of revenues, while in 1996 and 1995 the largest
customer represented 12% and 14% of revenues, respectively. In 1995, a second
customer represented 11% of revenues. Besides these customers, no other customer
represented greater than 10% of the Company's revenues.
The Company believes the ability to provide qualified personnel in a
timely manner, to understand specific technical requirements and to ensure
client satisfaction are the primary factors in attracting and retaining clients.
Although the Company believes it offers its services at competitive prices, it
is typically not the lowest priced provider and, instead, competes on the basis
of technical expertise and quality of service.
TACT Recruiting
The Company's success depends in large part upon its ability to
attract, develop, motivate and retain highly skilled technical consultants.
Because qualified technical consultants are in great demand and are likely to
remain a limited resource for the foreseeable future, the Company dedicates
significant human
5
<PAGE>
and capital resources to recruit consultants with both IT consulting and
industry experience. The Company's corporate headquarters has overall
responsibility for national, international and internet recruiting and for
providing corporate-wide recruiting guidelines and procedures. In addition, each
Solution Branch works with corporate headquarters to recruit locally-based
consultants. TACT conducts ongoing candidate searches and maintains an extensive
central repository of data for candidates and client requirements.
The Company hires consultants through various recruiting efforts and by
referral from the technical and administrative personnel of the Company. Each
candidate is screened through detailed interviews by the Company's recruiting,
technical and management personnel. In addition, the Company's training programs
provide a pool of experienced candidates from which the Company has recruited
and hired qualified consultants. Consultants include management consultants,
project managers, team leaders, system architects, business analysts, system
analysts, database administrators, programmer analysts, programmers, data
warehousing specialists, systems administrators, LAN administrators and
messaging specialists. The Company seeks to offer its consultants competitive
pay, attractive assignment opportunities and state of the art training and
retraining courses, and offers stock options as part of an overall compensation
program to attract and retain certain technical specialists.
TACT Research
TACT continuously researches new technologies developed by third
parties to determine their viability and potential acceptance in the Fortune
1000 marketplace. TACT research personnel work closely with Technical Practice
Managers to predict future tools and technologies to be used by corporate
America so that TACT consultants can be trained in those emerging technologies.
TACT research personnel also prepare technology demonstrations and pilot
projects used in the Company's marketing and sales efforts and identify,
evaluate and recommend software products, including those to be marketed by
TACT's Software division. In addition, TACT research personnel participate in
short-term special projects requiring particular expertise for certain of the
Company's clients.
Marketing Activities
TACT markets its services to its clients directly through its marketing
and relationship management personnel at its corporate headquarters. The
Company's relationship managers focus their marketing efforts at the level of
chief information officers and senior executives who determine corporate level
IT needs and requirements. The Company's customer relationship managers interact
closely with the Company's sales, recruiting and Technical Practice personnel.
Sales representatives at the Solution Branch level initiate contacts at lower
levels within an organization, but target individual's ranging from actual end
users up through the senior decision makers.
The Company also markets its services through various targeted
marketing initiatives. One such initiative is The Tactician magazine, which is
regularly published in-house and distributed by TACT. The Tactician presents
articles on a variety of topics including current TACT projects, TACT's
accomplishments, industry viewpoints and technology trends, technology "bugs" or
"fixes," product reviews and business-related news and developments. The
magazine circulates both to existing and potential clients as well as existing
consultants and candidates. Another marketing resource, which has also served
the Company in its recruiting efforts, is the Company's web site at
http://www.tact.com. The web site provides information about TACT consulting and
training services and software products to the IT community.
The Company's participation in local and national user groups, trade
shows, conventions and expositions enhances the Company's visibility, name
recognition and contacts. TACT Consulting, for example, exhibited a
demonstration of its web-enabled database transaction capabilities by creating
personalized web pages for visitors at the DB-Expo and Internet World shows in
New York City in 1997. TACT Software exhibited its products at COMDEX Chicago
and Las Vegas, the Windows NT/Internet Solutions show in San Francisco, Computer
Associates World `97 in New Orleans and IDUG `97 in Chicago. In addition, TACT's
recruiting personnel regularly participate in IT industry career fairs.
6
<PAGE>
Competition
The market for IT services is intensely competitive. It is affected by
rapid technological advances and includes a large number of competitors. Primary
competitors include the consulting divisions of "Big Six" accounting firms,
systems consulting and implementation firms, application software firms and
management consulting firms. Many of these competitors have significantly
greater financial, technical and marketing resources and greater name
recognition than the Company. In addition, the Company competes with its
clients' internal resources, particularly when these resources represent an
existing cost to the client. Such competition may impose additional pricing
pressures on the Company.
The Company believes that the principal competitive factors in the IT
services market include breadth of services offered, technical expertise,
knowledge and experience in the industry, quality of service and responsiveness
to client needs. The Company believes it competes primarily on the basis of its
in-depth technical expertise, timely delivery of products and services and
quality of service.
A critical component of the Company's ability to compete in the
marketplace is its ability to attract, develop, motivate and retain skilled
professionals. Although highly skilled technical employees, particularly project
managers and technical specialists, are in great demand, the Company believes it
can compete favorably in hiring such personnel by offering competitive
compensation packages and attractive assignment opportunities.
Human Resources
At December 31, 1997, the Company had 319 employees and independent
contractors, of whom 229 were consultants, 12 were recruiting personnel, 28 were
sales and marketing personnel, 11 were technical and customer service personnel,
and 39 were executive and administrative personnel. The Company utilizes the
services of a significant number of independent contractors to act as
consultants. These independent contractors are not employees of the Company, and
there can be no assurance that the services of these independent contractors
will continue to be available to the Company on terms acceptable to the Company.
The Company does not have any collective bargaining, pension, or
incentive compensation arrangements with any of its employees or independent
contractors. The Company considers its relations with its employees and
independent contractors to be good.
Intellectual Property Rights
The Company relies upon a combination of nondisclosure and other
contractual arrangements and trade secret, copyright and trademark laws to
protect its proprietary rights and the proprietary rights of third parties from
whom the Company licenses intellectual property. The Company has entered into
confidentiality agreements with its employees and limits distribution of
proprietary information. There can be no assurance, however, that the steps
taken by the Company in this regard will be adequate to deter misappropriation
of proprietary information or that the Company will be able to detect
unauthorized use and take appropriate steps to enforce its intellectual property
rights. In addition, the Company is aware of other users of the term "TACT" and
combinations including "A Consulting," which users may be able to restrict the
Company's ability to establish or protect its right to use these terms. The
Company has in the past been contacted by other users of the term "TACT"
alleging rights to the term. The Company's inability or failure to establish or
protect rights to these terms may have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, results of operations and financial condition.
Software developed by the Company in connection with a client
engagement is typically assigned to the client. In limited situations, the
Company may retain ownership or obtain a license from its client, which permits
the Company or a third party to market the software for the joint benefit of the
client and the Company or for the sole benefit of the Company.
7
<PAGE>
Item 2. Description of Properties
The Company does not own any real property. The Company's principal
executive offices are leased and are located at 200 Park Avenue South, New York,
New York and consist of approximately 11,000 square feet of space. For the New
Jersey Solutions branch, the Company leases a facility at 67 Walnut Avenue,
Clark, New Jersey, consisting of approximately 2,600 square feet of space. The
Company leases a facility consisting of approximately 3,900 square feet of space
for its Stamford, Connecticut Solutions Branch, which opened in December 1997.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
The Company is not involved in any material legal proceedings.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
No matters were submitted during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year
covered by this report to a vote of security holders, through the solicitation
of proxies or otherwise.
PART II
Item 5. Market for Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters
Price Range of Common Stock
The Company's common stock is currently included in the Nasdaq National
Market system under the symbol TACX. TACT completed an initial public offering
in August 1997. Prior to that date there was no market for the Company's Common
Stock. The following table sets forth, on a per share basis for the periods
shown, the range of high and low sales prices of the Company's Common Stock as
reported by Nasdaq:
Fiscal Year High Low
- ----------- ------- ------
1997
Third Quarter $14.125 $12.00
Fourth Quarter $12.875 $ 9.25
Dividend Policy
The Company has never paid any cash dividends on its Common Stock. The
Company currently intends to retain future earnings for use in its business and,
therefore, does not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable
future.
Approximate Number of Stockholders
As of March 3, 1998, there were approximately 8 shareholders of record.
The Company believes that the number of beneficial shareholders exceeds 400.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
There have been no sales of unregistered securities by the Company.
Item 6. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Plan of Operation
The following discussion and analysis of significant factors affecting
the Company's operating results and liquidity and capital resources should be
read in conjunction with the accompanying financial statements and related
notes.
8
<PAGE>
Overview
TACT provides enterprise-wide IT consulting, software and training
services and solutions primarily to Fortune 1000 companies in a wide range of
industries. The Company generates over 90% of its revenues from IT consulting
services. Moreover, over 95% of the Company's consulting services revenues were
generated from the hourly billing of its consultants' services to its clients
under time and materials engagements, with the remainder generated under
fixed-price engagements.
The Company establishes standard billing guidelines for consulting
services based on the type of service offered. Actual billing rates are
established on a project by project basis and may vary from the standard
guidelines. The Company typically bills its clients for time and materials
services on a semi-monthly basis. Arrangements for fixed-price engagements are
made on a case-by-case basis. Consulting services revenues generated under time
and materials engagements are recognized as those services are provided, whereas
consulting services revenues generated under fixed-price engagements are
recognized according to the percentage of completion method.
The Company's most significant operating cost is its personnel cost,
which is included in cost of revenues. As a result, the Company's financial
performance is primarily based upon billing margin (billable hourly rate less
the consultant's hourly cost) and consultant utilization rates (number of days
worked by a consultant during a semi-monthly billing cycle divided by the number
of billing days in that cycle). During the periods presented, the Company has
been able to increase its billing margins by increasing its hourly billing rates
and through higher margin service offerings in new technologies such as
client/server and internet/intranet. These increases, however, were partially
offset by increases in consultants' and employees' salaries and wages. Because
most of the Company's engagements are on a time and materials basis, the Company
generally has been able to pass on to its clients most increases in cost of
services. Accordingly, such increases have historically not had a significant
impact on the Company's financial results. Further, most of the Company's
engagements allow for periodic price adjustments to address, among other things,
increases in consultant costs. TACT also actively manages its personnel
utilization rates by constantly monitoring project requirements and timetables.
As projects are completed, consultants are re-deployed either to new projects at
the current client site or to new projects at another client site, or are
encouraged to participate in TACT's training programs in order to expand their
technical skill sets.
The Company also generates revenues by selling software licenses and
providing training services. In addition to initial software license fees, the
Company derives revenues from the annual renewal of software licenses. Revenues
from the sale of software licenses are recognized upon delivery of the software
to a customer, and training service revenues are recognized as the services are
provided.
The Company's revenue growth has been driven by three primary factors:
increasing the number of technical consultants, managing the business to attain
higher average billing rates through the delivery of higher value-added services
to the Company's clients, and carefully managing consultant utilization rates.
Additionally, the Company has expanded its Technical Practices into areas such
as Windows NT and Internet/Intranet, which has enabled it to cross-sell
higher-margin services. The Company also has been successful in expanding
existing client relationships as well as establishing new client relationships.
Such relationships are established and maintained through the Company's local
Solution Branch offices located in New York and New Jersey.
On August 8, 1997, the Company commenced an underwritten public
offering (the "Offering") whereby 1,935,000 shares of Common Stock, $.01 par
value (the "Common Stock"), were sold by the Company (including 135,000 shares
of Common Stock sold by the Company pursuant to the underwriters' over-allotment
option). Mr. Shmuel BenTov, Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and
President of TACT, also sold 135,000 shares of Common Stock as part of the
underwriters' over-allotment option. Net proceeds to the Company from the
Offering were approximately $21,071,000. See "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Plan of Operation--Liquidity and Capital Resources."
The Company opened an additional Solution Branch in Connecticut in
December of 1997. The Company plans to open additional Solution Branches in one
or two other select major U.S. markets in
9
<PAGE>
1998. Considering its limited experience with opening Solution Branches, the
Company cannot predict when new Solution Branches will contribute to the
Company's net income. Until such time, the Company will have incurred the costs
associated with opening each new Solution Branch, including the costs of
salaries and occupancy.
The Company was an S Corporation between January 1, 1995 and August 12,
1997, the day before the Company completed the Offering. During this period, the
Company was not subject to federal income taxes at the corporate level.
Results of Operations
The following tables set forth the percentage of revenues of certain
items included in the Company's Statements of Operations:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended
December 31,
--------------------------------------
1997 1996 1995
---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Consulting services............. 92.2 % 90.4 % 90.1 %
Software licensing.............. 7.2 8.5 8.6
Training services............... 0.6 1.1 1.3
------------ ------------ ----------
Total revenues............. 100.0 100.0 100.0
Cost of revenues................ 68.0 69.2 68.9
------------ ------------ ----------
Gross profit............... 32.0 30.8 31.1
Selling, general and
administrative expense......... 22.6 30.1 29.4
Income (loss) from operations... 9.5 0.5 0.6
Net income...................... 7.2 * 1.2
Pro forma income from
operations..................... 9.4 6.3 -
Pro forma net income............ 5.6 3.3 -
</TABLE>
- ----------
*Represents less than 0.1%.
Comparison of Year Ended December 31, 1997 to Year Ended December 31, 1996
Revenues. Revenues of the Company increased by $14.2 million, or 68%, from
$21.0 million for the year ended December 31, 1996 ("1996") to $35.2 million for
the year ended December 31, 1997 ("1997"). Revenues from consulting services
increased by $13.5 million, or 71%, from $19.0 million in 1996 to $32.5 million
in 1997. As a percentage of total revenues, consulting services remained
relatively constant at approximately 90%. The increase in 1997 revenues from
consulting services was primarily the result of an increased number of
consultants and, to a lesser extent, higher hourly billing rates and a higher
consultant utilization rate. The number of consultants engaged by the Company
increased 52% from December 31, 1996 to December 31, 1997. The Company continued
to receive significant full life cycle projects involving networking and system
management, Windows NT rollout, client/server development, quality assurance and
testing, and internet/intranet from existing clients which resulted in higher
billings.
Software licensing revenues increased by $0.7 million, or 43%, from
$1.8 million in 1996 to $2.5 million in 1997. This increase was primarily due to
an increase in Year 2000 product sales and in license renewals.
Revenues from training represented less than 1% of the Company's total
revenues in 1997 and approximately 1% in 1996.
Gross Profit. The resulting gross profit increased by $4.8 million, or
74%, from $6.5 million in 1996 to $11.3 million in 1997. As a percentage of
total revenues, gross profit increased slightly from 31% of total revenues in
1996 to 32% in 1997.
10
<PAGE>
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and
administrative expenses increased by $1.7 million, or 26%, from $6.3 million in
1996 to $8.0 million in 1997. Expressed as a percentage of sales, selling,
general and administrative expenses decreased, representing 23% of total 1997
revenues as compared to 30% of total 1996 revenues. The increase in selling,
general and administrative expenses in 1997 was primarily the result of
increases in the number of technical practice personnel hired and not fully
utilized, the addition of sales, recruiting and administration staff, the
establishment of the Stamford, Connecticut Solutions Branch office and increased
health costs and depreciation expense.
Actual and Pro Forma Net Income. Actual net income increased by
approximately $2.5 million, from $8,000 in 1996 to $2.5 million in 1997. Pro
forma net income was $2.0 million in 1997 as compared to $692,000 in 1996. Pro
forma net income includes an adjustment for executive compensation to reflect
the terms of new contracts with the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial
Officer. In addition, it also includes an adjustment to provide for income taxes
as if the Company had been a C corporation for all periods presented.
Comparison of Year Ended December 31, 1996 to Year Ended December 31, 1995
Revenues. Revenues of the Company increased by $5.0 million, or 31%,
from $16.0 million for the year ended December 31, 1995 ("1995") to $21.0
million in 1996. Revenues from consulting services increased by $4.6 million, or
32%, from $14.4 million in 1995 to $19.0 million in 1996. As a percentage of
total revenues, consulting services remained relatively constant at
approximately 90%. The increase in 1996 revenues from consulting services was
primarily the result of an increased number of consultants and, to a lesser
extent, higher hourly billing rates. The number of consultants engaged by the
Company increased 34% from December 31, 1995 to December 31, 1996. The Company
obtained several large projects from its existing client base and new clients
related to higher value-added services such as internet/intranet, client/server
and networking and system management services.
Software licensing revenues increased by $0.4 million, or 28%, from
$1.4 million in 1995 to $1.8 million in 1996. This increase primarily resulted
from increased sales and marketing efforts by additional sales staff and the
marketing of new software products.
Revenues from training represented approximately 1% of the Company's
total revenues in each of 1995 and 1996.
Gross Profit. The resulting gross profit increased by $1.5 million, or
30%, from $5.0 million in 1995 to $6.5 million in 1997. As a percentage of total
revenues, gross profit was approximately 31% for each of 1995 and 1996.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and
administrative expenses increased by $1.6 million, or 34%, from $4.7 million in
1995 to $6.3 million in 1996. Expressed as a percentage of total revenues,
selling, general and administrative expenses increased, representing 29% of
total 1995 revenues as compared to 30% of total 1996 revenues. The increase in
selling, general and administrative expenses in 1996 was primarily the result of
an expansion implemented by the Company to develop additional Technical
Practices.
Actual Net Income. Actual net income decreased by approximately
$182,000, from $190,000 in 1995 to $8,000 in 1996.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company's operations and geographic expansion are funded from cash
flow generated from operations, borrowings under the Company's credit line,
borrowing from the principal shareholder and from balances generated from the
Offering. The Company sold a total of 1,935,000 shares of Common Stock in the
Offering, generating net proceeds to the Company of approximately $21,071,000.
As of December 31, 1997, the uses of these funds were as follows: a distribution
of $2.0 million (the
11
<PAGE>
"Distribution") was paid to the sole shareholder of the Company prior to the
initial public offering, $1.9 million was paid to Citibank, N.A. to repay its
line of credit, and $17.2 million was made available to fund current operations.
The Company currently has no outstanding borrowings.
The Company's cash balances were $347,000 at December 31, 1996, and
$16,945,000 at December 31, 1997. Net cash provided by operating activities was
$944,000 for the year ended December 31, 1997. Net cash used in operating
activities was $1,030,000 and $841,000 for the year ended December 31, 1996 and
1995, respectively. In accordance with investment guidelines approved by the
Company's Board of Directors, cash balances in excess of those required to fund
operations have been invested in short-term commercial paper with a credit
rating no lower than A1, P1.
Historically, the Company's primary cash requirements had been
satisfied through periodic use of its line of credit and from borrowings from
the Company's sole shareholder prior to the Company's initial public offering.
During 1996 and into early 1997, the Company steadily increased its line of
credit with Citibank, N.A. from $200,000 to $3,100,000 to satisfy operating
needs and fund the repayment of certain loans to the sole shareholder. At the
time of the public offering, $2,665,000 was outstanding under this line of
credit and the Distribution was outstanding. Immediately following the public
offering, substantially all of these amounts were paid. The Company currently
has a line of credit of $2,100,000 and has no outstanding borrowings.
The line of credit is guaranteed by the Company's shareholder. The line
of credit bears interest at a variable rate based on prime plus 1% (9.25% at
December 31, 1996, and 8.5% at December 31, 1997).
The Company's accounts receivable at December 31, 1996 and December 31,
1997 were $4,164,000 and $7,238,000, respectively, representing 65 and 67 days
of sales outstanding ("DSO"), respectively. The Company does not anticipate any
difficulty in collecting amounts due, since this increase in DSO resulted from
increased sales toward the end of the reporting period and business with a
client that has been granted longer payment terms. In each of the last three
years, the Company has had at least one customer with revenues exceeding 10% of
the Company's revenues. In 1997, the largest customer represented 24% of
revenues, while in 1996 and 1995 the largest customer represented 12% and 14% of
revenues, respectively. In 1995, a second customer represented 11% of revenues.
Besides these customers, no other customer represented greater than 10% of the
Company's revenues.
Net cash provided by financing activities was approximately $16,556,000
for the year ended December 31, 1997, representing the proceeds from the public
offering, offset by repayment of bank debt and loans and the Distribution. Net
cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 1996 was
approximately $1,306,000, primarily representing proceeds from bank borrowings.
Net cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 1995
was approximately $1,246,000, primarily representing proceeds of loans by the
principal shareholder.
Net cash used in investing activities was approximately $903,000 for
the year ended December 31, 1997, representing the purchase of fixed assets. Net
cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 1996 was
approximately $349,000 representing the purchase of fixed assets and to a lesser
extent an advance to a joint venture. Net cash used in investing activities for
the year ended December 31, 1995 was approximately $98,000, mainly representing
the purchase of fixed assets.
In management's opinion, cash flows from operations and borrowing
capacity combined with proceeds from the Offering will provide adequate
flexibility for funding the Company's working capital obligations and expansion
plans.
12
<PAGE>
New Accounting Pronouncements
In June 1997, the FASB issued Statement No. 131. "Disclosures about
Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information" ("SFAS No. 131"), which the
Company is required to adopt for its year ended December 31, 1998. SFAS No. 131
establishes standards for the way that public business enterprises report
information about operation segments in annual financial statements and requires
that those
12
<PAGE>
enterprises report selected information about operating segments in interim
financial reports issued to shareholders. It also establishes standards for
related disclosures about product and services, geographic areas, and major
customers. The adoption of SFAS No. 131 will have no impact on the Company's
consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flow.
Impact of Year 2000
Management has initiated a program to prepare the Company's computer
systems to accurately process transactions relating to the year 2000 and beyond.
The Company utilizes third party vendor network equipment, telecommunication
products, and other third party software products. The failure of any critical
components in these products to operate properly in the year 2000 may have an
adverse impact on business operations and require the Company to incur
unanticipated expenses.
The Company has an overall plan and a systematic process in place to make
its internal financial and administrative systems year 2000 ready within the
next twelve to eighteen months. Modification or replacement of portions of the
Company's software may be required so that the computer systems will function
properly with respect to date values for the year 2000 and thereafter. The
Company presently believes that with modifications to existing software and
conversions to new software, year 2000 issues will not pose significant
operational problems for its computer systems.
During the execution of the compliance process the Company will incur
certain costs and expenses. Though the Company has not established a final cost
estimate, the expense of the year 2000 compliance process is not expected to
have a material effect on the Company's financial position or results of
operations. The Company expects that its internal year 2000 compliance process
will be completed on a timely basis. If such modifications are not made,
however, or are not completed in a timely manner, the year 2000 issues could
have a material impact on the operations and financial condition of the Company.
Finally, the Company licenses software developed by third parties to end
user clients. The third party developers have designed and tested the majority
of their recent product offerings to be year 2000 compliant. However, there is
currently a small minority of the Company's end user clients utilizing product
offerings that have not been updated to meet the year 2000 compliance
specifications. The Company is making efforts to address this issue and expects
that the third party developers will continue to update older products and test
all new product offerings for year 2000 compliance. The Company is requiring its
third party software developers to represent that the products provided are or
will be year 2000 compliant. There can be no assurance, however, that all of the
Company's products under license and in use by clients will be year 2000
compliant prior to and following January 1, 2000. No assurances can be given
that the Company can completely avoid all costs and uncertainties arising from
non-compliance that might materially affect future financial results.
Factors That Could Affect Operating Results
Statements included in this Management's Discussion and Analysis and
elsewhere in this document that do not relate to present or historical
conditions are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of that term in
Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and in Section 21F of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Additional oral or written
forward-looking statements may be made by the Company from time to time, and
such statements may be included in documents that are filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission. Such forward-looking statements involve risk and
uncertainties that could cause results or outcomes to differ materially from
those expressed in such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements
may include, without limitation, statements made pursuant to the safe harbor
provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as
"believes," "forecasts," "intends," "possible," "expects," "estimates,"
"anticipates," or "plans" and similar expressions are intended to identify
forward-looking statements. The Company cautions readers that results predicted
by forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, those relating to
the Company's future business prospects, revenues, working capital, liquidity,
capital needs, interest costs, and income are subject to certain risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those
indicated in the forward-looking statements, due to the following factors, among
other risks and
13
<PAGE>
factors identified from time to time in the Company's filings with the SEC.
Among the important factors on which such statements are based are assumptions
concerning the anticipated growth of the information technology industry, the
continued needs of current and prospective customers for the Company's services,
the availability of qualified professional staff, and price and wage inflation.
o The Company's expansion is dependent upon, among other things, (i) the
availability of consultants as employees or independent contractors, (ii) the
Company's ability to identify suitable new geographic markets with sufficient
demand for the Company's services; to hire and retain skilled management,
marketing, customer service and other personnel; and to successfully manage
growth, including monitoring operations, controlling costs and maintaining
effective quality and service controls and (iii) if the Company consummates any
acquisitions, the Company's ability to successfully and profitably integrate any
acquired businesses into its operations. If the Company's management is unable
to manage growth or new employees are unable to achieve anticipated performance
levels, the Company's business, results of operations and financial condition
could be materially and adversely affected.
o The Company's business involves the delivery of professional services which
depends in large part upon its ability to attract and retain highly skilled
project managers, technical specialists and independent contractor consultants.
The Company utilizes the services of a significant number of independent
contractors to act as consultants. Since the Company does not have employment
agreements with these individuals for any specific term, there can be no
assurance that the services of these individuals will continue to be available
to the Company on terms acceptable to the Company.
o The Company derives a significant portion of its revenues from a relatively
limited number of clients primarily located in the New York/New Jersey
metropolitan area of the United States. Revenues from the Company's ten most
significant clients accounted for a majority of the Company's revenues in 1997.
In each of the last three years, the Company has had at least one customer with
revenues exceeding 10% of the Company's revenues. In 1997, the largest customer
represented 24% of revenues, while in 1996 and 1995 the largest customer
represented 12% and 14% of revenues, respectively. Clients engage the Company on
an assignment-by-assignment basis, and a client can generally terminate an
assignment at any time without penalty. The loss of, or reduction in revenue
from, any significant customer could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, results of operations and financial condition.
o The Company's success will depend in part on its ability to meet client
expectations, develop IT solutions and offer software products, in each case
that keeps pace with continuing changes in IT, evolving industry standards,
changing client preferences and a continuing shift to outsourced solutions by
clients. There can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in
adequately addressing the outsourcing market or other IT or software
developments on a timely basis or that, if addressed, the Company will be
successful in the marketplace. There can also be no assurance that products or
technologies developed by others will not render the Company's services or
products uncompetitive or obsolete. The Company's failure to address these
developments could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business,
results of operations and financial condition.
o Variations in the Company's revenues and results of operations occur from time
to time as a result of a number of factors, such as the timing of new Solution
Branch openings, Technical Practice expansion activities, the significance of
client engagements commenced and completed during a quarter, the number of
business days in a quarter, consultant hiring and utilization rates and the
timing of corporate expenditures. The timing of revenues is difficult to
forecast because the Company's sales cycle can be relatively long and may depend
on such factors as the size and scope of assignments and general economic
conditions. A variation in the number of client assignments or the timing of the
initiation or the completion of client assignments, particularly at or near the
end of any quarter, can cause significant variations in results of operations
from quarter to quarter and can result in losses to the Company. The Company has
also experienced, and may in the future experience, significant fluctuations in
the quarterly results of software sales. Software licensing activity is
difficult to forecast because the number and amount of particular license
transactions can vary significantly, the Company's sales incentive plans have an
unpredictable impact on the timing and size of orders, client projects and
evaluations may be postponed as
14
<PAGE>
the year 2000 approaches, many clients are repairing or replacing existing
applications which have year 2000 operability issues. In the event that the
Company's results of operations for any period are below the expectation of
market analysts and investors, the market price of the Common Stock could be
adversely affected.
o The Company derives revenues primarily from the hourly billing of its
consultants' services and, to a lesser extent, from fixed-price projects. The
Company's most significant cost is project personnel cost, which consists of
consultant salaries and benefits. There can be no assurance, however, that the
Company's revenues will continue to be billed primarily on a time and materials
basis or that the Company will be able to continue to pass along increases in
its cost of services to is clients.
o The market for IT services includes a large number of competitors, is subject
to rapid change and is highly competitive. Many of these competitors have
significantly greater financial, technical and marketing resources and greater
name recognition than the Company. In addition, the Company competes with its
clients' internal resources, particularly when these resources represent a fixed
cost to the client. In the future, such competition may impose additional
pricing pressures on the Company. Such competition may impose additional pricing
pressures on the Company.
o The success of the Company is highly dependent upon the efforts and abilities
of its executive officers, particularly Shmuel BenTov, the Company's founder,
Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President and Frank T.
Thoelen, its Chief Financial Officer. Although Mr. BenTov and Mr. Thoelen have
entered into employment agreements containing noncompetition, nondisclosure and
nonsolicitation covenants, these contracts do not guarantee that these
individuals will continue their employment with the Company. The loss of the
services of either of these key executives for any reason could have a material
adverse effect upon the Company's business, results of operations and financial
condition.
o Ownership of software from the development of custom software applications in
connection with specific client engagements is generally assigned to the client.
The Company relies upon a combination of nondisclosure and other contractual
arrangements and trade secret, copyright and trademark laws to protect its
proprietary rights and the proprietary rights of third parties from whom the
Company licenses intellectual property. The Company enters into confidentiality
agreements with its employees and limits distribution of proprietary
information. There can be no assurance that the steps taken by the Company in
this regard will be adequate to deter misappropriation of proprietary
information or that the Company will be able to detect unauthorized use and take
appropriate steps to enforce its intellectual property rights. The Company is
subject to the risk of litigation alleging infringement of third-party,
intellectual property rights. Any such claims could require the Company to spend
significant sums in litigation, pay damages, develop non-infringing intellectual
property or acquire licenses to the intellectual property which is the subject
of the asserted infringement. In addition, the Company is aware of other users
of the term "TACT" and combinations including "A Consulting," which users may be
able to restrict the Company's ability to establish or protect its right to use
these terms. The Company has in the past been contacted by other users of the
term "TACT" alleging rights to the term. The Company's inability or failure to
establish rights to these terms may have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, results of operations and financial condition.
o The Common Stock may be subject to wide fluctuations in price in response to
variations in quarterly results of operations and other factors, including
acquisitions, technological innovations and general economic or market
conditions. In addition, stock markets have experienced extreme price and volume
trading volatility in recent years. This volatility has had a substantial effect
on the market price of many technology companies and has often been unrelated to
the operating performance of those companies. This volatility may adversely
affect the market price of me Common Stock. Additionally, there can be no
assurance that an active trading market for the Common Stock will be sustained.
15
<PAGE>
Item 7. Financial Statements
The financial statements of the Company are filed as part of this Form
10-KSB are set forth on pages F-2 to F-13. The report of Ernst & Young LLP,
independent auditors, dated January 30, 1998, is set forth on page F-1 of this
Form 10-KSB.
Item 8. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and
Financial Disclosure
None.
PART III
Item 9. Directors, Executive Officers, Promoters and Control Persons;
Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act.
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to
the Company's Proxy Statement for the 1998 Annual Meeting of Shareholders which
will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or before April 15,
1998.
Item 10. Executive Compensation.
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to
the Company's Proxy Statement for the 1998 Annual Meeting of Shareholders which
will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or before April 15,
1998.
Item 11. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to
the Company's Proxy Statement for the 1998 Annual Meeting of Shareholders which
will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or before April 15,
1998.
Item 12. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to
the Company's Proxy Statement for the 1998 Annual Meeting of Shareholders which
will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or before April 15,
1998.
16
<PAGE>
Item 13. Exhibits List and Reports on Form 8-K.
(a) Exhibits
Exhibit
Number Description of Exhibits
3.1 Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant.**
3.2 Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant**
3.3 Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Registrant**
4 Specimen Common Stock Certificate.**
10.1 Stock Option and Award Plan of the Registrant and
Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement.**
10.2 Form of Employment Agreement, dated as of the Effective Date,
between the Registrant and Shmuel BenTov**
10.3 Form of Employment Agreement, effective as of June 30, 1997,
between the Registrant and Frank T. Thoelen**
10.4 Form of S Corporation Termination, Tax Allocation and
Indemnification Agreement**
10.5 Demand Note (Multiple Advances), issued February 1997, between
Citibank, N.A. and the Registrant.**
10.6 Promissory Note and Cross-Receipt in connection with the
Shareholder Loan**
10.7 Joint Venture Agreement, dated April 11, 1994, between Kalanit
Center for Marketing Software & Hardware Ltd. and
the Registrant.**
10.8 Form of Director and Executive Officer Indemnification
Agreement.**
10.9 Letter of Undertaking from the Registrant and Shmuel BenTov.**
23 Consent of Independent Auditors.
27 Financial Data Schedule.
** Previously filed
(b) Reports on Form 8-K
No reports on Form 8-K were filed for the quarter ended December 31, 1997.
17
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
In accordance with Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, on the 31st day of March, 1998.
THE A CONSULTING TEAM, INC.
By: /s/ Shmuel BenTov
--------------------------
Shmuel BenTov, President
Chief Executive Officer
In accordance with the Securities Exchange Act, this report has been signed by
the following persons on behalf of the registrant in the capacities and on the
dates indicated.
Signature Title Date
- --------------------- ------------------------------- ------------------
/s/ Shmuel BenTov President, Chief Executive March 31, 1998
- --------------------- Officer and Director
Shmuel BenTov (Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ Frank T. Thoelen Chief Financial Officer March 31, 1998
- --------------------- and Director
Frank T. Thoelen (Principal Financial and
Accounting Officer)
/s/ Reuven Battat Director March 31, 1998
- ---------------------
Reuven Battat
/s/ Joseph Imholz Director March 31, 1998
- ---------------------
Joseph Imholz
/s/ Steven Mukamal Director March 31, 1998
- ---------------------
Steven Mukamal
18
<PAGE>
THE A CONSULTING TEAM, INC.
Financial Statements
Years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995
Contents
Index........................................................................F-1
Report of Independent Auditors...............................................F-2
Balance Sheets...............................................................F-3
Statements of Operations.....................................................F-4
Statements of Shareholders' Equity...........................................F-5
Statements of Cash Flows.....................................................F-6
Notes to Financial Statements................................................F-7
F-1
<PAGE>
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Board of Directors
The A Consulting Team, Inc.
We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of The A Consulting
Team, Inc. (the "Company") as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the related
statements of operations, shareholder's equity and cash flows for each of the
three years in the period ended December 31, 1997. These financial statements
are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to
express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of The A Consulting
Team, Inc. at December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the results of its operations and
its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31,
1997, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
ERNST & YOUNG LLP
New York, New York
January 30, 1998
F-2
<PAGE>
THE A CONSULTING TEAM, INC.
BALANCE SHEETS
<TABLE>
December 31, December 31,
1997 1996
------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents.................. $ 16,945,010 $ 347,285
Accounts receivable 7,237,905 4,163,869
Prepaid expenses and other current assets.. 83,320 162,550
------------ -------------
Total current assets.................... 24,266,235 4,673,704
Investment in and advances to joint venture... - 16,452
Property and equipment, at cost,
less accumulated depreciation................ 1,124,396 375,323
Deposits...................................... 76,692 34,614
------------ -------------
Total assets ........................... $ 25,467,323 $ 5,100,093
============ =============
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Loan payable - bank....................... $ - $ 1,450,000
Loan payable to shareholder............... - 1,045,000
Current portion of long-term debt......... 13,967 12,896
Accounts payable and accrued expenses..... 2,139,551 1,713,347
Income tax payable........................ 527,376 8,107
Deferred income taxes..................... 358,000 16,000
------------ -------------
Total current liabilities.............. 3,038,894 4,245,350
Long-term debt............................... 30,092 44,059
Commitments.................................. - -
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $.01 par value;
2,000,000 shares authorized; no shares
issued or outstanding.................... - -
Common stock, $.01 par value;
10,000,000 shares authorized;
5,485,000 issued and outstanding in
1997 and 3,550,000 in 1996............... 54,850 35,500
Paid-in capital........................... 21,051,758 -
Retained earnings......................... 1,291,729 775,184
------------ -------------
Total shareholders' equity............. 22,398,337 810,684
------------ -------------
Total liabilities
and shareholders' equity.............. $25,467,323 $ 5,100,093
============ =============
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
F-3
<PAGE>
THE A CONSULTING TEAM, INC.
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended December 31,
1997 1996 1995
------------- -------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues:
Consulting services......................... $ 32,481,351 $ 18,980,857 $ 14,430,355
Software licensing.......................... 2,540,534 1,776,222 1,382,642
Training services........................... 194,026 237,975 209,888
------------- -------------- --------------
Total revenues........................... 35,215,911 20,995,054 16,022,885
Cost of revenues............................... 23,931,627 14,521,124 11,040,609
------------- -------------- --------------
Gross profit................................... 11,284,284 6,473,930 4,982,276
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative......... 7,950,091 6,322,642 4,705,073
Research and development(Note 7)............ - - 185,000
Equity in net (income)loss from joint
venture, including loss on disposal of
$1,584 in 1997............................. (13,253) 49,575 153
------------- -------------- --------------
Total operating expenses..................... 7,936,838 6,372,217 4,890,226
------------- -------------- --------------
Income from operations......................... 3,347,446 101,713 92,050
Interest income................................ 345,296 2,446 3,321
Interest expense............................... (147,234) (67,496) (13,996)
------------- -------------- --------------
Income before income taxes..................... 3,545,508 36,663 81,375
Provision (credit) for income taxes......... 1,022,000 28,700 (108,800)
------------- -------------- --------------
Net income..................................... $ 2,523,508 $ 7,963 $ 190,175
============= ============== ==============
Unaudited pro forma information:
Historical income from operations.............. $ 3,347,446 $ 101,713
Pro forma adjustmentfor executive compensation. (37,500) 1,222,886
------------- --------------
Pro forma income from operations............... 3,309,946 1,324,599
Interest (expense)income, net.................. 198,062 (65,050)
------------- --------------
Pro forma income before income taxes........... 3,508,008 1,259,549
Pro forma provision for income taxes........... 1,542,000 568,000
------------- --------------
Pro forma net income.......................... $ 1,966,008 $ 691,549
============= ==============
Pro forma net income per
share - basic and diluted.................... $ 0.45 $ 0.19
============= ==============
Weighted average number of
common shares outstanding.................... 4,409,658 3,729,211
============= ==============
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
F-4
<PAGE>
THE A CONSULTING TEAM, INC.
STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Preferred Stock Common Stock Paid-in Retained Total
Shares Amount Shares Amount Capital Earnings
----------- ----------- ------------ ----------- ----------- ------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance-December 31, 1994 - $ - 3,550,000 $ 35,500 $ - $ 577,046 $ 612,546
Net income - - - - - 190,175 190,175
----------- ----------- ------------ ----------- ----------- ------------ ------------
Balance-December 31, 1995 - - 3,550,000 35,500 - 767,221 802,721
Net income - - - - - 7,963 7,963
----------- ----------- ------------ ----------- ----------- ------------ ------------
Balance-December 31, 1996 - - 3,550,000 35,500 - 775,184 810,684
Issuance of 1,935,000 shares of - - 1,935,000 19,350 21,051,758 - 21,071,108
common stock in an initial
public offering, net of
offering cost of $2,148,892
Distribution - - - - - (2,006,963) (2,006,963)
- - 2,523,508 2,523,508
----------- ----------- ------------ ----------- ----------- ------------ ------------
Balance - December 31, 1997 - $ - 5,485,000 $ 54,850 $21,051,758 $ 1,291,729 $ 22,398,337
============ =========== ============ ============ ============ ============ =============
- ---------------------------------
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
F-5
<PAGE>
THE A CONSULTING TEAM, INC.
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended December 31,
1997 1996 1995
--------------- ----------------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income $ 2,523,508 $ 7,963 $ 190,175
Adjustments to reconcile net income to
net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation 141,273 96,261 66,588
Deferred income taxes 342,000 (31,000) (168,000)
Equity in net (income) loss from joint venture, (13,253) 49,575 153
including, loss on disposal of $1,584 in 1997
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable (3,074,036) (1,667,509) (1,181,348)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 79,230 (106,309) (14,206)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 426,204 714,756 213,311
Due to joint venture - (43,480) (6,520)
Income taxes payable 519,269 (50,408) 58,515
---------------- ----------------- -----------------
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 944,195 (1,030,151) (841,332)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property and equipment (890,346) (301,053) (95,598)
Repayment from (investment and advances in) joint 29,705 (29,705) -
venture
Deposits (42,078) (17,918) (2,701)
---------------- ----------------- -----------------
Net cash used in investing activities (902,719) (348,676) (98,299)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net proceeds from public offering 21,071,108 - -
Proceeds from loan payable-bank 1,215,000 1,315,000 135,000
Repayment of loan payable-bank (2,665,000) - -
Proceeds from loan by shareholder - 691,000 1,111,000
Repayment of loan to shareholder (1,045,000) (757,000) -
Distribution of S Corporation earnings to shareholder (2,006,963) - -
Proceeds from long-term debt - 57,984 -
Repayment of long-term debt (12,896) (1,029) -
---------------- ----------------- -----------------
Net cash provided by financing activities 16,556,249 1,305,955 1,246,000
---------------- ----------------- -----------------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 16,597,725 (72,872) 306,369
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 347,285 420,157 113,788
---------------- ----------------- -----------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 16,945,010 $ 347,285 $ 420,157
================ ================= =================
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: Cash paid during the period
for:
Interest $ 211,591 $ 13,921 $ 3,214
================ ================= =================
Income taxes $ 160,731 $ 110,108 $ 685
================ ================= =================
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
F-6
<PAGE>
Notes to Financial Statements
1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Organization and Description of Business
The A Consulting Team, Inc. (the "Company") was incorporated on
February 16, 1983, in the State of New York, for the purpose of providing
various computer consulting and training services and marketing software
products. The Company's customers are primarily located in the New York/New
Jersey metropolitan area.
In August 1997, the Company completed its initial public offering (the
"Offering") of 1,800,000 shares of Common Stock at an offering price of $12.00
per share, resulting in net proceeds to the Company of approximately $19.6
million. In September 1997, an over-allotment option of 135,000 shares of Common
Stock was exercised, generating an additional $1.5 million of net proceeds to
the Company.
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 those estimates.
Share Information
All outstanding share amounts included in the accompanying financial
statements have been adjusted to reflect a 355,000-for-1 stock split on August
4, 1997.
Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid financial instruments with a
maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment acquired after December 31, 1994 are depreciated
using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets,
which range from five to ten years. Property and equipment acquired prior to
January 1, 1995 are depreciated using an accelerated method over the estimated
useful lives of the assets, which range from five to seven years.
Revenue and Accounts Receivable
Consulting and training revenues are recognized as services are
provided. Revenue from sales of software licenses is recognized upon delivery of
the software to a customer because future obligations associated with such
revenue are insignificant.
The Company performs periodic credit evaluations of its customers'
financial condition and generally does not require collateral. Provisions for
doubtful accounts, which have not been material for any of the periods
presented, are recorded when such losses are determined. Credit losses
historically have been consistent with management's expectations.
Research and Development Expenses
Research and development costs are charged to expense as incurred.
F-7
<PAGE>
2. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property and equipment, at cost, consists of the following:
December 31,
1997 1996
---------- ----------
Equipment and leasehold improvements................. $1,255,176 $450,056
Software............................................. 17,143 8,518
Furniture and fixtures............................... 201,316 124,715
Automobiles.......................................... 102,355 102,355
---------- ----------
Subtotal.......................................... 1,575,990 685,644
Less accumulated depreciation........................ 451,594 310,321
---------- ----------
Total............................................. $1,124,396 $375,323
========== ========
3. LOANS PAYABLE AND CREDIT ARRANGEMENT
The Company has a line of credit of $2,100,000. As of December 31, 1996,
$1,450,000 was outstanding under the line of credit. All loans were repaid in
1997.The line of credit is guaranteed by the principal shareholder. The interest
rate is variable based on prime plus 1% (8.5% at December 31, 1997 and 9.25% at
December 31, 1996).
The Company had outstanding borrowings of $1,045,000 from the principal
shareholder as of December 31, 1996. The loan bore interest at a variable rate
based on prime (8.25% at December 31, 1996 and 8.5% at June 13, 1997, the date
of repayment) and was due on demand. At December 31, 1996, $500,000 of the
shareholder loan was subordinated to the above mentioned bank loan.
Long-term debt is comprised of an automobile loan and is payable in
monthly installments of $1,415 including interest at 8%. As of December 31,
1997, the loan matures as follows: 1998--$13,967, 1999--$15,126 and
2000--$14,966.
4. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED EXPENSES
Accounts payable and accrued expenses consists of the following:
December 31,
1997 1996
-------- --------
Accounts payable.......................... $ 787,962 $ 680,805
Commissions............................... 120,418 74,227
Payroll................................... 1,034,662 716,280
Interest.................................. - 64,357
Other accrued expenses.................... 196,509 177,678
---------- ----------
$2,139,551 $1,713,347
========== ==========
5. INCOME TAXES
The Company accounts for income taxes using the liability method in
accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, "Accounting
for Income Taxes."
Effective January 1, 1993, the Company elected to change its tax
accounting method from cash to accrual basis. The cumulative tax effect of this
change as of January 1, 1993 is being recognized over four years on the
Company's tax returns. The federal income tax provision for 1995 and 1996
consists of the tax effect of this change.
F-8
<PAGE>
Effective January 1, 1995, the Company elected to be treated as an S
Corporation under Subchapter S of the Internal Revenue Code for federal income
tax purposes. In addition, the Company elected to be treated as an S Corporation
for New Jersey and New York state income tax purposes. In New York and New
Jersey, S Corporations are subject to a minimum income tax. Because the sole
shareholder of the Company included the Company's income in his own personal
income tax return for years ended December 31, 1995 and 1996 and part of the
fiscal year ending December 31, 1997, the Company was not subject to federal
income taxes during that time. However, the Company was liable for New York City
income taxes for those periods because New York City does not recognize S
Corporation status.
Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary
differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial
reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. At December 31,
1997 and 1996, the deferred income tax liability relates solely to licensing
revenue.
Significant components of the provision (credit) for income taxes are
as follows:
Year Ended
December 31,
-------------
1997 1996 1995
---- ---- ----
Current:
Federal....................... $ 338,000 $ 28,300 $ 28,000
State and local............... 342,000 31,400 30,900
------------ ----------- ------------
Total current............... 680,000 59,700 59,200
------------ ----------- ------------
Deferred:
Federal....................... 302,000 (28,500) (117,400)
State and local............... 40,000 (2,500) (50,600)
------------ ----------- ------------
Total deferred.............. 342,000 (31,000) (168,000)
------------ ----------- ------------
Total Current and Deferred....... $ 1,022,000 $ 28,700 $ (108,800)
============ =========== ============
As a result of the change in tax status effective January 1, 1995,
approximately $110,000 of the December 31, 1994 deferred tax liability was
reversed and reflected as a 1995 deferred tax benefit.
Effective August 12, 1997, the day before the Company completed its
Offering, the Company changed from S Corporation to C Corporation status. Upon
the change in status, under the provisions of SFAS 109, the Company recorded an
additional deferred income tax liability of $163,000 due to federal and state
income taxes being payable on the temporary differences.
A reconciliation between the federal statutory rate and the effective
unaudited pro forma income tax rate for the years ended December 31, 1997 and
1996 is as follows:
1997 1996
---- ----
Federal statutory rate................................. 34.0% 34.0%
State and local taxes net of federal tax benefit....... 9.6 10.0
Non deductible expenses................................ 0.4 1.1
---------- ----------
Total............................................ 44.0% 45.1%
========== ==========
6. RETIREMENT PLAN
The Company sponsors a defined contribution plan under Section 401(k)
of the Internal Revenue Code for its employees. Participants can make elective
contributions subject to certain limitations. Under the plan, the Company can
make matching contributions on behalf of all participants. No such contributions
were made by the Company in 1997, 1996 and 1995.
F-9
<PAGE>
7. JOINT VENTURE
The Company owned a 50% interest in Vianet, Inc. ("Vianet"), which is
located in New York and is engaged in the recruiting of international
consultants and software development for resale. The Company's research and
development expenses of $185,000 for the years ended December 31, 1995 consisted
of amounts paid to Vianet for software development. These amounts were included
in Vianet's revenues in 1995. In addition, the Company paid Vianet $139,565 and
$36,595 for recruiting services in 1995 and 1996, respectively. The Company
accounts for this investment under the equity method of accounting.
The following is summarized financial information of Vianet:
December 31,
------------
1996 1995
---- ----
Cash ...................................... $ 4,036 $ 24,757
Due from related party..................... - 43,480
Other assets............................... 3,140 4,406
------------ -----------
Total assets.......................... $ 7,176 $ 72,643
============ ===========
Due to related party....................... $ 29,705 -
Other liabilities.......................... 3,978 -
Shareholders' equity (deficit)............. (26,507) 72,643
------------ -----------
$ 7,176 $ 72,643
============ ===========
Year Ended
December 31,
------------
1996 1995
---- ----
Revenues................................. $ 36,595 $ 324,565
Costs and expenses....................... (135,745) (324,871)
---------- -----------
Net income (loss)........................ $ (99,150) $ (306)
========== ===========
Vianet had limited activity during the three months ended March 31,
1997. On March 31, 1997, the Company sold its 50% interest in Vianet to its
joint venture partner for a nominal amount. Vianet repaid the $29,705 advance to
the Company during March 1997.
8. CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK
Financial instruments which potentially subject the Company to
concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and accounts receivable.
The Company maintains its cash balances on deposit with a limited number of
financial institutions.
In each of the last three years, the Company has had at least one
customer with revenues exceeding 10% of the Company's revenues. In 1997, the
largest customer represented 24% of revenues, while in 1996 and 1995 the largest
customer represented 12% and 14% of revenues, respectively. In 1995, a second
customer represented 11% of revenues. Besides these customers, no other customer
represented greater than 10% of the Company's revenues.
Receivables from two customers with the largest balances represent
approximately 44%, 28% and 18% of accounts receivable as of December 31, 1997,
1996, and 1995, respectively.
F-10
<PAGE>
9. LEASES
The Company leases office space under non-cancellable operating leases.
Future base rental payments are as follows:
1998........................................................$ 383,000
1999........................................................ 380,000
2000........................................................ 347,000
2001........................................................ 331,000
2002........................................................ 289,000
----------
$1,730,000
==========
Rent expense for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 was
approximately $157,000, $119,000 and $101,000, respectively.
In addition, in 1996 and 1995 the Company leased, on a month-to-month
basis, office space from the Company's sole shareholder. Rent paid to the sole
shareholder was $12,000 in 1996 and $30,000 in 1995.
10. STOCK OPTION PLAN
The Company adopted a Stock Option Plan which provides for the grant of
stock options that are either "incentive" or "non-qualified" for federal income
tax purposes. The Plan provides for the issuance of up to a maximum of 600,000
shares of common stock (subject to adjustment pursuant to customary
anti-dilution provisions).
The exercise price per share of a stock option is to be established by
the Executive Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors in its
discretion, but may not be less than the fair market value of a share of common
stock as of the date of grant. The aggregate fair market value of the shares of
common stock with respect to which "incentive" stock options are exercisable for
the first time by an individual to whom an "incentive" stock option is granted
during any calendar year may not exceed $100,000.
Stock options, subject to certain restrictions, may be exercisable any
time after full vesting for a period not to exceed five years from the date of
grant and terminate upon the date of termination of employment. Such period is
to be established by the Company in its discretion on the date of grant.
In October 1995, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation" ("SFAS 123"). SFAS 123 requires compensation expense to be
recorded (i) using the new fair value method or (ii) using existing accounting
rules prescribed by Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for
Stock Issued to Employees" ("APB 25") and related interpretations with pro forma
disclosure of what net income and earnings per share would have been had the
Company adopted the new fair value method.
F-11
<PAGE>
The Company has elected to account for its stock-based compensation plans in
accordance with the provisions of APB 25.
Information with respect to options under the plan is as follows:
Number Weighted Average
of Shares Exercise Price
------------ -----------------
Granted during 1997......................... 561,200 $11.65
Forfeitures during 1997..................... (28,750) $12.00
------------ -----------------
Balance - December 31,1997.................. 532,450 $11.63
------------ -----------------
No options were exercisable at December 31, 1997. Options outstanding
at December 31, 1997 have exercise prices ranging from $10.25 to $12.00.
At December 31, 1997, the Company had 600,000 shares of Common Stock
reserved in connection with the Stock Option Plan.
The Company has adopted the disclosure-only provisions of SFAS 123.
Accordingly, no compensation expense has been recognized for the stock option
plan. Had compensation cost for the Company's stock option plan been determined
based on the fair value as of the grant date for awards in 1997 consistent with
the provision of SFAS No. 123, the Company's net income and pro forma net income
per share (see Note 11) would have been reduced to the pro forma amounts as
indicated below:
1997
-------------
Pro forma net income............................... $ 2,392,000
Pro forma net income per share..................... $ 0.42
The fair value of options at date of grant was estimated using the
Black-Scholes model with the following assumptions:
1997
-------------
Expected life (years)............................. 4.00
Risk free interest rate........................... 5.67%
Expected volatility............................... 0.70
Expected dividend yield........................... 0.00%
The weighted average fair value of options granted in 1997 was $6.68.
The weighted average remaining contractual life of options outstanding at
December 31, 1997 is 4.7 years.
11. PRO FORMA ADJUSTMENTS (UNAUDITED)
Pro Forma Statement of Operations
Pro forma net income includes and adjustment for executive compensation
to reflect the terms of new contracts with the chief executive officer and Chief
Financial Officer. In addition, it also includes an adjustment to provide for
income taxes as if the Company had been a C corporation for all periods
presented.
Pro Forma Net Income Per Share
Pro forma net income per share for the years ended December 31, 1997
and 1996 has been computed by dividing pro forma net income by the weighted
average number of common shares outstanding plus the estimated number of shares
assumed to be sold by the Company to pay the S Corporation distribution to the
shareholder, for the period prior to the Offering. The impact of including
outstanding stock options (see Note 10) was anti-dilutive.
F-12
Exhibit 23
Consent of Independent Auditors
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form
S-8 No. 333-42145) pertaining to The A Consulting Team , Inc. 1997 Stock Option
and Award Plan of our report dated January 30, 1998, with respect to the
financial statements of The A Consulting Team, Inc. included in the Annual
Report (Form 10-KSB) for the year ended December 31, 1997.
ERNST & YOUNG LLP
New York, New York
March 31, 1998
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1997
<CASH> 16,945,010
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 7,237,905
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 24,266,235
<PP&E> 1,575,991
<DEPRECIATION> 451,595
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 25,467,323
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 3,038,894
<BONDS> 0
0
0
<COMMON> 54,850
<OTHER-SE> 22,343,487
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 25,467,323
<SALES> 35,215,911
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 35,215,911
<CGS> 23,931,627
<TOTAL-COSTS> 32,015,699
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 147,234
<INCOME-PRETAX> 3,545,508
<INCOME-TAX> 1,022,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 2,523,508
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 2,523,508
<EPS-PRIMARY> .45<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED> .45<F1>
<FN><F1>
- ----------------
Presented on a pro forma basis as if the Company had been fully subject to
federal and state income taxes for all periods presented.
</FN>
</TABLE>
