U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the Registrant [X] Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
[ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement
[ ] Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 14a-11 or 14a-12
COMPUTER OUTSOURCING SERVICES, INC.
------------------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
Board of Directors of Computer Outsourcing Services, Inc.
---------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box) :
[X] No fee required.
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:________
2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:___________
3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the
filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):_____________
4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:_______________________
5) Total fee paid:________________________________________________________
[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule
0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid
previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number,
or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
1) Amount Previously Paid:________________________________________________
2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:__________________________
3) Filing Party:__________________________________________________________
4) Date Filed:____________________________________________________________
<PAGE>
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
June 3, 1998
------------------------
The Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Computer Outsourcing Services, Inc. will
be held at the offices of the Company at 2 Christie Heights Street, Leonia,
NJ 07605, at 9:00 AM on Wednesday, June 3, 1998, for the following purposes:
1. To elect five Directors of the Company for a term of one year.
2. To act upon a proposal to amend the Company's Certificate of
Incorporation to increase the number of authorized common
shares which may be issued to 10,000,000.
3. To transact such other business as may properly come before
the Annual Meeting.
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on April 1, 1998 will be
entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.
You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting.
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOUR SHARES BE REPRESENTED AT THE ANNUAL MEETING.
THEREFORE, WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND, PLEASE COMPLETE YOUR
PROXY AND RETURN IT IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE, WHICH REQUIRES NO
POSTAGE IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES. IF YOU ATTEND AND WISH TO VOTE
IN PERSON, YOUR PROXY WILL NOT BE USED.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
/s/
Jeffrey Millman
Secretary
May 4, 1998
Page 2 of 16
<PAGE>
COMPUTER OUTSOURCING SERVICES, INC.
360 WEST 31ST STREET
NEW YORK, NY 10001
(212) 564-3730
-----------------------------------
PROXY STATEMENT
For the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on June 3, 1998
-----------------------------------
General Information
-------------------
The enclosed Proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors of Computer
Outsourcing Services, Inc. (the "Company") for use at the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders of the Company (the "Meeting") to be held at the offices of the
Company at 2 Christie Heights Street, Leonia, NJ 07605, at 9:00 AM on
Wednesday, June 3, 1998 (the "Meeting Date"), and at any adjournment thereof.
The authority granted by an executed Proxy may be revoked at any time before
its exercise (a) by filing with the Secretary of the Company a written
revocation, (b) by submitting a new duly-executed Proxy bearing a later date,
or (c) by voting in person at the Meeting. Shares represented by valid
Proxies will be voted at the Meeting in accordance with the specifications
in the Proxies. If no specifications are made in properly executed Proxies
concerning Directors or the Proposal to amend the Company's Certificate of
Incorporation (the "Certificate"), such Proxies will be voted FOR (1) electing
the Directors nominated by the Board and (2) amending the Certificate as
described in this Proxy Statement.
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on April 1, 1998 (the
"Record Date") will be entitled to vote at the Meeting, either in person or
by Proxy. On the Record Date, the Company had outstanding 4,010,217 shares
of Common Stock, $0.01 par value, each entitled to one vote. The
Company's Common Stock is its only class of voting stock outstanding. A
majority in interest of the outstanding Common Stock, represented at the
Meeting in person or by Proxy, constitutes a quorum for the transaction of
business.
The Company will bear the cost of this solicitation of Proxies including, upon
request, reimbursement of brokerage companies and other nominees for their
reasonable expenses in forwarding solicitation materials to beneficial owners
of Common Stock. In addition to the use of the mails, employees of the
Company may devote part of their time to the solicitation of Proxies by
telephone, telegraph, or in person, but no additional compensation will be
paid to them.
The approximate date on which this Proxy Statement and accompanying Proxy are
first being sent or given to stockholders is May 4, 1998.
Page 3 of 16
<PAGE>
Share Ownership
---------------
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial
ownership of the Company's Common Stock as of April 1, 1998 by (a) all current
Directors of the Company, (b) the Chief Executive Officer and all those
executive officers of the Company whose salary exceed $100,000 in the most
recent fiscal year (together, the "Named Executives"), and (c) all directors
and executive officers as a group. Beneficial ownership includes shares which
the beneficial owner has the right to acquire within sixty days of the above
date from the exercise of options, warrants, or similar obligations. If no
address is shown, the address of the beneficial owner is in care of the
Company.
BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF THE COMPANY'S COMMON STOCK
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of Shares Percentage
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner Beneficially Owned of Class
- -------------------------------------- ------------------ ----------
Zach Lonstein (1) 1,654,421 39%
Robert B. Wallach (2) 203,166 5%
Howard Waltman (3) 64,750 2%
Jeffrey Millman (4) 12,000 *
John C. Platt (5) 8,000 *
James D. Gerson (6) 51,000 1%
780 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10017
Anton P. Done (7) 248,864 6%
2 Whitewood
Irvine, CA 92612
All Directors and Executive (8) 2,242,701 51%
Officers as a group (7 persons)
* Less than 1% of Class
(1) Includes 175,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise
of options held by Mr. Lonstein. Also, includes 310,000 shares
pledged as a guarantee of the Company's obligations to the
seller of MCC Corporation in June 1995 (See "Certain
Transactions").
(2) Includes 201,666 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise
of options held by Mr. Wallach.
(3) Includes 6,250 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of
options held by Mr. Waltman.
Page 4 of 16
<PAGE>
(4) Includes 7,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of options
held by Mr. Millman.
(5) Includes 8,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of options
held by Mr. Platt.
(6) Includes 17,500 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of options
held by Mr. Gerson.
(7) Includes 248,864 shares of Common Stock held by Mr. Donde as Trustee of
the Anton and Detta Donde Trust dated November 21, 1988. Mr. Donde
resigned as a Director on April 7, 1998.
(8) Includes 415,416 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of
options collectively held by all directors and executive officers of
the Company.
Proposal I -Election of Directors
---------------------------------
The Board of Directors has fixed the number of Directors at six for the coming
year. The persons named in the table below have been nominated for election
at the Meeting as Directors of the Company to serve until the next Annual
Meeting of Stockholders or until their respective successors are duly elected
and qualified. Each has consented to being named a nominee in this Proxy
Statement and has agreed to serve as a Director if elected at the Meeting.
Unless otherwise directed, the persons named in the Proxy intend to vote for
the election of these nominees. If any nominee becomes unable to serve prior
to the Meeting, Proxies will be voted for such other candidates as may be
nominated by the Board of Directors. The Company intends to fill the
remaining vacancy on the Board of Directors during the current fiscal year.
Directors will be elected by a plurality of the votes properly cast at the
Meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not be treated as votes cast
for this purpose.
Page 5 of 16
<PAGE>
The name, principal occupation of, and certain information concerning each of
the nominees for Director are set forth in the table below. Also set forth,
following the table, is certain additional information regarding the nominees.
Director
Name Positions with the Company Age Since
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zach Lonstein Chairman of the Board of Directors 53 1984
and Chief Executive Officer
Robert B. Wallach President, Chief Operating Officer, 58 1992
and a Director
Howard Waltman Director 65 1997
Jeffrey Millman Executive Vice President, Secretary 46 1992
and a Director
John C. Platt Vice President, Treasurer, and 44 1996
a Director
Zach Lonstein has been the Company's Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
Officer since he organized the Company in 1984, and President from 1984 to May
1996. From 1981 to 1984, Mr. Lonstein was Vice President and General Manager
of the Commercial On-Line division of Informatics General Corporation
("Informatics" - subsequently renamed Sterling Federal Systems, Inc.), a
computer software and services company listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
In 1970, Mr. Lonstein was a founder and President of Transportation Computing
Services Corp. ("TCS"). In 1981, TCS was sold to Informatics and eventually
became the basis for the Commercial On-Line division, which the Company
purchased in 1984.
Robert B. Wallach was appointed President of the Company on May 1, 1996, and
has been a Director of the Company since 1992. Prior to June 1995, he was
sole proprietor of Horizons Associates, a consulting firm he founded in 1985.
Mr. Wallach has more than 20 years of operating experience including senior
management positions with Boeing Computer Services from 1970 to 1972 and
Informatics from 1972 to 1982 and, from 1982 to 1985, as President of the
Financial Information Services Group/Strategic Information division of Ziff
Communications, which provided computer services to companies in the financial
industry.
Howard Waltman is Chairman of Express Scripts, Inc. ("ESI"), a Company he
formed in 1986 as a subsidiary of Sanus Corp., a national health maintenance
organization of which he is also the founder and former Chairman. Sanus
Corp. was acquired by New York Life Insurance Company in 1987. ESI, which
provides mail order pharmacy services and pharmacy claims processing services,
was spun out of Sanus Corp. and taken public in June 1992. Mr. Waltman also
founded Bradford National Corp., which was sold to McDonnell Douglas
Corporation. Mr. Waltman also serves on the Board of Directors of qmed, Inc.,
and several privately-held companies.
Page 6 of 16
<PAGE>
Jeffrey Millman has been Executive Vice President since 1988, Secretary and a
Director since 1992, and has been with the Company since it was founded in
1984, previously holding positions of Vice President and Director of Systems
and Programming with Informatics beginning in 1983. From 1979 to 1983,
Mr. Millman was Director of Theatrical Computer Systems for Columbia Pictures
Industries, Inc.
John C. Platt has been an employee of the Company since it was founded 1984,
and has been a Vice President of the Company since 1986, its Treasurer
beginning in 1992, and a Director since 1996. Prior to 1984, Mr. Platt held
various positions with Informatics and TCS.
Meetings and Committees of the Board of Directors
- -------------------------------------------------
The Board of Directors held four meetings during the fiscal year ended
October 31, 1997. The Company has standing Audit and Compensation Committees
of the Board of Directors. The Company does not have a nominating committee.
Each Director attended at least 75% of all meetings of the Board and all
meetings of committees of the Board on which he served which were held during
the last fiscal year, or for such shorter period during which the Director
served.
Subsequent to the Annual Meeting held on May 5, 1997, the Audit Committee
consisted of Messrs. Waltman, Gerson, and Lonstein. The Audit Committee can
meet periodically with management and the Company's independent certified
public accountants to discuss their evaluation of internal accounting controls,
the quality of financial reporting, and related matters. The independent
auditors have free access to the Audit Committee without the presence of
management, if necessary, to discuss the results of their audits. The Board
of Directors, upon the Audit Committee's recommendation, approves the extent
of non-audit services provided by the independent auditors, giving due
consideration to the impact of those services on the auditors' independence.
The Audit Committee did not meet during the fiscal year ended October 31, 1997,
as all matters for that year were addressed by the full Board.
Subsequent to the Annual Meeting held on May 5, 1997, the Compensation
Committee consisted of Messrs. Wallach, Gerson, and Waltman. The Compensation
Committee's primary responsibilities are to recommend levels of executive
compensation, to consider and recommend the establishment of various
compensation plans for the Company, and to administer the Company's 1992 Stock
Option and Stock Appreciation Rights Plan. The Compensation Committee did not
meet during the fiscal year ended October 31, 1997, as all matters for that
year were addressed by the full Board.
Page 7 of 16
<PAGE>
Compensation of Directors and Executive Officers
- ------------------------------------------------
The Summary Compensation Table below includes, for each of the fiscal years
ended October 31, 1997, 1996, and 1995, individual compensation for services
to the Company and its subsidiaries as paid to the Chief Executive Officer
and the Named Executives.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-Term
Compensation
Annual Compensation - Awards
------------------- ------------
Securities All Other
Name and Principal Fiscal Salary Bonus Underlying Compensation
Position Year ($) ($) Options (#) ($)
- -------------------- ------ ---------- ------- ------------ ------------
Zach Lonstein, Chief 1997 $240,666 - 25,000 $30,000 (a)
Executive Officer 1996 230,023 - 25,000 30,000 (a)
& Chairman of the 1995 250,000 - 25,000 8,333 (a)
Board of Directors
Robert B. Wallach, 1997 200,000 $55,000 100,000 -
President and Chief 1996 166,667 35,000 - -
Operating Officer 1995 62,500 - 150,000 -
Jeffrey Millman, 1997 124,628 - - -
Executive Vice 1996 106,923 - - -
President & Secretary 1995 115,000 - - -
Anton P. Donde, Vice 1997 125,000 - - -
President of the 1996 125,000 - - -
Company (b) 1995 125,000 - - -
(a) Fee relating to Mr. Lonstein's guarantee of the Company's obligations
relating to the purchase of MCC Corporation. (See "Certain
Transactions")
(b) Mr. Donde was a Company vice president through March 2, 1998, and a
Director through April 7, 1988.
Page 8 of 16
<PAGE>
Option/SAR Grants in the Last Fiscal Year
- -----------------------------------------
The following table sets forth, for the Chief Executive Officer and the Named
Executives, all grants of stock options made during the fiscal year ended
October 31, 1997. Executives not listed did not receive grants of stock
options during the fiscal year. The Company did not award any stock
appreciation rights or reprice any stock options during fiscal 1997.
OPTION GRANTS IN THE LAST FISCAL YEAR
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of % of Total
Securities Options
Underlying Granted to Exercise
Options Employees in Price Expiration
Name Granted Fiscal Year ($/share) Date
- ---------------- ---------- ------------ --------- ------------
Zach Lonstein 25,000 (1) 15% $3.781 Dec 31, 2001
Robert Wallach 50,000 (2) 30% $5.250 Aug 5, 2007
Robert Wallach 50,000 (3) 30% $3.250 Jun 1, 2005
(1) Become exercisable as to 5,000 shares in each of five years beginning
January 1, 1997.
(2) Become exercisable as to 16,666 shares in each of three years beginning
August 5, 1997.
(3) Become exercisable as to 20,000 shares on December 17, 1996 and become
exercisable as to 15,000 shares in each of two years beginning
December 17, 1997.
Aggregated Option Exercises and Fiscal Year-End Option Values
- -------------------------------------------------------------
The following table contains information concerning the unexercised stock
options held by the Chief Executive Officer and the Named Executives as of
October 31, 1997. No stock appreciation rights have been granted by the
Company.
<TABLE>
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES DURING THE LAST FISCAL YEAR AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
Securities Received from Number of Securities Under- Value of Unexercised
Exercise of Options during the lying Unexercised Options at In-the-Money Options at
Year ended October 31, 1997 October 31, 1997 (#) October 31, 1997 ($) (2)
------------------------------ ---------------------------- --------------------------
Net Value
Number of Received Un- Un-
Name Shares ($)(1) Exercisable exercisable Exercisable exercisable
- ---------------- --------- --------- ----------- ------------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Zach Lonstein - - 155,000 45,000 $1,133,510 $ 217,315
Robert Wallach - - 201,666 48,334 1,138,952 214,298
Jeffrey Millman 2,052 $7,962 7,448 3,000 23,744 17,784
</TABLE>
<PAGE> Page 9 of 16
(1) The amount shown represents the aggregate excess of the market value of
the shares of common stock as of the date of the exercise over the
exercise price paid.
(2) The amounts shown represent the aggregate excess of the market value of
shares of common stock underlying options at October 31, 1997 over the
exercise price of those options.
Compensation of Directors
- -------------------------
During fiscal year 1997, each of the members of the Board of Directors who
were not full-time employees of the Company were granted non-qualified options
to purchase 1,250 shares of the Company's Common Stock for each meeting
attended.
Agreements with Certain Executive Officers
- ------------------------------------------
In 1992, Mr. Lonstein entered into an employment agreement with the Company.
This agreement was renewed on January 1, 1995 for a term of five years, will
be subject to further renewal annually beginning January 1, 2000, and provides
for a base annual salary of $250,000 and an annual bonus equal to 5% of the
amount by which the Company's yearly pretax net income (as defined therein)
exceeds 150% of the pretax net income for the fiscal year ended October 31,
1992. Additionally, beginning on January 1, 1995, and on each of the four
succeeding anniversaries thereof, the Company agreed to grant an option to
Mr. Lonstein to purchase 25,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock at an
exercise price equal to 110% of the market value of the stock on that date,
in accordance with the 1992 Stock Option and Stock Appreciation Rights Plan.
As of April 1, 1998, four such grants have been made. In addition, the
agreement requires that the Company provide Mr. Lonstein a current model
automobile, pay for all repairs, maintenance, and business related expenses
thereon, and to also purchase a health club membership for Mr. Lonstein and
pay related expenses. The Company is the beneficiary of a $1,000,000 "key-man"
life insurance policy which it maintains on Mr. Lonstein. During fiscal 1996
and 1997, Mr. Lonstein voluntarily elected to reduce his annual compensation
below the amount called for in his employment agreement.
In 1994, the Company and Mr. Donde entered into a five-year employment
agreement which provides for an annual base salary of $125,000 and the use, at
the Company's expense, of a current model automobile. As of March 2, 1998,
Mr. Donde's employment agreement terminated.
Page 10 of 16
<PAGE>
Certain Transactions
- --------------------
As of October 31, 1997, Mr. Lonstein was indebted to the Company in the amount
of $81,443. This indebtedness is payable on demand and bears interest at the
prime rate plus 1% per annum.
In connection with the Company's acquisition of MCC Corporation ("MCC") as of
June 1, 1995, the Company gave the sellers a note for $840,645 (the "Purchase
Note"), to be repaid at stated times with interest over two years, and a
second note for $753,544, which was repaid in equal monthly amounts over one
year without interest. As collateral for the notes, Mr. Lonstein pledged and
placed in escrow 310,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock owned by him.
As compensation for providing this collateral, Mr. Lonstein was granted a per
annum fee of 5% of the value of such shares ($1,000,000 on the date of the
purchase) for such period as the guarantee is in effect. The guarantee fee
is being paid to Mr. Lonstein in the form of a monthly reduction in his
indebtedness to the Company. In April 1996, the payment dates of the Purchase
Note were extended by the seller of MCC through 1999. Effective for fiscal
year 1996 and subsequent fiscal years, Mr. Lonstein and the Company agreed to
reduce the annual guarantee fee to 3%, payable in the same manner as above.
In connection with a line of credit from a former Director, Mr. Lonstein had
personally guaranteed the repayment by the Company of a note in the amount of
$150,000. This note was repaid on the due date of October 1, 1997.
In connection with the acquisition by the Company of Daton Pay USA, Inc.
("Daton") in June 1994, the Anton and Detta Donde Trust ("the Trust"), of
which Mr. Donde is trustee, received 264,084 shares of the Company's Common
Stock. Also, the Company repaid a $670,000 loan owed by Daton to Mr. Donde.
In addition, Mr. Donde had the opportunity to earn contingent payments based
on the earnings of the Pay USA Division (as defined) for a five-year period.
As of October 31, 1997, no contingent payments had been earned. On
December 19, 1997, the Company sold the Pay USA Division.
Also as a result of the acquisition of Daton, the Trust has the right to
receive a payment equal to 1% of any consideration paid by the Company to
purchase any company not engaged in providing payroll services. Such payment
is to be made in shares the Company's Common Stock at a value of $5.00 per
share. Pursuant to this provision, and in connection with the acquisition by
the Company of MCC Corporation in June 1995, the Company issued 2,052 shares
of Common Stock to the Trust.
The Company has guaranteed that the market value of the shares issued to
Mr. Donde, the Trust, or the other sellers of Daton will be no less than $5.00
per share on July 31, 2000.
Page 11 of 16
<PAGE>
Proposal II - Approval of Amendment to the
Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation
to Increase the Number of Authorized Shares of Common Stock
-----------------------------------------------------------
BACKGROUND
The Company has historically grown through business acquisitions and/or other
investments. Management of the Company believes that this diversification
strategy will provide the potential for future growth and profit.
THE PROPOSAL
The Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company currently authorizes
the issuance of a total of 7,000,000 shares of Common Stock. The Restated
Certificate of Incorporation also permits the issuance of a total of 1,000,000
shares of Preferred Stock, in one or more series, subject to the discretion of
the Company's Board of Directors. On April 1, 1998, the record date, 4,010,217
shares of Common Stock were issued and outstanding and 1,278,596 shares of
Common Stock were reserved for issuance under stock options and warrants
granted or available for grant under the Stock Option Plan leaving 1,711,187
authorized shares of Common Stock available for future issuance.
The Board of Directors considers the proposed increase in the number of
authorized shares desirable because it would give the Board the necessary
flexibility to issue Common Stock in the future in connection with
possible acquisitions, financings and other transactions which management
believes would provide the potential for growth and profit. In order to
accomplish these objectives, the Company is seeking to amend the Certificate
of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of the Company's
Common Stock from 7,000,000 to 10,000,000.
DESCRIPTION AND TEXT OF PROPOSED AMENDMENT
On February 11, 1998 the Board of Directors unanimously adopted a resolution
proposing and declaring the advisability of an amendment to Section 4 of the
Certificate which would effect an increase in the number of authorized shares
of Common Stock from 7,000,000 to 10,000,000. To become effective, the
amendment must also be adopted by the stockholders of the Company. The
resolution amending Section 4 of the Company's Restated Certificate to
increase the number of authorized shares of the Company's Common Stock is
set forth below.
Resolved:
That subject to the approval of the shareholders of the
Company, the Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation
is hereby amended in the following respect:
Article 4.1 in its entirety is hereby amended to read as
follows:
"Authorized Capital Stock. The total number of shares
of stock which the Corporation shall have authority to
issue is 11,000,000, consisting of 1,000,000 shares of
preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share ("Preferred
Stock"), and 10,000,000 shares of common stock, par value
$0.01 per share ("common Stock)."
Page 12 of 16
<PAGE>
REASONS FOR PROPOSED AMENDMENT
The Board of Directors considers the proposed increase in the number of
authorized shares desirable because it would permit the Board to pursue its
acquisition strategy and other plans on an on-going basis, and would give the
Board the necessary flexibility to issue Common Stock in connection with
possible future acquisitions, investments and transactions which management
believes would provide the potential for growth and profit. Additional
authorized shares could also be used to raise cash through sales of stock to
public and private investors. However, no definitive arrangements have been
entered into in connection with any future acquisitions, investments or other
transactions involving the issuance by the Company of shares of its Common
Stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with the limited number of shares
currently available, it would be impractical for the Company to evaluate or
seek to consummate business acquisitions or other transactions which, if they
could be accomplished, might enhance stockholder value. If additional shares
are available, transactions dependent upon the issuance of additional shares
would be less likely to be undermined by delays and uncertainties occasioned
by the need to obtain prior stockholder authorization. The ability to issue
shares, as deemed in the Company's best interests by the Board, will also
permit the Company to avoid the expenses which are incurred in holding special
stockholders' meetings in the future. The Company has no current plans for
the use of the additional shares which would be authorized by this amendment.
CERTAIN EFFECTS OF THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT
The issuance of additional shares of Common Stock by the Company may
potentially have an anti-takeover effect by making it more difficult to obtain
stockholder approval of various actions, such as a merger or removal of
management. The amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, if
approved, could strengthen the position of management and might make the
removal of management more difficult, even if removal would be generally
beneficial to the Company's stockholders. The authorization to issue the
additional shares of Common Stock would provide management with a capacity
to negate the efforts of unfriendly tender offerors through the issuance of
securities to others who are friendly or desirable to management.
The proposed amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation is not
the result of management's knowledge of any specific effort to accumulate the
Company's securities or to obtain control of the Company by means of a merger,
tender offer, proxy solicitation in opposition to management or otherwise. The
Company is not submitting this proposal to enable it to frustrate any efforts
by another party to acquire a controlling interest or to seek Board
representation.
The submission of the proposed amendment to the Restated Certificate of
Incorporation is not a part of any plan by the Company's management to adopt
a series of amendments to the Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation
or Bylaws (the "Bylaws") so as to render the takeover of the Company more
difficult. Management is not aware of the existence of any provisions in the
Restated Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws having an anti-takeover
effect. Those documents do not contain any provisions which would impose any
burden in excess of requirements imposed by New York law upon potential tender
offerors or others seeking a takeover of the Company.
Page 13 of 16
<PAGE>
VOTE REQUIRED
As discussed above, to become effective the amendment must be adopted by the
Board of Directors and the stockholders. The Board already has adopted the
amendment. Under New York law and the Company's Restated Certificate of
Incorporation, the amendment must be approved by the affirmative vote of the
holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock. Abstentions
and broker non-votes will be treated as votes cast against Proposal II.
THE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY WILL VOTE THE SHARES OF
COMMON STOCK BENEFICIALLY OWNED OR CONTROLLED BY THEM (REPRESENTING
APPROXIMATELY 39% OF THE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK ISSUED AND OUTSTANDING) IN
FAVOR OF THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY'S RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF
INCORPORATION.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS VOTE "FOR" THE
APPROVAL OF THE AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY'S RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF
INCORPORATION.
Securities Exchange Act Reporting
---------------------------------
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Executive
Officers and Directors of the Company, and persons who beneficially own more
than ten percent of the Company's Common Stock, to file reports of ownership
of Company securities and changes of ownership with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. Copies of those reports must also be furnished to the
Company.
Based solely on a review of the copies of reports furnished to the Company or
representations of the Company's Directors and Executive Officers that no
additional reports were required, the Company believes that during the fiscal
year ended October 31, 1997 the Executive Officers, Directors, and other
persons beneficially owning more than ten percent of the Company's Common
Stock complied with all applicable Section 16(a) filing requirements.
Information Concerning Independent Auditors
-------------------------------------------
A representative of Deloitte & Touche, LLP is expected to be present at the
Meeting, will have the opportunity to make a statement if such representative
desires to do so, and is expected to be available to respond to appropriate
questions.
Page 14 of 16
<PAGE>
Stockholder Proposals for the Next Annual Meeting
-------------------------------------------------
In order for a stockholder proposal to be considered for inclusion in the
Company's Proxy materials for the 1999 Annual Meeting, it must be received by
the Company at 360 West 31st Street, New York, NY 10001, Attention: Secretary,
no later than January 5, 1999.
Other Business
--------------
The Board of Directors knows of no other business to be acted upon at the
Meeting other than the matters described in this Proxy Statement. If other
business is properly presented for consideration at the Meeting, or at any
adjournment thereof, the enclosed Proxy shall be deemed to confer discretionary
authority on the persons named therein to vote the shares represented by such
Proxy as to any such matters.
The Board of Directors of the Company would appreciate the prompt return of the
enclosed Proxy, signed and dated.
Annual Report
-------------
A COPY OF THE COMPANY'S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-KSB FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED
OCTOBER 31, 1997 WILL BE PROVIDED WITHOUT CHARGE UPON WRITTEN REQUEST TO
COMPUTER OUTSOURCING SERVICES, INC., ATTN: INVESTOR RELATIONS, 360 WEST 31ST
STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10001.
Page 15 of 16
<PAGE>
APPENDIX A
FORM OF PROXY
-------------
COMPUTER OUTSOURCING SERVICES, INC.
Proxy for Annual Meeting on June 3, 1998
This Proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors
The undersigned hereby appoints Zach Lonstein and Jeffrey Millman proxies, each
with the power to appoint his substitute and with authority in each to act in
the absence of the other, to represent and to vote all shares of stock of
Computer Outsourcing Services, Inc., which the undersigned is entitled to vote
at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company to be held at the offices
of the Company, 2 Christie Heights Street, Leonia, New Jersey, on Wednesday,
June 3, 1998 at 9:00 AM, local time, and at any adjournments thereof,
as indicated on the proposals described in the Proxy Statement and all other
matters properly coming before the Meeting.
Dated:________________________, 1998
Signature:__________________________
Signature:__________________________
Please sign exactly as your name or
names appear above. For joint
accounts, both owners should sign.
When signing as executor,
administrator, attorney, trustee,
or guardian, etc., please give
your full title.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A vote FOR items 1 and 2 is recommended by the Baord of Directors
1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS: [ ] FOR all nominees listed below
(except as marked to the contrary)
[ ] WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote for all
nominees
Zach Lonstein, Jeffrey Millman, Robert B. Wallach,
Howard Waltman, John C. Platt
INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote for an individual nominee, write
that nominee's name in the following space.
___________________________________________________________________________
2. PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE COMPANY'S CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION IN ORDER TO
INCREASE THE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED SHARES OF COMMON STOCK WHICH MAY BE
ISSUED FROM 7,000,000 TO 10,000,000.
[ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN
THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SPECIFICATIONS MADE. IF NO CHOICES
ARE INDICATED, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED "FOR" ITEMS 1 AND 2.
IMPORTANT - THIS PROXY MUST BE SIGNED AND DATED ON THE REVERSE SIDE.
