-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, AHUPc9y7TRYGDWhCCLrgU8VWLYu2ivXyzuIFtnxzOktTNNC/E2t6spdLzYhI9e/P yW3dMsf7RcvuY8Ad+OxDkA== 0001398344-09-000907.txt : 20090914 0001398344-09-000907.hdr.sgml : 20090914 20090914172938 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001398344-09-000907 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 7 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20090531 FILED AS OF DATE: 20090914 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20090914 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: WORKSTREAM INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001095266 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: SERVICES-BUSINESS SERVICES, NEC [7389] IRS NUMBER: 000000000 FISCAL YEAR END: 0531 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-15503 FILM NUMBER: 091068281 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 495 MARCH RD STE 300 STREET 2: OTTAWA ONTARIO CITY: CANADA K2K 3G2 STATE: A6 ZIP: 00000 BUSINESS PHONE: 6132362263 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 495 MARCH RD SE 300 STREET 2: OTTAWA ONTARIO CITY: CANADA K2K 3G2 STATE: A6 ZIP: 00000 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: E CRUITER COM INC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19990917 10-K 1 fp0001001_10k.htm fp0001001_10k.htm
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.  20549

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)
þ  ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2009

OR

¨  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission file number 001-15503

WORKSTREAM INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Canada
N/A
(State or other jurisdiction of
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)
 

485 N. Keller Road, Suite 500
32751
Maitland, Florida
(Zip Code)
(Address of principal executive offices)
 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:
1-866-953-8800
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
None
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
 

Common Stock, no par value
None
(Title of Class)
(Name of exchange on which registered)
   
Indicate by check mark if registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes ¨                      No þ

Indicate by check mark if registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
Yes ¨                      No þ

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes þ                      No ¨

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not 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-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (Check one):
Large accelerated filer  ¨
Accelerated filer  ¨
Non-accelerated filer  ¨
Smaller reporting company  þ
 
 
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes ¨                      No þ

The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates as of November 28, 2008 (the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter) was $1,786,303 based on the closing price of such common equity of $0.04 per share on that date.  All executive officers and directors of the registrant and all persons filing a Schedule 13D or a Schedule 13G with the Securities and Exchange Commission in respect to the registrant’s common stock have been deemed, solely for the purpose of the foregoing calculation, to be “affiliates” of the registrant.

The total number of common shares, no par value, outstanding on September 14, 2009 was 56,993,312 excluding 108,304 common shares held in escrow.
 
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:  None
 
 
ii

 
 
WORKSTREAM INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
For the Fiscal Year Ended May 31, 2009

     
Page No.
Part I.
     
 
Item 1.
1
       
 
Item 1A.
 11
       
 
Item 2.
  17
       
 
Item 3.
  18
       
 
Item 4.
  19
       
Part II.
     
 
Item 5.
  20
       
 
Item 7.
  27
       
 
Item 8.
 
      38
     
      40
      41
      42
      43
        44
 
Item 9.
  71
       
 
Item 9A(T).
  71
       
       
Part III.
     
 
Item 10.
  73
       
 
Item 11.
  74
       
 
Item 12.
  79
       
 
Item 13.
  80
       
 
Item 14.
  80
       
Part IV.
     
 
Item 15.
  82
       
      87
 
 
iii

 
 
THIS REPORT CONTAINS FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS THAT INVOLVE RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES. THE STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN THIS REPORT THAT ARE NOT PURELY HISTORICAL ARE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 27A OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND SECTION 21E OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS AMENDED. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS INCLUDE, WITHOUT LIMITATION, STATEMENTS CONTAINING THE WORDS "ANTICIPATES," "BELIEVES," "EXPECTS," "INTENDS," "FUTURE," AND WORDS OF SIMILAR IMPORT WHICH EXPRESS MANAGEMENT'S BELIEF, EXPECTATIONS OR INTENTIONS REGARDING OUR FUTURE PERFORMANCE. ALL FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS INCLUDED IN THIS REPORT ARE BASED ON INFORMATION AVAILABLE TO US ON THE DATE HEREOF, AND WE HAVE NO OBLIGATION TO UPDATE ANY SUCH FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. OUR ACTUAL RESULTS COULD DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM OUR HISTORICAL OPERATING RESULTS AND FROM THOSE ANTICIPATED IN THESE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AS A RESULT OF CERTAIN FACTORS, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THOSE SET FORTH IN PART I, ITEM 1A, "RISK FACTORS," OF THIS FORM 10-K AND OTHER FACTORS AND UNCERTAINTIES CONTAINED ELSEWHERE IN THIS FORM 10-K AND IN OUR OTHER FILINGS WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.

PART I
 
BUSINESS
 
OVERVIEW

We were incorporated on May 24, 1996 under the Canada Business Corporation Act under the name CareerBridge Corporation.  In February 1999, we changed our name to E-Cruiter.com Inc., and in November 2001, we changed our name to Workstream Inc. (the “Company”).  In 1997, we began operating an online regional job board, on which applicants posted their resumes and employers posted available positions, focused on the high-technology industry.  In February 1999, we changed our business focus from the job board business to providing on-line recruitment services.  Beginning in 2001, we began to expand our focus further and embarked on a strategy of product design and development, principally through acquired intellectual property, that would allow us to provide a full range of services and web-based software for Human Capital Management (“HCM”).  HCM is the process by which companies recruit, train, compensate, evaluate performance, motivate and retain their employees.  Today, we offer software and service solutions that address the needs of companies to more effectively manage their human capital management function.  We believe that our single provider approach for our clients’ HCM needs is more efficient and effective than traditional methods of human resource management.

We conduct our business and reflect our management reports on a fiscal year basis from June 1 through May 31 each year.

COMPANY SEGMENTS

Workstream is a provider of software and services for HCM.   Workstream has two distinct reporting units: Enterprise Workforce Services and Career Networks. The Enterprise Workforce Services segment offers a suite of HCM software solutions, which includes performance management, compensation management, development, recruitment, benefits administration and enrollment, succession planning, and employee awards and discounts programs. The Career Networks segment offers recruitment research, resume management and career transition services. In addition, Career Networks provides services through a web-site where job-seeking senior executives can search job databases and post their resumes, and companies and recruiters can post position openings and search for qualified senior executive candidates. Workstream conducts its business primarily in the United States of America and Canada.

INDUSTRY BACKGROUND

Our target market includes any organization that needs to manage their human capital function in a more effective and cost efficient manner.  This includes providing solutions for recruitment needs, evaluating performance, compensation planning, development, incenting and retaining employees and benefits administration.  Our target market also includes companies seeking to fulfill those functions through information technology skills and expertise.  We believe that there are several factors that have contributed to companies now placing a higher premium on hiring the right personnel, appropriately compensating and rewarding performance, and making substantial investments in areas such as training and development, incentives and rewards and overall employee satisfaction.  These factors include increased employee turnover, the shortage of knowledgeable workers, and compliance pressures on compensation practices, particularly in North America, all of which increase the demand for our services.
 
 
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We believe that many organizations are seeking to overhaul their human resources information systems to take advantage of both new technologies and new human capital management concepts, and we anticipate that spending in human capital management will continue to shift away from the client-server human resources services to web-based and hosted services because of their lower recurring cost and lower cost of implementation.

The Value of Human Capital

Over the past two decades, many organizations have implemented software systems that automate best practices and drive efficiency in most departments, including enterprise resource planning systems, and customer relationship management systems. These software applications provide a wide array of benefits that both increase revenue growth and eliminate expenses. Based on our experience, however, we believe that the human resource (HR) departments of many of these organizations have only implemented HR information systems which track basic employee information for payroll and benefits purposes, or the organizations are increasingly dependent on inefficient use of spreadsheets and other manual paper-based processes for management of critical areas such as compensation and performance management.  Although these methods provide some level of automation, they often do little to increase the effectiveness of managing the human capital function because, in spite of the volumes of data and business information that are generated, the critical knowledge within an organization and therefore much of its value, resides with employees.  As a result, many companies have begun to change their view of human capital, not as an expense to be minimized but as an asset whose value should be optimized.  Unfortunately, many organizations have neither systematized best practices for talent management nor have they implemented software applications to support these processes and provide HR professionals with critical analytics and metrics.

We believe that our suite of workforce management solutions directly addresses the major challenges facing employers in effectively managing the human capital function.  Our solutions enable companies to employ sophisticated systems in their talent management processes.  The ability to leverage valuable data generated through these functions allows organizations to identify overall trends that could improve the efficiency and effectiveness of its processes, quickly identify problems that could lead to employee turnover and ensure that the employee workforce is aligned appropriately around the corporate objectives.

Increased Use of On-Demand Applications

Based on our experience, we believe that organizations have become increasingly dissatisfied with traditional enterprise software applications, resulting in the growing adoption of the on-demand model for enterprise software. Historically, organizations have purchased perpetual software licenses and deployed enterprise software applications on-site within their IT environment. This traditional method of purchasing and deploying enterprise software applications has left many organizations questioning whether the benefits of these technologies outweigh the following burdens:

·  
expensive and time consuming implementation;
·  
significant initial capital investment;  
·  
  expensive maintenance; and  
·  
  limited incentives to ensure client success.

Developments in technology have enabled software developers to offer enterprise software applications on an on-demand basis. Leveraging the Internet, multi-tiered architectures, advances in security and open standards for application integration, software vendors can offer software applications to their clients as a service, hosting the software on servers operated by the software vendor. Clients, using an Internet browser, access the applications, which are designed to be easily configured and integrated with a client’s existing applications.

The on-demand model fundamentally changes both the purchasing and deployment of enterprise software from a client perspective. Rather than making large, up-front investments in perpetual licenses, clients purchase limited term subscriptions for on-demand software applications. Further, because only an Internet browser is required to access on-demand software applications, which can be easily configured to meet the buyer’s specific needs, organizations eliminate the expense of ancillary technology and third-party services required to implement, configure and maintain the enterprise application on-site. Finally, the finite duration of subscriptions provides a strong incentive to software vendors to ensure that the software provides the expected benefits to the client and that they receive consistent customer service. The on-demand model also reduces research and development support costs for the software developer. Because only limited versions of the software exist at any one time, the on-demand model relieves the burden of maintaining and upgrading historical versions of the software.
 
 
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We believe that talent management applications are particularly well-suited to the on-demand model. Talent management applications are generally purchased by an organization’s HR department. Because the HR departments of most organizations have little historical experience making capital expenditures for enterprise software applications, we believe that the on-demand applications are an operating expense model that provides these departments the opportunity to access these software applications on a subscription basis, thus eliminating a major impediment to the adoption of talent management software solutions.

STRATEGY

Our objective is to become a leading supplier of comprehensive, adaptive workforce solutions in North America.  While our Career Network services can be used by any size organization, our Enterprise Workforce talent management solutions were primarily configured for larger organizations.  We believe that our products can address the needs of most of the human capital market and manage the entire employee lifecycle and we are able to provide enterprise workforce management solutions and services to companies of 2,500 employees or more.

We believe that our solutions help companies cost-effectively maximize workforce productivity, performance and satisfaction by applying business discipline to key people processes.  Our solutions are built around a suite of easily configurable software applications that automate talent management best practices. We believe that by providing our software applications on an on-demand basis, we can substantially reduce the costs and risks associated with traditional enterprise software application implementations. We also believe that implementing feature-rich and scalable, or easily configurable on a real-time basis, talent management solutions that meet organizations’ specific needs requires a combination of software, services and domain-specific content. Accordingly, we complement our software applications with consulting services, outsourcing services and proprietary content. Together, these components form solutions that enable our clients to improve the quality of their human capital management processes and increase employee productivity and retention and make their talent management programs more cost-effective.  Our solutions include:

·  
management of talent compensation;
·  
evaluation of talent performance and competencies;
·  
talent development and training need identification;
·  
talent succession planning;
·  
talent reward, non-cash incentives and retention services;
·  
talent separation services that encompass pre-termination planning, individual coaching, opportunity research and job marketing campaign development;
·  
benefits enrollment and administration and  tools for employee communications;
·  
automating and monitoring the recruitment process and the provision of links to external service providers, such as companies that specialize in skill testing or personality profiling;
·  
talent acquisition services ranging from job posting outreach to job boards;
·  
hosting a corporate career site; and
·  
talent utilization services with job posting to internal company intranets.

We believe we have developed a strategy that will achieve revenue growth in most economic conditions, and we are focused on achieving profitability through a combination of organic revenue growth, cost management and strategic acquisitions.  Key elements of our strategy for business development are as follows:

·  
Expanding direct sales with vertical focus.  We will continue to emphasize our direct sales efforts into targeted vertical industries, especially those with good current economic outlooks including healthcare, financial services, retail, education and government, pharmaceuticals and biotech, food services and some manufacturing sectors;

·  
Building a wider indirect sales channel for distribution of our products and services.  We will continue to pursue reseller agreements for all of our services with human capital solution providers such as Human Resource Outsourcing companies, Business Processing Outsourcing companies, and  Systems Integrators;  In addition, we will continue to pursue OEM channels for our products and services;
 
 
3

 
 
·  
Expand market opportunities for our products and services. We will continue to identify and leverage additional growth engines for our products and services as well as Education and Government markets. These markets provide new revenue opportunities for our products and services;

·  
Maintaining technological leadership.  We plan to remain at the forefront of web-based human capital solutions by developing and hosting or licensing the latest available technologies taking advantage of the internet and offering our clients a comprehensive and functionally rich human capital management service in a hosted environment;

·  
Cross-selling additional solutions to further penetrate current clients.   We believe that having a “suite” of human capital solutions that address the entire employee life cycle combined with our strong client relationships provides us with a meaningful opportunity to cross-sell additional solutions to our existing clients and to achieve greater penetration within an organization. We expect to continue to create innovative programs designed to provide our sales and account management personnel with strong incentives to maximize the value for each of our clients; and

·  
Pursuing strategic acquisitions.  From time-to-time, we will evaluate acquisition and investment opportunities in complementary businesses, products and/or technologies.  Our objective is to increase our revenue growth, expand our customer base, add new services or new technologies for our existing client base and penetrate new markets.

We believe that our services allow organizations to significantly improve their recruiting, hiring, evaluation, compensation, performance management, retention and outplacement cycles. Our systems automate those human capital management functions and most are accessible with any standard web browser and require no additional software or hardware deployment by clients.

PRINCIPAL SERVICES AND OPERATIONS

Enterprise Workforce Services

Our Enterprise Workforce Services segment primarily consists of HCM software, professional services and additional products sold as part of rewards programs.  Specifically, our Enterprise Workforce segment offers a complete suite of on-demand HCM software solutions, which address performance, compensation, development, recruitment, benefits and rewards. Workstream provides on-demand compensation, performance and talent management solutions and services that help companies manage the entire employee lifecycle - from recruitment to retirement.  Enterprise Workforce Services generated approximately 74% and 67% of our net revenue in fiscal 2009 and 2008, respectively.

TalentCenter
The Workstream TalentCenter provides a unified view of all of our offerings.  It is a role-based talent management portal that provides single sign-on authentication to all licensed applications and services. This streamlined approach facilitates rapid user adoption of our applications and services.  Due to the fact that TalentCenter is a hosted solution, we manage virtually all of the integration and service complexities at a state-of-the-art, world class data center facility.  Through a standard web browser, companies have access to our on-demand applications and can turn on those they need, when they need them.  TalentCenter provides companies the flexibility to start small and grow over time or deploy the entire solution at once.

Performance
Workstream Performance enables organizations to translate business strategy into a fully aligned set of operational goals, provide real-time visibility and reporting on goal status, assess employee performance and gather employee feedback across the organization.  These products supply the tools and information required to manage organizational performance effectively, including: goal setting, alignment, cascading and linkage; self, peer, multi-rater and 360 degree performance assessments; on-demand tracking and reporting of performance against established metrics; and the collaboration and evaluation capabilities necessary to assess results. The solution is also integrated with Workstream Compensation to help support organization's pay-for-performance programs.   Performance applications include:

·  
Achievement, for aligning individual performance with top-level business goals, automating the process of managing, monitoring and assessing individual employee performance and integrating performance data into the compensation planning process.;
·  
Development, for assessing, developing and mentoring specific competencies and behaviors with self-assessments, 180 degree, 360 degree and multi-rater assessments; and
 
 
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·  
Employee Surveys, for gathering employee feedback across the entire organization, analyzing and communicating the results.

Compensation
Workstream Compensation is a comprehensive set of products that enable end-to-end management of all types of enterprise compensation, including salary, merit increases, variable pay and stock awards.   As many organizations are beginning to introduce more complex, formula-driven variable pay plans, we feature an advanced variable pay product that provides the flexibility to use formula-based compensation plans and managerial discretion to reward the company's high achievers.  All compensation planning products are designed to provide managers and compensation professionals with the information and online decision support tools necessary to help them make more informed, policy-based pay decisions. The compensation planning products can be implemented separately or together, allowing organizations to achieve the goal of realizing a pay-for-performance philosophy at their own pace.  Compensation applications include:

·  
Focal Planning, for annual salary, basic variable pay and stock evaluation across the enterprise during a pre-determined planning window;
·  
Off Cycle Planning, for evaluating individual employees throughout the year based on “effective” hiring dates or ad hoc needs;
·  
Advanced Variable Pay, for formulaic variable pay plans that are administered throughout the year; and
·  
Total Rewards Statements, a Web-based product for employees to access, view, model and manage all of their corporate-sponsored financial benefits.  

Development
Workstream Development is designed to allow organizations to maximize the value of their current workforce as well as ensuring that there will be strong leadership in the future. A modular solution, Workstream Development combines individual development planning (IDP), a competency-based assessment and development process with integrated succession planning and organizational charting capabilities, all based on the Workstream Competency Dictionary, which includes over 10,000 technical, 60 behavioral competencies, and over 600 behavioral-based interview questions for over 1,500 job titles. 900 of these competencies have been joint-commission certified for specific certification use in healthcare organizations.  Development capabilities include:

·  
Individual Development Plans (IDP) is the creation and management of the entire employee development process. IDP compliance reports ensure that managers and employees are creating and approving the correct IDP’s;
·  
Workstream Development enables “true” competency assessment of both employee competency and behavioral levels. The product supports measurement of skills, knowledge and competencies requiring different scales and tracks employee attributes that may be important for succession planning or resourcing, such as additional education, certifications or licensing;
·  
Competency Definitions provides full competency definitions and assessment scale information in easy to use pop-up windows;
·  
Competency Health and Ranking Reports aggregate competency gaps and rank employees based against specific competency profiles;
·  
Career Development allows employees and their managers to graphically compare their personal portfolio of competencies to job requirements in their career path and identify suitable learning for each competency gap. Employees can address these gaps through classes, e-learning, books, and other developmental materials. Workstream Development includes pre-defined links to numerous courses and development tactics;
·  
Workstream Succession Planning allows incumbents and other managers to easily designate potential successors from queries to the employee database. Managers can indicate whether the incumbents are promotable or transferable; to which positions; when and what development they will need in order to be ready;
·  
Successors can easily be displayed and rank-ordered based on their competency assessments, readiness, availability or other selected fields;
·  
Succession Plan Reports can be created for a specific position, for specific successors, and managing your entire succession plan; and
·  
Organizational Charting uses information customers already have to deliver information-rich corporate directories and organizational charts across an intranet site.

Recruitment
Workstream Recruitment helps companies automate and manage the entire recruitment process including job requisition, job profile creation, job posting, applicant attraction, screening, and tracking, interview scheduling, offer letter generation and making the hire. Workstream Recruitment also provides companies with an extended network and industry database to help source key hires. The end result is a thoroughly researched and filtered list of qualified prospective candidates.  Recruitment applications include the following:
 
 
5

 
 
·  
Candidate Management, for automating and streamlining the recruiting process used to attract, manage, screen and qualify candidates;
·  
Career Site, a custom-designed internal and external career website hosted and maintained by Workstream at our secure data center, used for attracting, routing and tracking job candidates;
·  
Compliance, reporting tools for preparing Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) compliance reporting information and evaluating the staffing process including OFCCP compliance; and
·  
Document Builder, for automating and streamlining the creation process and management of candidate-facing letters, such as offer letters.

Benefits
Workstream Benefits is an integrated benefits solution that supports both benefits communication and transactions. Featuring flexible, out-of-the-box functionality, Workstream Benefits can be implemented quickly to help companies automate and streamline the entire benefits enrollment, communication and administration process.  Benefit capabilities and applications include:

·  
Benefits Enrollment and Administration is an out-of-the-box application that automates the benefits enrollment and administration process. It supports customers’ full enrollment cycle, including open, new hire and life event processing;
·  
Benefits Communicator helps organizations personalize and communicate benefit information as well as human resources policies and procedures via the web to their employees, in turn reducing the amount of inquiries into customers’ human resources staff supporting this process and
·  
Health Pages is a one-stop source for the information employees need to make educated health care choices during benefits enrollment and year-round. Health Pages gives employees 24/7 access to personalized information on providers and plans specific to customers’ benefits programs and the tools they need to make well-informed decisions. All information comes from our continuously maintained database of more than 500,000 physicians, 6,000 hospitals and 400 health plans.
·  
Total Rewards Statements gives employees one place to view, model and manage all of their corporate-sponsored compensation, financial and health benefits.  Employees are able to grasp the full value of their wealth-related benefits programs and the contributions employers make on their behalf.

Rewards
Workstream Rewards programs enable organizations to increase employee productivity, improve employee satisfaction and drive engagement. These solutions deliver convenience and productivity benefits to the entire workforce and help organizations identify and reward accomplishments and behaviors that drive desired operational results. This product line delivers several offerings using an enterprise class solution.  Rewards applications include:

·  
Discount Programs, for enhancing employee satisfaction and productivity.  This web-based incentive and employee discount platform offers employees savings on computers, movies, entertainment, travel, insurance and professional services from over 200 brand name providers;
·  
Incentive Programs, for motivating performance and driving results across the organization. This web-based incentive solution calculates and distributes thousand of non-cash incentive awards including travel, gift cards and merchandise shipped worldwide, and distributed by points, certificates or categories, to employees for achieving specific results based upon predefined metrics strategically aligned with company goals; and
·  
Recognition Programs, for rewarding years of service or other corporate milestones and outstanding performance achievement. This online recognition program rewards employees for attaining corporate milestones using online certificates with a selection from a non-cash awards catalog offering thousands of items shipped worldwide. The program also provides a company-wide online recognition tool for participants and managers to issue on-the-spot recognition certificates and awards when exceptional performance occurs or goals are achieved.

Career Networks

Our Career Networks segment consists of career transition services, recruitment research and applicant sourcing.  Career Networks generated approximately 26% and 33% of our net revenue in fiscal 2009 and 2008, respectively.
 
 
6

 
 
Career Transition Services
Workstream’s career transition services provide a package of outplacement products and services, which are provided through our wholly-owned subsidiary Paula Allen Holdings, Inc., which we acquired in July 2001 and does business under the name of Allen and Associates.

Our career transition services provide job search services for displaced employees.  We focus on creating professional career marketing materials that displaced employees need in order to immediately begin their new job campaign. This package includes a professionally written résumé, broadcast letter, custom cover letter and references.  This assistance is provided to thousands of job seekers each year in the areas of information technology, engineering, finance and marketing.

We market our career transition services to individuals seeking employment or other career opportunities in the marketplace.  Career transition services are marketed to individuals predominantly by advertising on the internet as well as in local newspapers throughout North America.  Individuals are charged on average between $795 and $3,000 for our resume development, career consulting and market research services.

Applicant Sourcing
6FigureJobs.com, Inc., which we acquired in October 2001, is an online applicant-sourcing portal where job seeking candidates and companies that are actively hiring and filling positions can interact.  We believe that 6FigureJobs customizes this experience to satisfy the needs of the upper-echelon management candidate and the companies looking to hire them.  The site provides content appropriate for senior executives, directors and other managers, as well as containing job postings that meet their qualifications.  The 6FigureJobs job board has evolved into one of the premier executive job boards.  We employ screening to create this exclusive community of job seekers.  On the candidate side, each job seeker is hand reviewed, to ensure they have recent total compensation of $100,000 per annum, before his or her resume is allowed to reside in the site’s candidate database.  On the recruiting side, all job openings must have a minimum aggregate compensation of $100,000.  We generate revenue through 6FigureJobs on a subscription basis from employers and recruiters that access our database of job seekers and use our tools to post, track and manage job openings.  We also generate revenue by charging companies that advertise on our 6FigureJobs website, which includes charging certain advertisers a fee based on the number of leads delivered or on a cost per lead basis.  Starting in early calendar 2009, executives who wish to access additional jobs, or give their resume and profile more exposure than free membership, may subscribe to a premium service for a small monthly fee.

Workstream has reduced expenses in an effort to align revenues with expenses.  In February 2008, Workstream engaged an investment bank to advise and consider divesting its 6Figurejobs.com division.  The move was designed to infuse the Company with cash, as well as to reduce its debt burden.  Pursuant to the terms of Workstream’s Senior Secured Notes (the “Notes”)  (See Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements), we agreed to use 75% of the gross proceeds net of taxes from a Disposition (as defined in the Notes) of assets to redeem the Notes (on a pro rata basis among the Note Holders).  The remaining 25% of the gross proceeds net of taxes (such amount not to exceed $2,500,000) may be retained by us.  However, due to the economic conditions in the third quarter of fiscal 2009, Workstream discontinued any active marketing to sell this division.  Workstream is continuing to have discussions with its note holders and considering other opportunities to raise capital and align the Company’s business operations with its strategic focus.
 
Recruitment Research and Contingent Placement
We currently provide recruitment research services and contingent recruiting through our subsidiary OMNIpartners, which we acquired in July 2001. Our recruitment research services are based on the outsourcing of the sourcing and screening work associated with recruiting.  Our services are based on research provided to our clients on an hourly fee basis, and clients are billed once the project is completed. We believe this outsourcing formula allows clients to lower costs and gain access to specialized expertise that provides objectivity and ongoing value to the hiring process.  Recruitment research services’ employees look for potential employees, interview and qualify them, and deliver all the information to the clients’ human resource departments.  The OMNIresearch Report, delivered after completion of the recruitment assignment, details information about each individual uncovered during the search.  OMNIresearch Reports may include information about candidates’ work histories, technical abilities, educational backgrounds, people skills, decision-making abilities, availability and salary expectations.  The client can offer to hire any or all of the individuals presented, at any time, for no additional charge.   For clients interested in a guaranteed hire, we also provide search services where fees are based on a percentage of the candidate’s first year salary.
 
 
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FOREIGN OPERATIONS

We have operations in Canada and the United States, and, therefore, are subject to the risks typical of an international business, including, but not limited to, differing economic conditions, changes in political climate, differing tax structures, other regulations and restrictions, and foreign exchange rate volatility.

Our operations group is headed from Maitland, Florida with a few essential personnel in Canada.  We maintain our servers in the Fusepoint datacenter in Toronto, Canada that provide on-demand application hosting for all the software that is accessed by our clients and our locations in a SAAS environment.  We also have product development resources in Maitland, Florida and Victoria, British Columbia.

Financial information about segments and geographic areas can be found in Note 10 to our consolidated financial statements under Item 8.

REVENUE SOURCES

The Enterprise Workforce Services segment derives revenue from various sources including the following: subscription and hosting fees; licensing of software; software maintenance fees; professional services related to software implementation, customization and training; and sale of products and tickets through the Company’s employee discount and rewards software module. Clients enter into contracts which specifically address the products and services acquired, periods covered, and the billings terms.   Contracts that include a software subscription component have a period of at least one year and typically, average three years.  Clients are billed in advance according to the terms of the contract.   In the case of annual or multiple year contracts, we bill our clients in advance monthly, quarterly or annually as deemed necessary when negotiating the contract.  Any billed but unearned revenue is disclosed in the balance sheet as deferred revenue and is recognized as revenue when the service is provided.   Professional services are billed either on a time and material basis or on a fixed fee basis.  Time and material engagements are billed monthly as the professional services hours are incurred.  Fixed fee engagements are billed according to the terms of the contract, and revenue is recognized on a percentage of completion basis.  Revenue from the sale of products and tickets through the discount and rewards software module is billed and recognized when the goods are shipped and title has transferred.

The Career Networks segment derives revenue from career transition, applicant sourcing and recruitment research services.  For career transition services, clients are billed 50% when the assignment starts and the remaining 50% when the assignment is completed, which is generally in approximately ten days.   For recruitment research services and applicant sourcing and exchange, customers are billed and revenue is recognized as services are provided.  Revenue is recognized when the services have been completed.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

From fiscal 2002 through fiscal 2005, the Company embarked on a research and development strategy whereby, rather than relying solely on developing software internally, the Company began to obtain new technology applications and intellectual property through the acquisition of companies that had already developed the technology and proven its success in the marketplace.  During late fiscal 2005 through fiscal 2008, the Company incurred significant research and development costs subsequent to the various acquisitions in order to further enhance the technologies developed by the individual entities prior to the acquisitions.  This included a more common look and feel to the various applications user interfaces and reporting, integration between modules.  The increase in costs was primarily due to the addition of internal resources as well as the use of offshore contractors.  In fiscal 2008, much of the effort was focused on specific integration of Workstream TalentCenterV7.0, with particular emphasis on the compensation, performance management and development solutions.  Upon the release of Workstream TalentCenterV7.0 our research and development activities and expense was significantly reduced. Research and development expense was approximately $3,478,000 and $5,725,000 in fiscal 2009 and fiscal 2008, respectively.  All research and development expense was incurred in the Enterprise Workforce Services segment.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

We rely upon a combination of copyright, trade secret and trademark laws and non-disclosure and other contractual arrangements to protect our proprietary rights. Many of the copyrights and trademarks we hold were obtained in connection with the acquisitions we have made since 2002. Currently, we have eight registered trademarks in Canada and thirteen in the United States.  With the acquisition of Kadiri, we now have four registered trademarks in the European Union and three in Mexico.  Our trademarks include Workstream, E-Cruiter, E-Cruiter Enterprise, E-Cruiting, 6FigureJobs, Kadiri, Kadiri TotalComp, and Decisis.  In addition, we have two service marks for OMNIpartners and OMNIresearch.  We also have copyrights on some of our training manuals and internally developed software programs.
 
 
8

 
 
In 1999, we changed our name from “Careerbridge” to “E-Cruiter”.  In 2001, we changed our name to “Workstream”.  We have registered the Workstream trademark in the U.S. and Canada, and such registrations expire in May 2014 and in May 2019, respectively.  The U.S. trademark renews ten years at a time and the Canadian trademark renews fifteen years at a time.

The following registered trademarks, are registered and will expire as follows: E-Cruiter – December 2013, E-Cruiter Enterprise - October 2015, E-Cruiting – January 2014.  These trademarks are renewable for fifteen years at a time.  Our 6FigureJobs and RezLogic trademark registrations expired and renewals have been applied for and are renewable for ten years at a time.

Our Kadiri trademarks are registered and expire as follows: United States: Kadiri, Decisis, and Kadiri TotalComp - January 2011.  These trademarks are renewable for ten years at a time.  Canada: Kadiri – March 2018, and Kadiri TotalComp - December 2018. These trademarks are renewable for fifteen years at a time.  European Kadiri – December 2010, and Kadiri TotalComp – December 2010.  These trademarks are renewable for ten years at a time.  Mexico: Kadiri and Kadiri TotalComp – January 2011. These trademarks are renewable for ten years at a time.

In connection with our acquisition of Kadiri, we acquired one U.S. patent issued July 31, 2001 for Automated Process Guidance System and Method Using Knowledge Management System by Kadiri Inc.  In addition, we have three pending patent applications:  (1) a Canadian patent application for Method for Traversing a Flowchart by Kadiri Inc, (2) a European patent application for Method for Traversing a Flowchart by Kadiri Inc, and (3) a U.S. patent application for Automated Process Guidance System and Method by Kadiri Inc.

We believe that the proprietary rights created by these trademarks, service marks and patents are important to our business. The measures we have taken to protect our proprietary rights, however, may not be adequate to deter misappropriation of proprietary information or protect us if misappropriation occurs.  Policing unauthorized use of our technologies and other intellectual property is difficult, particularly because of the global nature of the internet.  We may not be able to detect unauthorized use of our proprietary information and take appropriate steps to enforce our intellectual property rights.

We are not aware of any patent infringement charge or any violation of other proprietary rights claim by any third party relating to use of our products. However, the computer technology market is characterized by frequent and substantial intellectual property litigation.
 
SALES AND MARKETING

We market our services in both the United States and Canada. Target clients for our on-demand software applications range from large global 2000 companies to medium size organizations.  We sell these solutions to both new and existing clients primarily through our direct sales force, which is comprised of mainly field sales personnel.  Target clients for Career Networks range from headhunters and recruitment firms seeking applicant sourcing from the internet job board, advertisers for our job board website, 6FigureJobs.com, outplacement candidates looking to either change positions or find a job and companies that wish to avail themselves of our recruitment research capabilities.

Our marketing strategy focuses on generating qualified sales leads.   The Enterprise Workforce Services segment’s sales cycle for global 2000 companies is approximately six to nine months depending on the size of the potential client and the number of solutions the prospective customer is evaluating.  Career Networks sales cycle is relatively short and of a higher volume nature. The Enterprise Workforce Services segment has a sales team of approximately 7 (internal and external) located throughout the United States.  The Career Networks segment has a sales team of approximately 40 located in three locations throughout the United States.  In addition, we have approximately three marketing personnel located throughout the United States and Canada.  Both Career Networks and Enterprise Workforce Services sales teams sell typically within their segment.

Our marketing initiatives are generally targeted toward specific vertical industries or specific solutions. Our marketing programs primarily consist of:

 
·
participation in conferences, trade shows and industry events;
 
 
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·
direct mail and email campaigns;
 
·
use of webinars;
 
·
distribution of white papers, case studies and thought leadership documents; and
 
·
using our website to provide product and company information.

COMPETITION

The market for HCM services is highly fragmented and competitive with hundreds of companies offering products or services that compete with one or more of the services that we offer.  Our Career Networks segment competes within the United States and Canada with internet recruitment services companies, outplacement services companies and human resource service providers.  We compete for a portion of employer’s recruiting budgets with many types of competitors such as offline recruiting firms, offline advertising, resume processing companies and web-based recruitment companies.  While we do not believe that any of our competitors offer the full suite of services that we provide, there are a number of companies that have products or services that compete with one or more of the services we provide.  For instance, companies that compete with our recruiting systems services include Taleo Corporation, Kenexa/BrassRing and Webhire. Companies such as Monster Worldwide, Execunet and Netshare have products or services that compete with our applicant sourcing and exchange services.  We also compete with vendors of enterprise resource planning software, such as Peoplesoft, Oracle and SAP.  In the area of outplacement services, we compete with companies such as ITS Personal Marketing and Chandler Hill.  Companies such as LifeCare, Next Jump and SparkFly compete with our employee portal. Oracle, SAP, Workscape and Authoria are our main competitors for our benefit products and Siebel, Kronos, Callidus, Softscape, Success Factors and Authoria compete with our compensation and performance product lines.

We believe that the primary competitive factors affecting our market include:
·  
product functionality and performance;
·  
 solution breadth and functionality;
·  
  ease of deployment, integration and configuration;
·  
cost of delivery;
·  
integration between applications;
·  
domain expertise;
·  
  industry-specific expertise;
·  
service support, including consulting services;
·  
solution price;
·  
  scalability and reliability;
·  
security and data privacy; and
·  
breadth of customer support.
 
We believe that our principal competitive advantages include:
·  
our complete and integrated suite of HCM applications;
·  
our richness and completeness of product functionality to meet the demanding requirements of global customers;
·  
our career transition service products;
·  
our unique combination of services;
·  
our technology;
·  
our competitive and innovative packet and delivery model;
·  
our performance and reliability as an application service provider;
·  
our applicant sourcing job board website;
·  
our customer service; and
·  
our experienced staff.

Although we believe we compete favorably with respect to such factors, there can be no assurance that we can maintain our position against current and potential competitors.  A number of our competitors have longer operating histories and greater financial, technology and marketing resources, as well as better name recognition than we do.
 
EMPLOYEES

As of May 31, 2009, we had 101 full-time employees.  Our employees are not represented by a collective bargaining organization, and we have never experienced any work stoppage.  We consider our relations with our employees to be good.
 
 
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AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
Our internet website address is www.workstreaminc.com.  We provide free access to various reports that we file with or furnish to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission through our website, as soon as reasonably practicable after they have been filed or furnished.  These reports include, but are not limited to, our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to those reports.  Our SEC reports can be accessed through the investor relations section of our website, or through www.sec.gov.  Information on our website does not constitute part of this 10-K report or any other report we file or furnish with the SEC.   


RISK FACTORS
 
You should carefully consider the risk factors set forth as follows and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K that pertain to our Company.  The realization of such risks could result in a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition, cash flows, business or the market for our common shares.  We cannot assure you that we will successfully address any of these risks or address them on a continuing basis.

We have limited operating funds, and our ability to continue as a going concern is dependent upon our ability to obtain additional capital to operate the business.

The opinion of our independent registered public accountants on the audited financial statements as of and for the year ended May 31, 2009 contains an explanatory paragraph regarding substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. We have experienced substantial losses in recent years and, as a result, have a stockholders deficit of $5,799,422 as of May 31, 2009.  Losses for the years ended May 31, 2009 and 2008 were $4,856,356 and $52,616,875, respectively.  The Company's ability to continue as a going concern depends, primarily, upon its ability to successfully refinance approximately $20.2 million of its senior secured notes payable (the “Notes”), including accrued interest thereon that went into default on May 22, 2009 due to the Company’s suspension of trading on the NASDAQ Stock Market as a result of its stockholders deficit.  Our ability to continue as a going concern is also dependent upon our ability to generate positive cash flows from operations.

There can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in its negotiations with the existing Note Holders and other parties or that the terms of any such refinancing or conversions will not result in the issuance, or potential issuance, of a significant amount of equity securities that will cause substantial dilution to the Company’s stockholders.  If the Company is not successful in refinancing the Notes or in otherwise entering into a financing, sale, or business transaction that infuses sufficient cash resources into the Company in the near future, any collection actions by the Note Holders could have a material adverse affect on the liquidity and financial condition of the Company and its ability to secure additional financing and continue as a going concern.

Our ability to obtain financing depends on a number of factors, including our ability to generate positive cash flow from operations, the amount of our cash reserves, the amount and terms of our existing debt arrangements, the availability of sufficient collateral and the prospects of our business.  If financing is not available when required or is not available on acceptable terms, it may impair our ability to:
·  
fund current operations;
·  
keep up with technological advances;
·  
pursue acquisition opportunities;
·  
develop product enhancements;
·  
make capital expenditures;
·  
respond to business opportunities;
·  
address competitive pressures or adverse industry developments; or
·  
withstand economic or business downturns.

Our stock is no longer traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market but instead is traded on the OTC Bulletin Board, which may make it more difficult for investors to sell shares, may potentially lead to future market declines and may increase our costs related to registration statements.

On May 20, 2009, the Company received a notice from the NASDAQ Hearings Panel stating that the Panel had determined to delist the Company’s common stock from The NASDAQ Stock Market due to its failure to regain compliance with NASDAQ Stock Market Listing Rule 5550(b)(1) within the 180 day extension period granted after the initial failure notice in November 2008.  NASDAQ Marketplace Rule 5550(b)(1) required the Company to have a $35 million market capitalization, a minimum $2.5 million in stockholders' equity or $500,000 of net income from continuing operations for the most recently completed fiscal year or two of the three most recently completed fiscal years.
 
 
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The Panel indicated that absent a stay by the NASDAQ Listing and Hearing Review Council, the trading of the Company’s common stock on the NASDAQ Stock Market would be suspended at the open of trading on Friday, May 22, 2009.  We did not appeal the decision.   Therefore, the NASDAQ Stock Market suspended the trading of our common stock on May 22, 2009 and delisted our common stock on August 5, 2009.

Since June 3, 2009, our common stock has been dually quoted on the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board (OTCBB), an electronic quotation service maintained by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), and the Pink Sheets electronic over-the-counter securities market.  The common shares continue to trade under the symbol “WSTM.”

As a result, an investor may find it more difficult to dispose of our common shares or to obtain accurate quotations as to the market value of our securities, potentially leading to declines in our share price.  This may cause us to have difficulty obtaining future financing.

Additionally, we are now not eligible to use short form registration statements with the respect to the sale of our securities.  This could substantially increase our costs of registering securities in the future, if we are so required in connection with financing transactions.

Our common stock may become subject to certain “Penny Stock” rules which may make it a less attractive investment.

Since the trading price of our common stock is less than $5.00 per share, trading in our common stock would be subject to the requirements of Rule 15g-9 of the Exchange Act if our net tangible assets fall below $2 million or our average revenue falls below $6,000,000 for three years.  Under Rule 15g-9, brokers who recommend penny stocks to persons who are not established customers and accredited investors, as defined in the Exchange Act, must satisfy special sales practice requirements, including requirements that make and individualized written suitability determination for the purchaser and receive the purchaser’s written consent prior to the transaction.  The Securities Enforcement Remedies and Penny Stock Reform Act of 1990 also requires additional disclosures in connection with any trades involving penny stock, including the delivery, prior to any penny stock transaction, of a disclosure schedule explaining the penny stock market and the risks associated with that market.  Such requirements may severely limit the market liquidity of our common stock and the ability of investors in our equity securities to sell their securities in the secondary market.  For all of these reasons, an investment in our equity securities may not be attractive to our potential investors.

The price of our common shares historically has been volatile, which may make it more difficult for you to resell our common shares when you want at prices you find attractive.

The market price of our common shares has been highly volatile in the past, and may continue to be volatile in the future. For example, since June 1, 2004, the closing sale price of our common shares as quoted on the NASDAQ Stock Market prior to May 22, 2009 and since such date on the OTCBB has fluctuated between $0.02 and $5.35 per share. The following factors may significantly affect the market price of our common shares:
·  
quarterly variations in our results of operations;
·  
announcement of new products, product enhancements, joint ventures and other alliances by our competitors or us;
·  
 technological innovations by our competitors or us;
·  
general market conditions or market conditions specific to particular industries; and
·  
the operating and stock price performance of other companies that investors may deem comparable to us.

In addition, the stock market in general, and the market prices for internet-related companies in particular, have experienced extreme volatility that often has been unrelated to the operating performance of such companies. These broad market and industry fluctuations may adversely affect the price of our common shares, regardless of our operating performance.

We may issue securities with rights superior to those of our common stock, which could materially limit the ownership rights of existing stockholders.

We may offer debt or equity securities in private and/or public offerings in order to raise working capital and to refinance our debt.  Our Articles of Incorporation authorizes the board of directors to issue an unlimited number of Class A Preferred Shares, the rights and preferences of which may be designated by our board of directors without shareholder approval.  The designation and issuance of Class A Preferred Shares in the future could create additional securities that would have dividend, liquidation and voting preferences prior in right to the outstanding common shares.  The board of directors is also authorized to issue and unlimited number of common shares and has the right to determine the terms and rights of any debt securities without obtaining further approval of the stockholders.  It is likely that any debt securities or preferred stock that we sell would have terms and rights superior to those of our common stock and may be convertible into common stock.  Any sale of securities could adversely affect the interests or voting rights, impede a change of control and result in substantial dilution to the existing holders of our common stock.  Additionally, a sale of securities could adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
 
 
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The Company had a material weakness in its internal accounting controls.

Under Item 9A(T), we note that our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of May 31, 2009 because of our inability to test the information technology controls due to the restructuring of our IT department and relocation and consolidation of our corporate headquarters in Canada and Florida to new facilities at the end of our fiscal year. A material weakness is a control deficiency that results in a more than remote likelihood that a material misstatement of the annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis by employees in the normal course of their assigned functions.  The Company is in the process of executing its plan to mitigate this material weakness during fiscal 2010. Despite the existence of this material weakness, we believe the financial information presented herein is materially correct and in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

We may not become profitable.

Since our inception, we have incurred losses which have been substantial in relation to our operations and, as a result, have a stockholders deficit of $5,799,422 as of May 31, 2009.  Losses for the years ended May 31, 2009 and 2008 were $4,856,356 and $52,616,875, respectively.  Revenues for fiscal 2009 and 2008 were approximately $21,500,000 and $27,600,000, respectively.  Our ability to reduce our losses will be adversely affected if we continue to acquire companies reporting losses, if revenue grows slower than we anticipate or if operating expenses exceed our expectations. Even if we do achieve profitability, we may not sustain or increase profitability on a quarterly or annual basis.  Failure to achieve or maintain profitability would materially adversely affect the market price of our common shares.  We expect our operating expenses to moderate due to the scalability of our business model.

Current  and future economic downturns may adversely affect the demand for our services.

The general level of current economic activity has significantly affected the demand for employment and recruitment services in our Career Networks segment, as well as sales of Enterprise software.  If the general level of economic activity continues to be slow, our clients may not require additional personnel and may delay or cancel plans that involve recruiting new personnel using our services and technology.  Consequently, the time from initial contact with a potential client to the time of sale could increase and the demand for our services could decline, resulting in a loss of revenue harming our business, operating results and financial condition. Alternatively, in times of economic growth, demand for our career transition services may decline.

We may not be able to grow our client base and revenue because of competition we face.

Our future success will depend to a large extent on our ability to grow and maintain our client base and revenue.  This requires that we offer services that are superior to the services being offered by the competition that we face and that we price our services competitively.  The market for human capital management, or HCM, services is highly fragmented and competitive, with numerous companies offering products or services that compete with one or more of the services that we offer.  We compete for a portion of employers’ human resource budgets with many types of competitors, as employers typically utilize a variety of sources for managing their human capital needs, including:
·  
client-server-based software services;
·  
web-based and hosted service providers with a variety of human capital solutions;
·  
traditional offline recruiting firms;
·  
traditional offline advertising, such as print media;
·  
resume processing companies;
·  
web-based recruitment companies; and
·  
Internet job posting companies.
 
 
13

 
 
In addition, many employers are developing or may develop their own software to satisfy their recruitment needs.  We also compete with traditional offline and web-based outplacement service companies and human resource, or HR, service providers.  While we do not believe that any of our competitors offer the full suite of services that we provide, there are a number of companies that have products or services that compete with one or more of the services we provide.  For instance, companies that compete with our recruiting systems services include Taleo Corporation, Kenexa/BrassRing and Webhire. Companies such as Monster Worldwide, Execunet and Netshare have products or services that compete with our applicant sourcing and exchange services.  We also compete with vendors of enterprise resource planning software, such as Peoplesoft, Oracle and SAP.  In the area of outplacement services, we compete with companies such as ITS Personal Marketing and Chandler Hill.  Companies such as LifeCare, Next Jump and SparkFly compete with our employee portal. Oracle, SAP, Workscape and Authoria are our main competitors for our benefit products and Siebel, Kronos, Callidus, Softscape, Success Factors and Authoria compete with our compensation and performance product lines.

We expect competition to increase and intensify in the future, with increased price competition developing for our services.  A number of our current and potential competitors have longer operating histories and greater financial, technical and marketing resources and name recognition than we do, which could give them a competitive advantage.  Our competitors may develop products or services that are equal or superior to ours or that achieve greater market acceptance than ours.  It is also possible that new competitors may emerge and rapidly acquire significant market share.  As a result, we may not be able to expand or maintain our market share and our ability to penetrate new markets may be adversely affected.

If we experience client attrition, our operating results will be adversely affected.

Our Enterprise Workforce Services clients generally enter into subscription agreements covering various periods for at least one year and typically for an average of three years.  We have no assurance that these clients will maintain a long-term relationship with us.  If these clients fail to renew or cancel their subscriptions with us, our business, revenues, operating results and financial condition will be adversely affected.  To the extent we experience significant client attrition, we must attract additional clients to maintain revenue.

We may not be able to strengthen and maintain awareness of our brand name.

We believe that our success will depend to a large extent on our ability to successfully develop, strengthen and maintain the recognition and reputation of our Workstream brand name.  In order to strengthen and maintain our Workstream brand recognition and reputation, we will need to increase our investment in our marketing efforts and continue to maintain high standards for actual and perceived quality, usefulness, reliability, security and ease of use of our services.  If we fail to successfully promote and maintain our Workstream brand name, particularly after incurring significant expenses in promoting our Workstream brand name, or encounter legal obstacles which prevent our continued use of our Workstream brand name, our business, operating results and financial condition could be materially adversely affected and the market price of our common shares could decline.  Moreover, even if we continue to provide quality service to our clients, factors outside of our control, including actions by organizations that are mistaken for us and factors generally affecting our industry, could affect our Workstream brand and the perceived quality of our services.

Our failure to enter into strategic relationships with third parties may harm our business.

If we are unable to enter into or maintain certain strategic relationships, our business will suffer.  These relationships generally include those with job posting boards and other on-line recruitment services such as Monster.com and Yahoo!hotjobs, pursuant to which our clients can post their job openings on such boards.  These relationships allow us to expand the services that we provide our clients without our having to spend significant capital resources developing or acquiring such services. Because many of these third parties compete with each other, the existence of a relationship with any particular third party may limit or preclude us from entering into a relationship with that third party’s competitors.  In addition, some of the third parties with which we seek to enter into relationships may view us as a competitor and refuse to do business with us.  Any loss of an existing relationship or failure to establish new relationships may adversely affect our ability to improve our services, offer an attractive service in the new markets that we enter, or expand the distribution of our services.

Michael Mullarkey, our Chairman, may have interests that are different than other shareholders and may influence certain actions.

As of September 4, 2009, Michael Mullarkey, our Executive Chairman, beneficially owned approximately 19.57% of our outstanding common shares.  Mr. Mullarkey’s interests as a major shareholder may conflict with his fiduciary duties as a director.  Mr. Mullarkey’s interests may influence how he votes on certain matters that require shareholder approval.  Mr. Mullarkey may influence the outcome of various actions that require shareholder approval including the election of our directors, delaying or preventing a transaction in which shareholders might receive a premium over the prevailing market price for their shares and preventing changes in control or management.
 
 
14

 
 
Because we have international operations, we may face special economic and regulatory challenges that we may not be able to meet.

We expect to continue to expand our U.S. and Canadian operations through both organic growth and acquisitions and may spend significant financial and managerial resources to do so.  In addition, we intend to expand our talent management solution offerings on a broader international scale and are presently enhancing our products with further multi-lingual and multi-currency capabilities. Our international operations are now and will be subject to certain risks, including:
·  
changes in regulatory requirements, tariffs and trade barriers;
·  
changes in diplomatic and trade relationships;
·  
potentially adverse tax consequences;
·  
the impact of recessions in economies outside of Canada;
·  
the burden of complying with a variety of foreign laws and regulations, and any unexpected changes therein;
·  
political or economic constraints on international trade or instability; and
·  
fluctuations in currency exchange rates.

We may lose business if we are unable to successfully develop and introduce new products, services and features.

If we are unable to develop and introduce new products, services, or enhancements to, or new features for, existing products or services, in a timely and successful manner, we may lose sales opportunities.  The market for our services is characterized by rapid and significant technological advancements, the introduction of new products and services, changes in client demands and evolving industry standards.  The adoption of new technologies or new industry standards may render our products obsolete and unmarketable.  The process of developing new services or technologies is complex and requires significant continuing efforts.  We may experience difficulties or funding shortages that could delay or prevent the successful development, introduction and sale of enhancements or new products and services.  Moreover, new products, services or features which we introduce may not adequately address the needs of the marketplace or achieve significant market acceptance.

Our business could be adversely affected if we are unable to protect our proprietary technologies.

Our success depends to a significant degree upon the protection of our proprietary technologies and brand names.  The unauthorized reproduction or other misappropriation of our proprietary technologies could provide third parties with access to our technologies without payment.  If this were to occur, our proprietary technologies would lose value and our business, operating results and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.  We rely upon a combination of copyright, trade secret and trademark laws and non-disclosure and other contractual arrangements to protect our proprietary rights.  The measures we have taken to protect our proprietary rights, however, may not be adequate to deter misappropriation of proprietary information or protect us if misappropriation occurs.  Policing unauthorized use of our technologies and other intellectual property is difficult, particularly because of the global nature of the internet.  We may not be able to detect unauthorized use of our proprietary information and take appropriate steps to enforce our intellectual property rights.  If we resort to legal proceedings to enforce our intellectual property rights, the proceedings could be burdensome and expensive and could involve a high degree of risk.

Third parties could claim that we infringe upon their proprietary technologies.

Our products, services, content and brand names may be found to infringe valid copyrights, trademarks or other intellectual property rights held by third parties.  In the event of a successful infringement claim against us and our failure or inability to modify our technologies or services, develop non-infringing technology or license the infringed or similar technology, we may not be able to offer our services.  Any claims of infringement, with or without merit, could be time consuming to defend, result in costly litigation, divert management attention, require us to enter into costly royalty or licensing arrangements, modify our technologies or services or prevent us from using important technologies or services, any of which could harm our business, operating results and financial condition.
 
 
15

 

 
We may become subject to burdensome government regulation which could increase our costs of doing business, restrict our activities and/or subject us to liability.

Uncertainty and new regulations relating to the internet could increase our costs of doing business, prevent us from providing our services, slow the growth of the internet or subject us to liability, any of which could adversely affect our business, operating results and prospects.  In addition to new laws and regulations being adopted, existing laws may be applied to the Internet.  There are currently few laws and regulations directly governing access to, or commerce on, the Internet.  However, due to the increasing popularity and use of the Internet, the legal and regulatory environment that pertains to the internet is uncertain and continues to change.  New and existing laws may cover issues which include:
·  
user privacy;
·  
pricing controls;
·  
consumer protection;
·  
libel and defamation;
·  
copyright and trademark protection;
·  
characteristics and quality of services;
·  
sales and other taxes; and
·  
other claims based on the nature and control of Internet materials.

The Canadian Federal Government enacted privacy legislation which requires us to appoint an individual responsible for the administration of personal information, to implement policies and practices to protect personal information, to provide access to information and to deal with complaints.  We must obtain individual consents for each collection, use or retention of personal information.  We implemented procedures to comply with this new privacy legislation.  The privacy legislation increases our cost of doing business due to the administrative burden of these laws, restricts our activities in light of the consent requirement and potentially subjects us to monetary liability for breach of these laws.

Computer viruses or software errors may disrupt our operations, subject us to a risk of loss and/or expose us to liability.

Computer viruses may cause our systems to incur delays or other service interruptions.  In addition, the inadvertent transmission of computer viruses or software errors in new services or products not detected until after their release could expose us to a material risk of loss or litigation and possible liability.  Moreover, if a computer virus affecting our system is highly publicized or if errors are detected in our software after it is released, our reputation and brand name could be materially damaged and we could lose clients.

We may experience reduced revenue, loss of clients and harm to our reputation and brand name in the event of system failures.

We may experience reduced revenue, loss of clients and harm to our reputation and brand name in the event of unexpected network interruptions caused by system failures.  Our servers and software must be able to accommodate a high volume of traffic.  If we are unable to add additional software and hardware to accommodate increased demand, we could experience unanticipated system disruptions and slower response times.  Our systems are vulnerable to damage or interruption from earthquakes, floods, fires, power loss, telecommunication failures, terrorist attacks, computer viruses and similar events.   We have centralized all of our application hosting in a secure, state-of-the-art datacenter facility and we have invested substantial funds in procuring the necessary equipment.  While this initiative should enhance our ability to meet performance and security requirements under our customer service level agreements, there is no assurance that this will cover all eventualities.  We have also established redundant systems and implemented disaster recovery procedures, they also may not be sufficient for all situations.  We have occasionally experienced delays in providing our customers access to their data in the past, and we believe these system interruptions could continue to occur from time to time in the future.  Any catastrophic failure at our network operations center could prevent us from serving our clients for a number of days, or possibly weeks, and any failure of our internet service provider may adversely affect our network’s performance.  Most of our system interruptions are due to heavy internet traffic and minor equipment failures which generally result in our customers being unable to access their data for a few seconds or several minutes.  Our clients may become dissatisfied by any system failure that interrupts our ability to provide our services to them or results in slower response times.  Our subscription agreements generally provide that our customers will be able to access their data during certain guaranteed times.  If we fail to meet the service levels specified under our subscription agreements as a result of repeated outages, the customer can terminate its agreement with us.  Our business interruption insurance may not adequately compensate us for any losses that may occur due to any failures in our system or interruptions in our services.

 
16

 
 
Breaches of our network security could be costly.

If unauthorized persons penetrate our network security, they could misappropriate proprietary information or cause interruptions in our services.  We may be required to spend capital and resources to protect against or to alleviate these problems.  In addition, because we host data for our clients, we may be liable to any of those clients that experience losses due to our security failures.  While we have implemented measures to strengthen and improve our intrusion protection system and have achieved independent auditor certification under a SAS 70 Type I and II best practices evaluation, this is not an absolute guarantee that security breakdowns will not occur.  As a result, a material security breach could have a material adverse effect on our business and the market price of our common shares may decline.

Our business may be adversely affected if internet service providers fail to provide satisfactory service to our clients to enable them to use our services and access job seeker candidates on-line.

Failure of internet service providers or on-line service providers to provide access to the internet to our clients and job seekers would prevent them from accessing our web board, which would cause our business to suffer.  Many of the internet service providers, on-line service providers and other web site operators on which we depend have experienced significant service slowdowns, malfunctions, outages and capacity limitations.  If users experience difficulties using our services due to the fault of third parties, our reputation and brand name could be harmed.

Failure of the internet infrastructure to support current and future user activity may adversely affect our business.

We cannot assure you that the Internet infrastructure will continue to effectively support the demands placed on it as the internet continues to experience increased numbers of users, greater frequency of use and increased bandwidth requirements of users.  In the past, the internet has experienced a variety of outages and other delays.  The internet is also subject to actions of terrorists or hackers who may attempt to disrupt specific web sites or Internet traffic generally.  Any future outages or delays could affect the willingness of employers to use our on-line recruitment offerings and of job seekers to post their resumes on the internet.  If any of these events occur, our business, operating results and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.

We may not expand and upgrade our systems and hardware in a timely manner in order to accommodate growth in our business, which could adversely affect our business.

We must expand and upgrade our systems and network hardware in order to accommodate growth in our business.  While we have recently updated and refreshed our data center capabilities and upgraded the necessary equipment there is no assurance that such changes and upgrades will accommodate growth in our business, our business, financial condition and operating results could be adversely affected.

We depend on our key employees to manage our business effectively, and if we are unable to retain our key employees, our business may be adversely affected.

Our success depends on the efforts, abilities and expertise of certain of our Board members, senior management and other key employees, including in particular, Michael Mullarkey, our Chairman, and Steve Purello, our President and Chief Executive Officer.  There can be no assurance that we will be able to retain our key employees.  If any of our key employees leave before suitable replacements are found, there could be an adverse effect on our business.  There can be no assurance that suitable replacements could be hired without incurring substantial additional costs, or at all.


PROPERTIES
 
Our corporate headquarters were located in approximately 25,020 square feet of leased office space in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.  This facility houses our network operation and information technology groups, certain research and development personnel and customer support.  Our lease for 17,945 square feet of this facility expired in December 2008 with the remaining 7,075 square feet expiring in October 2010.   InApril 2009, we exited this facility early and moved our corporate headquarters to Maitland, Florida.  We still maintain a few key personnel in Canada with our registered office located at 340 Albert Street, Suite 1400 Ottawa, Ontario Canada  K1R0A5.
 
In April 2009, we entered into a sublease for approximately 14,300 square feet of office space in Maitland, Florida, which serves as the corporate headquarters for our consolidated operations.  Our finance and human resources department, our internal sales team and lead generation group, and the majority of the employees of the outplacement and recruitment companies reside in this space.  Our sublease for this premise expires in August 2011.
 
 
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Our wholly-owned subsidiary Paula Allen Holdings, Inc. utilizes space in Maitland, Florida; Dallas, Texas and Minneapolis, Minnesota.  In Dallas, we lease approximately 4,192 square feet of office space on a month to month basis and in Minneapolis, we lease approximately 1,523 square feet of office space under a lease expiring on December 31, 2012.
 
 
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
On February 12, 2008, Workstream, Workstream Merger Sub Inc., Empagio Acquisition LLC (“Empagio”) and SMB Capital Corporation entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger pursuant to which Empagio would merge with and into Workstream, subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, which was approved by the Boards of Directors of both the companies. Upon the completion of the Merger, the equity interests in Empagio would be converted into up to 177,397,332 shares of Workstream Inc. common stock, representing approximately 75% of the Company’s outstanding common stock on a diluted basis following the Merger.

On June 24, 2008, the Company filed a lawsuit in the Superior Court of the State of Delaware in and for New Castle County (the “State Court Lawsuit”) against Empagio Acquisition, LLC (“Empagio”) and SMB Capital Corporation (“SMB”) to obtain the $5 million termination fee required to be paid by Empagio and SMB pursuant to Section 7.02 of the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of February 12, 2008 among the Company, Workstream Merger Sub Inc., Empagio and SMB, which agreement was terminated by the Company on June 13, 2008.  On June 25, 2008, Empagio and SMB filed a lawsuit against the Company in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware (the “Federal Lawsuit”) alleging entitlement to a $3 million termination fee pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger.  On July 29, 2008, Empagio and SMB filed a notice of voluntary dismissal of their Federal Lawsuit based on an understanding that Empagio and SMB would make their claim as part of the Company’s State Court Lawsuit.  In accordance with the voluntary notice of dismissal of the Federal Lawsuit, Empagio and SMB have now asserted their claims in the State Court Lawsuit.  The Company has denied these allegations.  The parties are proceeding with discovery in this case.  Trial is scheduled for July 5, 2010, with mandatory alternative dispute resolution to be completed by January 29, 2010.

* * *

On June 10, 2009, Franklin Drive, LLC filed a lawsuit in the Superior Court of the State of California against the Company, its former Chief Executive Officer and its former Chief Financial Officer for a dispute regarding the Company’s lease of commercial property located at 5000 Franklin Drive, Pleasanton, California which was for a term commencing on January 1, 2008 and expiring on January 31, 2013.  On or about October 2008, we abandoned the property and ceased making rental payments pursuant to the lease.  Franklin Drive, LLC is claiming termination damages of $1.5 million.  The parties are engaged in out-of-court, settlement negotiations and we expect to continue settlement negotiations until an agreeable payment amount is reached.

We are involved in claims, which arise in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, we have made adequate provision for potential liabilities, if any, arising from any such matters. However, litigation is inherently unpredictable, and the costs and other effects of pending or future litigation, governmental investigations, legal and administrative cases and proceedings (whether civil or criminal), settlements, judgments and investigations, claims and changes in any such matters, and developments or assertions by or against us relating to intellectual property rights and intellectual property licenses, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.

 
18

 

SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
 
We held our annual and special meeting of shareholders on May 29, 2009.  As of the record date on April 23, 2009, there were 56,628,996 shares of our common stock issued, outstanding and eligible to vote. In this meeting, the shareholders voted on and approved the following proposals:

1.  
To elect four directors to serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until their successors are elected and qualified.  The board members were voted in with the following number of votes for their election:
 
Votes
Votes
Director
FOR
WITHHELD
Michael Mullarkey
35,842,582
202,382
Thomas Danis
35,842,582
202,382
Michael Gerrior
35,742,482
302,482
Mitchell Tuchman
35,742,482
302,482
 
2.  
To appoint Cross, Fernandez and Riley, LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm and auditor for the fiscal year ending May 31, 2009.  The vote tabulation for this proposal was as follows:  VOTES FOR – 35,583,281; VOTES AGAINST – 261,399; ABSTENTIONS – 200,283; BROKER NON-VOTES – none.
 
3.  
To authorize the directors to fix the remuneration of our auditors. The vote tabulation for this proposal was as follows:  VOTES FOR – 35,840,476; VOTES AGAINST – 4,205; ABSTENTIONS – 200,283; BROKER NON-VOTES – none.
 
 
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PART II
 
MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
 
MARKET INFORMATION
 
Until May 22, 2009, our no par common shares were traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market (“NASDAQ”) under the symbol “WSTM.”  Commencing May 22, 2009 and June 3, 2009, we began trading under the symbol “WSTM” on the Pink Sheets electronic over-the-counter securities market and quoted on the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board (OTCBB) in what is commonly referred to as the OTC Bulletin Board, respectively. OTC market quotations reflect interdealer prices, without retail markup, markdown or commission and may not necessarily represent actual transactions.

The following table sets forth the high and low closing sales prices of our common shares during each quarter as reported by NASDAQ or the OTC Bulletin Board, as applicable, for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2009 and 2008:
 
Period
High Closing Sales Price
Low Closing Sales Price
2009 Fiscal Year, quarter ended:
   
August 31, 2008
$0.45
$0.15
November 30, 2008
$0.20
$0.02
February 28, 2009
$0.22
$0.02
May 31, 2009
$0.40
$0.15
     
2008 Fiscal Year, quarter ended:
   
August 31, 2007
$1.25
$0.99
November 30, 2007
$1.11
$0.53
February 28, 2008
$1.04
$0.55
May 31, 2008
$0.75
$0.35

On May 20, 2009, the Company received a notice from the NASDAQ Hearings Panel stating that the Panel had determined to delist the Company’s common stock from The NASDAQ Stock Market due to its failure to regain compliance with NASDAQ Stock Market Listing Rule 5550(b)(1)within the 180 day extension period granted after the initial failure notice in November 2008.  NASDAQ Marketplace Rule 5550(b)(1) required the Company to have a $35 million market capitalization, a minimum $2.5 million in stockholders' equity or $500,000 of net income from continuing operations for the most recently completed fiscal year or two of the three most recently completed fiscal years.
 
The Panel indicated that absent a stay by the NASDAQ Listing and Hearing Review Council, the trading of the Company’s common stock on the NASDAQ Stock Market would be suspended at the open of trading on Friday, May 22, 2009.  We did not appeal the decision.   Therefore, the NASDAQ Stock Market suspended the trading of our common stock on May 22, 2009 and delisted our common stock on August 5, 2009.The Company’s common shares are now dually quoted on the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board (OTCBB), an electronic quotation service maintained by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), and the Pink Sheets electronic over-the-counter securities market.  The common shares continue to trade under the symbol “WSTM.”

On June 1 2009, the Boston Stock Exchange also filed an application with the Securities and Exchange Commission to strike our common stock from listing and registration on the Exchange due to their decision to no longer trade common stock securities.  Prior to the delisting, our common shares were traded under the symbol “ERM.”

HOLDERS
 
On September 4, 2009, there were approximately 218 stockholders of record for our common stock.   This does not reflect persons or entities that hold our common stock in nominee or “street” name through various brokerage firms.

DIVIDENDS
 
We have not paid any dividends on our common shares and do not expect to pay dividends in the foreseeable future.  It is the present policy of our Board of Directors to retain any future earnings to finance the growth and development of our business.  Any future dividends will be declared at the discretion of the Board of Directors and will depend upon several things including approval by our note holders, the financial condition, capital requirements, earnings and liquidity of our Company.  See Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for a discussion of our current capital position.

 
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SECURITIES AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE UNDER EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS
 
Please see the section titled “Equity Compensation Plan Information” under Item 12 in Part III of this Form 10-K.

RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES
 
There were no sales of unregistered securities in the quarter ended May 31, 2009.

FOREIGN ISSUER LAWS
 
General

There is no law or government decree or regulation in Canada that restricts the export or import of capital, or that affects the remittance of dividends, interest or other payments to a non-resident holder of common shares, other than withholding tax requirements.

There is no limitation imposed by Canadian law or by our articles or other charter documents on the right of a non-resident of Canada to hold or vote our common shares, other than as provided in the Investment Canada Act, as amended, referred to as the Investment Act.

The Investment Act generally prohibits implementation of a reviewable investment by an individual, government or agency thereof, corporation, partnership, trust or joint venture that is not a "Canadian" as defined in the Investment Act, referred to as a non-Canadian, unless, after review, the minister responsible for the Investment Act is satisfied that the investment is likely to be of net benefit to Canada. If an investment by a non-Canadian is not a reviewable investment, it nevertheless requires the filing of a short notice which may be given at any time up to 30 days after the implementation of the investment.

An investment in our common shares by a non-Canadian that is a WTO investor (defined below) would be reviewable under the Investment Act if it were an investment to acquire direct control, through a purchase of our assets or voting interests, and the gross book value of our assets equaled or exceeded $312 million, the threshold established for 2009, as indicated in our financial statements for our fiscal year immediately preceding the implementation of the investment. In subsequent years, such threshold amount may be increased or decreased in accordance with the provisions of the Investment Act. A WTO investor is an investment by an individual or other entity that is a national of, or has the right of permanent residence in, a member of the World Trade Organization, current members of which include the European Community, Germany, Japan, Mexico, the United Kingdom and the United States, or a World Trade Organization (WTO) investor-controlled entity, as defined in the Investment Act.

An investment in our common shares by a non-Canadian, other than a WTO investor, would be subject to review under the Investment Act if it were an investment to acquire our direct control and the value of the assets were $5.0 million or more, as indicated on our financial statements for our fiscal year immediately preceding the implementation of the investment.

A non-Canadian, whether a WTO investor or otherwise, would acquire control in us for the purposes of the Investment Act if he, she or it acquired a majority of our common shares or acquired all or substantially all of the assets used in conjunction with our business. The acquisition of less than a majority, but one-third or more of our common shares, would be presumed to be an acquisition of control in us unless it could be established that we were not controlled in fact by the acquirer through the ownership of common shares.

The Investment Act would not apply to certain transactions in relation to our common shares including:

(a)  
an acquisition of our common shares by any person if the acquisition were made in the ordinary course of that person's business as a trader or dealer in securities;

(b)  
an acquisition of control in us in connection with the realization of security granted for a loan or other financial assistance and not for any purpose related to the provisions of the Investment Act; and
 
 
21

 
 
(c)  
an acquisition of control in us by reason of an amalgamation, merger, consolidation or corporate reorganization following which the ultimate direct or indirect control in fact in us through the ownership of voting interests, remains unchanged.

Material Canadian Federal Income Tax Considerations

General
The following is a summary of the material Canadian federal income tax considerations generally applicable to a person who acquires our common shares and who, for purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada) and the Canada-United States Income Tax Convention, 1980, as applicable, and at all relevant times, is a U.S. holder.  Readers are cautioned that this is not a complete technical analysis or listing of all potential tax effects that may be relevant to holders of our common shares.  In particular, this discussion does not deal with the tax consequences applicable to all categories of investors, some of which may be subject to special rules, and does not address the tax consequences under Canadian provincial or territorial tax laws, or tax laws of jurisdictions outside of Canada.  Accordingly, you should consult your own advisor regarding the particular tax consequences to you of an investment in our common shares.  This summary is based on the advice of our Canadian counsel, Perley-Robertson, Hill & McDougall.
 
For purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada) and the Canada-United States Income Tax Convention, 1980, a U.S. holder is a person that:
 
·  
is a U.S. individual;
 
·  
through the period during which the person owns our common shares is not resident in Canada and is a resident of the United States;
 
·  
holds our common shares as capital assets, that is generally as investments;
 
·  
deals at arm’s length with us within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada);
 
·  
does not have a permanent establishment or fixed base in Canada, as defined by the Canada-United States Income Tax Convention, 1980; and
 
·  
does not own and is not treated as owning, 10% or more of our outstanding voting shares.

Special rules, which we do not address in this discussion, may apply to a U.S. holder that is (a) an insurer that carries on an insurance business in Canada and elsewhere, (b) a financial institution subject to special provisions of the Income Tax Act (Canada) applicable to income gain or loss arising from mark-to-market property, or (c) a fiscally transparent entity with respect to the recently introduced Fifth Protocol to the Canada-United States Income Tax Convention, 1980 and may be treated differently than an individual..

This discussion is based on the current provisions of the Canada-United States Income Tax Convention, 1980, the Income Tax Act (Canada) and their regulations, all specific proposals to amend the Income Tax Act (Canada) and regulations, all specific proposals to amend the Income Tax Act (Canada) and regulations announced by the Minster of Finance (Canada) before the date of this annual report and counsel’s understanding of the current published administrative practices of Canada Revenue Agency.  This discussion is not exhaustive of all potential Canadian tax consequences to a U.S. holder and does not take into account or anticipate any other changes in law, whether by judicial, governmental or legislative decision or action, nor does it take into account the tax legislation or considerations of any province, territory or foreign jurisdiction.
 
Taxation of Dividends
Dividends paid or credited or deemed to be paid or credited on common shares owned by a U.S. holder will be subject to Canadian withholding tax under the Income Tax Act (Canada) at a rate of 25% on the gross amount of the dividends.  The rate of withholding tax generally is reduced under the Canada-United States Income Tax Convention, 1980 to 15% where the U.S. holder is the beneficial owner of the dividends.  Under the Canada-United States Income Tax Convention, 1980, dividends paid to religious, scientific, literary, educational, charitable and similar tax exempt organizations and pension organizations that are resident and exempt from tax in the United States and that have complied with the administrative procedures specified in the Tax Convention are exempt from this Canadian withholding tax.

 
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Taxation of Capital Gains
Gains realized by a U.S. holder on a sale, disposition or deemed disposition of “taxable Canadian property” are taxable under the Income Tax Act (Canada).  Shares of a Canadian corporation qualify as “taxable Canadian property” unless they are listed on a designated stock exchange pursuant to the Income Tax Act (Canada).  The Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board (OTCBB) and the Pink Sheets electronic over-the-counter securities market are not designated stock exchanges, therefore our common shares are currently “taxable Canadian property”.

However, generally gains will be exempt from Canadian tax by the Canada-United States Income Tax Convention, 1980, so long as the value of our common shares at the time of the sale, disposition or deemed disposition is not derived principally from real property situated in Canada, as defined by the Canada-United States Income Tax Convention, 1980.  We have advised that currently our common shares do not derive their value principally from real property situated in Canada; however, the determination as to whether Canadian tax would be applicable on a sale, disposition or deemed disposition of common shares must be made at the time of that sale, disposition or deemed disposition.

Section 116 of the Income Tax Act (Canada) requires that a U.S. holder apply to the Canada Revenue Agency for a clearance certificate either before or within 10 days after a disposition of “taxable Canadian property” even if a treaty exemption applies; failure to comply or the making of false representations exposes the U.S. holder to prosecution.  While delisted, on the disposition of our common shares to another U.S. resident, the U.S. holder will be deemed to dispose of the common shares and will have to comply with s.116 and all related filings and withholdings, including filing a Canadian tax return.

If relisted on the Nasdaq Stock Market or listed on any other designated stock exchange then our common shares will generally not be taxable Canadian property provided that at no time during the five-year period immediately preceding the sale, disposition or deemed disposition, did the U.S. holder, persons with whom the U.S. holder did not deal at arm’s length, or the U.S. Holder acting together with those persons, own or have an interest in or a right to acquire 25% or more of the issued shares of any class or series of our shares.

If relisted, our common shares will cease to be “taxable Canadian property” and s.116 will not apply to a disposition by a U.S. holder.

A deemed disposition of common shares will occur on the death of a U.S. holder.

Material United States Federal Income Tax Considerations

General
Subject to the limitations described below, the following discussion describes the material United States federal income tax consequences to a U.S. Holder (as defined below) that is a beneficial owner of the common shares of Workstream Inc. and that holds them as capital assets.  For purposes of this summary, a “U.S. Holder” is a beneficial owner of common shares who or that is for United States federal income tax purposes (i) a citizen or resident of the United States, (ii) a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for United States federal tax purposes) created or organized in the United States or under the laws of the United States or of any state or the District of Columbia, (iii) an estate, the income of which is includible in gross income for United States federal income tax purposes regardless of its source, or (iv) a trust, if a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust.

This summary is for general information purposes only.  It does not purport to be a comprehensive description of all of the tax considerations that may be relevant to owning the common shares.  AS THIS IS A GENERAL SUMMARY, OWNERS OF COMMON SHARES ARE ADVISED TO CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISERS WITH RESPECT TO THE U.S. FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL TAX CONSEQUENCES, AS WELL AS TO NON-U.S. TAX CONSEQUENCES, OF THE ACQUISITION, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF COMMON SHARES APPLICABLE TO THEIR PARTICULAR TAX SITUATIONS.
 
This discussion is based on current provisions of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, current and proposed U.S. Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, and administrative and judicial decisions, as of the date hereof, all of which are subject to change, possibly on a retroactive basis.  This discussion does not address all aspects of United States federal income taxation that may be relevant to any particular holder based on such holder’s individual circumstances.  In particular, this discussion does not address the potential application of the alternative minimum tax or the United States federal income tax consequences to holders that are subject to special treatment, including:

 
23

 
 
·  
broker-dealers, including dealers in securities or currencies;
·  
insurance companies, regulated investment companies or real estate investment trusts;
·  
taxpayers that have elected mark-to-market accounting;
·  
tax-exempt organizations;
·  
financial institutions or “financial services entities”;
·  
taxpayers who hold common shares as part of a straddle, “hedge” or “conversion transaction” with other investments;
·  
holders owning directly, indirectly or by attribution at least 10% of our voting power;
·  
non-resident aliens of the United States;
·  
taxpayers whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar; and
·  
taxpayers who acquire common shares as compensation.

This discussion does not address any aspect of United States federal gift or estate tax, or state, local or non-United States laws.  Additionally, the discussion does not consider the tax treatment of partnerships or persons who hold common shares through a partnership or other pass-through entity.  Certain material aspects of United States federal income tax relevant to a beneficial owner other than a U.S. Holder (a “Non-U.S. Holder”) also are discussed below.
 
EACH HOLDER OF COMMON SHARES IS ADVISED TO CONSULT SUCH PERSON’S OWN TAX ADVISOR WITH RESPECT TO THE SPECIFIC TAX CONSEQUENCES TO SUCH PERSON OF PURCHASING, HOLDING OR DISPOSING OF COMMON SHARES.
 
Taxation of Dividends Paid on Common Shares
We have never paid cash dividends, and we currently do not intend to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future.  In the event that we do pay a dividend, and subject to the discussion of the passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, rules below, a U.S. Holder will be required to include in gross income as ordinary income the amount of any distribution paid on our common shares, including any Canadian taxes withheld from the amount paid, on the date the distribution is received to the extent the distribution is paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined for United States federal income tax purposes.  In the case of non-corporate U.S. Holders, dividends may qualify for favorable tax treatment.  Distributions in excess of such earnings and profits will be applied against and will reduce the U.S. Holder’s basis in the common shares and, to the extent in excess of such basis, will be treated as a gain from the sale or exchange of the common shares.
 
Distributions of current or accumulated earnings and profits paid in a currency other than the U.S. dollar to a U.S. Holder will be includible in the income of a U.S. Holder in a U.S. dollar amount calculated by reference to the exchange rate on the date the distribution is received.  A U.S. Holder that receives a distribution in a currency other than the U.S. dollar and converts the non-U.S. currency into U.S. dollars subsequent to its receipt will have foreign exchange gain or loss based on any appreciation or depreciation in the value of the non-U.S. currency against the U.S. dollar, which will generally be U.S. source ordinary income or loss.
 
U.S. Holders will have the option of claiming the amount of any Canadian income taxes withheld at source either as a deduction from gross income or as a dollar-for-dollar credit against their United States federal income tax liability.  Individuals who do not claim itemized deductions, but instead utilize the standard deduction, may not claim a deduction for the amount of any Canadian income taxes withheld, but such individuals may still claim a credit against their United States federal income tax liability.  The amount of foreign income taxes which may be claimed as a credit in any year is subject to complex limitations and restrictions, which must be determined on an individual basis by each shareholder.  The total amount of allowable foreign tax credits in any year cannot exceed the pre-credit U.S. tax liability for the year attributable to foreign source taxable income.
 
A U.S. Holder will be denied a foreign tax credit with respect to Canadian income tax withheld from dividends received on our common shares:
 
·  
if such U.S. Holder has not held the common shares for at least 16 days of the 30-day period beginning on the date which is 15 days before the ex-dividend date; or
 
 
24

 
 
·  
to the extent such U.S. Holder is under an obligation to make related payments on substantially similar or related property.
 
Any days during which a U.S. Holder has substantially diminished its risk of loss on the common shares are not counted toward meeting the 15-day holding period required by the statute.  In addition, distributions of current or accumulated earnings and profits will be foreign source passive income for United States foreign tax credit purposes and will not qualify for the dividends received deduction otherwise available to corporations.
 
Taxation of the Disposition of Common Shares
Subject to the discussion of the PFIC rules below, upon the sale, exchange or other disposition of our common shares, a U.S. Holder will generally recognize capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized on the disposition and such U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the common shares (tax basis is usually the U.S. dollar cost of such common shares).  If the common shares are publicly traded, a disposition of common shares will be considered to occur on the “trade date,” regardless of the U.S. Holder’s method of accounting.  A U.S. Holder that uses the cash method of accounting calculates the U.S. dollar value of the proceeds received on the sale as of the date that the sale settles.  However, a U.S. Holder that uses the accrual method of accounting is required to calculate the value of the proceeds of the sale as of the “trade date” and may therefore realize foreign currency gain or loss, unless such U.S. Holder has elected to use the settlement date to determine its proceeds of sale for purposes of calculating such foreign currency gain or loss.  Capital gain from the sale, exchange or other disposition of the common shares held more than one year is long-term capital gain.  Gain or loss recognized by a U.S. Holder on a sale, exchange or other disposition of common shares generally will be treated as United States source income or loss for United States foreign tax credit purposes.  The deductibility of a capital loss recognized on the sale, exchange or other disposition of common shares is subject to limitations.  In addition, a U.S. Holder that receives non-U.S. currency upon disposition of our common shares and converts the non-U.S. currency into U.S. dollars subsequent to its receipt will have foreign exchange gain or loss based on any appreciation or depreciation in the value of the non-U.S. currency against the U.S. dollar, which will generally be United States source ordinary income or loss.

Passive Foreign Investment Company Considerations
We will be a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for United States federal income tax purposes, if 75% or more of our gross income in a taxable year, including the pro rata share of the gross income of any company, U.S. or foreign, in which we are considered to own 25% or more of the shares by value, is passive income.  Alternatively, we will be considered to be a PFIC if 50% or more of our assets in a taxable year, averaged over the year and ordinarily determined based on fair market value and including the pro rata share of the assets of any company in which we are considered to own 25% or more of the shares by value, are held for the production of, or produce, passive income.  Passive income includes amounts derived by reason of the temporary investment of funds raised in our public offerings.
 
If we were a PFIC, and a U.S. Holder did not make a qualifying election either to (i) treat us as a “qualified electing fund” (a “QEF”) (as described below), or (ii) mark our common shares to market (as discussed below), excess distributions by us to a U.S. Holder would be taxed under special rules.  “Excess distributions” are amounts received by a U.S. Holder with respect to shares in a PFIC in any taxable year that exceed 125% of the average distributions received by such U.S. Holder from the PFIC in the shorter of either the three previous years or such U.S. Holder’s holding period for such shares before the present taxable year.  Excess distributions must be allocated ratably to each day that a U.S. Holder has held shares in a PFIC.  A U.S. Holder must include amounts allocated to the current taxable year in its gross income as ordinary income for that year.  Further, a U.S. Holder must pay tax on amounts allocated to each prior PFIC taxable year at the highest rate in effect for that year on ordinary income and the tax is subject to an interest charge at the rate applicable to deficiencies for income tax.  The entire amount of gain that is realized by a U.S. Holder upon the sale or other disposition of our common shares will also be treated as an excess distribution and will be subject to tax as described above.  A. U.S. Holder’s tax basis in our common shares that were acquired from a decedent who was a U.S. Holder would not receive a step-up to fair market value as of the date of the decedent’s death but would instead be equal to the decedent’s basis, if lower.  If we were a PFIC, a U.S. Holder of our common shares will be subject to the PFIC rules as if such holder owned its pro-rata share of any of our direct or indirect subsidiaries which are themselves PFICs.  Accordingly, a U.S. Holder of our common shares will be subject to tax under the PFIC rules with respect to distributions to us by, and dispositions by us of stock of, any direct or indirect PFIC stock held by us, as if such holder received directly its pro-rata share of either the distribution or proceeds from such disposition.
 
 
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The special PFIC rules described above will not apply to a U.S. Holder if the U.S. Holder makes an election to treat us as a “qualified electing fund” in the first taxable year in which the U.S. Holder owns common shares and if we comply with certain reporting requirements.  Instead, a shareholder of a QEF is required for each taxable year to include in income a pro rata share of the ordinary earnings of the qualified electing fund as ordinary income and a pro rata share of the net capital gain of the QEF as long-term capital gain, subject to a separate election to defer payment of taxes, which deferral is subject to an interest charge.  The QEF election is made on a shareholder-by-shareholder basis and can be revoked only with the consent of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, (“IRS”).  A shareholder makes a QEF election by attaching a completed IRS Form 8621, including the PFIC annual information statement, to a timely filed United States federal income tax return and by filing such form with the IRS Service Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  Even if a QEF election is not made, a shareholder in a PFIC who is a U.S. person must file a completed IRS Form 8621 every year.  We have agreed to supply U.S. Holders with the information needed to report income and gain pursuant to a QEF election in the event we are classified as a PFIC.
 
A U.S. Holder of PFIC stock which is publicly traded could elect to mark the stock to market annually, recognizing as ordinary income or loss each year an amount equal to the difference as of the close of the taxable year between the fair market value of the PFIC stock and the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the PFIC stock.  Losses would be allowed only to the extent of net mark-to-market gain previously included by the U.S. Holder under the election for prior taxable years.  If the mark-to-market election were made, then the rules set forth above would not apply for periods covered by the election.
 
We believe that we were not a PFIC for the fiscal years ending May 31, 2009 and 2008, and we believe that we will not be a PFIC for the fiscal year ending May 31, 2010.  The tests for determining PFIC status, however, are applied annually, and it is difficult to make accurate predictions of future income and assets, which are relevant to this determination.  Accordingly, there can be no assurance that we will not become a PFIC.  U.S. Holders who hold common shares during a period when we are a PFIC will be subject to the foregoing rules, even if we cease to be a PFIC, subject to certain exceptions for U.S. Holders who made a QEF election.  U.S. Holders are strongly urged to consult their tax advisors about the PFIC rules, including the consequences to them of making a mark-to-market or QEF election with respect to common shares in the event that we qualify as a PFIC.
 
Tax Consequences for Non-U.S. Holders of Common Shares
Except as described in “U.S. Information Reporting and Backup Withholding” below, a Non-U.S. Holder who is a beneficial owner of our common shares will not be subject to United States federal income or withholding tax on the payment of dividends on, and the proceeds from the disposition of, our common shares, unless:
 
·  
Such item is effectively connected with the conduct by the Non-U.S. Holder of a trade or business in the United States and, in the case of a resident of a country which has a treaty with the United States, such item is attributable to a permanent establishment or, in the case of an individual, a fixed place of business, in the United States;
 
·  
The Non-U.S. Holder is an individual who holds the common shares as capital assets and is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of the disposition and does not qualify for an exemption; or
 
·  
The Non-U.S. Holder is subject to tax pursuant to the provisions of United States tax law applicable to U.S. expatriates.
 
U.S. Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
U.S. Holders generally are subject to information reporting requirements with respect to dividends paid in the United States on common shares.  In addition, U.S. Holders are subject to U.S. backup withholding at a rate of up to 28% on dividends paid in the United States on common shares unless the U.S. Holder provides an IRS Form W-9 or otherwise establishes an exemption.  U.S. Holders are subject to information reporting and backup withholding at a rate of up to 28% on proceeds paid from the sale, exchange, redemption or other disposition of common shares unless the U.S. Holder provides an IRS Form W-9 or otherwise establishes an exemption.
 
Non-U.S. Holders generally are not subject to information reporting or backup withholding with respect to dividends paid on, or proceeds upon the sale, exchange, redemption or other disposition of, common shares, provided that such Non-U.S. Holder provides a taxpayer identification number, certifies to its foreign status, or otherwise establishes an exemption.
 
The amount of any backup withholding will be allowed as a credit against such U.S. Holder’s or Non-U.S. Holder’s United States federal income tax liability and may entitle such holder to a refund, provided that the required information is furnished to the IRS.
 
 
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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements discussed in Item 7 (Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations) and elsewhere in this Form 10-K constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Such forward-looking statements concerning management’s expectations, strategic objectives, business prospects, anticipated economic performance and financial condition and other similar matters involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of results to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements discussed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  The words “estimate,” “project,” “intend,” “believe,” “plan” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements.  Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of the document in which they are made.  The Company disclaims any obligation or undertaking to provide any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement to reflect any change in the Company’s expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which the forward-looking statement is based.
 
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.  All figures are in United States dollars, except as otherwise noted.
 
OVERVIEW

We are a provider of services and web-based software applications for Human Capital Management (“HCM”).  HCM is the process by which companies recruit, train, compensate, evaluate performance, motivate, develop and retain their employees.  We offer software and services that address the needs of companies to more effectively manage their HCM functions.  We believe that our broad array of HCM solutions provide a “one-stop-shopping” approach for our clients’ human resource needs and is more efficient and effective than traditional methods of human resource management.

Our business changed beginning in fiscal 2002.  During fiscal 2002, we completed the acquisitions of Paula Allen Holdings, OMNIpartners, 6FigureJobs.com, RezLogic, ResumeXpress and Tech Engine.  During fiscal 2003, we completed the acquisitions of Icarian, PureCarbon and Xylo.  During fiscal 2004, we completed the acquisitions of Perform, Peopleview and Kadiri.  During fiscal 2005, we completed the acquisitions of Peoplebonus, Bravanta, HRSoft and ProAct.  During fiscal 2006, we acquired Exxceed, Inc.  These acquisitions have enabled us to expand and enhance our HCM software, increase our service offerings and increase our revenue streams.  Subsequent to the acquisitions, we have concentrated on integrating the acquired entities and technologies, expanding the reach of the existing business and identifying other potential acquisition targets.  When we complete an acquisition, we combine the business of the acquired entity into the Company’s existing operations and expect that this will significantly reduce the administrative expenses associated with the business prior to the acquisition.  The acquired business is not maintained as a standalone business operation.  Therefore, we do not separately account for the acquired business, including its profitability.  Rather, it is included in one of our two distinct business segments and is evaluated as part of the entire segment.

Over the past three years, we have expended significant resources on further integration of the acquired software applications.  We have enhanced product functionality, user interface and reporting capabilities.  We have further integrated many of the talent management solutions and provide a portal based platform for our customers who may elect to contract for a single solution or multiple applications.

In the last half of fiscal 2008, we initiated objectives that were a part of a strategy to align expenses with revenues of the business.  Our overall strategic objective is still to be the premier provider of talent management solutions in the HCM space.  We completed our development of our seamless integration between our core applications of Compensation, Performance, and Development.  We are capitalizing on the sales and marketing expenditures and continue to maintain momentum of selling to new customers and retaining existing customers.   We believe that sound execution of these initiatives will result in revenue growth and the ability to take advantage of the scalable nature of our business model.

We have two distinct operating segments, which are the Enterprise Workforce Services and Career Networks segments.
 
 
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Enterprise Workforce Services

The Enterprise Workforce Services segment primarily consists of HCM software, professional services and additional products sold as part of rewards programs.  Specifically, our Enterprise Workforce segment offers a complete suite of on-demand HCM software solutions, which address performance, compensation, development, recruitment, benefits and rewards. Workstream provides on-demand compensation, performance and talent management solutions and services that help companies manage the entire employee lifecycle - from recruitment to retirement.  We offer software and services that focus on talent management and address the needs of companies to more effectively manage their Human Capital Management (HCM) functions.  Talent Management is the process by which companies recruit, train, evaluate, motivate, develop and retain their employees.  We believe that our integrated TalentCenter Solution Suite, which brings together our entire modular stand-alone applications on a common platform, is more efficient and effective than traditional methods of human resource management. Access to our TalentCenter Solution Suite is offered on a monthly subscription basis under our web-based Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) delivery model designed to help companies build high performing workforces, while controlling costs.

Career Networks

The Career Networks segment consists of career transition and applicant sourcing services.

Career Transition Services
Our career transition services provide job search services for displaced employees.  We focus on creating professional career marketing materials that displaced employees need in order to immediately begin their new job campaign. This package includes a professionally written résumé, broadcast letter, custom cover letter and references.  This assistance is provided to thousands of job seekers each year in the areas of information technology, engineering, finance and marketing.
 
Applicant Sourcing
6FigureJobs.com, Inc., is an online applicant-sourcing portal where job seeking candidates and companies that are actively hiring and filling positions can interact.  The site provides content appropriate for senior executives, directors and other managers, as well as containing job postings that meet their qualifications.  We employ screening to create this exclusive community of job seekers.  On the candidate side, each job seeker is hand reviewed, to ensure they have recent total compensation of $100,000 per annum, before his or her resume is allowed to reside in the site’s candidate database.  On the recruiting side, all job openings must have a minimum aggregate compensation of $100,000.  We generate revenue through 6FigureJobs on a subscription basis from employers and recruiters that access our database of job seekers and use our tools to post, track and manage job openings.  We also generate revenue by charging companies that advertise on our 6FigureJobs website, which includes charging certain advertisers a fee based on the number of leads delivered or on a cost per lead basis.  Launched in early calendar 2009, executives who wish to access additional jobs, or give their resume and profile more exposure than free membership, may subscribe to a premium service for a small monthly fee.
 
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

To monitor our results of operations and financial condition, we review key financial information including net revenues, gross profit, operating income and cash flow from operations.  We have deployed numerous analytical dashboards across our business to assist in evaluating current performance against established metrics, budgets and business objectives on an ongoing basis.  We continue to seek methods to more efficiently monitor and manage our business performance.

The following table summarizes the key performance indicators that we consider to be material in managing our business, in thousands (except percentages):

 
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Fiscal Years Ended
 
   
May 31, 2009
   
May 31, 2008
 
Total Revenue
  $ 21,544     $ 27,614  
Hosting revenue
    26 %     20 %
License revenue
    9 %     15 %
Total Software revenue
    35 %     35 %
Professional services
    11 %     12 %
Rewards
    28 %     20 %
Career networks
    26 %     33 %
                 
Operating loss
  $ (3,069 )   $ (44,408 )
                 
Net cash used in operating activities
  $ (1,714 )   $ (12,495 )

The following table summarizes the operating segments as a percentage of deferred revenue, in thousands (except percentages):


   
May 31, 2009
   
May 31, 2008
 
             
Total deferred revenue
  $ 2,591     $ 3,105  
                 
Enterprise Workforce Services
    89 %     81 %
Career Networks
    11 %     19 %

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following tables sets forth segment information and the consolidated statements of operations data for the periods indicated.  Period-to-period comparisons of our financial results may not necessarily be an indication of future performance.
 
   
Fiscal Years Ended
   
Fiscal Years Ended
 
   
May 31, 2009
   
May 31, 2008
 
   
Enterprise
               
Enterprise
             
   
Workforce
   
Career
         
Workforce
   
Career
       
   
Services
   
Networks
   
Total
   
Services
   
Networks
   
Total
 
Software
  $ 7,645,384     $ 11,758     $ 7,657,142     $ 9,662,463     $ 9,000     $ 9,671,463  
Professional services
    2,388,063       -       2,388,063       3,273,829       -       3,273,829  
Rewards
    5,957,039       -       5,957,039       5,531,613       -       5,531,613  
Career services
    -       5,541,826       5,541,826       -       9,137,398       9,137,398  
Revenue, net
    15,990,486       5,553,584       21,544,070       18,467,905       9,146,398       27,614,303  
Cost of revenues:
                                               
Rewards
    4,629,585       -       4,629,585       4,132,236       -       4,132,236  
Other
    982,441       312,400       1,294,841       2,011,264       611,768       2,623,032  
Gross profit
    10,378,460       5,241,184       15,619,644       12,324,405       8,534,630       20,859,035  
Expenses
    11,080,273       6,069,502       17,149,775       24,699,518       9,419,449       34,118,967  
Impairment charges - goodwill
    -       -       -       21,437,149       6,109,814       27,546,963  
Amortization and depreciation
    1,471,458       67,337       1,538,795       3,526,935       74,611       3,601,546  
Business segment loss
  $ (2,173,271 )   $ (895,655 )     (3,068,926 )   $ (37,339,197 )   $ (7,069,244 )     (44,408,441 )
                                                 
Other expense and income tax
                    (1,787,430 )                     (8,208,434 )
Net loss
                  $ (4,856,356 )                   $ (52,616,875 )
 
 
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Fiscal Years Ended
             
   
May 31, 2009
   
May 31, 2008
   
$ Change
   
% Change
 
Revenues:
                       
Software
  $ 7,657,142     $ 9,671,463     $ (2,014,321 )     -21 %
Professional services
    2,388,063       3,273,829       (885,766 )     -27 %
Rewards
    5,957,039       5,531,613       425,426       8 %
Career networks
    5,541,826       9,137,398       (3,595,572 )     -39 %
Revenues, net
    21,544,070       27,614,303       (6,070,233 )     -22 %
Cost of revenues:
                               
Rewards
    4,629,585       4,132,236       497,349       12 %
Other
    1,294,841       2,623,032       (1,328,191 )     -51 %
                                 
Total cost of revenues
    5,924,426       6,755,268       (830,842 )     -12 %
                                 
Gross profit
    15,619,644       20,859,035       (5,239,391 )     -25 %
      73 %     76 %                
Operating expenses:
                               
Selling and marketing
    3,836,391       9,961,398       (6,125,007 )     -61 %
General and administrative
    9,835,143       18,432,637       (8,597,494 )     -47 %
Research and development
    3,478,241       5,724,932       (2,246,691 )     -39 %
Amortization and depreciation
    1,538,795       3,601,546       (2,062,751 )     -57 %
Goodwill impairment
    -       27,546,963       (27,546,963 )     -100 %
Total operating expenses
    18,688,570       65,267,476       (46,578,906 )     -71 %
                                 
Operating loss
    (3,068,926 )     (44,408,441 )     41,339,515       -93 %
                                 
Other income (expense):
                               
Interest income and expense, net
    (1,466,697 )     (541,919 )     (924,778 )     171 %
Loss on extinguishment of debt
    (401,791 )     (1,339,636 )     937,845       -70 %
Change in fair value of warrants and derivative
    (51,127 )     (6,318,101 )     6,266,974       -99 %
Other income and expense, net
    27,118       105,154       (78,036 )     -74 %
Other expense
    (1,892,497 )     (8,094,502 )     6,202,005       -77 %
                                 
Loss before income tax expense
    (4,961,423 )     (52,502,943 )     47,541,520       -91 %
                                 
Income tax expense (benefit)
    105,067       (113,932 )     218,999       -192 %
                                 
NET LOSS
  $ (4,856,356 )   $ (52,616,875 )   $ 47,760,519       -91 %

Revenues

Software revenue is comprised primarily of hosting and license and maintenance fees. Software revenue decreased for fiscal 2009 due to lower customer retention rates year over year and code deals that were not present in fiscal year 2009 that were present in fiscal year 2008.

Professional services revenues decreased in fiscal 2009 due to a reduction in new customer implementations and upgrades.

Rewards revenues increased in fiscal 2009 as a result of additional contracted revenue from one of our larger customers and an increase in redemptions from several of our existing customers, as well as, changes in product offerings and revenue mix.
 
 
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Career Networks revenues decreased in fiscal 2009 primarily due to less employer and recruiter advertising and economic conditions that negatively affected deals in the recruiting and career transition services segment of the business along with less availability of financing for its customers.
 
Cost of Revenues and Gross Profit

Software and Career Networks cost of revenues in fiscal 2009 decreased in amount and as a percentage of sales primarily as a result of reductions in spending by management to control costs and right size the business.  Additionally, there was a different mix of software related revenue including a source code deal, which has lower costs than the typical hosting model.  As a result gross profit improved to 92% in fiscal 2009 compared to 88% in fiscal 2008.

Rewards cost of revenues increased in amount and as a percentage of sales during fiscal 2009 resulting in a decrease in gross profit from approximately 25% in fiscal 2008 to 22% fiscal 2009. The decrease in gross profit is driven by the redemption mix of our products.

Selling and Marketing Expense

Selling and marketing expenses decreased significantly in fiscal 2009 due to reduced employee costs, including commissions, as there was a significant decrease in headcount as part of management’s overall plan to reduce costs to better align them with the Company’s current revenues. There was also a decrease due to less trade show and marketing programs in fiscal 2009 compared to fiscal 2008.

General and Administrative Expense

General and administrative expenses in fiscal 2009 decreased primarily as a result of lower professional service fees in connection with the release of certain SEC documents that required consents from the two accounting firms representing the Company during fiscal 2008 and other professional fees due to recruiting costs associated with new hires.  We also reduced employee costs, including commissions, as there was a decrease in headcount and non-cash stock compensation expense throughout fiscal 2009.  Additionally, we incurred over $1.5 million in merger and acquisition costs in fiscal 2008 that we did not incur during fiscal 2009 due to the termination of the merger agreement with Empagio in June 2008. We also negotiated payment discounts with several of our large vendors during 2009.

Research and Development Expense

During fiscal 2008, the Company made a significant investment to update and modify its acquired technology, standardize and integrate the software applications and build out its talent center suite platform.  The Company used outside consultants and offshore development contractors to augment its existing development team.  Talent Center 7.0 was released at the end of fiscal 2008 and the use of outside contractors and additional employees was no longer needed in fiscal 2009.  Accordingly, research and development expenses declined by over $2 million in fiscal 2009 compared to fiscal 2008.  The Company anticipates that future research and development expense will continue to be lower in fiscal 2010 as a result of reduced staff and outside contractors that occurred during fiscal 2009.
 
Amortization and Depreciation Expense

Amortization and depreciation expense in fiscal 2009 decreased due to certain acquired intangible assets becoming fully amortized in fiscal 2008.  Without additional business acquisitions, intangible assets will fully amortize the first quarter of fiscal 2010 with no additional costs.

Goodwill Impairment

Impairment of goodwill was $27,547,000 for fiscal 2008.  Based on the Company’s impairment tests and consideration of the current and expected future market conditions, we determined that goodwill for Enterprise Workforce and Career Networks operating segments was impaired in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“FAS”) 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets and the Company recorded non-cash, pre-tax goodwill impairment charges of $21.4 million and $6.1 million respectively, during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2008.  The analysis was conducted by independent valuation specialists. The decline in estimated fair values of the operating segments resulted from an analysis of the current economic conditions, the Company’s performance to budget and the lower estimated future cash flows.  There was no impairment required after our analysis of goodwill for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2009.
 
 
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Interest and Other Income and Expense

On August 29, 2008, we entered into an exchange agreement that provided for the exchange of $19,000,000 Special Warrants and Additional Warrants indexed to 3,800,000 shares of common stock with an exercise price of $1.40, issued August 3, 2007 (“Old Warrants”), for $19,147,191 in Face Value of Senior Secured Notes (collectively, the “Notes”) and newly issued warrants indexed to 3,800,000 shares of common stock (“New Warrants”) (the “Exchange Transaction”). Financing costs of $147,191 incurred by the holders of the Notes (“Holders”) are included in the face value of the Notes. Additionally, we exchanged 3,800,000 of old warrants with an exercise price of $1.40 for 3,800,000 new warrants with an exercise price of $0.25 expiring August 3, 2012.

The Exchange Transaction reflects hybrid financial instruments that embody rights and risks associated with both debt and equity. The Notes were valued in accordance with FAS 157 using multiple, probability-weighted cash flow outcomes at credit-risk adjusted market rates (Level 2 inputs).  We determined the fair value of the Notes on August 29, 2008 to be $18,704,625.  This value is being accreted to the future value including accrued interest of $22,835,685 through August 29, 2010 through interest expense.   Interest expense on the Notes was $1,453,419 during fiscal 2009.  We also incurred an additional net interest expense of $13,278 during fiscal 2009 compared to net interest expense of $541,919 during fiscal 2008.  Net interest expense relates primarily to interest paid on capital leases and other financing transactions net of any interest income earned during the periods.

Other income and expense decreased primarily due to lower gains on foreign currency exchanges and other income in fiscal 2009 compared to fiscal 2008.

Loss on Extinguishment of Debt

In August 2007, we consummated a financing transaction whereby we issued a series of Special Warrants and other warrants for $19 million. Immediately after funding of the transaction, the then outstanding obligation under the our senior line of credit, which totaled approximately $6.1 million, the remaining restructuring fee of $550,000 and other miscellaneous fees were paid off in their entirety resulting in a loss on extinguishment of debt in the amount of $1,339,636.

The Exchange Transaction that occurred in August 2008 constituted a substantial modification of the original arrangement as determined under EITF 96-19, “Debtor’s Accounting for Modifications and Exchanges of Debt Instruments” and EITF 06-06, “Debtor’s Accounting for Modifications (or Exchanges) of Debt Instruments.” Accordingly, the Exchange was accounted for as an extinguishment wherein the fair value of the financial instruments issued, plus the incremental fair value associated with the warrant modification, was recognized for financial reporting purposes with an associated charge to extinguishment expense. We recorded a $401,791 loss on Exchange Transaction during fiscal 2009 based on the fair values of the instruments at the time of the exchange, including the embedded put derivatives and $147,191 of financing costs of the Holders paid by Workstream.

Change in Fair Value of Warrants and Derivative

As required by FASB Statement No. 150, pursuant to our August 2007 equity financing, we accounted for changes in the fair value of the warrant liability as either interest income or expense based on the change in the value of the associated warrants for the related period.  The change in the fair value of this warrant liability resulted in an expense of $6,318,101 in fiscal 2008 and $494,080 in fiscal 2009.

The Senior Secured Notes Payable issued in the August 2008 Exchange Transaction contain a contingent put reflected in the contractual rights of default. Under these provisions, the Holder has the right to put the Notes back to the Company for 110% of face value in the event of certain equity-indexed defaults, such as listing failure and non-delivery of common shares issuable upon exercise of the New Warrants.  Under FAS 133,“Accounting for Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities,” the risks of equity are inconsistent with the risks of the debt host and, therefore, embedded put derivatives such as these require bifurcation and separate classification at fair value.  We assessed the value of the embedded put derivative at $936,646 on August 29, 2008 and $493,693 on May 31, 2009.  We recorded income of $442,953 during fiscal 2009 to reflect the changes in the fair value of the embedded put derivative.

 
32

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

As of May 31, 2009, we have approximately $1,644,000 in cash and cash equivalents.  Working capital, which represents current assets less current liabilities, was negative $24.2 million.  This is primarily the result of approximately $20.7 related to the fair value of our senior secured notes payable (the “Notes”) and a related embedded put derivative on the transaction showing as current as a result of our default on the Notes on May 22, 2009 due to the Company’s suspension of trading on the NASDAQ Stock Market as a result of its stockholders deficit.

Our ability to continue as a going concern depends primarily upon the successful refinancing or modification of our Notes with the existing Holders and other parties as well as our ability to generate positive cash flows from operations. There can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in its negotiations or that the terms of any such refinancing or conversions will not result in the issuance, or potential issuance, of a significant amount of equity securities that will cause substantial dilution to the Company’s stockholders.  If the Company is not successful in refinancing the Notes or in otherwise entering into a financing, sale, or business transaction that infuses sufficient cash resources into the Company in the near future, any collection actions by the Holders could have a material adverse affect on the liquidity and financial condition of the Company and its ability to secure additional financing and continue as a going concern.

Due to significant reductions in operating expenses in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008, October 2008 and again in January 2009, management believes the current liquidity will be sufficient to meet its anticipated working capital and capital expenditure requirements upon the refinancing of the Notes.  The current operating loss is the result of current economic conditions and is a reflection of the overall health of the economy as a whole.  As it relates to the Career Networks segment of the business, management believes that the career transition services will gain strength in this type of economy as it has in the past.   Based on an analysis of our current contracts, forecasted new business, our current backlog and current expense level, management believes the Company will meet its cash flow needs for fiscal 2010 assuming the successful refinancing of the Notes.  If these measures fall short, management will consider additional cost savings measures, including cutting back product development initiatives and further reducing general and administrative expenses and reducing sales and marketing expenditures.  We recognize that there are no assurances that the Company will be successful in meeting its cash flow requirements, however, management is confident that, if necessary, there are other alternatives available to fund operations and meet cash requirements during fiscal 2010.

To the extent that existing cash and cash equivalents, and cash from operations, are insufficient to fund our future activities, we may need to raise additional funds through public or private equity or debt financing. We may enter into agreements or letters of intent with respect to potential investments in, or acquisitions of, complementary businesses, applications or technologies in the future, which could also require us to seek additional equity or debt financing. Additional funds may not be available on terms favorable to us or at all.
 
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

We believe that the following critical accounting policies affect our more significant estimates and judgments used in preparation of our consolidated financial statements.  Management makes estimates and assumptions that affect the value of assets and the reported revenues. Changes in assumptions used would impact our financial position and results.  Our significant estimates include the allowance for trade receivables, valuation of goodwill, valuation of derivative financial instruments, valuation of deferred taxes, and valuation of compensation expense on stock-based awards.  Although we believe that these estimates are reasonable, actual results could differ from those estimates given a change in conditions or assumptions that have been consistently applied.

Management has discussed the selection of critical accounting policies and estimates with our Board of Directors, and the Board of Directors has reviewed our disclosure relating to critical accounting policies and estimates in this annual  report on Form 10-K. The critical accounting policies used by management and the methodology for its estimates and assumptions are as follows:

Revenue Recognition

The Company derives revenue from various sources including the following: subscription and hosting fees; licensing of software and related maintenance fees; professional services related to software implementation, customization and training; sale of products and tickets through the Company’s employee rewards software module; career transition services; recruitment research services; and, applicant sourcing.
 
 
33

 
 
In general, the Company recognizes revenue when all of the revenue recognition criteria are met, which is typically when:
·  
evidence of an arrangement exists;
·  
services have been provided or goods have been delivered;
·  
the price is fixed or determinable; and
·  
collection is reasonably assured.

The Company primarily provides various HCM software applications as an on-demand application service and also enters into the sale of license agreements.  Revenue is generated through a variety of contractual arrangements.

Subscription and hosting fees and software maintenance fees are billed in advance on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis.  Amounts that have been invoiced are recorded in accounts receivable and in deferred revenue or revenue, depending on whether the revenue recognition criteria have been met.  Quarterly and annual payments are deferred and recognized monthly over the service period on a straight-line basis.   Set up fees are deferred and recognized monthly on a straight-line basis over the contractual lives of the customer.

Subscription revenues and hosting fees consist of fees from customers accessing our on-demand application service.  The Company follows the provisions of SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 104, Revenue Recognition and Emerging Issues Task Force Issue No. 00-21, Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables.  For revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables, the Company allocates the total customer arrangement to the separate units of accounting based on their relative fair values, as determined by the price of the undelivered items when sold separately.  Professional services included in an application services arrangement with multiple deliverables are accounted for separately when these services have value to the customer on a standalone basis, and there is objective and reliable evidence of fair value of each undeliverable item of the arrangement. When accounted for separately, revenues are recognized as the services are rendered.

License revenues consist of fees earned from the granting of both perpetual and term licenses to use the software products.  The Company recognizes revenue from the sale of software licenses in accordance with American Institute of Certified Public Accountants ("AICPA") Statement of Position ("SOP") No. 97-2, Software Revenue Recognition, and SOP No. 98-9, Modification of SOP 97-2, Software Revenue Recognition, with Respect to Certain Transactions, when all of the following conditions are met: a signed contract exists; the software has been shipped or electronically delivered; the license fee is fixed or determinable; and the Company believes that the collection of the fees is reasonably assured.  License revenue is recorded upon delivery with an appropriate deferral for maintenance services, if applicable, provided all of the other relevant conditions have been met. The total fee from the arrangement is allocated based on Vendor Specific Objective Evidence ("VSOE") of fair value of each of the undelivered elements. Maintenance agreements are typically priced based on a percentage of the product license fee and are either multi-year or have a one-year term, renewable annually. VSOE of fair value for maintenance is established based on the stated renewal rates. Services provided to customers under maintenance agreements include technical product support and unspecified product upgrades. VSOE of fair value for the professional service element is based on the standard hourly rates the Company charges for services when such services are sold separately.

Source code revenue is generated by sales in small markets that we do not typically target.  The sales are for old versions of specific applications or products that we no longer support or sell.  As such, future earnings are not affected by these sales.  The Company recognizes revenue when all of the revenue recognition criteria are met, which is typically when the services have been completed.

Professional services revenue is generated from implementation of software applications and from customer training, customization and general consulting.  In addition, revenue is generated from technical support not included in the software maintenance.  The majority of professional services revenue is billed based on an hourly rate and recognized on a monthly basis as services are provided.  For certain contracts which involve significant implementation or other services which are essential to the functionality of the software and which are reasonably estimable, the license and implementation services revenue is recognized using contract accounting, as prescribed by SOP 81-1, Accounting for Performance of Construction-Type and Certain Production-Type Contracts.  Revenue is recognized over the period of each implementation using the percentage-of-completion method.  Labor hours incurred is used as the measure of progress towards completion, and management believes its estimates to completion are reasonably dependable. A provision for estimated losses on engagements is made in the period in which the losses become probable and can be reasonably estimated.
 
 
34

 
 
One of the software applications offered by the Company allows customers to offer rewards, employee recognition and benefits in an effort to promote their employee retention.  The Company generates subscription revenues from the customer.  In addition, the Company generates revenue from the sale of products and tickets to the customers’ employees through a website.  The Company recognizes revenue when all of the revenue recognition criteria are met, which is typically when the goods are shipped and title has transferred.

For career transition services, the Company bills the client 50% when the assignment starts and the remaining 50% when the assignment is completed.  The Company recognizes revenue when all of the revenue recognition criteria are met, which is typically when services have been completed.

For applicant sourcing services, the Company bills its clients in advance on a monthly, quarterly and annual basis.  The Company recognizes revenue when all of the revenue recognition criteria are met, which is typically on a straight-line basis as services have been completed.  Unrecognized revenue is included in deferred revenue.

As described above, the Company defers certain revenues received and recognizes them ratably over the applicable term of service.  If the revenue is expected to be recognized within the following twelve months, it is classified as a current liability on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.  If the revenue is expected to be recognized over a period longer than 12 months then the portion of revenue expected to be recognized greater than 12 months is classified as a long-term liability.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our accounts receivable balances.  Based on historical experience, we evaluate the accounts for potential uncollectible amounts based on a specific identification methodology and record a general reserve for all remaining balances.  Based on the age of the receivable, cash collection history and past dilution in the receivables, we make an estimate of our anticipated bad debt.  Based on this analysis, we reserved $928,430 and $509,802 for doubtful accounts at May 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.  We believe that this estimate is reasonable, but there can be no assurance that our estimate will not change given a change in economic conditions or business conditions within our industry, our individual customer base or our Company.  Any adjustments to this account are reflected in the accompanying statements of operations and comprehensive loss as a general and administrative expense.

Goodwill

We test goodwill for impairment on an annual basis or as needed if circumstances arise that reduce the value of our reporting units below the carrying value.  We compare the fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying amount (including goodwill) for our impairment evaluation.  Our business segments are considered reporting units for goodwill impairment testing.  Goodwill is considered to be impaired if the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value.  If goodwill is considered to be impaired, the loss that is recognized is equal to the amount that the carrying value of the reporting unit goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill.

In fiscal 2008, the Company recorded a $27.5 million goodwill impairment charge.  Based on the Company’s fourth quarter fiscal 2008 FAS No. 142 impairment review of its Enterprise Workforce and Career Networks operating segments net assets and their related book value, the Company recorded an impairment of $21.4 million and $6.1 million, respectively.  The analysis was conducted by independent valuation specialists. The decline in estimated fair values of the operating segments resulted from an analysis of the current economic conditions, the Company’s performance to budget and the lower estimated future cash flows.  There was no impairment required after our analysis of goodwill and other intangible assets for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2009.

There are judgments and estimates built into our fair value analysis, including future cash flow projections, the discount rate representing innate risk in future cash flows, market valuation, strategic operation plans and our interpretation of current economic indicators.  Changes in any of the underlying assumptions will cause a change in the results, which could lead to the fair value of one or more of the reporting units to be worth less than the current carrying amounts.  In addition to a change in market and economic conditions or our strategic plans, the possibility exists that our conclusions could change which would result in a material negative effect on both our financial position and results of operations.

While management has a plan to return the Company’s business fundamentals to levels that support the book value per common share, there is no assurance that the plan will be successful, or that the market price of the common stock will increase to such levels in the foreseeable future and the Company may have to recognize an impairment of all, or some portion of, its goodwill and other intangible assets. There is no assurance that: (1) valuation multiples will not decline, (2) discount rates will not increase or (3) the earnings, book values or projected earnings and cash flows of the Company’s individual reporting segments will not decline. Accordingly, an impairment charge to goodwill and other intangible assets may be required in the foreseeable future if the book equity value exceeds the estimated fair value of the enterprise or of an individual segment.
 
 
35

 
 
Derivative Financial Instruments

The Senior Secured Notes Payable issued in the August 2008 Exchange Transaction contain a contingent put reflected in the contractual rights of default.  Under these provisions, the Holder has the right to put the Notes back to the Company for 110% of face value in the event of certain equity-indexed defaults, such as listing failure and non-delivery of common shares issuable upon exercise of certain warrants.  Under FAS 133, “Accounting for Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities,” the risks of equity are inconsistent with the risks of the debt host and, therefore, embedded put derivatives such as these require bifurcation and separate classification at fair value.  The embedded put derivative is recorded at fair value, marked-to-market at each reporting period and classified in the Company’s balance sheet as a separate line item.

Deferred Taxes

We apply significant judgment in recording deferred tax assets, which primarily are the result of loss carry forwards of companies that we acquired and loss carry forwards internally generated.  In addition, we make certain assumptions about if and when these deferred tax assets will be utilized.  These determinations require estimates of future profits to be forecasted.  The utilization of the Company’s net operating loss carry forwards may be limited in any given year under certain circumstances.  Events which may affect the Company’s ability to utilize these carry forwards include, but are not limited to, future profitability, cumulative stock ownership changes of 50% or more over a three-year period, as defined by section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code, and the timing of the utilization of the tax benefit carry forwards.  Actual results may differ from amounts estimated.

Valuation of Non-Cash Stock-Based Compensation

On June 1, 2006, the Company adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (“FAS”) No. 123 (revised 2004) No. 123R, “Share-Based Payments” (“FAS 123R) which requires it to recognize expense related to the fair value of stock-based compensation awards.  Stock-based compensation expense for all stock-based compensation awards granted on or subsequent to June 1, 2006 is based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of FAS 123R.  Compensation expense for stock option awards is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award.

We use the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to value our new stock option grants under FAS No. 123R. FAS No. 123R also requires us to estimate forfeitures in calculating the expense related to stock-based compensation, and it requires us to reflect cash flows resulting from excess tax benefits related to those options as a cash inflow from financing activities rather than as a reduction of taxes paid.

The following assumptions were used to calculate the fair-value of share-based payment awards using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, which values options based on the stock price at the grant date, the expected life of the option, the estimated volatility of the stock, expected dividend payments, and the risk-free interest rate over the expected life of the option.  The dividend yield was calculated by dividing the current annualized dividend by the option exercise price of each grant.  The expected volatility was determined considering the Company’s historical stock prices for the fiscal year the grant occurred and prior fiscal years for a period equal to the expected life of the option.  The risk-free rate represents the US Treasury bond rate with maturity equal to the expected life of the option.  The expected life of the option was estimated based on the exercise history of previous grants.
 
 
Fiscal Years Ended
 
May 31, 2009
 
May 31, 2008
Expected volatility
161%
 
78%
Expected dividend yield
0%
 
0%
Expected term (in years)
3.5
 
3.4
Risk-free interest rate
3.3%
 
3.7%
 
 
36

 
 
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

See Note 1 in the Consolidated Financial Statements for information concerning recent accounting pronouncements.


 
37

 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
 
 
The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Workstream Inc.
 
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Workstream Inc. and Subsidiaries as of May 31, 2009, and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss, stockholders’ equity (deficit), and cash flows for the year then ended. 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 audit.
 
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting.  Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.  Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Workstream Inc. and Subsidiaries as of May 31, 2009, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the year then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company is in default of its notes payable, has suffered recurring losses from operations and, at May 31, 2009, has deficiencies in working capital and equity that raise substantial doubt as to its ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans in regard to these matters are also described in Note 1. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.


/s/ Cross, Fernandez & Riley, LLP

Orlando, Florida
September 14, 2009
 
 
38

 
 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders
Workstream Inc.
 
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Workstream Inc. and subsidiaries as of May 31, 2008, and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss, stockholders’ equity (deficit), and cash flows for the year then ended.  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 audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  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 audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Workstream Inc. and subsidiaries as of May 31, 2008, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the year then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern.  As discussed in Note 1 to the financial statements, the Company has suffered recurring losses from operations and negative cash flows from operations.  This raises substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern.  Management's plans in regard to these matters are also described in Note 1.  The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

/s/ McGladrey & Pullen, LLP

Orlando, Florida
November 14, 2008
 
 
39

 
 
WORKSTREAM INC.


                   
   
Notes
   
May 31, 2009
   
May 31, 2008
 
ASSETS:
                 
Current assets:
                 
   Cash and cash equivalents
        $ 1,643,768     $ 3,435,337  
   Restricted cash
          -       391,415  
   Short-term investments
          -       67,983  
   Accounts receivable, net
    2       2,746,360       3,771,598  
   Prepaid expenses and other assets
            146,609       502,303  
         Total current assets
            4,536,737       8,168,636  
                         
Equipment, net
    3       757,050       1,960,836  
Other assets
            30,990       78,287  
Acquired intangible assets, net
    4       21,500       449,975  
Goodwill
    4       17,729,448       17,729,448  
                         
TOTAL ASSETS
          $ 23,075,725     $ 28,387,182  
                         
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT:
                       
Current liabilities:
                       
   Accounts payable
          $ 1,856,892     $ 3,175,850  
   Accrued liabilities
    5       2,924,145       3,079,718  
   Accrued compensation
            526,935       1,176,774  
   Senior secured notes payable and accrued interest
    1, 6       20,158,044       -  
   Embedded put derivative
    6       493,693       -  
   Current portion of long-term obligations
    7       199,516       543,170  
   Deferred revenue
            2,591,328       2,991,909  
         Total current liabilities
            28,750,553       10,967,421  
                         
Long-term obligations less current portion
    7       124,594       275,987  
Deferred revenue – long term
            -       113,000  
Common stock warrant liability
    6       -       19,000,000  
         Total liabilities
            28,875,147       30,356,408  
                         
Commitments and Contingencies
    8                  
                         
STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT:
    9                  
Preferred stock, no par value
            -       -  
    Common stock, no par value issued and outstanding, 56,993,312 and 52,442,818 shares as of May 31, 2009 and 2008
            113,668,376       112,588,378  
   Additional paid-in capital
            18,269,589       18,261,543  
   Accumulated other comprehensive loss
            (861,074 )     (799,190 )
   Accumulated deficit
    1       (136,876,313 )     (132,019,957 )
         Total stockholders’ deficit
            (5,799,422 )     (1,969,226 )
                         
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
          $ 23,075,725     $ 28,387,182  
 
See accompanying notes to these consolidated financial statements.
 
 
40

 
 
WORKSTREAM INC.

                   
         
Fiscal Years Ended
 
   
Notes
   
May 31, 2009
   
May 31, 2008
 
Revenues:
                 
Software
        $ 7,657,142     $ 9,671,463  
Professional services
          2,388,063       3,273,829  
Rewards
          5,957,039       5,531,613  
Career networks
          5,541,826       9,137,398  
Revenues, net
          21,544,070       27,614,303  
Cost of revenues:
                     
Rewards
          4,629,585       4,132,236  
Other
          1,294,841       2,623,032  
Cost of revenues (exclusive of amortization
                     
and depreciation expense noted below)
          5,924,426       6,755,268  
                       
Gross profit
          15,619,644       20,859,035  
                       
Operating expenses:
                     
Selling and marketing
          3,836,391       9,961,398  
General and administrative
          9,835,143       18,432,637  
Research and development
          3,478,241       5,724,932  
Amortization and depreciation
    3       1,538,795       3,601,546  
Goodwill impairment
    4       -       27,546,963  
Total operating expenses
            18,688,570       65,267,476  
                         
Operating loss
            (3,068,926 )     (44,408,441 )
                         
Other income (expense):
                       
Interest income and expense, net
            (1,466,697 )     (541,919 )
Loss on extinguishment of debt
    6, 7       (401,791 )     (1,339,636 )
Change in fair value of warrants and derivative
    6       (51,127 )     (6,318,101 )
Other income and expense, net
            27,118       105,154  
Other expense
            (1,892,497 )     (8,094,502 )
                         
Loss before income tax expense
            (4,961,423 )     (52,502,943 )
                         
Income tax (expense) benefit
            105,067       (113,932 )
                         
NET LOSS
          $ (4,856,356 )   $ (52,616,875 )
                         
Basic and diluted loss per share
    12     $ (0.09 )   $ (1.01 )
                         
                         
Net loss
          $ (4,856,356 )   $ (52,616,875 )
Comprehensive loss:
                       
Foreign currency translation adjustments
            (61,884 )     68,098  
                         
COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
          $ (4,918,240 )   $ (52,548,777 )
 
See accompanying notes to these consolidated financial statements.
 
 
41

 
 
WORKSTREAM INC.
 
                     
Accumulated
           Total        
               
Additional
   
Other
         
Stockholders'
       
   
Common Stock
   
Paid-In
   
Comprehensive
   
Accumulated
   
Equity
   
Comprehensive
 
   
Shares
   
Amount
   
Capital
   
Loss
   
Deficit
   
(Deficit)
   
Loss
 
Balance at May 31, 2007
    51,531,152     $ 112,549,178     $ 10,907,755     $ (867,288 )   $ (79,403,082 )   $ 43,186,563        
                                                       
Exercise of warrants
    400,000       -       4,000       -       -       4,000        
Exercise of stock options
    40,000       39,200       -       -       -       39,200        
Restricted stock unit grants and expense
    471,666       -       814,834       -       -       814,834        
Stock option expense
    -       -       558,681       -       -       558,681        
Issuance of warrants
    -       -       5,976,273       -       -       5,976,273        
Net loss
    -       -       -       -       (52,616,875 )     (52,616,875 )     (52,616,875 )
Cumulative translation adjustment
    -       -       -       68,098       -       68,098       68,098  
Comprehensive loss
    -       -       -       -       -             $ (52,548,777 )
Balance at May 31, 2008
    52,442,818     $ 112,588,378     $ 18,261,543     $ (799,190 )   $ (132,019,957 )   $ (1,969,226 )        
                                                         
Exercise of warrants
    364,316       -       -       -       -       -          
Issuance of common shares
    3,636,363       600,000       -       -       -       600,000          
Rounding shares
    (7 )     -       -       -       -       -          
Restricted stock unit grants and expense
    549,822       479,998       (384,318 )     -       -       95,680          
Stock option expense
    -       -       137,764       -       -       137,764          
Issuance of warrants
    -       -       254,600       -       -       254,600          
Net loss
    -       -       -       -       (4,856,356 )     (4,856,356 )     (4,856,356 )
Cumulative translation adjustment
    -       -       -       (61,884 )             (61,884 )     (61,884 )
Comprehensive loss
                                                  $ (4,918,240 )
Balance at May 31, 2009
    56,993,312     $ 113,668,376     $ 18,269,589     $ (861,074 )   $ (136,876,313 )   $ (5,799,422 )        

See accompanying notes to these consolidated financial statements.
 
 
42

 
 
WORKSTREAM INC.

   
   
Fiscal Years Ended
 
   
May 31, 2009
   
May 31, 2008
 
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities:
           
     Net loss
  $ (4,856,356 )   $ (52,616,875 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
               
     Amortization and depreciation
    1,538,795       3,601,546  
     Leasehold inducement amortization
    (26,891 )     (55,509 )
     Provision for bad debt
    653,826       485,087  
     Loss on sale or disposal of equipment
    100,421       23,154  
     Stock related compensation
    179,194       1,373,515  
     Exchange loss and change in fair value of warrants and derivative
    452,918       6,318,101  
     Goodwill impairment
    -       27,546,963  
Net change in components of working capital:
               
     Accounts receivable
    371,412       (466,847 )
     Prepaid expenses and other assets
    402,991       352,891  
     Accounts payable
    (1,318,958 )     1,206,332  
     Accrued liabilities
    1,952,096       (230,432 )
     Accrued compensation
    (649,839 )     (201,670 )
     Deferred revenue
    (513,581 )     168,956  
Net cash used in operating activities
    (1,713,972 )     (12,494,788 )
                 
Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities:
               
     Purchase of equipment
    (25,903 )     (586,936 )
     Proceeds from sale of equipment
    950       -  
     Decrease in restricted cash
    391,415       133,082  
     Proceeds (payments) from short-term investments
    67,983       (2,132 )
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
    434,445       (455,986 )
                 
Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities:
               
     Repayment of long-term obligations
    (499,816 )     (637,341 )
     Proceeds from issuance of secured notes payable
    -       222,005  
     Repayment of secured notes payable
    -       (4,720,624 )
     Proceeds from issuance of common stock and warrants
    -       18,658,172  
     Proceeds from exercise of options and warrants
    -       43,200  
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    (499,816 )     13,565,412  
                 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
    (12,226 )     68,098  
                 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    (1,791,569 )     682,736  
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
    3,435,337       2,752,601  
                 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  $ 1,643,768     $ 3,435,337  
                 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
               
Cash paid during the period for:
               
     Interest
  $ 57,016     $ 89,811  
     Income taxes
  $ 12,832     $ 126,608  
                 
Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities:
               
     Equipment acquired under capital leases
  $ 99,533     $ 130,492  
     Fees paid by restricted stock unit issuance
  $ 54,250     $ -  
     Exchange of warrant liability for senior secured notes payable
  $ 19,000,000     $ -  
     Non-cash issuance of common stock in connection with the settlement of class action lawsuits
  $ 600,000     $ -  
 
See accompanying notes to these consolidated financial statements.
 
 
43

 
 
WORKSTREAM INC.


NOTE 1.
THE COMPANY AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Description of the Company

Workstream Inc. (“Workstream” or the “Company”), is a provider of services and software for Human Capital Management (“HCM”).  HCM is the process by which companies recruit, train, evaluate, motivate and retain their employees.  Workstream offers software and services that address the needs of companies to more effectively manage their human capital management function.  Workstream has two distinct reportable segments: Enterprise Workforce Services and Career Networks.  The Enterprise Workforce Services segment offers a suite of HCM software solutions, which includes performance management, compensation management, development, recruitment, benefits administration and enrollment, succession planning, and employee reward programs.  The Career Networks segment offers recruitment research, resume management and career transition services.  In addition, Career Networks provides services through a web-site where job-seeking senior executives can search job databases and post their resumes, and companies and recruiters can post position openings and search for qualified senior executive candidates.  Workstream conducts its business primarily in the United States and Canada.

Going Concern and Management’s Assessment of Liquidity

The opinion of our independent registered public accounting firm on the audited financial statements as of and for the year ended May 31, 2009 contains an explanatory paragraph regarding substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.

The Company has incurred substantial losses in recent years and, as a result, has a stockholders deficit of $5,799,422 as of May 31, 2009.  Losses for the years ended May 31, 2009 and 2008 were $4,856,356 and $52,616,875, respectively.  The Company's ability to continue as a going concern depends, primarily, upon its ability to successfully refinance approximately $20.2 million of its senior secured notes payable (the “Notes”), including accrued interest thereon that went into default on May 22, 2009 due to the Company’s suspension of trading on the NASDAQ Stock Market as a result of its stockholders deficit (See NASDAQ Delisting below).  Our ability to continue as a going concern is also dependent upon our ability to generate positive cash flows from operations.   The accompanying financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which assumes continuity of operations and realization of assets and liabilities in the ordinary course of business.  The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result if the Company was forced to discontinue its operations.

In February 2008, Workstream engaged an investment bank to advise and consider divesting its 6Figurejobs.com division.    The move was designed to infuse the Company with cash, as well as to reduce its debt burden.  Pursuant to the terms of the Notes, we agreed to use 75% of the gross proceeds net of taxes from a Disposition (as defined in the Notes) of assets to redeem the Notes (on a pro rata basis among the Note Holders).  The remaining 25% of the gross proceeds net of taxes (such amount not to exceed $2,500,000) may be retained by us.  However, due to the economic conditions in the third quarter of fiscal 2009, Workstream discontinued any active marketing to sell this division.  Workstream is continuing to have discussions with the note holders on the Notes (the “Holders”) and is considering other opportunities to raise capital and align the Company’s business operations with its strategic focus.

In August 2009, the Company and its Holders signed a term sheet, whereby the Holders have agreed to restructure the Notes. The term sheet provides that the Holders would exchange the Notes and the accrued interest thereon (approximately $20.2 million as of May 31, 2009) into $9.5 million of new senior secured notes with the balance as convertible notes.  The proposed new notes would accrue interest at a rate of 9.5% per annum and have a maturity date of July 31, 2012.  The Company and the Holders are negotiating the final terms of the refinancing documents and expect to close the transaction during the Company’s second fiscal quarter ending November 30, 2009.

There can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in its negotiations with the existing Holders and other parties or that the terms of any such refinancing or conversions will not result in the issuance, or potential issuance, of a significant amount of equity securities that will cause substantial dilution to the Company’s stockholders.  If the Company is not successful in refinancing the Notes or in otherwise entering into a financing, sale, or business transaction that infuses sufficient cash resources into the Company in the near future, any collection actions by the Holders could have a material adverse affect on the liquidity and financial condition of the Company and its ability to secure additional financing and continue as a going concern.
 
 
44

 
 
Due to significant reductions in operating expenses in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008, October 2008 and again in January 2009, management believes the current liquidity will be sufficient to meet its anticipated working capital and capital expenditure requirements upon the refinancing of the Notes.  The current operating loss is the result of current economic conditions and is a reflection of the overall health of the economy as a whole.  As it relates to the Career Networks segment of the business, management believes that the career transition services will gain strength in this type of economy as it has in the past.   Based on an analysis of our current contracts, forecasted new business, our current backlog and current expense level, management believes the Company will meet its cash flow needs for fiscal 2010 assuming the successful refinancing of the Notes.  If these measures fall short, management will consider additional cost savings measures, including cutting back product development initiatives and further reducing general and administrative expenses and reducing sales and marketing expenditures.  We recognize that there are no assurances that the Company will be successful in meeting its cash flow requirements, however, management is confident that, if necessary, there are other alternatives available to fund operations and meet cash requirements during fiscal 2010.

NASDAQ Delisting

On May 20, 2009, the Company received a notice from the NASDAQ Hearings Panel stating that the Panel had determined to delist the Company’s common stock from The NASDAQ Stock Market due to its failure to regain compliance with NASDAQ Stock Market Listing Rule 5550(b)(1)within the 180 day extension period granted after the initial failure notice in November 2008.  NASDAQ Marketplace Rule 5550(b)(1) required the Company to have a $35 million market capitalization, a minimum $2.5 million in stockholders' equity or $500,000 of net income from continuing operations for the most recently completed fiscal year or two of the three most recently completed fiscal years.

The Panel indicated that absent a stay by the NASDAQ Listing and Hearing Review Council, the trading of the Company’s common stock on the NASDAQ Stock Market would be suspended at the open of trading on Friday, May 22, 2009.  We did not appeal the decision.   Therefore, the NASDAQ Stock Market suspended the trading of our common stock on May 22, 2009 and delisted our common stock on August 5, 2009.

The suspension constituted an event of default under the Company’s Senior Secured Notes dated August 29, 2008 (the “Notes”) and thereby entitled each Holder of the Notes to require the Company to redeem all or a portion of the Holder’s Note at a price equal to 110% of the sum of the principal amount of the Note, accrued and unpaid interest and late fees, if any.  Additionally, as a result of the event of default, the interest rate under each Note was increased to 12%.  Pursuant to a Forbearance Agreement, between each Holder and the Company, effective as of June 8, 2009, the Holders agreed to forbear from requiring such redemption or exercising certain other rights under the Notes for a period of 15 days while the parties continued to engage in discussions regarding a restructuring of the Notes.

In August 2009, the Company and its Holders signed a term sheet, whereby the Holders have agreed to restructure the Notes. The term sheet provides that the Holders would exchange the Notes and the accrued interest thereon (approximately $20.2 million as of May 31, 2009) into $9.5 million of new senior secured notes with the balance as convertible notes.  The proposed new notes would accrue interest at a rate of 9.5% per annum and have a maturity date of July 31, 2012.  The Company and the Holders are negotiating the final terms of the refinancing documents and expect to close the transaction during the Company’s second fiscal quarter ending November 30, 2009. However, there can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in its negotiations with the existing Holders and other parties or that the terms of any such refinancing or conversions will not result in the issuance, or potential issuance, of a significant amount of equity securities that will cause substantial dilution to the Company’s stockholders.

As of June 3, 2009, the Company’s common shares are dually quoted on the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board (OTCBB), an electronic quotation service maintained by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), and the Pink Sheets electronic over-the-counter securities market.  The common shares continue to trade under the symbol “WSTM.”

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions affecting the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes.  Changes in these estimates and assumptions may have a material impact on the financial statements and accompanying notes.
 
 
45

 
 
Significant estimates and assumptions made by management include the assessment of goodwill impairment.  When assessing goodwill for possible impairment, significant estimates include future cash flow projections, future revenue growth rates, the appropriate discount rate reflecting the risk inherent in future cash flows, the interpretation of current economic indicators and market valuations and our strategic plans with regard to our operations.  It is reasonably possible that those estimates may change in the near-term and may materially affect future assessments of goodwill impairment.  Other significant estimates include the provision for doubtful accounts, valuing derivative instruments, valuing compensation related to stock-based transactions, and estimating future taxable income and the probability that net operating loss carryforwards will be utilized.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Workstream Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries.  All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Cash Equivalents

Cash equivalents are stated at fair value. Cash equivalents are defined as highly liquid investments with terms to maturity at acquisition of three months or less.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable are uncollateralized customer obligations due under normal trade terms requiring payment within 30 days from the invoice date and are recorded at net realizable value.  Unpaid accounts receivable with invoices dates over 30 days old do not accrue interest.

Restricted Cash

Restricted cash consists of short-term investment balances used to collateralize certain lease and credit agreements and were also previously used for collateralizing outstanding line of credit and term loan balances that have been subsequently paid off.  The facility leases and credit agreements form part of current operations, and, accordingly, the restricted cash is classified as a current asset.  Restrictions on these amounts expired on December 31, 2008.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our accounts receivable balances.  Based on historical experience, we evaluate the accounts for potential uncollectible amounts based on a specific identification methodology and record a general reserve for all remaining balances.  Based on the age of the receivable, cash collection history and past dilution in the receivables, we make an estimate of our anticipated bad debt.  We believe our estimates are reasonable, but there can be no assurance that our estimates will not change given a change in economic conditions or business conditions within our industry, our individual customer base or our Company.  Any adjustments to this account are reflected in the accompanying statements of operations and comprehensive loss as a general and administrative expense.

Equipment

Equipment is recorded at cost.  Depreciation is based on the estimated useful life of the asset and is recorded as follows:

 
Furniture and fixtures
5 years straight line
 
Office equipment
5 to 7 years straight line
 
Computers and software
3 years straight line
 
Capital leases
Shorter of lease term or useful life
 
Leasehold improvements
Shorter of lease term or useful life
 
The carrying values are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of such assets may not be recoverable.
 
 
46

 
 
Goodwill and Other Identified Intangible Asset Impairment

Intangible assets with a finite useful life recorded as a result of acquisition transactions are amortized over their estimated useful lives as follows:

 
Acquired technologies
3 years straight line
 
Customer base
3 years straight line
 
Intellectual property
5 years straight line

The Company evaluates its intangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of such assets may not be recoverable.  To determine recoverability, the Company compares the carrying value of the assets to the estimated future cash flows.  If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset.

We test goodwill for impairment on an annual basis or as needed if circumstances arise that reduce the value of our reporting units below the carrying value.  We compare the fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying amount (including goodwill) for our impairment evaluation.  Our business segments are considered reporting units for goodwill impairment testing.  Goodwill is considered to be impaired if the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value.  If goodwill is considered to be impaired, the loss that is recognized is equal to the amount that the reporting units’ carrying value of goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill.

There are judgments and estimates built into our fair value analysis, including future cash flow projections, the discount rate representing innate risk in future cash flows, market valuation, strategic operation plans and our interpretation of current economic indicators.  Changes in any of the underlying assumptions will cause a change in the results, which could cause the fair value of one or more of the reporting units to be worth less than the current carrying amounts.  In addition to a change in market and economic conditions or our strategic plans, the possibility exists that our conclusions could change which would result in a material negative effect on both our financial position and results of operations.

While management has a plan to return the Company’s business fundamentals to levels that support the book value per common share, there is no assurance that the plan will be successful, or that the market price of the common stock will increase to such levels in the foreseeable future.  There is no assurance that: (1) valuation multiples will not decline, (2) discount rates will not increase or (3) the earnings, book values or projected earnings and cash flows of the Company’s individual reporting segments will not decline. Accordingly, an impairment charge to goodwill and other intangible assets may be required in the foreseeable future if the book equity value exceeds the estimated fair value of the enterprise or of an individual segment.

Leasehold Inducements

Leasehold inducements are included in short-term or long-term obligations on the consolidated balance sheets depending on the remaining lease term and are amortized over the term of the leases as a reduction in rent expense.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

In June 2008, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“FAS”) No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements,” (“FAS 157”) and FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) 157-1, “Application of FASB Statement No. 157 to FASB Statement No. 13 and Other Accounting Pronouncements That Address Fair Value Measurements for Purposes of Lease Classification or Measurement under Statement 13,” (“FSP FAS 157-1”) to value its financial assets and liabilities. The adoption of FAS No. 157 and FSP FAS 157-1 did not have a significant impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

FAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value under GAAP and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.  FAS 157 defines fair value as the exchange price that would be paid by an external party for an asset or liability (exit price) and emphasizes that fair value is a market-based measurement, not an entity-specific measurement.  FSP FAS 157-1 amends FAS 157 to remove certain leasing transactions from its scope.   FAS 157 also establishes a fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to classify the inputs used in measuring fair value for assets and liabilities as follows:
·  
Level 1 – Inputs are unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities available at the measurement date;
 
 
47

 
 
·  
Level 2 – Inputs are unadjusted quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable and inputs that are corroborated by observable market data; and
·  
Level 3 – Inputs are unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best available information.
 
Fair value estimates discussed herein are based upon certain market assumptions and pertinent information available to management as of May 31, 2009. The Company uses the market approach to measure fair value for its Level 1 financial assets which includes cash equivalents.  The market approach uses prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities.  The respective carrying value of certain on-balance-sheet financial instruments approximated their fair values due to the short-term nature of these instruments.  These instruments include cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities.

The Company’s Senior Secured Notes and the embedded put derivative were valued in accordance with FAS 157 using multiple, probability-weighted cash flow outcomes at credit-risk adjusted market rates (Level 2 inputs).  We determined the fair value of the Notes on May 31, 2009 to be $20,158,044.  We assessed the value of the embedded put derivative at $493,693 on May 31, 2009.

In February 2008, FASB issued FSP FAS 157-2, “Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157,” which amends FAS No. 157 by delaying its effective date by one year for non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities, except for items that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis.  Accordingly, the Company will begin applying fair value measurements for all non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities on June 1, 2009.

Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company’s Senior Secured Notes issued on August 29, 2008 contain a contingent put reflected in the contractual rights of default.  Under these provisions, the Holder has the right to put the Notes back to the Company for 110% of face value in the event of certain equity-indexed defaults, such as listing failure and non-delivery of common shares issuable upon exercise of certain warrants.  Under FAS 133, “Accounting for Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities,” the risks of equity are inconsistent with the risks of the debt host and, therefore, embedded put derivatives such as these require bifurcation and separate classification at fair value.  The embedded put derivative is recorded at fair value, marked-to-market at each reporting period and classified in the Company’s balance sheet as a separate line item.

Revenue Recognition

The Company derives revenue from various sources including the following: subscription and hosting fees; licensing of software and related maintenance fees; professional services related to software implementation, customization and training; sale of products and tickets through the Company’s employee rewards software module; career transition services; recruitment research services; and, applicant sourcing.

In general, the Company recognizes revenue when all of the revenue recognition criteria are met, which is typically when:
·  
evidence of an arrangement exists;
·  
services have been provided or goods have been delivered;
·  
the price is fixed or determinable; and
·  
collection is reasonably assured.

The Company primarily provides various HCM software applications as an on-demand application service and also enters into the sale of license agreements.  Revenue is generated through a variety of contractual arrangements.

Subscription and hosting fees and software maintenance fees are billed in advance on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis.  Amounts that have been invoiced are recorded in accounts receivable and in deferred revenue or revenue, depending on whether the revenue recognition criteria have been met.  Quarterly and annual payments are deferred and recognized monthly over the service period on a straight-line basis.   Set up fees are deferred and recognized monthly on a straight-line basis over the contractual lives of the customer.
 
 
48

 
 
Subscription revenues and hosting fees consist of fees from customers accessing our on-demand application service.  The Company follows the provisions of SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 104, Revenue Recognition and Emerging Issues Task Force Issue No. 00-21, Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables.  For revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables, the Company allocates the total customer arrangement to the separate units of accounting based on their relative fair values, as determined by the price of the undelivered items when sold separately.  Professional services included in an application services arrangement with multiple deliverables are accounted for separately when these services have value to the customer on a standalone basis, and there is objective and reliable evidence of fair value of each undeliverable item of the arrangement. When accounted for separately, revenues are recognized as the services are rendered.

License revenues consist of fees earned from the granting of both perpetual and term licenses to use the software products.  The Company recognizes revenue from the sale of software licenses in accordance with American Institute of Certified Public Accountants ("AICPA") Statement of Position ("SOP") No. 97-2, Software Revenue Recognition, and SOP No. 98-9, Modification of SOP 97-2, Software Revenue Recognition, with Respect to Certain Transactions, when all of the following conditions are met: a signed contract exists; the software has been shipped or electronically delivered; the license fee is fixed or determinable; and the Company believes that the collection of the fees is reasonably assured.  License revenue is recorded upon delivery with an appropriate deferral for maintenance services, if applicable, provided all of the other relevant conditions have been met. The total fee from the arrangement is allocated based on Vendor Specific Objective Evidence ("VSOE") of fair value of each of the undelivered elements. Maintenance agreements are typically priced based on a percentage of the product license fee and are either multi-year or have a one-year term, renewable annually. VSOE of fair value for maintenance is established based on the stated renewal rates. Services provided to customers under maintenance agreements include technical product support and unspecified product upgrades. VSOE of fair value for the professional service element is based on the standard hourly rates the Company charges for services when such services are sold separately.

Source code revenue is generated by sales in small markets that we do not typically target.  The sales are for old versions of specific applications or products that we no longer support or sell.  As such, future earnings are not affected by these sales.  The Company recognizes revenue when all of the revenue recognition criteria are met, which is typically when the services have been completed.

Professional services revenue is generated from implementation of software applications and from customer training, customization and general consulting.  In addition, revenue is generated from technical support not included in the software maintenance.  The majority of professional services revenue is billed based on an hourly rate and recognized on a monthly basis as services are provided.  For certain contracts which involve significant implementation or other services which are essential to the functionality of the software and which are reasonably estimable, the license and implementation services revenue is recognized using contract accounting, as prescribed by SOP 81-1, Accounting for Performance of Construction-Type and Certain Production-Type Contracts.  Revenue is recognized over the period of each implementation using the percentage-of-completion method.  Labor hours incurred is used as the measure of progress towards completion, and management believes its estimates to completion are reasonably dependable. A provision for estimated losses on engagements is made in the period in which the losses become probable and can be reasonably estimated.

One of the software applications offered by the Company allows customers to offer rewards, employee recognition and benefits in an effort to promote their employee retention.  The Company generates subscription revenues from the customer.  In addition, the Company generates revenue from the sale of products and tickets to the customers’ employees through a website.  The Company recognizes revenue when all of the revenue recognition criteria are met, which is typically when the goods are shipped and title has transferred.

For career transition services, the Company bills the client 50% when the assignment starts and the remaining 50% when the assignment is completed.  The Company recognizes revenue when all of the revenue recognition criteria are met, which is typically when services have been completed.

For applicant sourcing services, the Company bills its clients in advance on a monthly, quarterly and annual basis.  The Company recognizes revenue when all of the revenue recognition criteria are met, which is typically on a straight-line basis as services have been completed.  Unrecognized revenue is included in deferred revenue.

As described above, the Company defers certain revenues received and recognizes them ratably over the applicable term of service.  If the revenue is expected to be recognized within the next twelve months, it is classified as a current liability on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.  If the revenue is expected to be recognized over a period longer than 12 months, then the portion of revenue expected to be recognized greater than 12 months is classified as a long-term liability.
 
 
49

 
 
Cost of Goods Sold

The components of cost of goods sold in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss include all direct materials and direct labor associated with the generation of revenue of the Company's software, rewards products and career services.

Marketing and Advertising

The Company expenses any production costs of advertising the first time the advertising takes place and expenses direct response advertising costs in the period incurred.  Advertising expense was approximately $624,000 and $1,172,000 during the fiscal years ended May 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
 
Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation

On June 1, 2006, the Company adopted the provisions of FAS No. 123R, “Share-Based Payments” (“FAS 123R) which requires it to recognize expense related to the fair value of stock-based compensation awards.  Stock-based compensation expense for all stock-based compensation awards granted on or subsequent to June 1, 2006 is based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of FAS 123R.  Compensation expense for stock option awards is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award.

We use the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to value our new stock option grants under FAS No. 123R. FAS No. 123R also requires us to estimate forfeitures in calculating the expense related to stock-based compensation, and it requires us to reflect cash flows resulting from excess tax benefits related to those options as a cash inflow from financing activities rather than as a reduction of taxes paid.

The following assumptions were used to calculate the fair-value of share-based payment awards using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, which values options based on the stock price at the grant date, the expected life of the option, the estimated volatility of the stock, expected dividend payments, and the risk-free interest rate over the expected life of the option.  The dividend yield was calculated by dividing the current annualized dividend by the option exercise price of each grant.  The expected volatility was determined considering the Company’s historical stock prices for the fiscal year the grant occurred and prior fiscal years for a period equal to the expected life of the option.  The risk-free rate represents the US Treasury bond rate with maturity equal to the expected life of the option.  The expected life of the option was estimated based on the exercise history of previous grants.


 
Fiscal Years Ended
 
May 31, 2009
 
May 31, 2008
Expected volatility
161%
 
78%
Expected dividend yield
0%
 
0%
Expected term (in years)
3.5
 
3.4
Risk-free interest rate
3.3%
 
3.7%
 
Research and Development Costs

The Company accounts for research and development costs associated with computer software development under the provisions of FAS No. 86, Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software to be Sold, Leased or Otherwise Marketed.  Costs are expensed as incurred until technological feasibility has been established. Technological feasibility is established upon completion of a working model; thereafter, all software production costs are capitalized and subsequently reported at the lower of unamortized cost or net realizable value. To date, the time period between the establishment of technological feasibility and completion of software development has been short, and as a result, no significant development costs have been incurred during that period. Accordingly, the Company has not capitalized any research and development costs associated with computer software products to be sold, leased, or otherwise marketed.

Research and development costs primarily include salaries and related costs, costs associated with using outside contractors and miscellaneous software support and administrative expenses.

 
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Income Taxes

The Company follows the provisions of the FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes – An Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109,” (“FIN 48”).  FIN 48 provides guidance on the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return.  The Company has not recognized a liability as a result of the implementation of FIN 48.  A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits has not been provided since there is no unrecognized benefit as of the date of adoption.  The Company has not recognized interest expense or penalties as a result of the implementation of FIN 48.  If there were an unrecognized tax benefit, the Company would recognize interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense and penalties in operating expenses.  The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and in various states and Canada.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on temporary differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities and net operating loss and credit carryforwards using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse in accordance with FAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.” The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.  Income tax expense is the tax payable or refundable for the period plus or minus the change during the period in deferred tax assets and liabilities.  Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.  In determining the amount of any valuation allowance required to offset deferred tax assets, an assessment is made that includes anticipating future income and determining the likelihood of realizing deferred tax assets.  Management has determined that there is sufficient uncertainty regarding the ultimate realization of deferred tax assets relating to the United States operations and therefore, has provided a valuation allowance for the entire balance of the deferred tax assets.

Foreign Currency Translation

These consolidated financial statements are presented in U.S. dollars.  The parent company is located in Canada, and the functional currency of the parent company is the Canadian dollar.  The Company’s subsidiaries use their local currency, which is the U.S. dollar, as their functional currency.  Adjustments resulting from translating foreign functional currency financial statements into U.S. dollars are recorded as a separate component of stockholders’ equity (deficit).  All assets and liabilities denominated in a foreign currency are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate on the balance sheet date.  Revenues and expenses are translated at the average exchange rate during the period.  Equity transactions are translated using historical exchange rates. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included in other income and expenses in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss and have not been material during the periods presented.

Earnings (Loss) per Common Share

Basic earnings (loss) per common share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average shares outstanding. Diluted net earnings (loss) per common share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average shares outstanding including potential common shares which would arise from the exercise of restricted stock units, stock options, warrants and escrowed shares using the treasury stock method.

Concentration of Credit Risk

The Company’s financial instruments that are exposed to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, short-term investments and accounts receivable.  At times, the Company’s deposits may exceed federally insured limits.  Management believes that the use of credit quality financial institutions minimizes the risk of loss associated with these deposits.  The majority of the Company’s sales are credit sales which are made primarily to customers whose ability to pay is dependent upon the industry economics prevailing in the areas where they operate;  however, concentrations of credit risk with respect to trade accounts receivables is limited due to generally short payment terms.  The Company also performs ongoing credit evaluation of its customers to help further reduce credit risk.  Collateral is not required for accounts receivable.

Segments

The Company’s chief operating decision maker is its Chief Executive Officer, who reviews financial information primarily based on two reportable segments.  Accordingly, in accordance with FAS No. 131, Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information (FAS 131), the Company has determined that it has two reporting segments: Enterprise Workforce Services and Career Networks (see Note 10).
 
 
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Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (“FAS”) No. 141, “Business Combinations-Revised” (“FAS No. 141(R)”).  FAS No. 141(R) establishes principles and requirements for how an acquirer in a business combination:  recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any  non-controlling interests in the acquiree; recognizes and measures goodwill acquired in the business combination or a gain from a bargain purchase price;  and, determines what information to disclose to enable users of the consolidated financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination.  FAS No. 141(R) applies prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008.  The application of FAS No. 141(R) will cause management to evaluate future transaction returns under different conditions, particularly the near term and long term economic impact of expensing transaction costs up front.

In December 2007, the FASB issued FAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements – An Amendment of ARB No. 51,” (“FAS 160”). FAS 160 establishes new accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. Specifically, FAS 160 requires the recognition of a noncontrolling interest (minority interest) as equity in the consolidated financial statements that is presented separate from the parent’s equity. The amount of net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest will be included in consolidated net income on the face of the income statement. FAS 160 clarifies that changes in a parent’s ownership interest in a subsidiary that do not result in deconsolidation are equity transactions if the parent retains its controlling financial interest. In addition, FAS 160 requires that a parent recognize a gain or loss in net income when a subsidiary is deconsolidated. Such gain or loss will be measured using the fair value of the noncontrolling equity investment on the deconsolidation date. FAS 160 also includes expanded disclosure requirements regarding the interests of the parent and its noncontrolling interest. FAS 160 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008. Earlier adoption is prohibited. We are currently evaluating the impact of FAS 160 on our results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

In March 2008, the FASB issued FAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities – an Amendment of FASB Statement 133” (“FAS 161”). FAS 161 enhances required disclosures regarding derivatives and hedging activities, including enhanced disclosures regarding how: (a) an entity uses derivative instruments; (b) derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under FAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”; and (c) derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows.  FAS 161 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008. We are currently evaluating the impact of FAS 161 on our results of operations and financial position.

In April 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) FAS 142-3, “Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets.” This FSP amends the factors that should be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under FAS 142. The intent of this FSP is to improve the consistency between the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under FAS 142 and the period of expected cash flows used to measure the fair value of the asset under FAS 141R and other GAAP. This FSP is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is prohibited. We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting this new accounting position on our results of operations and financial position.

In May 2008, FASB issued FSP APB 14-1, “Accounting for Convertible Debt Instruments That May Be Settled in Cash upon Conversion (Including Partial Cash Settlement)” (“FSP APB 14-1”). This FSP specifies that issuers of such instruments should separately account for the liability and equity components in a manner that will reflect the entity's nonconvertible debt borrowing rate when interest cost is recognized in subsequent periods. FSP APB 14-1 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008 and interim periods within those fiscal years, and is applied retrospectively to all periods presented. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting FSP APB 14-1 on its results of operations and financial position.

In June 2008, FASB issued FSP EITF 03-6-1, “Determining Whether Instruments Granted in Share-Based Payment Transactions Are Participating Securities.” The FSP concluded that unvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents (whether paid or unpaid) are participating securities under FASB No. 128, “Earnings per Share,” and should be included in the computation of earnings per share under the two-class method. The two-class method is an earnings allocation formula used to determine earnings per share for each class of common stock according to dividends declared and participation rights in undistributed earnings. FSP EITF 03-6-1 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years, and is applied retrospectively to all periods presented.  The Company is currently evaluating the impact of FSP EITF 03-6-1 on its results of operations and financial position.
 
 
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In June 2008, the FASB’s Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) reached a consensus regarding EITF Issue No. 07-5, “Determining Whether an Instrument (or Embedded Feature) Is Indexed to an Entity’s Own Stock” (EITF 07-5). EITF 07-5 outlines a two-step approach to evaluate the instrument’s contingent exercise provisions, if any, and to evaluate the instrument’s settlement provisions when determining whether an equity-linked financial instrument (or embedded feature) is indexed to an entity’s own stock. EITF 07-5 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008 and must be applied to outstanding instruments as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption as a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings. Early adoption is not permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting EITF 07-5 on its results of operations and financial position.

In October 2008, the FASB issued FSP No. FAS 157-3, “Determining the Fair Value of a Financial Asset When the Market for That Asset Is Not Active” (“FSP FAS 157-3”). FSP FAS 157-3 provides examples to illustrate key considerations in determining the fair value of a financial asset when the market for that financial asset is not active. This FSP is effective for the first reporting period (interim or annual) ending after June 15, 2009, with earlier application permitted. The adoption of FSP FAS 107-1 did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In December 2008, the FASB issued FSP FAS 140-4 and Financial Interpretations ("FIN") 46(R)-8, “Disclosures by Public Entities (Enterprises) about Transfers of Financial Assets and Interest in Variable Interest Entities” (“FSP FAS 140-4”). This disclosure-only FSP improves the transparency of transfers of financial assets and an enterprise's involvement with variable interest entities, including qualifying special-purpose entities. This FSP is effective for the first reporting period (interim or annual) ending after December 15, 2008, with earlier application encouraged. The adoption of FSP FAS 140-4 and FIN 46(R)-8 did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In April 2009, the FASB issued FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1, “Interim Disclosures About Fair Value of Financial Instruments” (“FSP FAS 107-1”). FSP FAS 107-1 expands the fair value disclosures required for all financial instruments within the scope of FASB Statement No. 107, Disclosures About Fair Value of Financial Instruments (“FAS 107”), to interim periods. It also requires entities to disclose the method(s) and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value of financial instruments in financial statements on an interim and annual basis and to highlight any changes from prior periods.

In April 2009, the FASB issued FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2, “Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments” (“FSP FAS 115-2”). FSP FAS 115-2 requires entities to initially apply the provisions of the standard to previously other than temporarily impaired debt securities (debt securities that the Company does not intend to sell and that the Company is not more likely than not required to sell before recovery), existing as of the date of initial adoption, by making a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption. This FSP is effective for the first reporting period (interim or annual) ending after June 15, 2009, with earlier application permitted. The adoption of FSP FAS 115-2 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In April 2009, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) FAS 157-4, “Determining Fair Value When the Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or Liability Have Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions That Are Not Orderly” (“FSP FAS 157-4”). FSP FAS 157-4 provides guidance on (1) estimating the fair value of an asset or liability when the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability have significantly decreased and (2) identifying transactions that are not orderly. This FSP is effective for the first reporting period (interim or annual) ending after June 15, 2009, with earlier application permitted. The adoption of FSP FAS 157-4 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In May 2009, the FASB issued FAS No. 165, “Subsequent Events”. This standard is intended to establish general standards of accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. Specifically, this standard sets forth the period after the balance sheet date during which management of a reporting entity should evaluate events or transactions that may occur for potential recognition or disclosure in the financial statements, the circumstances under which an entity should recognize events or transactions occurring after the balance sheet date in its financial statements, and the disclosures that an entity should make about events or transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date. FAS No. 165 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods ending after June 15, 2009 and applied prospectively. The adoption of FAS 165 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
 
 
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In June 2009, the FASB issued FAS No. 166, “Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets, an amendment to FAS No. 140.” The new standard eliminates the concept of a "qualifying special-purpose entity," changes the requirements for derecognizing financial assets, and requires additional disclosures in order to enhance information reported to users of financial statements by providing greater transparency about transfers of financial assets, including securitization transactions, and an entity's continuing involvement in and exposure to the risks related to transferred financial assets. FAS No. 166 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2009. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting FAS No. 166 on its results of operations and financial position.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made in the accompanying 2008 financial statements to conform to the current year presentation.  These reclassifications have no impact on previously reported results of operations.


NOTE 2.
ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS

The following presents the detail of the changes in the allowance for doubtful accounts for the years ended May 31:


   
Year Ended
   
Year Ended
 
   
May 31, 2009
   
May 31, 2008
 
             
Balance at beginning of the period
  $ 509,802     $ 711,087  
Charged to bad debt expense
    653,826       485,087  
Write-offs and effect of exchange rate changes
    (235,198 )     (686,372 )
Balance at end of the period
  $ 928,430     $ 509,802  

The Company uses historical experience and knowledge of and experience with specific customers in order to assess the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts.  Any adjustments to this account are reflected in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss as a general and administrative expense.


NOTE 3.
EQUIPMENT

Equipment consists of the following at May 31:

   
2009
   
2008
 
Furniture, equipment
           
  and leasehold improvements
  $ 147,617     $ 1,830,175  
Office equipment
    484,976       515,125  
Computers and software
    8,800,965       9,187,728  
      9,433,558       11,533,028  
Less accumulated depreciation
    (8,676,508 )     (9,572,192 )
Equipment, net
  $ 757,050     $ 1,960,836  

Equipment includes equipment under capital lease totaling $1,594,220 at May 31, 2009.  Accumulated amortization relating to equipment under capital leases totaled $1,132,385 at May 31, 2009.  Depreciation expense for equipment was $1,110,320 and $1,448,931 for the years ended May 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

 
NOTE 4.
ACQUIRED INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND GOODWILL

Acquired intangible assets consist of the following at May 31:
 
 
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2009
   
2008
 
         
Accumulated
         
Accumulated
 
   
Cost
   
Amortization
   
Cost
   
Amortization
 
Customer base
  $ 8,132,722     $ 8,132,722     $ 8,132,722     $ 8,007,889  
Acquired technologies
    22,191,121       22,191,121       22,191,121       22,060,477  
Intellectual property
    1,322,760       1,301,260       1,322,760       1,128,262  
      31,646,603     $ 31,625,103       31,646,603     $ 31,196,628  
                                 
Less accumulated amortization
    (31,625,103 )             (31,196,628 )        
Net acquired intangible assets
  $ 21,500             $ 449,975          

Amortization expense for intangible assets was $428,475 and $2,152,615 for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.  The estimated future amortization expense related to intangible assets in existence as of May 31, 2009 is as follows:
 
Fiscal 2010
  $ 21,500  
 
The following represents the detail of the changes in the goodwill account for the years ended May 31, 2009 and 2008:

   
Enterprise
             
   
Workforce
   
Career
       
   
Services
   
Networks
   
Total
 
                   
Goodwill at May 31, 2007
  $ 32,818,809     $ 12,457,602     $ 45,276,411  
Impairment
    (21,437,149 )     (6,109,814 )     (27,546,963 )
Goodwill at May 31, 2008
    11,381,660       6,347,788       17,729,448  
Impairment
    -       -       -  
Goodwill at May 31, 2009
  $ 11,381,660     $ 6,347,788     $ 17,729,448  
 
Based on the Company’s impairment tests and consideration of the current and expected future market conditions, we determined that goodwill for Enterprise Workforce Services and Career Networks operating segments was impaired in accordance with FAS 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets and the Company recorded non-cash, pre-tax goodwill impairment charges of approximately $21.4 million and $6.1 million, respectively, during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2008.  The analysis also determined that there was no impairment to other intangible assets.  The analysis was conducted by independent valuation specialists. The decline in estimated fair values of the operating segments resulted from an analysis of the current economic conditions, the Company’s performance to budget and the lower estimated future cash flows.  There was no impairment required after our analysis of goodwill and other intangible assets for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2009.

Inherent in our fair value determinations are certain judgments and estimates, including projections of future cash flows, the discount rate reflecting the risk inherent in future cash flows, the interpretation of current economic indicators and market valuations and our strategic plans with regard to our operations.  A change in these underlying assumptions would cause a change in the results of the tests, which could cause the fair value of one or more reporting units to be more or less than their respective carrying amounts.  In addition, to the extent that there are significant changes in market conditions or overall economic conditions or our strategic plans change, it is possible that our conclusion regarding goodwill impairment could change, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial position and results of operations.  Impairment charges related to reporting units which are not currently impaired may occur in the future if further market deterioration occurs resulting in a revised analysis of fair value.
 
 
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NOTE 5.
ACCRUED LIABILITIES

Accrued liabilities consist of the following at May 31:

   
2009
   
2008
 
Taxes
  $ (15,992 )   $ 403,939  
Legal, audit & professional fees
    700,392       827,886  
Merger costs
    92,215       570,881  
Consulting fees
    1,275,218       504,000  
Sales tax payable
    574,247       633,723  
Other
    298,065       139,289  
    $ 2,924,145     $ 3,079,718  
 

NOTE 6.
INVESTOR WARRANTS AND SENIOR SECURED NOTES PAYABLE

On August 3, 2007, the Company consummated a private placement of securities pursuant to which the Company raised $19,000,000 through the sale of two series of warrants.  The first series of warrants (the “Special Warrants”) were convertible into 15,200,000 common shares at a conversion price of $1.25 per share.  The Special Warrants had a five year life; however, after the fourth year the holder had the right to require the Company to purchase the unconverted portion at a price equal to fair value, which would be determined by an independent party selected by the Company and approved by the holder.  The second series of warrants (the “Additional Warrants”) were convertible into 3,800,000 common shares at an exercise price of $1.40 per share over a five year life.

Pursuant to FASB Statement No. 150 “Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity” (“FAS No. 150”), the Special Warrants were originally accounted for as a liability due to their redeemable feature, while the Additional Warrants were accounted for as additional paid-in capital.  Using the Black-Scholes valuation model, the Company determined the fair value of the Special Warrants was $12,681,900 as of the closing of the private placement.  Pursuant to EITF 00-19 “Accounting for Derivative Financial Instruments Indexed to and Potentially Settled in a Company’s Own Stock,” the value of the Additional Warrants originally amounted to $5,976,272 which was calculated as the net proceeds received less the value of the Special Warrants.

On April 14, 2008, Workstream and the holders of its Special Warrants entered into a Forbearance Agreement pursuant to which the holders of the Special Warrants agreed to forbear, for a period of one year and one day, any rights they have to require the redemption of the Special Warrants as a result of the occurrence of triggering events under the Special Warrants and to any fees owing to the Special Warrant holders under the Registration Rights Agreement Workstream entered into with them.  Due to the triggering event described above, we no longer believed the Black-Scholes valuation model was indicative of the fair value of the Special Warrants as of February 29, 2008.  As a result, we evaluated the possible outcomes and determined the weighted-average value of the warrant liability was $19 million as of February 29, 2008.  This adjustment resulted in an expense of $13,051,901 recorded in change in fair value of warrants in the third quarter of fiscal 2008.

On August 29, 2008, we entered into an exchange agreement that provided for the exchange of the $19,000,000 Special Warrants and Additional Warrants indexed to 3,800,000 shares of common stock, issued August 3, 2007 (“Old Warrants”), for $19,147,191 in Face Value of Senior Secured Notes (collectively, the “Notes”) and newly issued warrants indexed to 3,800,000 shares of common stock (“New Warrants”) (the “Exchange Transaction”). Financing costs of $147,191 incurred by the holders of the Notes (“Holders”) are included in the face value of the Notes.

The Notes are secured by a lien on all of our assets and our subsidiaries pursuant to the terms of a Security Agreement with each Note Holder.  Interest on the Notes accrues at an annual rate of 7% and increases to 12% per year on August 29, 2009 if we have not repaid at least 50% of the sum of the original principal amount of the Notes plus all accrued but unpaid interest and late charges by such date.  The Notes mature on August 29, 2010 and all unpaid principal and accrued interest is due upon maturity.

The New Warrants are convertible into 3,800,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.25.  All other material terms of the New Warrants are substantially the same as those contained in the old warrants that were exchanged, including the existence of anti-dilution provisions that provide for a full adjustment of the exercise price and the number of common shares to be issued in the event we, in certain circumstances, issue securities at a price below the exercise price of the New Warrants.  Each New Warrant must be exercised on or prior to August 3, 2012 or it will expire by its terms.
 
 
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Upon the occurrence of an event of default, as defined in the Notes, a Holder may require us to redeem all or a portion of such Holder’s Note at a price equal to 110% of the sum of the principal amount of the Note, accrued and unpaid interest and late fees, if any, to be redeemed.  Upon a Disposition (as defined in the Notes) of assets, we agreed to use 75% of the gross proceeds net of taxes to redeem the Notes (on a pro rata basis among the Holders).  The remaining 25% of the gross proceeds net of taxes (such amount not to exceed $2,500,000) may be retained by us.    In addition, in the event that we receive cash, cash equivalents or publicly-traded securities in an amount exceeding $2,000,000 in connection with the settlement of certain litigation involving us, we agree to use 75% of the amount received in excess of $2,000,000 to redeem the Notes (on a pro rata basis among the Holders).  Each Note contains customary covenants with which we must comply.  Each of our subsidiaries delivered a Guaranty pursuant to which it agreed to guarantee our obligations under each Note.

The note payable contains covenants that, among other things, limit our ability and the ability of our subsidiaries to:
·  
Incur additional indebtedness;
·  
create liens;
·  
pay dividends or repurchase capital stock;
·  
make certain other payments; and
·  
sell or transfer assets.

The Exchange Transaction constituted a substantial modification of the original arrangement as determined under EITF 96-19, “Debtor’s Accounting for Modifications and Exchanges of Debt Instruments” and EITF 06-06, “Debtor’s Accounting for Modifications (or Exchanges) of Debt Instruments.” Accordingly, the Exchange was accounted for as an extinguishment wherein the fair value of the financial instruments issued, plus the incremental fair value associated with the warrant modification, was recognized for financial reporting purposes with an associated charge to extinguishment expense. We recorded a $401,791 loss on Exchange Transaction during fiscal 2009 based on the fair values of the instruments at the time of the exchange, including the embedded put derivatives and$147,191 of financing costs of the Holders paid by Workstream.

The Notes also contain a contingent put reflected in the contractual rights of default. Under these provisions, the Holder has the right to put the Notes back to the Company for 110% of face value in the event of certain equity-indexed defaults, such as listing failure and non-delivery of common shares issuable upon exercise of the New Warrants.  Under FAS 133,“Accounting for Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities,” the risks of equity are inconsistent with the risks of the debt host and, therefore, embedded put derivatives such as these require bifurcation and separate classification at fair value.

The Notes and the embedded put derivative were valued in accordance with FAS 157 using multiple, probability-weighted cash flow outcomes at credit-risk adjusted market rates (Level 2 inputs).  We determined the fair value of the Notes on August 29, 2008 to be $18,704,625.  This value is being accreted to the Face Value including accrued interest of $22,835,685 through August 29, 2010 through interest expense using the effective interest method.  Interest expense on the Notes was $1,453,419 during fiscal 2009.  We assessed the value of the embedded put derivative at $936,646 on August 29, 2008 and $493,693 on May 31, 2009.  We recorded income of $442,953 during fiscal 2009 to reflect the changes in the fair value of the embedded put derivative.

On May 22, 2009, the Company’s stock was suspended from trading on the NASDAQ Stock Market due to its inability to maintain a minimum of $2.5 million in stockholders’ equity or $500,000 of net income from continuing operations for the most recently completed fiscal year or two of the three most recently completed fiscal years.  The suspension constituted an event of default under the Company’s Senior Secured Notes dated August 29, 2008 and thereby entitled each Holder of the Notes to require the Company to redeem all or a portion of the Holder’s Note at a price equal to 110% of the sum of the principal amount of the Note, accrued and unpaid interest and late fees, if any.  Additionally, as a result of the event of default, the interest rate under each Note was increased to 12%.  Pursuant to a Forbearance Agreement, between each Holder and the Company, effective as of June 8, 2009, the Holders agreed to forbear from requiring such redemption or exercising certain other rights under the Notes for a period of 15 days while the parties continued to engage in discussions regarding a restructuring of the Notes.

In August 2009, the Company and its Holders signed a term sheet, whereby the Holders have agreed to restructure the Notes. The term sheet provides that the Holders would exchange the Notes and the accrued interest thereon (approximately $20.2 million as of May 31, 2009) into $9.5 million of new senior secured notes with the balance as convertible notes.  The proposed new notes would accrue interest at a rate of 9.5% per annum and have a maturity date of July 31, 2012.  The Company and the Holders are negotiating the final terms of the refinancing documents and expect to close the transaction during the Company’s second fiscal quarter ending November 30, 2009. However, there can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in its negotiations with the existing Holders and other parties or that the terms of any such refinancing or conversions will not result in the issuance, or potential issuance, of a significant amount of equity securities that will cause substantial dilution to the Company’s stockholders.
 
 
57

 
 
NOTE 7.
OTHER LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS

On October 12, 2006, the Company consummated a loan transaction pursuant to which it borrowed $15,000,000 under a Senior Secured Note Agreement. Under the terms of the agreement, interest on the loan was due monthly at a rate of prime plus 2.5% per annum for the initial 180 days and at a rate of prime plus 3.5% per annum for the remainder of the loan.   The term of the loan was for 545 days and could be prepaid at the option of the Company.  Upon repayment of the loan for any reason, the agreement provided that the Company was going to pay to the lender an additional payment such that the lender receives an internal rate of return of 30% per annum during the initial 180 days of the loan and 40% per annum during the remainder of the term of the loan.   Estimated financing costs associated with the loan totaled $350,000 and were being amortized over the term of the loan to interest expense.

In connection with the loan described above, the Company issued the lender a warrant to purchase 2,750,000 shares of its common shares at an exercise price of $.01 per share.  The fair value of the warrants was determined using the Black-Scholes pricing model and gave rise to an original issue discount on the loan of $2,392,500.  The discount was being amortized over the term of the loan to interest expense.

On January 4, 2007, the Company announced that the Board of Directors had approved an agreement in principle with its lender to amend the senior credit facility from a $15 million Senior Secured Note with an 18 month term, to a Senior Line of Credit, comprising of a $5 million designated sublimit drawn against the line and an additional $10 million available through an accounts receivable backed credit facility.   The amendment, which had an effective date of March 30, 2007 provided, among other things, that the guaranteed internal rate of return payments would be eliminated effective January 1, 2007 and $10 million of the initial principal was to be repaid to the lender, essentially converting it to a commitment under an asset backed line of credit.  The only significant economic covenant that the lenders imposed was a $1 million block on the availability based on eligible receivables.  The cost of the amendment was a restructuring fee of $750,000, which included $637,000 of interest previously accrued under the guaranteed interest provisions through January 1, 2007 and an additional $113,000 of financing costs, $200,000 of the aggregate fee was paid at closing and $550,000 was due in December 2007.  The designated sublimit was to be amortized ratably on a 60 month amortization.  The Senior Line of Credit bore interest at prime plus 3% per annum, had a termination date of February 1, 2008 and required an annual renewal with the lender.

The Company consummated financing of $19 million in August of 2007. Immediately after funding of the transaction, the outstanding obligation under the senior line of credit, which totaled approximately $6.1 million, the remaining restructuring fee of $550,000 and other miscellaneous fees were paid off in their entirety approximately $1,300,000 of the early extinguishment of debt expense was included in loss on extinguishment of debt in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.

The Company entered into various capital lease obligations for equipment to be housed in an outside data center facility.  All capital leases are being paid on a monthly and quarterly basis.
 
 
58

 
 
Long-term obligations consist of the following at May 31:
   
2009
   
2008
 
Senior secured notes payable and accrued interest
  $ 20,158,044     $ -  
Warrant liability
    -       19,000,000  
Term loan
    -       123,798  
Capital lease obligations
    309,084       653,442  
Leasehold inducements
    15,026       41,917  
      20,482,154       19,819,157  
                 
Less current portion of:
               
Senior secured notes payable and accrued interest
    20,158,044       -  
Long-term obligations
    199,516       543,170  
    $ 124,594     $ 19,275,987  
                 
                 
Fiscal 2010
  $ 20,357,560          
Fiscal 2011
    56,005          
Fiscal 2012
    39,780          
Fiscal 2013
    28,809          
    $ 20,482,154          
 

NOTE 8.
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Litigation

On or about August 10, 2005, a class action lawsuit was filed against the Company, its former Chief Executive Officer and its former Chief Financial Officer in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. The action, instituted on behalf of a purported class of purchasers of the Company’s common shares during the period from January 14, 2005 to and including April 14, 2005 (the class period), alleged, among other things, that management provided the market misleading guidance as to anticipated revenues for the quarter ended February 28, 2005, and failed to correct this guidance on a timely basis. The action claimed violations of Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder, as well as Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act, and sought compensatory damages in an unspecified amount as well as the award of reasonable costs and expenses, including counsel and expert fees and costs. The Court certified the case as a class action.

The parties agreed to settle the claims in consideration of the payment of $3 million in cash and $600,000 in the Company’s common shares.  The $3 million was paid for by the Company’s insurance carrier pursuant to the Company’s insurance policies.  The Court held a hearing on June 24, 2008 to consider the fairness of the settlement after notice of the settlement and the hearing had been given to the class.  No opposition to approval of the settlement was presented at the hearing.  On August 13, 2008, the court entered a final judgment in the case, which became final on September 12, 2008.  The $600,000 was accrued for in fiscal 2007 and 3,636,363 shares were issued in fiscal 2009 on September 24, 2008 after the issuance of the final judgment.

* * *

On September 27, 2006, Sunrise Equity Partners, L.P. (“Sunrise”) filed a complaint against the Company and its former Chief Executive Officer in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York alleging a violation of Section 10b-5 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and a claim under New York common law for fraudulent and negligent misrepresentations in connection with Sunrise’s purchase of the Company’s common shares and warrants in a private placement.  On April 11, 2007, Nathan A. Low (“Low”) and Sunrise Foundation Trust (“Trust”) filed an amended complaint with Sunrise against the Company and its former Chief Executive Officer in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York alleging a violation of Section 10b-5 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and a claim under New York common law for fraudulent and negligent misrepresentations in connection with Low’s and the Trust’s purchase of the Company’s common shares and warrants in a private placement. The three plaintiffs invested an aggregate of $4 million in the Company in the private placement. The case was settled during fiscal 2008 for $1.2 million which was paid for by the Company’s insurance carrier pursuant to the Company’s insurance policies.
 
* * *
 
 
59

 
 
On February 12, 2008, Workstream, Workstream Merger Sub Inc., Empagio Acquisition LLC (“Empagio”) and SMB Capital Corporation entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger pursuant to which Empagio would merge with and into Workstream, subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, which was approved by the Boards of Directors of both the companies. Upon the completion of the Merger, the equity interests in Empagio would be converted into up to 177,397,332 shares of Workstream Inc. common stock, representing approximately 75% of the Company’s outstanding common stock on a diluted basis following the Merger.

On June 24, 2008, the Company filed a lawsuit in the Superior Court of the State of Delaware in and for New Castle County (the “State Court Lawsuit”) against Empagio Acquisition, LLC (“Empagio”) and SMB Capital Corporation (“SMB”) to obtain the $5 million termination fee required to be paid by Empagio and SMB pursuant to Section 7.02 of the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of February 12, 2008 among the Company, Workstream Merger Sub Inc., Empagio and SMB, which agreement was terminated by the Company on June 13, 2008.  On June 25, 2008, Empagio and SMB filed a lawsuit against the Company in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware (the “Federal Lawsuit”) alleging entitlement to a $3 million termination fee pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger.  On July 29, 2008, Empagio and SMB filed a notice of voluntary dismissal of their Federal Lawsuit based on an understanding that Empagio and SMB would make their claim as part of the Company’s State Court Lawsuit.  In accordance with the voluntary notice of dismissal of the Federal Lawsuit, Empagio and SMB have now asserted their claims in the State Court Lawsuit.  The Company has denied these allegations.  The parties are proceeding with discovery in this case.  Trial is scheduled for July 5, 2010, with mandatory alternative dispute resolution to be completed by January 29, 2010.

* * *

On June 10, 2009, Franklin Drive, LLC filed a lawsuit in the Superior Court of the State of California against the Company, its former Chief Executive Officer and its former Chief Financial Officer for a dispute regarding the Company’s lease of commercial property located at 5000 Franklin Drive, Pleasanton, California which was for a term commencing on January 1, 2008 and expiring on January 31, 2013.  On or about October 2008, we abandoned the property and ceased making rental payments pursuant to the lease.  Franklin Drive, LLC is claiming termination damages of $1.5 million.  The parties are engaged in out-of-court, settlement negotiations and we expect to continue settlement negotiations until an agreeable payment amount is reached.

* * *

The Company is subject to other legal proceedings and claims which arise in the ordinary course of business.  The Company does not believe that the resolution of such actions will materially affect the Company’s business, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
 
 
60

 
 
Lease Commitments

A summary of the future minimum lease payments under the Company’s non-cancelable leases as of May 31, 2009 is as follows:

   
Capital Leases
   
Operating Leases
       
         
Facilities
   
Equipment
   
Total
 
Year ended May 31:
                       
2010
  $ 218,549     $ 222,216     $ 20,169     $ 460,934  
2011
    63,630       217,028       20,169       300,827  
2012
    44,222       74,846       20,169       139,237  
2013
    29,925       15,103       18,488       63,516  
                                 
Total minimum lease payments
    356,326     $ 529,193     $ 78,995     $ 964,514  
                                 
Less amount representing interest
    (32,216 )                        
Total principal lease payments
    324,110                          
Less current maturities
    (199,516 )                        
                                 
    $ 124,594                          

Rent expense, recorded on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss in general and administrative expense, totaled $1,080,227 and $1,265,974 for the years ended May 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

Retirement Plans

During fiscal 2008 and part of fiscal 2009, the Company had three 401(k) plans that covered all eligible employees.  During fiscal 2009, these plans were all merged into one main plan with ADP Retirement Services.  The Company is not required to contribute to the plans.  During the year ended May 31, 2009, the Company paid a match up to 1% of the participant’s salary based on each participant’s contribution resulting in an employer contribution of $17,475 for contributions from January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008.  There were no employer contributions made during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2008.


NOTE 9.
CAPITAL STOCK

Classes of Stock

The authorized share capital consists of an unlimited number of no par value common shares, an unlimited number of no par value Class A Preferred Shares (the “Class A Preferred Shares”), and an unlimited number of no par value Series A Convertible Preferred Shares (the “Series A Shares”).  There were 56,993,312 and 52,442,818 common shares issued and outstanding as of May 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.  There was no Class A Preferred Shares or Series A Shares outstanding as of May 31, 2009 and 2008.

Stock Plans and Stock-Based Compensation

The Company grants stock options to employees, directors and consultants under the 2002 Amended and Restated Stock Option Plan (the “Plan”), which was most recently amended in November 2007 at the annual shareholders’ meeting. Under the Plan, as amended, the Company is authorized to issue up to 11,000,000 shares of common stock upon the exercise of stock options or restricted stock unit grants.  The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors administers the Plan.  Under the terms of the Plan, the exercise price of any stock options granted shall not be lower than the market price of the common stock on the date of the grant.   Options to purchase shares of common stock generally vest ratably over a period of three years and expire five years from the date of grant.

On June 1, 2006, the Company adopted the provisions of FAS 123R, which requires it to recognize expense related to the fair value of stock-based compensation awards.  Stock-based compensation expense for all stock-based compensation awards granted on or subsequent to June 1, 2006 is based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of FAS 123R.  Compensation expense for stock option awards is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award.  The assumptions used to calculate the fair-value of share-based payment awards during the fiscal years ended May 31, 2009 and 2008 are found in Note 1 under Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation.
 
 
61

 
 
The Company recognized $137,764 and $558,681 of stock-based compensation expense resulting from stock options in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss under general and administrative expenses for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

Stock option activity and related information is summarized as follows:


                     
Weighted
       
         
Weighted
         
Average
       
         
Average
   
Weighted
   
Remaining
     
Aggregate
   
Number
   
Exercise
   
Average
   
Contractual
     
Intrinsic
   
of Options
   
Price
   
Fair Value
   
Term in Years
     
Value
Balance outstanding - May 31, 2007
    4,112,863     $ 1.41                    
     Granted
    2,441,150     $ 0.81     $ 0.45              
     Exercised
    (40,000 )   $ 0.98                      
     Forfeited or expired
    (4,157,465 )   $ 1.23                      
Balance outstanding - May 31, 2008
    2,356,548     $ 1.23                      
     Granted
    27,600     $ 0.17     $ 0.09              
     Exercised
    -     $ -                      
     Forfeited or expired
    (957,116 )   $ 1.37                      
Balance outstanding - May 31, 2009
    1,427,032     $ 1.12            
 2.7
    $
 1,728
                                     
Exercisable - May 31, 2009
    1,105,318     $ 1.16            
 2.7
    $
   -
 
The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents total intrinsic value (of options in the money), which is the difference between the Company’s closing stock price of $0.37 on May 29, 2009, the last trading day of the reporting period and the exercise price times the number of shares, that would have been received by the option holders had the option holders exercised their options on May 29, 2009.

There were no options exercised during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2009 and therefore, no intrinsic value or cash received from option exercises during the period.
 
The following table summarizes information about options outstanding at May 31, 2009:
 
Range of Exercise Prices
Options Outstanding (#)
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life
 
Weighted-Average Exercise Price
Options Exercisable (#)
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life
 
Weighted-Average Exercise Price
                 
 $0.18 - $0.99
 794,634
 3.5
 years
 $  0.75
 621,063
 3.5
 years
 $  0.76
 $1.00 - $1.99
 526,067
 2.1
 years
 $  1.32
 377,924
 2.0
 years
 $  1.35
 $2.00 - $2.99
 70,800
 0.5
 years
 $  2.62
 70,800
 0.5
 years
 $  2.62
 $3.00 - $3.25
 35,531
 0.6
 years
 $  3.25
 35,531
 0.6
 years
 $  3.25
 Total
 1,427,032
 2.7
 years
 $  1.12
 1,105,318
 2.7
 years
 $  1.16
 
 
62

 
 
As of May 31, 2009, $62,832 of total unrecognized compensation costs related to non-vested stock options is expected to be recognized ratably over the remaining individual vesting periods up to three years.  The realized tax benefit from stock options and other share based payments was $0 for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2009 due to the uncertainty of realizability.

The Company grants restricted stock units to certain management and members of the Board of Directors.  Each restricted stock unit represents one share of common stock and vests ratably over three years.  The Company will then issue common stock for the vested restricted stock units upon exercise by the grantee.  During the vesting period, the restricted stock units cannot be transferred, and the grantee has no voting rights.  The cost of the awards, determined as the fair value of the shares on the grant date, is expensed ratably over the vesting period.  The stock-based compensation expense associated with the restricted stock units totaling $41,430 and $814,434 for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, is included in general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss and in additional paid-in capital on the consolidated balance sheets.  In April 2009, the Company made a grant of 200,926 restricted stock units to pay for accumulated board fees totaling $54,250.  As of May 31, 2009, $40,667 of total unrecognized compensation costs related to non-vested restricted stock unit grants is expected to be recognized ratably over the remaining individual vesting periods up to three years.
 
   
Number of Options
   
Weighted Average Fair Value
 
Non-Vested – May 31, 2007
    593,331        
      Granted
    705,000     $ 0.94  
      Vested
    (370,000 )        
      Forfeited or expired
    (441,661 )        
Outstanding – May 31, 2008**
    486,670          
      Granted
    200,926     $ 0.27  
      Vested
    (549,822 )        
      Forfeited or expired
    (60,000 )        
Non-vested – May 31, 2009
    77,774          
 
**
At May 31, 2008, 486,670 restricted stock units were outstanding including 264,444 that were fully vested but not issued.

Warrants

Stock warrant activity and related information is summarized as follows:

                     
Weighted
       
         
Weighted
         
Average
       
         
Average
   
Weighted
   
Remaining
   
Aggregate
 
   
Number
   
Exercise
   
Average
   
Contractual
   
Intrinsic
 
   
of Warrants
   
Price
   
Fair Value
   
Term in Years
   
Value
 
Balance outstanding - May 31, 2008
    24,337,501     $ 1.70                    
     Granted
    3,800,000     $ 0.25     $ 0.12              
     Exercised
    (1,000,000 )   $ 0.25                      
     Forfeited or expired
    (21,987,501 )   $ 2.28                      
Balance outstanding - May 31, 2009
    5,150,000     $ 0.14               2.8     $ 1,182,000  
                                         
Exercisable - May 31, 2009
    5,150,000     $ 0.14               2.8     $ 1,182,000  
 
In May 2009, a warrant to purchase 1,000,000 shares of common stock was exercised at $0.25 per share in a series of cashless exercise transactions resulting in the issuance of 364,316 shares of common stock.  The holder of the warrant forfeited the right to acquire 635,684 shares of our common stock under the warrant as consideration for this cashless exercise.
 
 
63

 
 
As of May 31, 2009, the Company had outstanding warrants to purchase shares of common stock which were issued in connection with past financing arrangements.  Information related to these warrants is summarized as follows:

Exercise
Expiration
 
 Price
Date
Shares
 $0.01
October 2011
 2,350,000
 $0.25
August 2012
 2,800,000
   
 5,150,000
 
 
NOTE 10.
SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

The Company has two reportable segments: Enterprise Workforce Services and Career Networks.  Enterprise Workforce Services consists of revenue generated from HCM software and related professional services.  In addition, Enterprise Workforce Services generates revenue from the sale of various products through the rewards modules of the HCM software.  Career Networks primarily consists of revenue from career transition, applicant sourcing and recruitment research services.

The Company evaluates the performance in each segment based on profit or loss from operations.  There are no inter-segment sales.  Corporate operating expenses are allocated to the segments primarily based on revenue.

The Company’s segments are distinct business units that offer different products and services.  Each is managed separately and each has a different client base that requires a different approach to the sales and marketing process.

The Company does not allocate other income and expense items such as interest income and expense, change in fair value of warrants and derivative, loss on extinguishment of debt and other income and expense, as well as income tax expense in the profit and loss presentation for its segments.  The Company also does not allocate certain assets such as cash, restricted cash and short term investments to the segments for asset presentation.  The Company deems these costs to be corporate costs that would not necessarily be a part of the individual segments ordinary course of business or does not record these assets by segment.

The following tables summarize the Company’s operations by business segment and by geographic region for the years ended May 31, 2009 and 2008:

Business Segment Information
 
   
Fiscal Years Ended
 
   
May 31, 2009
 
   
Enterprise
             
   
Workforce
   
Career
       
   
Services
   
Networks
   
Total
 
Software
  $ 7,645,384     $ 11,758     $ 7,657,142  
Professional services
    2,388,063       -       2,388,063  
Rewards
    5,957,039       -       5,957,039  
Career services
    -       5,541,826       5,541,826  
Revenue, net
    15,990,486       5,553,584       21,544,070  
Cost of revenues:
                       
Rewards
    4,629,585       -       4,629,585  
Other
    982,441       312,400       1,294,841  
Gross profit
    10,378,460       5,241,184       15,619,644  
Expenses
    11,080,273       6,069,502       17,149,775  
Amortization and depreciation
    1,471,458       67,337       1,538,795  
Business segment loss
  $ (2,173,271 )   $ (895,655 )     (3,068,926 )
                         
Other income and expense and income tax
                    (1,787,430 )
Net loss
                  $ (4,856,356 )
 
 
64

 
 
   
As of May 31, 2009
 
   
Enterprise
             
   
Workforce
   
Career
       
   
Services
   
Networks
   
Total
 
                   
Business segment assets
  $ 3,192,686     $ 488,323     $ 3,681,009  
Intangible assets
    21,500       -       21,500  
Goodwill
    11,381,660       6,347,788       17,729,448  
    $ 14,595,846     $ 6,836,111       21,431,957  
Assets not allocated
                       
      to business segments
                    1,643,768  
                         
Total assets
                  $ 23,075,725  




   
Fiscal Years Ended
 
   
May 31, 2008
 
   
Enterprise
             
   
Workforce
   
Career
       
   
Services
   
Networks
   
Total
 
Software
  $ 9,662,463     $ 9,000     $ 9,671,463  
Professional services
    3,273,829       -       3,273,829  
Rewards
    5,531,613       -       5,531,613  
Career services
    -       9,137,398       9,137,398  
Revenue, net
    18,467,905       9,146,398       27,614,303  
Cost of revenues:
                       
Rewards
    4,132,236       -       4,132,236  
Other
    2,011,264       611,768       2,623,032  
Gross profit
    12,324,405       8,534,630       20,859,035  
Expenses
    24,699,518       9,419,449       34,118,967  
Impairment charges - goodwill
    21,437,149       6,109,814       27,546,963  
Amortization and depreciation
    3,526,935       74,611       3,601,546  
Business segment loss
  $ (37,339,197 )   $ (7,069,244 )     (44,408,441 )
                         
Other income and expense and income tax
                    (8,208,434 )
Net loss
                  $ (52,616,875 )
 

   
Enterprise
             
   
Workforce
   
Career
       
   
Services
   
Networks
   
Total
 
                   
Business segment assets
  $ 5,564,763     $ 748,261     $ 6,313,024  
Intangible assets
    449,975       -       449,975  
Goodwill
    11,381,660       6,347,788       17,729,448  
    $ 17,396,398     $ 7,096,049       24,492,447  
Assets not allocated
                       
      to business segments
                    3,894,735  
                         
Total assets
                  $ 28,387,182  
 
 
65

 
 
Geographic Information
 
   
Fiscal Years Ended
 
   
May 31, 2009
 
                   
         
United
       
   
Canada
   
States
   
Total
 
Net Revenue
  $ 1,102,973     $ 20,441,097     $ 21,544,070  
Expenses
    3,738,588       20,874,408       24,612,996  
Geographical loss
  $ (2,635,615 )   $ (433,311 )     (3,068,926 )
                         
Other income and expense and income tax
                    (1,787,430 )
Net loss
                  $ (4,856,356 )
                         
                         
                         
   
As of
 
   
May 31, 2009
 
                         
           
United
         
   
Canada
   
States
   
Total
 
Long-lived assets
  $ 517,458     $ 18,021,530     $ 18,538,988  
Current assets
                    4,536,737  
Total assets
                  $ 23,075,725  

 
   
Fiscal Years Ended
 
   
May 31, 2008
 
                   
         
United
       
   
Canada
   
States
   
Total
 
Net Revenue
  $ 1,407,875     $ 26,206,428     $ 27,614,303  
Expenses
    5,092,114       66,930,630       72,022,744  
Geographical loss
  $ (3,684,239 )   $ (40,724,202 )     (44,408,441 )
                         
Other income and expense and income tax
                    (8,208,434 )
Net loss
                  $ (52,616,875 )
                         
                         
                         
   
As of
 
   
May 31, 2008
 
                         
           
United
         
   
Canada
   
States
   
Total
 
Long-lived assets
  $ 1,463,762     $ 18,754,784     $ 20,218,546  
Current assets
                    8,168,636  
Total assets
                  $ 28,387,182  
 
 
66

 
 
NOTE 11.
INCOME TAXES

The Company operates in several tax jurisdictions.  Its income is subject to varying rates of tax, and losses incurred in one jurisdiction cannot be used to offset income taxes payable in another.

The loss before income taxes consisted of the following (rounded):

   
Fiscal years ended May 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
Canadian domestic loss
  $ (2,648,000 )   $ (3,783,000 )
United States loss
    (2,313,000 )     (48,720,000 )
Loss before income taxes
  $ (4,961,000 )   $ (52,503,000 )


The provision for (benefit from) income taxes consists of the following (rounded):

   
Fiscal years ended May 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
Canadian domestic:
           
Current income taxes
  $ -     $ -  
                 
United States:
               
Current income taxes
    (105,000 )     114,000  
Deferred income taxes
    -       -  
Income tax (benefit) expense
  $ (105,000 )   $ 114,000  


A reconciliation of the combined Canadian federal and provincial income tax rate with the Company’s effective income tax rate is as follows (rounded):

   
Fiscal years ended May 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
Combined Canadian, federal and provincial tax rate
    34.50 %     36.12 %
                 
Income tax recovery based on combined Canadian,
               
   federal and provincial rate
  $ 1,651,000     $ 18,964,000  
Effect of foreign tax rate differences
    132,000       578,000  
Change in enacted tax rates
    -       (80,000 )
Non-deductible amounts
    (49,000     10,000  
Non-deductible goodwill impairment
    -       (9,950,000 )
Non-deductible warrant liability valuation
    -       (2,282,000 )
Change in valuation allowance
    (354,000 )     3,090,000  
Effect of changes in carryforward amounts
    (893,000 )     (11,005,000 )
Tax credits and refunds
    28,000       -  
Effect of foreign exchange rate differences
    (485,000 )     430,000  
Other
    75,000       131,000  
                 
Income tax benefit (expense)
  $ 105,000     $ (114,000 )
 
 
67

 

The components of the Company’s net deferred income taxes are as follows (rounded):

   
Fiscal years ended May 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
Deferred income tax assets:
           
Loss carryforwards
  $ 25,710,000     $ 24,309,000  
Asset basis differences
    4,841,000       5,425,000  
Deferred Revenue
    816,000       999,000  
Share issue costs
    10,000       14,000  
Investment tax credits
    569,000       611,000  
Share Based Compensation
    600,000       988,000  
Accrued expenses
    738,000       625,000  
Accrued vacation
    68,000       131,000  
Allowance for bad debts
    307,000       203,000  
                 
Gross deferred income tax assets
    33,659,000       33,305,000  
Valuaton allowance
    (33,659,000 )     (33,305,000 )
Total deferred income tax assets
  $ -     $ -  
 
The Company has incurred net losses since inception.  At May 31, 2009, the Company had approximately $54,000,000 in net operating loss carryforwards for U.S. federal and state income tax purposes that expire in various years through 2029, and approximately CDN $12,000,000 in net operating loss carryforwards for Canadian federal and provincial income tax purposes that expire in various years through 2029.  A substantial portion of these losses are subject to a complex set of rules in the Internal Revenue Code which limit a company’s ability to utilize net operating losses and tax credit carryforwards following an ownership change.  Management has determined that there is sufficient uncertainty regarding the ultimate realization of deferred tax assets and therefore, has provided a valuation allowance for the entire balance of the deferred tax assets.  The change in valuation allowance for the years ended May 31, 2009 and May 31, 2008 was an increase (decrease) of $354,000 and ($3,090,000), respectively, resulting primarily from net operating losses generated and expired during the periods.

The Company adopted the provisions of FIN 48 on June 1, 2007.  As a result of the implementation of FIN 48, the Company did not recognize a change in the liability for unrecognized tax benefits related to tax positions taken in prior periods and thus, did not record a change in its opening accumulated deficit.  During the years ended May 31, 2009 and 2008, there was no activity related to prior or current years’ tax positions, settlements or reductions resulting from expirations of unrecognized tax benefits or obligations.

Accordingly, there are no unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate.  No interest or penalties have been accrued in the consolidated financial statements related to unrecognized tax benefits.  The Company does not expect a significant increase or decrease in unrecognized tax benefits during the next 12 months.  As of May 31, 2009, the Company’s 2004 through 2008 U.S. tax years and 2001 through 2008 Canadian tax years were open to examination by the federal and major state taxing authorities.
 
 
68

 
 
NOTE 12.
EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE

The following is a reconciliation of basic net income per share to diluted net income per share:


   
Fiscal Years Ended
 
   
May 31, 2009
   
May 31, 2008
 
Net loss
  $ (4,856,356 )   $ (52,616,875 )
                 
Weighted average shares outstanding – basic
    55,007,730       51,899,782  
Potential shares “in-the-money” under stock option and warrant agreements
    -       -  
Less:  Shares assumed repurchased under the treasury stock method
    -       -  
Weighted average shares outstanding –diluted
    55,007,730       51,899,782  
                 
Basic net loss per common share
  $ (0.09 )   $ (1.01 )
Diluted net loss per common share
  $ (0.09 )   $ (1.01 )

 
Because the Company reported a net loss during the fiscal years ended May 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company excluded the impact of its common stock equivalents in the computation of dilutive earnings per share for these periods, as their effect would be anti-dilutive.  The following outstanding instruments could potentially dilute earnings per share in the future:

Total dilutive instruments:
   
Stock options
 
 1,427,032
Restricted stock units
 
 77,774
Escrowed shares
 
 108,304
Warrants
 
 5,150,000
  Total potential dilutive instruments
 
 6,763,110
 

NOTE 13.
ECONOMIC DEPENDENCE

Direct sales to Liberty Mutual represented 10% or more of net sales and amounted to approximately $4,126,000 and $3,623,000 for the years ended May 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.   Sales were for rewards products and merchandise for the Enterprise Workforce segment.

Sales to Liberty Mutual represented approximately 19% and 13%, respectively, of revenue for the years ended May 31, 2009 and 2008.  No other customer sales totaled greater than 10% of revenue for years ended May 31, 2009 and 2008.
 
 
69

 
 
CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

On January 12, 2009, we received written notice from McGladrey & Pullen, LLP (“McGladrey”) stating that McGladrey was resigning as our independent registered public accounting firm effective upon completion of McGladrey’s review of our consolidated financial statements for the three and six month periods ended November 30, 2008 and the filing of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended November 30, 2008.

The reports of McGladrey on our financial statements for the previous two fiscal years did not contain any adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principle except that McGladrey’s report included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2008 (the “2008 Annual Report”) included an emphasis paragraph relating to an uncertainty as to the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.  
 
During the previous two fiscal years and through McGladrey’s resignation, there have been no disagreements with McGladrey on any matters of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of McGladrey, would have caused McGladrey to make reference to the subject matter of such disagreements in their reports on the financial statements for such years.  During the previous two fiscal years and through McGladrey’s resignation, there were no “reportable events” as such term is defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K except that our 2008 Annual Report contained a report in Item 9A(T) by management of a material weakness in internal control over financial reporting, that was identified by McGladrey, as a result of inadequate staffing in our accounting department.   Management has addressed the material weakness by changing staff and increasing the level and the training of its staff at the end of the third quarter and continuing through the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009.

On March 5, 2009, we engaged Cross, Fernandez and Riley, LLP (“CFR”), an independent member of the BDO Seidman LLP Alliance network of firms, to be our independent registered public accounting firm as approved by our Board of Directors, on the advice of its Audit Committee.  During fiscal years 2007 and 2008 and the subsequent interim period, we have not consulted with CFR with respect to any of the matters or reportable events set forth in Item 304(a)(2) of Regulation S-K.

Since they were hired on March 5, 2009, there were (1) no disagreements between us and CFR on any matters of accounting principle or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedures and (2) no reportable events within the meaning set forth in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.  CFR has not issued any reports on our financial statements during the previous two fiscal years.  Accordingly, there were no reports that contained any adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion or were qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principle.
 
 
70

 

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, referenced herein as the Exchange Act. These disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer and effected by our Board of Directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of our financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Internal control over financial reporting includes policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the Company’s transactions; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary for preparation of our financial statements and that receipts and expenditures of the Company’s assets are made in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting is not intended to provide absolute assurance that a misstatement of the Company’s financial statements would be prevented or detected.  Furthermore, the Company’s controls and procedures could be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion or two or more people or by management override of the control.  Misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected on a timely basis.
 
 
71

 

In our 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K, we noted that management had identified a material weakness in our internal accounting controls because of insufficient staffing in our accounting department.  Management addressed the material weakness by changing staff and increasing the level and the training of its staff at the end of the third quarter and continuing through the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009.

The Company carried out, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of May 31, 2009 pursuant to Rule 13a-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, using the criteria set forth in the Internal Control over Financial Reporting – Guidance for Smaller Public Companies issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based upon its evaluation, management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of May 31, 2009 because of our inability to test the information technology controls due to the restructuring of our IT department and relocation and consolidation of our corporate headquarters in Canada and Florida to new facilities at the end of our fiscal year. A material weakness is a control deficiency that results in a more than remote likelihood that a material misstatement of the annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis by employees in the normal course of their assigned functions.  The Company is in the process of executing its plan to mitigate this material weakness. Despite the existence of this material weakness, we believe the Company’s consolidated financial statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K fairly present, in all material respects, the Company’s consolidated financial condition as of May 31, 2009 and 2008, and the consolidated results of its operations and cash flows for the years ended May 31, 2009 and 2008, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

This annual report does not include an attestation report of our registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by our registered public accounting firm pursuant to temporary rules of the SEC that permit the Company to provide only management’s report in this annual report.
 
 
72

 


DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
 
Set forth below is certain information regarding our directors and executive officers:

 
Name
 
Age
 
Position
Michael Mullarkey
41
Chairman of the Board of Directors and Acting Chief Financial Officer
Thomas Danis
62
Director
Michael Gerrior
59
Director
Mitchell Tuchman
53
Director
Steve Purello
41
President and Chief Executive Officer

Michael Mullarkey has been the Chairman of our Board of Directors since November 2001 and served as our Chief Executive Officer from April 2001 through January 2007.  Mr. Mullarkey has served as our Acting Chief Financial Officer since the resignation of our previous Chief Financial Officer, Jay Markell, effective as of January 16, 2009.  From April 2003 until December 2006, Mr. Mullarkey assumed the responsibilities of President, a position he previously held from April 2001 until November 2001.  From January 2001 to April 2001, Mr. Mullarkey was the President, Secretary and a Director of Paula Allen Holdings, Inc., a full service outplacement firm in the United States, which we acquired in April 2001.  From October 1999 to December 2000, Mr. Mullarkey returned to Sony Corporation where he served as General Manager.  From January 1998 to September 1999, Mr. Mullarkey was the co-founder and managing director of Information Technology Mergers & Acquisitions, LLC, an investment capital group managing private equity funding and investing in emerging technology markets and organizations.  From October 1989 to February 1997, Mr. Mullarkey was employed by Sony Corporation of America, a subsidiary of Sony Corporation, where his most recent position was Vice President and General Manager.  Prior to serving as Sony Corporation of America’s Vice President and General Manager, Mr. Mullarkey served as its National Sales Manager, a position he held from 1992 to 1994, and prior to that he served as one of its Sales Executives.
 
Thomas Danis has been a member of our Board of Directors since 2001.  Mr. Danis is currently a consultant with Aon Corporation, a provider of risk management services, insurance and reinsurance brokerage, human capital and management consulting, and specialty  insurance underwriting.  Prior to becoming a consultant in 2007, Mr. Danis served as an executive with Aon from 1992 to 2007.  Mr. Danis is a Board member and founder of RCP Advisors, a Mid Market Fund to Fund headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.  He also serves on the Board of Living Naturally, a technology and marketing company focused on Natural Food Product Stores, headquartered in Sarasota, Florida.  Mr. Danis holds a B.S. from St Louis University and an MBA from the University of Chicago. 
 
Michael Gerrior has been a member of our Board of Directors since April 2001.  From 1988 to present, Mr. Gerrior has been a partner at Perley-Robertson, Hill & McDougall LLP, our Canadian legal counsel where he assists his clients with mergers and acquisitions, securities matters and corporate governance.  He has concluded private placements, venture capital transactions, and public offerings on various exchanges, including NASDAQ, the TSX Venture Exchange, the Toronto Stock Exchange and the Montreal Exchange.  He received his LL.B. from McGill University and also holds a bachelor’s degree in arts from St. Francis Xavier University.   Mr. Gerrior also serves on the Board of Directors of Grey Horse Corporation, TayCon Capital Corporation and Chesstown Capital Inc.
 
Mitchell Tuchman has been a member of our Board of Directors since November 2005.   Mr. Tuchman is the CEO of MarketRiders, Inc., a registered investment adviser, and brings more than 27 years experience in venture capital, public finance and technology. Previously, Mr. Tuchman was a sub-advisor to Apex Capital, LLC, on its technology micro-cap portfolio. From 1998 - 2001, Mr. Tuchman invested in and advised venture funds and was instrumental in facilitating several key transactions including C2B Technologies’ sale to Inktomi, Net Market Makers sale to Jupiter Communications, and Chrome Data Systems sale to DealerTrack. A Silicon Valley veteran, Mr. Tuchman began his career at Atari, Inc. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Inuvo  (Amex: INUV) and Phoenix Technologies (Nasdaq: PTEC) and as a director of Kintera, Inc. (Nasdaq: KNTA) was instrumental in its sale to Blackbaud Inc.  Mr. Tuchman received his MBA from Harvard Business School and his BA from Boston University.

Steve Purello has been our President and Chief Executive Officer since February 2008. Prior to this appointment, Mr. Purello served as General Manager of the Company’s Career Networks business from January 2005 until February 2008.  In November 2006, Mr. Purello became responsible for managing our Rewards and Recognition business. From 2003 until January 2005, Mr. Purello served as General Manager of our 6FigureJobs subsidiary.
 
 
73

 

Audit Committee and Audit Committee Financial Expert

The Board of Directors has a separately designated Audit Committee to oversee its accounting and financial reporting processes and the audits of our financial statements.  The Audit Committee is comprised of three non-employees: Thomas Danis (Chairman); Michael Gerrior; and Mitchell Tuchman The Board has determined that all members of the Audit Committee are “independent” as that term is currently defined in Rule 4200(a)(15) of the listing standards of the NASD and Rule 10A-3(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  Mr. Danis has been determined to be an “audit committee financial expert” as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Company Employee Code of Conduct

The Board has adopted a Code of Conduct that applies to our directors, officers and employees, including our principal executive, financial and accounting officers and persons performing similar functions. The Code of Conduct will be made available, without charge, upon written request made to LeAnn Hitchcock for the Company at its offices located at 485 N. Keller Road, Suite 500, Maitland, FL 32751.  In addition, it is also available on our website at www.workstreaminc.com.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires our executive officers, directors and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of a registered class of our equity securities, to file initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).  Officers, directors and greater than 10% beneficial owners are required by SEC regulation to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.

To our knowledge, based solely on a review of the copies of such reports furnished to us and written representations that no other reports were required during the year ended May 31, 2009, all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to our officers, directors and greater than 10% beneficial owners were complied with except that Mr. Purello failed to file a Form 4 in a timely manner in February 2009.
 
Procedures to Recommend Nominees to the Board
 
There have been no changes to the procedures for security holders to recommend nominees to our Board from those set forth in our Proxy Statement dated April 30, 2009 delivered in connection with our 2008 Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders.

 
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
 
The following table sets forth the cash compensation as well as certain other compensation earned during the last two fiscal years for (i) each person who served as our principal executive officer (“PEO”) during our fiscal year ended May 31, 2009, (ii) each of our other two most highly compensated executive officers other than the PEO who were serving as executive officers as of May 31, 2009; (iii) up to two additional individuals for whom disclosure would have been provided above, but for the fact that the individual was not serving as an executive officer as of May 31, 2009 (collectively referred to as the “Named Executive Officers”):
 
 
74

 
 
Name and Principal Position
 
Year
 
Salary
($)
 
Bonus
($)
 
Restricted Stock
Awards
($)(1)
 
Option
Awards
($)(1)
 
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation
($)
 
All Other Compensation
($)
 
Total
($)
Steve Purello,
President & Chief Executive Officer (2)
 
2009
2008
 
250,000
230,769
 
--
62,403
 
--
71,000
 
--
300,000
 
--
--
 
10,365
--
 
260,365
664,172
                                 
Michael Mullarkey,
Chairman of the Board & Acting Chief Financial Officer (3)
 
2009
2008
 
--
--
 
39,500
--
 
--
--
 
--
--
 
--
--
 
261,360(4)
520,000(4)
 
300,860
520,000
                                 
Jay Markell,
Former Chief Financial Officer (5)
 
2009
2008
 
86,191
124,308
 
--
--
 
--
21,900
 
--
10,650
 
--
--
 
47,142
--
 
133,333
156,858
 
(1)  
Represents the compensation expense incurred by us in the respective fiscal year in connection with the grants of restricted common stock or stock options, as applicable, calculated in accordance with FAS 123(R). See Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8 for additional information, including valuation assumptions used in calculating the fair value of the award.
(2)  
Mr. Purello became our President and Chief Executive Officer in February 2008.  Other compensation includes amount of health care benefits paid by the Company on behalf of Mr. Purello. Mr. Purello receives an annual salary of $250,000.  Other compensation includes amount of health care benefits paid by the Company on behalf of Mr. Purello.
(3)  
On January 5, 2009, the Board appointed Michael Mullarkey, the Company’s Executive Chairman, to take on a more active role in the day-to-day operations of the Company and oversee and assist in the financial duties as the Company’s Acting Chief Financial Officer upon the resignation of Mr. Jay Markell effective January 16, 2009.  It was resolved that Mr. Mullarkey would be paid $1,000 per day plus expenses for the time he had spent and will spend on Company business starting in November 2008.  Additionally, the Company pays for his standard employee health insurance benefits.  Effective June 1, 2009, the Compensation Committee agreed to pay Mr. Mullarkey a $39,500 bonus for his work during fiscal 2009.
(4)  
During fiscal 2009 and 2008, Mr. Mullarkey earned $44,250 and $85,000, respectively, in connection with fees for his service as the Chairman of the Board.  Fiscal 2008 director fees included $50,000 earned by each director in connection with his service as a member of the Special Committee in connection with our proposed merger transaction with Empagio Acquisition LLC.  In November 2008, each member waived his right to receive such amount due to the termination of the merger transaction in May 2008. Mr. Mullarkey received $435,000 in consulting fees paid pursuant to a Consulting Agreement between us and Mr. Mullarkey, which terminated on September 1, 2008.  Upon the termination of the Consulting Agreement, the Board agreed to pay $1,000 per day plus full standard employee health insurance benefits.  Total consulting fees paid in fiscal 2009 and 2008 were $195,500 and $435,000, respectively.  Other compensation also includes amount of health care benefits paid by the Company on behalf of Mr. Mullarkey.
(5)  
Mr. Markell was our Chief Financial Officer from February 2008 until his resignation in January 2009.  Mr. Markell received an annual salary of $140,000.  In connection with Mr. Markell’s resignation, the Company and Mr. Markell entered into a Separation Agreement pursuant to which the Company agreed to pay Mr. Markell three months of severance totaling $35,000 and $10,389 of accrued but unused vacation time.  In addition, the Company agreed to pay for Mr. Markell’s health insurance benefits until March 31, 2009.  
 
 
75

 
 
EQUITY AWARDS
 
The following tables set forth certain information concerning equity awards for our Named Executive Officers as of May 31, 2009:
 
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

Option Awards
Name
 
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable
   
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable
   
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options (#)
   
Option Exercise Price
($/Sh)
 
 
 
 
 
Option Expiration Date
Steve Purello
    66,667       33,333             1.31  
06/01/11 (2)
   Principal Executive Officer
    400,000                   0.75  
12/06/12 (2)
                                   
Michael Mullarkey
    8,889       4,445             1.29  
03/01/12 (3)
   Principal Financial Officer
    6,666       13,334             0.69  
11/15/12 (3)
 
Stock Awards
Name
 
Number of Shares or Units of Stock that have not Vested
(#)
   
Market Value of Share or Units of Stock that have not Vested
($)(1)
   
Equity Incentive
Plan Awards:
Number of
Unearned Shares, Units or other
 Rights that
have not
Vested (#)
   
Equity Incentive
Plan Awards:
Market or
Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or other
 Rights that
have not
Vested
 
Steve Purello
                       
   Principal Executive Officer
                               
                                 
Michael Mullarkey
    4,444 (4)     1,644              
    Principal Financial Officer
    13,333 (4)     4,933                  
 
(1)  
The market value per restricted stock unit is calculated by multiplying the number of shares of restricted stock that have not vested by the closing stock price of $0.37 per share as quoted on the OTCBB on May 29, 2009.
 
 
(2)  
Option to purchase 100,000 shares of common stock vests equally over three years from the grant date of June 1, 2006.  Option to purchase 400,000 shares of common stock was immediately vested on the grant date of December 6, 2007.
 
 
(3)  
Option to purchase 13,334 shares of common stock vests equally over three years from the grant date of March 1, 2007.  Option to purchase 20,000 shares of common stock vests equally over three years from the grant date of November 15, 2007.
 
 
(4)  
Original grant of 13,334 restricted stock units vesting equally over three years from the grant date of March 1, 2007.  Original grant of 20,000 restricted stock units vesting equally over three years from the grant date of November 15, 2007.
 
Stock Option Exercises and Holdings
 
The following table sets forth certain information concerning the exercise of options and the vesting of restricted stock for our Named Executive Officers during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2009:
 
 
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Option Exercises and Stock Vested

   
Option Awards
   
Stock Awards
 
Name
 
Number of
Shares Acquired
on Exercise
(#)
   
Value Realized
on Exercise
($)
   
Number of Shares
Acquired on Vesting
(#)
   
Value Realized
on Vesting
($)(1)
 
Steve Purello
                       
   Principal Executive Officer
                               
Michael Mullarkey
                115,557       42,756  
    Principal Financial Officer
                               
 
(1)  
The dollar value realized on vesting is calculated by multiplying the number of shares of restricted stock that vested by the market value of our common shares on the vesting or issuance date.
 
Employment Contracts, Termination of Employment and Change-in-Control Arrangements

Steve Purello Employment Agreement
On March 19, 2008, we and Steve Purello agreed to the terms of his employment agreement as President and Chief Executive Officer and entered into an amendment to his employment agreement dated December 6, 2007.  The employment agreement, as amended, has a one-year term that expires on December 6, 2008 and which automatically renews at the end of each renewal term for an additional one-year term unless either party provides prior notice of non-renewal. Mr. Purello will earn an annual base salary of $250,000. As part of his entering into the employment agreement in December 2007, Mr. Purello received 400,000 stock options, all of which have vested, and 100,000 Restricted Stock Units, all of which have vested.  If Mr. Purello’s employment is terminated by the Company without “cause” or by Mr. Purello for “good reason” (as such terms are defined in the agreement), he will be entitled to a payment from the Company equal to twelve months’ salary at the rate then in effect and the value of twelve months of benefits being received by Mr. Purello at the time of his termination.   In the event of a “change in control” (as defined in the employment agreement) during the term of the agreement, any unvested stock options, Restricted Stock Units or restricted stock held by Mr. Purello will become immediately vested and exercisable in full. If following a change in control Mr. Purello is terminated for any reason other than cause, he will receive a payment from the Company equal to twelve months’ salary at the rate then in effect and the value of twelve months of benefits being received by Mr. Purello at the time of termination. If there is a change in control with respect to the 6FigureJobs or Allen and Associates subsidiaries of the Company, Mr. Purello would receive 5% of the proceeds from any such sale and would be required to forfeit to the Company all of his stock options in the Company (unless he declines the 5% proceeds payment, in which case he would maintain such options).

Jay Markell Employment Agreement
Effective February 15, 2008, the date on which Phil Oreste resigned as Chief Financial Officer, we entered into an employment agreement with Jay Markell pursuant to which Mr. Markell became the Chief Financial Officer. The employment agreement had a one-year term with an annual base salary of not less than $140,000. On December 23, 2008, Jay Markell resigned as Chief Financial Officer, effective January 16, 2009.  In connection with Mr. Markell’s resignation, the Company and Mr. Markell entered into a Separation Agreement pursuant to which the Company agreed to pay Mr. Markell three months of severance totaling $35,000 and $10,389 of accrued but unused vacation time.  In addition, the Company agreed to pay for Mr. Markell’s health insurance benefits until March 31, 2009.  As part of Separation Agreement, Mr. Markell agreed to forfeit options to purchase 26,000 common shares of the Company and 40,000 restricted stock units.  In addition, Mr. Markell agreed to continue to be bound by the non-competition and non-solicitation provisions of his Employment Agreement for the time periods set forth therein.

Michael Mullarkey Employment Arrangement
On January 5, 2009, the Board appointed Michael Mullarkey, the Company’s Executive Chairman, to take on a more active role in the day-to-day operations of the Company and oversee and assist in the financial duties as the Company’s Acting Chief Financial Officer upon the resignation of Mr. Jay Markell effective January 16, 2009.  It was resolved that Mr. Mullarkey would be paid $1,000 per day plus expenses for the time he had spent and will spend on Company business starting in November 2008.  Additionally, he is entitled to standard employee health insurance benefits.  Effective June 1, 2009, the Compensation Committee agreed to pay Mr. Mullarkey a salary of $300,000 rather than the daily rate and on June 8, 2009 they approved a $39,500 bonus for his work during fiscal 2009.
 
 
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Compensation of Directors for Fiscal Year 2009

All directors are entitled to reimbursement of their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in attending Board and committee meetings.  Prior to November 2008, directors who were not also Workstream employees or professionals on retainer with Workstream were paid based on an annual fee plus received additional compensation for their services on committees and as Chairman of the Board or committee.  In November 2008 as part of the corporate cost cutting efforts, the Board resolved to reduce the Board Fees to $3,000 per month, payable monthly, and resolved that no member of the Board will be entitled to receive any additional compensation other than the Board Fee in connection with his service as a member of any of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, Special Committee or Nominating Committee of the Board.

Each director is eligible to participate in our 2002 Amended and Restated Stock Option Plan and is to receive 20,000 restricted stock units and option grants each year.

The following table sets forth total compensation paid to the directors for their services during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2009:
 
Director Compensation Table
   
Fees Earned or
   
Option
   
RSU
   
All Other
       
   
Paid in Cash
   
Awards
   
Awards
   
Compensation
   
Total
 
Name
 
($)
   
($)
   
($)
   
($)
   
($)
 
Thomas Danis
Audit Committee Chairman
    (1)       7,129 (2)     68,317 (1)(4)     --       75,446  
                                         
Michael Gerrior
    35,500       7,129 (2)     14,067 (4)     --       56,696  
                                         
Mitchell Tuchman
Compensation Committee Chairman
    53,000       7,151 (3)     13,956 (5)     --       74,107  

(1)  
In April 2009, Mr. Danis received 200,926 shares of our common stock through the issuance of a restricted stock option grant valued at $54,250 based on the market price of our common stock upon issuance.  This grant was paid to him in lieu of cash for director fees of $43,000 earned in fiscal 2009 and $11,250 unpaid in fiscal 2008, respectively.
 
(2)  
As of May 31, 2009, the director held options to acquire 60,000 shares of our common stock of which 39,999 were fully vested and exercisable at exercise prices ranging from $0.69 to $1.32.  We recorded non-cash stock based compensation expense of $7,129 in accordance with FAS 123R related to these options during fiscal 2009.
 
(3)  
As of May 31, 2009, the director held options to acquire 60,000 shares of our common stock of which 39,999 were fully vested and exercisable at exercise prices ranging from $0.69 to $1.28.  We recorded non-cash stock based compensation expense of $7,151 in accordance with FAS 123R related to these options during fiscal 2009.
 
(4)  
The director received 33,334 vested restricted stock units in April 2009 at a market value of $12,334.  The director has 19,999 unvested restricted stock units outstanding as of May 31, 2009.  We recorded non-cash stock based compensation expense of $14,067 in accordance with FAS 123R related to the vesting of RSU awards during fiscal 2009.
 
(5)  
The director received 33,334 vested restricted stock units in April 2009 at a market value of $12,334.  The director has 19,999 unvested restricted stock units outstanding as of May 31, 2009.  We recorded non-cash stock based compensation expense of $13,956 in accordance with FAS 123R related to the vesting of RSU awards during fiscal 2009.
 
 
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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
 
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS
 
The following table sets forth as of September 4, 2009 certain information with respect to the beneficial ownership of each person whom we knew or, based on the filing of a Schedule 13G, believe to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our common shares.
 
Name and Address of
Beneficial Owner
Common Shares
Number of  Shares (1)
 
Percent
     
Michael Mullarkey
c/o Workstream Inc.
485 N. Keller Rd, Suite 500
Maitland, FL 32751
11,157,112
19.57%
     
Charles H. Finnie
128 Alvarado Road
Berkeley, CA 94705
5,171,184
9.07%
     
Odessy Value Advisors, LLC
601 Montgomery, Suite 1112
San Francisco, CA 94111
4,945,358
8.68%
     
Janus Capital Management LLC
151 Detroit Street
Denver, CO 80206
3,328,308
5.68%
     
Greggory Schneider
10445 Wilshire Blvd #1806
Los Angeles, CA 90024
3,432,500
6.02%

(1)  
With respect to each shareholder, the number of shares includes any shares issuable upon exercise of options or warrants held by such shareholder that are or will become exercisable within 60 days of September 4, 2009.
 
 
79

 
 
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT

The following table sets forth as of September 4, 2009 the beneficial ownership of our common stock by (i) each director, (ii) each Named Executive Officers and (iii) all the directors and executive officers as a group.
 
Name of Beneficial Owner
Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership(1)
Percent of Class
     
Michael Mullarkey
11,157,112(2)
19.57%
Thomas Danis
320,926(3)
*
Michael A. Gerrior
114,000(3)
*
Mitchell Tuchman
140,015(3)
*
Steve Purello
841,600(4)
1.46%
Jay Markell(5)
--
*
All current executive officers and directors as a group (5 persons)
12,573,653(6)
21.82%
*  Less than 1%.
 
(1)  
With respect to each beneficial owner, the number of shares includes any shares issuable upon exercise of options held by such beneficial owner that are or will become exercisable within 60 days of September 4, 2009.  Unless otherwise noted, each beneficial owner has sole voting and investment power over the shares that he owns.  Each of these persons may be contacted at our Company address.
(2)  
Includes options exercisable for 15,555 common shares.
(3)  
Includes options exercisable for 39,999 common shares.
(4)  
Includes options exercisable for 500,000 common shares.
(5)  
Mr. Markell resigned as our Chief Financial Officer effective as of January 16, 2009.
(6)  
Includes options exercisable for 635,555 common shares.

 
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
 
Michael Gerrior, a member of our Board of Directors, is a partner in the law firm of Perley-Robertson, Hill & McDougall, LLP, which provides ongoing legal services to us.

Each of our directors other than Mr. Mullarkey qualifies as “independent” in accordance with the published listing requirements of NASDAQ. As required by the NASDAQ rules, the Board has made a subjective determination as to each independent director that no relationships exists which, in the opinion of the Board, would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. In making these determinations, the directors reviewed and discussed information provided by the directors with regard to each director’s business and personal activities as they may relate to us and our management.

We review all transactions involving us in which any of our directors, director nominees, significant Shareholders and executive officers and their immediate family members are participants to determine whether such person has a direct or indirect material interest in the transaction.  All directors, director nominees and executive officers must notify us of any proposed transaction involving us in which such person has a direct or indirect material interest.  Such proposed transaction is then reviewed by either the Board as a whole or the Audit Committee, which determines whether or not to approve the transaction.  After such review, the reviewing body approves the transaction only if it determines that the transaction is in, or not inconsistent with, the best interests of the company and its Shareholders.


PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
 
On March 5, 2009, we engaged Cross, Fernandez and Riley, LLP (“CFR”), an independent member of the BDO Seidman LLP Alliance network of firms, to be our independent registered public accounting firm as approved by our Board of Directors, on the advice of its Audit Committee.  During fiscal years 2007 and 2008 and the subsequent interim period, we have not consulted with CFR with respect to any of the matters or reportable events set forth in Item 304(a)(2) of Regulation S-K.
 
 
80

 

Since they were hired on March 5, 2009, there have been (1) no disagreements between us and CFR on any matters of accounting principle or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedures and (2) no reportable events within the meaning set forth in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.  CFR has not issued any reports on our financial statements during the previous two fiscal years.  Accordingly, there were no reports that contained any adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion or were qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principle.

FEES PAID TO AUDITORS

As part of its duties, the Audit Committee has also considered whether the provision of services other than audit services by the independent auditors to us is compatible with maintaining the auditors' independence.  During the fiscal years ended May 31, 2009 and 2008, we incurred fees that were billed by CFR and McGladrey & Pullen, LLP (“McGladrey”), our former auditors, for services rendered in connection with the following services:
 
Audit Fees

Audit fees consist of those fees incurred in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements and fees necessary to perform an audit or review in accordance with Generally Accepted Auditing Standards.  These fees also include charges for accounting research in connection with the audit and audit committee and shareholder meeting attendance.   Audit fees related to fiscal 2009 services billed by CFR were $160,428.  Audit fees related to fiscal 2009 and fiscal 2008 services billed by McGladrey were $61,755 and $371,509, respectively.

Audit-Related Fees
Audit-related fees consist of the fees for reviewing registration statements, due diligence procedures and research and consultation on proposed transactions including the Empagio Merger.  Audit-related fees related to fiscal 2009 and fiscal 2008 services billed by McGladrey were $31,200 and $4,504, respectively.
 
Tax Fees
Tax fees relate to tax consultation and compliance services, and additional tax research. All of these fees were pre-approved by the Audit Committee.   Tax fees related to fiscal 2009 services billed by CFR were $35,000.  Tax fees related to fiscal 2008 services billed by McGladrey were $96,300.

All Other Fees
There were no other fees billed by CFR or McGladrey in fiscal 2009 and 2008.

The Audit Committee has considered the services provided by CFR and McGladrey as disclosed above in the captions “audit related fees” and “all other fees” and has concluded that such services are compatible with the independence of CFR and McGladrey as the Company’s current and former principal accountant, respectively.
 
Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
 
Section 10A(i)(1) of the Exchange Act and related Securities and Exchange Commission rules require that all auditing and permissible non-audit services to be performed by the Company’s principal accountants be approved in advance by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.  Pursuant to Section 10A(i)(3) of the Exchange Act and related Securities and Exchange Commission rules, the Audit Committee has established procedures by which the Chairman of the Audit Committee may pre-approve such services provided that the pre-approval is detailed as to the particular service or category of services to be rendered and the Chairman reports the details of the services to the full Audit Committee at its next regularly scheduled meeting.
 
 
81

 
 
PART IV

EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

Financial Statements

The following financial statement documents are filed as part of this Form 10-K:
Consolidated Balance Sheets at May 31, 2009 and 2008
Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2009 and 2008
Statements of Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit) for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2009 and 2008
Statements of Cash Flows for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2009 and 2008
Notes to Financial Statements
 
Exhibits
 

The following Exhibits are filed as part of this Form 10-K:
 
Exhibit No
Exhibit Description
3.1
Articles of Incorporation, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-87537)).
3.2
Articles of Amendment, dated July 26, 2001 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.2 of Form 20-F of Workstream Inc. for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2001).
3.3
Articles of Amendment, dated November 6, 2001 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.3 of Form 20-F of Workstream Inc. for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2001).
3.4
Articles of Amendment, dated November 7, 2002 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Registration Statement on Form F-3 (File No. 333-101502).
3.5
By-law No. 1 and No. 2 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-87537)).
3.6
By-law No. 3 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.5 of Form 20-F of Workstream Inc. for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2001).
4.1
Form of common share certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-87537)).
4.2
Warrant Agreement dated as of March 22, 2001 between Workstream Inc. (formerly E-Cruiter.com Inc.) and BlueStone Capital Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.11 of Form 20-F of Workstream Inc. for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2001).
4.3
Form of Underwriter's Warrant Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 to the Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-87537)).
4.6
Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement  dated May 14, 2002 by and among Workstream Inc., Sands Brothers Venture Capital III LLC, Sands Brothers Venture Capital IV LLC and Sands Brothers & Co., Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to the annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended May 31, 2002).
4.8
Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.8 to the annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended May 31, 2003).
4.9
Note and Warrant Amendment Agreement dated January 12, 2004, by
and among Workstream Inc., Sands Brothers Venture Capital III LLC, Sands Brothers Venture Capital IV LLC and Sands Brothers & Co., LTD. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended February 29, 2004).
4.10
Note and Warrant Amendment Agreement dated January 12, 2004, by
and among Workstream Inc., Crestview Capital Fund, L.P., Crestview Capital Fund II, L.P. and Crestview Capital Offshore Fund, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended February 29, 2004).
 
 
 

 
 
4.11
Warrant to Acquire Common Shares from Workstream Inc. to
Standard Securities Capital Corporation dated December 9, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended February 29, 2004).
4.12
Warrant to Acquire Common Shares from Workstream Inc. to Nathan
Low dated December 11, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended February 29, 2004).
4.13
Warrant to Acquire Common Shares from Workstream Inc. to Nathan
Low dated December 31, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended February 29, 2004).
4.14
Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended February 29, 2004).
4.15
Registration Rights Agreement dated as of December 9, 2003, by and among Workstream Inc., Standard Securities Capital Corporation and certain purchasers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended February 29, 2004).
4.16
Registration Rights Agreement dated as of December 11, 2003, by and among Workstream Inc., Nathan Low and Smithfield Fiduciary LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.8 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended February 29, 2004).
4.17
Registration Rights Agreement dated as of December 31, 2003 by and among Workstream Inc. and certain purchasers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.9 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended February 29, 2004).
4.18
Registration Rights Agreement dated December 15, 2004 among Workstream, Rubicon Master Fund, Union Spring Fund Ltd., Sunrise Equity Partners, LP, Sunrise Foundation Trust and Nathan A. Low (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the current report on Form 8-K filed December 21, 2004).
4.19
Form of Warrant issued on December 15, 2004 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the current report on Form 8-K filed December 21, 2004).
4.20
Form of Special Warrant issued on August 3, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the current report on Form 8-K filed July 31, 2007).
4.21
Form of Warrant issued on August 3, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the current report on Form 8-K filed July 31, 2007).
4.22
Form of Warrant issued on August 31, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the current report on Form 8-K filed September 5, 2008).
4.23
Form of  Senior Secured Note issued on August 31, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 410.2 to the current report on Form 8-K filed September 5, 2008).
4.24
Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement dated August 29, 2008 among Workstream and the holders of the Special Warrants (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the current report on Form 8-K filed September 5, 2008).
10.1**
Workstream Inc. 2002 Amended and Restated Stock Option Plan, as amended as of November 7, 2002 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended November 30, 2002).
10.2**
Consulting Agreement dated march 1, 2007 between Michael Mullarkey and Workstream Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the current report on Form 8-K filed March 7, 2007).
10.3
Merger Agreement dated August 30, 2002, among Workstream Inc., Workstream Acquisition II, Inc. and Xylo, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the report on Form 8-K filed September 4, 2002).
10.4
Agreement and Plan of Merger dated May 24, 2004, as amended, by and between Kadiri, Inc., Workstream Inc. and Workstream Acquisition III, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibits 2.1 and 2.2 to the report on Form 8-K filed June 14, 2004).
10.5
Asset Purchase Agreement dated as of July 14, 2003 by and between Perform, Inc. and Workstream Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended November 30, 2003).
 
 
 

 
 
10.6
Asset Purchase Agreement dated as of March 27, 2004, as amended, by and between Workstream USA, Inc., Workstream Inc. and Peopleview, Inc.
10.7
Securities Purchase Agreement dated December 15, 2004 among Workstream, Rubicon Master Fund, Union Spring Fund Ltd., Sunrise Equity Partners, LP, Sunrise Foundation Trust and Nathan A. Low (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the current report on Form 8-K filed December 21, 2004).
10.8
Agreement and Plan of Merger dated June 29, 2004 among Workstream, Workstream Acquisition IV, Inc. and Bravanta, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the current report on Form 8-K filed August 11, 2004).
10.9
Asset Purchase Agreement dated December 20, 2004 among Workstream, Workstream USA, Inc. and ProAct Technologies Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the current report on Form 8-K filed January 6, 2005).
10.10
Amendment to Asset Purchase Agreement dated December 30, 2004 among Workstream, Workstream USA, Inc. and ProAct Technologies Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the current report on Form 8-K filed January 6, 2005).
10.11
Registration Rights Agreement dated December 30, 2004 between Workstream and ProAct Technologies Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the current report on Form 8-K filed January 6, 2005).
10.12
Promissory Note dated December 30, 2004 issued to ProAct Technologies Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the current report on Form 8-K filed January 6, 2005).
10.13
Asset Purchase Agreement dated August 31, 2004 among Workstream, Workstream USA, Inc. and Peoplebonus.com, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended August 31, 2004).
10.14**
Employment Agreement dated as of December 3, 2006 between Workstream, Inc. and Deepak Gupta (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the current report on Form 8-K filed December 7, 2006).
10.15**
Severance Agreement dated February 29, 2008 between Workstream, Inc. and Deepak Gupta (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the current report on Form-8-K filed February 29, 2008).
10.16**
Employment Agreement dated as of June 11, 2007 between Workstream, Inc. and Phil Oreste (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the current report on Form 8-K filed June 15, 2007).
10.17**
Severance Agreement dated February 15, 2008 between Workstream, Inc. and Phil Oreste (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the current report on Form-8 filed February 15, 2008).
10.18**
 Employment Agreement dated as of April 4, 2005 between Workstream, Inc. and Stephen Lerch (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the current report on Form 8-K filed April 7, 2005).
10.19**
Severance Agreement dated August 25, 2007 between Workstream, Inc. and Stephen Lerch (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the current report on Form-8-K filed September 14, 2007).
10.20**
Employment Agreement dated February 15, 2008 between Workstream, Inc. and Jay Markell (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the current report on Form-8-K filed February 29, 2008).
10.21**
Severance Agreement dated December 23, 2008 between Workstream, Inc. and Jay Markell (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the current report on Form-8-K filed December 30, 2008).
10.22**
Amendment to Severance Agreement dated as of January 16, 2009 between Workstream, Inc. and Jay Markell (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the current report on Form-8-K filed January 22, 2009).
10.23**
Employment Agreement dated March 19, 2008 between Workstream, Inc. and Steve Purello (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the current report on Form-8-K filed March 19, 2008).
10.24
Transaction Agreement dated July 25, 2007 among the company and the investors listed therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the current report on Form - 8-K filed July 31, 2007).
10.25
Form of Exchange Agreement dated as of August 29, 2008 among the Company and each Investor set forth therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the current report on Form 8-K filed September 5, 2008).
 
 
 

 
 
10.26
Security Agreement dated as of August 29, 2008 among the Company, each subsidiary of the Company and the investors set forth therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the current report on Form 8-K filed September 5, 2008).
10.27
Form of Guaranty dated August 29, 2008 from each subsidiary of the Company in favor of each Investor (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the current report on Form 8-K filed September 5, 2008).
*21.1
List of Subsidiaries.
*23.1
Consent of Cross, Fernandez & Riley, LLP
*23.2
Consent of McGladrey & Pullen, LLP
*31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002.
*31.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002.
*32.1
Certifications of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002.
 
* Filed herewith.

** Constitutes a management contract for compensatory plan or arrangement.
 
 
86

 
 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 

 
WORKSTREAM INC.
   
 
By:
/s/ Steve Purello
   
Steve Purello,
   
President and Chief
Executive Officer
     
 
Dated
September 14, 2009


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 

Signature
 
Title
Date
       
/s/ Steve Purello
 
President and Chief Executive Officer
September 14, 2009
Steve Purello
 
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
       
       
/s/ Michael Mullarkey
 
Chairman of the Board
September 14, 2009
Michael Mullarkey
 
(Principal Financial Officer)
 
       
       
/s/ Michael A. Gerrior
 
Director
September 14, 2009
Michael A. Gerrior
     
       
       
/s/ Thomas Danis
 
Director
September 14, 2009
Thomas Danis
     
       
       
/s/ Mitchell Tuchman
 
Director
September 14, 2009
Mitchell Tuchman
     

 
87
EX-21.1 2 fp0001001_ex21-1.htm fp0001001_ex21-1.htm
 
EXHIBIT 21.1

 
SUBSIDIARIES OF THE REGISTRANT
NAME JURISDICTION OF INCORPORATION
 
 
Workstream USA Inc.
 
Delaware
 
 
Paula Allen Holdings, Inc.*
 
Florida
 
 
OMNIpartners, Inc.
 
Florida
 
 
6FigureJobs.com, Inc.
 
Delaware
 
 
Workstream Merger Sub Inc.
 
Delaware
 
 
* Doing business under the name Allen and Associates.
EX-23.1 3 fp0001001_ex23-1.htm fp0001001_ex23-1.htm
 
EXHIBIT 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statements on Forms S-8 (Nos. 333-148326 and 333-51468) and Form F-3 (No. 333-101502) of Workstream Inc. of our report dated September 14, 2009, relating to our audit of the consolidated financial statements, which appear in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Workstream Inc. for the year ended May 31, 2009.  Our report dated September 14, 2009, relating to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended May 31, 2009 included an emphasis paragraph relating to an uncertainty as to the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

/s/ Cross, Fernandez & Riley, LLP
Orlando, Florida
September 14, 2009
EX-23.2 4 fp0001001_ex23-2.htm fp0001001_ex23-2.htm
 
EXHIBIT 23.2

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statements on Forms S-8 (Nos. 333-148326 and 333-51468) and Form F-3 (No. 333-101502) of Workstream Inc. of our report dated November 14, 2008, relating to our audit of the consolidated financial statements, which appear in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Workstream Inc. for the year ended May 31, 2009.  Our report dated November 14, 2008, relating to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended May 31, 2008 included an emphasis paragraph relating to an uncertainty as to the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

/s/ McGladrey & Pullen, LLP
Orlando, Florida
September 14, 2009
EX-31.1 5 fp0001001_ex31-1.htm fp0001001_ex31-1.htm
 
EXHIBIT 31.1
 
 
CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER PURSUANT
TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002


I, Steve Purello, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Workstream Inc.:

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and we have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.


DATE:
September 14, 2009
By:
/s/ Steve Purello
 
Steve Purello
President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
EX-31.2 6 fp0001001_ex31-2.htm fp0001001_ex31-2.htm
 
EXHIBIT 31.2
 
 
CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER PURSUANT
TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002


I, Michael Mullarkey, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Workstream Inc.:

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and we have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.


DATE:
September 14, 2009
By:
/s/ Michael Mullarkey
 
Michael Mullarkey
Acting Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
EX-32.1 7 fp0001001_ex32-1.htm fp0001001_ex32-1.htm
 
EXHIBIT 32.1

 
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002


In connection with the accompanying Annual Report of Workstream Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the period ended May 31, 2009, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), the undersigned, Steve Purello, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and Michael Mullarkey, Acting Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to their respective knowledge:

1.
The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

2.
The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.


DATE:
September 14, 2009
By:
/s/ Steve Purello
   
Steve Purello
President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
     
     
DATE:
September 14, 2009
By:
/s/ Michael Mullarkey
   
Michael Mullarkey
Acting Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)

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