10-Q 1 d10q.htm FORM 10-Q Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-Q

 


 

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

 

For the quarterly period ended: March 31, 2006

 

OR

 

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

 

For the Transition Period From              to             

 

Commission File Number: 000-21363

 


 

EDUCATION MANAGEMENT CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

Pennsylvania   25-1119571

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

210 Sixth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA   15222
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (412) 562-0900

 


 

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

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer    x

  Accelerated filer    ¨   Non-accelerated filer    ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes ¨    No x

 

The number of shares of the registrant’s Common Stock outstanding at March 31, 2006 was 75,782,503.

 



Table of Contents

I NDEX

 

                      PAGE

PART I

     FINANCIAL INFORMATION     
         ITEM 1     FINANCIAL STATEMENTS    3-13
         ITEM 2     MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS    14-24
         ITEM 3     QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK    24
         ITEM 4     CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES    24

PART II

     OTHER INFORMATION     
         ITEM 6     EXHIBITS    25

SIGNATURES

   26

EXHIBIT INDEX

   27

 

2


Table of Contents

PART I

 

ITEM 1 – FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

EDUCATION MANAGEMENT CORPORATION

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in thousands)

 

     As of

 
     March 31,
2006


    June 30,
2005


    March 31,
2005


 
     (unaudited)           (unaudited)  

Assets

                        

Current assets:

                        

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 394,017     $ 171,974     $ 177,094  

Restricted cash

     6,269       4,892       4,821  
    


 


 


Total cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash

     400,286       176,866       181,915  

Receivables, net

     41,558       57,968       54,533  

Inventories

     6,814       5,598       6,571  

Prepaid income taxes

     —         16,173       —    

Deferred income taxes

     19,809       13,870       17,203  

Other current assets

     11,930       9,203       8,880  
    


 


 


Total current assets

     480,397       279,678       269,102  
    


 


 


Property and equipment, net

     328,841       325,796       327,902  

Deferred income taxes

     285       —         —    

Other long-term assets

     16,370       18,294       15,792  

Intangible assets, net of amortization

     16,133       17,499       17,531  

Goodwill

     317,138       314,760       315,036  
    


 


 


Total assets

   $ 1,159,164     $ 956,027     $ 945,363  
    


 


 


Liabilities and shareholders’ investment

                        

Current liabilities:

                        

Current portion of long-term debt

   $ 926     $ 66,151     $ 3,516  

Accounts payable

     29,476       30,112       27,929  

Accrued liabilities

     55,546       52,581       46,717  

Accrued income taxes

     12,718       —         7,990  

Advanced payments

     170,010       54,383       143,944  

Unearned tuition

     24,469       29,411       29,447  
    


 


 


Total current liabilities

     293,145       232,638       259,543  
    


 


 


Long-term debt, less current portion

     4,158       4,269       1,896  

Deferred income taxes

     —         2,145       5,818  

Deferred rent

     47,463       44,489       39,560  

Other long-term liabilities

     6,395       6,476       11,061  

Shareholders’ investment:

                        

Common stock

     760       751       745  

Additional paid-in capital

     367,659       328,972       309,580  

Treasury stock, at cost

     (2,142 )     (1,791 )     (1,791 )

Retained earnings

     433,895       331,956       312,341  

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     7,831       6,122       6,610  
    


 


 


Total shareholders’ investment

     808,003       666,010       627,485  
    


 


 


Total liabilities and shareholders’ investment

   $ 1,159,164     $ 956,027     $ 945,363  
    


 


 


 

The accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

 

3


Table of Contents

EDUCATION MANAGEMENT CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

     For the three months
ended March 31,


    For the nine months
ended March 31,


     2006

    2005

    2006

    2005

Net revenues

   $ 312,533     $ 274,599     $ 878,129     $ 764,001

Costs and expenses:

                              

Educational services

     178,382       166,605       520,879       474,842

General and administrative

     68,686       50,880       190,661       149,041

Amortization of intangible assets

     841       1,647       3,458       5,070
    


 


 


 

       247,909       219,132       714,998       628,953
    


 


 


 

Income before interest and taxes

     64,624       55,467       163,131       135,048

Interest (income) expense, net

     (2,176 )     (276 )     (4,324 )     707
    


 


 


 

Income before income taxes

     66,800       55,743       167,455       134,341

Provision for income taxes

     26,442       21,517       65,516       52,382
    


 


 


 

Net income

   $ 40,358     $ 34,226     $ 101,939     $ 81,959
    


 


 


 

Earnings per share:

                              

Basic

   $ 0.53     $ 0.46     $ 1.35     $ 1.11
    


 


 


 

Diluted

   $ 0.52     $ 0.45     $ 1.33     $ 1.09
    


 


 


 

Weighted average number of shares outstanding (000’s):

                              

Basic

     75,611       74,222       75,330       73,812

Diluted

     77,123       75,718       76,762       75,237

 

 

The accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

 

4


Table of Contents

EDUCATION MANAGEMENT CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

(Dollars in thousands)

 

    

For the nine months

ended March 31,


 
     2006

    2005

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

                

Net income

   $ 101,939     $ 81,959  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows from operating activities:

                

Depreciation and amortization

     47,074       41,034  

Landlord allowances for tenant improvements

     —         14,629  

Amortization of intangibles

     3,458       5,070  

Non-cash lease accounting adjustments

     —         3,821  

Deferred income taxes

     (8,382 )     196  

Excess tax benefits from share based payments

     (4,402 )     —    

Stock based compensation expense

     17,305       787  

Changes in current assets and liabilities:

                

Restricted cash

     (1,377 )     1,593  

Receivables

     16,446       (2,124 )

Inventories

     (1,200 )     (1,523 )

Other current assets

     1,209       (1,438 )

Accounts payable

     1,192       148  

Accrued liabilities

     37,930       9,858  

Advance payments

     115,465       96,737  

Unearned tuition

     (4,942 )     5,829  
    


 


Total adjustments

     219,776       174,617  
    


 


Net cash flows from operating activities

     321,715       256,576  
    


 


Cash flows from investing activities:

                

Acquisition of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired

     (1,333 )     (12,297 )

Expenditures for property and equipment

     (48,890 )     (53,510 )

Landlord allowances for tenant improvements

     —         (14,629 )

Other items, net

     (2,080 )     (3,066 )
    


 


Net cash flows from investing activities

     (52,303 )     (83,502 )
    


 


Cash flows from financing activities:

                

Revolving credit facility activity, net

     (62,000 )     (125,100 )

Principal payments on debt

     (3,922 )     (73 )

Excess tax benefits from share based payments

     4,402       —    

Proceeds from issuance of Common Stock

     15,153       12,469  

Other

     530       —    
    


 


Net cash flows from financing activities

     (45,837 )     (112,704 )
    


 


Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

     (1,532 )     (4 )
    


 


Net change in cash and cash equivalents

     222,043       60,366  

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     171,974       116,728  
    


 


Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   $ 394,017     $ 177,094  
    


 


Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

                

Cash paid during the period for:

                

Interest

   $ 143     $ 943  

Income taxes

     40,191       49,540  

Noncash investing and financing activities:

                

Expenditures for property and equipment included in accounts payable

     3,732       3,854  

 

The accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

 

5


Table of Contents

EDUCATION MANAGEMENT CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

1.    SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

BASIS OF PRESENTATION

 

The accompanying interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes to consolidated financial statements included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2005 (the “Fiscal 2005 Annual Report”). These condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Education Management Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries. The accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet at June 30, 2005 has been derived from the audited balance sheet included in the Company’s Fiscal 2005 Annual Report. The accompanying interim condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited; however, management believes that all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation have been made and all such adjustments are considered normal and recurring. The results for the three and nine month periods ended March 31, 2006 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full fiscal year. Unless otherwise noted, references to 2006 and 2005 refer to the periods ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts. Estimates are used when accounting for the allowance for doubtful accounts, the allocation of purchase price to the estimated fair value of assets acquired during business combinations, depreciation, amortization, contingencies, expenses and income taxes, among others during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

 

Certain prior period balances have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.

 

NATURE OF OPERATIONS

 

The Company is among the largest providers of post-secondary education in North America, based on student enrollment and revenue, and has provided career-oriented education for over 40 years. The Company delivers education to its students through traditional classroom settings as well as through online instruction. As of March 31, 2006, the Company had 72 primary campus locations in 24 states and two Canadian provinces. The Company’s total student enrollment as of the fall of 2005 exceeded 72,000 students. The Company was organized as a Pennsylvania corporation in 1962 and completed its initial public offering in 1996.

 

The Company’s educational systems offer a broad range of academic programs concentrated in the media arts, design, fashion, culinary arts, behavioral sciences, health sciences, education, information technology, legal studies and business fields, culminating in the award of associate’s through doctoral degrees. The Company also offers non-degree programs, some of which result in the issuance of diplomas upon successful completion.

 

COMPANY TO BE ACQUIRED BY PRIVATE EQUITY GROUP

 

On March 3, 2006, the Company signed a merger agreement to be acquired by certain equity funds controlled by Providence Equity Partners and Goldman Sachs Capital Partners in a transaction valued at approximately $3.4 billion. Under the terms of the merger agreement, the private investors will acquire all of the Company’s outstanding shares of common stock for $43.00 per share. The Company has scheduled a special meeting of its shareholders to be held on May 25, 2006 to vote on proposed acquisition. The Company anticipates that the transaction will close in June or July of 2006, subject to the approval of the

 

6


Table of Contents

EDUCATION MANAGEMENT CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(UNAUDITED)

 

transaction by the Company’s shareholders, the receipt of approvals from certain state authorizing agencies and accrediting agencies and the satisfaction of certain other conditions.

 

During the three and nine month period ended March 31, 2006, the Company recorded costs related to the proposed sale of the Company of $3.6 million and $4.9 million, respectively, consisting of accounting, investment banking, legal and other costs. If the Company’s shareholders approve of the proposed acquisition, the Company will be required to record approximately $16.6 million in equity compensation resulting from the accelerated vesting of stock options and restricted stock regardless of whether the transaction is consummated.

 

SHARE-BASED PAYMENT

 

The Company maintains a 1996 Stock Incentive Plan, 2003 Incentive Plan and Employee Stock Purchase Plan for directors, executive management and key personnel which are described more fully in Note 13 of the Company’s Fiscal 2005 Annual Report. Prior to July 1, 2005, the Company accounted for those plans under the recognition and measurement provisions of APB Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and related Interpretations, as permitted by FASB Statement No 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation.” No option-based employee compensation cost was recognized in the Statement of Operations for the years ended June 30, 2005 or 2004, nor in the three and nine month periods ended March 31, 2005, as all options granted under those plans had an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. Effective July 1, 2005, the Company adopted the fair value recognition provisions of FASB Statement No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payment,” using the modified-prospective transition method. Under that transition method, compensation cost recognized during the fiscal 2006 periods include (a) compensation cost for all share-based payments granted prior to, but not yet vested as of July 1, 2005, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the original provisions of Statement 123, and (b) compensation cost for all share-based payments granted subsequent to July 1, 2005, based on the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of Statement 123(R). Results for prior periods have not been restated.

 

As a result of adopting Statement 123(R) on July 1, 2005, the Company’s income before income taxes for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2006 is $1.8 million and $12.9 million lower, respectively, than if it had continued to account for share-based compensation under APB Opinion No. 25.

 

Prior to the adoption of Statement 123(R), the Company presented all tax benefits of deductions resulting from the exercise of stock options as operating cash flows in the statement of cash flows. Statement 123(R) requires the cash flows resulting from the tax benefits resulting from tax deductions in excess of the compensation cost recognized for those options to be classified as financing cash flows, with a corresponding reduction in operating cash flows. The total income tax benefit recognized in the income statement for share-based compensation plans was $5.2 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2006.

 

7


Table of Contents

EDUCATION MANAGEMENT CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(UNAUDITED)

 

The following table illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per share if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of Statement 123(R) to options granted under the Company’s stock option plans in all periods presented. For purposes of this pro forma disclosure, the value of the options is estimated using a Black-Scholes option pricing formula and amortized to expense over the options’ vesting period (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts).

 

    

Three Months Ended

March 31,


    Nine Months Ended
March 31,


 
     2006 (1)

   2005

    2006 (1)

   2005

 

Net income as reported

   $ 40,358    $ 34,226     $ 101,939    $ 81,959  

Add: Share-based employee compensation expense included in reported net income, net of tax

     —        157       —        475  

Deduct: Total share-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value method, net of tax

     —        (3,994 )     —        (12,998 )
    

  


 

  


Pro forma net income

   $ 40,358    $ 30,389     $ 101,939    $ 69,436  
    

  


 

  


Basic earnings per share

                              

As reported

   $ 0.53    $ 0.46     $ 1.35    $ 1.11  

Pro forma

     NA      0.41       NA      0.94  

Diluted earnings per share

                              

As reported

   $ 0.52    $ 0.45     $ 1.33    $ 1.09  

Pro forma

     NA      0.40       NA      0.92  

Weighted average fair market value of options granted

   $ —      $ 11.73     $ 14.50    $ 11.44  

 

  (1) Results for the three and nine month periods ended March 31, 2006 include $4.0 million and $17.3 million, respectively, pre-tax in share based compensation expense. The decrease in the third quarter expense was due to a large number of options that became fully vested at the end of the second quarter. Results for the three and nine month periods ended March 31, 2005 included $0.3 and $0.8 million, respectively, pre-tax in share based compensation expense due to a restricted stock grant in September 2003. Grants made in fiscal 2006 are primarily composed of restricted stock whereas equity awards made in fiscal 2005 were primarily comprised of stock options.

 

     Nine months ended March 31,

     2006

   2005

     Options

   Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price


   Options

  

Weighted

Average

Exercise

Price


Outstanding at beginning of year

   5,318,964    $ 22.27    6,848,039    $ 20.23

Granted

   30,575      32.25    274,240      30.60

Exercised

   753,718      18.00    912,361      13.14

Forfeited

   106,134      29.04    207,684      28.02
    
  

  
  

Outstanding at end of period

   4,489,687      22.90    6,002,234      21.52
    
         
      

Exercisable at end of period

   4,059,554      22.14    2,675,328      11.45
    
         
      

Vested at end of period

   4,059,554      22.14    4,003,064      17.71
    
         
      

 

8


Table of Contents

EDUCATION MANAGEMENT CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(UNAUDITED)

 

The total intrinsic value of options exercised was $10.4 million and $13.5 million during the nine-month periods ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. The aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding as of March 31, 2006 and 2005 was $84.0 million and $38.6 million, respectively.

 

As of March 31, 2006 the total unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options is approximately $3.8 million, before the effect of forfeitures, and (assuming the proposed acquisition of the Company is not approved at the special shareholders meeting) will be recognized over the next six quarters in accordance with the vesting period of the options. In the event that the Company’s shareholders approve the proposed acquisition at the special shareholders meeting to be held May 25, 2006, all remaining unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options will be recorded as expense as of the date of the shareholder vote.

 

The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option valuation model and the assumptions in the following table. The risk free interest rate for the periods within the contractual life of the option are generally based on United States Treasury yields at the date of grant. The Company assumes no dividend since it has historically not paid and does not expect to pay dividends in the immediate future. The Company uses historical option exercise and termination data behavior to estimate the expected life of an option grant. Expected volatilities are based on historical volatility of the Company’s stock price.

 

     Three months ended
March 31,


   

Nine months ended

March 31,


 
     2006

   2005

    2006

    2005

 

Risk-free interest rate

   —      3.71 %   3.96 %   3.50 %

Expected dividend yield

   —      —       —       —    

Expected life of options (years)

   —      4.5     4.5     4.5  

Expected volatility rate

   —      38.0 %   40.0 %   40.3 %

 

     Options Outstanding

   Options Exercisable

Range of Exercise Prices


   Options

   Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life (years)


   Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price


   Options

  

Weighted-
Average

Exercise

Price


$3.75–$4.67

   64,000    1.05    $ 3.87    64,000    $ 3.87

$4.68–$9.25

   658,344    3.16      6.54    658,344      6.54

$9.26–$14.00

   490,945    5.47      12.20    490,945      12.20

$14.01–$21.94

   583,287    5.80      18.44    583,287      18.44

$21.95–$32.92

   2,678,517    6.26      30.24    2,255,384      30.30

$32.93–$34.62

   14,594    6.16      34.56    7,594      34.50
    
  
  

  
  

     4,489,687    5.58    $ 22.90    4,059,554    $ 22.14
    
  
  

  
  

 

Restricted Stock Awards

 

Restricted stock awards are grants that entitle the holder to shares of the Company’s Common Stock as the award vests. The shares ultimately received generally depend on performance against specified performance targets. The performance period for outstanding shares of restricted stock is generally July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006 and service requirements through September 29, 2007. If such performance goals are not met, any compensation expense recognized would be reversed. The award agreements for all outstanding shares of restricted stock provide that the underlying shares immediately vest upon a change in control of the Company.

 

9


Table of Contents

EDUCATION MANAGEMENT CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(UNAUDITED)

 

The approval by the Company’s shareholders of the proposed acquisition at the special shareholders meeting to be held May 25, 2006 would constitute a change in control under the outstanding restricted stock award agreements. We measure the fair value of restricted stock awards based upon the market price of the underlying common stock at the date of grant. Restricted stock expense is amortized over the applicable vesting period (generally two years) using the straight line method. As of the nine months ended March 31, 2006, approximately 519,125 shares were issued with a weighted average grant price of $31.72 per share. For the three and nine month periods ended March 31, 2006, the Company recognized approximately $2.0 million and $3.9 million, respectively, related to these awards. The unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted stock at March 31, 2006 is approximately $12.8 million. The Company estimates that the quarterly expense, net of anticipated forfeitures, will be approximately $2.0 million per quarter. In the event that the Company’s shareholders approve the proposed acquisition at the special shareholders meeting to be held May 25, 2006, all remaining unrecognized compensation cost related to outstanding shares of restricted stock will be recorded as expense as of the date of the shareholder vote.

 

2.    EARNINGS PER SHARE:

 

Basic earnings per share is computed using the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period, while diluted earnings per share is calculated to reflect the potential dilution related to stock options, using the treasury stock method (in thousands).

 

     Three months ended
March 31,


   Nine months ended
March 31,


     2006

   2005

   2006

   2005

Basic shares

   75,611    74,222    75,330    73,812

Dilution for stock options

   1,512    1,496    1,432    1,425
    
  
  
  

Diluted shares

   77,123    75,718    76,762    75,237
    
  
  
  

 

For the quarters ended March 31, 2005, options to purchase 614,973 were excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation because their antidilutive effect (due to the exercise price of such options exceeding the average market price for the period). For the quarter ended March 31, 2006, there were no shares excluded because all option exercise prices were below the average market price for the period.

 

3.    CAPITAL STOCK:

 

The Company’s Capital Stock consists of the following:

 

    10,000,000 authorized shares of Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value; and

 

    120,000,000 authorized shares of Common Stock, $0.01 par value.

 

    

March 31,

2006


  

June 30,

2005


  

March 31,

2005


Issued:

              

Preferred Stock

   —      —      —  

Common Stock

   75,983,019    75,128,629    74,506,600

Restricted Stock

   519,125    —      —  

Held in treasury:

              

Preferred Stock

   —      —      —  

Common Stock

   200,516    190,234    190,234

Outstanding:

              

Preferred Stock

   —      —      —  

Common Stock

   75,782,503    74,938,395    74,316,366

 

10


Table of Contents

EDUCATION MANAGEMENT CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(UNAUDITED)

 

4.    INTANGIBLE ASSETS:

 

The Company accounts for its intangible assets in accordance with SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.” The Company reviews intangible assets with an identifiable useful life for impairment, when indicators of impairment exist, as defined by SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.” Annually, or more frequently if necessary, the Company evaluates goodwill for impairment, with any resulting impairment reflected as an operating expense.

 

Amortization of intangible assets for the three months and nine months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 was approximately $0.8 million, $3.5 million, $1.7 million, and $5.1 million, respectively. Estimated amortization expense for amortizable intangible assets for the next five fiscal years ending June 30 is as follows:

 

Fiscal years


  

Expense

(in thousands)


2006 (remainder)

   $ 597

2007

     2,602

2008

     2,214

2009

     1,668

2010

     910

 

Intangible assets consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     At March 31, 2006

   At June 30, 2005

 
     Gross
Carrying
Amount


   Accumulated
Amortization


    Weighted
Average
Amortization
Period (years)


   Gross
Carrying
Amount


   Accumulated
Amortization


 

Curriculum

   $ 19,147    $ (8,989 )   7    $ 16,842    $ (7,024 )

Accreditation

     4,023      (1,545 )   15      4,023      (1,323 )

Bachelor’s degree programs

     1,100      (379 )   15      1,100      (343 )

Student contracts and applications

     12,595      (12,387 )   4      12,556      (11,377 )

Software

     480      (414 )   3      459      (401 )

Title IV

     1,130      (339 )   12      1,130      (267 )

Tradename

     500      —       Indefinite      500      —    

Other

     3,060      (1,849 )   15      3,333      (1,709 )
    

  


 
  

  


Total

   $ 42,035    $ (25,902 )   5    $ 39,943    $ (22,444 )
    

  


 
  

  


 

5.    COMPREHENSIVE INCOME:

 

Comprehensive income consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     Three months ended
March 31,


    Nine months ended
March 31,


     2006

    2005

    2006

   2005

Net income

   $ 40,358     $ 34,226     $ 101,939    $ 81,959

Other comprehensive income (loss):

                             

Foreign currency translation

     (157 )     (289 )     1,709      3,583
    


 


 

  

Comprehensive income

   $ 40,201     $ 33,937     $ 103,648    $ 85,542
    


 


 

  

 

11


Table of Contents

EDUCATION MANAGEMENT CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(UNAUDITED)

 

6.    NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS:

 

In October 2005, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Staff Position FAS 13-1 (“FSP FAS 13-1”), which requires companies to expense rental costs associated with ground or building operating leases that are incurred during a construction period. As a result, companies that are currently capitalizing rental costs during the construction phase of a lease are required to expense rental costs beginning in the first reporting period beginning after December 15, 2005. The Company adopted FSP FAS 13-1 on January 1, 2006.

 

In May 2005, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 154, “Accounting Changes and Error Corrections”, which changes the requirements for the accounting and reporting of a change in accounting principle. SFAS No. 154 applies to all voluntary changes in accounting principles as well as to changes required by an accounting pronouncement that does not include specific transition provisions. SFAS No. 154 eliminates the requirement to include the cumulative effect of changes in accounting principle in the income statement and instead requires that changes in accounting principle be retroactively applied. A change in accounting estimate continues to be accounted for in the period of change and future periods if necessary. A correction of an error continues to be reported by restating prior period financial statements. SFAS No. 154 is effective for EDMC after July 1, 2006.

 

In March 2005, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation (“FIN”) No. 47, “Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations.” FIN No. 47 clarifies the timing of liability recognition for retirement obligations associated with tangible long-lived assets that are conditional on a future event. FIN No. 47 is effective as of the end of the fiscal year ending after December 31, 2005, with early adoption permitted. The Company is in the process of evaluating the potential impact of FIN No. 47, if any.

 

7.    ACCOUNTING FOR INCOME TAXES:

 

The Company’s effective tax rate was 39.6% and 39.1% for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2006, respectively, as compared to 38.6% and 39.0% for the same periods in the prior fiscal year.

 

The increase in the quarterly rate as compared to the prior year was primarily due to a favorable return-to-provision adjustment for fiscal 2004 that was recorded during the third quarter of fiscal 2005 and estimated nondeductible transaction costs associated with the proposed acquisition of the Company. The rate increase related to these items was offset in part by the reversal of valuation allowances against Canadian deferred tax assets related to net operating loss carryforwards, which resulted from conforming the intercompany transfer pricing arrangement between the Company’s U.S. and Canadian operations to the business operations in Canada.

 

The slight decrease in the year-to-date rate as compared to the prior year was primarily due to the reversal in fiscal 2006 of deferred state tax liabilities that resulted from Ohio’s adoption of a gross receipts based tax in place of its corporate income tax, the favorable impact of certain state tax credits, and the reversal of valuation allowances against a portion of the Company’s deferred tax assets related to Canadian net operating loss carryforwards, offset in part by non-deductible transaction costs related to the proposed acquisition of the Company.

 

The effective rates differed from the combined federal and state statutory rates due primarily to valuation allowances and expenses that are non-deductible for tax purposes.

 

12


Table of Contents

EDUCATION MANAGEMENT CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(UNAUDITED)

 

8.    CONTINGENCIES:

 

The Art Institute of Dallas has been placed on probation by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (the “Commission”) due to the school’s failure to satisfactorily document clearly identified expected outcomes and assessments for its programs and services as required by the Commission’s institutional effectiveness comprehensive standard. The Commission, in connection with reaffirming the accreditation of The Art Institute of Dallas for a ten year period in December 2003, required the school to provide evidence of compliance with this standard by December 2005. The probationary period is through at least December 2006 and may be extended for an additional year for good cause. The Commission may remove its grant of accreditation to The Art Institute of Dallas if the school does not satisfactorily address the issues raised by the Commission. As of October 2005, approximately 1,300 students attended The Art Institute of Dallas, which is one of 32 Art Institute schools.

 

13


Table of Contents

ITEM 2 – MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains statements that may be forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Those statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “believes,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “continues,” “contemplates,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “should” or “would” or the negatives thereof. Those statements are based on the intent, belief or expectation of the Company as of the date of this Quarterly Report. The following discussion should also be read in conjunction with the “Management Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Risks Related to Our Business” included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2005, which identifies certain risk factors related to the Company. Any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and may involve risks and uncertainties that are outside the control of the Company. Actual results may vary materially from the forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of changes in United States and Canada or international economic conditions, governmental regulations and other factors. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation or understanding to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in the Company’s expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. The following discussion of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company and the notes thereto, included herein.

 

OVERVIEW

 

We are among the largest providers of post-secondary education in North America, with more than 72,000 active students as of the fall of 2005. We offer education through four different educational systems and through online platforms at three of our four educational systems. Our schools offer students a wide variety of programmatic and degree choices in a flexible learning environment. Our curriculum is focused on providing applied, career-oriented content with a focus on improving student outcomes.

 

Our largest component of our revenue is tuition collected from our students which is presented after deducting refunds, scholarships and other adjustments. Net revenues consist of tuition and fees, as well as student housing fees, bookstore sales, restaurant sales in connection with culinary programs, workshop fees and sales of related study materials. We recognize revenue on a pro rata basis over the term of instruction or occupancy, or when received in the case of point-of-sale revenues. The amount of tuition revenue received from students varies based on the average tuition charge per credit hour, average credit hours taken per student, type of program, specific curriculum and the average student population. Bookstore and housing revenues are largely a function of the average student population.

 

The two main determinates of our revenue are average student population and tuition rates. Factors impacting our average student population include the number of continuing students attending school at the beginning of a period and the number of new students entering school during such period. We believe that the size of our student population at our campuses is influenced by the number of graduating high school students, the attractiveness of our program offerings, the effectiveness of our marketing efforts, changes in technology, the persistence of our students, the length of the education programs, our overall educational reputation and general economic conditions. We seek to grow our average student population through offering additional programs at existing schools and through establishing new school locations, whether through acquisition or new facility start-up. With regard to tuition rates, historically we have been able to pass along cost increases through increases in tuition. Average tuition rates increased by approximately 6.8% and 6.0% in fiscal 2005 and fiscal 2004, respectively.

 

14


Table of Contents

The majority of our students rely on funds received under various government-sponsored student financial aid programs, especially Title IV programs, to pay a substantial portion of their tuition and other education- related expenses. For the last three completed fiscal years approximately 70% of our net revenues were indirectly derived from Title IV programs. Because of the dependence on government sponsored programs, we participate in industry groups and monitor the impact of newly proposed legislation on our business.

 

Our quarterly revenues and income will fluctuate primarily as a result of the pattern of student enrollments. Student enrollment at the Art Institute schools has typically peaked in the fall, our fiscal second quarter, when the largest number of recent high school and college graduates traditionally begin post-secondary education programs. The fiscal first quarter is typically the lowest revenue quarter due to student vacations. The seasonality of our business has decreased over the last several years due to an increased percentage of students at our schools enrolling in Bachelor’s programs and the effect of recent acquisitions.

 

Educational services expense, the largest component of our operating expense, consists primarily of costs related to the development, delivery and administration of our education programs. Major cost components are faculty compensation, salaries of administrative and student services staff, costs of educational materials, facility occupancy costs, information systems costs, bad debt expense and depreciation and amortization of property and equipment. Many of these items are relatively fixed in nature and are not subject to volatile input pricing. We anticipate these expenses to decrease as a percentage of revenue in the future due to economies of scale as our schools grow through the introduction of new programs at our existing schools and continued growth in the number of students taking classes online as well as costs savings at our shared services locations.

 

The second largest expense line item, general and administrative expense, consists of marketing and student admissions expenses and certain central staff departmental costs such as executive management, finance and accounting, legal, corporate development and other departments that do not provide direct services to our students. We have centralized many of these services to gain consistency in management reporting, efficiency in administrative effort and cost control. With regard to the marketing component, we have seen a change in the way we market to and attract inquiries from prospective students as the Internet has become an increasingly important way of reaching students. Internet inquiries, which generally cost less than leads from traditional media sources like TV and print, convert at a lower rate than traditional media sources.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

In preparing our financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, judgments and estimates are made about the amounts reflected in the consolidated financial statements that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses, during the reporting period. As part of the financial reporting process, our management collaborates to determine the necessary information on which to base judgments and develop estimates used to prepare the consolidated financial statements. Historical experience and available information are used to make these judgments and estimates. However, different amounts could be reported using different assumptions and in light of changes in facts and circumstances. Therefore, actual amounts could differ from the estimates reflected in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

Revenue Recognition and Receivables

 

We bill tuition and housing revenues at the beginning of an academic term and recognize the revenue on a pro rata basis over the term of instruction or occupancy. For most of our programs, the academic and fiscal quarters are the same; therefore, unearned revenue is not significant at the end of a fiscal quarter. However, Argosy University and Brown Mackie College and to a lesser degree South University and certain Art Institutes have educational programs with starting and ending dates that differ from our fiscal quarters. Therefore, at the

 

15


Table of Contents

end of the fiscal quarter, we have revenue from these programs that has not yet been earned in accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 104, “Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements.”

 

Refunds are calculated and paid in accordance with federal, state and accrediting agency standards.

 

The trade receivable balances are comprised of individually insignificant amounts due primarily from students throughout the United States and Canada. Our accounts receivable balances at each balance sheet date consist of amounts related to revenue from current or former students for classes which have occurred or prior periods of occupancy in our housing facilities for which payment has not been received; or obligations of current students for tuition, housing and other items related to academic terms in progress for which payment has not been received.

 

We determine our allowance for doubtful accounts for most locations primarily by categorizing gross receivables based upon the enrollment status (in-school vs. out-of-school) of the student and establishing a reserve based on the likelihood of collection, considering our historical experience. Student accounts are monitored through an aging process whereby past due accounts are pursued. When certain criteria are met (primarily aging past the due date by more than four months) and internal collection measures have been taken without success, the accounts of former students are placed with an outside collection agency. Student accounts in collection are fully reserved and evaluated on a case-by-case basis before being written off. If current collection trends differ significantly from historical collections, an adjustment would be required to our allowance. Historically, however, the allowance for doubtful accounts has been within our estimate of uncollectible accounts.

 

Share-Based Payment

 

Beginning on July 1, 2005, we began accounting for stock-based compensation in accordance with SFAS No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment (SFAS 123R) using the modified prospective method.

 

We are now required to record the fair value of stock-based compensation awards as expenses in the consolidated statement of operations. Under the fair value recognition provisions of this statement, share-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the value of the award and is recognized as expense over the vesting period. For current and past grants of stock options, we utilized the Black-Scholes valuation model in determining the fair value of share-based awards at the grant date. This valuation requires judgment, including estimating the risk free interest rate, expected life of the option and expected volatility rate. In addition, judgment is also required in estimating the amount of share-based awards that are expected to be forfeited. If actual results differ significantly from these estimates, stock-based compensation expense and our results of operations could be materially impacted.

 

During the current fiscal year, we have granted employees restricted shares instead of issuing stock options. Restricted shares result in compensation expense under SFAS 123R. These restricted shares will vest depending upon the achievement of certain performance objectives. In accordance with SFAS 123R, we estimate a rate at which we believe that employees will achieve performance objectives. If actual results differ significantly from these estimates, stock-based compensation expense and our results of operations could be materially impacted.

 

Leases

 

We lease most of our administrative and educational facilities under operating lease agreements. Before entering into a lease, an analysis is performed to determine whether a lease should be classified as a capital or an operating lease according to SFAS No. 13, “Accounting for Leases”, as amended (“SFAS 13”). These lease agreements typically contain tenant improvement allowances and rent holidays. Tenant improvement allowances are recorded as a leasehold improvement asset (which is included in Property and Equipment, net) when the

 

16


Table of Contents

leasehold asset is placed in service and both the tenant improvement asset and related deferred rent liability are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the term of the lease or useful life of the asset as additional depreciation expense and a credit to rent expense, respectively. For leases that contain a rent holiday, total rent payments are recognized straight-line over the entire lease term. Lease agreements sometimes contain quantifiable rent escalation clauses, which are accounted for on a straight-line basis over the life of the lease. Our lease terms generally range from one to twenty years with one or more renewal options. For leases with renewal options, we record rent expense on a straight-line basis over the original lease term, exclusive of the renewal period. When a renewal occurs, we record rent expense over the new term. Rent is expensed as we gain “possession and/or control” over the new space regardless of whether the facility is substantially complete or whether a build out occurs because rent capitalization during construction ceased on January 1, 2006 due to updated accounting rules. We also lease space from time to time on a short-term basis in order to provide specific courses or programs.

 

Long-Lived Assets

 

Depreciation is recognized using the straight-line method over the shorter of the useful lives or lease terms of the related assets, under the half-year convention, for financial reporting purposes and accelerated methods for income tax reporting purposes. The use of the half-year convention for purposes of determining depreciation expense is not materially different than using the date that the property and equipment were placed in service. Amortization of intangibles relates to the values assigned to identifiable intangible assets. These intangible assets arose principally from the acquisition of schools and development of curriculum for various online programs.

 

We evaluate the recoverability of property and equipment and intangible assets other than goodwill whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of any such assets may not be fully recoverable in accordance with SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.” Changes in circumstances include economic conditions or operating performance. If such a circumstance existed, we would perform additional analysis based upon assumptions about the estimated future undiscounted cash flows associated with the asset. If the projected undiscounted future cash flows are less than the carrying value, we would determine the fair value of the asset based upon a discounted cash flow model. If the discounted cash flows are less than the carrying value of the asset, an impairment loss is recognized. We continually apply our judgment when performing these evaluations to determine the timing of the testing, the undiscounted cash flows used to assess recoverability and the fair value of the asset. Key to this process is the identification of indicators of impairment and accurately estimating cash flows. The failure to identify an indicator or inaccurate cash flow estimates could result in unrecognized impairments. To date, we believe our processes of identifying and estimating have produced timely and accurate recognition of impairments.

 

We evaluate the recoverability of the goodwill attributable to each reporting unit as required under SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” (“SFAS No. 142”), by comparing the fair value of each reporting unit with its carrying value. The evaluation is performed at least annually and when potential impairment indicators exist as required by SFAS No. 142. Individual campus components have been aggregated to form distinct operating divisions by geographic location within North America. Effective July 1, 2005, these operating divisions were reorganized to form six (from the previously reported seven) operating divisions by geographic locations within North America. We completed our annual impairment test during the 2006 fiscal first quarter and determined that goodwill was not impaired. We continually apply our judgment when performing these evaluations to determine the financial projections used to assess the fair value of each reporting unit. The fair market value of the reporting units is estimated by applying multiples to earnings before interest, tax and depreciation. To validate the multiples used, management compares the multiples to recent identified transactions where businesses similar to ours were sold.

 

Income Taxes

 

We account for income taxes in accordance with SFAS 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes,” which requires the use of the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities result from

 

17


Table of Contents

(i) temporary differences in the recognition of income and expense for financial and federal income tax reporting requirements, and (ii) differences between the recorded value of assets acquired in business combinations accounted for as purchases for financial reporting purposes and their corresponding tax bases.

 

At March 31, 2006, we had state net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $42.5 million and a related deferred tax asset of $3.1 million. The carryforwards expire at varying dates beginning in fiscal 2007 through fiscal 2026. We have determined that it is currently “more likely than not” that the deferred tax asset associated with certain state net operating losses will not be realized and have established a valuation allowance of $1.0 million against the deferred tax asset related to those losses.

 

During the quarter ended March 31, 2006, we reduced our Canadian net operating losses by $5.1 million and the related deferred tax asset and valuation allowance by $1.8 million due to uncertainty about the losses being available for use. Therefore, at March 31, 2006, we had Canadian net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $8.4 million and a related deferred tax asset of $3.0 million. The carryforwards expire at varying dates beginning in fiscal 2011 through fiscal 2016. At March 31, 2006, we had additional Canadian deferred tax assets of $1.9 million related to temporary items. We have determined that it is currently “more likely than not” that the deferred tax assets related to our Canadian net operating losses and temporary items will not be realized and have established a valuation allowance equal to the gross deferred tax asset balance of $4.9 million. We evaluate on a quarterly basis whether, based on all available evidence, our deferred income tax assets are realizable.

 

Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting

 

Because of its inherent limitations, internal controls over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with policies or procedures may deteriorate.

 

New Accounting Standards

 

In October 2005, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Staff Position FAS 13-1 (“FSP FAS 13-1”), which requires companies to expense rental costs associated with ground or building operating leases that are incurred during a construction period. As a result, companies that are currently capitalizing rental costs during the construction phase of a lease are required to expense rental costs beginning in the first reporting period beginning after December 15, 2005. We adopted FSP FAS 13-1 on January 1, 2006.

 

In May 2005, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 154, “Accounting Changes and Error Corrections”, which changes the requirements for the accounting and reporting of a change in accounting principle. SFAS No. 154 applies to all voluntary changes in accounting principle as well as to changes required by an accounting pronouncement that does not include specific transition provisions. SFAS No. 154 eliminates the requirement to include the cumulative effect of changes in accounting principle in the income statement and instead requires that changes in accounting principle be retroactively applied. A change in accounting estimate continues to be accounted for in the period of change and future periods if necessary. A correction of an error continues to be reported by restating prior period financial statements. SFAS No. 154 is effective for EDMC after July 1, 2006.

 

In March 2005, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation (“FIN”) No. 47, “Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations.” FIN No. 47 clarifies the timing of liability recognition for retirement obligations associated with tangible long-lived assets that are conditional on a future event. FIN No. 47 is effective as of the end of the fiscal year ending after December 31, 2005, with early adoption permitted. We are in the process of evaluating the potential impact of FIN No. 47, if any.

 

18


Table of Contents

Results of Operations

 

Three months ended March 31, 2006 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2005

 

Revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2006 increased 13.8% to $312.5 million, compared to $274.6 million for the same period a year ago, primarily resulting from 8.8% growth in total student enrollment and an approximate 5% increase in tuition rates. Tuition revenue generally varies based on the average tuition charge per credit hour, average credits per student and the average student population. Total enrollment at the start of the third quarter of fiscal 2006 was 71,911 students compared to 66,103, students for the same period last year.

 

During the third quarter of fiscal year 2005, we conducted a review of all of our real estate operating leases and determined that our previous method of accounting for landlord incentives or allowances was not in accordance with recent guidance issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission. As a result, amortization expense for the nine months ended March 31, 2005 reflected an increase of approximately $19.5 million, while rent expense was reduced by approximately $15.7 million. The net result was a non-cash, pretax charge of approximately $3.8 million ($2.3 million or $0.03 per share after tax) reflected in educational services in our fiscal 2005 third quarter.

 

Our educational services expense increased by $11.8 million, or 7.1%, to $178.4 million in the third quarter of 2006 from $166.6 million in fiscal 2005, due primarily to the incremental costs incurred to support higher student enrollment. Educational services expense includes faculty and certain administrative compensation, rent and other facility operating costs, cost of sales, bad debt, and depreciation and amortization. Overall, educational services expense as a percentage of revenue decreased approximately 360 basis points to 57.1% in the third quarter of fiscal 2006 from 60.7% in the third quarter of fiscal 2005. Adjusting for the non-cash, pretax charge of $3.8 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2005, educational services expense as a percentage of revenue decreased approximately 220 basis points from the prior year period. This decrease is attributable primarily to decreases in bad debt expense as a percentage of revenue and leverage on our personnel and facilities. Operating leverage was partially offset by higher depreciation and amortization expense as a percentage of revenue due to the net impact of the cumulative lease accounting adjustment recorded during the third quarter of fiscal 2005 to comply with revised interpretations of lease accounting rules. Fiscal 2005 results also include a non-cash charge of approximately $0.7 million related to fixed asset impairments. Share-based compensation expense, which is a component of personnel expense, was $0.4 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2006. Other components of educational services decreased as a percentage of revenue, including travel, insurance, telecommunications, supplies, consulting and other operating expenses as a result of cost control efforts.

 

We adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payment” (“SFAS 123R”) on July 1, 2005, using the modified prospective method. Under the modified prospective method, the effect of the standard is recognized in the period of adoption and in future periods. Prior periods, which were accounted for under Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” (“APB 25”), are not restated to reflect the impact of adopting the new standard. SFAS 123R requires share-based payments to be accounted for at fair value, measured at the grant date for equity awards, and recognized as expense over the requisite service period. For the third fiscal quarter of 2006, compensation expense related to share-based plans was $4.0 million compared to $0.3 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2005. Compensation expense related to share-based plans were $7.0 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2006. The decrease in expense from the second quarter was due the decrease in unvested options.

 

As of March 31, 2006 the total unrecognized compensation cost related equity compensation is approximately $16.6 million, before the effect of forfeitures, and will be recognized over the next six to eight quarters in accordance with the vesting period; however, the entire amount would be recorded upon approval by the Company’s shareholders of the pending acquisition of the Company (see Note 1).

 

19


Table of Contents

General and administrative expense was $68.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006, an increase of 35.0% from $50.9 million in the prior year period. The increase was primarily due to higher advertising expenses, salaries and costs related to the proposed sale of the Company partially offset by lower travel, consulting and audit expenses. Expense related to Sarbanes-Oxley compliance was $0.8 million lower as compared to the prior year period. As a percentage of net revenue, general and administrative expense increased 344 basis points over the prior period. This was primarily due to increases in share-based compensation expense and additional investment in advertising expense, which increased 115 basis points and 160 basis points, respectively, over the prior year period. Transaction costs associated with the pending acquisition of the Company were $3.6 million. Share-based compensation expense, which impacted personnel expense, was $3.6 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2006 compared to $0.3 million in fiscal 2005.

 

Amortization of intangibles decreased to $0.8 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2006, as compared to $1.6 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2005. The decrease was due to certain acquired intangible assets, such as curricula, becoming fully amortized, partially offset by higher amortization expense for capitalized software costs related to online curriculum development.

 

Income before interest and taxes increased by $9.2 million to $64.6 million in the fiscal 2006 third quarter from $55.5 million in the fiscal 2005 third quarter. The corresponding margin increased approximately 50 basis points to 20.7% for the quarter as compared to 20.2% for the prior year quarter due to the factors described above.

 

Net interest income was $2.2 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2006 as compared to $0.3 million in comparable year ago period. The increase in net interest income was due to higher investment balances and more favorable rates on short-term investments in the third quarter of fiscal 2006, partially offset by amortization of $0.1 million in fees paid in connection with securing the revolving credit agreement and interest expense on mortgage indebtedness at one of our schools.

 

Our effective tax rate was 39.6% for the third quarter of fiscal 2006, as compared to 38.6% recorded in the comparable quarter of the prior fiscal year and 39.8% for fiscal 2005. The increase in the quarterly rate as compared to the prior year was primarily due to a favorable return-to-provision adjustment for fiscal 2004 that was recorded during the third quarter of fiscal 2005 and fiscal 2006 nondeductible transaction costs associated with the proposed acquisition of the Company by a private equity group. The rate increase related to these items was offset in part by the reversal of valuation allowances against Canadian deferred tax assets related to net operating loss carryforwards, which resulted from conforming the intercompany transfer pricing arrangement between the Company’s U.S. and Canadian operations to the business operations in Canada. The effective rates differed from the combined federal and state statutory rates due primarily to valuation allowances and expenses that are non-deductible for tax purposes.

 

Net income increased by $6.1 million to $40.4 million in the fiscal 2006 third quarter from $34.2 million the year ago period. The increase is attributable to improved results from operations and interest income offset by $4.0 million pretax in share-based compensation expense recognized in the third quarter of 2006. This compares to $0.3 million pretax in share-based compensation expense recorded in the comparable year ago period due to a restricted stock award.

 

Nine months ended March 31, 2006 compared to the nine months ended March 31, 2005

 

Revenues for the nine months ended March 31, 2006 increased 14.9% to $878.1 million, compared to $764.0 million for the same period a year ago, primarily resulting from a 10.1% growth in average total student enrollment and an approximate 5% increase in tuition rates. Tuition revenue generally varies based on the average tuition charge per credit hour, average credits per student and the average student population. Average student enrollment for the first nine months of fiscal 2006 increased to 68,040 students compared to 61,785 students for the same period last year, an increase of 10.1%.

 

20


Table of Contents

Our educational services expense increased by $46.0 million, or 9.7%, to $520.9 million in the first nine months of 2006 from $474.8 million in fiscal 2005, due primarily to the incremental costs incurred to support higher student enrollment. Educational services expense includes faculty and certain administrative compensation, rent and other facility operating costs, cost of sales, bad debt, and depreciation and amortization. The prior period includes $3.8 million, or 50 basis points related to the cumulative lease accounting adjustment recorded in March 2005 as described in Note 1(j) in the Company’s fiscal 2005 Annual Report. Also, as a result of the implementation of SFAS 123R, share based compensation, which is a component personnel expense, was $5.4 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2006 compared to $0.8 million for the same period in fiscal 2005. After giving effect to the cumulative lease adjustments in fiscal 2005 and the impact of SFAS 123R overall, educational services expense as a percentage of revenue decreased approximately 290 basis points to 59.3% in the first nine months of fiscal 2006 from 62.2% in the first nine months of fiscal 2005. This decrease is attributable primarily to leverage on our personnel and facilities expenses, which decreased as a percentage of revenue. Bad debt expense was 60 basis points lower as a percentage of revenue compared to the prior year due to a continued strength in accounts receivable collections and by increases in alternative loans received by our students which is used to pay tuition. These private loans are made to our students by financial institutions and are non-recourse to the institution. The use of these loans by our students results in the reduction of student receivable balances. Other components of educational services decreased as a percentage of revenue, including travel, telecommunications, consulting and other operating expenses as a result of cost control efforts.

 

For the first nine months of 2006, compensation expense related to share-based plans was $17.3 million compared to $0.8 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2005. Had we accounted for share-based compensation under the SFAS 123R fair value expense method in the comparable fiscal 2005 period, we would have recorded an additional $20.3 million in compensation expense.

 

General and administrative expense was $190.7 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2006, an increase of 27.9% from $149.0 million in the prior year period. The increase was primarily due to higher advertising, compensation (including SFAS 123R expense), telecommunications expenses and deal expenses. As a percentage of net revenue, general and administrative expense increased approximately 220 basis points over the prior period. This was primarily due to share-based compensation expense, which was $11.9 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2006 compared to $0.8 million in fiscal 2005. Also contributing to the increase as a percentage of revenue were advertising expense, which increased approximately 100 basis points, and transaction costs of $4.9 million associated with the proposed acquisition of the Company. These increases were offset by decreases in telecommunications, audit, travel and other operating expenses as a percentage of revenue.

 

Amortization of intangibles decreased $1.6 million to $3.5 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2006, as compared to $5.1 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2005. The decrease was due to certain intangible assets becoming fully amortized, partially offset by higher amortization expense for deferred software costs related to online curriculum.

 

Income before interest and taxes, or operating income, increased by $28.1 million to $163.1 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2006 from $135.0 million in the prior year period. The corresponding margin increased approximately 90 basis points to 18.6% for the first nine months of the fiscal year as compared to 17.7% for the prior year due to the factors described above.

 

Net interest income was $4.3 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2006 as compared to expense of $0.7 million in the comparable year ago period. The increase in net interest income was due to higher investment balances and more favorable rates on short-term investments in the nine months of fiscal 2006, partially offset by amortization of $0.3 million in fees paid in connection with securing the revolving credit agreement and interest expense on mortgage indebtedness at two of our schools. The prior period expense was a result of higher borrowing levels during the period and lower overall cash balances.

 

21


Table of Contents

Our effective tax rate for the first nine months of fiscal 2006 was 39.1%, as compared to 39.0% in the comparable period in the prior fiscal year. The effective tax rate for fiscal 2005 was 39.8%. The slight decrease in the year-to-date rate as compared to the prior year was primarily due to the reversal in fiscal 2006 of deferred state tax liabilities that resulted from Ohio’s adoption of a gross receipts based tax in place of its corporate income tax, the favorable impact of certain state tax credits, and the reversal of valuation allowances against a portion of the Company’s deferred tax assets related to Canadian net operating loss carryforwards, which were offset by non-deductible transaction costs related to the acquisition of the Company by a private equity group.

 

Net income increased by $20.0 million to $101.9 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2006 from $82.0 million the year ago period. The increase is attributable to improved results from operations, interest income and a lower effective tax rate, offset by $17.3 million in share based payment expense recognized in the first nine months of 2006. This compares to $0.5 million in share based payment expense recorded in the comparable year ago period due to a restricted stock award.

 

Liquidity and Funds of Capital Resources

 

Our primary source of cash is tuition collected from our students. We finance our operating activities primarily from cash generated from operations. Acquisitions have historically been financed through cash generated from operations as well as borrowing on our revolving credit facility. We believe that cash flow from operations, supplemented from time to time with borrowings under the revolving credit agreement, will provide adequate funds for ongoing operations, planned expansion to new locations, planned capital expenditures and debt service during the next twelve months.

 

Cash generated from operations for the first nine months of fiscal 2006 was $321.7 million, an increase of $65.1 million over the same period in fiscal 2005. Higher cash flow compared to the prior year was due to growth in net income before non-cash expenses, and positive working capital changes. For the period from June 30, 2005 to March 31, 2006, net working capital changes resulted in cash of $83.2 million. This was due to an increase of $115.5 million in advance payment activity, which is primarily the result of the timing of the receipt of financial aid funds in advance of the spring academic quarter for the Art Institutes. Also, strong collections on accounts receivable from students and the movement from a prepaid tax position to a tax payable position provided a source of cash, and was offset by the payment of $62.0 million on our revolver outstanding at June 30, 2005.

 

Changes in working capital contributed $71.3 million to cash flow from operating activities compared to the year ago period. Better collections on receivables resulted in $18.5 million in the growth of cash flow compared to the prior period. Non-cash expenses were higher compared to the prior year period due to the expensing of share-based compensation beginning in July 1, 2005, and higher depreciation and amortization expense.

 

Advance payments represent deposits received for academic terms that have not begun at the date of the balance sheet. These amounts fluctuate significantly at the end of each quarter due to the timing of the beginning of the academic starts in relation to the start of a fiscal quarter. A primary component of advance payments are federal financial aid receipts that are permitted to be received within the 10 days before the start of classes.

 

Days sales outstanding (DSO) in receivables decreased to 12.0 days at March 31, 2006 from 17.9 days at March 31, 2005. We calculate DSO by dividing net accounts receivable by average daily revenue for the preceding quarter. Quarterly average daily revenue is determined by taking the total revenue for a quarter and dividing by the number of days in a quarter. The decrease in DSO was primarily due to better collections along with greater use of third party loans by our students. As a means of controlling our credit risk, we have established alternative loan programs with student loan lenders. These programs, which are non-recourse to us, help bridge the funding gap created by tuition rates that rise faster than financial aid sources. We believe that these loans are attractive to our students because they provide for repayment post-graduation and are available to borrowers with lower than average credit ratings.

 

22


Table of Contents

Capital expenditures were $48.9 million or 5.5% of revenue for the first nine months fiscal 2006, compared to $53.5 million, or 7.0% of revenue in the year ago period. The $53.5 million in capital expenditures for the nine months ended March 31, 2005 is after giving effect for the cumulative accounting adjustment made in March 2005 related to $14.6 million of landlord reimbursement for leasehold improvements. These reimbursement were reflected as an increase to cash flows from operations and an offsetting decrease to cash flows from investing activities as presented in the statement of cash flows for the nine months ended March 31, 2005. The reduction of capital expenditures as a percentage of revenue was due to decreased spending resulting from delays and deferrals in the commencement of capital projects as well as our continued improvement in capital efficiency. The fiscal 2006 capital expenditures include investments in schools acquired or started during the previous several years and schools added in fiscal 2006, continued expansion and improvements to other facilities, additional or replacement school and housing facilities, and classroom and administrative technology.

 

Our amended and restated revolving credit facility allows for borrowings up to $250 million and expires August 18, 2008. The agreement contains customary covenants that, among other matters, require us to meet specified financial ratios, restrict the repurchase of Common Stock and limit the incurrence of additional indebtedness. Outstanding letters of credit reduce the availability of borrowings under the revolving credit facility. At March 31, 2006, we had no borrowings outstanding under this facility and were in compliance with all covenants under the agreement. Our availability of borrowings under the revolving credit agreement was approximately $247 million at March 31, 2006. The revolving credit agreement allows us to guarantee up to $5 million of student debt per fiscal year.

 

We lease most of our facilities and anticipate that future commitments on existing leases will be paid from cash provided from operating activities. We also expect to extend the terms of leases that will expire or enter into similar long term commitments for comparable space. We guarantee a significant portion of real estate lease obligations for our subsidiaries.

 

We paid off a mortgage on the building occupied by Western State University College of Law in March of fiscal 2006, which resulted in approximately $3.3 million in principal payments in the nine months ended March 31, 2006.

 

The following table describes our commitments at March 31, 2006 under various contracts and agreements (in thousands):

 

     Total
amounts
committed


   Payments due by period

      (remaining in)
2006


   2007-2008

   2009-2010

   2011-
Thereafter


Line of credit borrowings

   $ —      $ —      $ —      $ —      $ —  

Standby letters of credit (1)

     2,711      —        —        —        —  

Operating leases

     459,830      18,618      127,938      104,384      208,890

Capital leases

     3,058      1,225      1,833      —        —  

Unconditional purchase obligations

     14,833      4,118      9,284      984      447

Mortgage debt of consolidated entities

     1,864      43      373      436      1,012
    

  

  

  

  

Total commitments

   $ 482,296    $ 24,004    $ 139,428    $ 105,804    $ 210,349
    

  

  

  

  

(1) We do not anticipate these letters of credit will be drawn on.

 

(2) We have various contractual obligations that extend through 2010 for services.

 

Contingencies

 

In July 2005, the staff of the SEC’s Enforcement Division advised us that it was conducting an informal inquiry into trading in our common stock. The informal inquiry relates to trading prior to our third quarter earnings announcement in May 2005. We believe the inquiry was initiated following trades by one of our former

 

23


Table of Contents

directors during the time frame that appeared to violate the short swing profit recovery provisions of Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Under that provision, profits made by officers, directors and certain shareholders on transactions within a six month period of a matching transaction inure to the benefit of and may be recovered by the corporation. As a result, the former director paid and we accepted approximately $530,000 as disgorgement of profits on the transactions. The profit disgorgement was recorded as an increase to shareholders equity in the first quarter of fiscal 2006. We advised the SEC staff of the Section 16(b) recovery and are cooperating fully with the SEC’s informal inquiry.

 

In addition to the matter described above, we are a defendant in certain legal proceedings arising out of the conduct of our business. In the opinion of management, based upon an investigation of these claims and discussion with legal counsel, the ultimate outcome of such legal proceedings, individually and in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

 

ITEM 3 – QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

We are exposed to market risks in the ordinary course of business that include foreign currency exchange rates. We typically do not utilize material interest rate swaps, forward or option contracts on foreign currencies or commodities, or other types of derivative financial instruments. We are subject to fluctuations in the value of the Canadian dollar relative to the U.S. dollar. We do not believe the Company is subject to material risks from reasonably possible near-term change in exchange rates.

 

ITEM 4 – CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have evaluated the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of March 31, 2006, and they concluded that these controls and procedures are effective.

 

(b) Changes in Internal Controls

 

There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2006, conducted by our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2006 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

24


Table of Contents

PART II

 

ITEM 6 – EXHIBITS

 

(a)    Exhibits:

 

(10.01)    The Education Management Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.01 on Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on December 19, 2005
(15.1)    Registered Independent Accountant’s Review Report
(15.2)    Auditor’s Acknowledgement
(31.1)    Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification by the Chief Executive Officer
(31.2)    Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification by the Chief Financial Officer
(32.1)    Certification by the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.
(32.2)    Certification by the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.

 

25


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

EDUCATION MANAGEMENT CORPORATION

(Registrant)

 

Date: May 4, 2006

 

/s/    JOHN R. MCKERNAN, JR.


John R. McKernan, Jr.

Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

/s/    ROBERT T. MCDOWELL


Robert T. McDowell

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer

 

26


Table of Contents

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

(15.1)   

Registered Independent Accountant’s Review Report.

(15.2)   

Auditor’s Acknowledgement.

(31.1)   

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification by the Chief Executive Officer.

(31.2)   

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification by the Chief Financial Officer.

(32.1)   

Certification by the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.

(32.2)   

Certification by the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.

 

27