Paycom Software Inc
For the period ended Dec 31, 2024. Filed Feb 20, 2025.
View on SEC.govAbout this filing
A company's yearly report to the SEC, with audited financial statements. It is the fullest account a company gives of its business, its finances and the risks it sees.
FY2024 · Filed Feb 20, 2025
What changed in Risk Factors?
Read the current filingPrevious report: 10-K
Period ended 2023-12-31; filed 2024-02-15.
0000950170-24-015863
Item 1A. Risk FactorsCurrent report: 10-K
Period ended 2024-12-31; filed 2025-02-20.
0000950170-25-024136
Item 1A. Risk FactorsThe baseline is this issuer’s latest earlier reporting period of the same form that was filed before the current report. A previous 10-Q is a different quarter, not a year-over-year comparison. Amendments are excluded.
Compared 195 previous paragraphs and 197 current paragraphs.
152 unchanged; 38 reworded; 7 added; 2 removed; 3 previous and 0 current paragraphs rearranged.
Tables are not compared: 0 previous and 0 current tables excluded. Dates, whitespace, punctuation and numbering changes are ignored; changes to financial figures remain significant.
A changed paragraph is not evidence that risk increased or decreased. An unchanged paragraph does not establish that risk stayed the same.
Added paragraphs (7)
Current report
We believe the success of our business and execution of our strategy depend, in part, on the leadership of Chad Richison, our founder, Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors, and that of our other key executive officers and employees. The loss of their leadership, expertise and experience could adversely impact our operations. Effective succession planning is also important to our long-term success. Changes in our management team may be disruptive to our business, and any failure to ensure effective transfer of knowledge or successfully integrate key new hires or promoted employees could adversely affect our business and results of operations. The loss of the services of any of our executive officers or other key employees, or our inability to attract highly qualified senior management and other key personnel, could harm our business. In addition, legal and regulatory developments may affect our ability to enforce post-termination obligations of certain employees with respect to non-competition, non-solicitation and protection of confidential information. Our business could be adversely affected if a key executive leaves Paycom and interferes with our client, employee and/or other business relationships. We do not maintain key man life insurance on any of our executive officers.
Current report
We have licensed and deployed a third-party large language model (“LLM”) on our own internal network. This LLM processes a large amount of employee and customer data, including potentially sensitive information. Unauthorized access to or a breach of this LLM software could lead to significant legal and financial repercussions to us. Also, failure to comply with continually evolving privacy, cybersecurity, and AI regulations during our use of this LLM could lead to substantial fines and damage to our reputation. Rapid advancements in technology could quickly render our existing LLM obsolete, requiring the licensing and training of a replacement LLM at significant cost to us. The third-party LLM we license was trained on large datasets that may contain biases, and these biases can be reflected in the output of our LLM, leading to ethical concerns and potential harm to our employees and/or customers. The ongoing accuracy of the output of our LLM is critical for its effectiveness, and inaccurate or unreliable outputs could lead to customer dissatisfaction and potential legal liabilities.
Current report
Our increasing focus on, and investments in, automation expose us to a number of risks.
Current report
A key part of our strategy is our focus on automation. We currently utilize automation and machine learning in certain of our products and services to deliver a better experience for our clients and their employees, and we expect to automate more functions within our solution in the future. We also leverage AI internally to make certain business processes more efficient. While we believe the use of these emerging technologies can present significant benefits, it also creates risks and challenges.
Current report
The development and implementation of such advanced technologies is complex. We have invested, and intend to continue to invest, significant time and resources in our automation initiatives, some or all of which may not result in new products or enhancements to our solution or services or, even if deployed, may not materially improve client or client employee experience. Furthermore, existing and prospective clients may be hesitant to adopt products that rely on automation, particularly those that utilize AI. Data sourcing, technology, integration and process issues, programmed bias in decision-making algorithms, concerns over intellectual property, security concerns, and the protection of privacy could impair the adoption and acceptance of our automated solutions. If our investments in automation initiatives do not result in marketable products or services, or the resulting solutions do not gain market acceptance or we otherwise do not fully realize the intended benefits of these significant investments, our operating results and financial condition may suffer.
Current report
In addition, we may incur additional compliance costs to the extent our automation initiatives utilize tools and technologies that are the subject of increasing regulatory and legal scrutiny, such as AI. These laws and regulations are developing and vary from one jurisdiction to another. Future legislative and regulatory action, court decisions or other governmental action may adversely impact our ability to pursue our automation strategy and, in turn, may adversely impact our operations and financial results.
Current report
As the Paycom National Trust Bank now manages U.S. client money movement activity, these transmissions are federally exempt from state money transmitter regulation, and we have surrendered all historically maintained state money transmitter licenses. Outside of the United States, we maintain certain “money services business” registrations and intend to apply for, where necessary, money services business, money transmitter, payment services provider, or similarly named applicable licenses.
Removed paragraphs (2)
Previous report
We believe that our success depends in part on the continued services of our key executives, consisting of Chad Richison, Chris Thomas, Craig Boelte, Jason Clark, Brad Smith and Holly Faurot. Our business could be adversely affected if we fail to retain these key executives. Although the employment arrangements of certain of our key executives contain restrictive covenants, our business could nonetheless be adversely affected if a key executive leaves Paycom and interferes with Paycom’s client, employee and/or other business relationships. In addition, we have not purchased key person life insurance on any of our key executives.
Previous report
We could face liability from our background check services and the information we report or fail to report in our background checks, which may not be covered, in whole or in part, by insurance.
Reworded paragraphs (38)
Previous wording
If our security measures are breached, or unauthorized access to our clients’ or their employees’ or potential employees’ sensitive data is otherwise obtained, our solution may not be perceived as being secure, clients may reduce the use of or stop using our solution, our ability to attract new clients may be harmed and we may incur significant liabilities.
Current wording
If our security measures are breached, or unauthorized access to sensitive data is otherwise obtained, our solution may not be perceived as being secure, clients may reduce the use of or stop using our solution, our ability to attract new clients may be harmed and we may incur significant liabilities.
Previous wording
Our solution involves the collection, storage and transmission of clients’ and their employees’ and potential employees’ confidential and proprietary information, including personal identifying information, as well as financial and payroll data. HCM software is often targeted in cyber-attacks, including computer viruses, phishing attacks, malicious software programs and other information security breaches, which could result in unauthorized access to or release, gathering, monitoring, misuse, loss or destruction of our or our clients’ sensitive data or otherwise disrupt our or our clients’ business operations. If threat actors are able to circumvent our security measures and we are unable to detect or contain such intrusion into our system, our or our clients’ sensitive data (including client employees’ personal data) may be compromised. Further, in order to provide our services, certain of our employees have access to sensitive information about our clients’ employees. While we conduct background checks of our employees and limit access to systems and data, it is possible that one or more of these individuals may circumvent these controls, resulting in a security breach.
Current wording
Our solution involves the collection, storage and transmission of confidential and proprietary information belonging to our clients, their current, former and potential employees and, in certain cases, dependents and beneficiaries of clients’ current and former employees. This information includes personal identifying information, as well as financial and payroll data. HCM software is often targeted, and we have been targeted, in cyber-attacks, including computer viruses, phishing attacks, malicious software programs (including distributed denial of services (DDoS) attacks) and other information security breaches, which could result in unauthorized access to or release, gathering, monitoring, misuse, loss or destruction of our or our clients’ sensitive data or otherwise disrupt our or our clients’ business operations. If threat actors are able to circumvent our security measures and we are unable to detect or contain such intrusion into our system, our or our clients’ sensitive data (including client employees’ personal data) may be compromised. Further, in order to provide our services, certain of our employees have access to sensitive information about our clients’ employees. While we conduct background checks of our employees and limit access to systems and data, it is possible that one or more of these individuals may circumvent these controls, resulting in a security breach.
Previous wording
Our success is also subject to the risk of future disruptive technologies, such as AI and machine learning. The failure to develop enhancements to our applications for, or that incorporate, technologies such as natural language processing, AI, machine learning, and blockchain may impact our ability to increase the efficiency of and reduce costs associated with our clients’ operations. If new technologies emerge that are able to deliver HCM solutions at lower prices, more efficiently or more conveniently, including but not limited to those that incorporate AI or machine learning or are created using AI or machine learning, such technologies could adversely impact our ability to compete. Furthermore, as we continue to use such new technologies in our own solution, developing, testing, and deploying resource-intensive AI systems will require additional investment and may increase our costs. There also may be real or perceived social harm, unfairness, or other outcomes that undermine public confidence in the use and deployment of AI. Any of the foregoing may result in decreased demand for our solution or harm to our business, results of operations or reputation.
Current wording
Our success is also subject to the risk of future disruptive technologies, such as AI and machine learning. The failure to develop enhancements to our applications for, or that incorporate, technologies such as natural language processing, AI, and machine learning may impact our ability to increase the efficiency of and reduce costs associated with our clients’ operations. If new technologies emerge that are able to deliver HCM solutions at lower prices, more efficiently or more conveniently, such technologies could adversely impact our ability to compete. Furthermore, as we continue to use such new technologies in our own solution, developing, testing, and deploying resource-intensive AI systems will require additional investment and may increase our costs. There also may be real or perceived social harm, unfairness, or other outcomes that undermine public confidence in the use and deployment of AI. Any of the foregoing may result in decreased demand for our solution or harm to our business, results of operations or reputation.
Previous wording
The market for HCM software is highly competitive, rapidly evolving and fragmented. If we are unable to compete effectively, our business, operating results or financial condition could be adversely affected. We expect competition to continue to intensify as new technologies and new market entrants emerge and increasingly aggressive pricing strategies persist. Competition in the HCM solutions market is primarily based on service responsiveness, application quality and reputation, breadth of service and product offering, and price. Certain competitors have access to larger clients and major distribution agreements with consultants, software vendors and distributors and a more established global presence than we do. Certain of our competitors have in the past or may in the future:
Current wording
The market for HCM software is highly competitive, rapidly evolving and fragmented. If we are unable to compete effectively, our business, operating results or financial condition could be adversely affected. We expect competition to continue to remain intense as new technologies and new market entrants emerge and aggressive pricing and client retention strategies persist. Competition in the HCM solutions market is primarily based on service responsiveness, application quality and reputation, breadth of service and product offering, and price. Certain competitors have access to larger clients and major distribution agreements with consultants, software vendors and distributors and a more established global presence than we do. Certain of our competitors have in the past or may in the future:
Previous wording
Our competitors offer HCM solutions that may overlap with one, several or all categories of the applications we offer. We compete with companies such as Automatic Data Processing, Inc., Dayforce, Inc., Cornerstone OnDemand, Inc., Gusto, Inc., Intuit, Inc., Insperity, Inc., Oracle Corporation, Paychex, Inc., Paylocity Holding Corporation, Paycor HCM, Inc., People Center, Inc. d/b/a Rippling, SAP SE, ServiceNow, Inc., Ultimate Kronos Group, Workday, Inc., and other international, national, regional, and local providers. Our competitors provide HCM solutions by various means. Although certain providers continue to deliver legacy enterprise software, many now offer cloud-based solutions, resulting in increased competition for clients seeking the greater flexibility and access to information provided by cloud-based offerings. Furthermore, the HCM industry has experienced an emergence of white label and embedded payroll offerings. The proliferation of white label offerings and products and technologies utilizing embedded payroll systems may adversely affect our competitive position.
Current wording
Our competitors offer HCM solutions that may overlap with one, several or all categories of the applications we offer. We compete with companies such as Automatic Data Processing, Inc., Cornerstone OnDemand, Inc., Dayforce, Inc., Intuit, Inc., Insperity, Inc., Oracle Corporation, Paychex, Inc., Paylocity Holding Corporation, Paycor HCM, Inc., SAP SE, ServiceNow, Inc., Ultimate Kronos Group, Workday, Inc., and other international, national, regional, and local providers. Our competitors provide HCM solutions by various means. Although certain providers continue to deliver legacy enterprise software, most now offer cloud-based solutions, resulting in increased competition for clients seeking the greater flexibility and access to information provided by cloud-based offerings. Furthermore, the HCM industry has experienced an emergence of white label and embedded payroll offerings. The proliferation of white label offerings and products and technologies utilizing embedded payroll systems may adversely affect our competitive position.
Previous wording
In order for us to maintain or improve our operating results, it is important that our current clients continue to use our applications and purchase additional applications from us, and that we add new clients. Generally, our clients have no obligation to continue to use our applications and have the right to cancel their agreements with us for any or no reason by providing 30 days’ prior written notice. Moreover, from time to time, clients choose not to continue to use our applications at the same or higher level of service, if at all. Our annual revenue retention rate fluctuates as a result of a number of factors, including but not limited to the level of client satisfaction with our applications, pricing, the prices of competing products or services, mergers and acquisitions affecting our client base, reduced hiring by our clients or reductions in our clients’ spending levels. In addition, because our Beti technology is designed to eliminate payroll errors that lead to billable corrections and unscheduled payroll runs, we have experienced and expect to continue to experience a reduction in these activities that would otherwise generate additional revenue for us. If our clients do not continue to use our applications, renew on less favorable terms or fail to purchase additional applications, or if we fail to add new clients, our annual revenue retention rate may decline and our business, operating results or financial condition could be adversely affected.
Current wording
In order for us to maintain or improve our operating results, it is important that our current clients continue to use our applications and purchase additional applications from us, and that we add new clients. Most of our clients have the right to cancel their agreements with us for any or no reason by providing 30 days’ prior written notice. Moreover, from time to time, clients choose not to continue to use our applications at the same or higher level of service, if at all. Our annual revenue retention rate fluctuates as a result of a number of factors, including but not limited to the level of client satisfaction with our applications, pricing, the prices of competing products or services, mergers and acquisitions affecting our client base, reduced hiring by our clients or reductions in our clients’ spending levels. In addition, because our Beti technology is designed to eliminate payroll errors that lead to billable corrections and unscheduled payroll runs, we have experienced a reduction in these activities that would historically otherwise generate additional revenue for us. If our clients do not continue to use our applications, renew on less favorable terms or fail to purchase additional applications, or if we fail to add new clients, our annual revenue retention rate may decline and our business, operating results or financial condition could be adversely affected.
Previous wording
Our business, operating results or financial condition could be adversely affected if our clients are not satisfied with our deployment or technical support services, or if our solution fails to perform properly.
Current wording
Our business, operating results or financial condition could be adversely affected if our solution fails to perform properly or our clients are not satisfied with our services.
Previous wording
Further, our solution is inherently complex and may in the future contain, or develop, undetected defects or errors. Any defects in our applications could adversely affect our reputation, impair our ability to sell our applications in the future and result in significant costs to us. The costs incurred in correcting any application defects may be substantial and could adversely affect our business, operating results or financial condition. Any defects in functionality or defects that cause interruptions in the availability of our applications could result in:
Current wording
Our solution is inherently complex and may in the future contain, or develop, undetected defects or errors. Any defects in our applications could adversely affect our reputation, impair our ability to sell our applications in the future and result in significant costs to us. The costs incurred to correct any application defects may be substantial and could adversely affect our business, operating results or financial condition. Any defects in functionality or defects that cause interruptions in the availability of our applications could result in:
Previous wording
We also face potential liability from our clients, and possibly third parties, in the event we fail to report information, particularly criminal records or other potentially negative information, or wrongly report such information. From time to time, we have been subject to claims and lawsuits by current and potential employees of our clients, alleging that we provided to our clients inaccurate or improper information that negatively affected the clients’ hiring decisions. Although the resolutions of these lawsuits have not had a material adverse effect on us to date, the costs of such claims, including settlement amounts or punitive damages, could be material in the future, could cause adverse publicity and reputational damage, could divert the attention of our management, could subject us to equitable remedies relating to the operation of our business and provision of services and result in significant legal expenses, all of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations and adverse publicity, and could result in the loss of existing clients and make it difficult to attract new clients. Insurance may not be adequate to cover us for all risks to which we are exposed or may not be available to cover these claims at all. Any imposition of liability, particularly liability that is not covered by insurance or is in excess of our insurance coverage, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. Additionally, we cannot be certain that our insurance coverage, including any applicable deductibles, copays and other policy limits, will continue to be available to us at a reasonable cost or will be adequate to cover any claims or lawsuits we may face in the future or that we will be able to renew our insurance policies on favorable terms, or at all.
Current wording
Because of the large amount of data that we collect and manage, it is possible that hardware failures or errors in our applications could result in data loss or corruption or cause the information that we collect to be incomplete or contain inaccuracies that our clients regard as significant. From time to time, our clients assert claims against us alleging that they suffered damages due to a defect, error, or other failure of our solution. We also face potential liability from our clients, and possibly third parties, in the event we fail to report information, particularly wage and earnings information, criminal records or other potentially negative information, or wrongly report such information. From time to time, we have been subject to claims and lawsuits by current and potential employees of our clients, alleging that we provided to our clients inaccurate or improper information that negatively affected the clients. Although the resolutions of these lawsuits have not had a material adverse effect on us to date, the costs of such claims, including settlement amounts or punitive damages, could be material in the future, could cause adverse publicity and reputational damage, could divert the attention of our management, could subject us to equitable remedies relating to the operation of our business and provision of services and result in significant legal expenses, all of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations and adverse publicity, and could result in the loss of existing clients and make it difficult to attract new clients. Our errors and omissions insurance may be inadequate or may not be available in the future on acceptable terms, or at all. In addition, our policy may not cover all claims made against us, and defending a suit, regardless of its merit, could be costly and divert management’s attention. Any failures in the performance of our solution could harm our reputation and our ability to retain existing clients and attract new clients, which would have an adverse impact on our business, operating results or financial condition.
Previous wording
Our business depends on our ability to satisfy our clients, both with respect to our applications and the technical support provided to help our clients use the applications that address the needs of their businesses. We use our in-house deployment personnel to implement and configure our solution and provide support to our clients. If a client is not satisfied with the quality of our solution, the applications delivered or the support provided, we could incur additional costs to address the situation, our profitability might be negatively affected, and the client’s dissatisfaction with our deployment or support service could harm our ability to sell additional applications to that client. In addition, our sales process is highly dependent on the reputation of our solution and applications and on positive recommendations from our existing clients. Any failure to maintain high-quality technical support, or a market perception that we do not maintain high-quality technical support, could adversely affect client retention, our reputation, our ability to sell our applications to existing and prospective clients, and, as a result, our business, operating results or financial condition.
Current wording
Furthermore, our business depends on our ability to satisfy our clients, both with respect to our applications and the technical support provided to help our clients use the applications that address the needs of their businesses. We use our in-house deployment personnel to implement and configure our solution and provide support to our clients. If a client is not satisfied with the quality of our solution, the applications delivered or the support provided, we could incur additional costs to address the situation, our profitability might be negatively affected, and the client’s dissatisfaction with our deployment or support service could harm our ability to sell additional applications to that client. In addition, our sales process is highly dependent on the reputation of our solution and applications and on positive recommendations from our existing clients. Any failure to maintain high-quality technical support, or a market perception that we do not maintain high-quality technical support, could adversely affect client retention, our reputation, our ability to sell our applications to existing and prospective clients, and, as a result, our business, operating results or financial condition.
Previous wording
We are dependent on the continued service of our key executives and, if we fail to retain such key executives, our business could be adversely affected.
Current wording
We are dependent on the leadership of our key executives and, if we fail to retain such key executives, our business could be adversely affected.
Previous wording
Our business and operations are experiencing rapid growth and organizational change. If we fail to manage such growth and change effectively, we may be unable to execute our business plan, maintain high levels of service or adequately address competitive challenges.
Current wording
Our business and operations have experienced significant growth and organizational change. If we fail to manage such growth and change effectively, we may be unable to execute our business plan, maintain high levels of service or adequately address competitive challenges.
Previous wording
We have experienced, and may continue to experience, rapid growth in our headcount and operations, which has placed, and may continue to place, significant demands on our management, operational and financial resources. We have also experienced significant growth in the number of clients and transactions and the amount of client and employee data that our infrastructure supports. As a result, our organizational structure and recording systems and procedures are becoming more complex as we improve our operational, financial and management controls. Our success depends, in part, on our ability to manage this growth and organizational change effectively. Moreover, our international expansion efforts are exacerbating many of these challenges. To manage the expected growth of our headcount and operations, we must continue to improve our operational, financial and management controls and our reporting systems and procedures. The failure to effectively manage growth could result in (i) declines in the quality of, or client satisfaction with, our applications or service delivery, (ii) increases in costs, (iii) difficulties or delays in introducing new applications or (iv) other operational difficulties, any of which could adversely affect our business by impairing our ability to retain and attract clients or sell additional applications to our existing clients.
Current wording
We have experienced, and may continue to experience, significant growth in our operations, which has placed, and may continue to place, significant demands on our management, operational and financial resources. We have also experienced significant growth in the number of clients and transactions and the amount of client and employee data that our infrastructure supports. As a result, our organizational structure and recording systems and procedures are becoming more complex as we improve our operational, financial and management controls. Our success depends, in part, on our ability to manage this growth and organizational change effectively. Moreover, our international expansion efforts are exacerbating many of these challenges. To manage the effects of our growth, we must continue to improve our operational, financial and management controls and our reporting systems and procedures. The failure to effectively manage growth could result in (i) declines in the quality of, or client satisfaction with, our applications or service delivery, (ii) increases in costs, (iii) difficulties or delays in introducing new applications or (iv) other operational difficulties, any of which could adversely affect our business by impairing our ability to retain and attract clients or sell additional applications to our existing clients. In addition, our ability to expand our sales force may be constrained by the willingness and availability of qualified personnel to staff and manage new offices and our success in recruiting and training sales personnel. If our expansion efforts are unsuccessful, our business, operating results or financial condition could be adversely affected.
Previous wording
An element of our growth strategy is to expand our operations and client base and we have recently begun to expand our operations into markets outside of the United States. Launching into international markets and doing business internationally involves a number of risks, including but not limited to:
Current wording
An element of our growth strategy is to expand our operations and client base, including in markets outside of the United States. Launching into international markets and doing business internationally involves a number of risks, including but not limited to:
Previous wording
regulatory and compliance risks that relate to maintaining accurate information and control over sales and activities that may fall within the purview of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, its books and records provisions or its anti-bribery provisions.
Current wording
regulatory and compliance risks that relate to maintaining accurate information and control over sales and activities that may fall within the purview of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, its books and records provisions or its anti-bribery provisions, as well as similar laws in foreign jurisdictions.
Previous wording
We rely on third-party couriers to deliver payroll checks and tax forms and on financial and accounting processing systems and various financial institutions to perform financial services in connection with our applications, such as providing automated clearing house (“ACH”) and wire transfers as part of our payroll and tax payment services and facilitating our Vault Visa Payroll Card. We also rely on third parties to provide technology and content support, manufacture time clocks and process background checks. We anticipate that we will continue to depend on various third-party relationships in order to provide these and other services. Identifying, negotiating and documenting relationships with these third parties and integrating third-party content and technology requires significant time and resources. Our agreements with third parties typically are non-exclusive and do not prohibit them from working with our competitors. In addition, these third parties may not perform as expected under our agreements, which could hinder our ability to deliver certain services to our clients and negatively affect our brand and reputation. A global economic slowdown could also adversely affect the businesses of our third-party providers, hindering their ability to provide the services on which we rely. If we are unsuccessful in establishing or maintaining our relationships with these third parties, our ability to compete in the marketplace or to grow our revenues could be impaired and our business, operating results or financial condition could be adversely affected. Furthermore, due to our dependence on financial institutions for certain services, a systemic shutdown of the banking industry or a disruption of the Federal Reserve Bank’s services, including ACH processing, would impede our ability to provide our payroll and expense reimbursement services by delaying direct deposits and other financial transactions across the United States and could have an adverse impact on our financial results and liquidity.
Current wording
We rely on third-party couriers to deliver payroll checks and tax forms and on financial and accounting processing systems and various financial institutions to perform financial services in connection with our applications, such as providing automated clearing house (“ACH”) and wire transfers as part of our payroll and payroll tax payment services and facilitating our Vault Visa® Payroll Card. We also rely on third parties to provide technology and content support, manufacture time clocks and process background checks. We anticipate that we will continue to depend on various third-party relationships in order to provide these and other services. Identifying, negotiating and documenting relationships with these third parties and integrating third-party content and technology requires significant time and resources. Our agreements with third parties typically are non-exclusive and do not prohibit them from working with our competitors. In addition, these third parties may not perform as expected under our agreements, which could hinder our ability to deliver certain services to our clients and negatively affect our brand and reputation. A global economic slowdown could also adversely affect the businesses of our third-party providers, hindering their ability to provide the services on which we rely. If we are unsuccessful in establishing or maintaining our relationships with these third parties, or the services provided by third parties fail to meet our clients’ or client employees’ expectations, our ability to compete in the marketplace or to grow our revenues could be impaired and our business, operating results or financial condition could be adversely affected. Furthermore, due to our dependence on financial institutions for certain services, a systemic shutdown of the banking industry or a disruption of the Federal Reserve Bank’s services, including ACH processing, would impede our ability to provide our payroll and expense reimbursement services by delaying direct deposits and other financial transactions across the United States and could have an adverse impact on our financial results and liquidity.
Previous wording
For example, a change in tax laws and regulations resulting in a decrease in the amount of taxes required to be withheld or accelerating the deadline to remit taxes to appropriate tax agencies would adversely impact our average balance of funds held for clients and, as a result, adversely impact the interest income we earn on such funds during the period between receipt and disbursement. Changes in laws, regulations or policies could also affect the extent and type of benefits employers are required, or may choose, to provide employees or the amount and type of taxes employers and employees are required to pay. Such changes could reduce or eliminate the need for certain of our existing applications or services, which would result in decreased revenues. For example, we generate ACA-related revenues (i) on an annual basis in connection with processing and filing Forms 1094 and 1095 on behalf of clients and (ii) from clients who have purchased our Enhanced ACA application as part of the fixed, bundled price charged per billing period. If the ACA is modified to eliminate the employer reporting requirements, or if the ACA is repealed and replaced with new legislation that does not include similar employer reporting requirements, we will no longer generate revenues in connection with processing and filing Forms 1094 and 1095 on behalf of clients. While we generally do not track our revenues on an application-by-application basis (because applications are often sold in various groupings and configurations for a single price), we estimate that, if the ACA is not modified or repealed, revenues from our Enhanced ACA application and ACA forms filings business will represent approximately 2% of total projected revenues for the year ending December 31, 2024.
Current wording
For example, a change in tax laws and regulations resulting in a decrease in the amount of taxes required to be withheld or accelerating the deadline to remit taxes to appropriate tax agencies would adversely impact our average balance of funds held for clients and, as a result, adversely impact the interest income we earn on such funds during the period between receipt and disbursement. Changes in laws, regulations or policies could also affect the extent and type of benefits employers are required, or may choose, to provide employees or the amount and type of taxes employers and employees are required to pay. Such changes could reduce or eliminate the need for certain of our existing applications or services, which would result in decreased revenues.
Previous wording
Further, we may spend time and money developing new applications and enhancements that, due to regulatory changes, become unnecessary prior to being released. In addition, any failure to educate and assist our clients with respect to new or revised legislation that impacts them could have an adverse effect on our reputation, and any failure to modify our applications or develop new applications in a timely fashion in response to regulatory changes could have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations. Additionally, new regulations or changes to existing regulations could be unclear, difficult to interpret or conflict with other applicable regulations. Our or our clients’ failure to comply with new or modified laws or regulations could result in financial penalties, legal proceedings or reputational harm. Finally, a negative audit or other investigations by the U.S. Government could adversely affect our ability to receive U.S. Government contracts and our future operating performance, and could result in financial or reputational harm.
Current wording
Further, we may spend time and money developing new applications and enhancements that, due to regulatory changes, become unnecessary prior to being released. In addition, any failure to educate and assist our clients with respect to new or revised legislation that impacts them could have an adverse effect on our reputation, and any failure to modify our applications or develop new applications in a timely fashion in response to regulatory changes could have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations. Additionally, new regulations or changes to existing regulations could be unclear, difficult to interpret or conflict with other applicable regulations. Our or our clients’ failure to comply with new or modified laws or regulations could result in financial penalties, legal proceedings or reputational harm. Finally, a negative audit or other investigations by the U.S. Government could adversely affect our ability to receive U.S. Government contracts and could result in financial or reputational harm.
Previous wording
Our applications and services are subject to various complex laws and regulations on the federal, state, local, and foreign levels, including those governing data security and privacy, which have become significant issues globally. The regulatory framework for privacy issues is rapidly evolving and is likely to remain uncertain for the foreseeable future. Many federal, state and foreign government bodies and agencies have adopted or are considering adopting laws and regulations regarding the collection, use and disclosure of personal information. In the United States, these include numerous state-level consumer privacy laws, beginning with California’s CCPA, the IBIPA, rules and regulations promulgated under the authority of the Federal Trade Commission, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, the Family Medical Leave Act of 1993, the ACA, the Financial Services Modernization Act of 1999 (the “GLBA”), federal and state labor and employment laws, state data breach notification laws, and state cybersecurity laws, such as the New York Stop Hacks and Improve Electronic Data Security (SHIELD) Act. As we expand our operations outside the United States, our applications and services are or will be subject to additional laws governing data security and privacy in relevant jurisdictions, such as Canada’s PIPEDA and Mexico’s Federal Law on the Protection of Personal Data held by Private Parties, as well as the GDPR, which is applicable in the European Economic Area and the United Kingdom.
Current wording
Our applications and services are subject to various complex laws and regulations on the federal, state, local, and foreign levels, including those governing data security and privacy, which have become significant compliance issues globally. The regulatory framework for privacy of personal data is rapidly evolving and is likely to remain uncertain for the foreseeable future. Many federal, state and foreign government bodies and agencies have adopted or are considering adopting laws and regulations regarding the collection, use and disclosure of personal information. In the United States, these include numerous state-level consumer privacy laws, such as California’s CCPA and Texas’ Data Privacy and Security Act, Illinois’ IBIPA, rules and regulations promulgated under the authority of the Federal Trade Commission, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, the Family Medical Leave Act of 1993, the ACA, the Financial Services Modernization Act of 1999 (the “GLBA”), the Fair Credit Reporting Act (“FCRA”), federal and state labor and employment laws, state data breach notification laws, and state cybersecurity laws such as the New York Stop Hacks and Improve Electronic Data Security (SHIELD) Act. As we continue to expand our operations outside the United States, our applications and services are or will be subject to additional laws governing data security and privacy in relevant jurisdictions, such as Canada’s PIPEDA and Mexico’s Federal Law on the Protection of Personal Data held by Private Parties, as well as the GDPR, which is applicable in the European Economic Area and the United Kingdom.
Previous wording
The CCPA provides California consumers with a private right of action if covered companies suffer a data breach related to their failure to implement reasonable security measures. The CCPA and other state-level consumer privacy laws give consumers located in those states certain rights to be informed of, opt-out of, and request deletion of the personal information that we hold, similar to those rights provided by the European Union’s GDPR. The IBIPA includes a private right of action for persons who are aggrieved by violations of the IBIPA. The GLBA is enforced under the authority of the Federal Trade Commission and requires our payment card services to adhere to a privacy notice and take certain measures to protect related personal information from unauthorized use and threats to data security. Because some of our clients are located in Mexico and other clients have establishments internationally, Canada’s PIPEDA, Mexico’s Federal Law on the Protection of Personal Data, and other foreign data privacy laws, such as the GDPR, may impact our processing of certain client and employee information. Failure to comply with data protection and privacy laws and regulations could result in regulatory scrutiny and increased exposure to the risk of litigation or the imposition of consent orders or civil and criminal penalties, including fines, which could have an adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition. Moreover, allegations of non-compliance, whether or not true, could be costly, time consuming, distracting to management, and cause reputational harm.
Current wording
Many of these newer state-level consumer privacy laws give consumers located in those states certain rights to be informed of, opt-out of, and request deletion of the personal information that we hold, similar to those rights provided by the European Union’s GDPR. Notably, the GLBA is enforced under the authority of the Federal Trade Commission and requires our payment card services to adhere to a privacy notice and take certain measures to protect related personal information from unauthorized use and threats to data security. The FCRA places certain requirements and duties on our business as a furnisher of information to certain consumer reporting agencies with which we share limited amounts of data. Because some of our clients are located in Mexico and other clients have establishments internationally, Canada’s PIPEDA, Mexico’s Federal Law on the Protection of Personal Data, and other foreign data privacy laws, such as the GDPR, may impact our processing of certain client and employee information. Failure to comply with data protection and privacy laws and regulations could result in regulatory scrutiny and increased exposure to the risk of litigation or the imposition of consent orders, injunctions against data processing or data exporting, or civil and criminal penalties, including fines, which could have an adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition. Moreover, allegations of non-compliance with privacy laws, whether or not true, could be costly, time consuming, distracting to management, and cause reputational harm. The landscape of privacy laws applicable to our various products and services is evolving quickly. The CPRA, which expands upon the CCPA, went into effect in 2023. Fourteen other states have now enacted their own consumer data privacy statutes, many of which are modeled on the CCPA. New data privacy statutes are slated to go into effect later this year in Delaware, Iowa, Nebraska, New Hampshire, and New Jersey. In addition, there are a number of other legislative proposals worldwide for comprehensive privacy laws affecting consumer and employee personal information, which could impose additional and potentially conflicting obligations in areas affecting our business. Newly-passed legislative and regulatory initiatives may adversely affect the ability of our clients to process, handle, store, use and transmit demographic and personal information from their employees, which could reduce demand for our services.
Previous wording
Certain of our products and services use data-driven insights to help our clients manage their businesses more efficiently. We believe that providing insights from aggregated data, including those insights derived from generative AI and machine learning, will become increasingly important to the value that our solutions and services deliver to our customers. Known risks of generative AI currently include accuracy, bias, privacy, security and data provenance. Regulatory and legislative authorities in the United States and the European Union have enacted or proposed legislation that imposes or would impose restrictions on the development of generative AI and machine learning. Our ability to provide data-driven insights using generative AI or machine learning may be constrained by current or future regulatory requirements, statutes or ethical considerations that could restrict or impose burdensome and costly requirements on our ability to leverage data in innovative ways. As we continue to pursue such new technologies, our failure to adequately address legal risks relating to the use of generative AI and machine learning in our applications could result in litigation regarding, among other things, intellectual property, privacy, employment, civil rights and other claims that could result in liability for the Company. The use of generative AI and machine learning may also result in new or increased governmental or regulatory scrutiny. Any actual or alleged noncompliance with applicable laws and regulations, or failure to meet client expectations with respect to the use of generative AI and machine learning, could result in negative publicity or harm to our reputation and subject us to investigations, claims or other remedies, and expose us to significant fines, penalties and other damages.
Current wording
Certain of our products and services use data-driven insights to help our clients manage their businesses more efficiently. Our business increasingly relies on AI and machine learning to model and create these insights. Use of these methods has recently come under increased regulatory scrutiny. New laws, guidance and court decisions in this area may limit our ability to use AI tools, or require us to make changes to our application or services that may decrease our operational efficiency, result in an increase to operating costs and hinder our ability to improve our services. For example, rules on the use of automated decision-making under enacted and proposed data protection laws may require us to disclose the existence of automated decision-making to the data subject with an explanation of the logic used in such decision-making, and may require us to implement certain safeguards, including the right to obtain human intervention and to contest any decision. Regulatory and legislative authorities in the United States and other countries have proposed similar types of legislation that imposes or would impose restrictions on the development of generative AI and machine learning. Our ability to provide data-driven insights using generative AI or machine learning may be constrained by current or future regulatory requirements, statutes or ethical considerations that could restrict or impose burdensome and costly requirements on our ability to leverage data in innovative ways. As we continue to pursue such new technologies, our failure to adequately address legal risks relating to the use of generative AI and machine learning in our applications could result in litigation or private action that could result in liability for the Company. Any actual or alleged noncompliance with these new laws and regulations, or failure to meet client expectations with respect to the use of generative AI and machine learning, could also result in negative publicity or harm to our reputation, subject us to investigations and expose us to significant fines, penalties and other damages.
Previous wording
We are registered as a “money services business” in multiple jurisdictions and intend to apply for money services business or payment services licenses in other jurisdictions as applicable. Should other U.S. state, U.S. federal, or foreign regulators make a determination that we have operated as an unlicensed money services business, money transmitter, or payment services provider, we could be subject to civil and criminal fines, penalties, costs of registration, legal fees, reputational damage or other negative consequences, all of which may have an adverse effect on our business operating results or financial condition.
Current wording
Should other U.S. state, U.S. federal, or foreign regulators make a determination that we have operated as an unlicensed money services business, money transmitter, or payment services provider, we could be subject to civil and criminal fines, penalties, costs of registration, legal fees, reputational damage or other negative consequences, any of which may have an adverse effect on our business operating results or financial condition.
Previous wording
While we maintain that we are not a money services business or money transmitter in the United States and other jurisdictions, our operations in certain states and countries are or may be subject to anti-money laundering (“AML”) laws and regulations that require money services business or payment service business to, among other things, develop and implement risk-based anti-money laundering programs, report suspicious activity, and maintain transaction records. We have adopted an anti-money laundering compliance program to mitigate the risk of our application being used for illegal or illicit activity and to help detect and prevent fraud. Our AML compliance program is designed to foster trust in our application and services. Any violation of applicable AML laws or regulations could limit certain of our business activities until they are satisfactorily remediated and could result in civil and criminal penalties, including fines, which could damage our reputation and have a materially adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
Current wording
While we maintain we are not a money services business or money transmitter in the United States and other jurisdictions, our operations in certain jurisdictions in and outside of the U.S. are subject to AML laws and regulations, including, for example, the BSA. Among other things, the BSA requires certain financial institutions, including banks and money services businesses, to develop and implement risk-based AML programs, report large cash transactions and suspicious activity, and maintain transaction records. We have adopted an AML compliance program to mitigate the risk of our application being used for illegal or illicit activity and to help detect and prevent fraud. Our AML compliance program is designed to foster trust in our application and services. However, there can be no assurance that our employees, consultants, or agents will not take actions in violation of our policies for which we may be ultimately responsible, or that our policies and procedures will be adequate or will be determined to be adequate by regulators. Any violation of applicable AML laws or regulations could limit certain of our business activities until they are satisfactorily remediated and could result in civil and criminal penalties, including fines, which could damage our reputation and have a materially adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
Previous wording
Further, bank regulators continue to impose additional and stricter requirements on banks to ensure they are meeting their Bank Secrecy Act/USA PATRIOT Act obligations, and banks are increasingly viewing money services businesses and third-party senders to be higher risk customers for money laundering. Thus, our banking partners that assist in processing our money movement transactions may limit the scope of services they provide to us or may impose additional material requirements on us. These regulatory restrictions on banks and changes to banks’ internal risk-based policies and procedures may result in a decrease in the number of banks willing to do business with us, may require us to materially change the manner in which we conduct some aspects of our business, may decrease our revenues and earnings and could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition.
Current wording
Further, bank regulators continue to impose additional and stricter requirements on banks to ensure they are meeting their BSA obligations, and banks are increasingly viewing money services businesses and third-party senders to be higher risk customers for money laundering. Thus, our banking partners that assist in processing our money movement transactions may limit the scope of services they provide to us or may impose additional material requirements on us. These regulatory restrictions on banks and changes to banks’ internal risk-based policies and procedures may result in a decrease in the number of banks willing to do business with us, may require us to materially change the manner in which we conduct some aspects of our business, may decrease our revenues and earnings and could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition.
Previous wording
As a vendor of services, we are ordinarily held responsible by taxing authorities for collecting and paying any applicable sales or other similar taxes. Additionally, the application of federal, state and local tax laws to services provided electronically like ours is evolving. New income, sales, use or other tax laws, statutes, rules, regulations or ordinances could be enacted at any time (possibly with retroactive effect), and could be applied solely or disproportionately to services and applications provided over the internet. These enactments could adversely affect our sales activity, due to the inherent cost increase the taxes would represent, and ultimately could adversely affect our business, operating results or financial condition.
Current wording
As a vendor of services, we are ordinarily held responsible by taxing authorities for collecting and paying any applicable sales or other similar taxes. Additionally, the application of tax laws to services provided electronically like ours is evolving. New income, sales, use or other tax laws, statutes, rules, regulations or ordinances could be enacted at any time (possibly with retroactive effect), and could be applied solely or disproportionately to services and applications provided over the internet. These enactments could adversely affect our sales activity, due to the inherent cost increase the taxes would represent, and ultimately could adversely affect our business, operating results or financial condition.
Previous wording
Each state has different rules and regulations governing sales and use taxes, and these rules and regulations are subject to varying interpretations that change over time. We review these rules and regulations periodically and, when we believe we are subject to sales and use taxes in a particular state, we may voluntarily engage state tax authorities in order to determine how to comply with that state’s rules and regulations. We cannot ensure that we will not be subject to sales and use taxes or related penalties for past sales in states where we currently believe no such taxes are required.
Current wording
Each jurisdiction has different rules and regulations governing sales and use taxes, and these rules and regulations are subject to varying interpretations that change over time. We review these rules and regulations periodically and, when we believe we are subject to sales and use taxes in a particular jurisdiction, we may voluntarily engage the applicable tax authorities in order to determine how to comply with that jurisdiction’s rules and regulations. We cannot ensure that we will not be subject to sales and use taxes or related penalties for past sales in jurisdictions where we currently believe no such taxes are required.
Previous wording
Our operations are subject to a variety of federal, state, local and international employment-related laws and regulations, including, but not limited to, the U.S. Fair Labor Standards Act, which governs such matters as minimum wages, the Family Medical Leave Act, overtime pay, compensable time, recordkeeping and other working conditions, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the National Labor Relations Act, regulations of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, regulations of the Office of Civil Rights, regulations of the Department of Labor, regulations of state attorneys general, federal and state wage and hour laws, and a variety of similar laws enacted by the federal and state governments that govern these and other employment-related matters. As our employees are located in a number of states and we are beginning to hire internationally, compliance with evolving laws and regulations could substantially increase our cost of doing business. In recent years, companies have been subject to lawsuits, including class action lawsuits, alleging violations of federal and state law regarding workplace and employment matters, overtime wage policies, discrimination and similar matters, some of which have resulted in the payment of meaningful damages by the defendants. Similar lawsuits may be threatened or instituted against us from time to time, and we may incur damages and expenses resulting from lawsuits of this type, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. We are currently subject to employee-related legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business. While we believe that we have adequate reserves for those losses that we believe are probable and can be reasonably estimated, the ultimate results of legal proceedings and claims cannot be predicted with certainty.
Current wording
Our operations are subject to a variety of federal, state, local and international employment-related laws and regulations, including, but not limited to, the U.S. Fair Labor Standards Act, which governs such matters as minimum wages, the Family Medical Leave Act, overtime pay, compensable time, recordkeeping and other working conditions, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the National Labor Relations Act, regulations of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, regulations of the Office of Civil Rights, regulations of the Department of Labor, regulations of state attorneys general, federal and state wage and hour laws, and a variety of similar laws enacted by the federal and state governments that govern these and other employment-related matters. As our employees are located in a number of states and we are beginning to hire internationally, compliance with evolving laws and regulations could substantially increase our cost of doing business. In recent years, we have been subject to threatened and filed lawsuits, including class action lawsuits, alleging violations of federal and state law regarding workplace and employment matters, overtime wage policies, discrimination and similar matters. We may incur damages and expenses resulting from lawsuits of this type, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. We are currently subject to employee-related legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business. While we believe that we have adequate reserves for those losses that we believe are probable and can be reasonably estimated, the ultimate results of legal proceedings and claims cannot be predicted with certainty.
Previous wording
We offer a background screening application called Enhanced Background Checks. In the course of providing background checks, we search and report public and non-public consumer information and records, including criminal records, employment and education history, credit history, driving records and drug screening results. Consequently, we are subject to extensive, evolving and often complex laws and governmental regulations, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (the “FCRA”), the Drivers’ Privacy Protection Act, state consumer reporting agency laws, state licensing and registration requirements, and various other foreign, federal, state and local laws and regulations. These laws and regulations set forth restrictions and process requirements concerning what may be reported about an individual, when, to whom, and for what purposes, and how the subjects of background checks are to be treated. Compliance with these laws and regulations requires significant expense and resources, which could increase significantly as these laws and regulations evolve. Such increase in restrictions and compliance costs could negatively affect our ability to provide other services expected by our clients and adversely affect our offerings and revenue.
Current wording
We offer a background screening application called Enhanced Background Checks. In the course of providing background checks, we search and report public and non-public consumer information and records, including criminal records, employment and education history, credit history, driving records and drug screening results. Consequently, we are subject to extensive, evolving and often complex laws and governmental regulations, such as the FCRA, the Drivers’ Privacy Protection Act, state consumer reporting agency laws, state licensing and registration requirements, and various other foreign, federal, state and local laws and regulations. These laws and regulations set forth restrictions and process requirements concerning what may be reported about an individual, when, to whom, and for what purposes, and how the subjects of background checks are to be treated. Compliance with these laws and regulations requires significant expense and resources, which could increase significantly as these laws and regulations evolve. Such increase in restrictions and compliance costs could negatively affect our ability to provide other services expected by our clients and adversely affect our offerings and revenue.
Previous wording
We face potential liability from individuals, classes of individuals, clients or regulatory bodies for claims based on the nature, content or accuracy of our background check services and the information we use and report. Our potential exposure to lawsuits or government investigations may increase depending in part on our clients’ compliance with these laws and regulations and applicable employment laws in their procurement and use of our background checks as part of their hiring process, which is generally outside of our control. Our potential liability includes claims of non-compliance with the FCRA, U.S. state consumer reporting agency laws or regulations, foreign regulations or applicable employment laws, as well as other claims of defamation, invasion of privacy, negligence, copyright, patent or trademark infringement. In some cases we may be subject to strict liability.
Current wording
Furthermore, we face potential liability from individuals, classes of individuals, clients or regulatory bodies for claims based on the nature, content or accuracy of our background check services and the information we use and report. Our potential exposure to lawsuits or government investigations may increase depending in part on our clients’ compliance with these laws and regulations and applicable employment laws in their procurement and use of our background checks as part of their hiring process, which is generally outside of our control. Our potential liability includes claims of non-compliance with the FCRA, U.S. state consumer reporting agency laws or regulations, foreign regulations or applicable employment laws, as well as other claims of defamation, invasion of privacy, negligence, copyright, patent or trademark infringement. In some cases, we may be subject to strict liability.
Previous wording
business disruptions caused by widespread public health crises (such as the COVID-19 pandemic), natural disasters, such as tornadoes, hurricanes, fires, earthquakes and floods (including as a result of climate change), acts of war, terrorism, or other catastrophic events;
Current wording
business disruptions caused by widespread public health crises, natural disasters, such as tornadoes, hurricanes, fires, earthquakes and floods (including as a result of climate change), acts of war, terrorism, or other catastrophic events;
Previous wording
In addition, we are required to maintain as of the end of each fiscal quarter a consolidated interest coverage ratio of not less than 3.0 to 1.0 and a consolidated leverage ratio of not greater than 3.5 to 1.0, stepping down to 3.25 to 1.0 as of December 31, 2024 and 3.0 to 1.0 as of December 31, 2025, and thereafter. The operating and financial covenants in the Credit Agreement, as well as any future financing agreements that we may enter into, may restrict our ability to finance our operations, engage in business activities or expand or fully pursue our business strategies. If we borrow in the future, we may be required to use a substantial portion of our cash flows to pay principal and interest on our debt, which would reduce the amount of money available for operations, working capital, expansion, or other general corporate purposes.
Current wording
In addition, we are required to maintain as of the end of each fiscal quarter a consolidated interest coverage ratio of not less than 3.0 to 1.0 and a consolidated leverage ratio of not greater than 3.25 to 1.0, stepping down to 3.0 to 1.0 as of December 31, 2025, and thereafter. The operating and financial covenants in the Credit Agreement, as well as any future financing agreements that we may enter into, may restrict our ability to finance our operations, engage in business activities or expand or fully pursue our business strategies. If we borrow in the future, we may be required to use a substantial portion of our cash flows to pay principal and interest on our debt, which would reduce the amount of money available for operations, working capital, expansion, or other general corporate purposes.
Previous wording
We are required to test goodwill for impairment at least annually or earlier if events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. As of December 31, 2023, we had recorded a total of $51.9 million of goodwill and $50.1 million of other intangible assets, net. An adverse change in domestic or global market conditions, particularly if such change has the effect of changing one of our critical assumptions or estimates made in connection with the impairment testing of goodwill or intangible assets, could result in a change to the estimation of fair value that could result in an impairment charge to our goodwill or other intangible assets. Any such material charges may have a negative impact on our operating results or financial condition.
Current wording
We are required to test goodwill for impairment at least annually or earlier if events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. As of December 31, 2024, we had recorded a total of $51.9 million of goodwill and $46.2 million of other intangible assets, net. An adverse change in domestic or global market conditions, particularly if such change has the effect of changing one of our critical assumptions or estimates made in connection with the impairment testing of goodwill or intangible assets, could result in a change to the estimation of fair value that could result in an impairment charge to our goodwill or other intangible assets. Any such material charges may have a negative impact on our operating results or financial condition.
Previous wording
Generally accepted accounting principles in the United States are subject to interpretation by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”), the SEC and various bodies formed to promulgate and interpret appropriate accounting principles. A change in these principles or interpretations could have a significant effect on our reported financial results and could affect the reporting of transactions completed before the announcement of a change.
Current wording
Generally accepted accounting principles in the United States are subject to interpretation by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the SEC and various bodies formed to promulgate and interpret appropriate accounting principles. A change in these principles or interpretations could have a significant effect on our reported financial results and could affect the reporting of transactions completed before the announcement of a change.
Previous wording
Our certificate of incorporation authorizes us to issue up to one hundred million shares of common stock and up to ten million shares of preferred stock with such rights and preferences as may be determined by our board of directors. Subject to compliance with applicable rules and regulations, we may issue all of these shares that are not already outstanding without any action or approval by our stockholders. We intend to continue to evaluate strategic acquisitions in the future. We may pay for such acquisitions, in part or in full, through the issuance of additional equity securities.
Current wording
Our certificate of incorporation authorizes us to issue up to 100 million shares of common stock and up to 10 million shares of preferred stock with such rights and preferences as may be determined by our board of directors. Subject to compliance with applicable rules and regulations, we may issue all of these shares that are not already outstanding without any action or approval by our stockholders. We intend to continue to evaluate strategic acquisitions in the future. We may pay for such acquisitions, in part or in full, through the issuance of additional equity securities.
Previous wording
We may not continue to pay dividends or to pay dividends at the same rate as announced in May 2023.
Current wording
We may not continue to pay dividends at the same rate or at all.
Previous wording
Our payment of dividends, as well as the rate at which we pay dividends, are solely at the discretion of our Board of Directors. Further, dividend payments, if any, are subject to our financial results and the availability of statutory surplus. These factors could result in a change to our recently adopted dividend policy.
Current wording
Our payment of dividends, as well as the rate at which we pay dividends, are solely at the discretion of our Board of Directors. Further, dividend payments, if any, are subject to our financial results and the availability of statutory surplus. These factors could result in a change to our dividend policy.
Previous wording
Our business depends on the overall demand for HCM applications and on the economic health of our current and prospective clients. If economic conditions in the United States or in global markets deteriorate, clients may cease their operations, eliminate or reduce unscheduled payroll runs (such as bonuses), reduce headcount, delay or reduce their spending on HCM and other outsourcing services or attempt to renegotiate their contracts with us. In addition, global and regional macroeconomic developments, such as increased unemployment, decreased income, uncertainty related to future economic activity, reduced access to credit, increased interest rates, inflation, volatility in capital markets, and decreased liquidity, among other possible factors, could negatively affect our ability to conduct business. Furthermore, the impact of such macroeconomic developments may be exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic or geopolitical events such as the ongoing military conflict in Ukraine and the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. An economic decline could result in reductions in sales of our applications, decreased revenue from unscheduled payroll runs and fees charged on a per-employee basis, longer sales cycles, slower adoption of new technologies and increased price competition, any of which could adversely affect our business, operating results or financial condition. In addition, HCM spending levels may not increase following any recovery.
Current wording
Our business depends on the overall demand for HCM applications and on the economic health of our current and prospective clients. If economic conditions in the United States or in global markets deteriorate, clients may cease their operations, eliminate or reduce unscheduled payroll runs (such as bonuses), reduce headcount, delay or reduce their spending on HCM and other outsourcing services or attempt to renegotiate their contracts with us. In addition, global and regional macroeconomic developments, such as increased unemployment, decreased income, uncertainty related to future economic activity, reduced access to credit, increased interest rates, inflation, volatility in capital markets, and decreased liquidity, among other possible factors, could negatively affect our ability to conduct business. Furthermore, the impact of such macroeconomic developments may be exacerbated by geopolitical events such as the ongoing military conflict in Ukraine and the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. An economic decline could result in reductions in sales of our applications, decreased revenue from unscheduled payroll runs and fees charged on a per-employee basis, longer sales cycles, slower adoption of new technologies and increased price competition, any of which could adversely affect our business, operating results or financial condition. In addition, HCM spending levels may not increase following any recovery.
Previous wording
Further, as part of our payroll and tax filing application, we collect and then remit client funds to taxing authorities and accounts designated by our clients. During the interval between receipt and disbursement, we typically invest such funds in money market funds, demand deposit accounts, certificates of deposit, U.S. treasury securities and commercial paper. These investments are subject to general market, interest rate, credit and liquidity risks, and such risks may be exacerbated during periods of unusual financial market volatility. Any loss of or inability to access such funds could have an adverse impact on our cash position and results of operations and could require us to obtain additional sources of liquidity, which may not be available on terms that are acceptable to us, if at all. Furthermore, although increased interest rates may have a negative impact on certain clients, increased interest rates have resulted in increased interest earned on funds held for clients and additional income earned on our corporate funds. Changes in interest rates will impact potential earnings of future investments. A stable or rising interest rate environment would sustain the additional interest earned on funds held for clients and interest earned on our corporate funds, whereas a decreasing interest rate environment would compress the additional interest earnings and potentially adversely affect our operating results.
Current wording
Further, as part of our payroll and payroll tax filing services, we collect and then remit client funds to taxing authorities and accounts designated by our clients. During the interval between receipt and disbursement, we typically invest such funds in money market funds, demand deposit accounts, certificates of deposit, U.S. treasury securities and commercial paper. These investments are subject to general market, interest rate, credit and liquidity risks, and such risks may be exacerbated during periods of unusual financial market volatility. Any loss of or inability to access such funds could have an adverse impact on our cash position and results of operations and could require us to obtain additional sources of liquidity, which may not be available on terms that are acceptable to us, if at all. Furthermore, although increased interest rates may have a negative impact on certain clients, increased interest rates have resulted in increased interest earned on funds held for clients and additional income earned on our corporate funds. Changes in interest rates will impact potential earnings of future investments. A stable or rising interest rate environment would sustain the additional interest earned on funds held for clients and interest earned on our corporate funds, whereas a decreasing interest rate environment would compress the additional interest earnings and potentially adversely affect our operating results.
Rearranged previous paragraphs (3)
Previous report — wording carried elsewhere
Because of the large amount of data that we collect and manage, it is possible that hardware failures or errors in our applications could result in data loss or corruption or cause the information that we collect to be incomplete or contain inaccuracies that our clients regard as significant. Our clients might assert claims against us in the future alleging that they suffered damages due to a defect, error, or other failure of our solution. Our errors and omissions insurance may be inadequate or may not be available in the future on acceptable terms, or at all. In addition, our policy may not cover all claims made against us, and defending a suit, regardless of its merit, could be costly and divert management’s attention. Any failures in the performance of our solution could harm our reputation and our ability to retain existing clients and attract new clients, which would have an adverse impact on our business, operating results or financial condition.
Previous report — wording carried elsewhere
Further, we need to continue to expand our sales force and support team members in order to grow our client base and increase our revenues. Our ability to expand our sales force may be constrained by the willingness and availability of qualified personnel to staff and manage new offices and our success in recruiting and training sales personnel. If our expansion efforts are unsuccessful, our business, operating results or financial condition could be adversely affected.
Previous report — wording carried elsewhere
The landscape of privacy laws applicable to our various products and services is evolving quickly. The California Privacy Rights Act (“CPRA”), which expands upon the CCPA, went into effect in 2023. Virginia, Colorado, Connecticut and Utah recently enacted their own consumer data privacy statutes, many of which are modeled on the CCPA. New data privacy statutes are slated to go into effect later this year in Delaware, Indiana, Iowa, Montana, Oregon, Tennessee, and Texas. In addition, there are a number of other legislative proposals worldwide, including in the United States at both the federal and state level, that could impose additional and potentially conflicting obligations in areas affecting our business. Newly-passed legislative and regulatory initiatives may adversely affect the ability of our clients to process, handle, store, use and transmit demographic and personal information from their employees, which could reduce demand for our solution.