GEE Group Inc. - Annual Report: 2018 (Form 10-K)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

FORM 10-K

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes o No x

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

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 o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (Section 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x No o

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to the Form 10-K. o

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

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o

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

The aggregate market value of shares of common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant on March 31, 2018 was 8,129,826 x $2.64 = $21,462,741.

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock as of December 17, 2018 was 11,204,635.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I

Forward Looking Statements

This Annual Report on Form 10-K includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). The Company has based these forward-looking statements on the Company’s current expectations and projections about future events. These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions about us and the Company’s subsidiaries that may cause the Company’s actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “continue” or the negative of such terms or other similar expressions. Factors that might cause or contribute to such a material difference include, but are not limited to, those discussed elsewhere in this Annual Report, including the section entitled “Risk Factors” and the risks discussed in the Company’s other Securities and Exchange Commission filings. The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited Financial Statements and related Notes thereto included elsewhere in this report.

General

GEE Group Inc. (the "Company", "us", "our" or "we") was incorporated in the State of Illinois in 1962 and is the successor to employment offices doing business since 1893. We are a provider of permanent and temporary professional, industrial and physician assistant staffing and placement services in and near several major U.S cities. We specialize in the placement of information technology, engineering, medical and accounting professionals for direct hire and contract staffing for our clients, and provide temporary staffing services for our commercial clients.

The Company has several subsidiary corporations all of which are wholly owned and consolidated under GEE Group, Inc. The Company’s material operating subsidiaries include Access Data Consulting Corporation, Agile Resources, Inc., BMCH, Inc., Paladin Consulting, Inc., Scribe Solutions, Inc., SNI Companies, Triad Logistics, Inc., and Triad Personnel Services, Inc. In addition, the Company and its operating subsidiaries own and operate under other trade names, including Ashley Ellis, Certes Financial Professionals, General Employment Enterprises and Omni One.

Recent Acquisitions

On October 4, 2015, the Company entered a Stock Purchase Agreement with William Daniel Dampier and Carol Lee Dampier (the “Access Sellers”) pursuant to which the Company acquired on October 4, 2015, 100% of the outstanding stock of Access Data Consulting Corporation., a Colorado corporation, for a purchase price equal to approximately $16,000,000 in consideration. The purchase price consisted of $8,000,000 in cash (subject to minimum working capital), the issuance to the Access Sellers 327,869 shares of Company common stock, a Promissory note in the aggregate of $3,000,000 and up to $2,000,000 of an “earnout”. On April 4, 2016, the Company issued approximately 123,000 of additional shares of common stock to the Sellers of Access Data Consulting Corporation. This was based on market value of the stock on April 4, 2016 being approximately $544,000 less than $2,000,000 six month guaranteed and based on the closing stock price of $4.44 per common share. The Company recognized a loss on change of contingent consideration of approximately $44,000 for the year ended September 30, 2016. The earnout was not achieved. In addition, the Company increased the original purchase price by approximately $600,000 related to a mutual tax election as described in the purchase agreement.

On January 1, 2016, the Company entered a Stock Purchase Agreement (the “Paladin Agreement”) with Enoch S. Timothy and Dorothy Timothy. Pursuant to the terms of the Paladin Agreement the Company acquired on January 1, 2016, 100% of the outstanding stock of Paladin Consulting Inc., a Texas corporation (“Paladin”), for a purchase price (the “Purchase Price”) equal to $1,750,000, minus the Circle Lending Loan Amount ( as defined in the Paladin Agreement) plus up to $1,000,000 in contingent promissory notes, minus the NWC Reduction Amount (as defined in the Paladin Agreement ) (if any) plus up to $1,250,000 of “earnouts”, for a total of approximately $2,625,000.

The Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of March 31, 2017 (the “Merger Agreement”) by and among the Company, GEE Group Portfolio, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, (the “GEE Portfolio”), SNI Holdco Inc., a Delaware corporation (“SNI Holdco”), Smith Holdings, LLC a Delaware limited liability company, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, a Wisconsin corporation, organized as a fraternal benefits society (“Thrivent”), Madison Capital Funding, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Madison”) and Ronald R. Smith, in his capacity as a stockholder (“Mr. Smith” and collectively with Smith Holdings, LLC, Thrivent and Madison, the “Principal Stockholders”) and Ronald R. Smith in his capacity as the representative of the SNIH Stockholders (“Stockholders’ Representative”). The Merger Agreement provided for the merger subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement of SNI Holdco with and into GEE Portfolio pursuant to which GEE Portfolio would be the surviving corporation (the “Merger”). The Merger was consummated on April 3, 2017. As a result of the Merger, GEE Portfolio became the owner 100% of the outstanding capital stock of SNI Companies, a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of SNI Holdco (“SNI Companies” and collectively with SNI Holdco, the “Acquired Companies”).

The aggregate consideration paid for the shares of SNI Holdco (the “Merger Consideration”) was $86 million minus the $20,220,710 of Long Term Debt (as defined in the Merger Agreement) of the Acquired Companies immediately before closing plus or minus the “NWC Adjustment Amount” or the difference in the book value of the Closing Net Working Capital (as defined in the Merger Agreement) of the Acquired Companies as compared to the Benchmark Net Working Capital (as defined in the Merger Agreement) of the Acquired Companies of $9.2 million.

On April 3, 2017, the Company paid to certain SNIH Stockholders as part of the Merger Consideration (i) an aggregate of approximately $18,550,000 in cash, (ii) an aggregate of $12.5 million in aggregate principal amount of its 9.5% Convertible Subordinated Notes and (iii) an aggregate of 5,926,000 shares of its Series B convertible preferred stock. The 9.5% Notes mature on October 3, 2021 . The 9.5% Notes are convertible into shares of the Company’s Common Stock at a conversion price equal to $5.83 per share. The Series B Convertible Preferred Stock has a liquidation preference of $4.86 per share. Each share of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock is convertible at the option of the holder thereof into one share of Common Stock at an initial conversion price equal to $4.86 per share.

At Closing, $1.5 million of the cash of the Merger Consideration was retained by the Company (the “Working Capital Reserve Fund”) and is subject to payment and adjustment as follows. The Merger Consideration will be adjusted (positively or negatively) based upon the difference in the book value of the Closing Net Working Capital (as defined in the Merger Agreement) as compared to the Benchmark Net Working Capital (as defined in the Merger Agreement) of $9.2 million (such difference to be called the “NWC Adjustment Amount”). If the NWC Adjustment Amount is positive, the Merger Consideration will be increased by the NWC Adjustment Amount. If the NWC Adjustment Amount is negative, the Merger Consideration will be decreased by the NWC Adjustment Amount. If the Merger Consideration increases, then the Company will pay the Stockholders’ Representative account for payment to SNIH Stockholders the amount of the increase plus the Working Capital Reserve Fund in immediately available funds within three (3) business days of a final determination thereof. If the Merger Consideration decreases, then SNIH Stockholders will pay the amount of the decrease to the Company within three (3) business days of a final determination thereof, which first shall be funded from the Working Capital Reserve Fund (which shall be credited to the SNIH Stockholders). If the amount of the Merger Consideration decrease exceeds the Working Capital Reserve Fund, then the SNIH Stockholders, will pay the difference to the Company, severally, not jointly, in accordance with their SNIH Ownership Proportion (as defined in the Merger Agreement), in immediately available funds within twenty (20) days of a final determination. If the Working Capital Reserve Fund exceeds the payment due from SNIH Stockholders then the remaining balance of those funds after the payment to the Company shall be paid to the Stockholders’ Representative’s account for payment to the SNIH Stockholders in immediately available funds.

Services Provided

The Company and its subsidiaries provide the following services: (a) professional placement services specializing in the placement of information technology, engineering, medical data entry assistants (medical scribes) who specialize in electronic medical records (EMR) services for emergency departments, specialty physician practices and clinics and accounting professionals for direct hire and contract staffing, and (b) temporary staffing services in light industrial staffing.

Together with its subsidiaries, the Company provides staffing services through a network of branch offices located in major metropolitan areas throughout the United States. The Company’s professional staffing services provide information technology, engineering, medical and accounting professionals to clients on either a regular placement basis or a temporary contract basis. The Company’s industrial staffing business provides weekly temporary staffing for light industrial clients, primarily in Ohio.

The Company’s contract and placement services are principally provided under two operating divisions or segments: Professional Staffing Services and Industrial Staffing Services.

The Company’s operating subsidiaries and service verticals served under each of its operating divisions are as follows:

Business Strategy

GEE Group Inc.’s business strategy is multi-dimensional and encompasses both organic growth and growth through strategic acquisitions. Since 2015, the Company has completed five acquisitions, the most recent of which was SNI which to date has been its largest. The main tenants of the Company’s strategy are to:

The percentage of revenues derived from each of the Company’s direct hire and contract services lines are as follows:

The Company markets its staffing services using its corporate and trade names in their respective vertical markets. As of September 30, 2018, we operated thirty-four branch offices in downtown or suburban areas of major U.S. cities in thirteen states. We have one office located in each of Arizona, Connecticut, Georgia, Minnesota, New Jersey, Virginia and Washington DC, three offices in Colorado and Illinois, four offices in Massachusetts and Texas, six offices in Ohio and seven offices in Florida.

The Company markets its staffing services to prospective clients primarily through telephone marketing by its recruiting and sales consultants, and through mailing of employment bulletins which list candidates available for placement and contract employees available for assignment.

There was no customer that represented more than 10% of the Company’s consolidated revenue in fiscal 2018 or fiscal 2017.

Competition

The staffing industry is highly competitive. There are relatively few barriers to entry by firms offering placement services, while significant amounts of working capital typically are required for firms offering contract services. The Company’s competitors include many sole-proprietorship operations, as well as regional and national organizations. Many of them are large corporations with substantially greater resources than the Company.

The Company’s professional and industrial staffing services compete by providing highly qualified candidates who are well matched for the position, by responding quickly to client requests, and by establishing offices in convenient locations. As part of its service, the Company provides professional reference checking, scrutiny of candidates’ work experience and optional background checks. In general, pricing is secondary to quality of service as a competitive factor. During slow hiring periods, however, competition can put pressure on the Company’s pricing.

Recruiting

The success of the Company’s services is highly dependent on its ability to obtain qualified candidates. Prospective employment candidates are generally recruited over the telephone, by the Company’s employment consultants or through postings on the Internet. For Internet postings, the Company maintains its own web page at www.geegroup.com and uses other Internet job posting bulletin board services. The Company maintains database records of applicants’ skills to assist in matching them with job openings and contract assignments. The Company generally screens and interviews all applicants who are presented to its clients.

Employees

As of September 30, 2018, the Company had approximately 389 regular employees and the number of contract service employees varied week to week from a minimum of approximately 2,735 to a maximum of 3,539.

Available Information

We file annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, proxy and information statements and amendments to reports filed or furnished pursuant to Sections 13(a), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act. The public may obtain these filings at the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington DC 20549 or by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains a web site at http//www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding the Company and other companies that file material with the SEC electronically. Copies of the Company’s reports can be obtained, free of charge, electronically through our internet website, http//www.geegroup.com. Information on the Company’s website is not incorporated in this report by the foregoing reference.

WE HAVE EXPERIENCED LOSSES FROM OPERATIONS AND MAY NOT BE PROFITABLE IN THE FUTURE.

The Company experienced net losses for the years ended September 30, 2018 and 2017. Among the consequences of the net losses experienced, the Company has been required to obtain amendments and waivers for missed covenants under its senior revolving credit, term loan and security agreement. Other possible consequences of recurring net losses include, but are not limited to, asset impairments, negative cash flows and possibly the inability of the Company to continue operating as a going concern. Management has taken definitive actions to improve operations, reduce costs and improve operating profitability, and position the Company for future growth. The Company also is seeking replacement financing with a view towards reducing its borrowing costs. However, there are no assurances that the Company will be able to generate sufficient revenue to meet its operating expenditures or operate profitably in the future.

RECENT GLOBAL TRENDS IN THE FINANCIAL MARKETS COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR BUSINESS, LIQUIDITY AND FINANCIAL RESULTS.

Recent global economic conditions, including disruption of financial markets, could adversely affect our business and results of operations, primarily through limiting our access to credit, our ability to refinance debt and disrupting our customers’ businesses, which are heavily dependent on retail and e-commerce transactions. Although we currently believe that we will be able to obtain the necessary financing in the future, there is no assurance that these institutions will be able or willing to loan us the necessary capital, which could have a material adverse impact on our business. In addition, continuation or worsening of general market conditions in the United States economy important to our businesses may adversely affect our customers’ level of spending, ability to obtain financing for acquisitions and ability to make timely payments to us for our services, which could require us to increase our allowance for doubtful accounts, negatively impact our days sales outstanding and adversely affect our results of operations.

WE DEPEND ON ATTRACTING, INTEGRATING, MANAGING, AND RETAINING QUALIFIED PERSONNEL.

Our success depends upon our ability to attract, integrate, manage and retain personnel who possess the skills and experience necessary to fulfill our clients’ needs. Our ability to hire and retain qualified personnel could be impaired by any diminution of our reputation, decrease in compensation levels relative to our competitors or modifications to our total compensation philosophy or competitor hiring programs. If we cannot attract, hire and retain qualified personnel, our business, financial condition and results of operations would be negatively impacted. Our future success also depends upon our ability to manage the performance of our personnel. Failure to successfully manage the performance of our personnel could affect our profitability by causing operating inefficiencies that could increase operating expenses and reduce operating income.

WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO COMPETE EFFECTIVELY.

Competition in the market for placement and staffing services is intense. The Company faces competition from many larger, more established companies. In addition, other companies could seek to introduce competing services and increased competition could result in a decrease in the price charged by the Company’s competitors for their services or reduce demand for the Company’s products and services, which would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, operating results and financial condition. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to compete successfully with its existing or potential competitors, which may have substantially greater financial, technical, and marketing resources, longer operating histories, greater name recognition or more established relationships in the industry than the Company. If any of these competitors provides competitive services to the marketplace in the future, the Company cannot be sure that it will have the resources or expertise to compete successfully.

CHANGES IN GOVERNMENT REGULATION COULD LIMIT OUR GROWTH OR RESULT IN ADDITIONAL COSTS OF DOING BUSINESS.

We are subject to the same federal, state and local laws as other companies conducting placement and staffing services, which is extensive. The adoption or modification of laws related to the placement and staffing industry, such as the Healthcare for America Plan, could harm our business, operating results and financial condition by increasing our costs and administrative burdens.

INTERRUPTION OF THE COMPANY’S BUSINESS COULD RESULT FROM INCREASED SECURITY MEASURES IN RESPONSE TO TERRORISM.

The continued threat of terrorism within the United States and the ongoing military action and heightened security measures in response to such threat has and may cause significant disruption to commerce. The U.S. economy in general is being adversely affected by terrorist activities and potential activities. Any economic downturn could adversely impact the Company’s results of operations, impair the Company’s ability to raise capital or otherwise adversely affect the Company’s ability to grow the business. It is impossible to predict how this may affect the Company’s business or the economy in the U.S. and in the world. In the event of further threats or acts of terrorism, the Company’s business and operations may be severely and adversely affected.

SUBSTANTIAL ALTERATION OF THE COMPANY’S CURRENT BUSINESS AND REVENUE MODEL COULD HURT SHORT-TERM RESULTS.

The Company’s present business and revenue model represents the current view of the optimal business and revenue structure, which is to derive revenues and achieve profitability in the shortest period. There can be no assurance that current models will not be altered significantly or replaced with an alternative model that is driven by motivations other than near-term revenues and/or profitability (for example, building market share before the Company’s competitors). Any such alteration or replacement of the Company’s current business and revenue model may ultimately result in the deferring of certain revenues in favor of potentially establishing larger market share. The Company cannot assure that any adjustment or change in the business and revenue model would prove to be successful whether adopted in response to industry changes or for other reasons.

THE REQUIREMENTS OF BEING A PUBLIC COMPANY MAY STRAIN OUR RESOURCES AND DISTRACT MANAGEMENT.

As a public company, we are subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”). These requirements are extensive. The Exchange Act requires that we file annual, quarterly and current reports with respect to our business and financial condition. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires that we maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls over financial reporting.

We incur significant costs associated with our public company reporting requirements and costs associated with applicable corporate governance requirements. These applicable rules and regulations significantly increase our legal and financial compliance costs and to make some activities more time consuming and costly than privately owned companies that are not SEC registrants. This also may divert management’s attention from other business concerns, which must be balanced so as not to cause material adverse effects on our business, financial condition and results of operations. We also believe compliance risks associated with these rules and regulations tend to make it more difficult and expensive to obtain director and officer liability insurance and could result in our need to accept reduced policy limits and coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain the same or similar coverage. As a result, it may be more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified individuals to serve on our Board of Directors or as executive officers. We are currently evaluating and monitoring developments with respect to these rules, and we cannot predict or estimate the amount of additional costs we may incur or the timing of such costs.

FAILURE TO ACHIEVE AND MAINTAIN EFFECTIVE INTERNAL CONTROLS IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 404 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT COULD HAVE A MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT ON OUR BUSINESS AND OPERATING RESULTS. IN ADDITION, CURRENT AND POTENTIAL STOCKHOLDERS COULD LOSE CONFIDENCE IN OUR FINANCIAL REPORTING, WHICH COULD HAVE A MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT ON OUR STOCK PRICE.

Effective internal controls are necessary for us to provide reliable financial reports and effectively prevent fraud. If we cannot provide reliable financial reports or prevent fraud, our operating results could be harmed. We are required to document and test our internal control procedures in order to satisfy the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which requires annual management assessments of the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting. During the course of our testing, we may identify deficiencies which we may not be able to remediate in time for compliance with the requirements of Section 404. In addition, if we fail to maintain the adequacy of our internal controls, as such standards are modified, supplemented or amended from time to time; we may not be able to ensure that we can conclude on an ongoing basis that we have effective internal controls over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Failure to achieve and maintain an effective internal control environment could also cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, which could have a material adverse effect on our stock price.

We cannot provide assurance as to the result of these efforts. We cannot be certain that any measures we take will ensure that we implement and maintain adequate internal controls in the future. Any failure to implement required new or improved controls, or difficulties encountered in their implementation, could harm our operating results or cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations.

A MORE ACTIVE, LIQUID TRADING MARKET FOR OUR COMMON STOCK MAY NOT DEVELOP, AND THE PRICE OF OUR COMMON STOCK MAY FLUCTUATE SIGNIFICANTLY.

Although our common stock is listed on the NYSE MKT, we cannot assure you that an active public market will develop for our common stock. There has been relatively limited trading volume in the market for our common stock, and a more active, liquid public trading market may not develop or may not be sustained. Limited liquidity in the trading market for our common stock may adversely affect a stockholder's ability to sell its shares of common stock at the time it wishes to sell them or at a price that it considers acceptable. If a more active, liquid public trading market does not develop, we may be limited in our ability to raise capital by selling shares of common stock and our ability to acquire other companies or assets by using shares of our common stock as consideration. In addition, if there is a thin trading market or "float" for our stock, the market price for our common stock may fluctuate significantly more than the stock market as a whole. Without a large float, our common stock would be less liquid than the stock of companies with broader public ownership and, as a result, the trading prices of our common stock may be more volatile. Furthermore, the stock market is subject to significant price and volume fluctuations, and the price of our common stock could fluctuate widely in response to several factors, including:

The stock market has experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations in recent years that have significantly affected the quoted prices of the securities of many companies, including companies in our industry. The changes often appear to occur without regard to specific operating performance. The price of our common stock could fluctuate based upon factors that have little or nothing to do with our Company and these fluctuations could materially reduce our stock price.

NO DIVIDENDS ANTICIPATED.

We intend to retain all future earnings for use in the development of our business and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our common stock in the near future.

WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO OBTAIN THE NECESSARY ADDITIONAL FINANCING TO ACHIEVE OUR STRATEGIC GOALS.

There is no guarantee that we will be able to obtain any additional financing that may be required to continue to expand our business. Our continued viability depends on our ability to raise capital. Changes in economic, regulatory or competitive conditions may lead to cost increases. Management may also determine that it is in our best interest to expand more rapidly than currently intended, to expand marketing activities, to develop new or enhance existing services or products, to respond to competitive pressures or to acquire complementary services, businesses or technologies. In any such case or other change of circumstance, additional financing will be necessary. If any additional financing is required, there can be no assurances that we will be able to obtain such additional financing on terms acceptable to us and at times required by us, if at all. In such event, we may be required to materially alter our business plan or curtail all or a part of our expansion plans.

WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO MANAGE EXPECTED GROWTH AND INTERNAL EXPANSION.

Our inability to manage growth could hurt our results of operations. Expansion of our operations will be required to address anticipated growth of our customer base and market opportunities. Expansion will place a significant strain on our management, operational and financial resources. We will need to improve existing procedures and controls as well as implement new transaction processing, operational and financial systems, procedures and controls to expand, train and manage our employee base. Our failure to manage growth effectively could have a damaging effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

WE COULD BE HARMED BY IMPROPER DISCLOSURE OR LOSS OF SENSITIVE OR CONFIDENTIAL COMPANY, EMPLOYEE, ASSOCIATE OR CLIENT DATA, INCLUDING PERSONAL DATA.

In connection with the operation of our business, we store, process and transmit a large amount of data, including personnel and payment information, about our employees, clients, associates and candidates, a portion of which is confidential and/or personally sensitive. In doing so, we rely on our own technology and systems, and those of third-party vendors we use for a variety of processes. We and our third-party vendors have established policies and procedures to help protect the security and privacy of this information. Unauthorized disclosure or loss of sensitive or confidential data may occur through a variety of methods. These include, but are not limited to, systems failure, employee negligence, fraud or misappropriation, or unauthorized access to or through our information systems, whether by our employees or third parties, including a cyberattack by computer programmers, hackers, members of organized crime and/or state-sponsored organizations, who may develop and deploy viruses, worms or other malicious software programs.

Such disclosure, loss or breach could harm our reputation and subject us to government sanctions and liability under our contracts and laws that protect sensitive or personal data and confidential information, resulting in increased costs or loss of revenues. It is possible that security controls over sensitive or confidential data and other practices we and our third-party vendors follow may not prevent the improper access to, disclosure of, or loss of such information. The potential risk of security breaches and cyberattacks may increase as we introduce new services and offerings, such as mobile technology. Further, data privacy is subject to frequently changing rules and regulations, which sometimes conflict among the various jurisdictions in which we provide services. Any failure or perceived failure to successfully manage the collection, use, disclosure, or security of personal information or other privacy related matters, or any failure to comply with changing regulatory requirements in this area, could result in legal liability or impairment to our reputation in the marketplace.

WE COULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH ACQUISITIONS AND JOINT VENTURES.

We intend to expand our business through acquisitions of, or investments in joint ventures with, complementary businesses, technologies, services or products, subject to our business plans and management's ability to identify, acquire and develop suitable acquisition or investment targets in both new and existing service categories. In certain circumstances, acceptable acquisition or investment targets might not be available. Acquisitions involve a number of risks, including: (1) difficulty in integrating the operations, technologies, products and personnel of an acquired business, including consolidating redundant facilities and infrastructure; (2) potential disruption of our ongoing business and the distraction of management from our day-to-day operations; (3) difficulty entering markets in which we have limited or no prior experience and in which competitors have a stronger market position; (4) difficulty maintaining the quality of services that such acquired companies have historically provided; (5) potential legal and financial responsibility for liabilities of acquired businesses; (6) overpayment for the acquired company or assets or failure to achieve anticipated benefits, such as cost savings and revenue enhancements; (7) increased expenses associated with completing an acquisition and amortizing any acquired intangible assets; (8) challenges in implementing uniform standards, accounting policies, customs, controls, procedures and policies throughout an acquired business; (9) failure to retain, motivate and integrate key management and other employees of the acquired business; and (10) loss of customers and a failure to integrate customer bases.

In addition, if we incur indebtedness to finance an acquisition, it may reduce our capacity to borrow additional amounts and requiring us to dedicate a greater percentage of our cash flow from operations to payments on our debt, thereby reducing the cash resources available to us to fund capital expenditures, pursue other acquisitions or investments in new business initiatives and meet general corporate and working capital needs. This increased indebtedness may also limit our flexibility in planning for, and reacting to, changes in or challenges relating to our business and industry.

The use of our common stock or other securities (including those that might be convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for our common stock) to finance any such acquisition may also result in dilution of our existing shareholders.

The potential risks associated with recent and future acquisitions could disrupt our ongoing business, result in the loss of key customers or personnel, increase expenses and otherwise have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

WE FACE SIGNIFICANT EMPLOYMENT-RELATED LEGAL RISK.

We employ people internally and in the workplaces of other businesses. Many of these individuals have access to client information systems and confidential information. An inherent risk of such activity includes possible claims of errors and omissions; intentional misconduct; release, misuse or misappropriation of client intellectual property, confidential information, funds, or other property; cyber security breaches affecting our clients and/or us; discrimination and harassment claims; employment of illegal aliens; criminal activity; torts; or other claims. Such claims may result in negative publicity, injunctive relief, criminal investigations and/or charges, civil litigation, payment by us of monetary damages or fines, or other material adverse effects on our business.

OUR ABILITY TO UTILIZE OUR NET OPERATING CARRYFORWARDS AND CERTAIN OTHER TAX ATTRIBUTES MAY BE LIMITED.

Federal and state tax laws impose restrictions on the utilization of net operating loss (“NOL”) and tax credit carryforwards in the event of an “ownership change” as defined by section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Section 382”). Generally, an ownership change occurs if the percentage of the value of the stock that is owned by one or more direct or indirect “five percent shareholders” increases by more than 50% over their lowest ownership percentage at any time during the applicable testing period (typically, three years).

Under Section 382, if a corporation undergoes an “ownership change,” the corporation’s ability to use its pre-change NOL carryforwards and other pre-change tax attributes to offset its post-change income may be limited. We have not completed a study to assess whether an “ownership change” has occurred or whether there have been multiple ownership changes since we became a “loss corporation” as defined in Section 382. Future changes in our stock ownership, which may be outside of our control, may trigger an “ownership change”. In addition, future equity offerings or acquisitions that have equity as a component of the purchase price could result in an “ownership change.” If an “ownership change” has occurred or does occur in the future, utilization of the NOL carryforwards or other tax attributes may be limited, which could potentially result in increased future tax liability to us.

Not applicable.

The Company’s policy is to lease commercial office space for all of its offices. The Company’s headquarters are located in Jacksonville Florida which expires in 2020.

The Company markets its services using the trade names General Employment Enterprises, Omni One, Ashley Ellis, Agile Resources, Scribe Solutions Inc., Access Data Consulting Corporation, Paladin Consulting Inc., SNI Companies, Triad Personnel Services and Triad Staffing. As of September 30, 2018, we operated thirty-four branch offices in downtown or suburban areas of major U.S. cities in thirteen states. We have one office located in each of Arizona, Connecticut, Georgia, Minnesota, New Jersey, Virginia and Washington DC, three offices in Colorado and Illinois, four offices in Massachusetts and Texas, six offices in Ohio and seven offices in Florida.

Established offices are operated from leased space ranging from 800 to 7,500 square feet, generally for initial lease periods of one to five years, with cancellation clauses after certain periods of occupancy in some cases. Management believes that existing facilities are adequate for the Company’s current needs and that its leasing strategies provide the Company with sufficient flexibility to open or close offices to accommodate business needs.

As of September 30, 2018, the Company was not a party to any material legal proceedings.

Not applicable.

PART II

Market Information

The Company’s common stock is listed on the NYSE MKT and is traded under the symbol “JOB.” The following table sets forth the quarterly high and low sales prices per share of the Company’s common stock on the consolidated market for each quarter within the last two fiscal years.

Holders of Record

There were approximately 696 holders of record of the Company’s common stock on September 30, 2018.

Dividends

No dividends were declared or paid during the years ended September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017. We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends for the foreseeable future.

During the years ended September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017, no equity securities of the Company were repurchased by the Company.

Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans

As of September 30, 2018, there were stock options outstanding under the Second Amended and Restated 1997 Stock Option Plan and the Company’s Amended and Restated 2013 Incentive Stock Plan. Both plans were approved by the shareholders. The plans granted specified numbers of options to non-employee directors, and they authorized the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors to grant either incentive or non-statutory stock options to employees. Vesting periods are established by the Compensation Committee at the time of grant. All stock options outstanding as of September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017 were non-qualified stock options, had exercise prices equal to the market price on the date of grant, and had expiration dates ten years from the date of grant. The maximum number of shares that may be granted under the 2013 Plan is 4,000,000. This number is subject to adjustment to reflect changes in the capital structure or organization of the Company.

Not applicable.

Management’s discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that are provided to assist in the understanding of anticipated future performance. However, future performance involves risks and uncertainties which may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. Item 7 should be read in conjunction with the information contained in “Forward-Looking Statements” at the beginning of this report and with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto included in Item 8. References such as the “Company,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to GEE Group Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.

Overview

We specialize in the placement of information technology, engineering, and accounting professionals for direct hire and contract staffing for our clients, data entry assistants (medical scribes) who specialize in electronic medical records (EMR) services for emergency departments, specialty physician practices and clinics and provide temporary staffing services for our light industrial clients. The acquisitions of Agile Resources, Inc., a Georgia corporation (“Agile”), Access Data Consulting Corporation, a Colorado corporation (“Access”), Paladin Consulting Inc. (“Paladin”) and SNI Companies, a Delaware corporation (“SNI”) expanded our geographical footprint within the placement and contract staffing of information technology.

The Company markets its services using the trade names General Employment Enterprises, Omni One, Ashley Ellis, Agile Resources, Scribe Solutions Inc., Access Data Consulting Corporation, Paladin Consulting Inc., SNI Companies, Triad Personnel Services and Triad Staffing. As of September 30, 2018, we operated thirty-four branch offices in downtown or suburban areas of major U.S. cities in thirteen states. We have one office located in each of Arizona, Connecticut, Georgia, Minnesota, New Jersey, Virginia and Washington DC, three offices in Colorado and Illinois, four offices in Massachusetts and Texas, six offices in Ohio and seven offices in Florida.

Management has implemented a strategy which includes cost reduction efforts as well as identifying strategic acquisitions, financed primarily through the issuance of equity and debt to improve the overall profitability and cash flows of the Company. The Company’s contract and placement services are principally provided under two operating divisions or segments: Professional Staffing Services and Industrial Staffing Services. We believe our current segments complement one another and position us for future growth.

Results of Operations

Fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 (“fiscal 2018”), and fiscal year ended September 30, 2017 (“fiscal 2017”)

Net Revenues

Consolidated net revenues are comprised of the following:

Contract staffing services contributed $142.2 million or approximately 86% of consolidated revenue and direct hire placement services contributed $23.1 million or approximately 14% of consolidated revenue for fiscal 2018. This compares to contract staffing services revenue of $120.2 million, or approximately 89% of consolidated revenue and direct hire placement revenue of $14.7 million or approximately 11% of consolidated revenue, respectively, for fiscal 2017.

The overall increase in contract staffing services revenue of $22.0 million, or 18.3% for fiscal 2018 compared to fiscal 2017 was attributable to the acquisition of SNI, which increased the direct hire placement and professional contract services significantly in fiscal 2018. Offsetting these increases were reductions corresponding with strategic actions instituted by management primarily in the professional services division to reduce the number of unproductive or underperforming full time personnel including recruiters, account representatives, sales professionals and related administrative support staff and to a lesser extent, reductions in the temporary workforce requirements of a few key customers in the industrial services division. In addition, some of the decline in revenue was a natural result of certain office consolidations and office closures that were undertaken by the Company to maximize productivity, reduce overall field costs and improve profitability.

Industrial contract services revenue decreased by $3.2 million for fiscal 2018 to $21.6 million from $24.8 million in fiscal 2017. To improve overall performance in the industrial services division, the Company has implemented an aggressive sales incentive program, streamlined branch operations and increased its focus on obtaining better pricing from new and existing accounts. Although revenues are lower for fiscal 2018 than for fiscal 2017, the Company believes that the aforementioned actions coupled with new and expanded services offered to customers have also contributed to the increased gross margins relative to revenues from that segment for fiscal 2018 as compared with fiscal 2017.

Direct hire placement revenue for fiscal 2018 increased by $8.3 million over fiscal 2017 due to increased productivity from a smaller number of dedicated direct hire placement personnel. The Company expects to selectively increase revenue producing headcount in key markets and industry verticals. The professional contract services revenue together with the direct hire placement revenue for the year includes business from staff augmentation, permanent placement, statement of work (SOW) and other human resource solutions in the information technology, engineering, healthcare and finance and accounting higher margin staffing specialties. The Company’s strategic plan contains both internal and acquisition growth objectives to increase revenue in the aforementioned higher margin and more profitable professional services sectors of staffing, which represents approximately 86.9% (comprised of professional contract services and direct hire placement services) of total revenue for fiscal 2018.

Cost of Contract Services

Cost of contract services includes wages and related payroll taxes, employee benefits of the Company's contract services employees, and certain other employee-related costs, while they work on contract assignments. Cost of contract services for fiscal 2018 increased by approximately 18.2% to $106.4 million compared to fiscal 2017 of $90.0 million. The $16.4 million increase in cost of contract services for fiscal 2018 compared to fiscal 2017 was primarily attributable to the acquisition of SNI and the associated increased billings noted above.

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(1) Includes gross profit from direct hire placements, for which all associated costs are recorded as selling, general and administrative expenses.

The Company’s combined gross profit margin, including direct hire placement services (recorded at 100% gross margin) for fiscal 2018 was approximately 35.7% versus approximately 33.3% for the fiscal 2017. The change in the overall gross margin from the comparable prior fiscal year was due to an overall change in revenue mix for fiscal 2018, led by the significant increase in direct hire placement revenues attributable to SNI.

In the professional contract staffing services segment, the gross margin (excluding direct placement services) was approximately 26.5% for fiscal 2018 compared to approximately 27.4% for fiscal 2017. The change in professional contract staffing services gross margin was primarily due to increased revenue from Vendor Management Systems (“VMS”), Managed Service Providers (“MSP”), Master Service Agreements (“MSA”) and other volume corporate accounts that occurred in fiscal 2018 and all of which typically have lower gross margins. Other differences in the composition of revenues among the specialties served by the Company (information technology, engineering, healthcare, finance and accounting and others) also contributed to the change in the professional contract services gross profit and margin.

The Company’s industrial staffing services gross margin for fiscal 2018 was approximately 17.9% versus approximately 16.5% for fiscal 2017. As discussed under Net Revenues above, to improve overall performance in the industrial services division, the Company has implemented an aggressive sales incentive program, streamlined branch operations and increased its focus on obtaining better pricing from new and existing accounts. The Company believes that these actions coupled with new and expanded services offered to customers have also contributed to the increase in industrial contract services gross margins relative to revenues for fiscal 2018 as compared with fiscal 2018.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses include the following categories:

In addition to depreciation and amortization, which are broken out and reported separately in the consolidated income statements from other selling, general and administrative expenses (SG&A), GEE separately reports SG&A expenses incurred that are related to acquisition, integration and restructuring activities. These include expenses associated with former closed and consolidated locations, personnel costs associated with eliminated positions, and other costs incurred related to acquisitions, including associated legal and professional costs. Management believes reporting these expenses separately from other SG&A provides useful information when comparing and considering GEE’s operating results and activities with other entities.

GEE’s SG&A for fiscal 2018 excluding depreciation, amortization and acquisition, integration and restructuring expenses, increased by approximately $7.9 million as compared to fiscal 2017 primarily as the result of the acquisition of SNI. SG&A for fiscal 2018, excluding depreciation, amortization and acquisition, integration and restructuring expenses, as a percentage of revenue decreased to approximately 28.7%, compared to approximately 29.3% of revenue for fiscal 2017. The net decrease in the ratio of SG&A, excluding depreciation, amortization and acquisition, integration and restructuring expenses, to revenue was the result of a combination of factors. These included strategic initiatives implemented by corporate and regional management to lower personnel costs by rightsizing the number of sales and recruitment full time employees (FTE’s) and related ancillary costs, resulting in a reduction in rent and other expenses, leverage from implementation of shared services, economies of scale gained from reduced pricing obtained from vendors; much of which was associated with the continued integration of the SNI acquisition and related streamlining of field operations and related expenses.

Acquisition, Integration and Restructuring Expenses

As discussed above, the Company classifies and reports costs incurred related to acquisition, integration and restructuring activities separately from other SG&A within its operating expenses. These costs, which were $3.1 million in fiscal 2018, increased by $0.2 million from $2.9 million in fiscal 2017, and include mainly expenses associated with former closed and consolidated locations, personnel costs associated with eliminated positions, costs incurred related to acquisitions and associated legal and professional costs. For fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017, such costs incurred were primarily associated with the SNI acquisition.

Depreciation Expense

Depreciation expense for fiscal 2018, decreased $36.0 thousand, or 8% compared with fiscal 2017, primarily as a result of strategic initiatives related to the consolidation of various office locations.

Amortization Expense

Amortization expense for fiscal 2018, increased $2.1 million, or 58% compared with the fiscal 2017, primarily as a result of the SNI acquisition and the related amortization of their identified intangible assets which included a full year of amortization in fiscal 2018 compared to a partial year in fiscal 2017.

Income (Loss) from Operations

Income (loss) from operations improved $3.9 million to income of $2.5 million in fiscal 2018 from a $(1.4) million loss in fiscal 2017. Before the effect of the $2.0 million net increase in depreciation and amortization combined, income from operations improved by $5.9 million from fiscal 2017 to fiscal 2018.

Change in Acquisition Deposit for Working Capital Guarantee

As of September 30, 2018, the SNI Merger Consideration held in the Working Capital Reserve Fund of $1.5 million was reduced by $0.6 million (“NWC Adjustment Amount”), following completion of the process provided for in the Merger Agreement, in which an independent accounting firm (the “firm”) was engaged to review related working capital-related claims made by the Company against such funds. As a result of the firm’s findings, the Company has recognized and reported a corresponding gain in its consolidated statement of operations for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018.

Loss on Extinguishment of Debt

There is no loss on extinguishment of debt for fiscal 2018. Loss on the extinguishment of debt for fiscal 2017, was $994.0 thousand, due to the change of the revolving credit facility and other subordinated debt during fiscal 2017.

Interest Expense

Interest expense for fiscal 2018, increased $5.5 million, or approximately 92% compared with fiscal 2017 primarily as a result of the newly obtained long-term debt in fiscal 2017, the interest expense for acquisition payments and higher average borrowings related to the new acquisitions.

Provision for Income Taxes

The Company recognized a tax benefit of approximately $0.8 million primarily associated with recognition of the newly adopted Tax Cuts and Jobs Act enacted in fiscal 2018. The Company recognized a tax benefit of approximately $6.0 million mostly due to realization of net operating loss and change in valuation allowance in fiscal 2017.

Net Loss

The Company incurred net losses for fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017 of $7.6 million and $2.4 million, respectively. Also impacting 2018 results were increases of $2.0 million in depreciation and amortization and $5.5 million in interest expense, which by themselves, accounted for substantially the entire net loss in fiscal 2018.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Overview

The following table sets forth certain consolidated statements of cash flows data:

At September 30, 2018, the Company had $3.2 million of cash which was an increase of approximately $0.4 million from approximately $2.8 million at September 30, 2017.  At September 30, 2018, the Company had working capital of $13.1 million compared to $9.5 million of working capital at September 30, 2017. 

The increase in net cash provided by operating activities for fiscal 2018 as compared with fiscal 2017, corresponds with the increase in income from operations before depreciation and amortization offset by the increase in interest expense on the Company’s senior debt during fiscal 2018 as compared with fiscal 2017.

The primary uses of cash for investing activities were for the acquisition of property and equipment in fiscal 2018 and for the acquisition of SNI in fiscal 2017.

Cash flow used in financing activities for fiscal 2018 was primarily for payments on our term loan offset by proceeds from the revolving credit facility. Cash flow provided by financing activities for fiscal 2017 was primarily from the new term-loan and net borrowings of the Revolving Credit Facility.

Minimum debt service payments (principal) for the twelve-month period commencing after the close of business on September 30, 2018, are approximately $3.1 million. All the Company’s office facilities are leased. Minimum lease payments under all the Company’s lease agreements for the twelve-month period commencing after the close of business on September 30, 2018, are approximately $2.2 million.

In recent years, the Company has incurred significant net losses. Management has implemented a strategy which includes cost reduction efforts as well as identifying strategic acquisitions, financed primarily through the issuance of equity and debt, to improve the overall profitability and cash flows of the Company. Management currently expects that the combination of future cash flow from operations and the availability of borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility will provide sufficient liquidity for the next 12 months.

Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan

On March 31, 2017, the Company and its subsidiaries, as borrowers, entered into a Revolving Credit, Term Loan and Security Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with PNC Bank National Association (“PNC”), and certain investment funds managed by MGG Investment Group LP (“MGG”). Initial funds were distributed on April 3, 2017, the closing date to repay the existing indebtedness, pay fees and expenses relating to the Credit Agreement, and to pay a portion of the purchase price for the acquisition of the SNI Companies.

Under the terms of the Credit Agreement, the Company may borrow up to $73.8 million consisting of a four-year term loan in the principal amount of $48.8 million and revolving loans in a maximum amount up to the lesser of (i) $25.0 million or (ii) an amount determined pursuant to a borrowing base that is calculated based on the outstanding amount of the Company’s eligible accounts receivable, as described in the Credit Agreement. The loans under the Credit Agreement mature on March 31, 2021.

On the closing date of the Credit Agreement, the Company borrowed $48.8 million from term loans and borrowed approximately $7.5 million from the Revolving Credit Facility for a total of $56.2 million, which was used by the Company to repay existing indebtedness, to pay fees and expenses relating to the Credit Agreement, and to pay a portion of the purchase price for the acquisition of all of the outstanding stock of SNI Holdco Inc. pursuant to the Merger Agreement. Amounts borrowed under the Credit Agreement also may be used by the Company to partially fund capital expenditures, provide for on-going working capital needs and general corporate needs, and to fund future acquisitions subject to certain customary conditions of the lenders.

The Credit Agreement contains certain covenants applicable to both the Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan. . In addition to the financial covenants, the Credit Agreement includes other restrictive covenants. The Credit Agreement permits capital expenditures up to a certain level and contains customary default and acceleration provisions. The Credit Agreement also restricts, above certain levels, acquisitions, incurrence of additional indebtedness, and payment of dividends.

The Company did not meet its financial loan covenants at September 30, 2018 or at June 30, 2018 or March 31, 2018, previously. On May 15, 2018, the Company obtained a temporary waiver from its lenders for the missed financial covenants at March 31, 2018. On August 10, 2018, the Company and its subsidiaries, as Borrowers, entered into a third amendment and waiver (the “Third Amendment and Waiver”) to the Credit Agreement. Pursuant to the Third Amendment and Waiver, the Lenders agreed to modify the definition of EBITDA in the Credit Agreement to allow for the recognition and exclusion of certain additional acquisition, integration and restructuring expenses not previously specified and to provide a temporary waiver for any Defaults and Events of Default under the Credit Agreement that have solely arisen by reason of the Company failing to comply with the financial covenants of the Credit Agreement for the period ending June 30, 2018.

On December 27, 2018, the Company and its subsidiaries, as Borrowers, entered into a fourth amendment and waiver (the “Fourth Amendment and Waiver”) to the Revolving Credit, Term Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2017 (the “Credit Agreement”). Under the Fourth Amendment and Waiver, the Company and its Lenders have negotiated and agreed to a temporary waiver for non-compliance with the financial covenants under the Credit Agreement as of September 30, 2018, and amendments to the financial covenants and to the remaining scheduled principal payments.

Management has taken definitive actions to improve operations, reduce costs and improve profitability, and position the Company for future growth. The Company also is seeking replacement financing with a view towards lowering its borrowing costs. Based on its current projections, management expects that the Company can meet its future debt service requirement and comply with its financial covenants and other commitments, as amended in the Fourth Amendment and Waiver. However, the Company’s projections are based on assumptions and estimates about future performance and events, which are subject to change or other unforeseen conditions or uncertainties. As such, there can be no assurance that the Company will not fall into non-compliance with its loan covenants or that its Lenders will continue to provide waivers or amendments to the Company in the event of future non-compliance with debt covenants or other possible events of default that could happen in the future.

Subordinated Debt – Convertible and Non-Convertible

On October 2, 2015, the Company issued and sold a Subordinated Note in the aggregate principal amount of $4,185,000 to JAX Legacy – Investment 1, LLC (“Jax”) pursuant to a Subscription Agreement dated October 2, 2015 between the Company and Jax. On April 3, 2017, the Company and Jax amended and restated the Subordinated Note in its entirety in the form of the 10% Convertible Subordinated Note (the “10% Note”) in the aggregate principal amount of $4,185,000. The 10% Note matures on October 3, 2021 . The 10% Note is convertible into shares of the Company’s Common Stock at a conversion price equal to $5.83 per share (subject to adjustment as provided in the 10% Note upon any stock dividend, stock combination or stock split or upon the consummation of certain fundamental transactions) (the “Conversion Price”). The 10% Note is subordinated in payment to the obligations of the Company to the lenders parties to the Credit Agreement, pursuant to a Subordination and Intercreditor Agreements, dated as of March 31, 2017 by and among the Company, the Borrowers, the Agent and Jax. The 10% Note issued to Jax is not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Jax is an accredited investor. The issuance of the 10% Note to Jax is exempt from the registration requirements of the Act in reliance on an exemption from registration provided by Section 4(2) of the Act.

On October 4, 2015, the Company issued to the sellers of Access Data Consulting Corporation a Promissory Note. Interest on the outstanding principal balance of the Promissory Note is payable at the rate of 5.5% per annum. The principal and interest amount of the Promissory Note is payable as follows: (i) for the first twelve months commencing on November 4, 2015 and ending on October 4, 2016, a monthly payment of approximately $57,000 in principal and interest, (ii) on October 4, 2016 a balloon payment of principal of $1,000,000, (iii) for the next twelve months commencing on November 4, 2016 and ending on October 4, 2017, a monthly payment of approximately $28,000 in principal and interest, (iv) on October 4, 2017 a balloon payment of principal of $1,202,000 and (v) on October 4, 2017 any and all amounts of previously unpaid principal and accrued interest. The Credit Agreement requires this loan to be subordinated to PNC and MGG.

On October 4, 2017, the Company executed an Amended and Restated Non-Negotiable Promissory Note in favor of William Daniel Dampier and Carol Lee Dampier in the amount of $1,202,405 (the “Note”). This Note amends and, as so amended, restates in its entirety and replaces that certain Subordinated Nonnegotiable Promissory Note dated October 4, 2015, issued by the Company to William Daniel Dampier and Carol Lee Dampier in the original principal amount of $3,000,000. The Company agreed to pay William Daniel Dampier and Carol Lee Dampier 12 equal installments of $107,675, commencing on November 4, 2017 and ending on October 4, 2018.

On January 20, 2017, the Company entered into Addendum No. 1 (the “Addendum”) to the Paladin Agreement Pursuant to the terms of the Addendum, the Company and the Sellers agreed (a) that the conditions to the “Earnouts” (as defined in the Paladin Agreement) had been satisfied or waived and (b) that the amounts payable to the Sellers in connection with the Earnouts shall be amended and restructured as follows: (i) the Company shall pay $250,000 in cash to the Sellers on or prior to January 31, 2017 (the “Earnout Cash Payment”) and (ii) the Company shall issue to the Sellers a subordinated promissory note in the principal amount of $1,000,000 (the “Subordinated Note”), The Subordinated Note shall bear interest at the rate of 5.5% per annum. Interest on the Subordinated Note shall be payable monthly. The Subordinated Note shall have a term of three years and may be prepaid without penalty. The principal of and interest on the Subordinated Note may be paid, at the option of the Company, either in cash or in shares of common stock of the Company or in any combination of cash and common stock. The Sellers have agreed that all payments and obligations under the Subordinated Note shall be subordinate and junior in right of payment to any “Senior Indebtedness” (as defined in the Paladin Agreement) now or hereafter existing to “Senior Lenders” (current or future) (as defined in the Paladin Agreement). The Company has paid the $250,000 cash payment to the Sellers.

On April 3, 2017, the Company issued and paid to certain SNIH Stockholders as part of the Merger Consideration (see note 10) an aggregate of $12.5 million in aggregate principal amount of its 9.5% Notes. The 9.5% Notes mature on October 3, 2021 (the “Maturity Date”). The 9.5% Notes are convertible into shares of the Company’s Common Stock at a conversion price equal to $5.83 per share. Interest on the 9.5% Notes accrues at the rate of 9.5% per annum and shall be paid quarterly in arrears on June 30, September 30, December 31 and March 31, beginning on June 30, 2017, on each conversion date with respect to the 9.5% Notes (as to that principal amount then being converted), and on the Maturity Date (each such date, an “Interest Payment Date”). At the option of the Company, interest may be paid on an Interest Payment Date either in cash or in shares of Common Stock of the Company, which Common Stock shall be valued based on the terms of the agreement, subject to certain limitations defined in the loan agreement. Each of the 9.5% Notes is subordinated in payment to the obligations of the Company to the lenders parties to the Credit Agreement, pursuant to those certain Subordination and Intercreditor Agreements, each dated as of March 31, 2017 by and among the Company, the other borrowers under the Credit Agreement, the Agent under the Credit Agreement and each of the holders of the 9.5% Notes.

Series B Convertible Preferred Stock

On April 3, 2017, the Company agreed to issue to certain SNIH Stockholders upon receipt of duly executed letters of transmittal as part of the Merger Consideration, an aggregate of approximately 5,926,000 shares of its Series B Convertible Preferred Stock as part of the Merger Consideration. The Series B Convertible Preferred Stock has a liquidation preference equal to $4.86 per share and ranks senior to all “Junior Securities” (including the Company’s Common Stock) with respect to any distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary. In the event that the Company declares or pays a dividend or distribution on its Common Stock, whether such dividend or distribution is payable in cash, securities or other property, including the purchase or redemption by the Company or any of its subsidiaries of shares of Common Stock for cash, securities or property, the Company is required to simultaneously declare and pay a dividend on the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock on a pro rata basis with the Common Stock determined on an as-converted basis assuming all Shares had been converted as of immediately prior to the record date of the applicable dividend or distribution. On April 3, 2017, the Company filed a Statement of Resolution Establishing its Series B Convertible Preferred Stock with the State of Illinois. (the “Resolution Establishing Series”). Except as set forth in the Resolution Establishing Series, the holders of the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock have no voting rights. Pursuant to the Resolution Establishing Series, without the prior written consent of holders of not less than a majority of the then total outstanding Shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, voting separately as a single class, the Company shall not create, or authorize the creation of, any additional class or series of capital stock of the Company (or any security convertible into or exercisable for any class or series of capital stock of the Company) that ranks pari passu with or superior to the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock in relative rights, preferences or privileges (including with respect to dividends, liquidation or voting). Each share of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock is convertible at the option of the holder thereof into one share of Common Stock at an initial conversion price equal to $4.86 per share, each as subject to adjustment in the event of stock splits, stock combinations, capital reorganizations, reclassifications, consolidations, mergers or sales, as set forth in the Resolution Establishing Series.

None of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock issued to the SNIH Stockholders are registered under the Securities Act. Each of the SNIH Stockholders who received shares of Series B Preferred Stock is an accredited investor. The issuance of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock to such SNIH Stockholders is exempt from the registration requirements of the Act in reliance on an exemption from registration provided by Section 4(2) of the Act.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As of September 30, 2018, and 2017, and during the two years then ended, there were no transactions, agreements or other contractual arrangements to which an unconsolidated entity was a party, under which the Company (a) had any direct or contingent obligation under a guarantee contract, derivative instrument or variable interest in the unconsolidated entity, or (b) had a retained or contingent interest in assets transferred to the unconsolidated entity.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and the rules of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

Management makes estimates and assumptions that can affect the amounts of assets and liabilities reported as of the date of the consolidated financial statements, as well as the amounts of reported revenues and expenses during the periods presented. Those estimates and assumptions typically involve expectations about events to occur subsequent to the balance sheet date, and it is possible that actual results could ultimately differ from the estimates. If differences were to occur in a subsequent period, the Company would recognize those differences when they became known. Significant matters requiring the use of estimates and assumptions include, but may not be limited to, deferred income tax valuation allowances, accounts receivable allowances, accounting for acquisitions, accounting for derivative liabilities and evaluation of impairment. Management believes that its estimates and assumptions are reasonable, based on information that is available at the time they are made.

The following accounting policies are considered by management to be “critical” because of the judgments and uncertainties involved, and because different amounts would be reported under different conditions or using different assumptions.

Revenue Recognition

Direct hire placement service revenues are recognized when applicants accept offers of employment, less a provision for estimated losses due to applicants not remaining employed for the Company’s guarantee period. Contract staffing service revenues are recognized when services are rendered.

Falloffs and refunds during the period are reflected in the consolidated statements of operations as a reduction of placement service revenues. Expected future falloffs and refunds are reflected in the consolidated balance sheet as a reduction of accounts receivable.

Accounts Receivable

The Company extends credit to its various customers based on evaluation of the customer’s financial condition and ability to pay the Company in accordance with the payment terms. An allowance for placement fall-offs is recorded, as a reduction of revenues, for estimated losses due to applicants not remaining employed for the Company’s guarantee period. An allowance for doubtful accounts is recorded, as a charge to bad debt expense, where collection is considered to be doubtful due to credit issues. These allowances together reflect management’s estimate of the potential losses inherent in the accounts receivable balances, based on historical loss statistics and known factors impacting its customers. The nature of the contract service business, where companies are dependent on employees for the production cycle allows for a small accounts receivable allowance.

Fair Value Measurement

The Company follows the provisions of the accounting standard which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and enhances fair value measurement disclosure. Under these provisions, fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (i.e., the “exit price”) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.

The standard establishes a hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Company. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the Company’s assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. The hierarchy is described below:

Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for assets or liabilities. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to Level 1 inputs.

Level 2: Observable prices that are based on inputs not quoted on active markets, but corroborated by market data.

Level 3: Unobservable inputs are used when little or no market data is available. The fair value hierarchy gives the lowest priority to Level 3 inputs.

Income Taxes

We account for income taxes under the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements. Under this method, we determine deferred tax assets and liabilities on the basis of the differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities by using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

We recognize deferred tax assets to the extent that we believe that these assets are more likely than not to be realized. In making such a determination, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income, tax-planning strategies, and results of recent operations. If we determine that we would be able to realize our deferred tax assets in the future in excess of their net recorded amount, we would make an adjustment to the deferred tax asset valuation allowance, which would reduce the provision for income taxes.

We record uncertain tax positions in accordance with ASC 740 on the basis of a two-step process in which (1) we determine whether it is more likely than not that the tax positions will be sustained on the basis of the technical merits of the position and (2) for those tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, we recognize the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50 percent likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement with the related tax authority.

We recognize interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits on the income tax expense line in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations. As of September 30, 2018, no accrued interest or penalties are included on the related tax liability line in the consolidated balance sheet.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of cost over the fair value of the net assets acquired in the various acquisitions. The Company assesses goodwill for impairment at least annually. Testing Goodwill for impairment, which allows the Company to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If the entity determines that this threshold is not met, then performing the two-step impairment test is unnecessary. An impairment loss would be recognized to the extent the carrying value of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value.

Intangible Assets

Customer lists, non-compete agreements, customer relationships, management agreements and trade names were recorded at their estimated fair value at the date of acquisition and are amortized over their estimated useful lives ranging from two to ten years using both accelerated and straight-line methods.

Impairment of Long-lived Assets

The Company records an impairment of long-lived assets used in operations, other than goodwill, when events or circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired and the estimated undiscounted cash flows to be generated by those assets over their remaining lives are less than the carrying amount of those items. The net carrying value of assets not recoverable is reduced to fair value, which is typically calculated using the undiscounted cash flow method.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company accounts for stock-based awards to employees in accordance with applicable accounting principles, which requires compensation expense related to share-based transactions, including employee stock options, to be measured and recognized in the financial statements based on a determination of the fair value of the stock options. The grant date fair value is determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton ("Black-Scholes") pricing model. For all employee stock options, we recognize expense over the requisite service period on an accelerated basis over the employee's requisite service period (generally the vesting period of the equity grant). The Company's option pricing model requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, including the expected stock price volatility, expected term, and forfeiture rate. Any changes in these highly subjective assumptions significantly impact stock-based compensation expense.

Options awarded to purchase shares of common stock issued to non-employees in exchange for services are accounted for as variable awards in accordance with applicable accounting principles. Such options are valued using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.

Segment Data

The Company provides the following distinctive services: (a) direct hire placement services, (b) temporary professional services staffing in the fields of information technology, engineering, medical, and accounting, and (c) temporary light industrial staffing. These distinct services can be divided into two reportable segments, industrial staffing services and professional staffing services. Selling, general and administrative expenses are not completely separately allocated among light industrial services and professional staffing services.

Operating results are regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision maker to make decisions about resources to be allocated to the segment and to assess its performance. Other factors, including type of business, type of employee, length of employment and revenue recognition are considered in determining these operating segments.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements.

For a discussion of recent accounting pronouncements and their potential effect on our results of operations and financial condition, refer to Note 3 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Not applicable.

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and

Stockholders of GEE Group, Inc.

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of GEE Group, Inc. (the “Company”) as of September 30, 2018 and 2017, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the two year period ended September 30, 2018, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the financial statements). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of September 30, 2018, and 2017, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the two year period ended September 30, 2018, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ Friedman LLP

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2012

Marlton, New Jersey

December 27, 2018

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

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

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

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

1. Description of Business

GEE Group Inc. (the “Company”, “us”, “our” or “we”) was incorporated in the State of Illinois in 1962 and is the successor to employment offices doing business since 1893. We are a provider of permanent and temporary professional and industrial staffing and placement services in and near several major U.S cities. We specialize in the placement of information technology, engineering, medical and accounting professionals for direct hire and contract staffing for our clients and provide temporary staffing services for our commercial clients.

The Company’s fiscal year begins on October 1 and ends on September 30 of each year. Fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017 refer to the fiscal years ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and the rules of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

Liquidity

The Company experienced significant net losses in fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017. Management has implemented a strategy which includes cost reductions and consolidation of certain operating activities to gain efficiencies as well as identifying strategic acquisitions, financed primarily through a combination of the issuance of equity and debt, to improve the overall profitability and cash flows of the Company.

As of September 30, 2018, the Company had cash of approximately $3.2 million which was an increase of approximately $0.4 million from approximately $2.8 million at September 30, 2017. Working capital at September 30, 2018 was approximately $13.1 million, as compared to working capital of approximately $9.5 million for September 30, 2017.

Management currently expects that the combination of future cash flow from operations and the availability under the Revolving Credit Facility will provide sufficient liquidity for the next 12 months. See Note 6, for a further discussion of the terms, conditions, status and related matters regarding the Company’s Revolving Credit, Term Loan and Security Agreement and subsequent amendments related to waivers of covenants.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts and transactions of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.

Estimates and Assumptions

Management makes estimates and assumptions that can affect the amounts of assets and liabilities reported as of the date of the consolidated financial statements, as well as the amounts of reported revenues and expenses during the periods presented. Those estimates and assumptions typically involve expectations about events to occur subsequent to the balance sheet date, and it is possible that actual results could ultimately differ from the estimates.

Revenue Recognition

Direct hire placement service revenues are recognized when applicants accept offers of employment, less a provision for estimated losses due to applicants not remaining employed for the Company’s guarantee period. Contract staffing service revenues are recognized when services are rendered.

Falloffs and refunds during the period are reflected in the consolidated statements of operations as a reduction of placement service revenues and were approximately $2.1 million and $1.5 million in fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017, respectively. Expected future falloffs and refunds are reflected in the consolidated balance sheet as a reduction of accounts receivable and were approximately $0.2 million and $1.0 million as of September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017, respectively.

Cost of Contract Staffing Services

The cost of contract services includes the wages and the related payroll taxes, employee benefits of the Company’s contract service employees, and certain other employee-related costs, while they work on contract assignments.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased are considered to be cash equivalents. As of September 30, 2018, and September 30, 2017, there were no cash equivalents. The Company maintains deposits in financial institutions in excess of amounts guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Cash and cash equivalents are maintained at financial institutions and, at times, balances may exceed federally insured limits. We have never experienced any losses related to these balances.

Accounts Receivable

The Company extends credit to its various customers based on evaluation of the customer’s financial condition and ability to pay the Company in accordance with the payment terms. An allowance for placement fall-offs is recorded, as a reduction of revenues, for estimated losses due to applicants not remaining employed for the Company’s guarantee period. An allowance for doubtful accounts is recorded, as a charge to bad debt expense, where collection is considered to be doubtful due to credit issues. These allowances together reflect management’s estimate of the potential losses inherent in the accounts receivable balances, based on historical loss statistics and known factors impacting its customers. The nature of the contract service business, where companies are dependent on employees for the production cycle allows for a small accounts receivable allowance. As of September 30, 2018, and September 30, 2017 allowance for doubtful accounts was $0.3 million and $1.7 million, respectively. The Company charges uncollectible accounts against the allowance once the invoices are deemed unlikely to be collectible. The reserve includes permanent placement falloff reserves of $0.2 million and $1.0 million as of September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017, respectively.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation expense is calculated on a straight-line basis over estimated useful lives of five years for computer equipment and two to ten years for office equipment, furniture and fixtures. The Company capitalizes computer software purchased or developed for internal use and amortizes it over an estimated useful life of five years. The carrying value of property and equipment is reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that it may not be recoverable. If the carrying amount of an asset group is greater than its estimated future undiscounted cash flows, the carrying value is written down to the estimated fair value. There was no impairment of property and equipment for fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of cost over the fair value of the net assets acquired in the various acquisitions. The Company evaluates goodwill for impairment at least annually. Testing goodwill for impairment allows the Company to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If the entity determines that this threshold is not met, then performing the two-step impairment test is unnecessary. An impairment loss would be recognized to the extent the carrying value of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value.

The Company follows the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820, “Fair Value Measurement”, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and enhances fair value measurement disclosure. Under these provisions, fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (i.e., the “exit price”) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.

The standard establishes a hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use on unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Company. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the Company’s assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. The hierarchy is described below:

Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for assets or liabilities. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to Level 1 inputs.

Level 2: Observable prices that are based on inputs not quoted on active markets, but corroborated by market data.

Level 3: Unobservable inputs are used when little or no market data is available. The fair value hierarchy gives the lowest priority to Level 3 inputs.

The fair value of the Company’s current assets and current liabilities approximate their carrying values due to their short-term nature. The carrying value of the Company’s long-term liabilities represents their fair value based on level 3 inputs. The Company’s goodwill and other intangible assets are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis using level 3 inputs, as discussed in Note 5.

Earnings and Loss per Share

Basic loss per share is computed by dividing net loss attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted loss per share is computed giving effect to all potentially dilutive common shares. Potentially dilutive common shares may consist of incremental shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options and warrants and the conversion of notes payable to common stock. In periods in which a net loss has been incurred, all potentially dilutive common shares are considered anti-dilutive and thus are excluded from the calculation.

Common stock equivalents excluded because their effect is anti-dilutive were 11.0 million and 10.2 million for fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017, respectively.

Advertising Expenses

The Company expenses the costs of print and internet media advertising and promotions as incurred and reports these costs in selling, general and administrative expenses. Advertising expense totaled $2.3 million and $1.7 million for fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017, respectively.

Intangible Assets

Customer lists, non-compete agreements, customer relationships and trade names were recorded at their estimated fair value at the date of acquisition and are being amortized over their estimated useful lives ranging from two to ten years using both accelerated and straight-line methods.

The Company records an impairment of long-lived assets used in operations, other than goodwill, when events or circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired and the estimated undiscounted cash flows to be generated by those assets over their remaining lives are less than the carrying amount of those items. The net carrying value of assets not recoverable is reduced to fair value, which is typically calculated using the discounted cash flow method. The Company did not record any impairment during fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company accounts for stock-based awards to employees in accordance with FASB ASC 718, “Compensation-Stock Compensation”, which requires compensation expense related to share-based transactions, including employee stock options, to be measured and recognized in the financial statements based on a determination of the fair value of the stock options. The grant date fair value is determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton ("Black-Scholes") pricing model. For all employee stock options, we recognize expense over the requisite service period on an accelerated basis over the employee's requisite service period (generally the vesting period of the equity grant). The Company's option pricing model requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, including the expected stock price volatility, expected term, and forfeiture rate. Any changes in these highly subjective assumptions significantly impact stock-based compensation expense.

Options awarded to purchase shares of common stock issued to non-employees in exchange for services are accounted for as variable awards in accordance with FASB ASC 718, “Compensation-Stock Compensation”. Such options are valued using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.

See Note 9 for the assumptions used to calculate the fair value of stock-based employee and non-employee compensation. Upon the exercise of options, it is the Company's policy to issue new shares rather than utilizing treasury shares.

Income Taxes

We account for income taxes under the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements. Under this method, we determine deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities by using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

We recognize deferred tax assets to the extent that we believe that these assets are more likely than not to be realized. In making such a determination, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income, tax-planning strategies, and results of recent operations. If we determine that we would be able to realize our deferred tax assets in the future in excess of their net recorded amount, we would make an adjustment to the deferred tax asset valuation allowance, which would reduce the provision for income taxes.

We record uncertain tax positions in accordance with ASC 740 on the basis of a two-step process in which (1) we determine whether it is more likely than not that the tax positions will be sustained on the basis of the technical merits of the position and (2) for those tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, we recognize the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50 percent likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement with the related tax authority.

We recognize interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits on the income tax expense line in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations. As of September 30, 2018, no accrued interest or penalties are included on the related tax liability line in the consolidated balance sheet.

Certain reclassifications have been made to the financial statements as of and for the years ended September 30, 2017 to conform to the current year presentation. 

Segment Data

The Company provides the following distinctive services: (a) direct hire placement services, (b) temporary professional contract services staffing in the fields of information technology, engineering, medical, and accounting, and (c) temporary contract light industrial staffing. These distinct services can be divided into two reportable segments, Industrial Staffing Services and Professional Staffing Services. Selling, general and administrative expenses are not entirely allocated among light industrial services and professional staffing services. Operating results are regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision maker to make decisions about resources to be allocated to the segment and to assess its performance. Other factors, including type of business, type of employee, length of employment and revenue recognition are considered in determining these operating segments.

3. Recent Accounting Pronouncements

On May 28, 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The ASU will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date, which delayed the effective date of the new standard from January 1, 2017 to January 1, 2018. The FASB also agreed to allow entities to choose to adopt the standard as of the original effective date. This ASU permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The new standard is effective for the Company beginning October 1, 2018. The adoption of this guidance does not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued authoritative guidance which changes financial reporting as it relates to leasing transactions. Under the new guidance, lessees will be required to recognize a lease liability, measured on a discounted basis; and a right-of-use asset, for the lease term. The new guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Early application is permitted for all entities upon issuance. Lessees and lessors must apply a modified retrospective transition approach for leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of adoption of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment”. The update simplifies how an entity is required to test goodwill for impairment by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Step 2 measures a goodwill impairment loss by comparing the implied fair value of a reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying amount. The new rules will be effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2021. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this ASU on its consolidated financial statements.

In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-07 “Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting (Topic 718)” that expands the scope to include share-based payment transactions for acquiring goods and services from nonemployees. An entity should apply the requirements to nonemployee awards except for certain exemptions specified in the amendment. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim reporting periods within that fiscal year. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not anticipate the adoption of ASU 2018-07 will have a material impact on the Company's financial condition or results of operations.

No other recent accounting pronouncements were issued by FASB and the SEC that are believed by management to have a material impact on the Company’s present or future financial statements.

Property and equipment, net consisted of the following:

Depreciation expense for fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017 was $390.0 and $426.0 respectively. During fiscal 2018 the Company had $0.1 million of disposal on assets primarily related to the consolidation of assets related to the SNI acquisition.

5. Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill

The following table sets forth activity in goodwill from September 30, 2016 through September 30, 2018. See Note 12 for details of the SNI acquisition that occurred during fiscal 2017.

During fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017 the Company did not record any impairment of goodwill.

The trade names are amortized on a straight – line basis over the estimated useful life of between five and ten years. Customer relationships are amortized based on the future undiscounted cash flows or straight – line basis over estimated remaining useful lives of five to ten years. Non-compete agreements are amortized based on a straight-line basis over the term of the noncompete agreement, typically five years.

The amortization expense attributable to identifiable intangible assets was $5.5 million and $3.5 million for fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017, respectively.

6. Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan

Revolving Credit, Term Loan and Security Agreement

After the close of business on March 31, 2017, the Company and its subsidiaries, as borrowers, entered into a Revolving Credit, Term Loan and Security Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with PNC Bank National Association ("PNC"), and certain investment funds managed by MGG Investment Group LP ("MGG"). Initial funds were distributed on April 3, 2017 (the “Closing Date”) to repay existing indebtedness, pay fees and expenses relating to the Credit Agreement, and to pay a portion of the purchase price for the acquisition of the SNI Companies.

Under the terms of the Credit Agreement, the Company may borrow up to $73.8 million consisting of a four-year term loan in the principal amount of $48.8 million and revolving loans in a maximum amount up to the lesser of (i) $25.0 million or (ii) an amount determined pursuant to a borrowing base that is calculated based on the outstanding amount of the Company’s eligible accounts receivable, as described in the Credit Agreement. The loans under the Credit Agreement mature on March 31, 2021.

The Credit Agreement, as amended, contains certain financial covenants, which are required to be maintained as of the last day of each fiscal quarter, including the following:

Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (“FCCR”). This is the ratio of consolidated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) to Fixed Charges, each of which is as defined in the Credit Agreement, as amended. The minimum FCCR requirements are: 1.25 to 1.00 for the trailing four quarters ended September 30, 2018; 0.80 to 1.00 for the quarter ending December 31, 2018; 1.00 to 1.00 for the two fiscal quarters ending March 31, 2019; 1.05 to 1.00 for the three fiscal quarters ending June 30, 2019; 1.05 to 1.00 for the four fiscal quarters ending September 30, 2019; and 1.25 to 1.00 for each fiscal quarter thereafter.

Minimum EBITDA. Minimum EBITDA, which is determined on a consolidated basis, as defined in the Credit Agreement, as amended, are: $13.3 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2018; $12.7 million for the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2018; $13.0 million for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2019; $13.3 million for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2019; and $14.0 million for the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2019 and each fiscal quarter thereafter.

Senior Leverage Ratio. This is the ratio of maximum Indebtedness, which is substantially comprised of consolidated senior indebtedness, to consolidated EBITDA, each of which is as defined under the Credit Agreement, as amended. The Senior Leverage Ratios are: 4.00 to 1.00 for the quarter ended September 30, 2018; 4.40 to 1.00 for the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2018; 4.25 to 1.00 for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2019; 4.10 to 1.00 for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2019; and 4.00 to 1.00 for the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2019 and 2.50 to 1.00 for each fiscal quarter thereafter.

In addition to these financial covenants, the Credit Agreement includes other restrictive covenants. The Credit Agreement permits capital expenditures up to a certain level and contains customary default and acceleration provisions. The Credit Agreement also restricts, above certain levels, acquisitions, incurrence of additional indebtedness, and payment of dividends.

On August 31, 2017, the Company entered into a Consent to Extension of Waiver to the Credit Agreement (the “Waiver”). Under the terms of the Waiver, the Lenders and the Agents agreed to extend to October 3, 2017 the deadline by which the Company must deliver updated financial information satisfactory to the lenders in order to amend the financial covenant levels, execute a fully executed amendment to the Credit Agreement, and any other terms and conditions required by the lenders in their sole discretion. Additionally, the Company paid a $73.5 consent fee to the Agents for the pro rata benefit of the lenders, in connection with the Waiver. On August 31, 2017, an additional waiver to the Credit Agreement (“Additional Waiver”), pursuant to which the due date for the Company to deliver the subordination agreement and an amended subordinated note, executed by one of the Company’s subordinated lenders was extended from August 31, 2017 to October 3, 2017, also was obtained.

On October 2, 2017, the Company, the other borrower entities and guarantor entities named therein (collectively, the “Loan Parties”), PNC, and certain investment funds managed by MGG (collectively the (“Lenders”) entered into a First Amendment and Waiver (the “First Amendment”) to the Revolving Credit, Term Loan and Security Agreement dated as of March 31, 2017 (the “Credit Agreement”) by and among the Loan Parties, and the Lenders. The First Amendment, which was effective as of October 2, 2017, modified the required principal repayment schedule with respect to the Term Loans. The Amendment also modified the ability of the Loan Parties to repay or make other payments with respect to certain other loans that are subordinated in right of payment to the indebtedness under the Credit Agreement.

Pursuant to the First Amendment the Lenders also waived any Event of Default arising out of the Loan Parties’ failure to deliver, on or before October 3, 2017, the materials satisfying the requirements of clauses (i) and (ii) of Section 5 of the Waiver to Revolving Credit, Term Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of August 14, 2017, as amended.

On November 14, 2017, the Company and its subsidiaries, as Borrowers, entered into a second amendment (the “Second Amendment”) to the Revolving Credit, Term Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2017 (the “Credit Agreement”). Pursuant to the Second Amendment the Borrowers agreed, among other things, to use commercially reasonable efforts to prepay, or cause to be prepaid, $10.0 million in principal amount of Advances (as defined in the Credit Agreement) outstanding, which amount shall be applied to prepay the Term Loans in accordance with the applicable terms of the Credit Agreement. Any prepayment to the term loan is contingent upon a future financing, non-operational cash flow or excess cash flow as defined in the agreement. The Company also agreed to certain amendments to the loan covenants required to be maintained.

The Company did not meet its financial loan covenants at September 30, 2018 or at June 30, 2018 or March 31, 2018, previously. On May 15, 2018, the Company obtained a temporary waiver from its lenders for the missed financial covenants at March 31, 2018. On August 10, 2018, the Company and its subsidiaries, as Borrowers, entered into a third amendment and waiver (the “Third Amendment and Waiver”) to the Credit Agreement. Pursuant to the Third Amendment and Waiver, the Lenders agreed to modify the definition of EBITDA in the Credit Agreement to allow for the recognition and exclusion of certain additional acquisition, integration and restructuring expenses not previously specified and to provide a temporary waiver for any Defaults and Events of Default under the Credit Agreement that have solely arisen by reason of the Company failing to comply with the financial covenants of the Credit Agreement for the period ending June 30, 2018.

On December 27, 2018, the Company and its subsidiaries, as Borrowers, entered into a fourth amendment and waiver (the “Fourth Amendment and Waiver”) to the Revolving Credit, Term Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2017 (the “Credit Agreement”). Under the Fourth Amendment and Waiver, the Company and its Lenders have negotiated and agreed to a waiver for non-compliance with the financial covenants under the Credit Agreement as of September 30, 2018, and amendments to the financial covenants and to the remaining scheduled principal payments.

Management has taken definitive actions to improve operations, reduce costs and improve profitability, and position the Company for future growth. Based on its current projections, management expects that the Company can meet its future debt service requirements and comply with its financial covenants and other commitments, as amended in the Fourth Amendment. However, the Company’s projections are based on assumptions and estimates about future performance and events, which are subject to change or other unforeseen conditions or uncertainties. As such, there can be no assurance that the Company will not fall into non-compliance with its loan covenants or that its Lenders will continue to provide waivers or amendments to the Company in the event of future non-compliance with debt covenants or other possible events of default that could happen in the future.

Revolving Credit Facility

As of September 30, 2018, the Company had $11.9 million in outstanding borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility, of which approximately $8.0 million was at an interest rate of approximately 17.34% and the remainder was at an interest rate of approximately 19.25%.

As of September 30, 2018, the Company had approximately $2.3 million available on the Revolving Credit facility.

The Revolving Credit Facility is secured by all the Company’s property and assets, whether real or personal, tangible or intangible, and whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or in which it now has or at any time in the future may acquire any right, title or interests.

Term Loan

The Company had outstanding balances under its Term Loan, as follows:

The Term Loan is payable as follows, subject to acceleration upon the occurrence of an Event of Default under the Credit Agreement or termination of the Credit Agreement and provided that all unpaid principal, accrued and unpaid interest and all unpaid fees and expenses shall be due and payable in full on March 31, 2021. Principal payments are required as follows: fiscal 2019 – $3.1 million, fiscal 2020 – $8.3 million and fiscal 2021 - $33.1 million.

The Company also is required to prepay the outstanding amount of the Term Loan in an amount equal to the Specified Excess Cash Flow Amount (as defined in the agreement) for the immediately preceding fiscal year, commencing with the fiscal year ending September 30, 2018. The Company does not owe any amount as of September 30, 2018.

Interest

The loans under the Credit Agreement for the period commencing on the Second Amendment Effective Date up to and including May 31, 2018, (i) so long as the Senior Leverage Ratio is equal to or greater than 3.75 to 1.00, an amount equal to prime plus 9.75% for Advances consisting of Domestic Rate Loans and LIBOR plus 10.75% for Advances consisting of LIBOR Rate Loans and (ii) so long as the Senior Leverage Ratio is less than 3.75 to 1.00, an amount equal to prime plus 9.00% for Advances consisting of Domestic Rate Loans and LIBOR plus 10.00% for Advances consisting of LIBOR Rate Loans.

Commencing on June 1, 2018 up to and including August 31, 2018, (i) so long as the Senior Leverage Ratio is equal to or greater than 4.00 to 1.00, interest on the loans is payable in an amount equal to prime plus 14.00% for Advances consisting of Domestic Rate Loans and LIBOR plus 15.00% for Advances consisting of LIBOR Rate Loans and (ii) so long as the Senior Leverage Ratio is less than 4.00 to 1.00, interest is payable in an amount equal to prime plus 9.75% for Advances consisting of Domestic Rate Loans and LIBOR plus 10.75% for Advances consisting of LIBOR Rate Loans.

Commencing on September 1, 2018 through the remainder of the Term, (i) so long as the Senior Leverage Ratio is equal to or greater than 3.50 to 1.00, interest on the loans is payable in an amount equal to prime plus 14.00% for Advances consisting of Domestic Rate Loans and LIBOR plus 15.00% for Advances consisting of LIBOR Rate Loans and (ii) so long as the Senior Leverage Ratio is less than 3.50 to 1.00, interest is payable in an amount equal to prime plus 9.00% for Advances consisting of Domestic Rate Loans and LIBOR plus 10.00% for Advances consisting of LIBOR Rate Loans. As of September 30, 2018, the Company had $11.9 million in outstanding borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility, of which approximately $8.0 million was at an interest of approximately 17.34% and the remainder was at an interest of approximately 19.25%. Accrued interest is included in other current liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Loan Fees and Amortization

In connection with the Credit Agreement, the Company agreed to pay an original discount fee of approximately $0.9 million, a closing fee for the term loan of approximately $0.1 million, a finder’s fee of approximately $1.6 million and a closing fee for the revolving credit facility of approximately $0.5 million. The total of the loan fees paid is approximately $3.1 million. The Company has reported these direct loan-related costs in the form of a discount and reduction of the term loan in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and is amortizing them as interest expense over the term of the loans. During fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017, the Company amortized approximately $0.8 million and $0.5 million, respectively, of debt discount.

7. Accrued Compensation

Accrued Compensation includes accrued wages, the related payroll taxes, employee benefits of the Company's employees while they work on contract assignments, commissions earned and not yet paid and estimated commissions payable.

The Company had outstanding balances under its Convertible and Non-Convertible Subordinated Debt agreements, as follows:

10% Convertible Subordinated Note

The Company had a Subordinated Note payable to JAX Legacy – Investment 1, LLC (“JAX Legacy”), pursuant to a Subscription Agreement dated October 2, 2015, in the amount of $4.2 million, and which was scheduled to become due on October 2, 2018.

On April 3, 2017, the Company and JAX Legacy amended and restated the Subordinated Note in its entirety in the form of a 10% Convertible Subordinated Note (the “10% Note”) in the aggregate principal amount of $4.2 million. The 10% Note matures on October 3, 2021 (the “Maturity Date”). The 10% Note is convertible into shares of the Company’s Common Stock at a conversion price equal to $5.83 per share. All or any portion of the 10% Note may be redeemed by the Company for cash at any time on or after April 3, 2018 that the average daily VWAP of the Company’s Common Stock reported on the principal trading market for the Common Stock exceeds the then applicable Conversion Price for a period of 20 trading days. The redemption price shall be an amount equal to 100% of the then outstanding principal amount of the 10% Note being redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon. The Company agreed to issue to the investors in JAX Legacy approximately 77.8 shares of common stock, at a value of approximately $0.4 million which was expensed as loss on the extinguishment of debt during the year ended September 30, 2017.

Total discount recorded at issuance of the original JAX Legacy subordinated note payable was approximately $0.6 million. Total amortization of debt discount for the year ended September 30, 2017 was approximately $0.1 million, and the remaining $0.3 million was written off to loss on extinguishment of debt upon amendment and restatement resulting in the 10% Note.

During fiscal 2018 the Company issued approximately 264,280 shares of common stock to Jax Legacy related to interest of $0.9 million on the 10% Note.

Amended and Restated Non-Negotiable Promissory Note

On October 4, 2017, the Company executed an Amended and Restated Non-Negotiable Promissory Note in favor of William Daniel Dampier and Carol Lee Dampier (sellers of Access Data Consulting Corporation) in the amount of approximately $1.2 million (the “Note”). This Note amends and, as so amended, restates in its entirety and replaces that certain Subordinated Nonnegotiable Promissory Note dated October 4, 2015, issued by the Company to William Daniel Dampier and Carol Lee Dampier in the original principal amount of $3.0 million. The Company agreed to pay William Daniel Dampier and Carol Lee Dampier 12 equal installments of approximately $107.7, commencing on November 4, 2017 and ending on October 4, 2018. The entire loan is classified as current and subordinate to the senior debt.

On January 20, 2017, the Company entered into Addendum No. 1 (the “Addendum”) to the Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of January 1, 2016 (the “Paladin Agreement”) by and among the Company and Enoch S. Timothy and Dorothy Timothy (collectively, the “Sellers”). Pursuant to the terms of the Addendum, the Company and the Sellers agreed (a) that the conditions to the “Earnouts” (as defined in the Paladin Agreement) had been satisfied or waived and (b) that the amounts payable to the Sellers in connection with the Earnouts shall be amended and restructured as follows: (i) the Company paid $250.0 in cash to the Sellers prior to January 31, 2017 (the “Earnout Cash Payment”) and (ii) the Company shall issue to the Sellers a subordinated promissory note in the principal amount of $1.0 million (the “Subordinated Note”), The Subordinated Note shall bear interest at the rate of 5.5% per annum. Interest on the Subordinated Note shall be payable monthly and principle can only be paid in stock until the term loan and Revolving Credit Facility are repaid. The Subordinated Note shall have a term of three years and may be prepaid without penalty. The principal of and interest on the Subordinated Note may be paid, at the option of the Company, either in cash or in shares of common stock of the Company or in any combination of cash and common stock. The Sellers have agreed that all payments and obligations under the Subordinated Note shall be subordinate and junior in right of payment to any “Senior Indebtedness” (as defined in the Paladin Agreement) now or hereafter existing to “Senior Lenders” (current or future) (as defined in the Paladin Agreement).

9.5% Convertible Subordinated Notes

On April 3, 2017, the Company issued and paid to certain SNIH Stockholders as part of the Merger Consideration (see note 12) an aggregate of $12.5 million in the form of 9.5% Convertible Subordinated Notes (the “9.5% Notes”). The 9.5% Notes mature on October 3, 2021 (the “Maturity Date”). The 9.5% Notes are convertible into shares of the Company’s Common Stock at a conversion price equal to $5.83 per share. Interest on the 9.5% Notes accrues at the rate of 9.5% per annum and shall be paid quarterly in arrears on June 30, September 30, December 31 and March 31, beginning on June 30, 2017, on each conversion date with respect to the 9.5% Notes (as to that principal amount then being converted), and on the Maturity Date (each such date, an “Interest Payment Date”). At the option of the Company, interest may be paid on an Interest Payment Date either in cash or in shares of Common Stock of the Company, which Common Stock shall be valued based on the terms of the agreement, subject to certain limitations defined in the loan agreement. Each of the 9.5% Notes is subordinated in payment to the obligations of the Company under its Credit Agreement (see Note 6) pursuant to Subordination and Inter-creditor Agreements dated as of March 31, 2017 by and among the Company, the Credit Agreement lenders, and each of the holders of the 9.5% Notes.

Future minimum payments of all subordinated debt will total approximately as follows: fiscal 2019 - $0.1 million, fiscal 2020 - $1.0 million, fiscal 2021- $0 and fiscal 2022 - $16.7 million.

During fiscal 2018 the Company issued approximately 530,071 shares of common stock to the SNI Sellers related to interest of $1.5 million on the 9.5% Notes.

9. Equity and Share-based Compensation

During fiscal 2018 the Company issued 110,083 shares of common stock for the conversion of approximately 110,083 shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock (see Note 10).

Restricted Stock

In fiscal 2018, the Company granted 600,000 and 500,000 restricted shares of common stock to its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and President, respectively. The restricted shares are to be earned over a three-year period and cliff vest at the end of the third year from the date of grant. Stock-based compensation expense attributable to restricted stock was $0.3 million and $0 million in fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017, respectively. The fair values of the granted shares based upon the quoted market price of the Company’s common stock on the close of business on the date of grant of $2.39 per share was $2.4 million. As of September 30, 2018, there was approximately $2.1 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to restricted stock outstanding.

A summary of restricted stock activity is presented as follows:

Warrants