HACKETT GROUP, INC. - Quarter Report: 2021 April (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

For the quarterly period ended April 2, 2021

OR

For the transition period from              to             

Commission File Number 333-48123

The Hackett Group, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

(305) 375-8005

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

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 requirement for the past 90 days.    Yes  ☒    No  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).    Yes  ☒    No  ☐

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

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. ☐

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

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

As of May 6, 2021, there were 30,132,017 shares of common stock outstanding.

The Hackett Group, Inc.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The Hackett Group, Inc.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share data)

(unaudited)

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

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The Hackett Group, Inc.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except per share data)

(unaudited)

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

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The Hackett Group, Inc.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

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

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The Hackett Group, Inc.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

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

6

The Hackett Group, Inc.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

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

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The Hackett Group, Inc.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

1. Basis of Presentation and General Information

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements of The Hackett Group, Inc. (“Hackett” or the “Company”) have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and include the Company’s accounts and those of its wholly-owned subsidiaries which the Company is required to consolidate. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

In the opinion of management, the accompanying consolidated financial statements reflect all normal and recurring adjustments which are necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial position, results of operations, and cash flows as of the dates and for the periods presented. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) regarding interim financial reporting. Accordingly, these statements do not include all the disclosures normally required by U.S. GAAP for annual financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended January 1, 2021, included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed by the Company with the SEC on March 12, 2021. The consolidated results of operations for the quarter ended April 2, 2021, are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for any future period or for the full fiscal year.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Revenue Recognition

The Company’s revenue is substantially generated from providing professional services to its clients. The Company also generates revenue from software licenses, software support, maintenance and subscriptions to its executive and best practices advisory programs. A single contract could include one or multiple performance obligations. For those contracts that have multiple performance obligations, the Company allocates the total transaction price to each performance obligation based on its relative standalone selling price.  The Company determines the standalone selling price based on the respective selling price of the individual elements when they are sold separately.  

Revenue is recognized when control of the goods and services provided are transferred to the Company’s customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods and services using the following steps: 1) identify the contract, 2) identify the performance obligations, 3) determine the transaction price, 4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract, and 5) recognize revenue as or when we satisfy the performance obligations.  

The Company typically satisfies its performance obligations for professional services over time as the related services are provided. The performance obligations related to software support, maintenance and subscriptions to our executive and best practice advisory programs are typically satisfied evenly over the course of the service period. Other performance obligations, such as software licenses, are satisfied at a point in time.

The Company generates its revenue under four types of billing arrangements: fixed-fee (including software license revenue); time-and-materials; executive and best practice advisory services; and software sales, maintenance and support.

In fixed-fee billing arrangements, which would also include contracts with capped fees, the Company agrees to a pre-established fee or fee cap in exchange for a predetermined set of professional services. The Company sets the fees based on its estimates of the costs and timing for completing the engagements. The Company generally recognizes revenue under fixed-fee or capped fee arrangements using a proportionate performance approach, which is based on work completed to-date as compared to estimates of the total services to be provided under the engagement. Estimates of total engagement revenue and cost of services are monitored regularly during the term of the engagement. If the Company’s estimates indicate a potential loss, such loss is recognized in the period in which the loss first becomes probable and reasonably estimable. The customer is invoiced based on the contractual agreement between the parties, typically bi-weekly, monthly or milestone driven, with net thirty-day terms.

Time-and-material billing arrangements require the client to pay based on the number of hours worked by the Company’s consultants at agreed upon hourly rates. The Company recognizes revenue under time-and-material arrangements as the related services or goods are provided, using the right to invoice practical expedient which allows us to recognize revenue in the amount based on the number of hours worked and the agreed upon hourly rates.  The customer is invoiced based on the contractual agreement between the parties, typically bi-weekly, monthly or milestone driven, with net thirty-day terms.

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The Hackett Group, Inc.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

1. Basis of Presentation and General Information (continued)

Advisory services contracts are typically in the form of a subscription agreement which allows the customer access to the Company’s executive and best practice advisory programs.  There is typically a single performance obligation and the transaction price is the contractual amount of the subscription agreement.  Revenue from advisory service contracts is recognized ratably over the life of the agreements.  Customers are typically invoiced at the inception of the contract, with net thirty-day terms.

The resale of software and maintenance contracts are in the form of SAP America software license or maintenance agreements provided by SAP America.  SAP is the principal and the Company is the agent in these transactions as the Company does not obtain title to the software and the maintenance is sold simultaneously.  The transaction price is the Company’s agreed-upon percentage of the software license or maintenance amount in the contract with the vendor.  Revenue for the resale of software licenses is recognized upon contract execution and customer’s receipt of the software. Revenue from maintenance contracts is recognized ratably over the life of the agreements.  The customer is typically invoiced at contract inception, with net thirty-day terms.

Expense reimbursements that are billable to clients are included in total revenue and are substantially all billed as time-and-material billing arrangements.  Therefore, the Company recognizes all reimbursable expenses as revenue as the related services are provided, using the right to invoice practical expedient. Reimbursable expenses are recognized as expenses in the period in which the expense is incurred.  Any expense reimbursements that are billable to clients under fixed-fee billing arrangements are recognized in line with the proportionate performance approach.  

The payment terms and conditions in customer contracts vary. The agreements entered into in connection with a project, whether time-and-materials, fixed-fee or capped-fee based, typically allow clients to terminate early due to breach or for convenience with a 30 days’ notice. In the event of termination, the client is contractually required to pay for all time, materials and expenses incurred by the Company through the effective date of the termination. In addition, from time to time the Company enters into agreements with its clients that limit its right to enter into business relationships with specific competitors of that client for a specific time period. These provisions typically prohibit the Company from performing a defined range of services which it might otherwise be willing to perform for potential clients. These provisions are generally limited to six to twelve months and usually apply only to specific employees or the specific project team.

Sales tax collected from customers and remitted to the applicable taxing authorities is accounted for on a net basis, with no impact to revenue.

Differences between the timing of billings and the recognition of revenue are recognized as either contract assets (unbilled revenue) or contract liabilities (deferred revenue) in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Revenue recognized for services performed but not yet billed to clients or for which are not yet entitled to bill because certain events, such as the completion of the measurement period, are recorded as contract assets. Client prepayments are classified as contract liabilities and recognized over future periods as earned in accordance with the applicable engagement agreement. See Note 3 for the accounts receivable and contract asset balances. During the quarter ended April 2, 2021, the Company recognized $5.5 million of revenue as a result of changes in deferred revenue liability balance, as compared to $4.4 million for the quarter ended March 27, 2020. 

The following table reflects the Company’s disaggregation of total revenue including reimbursable expenses for the quarters ended April 2, 2021 and March 27, 2020:

Capitalized Sales Commissions

Sales commissions earned by the Company’s sales force are considered incremental and recoverable costs of obtaining a contract with a customer. These costs are deferred and then amortized as project revenue is recognized.  We determined the period of amortization by taking into consideration the customer contract period, which are generally less than 12 months. Commission expense is included in Selling, General and Administrative Costs in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. As of January 1, 2021, and December 27, 2019, the Company had $1.5 million and $1.6 million, respectively, of deferred commissions, of which $0.2 million and $0.4 million was amortized during the first three months of the year 2021 and 2020, respectively.  No impairment loss was recognized relating to the capitalization of deferred commission.

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The Hackett Group, Inc.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

1. Basis of Presentation and General Information (continued)

Practical Expedients

The Company does not disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations for contracts with an original expected length of one year or less.  The Company does not assess whether a contract has a significant financing component if the expectation at contract inception is such that the period between payment by the customer and the transfer of the promised goods or services to the customer will be less than one year.

Fair Value

The Company’s financial instruments consist of cash, accounts receivable and contract assets, accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities and contract liabilities. As of April 2, 2021 and January 1, 2021, the carrying amount of each financial instrument approximated the instrument’s respective fair value due to the short-term nature and maturity of these instruments.

The Company uses significant other observable market data or assumptions (Level 2 inputs as defined in accounting guidance) that it believes market participants would use in pricing debt. The fair value of the debt approximated the carrying amount, using Level 2 inputs, due to the short-term variable interest rates based on market rates.

COVID-19 Pandemic Impact on the Business

The level of revenue the Company achieves is based on the Company’s ability to deliver market leading services and solutions and to deploy skilled teams of professionals quickly. The Company’s results of operations are affected by economic conditions, including macroeconomic conditions and levels of business confidence. Despite the disruption beginning in March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic did not have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations during the first quarter of 2020. However, net revenue and diluted earnings per share were negatively impacted for the remainder of 2020, due to adverse economic conditions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the first quarter of 2021, the Company’s net revenue and diluted earnings per share grew when compared to the fourth quarter of 2020, reflecting a continuation of improved economic conditions. The Company expects negative impacts to its net revenue and diluted earnings per share to continue in 2021 until economic conditions fully recover. However, any reversal of these trends or a prolonged economic downturn as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic or otherwise, weak or uncertain economic conditions or similar factors could adversely affect the Company’s clients’ financial condition which may further reduce the its clients’ demand for the Company’s services.  

The Company is actively managing its business to respond to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Company has reduced employee headcount and employee travel to only essential business needs and most of its employees have been working remotely from home. The Company is generally following the requirements and protocols published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization, and state and local governments. The Company cannot predict when or how it will begin to lift the actions put in place.

As a response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Company has implemented plans to manage its costs and preserve cash. The Company significantly limited the addition of new employees and third party contracted services, eliminated all travel except where necessary to meet customer needs, and limited discretionary spending. At the end of June 2020, the Company reduced its global workforce by approximately 10% and recorded a $5.0 million restructuring charge. During the fourth quarter of 2020, as a result of and in consideration of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the changing nature of its use of office space for its workforce, the Company evaluated its existing office leases as part of the Company’s transformation initiatives related to real estate. This evaluation resulted in the complete and partial abandonment of certain leased office spaces and an asset impairment charge of $3.9 million for certain lease right-of-use assets and certain property, equipment and leasehold improvements. All client concessions and accounts receivable allowances have been appropriately reflected in our financial statements. To the extent the business disruption continues for an extended period, additional cost management actions will be considered.  Future asset impairment charges, increases in allowance for doubtful accounts, or restructuring charges will be dependent on the severity and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In light of the evolving health, social, economic and business environment, governmental regulations or mandates, and business disruptions that could occur, the potential impact that the COVID-19 pandemic could have on the Company’s financial condition and operating results remains highly uncertain.

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The Hackett Group, Inc.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

1. Basis of Presentation and General Information (continued)

Adoption of Recent Accounting Standards

In December 2019, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2019-12, which enhances and simplifies various aspects of income tax accounting guidance. Among other things, the amendment removes the year-to-date loss limitation in interim period tax accounting and requires entities to reflect the effect of an enacted change in tax laws in the interim period that includes the enactment date of the new legislation. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.      

Reclassifications

Certain prior period amounts in the consolidated financial statements, and notes thereto, have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation.

2. Net Income per Common Share

Basic net income per common share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. With regard to common stock subject to vesting requirements and restricted stock units issued to the Company’s employees and non-employee members of its Board of Directors, the calculation includes only the vested portion of such stock and units.

Diluted net income per common share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding, increased by the assumed conversion of other potentially dilutive securities during the period.

The following table reconciles basic and dilutive weighted average common shares:

Approximately 3 thousand shares and 9 thousand shares of common stock equivalents were excluded from the computations of diluted net income per common share for the quarters ended April 2, 2021 and March 27, 2020, respectively, as inclusion would have had an anti-dilutive effect on diluted net income per common share.   

3. Accounts Receivable and Contract Assets, Net

Accounts receivable and contract assets, net, consisted of the following (in thousands):

Accounts receivable is net of uncollected advanced billings. Contract assets represents revenue for services performed that have not been invoiced.

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The Hackett Group, Inc.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

4. Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities

Accrued expenses and other liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands):

5. Restructuring Costs 

During 2020, the Company recorded restructuring costs of $10.5 million, of which $5.7 million was primarily related to the reduction of staff in Europe and Australia. As of April 2, 2021, the Company had $1.1 million of remaining commitments related to the restructuring charge.  

The following table sets forth the activity in the restructuring expense accruals (in thousands):

6. Leases

The Company has operating leases for office space and, to a much lesser extent, operating leases for equipment. The Company’s office leases are between terms of 1 year and 4 years. Rents usually increase annually in accordance with defined rent steps or are based on current year consumer price index adjustments. Some of the lease agreements contain one or more of the following provisions: tenant allowances, rent holidays, lease premiums, and rent escalation clauses. There are typically no purchase options, residual value guarantees or restrictive covenants. When renewal options exist, the Company generally does not deem them to be reasonably certain to be exercised, and therefore the amounts are not recognized as part of the lease liability nor the right of use asset.

The components of lease expense were as follows for the three months ended April 2, 2021 (in thousands):

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The Hackett Group, Inc.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

6. Leases (continued)

The weighted average remaining lease term is 1.5 years. The weighted average discount rate utilized is 4%. The discount rates applied to each lease, reflects the Company’s estimated incremental borrowing rate. This includes an assessment of the Company’s credit rating to determine the rate that the Company would have to pay to borrow, on a collateralized basis for a similar term, an amount equal to our lease payments in a similar economic environment. For the three months ended April 2, 2021, the Company paid $0.6 million from operating cash flows for its operating leases.

Future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases as of April 2, 2021, were as follows (in thousands):

As of April 2, 2021, the Company does not have any additional operating leases that have not yet commenced.   

7. Credit Facility

The Company has a credit agreement with Bank of America, N.A. (“Bank of America”), which provides for borrowing up to $45.0 million pursuant to a revolving line of credit (the “Revolver”) which has a maturity date of November 30, 2022 (as amended the “Credit Agreement”).

The obligations of Hackett under the Revolver are guaranteed by active existing and future material U.S. subsidiaries of Hackett (the “U.S. Subsidiaries”), and are secured by substantially all of the existing and future property and assets of Hackett and the U.S. Subsidiaries, a 100% pledge of the capital stock of the U.S. Subsidiaries, and a 66% pledge of the capital stock of Hackett’s direct foreign subsidiaries (subject to certain exceptions).

As of April 2, 2021 and January 1, 2021, the Company did not have any outstanding balance  under the Revolver.  The interest rates per annum applicable to borrowings under Revolver will be, at the Company’s option, equal to either a base rate or a LIBOR base rate, plus an applicable margin percentage. The applicable margin percentage is based on the consolidated leverage ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement. As of April 2, 2021, the applicable margin percentage was 1.50% per annum based on the consolidated leverage ratio, in the case of LIBOR rate advances, and 0.75% per annum, in the case of base rate advances. The interest rate of the commitment fees as of April 2, 2021, was 0.125%.

The Company is subject to certain covenants, including total consolidated leverage, fixed cost coverage, adjusted fixed cost coverage and liquidity requirements, each as set forth in the Credit Agreement, subject to certain exceptions.  As of April 2, 2021, the Company was in compliance with all covenants.

8. Stock Based Compensation

During the three months ended April 2, 2021, the Company issued 461,978 restricted stock units at a weighted average grant-date fair value of $14.55 per share. As of April 2, 2021, the Company had 1,241,367 restricted stock units outstanding at a weighted average grant-date fair value of $15.73  per share. As of April 2, 2021, $15.4 million of total restricted stock unit compensation expense related to unvested awards had not been recognized and is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 2.4 years.

As of April 2, 2021, the Company had 66,525 shares of common stock subject to vesting requirements outstanding at a weighted average grant-date fair value of $18.50  per share. As of April 2, 2021, $0.2  million of compensation expense related to common stock subject to vesting requirements had not been recognized and is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 1.0 year.

Forfeitures for all of the Company’s outstanding equity awards are recognized as incurred.

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The Hackett Group, Inc.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

9. Shareholders’ Equity

Stock Appreciation Rights (“SARs”)

As of April 2, 2021, the Company had 2.9 million SARs outstanding with an exercise price of $4.00 per share and an expiration date of February 8, 2022.           

Treasury Stock

Under the Company’s share repurchase plan, the Company may repurchase shares of its outstanding common stock either on the open market or through privately negotiated transactions subject to market conditions and trading restrictions. During the three months ended April 2, 2021, the Company repurchased 136 thousand shares of its common stock at an average price of $15.45 per share for a total cost of $2.1 million.  As of April 2, 2021 the Company had a total authorization remaining of $2.2 million under its repurchase plan with a total authorization of $147.2 million. 

Subsequent to April 2, 2021, the Company has repurchased an additional 116 thousand shares of its common stock at an average price of $17.17 per share for a total cost of $2.0 million, leaving a total authorization of $0.2 million. In addition, subsequent to April 2, 2021, the Company’s Board of Directors approved an additional share repurchase authorization of $20.0 million.   

During the quarter ended March 27, 2020, the Company repurchased 73 thousand shares of its common stock at an average price of $13.79 per share for a total cost of $1.0 million.  

The shares repurchased under the share repurchase plan during the quarter ended April 2, 2021, do not include 108 thousand shares which the Company bought back to satisfy employee net vesting obligations for a cost of $1.6 million. During the quarter ended March 27, 2020, the Company bought back 125 thousand shares at a cost of $2.0 million to satisfy employee net vesting obligations.       

Dividend Program

In 2020, the Company increased the annual dividend from $0.36 per share to $0.38 per share to be paid on a quarterly basis and during the first quarter of 2021, the Company further increased the annual dividend to $0.40 per share. During the first quarter of 2021, the Company declared its first quarterly dividend to shareholders, which was paid in April 2021 of $3.3 million. These dividends were paid from U.S. domestic sources and are accounted for as an increase to accumulated deficit. Subsequent to April 2, 2021, the Company declared its second quarterly dividend in 2021 to be paid in July 2021.

10. Transactions with Related Parties

During the three months ended April 2, 2021, the Company bought back 24 thousand shares of its common stock from members of its Board of Directors for $0.4 million, or $16.05 per share.

11. Litigation

The Company is involved in legal proceedings, claims, and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business not specifically discussed herein. In the opinion of management, the final disposition of such matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, cash flows or results of operations.

12. Geographic and Group Information

Revenue before reimbursements, which is primarily based on the country of the contracting entity, was attributed to the following geographical areas (in thousands):

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The Hackett Group, Inc.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

12. Geographic and Group Information (continued)

Long-lived assets are attributable to the following geographic areas (in thousands):

As of April 2, 2021 and January 1, 2021, foreign assets included $15.4 million and $15.3 million, respectively, of goodwill related to acquisitions.

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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q 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. We intend the forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements. All statements regarding our expected financial position and operating results, our business strategy, our financing plans and forecasted demographic and economic trends relating to our industry are forward-looking statements. These statements can sometimes be identified by our use of forward-looking words such as “may,” “will,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” or “intend” and similar expressions. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. We cannot promise you that our expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements will turn out to be correct. Factors that could impact such forward-looking statements include, among others, the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and changes in worldwide and U.S. economic conditions that impact business confidence and the demand for our products and services, our ability to mitigate or manage disruptions posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, our ability to effectively integrate acquisitions into our operations, our ability to retain existing business, our ability to attract additional business, our ability to effectively market and sell our product offerings and other services, the timing of projects and the potential for contract cancellation by our customers, changes in expectations regarding the business consulting and information technology industries, our ability to attract and retain skilled employees, possible changes in collections of accounts receivable due to the bankruptcy or financial difficulties of our customers, risks of competition, price and margin trends, foreign currency fluctuations, the impact of Brexit on our business and changes in general economic conditions, interest rates and our ability to obtain additional debt financing if needed. For a discussion of risks and actions taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, see “Our results of operations have been adversely affected and could in the future be materially adversely impacted by the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19)” under Item 1A, “Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K. An additional description of our risk factors is described in Part I – Item 1A, “Risk Factors”. We undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Many of the risks, uncertainties and other factors identified in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 1, 2021 have been amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic.

OVERVIEW

The Hackett Group, Inc. (“Hackett” or the “Company”) is a leading IP-based strategic advisory and technology consulting firm that enables companies to achieve world-class business performance. By leveraging the comprehensive Hackett database, the world’s leading repository of enterprise business process performance metrics and best practice intellectual capital, our business and technology solutions help clients improve performance and maximize returns on technology investments. Only Hackett empirically defines world-class performance in sales, general and administrative and certain supply chain activities with analysis gained through nearly 20,000 benchmark and performance studies over 27 years at over 7,000 of the world’s leading companies.

In the following discussion, Strategy and Business Transformation Group includes the results of our North America IP as-a-service offerings, which include our Executive Advisory Programs and Benchmarking Services, and our Business Transformation Practices (S&BT). ERP, EPM and Analytics Solutions includes the results of our North America Oracle EEA and SAP Solutions Practices (EEA). International includes results of our S&BT and EEA Practices primarily in Europe.

COVID-19 Pandemic Impact on Our Business

The level of revenue we achieve is based on our ability to deliver market leading services and solutions and to deploy skilled teams of professionals quickly. Our results of operations are affected by economic conditions, including macroeconomic conditions and levels of business confidence. Despite the disruption beginning in March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic did not have a significant impact on our consolidated results of operations during the first quarter of 2020. However, our net revenue and diluted earnings per share were negatively impacted for the remainder of 2020, due to adverse economic conditions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the first quarter of 2021, our net revenue and diluted earnings per share grew when compared to the fourth quarter of 2020, reflecting a continuation of improved economic conditions.  We expect negative impacts to our net revenue and diluted earnings per share to continue in 2021 until economic conditions fully recover. However, any reversal of these trends or a prolonged economic downturn as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic or otherwise, weak or uncertain economic conditions or similar factors could adversely affect our clients’ financial condition which may further reduce our clients’ demand for our services.  

We are actively managing our business to respond to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. We have reduced employee headcount and employee travel to only essential business needs and most of our employees have been working remotely from home. We are generally following the requirements and protocols published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization, and state and local governments. We cannot predict when or how we will begin to lift the actions put in place.

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As a response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we have implemented plans to manage our costs and preserve cash. We have significantly limited the addition of new employees and third party contracted services, eliminated all travel except where necessary to meet customer needs, and limited discretionary spending. At the end of June 2020, we reduced our global workforce by approximately 10% and recorded a $5.0 million restructuring charge. During the fourth quarter of 2020, as a result of and in consideration of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the changing nature of our use of office space for its workforce, we evaluated our existing office leases as part of our transformation initiatives related to real estate. This evaluation resulted in the complete and partial abandonment of certain leased office spaces and an asset impairment charge of $3.9 million for certain lease right-of-use assets and certain property, equipment and leasehold improvements. All client concessions and accounts receivable allowances have been appropriately reflected in our financial statements. To the extent the business disruption continues for an extended period, additional cost management actions will be considered. Future asset impairment charges, increases in allowance for doubtful accounts, or restructuring charges will be dependent on the severity and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In light of the evolving health, social, economic and business environment, governmental regulations or mandates, and business disruptions that could occur, the potential impact that the COVID-19 pandemic could have on our financial condition and operating results remains highly uncertain.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, our results of operations and the percentage relationship to revenue before reimbursements of such results (in thousands and unaudited):

Revenue. We are a global company with operations located in the United States and Western Europe. Our revenue is denominated in multiple currencies, primarily the U.S. Dollar, British Pound and Euro, and as a result is affected by currency exchange rate fluctuations. The impact of currency fluctuations did not have a significant impact on comparisons between the first

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quarter of 2021 and the comparable period of 2020. Revenue is analyzed based on geographical location of engagement team personnel.  

The following table sets forth revenue by group for the periods indicated (in thousands):

Our total Company net revenue from continuing operations, or revenue before reimbursements, decreased 3%, to $63.4 million in the first quarter of 2021, as compared to $65.2 million in the same period of 2020. Our North America revenue before reimbursements was $57.9 million in the first quarter of 2021, as compared to $57.7 million in the first quarter of 2020. Net revenue and reimbursable expenses were both affected from the economic disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic and as we transitioned to a remote service delivery model throughout the U.S. and Europe. In the first quarter of 2021 and 2020, no customer accounted for more than 5% of our total revenue.

S&BT net revenue was $25.7 million during the first quarter of 2021, as compared to $25.6 million in the same period of 2020, due to the improved demand experienced since the end of the second quarter of 2020.   

EEA net revenue was $32.1 million during both the first quarter of 2021 and 2020, primarily driven by the improving demand in our SAP S4 Hana implementation practice, as well as our OneStream and Oracle ERP practices.

Hackett international net revenue from continuing operations decreased 26% in the first quarter of 2021, as compared to the same period in 2020, as Europe continues to be impacted by lengthened client decision-making from economic uncertainty which has been further impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Total Company international net revenue accounted for 9% and 12% of total Company net revenue during both the first quarters of 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Reimbursements as a percentage of total net revenue were 0.1% and 7% during the first quarters of 2021 and 2020, respectively. Reimbursements are project travel-related expenses passed through to a client with no associated margin. The decline in reimbursements is directly attributable to the decreases in travel requirements resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cost of Service. Cost of service primarily consists of salaries, benefits and incentive compensation for consultants and subcontractor fees, acquisition-related cash and stock compensation costs, non-cash stock compensation expense, and reimbursable expenses associated with projects.

Personnel costs decreased 4%, to $39.3 million, for the first quarter of 2021 from $41.1 million in the same period of 2020. The decrease was primarily a result of cost savings initiatives achieved from our restructuring actions in 2020.  Personnel costs before reimbursable expenses, as a percentage of revenue before reimbursements, were 62% for the first quarter of 2021 and 63% for the first quarter of 2020.

Non-cash stock compensation expense was $1.6 million for the first quarter of 2021, as compared to $1.3 million for the same period of 2020. This increase was primarily driven by a new retention-based non-cash incentive compensation program effective in 2020 for our key practice leaders. Historically, annual performance grants are amortized over a three-year vesting period after the performance year.  However, due to competitive market conditions for these key employees, a program change was effected whereby 50% of their annual performance stock opportunity was granted based on the achievement of certain non-financial objectives and the grants vest at the end of the performance year, assuming the objectives were met.

Acquisition related non-cash stock compensation expense in 2021 and 2020 primarily related to equity issued in relation to acquisitions.

Selling, General and Administrative Costs (“SG&A”). SG&A primarily consists of salaries, benefits and incentive compensation for the selling, marketing, administrative and executive employees, non-cash compensation expense, amortization of intangible assets, acquisition related costs and various other overhead expenses.

SG&A costs decreased 11% to $12.4 million for the first quarter of 2021, as compared to $13.9 million for the same period in 2020. This decrease is primarily due to decreased travel-related selling and marketing activities due to the transition to virtual sales and delivery models resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. These SG&A costs as a percentage of revenue before reimbursements were 20% and 21% during the first quarters of 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Amortization expense was $0.3 million in the first quarter of 2021, as compared to $0.2 million in the same period in 2020. The amortization expense relates to the amortization of the intangible asset acquired in our acquisitions and the buyout of our partner’s

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joint venture interest in the CGBS Training and Certification Programs in 2017. The intangible assets related to the acquisitions will continue to amortize until 2022 and the intangible assets related to the joint venture will continue to amortize through September 2021.

Income Taxes. During the first quarter of 2021, we recorded $2.5 million of income tax expense related to certain federal, foreign and state taxes which reflected an effective tax rate of 28%. In the first quarter of 2020, we recorded $2.1 million of income tax expense related to certain federal, foreign and state taxes which reflected an effective tax rate of 28%.  

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of April 2, 2021, and January 1, 2021, we had $51.1 million and $49.5 million, respectively, classified in cash on the consolidated balance sheets.  We currently believe that available funds (including the cash on hand and funds available for borrowing capacity under our credit facility) and cash flows generated by operations will be sufficient to fund our working capital and capital expenditure requirements for at least the next twelve months. We may decide to raise additional funds in order to fund expansion, to develop new or further enhance products and services, to respond to competitive pressures, or to acquire complementary businesses or technologies. There is no assurance that additional financing would be available when needed or desired.

The following table summarizes our cash flow activity (in thousands):

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities was $5.9 million during the first three months of 2021, as compared to $6.5 million during the same period in 2020. In 2021, the net cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to net income adjusted for non-cash items and an increase in income taxes payable, partially offset by an increase in accounts receivable and contract assets and a decrease in accounts payable.  In 2020, the net cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to net income adjusted for non-cash items, partially offset by an increase in accounts receivable and contract assets.

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities was $0.5 million during the both the first three months of 2021 and 2020. During both periods, cash flows used in investing activities was primarily driven by investments related to the development of our Quantum Leap benchmark technologies.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities was $3.7 million and $8.8 million during 2021 and 2020, respectively. The usage of cash in 2021 primarily related to the repurchase of $3.7 million of the Company’s common stock. The usage of cash in 2020 was primarily related to the dividend payment of $5.8 million and the repurchase of $3.0 million of the Company’s common stock.

As of April 2, 2021, we did not have any outstanding borrowings under our revolving line of credit (the “Revolver”), leaving us with a capacity of approximately $45.0 million. See Note 7, “Credit Facility,” to our consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for more information.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

For a discussion of recently issued accounting standards, see Note 1, “Basis of Presentation and General Information,” to our consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and Note 1, “Basis of Presentation and General Information,” to our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 1, 2021.

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As of April 2, 2021, our exposure to market risk related primarily to changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rate risks.

Interest Rate Risk

Our exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relates primarily to the Revolver, which is subject to variable interest rates. The interest rates per annum applicable to loans under the Revolver will be, at our option, equal to either a base rate or a LIBOR rate for one-, two-, three- or nine-month interest periods chosen by us in each case, plus an applicable margin percentage. A 100-basis point increase in our interest rate under our Revolver would not have had a material impact on our results of operations for the quarter ended April 2, 2021.

Exchange Rate Sensitivity

We face exposure to adverse movements in foreign currency exchange rates as a portion of our revenue, expenses, assets and liabilities are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. Dollar, primarily the British Pound, the Euro and the Australian Dollar. These exposures may change over time as business practices evolve.

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined under Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Controls

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.  

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PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

The Company is involved in legal proceedings, claims, and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business not specifically discussed herein. In the opinion of management, the final disposition of such matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, cash flows or results of operations.

For a discussion of our potential risks and uncertainties, see the risk factor below and the information under the heading “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 1, 2021 (the “Annual Report”).

There have been no material changes to any of the risk factors disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 1, 2021.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

During the quarter ended April 2, 2021, the Company repurchased 136 thousand shares of its common stock under the repurchase plan approved by the Company's Board of Directors. As of April 2, 2021, the Company had $2.2 million of authorization remaining under the repurchase plan.

Shares repurchased during the quarter ended April 2, 2021 under the repurchase plan approved by the Company's Board of Directors do not include 108 thousand shares for a cost of $1.6 million that the Company bought back to satisfy employee net vesting obligations.

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SIGNATURES

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

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