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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-K

 

(Mark One)

 x

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2008

 

 

 

OR

 

 o

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

For the transition period from             to            

 

Commission File Number: 001-16159

 

WATSON WYATT WORLDWIDE, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

52-2211537

(State or other jurisdiction of

 

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

incorporation or organization)

 

 

 

901 N. Glebe Road
Arlington, VA  22203

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

 

(703) 258-8000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

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

 

 

 

Name of each exchange

Title of each class

 

on which registered

Class A Common Stock, $0.01 par value

 

New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer x

Accelerated filer o

Non-accelerated filer o

Smaller reporting company o

 

 

(Do not check if a smaller
reporting company)

 

 

Indicate by check mark 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 the registrant’s voting and non-voting common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $1,960,695,847 based on the closing price as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, December 31, 2007.

 

Documents Incorporated by Reference

 

Portions of the Definitive Proxy Statement for the 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on or about November 16, 2008 are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K.

 

As of July 31, 2008 there were outstanding 43,255,561 shares of common stock par value $0.01 per share.

 

 

 



Table of Contents

 

WATSON WYATT WORLDWIDE, INC.
INDEX TO FORM 10-K

 

For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2008

 

PART I.

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Business

1

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

15

Item 1B.

Unresolved SEC Comments

20

Item 2.

Properties

20

Item 3.

Legal Proceedings

20

Item 4.

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

20

 

 

 

PART II.

 

 

 

 

 

Item 5.

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

21

Item 6.

Selected Consolidated Financial Data

23

Item 7.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

26

Item 7A.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

46

Item 8.

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

47

Item 9.

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

47

Item 9A.

Controls and Procedures

47

 

 

 

PART III.

 

 

 

 

 

Item 10.

Directors, Executive Officers, and Audit Committee of the Registrant

51

Item 11.

Executive Compensation

51

Item 12.

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

51

Item 13.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

51

Item 14.

Principal Auditor Fees and Services

51

 



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PART IV.

 

 

 

 

 

Item 15.

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

52

 

Signatures

53

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

55

 

Consolidated Financial Statements

57

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations—Fiscal year ended June 30, 2008, 2007, and 2006

57

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets—June 30, 2008 and June 30, 2007

58

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows—Fiscal year ended June 30, 2008, 2007, and 2006

59

 

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity—Fiscal year ended June 30, 2008, 2007, and 2006

60

 

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

62

 

 

 

Certifications

 

 

 



Table of Contents

 

PART I

 

Item 1.  Business.

 

The Company

 

Watson Wyatt Worldwide, Inc. (referred herein as “Watson Wyatt”, “company”, “us”, “we”, or “Watson Wyatt & Company Holdings”) is a global consulting firm focusing on providing human capital and financial management consulting services.  Including predecessors, we have been in business since 1878. The Wyatt Company was incorporated in Delaware on February 17, 1958.  We conducted business as The Wyatt Company from 1958 until changing our name to Watson Wyatt & Company in connection with the establishment of the Watson Wyatt Worldwide alliance in 1995 with R. Watson & Sons (referred herein as “Watson Wyatt LLP” or “WWLLP”), a leading United Kingdom-based actuarial, benefits and human resources consulting partnership founded in 1878. In 2000, we incorporated Watson Wyatt & Company Holdings to serve as a holding company with our operations conducted by our subsidiaries. To better serve the increasingly global needs of clients, on July 31, 2005 we acquired substantially all of the assets and assumed most liabilities of WWLLP (the “WWLLP business combination”).  The company’s name was changed to Watson Wyatt Worldwide, Inc. on January 1, 2006, to reflect the company’s global capabilities and identity in the marketplace.

 

We help our clients enhance business performance by improving their ability to attract, retain, and motivate qualified employees. We focus on delivering consulting services that help our clients anticipate, identify, and capitalize on emerging opportunities in human capital management.  We also provide independent financial advice regarding all aspects of life assurance and general insurance, as well as investment advice to assist our clients in developing disciplined and efficient investment strategies to meet their investment goals.  Our target market clients include those companies in the FORTUNE 1000, Pension & Investments (P&I) 1000, FTSE 100, and equivalent organizations in markets around the world.  As of June 30, 2008, we provided these services through approximately 7,000 associates in 107 offices located in 32 countries.

 

Business Acquisitions

 

Dr. Dr. Heissmann GmbH

 

On July 20, 2007, the company acquired the outstanding stock of Dr. Dr. Heissmann GmbH (“Heissmann”) for €99 million in cash.  Heissmann was a leading actuarial, benefits, and human resources consulting firm based in Germany with subsidiaries in Ireland, Netherlands, Austria, and France.  As of the date of the acquisition, Heissmann employed approximately 360 associates.  Annual revenue, including subsidiaries, was approximately $70 million (€52 million) for their fiscal year ended March 31, 2007. For more information regarding this business acquisition, see Note 2 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 15 of this report.

 

WisdomNet

 

On July 2, 2007, the company acquired the net assets of WisdomNet for $6.9 million in cash and stock.  WisdomNet is a Denver-based talent management solution and consulting firm that was founded in 2001.  WisdomNet offers a proprietary line of business software products, including an end-to-end solution for managing organizations’ talent management processes.  As of the date of the acquisition, WisdomNet employed 15 associates. For more information regarding this business acquisition, see Note 2 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 15 of this report.

 

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Marcu & Asociados S.A.

 

On June 16, 2008, the company acquired the outstanding stock of Marcu & Asociados S.A. (Marcu) for $2.8 million in cash.  Marcu is a leading human resource, risk and financial management consulting firm based in Buenos Aires, Argentina.  As of the date of acquisition, Marcu employed 37 associates and had annual revenues of approximately $2.5 million.

 

Watson Wyatt Netherlands

 

On February 1, 2007, the company acquired the net assets of Watson Wyatt Brans & Co. (“Watson Wyatt Netherlands” or “WWN”), its long-time alliance partner in the Netherlands.  As of the date of the acquisition, WWN employed approximately 180 associates in five offices throughout the Netherlands.  Revenues generated in calendar year 2006 were approximately $37 million (€28 million).  WWN was established in 1945 as an actuarial firm and has extended its services from retirement consulting to incorporate legal aspects of employee benefits and investment consulting to a wide range of clients.  The company and WWN had jointly offered services since 1999 pursuant to alliance agreements and as a result, have business segments that are very similar in nature.  For more information regarding this business acquisition, see Note 2 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 15 of this report.

 

Watson Wyatt LLP

 

On July 31, 2005, the company consummated the WWLLP business combination.  The company and WWLLP had jointly offered services since 1995 pursuant to alliance agreements and as a result, have business segments that are very similar in nature.  The assets acquired from WWLLP are held by the company’s principal U.K. subsidiary, Watson Wyatt Limited (“Watson Wyatt Limited” or the “European business”).  Watson Wyatt Limited’s results of operations are included in the consolidated financial statements beginning August 1, 2005.  Subsequent to the WWLLP business combination, the successor entity to WWLLP, Ringley House LLP (“Ringley House”) maintains minimal business operations and assets.  For more information regarding the WWLLP business combination, see Note 2 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 15 of this report.

 

Access to Public Filings, Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and Board Committee Charters

 

Our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports are available, without charge, on our web site (www.watsonwyatt.com) or the SEC web site (www.sec.gov), as soon as reasonably practicable after they are filed electronically with the SEC.  We have also adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics applicable to all associates, senior financial employees, the principal executive officer, other officers and members of senior management.  The company also has a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to all of the company’s directors.  Both codes are posted on our website.  Watson Wyatt’s Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Governance Committee all operate pursuant to written charters adopted by the company’s board of directors.  The company has also adopted a set of Corporate Governance Guidelines, copies of which are available on the company’s website.  Copies of all these documents are also available, without charge, from our Investor Relations Department, located in our corporate headquarters at 901 N. Glebe Road, Arlington, VA 22203.

 

Certifications

 

In November 2007, the company submitted to the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) the required annual certification that our chief executive officer is unaware of any violation by Watson Wyatt of the NYSE corporate governance standards under section 303A.12(a) of the NYSE listed company manual.  The company also filed with the SEC the CEO and CFO certifications required under section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 as an exhibit to this Form 10-K.

 

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Recent Development

 

As reported on Form 8-K filed July 21, 2008, Watson Wyatt named Roger Millay as the company’s chief financial officer effective August 18, 2008.  The retirement of current chief financial officer Carl Mautz was previously announced in February 2008.

 

Business Overview

 

As leading economies worldwide become more services-oriented, human capital and financial management have become increasingly important to companies and other organizations. The heightened competition for skilled employees, unprecedented changes in workforce demographics, regulatory changes related to compensation and retiree benefits and rising employee-related costs have increased the importance of effective human capital management. Insurance and investment decisions become increasingly complex and important in the face of changing economies and dynamic financial markets.  We help our clients address these issues by combining our expertise in human capital and financial management with consulting and technology, to improve the design and implementation of various human resources and financial programs, including retirement, health care, compensation, insurance and investment plans.

 

We design, develop and implement human resource and risk management strategies and programs through the following closely interrelated practice areas:

 

Benefits Group

 

·                  Design and management of benefit programs

·                  Actuarial services including development of funding and risk management strategies

·                  Expatriate and international human resource strategies

·                  Mergers and acquisitions

·                  Strategic workforce planning

·                  Compliance and governance

 

Technology and Administration Solutions Group

 

·                  Web-based applications for health and welfare, pension and compensation administration

·                  Administration outsourcing solutions for health and welfare, pension and flexible benefits

·                  Call center strategy, design and tools

·                  Strategic human resources technology and service delivery consulting

·                  Targeted online compensation and benefits statements, content management and call center case management solutions

·                  Integrated talent management suite

 

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Human Capital Group

 

·                  Advice concerning compensation plans, including broad-based and executive compensation, stock and other long-term incentive programs

·                  Strategies to align workforce performance with business objectives

·                  Organization effectiveness consulting, including talent management

·                  Strategies for attracting, retaining and motivating employees

·                  Data services

 

Investment Consulting Group

 

·                  Investment consulting services to pension plans and other institutional funds

·                  Input on governance and regulatory issues

·                  Analysis of asset allocation and investment strategies

·                  Investment structure analysis, selection and evaluation of managers and performance monitoring

·                  Implementation/fiduciary services for defined benefit and defined contribution investment programs via our Advanced Investment Solutions (AIS) services

 

Insurance & Financial Services Group

 

·                  Independent actuarial and strategic advice

·                  Assessment and advice regarding financial condition and risk management

·                  Financial modeling software tools for product design and pricing, planning and projections, reporting, valuations and risk management

 

While we focus our consulting services in the areas described above, management believes that one of our primary strengths is our ability to draw upon consultants from our different practices to deliver integrated services to meet the needs of our clients.  This capability includes communication and change management implementation support services.

 

Competitive Advantage

 

We believe that our competitive advantages include our global reach, our strong client relationships, the depth of our professional and technical associates, our thought leadership and our experienced management team.

 

We have long-lasting relationships with our clients, many of which have been clients for decades and for whom our services have grown over time.  Expanding our relationships with existing clients and identifying new prospects are key to our growth strategy.

 

We also believe that we are at the forefront of many issues affecting human capital through our research, surveys and participation in policy-making.  Our thought leaders are often called upon by the media and government to express opinions on issues affecting health care benefits, retirement plan design and executive compensation.

 

We believe our senior management team has strong experience, with an average tenure of 17 years with the company and a reputation for transparency and accountability.  We consider this group to be a major asset to the company.

 

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Human Resources Consulting Industry

 

The growing demand for employee benefits and human capital consulting services is directly related to the increasing size and complexity of today’s human resources programs and the societal forces that are stimulating their rapid change.  In the United States alone, employers spent $7.4 trillion in 2006 in direct support of human capital programs, such as compensation and benefits.  In 2006, U.S. employers contributed $363.3 billion to pension and profit-sharing plans, and $537.0 billion to group health insurance programs, while the assets of employer-sponsored defined benefit and defined contribution plans here in the United States were $6.4 trillion at the end of 2006 and private holdings in individual retirement accounts were another $4.2 trillion, most of which originated in an employer-sponsored retirement plan.

 

Employers, regardless of geography or industry, are facing challenges involving the management of their people. Changing technology, shifting economic conditions, critical skill shortages and an aging population in many developed countries have increased competition for talented employees.  At the same time, employees’ expectations relating to compensation, benefits and other human resource services are growing.  To remain competitive, employers must address these challenges effectively.

 

Consulting Services

 

Our global operations include five segments: Benefits, Technology and Administration Solutions, Human Capital, Investment Consulting, and Insurance & Financial Services.  The percentages of revenues generated in the various groups are as follows:

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2006

 

Benefits Group

 

60

%

59

%

61

%

Human Capital Group

 

12

 

12

 

12

 

Technology and Administration Solutions Group

 

11

 

12

 

12

 

Investment Consulting Group

 

10

 

9

 

7

 

Insurance & Financial Services Group

 

7

 

8

 

8

 

Total Segment Revenues

 

100

%

100

%

100

%

 

For more information about our operating segments, see Note 12 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 15 of this report.

 

Benefits Group

 

The Benefits Group – our largest and most established practice with 3,240 associates – consists primarily of consulting practices in retirement, group and health care, and international.  Its steady increase in revenues is a result of our business combinations and strong organic growth.  This group assists clients in creating and managing cost-effective benefits programs that help our clients attract, retain and motivate a talented workforce. Our Benefits Group accounted for approximately 60 percent of our total segment revenues for the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2008.

 

Retirement Consulting

 

We are one of the world’s leading advisers on retirement plans, providing actuarial and consulting services for large defined benefit and defined contribution plans including design, funding and risk management strategies.  We also help our clients assess the effect that changing workforce demographics have on their retirement plans, cash flow requirements, and retiree benefit adequacy and security.

 

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Our consultants are the named actuaries and provide actuarial services to many of the world’s largest retirement plan sponsors.  We provide actuarial services to three of the four largest corporate pension plans in the United States and are adviser to 46 of the 100 largest corporate pension funds in the United Kingdom.  As a result of our integration with Watson Wyatt Netherlands and the Heissmann acquisition, we now have market-leading positions in Germany and the Netherlands.

 

We offer clients a full range of integrated and innovative retirement consulting services to meet the needs of all types of employers – including those that continue to offer defined benefit plans and those that are reexamining their retirement benefits strategies.  For those clients who want to outsource some or all of their pension plan management, we offer integrated solutions that combine investment consulting, pension administration, core actuarial services and communication assistance.

 

Our retirement consulting services include:

 

·                  Actuarial services

·                  Analysis and recommendations on funding strategy

·                  Development and implementation of risk mitigation and management strategies

·                  Strategic plan design

·                  Administrative services

·                  Workforce diagnostics, analysis and planning

·                  Defined contribution services including nondiscrimination testing and vendor selection

·                  Financial reporting

·                  Stock option and share plan financial accounting

·                  Executive retirement benefits and assistance with enhanced U.S. proxy disclosures

·                  Retiree health care design and valuation

·                  Assistance with changes relating to mergers, acquisitions and divestitures

·                  Development of compliance and governance strategies

 

Our retirement consulting services are supported by a strong focus on research and advocacy for sound public policy.  We are leaders in the development and support of hybrid pension designs like cash balance plans in the United States which are widely seen as the future of the defined benefit system.

 

Much of our recent consulting with clients relates to various regulatory changes (global accounting reform, U.S. and European pension funding legislation and new rules on deferred compensation design) and a broad-based desire on the part of many employers to revisit their retirement design approach.  We use unique data and analyses to provide perspective on the overall environment and to help our clients with their design decisions.  For example, our recent survey of 300 large U.S. companies provides a unique view into the design decisions (both defined benefit and defined contribution) companies have made in the past decade and what they are likely to do in the future.  We have also tracked the retirement designs of the largest U.S. public companies over many years, providing clients with data to better understand the true magnitude of the movement from defined benefit to defined contribution designs.

 

To further enhance our retirement consulting services, we dedicate significant resources to technology systems and tools to ensure the consistency and efficiency of service delivery in all our offices worldwide. We also maintain extensive proprietary databases, such as Watson Wyatt COMPARISONTM, that enable our clients to track and benchmark benefit plan provisions.  Our tools and technology solutions include:

 

·                  PensionPath® – Consultants in our retirement practice and our Technology and Administration Solutions Group partner to deliver this full-featured, Web-based solution designed to meet the pension administration needs of plan sponsors

 

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·                  OnePlace – A Web portal that helps our clients with the day-to-day management and governance of their plans and links easily with our global tools, research and data

 

·                  FASTool – An interactive tool that allows the immediate comparison of income statement and balance sheet information and assumptions related to pension, stock option, and retiree medical plans for large, publicly traded U.S. companies

 

·                  Quick Peek® Online – A Web-enabled tool that allows pension plan sponsors to quickly and easily model a variety of financial and business situations, and project retirement plan contributions, funded status and expense

 

·                  DesignIT –  A modeling tool for our European clients that provides comparisons between a selection of alternative pension designs

 

·                  Liability Watch – Enables our European clients to keep daily track of their funding position

 

Group and Health Care Consulting

 

We advise clients on the strategy, design, financing, delivery, communication, and ongoing planning and management of all health and welfare programs. Clients seek our evidence-based, practical solutions to improve employee health, satisfaction and productivity while minimizing costs. We work closely with our clients — matching their resources and capabilities with our methodologies, technology, and total compensation and benefits perspective.

 

Globally, many health care systems are strained by shrinking resources and increasing demand due to population aging and changes in workers’ health status.  Our group and health care consulting services help clients provide health and welfare benefits to attract and retain qualified workers and enhance the health and productivity of their workforce.

 

In the United States, more employees are adopting consumer-oriented health care approaches that encourage employees and retirees to participate more actively in health care buying decisions. These models put workers in charge of spending their own health care dollars and provide them with appropriate incentives,  tools and information to make wiser health purchasing decisions.  One of these tools is BenefitConnectTM – a customizable, Web-based application that combines self-service employee tools with administrative and call center components to facilitate the administration and management of health and welfare benefits.

 

Our approach to group and health care consulting emphasizes health and productivity, pharmacy, provider quality, effective communication, and data and metrics.  Our global services include:

 

·            Strategic plan design of health and welfare, paid time off and flexible benefit plans

·            Retiree health programs

·            Health and productivity management, including onsite clinics

·            Health and welfare technology solutions

·            Total program management

·            Vendor negotiations, audits and performance management

·            Measurement of program effectiveness

·            Assistance with plan changes relating to mergers, acquisitions and divestitures

 

International Consulting

 

To help multinational companies face the challenges of operating in the global marketplace, Watson Wyatt provides expertise in dealing with international human resources and related finance issues for corporate headquarters and their overseas subsidiaries.

 

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Through our global specialists and in cooperation with our local offices worldwide, we help multinational companies on a range of issues, including:

 

·                  Resolution of people issues in mergers and acquisitions

·                  Compliance and competitiveness of human capital practices at all stages of the off-shoring lifecycle or expansion process

·                  Management of financial exposures and investment risks in benefit plans and determination of pension funding

·                  Development and support of multinational governance procedures for managing employee benefit and worldwide reward programs

·                  Development of an international transfer policy that meets the organization’s current and projected mobility needs

 

We offer several tools and research resources to help deliver these services, including:

 

·                  BenTrack – a powerful Web-based tool that helps multinational organizations manage their benefit and compensation programs across multiple territories – at any time, from any location.

 

·                  FAStrack – To facilitate global coordination for the various global accounting standards requirements, including IFRS, FAS87, FAS106 and FAS132R, Watson Wyatt has developed FAStrack Global™, a Web-based program designed for local plan actuaries to enter IFRS/FAS results by business unit, plan and/or country.

 

·                  Global Survey of Accounting Assumptions for Defined Benefit Plans – an annual survey of the accounting assumptions applied by major corporations for their defined benefit plans around the world.

 

Technology and Administration Solutions Group

 

Watson Wyatt’s Technology and Administration Solutions Group helps organizations optimize the delivery of their human resources and benefit services. We do this through a unique blend of domain expertise and experience in human resources and benefits, strong process capability and a range of enabling technology applications. We understand the importance of being able to both provide advice on the appropriate solutions to meet human resource needs and to implement and deliver those solutions on an ongoing basis, whether through outsourced services, in-house capabilities or a combination of the two.

 

Our Technology and Administration Solutions Group of 840 associates provides consulting, administration, outsourcing and technology services across human resources, but focusing in particular on:

 

Retirement Administration

 

We provide retirement administration solutions in a number of geographic areas, tailored to the needs of each local market:

 

·                  In the United States, our technology solution PensionPath® includes case management and administration tools to assist plan sponsors in managing the entire life cycle of pension administration, from new hire to retirement, and employee self-service tools that enhance workers’ understanding of their retirement benefits’ future value.  PensionPath is available whether or not Watson Wyatt provides outsourcing services.

 

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·                  In the United Kingdom, we are among the leaders in retirement administration outsourcing services to the private sector, using highly automated processes and modern transactional Web technology to enable members to access their records and improve their understanding of their benefits. Our technology also provides trustees and human resources with timely management information and the means to monitor activity levels and reduce administration costs.

 

·                  In markets where defined contribution (DC) arrangements are more complex than 401(k)-style plans, we have deployed sophisticated DC technology, processes and controls. Our DC administration model in Germany and the United Kingdom leverages Web technology and provides clients with “back office” reconciliation and investment manager interaction expertise, while offering the option to “flex” the front-office operations to be as comprehensive as required.  Participants can access static and transactional data allowing them to be self-sufficient in managing their portfolios.

 

Health &Welfare/Flexible Benefits Administration

 

·                  Flexible benefit plans exist in different forms in different geographies, and we provide Web-enabled flexible benefits administration solutions to support clients in a number of different parts of the world.

 

·                  In the United States, flexible benefits tend to be focused primarily around health and welfare arrangements. BenefitConnect™ is our flexible Web-based health and welfare technology that we use to provide comprehensive outsourced support to clients. New health care consumerism support tools give participants direct Web-based access to their benefits information and enrollment tools and provide modeling on a choice of medical spending and savings accounts, as well as life insurance. They also help participants become smart consumers through access to information on the World Wide Web via the Internet.

 

·                  In the United Kingdom, we provide flexible benefits administration services on a stand-alone basis or linked with defined contribution administration and the provision of total compensation statements.

 

Compensation Administration

 

·                  REWARD™ is our suite of Web-based applications that automate compensation administration and pay delivery. REWARD improves compensation planning, budgeting and data management, allowing compensation professionals to focus on strategic activities by freeing them from administrative work.  We recently integrated our global grading system methodology into REWARD, enabling companies to band and grade jobs and then model pay ranges around local market conditions.

 

Integrated Talent Management Suite

 

·                  Our integrated talent management suite combines easy-to-use process automation with powerful decision support for performance management, strategic workforce planning, rewards, succession planning, recruiting, learning and career development. The system accommodates a wide range of client processes, terminology and workflow without programming.

 

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Online Communication

 

·                  eStatements is our integrated, Web-based solution that helps employees understand the true value of their compensation and benefits package.  It aggregates data from a number of internal and/or external sources, and provides a current view of an employee’s complete package.  It shows the value of an organization’s human resource programs, fosters smarter plan participation and benefit consumerism, and offers organizations another vehicle to promote plan features, provide support and deliver other focused information.

 

Call Center Support

 

·                  AnswerKey™ is our shared service center solution. Our technology supports the business of service center operations by effectively integrating data and critical tools. Using Web-based technology, it consolidates data from multiple sources, offering employees and human resource service center staff a single point of contact, faster response times and more accurate information.  We recently added the Employee Inquiry module, which enables employees to open cases, check case status, access knowledge base information and request fulfillment items.

 

Portals

 

·                  By implementing our hosted portals, we can help to ensure a seamless experience for employees needing to use multiple human resource and benefits applications or multiple information sources. Our hosted portals can be central reference points and knowledge bases for pension and human resource managers, administrators and members.

 

All of the above are point solutions:  applications or services that meet particular demands once clients have identified and prioritized their needs. Very often our involvement starts at a much earlier level. We provide clients with strategic, research-based human resource technology and service delivery advisory services to help them develop their strategy for delivering human resource services. We work with them to align their human resources delivery strategy with their business goals. We use human resource and benefits technologies, those mentioned above and others, to help our clients improve satisfaction levels and have a sustainable return on investment. Our services in this area include human resource transformation consulting, vendor management and service delivery model development, including shared services strategy and design.

 

Our Technology and Administration Solutions Group represented approximately 11 percent of our total segment revenues for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2008.

 

Human Capital Group

 

Our Human Capital Group of 850 associates helps clients implement strategies that achieve a competitive advantage by aligning their workforce with their business strategy. This includes helping clients develop and implement strategies for attracting, retaining and motivating their employees, resulting in a maximized return on clients’ investment in human capital.  The Human Capital Group also utilizes our Watson Wyatt Data Services practice, which is a group of 300 associates that provide data, services and analysis regarding compensation and benefits around the world.  Our Human Capital Group represented approximately 12 percent of our total segment revenues for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2008.

 

Our Human Capital Group focuses in six principal areas: executive compensation, Strategic Rewards®, sales management and rewards, organization effectiveness, talent management and data services.

 

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Executive Compensation

 

We advise our clients’ management and boards of directors on executive pay programs, including cash compensation, stock options and stock purchase plans.  We also work with them to align their pay-for-performance plans throughout the organization to improve shareholder value. We help clients understand and value all the components of their executives’ compensation, including base pay, bonus, incentives, options, and retirement and other executive perks.  Our expertise in stock-based plan design and in valuation methodologies and procedures allows us to help U.S. clients, for instance, comply with complex accounting standards such as FAS 123(R) and SEC rules regarding executive compensation disclosure.

 

Strategic Rewards®

 

We help align an organization’s global rewards – including base compensation, incentives, stock programs, recognition programs and flexible work arrangements – with its business strategies, cultural values, work design and human resources strategy.  Our Human Capital Group and Benefits Group work together to develop integrated reward and talent management programs for our clients.

 

Sales Effectiveness and Compensation

 

We help maximize the performance of our clients’ sales and services teams across the globe by aligning their sales force’s behavior with their organization’s business strategy and compensation philosophy. By considering the full spectrum of rewards, we help motivate our clients’ sales forces to maintain and expand critical relationships while executing the organization’s go-to-market strategy.

 

Organization Effectiveness

 

We help clients clarify and implement business strategy, recognizing the impact of employee attitudes, commitment, and effective team and leadership development on business success. We provide a wide array of services centered on organization assessment, including organization measurement and surveys. We also provide consulting regarding organization design and the organization and development of the human resource function.

 

We developed the Watson Wyatt Human Capital Indexâ, a proprietary tool for demonstrating the relationship between the effectiveness of an organization’s human capital practices and the creation of superior returns to shareholders.

 

Our Global WorkAttitudes database includes the opinions of thousands of employees worldwide, surveyed independently, reflecting a large cross-section of jobs and industry types. Our clients compare their own employee survey results against these norms to identify workplace perceptions and satisfaction and commitment levels.

 

Talent Management

 

We help organizations bring the same clarity, discipline and objectivity to managing talent as they do to other critical business operations.  Our proven tools and methodologies help companies maximize their return on people through outstanding performance management, strategic workforce planning, rewards, succession planning, recruiting, learning and career development.

 

Watson Wyatt Data Services

 

Watson Wyatt Data Services (WWDS) provides a wide range of employment practices information to the global employer community. WWDS’s client base includes local and multi-national companies in more than 80 countries.

 

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To serve the global marketplace, WWDS has begun a consolidation of eight strategically located data centers around the globe into one business unit to facilitate the solicitation, analysis and compilation of data on the remuneration and benefits paid to millions of employees. Our centers around the world publish this data in dozens of annual compensation and benefit survey reports on everything from local pay issues to the most complex of global pay equity concerns. WWDS also publishes reference materials that help human resources practitioners attract, retain and reward exceptional employees. These guides cover a variety of subject areas, including variable pay, performance management and personnel policies on a local, regional and global basis.

 

Investment Consulting Group

 

Our Investment Consulting Group, with approximately 450 associates, helps pension trusts and other institutional clients successfully meet their investment goals. This involves helping optimize risk-adjusted returns through development of appropriate governance, policies and strategies. Our work involves helping our clients with the design and implementation of investment arrangements to manage and decrease financial liabilities within a context of overall organizational objectives. Our Investment Consulting Group represented approximately 10 percent of our total segment revenues for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2008.

 

Our services include:

 

·                  Asset/liability modeling, risk budgeting and asset allocation studies

·                  Governance consulting and investment policy development

·                  Investment policy implementation

·                  Analysis of structured products

·                  Investment manager selection and monitoring

·                  Performance evaluation and monitoring

 

We offer the following integrated services for our clients:

 

·                  Watson Wyatt Pension Risk Management™ – an integrated methodology for determining the appropriate amount of investment risk for a pension plan and allocating that risk across investment decisions

 

·                  Watson Wyatt Advanced Investment Solutions® – taking a more proactive responsibility for the investment arrangements of institutional funds, a service referred to in some markets as fiduciary outsourcing.  We work with the plan sponsor to develop investment policy and help to manage the implementation of that policy

 

Insurance & Financial Services Group

 

Our Insurance & Financial Services consulting team of approximately 420 associates advises insurance companies and other financial institutions on strategic and financial issues. Clients include major multinational financial groups; life, non-life and health insurance companies; re-insurers; self insurers; captives; banks and regulators. Our Insurance & Financial Services Group represented approximately 7 percent of our total segment revenues for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2008.

 

Our services include:

 

·                  Development and review of business strategy, including market-entry studies and business plan design

·                  Provision of strategic and actuarial advice to buyers or sellers of financial institutions

·                  Advice on a wide range of financial management issues, including risk and value management, asset liability modeling, statutory reporting, embedded value and market-consistent valuations

 

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We have also developed a range of leading-edge actuarial modeling software products, including VIPitech, Pretium and Simulum. These are used internally for consulting projects and licensed to clients around the world.

 

Other Services

 

Communication Consulting

 

Our communication consulting practice helps clients produce financial results through strategies that align employee behavior with business success.  Our award-winning work and our six years of ground-breaking Communication ROI research prove that effective communication:

 

·                  Increases total returns to shareholders

·                  Improves service, quality and productivity levels

·                  Helps fuel growth

·                  Enhances organizational ability to manage change successfully

·                  Builds employee community, trust and commitment

·                  Educates, engages and motivates employees

 

Working with clients who have responsibility for employee communication in human resources, corporate or line functions, our consultants combine strong creative skills with technical excellence to create programs that range from high-level strategic planning to tactical implementation.

 

We help clients develop and implement communication strategies for diverse issues, including:

 

·                  Clarifying the value and scope of employee compensation and benefits, and enhancing employees’ appreciation of their total rewards opportunities

·                  Drawing a clear line of sight between employee performance and company objectives through open communication and leadership communication training

·                  Optimizing the use of technology in communication through audits and best-practice design

·                  Facilitating organizational change so that all stakeholders fully understand their role in business success

·                  Maintaining employee trust, confidence and commitment through all cycles of performance

·                  Demonstrating the return on investment of employee communication in achieving business objectives

·                  Supporting management in efforts to target, attract and hire the right talent to meet business objectives through innovative communication programs

 

Integrated Service Approach

 

While we focus our consulting services in the principal areas described above, we draw upon consultants from across practices and geographies to deliver integrated services to meet the needs of our clients. An example is our Total Rewards approach, which encompasses compensation, benefits, career growth and company culture. We help clients around the world determine the correct mix of reward programs to attract and retain the right employees and to motivate them to produce desired results.  We also assemble cross-practice teams to help clients through mergers and acquisitions.

 

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Sales and Marketing

 

Our growth strategy is based on a commitment to ensuring client satisfaction through our account management program.  Our account managers focus on effectively delivering services to clients and on expanding our relationships across service lines, geographic boundaries and divisions within client organizations.  A key element of this program is an approach we call ClientFirstTM. Using proprietary processes and tools, we work with clients to define their needs and expectations before an engagement begins, and then continually measure our performance according to agreed-upon standards.

 

We pursue new clients using cross-disciplinary teams of consultants, as well as dedicated client developers who initiate relationships with carefully selected companies. Our efforts to expand our accounts and our client base are supported by market research, comprehensive sales training programs and extensive marketing databases. Our sales efforts are also supported by a full array of marketing programs designed to raise awareness of the Watson Wyatt Worldwide brand and our reputation within our target markets. These programs promote our thought leadership on key human resource issues, and establish us as a preferred human capital and financial services consulting firm to many of the world’s largest companies.

 

Clients

 

We work with major corporations, emerging growth companies, government agencies and not-for-profit institutions in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East across a wide variety of industries.  Our client base is broad and geographically diverse.  For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2008, our 10 largest clients accounted for approximately 5 percent of our consolidated revenues, while no individual client represented more than 1 percent of our consolidated revenues.

 

Competition

 

The human capital consulting industry is highly competitive.  We believe there are several barriers to entry – such as the need to assemble specialized intellectual capital to provide expertise on a global scale – and that we have developed competitive advantages in providing human resources consulting services. However, we face intense competition from several different sources.

 

Our current and anticipated competitors include:

 

·             Major human resources-focused consulting firms that compete in serving the large employer market worldwide, including Hewitt Associates, Mercer and Towers Perrin

 

·             Smaller benefits and compensation consulting firms, including the Hay Group and The Segal Company

 

·             The human resources consulting and/or plan administration divisions of diversified professional services, financial services and insurance firms, including Aon, Deloitte & Touche, Ernst & Young, Fidelity, Citistreet, PricewaterhouseCoopers and The Vanguard Group

 

·             Information technology services firms, including Accenture, ACS, ADP, BearingPoint, ExcellerateHRO and IBM, as well as Internet/intranet development firms

 

·             Boutique consulting firms consisting primarily of professionals formerly associated with the firms mentioned above

 

The market for our services is subject to change as a result of increased regulatory, legislative, competitive and technological developments and competition from established and new competitors.  We believe the primary factors in selecting a human resources consulting firm include reputation, the ability to provide measurable increases to shareholder value, global scale, service quality and the ability to tailor services to a clients’ unique needs.  We believe we compete favorably with respect to these factors.

 

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Employees

 

The company employed approximately 7,230 and 6,600 associates as of June 30, 2008 and 2007 respectively, in the following practice areas:

 

 

 

As of June 30,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

Benefits Group

 

3,240

 

2,900

 

Technology and Administration Solutions Group

 

840

 

735

 

Human Capital Group

 

850

 

885

 

Investment Consulting Group

 

450

 

325

 

Insurance & Financial Services Group

 

420

 

390

 

All Other Segments

 

810

 

785

 

Corporate

 

620

 

580

 

Total

 

7,230

 

6,600

 

 

The increase in headcount is primarily due to the acquisition of Heissmann at the beginning of fiscal year 2008 which accounts for 360 associates, all of which were in the Benefits group.  None of our associates are subject to collective bargaining agreements.  We believe relations between management and associates are good.

 

Item 1A – Risk Factors

 

In addition to the factors discussed elsewhere in this report, the following are some of the important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements. These risk factors should be carefully considered in evaluating our business.  The descriptions below are not the only risks and uncertainties that we face.  Additional risks and uncertainties that are presently unknown to us, may also impair our business operations, financial condition or results. If any of the risks and uncertainties below or other risks were to occur, our business operations, financial condition or results of operations could be materially and adversely impacted.

 

Watson Wyatt’s success will continue to depend on its ability to recruit and retain qualified consultants, including those employed in recently acquired businesses; our failure to do so could adversely affect our ability to continue to integrate acquired businesses and to compete successfully.

 

Watson Wyatt’s success depends on its ability to attract, retain and motivate qualified personnel generally, including executive officers, key management personnel and consultants. We cannot assure that we will be able to attract and retain qualified consultants, management and other personnel necessary for the delivery of our sophisticated and technical services to clients.

 

The loss of key consultants and managers could damage or result in the loss of client relationships and adversely affect our business.

 

Our success largely depends upon the business generation capabilities and project execution skills of our consultants. In particular, our consultants’ personal relationships with our clients are a critical element of obtaining and maintaining client engagements. Losing consultants and account managers who manage substantial client relationships or possess substantial experience or expertise could adversely affect our ability to secure and complete engagements, which would adversely affect our results of operations. In addition, if any of our key consultants were to join an existing competitor or form a competing company, existing and potential clients could choose to use the services of that competitor instead of our services. There can be no assurance that confidentiality and non-competition agreements signed by senior consultants will be effective in preventing a loss of business.

 

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The trend of employers shifting from defined benefit plans to defined contribution plans could adversely affect our business and our operating results.

 

We currently provide clients with actuarial and consulting services relating to both defined benefit and defined contribution plans.  Defined benefit pension plans generally require more actuarial services than defined contribution plans because defined benefit plans typically involve large asset pools, complex calculations to determine employer costs, funding requirements and sophisticated analysis to match liabilities and assets over long periods of time.  If organizations shift to defined contribution plans more rapidly than we anticipate, our business operations and related operating results could be adversely affected.

 

We are subject to risks of doing business internationally.

 

As a result of our international acquisitions over the past three fiscal years, an increased portion of our business is located outside of the United States. As a result, a significant portion of our business operations are subject to foreign financial and business risks, which could arise in the event of:

 

·                  currency exchange rate fluctuations;

 

·                  unexpected increases in taxes;

 

·                  compliance with a variety of international laws, as well as U.S. laws affecting the activities of U.S. companies abroad ;

 

·                  new regulatory requirements and/or changes in policies and local laws that materially affect the demand for our services or directly affect our foreign operations;

 

·                  local economic and political conditions, including unusual, severe, or protracted recessions in foreign economies;

 

·                  unusual and unexpected monetary exchange controls; or

 

·                  civil disturbance or other catastrophic events that reduce business activity in other parts of the world.

 

These factors may lead to decreased sales or profits and therefore may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.

 

Competition from firms with greater resources could result in loss of our market share and reduced profitability.

 

The markets for our principal services are highly competitive. Our competitors currently include other human resources consulting and actuarial firms, as well as the human resources consulting divisions of diversified professional services and insurance firms and accounting firms. Several of our competitors have greater financial, technical and marketing resources than we have, which could enhance their ability to respond more quickly to technological changes, finance acquisitions and fund internal growth. Some competitors may have or may develop a lower cost structure. New competitors or alliances among competitors could emerge, creating additional competition and gaining significant market share.  In order to respond to increased competition and pricing pressure, we might have to lower our prices, which would have an adverse effect on our revenues and profit margin.

 

Demand for our services may decrease for various reasons, including a general economic downturn, a decline in a client’s or an industry’s financial condition or prospects, or a decline in defined benefit pension plans that could adversely affect our operating results.

 

We can give no assurance that the demand for our services will continue to grow or that we will compete successfully with our existing competitors, new competitors or our clients’ internal capabilities.  Our clients’ demand for our services may change based on their own needs and financial conditions. 

 

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Economic downturns or slowdowns in markets that we serve or affecting particular clients or industry groups that we serve, may reduce the use of outside consultants, which could reduce the demand for our services, increase price competition and adversely impact our growth and profit margins.

 

In addition, the demand for many of our core benefits services, including compliance-related services is affected by government regulation and taxation of employee benefits plans. Significant changes in tax or social welfare policy or regulations could lead some employers to discontinue their employee benefit plans, including defined benefit pension plans, thereby reducing the demand for our services. A simplification of regulations or tax policy also could reduce the need for our services.

 

Our clients generally may terminate our services at any time, which could decrease associate utilization, adversely impacting our profitability and results of operation.

 

Our clients generally may terminate our engagements at any time. If a client reduces the scope of, or terminates the use of our services with little or no notice, our associate utilization will decline. In such cases, we must rapidly re-deploy our associates to other engagements in order to minimize the potential negative impact on our financial performance.  In addition, because much of our work is project-based rather than recurring in nature, our associates’ utilization depends on our ability to continually secure additional engagements.

 

Improper management of our fixed-fee engagements could hurt our financial results.

 

We enter into some of our engagements on a negotiated fixed-fee basis. If we do not properly negotiate the price and manage the performance of these engagements, we might incur losses on individual engagements and experience lower profit margins, and our overall financial results could be adversely affected.

 

We are subject to malpractice claims arising from our work, which could adversely affect our reputation and business, and we are subject to government inquiries and investigations.

 

Professional services providers, including those in the human resources and financial services consulting industry, are subject to claims from their clients. Clients and third parties who are dissatisfied with our services or who claim to suffer damages caused by our services have brought and may bring lawsuits against us. The nature of our work, especially our actuarial services, involves assumptions and estimates concerning future events, the actual outcome of which we cannot know with certainty in advance. In addition, we could make computational, software programming or data management errors.

 

Clients have sought and may seek to hold us responsible for the financial consequences of these errors or variances.  Given that we frequently work with large pension funds and other large financial entities, such as insurance companies, relatively small percentage errors or variances could create significant dollar variances and claims for unfunded liabilities.  The risks from such variances could be aggravated in an environment of declining pension fund asset values. In most cases, our exposure to liability on a particular engagement is substantially greater than the profit opportunity that the engagement generates for us.  For example, claims could include:

 

·                  A client’s assertion that actuarial assumptions used in a pension plan were unreasonable, leading to plan underfunding;

 

·                  A claim arising out of the use of inaccurate data, which could lead to an underestimation of plan liabilities;

 

·                  A claim that employee benefit plan documents were misinterpreted or plan amendments were misstated in plan documents, leading to overpayments to beneficiaries; and

 

·                  A claim that reserves or premium requirements of insurance company clients were understated.

 

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Defending lawsuits arising out of any of our services has required and could require substantial amounts of management attention, which could affect management’s focus on operations, adversely affect our financial performance and result in increased insurance costs. In addition to defense costs and liability exposure, malpractice claims may produce negative publicity that could hurt our reputation and business.

 

We have been subject to inquiries and investigations by federal, state or other governmental agencies regarding aspects of our business, especially regulated businesses such as investment consulting or insurance consulting.  Such inquiries or investigations may consume significant management time and require additional expense. For a discussion of significant legal proceedings and investigations, please refer to Note 13 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Insurance may become more difficult or expensive to obtain.

 

Insurance markets have hardened over recent years for some classes of professional liability risk.  As the number of claims has increased against professionals and against actuaries in particular, the cost of malpractice insurance has trended upward, deductibles or self-insured retentions have increased and levels at which reinsurance will cover losses have risen; these adverse trends may continue.  Availability and price of insurance are subject to many variables, including general market conditions, loss experience in related industries and in the actuarial and benefits consulting industry, and the specific claims experience of an individual firm. Because we now provide services in a larger geographic market as a result of our business combinations, we therefore may be exposed to a greater number of claims arising from our expanded operations.  In the future there can be no assurance that we will continue to be able to obtain insurance on comparable terms to what we have obtained in the past. Increases in the cost of insurance could affect our profitability and the unavailability of insurance to cover certain levels of risk could have an adverse effect on our financial condition, particularly in a specific period.

 

We are engaged, through our subsidiaries, in providing services outside of our core human resources consulting business, which may carry greater risk of liability.

 

We intend to continue to grow the business of providing consulting services to institutional investment and insurance and financial services companies. The risk of malpractice claims from these lines of business may be greater than from our core human resource consulting business and claims may be for significant amounts. Contractual provisions intended to mitigate risk may not be enforceable in litigation or in some jurisdictions or in connection with claims involving breaches of fiduciary duty or other alleged errors or omissions.

 

Our quarterly revenues may fluctuate while our expenses are relatively fixed.

 

Quarterly variations in our revenues and operating results occur as a result of a number of factors, such as:

 

·                  The significance of client engagements commenced and completed during a quarter;

 

·                  The seasonality of some specific types of services.  In particular, retirement revenues are more heavily weighted toward the second and third quarters of the fiscal year, when annual actuarial valuations are required to be completed for calendar year end companies and the related services are performed.  In the Technology and Administration Solutions Group, the distribution of work is concentrated at the end of the first fiscal quarter and through the second fiscal quarter, as there is demand from our clients for assistance in updating systems and programs used in the annual re-enrollment of employees in benefit plans, such as flex plans. Much of the remaining business is project-oriented and is thus influenced more by particular client needs and the availability of our workforce;

 

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·                  The number of business days in a quarter, associate hiring and utilization rates and clients’ ability to terminate engagements without penalty;

 

·                  The size and scope of assignments; and

 

·                  General economic conditions.

 

Approximately 70-75 percent of our total operating expenses are relatively fixed, encompassing the majority of administrative, occupancy, communications and other expenses, depreciation and amortization, and salaries and employee benefits excluding fiscal year end incentive bonuses.  Therefore, a variation in the number of client assignments or in the timing of the initiation or the completion of client assignments can cause significant variations in quarterly operating results and could result in losses.  Over the most recent eight fiscal quarters, net income from continuing operations has fluctuated from $24.8 million to $42.5 million.

 

Our business faces rapid technological change and our failure to respond to this change quickly could adversely affect our business.

 

Increasingly, to remain competitive in our practice areas, we must identify and offer the most current technologies and methodologies. This is particularly true of our Technology and Administration Solutions Group, in which our success largely depends upon our ability to quickly absorb and apply technological advances in both generic applications and, particularly, those that are specifically required to deliver employee benefits services. In some cases, significant technology choices and investments are required. If we do not respond correctly, quickly or in a cost-effective manner, our business and operating results might be harmed.

 

The effort to gain technological expertise and develop new technologies in our business may require us to incur significant expenses and, in some cases, to implement them globally. If we cannot offer new technologies as quickly or effectively as our competitors, we could lose market share. We also could lose market share if our competitors develop more cost-effective technologies than we offer or develop.

 

Limited protection of our proprietary expertise, methodologies and software could harm our business.

 

We cannot guarantee that trade secret, trademark and copyright law protections are adequate to deter misappropriation of our confidential information.  We may be unable to detect the unauthorized use of our intellectual property and take the necessary steps to enforce our rights.  Redressing infringements also may consume significant management time and financial resources.

 

We have various mechanisms in place that may prevent a change in control that a stockholder might favor.

 

Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws contain provisions that might discourage, delay or prevent a change in control that a stockholder might favor. Our certificate of incorporation and/or bylaws:

 

·                  Authorize the issuance of preferred stock without fixed characteristics that could be issued by our board of directors to increase the number of outstanding shares and deter a takeover attempt;

 

·                  Provide that only the President or our board of directors may call a special meeting of stockholders;

 

·                  Prohibit stockholder action by written consent, which requires all actions to be taken at a meeting of the stockholders;

 

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·                  Provide that vacancies on our board of directors, including new directorships, may be filled only by the directors then in office;

 

·                  Require super-majority voting for the stockholders to amend our bylaws and other provisions of our certificate of incorporation;

 

·                  Prohibit a stockholder from presenting a proposal or director nomination at an annual meeting unless the stockholder provides us with sufficient advance notice.

 

Item 1B. Unresolved SEC Comments

 

None.

 

Item 2.  Properties.

 

As of June 30, 2008, we operated in 107 offices in principal markets throughout the world.  Operations of each of our segments are carried out in leased offices under operating leases that typically do not exceed 10 years in length. We do not anticipate difficulty in meeting our space needs at lease expiration.

 

The fixed assets owned by Watson Wyatt represented approximately 11 percent of total assets at June 30, 2008, and consisted primarily of computer equipment and software, office furniture and leasehold improvements.

 

Item 3.  Legal Proceedings.

 

From time to time, we are a party to various lawsuits, arbitrations or mediations that arise in the ordinary course of business.  The disclosure called for by Item 3 regarding our legal proceedings is incorporated by reference herein from Note 13 “Commitments and Contingent Liabilities,” of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2008.

 

Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

 

None.

 

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Part II

 

Item 5.  Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.

 

In conjunction with our WWLLP business combination in the first quarter of fiscal year 2006, we issued 9,090,571 Class A shares, 4,749,797 of which were subject to sale restrictions.  Sale restrictions on 2,339,761 of these shares expired July 31, 2006.  Restrictions on the remaining 2,410,036 shares expired July 31, 2007.

 

An additional 1,950,000 shares were paid to the former partners of WWLLP on April 15, 2008, after the achievement by the acquired business of certain agreed-upon financial performance goals.  Sale of these shares will be restricted until July 31, 2009.  See Note 2 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 15 of this report for further information regarding the WWLLP business combination. The diluted earnings per share calculation assumes these shares had been issued since July 31, 2005.

 

In conjunction with its acquisition of WWN on February 1, 2007, the company issued 252,285 Class A common shares which were subject to contractual transfer restrictions.  Transfer restrictions on 50% of these shares expired on February 1, 2008.  Transfer restrictions on the remaining shares will expire on February 1, 2009.  An additional 218,089 shares were issued to the former partners of WWN on June 27, 2008 after achievement by the acquired business of certain financial performance goals. Sale of these shares will be subject to contractual transfer restrictions that will expire on 50% of these shares on each of the first and second anniversaries of issuance of the shares. The diluted earnings per share calculation assumes these shares had been issued at the beginning of fiscal year 2008.

 

Market Information

 

Watson Wyatt Worldwide, Inc. Class A common stock is currently traded on the New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ under the symbol WW.  The following table sets forth the range of high and low closing share prices for each quarter of fiscal years 2008 and 2007, determined by the daily closing stock prices.

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

High

 

Low

 

High

 

Low

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First quarter (July 1 through September 30)

 

$

51.19

 

$

43.00

 

$

41.60

 

$

31.70

 

Second quarter (October 1 through December 31)

 

49.82

 

43.90

 

48.00

 

39.98

 

Third quarter (January 1 through March 31)

 

58.40

 

43.10

 

50.69

 

40.92

 

Fourth quarter (April 1 through June 30)

 

60.22

 

52.89

 

53.84

 

47.01

 

 

Holders

 

As of June 30, 2008, there were approximately 380 registered shareholders of our Class A common stock.

 

Dividends

 

The board of directors of the company has approved the payment of a quarterly cash dividend in the amount of $0.075 per share.  Total dividends paid in fiscal years 2008 and 2007 were $12.8 million and $12.7 million, respectively.

 

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The continued payment of cash dividends in the future is at the discretion of our board of directors and depends on numerous factors, including, without limitation, our net earnings, financial condition, availability of capital, debt covenant limitations and our other business needs, including those of our subsidiaries and affiliates. Additionally, our credit facility requires us to observe certain covenants, including requirements for minimum net worth, which potentially act to restrict dividends.

 

Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans

 

Our equity compensation plans include the 2000 Long-Term Incentive Plan, which provides for the granting of nonqualified stock options and stock appreciation rights, the 2001 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, the 2001 Deferred Stock Unit Plan for Selected Employees and the Amended Compensation Plan for Outside Directors.  We grant deferred stock units to certain senior associates through the Watson Wyatt & Company Performance Share Bonus Incentive Program as a part of their annual discretionary compensation and have discontinued the issuance of stock options.  All deferred stock units issued in connection with the 2001 Deferred Stock Unit Plan were fully vested upon issuance.  All of our equity compensation plans have been approved by stockholders.  See Note 9 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the general terms of these plans.

 

The following chart gives aggregate information regarding grants under all of the company’s equity compensation plans through June 30, 2008:

 

Plan Category

 

Number of shares to
be issued upon
exercise of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights

 

Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding options

 

Number of shares
remaining available
for future issuance
under equity
compensation plans
(excluding shares
reflected in the first
column)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity compensation plans approved by stockholders

 

7,676

 

$

21.73

 

4,237,700

(1)

 


(1) Includes 2,548,915 shares remaining available for future issuance under the 2000 Long-Term Incentive Plan, 420,714 shares under the 2001 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, 1,191,026 shares under the 2001 Deferred Stock Unit Plan for Selected Employees, and 77,045 shares under the Amended Compensation Plan for Outside Directors.

 

In August 2001, the board of directors adopted the company’s 2001 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”), which subsequently was approved by the stockholders in November 2001.  The ESPP is intended to provide employees of the company with additional incentives by permitting them to acquire a proprietary interest in the company through the purchase of shares of the company’s common stock.  With regard to the Deferred Stock Unit Plan for Selected Employees, an additional 1,200,000 shares of common stock were authorized and reserved for issuance at the 2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders in November 2006.

 

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Performance Graph

 

This information is incorporated by reference to the definitive Watson Wyatt Worldwide, Inc. Proxy Statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

The table below presents specified information about the company’s stock repurchases during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2008 and the remaining number of shares that may be purchased under the plan:

 

Period

 

Total Number of
Shares Purchased

 

Average Price
Paid per Share

 

Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs

 

Maximum Number
of Shares that
May Yet Be
Purchased Under
the Plans or
Programs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 1, 2008, through April 30, 2008

 

110,000

 

$

58.14

 

110,000

 

 

 

May 1, 2008, through May 31, 2008

 

165,000

 

59.17

 

165,000

 

 

 

June 1, 2008, through June 30, 2008

 

210,000

 

56.57

 

210,000

 

 

 

Total

 

485,000

 

 

 

485,000

 

1,854,370

 

 

On February 11, 2008, the company’s Board of Directors approved the repurchase of up to $100 million of the company’s Class A Common Stock.  The remaining number of shares that may be purchased under this plan is approximately 1,071,322 shares, estimated by using the market closing price on June 30, 2008 of $52.89 per share.

 

During the first quarter of fiscal year 2007, the company’s Board of Directors approved the repurchase of up to 1,500,000 shares of our Class A Common Stock.  The maximum number of shares remaining to be repurchased under this plan is 783,048.

 

Item 6.  Selected Consolidated Financial Data

 

The table on the following page sets forth selected consolidated financial data of Watson Wyatt for each of the years in the five-year period ended June 30, 2008.  The selected consolidated financial data as of June 30, 2008 and 2007, and for each of the three years in the period ended June 30, 2008, were derived from the audited consolidated financial statements of Watson Wyatt included in this Form 10-K.  The selected consolidated financial data as of June 30, 2006, 2005 and 2004, and for each of the years ended June 30, 2005 and 2004, were derived from audited consolidated financial statements of Watson Wyatt not included in this Form 10-K.  The consolidated financial data should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto.

 

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Table of Contents

 

 

 

Year Ended June 30

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

Statement of Operations Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(amounts are in thousands, except per share data)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

$

1,760,055

 

$

1,486,523

 

$

1,271,811

 

$

737,421

 

$

702,005

 

Costs of providing services:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salaries and employee benefits

 

970,236

 

805,571

 

699,049

 

397,252

 

396,775

 

Professional and subcontracted services

 

105,896

 

99,943

 

84,165

 

57,810

 

49,159

 

Occupancy, communications and other

 

208,058

 

184,832

 

164,140

 

106,752

 

105,459

 

General and administrative expenses

 

176,664

 

159,637

 

147,122

 

74,612

 

63,631

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

72,428

 

57,235

 

44,918

 

20,210

 

18,511

 

 

 

1,533,282

 

1,307,218

 

1,139,394

 

656,636

 

633,535

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from operations

 

226,773

 

179,305

 

132,417

 

80,785

 

68,470

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income/(loss) from affiliates

 

2,067

 

(5,500

)

1,135

 

7,146

 

7,109

 

Interest income

 

5,584

 

4,066

 

4,325

 

2,833

 

1,636

 

Interest expense

 

(5,977

)

(1,581

)

(4,093

)

(661

)

(893

)

Other non-operating income/(loss)

 

464

 

178

 

(2,081

)

(7,404

)

6,222

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

 

228,911

 

176,468

 

131,703

 

82,699

 

82,544

 

Provision for income taxes

 

73,470

 

60,193

 

45,585

 

31,303

 

32,605

 

Income from continuing operations

 

155,441

 

116,275

 

86,118

 

51,396

 

49,939

 

Discontinued operations (a)

 

 

 

1,073

 

766

 

654

 

Net income

 

$

155,441

 

$

116,275

 

$

87,191

 

$

52,162

 

$

50,593

 

Earnings per share, continuing operations, basic

 

$

3.65

 

$

2.74

 

$

2.08

 

$

1.58

 

$

1.52

 

Earnings per share, continuing operations, diluted (b)

 

$

3.50

 

$

2.60

 

$

1.99

 

$

1.56

 

$

1.50

 

Earnings per share, discontinued operations, basic

 

$

 

$

 

$

0.03

 

$

0.02

 

$

0.02

 

Earnings per share, discontinued operations, diluted

 

$

 

$

 

$

0.02

 

$

0.02

 

$

0.02

 

Earnings per share, net income, basic (b)

 

$

3.65

 

$

2.74

 

$

2.11

 

$

1.60

 

$

1.54

 

Earnings per share, net income, diluted (b)

 

$

3.50

 

$

2.60

 

$

2.01

 

$

1.58

 

$

1.52

 

Dividends declared per share

 

$

0.30

 

$

0.30

 

$

0.30

 

$

0.30

 

$

0.07

 

Weighted average shares of common stock, basic

 

42,577

 

42,413

 

41,393

 

32,541

 

32,866

 

Weighted average shares of common stock, diluted

 

44,374

 

44,684

 

43,297

 

32,845

 

33,207

 

 

24



Table of Contents

 

 

 

As of June 30

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

Balance Sheet and Other Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

124,632

 

$

248,186

 

$

165,345

 

$

168,076

 

$

136,940

 

Working capital

 

172,241

 

326,354

 

197,312

 

236,658

 

207,455

 

Total assets

 

1,715,976

 

1,529,709

 

1,240,359

 

618,679

 

512,168

 

Note payable

 

 

105,000

 

30,000

 

 

 

Dividends declared

 

12,767

 

12,717

 

12,667

 

9,756

 

2,441

 

Stockholders’ equity

 

984,395

 

787,519

 

648,761

 

234,203

 

245,184

 

Shares outstanding

 

43,578

 

42,299

 

42,386

 

32,627

 

32,317

 

 


(a)          In fiscal year 2004, 2005 and 2006, we revised our estimates related to the remaining future obligations and costs associated with the discontinuation of our benefits administration outsourcing business in 1998.  As a result, we reduced the amount of our liability for losses from disposal by $1.0 million, less the associated income tax expense of $0.4 million, by $1.25 million, less the associated income tax expense of $0.5 million, and by $1.75 million, less the associated income tax expense of $0.7 million, respectively.  In fiscal years 2004, 2005 and 2006, the company received sublease income of approximately $0.1 million each year in excess of lease payments related to this business.  These items resulted in a year-to-date income from discontinued operations of $1.1 million, $1.3 million, and $1.8 million, less the associated income tax expense of $0.4 million, $0.5 million, and $0.7 million, respectively.

 

(b)         The diluted earnings per share calculation for fiscal years 2008, 2007 and 2006 assume that 1,950,000 contingent shares related to the WWLLP business combination have been issued and outstanding since July 31, 2005.  The diluted earnings per share calculation for 2008 also assumes that the  218,089 WWN contingent shares were also outstanding at the beginning of the fiscal year.  All of these shares were issued during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2008.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Item 7.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

 

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

 

This filing contains certain statements that are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, but not limited to the following: Note 6 -  Retirement Benefits; Note 11 – Goodwill and Intangible Assets; Note 14 – Commitments and Contingent Liabilities; the Executive Overview; Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates; the discussion of our capital expenditures; Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Contractual Obligations; Risk Management; and Part II, Item 1 “Legal Proceedings”.  You can identify these statements and other forward-looking statements in this filing by words such as “may”, “will”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “plan”, “intend”, “continue”, or similar words, expressions, or the negative of such terms or other comparable terminology. You should read these statements carefully because they contain projections of our future results of operations or financial condition, or state other “forward-looking” information. A number of risks and uncertainties exist which could cause actual results to differ materially from the results reflected in these forward-looking statements.  Such factors include but are not limited to:

 

·                  our ability to integrate acquired businesses into our own business, processes and systems, and achieve the anticipated results;

·                  our continued ability to recruit and retain qualified associates;

·                  the success of our marketing, client development and sales programs after our acquisitions;

·                  our ability to maintain client relationships and to attract new clients after our acquisitions;

·                  declines in demand for our services;

·                  outcomes of pending or future professional liability cases and the availability and capacity of professional liability insurance to fund the outcome of pending cases or future judgments or settlements;

·                  our ability to obtain professional liability insurance;

·                  a significant decrease in the demand for the consulting, actuarial and other services we offer as a result of changing economic conditions or other factors;

·                  actions by competitors offering human resources consulting services, including public accounting and consulting firms, technology consulting firms and Internet/intranet development firms;

·                  our ability to achieve cost reductions after our recent acquisitions;

·                  foreign currency exchange and interest rate fluctuations;

·                  exposure to liabilities that have not been expressly assumed in our acquisition transactions;

·                  general economic and business conditions that adversely affect us or our clients;

·                  the level of capital resources required for future acquisitions and business opportunities;

·                  regulatory developments abroad and domestically that impact our business practice;

·                  legislative and technological developments that may affect the demand for or costs of our services;

 

and other factors discussed under “Risk Factors” in Item 1 of this Form 10-K.  These statements are based on assumptions that may not come true.  All forward-looking disclosure is speculative by its nature.  The company undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking information included in this report, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed expectations or otherwise.

 

Executive Overview

 

Watson Wyatt is a global consulting firm focusing on providing human capital and financial consulting services.  We provide services in five principal practice areas: Benefits, Technology and Administration Solutions, Human Capital Consulting, Investment Consulting and Insurance and Financial Services, operating from 32 countries throughout North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East.

 

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Table of Contents

 

In the short term, our revenues are driven by many factors including the general state of the global economy and the resulting level of discretionary spending by our clients, the ability of our consultants to attract new clients or cross-sell to existing clients, and the impact of new regulations in the legal and accounting fields that most recently increased demand for our executive compensation and benefits practices.  In the long term, we expect that the company’s financial results will depend in large part upon how well we succeed in deepening our existing client relationships through thought leadership and focus on cross-practice solutions, actively pursuing new clients in our target markets, cross selling and strategic acquisitions.  We believe that the highly fragmented industry in which we operate represents tremendous growth opportunities for us, because we offer a unique business combination of benefits and human capital consulting as well as strategic technology solutions.

 

We design, develop and implement human resource strategies and programs through the following closely-interrelated practice areas:

 

Benefits Group – The Benefits Group, accounting for 60 percent of our total fiscal year 2008 revenues, is the foundation of our business.  Retirement, the core of our Benefits Group business, is less impacted by discretionary spending reductions than our other segments, mainly due to the recurring nature of client relationships.  Our corporate client retention rate within our target market has remained very high. Revenue for our retirement practice is seasonal, with the second and third quarters of each fiscal year being the busier periods.  Major revenue growth drivers in this practice include changes in regulations, particularly those affecting pension plans in the U.K., leverage from other practices, increased global demand and increased market share.

 

Technology and Administration Solutions Group – Our Technology and Administration Solutions Group, accounting for 11 percent of our total fiscal year 2008 revenues, provides information technology services to our customers.

 

Human Capital Group – Our Human Capital Group, accounting for 12 percent of our total fiscal year 2008 revenues, generally encompasses short-term projects. As a result, this segment is most sensitive to cyclical economic fluctuations.

 

Investment Consulting Group - Our Investment Consulting Group accounts for 10 percent of our total fiscal year 2008 revenues.  This business, although relationship based, can be affected by volatility in investment returns, particularly as clients look to us for assistance in managing that volatility.

 

Insurance and Financial Services Group – Our Insurance & Financial Services Group accounts for 7 percent of our total fiscal year 2008 revenues. This business is characterized by ongoing relationships with our clients who will typically use our skills on a number of different projects.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Financial Statement Overview

 

Watson Wyatt’s fiscal year ends June 30.

 

The company has acquired many entities over the past three fiscal years including, WWLLP, WWN and Heissmann.  The WWLLP business combination was completed July 31, 2005 and as a result, our financial statements reflect the consolidation of the European operations through Watson Wyatt Limited beginning August 1, 2005.  Prior to July 31, 2005, or for one month of the first quarter of fiscal year 2006, the company recorded its share of the results of WWLLP and WWHE using the equity method of accounting.  This income is reflected in the “Income from affiliates” line on our income statement.  Our share of the results of our affiliated captive insurance company, Professional Consultants Insurance Company, Inc. (PCIC), continues to be recorded using the equity method of accounting, and is also reflected in the “Income from affiliates” line.  WWN and Heissmann were purchased on February 1, 2007 and July 20, 2007, respectively.  Our financial statements reflect the consolidation of these two entities effective February 1, 2007 and July 1, 2007, respectively.

 

We derive substantially all of our revenue from fees for consulting services, which generally are billed based on time and materials or on a fixed-fee basis.  Clients are typically invoiced on a monthly basis with revenue generally recognized as services are performed. For fiscal years 2008, 2007, and 2006, no single client accounted for more than 2 percent of our consolidated revenue for any of the most recent three fiscal years.

 

For the fiscal years ended June 30, 2008, 2007, and 2006, the company’s top six markets based on percentage of consolidated revenue were as follows:

 

 

 

Fiscal Year

 

Geographic Region

 

2008

 

2007

 

2006

 

United States

 

41

%

44

%

44

%

United Kingdom

 

32

 

31

 

32

 

Germany(1)

 

5

 

1

 

1

 

Canada

 

4

 

4

 

5

 

Netherlands

 

4

 

1

 

1

 

Greater China

 

2

 

2

 

1

 

 


(1) Germany includes the revenue from Heissmann which was acquired by the company in fiscal year 2008.

 

In delivering consulting services, our principal direct expenses relate to compensation of personnel. Salaries and employee benefits are comprised of wages paid to associates, related taxes, benefit expenses such as pension, medical and insurance costs, and fiscal year-end incentive bonuses.

 

Professional and subcontracted services represent fees paid to external service providers for employment, marketing and other services, including reserves for professional liability claims.  For the last three fiscal years, approximately 60 to 70 percent of these professional and subcontracted services were directly incurred on behalf of our clients and were reimbursed by them, with such reimbursements being included in revenue.

 

Occupancy, communications and other expenses represent expenses for rent, utilities, supplies and telephone to operate office locations as well as non-client-reimbursed travel by associates, publications and professional development. This line item also includes miscellaneous expenses, including gains and losses on foreign currency transactions.

 

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Table of Contents

 

General and administrative expenses include the operational costs, professional fees and insurance premiums associated with corporate management, general counsel, marketing, human resources, finance, research and technology support.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Our estimates, judgments and assumptions are continually evaluated based on available information and experience. Because of the use of estimates inherent in the financial reporting process, actual results could differ from those estimates. The areas that we believe are critical accounting policies include revenue recognition, valuation of billed and unbilled receivables from clients, discretionary compensation, income taxes, pension assumptions, incurred but not reported claims, and goodwill and intangible assets. The critical accounting policies discussed below involves making difficult, subjective or complex accounting estimates that could have a material effect on our financial condition and results of operations. These critical accounting policies require us to make assumptions about matters that are highly uncertain at the time of the estimate or assumption and different estimates that we could have used or changes in the estimate that are reasonably likely to occur may have a material impact on our financial statements and results of operations.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

Revenue includes fees primarily generated from consulting services provided.  We recognize revenue from these consulting engagements when hours are worked, either on a time-and-materials basis or on a fixed-fee basis, depending on the terms and conditions defined at the inception of an engagement with a client.  The terms of our contracts with clients are fixed and determinable and may change based upon agreement by both parties. Individual consultants’ billing rates are principally based on a multiple of salary and compensation costs.

 

Revenue for fixed-fee arrangements, which span multiple months, is based upon the percentage of completion method.  The company typically has three types of fixed-fee arrangements:  annual recurring projects, projects of a short duration, and non-recurring system projects.  Annual recurring projects and the projects of short duration are typically straightforward and highly predictable in nature.  As a result, the project manager and financial staff are able to identify, as the project status is reviewed and bills are prepared monthly, the occasions when cost overruns could lead to the recording of a loss accrual.

 

Our system projects are typically found in our Technology and Administration Solutions Group.  They tend to be more complex projects that are longer in duration and subject to more changes in scope as the project progresses than projects undertaken in other segments. We evaluate at least quarterly, and more often as needed, project managers’ estimates-to-complete to assure that the projects’ current status is accounted for properly.  Our Technology and Administration Solutions Group contracts generally provide that if the client terminates a contract, the company is entitled to payment for services performed through termination.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Revenue recognition for fixed-fee engagements is affected by a number of factors that change the estimated amount of work required to complete the project such as changes in scope, the staffing on the engagement and/or the level of client participation.  The periodic engagement evaluations require us to make judgments and estimates regarding the overall profitability and stage of project completion that, in turn, affect how we recognize revenue.  The company recognizes a loss on an engagement when estimated revenue to be received for that engagement is less than the total estimated direct and indirect costs associated with the engagement.  Losses are recognized in the period in which the loss becomes probable and the amount of the loss is reasonably estimable.  The company has experienced certain costs in excess of estimates from time to time.  Management believes that it is rare, however, for these excess costs to result in overall project losses.

 

The company has developed various software programs and technologies that we provide to clients in connection with consulting services.  In most instances, such software is hosted and maintained by the company and ownership of the technology and rights to the related code remain with the company.  Software developed to be utilized in providing services to a client, but for which the client does not have the contractual right to take possession, is capitalized in accordance with the AICPA’s Statement of Position 98-1 “Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use.”  Revenue associated with the related contract, together with amortization of the related capitalized software, is recognized over the service period.  As a result we do not recognize revenue during the implementation phase of an engagement.

 

Revenue recognized in excess of billings is recorded as unbilled accounts receivable.  Cash collections and invoices generated in excess of revenue recognized are recorded as deferred revenue until the revenue recognition criteria are met.  Client reimbursable expenses, including those relating to travel, other out-of-pocket expenses and any third-party costs, are included in revenue, and an equivalent amount of reimbursable expenses are included in professional and subcontracted services as a cost of revenue.

 

Valuation of Billed and Unbilled Receivables from Clients

 

We maintain allowances for doubtful accounts to reflect estimated losses resulting from our clients’ failure to pay for our services after the services have been rendered, including allowances when customer disputes may exist.  The related provision is generally recorded as a reduction to revenue.  Our allowance policy is based on the aging of our billed and unbilled client receivables and has been developed based on our write-off history.  Facts and circumstances such as the average length of time the receivables are past due, general market conditions, current economic trends and our clients’ ability to pay may cause fluctuations in our valuation of billed and unbilled receivables.

 

Discretionary Compensation

 

The company’s compensation program includes a discretionary annual bonus that is determined by management and paid once per fiscal year in the form of cash and/or deferred stock units after the company’s annual operating results are finalized.

 

An estimated annual bonus amount is initially developed at the beginning of each fiscal year in conjunction with our budgeting process.  Quarterly, estimated annual operating performance is reviewed by the company and the discretionary annual bonus amount is then adjusted, if necessary, by management to reflect changes in the forecast of pre-bonus profitability for the year. In those quarters where the estimated annual bonus level changes, the remaining estimated annual bonus is accrued over the remaining quarters as a constant percentage of estimated future net income.  Annual bonus levels may vary from current expectations as a result of changes in the company’s forecast of net income and competitive employment market conditions.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Income Taxes

 

The company accounts for income taxes in accordance with SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”, which prescribes the use of the asset and liability method whereby deferred tax asset or liability account balances are calculated at the balance sheet date using current tax laws and rates in effect. Valuation allowances are established , when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that a portion or all of a given deferred tax asset will not be realized. In accordance with SFAS No. 109, income tax expense includes (i) deferred tax expense, which generally represents the net change in the deferred tax asset or liability balance during the year plus any change in valuation allowances and (ii) current tax expense, which represents the amount of tax currently payable to or receivable from a taxing authority plus amounts accrued for expected tax contingencies (including both tax and interest). Reserves for income tax-related uncertainties are based on estimates of whether, and the extent to which, additional taxes will be due. These reserves are established when we believe that certain positions might be challenged despite our belief that our tax return positions are fully supportable. We adjust these reserves in light of changing facts and circumstances, such as the outcome of tax audits. The provision for income taxes includes the impact of reserve provisions and changes to reserves that are considered appropriate. Accruals for tax contingencies are provided for in accordance with the requirements of FIN 48.

 

Pension Assumptions

 

We sponsor both qualified and non-qualified, non-contributory defined benefit pension plans in North America and the U.K. that cover approximately 85% of our liability.  Under our plans in North America, benefits are based on the number of years of service and the associate’s compensation during the five highest paid consecutive years of service.  Beginning January 2008, we have made changes to our plan in the U.K. related to years of service used in calculating benefits for associates.  Benefits earned prior to January 2008 are based on the number of years of service and the associate’s compensation during the three years before leaving the plan and benefits earned after January 2008 are based on the number of years of service and the associate’s average compensation during the associate’s term of service since that date.  The non-qualified plan, included only in North America, provides for pension benefits that would be covered under the qualified plan but are limited by the Internal Revenue Code.  The non-qualified plan has no assets and therefore is an unfunded arrangement.  The benefit liability is reflected on the balance sheet.  The measurement date for each of the plans is June 30.

 

Determination of our obligations and annual expense under the plans is based on a number of assumptions that, given the longevity of the plans, are long-term in focus.  A change in one or a combination of these assumptions could have a material impact on our pension benefit obligation and related expense.  For this reason, management employs a long-term view so that assumptions do not change frequently in response to short-term volatility in the economy.  Any difference between actual and assumed results is amortized into our pension expense over the average remaining service period of participating employees.  We consider several factors prior to the start of each fiscal year when determining the appropriate annual assumptions, including economic forecasts, relevant benchmarks, historical trends, portfolio composition and peer comparisons.

 

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Table of Contents

 

North America

 

The following assumptions were used at the end of the past three fiscal years in the valuation of our North American plans:

 

 

 

Year Ended June 30

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2006

 

Discount rate

 

7.00

%

6.25

%

6.25

%

Expected long-term rate of return on assets

 

8.75

%

8.75

%

8.75

%

Rate of increase in compensation levels

 

4.09

%

3.84

%

3.84

%

 

The 7.00 percent discount rate assumption used at the end of fiscal year 2008 represents a 75 basis point increase from the 6.25 percent discount rate used at the end of fiscal year 2007 and fiscal year 2006.  The company’s discount rate assumptions were determined by matching future pension benefit payments with expected future U.S. AA corporate bond yields for the same periods.

 

The expected long-term rate of return on assets assumption remained at 8.75 percent per annum, unchanged from fiscal years 2007 and 2006. Selection of the return assumption at 8.75 percent per annum was supported by an analysis performed by the company of the weighted average yield expected to be achieved with the anticipated makeup of investments.  The investment makeup is heavily weighted towards equities.  The actual return on assets for fiscal year 2008 was a loss of 10.1 percent, compared to a return of 17.3 percent for fiscal year 2007.

 

The following information illustrates the sensitivity to a change in certain assumptions for the U.S. pension plans:

 

Change in Assumption

 

Effect on FY2008
Pre-Tax Pension Expense

 

 

 

 

 

25 basis point decrease in discount rate

 

+$3.3 million

 

25 basis point increase in discount rate

 

-$3.1 million

 

25 basis point decrease in expected return on assets

 

+$1.4 million

 

25 basis point increase in expected return on assets

 

-$1.4 million

 

 

The above sensitivities reflect the impact of changing one assumption at a time. It should be noted that economic factors and conditions often affect multiple assumptions simultaneously and the effects of changes in key assumptions are not necessarily linear. The company’s U.S. Other Postretirement Employee Benefits Plan is relatively insensitive to discount rate changes due to the plan provisions that have been established to control costs and as such no sensitivity results are shown in the table above.

 

United Kingdom

 

The following assumptions were used at the end of the past three fiscal years in the valuation of our U.K. plan:

 

 

 

Year Ended June 30

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2006

 

Discount rate

 

6.50

%

5.80

%

5.10

%

Expected long-term rate of return on assets

 

6.46

%

5.69

%

5.63

%

Rate of increase in compensation levels

 

5.65

%

4.95

%

4.75

%

 

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Table of Contents

 

The 6.50 percent discount rate assumption used at the end of fiscal year 2008 represents a 70 basis point increase over the rate used at June 30, 2007 and a 140 basis point increase over the discount rate at June 30, 2006. The discount rate is set having regard to yields on European AA corporate bonds at the measurement date and this increase reflects the change in yields between these dates.

 

The expected long-term rate of return on assets assumption increased to 6.46 percent per annum for fiscal year 2008 from 5.69 percent per annum for fiscal year 2007.  The rate of return was supported by an analysis performed by the company of the weighted average return expected to be achieved with the anticipated makeup of investments which is heavily weighted towards bonds.  The actual return on assets through fiscal year 2008 was a loss of 2.1 percent compared to a gain of 16.4 percent for fiscal year 2007.

 

The following information illustrates the sensitivity to a change in certain assumptions for the U.K. pension plans:

 

Change in Assumption

 

Effect on FY2008
Pre-Tax Pension Expense

 

25 basis point decrease in discount rate

 

+$1.3 million

 

25 basis point increase in discount rate

 

-$1.2 million

 

25 basis point decrease in expected return on assets

 

+$0.5 million

 

25 basis point increase in expected return on assets

 

-$0.5 million

 

 

The differences in the discount rate and compensation level assumption used for the North American and U.K. plans above can be attributed to the differing interest rate environments associated with the currencies and economies to which the plans are subject.  The differences in the expected return on assets are primarily driven by the respective asset allocation in each plan, coupled with the return expectations for assets in the respective currencies.  The North American plans are approximately 60 percent invested in equities, which on average provide a higher return than bonds, which is the predominant investment for the U.K. plans.

 

Incurred But Not Reported Claims

 

The company uses actuarial assumptions to estimate and record a liability for incurred but not reported (IBNR) professional liability claims.  Our estimated IBNR liability is based on long-term trends and averages, and reflects consideration of a number of factors, including changes in claim reporting patterns, claim settlement patterns, judicial decisions, and legislation and economic decisions, but excludes the effect of claims data for large cases due to the insufficiency of actual experience with such cases.  Management does not currently expect significant fluctuations in the IBNR liability, based on the company’s historical claims experience.  However, our estimated IBNR liability will fluctuate if claims experience changes over time.

 

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

 

In applying the purchase method of accounting for our business combinations, amounts assigned to identifiable assets and liabilities acquired have been based on estimated fair values as of the date of the acquisitions, with the remainder recorded as goodwill. Intangible assets are initially valued at fair market value using generally accepted valuation methods appropriate for the type of intangible asset. We evaluate our goodwill for impairment annually and whenever indicators of impairment exist. The evaluation is based upon a comparison of the estimated fair value of the reporting unit to which the goodwill has been assigned to the sum of the carrying value of the net assets for that reporting unit. The fair values used in this evaluation are estimated based upon a multiple of revenue for the reporting unit. This revenue multiple is based on our experience and knowledge of our own and other transactions in the marketplace. Intangible assets with definite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives and are reviewed for impairment if indicators of impairment arise.

 

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The evaluation of impairment would be based upon a comparison of the carrying amount of the intangible asset to the estimated future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If estimated future undiscounted net cash flows are less than the carrying amount of the asset, the asset would be considered impaired. The impairment expense would be determined by comparing the estimated fair value of the intangible asset to its carrying value, with any shortfall from fair value recognized as an expense in the current period.

 

Results of Operations

 

The following table sets forth Consolidated Statement of Operations data as a percentage of revenue for the periods indicated:

 

 

 

Year ended June 30

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

100.0

%

100.0

%

100.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs of providing services:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salaries and employee benefits

 

55.2

 

54.2

 

55.0

 

Professional and subcontracted services

 

6.0

 

6.7

 

6.6

 

Occupancy, communications and other

 

11.8

 

12.4

 

12.9

 

General and administrative expenses

 

10.0

 

10.7

 

11.6

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

4.1

 

3.9

 

3.5

 

 

 

87.1

 

87.9

 

89.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from operations

 

12.9

 

12.1

 

10.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income/(loss) from affiliates

 

0.1

 

(0.4

)

0.1

 

Interest income

 

0.3

 

0.3

 

0.3

 

Interest expense

 

(0.3

)

(0.1

)

(0.3

)

Other non-operating income/(loss)

 

0.0

 

0.0

 

(0.2

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

 

13.0

 

11.9

 

10.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Provision for income taxes

 

4.2

 

4.0

 

3.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

 

8.8

%

7.9

%

6.7

%

 

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Table of Contents

 

Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2008, Compared to Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2007

 

Revenue

 

Revenues for fiscal year 2008 were $1.76 billion, an increase of $274 million, or 18 percent, from $1.49 billion in fiscal 2007.  We acquired Watson Wyatt Netherlands in February 2007 and Heissmann, our German business, in July 2007.  Approximately $101 million of the increase in revenues is due to the additional seven months of Watson Wyatt Netherlands and the full year of Heissmann included in our fiscal 2008 results.  The remainder of the increase in revenues is due to the growth of our business and the strengthening of currencies against the U.S. dollar.  Excluding the impact of acquisitions and changes in foreign exchange rates, revenue growth was 8%.

 

The average exchange rate used to translate our revenues earned in British pounds sterling increased to 2.0114 for fiscal year 2008 from 1.9391 for fiscal year 2007, and the average exchange rate used to translate our revenues earned in Euros increased to 1.4736 for fiscal year 2008 from 1.3113 for fiscal year 2007.  The appreciation of the British pound and the Euro resulted in $34 million of the increase in revenues in fiscal 2008.  Changes in the value of other foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar resulted in $16 million of the increase in fiscal year 2008 revenues.

 

A comparison of segment revenues between fiscal year 2008 and fiscal year 2007 is provided below:

 

·                  The Benefits Group increased revenues $172.6 million, or 21 percent, over fiscal year 2007.  Approximately $97.7 million of the increase is due to the acquisitions of Heissmann and Watson Wyatt Netherlands.  The remainder of the increase is due to increased demand for our services, primarily in the U.S. and Europe, and changes in foreign exchange rates.  The strengthening of the European and Canadian currencies accounted for 3 percentage points of the increase.  Excluding the impact of acquisitions and changes in foreign exchange rates, the Benefits Group revenue growth was 6%.

 

·                  The Technology and Administration Solutions Group increased revenues $25.4 million, or 16 percent, over fiscal year 2007, largely due to an increase in administration services in both the U.S. and Europe as well as the result of system modifications made to pension administration systems as companies implemented provisions of the Pension Protection Act in the U.S.  The number of projects in service delivery in the U.S. was 142 at June 30, 2008, an increase from 84 at June 30, 2007.  The number of projects in implementation in the U.S. was 50 at June 30, 2008, a decrease from 67 at June 30, 2007.  In accordance with EITF 00-3, “Application of AICPA Statement of Position 97-2 to Arrangements that Include the Right to Use Software Stored on Another Entity’s Hardware” (EITF 00-3), the Company begins recognizing revenue after projects go into service.  No revenues are recognized during project implementation.  The strengthening of the European and Canadian currencies accounted for 2 percentage points of the increase.

 

·                  The Human Capital Group increased revenues $26.1 million, or 15 percent, over fiscal year 2007, primarily due to increased demand for our compensation consulting and our data services.  The strengthening of the European and Canadian currencies accounted for 3 percentage points of the increase.

 

·                  The Investment Consulting Group increased revenues $40.5 million, or 31 percent, over fiscal year 2007 due to an increase in demand for our services, especially investment strategy advice.  The strengthening of the European and Canadian currencies accounted for 4 percentage points of the increase.

 

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·                  The Insurance and Financial Services Group increased revenues $4.9 million, or 4 percent, over fiscal year 2007 due to the strengthening of the European currencies.  Revenues were flat on a constant currency basis.  The increase in revenues in Asia Pacific was offset by a decline in revenues in Europe.

 

Salaries and Employee Benefits

 

Salaries and employee benefits expenses for fiscal year 2008 were $970.2 million, compared to $805.6 million in fiscal year 2007, an increase of $164.6 million or 20.4 percent.  Of this increase, $68.5 million, or 8.5 percentage points, was attributable to the inclusion of recently acquired entities in our consolidated financials.  An additional 3.0 percentage points was attributable to the strengthening of foreign currencies.  The remaining increase, inclusive of the impact of foreign currencies, was principally due to higher salaries of $60.8 million, which is partially due to a 3.5 percent increase in headcount, a $33.4 million increase in discretionary compensation and increased benefits expense of $16.8 million.  The increase was partially offset by a decrease in pension expense of $15.5 million.  As a percentage of revenue, salaries and employee benefits increased to 55.2 percent from 54.2 percent.

 

 Professional and Subcontracted Services

 

Professional and subcontracted services used in consulting operations for fiscal year 2008 were $105.9 million, compared to $99.9 million for fiscal year 2007, an increase of $6.0 million or 6.0 percent.  This increase is primarily attributable to the strengthening of foreign currencies.  As a percentage of revenue, professional and subcontracted services decreased to 6.0 percent from 6.7 percent.

 

Occupancy, Communications and Other

 

Occupancy, communications and other expenses for fiscal year 2008 were $208.1 million, compared to $184.8 million for fiscal year 2007, an increase of $23.3 million or 12.6 percent.  Of this increase, $10.0 million, or 5.4 percentage points, was attributable to the inclusion of recently acquired entities in our consolidated financials while 3.8 percentage points was attributable to the strengthening of foreign currencies.  The remaining increase, inclusive of the impact on translation of foreign currencies, was attributable to an increase in rent of $6.3 million, travel of $5.3 million, telephone of $4.4 million and general increases in expenses such as promotion, business tax, office supplies, dues and development partially offset by recognized foreign currency gains of $13.3 million in fiscal year 2008 .  As a percentage of revenue, occupancy, communications and other expenses decreased to 11.8 percent from 12.4 percent.

 

General and Administrative Expenses

 

General and administrative expenses were $176.7 million for fiscal year 2008, compared to $159.6 million for fiscal year 2007, an increase of $17.1 million or 10.7 percent.  Of this increase, 2.1 percentage points was attributable to the strengthening of foreign currencies.  The increase, inclusive of the impact of foreign currencies, was principally due to increases in base salaries of $9.1 million, professional services expense of $7.9 million, insurance expense of $2.4 million and repairs and maintenance expenses of $3.7 million, partially offset by decreases in rent, telephone and general office expenses. As a percentage of revenue, general and administrative expenses decreased to 10.0 percent from 10.7 percent.

 

Depreciation and Amortization

 

Depreciation and amortization for fiscal year 2008 was $72.4 million, compared to $57.2 million for fiscal year 2007, an increase of $15.2 million or 26.6 percent.  Of this increase, $3.7 million, or 6.5 percentage points, was attributable to the inclusion of recently acquired entities in our consolidated financials.  An additional 2.3 percentage points was attributed to the strengthening of foreign currencies.  

 

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Table of Contents

 

The remaining increase was due to $5.4 million of amortization on internally developed software used to support our Benefits Group and Technology and Administration Solutions Group and $6.2 million higher depreciation expense on capital assets and amortization of intangibles.  As a percentage of revenue, depreciation and amortization increased to 4.1 percent from 3.9 percent.

 

Income/(Loss) From Affiliates

 

Income from affiliates was $2.1 million for fiscal year 2008, compared to a loss of $5.5 million for fiscal year 2007.  The income in fiscal year 2008 reflects our share of PCIC’s income compared to our share of  PCIC’s losses in fiscal year 2007.  PCIC’s losses in fiscal year 2007 are the result of a substantial increase in reserves in response to unusually rapid development of several claims against its three participating firms.

 

Interest Income

 

Interest income was $5.6 million for fiscal year 2008, an increase of $1.5 million from $4.1 million during fiscal year 2007.  The increase was mainly due to higher short-term interest rates in Europe as well as higher average cash balances.

 

Interest Expense

 

Interest expense was $6.0 million for fiscal year 2008, an increase of $4.3 million from $1.7 million during fiscal year 2007.  The increase was due to a higher average debt balance in fiscal year 2008 resulting from borrowings required for the Heissmann acquisition in July 2007.

 

Other Non-Operating Income/(Loss)

 

Other non-operating income was $0.5 million for fiscal year 2008, an increase of $0.3 million from $0.2 million during fiscal year 2007.  The increase was mainly due to additional payments on divestitures, including payments for the sales of $0.3 million of the financial planning practice in Australia and $0.2 million of the company’s multi-employer retirement consulting business.

 

Income From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes for fiscal year 2008 was $228.9 million, an increase of 29.7 percent from $176.5 million during fiscal year 2007.  As a percentage of revenue, income from continuing operations for fiscal year 2008 increased to 13.0 percent from 11.9 percent.

 

Provision for Income Taxes

 

Provision for income taxes for fiscal year 2008 was $73.5 million, compared to $60.2 million for fiscal year 2007. Our effective tax rate was 32.1 percent for fiscal year 2008 and 34.1 percent for fiscal year 2007.  The tax rate decrease is due to the geographic mix of income and the release of tax reserves.  The company has not provided U.S. deferred taxes on cumulative earnings of foreign subsidiaries that have been reinvested indefinitely, which also includes foreign subsidiaries affiliated with the WWLLP business combination.  We record a tax benefit on foreign net operating loss carryovers and foreign deferred expenses only if it is more likely than not that a benefit will be realized.

 

Income From Continuing Operations

 

Income from continuing operations for fiscal year 2008 was $155.4 million, an increase of 33.7 percent from $116.3 million during fiscal year 2007.  As a percentage of revenue, income from continuing operations for fiscal year 2008 increased to 8.8 percent from 7.9 percent.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Earnings Per Share, Income From Continuing Operations

 

Diluted earnings per share, income from continuing operations was $3.50 for fiscal year 2008, compared to $2.60 for fiscal year 2007. The diluted earnings per share calculations assume that the 1,950,000 contingent shares related to the WWLLP business combination have been issued and outstanding since July 31, 2005. The diluted earnings per share calculation for 2008 also assumes that the 218,089 WWN contingent shares were also outstanding at the beginning of the fiscal year.

 

 Discontinued Operations

 

During 1998, the company exited from its benefits administration outsourcing business, Wellspring Resources, LLC (“Wellspring”).  Discontinued operations for fiscal year 2006 reflects the reduction of the company’s accrual for the estimated remaining future obligations and costs related to the exit from Wellspring by $1.75 million less the associated income tax expenses.  Also, during fiscal year 2006 the company received sublease income of approximately $64,000 in excess of lease payments related to Wellspring.  See Note 15 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information related to Wellspring.

 

Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2007, Compared to Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2006

 

Revenue

 

Revenues for fiscal year 2007 were $1.49 billion, an increase of $215 million, or 17 percent, from $1.27 billion in fiscal year 2006.  The WWLLP business combination was completed on July 31, 2005, and therefore, fiscal year 2006 only includes eleven months of our European operations.  The overall increase in revenues is due to an increase in demand for services in all of our segments, strengthening of the European currencies and the additional month of European operations.

 

The average exchange rate used to translate our revenues earned in British pounds sterling increased to 1.9391 for fiscal year 2007 from 1.7798 for the eleven months ended June 30, 2006, and the average exchange rate used to translate our revenues earned in Euros increased to 1.3113 for fiscal year 2007 from 1.221 for the eleven months ended June 30, 2006.  The appreciation of these European currencies resulted in $42 million of the increase in revenues in fiscal year 2007.  Changes in the value of other foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar resulted in $4 million of the increase in fiscal year 2007 revenues.

 

A comparison of segment revenues between fiscal year 2007 and fiscal year 2006 is provided below.  A portion of each segment’s revenue growth is due to the additional month of European operations included in fiscal year 2007 compared to fiscal year 2006.

 

·                  Benefits increased revenues $95.2 million, or 13 percent, over fiscal year 2006 due to increased demand for our services in both the U.S. and Europe.  The inclusion of an additional month of European revenues and the strengthening of the European currencies each accounted for 3 percentage points of the increase in fiscal year 2007.

 

·                  Technology and Administration Solutions increased revenues $24.7 million, or 19 percent, over fiscal year 2006, largely due to an increase in the number of projects that went into service in the U.S. during the fiscal year.  In accordance with EITF 00-3, “Application of AICPA Statement of Position 97-2 to Arrangements that Include the Right to Use Software Stored on Another Entity’s Hardware” (EITF 00-3), the company begins recognizing revenue after projects go into service.  No revenues are recognized during project implementation.  At June 30, 2007, the company had 84 projects in service delivery and 67 projects in implementation.  At June 30, 2006, the company had 51 projects in service delivery and 58 projects in implementation.  The inclusion of an additional month of European revenues and the strengthening of the European currencies each accounted for 4 percentage points of the increase in fiscal year 2007.

 

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Table of Contents

 

·                  Human Capital Group increased revenues $23.7 million, or 16 percent, over fiscal year 2006 primarily due to increased demand for our compensation consulting and our data services.  The inclusion of an additional month of European revenues and the strengthening of the European currencies each accounted for 2 percentage points of the increase in fiscal year 2007.

 

·                  Investment Consulting increased revenues $42.3 million, or 49 percent, over fiscal year 2006 due to an increase in demand for our services, especially investment strategy advice.  The inclusion of an additional month of European revenues and the strengthening of the European currencies each accounted for 6 and 5 percentage points, respectively, of the increase in fiscal year 2007.

 

·                  Insurance and Financial Services increased revenues $21.7 million, or 24 percent, over fiscal year 2006 due to an increase in project work, including life insurance consulting projects.  The inclusion of an additional month of European revenues and the strengthening of the European currencies accounted for 10 and 5 percentage points, respectively, of the increase in fiscal year 2007.

 

Salaries and Employee Benefits

 

Salaries and employee benefits expenses for fiscal year 2007 were $805.6 million, compared to $699.0 million in fiscal year 2006, an increase of $106.6 million or 15.3 percent.  Of this increase, $15.1 million, or 2.2 percentage points, was attributable to the inclusion of an additional month of European results while 4.1 percentage points was attributable to the strengthening European currencies.  The remaining increase was principally due to higher salaries of $69.0 million, partially due to a $4.2 million Long Term Incentive Plan accrual and a 5.9 percent increase in headcount, a $24.5 million increase in discretionary compensation, increased benefits expense of $3.5 million, and less capitalization of $5.7 million of time spent customizing in-house administration systems, in accordance with AICPA’s Statement of Position 98-1, “Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use”.  The increase was partially offset by a decrease in pension expense of $11.2 million.  As a percentage of revenue, salaries and employee benefits decreased to 54.2 percent from 55.0 percent.

 

Professional and Subcontracted Services

 

Professional and subcontracted services used in consulting operations for fiscal year 2007 were $99.9 million, compared to $84.2 million for fiscal year 2006, an increase of $15.7 million or 18.7 percent.  Of this increase, $1.6 million, or 1.9 percentage points, was attributable to the inclusion of an additional month of European results while 4.6 percentage points was attributable to the strengthening European currencies.  The remaining increase was principally due to higher reimbursable expenses incurred on behalf of clients. As a percentage of revenue, professional and subcontracted services increased to 6.7 percent from 6.6 percent.

 

Occupancy, Communications and Other

 

Occupancy, communications and other expenses for fiscal year 2007 were $184.8 million, compared to $164.1 million for fiscal year 2006, an increase of $20.7 million or 12.6 percent.  Of this increase, $2.2 million, or 1.3 percentage points, was attributable to the inclusion of an additional month of European results while 3.3 percentage points was attributable to the strengthening European currencies.  The remaining increase was attributable to general increases in expenses such as rent and utilities, travel, dues and entertainment, promotion, business tax, telephone, and repairs and maintenance, partially offset by decreases in expenses such as general office, postage, and office supplies.  As a percentage of revenue, occupancy, communications and other expenses decreased to 12.4 percent from 12.9 percent.

 

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Table of Contents

 

General and Administrative Expenses

 

General and administrative expenses were $159.6 million for fiscal year 2007, compared to $147.1 million for fiscal year 2006, an increase of $12.5 million or 8.5 percent.  Of this increase, $3.0 million, or 2.0 percentage points, was attributable to the inclusion of an additional month of European results while 4.3 percentage points was attributable to the strengthening European currencies.  The remaining increase was principally due to higher base salaries of $9.3 million, higher professional services expense of $3.8 million and higher general office expenses of $4.1 million, partially offset by a decrease in insurance expense of $7.8 million. As a percentage of revenue, general and administrative expenses decreased to 10.7 percent from 11.6 percent.

 

Depreciation and Amortization

 

Depreciation and amortization for fiscal year 2007 was $57.2 million, compared to $44.9 million for fiscal year 2006, an increase of $12.3 million or 27.4 percent.  Of this increase, $0.9 million, or 2.0 percentage points, was attributable to the inclusion of an additional month of European results while 4.0 percentage points, was attributable to the strengthening European currencies.  The remaining increase was due to $7.8 million of amortization on internally developed software used to support our Benefits Group and Technology and Administration Solutions Group and $3.6 million higher depreciation expense on capital assets and amortization of intangibles.  As a percentage of revenue, depreciation and amortization increased to 3.9 percent from 3.5 percent.

 

  Income/(Loss) From Affiliates

 

Loss from affiliates was $5.5 million for fiscal year 2007 compared to income of $1.1 million for fiscal year 2006.  The loss in fiscal year 2007 reflects our share of PCIC’s loss compared to our share of  PCIC’s earnings in fiscal year 2006.  Our share of those losses are the result of a substantial increase in PCIC’s reserves during the third quarter of fiscal year 2007 in response to unusually rapid development of several claims against its three participating firms.  Fiscal year 2006 also includes our share of results from our European affiliates for the month of July 2005, after which time the WWLLP business combination was consummated.

 

Interest Income

 

Interest income was $4.1 million for fiscal year 2007, a decrease of $0.2 million from $4.3 million during fiscal year 2006.

 

  Interest Expense

 

Interest expense was $1.6 million for fiscal year 2007, a decrease of $2.5 million from $4.1 million during fiscal year 2006.  The decrease was due to a lower average debt balance in fiscal year 2007.  The $105 million of borrowings on the balance sheet as of June 30, 2007 was borrowed on June 29, 2007 in anticipation of closing the Heissmann acquisition in early July.

 

Other Non-Operating Income/(Loss)

 

Other non-operating income/(loss) in fiscal year 2006 includes a $1.4 million gain recognized by the company on the sale of its New Zealand operations, netted against a loss of $3.6 million on a foreign exchange forward contract entered into in conjunction with the WWLLP business combination.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Income From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes for fiscal year 2007 was $176.5 million, an increase of 34.0 percent from $131.7 million during fiscal year 2006.  As a percentage of revenue, income from continuing operations for fiscal year 2007 increased to 11.9 percent from 10.3 percent.

 

Provision for Income Taxes

 

Provision for income taxes for fiscal year 2007 was $60.2 million, compared to $45.6 million for fiscal year 2006. Our effective tax rate was 34.1 percent for fiscal year 2007 and 34.6 percent for fiscal year 2006.  The tax rate decrease is due to the geographic mix of income and the release of tax reserves.  The company has not provided U.S. deferred taxes on cumulative earnings of foreign subsidiaries that have been reinvested indefinitely, which also includes foreign subsidiaries affiliated with the WWLLP business combination.  We record a tax benefit on foreign net operating loss carryovers and foreign deferred expenses only if it is more likely than not that a benefit will be realized.

 

Income From Continuing Operations

 

Income from continuing operations for fiscal year 2007 was $116.3 million, an increase of 35.1 percent from $86.1 million during fiscal year 2006.  As a percentage of revenue, income from continuing operations for fiscal year 2007 increased to 7.9 percent from 6.7 percent.

 

Earnings Per Share, Income From Continuing Operations

 

Diluted earnings per share, income from continuing operations was $2.60 for fiscal year 2007, compared to $1.99 for fiscal year 2006. The diluted earnings per share calculation assumes that the 1,950,000 contingent shares related to the WWLLP business combination have been issued and outstanding since July 31, 2005.

 

Discontinued Operations

 

During 1998, the company exited from its benefits administration outsourcing business, Wellspring Resources, LLC (“Wellspring”).  Discontinued operations for fiscal year 2006 reflects the reduction of the company’s accrual for the estimated remaining future obligations and costs related to the exit from Wellspring by $1.75 million less the associated income tax expenses.  Also, during fiscal year 2006 the company received sublease income of approximately $64,000 in excess of lease payments related to Wellspring.  See Note 15 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information related to Wellspring.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Our cash and cash equivalents at June 30, 2008 totaled $124.6 million, compared to $248.2 million at June 30, 2007.  During fiscal year 2008, we paid $139 million of previously accrued discretionary compensation, $138.8 million related to acquisitions, $76.3 million in corporate taxes, $82.0 million for stock repurchases, $38.7 million in capital expenditures and $12.8 million in dividends.  These payments were funded by cash flow from current consulting operations, from existing cash balances and from borrowings under our revolving credit facility.  Consistent with the company’s liquidity position, management considers various alternative strategic uses of cash reserves including acquisitions, stock buybacks, and dividends, or any combination of these options. The company believes that it has sufficient resources to fund operations through the next twelve months.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Our non U.S. operations are substantially self-sufficient for their working capital needs.  At June 30, 2008, $92.6 million of the total cash balance of $124.6 million was held outside of North America, which we have the ability to utilize, if necessary. There are no significant repatriation restrictions other than local or U.S. taxes associated with repatriation.

 

Under the terms of the WWLLP Business Combination, we are required under certain circumstances to place funds into an insurance trust designed to satisfy potential litigation settlement related to the former partners of WWLLP.  If the assets of the trust are not used by 2017, they will be returned to the company. As of June 30, 2008, we maintained $6.6 million of restricted cash related to this obligation. This restricted cash balance was included in Other Assets on our consolidated balance sheet.

 

Cash From Operating Activities

 

Cash from operating activities for fiscal year 2008 was $283.7 million, compared to cash from operating activities of $167.1 million for fiscal year 2007.  The increase is primarily attributable to $39.2 million of additional net income and an increase in the discretionary compensation accrual.

 

The allowance for doubtful accounts increased $2.3 million from June 30, 2007 to June 30, 2008.  The number of days of accounts receivable and work in process outstanding decreased to 71 at June 30, 2008 from 83 at June 30, 2007.

 

Cash from operating activities for fiscal year 2007 was $167.1 million, compared to cash from operating activities of $169.1 million for fiscal year 2006.

 

The allowance for doubtful accounts increased $2.5 million from June 30, 2006 to June 30, 2007.  As a result of the increase in accounts receivable and work in process since June 30, 2006, the number of days of accounts receivable and work in process outstanding increased to 83 at June 30, 2007 from 78 at June 30, 2006.

 

Cash Used in Investing Activities

 

Cash used in investing activities for fiscal year 2008 was $204.6 million, compared to $114.2 million for fiscal year 2007.  The difference can be primarily attributed to the Heissmann business combination and other acquisition related payments totaling $138.8 million.

 

Cash used in investing activities for fiscal year 2007 was $114.2 million, compared to $202.3 million for fiscal year 2006.  The difference can be primarily attributed to a reduction in the amounts spent on acquisitions and contingent consideration payments in fiscal year 2007.  Expenditures of capital funds were $44.0 million for fiscal year 2007.

 

Cash (Used in) From Financing Activities

 

Cash used in financing activities was $188.8 million for fiscal year 2008, compared to $27.2 million from financing activities during fiscal year 2007.  The difference was primarily attributable to net debt repayments of $105.0 million in fiscal year 2008, compared to net borrowings of $75 million during fiscal year 2007 and higher stock repurchases of $33.7 million.

 

Cash from financing activities was $27.2 million for fiscal year 2007, compared to $16.9 million from financing activities during fiscal year 2006.  The increase was primarily attributable to higher net borrowings of $45 million in fiscal year 2007, net of an increase of $44 million of common stock repurchases.  Fiscal year 2006 included a loss of $8.4 million on a forward looking foreign currency contract.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Capital Commitments

 

Expenditures of capital funds were $38.7 million for fiscal year 2008.  Anticipated commitments of capital funds for Watson Wyatt are estimated at $44.0 million for fiscal year 2009. We expect cash from operations to adequately provide for these cash needs.

 

Dividends

 

During fiscal year 2008, the Board of Directors of the company approved the payment of a quarterly cash dividend in the amount of $0.075 per share.  Total dividends paid in fiscal year 2008 were $12.8 million.

 

Under our credit facility in effect as of June 30, 2007 (see Note 9 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 15 of this report), we are required to observe certain covenants (including requirements for a fixed coverage charge, cash flow leverage ratio and asset coverage) that affect the amounts available for the declaration or payment of dividends.  The continued payment of cash dividends in the future is at the discretion of our Board of Directors and depends on numerous factors, including, without limitation, our net income, financial condition, availability of capital, debt covenant limitations and our other business needs, including those of our subsidiaries and affiliates.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Contractual Obligations

 

 

 

Remaining payments by fiscal year due as of June 30, 2008

 

Contractual Cash
Obligations (in thousands)

 

Total

 

Less than
1
Year

 

2-3 Years

 

4-5 Years

 

More than
5 Years 
(1)

 

Lease commitments

 

$

372,095

 

$

66,750

 

$

114,244

 

$

86,160

 

$

104,941

 

Pension Contribution

 

182,876

 

33,096

 

71,239

 

78,540

 

 

Total

 

$

554,971

 

$

99,846

 

$

185,483

 

$

164,700

 

$

104,941

 

 


(1) Pension Contributions for this category cannot be estimated.

 

Operating Leases.  We lease office space, furniture and selected computer equipment under operating lease agreements with terms ranging from one to ten years. Management has determined that there is not a large concentration of leases that will expire in any one fiscal year.  Consequently, management anticipates that any increase in future rent expense will be mainly market driven.

 

Pension Contributions.  Contributions to our various pension plans for fiscal year 2009 are projected to be approximately $38.0 million.

 

Credit Agreement

 

The company has a credit facility provided by a syndicate of banks in an aggregate principal amount of $300 million.  Interest rates associated with this facility vary with LIBOR and/or the Prime Rate and are based on our leverage ratio, as defined by the credit agreement.  We are charged a quarterly commitment fee, currently 0.125 percent of the facility, which varies with our financial leverage and is paid on the unused portion of the credit facility.  The company had no borrowings under the credit facility as of June 30, 2008 compared to $105.0 million of borrowings outstanding under the facility at June 30, 2007.  Credit under the facility is available upon demand, although the credit facility requires us to observe certain covenants (including a cash flow leverage ratio and a fixed coverage charge ratio) and is collateralized with a pledge of stock of material subsidiaries.  We were in compliance with both covenants under the credit facility as of June 30, 2008. This facility is scheduled to mature on June 30, 2010.

 

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A portion of the revolving facility is used to support required letters of credit issued under the credit line.  As a result, $10.6 million of the facility was unavailable for operating needs as of June 30, 2008.  We are charged a fee for outstanding letters of credit that also fluctuates based on our leverage ratio.

 

The company has also provided a $5.0 million Australian dollar-denominated letter of credit (US $4.8 million) to an Australian governmental agency as required by the local regulations.  The estimated fair market value of these letters of credit is immaterial because they have never been used, and the company believes that future usage is remote.

 

Risk Management

 

As a part of our overall risk management program, we carry customary commercial insurance policies, including commercial general liability and claims-made professional liability insurance with a self-insured retention of $1 million per claim, which provides coverage for professional liability claims of the company and its subsidiaries, including the cost of defending such claims.  Our professional liability insurance coverage beyond our self-insured retention amount is written by an affiliated captive insurance company (PCIC) owned by us and two other professional services firms, and by various commercial insurance carriers.

 

In formulating its premium structure, PCIC estimates the amount it expects to pay for losses (and loss expenses) for all the members as a whole and then allocates that amount to the member firms based on the individual member’s expected losses.  PCIC bases premium calculations, which are determined annually based on experience through March of each year, on relative risk of the various lines of business performed by each of the owner companies, past claim experience of each owner company, growth of each of those companies, industry risk profiles in general and the overall insurance markets. 

 

As of July 1, 2008, the captive insurance company carries reinsurance for losses it insures above $25 million.  Since losses incurred by PCIC below this level are not covered by reinsurance, but are direct expenses of PCIC, reserve adjustments and actual outcomes of specific claims of any PCIC member firm carry through into Watson Wyatt’s financial results as income or loss from affiliates through our 36.43% ownership of PCIC.  Thus from time to time the impacts of PCIC’s reserve development may result in fluctuations in Watson Wyatt’s earnings.

 

Our agreements with PCIC could require additional payments to PCIC in the event that the company decided to exit PCIC and adverse claims significantly exceed prior expectations.  If these circumstances were to occur, the company would record a liability at the time it becomes probable and reasonably estimable.

 

The company will continue to provide for the self-insured retention where specific estimated losses and loss expenses for known claims in excess of $1 million are considered probable and reasonably estimable.  Although the company maintains professional liability insurance coverage, this insurance does not cover claims made after expiration of our current insurance contracts.  Generally accepted accounting principles require that we record a liability for incurred but not reported (IBNR) professional liability claims if they are probable and reasonably estimable, and for which we have not yet contracted for insurance coverage.  The company uses actuarial assumptions to estimate and record its IBNR liability and has a $39.0 million IBNR liability recorded as of June 30, 2008.

 

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Insurance market conditions for our industry and the company include heightened overall premium cost.  In addition, in 2005, PCIC raised the reinsurance attachment point from $15 million to $25 million. Trends toward higher self-insured retentions and constraints on aggregate excess coverage for this class of insurance coverage are anticipated to continue or to recur periodically, and to be reflected in our future annual insurance renewals.  As a result, we will continue to assess our ability to secure future insurance coverage and we cannot assure that such coverage will continue to be available indefinitely in the event of specific adverse claims experience, adverse loss trends, market capacity constraints or other factors. 

 

In anticipation of the possibility of future reductions in risk transfer from PCIC to re-insurers, as well as the hardening insurance market conditions in recent years, the firms that own PCIC, including the company, have increased PCIC’s capital in the past and we will continue to re-assess capital requirements on a regular basis.

 

In light of increasing worldwide litigation, including litigation against professionals, the company has a policy that all client relationships be documented by engagement letters containing specific risk mitigation clauses that were not included in all historical client agreements.  Certain contractual provisions designed to mitigate risk may not be legally practical or enforceable in litigation involving breaches of fiduciary duty or certain other alleged errors or omissions, or in certain jurisdictions. We may incur significant legal expenses in defending against litigation. Nearly 100 percent of the company’s U.S. and U.K. corporate clients have signed engagement letters including some if not all of our preferred mitigation clauses, and initiatives to maintain that process in the United States and the United Kingdom and complete it elsewhere are underway.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) published Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“FAS 157”) which in most respects is effective beginning July 1, 2008.  FAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.  The company has evaluated the new statement and has determined that the adoption of FAS 157 will not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In September 2006, the FASB published Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Plans” (FAS 158).  The company adopted the provisions of FAS 158 for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2007.  FAS 158 requires companies to recognize the funded status of each of the defined benefit pension and postretirement plans.  The impact of the standard of $2.3 million and $1.4 million for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, are recognized as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income.

 

In September 2006, the SEC released Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108, “Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements When Qualifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statement” (“SAB 108”) which provides guidance on how companies should quantify financial statement misstatements.  SAB 108 permits companies, under certain circumstances, to adjust for the cumulative effect of misstatements relating to prior years in the carrying amount of assets and liabilities as of the beginning of the current fiscal year, with an offsetting adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the year of adoption. The Company adopted SAB 108 in fiscal year 2007 and recorded an adjustment to beginning retained earnings of $10.1 million.

 

In June 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48 (“FIN 48”), “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes - an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (“FAS 109”), which clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with FAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.”  FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return.  This Interpretation also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition.  The company adopted this standard on July 1, 2007.  See Note 11 of this report for further information regarding the company’s adoption of FIN 48. 

 

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In February 2007, the FASB published Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities—including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115” (“FAS 159”).  FAS 159 allows entities to choose to measure eligible financial assets and liabilities at fair value that are not otherwise required to be measured at fair value. If a company elects the fair value option for an eligible item, changes in that item’s fair value in subsequent reporting periods must be recognized in current earnings. FAS 159 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, provided the entity also elects to apply the provisions of FAS 157, “Fair Value Measurements”. The company does not believe the adoption of FAS 159 will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In December 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141 (revised 2007), “Business Combinations” (FAS 141R) which is a revision of FAS 141, “Business Combinations”.  FAS 141R changes the application of the acquisition method in a number of significant aspects.  Acquisition costs will generally be expensed as incurred; noncontrolling interests will be valued at fair value at the acquisition date; restructuring costs associated with a business combination will generally be expensed subsequent to the acquisition date; contingent consideration will be recognized at its fair value on the acquisition date and, for certain arrangements, changes in fair value will be recognized in earnings until settled, and changes in deferred tax asset valuation allowances and income tax uncertainties after the acquisition date generally will affect income tax expense. We will be required to comply with the provisions of FAS 141(R) for acquisitions that occur on or after July 1, 2009. The Statement would apply prospectively to any future business combinations and therefore the impact would be determined when a business combination occurs.

 

In December 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements – an amendment of ARB No.51” (“FAS 160”).  This statement is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008, with earlier adoption prohibited.  This statement requires the recognition of a noncontrolling interest (minority interest) as equity in the consolidated financial statements and separate from the parent’s equity.  The amount of net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest will be included in consolidated net income.  It also amends certain of ARB No. 51’s consolidation procedures for consistency with the requirements of FAS 141(R).  This statement also includes expanded disclosure requirements regarding the interests of the parent and its noncontrolling interest.  The Company is currently evaluating the effects, if any, that FAS 160 may have on its financial statements.

 

In April 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Positon No. 142-3, “Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets” (“FSP 142-3”).  FSP 142-3 amends the factors that should be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible assets under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.”  FSP 142-3 is effective on a prospective basis to all intangible assets acquired and for disclosures on all intangible assets recognized on or after the beginning of the first annual period subsequent to December 15, 2008. Early adoption is prohibited.  The effects of FSP 142-3 will depend on future acquisitions of intangible assets.

 

Item 7A.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

 

We are exposed to market risks in the ordinary course of business.  These risks include interest rate risk, foreign currency exchange and translation risk.

 

Interest Rate Risk

 

The primary objective of our investment activities is to preserve principal while at the same time maximize yields without significantly increasing risk. To achieve this objective, we maintain our portfolio in mainly short term securities that are recorded on the balance sheet at fair value.

 

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Foreign Currency Risk

 

International revenues result from transactions by our foreign operations and are typically denominated in the local currency of each country. These operations also incur most of their expenses in the local currency. Accordingly, our foreign operations use the local currency, as their functional currency.  Our primary international operations use the British Pound, the Euro and the Canadian dollar. Our international operations are subject to risks typical of international operations, including, but not limited to, differing economic conditions, changes in political climate, differing tax structures, other regulations and restrictions, and foreign exchange rate volatility. Accordingly, our future results could be adversely impacted by changes in these or other factors.

 

Translation Exposure

 

Foreign exchange rate fluctuations may adversely impact our consolidated financial position as well as our consolidated results of operations and may adversely impact our financial position as the assets and liabilities of our foreign operations are translated into U.S. dollars in preparing our condensed consolidated balance sheet. Additionally, foreign exchange rate fluctuations may adversely impact our condensed consolidated results of operations as exchange rate fluctuations on transactions denominated in currencies other than our functional currencies result in gains and losses that are reflected in our condensed consolidated statement of income.

 

We consolidate our international subsidiaries by converting them into U.S. dollars in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 52, “Foreign Currency Translation” (“FAS 52”). The results of operations and our financial position will fluctuate when there is a change in foreign currency exchange rates.

 

Item 8.  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

 

Our consolidated financial statements, together with the related notes and the report of independent registered public accounting firm, are set forth on the pages indicated in Item 15.

 

Item 9.  Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.

 

There are no changes in accountants or disagreements with accountants on accounting principles and financial disclosures required to be disclosed in this Item 9.

 

Item 9A.  Controls and Procedures.

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

An evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and senior management, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, and senior management concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in providing reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed in our periodic reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is (1) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms, and (2) accumulated and communicated to our management to allow their timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

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Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting in the fourth quarter of 2008 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

Internal control over financial reporting refers to the process designed by, or under the supervision of, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, and overseen by our Board of Directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and includes those policies and procedures that:

 

(1)          Pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company;

 

(2)          Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and

 

(3)          Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

 

Internal control over financial reporting cannot provide absolute assurance of achieving financial reporting objectives because of its inherent limitations. Internal control over financial reporting is a process that involves human diligence and compliance and is subject to lapses in judgment and breakdowns resulting from human failures. Internal control over financial reporting also can be circumvented by collusion or improper management override. Because of such limitations, there is a risk that material misstatements may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis by internal control over financial reporting. However, these inherent limitations are known features of the financial reporting process. Therefore, it is possible to design into the process safeguards to reduce, though not eliminate, this risk.

 

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting for the company. Management has used the framework set forth in the report entitled Internal Control-Integrated Framework published by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations (COSO) of the Treadway Commission to evaluate the effectiveness of the company’s internal control over financial reporting. Based on this evaluation, management has concluded that the company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of June 30, 2008.

 

Management has excluded Heissmann and Marcu from its assessment of internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2008 because both entities were acquired by the company during fiscal year 2008.

 

Our independent registered public accounting firm, Deloitte & Touche LLP, has issued a report on management’s assessment of our internal control over financial reporting.  This report is included below.

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Watson Wyatt Worldwide, Inc.
Arlington, Virginia

 

We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Watson Wyatt Worldwide, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of June 30, 2008, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.  The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Controls over Financial Reporting.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

 

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.  Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based upon the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances.  We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company’s board of directors, management, and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.  A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

 

Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.  Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

 

In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2008, based on the criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

 

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We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule as of and for the year ended June 30, 2008 of the Company and our report dated August 15, 2008 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements and financial statement schedule and included an explanatory paragraph regarding the Company’s adoption of new accounting standards.

 

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

 

McLean, Virginia
August 15, 2008

 

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Part III

 

Item 10.  Directors, Executive Officers, and Audit Committee of the Registrant.

 

The response to this item will be included in a definitive proxy statement to be filed within 120 days after the end of the company’s fiscal year, and that information is incorporated herein by this reference.

 

Item 11.  Executive Compensation.

 

The response to this item will be included in a definitive proxy statement to be filed within 120 days after the end of the company’s fiscal year, and that information is incorporated herein by this reference.

 

Item 12.  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.

 

The response to this item will be included in a definitive proxy statement to be filed within 120 days after the end of the company’s fiscal year, and that information is incorporated herein by this reference.

 

Item 13.  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.

 

The response to this item will be included in a definitive proxy statement to be filed within 120 days after the end of the company’s fiscal year, and that information is incorporated herein by this reference.

 

Item 14.  Principal Auditor Fees and Services.

 

The response to this item will be included in a definitive proxy statement to be filed within 120 days after the end of the company’s fiscal year, and that information is incorporated herein by this reference.

 

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Part IV

 

Item 15.  Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

 

a)

Financial Information

 

 

 

 

(1)

Consolidated Financial Statements of Watson Wyatt Worldwide, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

 

 

 

 

Financial Statements:

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations for each of the three years in the period ended June 30, 2008

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets at June 30, 2008 and 2007

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the three years in the period ended June 30, 2008

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for each of the three years in the period ended June 30, 2008

 

 

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

 

 

 

 

(2)

Consolidated Financial Statement Schedule for each of the three years in the period ended June 30, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves (Schedule II)

 

 

All other schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or the required information is shown in the financial statements or notes thereto.

 

 

 

 

(3)

Exhibits

 

 

 

 

 

See (b) below.

 

 

 

 

b)

Exhibits

 

 

 

 

 

See Exhibit Index on page 97.

 

 

 

 

c)

Financial Statement Schedules

 

 

 

 

 

Not applicable.

 

 

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SIGNATURES

 

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

 

 

WATSON WYATT WORLDWIDE, INC.

 

(Registrant)

 

 

Date: August 15, 2008

By:

 /s/ John J. Haley

 

 

 John J. Haley

 

 

 President and Chief Executive
 Officer

 

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

 

Signature

 

Title

 

Date

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  /s/ John J. Haley

 

President, Chief Executive Officer

 

8/15/08

  John J. Haley

 

and Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  /s/ Carl D. Mautz

 

Vice President and Chief

 

8/15/08

  Carl D. Mautz

 

Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  /s/ Peter L. Childs

 

Controller

 

8/15/08

  Peter L. Childs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  /s/ John J. Gabarro

 

Director

 

8/15/08

  John J. Gabarro

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  /s/ Kevin Meehan

 

Director

 

8/15/08

  Kevin Meehan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  /s/ R. Michael McCullough

 

Director

 

8/15/08

  R. Michael McCullough

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  /s/ Brendan O’Neill

 

Director

 

8/15/08

  Brendan O’Neill

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  /s/ Linda D. Rabbitt

 

Director

 

8/15/08

  Linda D. Rabbitt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  /s/Chandrasekhar Ramamurthy

 

Vice President and Director

 

8/15/08

  Chandrasekhar Ramamurthy

 

 

 

 

 

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  /s/ Gilbert T. Ray

 

Director

 

8/15/08

  Gilbert T. Ray

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  /s/ John C. Wright

 

Director

 

8/15/08

  John C. Wright

 

 

 

 

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders
Watson Wyatt Worldwide, Inc.
Arlington, Virginia

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Watson Wyatt Worldwide, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of June 30, 2008 and 2007 and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the years then ended.  Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15 for the years ended June 30, 2008 and 2007.  These financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.  We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Watson Wyatt Worldwide, Inc. and subsidiaries at June 30, 2008 and 2007, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the years then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  Also, in our opinion, such financial statement schedules for the years ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

 

As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, effective June 30, 2007, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 158 as well as SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108.  Additionally, as discussed in Note 1 and 11 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements, effective July 1, 2007, the Company adopted FASB Interpretation (“FIN”) No. 48 Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109.

 

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2008, based on the criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated August 15, 2008, expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting .

 

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

 

McLean, Virginia
August 15, 2008

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To Board of Directors and Stockholders

Watson Wyatt Worldwide, Inc.

 

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements listed in the accompanying index present fairly, in all material respects, the results of operations and cash flows of Watson Wyatt Worldwide, Inc. and its subsidiaries for the year ended June 30, 2006 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedule for the year ended June 30, 2006, listed in the accompanying index presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements.  These financial statements and the financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audit.  We conducted our audit of these statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.  We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

 

McLean, Virginia

August 17, 2006

 

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WATSON WYATT WORLDWIDE, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Thousands of U.S. Dollars, Except Per Share Data)

 

 

 

Year Ended June 30

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

$

1,760,055

 

$

1,486,523

 

$

1,271,811

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs of providing services:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salaries and employee benefits

 

970,236

 

805,571

 

699,049

 

Professional and subcontracted services

 

105,896

 

99,943

 

84,165

 

Occupancy, communications and other

 

208,058

 

184,832

 

164,140

 

General and administrative expenses

 

176,664

 

159,637

 

147,122

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

72,428

 

57,235

 

44,918

 

 

 

1,533,282

 

1,307,218

 

1,139,394

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from operations

 

226,773

 

179,305

 

132,417

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income/(Loss) from affiliates

 

2,067

 

(5,500

)

1,135

 

Interest income

 

5,584

 

4,066

 

4,325

 

Interest expense

 

(5,977

)

(1,581

)

(4,093

)

Other non-operating income/(loss)

 

464

 

178

 

(2,081

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

 

228,911

 

176,468

 

131,703

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Provision for income taxes

 

73,470

 

60,193

 

45,585

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

 

155,441

 

116,275

 

86,118

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discontinued operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjustment to reduce estimated loss on disposal of discontinued operations (less applicable income tax expense for the year ended June 30, 2006)

 

 

 

1,028

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sublease income from discontinued operations, less applicable income tax expense for the year ended June 30, 2006

 

 

 

45

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

155,441

 

$

116,275

 

$

87,191

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

 

$

3.65

 

$

2.74

 

$

2.08

 

Income from discontinued operations

 

 

 

0.03

 

Net income

 

$

3.65

 

$

2.74

 

$

2.11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

 

$

3.50

 

$

2.60

 

$

1.99

 

Income from discontinued operations

 

 

 

0.02

 

Net income

 

$

3.50

 

$

2.60

 

$

2.01

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares of common stock, basic (000)

 

42,577

 

42,413

 

41,393

 

Weighted average shares of common stock, diluted (000)

 

44,381

 

44,684

 

43,297

 

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements

 

57



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WATSON WYATT WORLDWIDE, INC.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Thousands of U.S. Dollars, Except Share Data)

 

 

 

June 30,

 

June 30,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

124,632

 

$

248,186

 

Receivables from clients:

 

 

 

 

 

Billed, net of allowances of $8,544 and $6,216

 

239,593

 

227,130

 

Unbilled, at estimated net realizable value

 

126,163

 

109,697

 

 

 

365,756

 

336,827

 

Deferred income taxes

 

18,576

 

17,016

 

Other current assets

 

48,523

 

34,733

 

Total current assets

 

557,487

 

636,762

 

Investment in affiliate

 

8,526

 

3,058

 

Fixed assets, net

 

184,684

 

172,147

 

Deferred income taxes

 

72,572

 

66,751

 

Goodwill

 

634,176

 

382,936

 

Intangible assets, net

 

236,767

 

211,715

 

Other assets

 

21,764

 

56,340

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Assets

 

$

1,715,976

 

$

1,529,709

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities, including discretionary compensation

 

$

381,784

 

$

303,346

 

Income taxes payable and deferred

 

3,462

 

7,062

 

Total current liabilities

 

385,246

 

310,408

 

Revolving credit facility

 

 

105,000

 

Accrued retirement benefits

 

209,168

 

198,677

 

Deferred rent and accrued lease losses

 

29,239

 

32,686

 

Deferred income taxes and other long term tax liabilities

 

13,430

 

2,663

 

Other noncurrent liabilities

 

94,498

 

92,756

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

 

731,581

 

742,190

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 13)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred Stock - No par value:

 

 

 

 

 

1,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding

 

 

 

Class A Common Stock - $.01 par value:

 

 

 

 

 

99,000,000 shares authorized; 43,813,451 and 42,463,451 issued and 43,578,268 and 42,299,792 outstanding

 

438

 

428

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

456,681

 

395,521

 

Treasury stock, at cost - 235,183 and 463,659 shares

 

(13,222

)

(22,251

)

Retained earnings

 

474,961

 

336,101

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

65,537

 

77,720

 

Total Stockholders’ Equity

 

984,395

 

787,519

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

 

$

1,715,976

 

$

1,529,709

 

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements

 

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WATSON WYATT WORLDWIDE, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Thousands of U.S. Dollars)

 

 

 

Year ended June 30

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

155,441

 

$

116,275

 

$

87,191

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss on foreign currency forward contract

 

 

 

3,602

 

Income from discontinued operations, net of income tax expense

 

 

 

(1,028

)

Provision for doubtful receivables from clients

 

11,207

 

8,551

 

5,687

 

Depreciation

 

56,281

 

47,090

 

36,763

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

16,397

 

10,145

 

8,155

 

Provision for (benefit from) deferred income taxes

 

8,468

 

8,418

 

9,545

 

(Income)/Loss from affiliates

 

(2,066

)

5,500

 

(1,136

)

Distributions from affiliates

 

 

 

1,614

 

Other, net

 

8,640

 

977

 

449

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities (net of business acquisitions and discontinued operations):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Receivables from clients

 

(22,057

)

(43,464

)

(27,917

)

Other current assets

 

(1,885

)

(24,699

)

32,212

 

Other assets

 

37,080

 

1,324

 

(2,000

)

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

79,646

 

19,246

 

5,238

 

Income taxes payable

 

(2,080

)

4,407

 

(235

)

Accrued retirement benefits

 

(61,682

)

(2,831

)

4,148

 

Deferred rent and accrued lease losses

 

(3,447

)

54

 

1,561

 

Other noncurrent liabilities

 

3,788

 

16,119

 

5,274

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

283,731

 

167,112

 

169,123

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows used in investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Business acquisitions and contingent consideration payments

 

(138,830

)

(48,099

)

(137,784

)

Purchases of fixed assets

 

(38,694

)

(43,989

)

(38,060

)

Capitalized software costs

 

(21,904

)

(22,295

)

(27,743

)

Investment in affiliates

 

(3,316

)

 

 

Increase in restricted cash

 

(2,331

)

 

 

Contingent proceeds from divestitures

 

464

 

178

 

1,296

 

Cash flows used in investing activities:

 

(204,611

)

(114,205

)

(202,291

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows (used in)/from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Repayments)/borrowings under Credit Facility

 

(105,000

)

75,000

 

30,000

 

Foreign currency forward contract

 

 

 

(8,405

)

Dividends paid

 

(12,767

)

(12,717

)

(12,667

)

Repurchases of common stock

 

(82,032

)

(48,303

)

(4,272

)

Issuance of common stock and excess tax benefit

 

11,046

 

13,245

 

12,200

 

Cash flows (used in)/from financing activities:

 

(188,753

)

27,225

 

16,856

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rates on cash

 

(13,921

)

2,709

 

13,581

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Decrease)/Increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

(123,554

)

82,841

 

(2,731

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

248,186

 

165,345

 

168,076

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

124,632

 

$

248,186

 

$

165,345

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosures:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for interest

 

$

5,951

 

$

1,822

 

$

3,822

 

Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds

 

$

76,324

 

$

68,893

 

$

21,578

 

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements

 

59



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WATSON WYATT WORLDWIDE, INC.

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity

(Thousands of U.S. Dollars)

 

 

 

Class A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding

 

Class A

 

Additional

 

Treasury

 

 

 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

(number of shares,

 

Common

 

Paid-in

 

Stock,

 

Retained

 

Comprehensive

 

 

 

 

 

in thousands)

 

Stock

 

Capital

 

at Cost

 

Earnings

 

(Loss)/Income

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at July 1, 2005

 

32,627

 

334

 

147,948

 

(18,705

)

168,075

 

(63,449

)

234,203

 

Comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

87,191

 

 

87,191

 

Additional minimum pension liability, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

61,662

 

61,662

 

Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

23,266

 

23,266

 

Total comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

172,119

 

Cash dividends declared

 

 

 

 

 

(12,667

)

 

(12,667

)

Repurchases of common stock

 

(150

)

 

 

(4,272

)

 

 

(4,272

)

Issuances of common stock - acquisitions

 

9,184

 

91

 

238,799

 

2,328

 

 

 

241,218

 

Issuances of common stock and excess tax benefit

 

725

 

 

(2,698

)

18,515

 

 

 

15,817

 

Non-qualified stock option expense

 

 

 

307

 

 

 

 

307

 

Tax benefit of exercises of stock options

 

 

 

2,036

 

 

 

 

2,036

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at June 30, 2006

 

42,386

 

$

425

 

$

386,392

 

$

(2,134

)

$

242,599

 

$

21,479

 

$

648,761

 

Cumulative adjustment to retained earnings for adoption of SAB 108, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

(10,056

)

 

(10,056

)

Adoption of FAS 158, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,412

)

(1,412

)

Comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

116,275

 

 

116,275

 

Additional minimum pension liability, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,716

 

6,716

 

Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

50,937

 

50,937

 

Total comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

173,928

 

Cash dividends declared

 

 

 

 

 

(12,717

)

 

(12,717

)

Repurchases of common stock

 

(1,083

)

 

 

(48,303

)

 

 

(48,303

)

Issuances of common stock - acquisitions

 

252

 

3

 

11,274

 

99

 

 

 

11,376

 

Issuances of common stock and excess tax benefit

 

744

 

 

(2,145

)

28,087

 

 

 

25,942

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at June 30, 2007

 

42,299

 

$

428

 

$

395,521

 

$

(22,251

)

$

336,101

 

$

77,720

 

$

787,519

 

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements

 

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WATSON WYATT WORLDWIDE, INC.

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity, continued

(Thousands of U.S. Dollars)

 

 

 

Class A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding

 

Class A

 

Additional

 

Treasury

 

 

 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

(number of shares,

 

Common

 

Paid-in

 

Stock,

 

Retained

 

Comprehensive

 

 

 

 

 

in thousands)

 

Stock

 

Capital

 

at Cost

 

Earnings

 

(Loss)/Income

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adoption of FIN 48

 

 

 

 

 

(3,813

)

 

(3,813

)

Comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

155,441

 

 

155,441

 

Additional pension liability, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

(32,368

)

(32,368

)

Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

20,185

 

20,185

 

Total comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

143,258

 

Cash dividends declared

 

 

 

 

 

(12,768

)

 

(12,768

)

Repurchases of common stock

 

(1,586

)

 

 

(82,031

)

 

 

(82,031

)

Issuances of common stock - acquisitions and contingent consideration

 

2,176

 

10

 

52,694

 

57,999

 

 

 

110,703

 

Issuances of common stock and excess tax benefit

 

689

 

 

8,466

 

33,061

 

 

 

41,527

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at June 30, 2008

 

43,578

 

$

438

 

$

456,681

 

$

(13,222

)

$

474,961

 

$

65,537

 

$

984,395

 

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements

 

61



Table of Contents

 

WATSON WYATT WORLDWIDE, INC.

 

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(Tabular Amounts in Thousands of U.S. Dollars Except Share and Percentage Data)

 

Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Nature of the Business - Watson Wyatt Worldwide, Inc. (collectively referred to as “we”, “Watson Wyatt” or the “company”), together with our subsidiaries, is an international company engaged in the business of providing professional consultative services on a fee basis, primarily in the human resource areas of employee benefits and compensation, human capital consulting and human resource-related technology consulting, but also in other areas of specialization such as investment and financial advisory services.  The company’s fiscal year ends on June 30th.

 

Principles of Consolidation - Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the company and our majority-owned and controlled subsidiaries after elimination of intercompany accounts and transactions.  Investments in affiliated companies over which we have the ability to exercise significant influence are accounted for using the equity method.

 

Use of Estimates - Preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.  Estimates are used when accounting for revenue, allowances for uncollectible receivables, investments in affiliates, depreciation and amortization, profits on long-term contracts, asset write-downs, employee benefit plans, taxes, pension plan assumptions, accruals for estimated losses related to reported and unreported professional liability claims and discontinued operations.

 

Reclassifications - Certain amounts previously presented have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents - We consider short-term, highly-liquid investments with original maturities of 90 days or less to be cash equivalents.  All of our cash and short term investments at June 30, 2008 were deemed to be cash and cash equivalents.

 

Receivables from Clients - Billed receivables from clients are presented at their billed amount less an allowance for doubtful accounts. Unbilled receivables are stated at net realizable value less an allowance for unbillable amounts.

 

Revenue Recognition - Revenue includes fees primarily generated from consulting services provided.  We recognize revenue from these consulting engagements when hours are worked, either on a time-and-materials basis or on a fixed-fee basis, depending on the terms and conditions defined at the inception of an engagement with a client.  The terms of our contracts with clients are fixed and determinable and may change based upon agreement by both parties. Individual consultants’ billing rates are principally based on a multiple of salary and compensation costs.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Revenue for fixed-fee arrangements, which span multiple months, is based upon the percentage of completion method.  The company typically has three types of fixed-fee arrangements:  annual recurring projects, projects of a short duration, and non-recurring system projects.  Annual recurring projects and the projects of short duration are typically straightforward and highly predictable in nature.  As a result, the project manager and financial staff are able to identify, as the project status is reviewed and bills are prepared monthly, the occasions when cost overruns could lead to the recording of a loss accrual.

 

Our non-recurring system projects are typically found in our Technology and Administration Solutions Group.  They tend to be more complex projects that are longer in duration and subject to more changes in scope as the project progresses than projects undertaken in other segments. We evaluate at least quarterly, and more often as needed, project managers’ estimates-to-complete to assure that the projects’ current status is accounted for properly.  Our Technology and Administration Solutions Group contracts generally provide that if the client terminates a contract, the company is entitled to payment for services performed through termination.

 

Revenue recognition for fixed-fee engagements is affected by a number of factors that change the estimated amount of work required to complete the project such as changes in scope, the staffing on the engagement and/or the level of client participation.  The periodic engagement evaluations require us to make judgments and estimates regarding the overall profitability and stage of project completion that, in turn, affect how we recognize revenue.  The company recognizes a loss on an engagement when estimated revenue to be received for that engagement is less than the total estimated direct and indirect costs associated with the engagement.  Losses are recognized in the period in which the loss becomes probable and the amount of the loss is reasonably estimable.  The company has experienced certain costs in excess of estimates from time to time.  Management believes that it is rare, however, for these excess costs to result in overall project losses.

 

The company has developed various software programs and technologies that we provide to clients in connection with consulting services.  In most instances, such software is hosted and maintained by the company and ownership of the technology and rights to the related code remain with the company.  Software developed to be utilized in providing services to a client, but for which the client does not have the contractual right to take possession, is capitalized in accordance with the AICPA’s Statement of Position 98-1 “Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use.”  Revenue associated with the related contract, together with amortization of the related capitalized software, is recognized over the service period.  As a result, we do not recognize revenue during the implementation phase of an engagement.

 

Revenue recognized in excess of billings is recorded as unbilled accounts receivable.  Cash collections and invoices generated in excess of revenue recognized are recorded as deferred revenue until the revenue recognition criteria are met.  Client reimbursable expenses, including those relating to travel, other out-of-pocket expenses and any third-party costs, are included in revenue, and an equivalent amount of reimbursable expenses are included in professional and subcontracted services as a cost of revenue.

 

Foreign Currency Translation - Gains and losses on foreign currency transactions, including settlement of intercompany receivables and payables, are recognized currently in the “Occupancy, communications and other” line of our Consolidated Statements of Operations.  Assets and liabilities of our subsidiaries outside the United States are translated into the reporting currency, the U.S. dollar, based on exchange rates at the balance sheet date.  Revenue and expenses of our subsidiaries outside the United States are translated into U.S. dollars at the average exchange rates during the year.  Gains and losses on translation of our equity interests in our subsidiaries outside the United States and on intercompany notes are reported separately as accumulated other comprehensive income within stockholders’ equity in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, since we do not plan or anticipate settlement of such balances in the foreseeable future.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - The carrying amount of our cash and cash equivalents, receivables from clients and notes and accounts payable approximates fair value because of the short maturity and liquidity of those instruments.  There were no borrowings outstanding under our revolving credit agreement at June 30, 2008.

 

Concentration of Credit Risk - Financial instruments that potentially subject the company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of certain cash and cash equivalents, and receivables from clients.  We invest our excess cash in financial instruments that are rated in the highest short-term rating category by major rating agencies such as Moody’s and Standard and Poor’s. Concentrations of credit risk with respect to receivables from clients are limited due to our large number of clients and their dispersion across many industries and geographic regions.

 

Incurred But Not Reported (IBNR) Claims - The company accrues for IBNR professional liability claims that are estimable and probable, and for which we have not yet contracted for insurance coverage.  This liability was $39.0 million and $35.5 million at June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

 

Stock-based Compensation - The company accounts for its share-based payment transactions in accordance with FAS 123(R).

 

During fiscal years 2008, 2007 and 2006, the company recognized compensation expense of $4.8 million or $.11 per diluted share, $4.1 million, or $.09 per diluted share and $2.1 million, or $.05 per diluted share, respectively, in connection with our share-based compensation plans.  This does not include any expense related to the 2001 Deferred Stock Unit Plan for Selected Employees, as expense related to shares awarded under this plan is recorded as a component of the company’s accrual for discretionary compensation.

 

The total income tax benefit recognized in the income statement for the exercise of nonqualified stock options and the award of stock purchase plan shares was $2.2 million, $3.3 million and $2.0 million for fiscal years 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively, which has been reported in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

 

The company repurchases shares of common stock to offset potential dilution from shares issued in connection with the company’s share-based compensation plans.

 

Earnings per Share - The computation of basic earnings per share is based upon the weighted average number of common shares outstanding.  Diluted earnings per share is calculated on the basis of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus the effect of outstanding stock options, stock based compensation plan shares and employee stock purchase plan shares using the “treasury stock” method.  See Note 14 for identification of the components of basic and diluted earnings per share.  The diluted earnings per share calculation for fiscal year 2008, 2007 and 2006 assume that 1,950,000 contingent shares related to the R. Watson & Sons (referred herein as “Watson Wyatt LLP” or “WWLLP”) business combination had been issued as of July 31, 2005.  The calculation also assumes that an additional 218,089 shares were issued during fiscal year 2008 relative to the acquisition of Watson Wyatt Brans & Co. (“Watson Wyatt Netherlands” or “WWN”).

 

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Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Goodwill is not amortized but is reviewed for impairment during the fourth quarter of each fiscal year or more frequently if indicators arise. The evaluation is based upon a comparison of the estimated fair value of the reporting unit to which the goodwill has been assigned to the sum of the carrying value of the assets and liabilities for that reporting unit. The fair values used in this evaluation are estimated based upon a multiple of revenue for the reporting unit. Intangible assets with definite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives and are reviewed for impairment if indicators of impairment arise. The evaluation of impairment would be based upon a comparison of the carrying amount of the intangible asset to the estimated future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If estimated future undiscounted net cash flows are less than the carrying amount of the asset, the asset would be considered impaired. The impairment expense would be determined by comparing the estimated fair value of the intangible asset to its carrying value, with any shortfall from fair value recognized as an expense in the current period.   

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements - In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) published Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“FAS 157”) which in most respects is effective beginning July 1, 2008.  FAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.  The company has evaluated the new statement and has determined that the adoption of FAS 157 will not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In September 2006, the FASB published Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Plans” (FAS 158).  The company adopted the provisions of FAS 158 for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2007.  FAS 158 requires companies to recognize the funded status of each of the defined benefit pension and postretirement plans.  The impact of the standard of $2.3 million and $1.4 million for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, are recognized as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income.

 

In September 2006, the SEC released Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108, “Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements When Qualifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statement” (“SAB 108”) which provides guidance on how companies should quantify financial statement misstatements.  SAB 108 permits companies, under certain circumstances, to adjust for the cumulative effect of misstatements relating to prior years in the carrying amount of assets and liabilities as of the beginning of the current fiscal year, with an offsetting adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the year of adoption. The Company adopted SAB 108 in fiscal year 2007 and recorded an adjustment to beginning retained earnings of $10.1 million

 

In June 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48 (“FIN 48”), “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes - an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (“FAS 109”), which clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with FAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.”  FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return.  This Interpretation also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition.  The company adopted this standard on July 1, 2007.  See Note 11 of this report for further information regarding the company’s adoption of FIN 48.

 

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In February 2007, the FASB published Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities—including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115” (“FAS 159”).  FAS 159 allows entities to choose to measure eligible financial assets and liabilities at fair value that are not otherwise required to be measured at fair value. If a company elects the fair value option for an eligible item, changes in that item’s fair value in subsequent reporting periods must be recognized in current earnings. FAS 159 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, provided the entity also elects to apply the provisions of FAS 157, “Fair Value Measurements”. The company does not believe the adoption of FAS 159 will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

                                                     

In December 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141 (revised 2007), “Business Combinations” (FAS 141R) which is a revision of FAS 141, “Business Combinations”.  FAS 141R changes the application of the acquisition method in a number of significant aspects.  Acquisition costs will generally be expensed as incurred; noncontrolling interests will be valued at fair value at the acquisition date; restructuring costs associated with a business combination will generally be expensed subsequent to the acquisition date; contingent consideration will be recognized at its fair value on the acquisition date and, for certain arrangements, changes in fair value will be recognized in earnings until settled, and changes in deferred tax asset valuation allowances and income tax uncertainties after the acquisition date generally will affect income tax expense. We will be required to comply with the provisions of FAS 141(R) for acquisitions that occur on or after July 1, 2009. The Statement would apply prospectively to any future business combinations and therefore the impact would be determined when a business combination occurs.

 

In December 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements – an amendment of ARB No.51” (“FAS 160”).  This statement is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008, with earlier adoption prohibited.  This statement requires the recognition of a noncontrolling interest (minority interest) as equity in the consolidated financial statements and separate from the parent’s equity.  The amount of net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest will be included in consolidated net income.  It also amends certain of ARB No. 51’s consolidation procedures for consistency with the requirements of FAS 141(R).  This statement also includes expanded disclosure requirements regarding the interests of the parent and its noncontrolling interest.  The Company is currently evaluating the effects, if any, that FAS 160 may have on its financial statements.

 

In April 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Positon No. 142-3, “Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets” (“FSP 142-3”).  FSP 142-3 amends the factors that should be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible assets under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.”  FSP 142-3 is effective on a prospective basis to all intangible assets acquired and for disclosures on all intangible assets recognized on or after the beginning of the first annual period subsequent to December 15, 2008. Early adoption is prohibited.  The effects of  FSP 142-3 will depend on future acquisitions of intangible assets.

 

Note 2 - Acquisitions

 

Fiscal Year 2008 Acquisitions

 

Heissmann - On July 20, 2007, the company acquired the outstanding stock of Dr. Dr. Heissmann GmbH (“Heissmann”) for approximately $136 million (€99 million in cash plus approximately $1.4 million in transaction costs).  Heissmann was an actuarial, benefits, and human resources consulting firm based in Germany with subsidiaries in Ireland, Netherlands, Austria, and France.  As of July 20, 2007, Heissmann employed approximately 360 associates.  Annual revenue, including subsidiaries, was approximately $70 million (€52 million) for their fiscal year ended March 31, 2007.  The financial results of Heissmann have been consolidated into the company’s financial statements upon the date of acquisition.

 

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The company has determined the following preliminary fair values for the assets purchased and liabilities assumed in the Heissmann acquisition:

 

 

 

July 1, 2007
(in thousands)

 

Total purchase price

 

 

 

$

135,807

 

Less net assets acquired:

 

 

 

 

 

Customer related intangibles

 

$

27,070

 

 

 

Non-compete agreements

 

541

 

 

 

Trade-name intangible

 

271

 

 

 

Core/developed technology intangibles

 

1,218

 

 

 

Cash

 

12,824

 

 

 

Client receivables and unbilled revenue

 

17,754

 

 

 

Fixed assets

 

4,607

 

 

 

Other assets

 

6,879

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

(46,093

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets acquired

 

 

 

25,071

 

Goodwill

 

 

 

$

110,736

 

 

The allocation of the purchase price resulted in the allocation of $110.7 million to goodwill, which has been assigned to our segments as follows:

 

 

 

Goodwill

 

Benefits Group

 

$

106,306

 

Human Capital Group

 

2,215

 

Investment Consulting Group

 

2,215

 

Allocation of goodwill to business segments

 

$

110,736

 

 

Goodwill associated with this transaction is not deductible for tax purposes.

 

WisdomNet - On July 2, 2007, the company acquired the net assets of WisdomNet for $6.9 million in cash and stock, including the payoff of $0.5 million of debt.  WisdomNet was a Denver-based talent management software and consulting firm that was founded in 2001.  WisdomNet offered a proprietary line of business software products, including an end-to-end solution for managing organizations’ talent management processes.  The acquisition of WisdomNet strengthens our existing talent management business and provides strategic software that will be used to service our clients on an ongoing basis. As of the date of the acquisition, WisdomNet employed 15 associates. The company recorded $2.2 million goodwill associated with this acquisition.

 

Marcu & Asociados S.A. - On June 16, 2008, the company acquired the outstanding stock of Marcu & Asociados S.A. (Marcu) for $2.8 million in cash.  Marcu is a human resource, risk and financial management consulting firm based in Buenos Aires, Argentina.  As of the date of acquisition, Marcu employed 37 associates and had annual revenues of approximately $2.5 million.  The financial results of Marcu will be included in the company’s consolidated financial statements effective July 1, 2008. The company recorded $1.6 million goodwill associated with this acquisition.

 

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Fiscal Year 2007 Acquisitions

 

On February 1, 2007, Watson Wyatt B.V., an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the company, acquired the net assets of Watson Wyatt Netherlands (“WWN”), its long-time alliance partner in the Netherlands.  The financial results of WWN have been consolidated into the company’s financial statements since February 1, 2007.

 

The contingencies associated with the payment of an additional 218,089 Class A shares were met and the contingent shares were issued to the former partners of WWN on June 27, 2008.

 

Fiscal Year 2006 Acquisitions

 

On July 31, 2005, the company acquired substantially all of the assets and assumed most liabilities of Watson Wyatt LLP (“WWLLP”) (the “WWLLP business combination”), a leading United Kingdom-based actuarial, benefits and human resources consulting partnership. The financial results of WWLLP have been consolidated into the company’s financial statements since August 1, 2005.

 

In addition to the initial purchase price, the terms of the purchase agreement called for an additional 1,950,000 shares to be paid to the former partners of WWLLP, contingent upon the achievement by the acquired business of certain agreed-upon financial performance goals.  The agreed-upon financial performance goals were met at the end of fiscal year 2007 and the contingent shares were issued to the former partners of WWLLP on April 15, 2008 for payment of $94.2 million.

 

Note 3 - Investments in Affiliates

 

The company has an equity investment in Professional Consultants Insurance Company, Inc. (PCIC).  As defined by FASB Interpretation No. 46R, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, PCIC is a variable interest entity.  Based on the legal, financial and operating structure of PCIC, the company has concluded that it is not the primary beneficiary of PCIC.  Accordingly, the company does not consolidate the results of PCIC into its consolidated financial statements.  The company applies the equity method of accounting for its investment in PCIC.

 

PCIC was organized in 1987 as a captive insurance company under the laws of the State of Vermont.  PCIC provides professional liability insurance on a claims-made basis to three actuarial and management consulting firms, all of which participate in the program as both policyholders and stockholders.

 

Capital contributions to PCIC are required when approved by a majority of its stockholders.  In July 2007, the Shareholders of PCIC approved a requirement for an additional capital contribution.  As a result, the company contributed an additional $1.9 million of capital to PCIC and increased the amount of the letter of credit provided on behalf of PCIC by $2.6 million in lieu of a higher cash capital contribution.  From the time PCIC was organized through June 30, 2008, we have provided capital contributions to PCIC through cash contributions totaling $7.3 million and through the issuance of letters of credit totaling $10.6 million.  Our ownership interest in PCIC as of June 30, 2008 and 2007 was 36.43 percent and 34.15 percent, respectively.

 

Management believes that the company’s maximum financial statement exposure regarding its investment in PCIC as of June 30, 2008 is limited to the carrying value of the company’s investment in PCIC of $7.1 million, combined with letters of credit totaling $10.6 million, for a total maximum exposure of $17.7 million.

 

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Combined summarized operating results (prior to distribution of profits) reported by the affiliates for the years ended June 30 are as follows:

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2006

 

Revenue

 

$

44,032

 

$

36,394

 

$

33,313

 

Operating Expenses

 

64,667

 

44,630

 

26,391

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before taxes

 

(20,635

)

(8,236

)

6,922

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (loss)/income

 

$

(13,620

)

$

(5,436

)

$

4,568

 

 

Summarized balance sheet information for PCIC, whose year end is December 31, is as follows:

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

Current assets

 

$

172,639

 

$

135,754

 

Noncurrent assets

 

64,552

 

100,689

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

$

237,191

 

$

236,443

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

$

28,751

 

$

24,323

 

Noncurrent liabilities

 

198,584

 

193,513

 

Stockholders’ equity

 

9,856

 

18,607

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

237,191

 

$

236,443

 

 

Note 4 - Fixed Assets

 

Furniture, fixtures, equipment and leasehold improvements are recorded at cost and presented net of accumulated depreciation or amortization.  Furniture, fixtures and equipment are depreciated using straight-line and accelerated methods over lives ranging from three to seven years.  Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the lease terms or the asset lives.

 

The components of fixed assets are as follows:

 

 

 

June 30,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Furniture, fixtures and equipment

 

$

193,554

 

$

182,591

 

Computer software

 

184,517

 

144,427

 

Leasehold improvements

 

79,250

 

73,738

 

 

 

457,321

 

400,756

 

Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization

 

(272,637

)

(228,609

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed assets, net

 

$

184,684

 

$

172,147

 

 

Total unamortized computer software costs were $106.4 million, $94.7 million and $76.7 million for fiscal years 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.  Total amortization expense for computer software was $26.5 million, $21.0 million and $12.9 million for fiscal years 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

 

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Note 5 - Retirement Benefits

 

Defined Benefit Plans

 

We sponsor both qualified and non-qualified, non-contributory defined benefit pension plans in North America and the UK that cover approximately 85% of our liability.  Under our plans in North America, benefits are based on the number of years of service and the associate’s compensation during the five highest paid consecutive years of service.  Beginning January 2008, we have made changes to our plan in the U.K. related to years of service used in calculating benefits for associates.  Benefits earned prior to January 2008 are based on the number of years of service and the associate’s compensation during the three years before leaving the plan and benefits earned after January 2008 are based on the number of years of service and the associate’s average compensation during the associate’s term of service since that date. The non-qualified plan in North America provides for pension benefits that would be covered under the qualified plan but are limited by the Internal Revenue Code.  The non-qualified plan has no assets and therefore is an unfunded arrangement, the liability for which is reflected in the balance sheet.  The UK does not have a non-qualified plan.  The measurement date for all plans is June 30.

 

The disclosures for the UK plan are shown separately because the amounts are material relative to North America plans and the assumptions used in the plan are significantly different than those used in the North America plans.

 

Determination of our obligations and annual expense under the plans is based on a number of assumptions that, given the longevity of the plans, are long-term in focus.  A change in one or a combination of these assumptions could have a material impact on our pension benefit obligation and related expense.  For this reason, management employs a long-term view so that assumptions do not change frequently in response to short-term volatility in the economy.  Any difference between actual and assumed results is amortized into our pension expense over the average remaining service period of participating employees.  We consider several factors prior to the start of each fiscal year when determining the appropriate annual assumptions, including economic forecasts, historical trends, portfolio composition and peer comparisons.

 

Funding is based on actuarially determined contributions and is limited to amounts that are currently deductible for tax purposes. Since funding calculations are based on different measurements than those used for accounting purposes, pension contributions are not equal to net periodic pension cost.  The excess of net periodic pension cost over such contributions and direct benefit payments under non-qualified plan provisions is accrued by the company.  The following table sets forth our projected pension contributions for fiscal year 2009, as well as the pension contributions to our various plans in fiscal years 2008 and 2007:

 

 

 

2009
(Projected)

 

2008
(Actual)

 

2007
(Actual)

 

U.S.

 

$

15,000

 

$

15,130

 

$

15,000

 

Canada

 

1,300

 

1,535

 

2,488

 

U.K.

 

16,900

 

19,577

 

12,036

 

 

The fair value of plan assets is based on the market value of domestic equity, international equity and fixed income securities that are in the pension portfolio, which vary by country.  To the extent the expected return on the pension portfolio varies from the actual return, there is an unrecognized gain or loss.

 

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The assumptions used in the valuation for the North America plans, included the following at the end of the past three fiscal years:

 

 

 

Year Ended June 30,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discount rate, Projected Benefit Obligation

 

7.00

%

6.25

%

6.25

%

Discount rate, Net Periodic Benefit Cost

 

6.25

%

6.25

%

5.25

%

Expected long-term rate of return on assets

 

8.75

%

8.75

%

8.75

%

Rate of increase in compensation, Projected Benefit Obligation

 

4.09

%

3.84

%

3.84

%

Rate of increase in compensation, Net Periodic Benefit Cost

 

3.84

%

3.84

%

3.34

%

 

The 7.00 percent discount rate assumption used at the end of fiscal year 2008 represents a 75 basis point increase from the 6.25 percent discount rate used at the end of fiscal year 2007 and fiscal year 2006.  The company’s discount rate assumptions were determined by matching future pension benefit payments with expected future U.S. AA corporate bond yields for the same periods.

 

The expected long-term rate of return on assets assumption remained at 8.75 percent per annum, unchanged from fiscal years 2007 and 2006. Selection of the return assumption at 8.75 percent per annum was supported by an analysis performed by the company of the weighted average yield expected to be achieved with the anticipated makeup of investments.  The investment makeup is heavily weighted towards equities.  The actual return on assets for fiscal year 2008 was a loss of 6.2 percent, compared to a return of 17.3 percent for fiscal year 2007.

 

The following assumptions were used at the end of the past three fiscal years in the valuation of our U.K. plan:

 

 

 

Year Ended June 30,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discount rate, Projected Benefit Obligation

 

6.50

%

5.80

%

5.10

%

Discount rate, Net Periodic Benefit Cost

 

5.80

%

5.10

%

5.30

%

Expected long-term rate of return on assets

 

6.46

%

5.69

%

5.63

%

Rate of increase in compensation, Projected Benefit Obligation

 

5.65

%

4.95

%

4.75

%

Rate of increase in compensation, Net Periodic Benefit Cost

 

4.95

%

4.75

%

4.75

%

 

The 6.50 percent discount rate assumption used at the end of fiscal year 2008 represents a 70 basis point increase over the rate used at fiscal year 2007 and an 140 basis point increase over the discount rate at fiscal year 2006. The discount rate is set having regard to yields on European AA corporate bonds at the measurement date and this increase reflects the change in yields between these dates.

 

The expected long-term rate of return on assets assumption increased to 6.46 percent per annum for fiscal year 2008 from 5.69 percent per annum for fiscal year 2007.  The rate of return was supported by an analysis performed by the company of the weighted average return expected to be achieved with the anticipated makeup of investments which is heavily weighted towards bonds.   The actual return on assets through fiscal year 2008 was a loss of 2.1 percent compared to a gain of 16.4 percent for fiscal year 2007.

 

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Net periodic pension cost consists of the following components reflected as expense in the company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations:

 

 

 

Year Ended June 30, 2008

 

Year Ended June 30, 2007

 

Year Ended June 30, 2006

 

 

 

North
America

 

U.K.

 

North
America

 

U.K.

 

North
America

 

U.K.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service cost

 

$

30,592

 

$

9,023

 

$

26,275

 

$

13,461

 

$

29,423

 

$

11,007

 

Interest cost

 

44,918

 

20,929

 

40,159

 

18,061

 

36,811

 

14,319

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

(55,622

)

(23,328

)

(46,845

)

(18,123

)

(43,824

)

(13,717

)

Amortization of transition obligation

 

(65

)

 

(39

)

 

(38

)

 

Amortization of net unrecognized losses/(gains)

 

6,222

 

22

 

8,594

 

(555

)

16,155

 

294

 

Amortization of prior service cost

 

(2,594

)

(2,806

)

(2,934

)

754

 

(1,718

)

11

 

Net periodic pension cost

 

$

23,451

 

$

3,840

 

$

25,210

 

$

13,598

 

$

36,809

 

$

11,914

 

 

In March 2006, the company amended its U.S. pension plan to remove long-term disability benefits from the plan effective July 1, 2006.  Since that time, these benefits have been provided through an insurance provider.  Given the significance of this amendment, the company remeasured the pension plan effective March 31, 2006.  The remeasurement caused pension expense to decrease by $4.0 million during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2006.

 

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The following table provides a reconciliation of the changes in the qualified plans projected benefit obligations and fair value of assets for the years ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, and a statement of funded status as of June 30, 2008 and 2007.

 

 

 

June 30, 2008

 

June 30, 2007

 

 

 

North
America

 

U.K.

 

North
America

 

U.K.

 

Change in Benefit Obligation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Benefit obligation at beginning of year

 

$

632,038

 

$

363,203

 

$

561,566

 

$

340,608

 

Service cost

 

23,781

 

9,023

 

20,995

 

13,461

 

Interest cost

 

39,065

 

20,929

 

35,076

 

18,061

 

Actuarial (gains)/losses

 

(64,630

)

(1,414

)

27,004

 

(33,756

)

Benefit payments

 

(20,802

)

(6,314

)

(20,154

)

(5,862

)

Change in assumptions

 

 

 

4,302

 

 

Settlements

 

 

 

305

 

 

Plan amendments & other

 

 

2,645

 

 

1,731

 

Foreign currency adjustment

 

3,166

 

(3,171

)

2,944

 

28,960

 

Benefit obligation at end of year

 

$

612,618

 

$

384,901

 

$

632,038

 

$

363,203

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in Plan Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year

 

$

639,378

 

$

354,410

 

$

541,237

 

$

294,153

 

Actual return on plan assets

 

(39,718

)

(1,575

)

98,988

 

14,646

 

Company contributions

 

16,665

 

19,577

 

16,273

 

23,339

 

Benefit payments

 

(20,802

)

(6,314

)

(20,154

)

(5,862

)

Participant contributions

 

 

1,760

 

 

1,672

 

Foreign currency adjustment

 

2,940

 

(2,990

)

3,034

 

26,462

 

Fair value of plan assets, end of year

 

$

598,463

 

$

364,868

 

$

639,378

 

$

354,410

 

Funded status at end of year

 

$

(14,156

)

$

(20,033

)

$

7,340

 

$

(8,793

)

 

 

 

June 30, 2008

 

June 30, 2007

 

 

 

North
America

 

U.K.

 

North
America

 

U.K.

 

Amounts recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheets consist of :

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noncurrent assets

 

$

326

 

$

 

$

11,439

 

$

 

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Noncurrent liabilities

 

(14,482

)

(20,033

)

(4,099

)

(8,793

)

Net Amount Recognized

 

$

(14,156

)

$

(20,033

)

$

7,340

 

$

(8,793

)

Amounts recognized in Accumulated Comprehensive Income consist of :

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net actuarial loss/(gain)

 

81,833

 

(6,083

)

56,277

 

(32,373

)

Net prior service cost/(credit)

 

(13,105

)

866

 

(15,504

)

 

Net transition obligation/(asset)

 

 

 

(112

)

 

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

 

$

68,728

 

$

(5,217

)

$

40,661

 

$

(32,373

)

 

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The following table provides a reconciliation of the changes in the North American non-qualified plans projected benefit obligations for the years ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, and a statement of funded status as of June 30, 2008 and 2007:

 

 

 

June 30,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

Non-
Qualified

 

Non-
Qualified

 

Change in Benefit Obligation

 

 

 

 

 

Benefit obligation, beginning of year

 

$

99,959

 

$

96,789

 

Service cost

 

6,811

 

5,280

 

Interest cost

 

5,853

 

5,084

 

Actuarial (gains)/losses

 

(4,254

)

166

 

Benefit payments

 

(8,349

)

(1,350

)

Change in assumptions

 

 

613

 

Settlements

 

 

(11,015

)

Plan amendments

 

 

3,748

 

Foreign currency adjustment

 

662

 

644

 

Benefit obligation, end of year

 

$

100,682

 

$

99,959

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in Plan Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year

 

$

 

$

 

Actual return on plan assets

 

 

 

Company contributions

 

8,349

 

12,364

 

Benefit payments

 

(8,349

)

(12,364

)

Participant contributions

 

 

 

Foreign currency adjustment

 

 

 

Fair value of plan assets, end of year

 

$

 

$

 

Funded status at end of year

 

$

(100,682

)

$

(99,959

)

 

 

 

June 30, 2008

 

June 30, 2007

 

Amounts recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheets consist of:

 

 

 

 

 

Noncurrent assets

 

$

 

$

 

Current liabilities

 

(8,470

)

(6,135

)

Noncurrent liabilities

 

(92,212

)

(93,824

)

Net Amount Recognized

 

$

(100,682

)

$

(99,959

)

Amounts recognized in Accumulated Comprehensive Income consist of:

 

 

 

 

 

Net actuarial loss/(gain)

 

4,782

 

10,124

 

Net prior service cost/(credit)

 

(1,304

)

(1,523

)

Net transition obligation/(asset)

 

 

50

 

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

 

$

3,478

 

$

8,651

 

 

The company adopted SFAS 158 for fiscal year ending 2007 which required the recognition of the funded status of each of the defined benefit pension plans therefore eliminating unrecognized differences.

 

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The qualified plans in North America and the U.K. each had assets greater than the accumulated benefit obligation.  The non-qualified amounts reflect only the U.S. and Canadian plans and are unfunded.

 

 

 

June 30,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

Non-
Qualified

 

Non-
Qualified

 

Projected Benefit Obligation

 

$

100,682

 

$

99,959

 

Accumulated Benefit Obligation

 

81,427

 

79,099

 

Fair value of plan assets

 

 

 

 

The following table, and the narrative that follows, provide information relating to the weighted-average asset allocations at June 30, 2008 and 2007 and the investment strategy for the company’s U.S. and U.K. defined benefit pension plans, which comprises the majority of our defined benefit pension plans:

 

 

 

U.S. Plan Assets at
June 30,

 

U.K. Plan Assets at
June 30,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

 

Asset Category

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

61.0

%

64.9

%

32.4

%

33.0

%

Debt securities

 

35.8

%

33.8

%

58.0

%

57.0

%

Real estate

 

0.0

%

0.0

%

5.9

%

9.0

%

Other

 

3.2

%

1.3

%

3.7

%

1.0

%

Total

 

100.0

%

100.0

%

100.0

%

100.0

%

 

The investment objectives of the company’s qualified pension plan are designed to generate returns that will enable the plan to meet its future obligations. The precise amount for which these obligations will be settled depends on future events, including the life expectancy of the plan’s members and salary inflation. The obligations are estimated using actuarial assumptions, based on the current economic environment.

 

The pension plan seeks to achieve total returns both sufficient to meet expected future obligations as well as returns greater than its policy benchmark reflecting the target weights of the asset classes used in its targeted strategic asset allocation.  The plan’s targeted strategic allocation to each asset class was determined through an Asset-Liability Modeling study to evaluate long-term asset-allocation strategy.  This comprehensive study provides an evaluation of the projected status of asset and liability measures for the plan under a range of both positive and negative environments.  The study includes a number of different asset mixes, spanning a range of diversification and potential equity exposures.

 

In evaluating the strategic asset allocation choices, an emphasis is placed on the long-term characteristics of each individual asset class, and the benefits of diversification among multiple asset classes. Consideration is also given to the proper long-term level of risk for the plan, particularly with respect to the long-term nature of the plan’s liabilities, the impact of asset allocation on investment results, and the corresponding impact on the volatility and magnitude of plan contributions and expense and the impact certain actuarial techniques may have on the plan’s recognition of investment experience.  The currently adopted strategic asset allocation targets for each of the plans is displayed above.

 

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The company monitors investment performance and portfolio characteristics on a quarterly basis to ensure that managers are meeting expectations with respect to their investment approach.  With the exception of securities issued by the U.S. Government and its agencies, no single issue is to comprise more than 5 percent of the portfolio’s value although index fund managers are exempt from the security weighting constraints. There are also various restrictions and controls placed on managers including prohibition from investing in company stock.

 

The expected return on assets assumption is developed in conjunction with advisors and using the company’s asset model that reflects a combination of rigorous historical analysis and the forward looking views of the financial markets as revealed through the yield on long-term bonds, the price earnings ratios of the major stock market indices and long-term inflation. Amounts are tested for reasonableness against their historical averages.

 

Benefit payments for our defined benefit pension plan, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid as follows:

 

 

 

Benefit Payments

 

Fiscal Year

 

North America

 

U.K.

 

Total

 

2009

 

$

30,697

 

$

6,772

 

$

37,469

 

2010

 

32,637

 

7,171

 

39,808

 

2011

 

34,706

 

7,768

 

42,474

 

2012

 

36,886

 

8,167

 

45,053

 

2013

 

39,874

 

9,163

 

49,037

 

Years 2014-2018

 

242,756

 

57,765

 

300,521

 

 

 

$

417,556

 

$

96,806

 

$

514,362

 

 

Defined Contribution Plans

 

We sponsor a savings plan that provides benefits to substantially all U.S. associates.  The company provides a match to employee contributions at a rate of 50% of the first 6% up to $60,000 of associates’ eligible compensation.  The company will also make an annual profit sharing contribution to the plan in an amount that is dependant upon the company’s financial performance during the fiscal year.  The company contributed $3.7 million, $3.5 million, and $3.4 million to the plan in fiscal years 2008, 2007, and 2006 respectively.

 

The UK pension plan has a money purchase section to which the company makes core contributions plus additional contributions matching those of the participating employees up to a maximum rate.  Contribution rates are dependant upon the age of the participant and on whether or not they arise from salary sacrifice arrangements through which an individual has taken a reduction in salary and the company has paid an equivalent amount as pension contributions.  Core contributions amount to 2-6% of pensionable salary with additional matching contributions of a further 2-6%.  Company contributions to the plan amounted to $6.9 million, $5.3 million, and $3.0 million in fiscal years 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

 

Health Care Benefits

 

We sponsor a contributory health care plan that provides hospitalization, medical and dental benefits to substantially all U.S. associates.  We accrue a liability for estimated incurred but unreported claims based on projected use of the plan as well as prior plan history.  The liability totaled $1.8 million at June 30, 2008 and 2007, and is included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

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Postretirement Benefits

 

We provide certain health care and life insurance benefits for retired associates.  The principal plans cover associates in the U.S. and Canada who have met certain eligibility requirements. Our principal plans are unfunded.

 

Assumptions used in the valuation for the U.S. plan, which comprises the majority of the principal postretirement plans, included the following over the past three fiscal years:

 

 

 

Year Ended June 30,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Health care cost trend, accumulated benefit obligation:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pre-65 benefits
(decreasing to 5.00% for 2010 and thereafter)

 

10.00

%

8.00

%

9.00

%

Post-65 benefits
(decreasing to 5.00% for 2010 and thereafter)

 

10.00

%

9.00

%

9.00

%

Discount rate, accumulated benefit obligation postretirement benefit

 

7.00

%

6.25

%

6.25

%

 

Actuarial gains and losses associated with changing any of the assumptions are accumulated as part of the unrecognized net gain balance which is amortized and included in the net periodic postretirement costs over the average remaining service period of participating employees, which is approximately 16 years.

 

A one percentage point change in the assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effect:

 

 

 

1%
Increase

 

1%
Decrease

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect on net periodic postretirement benefit cost in fiscal year 2008

 

$

406

 

$

(185

)

Effect on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation as of June 30, 2008

 

2,371

 

(1,954

)

 

Net periodic postretirement benefit cost consists of the following components reflected as expense in the company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations:

 

 

 

Year Ended June 30,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service cost

 

$

1,543

 

$

1,423

 

$

1,703

 

Interest cost

 

2,724

 

2,646

 

2,334

 

Amortization of transition obligation

 

 

 

 

Amortization of net unrecognized losses/(gains)

 

(478

)

(395

)

5

 

Amortization of prior service cost

 

(664

)

(661

)

(660

)

Net periodic postretirement benefit cost

 

$

3,125

 

$

3,013

 

$

3,382

 

 

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The following table provides a reconciliation of the changes in the postretirement plan projected benefit obligations and fair value of assets for the years ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 and a statement of funded status as of June 30, 2008 and 2007:

 

 

 

June 30,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

Change in Benefit Obligation

 

 

 

 

 

Benefit obligation, beginning of year

 

$

48,212

 

$

43,596

 

Service cost

 

1,543

 

1,423

 

Interest cost

 

2,724

 

2,646

 

Participant contributions

 

2,020

 

1,887

 

Actuarial (gains)/losses

 

(7,406

)

38

 

Benefit payments

 

(3,559

)

(3,551

)

Other

 

 

1,535

 

Foreign currency adjustment

 

622

 

638

 

Benefit obligation, end of year

 

$

44,156

 

$

48,212

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in Plan Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year

 

$

 

$

 

Company contributions

 

1,539

 

1,664

 

Participant contributions

 

2,020

 

1,887

 

Benefit payments

 

(3,559

)

(3,551

)

Fair value of plan assets, end of year

 

$

 

$

 

Funded status at end of year

 

$

(44,156

)

$

(48,212

)

 

 

 

June 30,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

Amounts recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheets consist of

 

 

 

 

 

Noncurrent assets

 

$

 

$

 

Current liabilities

 

(4,933

)

(2,871

)

Noncurrent liabilities

 

(39,223

)

(45,341

)

Net Amount Recognized

 

$

(44,156

)

$

(48,212

)

Amounts recognized in Accumulated Comprehensive Income consist of

 

 

 

 

 

Net actuarial loss/(gain)

 

(12,535

)

(5,757

)

Net prior service cost/(credit)

 

(4,208

)

(4,865

)

Net transition obligation/(asset)

 

 

 

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

 

$

(16,743

)

$

(10,622

)

 

The company adopted SFAS 158 for fiscal year ending 2007 which required the recognition of the funded status of each of the defined benefit pension plans therefore eliminating unrecognized differences.

 

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The following benefit payments for our postretirement plan, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid:

 

Fiscal
Year

 

Benefit
Payments

 

 

 

 

 

2009

 

$

5,101

 

2010

 

5,625

 

2011

 

6,263

 

2012

 

6,990

 

2013

 

7,676

 

Years 2014-2018

 

50,240

 

 

 

$

81,895

 

 

Note 6 - Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities, Including Discretionary Compensation

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities consist of:

 

 

 

June 30,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

$

81,874

 

$

63,052

 

Accrued salaries and bonuses

 

188,763

 

149,424

 

Current portion of defined benefit retirement plans and postretirement benefits other than pensions

 

16,492

 

9,826

 

Accrued vacation

 

34,043

 

28,147

 

Advance billings deferred revenue

 

57,413

 

49,754

 

Dividends payable

 

3,199

 

3,143

 

Total accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

$

381,784

 

$

303,346

 

 

Note 7 - Leases

 

We lease office space, furniture and selected computer equipment under operating lease agreements with terms generally ranging from one to ten years.  Rental expense was $90.1 million, $81.8 million, and $74.8 million for fiscal years 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively, inclusive of operating expenses related to such space and equipment.  We have entered into sublease agreements for some of our excess leased space.  Sublease income was $0.6 million, $1.1 million and $0.7 million for fiscal years 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Future minimum lease payments for Watson Wyatt’s operating lease commitments net of anticipated cash inflows for sublease income are:

 

Fiscal

 

Lease

 

Year

 

Commitments

 

 

 

 

 

2009

 

$

66,750

 

2010

 

61,040

 

2011

 

53,204

 

2012

 

45,053

 

2013

 

41,108

 

Thereafter

 

104,940

 

Total

 

$

372,095

 

 

We evaluate office capacity on an ongoing basis to meet changing needs in our markets with a goal of minimizing our occupancy expense.

 

Note 8 - Line of Credit

 

The company has a credit facility provided by a syndicate of banks in an aggregate principal amount of $300 million.  Interest rates associated with this facility vary with LIBOR and/or the Prime Rate and are based on our leverage ratio, as defined by the credit agreement.  We are charged a quarterly commitment fee, currently 0.125 percent of the facility, which varies with our financial leverage and is paid on the unused portion of the credit facility.  The Company had no borrowings under its credit facility as of June 30, 2008 compared to $105.0 million outstanding under the facility as of June 30, 2007.  Credit under the facility is available upon demand, although the credit facility requires us to observe certain covenants (including a cash flow leverage ratio and a fixed coverage charge ratio) and is collateralized with a pledge of stock of material subsidiaries.  We were in compliance with both covenants under the credit facility as of June 30, 2008. This facility is scheduled to mature on June 30, 2010.

 

A portion of the revolving facility is used to support required letters of credit issued under the credit line.  As a result, $10.6 million of the facility was unavailable for operating needs as of June 30, 2008.  We are charged a fee for outstanding letters of credit that also fluctuates based on our leverage ratio.

 

The company has also provided a $5.0 million Australian dollar-denominated letter of credit (US $4.8 million) to an Australian governmental agency as required by the local regulations.  The estimated fair market value of these letters of credit is immaterial because they have never been used, and the company believes that future usage is remote.

 

Note 9 - Share-based Compensation

 

Share-based Compensation Plans

 

The company has four share-based compensation plans, which are described below.  These compensation plans include the 2001 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, 2001 Deferred Stock Unit Plan for Selected Employees,  Amended Compensation Plan for Outside Directors and the 2000 Long-Term Incentive Plan.  All four plans have been approved by stockholders.

 

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Table of Contents

 

2001 Employee Stock Purchase Plan

 

The 2001 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “Stock Purchase Plan”) enables employees to purchase shares of the company’s stock at a discount.  The Stock Purchase Plan is a non-compensatory plan under FAS 123(R).  As a result, no compensation expense was recognized during fiscal year 2008, 2007 and 2006.  Approximately 125,000 shares, 150,000 shares and 200,000 shares were issued under this plan during fiscal year 2008, 2007 and 2006 respectively.

 

2001 Deferred Stock Unit Plan for Selected Employees
 

Deferred Stock Units - The 2001 Deferred Stock Unit Plan for Selected Employees (the “Stock Unit Plan”) was approved at the annual meeting of stockholders.  The Stock Unit Plan is intended to provide senior associates of the company with additional incentives by permitting the company to grant them an equity interest in the company in the form of deferred stock units, in lieu of a portion of their annual fiscal year end bonus, typically paid in September of each year. Each stock unit represents one share of common stock at the market price on the date of grant.  The total number of shares authorized for issuance in payment of deferred stock units under the Stock Unit Plan is 2,700,000 shares.

 

Deferred stock units have been granted annually since September 2002 and have vested immediately in each year.  Vesting of future awards is at the discretion of the company, with such determination being made prior to issuance of the deferred stock units.

 

During fiscal year 2008, 349,118 shares of common stock, at an average market price of $47.63, were awarded for a total fair value of $16.6 million.  During fiscal year 2007, 300,552 shares of common stock, at an average market price of $40.48, were awarded for a total fair value of $12.4 million. During fiscal year 2006, approximately 181,000 shares of common stock, at a market price of $29.14 were awarded for a total fair value of $5.3 million.

 

SBI Program - On November 19, 2004, the company’s Board of Directors approved a long-term bonus arrangement pursuant to the company’s 2001 Deferred Stock Unit Plan for Selected Employees.  The arrangement, called the Performance Share Bonus Incentive Program (the “SBI Program”), is a long-term stock bonus arrangement for senior executives and key associates of the company and its affiliates that is designed to strengthen incentives and align behaviors to grow the business in a way that is consistent with the strategic goals of the company.

 

Incentives under the SBI Program are provided through grants of deferred stock units pursuant to the company’s 2001 Deferred Stock Unit Plan for Selected Employees.  Grants of deferred stock units are based on either salary or on the value of the cash portion of the eligible participant’s fiscal year-end bonus target and a multiplier, which is then converted into a target number of deferred stock units based upon the company’s stock price as of the quarter end prior to grant.  Depending on the plan, participants may vest between zero and 170% of the target number of deferred stock units or between zero and 100% based on the extent to which financial and strategic performance metrics are achieved over a three fiscal year period.  The financial and strategic performance metrics are established at the beginning of each performance period. For the performance periods covering fiscal year 2006 through 2008, 2007 through 2009, 2008 through 2010 and calendar year 2008 through 2010, the vesting criteria are based upon growth specific metrics such as earnings per share, NOI and revenue.

 

Compensation expense of $4.6 million , $3.8 million, and $1.4 million was recorded pursuant to this plan during fiscal year 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.  Expenses for this plan are recognized when awards are both probable and reasonably estimable.  The compensation expense associated with these plans is recognized as a component of salaries and employee benefits.

 

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Table of Contents

 

The table below presents share activity and weighted average fair values for fiscal year 2008:

 

 

 

Number of

 

Weighted Average

 

 

 

Shares

 

Fair Value

 

 

 

(in 000’s)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nonvested at June 30, 2007

 

278

 

$

29.64

 

Granted

 

235

 

56.62

 

Vested

 

(161

)

25.63

 

Forfeited

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nonvested at June 30, 2008

 

352

 

$

49.48

 

 
The weighted average grant date fair value of shares granted during fiscal year 2008, 2007 and 2006 were $13.3 million, $4.1 million and $4.1 million, respectively.
 
Amended Compensation Plan for Outside Directors
 

In November 2001, the Board of Directors approved the Amended Compensation Plan for Outside Directors (the “Outside Director’s Plan”) which provides for the cash and stock compensation of outside Directors.  Under the Outside Director’s Plan, outside Directors are initially paid in shares of the company’s common stock, or in a combination of cash and shares, quarterly, at the completed quarter-end share price (which approximates fair value), for services provided during the preceding quarter.  The total number of shares reserved for issuance under the Outside Director’s Plan is 150,000.

 

During fiscal year 2008, 5,000 shares of common stock were awarded for a total fair value of $0.2 million.  During fiscal year 2007, 10,000 shares of common stock were awarded for a total fair value of $0.3 million. During fiscal year 2006, 14,000 shares of common stock were awarded for a total fair value of $0.4 million.

 

2000 Long-Term Incentive Plan
 

In June 2000, the company adopted the Watson Wyatt & Company Holdings 2000 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Stock Option Plan”), which provides for the granting of non-qualified stock options and stock appreciation rights (collectively referred to as “awards”) to full-time associates of the company and to non-associate members of the Board of Directors.  The total number of shares of common stock awards that may be granted under the Stock Option Plan is 4,500,000 shares.

 

The stock option agreements have a seven-year life and vest 20 percent at each option anniversary date over a five-year period.  All options under the Stock Option Plan were granted with an exercise price equal to the stock’s fair market value on the date of grant. Generally, the number of options granted to associates was based on a percentage of annual compensation.  The company does not currently intend to issue further stock options under the Stock Option Plan.

 

Compensation expense of $0.1 million and $0.3 million was recorded pursuant to the Stock Option Plan for fiscal year 2007 and 2006, respectively.  No compensation expense was recorded pursuant to the stock option plan in fiscal year 2008.

 

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The table below presents stock option activity and weighted average exercise prices for fiscal year 2008:

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted

 

Average

 

 

 

 

 

Average

 

Remaining

 

 

 

Number of

 

Exercise

 

Contractual

 

 

 

Shares

 

Price

 

Life (years)

 

 

 

(in 000’s)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at June 30, 2007

 

227

 

$

14.14

 

 

 

Granted

 

 

 

 

 

Exercised

 

(190

)

13.78

 

 

 

Forfeited

 

 

 

 

 

Expired

 

(29

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at June 30, 2008

 

8

 

$

21.73

 

0.1

 

Exercisable Options at June 30, 2008

 

8

 

$

21.73

 

0.1

 

 

The total fair value of options vested during fiscal year 2008 and 2007 was less than $100,000 in fiscal year 2008 and fiscal year 2007. Cash received from the exercise of nonqualifed stock options for fiscal year 2008 and 2007 was $2.6 million and $3.7 million, respectively.

 

Note 10 - Goodwill and Intangible Assets

 

The increases in goodwill and intangible assets outlined below for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2008 are principally attributable to the Heissman acquisition, the issuance of contingent shares for the WWLLP and Watson Wyatt Netherlands acquisitions, and foreign currency translation on goodwill and intangible assets.  See Note 2 for further details regarding our business combinations.  The carrying amount of goodwill for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, are as follows:

 

 

 

Benefits
Group

 

Technology
and
Administration
Solutions
Group

 

Human
Capital
Group

 

Investment
Consulting
Group

 

Insurance
& Financial
Services
Group

 

All Other

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of June 30, 2007

 

$

208,453

 

$

46,662

 

$

22,805

 

$

44,897

 

$

58,905

 

$

1,214

 

$

382,936

 

Goodwill acquired during the year and contingent payments

 

168,845

 

15,519

 

11,364

 

16,274

 

18,209

 

 

230,211

 

Translation adjustment

 

20,423

 

(472

)

887

 

806

 

(615

)

 

21,029

 

Balance as of June 30, 2008

 

$

397,721

 

$

61,709

 

$

35,056

 

$

61,977

 

$

76,499

 

$

1,214

 

$

634,176

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

The following table reflects changes in the net carrying amount of the components of intangible assets for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2008 and 2007:

 

 

 

 

Trademark
& trade
name

 

Customer
related
intangible

 

Core/developed
technology

 

Non-compete
agreements

 

Total

 

Balance as of June 30, 2007

 

$

122,666

 

$

76,270

 

$

12,256

 

$

523

 

$

211,715

 

Intangible assets acquired during the year

 

391

 

29,021

 

5,548

 

611

 

35,571

 

Amortization expense

 

(204

)

(10,359

)

(5,289

)

(545

)

(16,397

)

Translation adjustment

 

(968

)

6,660

 

89

 

97

 

5,878

 

Balance as of June 30, 2008

 

$

121,885

 

$

101,592

 

$

12,604

 

$

686

 

$

236,767

 

 

The following table reflects the carrying value of intangible assets at June 30, 2008 and 2007:

 

 

 

Fiscal year 2008

 

Fiscal year 2007

 

 

 

Gross
Carrying
Amount

 

Accumulated
Amortization

 

Gross
Carrying
Amount

 

Accumulated
Amortization

 

Intangible assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trademark and trade name

 

$

122,089

 

$

204

 

$

122,666

 

$

 

Customer related intangibles

 

122,807

 

21,215

 

85,064

 

8,794

 

Core/developed technology

 

24,965

 

12,361

 

17,935

 

5,679

 

Non-compete agreements

 

1,316

 

630

 

1,028

 

505

 

Total intangible assets

 

$

271,177

 

$

34,410

 

$

226,693

 

$

14,978

 

 

A component of the change in the gross carrying amount of trademark and trade name, customer related intangibles and core/developed technology reflects foreign currency translation adjustments between June 30, 2007 and June 30, 2008.  These intangible assets are denominated in the currencies of our subsidiaries outside the United States, and are translated into our reporting currency, the U.S. dollar, based on exchange rates at the balance sheet date.

 

Certain trade-mark and trade-name intangibles purchased as part of the WWLLP combination in fiscal year 2005 have indefinite useful lives and are not amortized.

 

The weighted average remaining life of amortizable intangible assets at June 30, 2008, was 9 years.  Future estimated amortization expense is as follows:

 

Fiscal year ending June 30

 

Amount

 

2009

 

$

16,655

 

2010

 

15,422

 

2011

 

11,727

 

2012

 

11,403

 

2013

 

10,277

 

Thereafter

 

49,604

 

Total estimated amortization expense

 

$

115,088

 

 

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Note 11 - Income Taxes

 

The components of the income tax provision for continuing operations include:

 

 

 

Year Ended June 30

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current tax (benefit) expense:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S.

 

$

29,278

 

$

40,485

 

$

(1,112

)

State and local

 

6,781

 

5,439

 

1,402

 

Foreign

 

25,861

 

17,352

 

12,371

 

 

 

61,920

 

63,276

 

12,661

 

Deferred tax (benefit) expense:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S.

 

6,031

 

(10,585

)

23,297

 

State and local

 

1,397

 

(835

)

5,166

 

Foreign

 

4,122

 

8,337

 

4,461

 

 

 

11,550

 

(3,083

)

32,924

 

Total provision for income taxes

 

$

73,470

 

$

60,193

 

$

45,585

 

 

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities reflect the effect of temporary differences between the assets and liabilities recognized for financial reporting purposes and the amounts recognized for income tax purposes.  The company recognizes deferred tax assets if it is more likely than not that a benefit will be realized.

 

Deferred income tax assets (liabilities) included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at June 30, 2008, and June 30, 2007, are comprised of the following:

 

 

 

June 30

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prepaid

 

$

(1,589

)

$

(1,422

)

Depreciation and amortization

 

(37,706

)

(31,103

)

Goodwill

 

(10,830

)

(6,926

)

Other

 

(10,792

)

(4,905

)

Gross deferred tax liabilities

 

(60,917

)

(44,356

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accrued retirement benefits

 

72,558

 

61,098

 

Deferred rent

 

5,697

 

6,924

 

Other

 

8,724

 

7,762

 

Net operating loss carryforwards

 

12,212

 

9,084

 

Share based compensation

 

3,010

 

1,433

 

Accrued liability

 

15,910

 

20,135

 

Capitalized expenditure

 

803

 

866

 

Accrued compensation

 

12,162

 

7,966

 

Deferred revenue

 

30,972

 

17,046

 

Foreign tax credit

 

1,199

 

 

Gross deferred tax assets

 

163,247

 

132,314

 

Deferred tax assets valuation allowance

 

(12,524

)

(9,826

)

Net deferred tax asset

 

$

89,806

 

$

78,132

 

 

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At June 30, 2008, we had unused loss carryforwards for tax purposes in various jurisdictions outside the U.S. amounting to $58.8 million of which $37.5 million can be indefinitely carried forward under local statutes.  The remaining loss carryforwards will expire, if unused, in varying amounts from 2009 through 2015.  The valuation allowance includes the tax effect of foreign net operating loss carryforwards of $11.1 million and the tax effect of certain foreign temporary expenses of $1.4 million.

 

The company maintains a valuation allowance of $12.5 million and $9.8 million at June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, against certain of its deferred tax assets, as it is more likely than not that they will not be fully realized. The principal components of the deferred tax assets for which a valuation allowance has been established include certain foreign country net operating loss carry-forwards and deferred foreign expenses.

 

The net change in the valuation allowance of $2.7 million in fiscal year 2008 and $14.0 million in fiscal year 2007  is due to the release of valuation allowance in various jurisdictions, and the tax effect of the change in net operating losses and deferred foreign expense.

 

The domestic and foreign components of income from continuing operations before income taxes for each of the three years ended June 30 are as follows:

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Domestic

 

$

111,586

 

$

97,241

 

$

73,672

 

Foreign

 

117,324

 

79,229

 

58,031

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

228,910

 

$

176,470

 

$

131,703

 

 

The company has not provided U.S. deferred taxes on cumulative earnings of foreign subsidiaries that have been reinvested indefinitely.  These earnings relate to ongoing operations and at June 30, 2008 were approximately $318 million.  Due to the availability of U.S. foreign tax credits, it is not practicable to estimate the U.S. federal income tax liability that might be payable if such earnings were not reinvested indefinitely.  If future events, including material changes in estimates of cash, working capital and long-term investment requirements, necessitate that these earnings be distributed, an additional provision for withholding taxes may apply, which could materially affect our future effective tax rate.

 

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The reported income tax provision differs from the amounts that would have resulted had the reported income before income taxes been taxed at the U.S. federal statutory rate.  The principal reasons for the differences between the amounts provided and those that would have resulted from the application of the U.S. federal statutory tax rate are as follows:

 

 

 

Year Ended June 30

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tax provision at U.S. federal statutory tax rate of 35 percent

 

$

80,119

 

$

61,764

 

$

46,096

 

Increase (reduction) resulting from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign income tax rate differential, net

 

(10,955

)

(5,678

)

(5,974

)

State income taxes, net of federal tax effect

 

4,030

 

4,604

 

4,720

 

Non-deductible expenses and foreign dividend

 

8,670

 

5,999

 

6,205

 

Tax credits

 

(11,484

)

(8,338

)

(2,812

)

Other

 

3,090

 

1,842

 

(2,650

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax provision

 

$

73,470

 

$

60,193

 

$

45,585

 

 

The company adopted the provisions of FIN 48 on July 1, 2007.  The cumulative effect of adopting FIN 48 was a $13.0 million increase in the liability for uncertain tax positions, a $9.1 million increase to deferred tax assets, a $0.1 million decrease to other comprehensive income and a $3.8 million decrease to retained earnings at July 1, 2007.

 

Upon adoption, the gross liability for income taxes associated with uncertain tax positions at July 1, 2007 was $16.3 million.  This liability could be reduced by $8.4 million of offsetting deferred tax benefits associated with timing differences, foreign tax credits and the federal tax benefit of state income taxes.  The net difference of $7.9 million, if recognized, would have a $7.5 million favorable impact on the company’s effective tax rate and would increase other comprehensive income by $0.4 million.   At June 30, 2008, the gross liability for income taxes associated with uncertain tax positions was $11.0 million.  This liability can be reduced by $2.8 million of offsetting deferred tax benefits associated with timing differences, foreign tax credits, and the federal tax benefit of state income taxes.  The net difference of $8.2 million, if recognized, would have a $7.9 million favorable impact on the company’s effective tax rate and would increase other comprehensive income by $0.3 million.

 

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the total amounts of gross unrecognized tax liability is as follows:

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

Gross unrecognized tax liability at July 1, 2007

 

$16,300

 

Increases related to tax positions in prior years

 

400

 

Decreases related to tax positions in prior years

 

(6,400

)

Decreases related to settlements

 

(700

)

Decreases related to lapse in statute of limitations

 

(600

)

Increases related to current year tax positions

 

2,000

 

 

 

 

 

Balances at June 30, 2008

 

$11,000

 

 

Interest and penalties related to income tax liabilities are included in income tax expense.  The company had accrued interest of $1.8 million and penalties of $1.4 million, totaling $3.2 million at July 1, 2007.  At June 30, 2008 the company had accrued interest of $1.6 million and penalties of $0.4 million, totaling $2.0 million.   Tax expense for the year ended June 30, 2008 includes an interest benefit of $0.1 million and a penalty benefit of $1.1 million, totaling a $1.2 million benefit.

 

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The gross tax liability for uncertain tax positions decreased by $5.3 million during the year.  This decrease was primarily related to a $5.9 million decrease due to a change in accounting method which the company filed with the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) in October 2007 to change the method of accounting for accrued expenses owed to foreign affiliates.  Since the accounting method change was filed voluntarily, the IRS will not assess tax, interest or penalties related to the position claimed in prior tax returns.  The $5.9 million decrease in the gross tax liability relates to a deferred tax item and did not impact the company’s effective tax rate.  Gross accrued interest and penalties related to this tax position decreased $1.3 million, which net of federal tax benefits, resulted in a $1.2 million impact on the effective tax rate.

 

The company believes it is reasonably possible that there will be a $3.2 million decrease in the gross tax liability for uncertain tax positions within the next 12 months based upon potential settlements and the expiration of statutes of limitations in various tax jurisdictions.

 

The company and its subsidiaries conduct business globally and are subject to income tax in the US and in many states and foreign jurisdictions.  The company is currently under examination in several tax jurisdictions.  The last tax year examined and settled with the IRS was fiscal year ending June 30, 2003.  A summary of the tax years that remain subject to examination in the company’s major tax jurisdictions are:

 

 

 

Open Tax Years

 

 

 

(fiscal year ending in)

 

 

 

 

 

United States – federal

 

2005 and forward

 

United States – various states

 

2003 and forward

 

Canada – federal

 

2004 and forward

 

Germany

 

2003 and forward

 

United Kingdom

 

2005 and forward

 

 

Note 12 - Segment Information

 

We have five reportable operating segments or practice areas as follows:

 

(1)

Benefits Group

(2)

Human Capital Group

(3)

Technology and Administration Solutions Group

(4)

Investment Consulting Group

(5)

Insurance & Financial Services Group

 

Management evaluates the performance of its segments and allocates resources to them based on net operating income on a pre-bonus, pre-tax basis.

 

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The table below presents specified information about reported segments as of and for the year ended June 30, 2008:

 

 

 

Benefits
Group

 

Human Capital
Group

 

Technology
and
Administration
Solutions
Group

 

Investment
Consulting
Group

 

Insurance &
Financial
Services Group

 

Total

 

Revenue (net of reimbursable expenses)

 

$

993,371

 

$

195,925

 

$

182,953

 

$

169,173

 

$

118,603

 

$

1,660,025

 

Net operating income

 

285,610

 

35,067

 

47,246

 

59,918

 

2,381

 

430,222

 

Interest expense

 

2,979

 

859

 

369

 

305

 

307

 

4,819

 

Depreciation & Amortization

 

16,811

 

2,189

 

18,500

 

736

 

4,253

 

42,489

 

Receivables

 

248,375

 

46,526

 

16,075

 

34,545

 

33,140

 

378,661

 

 

The table below presents specified information about reported segments as of and for the year ended June 30, 2007:

 

 

 

Benefits
Group

 

Human Capital
Group

 

Technology
and
Administration
Solutions
Group

 

Investment
Consulting
Group

 

Insurance &
Financial
Services Group

 

Total

 

Revenue (net of reimbursable expenses)

 

$

820,806

 

$

169,845

 

$

157,516

 

$

128,720

 

$

113,676

 

$

1,390,563

 

Net operating income

 

222,021

 

24,052

 

36,663

 

39,269

 

18,985

 

340,990

 

Interest expense

 

3,352

 

506

 

425

 

369

 

555

 

5,207

 

Depreciation & Amortization

 

11,118

 

2,695

 

14,108

 

830

 

796

 

29,547

 

Receivables

 

228,284

 

40,516

 

15,616

 

27,427

 

31,959

 

343,802

 

 

The table below presents specified information about reported segments as of and for the year ended June 30, 2006:

 

 

 

Benefits
Group

 

Human Capital
Group

 

Technology
and
Administration
Solutions
Group

 

Investment
Consulting
Group

 

Insurance &
Financial
Services
Group

 

Total

 

Revenue (net of reimbursable expenses)

 

$

725,630

 

$

146,111

 

$

132,805

 

$

86,462

 

$

91,987

 

$

1,182,995

 

Net operating income

 

186,463

 

12,796

 

31,539

 

12,622

 

18,161

 

261,581

 

Interest expense

 

2,618

 

559

 

321

 

198

 

252

 

3,948

 

Depreciation & Amortization

 

13,267

 

2,848

 

9,615

 

1,578

 

1,413

 

28,721

 

Receivables

 

194,014

 

37,355

 

16,709

 

19,088

 

26,992

 

294,158

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

A reconciliation of the information reported by segment to the consolidated amounts follows for the years ended June 30 (in thousands):

 

 

 

Year Ended June 30,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total segment revenue

 

$

1,660,025

 

$

1,390,563

 

$

1,182,995

 

Reimbursable expenses not included in segment revenue

 

62,014

 

58,164

 

51,925

 

All other segments

 

43,922

 

41,104

 

40,431

 

Other, net

 

(5,906

)

(3,308

)

(3,540

)

Consolidated revenue

 

$

1,760,055

 

$

1,486,523

 

$

1,271,811

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Operating Income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total segment income

 

$

430,222

 

$

340,990

 

$

261,581

 

Income/(loss) from affiliates

 

2,067

 

(5,500

)

1,135

 

Differences in allocation methods for depreciation, G&A, pension and medical costs (1)

 

(17,675

)

(9,422

)

(4,694

)

Interest Expense

 

(5,977

)

(1,581

)

(4,093

)

Loss on hedge

 

 

 

(3,602

)

Other non-operating income

 

464

 

178

 

1,521

 

Discretionary bonuses

 

(184,980

)

(139,433

)

(108,671

)

All other segments

 

4,670

 

(6,108

)

(5,321

)

Other, net

 

120

 

(2,656

)

(6,153

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

 

$

228,911

 

$

176,468

 

$

131,703

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest Expense:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total segment expense

 

$

4,819

 

$

5,207

 

$

3,948

 

All other segments

 

142

 

138

 

104

 

Differences in allocation method

 

1,016

 

(3,764

)

41

 

Consolidated interest expense

 

$

5,977

 

$

1,581

 

$

4,093

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation & Amortization:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total segment expense

 

$

42,489

 

$

29,547

 

$

28,721

 

All other segments

 

5,616

 

8,757

 

2,631

 

Intangible asset amortization, not allocated to segments

 

16,397

 

10,145

 

8,155

 

Differences in allocation method and other

 

7,926

 

8,786

 

5,411

 

Consolidated depreciation and amortization expense

 

$

72,428

 

$

57,235

 

$

44,918

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Receivables:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total segment receivables

 

$

378,661

 

$

343,802

 

$

294,158

 

All other segments

 

4,773

 

6,689

 

5,030

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net valuation differences (2)

 

(16,353

)

(13,664

)

4,389

 

Total billed and unbilled receivables

 

367,081

 

336,827

 

303,577

 

Assets not reported by segment

 

1,348,895

 

1,192,882

 

936,782

 

Consolidated assets

 

$

1,715,976

 

$

1,529,709

 

$

1,240,359

 

 

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Table of Contents

 


(1) Depreciation, general and administrative, pension, and medical costs are allocated to our segments based on budgeted expenses determined at the beginning of the fiscal year as management believes that these costs are largely uncontrollable to the segment.  To the extent that the actual expense base upon which allocations are made differs from the forecast/budget amount, a reconciling item will be created between internally allocated expenses and the actual expense that we report for GAAP purposes.

 

(2) Total segment receivables, which reflect the receivable balances used by management to make business decisions, are included for management reporting purposes net of deferred revenues.

 

The following represents total revenue and long-lived assets information by geographic area as of and for the years ended June 30:

 

 

 

Revenue

 

Long-lived Assets

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2006

 

2008

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

$

761,584

 

$

707,784

 

$

649,109

 

$

137,120

 

$

174,369

 

$

153,278

 

United Kingdom

 

531,444

 

468,142

 

345,732

 

862,555

 

617,816

 

493,942

 

Rest of World

 

467,027

 

310,597

 

276,970

 

86,242

 

34,011

 

29,075

 

 

 

$

1,760,055

 

$

1,486,523

 

$

1,271,811

 

$

1,085,917

 

$

826,196

 

$

676,295

 

 

Revenue is based on the country of domicile for the legal entity that originated the revenue.  Exclusive of the United States and the U.K., revenue from no single country constituted more than 10 percent of consolidated revenues.  Revenue from no single customer constituted more than one percent of consolidated revenues.

 

Note 13 - Commitments and Contingent Liabilities

 

The company historically has provided guarantees on an infrequent basis to third parties in the ordinary course of business.  The guarantees described below are currently in effect and could require the company to make payments to third parties under certain circumstances.

 

Letters of Credit.  At June 30, 2008, the company has letters of credit totaling $10.6 million under our existing credit facility to guarantee payment to beneficiaries in the event that the company fails to meet its financial obligations to these beneficiaries.  These letters of credit will remain outstanding as long as we retain an ownership share of our affiliated captive insurance company, PCIC.

 

The company has also provided a $5.0 million Australian dollar-denominated letter of credit (US $4.8 million) to an Australian governmental agency as required by local regulations.  The estimated fair market value of these letters of credit is immaterial because they have never been used, and the company believes that probability of future usage is remote.

 

Indemnification Agreements.  The company has various agreements that provide that it may be obligated to indemnify the other party with respect to certain matters.  Generally, these indemnification clauses are included in contracts arising in the normal course of business and in connection with the purchase and sale of certain businesses.  Although it is not possible to predict the maximum potential amount of future payments under these indemnification agreements due to the conditional nature of the company’s obligations and the unique facts of each particular agreement, the company does not believe that any potential liability that might arise from such indemnity provisions is probable or material.  There are no provisions for recourse to third parties, nor are any assets held by any third parties that any guarantor can liquidate to recover amounts paid under such indemnities.

 

Legal Proceedings:  From time to time, we are a party to various lawsuits, arbitrations or mediations that arise in the ordinary course of business. The matters reported on below involve the most significant pending or potential claims against us.  We also have received subpoenas and requests for information in connection with government investigations.

 

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Table of Contents

 

We carry substantial professional liability insurance with a self-insured retention of $1 million per occurrence, which provides coverage for professional liability claims including the cost of defending such claims. We reserve for contingent liabilities based on Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 5, “Accounting for Contingencies” (FAS 5) when it is determined that a liability, inclusive of defense costs, is probable and reasonably estimable. Management believes, based on currently available information including the existence of professional liability insurance, that the results of all pending claims against the company will not have a material adverse effect on the results of operations, but litigation is subject to many factors which are difficult to predict so there can be no assurance that in the event of a material unfavorable result in one or more of such matters, we will not incur material costs.

 

Watson Wyatt v. SBC Holdings, Inc. (Stroh Brewery Company):  On July 23, 2004, we received a demand letter from Stroh’s counsel alleging that errors in valuations for 2001 and subsequent years understated the liabilities of its pension plan and overstated the company’s net worth.  As a result, Stroh claimed it did not annuitize its defined benefit plan and redeemed its stock at an inflated price.  On April 15, 2005, Watson Wyatt filed a petition in federal court to compel arbitration of the matter. Subsequently, Stroh filed an answer and counterclaim, alleging damages in excess of $46 million.  In January, 2008, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals held that the entire claim is subject to arbitration.  Stroh has filed a demand for arbitration on April 16, 2008 and Watson Wyatt filed a response.  We expect the arbitrators to set a hearing schedule in late 2008.

 

Department of Labor Investigation: On November 17, 2006, Watson Wyatt Investment Consulting Inc. (“WWIC”) received a subpoena from the United States Department of Labor (“DOL”) in connection with its investigation into the compensation of consultants and other investment advisers.  WWIC has responded to the subpoena and continues to cooperate with the DOL.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Note 14 - Earnings Per Share

 

Basic earnings per share is calculated on the basis of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year.  Diluted earnings per share is calculated on the basis of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus the effect of outstanding stock options, stock-based compensation plan shares and employee stock purchase plan shares using the “treasury stock” method.  The components of basic and diluted earnings per share are as follows:

 

 

 

Year Ended June 30,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

 

$

155,441

 

$

116,275

 

$

86,118

 

Income from discontinued operations

 

 

 

1,073

 

Net income

 

$

155,441

 

$

116,275

 

$

87,191

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average outstanding shares of common stock

 

42,577

 

42,413

 

41,393

 

Contingency Stock

 

 

1,950

 

1,787

 

Dilutive effect of employee stock options and employee stock purchase plan shares

 

1,804

 

321

 

117

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock and stock equivalents

 

44,381

 

44,684

 

43,297

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

 

$

3.65

 

$

2.74

 

$

2.08

 

Income from discontinued operations

 

 

 

0.03

 

Basic earnings per share, net income

 

$

3.65

 

$

2.74

 

$

2.11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

 

$

3.50

 

$

2.60

 

$

1.99

 

Income from discontinued operations

 

 

 

0.02

 

Diluted earnings per share, net income

 

$

3.50

 

$

2.60

 

$

2.01

 

 

The diluted earnings per share calculation for fiscal years 2008, 2007 and 2006 assume that 1,950,000 contingent shares related to the WWLLP business combination have been issued and outstanding since July 31, 2005.  The diluted earnings per share calculation for 2008 also assumes that the 218,089 WWN contingent shares were also outstanding at the beginning of the fiscal year.  All of these shares were issued during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2008.

 

Note 15 - Discontinued Operations

 

During the fiscal year 2006, the company evaluated its accrual for the estimated remaining future obligations and costs related to the exit from Wellspring.  As a result of the analysis, the company released the remainder of its accrual of $1.75 million, less the associated income tax expenses.  The adjustment is reflected in the Consolidated Statement of Operations for fiscal year 2006 in the line “Adjustment to reduce estimated loss on disposal of discontinued operations.”

 

Wellspring Resources, LLC (“Wellspring”), the benefits administration outsourcing business that we exited from in fiscal year 1998.

 

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Note 16 – Restricted Shares

 

In conjunction with our WWLLP business combination on July 31, 2005, we issued 9,090,571 Class A common shares, 4,749,797 of which were subject to contractual transfer restrictions.  Transfer restrictions expired on 2,339,761 of these shares on July 31, 2006 and expired on the remaining 2,410,036 shares on July 31, 2007.  The contingencies associated with the payment of an additional 1,950,000 Class A shares were met and the the contigent shares were issued to the former partners of WWLLP on April 15, 2008.

 

In conjunction with our acquisition of WWN on February 1, 2007, we issued 252,285 Class A common shares which were subject to contractual transfer restrictions.  Transfer restrictions on 50% of these shares expired on February 1, 2008.  Transfer restrictions on the remaining shares will expire on February 1, 2009.  The contingencies associated with the payment of an additional 218,089 Class A shares were met and the contingent shares were issued to the former partners of WWN on June 27, 2008. Sale of these shares, are also subject to contractual transfer restrictions that will expire on 50% of these shares on each of the first and second anniversaries of issuance of the shares.  See Note 2 of this report for further information regarding these acquisitions.

 

Note 17 – Exit From Multi-employer Retirement Consulting Business

 

Exit from Mutli-employer Retirement Consulting Business - On February 1, 2008, the company exited its U.S. “Taft-Hartley” retirement consulting business and its Canadian private sector, negotiated costs, trusteed plan business.  The affected approximately 70 retirement clients, accounting for approximately $15 million in annual revenue.  Two newly created companies, which are owned and operated by individuals who were formerly Watson Wyatt associates, service these clients in the U.S. and Canada, respectively. These associates, who focus on multi-employer retirement plans, moved to the new companies on February 1, 2008.  Watson Wyatt has no ownership in these new companies, but is compensated for release of certain non-compete obligations through receipt of approximately 30% of the new companies’ revenues from clients that transfer from the company for the next five years.

 

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Note 18 - Unaudited Quarterly Financial Data

 

Summarized quarterly financial data for the years ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 are as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

 

 

2008 Quarter Ended

 

 

 

September 30

 

December 31

 

March 31

 

June 30

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

$

401,687

 

$

447,032

 

$

457,525

 

$

453,811

 

Income from operations

 

51,233

 

59,942

 

64,434

 

51,164

 

Income before income taxes

 

51,833

 

57,587

 

64,816

 

54,675

 

Net income

 

34,444

 

36,781

 

42,546

 

41,670

 

Earnings per share: (a)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income, basic

 

0.81

 

0.87

 

1.01

 

0.96

 

Net income, diluted

 

0.77

 

0.82

 

0.96

 

0.95

 

 

 

 

2007 Quarter Ended

 

 

 

September 30

 

December 31

 

March 31

 

June 30

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

$

336,004

 

$

366,425

 

$

395,598

 

$

388,496

 

Income from operations

 

38,573

 

40,184

 

52,354

 

48,194

 

Income before income taxes

 

39,387

 

39,787

 

48,486

 

48,808

 

Net income

 

24,814

 

25,994

 

33,834

 

31,633

 

Earnings per share: (a)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income, basic

 

0.59

 

0.61

 

0.80

 

0.71

 

Net income, diluted

 

0.56

 

0.58

 

0.76

 

0.71

 

 


(a)          The diluted earnings per share calculation for fiscal year 2008 and 2007 assume that the 1,950,000 contingent shares related to the WWLLP business combination have been issued and outstanding since July 31, 2005.  The diluted earnings per share calculation for 2008 also assumes that the 218,089 WWN contingent shares were also outstanding at the beginning of the fiscal year.  All of these shares were issued during fourth quarter of fiscal year 2008.

 

The accompanying unaudited quarterly financial data has been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States for interim financial information and with Item 302 of Regulation S-K.  In our opinion, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair statement have been made and were of a normal recurring nature.

 

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WATSON WYATT WORLDWIDE, INC.

Schedule II

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves

(Thousands of U.S. Dollars)

 

Description

 

Balance
at
Beginning
of
Year

 

Additions
Charged
Against
(Credited
to)
Revenue

 

Additions
Charged
to
Other
Accounts

 

Additions
Resulting
From
Acquisitions

 

Deductions

 

Balance
at
End of
Year

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year Ended June 30, 2008

 

Allowance for uncollectible accounts

 

$

6,216

 

$

14,309

 

$

 

$

 

$

(11,981

)

$

8,544

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allowance for unbillable accounts

 

7,683

 

4,017

 

 

 

 

11,700

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets

 

9,826

 

 

2,698

 

 

 

12,524

 

 

Year Ended June 30, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allowance for uncollectible accounts

 

$

3,678

 

$

11,109

 

$

 

$

 

$

(8,571

)

$

6,216

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allowance for unbillable accounts

 

5,348

 

2,335

 

 

 

 

7,683

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets

 

23,841

 

 

(9,777

)(1)

 

(4,238

)

9,826

 

 

Year Ended June 30, 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allowance for uncollectible accounts

 

$

2,114

 

$

7,774

 

$

 

$

1,574

 

$

(7,784

)

$

3,678

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allowance for unbillable accounts

 

700

 

(942

)

 

5,590

 

 

5,348

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets

 

13,549

 

 

 

11,386

 

(1,094

)

23,841

 

 


(1)           The decrease is due to reclassification of the deferred tax assets for foreign branches.

 

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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS.

 

3.1

 

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Watson Wyatt Worldwide, Inc.(1)

3.2

 

Amended and Restated Bylaws of Watson Wyatt Worldwide, Inc.(2)

4

 

Form of Certificate Representing Common Stock(3)

10.1

 

Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement (Credit Agreement) Among Suntrust Bank and Others dated July 11, 2005(4)

10.2

 

Amendment to the Credit Agreement Among Suntrust Bank and Others dated September 30, 2005(5)

10.3

 

Amendment to the Credit Agreement Among Suntrust Bank and Others dated June 21, 2007 (6)

10.4

 

Third Amendment to Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement dated September 14, 2007 (7)

10.5

 

FY06 Performance Share Bonus Incentive Program (8)

10.6

 

FY07 Performance Share Bonus Incentive Program (1)

10.7

 

FY08 Performance Share Bonus Incentive Program (9)

10.8

 

Trust Deed and Rules of the Watson Wyatt Share Incentive Plan 2005 (U.K.) (10)

10.9

 

Watson Wyatt Share Incentive Plan 2005 Deed of Amendment (U.K.) (10)

10.10

 

Amended and Restated Senior Officer Deferred Compensation Plan (2)

10.11

 

Amended 2001 Deferred Stock Unit Plan for Selected Employees(2)

10.12

 

Amended Voluntary Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors (2)

10.13

 

Amended Compensation Plan for Outside Directors(7)

10.14

 

Form of Employment Agreement between Watson Wyatt Limited and each of Chandrasekhar Ramamurthy, Paul N. Thornton and Roger C. Urwin(11)

10.15

 

Deed of Lease between Watson Wyatt & Company and Arlington Office, LLC, dated April 27, 2004(12)

10.16

 

First Amendment to Deed of Lease between Watson Wyatt & Company and Arlington Office L.L.C., dated April 22, 2005(13)

10.17

 

First Amendment to Lease Between Watson Wyatt & Company and Arlington Office LLC dated November 14, 2005 (14)

10.18

 

Form of Indemnification Agreement among Watson Wyatt & Company Holdings and each of its directors and Section 16 officers(15)

16

 

Letter re change in certifying accountant (16)

21

 

Subsidiaries of Watson Wyatt Worldwide, Inc.(2)

23

 

Consent of the Company’s Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm — Deloitte & Touche LLP(2)

23.1

 

Consent of the Company’s Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm — PricewaterhouseCoopers(2)

31.1

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002(2)

31.2

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002(2)

32

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Title 18, U.S.C. Section 1350, adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002(2)

 


(1)             Incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Form 10-Q, filed on February 9, 2007

(2)             Filed with this Form 10-K

(3)             Incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Form 8-K, filed on January 3, 2006

(4)             Incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Form 8-K, filed on July 14, 2005

(5)             Incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Form 10-Q, filed on November 9, 2005

(6)             Incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Form 10-K, filed on August 24, 2007

(7)             Incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Form 10-Q, filed on November 9, 2007

(8)             Incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Form 8-K, filed on May 16, 2006.

(9)             Incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Form 10-Q, filed on May 8, 2008

(10)       Incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Form 10-K, filed on September 1, 2006

(11)       Incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Form S-4 (File No. 33-3124629), filed on May 4, 2005

(12)       Incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Form 10-Q, filed on May 7, 2004

(13)       Incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Form 10-Q, filed on May 10, 2005

(14)       Incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Form 10-Q, filed on February 9, 2006

(15)       Incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Form 8-K, filed on October 4, 2005

(16)       Incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Form 8-K, filed on December 13, 2006

 

97