# CSP INC /MA/ (CSPI) FY 2023 MD&A

Verbatim Item 7 Management's Discussion and Analysis from CSP INC /MA/'s 10-K for fiscal year 2023.

SEC filing source: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/356037/000035603723000045/cspi-20230930x10k.htm
Accession: 0000356037-23-000045
Filing date: 2023-12-13
Report date: 2023-09-30
Extracted structurally from real Item 7 body heading to real Item 7A/8 boundary.
Confidence: high

Company profile: /company/CSPI/
All MD&A years: /company/CSPI/mda/
Previous year: /company/CSPI/mda/fy2022/ (FY 2022)
Next year: /company/CSPI/mda/fy2024/ (FY 2024)

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

This management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations and other portions of this filing contain forward-looking information that involves risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated by the forward-looking information. You should review the “Special Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” sections of this annual report for a discussion of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results described in or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in the following discussion and analysis. The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this filing.

Recent trends affecting our financial performance

As of September 30, 2023, the Russian/Ukrainian military conflict and the Israeli-Hamas conflict has not had a direct significant impact on revenue as we do not have any recurring customers in either region. However, we do have customers and suppliers in surrounding regions which may be affected and further escalation of both conflicts and geopolitical tensions related to such conflicts could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations, by among other things, cyber attacks, supply disruptions, lower consumer demand, and changes to foreign exchange rates and financial markets. It is not possible at this time to predict the size of the impact or consequences of the conflicts on the Company and our customers or suppliers.

Overview of Fiscal 2023 Results of Operations

Revenue increased by approximately $10.2 million, or 19%, to $64.6 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023 versus $54.4 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022.

Gross profit margin percentage decreased slightly to 34% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023 from 35% of revenues for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022.

We generated an operating income of $1.8 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023 as compared to an operating loss of $(40) thousand for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022.

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Other income, net was $2.9 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023 as compared to $2.0 million for the prior year.

The Company recorded an income tax benefit of $(469) thousand, which reflected an effective tax rate of (9.9)%, for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023 compared to an income tax provision of $50 thousand, which reflected an effective tax rate of 2.6% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022.

The following table details our results of operations in dollars and as a percentage of sales for the fiscal years ended:

[[GREPCENT_TABLE]]
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[[/GREPCENT_TABLE]]

​

Revenues

Revenue increased by approximately $10.2 million, or approximately 19%, to $64.6 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023 versus $54.4 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022.

TS segment revenue changes by products and services for the fiscal years ended September 30 2023 and 2022 were as follows:

[[GREPCENT_TABLE]]
[["\u200b","\u200b","\u200b","\u200b","\u200b","\u200b","\u200b","\u200b","\u200b","\u200b","\u200b","\u200b","\u200b"],["\u200b","\u200b","September 30,","\u200b","Increase (decrease)"],["\u200b","","2023","","2022","","$","","%"],["\u200b","\u200b","(Dollar amounts in thousands)","\u200b"],["Products","\u200b","$","41,674","\u200b","$","34,172","\u200b","$","7,502","\u200b","22","%"],["Services","\u200b","","16,100","\u200b","","16,346","\u200b","","(246)","\u200b","(2)","%"],["Total","\u200b","$","57,774","\u200b","$","50,518","\u200b","$","7,256","\u200b","14","%"]]
[[/GREPCENT_TABLE]]

​

Our TS segment revenue increased by approximately $7.3 million consisting of an increase of $7.1 million in our U.S. division combined with an increase of $0.2 million in our U.K. division. The increase in TS segment product revenue of $7.5 million during the period was the result of a $7.3 million increase in the U.S. division combined with an increase of $0.2 million in the U.K. division. As the economic environment returns to pre-pandemic levels it has led to customers’ budgets not being as constrained as prior year leading to increased sales in the U.S. division and U.K. division. Additionally, there have been less shortages with suppliers causing less delays and our backlog has significantly decreased from the prior year. The increase in our U.S. division product revenue year over year was primarily associated with several major customers, partially offset by a decrease with several other customers. The increase in the U.K. division year over year was primarily associated with an increase with one major customer. The decrease in TS segment service revenue of $0.2 million as compared to the prior year was in the U.S. division. In fiscal year 2023 as compared to the prior year, the U.S. division had a decrease of $0.9 million in internal services and a decrease of $0.7 million in third party maintenance revenue, partially offset by an increase of $1.4 million in managed services.

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HPP segment revenue changes by product and services for the fiscal years ended September 30 2023 and 2022 were as follows:

[[GREPCENT_TABLE]]
[["\u200b","\u200b","\u200b","\u200b","\u200b","\u200b","\u200b","\u200b","\u200b","\u200b","\u200b","\u200b","\u200b"],["\u200b","","\u200b","September 30,","Increase"],["\u200b","\u200b","2023","","2022","","$","","%","\u200b"],["\u200b","\u200b","(Dollar amounts in thousands)","\u200b"],["Products","\u200b","$","5,475","\u200b","$","2,516","\u200b","$","2,959","\u200b","118","%"],["Services","\u200b","","1,398","\u200b","","1,327","\u200b","","71","\u200b","5","%"],["Total","\u200b","$","6,873","\u200b","$","3,843","\u200b","$","3,030","\u200b","79","%"]]
[[/GREPCENT_TABLE]]

​

Our HPP segment revenue increased by approximately $3.0 million or 79%. The increase in HPP product revenue of $3.0 million in the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023 was primarily the result of two major non-recurring transactions of $1.8 million and $1.2 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023 as compared to the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022. The increase in HPP service revenue of approximately $0.1 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023 was primarily the result of a $0.4 million increase in AIRA revenue, partially offset with a decrease of $0.3 million in royalty revenues on high-speed processing boards related to the E2D program as compared to the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022.

Our total revenues by geographic area based on the location to which the products were shipped or services rendered were as follows:

[[GREPCENT_TABLE]]
[["\u200b","\u200b","\u200b","\u200b","\u200b","\u200b","\u200b","\u200b","\u200b","\u200b","\u200b","\u200b","\u200b","\u200b","\u200b","\u200b","\u200b"],["\u200b","\u200b","September 30,","\u200b","Increase (decrease)","\u200b"],["\u200b","","2023","","%","","2022","","%","","$","","%"],["\u200b","\u200b","(Dollar amounts in thousands)","\u200b"],["Americas","\u200b","$","62,763","","97","%","$","52,486","","96","%","$","10,277","\u200b","20","%"],["Europe","\u200b","","1,429","","2","%","","1,407","","3","%","","22","\u200b","2","%"],["Asia","\u200b","","455","","1","%","","468","","1","%","","(13)","\u200b","(3)","%"],["Totals","\u200b","$","64,647","","100","%","$","54,361","","100","%","$","10,286","\u200b","19","%"]]
[[/GREPCENT_TABLE]]

​

The $10.3 million increase in the Americas revenue for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023 as compared to the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 was primarily due to increased revenue by our TS-US division of approximately $7.3 million combined with an increase of $3.0 million attributable to the HPP segment. Sales to Europe remained relatively flat with an increase of $0.1 million in the TS-US division, offset with a decrease in the TS-UK division of $0.1 million. Sales to Asia remained relatively flat with no significant changes in any division.

Gross Margins

Our gross margin ("GM") increased by $3.1 million to $21.9 million for fiscal year 2023 as compared to GM of approximately $18.8 million for fiscal year 2022. The total GM as a percentage of revenue decreased to 34% for fiscal year 2023 from 35% for fiscal year 2022.

​

The following table summarizes GM changes by segment for fiscal years ended September 30:

[[GREPCENT_TABLE]]
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[[/GREPCENT_TABLE]]

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The impact of product mix within our TS segment on gross margins for the fiscal years ended September 30 was as follows:

[[GREPCENT_TABLE]]
[["\u200b","\u200b","\u200b","\u200b","\u200b","\u200b","\u200b","\u200b","\u200b","\u200b","\u200b","\u200b","\u200b","\u200b","\u200b","\u200b","\u200b"],["\u200b","\u200b","September 30,","\u200b","\u200b","\u200b","\u200b","\u200b","\u200b"],["\u200b","\u200b","2023","\u200b","2022","\u200b","Increase (decrease)"],["\u200b","","GM$","","GM%","","GM$","","GM%","","GM$","","GM%"],["\u200b","\u200b","(Dollar amounts in thousands)","\u200b"],["Products","\u200b","$","8,197","","20","%","$","6,818","","20","%","$","1,379","","\u2014","%"],["Services","\u200b","","9,469","","59","%","","10,061","","62","%","","(592)","","(3)","%"],["Total","\u200b","$","17,666","","31","%","$","16,879","","33","%","$","787","","(2)","%"]]
[[/GREPCENT_TABLE]]

​

The overall TS segment GM as a percentage of revenue decreased to 31% in fiscal year 2023 from 33% in fiscal year 2022. The $1.4 million GM increase in our TS segment product GM in fiscal year 2023 as compared to the prior year resulted from an increase in the U.S. division. Product GM as a percentage of revenue remained relatively flat for fiscal year 2023 compared to fiscal year 2022 with no significant changes in any specific type of product. The $0.6 million decrease in our TS segment service GM in fiscal year 2023 as compared to the prior year resulted from a decrease in GM in the U.S. division. Service GM as a percentage of revenue decreased to 59% in fiscal year 2023 from 62% in fiscal year 2022 due to decreased third party maintenance revenue as discussed above, which is recorded as net sales meaning all the gross margin is recorded in the services revenue financial statement line item causing increased GM as a percentage of revenue.

The impact of product mix on gross margins within our HPP segment for the fiscal years ended September 30 was as follows:

[[GREPCENT_TABLE]]
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[[/GREPCENT_TABLE]]

​

The overall HPP segment GM as a percentage of revenue increased to 62% in fiscal year 2023 from 51% in fiscal year 2022. The GM as a percentage of sales from products increased 28% primarily due to two major non-recurring transactions in fiscal year 2023 when compared to fiscal year 2022 as discussed above. The GM as a percentage of sales from services decreased 21% primarily due to a relatively significant decrease of high margin Multicomputer royalty revenues, which is nearly all GM and recorded as service revenue.

Engineering and Development Expenses

Our engineering and development expenses are only in our HPP segment. These expenses remained relatively flat at $3.1 million for fiscal year 2023 and $3.1 million for fiscal year 2022. There were increased consulting expenses of $0.4 million, offset by decreased labor expenses of $0.4 million of labor expenses in fiscal year 2023 when compared to fiscal year 2022. Fiscal year 2023 and 2022 expenses were primarily for product engineering expenses incurred in connection with the development of the ARIA SDS cyber security products and ARIA Zero Trust (AZT).

​

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Selling, General and Administrative

The following table details our selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses by operating segment for the years ended September 30, 2023 and 2022:

[[GREPCENT_TABLE]]
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[[/GREPCENT_TABLE]]

​

The TS segment SG&A spending increase of approximately $1.1 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023 when compared to the prior year was primarily due to an increase in salaries of $0.6 million, an increase in variable compensation of $0.3 million, and an increase in travel expenses of $0.2 million.

The HPP segment SG&A spending increase of $0.1 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023 when compared to the prior year was primarily attributed to increased variable compensation.

Other Income/Expenses

The following table details our other income (expense) for the years ended September 30, 2023 and 2022:

[[GREPCENT_TABLE]]
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[[/GREPCENT_TABLE]]

​

For the year ended September 30, 2023 the foreign exchange loss decreased $2.3 million primarily due to the U.S. dollar significantly weakening against the British pound in fiscal year 2023 compared to the prior year where it significantly strengthened. The U.K. division has bank accounts with U.S. dollars and Euros. In consolidation, U.S. dollars and Euros are remeasured into the functional currency, British Pounds, of our U.K. subsidiary. This non-cash remeasurement is included in foreign exchange gain or loss on the income statement and the foreign exchange gain or loss is primarily from a U.S. Dollar and Euro bank account. The U.S. Dollar bank account consists of approximately 95% of the non-British Pound currency held in the U.K. subsidiary.

Interest expense decreased $98 thousand for the year ended September 30, 2023 as compared to the prior year period is due to less interest expense on loans on whole life insurance policies on officers as $0.9 million was paid back in fiscal year 2022 causing less interest to be incurred in fiscal year 2023. Additionally, there was decreased interest expense related to multi-year agreements with vendors in the TS U.S. division. Payments on these agreements contain both principal and interest expense. As principal payments are made the interest expense decreases. See Note 8 Accounts payable and accrued expenses, and Other noncurrent liabilities in Item 1 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Interest income increased $0.8 million for the year ended September 30, 2023 when compared to the prior year. Interest income is primarily related to agreements that have payment terms in excess of one year (see Note 2 Accounts and Long-Term Receivable in Item 1 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K for details) from the TS-US segment. There were three new agreements in fiscal year 2023, which caused an increase in interest income. Additionally, interest income from

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cash and cash equivalents increased significantly from prior year due to substantially increased interest rates during fiscal year 2023.

The Employee Retention Tax Credit, net of costs to collect of $2.1 million was recognized in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2023. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act provided an Employee Retention Credit (“ERC”) which is a refundable tax credit against certain employment taxes. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 extended and expanded the availability of the employee retention credit through December 31, 2021 including amending the employee retention credit to be equal to 70% of qualified wages paid to employees during the 2021 calendar year. Both the TS-US division and HPP segment qualified for the ERC beginning in March 2021 for qualified wages through September 2021. There are no other amounts that will be received related to this credit.

The other income increase of $115 thousand for the year ended September 30, 2023 as compared to the prior year period is primarily related to a vendor settlement related to one specific agreement.

Income Taxes

The Company recorded an income tax benefit of $(469) thousand, which reflected an effective tax rate of (9.9)%, for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023. The provision is primarily driven by the benefit recognized as a result of the release of the valuation allowance against the majority of the Company's deferred tax assets. The benefit recorded during the fiscal year equaled $1.8 million for valuation allowances released on deferred tax assets related to prior years. The Company also claimed and received the Employee Retention Credit.

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022, the income tax provision was approximately $50 thousand, which reflected an effective tax rate of 2.6%. The provision is primarily driven by the state tax expense.

The Company undertakes a review of its valuation allowance at each financial statement period, reviewing the positive and negative evidence to help determine whether it is more likely than not that the Company will realize the future tax benefits from its deferred tax balances. In the year ended September 30, 2020, the Company established a partial valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets in light of results at the time, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the resulting economic fallout, and established a full valuation during the year ended September 30, 2021. Since that time, the COVID-19 pandemic has ended, and the Company’s Technology Solutions business has grown its revenue and operating income in fiscal years 2023 and 2022.

As a result, the Company has determined that it is more likely than not that substantially all of its net deferred tax assets in the U.S. jurisdiction will be utilized and that associated valuation allowances should be reversed during year ended September 30, 2023. The valuation reversed during the period resulted in a $1.8 million benefit. The Company separately analyzed the realizability of its federal and state credits and determined $710 thousand (net of federal benefit) of state credits are expected to expire unutilized and kept a valuation allowance against these credits. The Company will continue to maintain a valuation allowance against certain state tax credits in the U.S. and a full valuation allowance against the net deferred tax assets in the U.K. jurisdiction.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash Flows

Our primary source of liquidity and capital resources is our cash from operations and our line of credit.

Cash and cash equivalents increased by $1.2 million to $25.2 million as of September 30, 2023 from $24.0 million as of September 30, 2022.

​

​

23

Table of Contents

The following is a summary of our cash flows for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023 and 2022:

[[GREPCENT_TABLE]]
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[[/GREPCENT_TABLE]]

​

Operating Activities

Cash provided by operating activities was $3.9 million for the year ended September 30, 2023 compared to $2.7 million for the prior year. The increase from prior year is primarily related to increased net income including recognizing $2.1 million from the Employee Retention Tax Credit, net of costs to collect in fiscal year 2023. Additionally, an amount of $0.9 million was paid back on insurance policy loans in the prior year, but did not recur this year. The remaining differences are primarily related to timing differences in operating assets and liabilities.

​

Investing Activities

Cash used in investing activities was $341 thousand for the year ended September 30, 2023 compared to $20 thousand provided by investing activities for the prior year. The decrease from the prior year is primarily related to $322 thousand we received in the prior year for proceeds from a corporate life insurance policy.

Financing Activities

Cash used in financing activities was $2.4 million for the year ended September 30, 2023 compared to $1.3 million provided by financing activities for the prior year. The primary difference was the timing in the net borrowing on the line-of-credit, which for the year ended September 30, 2023 we had a net payment of $1.6 million compared to a net borrowing of $2.2 million in the prior year.

We paid dividends of $0.7 million for the year ended September 30, 2023 compared to $0.1 million in the prior year. The dividend was suspended during fiscal year 2020 due to uncertainty from COVID-19 but was reinstated during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2022 at $0.03 per share. The dividend was increased to $0.04 per share in the third quarter of fiscal year 2023.

Repayments on notes payable for the year ended September 30, 2023 were $0.4 million compared to $0.7 million in the prior year. There was only one note payable outstanding during fiscal year 2023 compared to two in fiscal year 2022.

Other Liquidity and Capital Resources Items

Our cash held by our foreign subsidiary in the United Kingdom totaled approximately $4.8 million as of September 30, 2023, which consisted of 0.2 million Euros, 0.3 million British Pounds, and 4.3 million U.S. Dollars. This cash is included in our total cash and cash equivalents reported within our financial statements. Due to the pension obligation in the U.K., we maintain a large balance of cash in the U.K.

As of September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022, the Company maintained a line of credit with a capacity of up to $15.0 million for inventory accessible to both the HPP and TS segments. This line of credit also includes availability of a limited cash withdrawal of up to $1.0 million. Amounts of $13.5 million and $11.9 million were available as of September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022, respectively. As of September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022 there were

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no cash withdrawals outstanding. For a further discussion of the Company’s line of credit, including its financial covenants, see Item 1, Note 11 Line of Credit.

We have multi-year agreements on both the receivables (including long-term) and payables (long-term portion in other noncurrent liabilities). Not all multi-year receivable agreements have a corresponding payable multi-year agreement. In fiscal year 2024 we are scheduled to receive $7.7 million related to the multi-year receivables and pay $1.7 million related to the payables. Our last payment on the note payable as of September 30, 2023 is scheduled for payment of $0.4 million in fiscal year 2024.

A subsequent review of qualified wages for the Employee Retention Credit was performed during the preparation of the tax provision for fiscal year 2023 and it was determined $0.6 million of the money received did not qualify and needs to be paid back to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). This $0.6 million was included in Cash and cash equivalents as of September 30, 2023. However, this amount was not recognized in net income in the Consolidated statements of operations for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023. The Company may be subject to interest and penalties related to this cash.

If cash generated from operations is insufficient to satisfy working capital requirements, we may need to access funds through bank loans or other means. If we are unable to secure additional financing, we may not be able to complete development or enhancement of products, take advantage of future opportunities, respond to competition, retain key employees, or continue to effectively operate our business.

Based on our current plans and business conditions, management believes that the Company’s available cash and cash equivalents, the cash generated from operations, and availability on our line of credit will be sufficient to provide for the Company’s working capital and capital expenditure requirements for at least 12 months from the date of this filing.

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Critical Accounting Estimates and Policies

Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to uncollectible receivables, inventory valuation, goodwill and intangibles, income taxes, deferred compensation, revenue recognition, retirement plans, restructuring costs and contingencies. We base our estimates on historical performance and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

We believe the following critical accounting policies affect our more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements: revenue recognition, valuation allowances, specifically the allowance for doubtful accounts and net deferred tax asset valuation allowance, inventory valuation, intangibles, and pension and retirement plans.

Revenue Recognition

See Note 1 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, in the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding our revenue recognition policies. The following areas involve significant judgment and estimates:

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Allocating transaction price with agreements with multiple components including leasing and/or a financing component

A financing component exists when at contract inception the period between the transfer of a promised good and/or service to the customer differs from when the customer pays for the good and/or service. As a practical expedient,

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we have elected not to adjust the amount of consideration for effects of a significant financing component when it is anticipated the promised good or service will be transferred and the subsequent payment will be one year or less.

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Certain contracts contain a financing component including managed services contracts with financing of hardware and software. The interest rate used reflects the approximate interest rate consistent with a separate financing transaction with the customer at the inception of the agreement. Revenues from arrangements which include financing are allocated considering relative standalone selling prices of lease and non-lease components within the agreement. The lease component includes hardware, which is subject to ASC 842, Leases. The non-lease components are subject to ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers.

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When product and non-managed services are sold together, the allocation of the transaction price to each performance obligation is calculated based on the estimated relative selling price or a budgeted cost-plus margin approach, as appropriate. Due to the complex nature of these contracts, there is significant judgment in allocating the transaction price. These estimates are periodically reviewed by project managers, engineers, and other staff involved to ensure estimates remain appropriate. For items sold separately, including hardware, software, professional services, maintenance contracts, other services, and third-party service contracts, there is no allocation as there is one performance obligation.

Professional Services Sold Without Products

The input method using labor hours expended relative to the total expected hours is used to recognize revenue for professional services. Only the hours that depict our performance toward satisfying a performance obligation are used to measure progress. An estimate of hours for each professional service agreement is made at the beginning of each contract based on prior experience and monitored throughout the performance of the services. This method is most appropriate as it depicts the measure of progress towards satisfaction of the performance obligation.

Gross versus Net Revenue

We recognize revenue from third-party service contracts as either gross sales or net sales depending on whether we are acting as the principal party to the transaction or acting as an agent or broker based on control and timing. We are the principal if we control the good or service before that good or service is transferred to the customer. We record revenue as gross when we are the principal party to the arrangement and net of cost when we are acting as a broker or agent for a third party. Under gross sales recognition, the entire selling price is recorded in revenue and our cost to the third-party service provider or vendor is recorded in cost of sales. Under net sales recognition, the cost to the third-party service provider or vendor is recorded as a reduction to revenue resulting in net sales equal to the gross profit on the transaction. Third-party service contracts are sold in different combinations with hardware, software, and services. When we are an agent, revenue is typically recorded at a point in time. When we are the principal, revenue is recognized over the contract term. We have concluded we are the agent in sales of third-party maintenance, software or hardware support, and certain security software that is sold with integral third-party delivered software maintenance that includes critical updates.

Engineering and Development Expenses

Engineering and development expenses include payroll, employee benefits, stock-based compensation and other headcount-related expenses associated with product development. Engineering and development expenses also include third-party development and programming costs. We consider technological feasibility for our software products to be reached upon the release of the software, accordingly, no internal software development costs have been capitalized.

Income Taxes

We use the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes whereby deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. We also reduce deferred tax assets by a valuation allowance if, based on the weight of

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available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the recorded deferred tax assets will not be realized in future periods. This methodology requires estimates and judgments in the determination of the recoverability of deferred tax assets and in the calculation of certain tax liabilities. Valuation allowances are recorded against the gross deferred tax assets that management believes, after considering all available positive and negative objective evidence, historical and prospective, with greater weight given to historical evidence, that it is more likely than not that these assets will not be realized.

In addition, we are required to recognize in the consolidated financial statements, those tax positions determined to be more-likely-than-not of being sustained upon examination, based on the technical merits of the positions as of the reporting date. If a tax position is not considered more-likely-than-not to be sustained based solely on its technical merits, no benefits of the position are recognized.

In addition, the calculation of the Company’s tax liabilities involves dealing with uncertainties in the application of complex tax regulations in a multitude of jurisdictions. The Company records liabilities for estimated tax obligations in the U.S. and other tax jurisdictions. These estimated tax liabilities include the provision for taxes that may become payable in the future.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, with cost determined using the first-in, first-out method. The recoverability of inventories is based upon the types and levels of inventories held, forecasted demand, pricing, competition and changes in technology. We write down our inventory for estimated obsolescence or unmarketable inventory equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and the estimated market value based upon assumptions about future demand and market conditions. If actual market conditions are less favorable than those projected by management, additional inventory write-downs may be required.

Pension and Retirement Plans

The funded status of pension and other post-retirement benefit plans is recognized prospectively on the consolidated balance sheet. Gains and losses, prior service costs and credits and any remaining transition amounts that have not yet been recognized through pension expense will be recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, until they are amortized as a component of net periodic pension/post-retirement benefits expense. Additionally, plan assets and obligations are measured as of our fiscal year-end balance sheet date (September 30).

We have defined benefit and defined contribution plans in the U.K. and in the U.S. In the U.K., the Company provides defined benefit pension plans for certain employees and former employees and defined contribution plans for the majority of the employees. The defined benefit plans in the U.K. are closed to newly hired employees and have been for the two years ended September 30, 2023. In the U.S., the Company provides defined contribution plans that cover most employees and supplementary retirement plans to certain employees and former employees who are now retired. These supplementary retirement plans are also closed to newly hired employees and have been for the two years ended September 30, 2023. These supplementary plans are funded through whole life insurance policies. The Company expects to recover all insurance premiums paid under these policies in the future, through the cash surrender value of the policies and any death benefits or portions thereof to be paid upon the death of the participant. These whole life insurance policies are carried on the balance sheet at their cash surrender values as they are owned by the Company and not assets of the defined benefit plans. In the U.S., the Company also provides for officer death benefits and post-retirement health insurance benefits through supplemental post-retirement plans to certain officers. The Company also funds these supplemental plans’ obligations through whole life insurance policies on the officers.

Pension expense is based on an actuarial computation of current future benefits using estimates for expected return on assets, expected compensation increases and applicable discount rates. Management has reviewed the discount rates and rates of return with our consulting actuaries and investment advisers and concluded they were reasonable. A decrease in the expected return on pension assets would increase pension expense. Expected compensation increases are estimated based on historical and expected increases in the future. Increases in estimated compensation increases would result in higher pension expense while decreases would lower pension expense. Discount rates are selected based upon

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rates of return on high quality fixed income investments currently available and expected to be available during the period to maturity of the pension benefit. A decrease in the discount rate would result in greater pension expense while an increase in the discount rate would decrease pension expense.

The Company funds its pension plans in amounts sufficient to meet the requirements set forth in applicable employee benefits laws and local tax laws. Liabilities for amounts in excess of these funding levels are accrued and reported in the consolidated balance sheets.