CBIZ(CBZ) - 2024 Q4 - Annual Report

Revenue and Financial Performance - CBIZ's total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2024, was $1,813.5 million, representing a 13.9% increase from$ 1,591.2 million in 2023[38] - Revenue for fiscal year 2024 was $1,813.5 million, an increase of$ 222.3 million, or 14.0%, from $1,591.2 million in 2023[153] - Same-unit revenue increased by$ 76.9 million, or 4.8%, while acquisitions contributed $145.4 million, or 8.0% to total revenue[153] - Total revenue from Financial Services was$ 1,362.5 million, representing 75.1% of total revenue, up from $1,160.7 million, or 72.9% in 2023[161] - Total revenue for the Financial Services practice group grew by 17.4% to$ 1,362.5 million in 2024, with same-unit revenue increasing by 4.8%[175] - Benefits and Insurance Services practice group revenue increased by 4.8% to $401.0 million in 2024, with same-unit revenue up by 4.0%[177] Operating Expenses and Income - Operating expenses increased by$ 263.0 million to $1,631.0 million in 2024, with operating expenses as a percentage of revenue rising to 89.9%[164] - Operating income for 2024 was$ 73.7 million, with a gross margin of $182.5 million, reflecting a decrease from the previous year[163] - Personnel costs drove the increase in operating expenses, with a$ 194.5 million rise attributed to higher personnel costs in 2024[165] - G&A expenses increased by approximately $50.8 million, or 87.6%, in 2024, reaching$ 108.8 million, which is 6.0% of revenue compared to 3.6% in 2023[166] - Total operating expenses increased by $5.1 million, or 13.1%, in 2024 compared to 2023, primarily due to higher personnel costs[182] Acquisitions and Growth Strategy - The company completed five business acquisitions in 2024, including the acquisition of Marcum LLP, which is the largest transaction in its history[25][40] - The company acquired five businesses during 2024, including Marcum, as part of its growth strategy[97] - The acquisition of Marcum is expected to significantly increase the attest services received and the revenues generated under the existing Administrative Service Agreement with CBIZ CPAs[84] - Following the Attest Purchase, the number of SEC-reporting attest clients of CBIZ CPAs increased from very few or none to well over 100[87] Challenges and Risks - The company may face challenges in managing conflicts of interest and independence restrictions due to the significant increase in SEC-reporting attest clients[87] - The performance and benefits from the acquisition of Marcum may be adversely affected if the anticipated benefits are not realized or if unforeseen liabilities arise[81] - The company has identified certain material weaknesses in Marcum's internal control over financial reporting prior to the acquisition[95] - Changes in U.S. healthcare legislation may adversely affect revenue and margins in the company's healthcare benefit businesses[100] - Higher unemployment rates in the U.S. could lead to a reduction in employer-sponsored healthcare coverage, impacting commissions received[102] - Cybersecurity risks remain a concern, with past breaches highlighting vulnerabilities in the company's systems[105] Human Capital and Employee Engagement - CBIZ has over 10,000 team members nationwide, emphasizing the importance of human capital for delivering multi-disciplinary and technology-enabled solutions[55] - The company received a record 106 workplace awards in 2024, highlighting its commitment to attracting and retaining top talent[26] - The company focuses on a recruitment strategy that includes targeted campus recruiting and a robust internship program to build a strong talent pipeline[56] - CBIZ's centralized recruitment team utilizes best practices and various tools to source top talent, ensuring a consistent and fair hiring process[58] - The company prioritizes continuous learning and development, offering comprehensive training programs to prepare team members for future leadership roles[60] - CBIZ's commitment to human rights and diversity is reflected in its equal opportunity employment practices and the CBIZ Human Rights Policy[59] - The company has a strong focus on employee engagement, utilizing feedback from annual surveys to enhance talent initiatives and recognition programs[61] Financial Position and Capital Structure - As of December 31, 2024, the company has$ 1.4 billion in principal amount outstanding under its 2024 Credit Facilities, which consist of a $1.4 billion term loan and a$ 600 million revolving credit facility[117] - The company has approximately 53.3 million shares of common stock outstanding as of January 31, 2025, with 250 million shares authorized[124] - The stock consideration from the recent transaction is expected to constitute approximately 22% of the company's outstanding shares, potentially diluting current stockholders' ownership[126] - The company issued approximately 159,000 shares of common stock during the year ended December 31, 2024, as payment for acquisitions[144] - The company repurchased 1 share at an average price of $77.90 during December 2024, with a remaining capacity of 4,996 shares under the publicly announced repurchase plan[146] - The company's debt to EBITDA ratio has increased significantly following a recent transaction, raising concerns about its ability to service debt and pursue growth opportunities[121] Tax and Interest Expenses - Interest expense increased to$ 34.4 million in 2024 from $20.1 million in 2023, driven by a higher average debt balance and interest rate[169] - Income tax expense decreased to$ 16.8 million in 2024, with an effective tax rate of 29.0%, up from 27.3% in 2023[173] - The company's effective tax rate may vary significantly due to share-based compensation linked to stock price fluctuations[113] Cash Flow and Investment Activities - Net cash provided by operating activities was $123.7 million in 2024, down from$ 153.5 million in 2023, with net income of $41.0 million[189][190] - Net cash used in investing activities in 2024 was$ 1,129.3 million, primarily for business acquisitions, compared to $79.4 million in 2023[185][192] - Net cash provided by financing activities in 2024 was$ 1,035.6 million, mainly from the 2024 Credit Facilities, compared to a net cash used of $77.1 million in 2023[185][195] Market and Competitive Landscape - The company competes in a highly fragmented professional services industry, leveraging strong client relationships and data-driven expertise as competitive advantages[53] - The competitive landscape in the business services industry is fragmented, with significant competition from larger firms[112] - Rapid technological changes could impact the company's competitive position and client relationships[114]