-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, J1SpqBk4o7X8ypHNqEWjeVe/R3J9DdTplgSuafYCne7inHcO9MkyHerGfYeLIfLw HtUf6ZigKIuPCB2V0icWQQ== 0000950133-08-000900.txt : 20080229 0000950133-08-000900.hdr.sgml : 20080229 20080229165923 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000950133-08-000900 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 8 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20071231 FILED AS OF DATE: 20080229 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20080229 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: CORPORATE EXECUTIVE BOARD CO CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001066104 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: SERVICES-MANAGEMENT CONSULTING SERVICES [8742] IRS NUMBER: 522056410 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-24799 FILM NUMBER: 08656668 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2000 PENNSYLVANIA AVE NW CITY: WASHINGTON STATE: DC ZIP: 20006 BUSINESS PHONE: 2026725600 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2000 PENNSYLVANIA AVE NW CITY: WASHINGTON STATE: DC ZIP: 20006 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: CORPORATE ADVISORY BOARD CO DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19980716 10-K 1 w50404e10vk.htm FORM 10-K e10vk
 

 
 
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
     
þ   Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007.
or
     
o   Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Commission File Number: 000-24799
THE CORPORATE EXECUTIVE BOARD COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
     
Delaware   52-2056410
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
     
1919 North Lynn Street
Arlington, Virginia

(Address of principal executive offices)
  22209
(Zip Code)
(571) 303-3000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
     
Title of each class   Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share   The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: Not applicable
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes þ      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 þ
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 þ      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. þ
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 the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
             
Large accelerated filer þ   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 Act). Yes o No þ
Based upon the closing price of the registrant’s common stock as of June 30, 2007, the aggregate market value of the common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $2,346,913,287*.
There were 34,753,581 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding at February 15, 2008.
 
 

 


 

             
Disclosure regarding forward-looking statements        
Item 1.  
Business
    4  
Item 1A.  
Risk Factors
    10  
Item 1B.  
Unresolved Staff Comments
    13  
Item 2.  
Properties
    13  
Item 3.  
Legal Proceedings
    13  
Item 4.  
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
    14  
PART II
Item 5.  
Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and
    14  
   
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
       
Item 6.  
Selected Financial Data
    15  
Item 7.  
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
    16  
   
of Operations
       
Item 7A.  
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
    24  
Item 8.  
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
    25  
Item 9.  
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and
    49  
   
Financial Disclosure
       
Item 9A.  
Controls and Procedures
    49  
Item 9B.  
Other Information
    50  
PART III
Item 10.  
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
    50  
Item 11.  
Executive Compensation
    50  
Item 12.  
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and
    50  
   
Related Stockholder Matters
       
Item 13.  
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
    50  
Item 14.  
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
    50  
PART IV
Item 15.  
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
    51  
   
Index to Consolidated Financial Tables
    58  
   
EX 10.11 2004 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended June 14, 2007
    59  
   
EX 10.30 Form of Indemnity Agreement between The Corporate Executive
    71  
   
Board Company and its Directors and Officers
       
   
EX 21.1 List of Subsidiaries of The Corporate Executive Board Company
    81  
   
EX 23.1 Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
    82  
   
EX 31.1 Section 302 Certification of CEO
    83  
   
EX 31.2 Section 302 Certification of CFO
    84  
   
EX 32.1 Section 906 Certification of CEO and CFO
    85  

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DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
List hereunder the following documents incorporated by reference and the Part of the Form 10-K into which the document is incorporated:
     Portions of the registrant’s Proxy Statement relating to its 2008 Annual Stockholders’ Meeting to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after year-end are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Report.
 
*   Solely for purposes of this calculation, all executive officers and directors of the registrant and all shareholders reporting beneficial ownership of more than 5% of the registrant’s common stock are considered to be affiliates.
A NOTE ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
     This Annual Report on Form 10-K, including information incorporated into this document by reference, contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about our beliefs or expectations, are forward-looking statements, and are contained throughout this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including under the sections entitled “Business” and ''Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.’’ These statements are based on management’s beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to management. Forward-looking statements include information concerning our possible or assumed results of operations, business strategies, financing plans, competitive position and potential growth opportunities. Forward-looking statements include all statements that are not historical facts and can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as the words “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans” or “estimates” or similar expressions.
     Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements. You should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by forward-looking statements include, among others, those discussed in this Annual Report on Form 10-K under “Risk Factors,” “Critical Accounting Policies” and elsewhere in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” Additional uncertainties that could affect future results include general economic conditions and future financial performance of members and industries. All forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are qualified by these cautionary statements and are made only as of the date this Annual Report on Form 10-K is filed. We undertake no obligation, other than as required by law, to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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PART I
Item 1. Business.
Overview
     We provide corporate executives and professionals with the insights and resources necessary to excel in their roles and to drive corporate performance. These resources include best practices research, quantitative data, benchmarks and analytic tools, access to peer communities, and executive development and education. We are a Delaware corporation formed in October 1997 and we maintain our executive offices at 1919 North Lynn Street, Arlington, VA, 22209.
     Our membership-based model, in which our customers (or “members”) participate in our research and analysis, is central to our business strategy. This model gives us access to the performance data best business practices of our members and enables us to provide comprehensive analysis on current business issues, by assessing the collective experiences and knowledge of our members on topics essential to their roles and priorities. By subscribing to our services, member executives and professionals can obtain ideas and resources drawn from the experience of the world’s leading executive network. We do not believe that in-house research and analysis departments at individual corporations could obtain, at any price, similar information from other corporations about their management practices and performance.
     We provide research and analysis to a membership of more than 4,700 of the world’s largest and most prestigious corporations. For a fixed annual fee, members of each research program have access to an integrated set of services, typically including:
    Best practices research studies and supplementary briefings, benchmarking data and decision support tools
 
    Executive education and online communities
 
    On demand team and project support
     In 2007, our client renewal rate (defined as the percentage of member institutions renewed, adjusted to reflect reductions in member institutions resulting from mergers and acquisitions of members) was 90%, which represented a client renewal rate of 92% for our traditional large company market and 80% for the middle market, which includes companies with annual revenues between $100 million and $750 million. Our client renewal rate was 92% in both 2006 and 2005. More than 80% of the Fortune 500 companies are members of The Corporate Executive Board.
     We offer 49 research programs, each focusing on separate business constituencies within the following practice areas:
    human resources,
 
    strategy and research and development,
 
    information technology,
 
    sales and marketing,
 
    corporate finance,
 
    legal and compliance,
 
    operations and procurement,
 
    financial services,
 
    communications, and
 
    general management.
     We have added 11 net new research programs during the past two calendar years. In each of 2007 and 2006, we added six new research programs, and in 2006, we transitioned responsibility for members and contracts in one research program, the CLC Metrics program, to a third party. We did, however, retain access to the future data assets that the business generates. Each research program charges a separate fixed annual fee and is served by a dedicated staff of analysts and researchers. Memberships generally are renewable on a 12-month basis. The average price per membership subscription was approximately $32,200 at December 31, 2007.

4


 

     Our revenues and costs of services have grown at compound annual rates of 23.8% and 26.0%, respectively, from December 31, 2004 through December 31, 2007. Because each research program provides our membership with standardized best practices research studies and executive education seminars, new members immediately add to our revenues while only incrementally increasing our operating costs. Included in the growth rate for costs is the effect of share-based compensation in 2007 and 2006, which accounted for 2.5% of the growth rate. Our revenue growth strategy is to cross-sell additional research programs to existing members, add new members and develop new research programs and decision support tools. For financial information about our revenues from foreign and domestic members, see “Concentration of credit risk and sources of revenues” in “Note 2. Summary of significant accounting policies” to our consolidated financial statements. Substantially all of our long-lived assets are located in the United States.
     Additionally, through our acquisition of Information Technology Toolbox, Inc. (“ITtoolbox”) on August 1, 2007, we began generating advertising and content related revenues through a new wholly-owned subsidiary, CEB Toolbox, Inc., an online community of professionals who share practical, job related information. This community provides free access to a worldwide audience of experienced and knowledgeable professionals. The operating results of CEB Toolbox, Inc. for the period from August 1, 2007 to December 31, 2007 are included in the Company’s consolidated statement of income in 2007.
Available Information
     The Corporate Executive Board Company’s Internet address is http://www.executiveboard.com. We have made available free of charge through our Internet Web site (follow the “Investors” link to the “Shareholder Information” link, then “SEC Filings”) our Annual Report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as soon as reasonably practicable after such material was electronically filed with, or furnished to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).
Industry Background
     Corporations continue to experience greater competitive demands and face increasingly complex strategic and operational issues. In response to these challenges, companies are exploring new business strategies as well as re-evaluating the performance of individual departments within their organizations in order to maintain their competitive edge. The current pace of change is driving a greater interest in gaining access to leading management practices and solutions to common business problems on a cross-industry basis.
     Participants in the professional information services industry have approached the market for business-focused information by offering a variety of products and services, including market research, strategic planning, implementation services and educational programs. Services differ by the level of engagement, with some offering project-driven or long-term consulting contracts, and others providing continuous research publishing. Other entities, such as trade associations, nonprofit think tanks and research and database companies, also offer research, consulting and educational services.
     We offer a distinctive approach that combines many of the benefits of general management consulting and training and development firms. Our research and analysis covers the same major business issues generally addressed by management consulting firms, such as managing growth, reducing costs, streamlining operations and developing strategy. What makes our approach distinctive is that we provide the same, standardized product to each member of a research program at a fraction of the cost of consulting services. Similar to training and development firms, we offer educational services both on-site at member institutions and in large multi-company settings. Unlike training and development firms, which typically invest only periodically in new curriculum development, our curriculum is updated constantly by our best practices research organization and the research agenda is set by the membership. Another distinguishing characteristic is the seniority and breadth of our audience. We brief executive and senior management staff drawn from a broad range of industry sectors, business units and departments. Because of our high-quality research product, unique approach to the market and global network of leading companies, we believe that we offer our customers a superior value proposition.
Business Strategy
     Our goal is to research and analyze pertinent strategic and operational issues facing our membership and to distribute the results of this analysis to our membership in the most efficient, effective and helpful manner. Our membership model allows us to draw upon a large and growing universe of issues and solutions relevant to today’s leading corporations. We actively engage our membership to help focus our research on the most urgent challenges in the current business environment and to maintain and enhance our position as a leading provider of best practices research and analysis.

5


 

    Maintain a Subscription Based Membership Model. We believe that our membership-based model is integral to our success. We continually strive to increase our ties to our members. We encourage members to view us as their proprietary off-site research facility. Our fixed-fee economic model promotes frequent use of our products and services. We believe that member satisfaction grows as members access more of our services, and that the growing roster of satisfied members validates our business model and induces new members to join The Corporate Executive Board research programs.
 
    Focus on Cost Savings Through Best Practices Research and Analysis. The focus of our work is on researching best demonstrated business and management practices that drive corporate performance and address the areas that most directly impact the bottom line of our members. Many large corporations believe that there are research economies and other benefits that can be realized by learning from the experiences of similar entities facing shared business challenges. We believe that there will be a continuing desire on the part of large corporations to access ever-evolving solutions to these common business problems. We believe that our success to date has positioned us as a leading and unique source for identifying, studying, evaluating and communicating these evolving solutions. We also believe that our existing library of best practices research and established network of member companies serve as a formidable barrier to entry for potential competitors.
 
    Continue Research and Analysis Excellence. We believe that the quality of our research and analysis has driven our success. We regularly interact with members’ senior executives to identify pertinent, strategic and operational issues for research and analysis. Program directors are responsible for assuring that our research methodology is applied to all studies and that research quality is maintained across all research programs. We are highly selective in our hiring, recruiting only the top graduates from leading universities and graduate schools. We emphasize continual training of all employees in key areas, including industry analysis, economics, quantitative modeling, root-cause analysis and presentation skills.
 
    Build Membership Network. As our research programs grow in size and influence, we are constantly expanding our network of executive contacts at member companies. We believe that the growth of this network benefits members by increasing the number of executives they can contact for information and by providing them with access to a broader range of companies. We believe that these positive “network effects” further strengthen our membership-based business model.
 
    Leverage Economic Model. We derive most of our revenues from fixed annual fees for our research programs. A substantial portion of the costs of delivering our products and services in each research program are fixed and do not vary directly with the number of members. The leverage in our economic model is further evidenced by the increasing utilization via the Internet of each research program’s digital research library and decision support tools. Each research program’s proprietary database, including digital content and online tools, assists member executives in solving their own challenges on a real-time basis. We expect that adding new members to our research programs will increase revenues and should improve program operating margins.
Growth Strategy
     We believe that demand for our services will continue to grow as corporations recognize the need to improve their performance and seek access to other companies’ solutions to shared business challenges. Our growth strategy centers on leveraging the formula that we have developed across the past decade by cross-selling additional subscriptions to existing members, adding new members and developing new research programs and decision support tools.
    Cross-Sell Additional Subscriptions to Existing Members. On average, individual members participate in 3.47 research programs at December 31, 2007. We actively cross-sell additional membership subscriptions and believe that most members are potential participants in up to 18 research programs we currently offer, which are directed at corporate staff positions maintained by most major companies. We believe that membership subscription cross-selling opportunities will continue to increase as we develop new research programs.
 
    Add New Members. We have targeted approximately 18,000 additional institutions globally, excluding Asia, as potential new members, including companies with revenues greater than $100 million and financial institutions with assets in excess of $1 billion. Our middle market program initiative is focused on companies with annual revenue between $100 million and $750 million.

6


 

    Develop New Products that Target New Roles, Budgets and Workflow. We currently offer research programs covering 49 executive constituencies. We have added 11 net new research programs during the past two years. We also have identified more than 50 additional potential program offerings. This list includes opportunities to serve executive functions beyond the 49 we serve today. We believe that each of these opportunities has the potential to support a tailored research agenda and a suite of educational and other services.
 
    Acquisitions. The Company’s internal growth strategy may be supplemented from time to time by acquisitions, partnerships or alliances involving businesses that complement the Company’s existing lines of business or that otherwise are deemed to fit into the Company’s business model. For example, in August 2007, we completed the acquisition of ITtoolbox, an online community of information technology and other professionals who share practical, job related information. This community provides free access to a new, worldwide audience of potential customers of Company programs, and generates advertising and content-related revenues.
The Membership Network
     We regularly interact with senior executives at member institutions to identify the most pertinent, strategic and operational issues for research and analysis and continually strive to increase our ties to our members. Our products and services are available exclusively to our members. Our fixed-fee economic model promotes frequent use of our products and services. We encourage members to view us as their proprietary off-site research facility. We believe that member satisfaction grows as members access more of our services, and that the growing roster of satisfied members validates our business model and induces new members to join The Corporate Executive Board.
     The following table sets forth information with respect to members, subscriptions and renewals as of the dates shown:
                                         
    December 31,
    2007   2006   2005   2004   2003
Membership programs (1)
    48       42       37       31       26  
Member institutions
    4,711       3,739       2,831       2,368       2,143  
Total membership subscriptions
    16,349       14,190       10,825       8,202       6,414  
Average subscriptions per member institution (cross-sell ratio) (2)
    3.47       3.80       3.82       3.46       2.99  
Client renewal rate (3)
    90 %     92 %     92 %     91 %     90 %
Contract value (in thousands) (4)
  $ 526,386     $ 475,653     $ 381,366     $ 294,949     $ 227,913  
 
(1)   In January 2008, we launched the HR Leadership Academy, bringing the current number of membership programs to 49.
 
(2)   Excluding the impact of the middle market cross-sell ratio of 1.44, 1.1 and 1.0 in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively, the traditional large company market cross-sell ratio was 4.03, 4.15 and 3.91 in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.
 
(3)   For the year then ended. Client renewal rate is defined as the percentage of member institutions renewed, adjusted to reflect reductions in member institutions resulting from mergers and acquisitions of members. In 2007, the overall client renewal rate includes a client renewal rate of 92% for the traditional large company market and 80% for the middle market.
 
(4)   For the year then ended. Contract value is defined as the aggregate annualized revenue attributed to all agreements in effect at a given date without regard to the remaining duration of any such agreement.
Products and Services
General
     Our research products and services focus on identifying, analyzing and describing best demonstrated management practices; and secondarily, on critiquing widely followed but less effective practices. We believe that we add value by enabling member companies to enhance revenues and reduce costs by objectively identifying best corporate practices that solve urgent corporate problems and by developing tools to help members implement these practices. In addition, we support members’ efforts to implement best practices profiled in our research studies within their own organizations. These implementation support memberships include both management tools and associated on-site sessions and are generally delivered over a 12-month period.

7


 

     Our research programs offer a cost-effective, time-efficient opportunity for senior executives and their staff to implement ideas that drive performance, drawn from the experience of other corporations from around the world. Member institutions can participate in one of our research programs for a fraction of the cost of proceeding independently either through an internal research effort or by engaging a management consulting firm.
     Our best practices research programs are guided by a rolling 12 to 18 month agenda. These research programs have a research director who is responsible for applying our research methodology to produce best practices studies and for maintaining research quality across all program services. Using Web and fax polls, steering sessions, teleconferences and one-on-one interviews, each research program’s director works closely with the program membership to identify agenda topics of shared interest and to set the program’s priorities. Each program is staffed by a dedicated team of researchers, analysts and instructors who collectively research and produce the best practices studies, complete the customized research briefs and present the findings to the program’s membership through a variety of formats.
     For a fixed annual fee, members of each research program have access to an integrated set of services, which typically include best practices research studies, benchmarking data and decision support tools, access to executive education and online communities and on-demand team and project support. A description of each service follows.
Best Practices Research Studies and Supplementary Briefings, Benchmarking Data and Decision Support Tools
     Our research programs generally publish several best practices research studies annually, each addressing a specific corporate issue or problem identified in the research agenda. We design each best practices study to present the conclusions and supporting best practices in a graphical format that enables the intended audience to quickly assimilate the 20 to 200 pages of research content. We create each report using our structured research methodology: topic selection, root-cause analysis, secondary research, primary interviewing, analysis of findings and report writing. In the course of researching a best practices study topic, the research team typically will review thousands of pages of business and academic literature to ground their understanding of the issues. Teams often will obtain and analyze primary data about members’ operations and performance to understand key economic leverage points and direct the research to areas that offer the highest return on member investments. Teams will then initiate the research process to identify and evaluate specific business processes, strategies and management practices, typically conducting hundreds of in-depth interviews with corporations, industry experts, management consultants and academic leaders. During the course of its research, a team generally analyzes and evaluates dozens of specific management practices in an attempt to isolate the 5 to 15 most important practices worthy of potential implementation by members, separating out demonstrated and proven business practices and disposing of those concepts, whether popular or conventional, that largely have failed. Each research program also maintains online quantitative benchmarking and survey data as well as proprietary decision support tools accessible only to members of the research program.
Executive Education and Online Communities
     We provide our executive education curriculum, which is based on our proprietary best practices research, to member companies worldwide. We deliver executive education services through two primary channels—general membership meetings and, in some programs, tailored on-site seminars. Our executive education curriculum provides interactive forums for reinforcing our published best practices research studies. Each program also maintains an online technology platform to facilitate interactive communications between members through a secure member’s only forum.
On Demand Team and Project Support
     Members of research programs have access to a number of services designed to support their teams as they undertake specific projects or initiatives. These services include teleconferences focused on urgent issues and cross-functional terrain challenges; unlimited web based access to the program’s full research archive and customized short-answer research requests. These customized short answer research requests, in addition to supporting members with urgent needs, also build our proprietary databases and serve as an excellent marketing tool for attracting new members.
Pricing
     Memberships in The Corporate Executive Board research programs are principally one-year, renewable agreements. Research memberships are generally payable by members at the beginning of the contract term. The average price for a program membership was approximately $32,200 at December 31, 2007. The actual price varies by size of member and by research program, and may be lower for charter memberships of new research programs. By spreading our costs over a broad membership and offering a largely standardized research product, we are able to charge fees that are a small fraction of the typical engagement fees of specialized research or consulting firms.

8


 

     We generally offer an unconditional service guarantee to our members. At any time, a member may terminate a membership and request a refund of its membership fee for a research program. Refunds are provided on a pro-rata basis relative to the remaining term of the membership. In 2007, members requested refunds for 154 memberships out of more than 16,300 sold.
     ITtoolbox, the online professional networking community operated by our subsidiary, CEB Toolbox, Inc., provides knowledge on a variety of information technology topics free of charge. Revenues are generated primarily through advertisements posted to the community Web portals.
Sales and Marketing
     We market an integrated set of services, typically consisting of best practices research studies, executive education, customized research briefs and Web-based access to our content database and decision support tools, for a fixed fee per research program. We believe that this marketing strategy highlights the value to members of our range of services and emphasizes the membership nature of our business model, actively engaging the membership and reinforcing members’ commitment to The Corporate Executive Board.
     We separate responsibility for new membership sales and membership renewals to reflect the varying difficulty and cost of the respective functions. New business development representatives are compensated with a base salary and variable, goal-based incentive bonuses and travel on average 60% of the time, conducting face-to-face meetings with senior executives at prospective member institutions. Member services representatives assume more of an in-house coordinating role, bringing the resources of programs to bear on pressing member needs.
Competition
     We currently have few direct competitors, and those that do exist generally compete against us only in a single practice area. We compete indirectly against other professional information services providers, including management consulting firms, training and development companies, trade associations, nonprofit think tanks and research and database companies. We are not aware of any other entity that enables corporations to study as broad a range of the best corporate management practices for fixed annual fees.
     We believe that the principal competitive factors in our market include quality and timeliness of research and analysis, breadth of proprietary research databases, reliable delivery, depth and quality of the membership network, ability to meet changing customer needs, superior service and affordably priced products. We believe we compete favorably with respect to each of these factors.
     The Advisory Board Company provides products and services to the health-care industry that are similar to the types of products and services that we provide across a range of industries. In February 2007, we entered into an agreement with The Advisory Board Company to collaborate on several projects specific to the companies’ respective best practices research programs. In addition to structuring terms for the companies to license certain research content from each other, the agreement sets a framework for collaboration to enhance service to the firms’ existing and prospective members. The agreement also outlines several potential areas for new product development collaboration. In order to allow for the contemplated collaboration, pursuant to which The Advisory Board Company may share proprietary information about the health-care industry with The Corporate Executive Board, and The Corporate Executive Board may share proprietary information about other industries with The Advisory Board Company, the companies agreed to a limited non-compete provision.
Employees
     At December 31, 2007, we employed 2,440 persons. Of these employees, 1,995 were located in the United States (primarily in Washington, D.C.), 305 were located at our facilities in London, England and 140 were located in India. None of our employees are represented by a collective bargaining arrangement. We believe that our relations with our employees are favorable.
     We believe strongly in a culture of meritocracy, rewarding key contributors with opportunities for rapid professional growth and advancement as well as competitive compensation. Training is a critical job component for all of our employees, including industry analysis, economics, quantitative modeling, root-cause analysis and presentation skills.

9


 

Item 1A. Risk Factors.
     In addition to the other information contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, you should carefully consider the following risk factors in evaluating us and our business.
Our financial results and growth prospects depend on renewals of our membership-based services, the sale of additional programs to existing members and our ability to attract new members.
     We derive most of our revenues from annual memberships for our products and services. Our prospects therefore depend on our ability to achieve and sustain high renewal rates on existing research programs, to cross-sell additional subscriptions to existing members and to enter into new membership arrangements. Failure to achieve high membership renewal rate levels would have a material adverse effect on our operating results. Failure to cross-sell additional programs to existing members or to attract new members would adversely impact our growth prospects. In addition, members may terminate memberships at any time without notice or penalty.
     We believe that our ability to secure membership renewals, cross-sell and attract new members depends upon our ability to deliver consistent, high-quality and timely research and analysis with respect to issues, developments and trends that members view as important. We cannot assure you that we will be able to sustain the necessary level of performance to achieve a high rate of membership renewals, cross-selling or new member subscriptions. Although we actively market our research programs throughout the year, historically, more than 40% of all renewals have taken place in the fourth quarter of the year.
If new products are not successful or are delayed, our business will be adversely affected.
     Our future success will depend on our ability to develop new research programs that address specific industry and business constituencies and the changing needs of our current and prospective members for information, analysis and advice. We cannot assure you that our efforts to introduce new research programs will be successful. The process of internally researching, developing, launching and gaining client acceptance of new research programs is time consuming, expensive and inherently risky. Delays or failures during development or implementation, or lack of market acceptance of new research programs could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Our business, financial condition and results of operations would be materially adversely affected if we were unable to develop and introduce successful new research programs or other new products, or to make enhancements to existing research programs in a timely manner in response to member requirements. See “Business—Products and Services.”
Failure to adapt to member needs and demands and to anticipate or adapt to market trends could have a material adverse effect on our business.
     Our future success will also depend upon our ability to anticipate rapidly changing market trends and to adapt our research and analysis to meet the changing information needs of our members. We may fail to continue to provide helpful and timely research and analysis of developments and trends in a manner that meets market needs. Any such failure would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. The industry and business sectors that we analyze undergo frequent and often dramatic changes, including the introduction of new products and the obsolescence of old products, shifting strategies and market positions of major industry participants and changing objectives and expectations of users of members’ products and services. This environment of rapid and continuous change presents significant challenges to our ability to provide our members with current and timely research and analysis on issues of importance. Meeting these challenges requires the commitment of substantial resources.
Inability to attract and retain a significant number of highly skilled employees would have an adverse effect on our business.
     Our future success also will depend upon our ability to hire, train, motivate and retain a significant number of highly skilled employees, particularly research analysts and sales and marketing staff. Our inability to do so would have a material adverse effect on our business. We have experienced, and expect to continue to experience, intense competition for professional personnel from management consulting firms and other producers of research and analysis products and services. Many of these firms have substantially greater financial resources than we have to attract and compensate qualified personnel. We cannot assure you that we will be successful in attracting a sufficient number of highly skilled employees in the future, or that we will be successful in training, motivating and retaining the employees we are able to hire. See “Business—Employees.”

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Continued consolidation of the financial services industry or sustained ecenomic distress may adversely impact our business.
     A number of our research programs are oriented toward companies in the financial services industry. The financial services industry is continuing to experience substantial consolidation. This consolidation has resulted, and is expected to continue to result in a reduction in the number of our financial services members. We cannot assure you that this consolidation will not materially and adversely affect our results of operations. At December 31, 2007, less than 30% of our contract value was attributable to financial services members, which include commercial banks, thrifts, credit unions, credit card issuers, mutual fund companies, consumer credit lenders, brokerage houses, private and trust banks and insurance companies.
We may experience fluctuations in operating results.
     Our operating results may fluctuate significantly due to various factors, including the growth in and timing of new programs, the timing of the development, introduction and marketing of new products and services, the timing of executive education seminars, the timing of the hiring of research analysts and sales and marketing staff, changes in the spending patterns of our members, our accounts receivable collection experience, changes in market demand for research and analysis, foreign currency exchange rate changes, competitive conditions in the industry and general economic conditions. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
We may be unable to protect our intellectual property rights.
     We rely on copyright laws, as well as nondisclosure and confidentiality arrangements, to protect our proprietary rights in our products and services. We cannot assure you that the steps we have taken to protect our intellectual property rights will be adequate to deter misappropriation of our intellectual property or that we will be able to detect unauthorized uses and take timely and effective steps to enforce our rights. If substantial and material unauthorized uses of our proprietary products and services were to occur, we would be required to engage in costly and time-consuming litigation to enforce our rights. We cannot assure you that we would prevail in such litigation. If others were able to use our intellectual property, our ability to charge our fees for our products and services would be adversely affected.
We may be exposed to litigation related to content.
     As a publisher and distributor of original research and analysis and a user of third-party content, we face potential liability for defamation, negligence and copyright and trademark infringement. Any such litigation, whether or not resulting in a judgment against us, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Third-party content includes information created or provided by information services organizations and consultants whom we retain and may be delivered to clients in writing, over the Internet or orally.
We may be exposed to loss of revenue resulting from our unconditional service guarantee.
     We generally offer an unconditional service guarantee to our members. At any time, a member may request a refund of its membership fee for a research program. Refunds are provided on a pro-rata basis relative to the remaining term of the membership. Requests for refunds of membership fees by a significant number of our members could lower revenues and have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. See “Business—Pricing.”
Failure to manage our global product expansion could adversely impact our operating results.
     We are rapidly and significantly expanding our global operations, including increasing our product and service offerings and scaling our infrastructure to support our retail and services businesses. This expansion increases the complexity of our business and places significant strain on our management, personnel, operations, systems, technical performance, financial resources, and internal financial control and reporting functions. We may not be able to manage growth effectively, which could damage our reputation, limit our growth and negatively affect our operating results.
We could be subject to additional income tax liabilities.
     We are subject to income taxes in the United States and numerous foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in evaluating our worldwide provision for income taxes. During the ordinary course of business, there are many transactions for which the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. For example, our effective tax rate could be adversely affected by earnings being lower than anticipated in countries where we have lower statutory rates and higher than anticipated in countries where we have higher statutory rates, by changes in the valuation of our deferred tax assets and liabilities, or by changes in the relevant tax, accounting and other laws, regulations, principles and interpretations. We are subject to audits in various jurisdictions, and such jurisdictions may assess additional income tax against us. Although we believe our tax estimates are reasonable, the final determination of tax audits and any related litigation could be materially different from our historical income tax provisions and accruals. The results of an audit or litigation could have a material effect on our operating results or cash flows in the period or periods for which that determination is made.

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Our exposure to interest rate fluctuations may have a negative impact on our results of operations.
     We are exposed to interest rate risk primarily through our portfolio of cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities, which is intended to protect principal and liquidity. Cash and cash equivalents consist of highly liquid U.S. Treasury obligations with maturities of less than three months. Marketable securities consist primarily of U.S. Treasury notes and bonds and insured Washington, D.C. tax exempt notes and bonds. We perform periodic evaluations of the relative credit ratings related to the cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities. Our portfolio is subject to inherent interest rate risk as investments mature and are reinvested at current market interest rates. We currently do not use derivative financial instruments to adjust our investment portfolio risk or income profile.
Changes in foreign currency and marketplace conditions may have a negative impact on our results of operations.
     Our international operations subject us to risks related to currency exchange fluctuations. Prices for our products are denominated predominately in U.S. dollars, even when sold to customers that are located outside the United States. Many of the costs associated with our operations located outside the United States are denominated in local currencies. As a consequence, the increased strength of local currencies against the U.S. dollar in countries where we have foreign operations would result in higher effective operating costs and, potentially, reduced earnings. In 2006, we began to use forward contracts to protect against foreign currency exchange rate risks inherent with our cost reimbursement agreement with our UK subsidiary. A forward contract obligates us to exchange a predetermined amount of U.S. dollars to make an equivalent Pound Sterling (“GBP”) payment equal to the value of such exchange. A hypothetical 10% adverse movement in foreign currency exchange rates would not have a material adverse impact to our results of operations.
Changes in estimates or interpretations under financial accounting standards related to share-based payments could have a material adverse impact on our reported results of operations.
     In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment” (“FAS 123(R)”), a complex accounting standard that requires companies to expense the fair value of employee stock options and similar awards and was effective as of January 1, 2006. The application of FAS 123(R) requires significant judgment and the use of estimates, particularly surrounding stock price volatility, option forfeiture rates and expected option lives, to build a model for appropriately valuing share-based compensation. There is little experience or guidance with respect to developing these assumptions and models. There is also uncertainty as to how FAS 123(R) will be interpreted and applied as companies and their advisors gain more experience with the standard.
     There is a risk that, as we and others gain experience with FAS 123(R) or as a result of subsequent accounting guidelines, we could determine that the assumptions or model we used require modification. Any such modification could result in significantly different charges in future periods and, potentially, could require us to record an adjustment to, or correct the charges taken in, prior periods. The estimation of stock awards that will ultimately vest requires judgment, and to the extent actual results or updated estimates differ from our current estimates, such amounts will be recorded as a cumulative adjustment in the period estimates are revised. Any such adjustments or corrections of charges could negatively affect our results of operations, stock price and our stock price volatility and/or could adversely impact our ability to obtain results on a GAAP basis that are consistent with previously provided financial guidance concerning our expected results of operations.
Our business could suffer if we are unsuccessful in making, integrating and maintaining acquisitions and investments.
     We have acquired or made investments in companies, and we may acquire or invest in or enter into joint ventures with additional companies. These transactions create risks such as:
    disruption of our ongoing business, including loss of management focus on existing businesses;
 
    problems retaining key personnel;

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    additional operating losses and expenses of the companies we acquired or in which we invested;
 
    the potential impairment of amounts capitalized as intangible assets as part of the acquisition;
 
    the potential impairment of customer and other relationships of the companies we acquired or in which we invested or our own customers as a result of any integration of operations;
 
    the difficulty of incorporating acquired technology and rights into our offerings and unanticipated expenses related to such integration;
 
    the difficulty of integrating an acquired company’s accounting, financial reporting, management, information, human resource and other administrative systems to permit effective management, and the lack of control if such integration is delayed or not implemented;
 
    the difficulty of implementing at companies we acquire the controls, procedures and policies appropriate for a larger public company;
 
    potential unknown liabilities associated with a company we acquire or in which we invest; and
 
    for foreign transactions, additional risks related to the integration of operations across different cultures and languages, and the economic, political, and regulatory risks associated with specific countries.
     Finally, as a result of future acquisitions or mergers, we might need to issue additional equity securities, spend our cash, or incur debt, contingent liabilities, or amortization expenses related to intangible assets, any of which could reduce our profitability and harm our business.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.
     None.
Item 2. Properties.
     Our headquarters are located in approximately 625,000 square feet of office space in Arlington, VA, which we lease under agreements that expire in 2028. We also lease approximately 42,000 square feet in nearby buildings in Washington, D.C., under agreements with terms expiring in July 2008.
     In August 2004, we entered into a 20-year lease agreement for office space in Arlington, Virginia beginning in early 2008. Contemporaneously with the signing of the Virginia lease, our previous lease obligations in Washington, D.C. were assigned to, and assumed by, the lessor of the Virginia office facilities. In November 2006, we entered into lease agreements for office locations in Chicago, Illinois and San Francisco, California. The Chicago lease is for approximately 52,000 square feet of office space and expires in 2013. The San Francisco lease is for approximately 28,000 square feet of office space and expires in 2012. With our acquisition of Information Technology Toolbox, Inc. in July 2007, we acquired the lease obligations for its office locations in Scottsdale, Arizona and West Chester, Pennsylvania. The Scottsdale lease is for approximately 9,000 square feet and expires in 2009. The West Chester lease is for approximately 6,000 square feet and expires in 2010. We also lease space in London, England, which expires in 2018, and Gurgaon, India, which expires in 2013. In June 2006, we entered into new lease agreements for additional office space in the United Kingdom and in January 2008, we entered into a new lease agreement for space in India.
     Our facilities accommodate research, marketing and sales, information technology, administration, graphic and editorial services and operations personnel. We believe that our existing and planned facilities will be adequate for our current needs and that additional facilities are available for lease to meet future needs.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings.
     From time to time, we are subject to ordinary routine litigation incidental to our normal business operations. We are not currently a party to, and our property is not subject to, any material legal proceedings.

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Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
     Not applicable.
PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.
     Our common stock has been quoted on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol “EXBD” since our initial public offering on February 23, 1999. At February 12, 2008, there were 51 stockholders of record. The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low sales prices per share of our common stock as reported on the Nasdaq Stock Market and cash dividends declared per common share.
                         
    High   Low   Dividends
2007:
                       
First quarter
  $ 96.33     $ 73.15     $ 0.40  
Second quarter
    77.39       58.54       0.40  
Third quarter
    74.37       62.94       0.40  
Fourth quarter
    76.99       58.63       0.40  
 
2006:
                       
First quarter
  $ 103.18     $ 80.77     $ 0.30  
Second quarter
    112.97       97.58       0.30  
Third quarter
    101.25       83.62       0.30  
Fourth quarter
    97.10       86.25       0.30  
     In February 2008, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.44 per share. The dividend is payable on March 31, 2008 to stockholders of record at the close of business on March 14, 2008. We fund our dividend payments with cash on hand and cash generated from operations.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
     There were no unregistered sales of equity securities during 2007.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
                                 
                    Total Number of        
                    Shares     Approximate $  
            Average     Purchased as     Value of Shares  
    Total     Price     Part of a     That May Yet Be  
    Number of     Paid Per     Publicly     Purchased  
    Shares Purchased     Share     Announced Plan     Under the Plans  
October 1, 2007 to October 31, 2007
    181     $ 69.34       181     $ 96,444,125  
November 1, 2007 to November 30, 2007
    200,000     $ 67.80       200,000     $ 82,884,553  
December 1, 2007 to December 31, 2007
    275,458     $ 67.67       275,458     $ 64,245,659  
 
                           
Total
    475,639     $ 67.72       475,639          
 
                         
     In July 2007, our Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase of up to an additional $125 million of our common stock which, when combined with the remaining balance of the existing share repurchase authorizations, provided us the opportunity to repurchase up to approximately $149.2 million of our shares as of the date of the additional share repurchase authorization in July 2007. Repurchases may be made from time to time in open market and privately negotiated transactions subject to market conditions. No minimum number of shares has been fixed. We have funded, and expect to continue to fund, our share repurchases with cash on hand and cash generated from operations. At December 31, 2007 and 2006, we had repurchased 8,125,931 and 3,857,417 shares of our common stock at a total cost of approximately $585.8 million and $282.8 million, respectively.

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Item 6. Selected Financial Data.
     The following table sets forth selected financial and operating data. The selected financial data presented below have been derived from our consolidated financial statements that were audited by our independent registered public accounting firm. You should read the selected financial data presented below in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements, the notes to our consolidated financial statements and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations’’ appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
                                         
    Year ended December 31,  
    2007     2006     2005     2004     2003  
Consolidated Statements of Income Data
                                       
Revenues
  $ 532,716     $ 460,623     $ 362,226     $ 280,724     $ 210,211  
 
                             
Costs and expenses:
                                       
Cost of services
    183,088       164,022       120,944       91,469       71,049  
Member relations and marketing
    150,032       122,177       93,657       75,560       55,306  
General and administrative
    71,984       59,629       40,295       31,254       21,666  
Depreciation and amortization
    15,573       10,381       7,308       6,782       5,764  
Non-cash lease restructuring costs
                      5,210        
 
                             
 
                                       
Total costs and expenses
    420,677       356,209       262,204       210,275       153,785  
 
                             
 
                                       
Income from operations
    112,039       104,414       100,022       70,449       56,426  
Other income, net
    16,049       24,318       13,588       9,936       7,569  
 
                             
Income before provision for income taxes
    128,088       128,732       113,610       80,385       63,995  
Provision for income taxes
    47,501       49,561       38,550       26,729       28,307  
 
                             
 
                                       
Net income
  $ 80,587     $ 79,171     $ 75,060     $ 53,656     $ 35,688  
 
                             
 
                                       
Earnings per share—basic
  $ 2.20     $ 1.99     $ 1.90     $ 1.40     $ 0.96  
Weighted average shares outstanding—basic
    36,666       39,712       39,572       38,344       37,296  
Earnings per share—diluted
  $ 2.17     $ 1.94     $ 1.83     $ 1.34     $ 0.93  
Weighted average shares outstanding—diluted
    37,159       40,721       41,092       39,925       38,577  
Cash dividends declared per common share
  $ 1.60     $ 1.20     $ 0.40     $ 0.30     $  
                                         
    December 31,
    2007   2006   2005   2004   2003
    (In thousands)
Consolidated Balance Sheet Data
                                       
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities
  $ 144,356     $ 487,287     $ 544,636     $ 416,977     $ 293,919  
Deferred income taxes
    37,017       28,005       14,838       29,587       37,673  
Total assets
    544,772       736,055       726,995       578,451       423,482  
Deferred revenues
    323,395       308,671       261,300       205,494       154,844  
Total stockholders’ equity
    67,547       317,865       385,414       327,461       241,993  
                                         
    December 31,
    2007   2006   2005   2004   2003
Other Operating Data (Unaudited)
                                       
Membership programs (1)
    48       42       37       31       26  
Member institutions
    4,711       3,739       2,831       2,368       2,143  
Total membership subscriptions
    16,349       14,190       10,825       8,202       6,414  
Average subscriptions per member institution (cross-sell ratio)(2)
    3.47       3.80       3.82       3.46       2.99  
Client renewal rate (3)
    90 %     92 %     92 %     91 %     90 %
Contract value (in thousands) (4)
  $ 526,386     $ 475,653     $ 381,366     $ 294,949     $ 227,913  
 
(1)   In January 2008, we launched the HR Leadership Academy, bringing the current number of membership programs to 49.
 
(2)   Excluding the impact of the middle market cross-sell ratio of 1.44, 1.1, and 1.0 in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively, the traditional large company cross-sell ratio was 4.03, 4.15 and 3.91 in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.
 
(3)   For the year then ended. Client renewal rate is defined as the percentage of member institutions renewed, adjusted to reflect reductions in member institutions resulting from mergers and acquisitions of members.
 
(4)   For the year then ended. Contract value is defined as the aggregate annualized revenue attributed to all agreements in effect at a given date without regard to the remaining duration of any such agreement.

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Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Business Overview
     We provide best practices research, decision support tools and executive education focusing on corporate strategy, operations and general management issues. Best practices research supports senior executive decision making by identifying and analyzing specific management initiatives, processes and strategies that have been determined to produce the best results in solving common business problems or challenges. For a fixed annual fee, members of each of our research programs have access to an integrated set of services, including best practices research studies, executive education seminars, customized research briefs and Web-based access to the program’s content database and decision support tools.
     Our growth strategy is to cross-sell additional research programs to existing members, to add new members and to develop new research programs and decision support tools. The implementation of our growth strategy can be seen in our operating results. Over the past three years, our revenues have grown at a compound annual growth rate of 23.8% from $280.7 million in 2004 to $532.7 million in 2007, while costs have grown at a compound annual growth rate of 26.0% from $210.3 million in 2004 to $420.7 million in 2007. Included in the growth rate for costs is the effect of share-based compensation in 2006 and 2007, which accounted for 2.3% of the growth rate. In addition, our Contract Value has grown at a compound annual growth rate of 21.3% over the past three years and was $526.4 million at December 31, 2007. We define Contract Value as the aggregate annualized revenue attributed to all agreements in effect at a given point in time, without regard to the remaining duration of any such agreement. Our experience has been that a substantial portion of members renew subscriptions for an equal or higher level each year. See the table titled “Other Operating Data (Unaudited)” in “Item 6. Selected Financial Data” for additional information with respect to members, subscriptions and renewals.
     Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). These accounting principles require us to make certain estimates, judgments and assumptions. We believe that the estimates, judgments and assumptions upon which we rely are reasonable based upon information available to us at the time that these estimates, judgments and assumptions are made. These estimates, judgments and assumptions can affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the periods presented. To the extent there are material differences between these estimates, judgments or assumptions and actual results, our financial statements will be affected. The accounting policies that reflect our more significant estimates, judgments and assumptions and which we believe are the most critical to aid in fully understanding and evaluating our reported financial results are discussed in the “Critical Accounting Policies” section below.
     In many cases, the accounting treatment of a particular transaction is specifically dictated by GAAP and does not require management’s judgment in its application. There are also areas in which management’s judgment in selecting among available alternatives would not produce a materially different result. Our senior management has reviewed these critical accounting policies and related disclosures with our Audit Committee.
     Memberships, which are principally annually renewable agreements, are generally payable by members at the beginning of the contract term. Billings attributable to memberships in our research programs initially are recorded as deferred revenues and then are generally recognized on a pro-rata basis over the membership contract term, which is typically 12 months. At any time, a member may request a refund of its membership fee for a research program. Refunds are provided on a pro-rata basis relative to the remaining term of the membership.
     Our operating costs and expenses consist of Cost of services, Member relations and marketing, General and administrative expenses, and Depreciation and amortization. Cost of services represents the costs associated with the production and delivery of our products and services, which are composed of compensation, including share-based compensation, of research personnel and in-house faculty, the production of published materials, the organization of executive education seminars and all associated support services. Cost of services is exclusive of Depreciation and amortization, which is shown separately on the consolidated statements of income. Member relations and marketing expenses include the costs of acquiring new members, the costs of maintaining and renewing existing members, compensation expense (including sales commissions and share-based compensation), travel and all associated support services. General and administrative expenses consist of compensation, including share-based compensation, and other costs associated with human resources and recruiting, finance and accounting, management information systems, facilities management, new product development and other administrative functions. Depreciation and amortization expense includes the cost of depreciation of our property and equipment, which consists of furniture, fixtures and equipment, capitalized software and Web site development costs and leasehold improvements, and the amortization of our intangible assets.

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Critical Accounting Policies
     We have identified the following policies as critical to our business operations and the understanding of our results of operations. This listing is not a comprehensive list of all of our accounting policies. In many cases, the accounting treatment of a particular transaction is specifically dictated by GAAP, with no need for management’s judgment in its application. There are also areas in which management’s judgment in selecting any available alternative would not produce a materially different result. However, certain of our accounting policies are particularly important to the portrayal of our financial position and results of operations and may require the application of significant judgment by management; as a result, they are subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty. In applying those policies, management uses its judgment to determine the appropriate assumptions to be used in the determination of certain estimates. Those estimates are based on our historical experience, our observance of trends in the industry, information provided by our members and information available from other outside sources, as appropriate. For a more detailed discussion of the application of these and other accounting policies, see “Note 2. Summary of significant account policies” in our consolidated financial statements and related notes. Our critical accounting policies include:
Revenue recognition
     Revenues from membership subscriptions are recognized ratably over the term of the related subscription, which generally is 12 months. Membership fees generally are billable, and revenue recognition begins, when the member agrees to the terms of the membership. Certain membership fees are billed on an installment basis. Members may request a refund of their membership fees, which is provided on a pro-rata basis relative to the length of the remaining membership term. Our policy is to record the full amount of membership fees receivable as an asset and related deferred revenue as a liability when a member agrees to the terms of a membership. Revenues from membership subscriptions were greater than 95% of total revenues in 2007, 2006 and 2005.
     Additionally, beginning on August 1, 2007, we began generating advertising and content related revenues through our wholly-owned subsidiary, CEB Toolbox, Inc. (formerly known as Information Technology Toolbox, Inc.), an online community of professionals who share practical, job-related information. Advertising and content related revenues are recognizable as the services are provided.
Reserve for uncollectible revenue
     We record a reserve for uncollectible revenue based upon management’s analyses and estimates as to the collectability of our accounts receivable. As part of our analysis, we examine our collections history, the age of the receivables in question, any specific customer collection issues that we have identified general market conditions, customer concentrations and current economic trends.
Income taxes
     Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on temporary differences between the financial reporting bases and the tax bases of assets and liabilities. These deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when such amounts are expected to reverse or be utilized. The realization of total deferred tax assets is contingent upon the generation of future taxable income. A valuation allowance is provided to reduce such deferred tax assets to amounts more likely than not to be ultimately realized. We have provided a valuation allowance of approximately $7.9 million at December 31, 2007 for the estimated loss of Washington, D.C. tax credits which will occur upon our move to Virginia in 2008.
     In determining the estimated annual effective income tax rate, we analyze various factors, including projections of our annual earnings and taxing jurisdictions in which the earnings will be generated, the impact of state and local and foreign income taxes, and our ability to use tax incentives. The Company files income tax returns in U.S. federal, state, and foreign jurisdictions. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal, state, and local tax examinations in major tax jurisdictions for periods prior to 2004.
     We adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes—an interpretation of FASB Statement 109” (“FIN 48”) on January 1, 2007. The impact of adoption was not material. FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.” FIN 48 prescribes that a company should use a more-likely-than-not recognition threshold based on the technical merits of the tax position taken. Tax positions that meet the “more-likely-than-not” recognition threshold should be measured as the largest amount of the tax benefits, determined on a cumulative probability basis, which is more likely than not to be realized upon ultimate settlement in the financial statements. We recognize interest and penalties related to income tax matters as a component of the Provision for income taxes. We do not currently anticipate that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly increase within the next 12 months.

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Goodwill and intangible assets, net
     As a result of acquisitions, any excess purchase price over the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. A preliminary allocation of the purchase price to tangible and intangible net assets acquired is based upon a preliminary valuation and our estimates and assumptions may be subject to change. Intangible assets consist primarily of purchased software and customer relationships. In order to determine the fair value of the identifiable intangible assets, we make estimates and judgments based on assumptions about the future income producing capabilities of these assets and related future expected cash flows. Should different conditions prevail, we could record write-downs or changes in the estimate of useful life of those intangible assets, which would result in changes to amortization expense. Intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives of 3 to 20 years.
     We review goodwill for impairment annually on October 1 or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate its carrying value may not be recoverable in accordance with FASB Statement No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” (“FAS 142”). If we determine that an impairment has occurred, we are required to record a write-down of the carrying value as an operating expense in the period the determination is made. Although we believe goodwill is appropriately stated in our consolidated financial statements, changes in strategy or market conditions could significantly impact these judgments and require an adjustment to the recorded balance.
Incentive compensation
     Commission expenses related to the negotiation of new memberships and the renewal of existing memberships are deferred and amortized over the term of the related memberships.
Share-based compensation
     We account for share-based compensation in accordance with FAS 123(R) using the modified prospective transition method. Under the fair value recognition provisions of FAS 123(R), share-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date of the share-based awards based on their fair values, and is recognized on a straight line basis as expense in the consolidated statements of income over the vesting periods of the awards, net of an estimated forfeiture rate. In accordance with the modified prospective transition method, share-based compensation expense recognized by us beginning January 1, 2006 includes: (a) compensation expense for all share-based payments granted on or after January 1, 2006, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of FAS 123(R), and (b) compensation expense for all share-based payments granted prior to, but that were unvested as of January 1, 2006, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the original provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” (“FAS 123”). Results for prior periods have not been restated. We previously recorded share-based compensation expense in accordance with the provisions of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” (“APB 25”), which allowed us to record share-based compensation expense based on the intrinsic value of the share-based award at the date of grant.
     Under the provisions of FAS 123(R), we calculate the grant date fair value of share-based awards using a lattice valuation model for grants subsequent to the adoption of FAS 123(R). For grants prior to the adoption of FAS 123(R), we used the Black-Scholes valuation model. Determining the fair value of share-based awards is judgmental in nature and involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions, including the term of the share-based awards, risk-free interest rates over the vesting period, expected dividend rates, the price volatility of our shares and forfeiture rates of the awards. Prior to adopting FAS 123(R), we recognized forfeitures only as they occurred. We base our fair value estimates on assumptions we believe to be reasonable but that are inherently uncertain. Actual future results may differ from those estimates.
     As mandated by FAS 123(R), beginning in the first quarter of 2006, we also report the benefits of tax deductions in excess of recognized compensation expense as a financing cash inflow in the consolidated statement of cash flows. Prior to the adoption of FAS 123(R), we reported these tax benefits as an operating cash flow. Results for prior periods have not been restated.

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Results of Operations
     The following table sets forth certain operating data as a percentage of total revenues for the periods indicated:
                         
    Year ended December 31,
    2007   2006   2005
Revenues
    100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %
Cost of services
    34.4       35.6       33.4  
 
                       
 
                       
Gross profit
    65.6       64.4       66.6  
 
                       
 
                       
Costs and expenses:
                       
Member relations and marketing
    28.2       26.5       25.9  
General and administrative
    13.5       12.9       11.1  
Depreciation and amortization
    2.9       2.3       2.0  
 
                       
 
                       
Total costs and expenses
    44.6       41.7       39.0  
 
                       
 
Income from operations
    21.0       22.7       27.6  
Other income, net
    3.0       5.3       3.8  
 
                       
 
                       
Income before provision for income taxes
    24.0       27.9       31.4  
Provision for income taxes
    8.9       10.8       10.6  
 
                       
 
                       
Net income
    15.1 %     17.2 %     20.7 %
 
                       
Years ended December 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007
     Revenues. Revenues increased 27.2% from $362.2 million in 2005 to $460.6 million in 2006, and 15.7% to $532.7 million in 2007. The largest driver of the increase in revenues in 2006 and 2007 was the cross-selling of additional subscriptions to existing members. Other drivers contributing to the increase in revenues in 2006 and 2007 included the introduction of new research programs and the addition of new members. We introduced six new research programs in each of the years 2005, 2006 and 2007.
     Cost of services. Cost of services increased 35.6% from $120.9 million in 2005 to $164.0 million in 2006 and 11.6% to $183.1 million in 2007. The increase from 2005 to 2006 of $43.1 million was principally due to increased compensation and compensation related costs (incentives and payroll taxes) for new and existing research and executive education staff, including share-based compensation expense of $12.2 million in 2006 as compared to $0 in 2005 relating to our adoption of FAS 123(R) on January 1, 2006. The increase, to a lesser extent, was also due to external consulting expenses to support the growth of our existing programs and new program launches, publishing and executive education seminar costs and an increase in travel related expenses. The increase in 2006 was partially offset by a true-up of incentive expense recorded in 2005 which was not paid in 2006. The increase from 2006 to 2007 of $19.1 million was principally due to an increase in compensation and compensation related costs (incentives and payroll taxes) and to a lesser extent facilities costs relating mostly to our new Arlington, Virginia office location and additional space taken in London, England and executive education seminar expenses. These increases are partially offset by decreases in printing, external consulting costs and a decrease in share-based compensation expense relative to 2006 of approximately $1.3 million. Cost of services as a percentage of revenues increased from 33.4% in 2005 to 35.6% in 2006 and decreased to 34.4% in 2007. The increase as a percentage of revenues from 2005 to 2006 of 2.2% was primarily due to the recognition of share-based compensation expense and to a lesser extent, an increase in external consulting expenses to support the growth of our existing programs, a shift in the timing of our publishing and executive education seminar schedule relative to 2005, and an increase in the number of research and executive education staff, partially offset by a true-up of incentive expense recorded in 2005 which was not paid in 2006. The decrease as a percentage of revenues from 2006 to 2007 of 1.2% was principally due to lower share-based compensation expense, and to a lesser extent, printing costs and external consulting fees, and was partially offset by percentage increases in overhead including facilities costs. Cost of services as a percentage of revenues may fluctuate from year to year due to the timing of the completion and delivery of best practices research studies, the timing of executive education seminars, the introduction of new membership programs and the fixed nature of a portion of the production costs of best practices research studies, as these costs are not significantly affected by growth in the number of membership subscriptions. Accordingly, the Cost of services as a percentage of revenues may not be indicative of future annual results.

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     Gross profit. Historically, Gross profit as a percentage of revenues, or gross profit margin, has fluctuated based upon the growth in revenues offset by the costs of delivering best practices research studies, the timing of executive education seminars, the volume of customized research briefs, the hiring of personnel and the introduction of new membership programs. Accordingly, the gross profit margin may vary from one annual period to another. A number of factors that impact gross profit margin are discussed in the “Cost of services” description above.
     Member relations and marketing. Member relations and marketing expense increased 30.5% from $93.7 million in 2005 to $122.2 million in 2006, and increased 22.8% to $150.0 million in 2007. The increase from 2005 to 2006 of $28.5 million was principally due to the increase in marketing personnel and related costs and member relations personnel and related costs to support our existing membership base, including approximately $5.6 million of share-based compensation expense in 2006 as compared with $0 in 2005 due to our adoption of FAS123(R) on January 1, 2006. The increase, to a lesser extent, is further due to increases in commission expense associated with the growth in our revenues and travel expenses associated with new sales staff. The increase of approximately $27.8 million from 2006 to 2007 principally consists of an increase in personnel related costs including salaries relating to an increase in member relations and marketing headcount and incentives relating to higher revenue. Other factors contributing to the increase, but to a lesser extent, include facilities costs associated with the office spaces discussed in Cost of services above and external consulting fees. These increases are partially offset by a decrease in travel and travel related expenses and a decrease in share-based compensation of approximately $0.9 million. Member relations and marketing expense as a percentage of revenues increased from 25.9% in 2005 to 26.5% in 2006, and increased to 28.2% in 2007. The increase as a percentage of revenues from 2005 to 2006 of 0.6% was principally due to the recognition of share-based compensation expense, which accounted for an increase of approximately 1.2%. This increase was partially offset by a percentage decrease in incentives for Member relations and marketing personnel. The increase as a percentage of revenues from 2006 to 2007 of approximately 1.7% was due primarily to the percentage increase in overhead, including facilities costs, and, to a lesser extent, compensation, including salaries and incentives, and external consulting costs and was partially offset by decreases in travel and travel related expenses and, to a lesser extent, a decrease in share-based compensation expense. Member relations and marketing expense as a percentage of revenue may fluctuate due to the components noted above, including the timing of new hires, travel, and consulting expenses incurred relative to the amount of revenue recognized in a period.
     General and administrative. General and administrative expense increased 48.0% from $40.3 million in 2005 to $59.6 million in 2006, and increased 20.7% to $72.0 million in 2007. The increase of approximately $19.3 million from 2005 to 2006 was principally due to an increase in compensation costs including share-based compensation expense, and to a lesser extent, costs associated with the development of our new Arlington, Virginia office facility and the recognition, in the second quarter, of prior period sales tax for certain states in which some of our non-Washington, D.C. based domestic staff were located to support our growing domestic membership base. See “Note 15. Commitments and contingencies” for further discussion. Included in 2006 was approximately $7.4 million of share-based compensation expense calculated in accordance with FAS 123(R). The increase of approximately $12.4 million from 2006 to 2007 was primarily the result of an increase in staff and non-equity compensation costs, including $2.3 million relating to severance expense, and to a lesser extent, an increase in facilities costs and external consulting costs. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in payroll taxes associated with the exercise of employee stock options and a decrease in share-based compensation expense of approximately $0.3 million. General and administrative expense as a percentage of revenues increased from 11.1% in 2005 to 12.9% in 2006, and increased to 13.5% in 2007. The increase as a percentage of revenues from 2005 to 2006 of 1.8% was primarily a result of the recognition of share-based compensation expense, which accounted for 1.6% of the General and administrative expense as a percentage of revenue in 2006. The increase as a percentage of revenue from 2006 to 2007 of 0.6% was principally due to the percentage increase in the personnel related costs, including the severance expense noted above, and facilities costs. The increases were partially offset by decreases in payroll taxes, external consulting fees and share-based compensation expense as noted above. In the fourth quarter of 2007, the Company recorded approximately $2.0 million relating to the probable exposure of sales and use tax regulations for states in which we sell or support our goods and services. General and administrative expense as a percentage of revenue may fluctuate due to the components noted above, including the timing of new hires and consulting expenses incurred relative to the amount of revenue recognized in a period.
     Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense increased 42.0% from $7.3 million in 2005 to $10.4 million in 2006, and increased 50.0% to $15.6 million in 2007. In 2006, the increase was principally due to the additional investment in leasehold improvements for additional office space in the Washington, D.C. and London offices, the purchase of computer equipment and management information systems software to support organizational growth and the amortization of intangible assets that were recognized as part of our acquisition in the quarter ended September 30, 2005. In 2007, the increase was principally due to amortization of intangible assets relating to the purchase of ITtoolbox on July 31, 2007, which accounted for approximately $1.7 million in 2007. To a lesser extent, the percentage increase is also due to depreciation related to the purchase of equipment and software for the build-out of our new Arlington, Virginia infrastructure, investments in leasehold improvements for additional office space for the London office, and the purchase of computer equipment and management information systems software to support organizational growth. We expect to see an increase in amortization expense relating to the full year’s effect of purchase price allocated to identifiable intangible assets as part of the ITtoolbox acquisition. See “Impact of acquisitions” below.

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     Other income, net. Other income, net, consists primarily of interest income earned on cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities and the realized gains and losses on the sale of marketable securities. Other income, net increased 79.0% from $13.6 million in 2005 to $24.3 million in 2006, and decreased 34.0% to $16.0 million in 2007. In 2006, the increase was principally due to the increased level of marketable securities along with increased investment returns in a higher interest rate environment. In 2007, the decrease was principally due to decreased levels of cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities relative to 2006.
     Provision for income taxes. We recorded a Provision for income taxes of $38.6 million, $49.6 million and $47.5 million in 2005, 2006 and 2007, respectively. Our effective income tax rate increased from 33.9% in 2005 to 38.5% in 2006, reflecting an increase in the Washington, D.C. Qualified High Technology Company (“QHTC”) statutory income tax rate to 6.0% from 0.0% in 2005 and a decrease in the estimated benefit of certain Washington, D.C. income tax incentives, as these incentives may not be realized. In 2007, our effective income tax rate decreased to 37.1% principally due to an increase in the estimated amount of Washington, D.C. income tax incentives that we will be able to utilize prior to moving to our new Virginia office location and an increase in our deferred tax assets from higher state tax rates. We anticipate an increase in our effective income tax rate to approximately 40% in 2008 as we lose the impact of Washington D.C. tax incentives with our move to Virginia.
     Impact of acquisitions. In July 2007, we acquired 100% of the equity interests of ITtoolbox, which operates an online platform that connects a community of more than one million information technology and other professionals. The purchase price was $58.9 million, reduced by the assumption of $1.0 million in transition bonuses that will be paid for by us. Under the terms of the acquisition agreement, the purchase price may be increased if certain financial thresholds are achieved during a 12-month period on or before December 31, 2010. Pro forma information disclosing the operating results in 2007 and 2006 is not presented as the effects were not material to the company’s historical consolidated financial statements.
     In September 2005, we acquired substantially all of the assets and technology of the Executive Performance Group (“EPG”) to support the launch of the Shared Services Roundtable membership program. Under the terms of the EPG acquisition agreement, the initial purchase price was $8.2 million which may be increased if certain future business operating conditions are achieved on or before December 31, 2008. Pro forma financial information for this acquisition has not been presented as the effects were not material.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
     Cash generated by operations is our primary source of liquidity and we believe that existing cash and marketable securities balances and operating cash flows will be sufficient to support operations, capital expenditures, and the payment of dividends, as well as potential share repurchases during the next 12 months. We had cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of $144.4 million and $487.3 million at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. We made income tax payments of approximately $60.8 million in 2007 and expect to continue making tax payments in future periods. We estimate paying approximately $60 million through 2008 to build out the office space for our new headquarters in Arlington, Virginia. Of this amount, approximately $25.5 million was paid in 2007 and the remaining estimate of $34.5 is expected to be paid in early 2008. In addition, we estimate that we will spend approximately $8 million to $10 million during 2008 to support growth of our headcount and infrastructure.
     Effective January 1, 2006, we adopted FAS 123(R) using the modified prospective transition method. Pursuant to FAS 123(R), we have reported the benefits of tax deductions in excess of recognized book compensation expense as a financing cash inflow in the consolidated statement of cash flows in 2006 and 2007. Prior to the adoption of FAS 123(R), we reported these tax benefits as an operating cash flow. Prior period results have not been restated. See further discussion of the impact on our consolidated financial statements of adopting FAS 123(R) under “Critical Accounting Policies” above and in “Note 10. Stockholders’ equity and share-based compenation.”
     Cash flows from operating activities. Membership subscriptions, which are principally annually renewable agreements, are generally payable by members at the beginning of the contract term. The combination of revenue growth, profitable operations and advance payments of membership subscriptions has historically resulted in net cash flows provided by operating activities. We generated net cash flows from operating activities of $110.0 million, $136.3 million, and $181.5 million in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. In 2007, operating cash flows were generated primarily by net income, and increases in deferred revenues, other liabilities and accrued incentive compensation, offset by a decrease in accounts payable, including cash taxes paid of approximately $60.8 million in 2007, and accrued liabilities and an increase in deferred tax assets, membership fees receivable, and other non-current assets. In 2006, operating cash flows were generated principally by net income, an increase in deferred revenues, the utilization of tax benefits resulting from share-based compensation arrangements and an increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities, offset by the reclassification of excess tax benefits resulting from share-based compensation arrangements, an increase in membership fees receivable and an increase in other non-current assets. In 2005, operating cash flows were generated by net income, an increase in deferred revenues, the utilization of tax benefits resulting from share-based compensation arrangements, growth in accounts payable and accrued liabilities, and an increase in accrued incentive compensation, offset by an increase in membership fees receivable and deferred incentive compensation.

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     Cash flows from investing activities. We generated net cash flows from investing activities of $121.8 million in 2007. We used net cash flows in investing activities of $212.0 million in 2006. We generated net cash flows from investing activities of $159.5 million in 2005. In 2007, net cash flows from investing activities were generated by sales and maturities, net of purchases, of available-for-sale marketable securities of $221.8 million, partially offset by business acquisition costs, net of cash acquired, of $61.6 million, the purchase of property and equipment of $34.5 million, consisting of leasehold improvements, computer equipment and software, and a cost method investment of $3.8 million. In 2006, net cash flows from investing activities were used to purchase available-for-sale marketable securities, net of maturities, of $194.3 million, and property and equipment, consisting of leasehold improvements for additional office space in Washington, D.C. and London, England, Web site development costs and computer equipment and software, of $17.7 million. In 2005, net cash flows from investing activities were generated by maturities and sales of available-for-sale marketable securities of $176.4 million, partially offset by the purchase of property and equipment totaling $8.7 million, and asset acquisition costs, net of cash acquired, of $8.1 million.
     Cash flows from financing activities. We used net cash flows in financing activities of $355.6 million, $177.2 million and $30.7 million in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. In 2007, net cash flows from financing activities were used primarily for the repurchase of our common stock, which totaled $303.0 million, and the payment of dividends, which totaled $57.8 million, partially offset by the recognition of excess tax benefits of $2.4 million resulting from share-based compensation arrangements, proceeds of $2.1 million from the issuance of common stock under the employee stock purchase plan, and proceeds of $0.7 million from the exercise of common stock options. Net cash flows used in financing activities in 2006 were principally attributed to the repurchase of our common stock, which totaled $176.0 million, and the payment of dividends, which totaled $47.4 million, partially offset by the recognition of excess tax benefits of $41.2 million resulting from share-based compensation arrangements, proceeds of $3.0 million from the exercise of common stock options, and proceeds of $2.0 million from the issuance of common stock under the employee stock purchase plan. Net cash flows used in financing activities in 2005 were principally attributed to the repurchase of our common stock, which totaled $61.5 million, and the payment of dividends, which totaled $15.8 million, partially offset by the receipt of proceeds of $45.1 million from the exercise of common stock options, primarily in conjunction with the sale of 1.3 million shares of our common stock by our employees and directors in March 2005, and proceeds from the issuance of common stock under the employee stock purchase plan, which totaled $1.4 million.
     The Company has entered into letter of credit agreements totaling $3.8 million to provide security deposits for certain office space leases. The letters of credit expire in the period from March 2008 through January 2009, but will automatically extend for another year from their expiration dates, unless we terminate them. We expect to terminate approximately $1.4 million of the letters of credit relating to the security deposits for the Washington, D.C. office space leases when the leases expire in 2008. To date, no amounts have been drawn on these agreements. Under the terms of the Arlington, Virginia lease agreement, we have committed to providing the landlord security deposits totaling $50 million. We have pledged $50 million of long-term marketable securities to the landlord as collateral for this obligation. We expect the securities required to be pledged will be replaced by a letter of credit in the amount of approximately $5.0 million in 2008.
Contractual obligations
     We lease office facilities in the United States, United Kingdom and India expiring on various dates through 2028. In the second quarter of 2006, we entered into a new lease agreement for additional office space in the United Kingdom. In the third quarter of 2006, we entered into new lease agreements for additional office space in Washington, D.C. The expiration of the new Washington, D.C. leases coincided with our move to the new Arlington, Virginia headquarters in early 2008. In the fourth quarter of 2006, we entered into new lease agreements for additional office locations in Chicago, Illinois and San Francisco, California. The Chicago office lease is for a seven-year term with total remaining lease payments of $6.1 million. The San Francisco lease is for a six-year term with total remaining lease payments of $1.9 million. With our acquisition of ITtoolbox in the third quarter of 2007, we acquired the lease obligations for its office locations in Scottsdale, Arizona and West Chester, Pennsylvania. The Scottsdale lease continues for a 26-month term from the date of our acquisition with total lease payments of $0.5 million over that term. The West Chester lease continues for a 32-month term from the date of our acquisition with total lease payments of $0.3 million over that term. Certain lease agreements include provisions for rental escalations and require us to pay for executory costs such as taxes and insurance. Future minimum rental payments under non-cancelable operating leases, excluding executory costs, total $589.4 million.

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     We expect the total costs of the tenant build-out for the Waterview office space for our new headquarters in Arlington, Virginia to be approximately $100 million, of which approximately $40 million will be paid for by the landlord. In March 2007, we entered into a contract for approximately $57 million for the general construction of the build-out, of which approximately $31.2 million was paid for by the landlord as a lease incentive in 2007 and approximately $13.6 million was paid by the Company in 2007. The remaining portion of the expected total costs will be paid in 2008.
     The following table summarizes our contractual obligations at December 31, 2007:
                                         
    Payments Due by Period (in thousands)
    Total   <1 Year   1 - 3 Years   4 - 5 Years   >5 Years
Operating lease obligations
  $ 589,354     $ 34,904     $ 67,165     $ 65,614     $ 421,671  
General construction of Arlington, Virginia office
  $ 12,246     $ 12,246                          
Other liabilities (1)
  $ 11,925     $ 683     $ 1,159     $ 460     $ 9,623  
 
(1)   Other liabilities include elective deferrals and earnings under the deferred compensation plan.
      Not included in the table above is unrecognized tax benefits of $900,000.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
     At December 31, 2007, we do not have any off-balance sheet financing or other arrangements with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships (such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities) established for purposes of facilitating off-balance sheet financing or other debt arrangements or for other contractually narrow or limited purposes.

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Recent Accounting Pronouncements
     See Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements for a description of recent accounting pronouncements, including the expected dates of adoption, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
     In the normal course of business, we are exposed to interest rate and foreign currency exchange rate risks that could impact our financial position and results of operations.
Interest rate risk
     We are exposed to interest rate risk primarily through our portfolio of cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities, which is designed for safety of principal and liquidity. Cash and cash equivalents consist of highly liquid U.S. Treasury obligations with maturities of less than three months. Marketable securities consist primarily of U.S. Treasury notes and bonds and insured Washington, D.C. tax exempt notes and bonds. We perform periodic evaluations of the relative credit ratings related to the cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities. This portfolio is subject to inherent interest rate risk as investments mature and are reinvested at current market interest rates. We currently do not use derivative financial instruments to adjust our portfolio risk or income profile.
     The following table provides the principal (notional) amount by expected maturity of our available-for-sale marketable securities at December 31, 2007 (dollars in thousands):
                                                                 
                                                            Fair
                                                            Value
    2008   2009   2010   2011   2012   Thereafter   Total   12/31/07
Marketable securities
  $ 24,040     $ 26,605     $ 18,545     $ 9,845     $ 3,700     $ 10,550     $ 93,285     $ 96,771  
Average effective interest rate
    3.88 %     3.67 %     3.94 %     4.24 %     4.25 %     4.66 %                
Foreign currency exchange rate risk
     Our international operations subject us to risks related to foreign currency exchange fluctuations. Prices for our products are denominated primarily in U.S. dollars, even when sold to customers that are located outside the United States. Many of the costs associated with our operations located outside the United States are denominated in local currencies. As a consequence, the increased strength of local currencies against the U.S. dollar in countries where we have foreign operations would result in higher effective operating costs and, potentially, reduced earnings. In 2006, we began to use forward contracts to protect against foreign currency exchange rate risks inherent with our cost reimbursement agreement with our UK subsidiary. A forward contract obligates us to exchange a predetermined amount of U.S. dollars to make an equivalent Pound Sterling (“GBP”) payment equal to the value of such exchange. A hypothetical 10% adverse movement in foreign currency exchange rates would not have a material adverse impact to our results of operations.

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Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
Report of Management’s Assessment of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Management is responsible for the preparation and integrity of the consolidated financial statements appearing in our Annual Report. The consolidated financial statements were prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and include amounts based on management’s estimates and judgments. All other financial information in this report has been presented on a basis consistent with the information included in the consolidated financial statements.
Management is also responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. We maintain a system of internal control that is designed to provide reasonable assurance as to the reliable preparation and presentation of the consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, as well as to safeguard assets from unauthorized use or disposition.
Our control environment is the foundation for our system of internal control over financial reporting and is reflected in our Code of Ethics for Directors, Executives and Employees. It sets the tone of our organization and includes factors such as integrity and ethical values. Our internal control over financial reporting is supported by formal policies and procedures which are reviewed, modified and improved as changes occur in business conditions and operations.
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, which is composed solely of outside directors, meets periodically with members of management and the independent auditors to review and discuss internal control over financial reporting and accounting and financial reporting matters. The independent registered public accounting firm reports to the Audit Committee and accordingly have full and free access to the Audit Committee at any time.
Management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007 based on the framework in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. This evaluation included review of the documentation of controls, evaluation of the design effectiveness of controls, testing of the operating effectiveness of controls and a conclusion on this evaluation. Based on this evaluation, management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2007.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Ernst & Young LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, has issued an attestation report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, which is included herein.
     
/s/ Thomas L. Monahan III
 
   
Thomas L. Monahan III
   
Chief Executive Officer
   
February 29, 2008
   
 
   
/s/ Timothy R. Yost
 
   
Timothy R. Yost
   
Chief Financial Officer
   
February 29, 2008
   

25


 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors and Stockholders of
The Corporate Executive Board Company
We have audited The Corporate Executive Board Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria). The Corporate Executive Board 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 Report of Management’s Assessment of Internal Control 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 on 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 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 its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that 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 Corporate Executive Board Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007, based on the COSO criteria.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of The Corporate Executive Board Company and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2007 and 2006 and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2007 of The Corporate Executive Board Company and Subsidiaries, and our report dated February 29, 2008 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
/s/ Ernst & Young
Baltimore, Maryland
February 29, 2008

26


 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors and Stockholders of
The Corporate Executive Board Company
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of The Corporate Executive Board Company and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2007. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements 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 financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of The Corporate Executive Board Company and subsidiaries at December 31, 2007 and 2006, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2007, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
As discussed in Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed the manner in which it accounts for share-based compensation upon adoption of the Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payment” on January 1, 2006.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), The Corporate Executive Board Company and subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 29, 2008 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
/s/ Ernst & Young
Baltimore, Maryland
February 29, 2008

27


 

THE CORPORATE EXECUTIVE BOARD COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share amounts)
                 
    December 31,  
    2007     2006  
ASSETS
               
Current assets:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 47,585     $ 171,367  
Marketable securities
    24,153       119,534  
Membership fees receivable, net
    161,336       153,107  
Deferred income taxes, net
    12,710       15,109  
Deferred incentive compensation
    15,544       13,160  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    10,638       9,881  
 
           
 
               
Total current assets
    271,966       482,158  
 
           
 
               
Deferred income taxes, net
    24,307       12,896  
Marketable securities
    72,618       196,386  
Property and equipment, net
    91,904       26,988  
Goodwill
    42,626       6,364  
Intangible assets, net
    22,143       1,462  
Other non-current assets
    19,208       9,801  
 
           
 
               
Total assets
  $ 544,772     $ 736,055  
 
           
 
               
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Current liabilities:
               
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
  $ 62,681     $ 66,773  
Accrued incentive compensation
    31,355       25,062  
Deferred revenues
    323,395       308,671  
 
           
 
               
Total current liabilities
    417,431       400,506  
 
           
 
               
Other liabilities
    59,794       17,684  
 
           
 
               
Total liabilities
    477,225       418,190  
 
           
 
Commitments and contingencies
               
 
Stockholders’ equity:
               
Common stock, par value $0.01; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 43,119,512 and 42,805,325 shares issued at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively; 34,993,581 and 38,947,908 shares outstanding at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively
    431       428  
Additional paid-in-capital
    383,636       353,990  
Retained earnings
    269,429       246,668  
Accumulated elements of other comprehensive (loss) income
    (194 )     (440 )
Treasury stock, at cost, 8,125,931 and 3,857,417 shares at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively
    (585,755 )     (282,781 )
 
           
 
               
Total stockholders’ equity
    67,547       317,865  
 
           
 
               
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 544,772     $ 736,055  
 
           
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

28


 

THE CORPORATE EXECUTIVE BOARD COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In thousands, except per-share amounts)
                         
    Year ended December 31,  
    2007     2006     2005  
Revenues
  $ 532,716     $ 460,623     $ 362,226  
Cost of services (1)
    183,088       164,022       120,944  
 
                 
 
                       
Gross profit
    349,628       296,601       241,282  
 
                 
 
                       
Costs and expenses:
                       
Member relations and marketing (1)
    150,032       122,177       93,657  
General and administrative (1)
    71,984       59,629       40,295  
Depreciation and amortization
    15,573       10,381       7,308  
 
                 
 
                       
Total costs and expenses
    237,589       192,187       141,260  
 
                 
 
                       
Income from operations
    112,039       104,414       100,022  
Other income, net
    16,049       24,318       13,588  
 
                 
 
                       
Income before provision for income taxes
    128,088       128,732       113,610  
Provision for income taxes
    47,501       49,561       38,550  
 
                 
 
                       
Net income
  $ 80,587     $ 79,171     $ 75,060  
 
                 
 
                       
Earnings per share:
                       
Basic
  $ 2.20     $ 1.99     $ 1.90  
Diluted
  $ 2.17     $ 1.94     $ 1.83  
 
                       
Dividends per share
  $ 1.60     $ 1.20     $ 0.40  
 
                       
Weighted average shares used in the calculation of earnings per share:
                       
Basic
    36,666       39,712       39,572  
Diluted
    37,159       40,721       41,092  
 
(1)   The following table summarizes the share-based compensation recognized in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards 123(R) included in the consolidated statements of income above:
                         
Cost of services
  $ 10,852     $ 12,236     $  
Member relations and marketing
    4,782       5,644        
General and administrative
    7,130       7,426        
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

29


 

THE CORPORATE EXECUTIVE BOARD COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
                         
    Year ended December 31,  
    2007     2006     2005  
Cash flows from operating activities:
                       
Net income
  $ 80,587     $ 79,171     $ 75,060  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows provided by operating activities:
                       
Depreciation and amortization
    15,573       10,381       7,305  
(Gain) loss on sale of investments
    (142 )           2,320  
Deferred income taxes
    (10,781 )     34,139       30,801  
Share-based compensation
    22,764       25,306        
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation arrangements
    (2,398 )     (41,225 )      
Amortization of marketable securities (discounts) premiums, net
    (449 )     (2,389 )     1,865  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
                       
Membership fees receivable, net
    (6,688 )     (32,865 )     (23,055 )
Deferred incentive compensation
    (2,384 )     (1,671 )     (2,212 )
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    (645 )     (2,210 )     327  
Other non-current assets
    (5,578 )     (8,564 )     (1,238 )
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
    (11,739 )     23,933       25,041  
Accrued incentive compensation
    6,293       (1,983 )     8,894  
Deferred revenues
    14,724       47,371       55,252  
Other liabilities
    10,904       6,877       1,109  
 
                 
 
                       
Net cash flows provided by operating activities
    110,041       136,271       181,469  
 
                 
 
                       
Cash flows from investing activities:
                       
Purchases of property and equipment, net
    (34,532 )     (17,743 )     (8,703 )
Cost method investment
    (3,829 )            
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired
    (61,593 )           (8,136 )
Purchases of marketable securities
    (108,801 )     (196,920 )      
Sales and maturities of marketable securities
    330,556       2,635       176,384  
 
                 
 
                       
Net cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities
    121,801       (212,028 )     159,545  
 
                 
 
                       
Cash flows from financing activities:
                       
Proceeds from the exercise of common stock options
    691       2,979       45,135  
Proceeds from issuance of common stock under the employee stock purchase plan
    2,087       2,024       1,407  
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation arrangements
    2,398       41,225        
Purchase of treasury shares
    (302,974 )     (175,985 )     (61,489 )
Payment of dividends
    (57,826 )     (47,395 )     (15,787 )
 
                 
 
                       
Net cash flows used in financing activities
    (355,624 )     (177,152 )     (30,734 )
 
                 
 
                       
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
    (123,782 )     (252,909 )     310,280  
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year
    171,367       424,276       113,996  
 
                 
 
                       
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year
  $ 47,585     $ 171,367     $ 424,276  
 
                 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

30


 

THE CORPORATE EXECUTIVE BOARD COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Years ended December 31, 2005, 2006, and 2007
(In thousands, except share amounts)
                                                                 
                                    Accumulated                        
                                    elements of other                     Annual  
    Common stock     Additional     Retained     comprehensive     Treasury             comprehensive  
    Shares     Amount     paid-in-capital     earnings     Income     stock     Total     income  
Balance at December 31, 2004
    38,930,648     $ 399     $ 214,987     $ 155,619     $ 1,763     $ (45,307 )   $ 327,461     $  
Issuance of common stock upon the exercise of common stock options
    1,382,828       15       45,120                         45,135        
Issuance of common stock under the employee stock purchase plan
    24,956             1,407                         1,407        
Tax benefits related to the exercise of common stock options
                15,514                         15,514        
Purchase of treasury stock at cost
    (855,705 )                             (61,489 )     (61,489 )      
Unrealized losses on available-for-sale marketable securities, net of tax benefit
                            (1,349 )           (1,349 )     (1,349 )
Foreign currency translation, net of tax benefit
                            (538 )           (538 )     (538 )
Payment of dividends
                      (15,787 )                 (15,787 )      
Net income
                      75,060                   75,060       75,060  
 
                                               
 
                                                               
Balance at December 31, 2005
    39,482,727     $ 414     $ 277,028     $ 214,892     $ (124 )   $ (106,796 )   $ 385,414     $ 73,173  
 
                                               
 
                                                               
Issuance of common stock upon the exercise of common stock options
    1,378,917       14       2,965                         2,979        
Issuance of common stock under the employee stock purchase plan
    26,875             2,024                         2,024        
Share-based compensation
                25,465                         25,465        
Tax benefits related to the exercise of common stock options
                46,508                         46,508        
Purchase of treasury stock at cost
    (1,940,611 )                             (175,985 )     (175,985 )      
Unrealized losses on available-for-sale marketable securities, net of tax benefit
                            (316 )           (316 )     (316 )
Payment of dividends
                      (47,395 )                 (47,395 )      
Net income
                      79,171                   79,171       79,171  
 
                                               
 
                                                               
Balance at December 31, 2006
    38,947,908     $ 428     $ 353,990     $ 246,668     $ (440 )   $ (282,781 )   $ 317,865     $ 78,855  
 
                                               
 
                                                               
Issuance of common stock upon the exercise of common stock options and release of restricted stock units
    280,510       3       685                         688        
Issuance of common stock under the employee stock purchase plan
    33,677             2,087                         2,087        
Share-based compensation
                22,764                         22,764        
Tax benefits related to the exercise of common stock options
                4,110                         4,110        
Purchase of treasury stock at cost
    (4,268,514 )                             (302,974 )     (302,974 )      
Unrealized gains on available-for-sale marketable securities, net of tax expense
                            1,312             1,312       1,312  
Foreign currency hedge
                            (1,066 )           (1,066 )     (1,066 )
Payment of dividends
                      (57,826 )                 (57,826 )      
Net income
                      80,587                   80,587       80,587  
 
                                               
 
                                                               
Balance at December 31, 2007
    34,993,581     $ 431     $ 383,636     $ 269,429     $ (194 )   $ (585,755 )   $ 67,547     $ 80,833  
 
                                               
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

31


 

THE CORPORATE EXECUTIVE BOARD COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. Description of operations
     The Corporate Executive Board Company (the ‘‘Company’’) provides ‘‘best practices’’ research, decision support tools and executive education focusing on corporate strategy, operations and general management issues. Best practices research supports senior executive decision making by identifying and analyzing specific management initiatives, processes and strategies that have been determined to produce the best results in solving common business problems or challenges. For a fixed annual fee, members of each research program have access to an integrated set of services, including best practices research studies, executive education seminars, customized research briefs and Web-based access to the program’s content database and decision support tools.
     Additionally, beginning on August 1, 2007 with our acquisition of ITtoolbox, Inc. (“ITtoolbox”), the Company maintains an online community of professionals who share practical, job related information through a new wholly-owned subsidiary, CEB Toolbox, Inc. This community provides free access to a worldwide audience of experienced, knowledgeable professionals.
2. Summary of significant accounting policies
Basis of presentation
     The consolidated financial statements include accounts of The Corporate Executive Board Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All material intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of estimates in preparation of financial statements
     The Company’s consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). These accounting principles require the Company to make certain estimates, judgments and assumptions. The Company believes that the estimates, judgments and assumptions upon which it relies are reasonable based upon information available to the Company at the time that these estimates, judgments and assumptions are made. These estimates, judgments and assumptions can affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the periods presented. To the extent there are material differences between these estimates, judgments or assumptions and actual results, the Company’s financial statements will be affected.
     In many cases, the accounting treatment of a particular transaction is specifically dictated by GAAP and does not require management’s judgment in its application. There are also areas in which management’s judgment in selecting among available alternatives would not produce a materially different result.
Foreign currency
     The functional currency of the Company’s wholly-owned foreign subsidiaries is the U.S. dollar. Monetary balance sheet and related income statement accounts, representing claims receivable or payable in a fixed number of foreign currency units regardless of changes in exchange rates, of foreign subsidiaries are translated at the current exchange rate with exchange gains and losses recorded in income. Non-monetary balance sheet items and related income statement accounts, which do not result in a fixed future cash inflow or outflow, are translated at their historical exchange rates.
Cash equivalents and marketable securities
     Short-term investments and marketable securities that mature within three months of purchase are classified as cash equivalents. Short-term investments and marketable securities with maturities of more than three months are classified as marketable securities. At December 31, 2007 and 2006, the Company’s marketable securities consisted primarily of United States Treasury notes and bonds and Washington, D.C. tax exempt notes and bonds. The Company classifies its marketable securities as available-for-sale, which are carried at fair value based on quoted market prices. The net unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale marketable securities are excluded from net income and are included within accumulated elements of comprehensive income. Included in the balance of marketable securities at December 31, 2007 and 2006 are $50 million of United States treasury notes that are held by the Company as a security deposit relating to the Arlington, Virginia office lease. The specific identification method is used to compute the realized gains and losses on the sale of marketable securities. The Company may elect not to hold these marketable securities to maturity and may elect to sell these securities at any time.

32


 

Allowance for doubtful accounts
     The Company uses estimates to determine the amount of the allowance for doubtful accounts necessary to reduce membership fees receivable to their expected net realizable value. The Company estimates the amount of the required allowance by reviewing the status of past-due receivables and analyzing historical bad debt trends. The Company charges-off receivables deemed to be uncollectible to the allowance for doubtful accounts. Accounts receivable balances are not collateralized.
Property and equipment
     Property and equipment consists of furniture, fixtures, equipment, capitalized software and Web site development costs, and leasehold improvements. Property and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation expense. Furniture, fixtures and equipment are depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which range from three to seven years. Capitalized software and Web site development costs are depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which range from three to five years. Leasehold improvements are depreciated using the straight-line method over the shorter of the estimated useful lives of the assets or the lease term. Replacements and major improvements are capitalized. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred.
Goodwill
     Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net tangible and intangible assets acquired in a business combination. Goodwill amounts are not amortized, but rather are tested for impairment at least annually. The carrying amount is reviewed whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable, or at least annually. Recoverability is measured by comparison of the carrying amount of the asset to the future undiscounted cash flows the asset is expected to generate. If the asset is considered to be impaired, the amount of any impairment is measured as the difference between the carrying value and the fair value of the impaired asset. No impairment was recorded as part of our annual review process in 2007, 2006 and 2005.
Intangible assets, net
     Intangible assets, net consists of purchased software, customer relationships and technology. These assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives of 3 to 20 years with a weighted average remaining life of approximately 5.5 years. The gross carrying amount of intangible assets at December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 was approximately $25.5 million, $2.3 million and $2.3 million, respectively, with related accumulated amortization of approximately $3.4 million, $0.9 million and $0.2 million, respectively. Amortization expense in the years ended 2007, 2006 and 2005 was approximately $2.5 million, $0.7 million and $0.2 million.
     The following approximates the anticipated aggregate amortization expense for the succeeding five years ended 2008 through 2012: $5.7 million, $5.3 million, $4.7 million, $3.0 million and $1.8 million, respectively.
Recovery of long-lived assets
     Long-lived assets, including intangible assets, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. The test for recoverability is made using an estimate of the undiscounted expected future cash flows and, if required, the impairment loss is measured as the amount that the carrying value of the asset exceeds the asset’s fair value if the asset is not recoverable.
Fair value of financial instruments
     The fair value of the Company’s financial instruments approximates their carrying value.
Revenue recognition
     Revenues from membership subscriptions are recognized ratably over the term of the related subscription, which is generally 12 months. Revenues from implementation support memberships are recognized as services are performed, limited by the Company’s pro-rata refund policy. Membership fees are generally billable, and revenue recognition begins, when the member agrees to the terms of the membership. Certain membership fees are billed on an installment basis. Members may request a refund of their membership fees, which is provided on a pro-rata basis relative to the length of the remaining membership term. The Company’s policy is to record the full amount of membership fees receivable as an asset and related deferred revenue as a liability when a member agrees to the terms of a membership. Revenues from membership subscriptions were greater than 95% of total revenues in 2007, 2006 and 2005.

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     Additionally, beginning on August 1, 2007, the Company began generating advertising and content related revenues through a new wholly-owned subsidiary, CEB Toolbox, Inc., an online community of professionals who share practical, job-related information. Advertising and content related revenues are recognizable as the services are provided.
Incentive Compensation
     Commission expenses related to the negotiation of new memberships and the renewal of existing memberships are deferred and amortized over the term of the related memberships.
Share-based compensation
     The Company has several share-based compensation plans. These plans provide for the granting of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, deferred stock units and incentive bonuses to employees and non-employee members of the Company’s Board of Directors. As described in Note 10, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004), ‘‘Share-Based Payment’’ (‘‘FAS 123(R)’’) on January 1, 2006 using the modified prospective transition method. Under FAS 123(R), share-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date of the share-based awards based on their fair values, and is recognized on a straight line basis as expense over the vesting periods of the awards, net of an estimated forfeiture rate. In accordance with the modified prospective transition method, share-based compensation expense recognized by the Company beginning January 1, 2006 includes: (a) compensation expense for all share-based payments granted on or after January 1, 2006, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of FAS 123(R), and (b) compensation expense for all share-based payments granted prior to, but that were unvested as of, January 1, 2006, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the original provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” (“FAS 123”). The Company previously recorded share-based compensation expense in accordance with the provisions of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, ‘‘Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees’’ (‘‘APB 25’’), which allowed the Company to record share-based compensation cost based on the intrinsic value of the share-based award at the date of grant.
     Under FAS 123(R), the Company calculates the grant date fair value of share-based awards using a lattice valuation model for grants subsequent to the adoption of FAS 123(R). For grants prior to the adoption of FAS 123(R), the Company used a Black-Scholes valuation model. Determining the fair value of share-based awards is judgmental in nature and involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions, including the term of the share-based awards, risk-free interest rates over the vesting period, expected dividend rates, the price volatility of the Company’s shares and forfeiture rates of the awards. Prior to adopting FAS 123(R), the Company recognized forfeitures only as they occurred. The Company bases its fair value estimates on assumptions it believes to be reasonable but that are inherently uncertain. Actual future results may differ from those estimates.
     Under FAS 123(R) the Company also reports the benefits of tax deductions in excess of recognized compensation expense as a financing cash inflow in the 2007 and 2006 consolidated statements of cash flows. Prior to the adoption of FAS 123(R), the Company reported these tax benefits as an operating cash flow.
Research and development costs
     Costs related to the research and development of new Company programs are expensed in the period incurred. Research and development costs were immaterial in 2007, 2006 and 2005.
Income taxes
     Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on temporary differences between the financial reporting bases and the tax bases of assets and liabilities. These deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when such amounts are expected to reverse or be utilized. The realization of total deferred tax assets is contingent upon the generation of future taxable income. A valuation allowance is provided to reduce such deferred tax assets to amounts more likely than not to be ultimately realized.
     The Company adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes—an interpretation of FASB Statement 109” (“FIN 48”) on January 1, 2007. The impact of adoption was not material. FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes” (“FAS 109”). FIN 48 prescribes that a company should use a more-likely- than-not recognition threshold based on the technical merits of the tax position taken. Tax positions that meet the “more-likely-than-not” recognition threshold should be measured as the largest amount of the tax benefits, determined on a cumulative probability basis, which is more likely than not to be realized upon ultimate settlement in the financial statements. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to income tax matters as a component of the Provision for income taxes.

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Concentration of credit risk and sources of revenues
     Financial instruments, which potentially expose the Company to concentration of credit risk, consist primarily of membership fees receivable and cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities. Concentrations of credit risk with respect to membership fees receivable are limited due to the large number of members and their dispersion across many different industries and countries worldwide. However, the Company may be exposed to a declining membership base in periods of unforeseen market downturns, severe competition or international developments. The Company performs periodic evaluations of the membership base and related membership fees receivable and establishes allowances for potential credit losses.
     The Company generates a percentage of its revenues from members located outside of the United States. In 2007, 2006 and 2005, approximately 30%, 27% and 25% of revenues, respectively, were generated from members located outside of the United States. Revenues from customers in European countries were approximately 17%, 15% and 14% in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively, with no other geographic area representing more than 10% of revenues in any period. No individual member accounted for more than 2% of revenues for any period presented.
     The Company’s international operations subject the Company to risks related to currency exchange fluctuations. Prices for the Company’s products are denominated predominately in U.S. dollars, even when sold to customers that are located outside the United States. Many of the costs associated with the Company’s operations located outside the United States are denominated in local currencies. In 2006, the Company began to use forward contracts to protect against foreign currency exchange rate risks inherent with the Company’s cost reimbursement agreement with its UK subsidiary. A forward contract obligates the Company to exchange a predetermined amount of U.S. dollars to make an equivalent Pound Sterling (“GBP”) payment equal to the value of such exchange.
     The Company maintains a portfolio of cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities, which is designed for safety of principal and liquidity. Cash and cash equivalents consist of highly liquid U.S. government and U.S. Treasury obligations that mature within three months of purchase. Marketable securities consist primarily of U.S. Treasury notes and bonds and Washington, D.C. tax exempt notes and bonds. The Company performs periodic evaluations of the relative credit ratings related to the cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities.
Comprehensive income
     Comprehensive income is defined as net income plus the net-of-tax impact of unrealized gains and losses on marketable securities and foreign currency hedges. The accumulated elements of other comprehensive income, net of tax, included within stockholders’ equity on the consolidated balance sheets are primarily composed of the unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale marketable securities at December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 and foreign currency hedge transactions of approximately $1.1 million at December 31, 2007 only. The change in unrealized gains (losses), net of tax, on available-for-sale marketable securities amounted to $1.3 million, $(0.3) million and $(1.4) million in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. The tax expense (benefit) associated with the change in unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale marketable securities included within comprehensive income was $0.8 million, $(0.4) million, and $(0.7) million in 2007, 2006, and 2005, respectively.
Earnings per share
     Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the number of weighted average common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the number of weighted average common shares outstanding during the period increased by the dilutive effect of potential common shares outstanding during the period. The number of potential common shares outstanding has been determined in accordance with the treasury-stock method to the extent they are dilutive. Common share equivalents consist of common shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding share-based compensation awards. A reconciliation of basic to diluted weighted average common shares outstanding is as follows (in thousands):

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    Year ended December 31,  
    2007     2006     2005  
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding
    36,666       39,712       39,572  
Effect of dilutive common shares outstanding
    493       1,009       1,520  
 
                 
 
                       
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding
    37,159       40,721       41,092  
 
                 
     Approximately 1.35 million shares related to share-based compensation awards have been excluded from the dilutive effect shown above as their impact would be anti-dilutive.
3. Recent accounting pronouncements
     In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, ‘‘Fair Value Measurements’’ (‘‘FAS 157’’). This Statement clarifies how to measure fair value as permitted under other accounting pronouncements but does not require any new fair value measurements. In February 2008, the FASB agreed to delay the effective date of FAS 157 for all nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis, to fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of FAS 157 and has not yet determined the effect the adoption of FAS 157 will have on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.
     In February 2007, the FASB issued 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’’). This Statement permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value that are not currently required to be measured at fair value. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of FAS 159 and has not yet determined the effect the adoption of FAS 159 will have on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.
     In December 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141 (revised 2007), ‘‘Business Combinations’’ (‘‘FAS 141(R)’’). This Statement broadens the scope of acquisition accounting as prescribed in FAS 141, which applied only to business combinations in which control was obtained by transferring consideration, to all transactions and other events in which an entity obtains control of a business. FAS 141(R) establishes principles for how an acquirer recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed and any non-controlling interest in the acquiree by requiring recognition at the acquisition date, and measurement at their fair values as of that date, with limited exceptions specified in the Statement. FAS 141(R) also establishes requirements for how the acquirer recognizes and measures goodwill acquired in the business combination or a gain from a bargain purchase as defined in the Statement. In addition, FAS 141(R) establishes guidance for how the acquirer determines what information to disclose to enable users of the financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination. The Company will be required to adopt FAS 141(R) for acquisitions completed after January 1, 2009. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of FAS 141(R) and has not yet determined the effect the adoption of FAS 141(R) will have on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.
     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 amends Accounting Research Bulletin 51, “Consolidated Financial Statements” (ARB 51) to establish accounting and reporting standards for the non-controlling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. It clarifies that a non-controlling interest in a subsidiary is an ownership interest in the consolidated entity that should be reported as equity in the consolidated financial statements. The Company will be required to adopt FAS 160 as of January 1, 2009. The Company does not currently have a minority interests and FAS 160 is not expected to have a material impact.
4. Acquisitions
     On July 31, 2007, the Company acquired 100% of the equity interests of Information Technology Toolbox, Inc. (“ITtoolbox”).  ITtoolbox operates an online platform that connects a community of more than one million IT and other professionals. The community provides knowledge on a variety of IT related topics free of charge. Revenues are generated primarily through advertisements posted to the community Web portals. The acquisition was structured as a stock purchase through a newly created wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, CEB Toolbox, Inc.

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     The purchase price of ITtoolbox was $58.9 million, reduced by the assumption of $1.0 million in transition bonuses that will be paid for by the Company. The purchase price may be increased if certain financial thresholds are achieved during a 12-month period on or before December 31, 2010.  The operating results for the period from August 1, 2007 to December 31, 2007 are included in the Company’s consolidated statement of income. Pro forma information disclosing the results of operations in 2007 and 2006 is not presented as the effects were not material to the Company’s historical consolidated financial statements. The purchase price was allocated to the assets acquired, including intangible assets and liabilities assumed, based on their estimated fair values. The purchase price, including transaction costs of approximately $0.5 million, was preliminarily assigned as follows (in thousands):
         
Net working capital
  $ 1,547  
Property and equipment
    600  
Intangible assets
    20,294  
Goodwill
    35,916  
 
     
 
       
Allocated purchase price
  $ 58,357  
 
     
     Intangible assets of ITtoolbox that were acquired primarily include advertising customer relationships, user database, and technology integral to content management and connection with users and will be amortized over assigned lives ranging from 3 to 20 years.
     In September 2005, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets and technology of the Executive Performance Group (‘‘EPG’’) to support the launch of the Shared Services Roundtable membership program. Under the terms of the EPG acquisition agreement, the initial purchase price of $8.2 million will be increased if certain future business operating conditions are achieved on or before December 31, 2008. Any additional payments would be recorded as a purchase price adjustment. The Company has included the results of operations of the EPG business from the date of the acquisition. Pro forma financial information for this acquisition has not been presented, as the effects were not material to the Company’s historical consolidated financial statements.
5. Marketable securities
     The aggregate market value, amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and gross unrealized losses on available-for-sale marketable securities are as follows (in thousands):
                                 
    December 31, 2007  
                    Gross     Gross  
    Market     Amortized     Unrealized     Unrealized  
    Value     Cost     Gains     Losses  
U.S. Treasury notes and bonds
  $ 57,033     $ 56,641     $ 392     $  
Washington, D.C. tax exempt notes and bonds
    39,738       38,694       1,044        
 
                       
 
                               
Total marketable securities
  $ 96,771     $ 95,335     $ 1,436     $  
 
                       
                                 
    December 31, 2006  
                    Gross     Gross  
    Market     Amortized     Unrealized     Unrealized  
    Value     Cost     Gains     Losses  
U.S. Treasury notes and bonds
  $ 272,160     $ 273,853     $ 1     $ 1,694  
Washington, D.C. tax exempt notes and bonds
    43,760       42,788       973       1  
 
                       
 
                               
Total marketable securities
  $ 315,920     $ 316,641     $ 974     $ 1,695  
 
                       
     The following table summarizes marketable securities maturities (in thousands):
                 
    December 31, 2007  
    Fair Market     Amortized  
    Value     Cost  
Less than one year
  $ 24,153     $ 24,093  
Matures in 1 to 5 years
    61,382       60,333  
Matures in 6 to 10 years
    11,236       10,909  
Matures after 10 years
           
 
           
 
               
Total marketable securities
  $ 96,771     $ 95,335  
 
           

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      Included in the balance of marketable securities at December 31, 2007 and 2006 are $50 million of United States treasury notes that are held by the Company as a security deposit relating to the Arlington, Virginia office lease.
      In 2007, the sale of marketable securities resulted in net realized investment gains of approximately $142,000. The Company did not sell any marketable securities in 2006. In 2005, the sale of marketable securities resulted in gross realized investment losses of $2.3 million.
6. Membership fees receivable
     Membership fees receivable consists of the following (in thousands):
                 
    December 31,  
    2007     2006  
Billed
  $ 117,738     $ 119,022  
Unbilled
    45,346       35,240  
 
           
 
               
 
    163,084       154,262  
Reserve for uncollectible revenue
    (1,748 )     (1,155 )
 
           
 
               
Membership fees receivable, net
  $ 161,336     $ 153,107  
 
           
7. Property and equipment
     Property and equipment consists of the following (in thousands):
                 
    December 31,  
    2007     2006  
Furniture, fixtures, and equipment
  $ 31,815     $ 14,574  
Software and Web site development costs
    14,752       13,710  
Leasehold improvements
    72,741       16,459  
 
           
 
               
 
    119,308       44,743  
Accumulated depreciation
    (27,404 )     (17,755 )
 
           
 
               
Property and equipment, net
  $ 91,904     $ 26,988  
 
           
     Depreciation expense was $13.1, $9.7 and $7.1 million in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Approximately $32.8 million of leasehold improvements relate to lease incentives and were paid by the Company’s landlords, including approximately $31.2 million relating to our new office space in Arlington, Virginia. The lease incentives will be amortized over the appropriate lease terms and recorded as a reduction of rent expense. See “Note 15. Commitments and contingencies” for further discussion.
8. Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
     Accounts payable and accrued liabilities consists of the following (in thousands):
                 
    December 31,  
    2007     2006  
Accounts payable
  $ 11,319     $ 8,021  
Advanced membership payments received
    14,197       21,976  
Other accrued liabilities
    37,165       36,776  
 
           
 
               
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
  $ 62,681     $ 66,773  
 
           
9. Other liabilities
     Other liabilities consist of the following (in thousands):
                 
    December 31,  
    2007     2006  
Deferred compensation
  $ 12,242     $ 7,882  
Lease incentives
    31,201        
Deferred rent benefit – long term
    8,081       4,592  
Accrued lease restructuring charges
    5,165       5,210  
Deferred revenues – long term
    3,105        
 
           
 
               
Total other liabilities
  $ 59,794     $ 17,684  
 
           

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10. Stockholders’ equity and share-based compensation
Share-based compensation
     Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted FAS 123(R) using the modified prospective transition method, and therefore, has not restated results for prior periods. Under this transition method, share-based compensation expense in 2007 and 2006 includes compensation expense for all share-based compensation awards granted prior to, but not vested as of January 1, 2006, based on the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with the original provisions of FAS 123. Share-based compensation expense for all share-based compensation awards granted on or after January 1, 2006 is based on the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of FAS 123(R). The Company previously recorded share-based compensation expense in accordance with the provisions of APB 25, which allowed the Company to record share-based compensation expense based on the intrinsic value of the share-based award at the date of grant.
     Under the principal share-based compensation plans, the Company may grant certain employees, directors and consultants options to purchase common stock, stock appreciation rights and restricted stock units. Options are rights to purchase common stock of the Company at the fair market value on the date of grant. Stock appreciation rights are equity settled share-based compensation arrangements whereby the number of shares of the Company’s common stock that will ultimately be issued is based upon the appreciation of the Company’s common stock and the number of awards granted to an individual. Restricted stock units are equity settled share-based compensation arrangements of a number of shares of the Company’s common stock. Holders of options and stock appreciation rights do not participate in dividends until after the exercise of the award. Restricted stock unit holders do not participate in dividends nor do they have voting rights until the restrictions lapse.
     The total compensation expense related to share-based compensation awards in 2007 and 2006 was $22.8 million and $25.3 million, respectively. The Company’s net income in 2007 and 2006 was $14.3 million lower and $15.6 million lower, respectively, including tax benefits of $8.5 million and $9.7 million, respectively, than if the Company had continued to account for share-based compensation under APB 25. Basic and diluted earnings per share in 2007 were $0.39 lower than if the Company had not adopted FAS 123(R). In 2006, basic and diluted earnings per share were $0.40 and $0.39 lower, respectively, than if the Company had not adopted FAS 123(R).
     FAS 123(R) requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and adjusted, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. The forfeiture rate is based on historical experience. Share-based compensation expense is recognized on a straight line basis, net of an estimated forfeiture rate, for only those shares expected to vest over the requisite service period of the award, which is generally the option vesting term of four years. In the pro-forma information required under FAS 123, as amended by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 148, ‘‘Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation —Transition and Disclosure’’ (‘‘FAS 148’’) for the periods prior to 2006, the Company accounted for forfeitures as they occurred. When estimating forfeitures, the Company considers voluntary termination behaviors as well as trends of actual forfeitures.
     Prior to the adoption of FAS 123(R), the Company presented the excess tax benefit of stock option exercises as operating cash flows. Upon the adoption of FAS 123(R), excess tax benefits resulting from tax deductions in excess of the compensation cost recognized for those options are classified as financing cash flows. In 2007 and 2006, the Company included $2.4 million and $41.2 million, respectively, of excess tax benefits in the financing section of the consolidated statements of cash flows, representing the amount of excess tax benefit used to reduce the Company’s tax liability incurred during 2007 and 2006, respectively.
Equity incentive plans
     The Company issues awards under the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended, adopted in 2004 (the ‘‘2004 Plan’’) and the Directors’ Stock Option Plan, adopted in 1998 (the ‘‘Directors’ Plan’’) (together ‘‘the Plans’’). All regular employees, directors and consultants are eligible to receive equity awards. The Plans provide for the granting of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, deferred stock units and incentive bonuses. The 2004 Plan provides for the issuance of up to 6,300,000 shares of common stock, plus any shares subject to outstanding awards under prior equity compensation plans up to an aggregate maximum of 9,400,000 shares. The terms of the awards granted under the Plans, including vesting, forfeiture and post termination exercisability are set by the plan administrator, subject to certain restrictions. The contractual term of equity awards ranges from 4 to 10 years. The Company had 3.8 million shares available for issuance under the Plans at December 31, 2007.

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Valuation assumptions
     In the first quarter of 2006, the Company changed the valuation model used for estimating the fair value of share-based compensation awards from a Black-Scholes valuation model to a lattice valuation model. This change was made because of the Company’s belief that the lattice valuation model provides a better estimate of fair value of shared-based compensation awards granted. The lattice model can incorporate a range of possible outcomes over an award’s term and can be adjusted for changes in certain assumptions over time. The Black-Scholes model assumptions are more constant over time, which is not always consistent with an employee’s exercise behavior.
     The following assumptions were used to value grants of share-based awards for each respective period:
                         
    Year ended December 31,
    2007   2006   2005
Risk-free interest rate
    4.47 %     4.80 %     4.29 %
Dividend yield
    2.01 %     1.29 %     0.6 %
Expected life of option (in years)
    4.8       4.5       4.4  
Expected volatility
    30 %     30 %     30 %
Weighted-average fair value of share-based compensation awards granted
  $ 17.85     $ 26.14     $ 19.80  
     The Black-Scholes model would have produced a value that was approximately 7% higher and 12% higher in 2007 and 2006, respectively. The valuation of restricted stock units is determined using the fair market value on the date of grant, discounted by the present value of dividends expected to be declared and paid over the vesting period.
Pro-forma information for periods prior to the adoption of FAS 123(R)
     Prior to the adoption of FAS 123(R), the Company provided the disclosures required under FAS 123 as if the fair value method defined by FAS 123 had been applied to share-based compensation. Pro-forma information for 2005 was as follows:
         
    Year ended  
    December 31, 2005  
    (In thousands, except  
    per share amounts)  
Net income, as reported
  $ 75,060  
Deduct: Total share-based compensation expense determined under fair value based methods for all awards, net of related tax effects
    (16,759 )
 
     
Pro forma net income
  $ 58,301  
 
     
 
       
Earnings per share:
       
Basic — as reported
  $ 1.90  
Basic — pro forma
  $ 1.47  
Diluted — as reported
  $ 1.83  
Diluted — pro forma
  $ 1.43  

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Common stock options
     The following table summarizes the changes in common stock options in 2007 and 2006:
                                 
                    Weighted    
            Weighted   Average   Aggregate
    Number   Average   Remaining   Intrinsic Value
2007   of Options   Exercise Price   Contractual Term   (in millions)
Options outstanding, beginning of year
    2,942,132     $ 50.63       5.13     $ 109.1  
Options granted
                           
Options cancelled
    (149,250 )     56.92                  
Options exercised
    (593,929 )     39.20                  
 
                               
Options outstanding, end of year
    2,198,953     $ 53.28       4.10     $ 15.0  
 
                               
 
                               
Options vested and expected to vest at end of year
    2,151,328     $ 53.13       4.10     $ 15.0  
 
                               
 
                               
Options exercisable, end of year
    1,338,954     $ 48.66       4.20     $ 15.3  
 
                               
                                 
                    Weighted    
            Weighted   Average   Aggregate
    Number   Average   Remaining   Intrinsic Value
2006   of Options   Exercise Price   Contractual Term   (in millions)
Options outstanding, beginning of year
    5,271,183     $ 44.96       6.14          
Options granted
                           
Options cancelled
    (152,262 )     54.62                  
Options exercised
    (2,176,789 )     36.71                  
 
                               
Options outstanding, end of year
    2,942,132     $ 50.63       5.13     $ 109.1  
 
                               
 
                               
Options vested and expected to vest at end of year
    2,849,979     $ 50.39       5.13     $ 106.3  
 
                               
 
                               
Options exercisable, end of year
    881,508     $ 44.15       5.17     $ 38.4  
 
                               
     The following table summarizes the changes in common stock options in 2005:
                 
    2005  
            Weighted  
    Number of     Average  
    Options     Exercise Price  
Options outstanding, beginning of year
    5,411,706     $ 36.20  
Options granted
    1,417,500       66.85  
Options cancelled
    (171,625 )     49.03  
Options exercised
    (1,386,398 )     32.70  
 
             
Options outstanding, end of year
    5,271,183     $ 44.96  
 
             
 
               
Options exercisable, end of year
    1,557,684     $ 35.05  
 
             

41


 

     The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total pretax intrinsic value (the difference between the Company’s closing stock price on the last trading day of 2007 and 2006 of $60.10 and $87.70, respectively, and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of share-based awards) that would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options on December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. This amount changes over time based on changes in the fair market value of the Company’s stock. A total of 1,128,584 and 1,500,383 options vested in 2007 and 2006, respectively, with a total fair value of $20.1 million and $25.8 million, respectively.
     The following table summarizes the characteristics of options at December 31, 2007:
                                         
    Options Outstanding     Options Exercisable  
                    Weighted                
            Weighted     Average             Weighted  
    Number Outstanding     Average     Remaining     Number Exercisable     Average  
    at     Exercise     Contractual     at     Exercise  
Range of Exercise Prices   December 31, 2007     Price     Life-Years     December 31, 2007     Price  
$  7.12 — $32.30      365,217     $ 31.11       4.82       362,217     $ 31.10  
 32.41 —   45.10     678,870       43.98       3.31       420,496       43.36  
 46.45 —   64.88     1,022,241       63.20       4.27       502,616       61.93  
 65.68 —   89.70     132,625       85.42       4.88       53,625       84.49  
 
                                   
$  7.12 — $89.70      2,198,953     $ 53.28       4.10       1,338,954     $ 48.66  
 
                             
Stock appreciation rights
     The following table summarizes the changes in stock appreciation rights in 2007 and 2006:
                                 
    Number of                    
    Stock     Weighted     Weighted Average     Aggregate  
    Appreciation     Average     Remaining     Intrinsic Value  
2007   Rights     Exercise Price     Contractual Term     (in millions)  
Stock appreciation rights outstanding, beginning of year
    614,145     $ 97.36       6.20     $  
Stock appreciation rights granted
    840,486       74.48       6.28          
Stock appreciation rights cancelled
    (161,312 )     86.67                  
Stock appreciation rights exercised
                           
 
                             
Stock appreciation rights outstanding, end of year
    1,293,319     $ 83.82       5.85     $  
 
                             
 
                               
Stock appreciation rights vested and expected to vest at end of year
    1,171,169     $ 84.13       5.83     $  
 
                             
 
                               
Stock appreciation rights exercisable, end of year
    134,292     $ 97.52       5.20     $  
 
                             

42


 

                                 
    Number of                    
    Stock     Weighted     Weighted Average     Aggregate  
    Appreciation     Average     Remaining     Intrinsic Value  
2006   Rights     Exercise Price     Contractual Term     (in millions)  
Stock appreciation rights outstanding, beginning of year
        $                  
Stock appreciation rights granted
    628,150       97.36       6.20          
Stock appreciation rights cancelled
    (14,005 )     97.56                  
Stock appreciation rights exercised
                           
 
                             
Stock appreciation rights outstanding, end of year
    614,145     $ 97.36       6.20     $  
 
                             
 
                               
Stock appreciation rights vested and expected to vest at end of year
    579,386     $ 97.36       6.20     $  
 
                             
 
                               
Stock appreciation rights exercisable, end of year
        $                  
 
                             
     The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total pretax intrinsic value (the difference between the Company’s closing stock price on the last trading day of 2007 and 2006 of $60.10 and $87.70, respectively, and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of share-based awards) that would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their stock appreciation rights on December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. This amount changes over time based on changes in the fair market value of the Company’s stock.
     The following table summarizes the characteristics of stock appreciation rights at December 31, 2007:
                                         
                    Weighted                
            Weighted     Average             Weighted  
    Number Outstanding     Average     Remaining     Number Exercisable     Average  
    at     Exercise     Contractual     at     Exercise  
Range of Exercise Prices   December 31, 2007     Price     Life-Years     December 31, 2007     Price  
$66.60 — $  76.00
    753,361     $ 74.13       6.29           $  
  86.49 —   103.97
    539,958       97.34       5.22       134,292       97.52  
 
                                   
$66.60 — $103.97
    1,293,319     $ 83.82       5.85       134,292     $ 97.52  
 
                             
Restricted stock units
     The following table summarizes the changes in restricted stock units in 2007 and 2006:
                 
    Number     Weighted Average  
    of Restricted     Remaining  
2007   Stock Units     Term  
Restricted stock units outstanding, beginning of year
    60,123       3.20  
Restricted stock units granted
    73,529       3.18  
Restricted stock units cancelled
    (17,499 )        
Restricted stock units vested
    (14,885 )        
 
             
Restricted stock units outstanding, end of year
    101,268       2.79  
 
             
 
               
Restricted stock units vested and expected to vest at end of year
    90,128       2.79  
 
             
                 
    Number     Weighted Average  
    of Restricted     Remaining  
2006   Stock Units     Term  
Restricted stock units outstanding, beginning of year
             
Restricted stock units granted
    60,661       3.20  
Restricted stock units cancelled
    (538 )        
Restricted stock units vested
             
 
             
Restricted stock units outstanding, end of year
    60,123       3.20  
 
             
 
               
Restricted stock units vested and expected to vest at end of year
    55,952       3.20  
 
             

43


 

     A total of 73,529 and 60,661 restricted stock units were granted in 2007 and 2006, respectively, at a weighted average fair value of $74.07 per share and $94.78 per share, respectively.
     At December 31, 2007, $31.3 million of total estimated unrecognized share-based compensation cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 2.3 years.
Share Repurchases
     In July 2007, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase of up to an additional $125 million of the Company’s common stock, which, when combined with the remaining balance of the existing share repurchase authorizations, provided the Company the opportunity to repurchase up to approximately $149.2 million of the Company’s shares as of the date of the additional share repurchase authorization in July 2007. Repurchases may be made from time to time in open market and privately negotiated transactions subject to market conditions. No minimum number of shares has been fixed. The Company has funded, and expects to continue to fund, its share repurchases with cash on hand and cash generated from operations. In 2007, 2006 and 2005, the Company repurchased 4.3 million, 1.9 million and 0.9 million shares of its common stock at a total cost of $303.0 million, $176.0 and $61.5 million, respectively. The remaining share repurchase authorization was $64.2 million at December 31, 2007.
Dividends
     In 2007, the Company’s Board of Directors declared quarterly cash dividends of $0.40 per share, which were paid on March 30, 2007, June 29, 2007, September 28, 2007 and December 28, 2007 to stockholders of record at the close of business on March 9, 2007, June 15, 2007, September 14, 2007 and December 14, 2007. The Company funds its dividend payments with cash on hand and cash generated from operations.
Preferred stock
     At December 31, 2007 and 2006, the Company had 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock authorized with a par value of $0.01 per share. No shares were issued and outstanding at December 31, 2007 and 2006.
11. Lease restructuring costs
     In September 2005, the Company entered into an agreement whereby the existing lease for the Company’s headquarters in Washington, D.C. was modified to terminate in early 2008, with some space terminating on July 31, 2006. As a result, the Company recorded a $1.2 million, net lease restructuring charge composed of the items further described below. The Company incurred a one time termination charge payable to the lessor in the amount of $775,000 as a result of the early termination. The Company further recorded $667,000 in expense relating to the rental payments and operating expenses for the period from the date of the agreement in September 2005 to July 2006 for the space that was exited on July 31, 2006. The termination of the lease agreements resulted in the reduction of the original lease term and, therefore, the reversal of rent expense previously recognized for deferred rent obligations that the Company will no longer incur. In addition, the Company recorded a non-cash benefit of approximately $223,000 for the reversal of a portion of certain deferred rental obligations that were previously being recognized over the life of the original lease term, resulting in constant rent expense over the original lease term. All amounts are included in ‘‘General and administrative’’ expenses in the 2005 consolidated statement of income.
12. Income taxes
     The provision for income taxes consists of the following (in thousands):
                         
    Year ended December 31,  
    2007     2006     2005  
Current tax expense
  $ 57,351     $ 62,728     $ 23,801  
Deferred tax (benefit) expense
    (9,850 )     (13,167 )     14,749  
 
                 
 
                       
Provision for income taxes
  $ 47,501     $ 49,561     $ 38,550  
 
                 

44


 

     In 2007, 2006 and 2005, the Company made cash payments for income taxes of approximately $60.8 million, $9.0 million and $0.8 million, respectively.
     The provision for income taxes differs from the amount of income taxes determined by applying the U.S. federal income tax statutory rate to income before provision for income taxes as follows:
                         
    Year ended December 31,  
    2007     2006     2005  
Statutory U.S. federal income tax rate
    35.0 %     35.0 %     35.0 %
State income taxes, net of federal benefit
    3.3       3.9        
Foreign income tax
    (0.1 )           (0.1 )
Permanent differences and credits, net
    (1.1 )     (0.4 )     (1.0 )
 
                 
 
                       
Effective tax rate
    37.1 %     38.5 %     33.9 %
 
                 
     The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities consist of the following (in thousands):
                 
    December 31,  
    2007     2006  
Deferred tax assets:
               
Share-based compensation
  $ 14,075     $ 8,493  
Accrued incentive compensation
    9,196       7,533  
Tax credit carry forwards
    8,529       9,317  
Depreciation
    5,542       3,178  
Deferred compensation plan
    4,739       3,066  
Deferred revenue
    3,906       3,514  
Non-cash lease incentive
    2,469       2,417  
Operating leases
    2,036       650  
Other
    2,095       1,382  
 
           
Total deferred tax assets
    52,587       39,550  
Valuation allowance
    (7,878 )     (5,821 )
 
           
Total deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance
    44,709       33,729  
 
               
Deferred tax liabilities:
               
Deferred incentive compensation
    6,177       5,119  
Other
    1,515       605  
 
           
Total deferred tax liabilities
    7,692       5,724  
 
               
Deferred tax assets, net
  $ 37,017     $ 28,005  
 
           

45


 

     In estimating future tax consequences, FAS 109 generally considers all expected future events in the determination and valuation of deferred tax assets and liabilities. The Company believes that its future taxable income will be sufficient for the full realization of the net deferred income tax assets.
     The Company realized current tax benefits (reduction of taxes payable) resulting from the use of net operating loss carry forwards of $0, $0 and $13.3 million in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.
     The Office of Tax and Revenue of the Government of the District of Columbia (the ‘‘Office of Tax and Revenue’’) adopted regulations in accordance with the New E-Conomy Transformation Act of 2000 (the ‘‘Act’’) that modify the income and franchise tax, sales and use tax and personal property tax regulations, effective April 2001. Specifically, the regulations provide certain credits, exemptions and other benefits to a Qualified High Technology Company (‘‘QHTC’’). In October 2003, the Company received notification from the Office of Tax and Revenue that its certification as a QHTC under the Act had been accepted. As a QHTC, the Company’s Washington, D.C. statutory income tax rate was 0.0% through 2005 and is 6.0% thereafter. The Company is also eligible for certain Washington, D.C. income tax credits and other benefits. The Company has Washington D.C. tax credit carry forwards resulting in deferred tax assets of $8.5 million and $9.3 million at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. These credits expire in years 2011 through 2017. The Company recorded a $7.9 million and $5.8 million valuation allowance at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
     Undistributed earnings of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries amounted to approximately $10.3 million and $6.1 million at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Those earnings are considered to be indefinitely reinvested; accordingly, no provision for U.S. federal and state income taxes has been provided thereon. Upon repatriation of those earnings, in the form of dividends or otherwise, the Company would be subject to both U.S. income taxes (subject to an adjustment for foreign tax credits) and withholding taxes payable to the various foreign countries. Determination of the amount of unrecognized deferred U.S. income tax liability is not practicable due to the complexities associated with its hypothetical calculation; however, unrecognized foreign tax credit carry forwards would be available to reduce some portion of the U.S. liability.
     The Company adopted the provisions of FIN 48 on January 1, 2007 and there was no difference between the amounts of unrecognized tax benefits recognized in the balance sheet prior to the adoption of FIN 48. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending unrecognized tax benefit is as follows (in thousands):
         
Balance at January 1, 2007
  $ 900  
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year
     
Additions for tax positions of prior years
     
Reductions for tax positions of prior years
     
Reductions for lapse of statute of limitations
     
Settlements
     
 
     
Balance at December 31, 2007
  $ 900  
 
     
     The Company files income tax returns in U.S. federal, state, and foreign jurisdictions. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal, state, and local tax examinations in major tax jurisdictions for periods prior to 2004. All of the Company’s unrecognized tax benefit liability would affect the Company’s effective tax rate if recognized. The Company accrued $70,000 of interest in 2007. The Company does not currently anticipate that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly increase within the next 12 months.

46


 

13. Employee benefit plans
Defined contribution 401(k) plan
     The Company sponsors a defined contribution 401(k) plan (the ‘‘Plan’’) in which the Company’s employees participate. Pursuant to the Plan, all employees who have reached the age of 21 are eligible to participate. Prior to 2007, the Company provided a discretionary contribution equal to 25% of an employee’s contribution up to a maximum of 4% of base salary. Effective January 1, 2007, the Company adopted amendments to the Plan in which the Company provides a discretionary contribution equal to 50% of an employee’s contribution up to a maximum of 6% of base salary. The amendments to the Plan additionally provide that effective January 1, 2007, the Company’s matching contribution on behalf of an employee is subject to a four-year vesting schedule of 25% per year beginning one year from the employee’s date of hire, and that an employee must be employed by the Company on the last day of a Plan year in order to vest in the Company’s contribution for that year. Company contributions to the Plan were $3.1 million, $1.1 million and $0.8 million in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.
Employee stock purchase plan
     The Company sponsors an employee stock purchase plan (the ‘‘ESPP’’) for all eligible employees. Under the ESPP, employees authorize payroll deductions from 1% to 10% of their eligible compensation to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock. The total shares of the Company’s common stock authorized for issuance under the ESPP is 1,050,000. Under the plan, shares of the Company’s common stock may be purchased over an offering period, typically three months, at 85% of the lower of the fair market value on the first day of the applicable offering period or on the last day of the three month purchase period. In 2007, 2006 and 2005, the Company issued 33,677 shares, 26,875 shares and 24,956 shares of common stock, respectively, under the ESPP. At December 31, 2007, approximately 0.9 million shares were available for issuance.
Deferred compensation plan
     Effective July 1, 2005, the Company implemented a Deferred Compensation Plan (the ‘‘Plan’’) for certain employees and members of the Board of Directors to provide an opportunity to defer compensation on a pre-tax basis. The Plan provides for deferred amounts to be credited with investment returns based upon investment options selected by participants from alternatives designated from time to time by the plan administrative committee. Investment earnings associated with the Plan’s assets are included in Other income, net while changes in individual participant account balances are recorded as compensation expense in the consolidated statements of income. The Plan also allows the Company to make discretionary contributions at any time based on individual or overall Company performance, which may be subject to a different vesting schedule than elective deferrals, and provides that the Company will make up any 401(k) plan match that is not credited to the participant’s 401(k) account due to his or her participation in the Plan. The Company has established a rabbi trust to hold assets utilized by the Company to pay benefits under the Plan. The Company did not make any discretionary contributions to the Plan in 2007, 2006 and 2005.
14. Sales of common stock
     In March 2006 and 2005, certain of the Company’s shareholders sold 0.9 million and 1.3 million shares, respectively, of the Company’s common stock in transactions that were exempt from registration. The common stock sold consisted primarily of common stock obtained by employees and directors from the exercise of Company common stock options. The Company did not directly receive any proceeds from the sale of its common stock; however, it did receive cash from the exercise of the common stock options in March 2005.
15. Commitments and contingencies
Operating leases
     The Company leases office facilities in the United States, United Kingdom and India expiring on various dates through 2028. In the second quarter of 2006, the Company entered into a new lease agreement for additional office space in the United Kingdom. In the third quarter of 2006, the Company entered into new lease agreements for additional office space in Washington, D.C. The expiration of the new Washington, D.C. leases coincided with the Company’s move to the new Arlington, Virginia headquarters in early 2008. In the fourth quarter of 2006, the Company entered into new lease agreements for additional office locations in Chicago, Illinois and San Francisco, California. The Chicago office lease is for a seven-year term with total remaining lease payments of $6.1 million. The San Francisco lease is for a six-year term with total remaining lease payments of $1.9 million. With our acquisition of Information Technology Toolbox, Inc. in the third quarter of 2007, we acquired the lease obligations for its office locations in Scottsdale, Arizona and West Chester, Pennsylvania. The Scottsdale lease continues for a 26-month term from the date of our acquisition with total lease payments of $0.5 million over that term. The West Chester lease continues for a 32-month term from the date of our acquisition with total lease payments of $0.3 million over that term. Certain lease agreements include provisions for rental escalations and require the Company to pay for executory costs such as taxes and insurance. Future minimum rental payments under non-cancelable operating leases, excluding executory costs, are as follows (in thousands):

47


 

         
Year ended December 31,        
2008
  $ 34,904  
2009
    33,752  
2010
    33,413  
2011
    32,970  
2012
    32,644  
Thereafter
    421,671  
 
     
 
       
Total
  $ 589,354  
 
     
     Pursuant to the terms of the Arlington, Virginia lease, the Company had the option to accelerate the date at which it could obtain control of a portion of the leased property. This option was exercised for the month of January 2008 in which the Company elected early access to certain floors of the building.
     Rent expense was $21.9 million, $15.1 million and $13.3 million in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. The Company has entered into letter of credit agreements totaling $3.8 million to provide security deposits for certain office space leases. The letters of credit expire in the period from March 2008 through January 2009, but will automatically extend for another year from their expiration dates, unless we terminate them. We expect to terminate approximately $1.4 million of the letters of credit relating to the security deposits for the Washington, D.C. office space leases when the leases expire in 2008. To date, no amounts have been drawn on these agreements. Under the terms of the Arlington, Virginia lease agreement, the Company has committed to providing the landlord security deposits totaling $50 million. The Company has pledged $50 million of long-term marketable securities to the landlord as collateral for this obligation.
     From time to time, the Company is subject to ordinary routine litigation incidental to its normal business operations. The Company is not currently a party to, and the Company’s property is not subject to, any material legal proceedings.
     The Company continues to evaluate potential tax exposures relating to sales and use, payroll, income, and property tax laws and regulations for various states in which the Company sells or supports its goods and services. Accruals for potential contingencies are recorded by the Company when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the liability can be reasonably estimated. As additional information becomes available, changes in the estimates of the liability are reported in the period that those changes occur. The Company paid $3.3 million in January 2007 to resolve sales and use tax obligations in various states. The Company accrued a liability of approximately $2.0 million and $4.1 million at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively relating to certain sales and use tax regulations for states in which the Company sells or supports its goods and services.
     The Company expects the total costs of the tenant build-out for the Waterview office location in Arlington, Virginia (“Waterview”) to be approximately $100 million, of which approximately $40 million will be paid by the landlord. In March 2007, the Company entered into a contract for approximately $57 million for the general construction of the build-out which is expected to be paid within 12 months. At December 31, 2007, approximately $31.2 million of Waterview tenant build-out costs were funded, and paid by the landlord, directly through lease incentives and therefore, excluded from the cash flow statement as a non-cash investing activity. The lease incentive will be amortized over the term of the lease as a reduction of rent expense.

48


 

16. Quarterly financial data (unaudited)
     Unaudited summarized financial data by quarter in 2007 and 2006 is as follows (in thousands, except per-share amounts):
                                 
    2007 Quarter Ended
    March 31   June 30   September 30   December 31
Revenues
  $ 124,525     $ 129,697     $ 136,288     $ 142,206  
Gross profit
    79,849       82,433       90,688       96,658  
Income before provision for income taxes
    31,495       28,167       34,784       33,642  
Net income
  $ 19,370     $ 17,323     $ 21,392     $ 22,502  
Earnings per share:
                               
Basic
  $ 0.50     $ 0.47     $ 0.60     $ 0.64  
Diluted
  $ 0.50     $ 0.46     $ 0.59     $ 0.63  
                                 
    2006 Quarter Ended
    March 31   June 30   September 30   December 31
Revenues
  $ 105,069     $ 111,662     $ 118,390     $ 125,502  
Gross profit
    67,609       72,603       75,633       80,756  
Income before provision for income taxes
    27,835       28,883       34,328       37,686  
Net income
  $ 17,119     $ 17,763     $ 21,112     $ 23,177  
Earnings per share:
                               
Basic
  $ 0.43     $ 0.44     $ 0.53     $ 0.59  
Diluted
  $ 0.42     $ 0.43     $ 0.52     $ 0.58  
17. Subsequent events
Dividends
     In February 2008, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.44 per share. The dividend is payable on March 31, 2008 to stockholders of record at the close of business on March 14, 2008. The Company will fund its dividend payments with cash on hand and cash generated from operations.
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.
     None.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures.
     We carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(b) as of December 31, 2007. Management necessarily applied its judgment in assessing the costs and benefits of such controls and procedures which, by their nature, can provide only reasonable assurance regarding management’s control objectives. It should be noted that the design of any system of controls is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions, regardless of how remote. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that as of the date of such evaluation, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective in providing reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and in timely alerting them to material information relating to the Company required to be included in our periodic SEC reports. There have been no significant changes in our internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect those controls subsequent to the date of this evaluation.
     No changes in our internal control over financial reporting occurred during the most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
     See ‘‘Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data’’ of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Report of Management’s Assessment of Internal Control over Financial Reporting.

49


 

Item 9B. Other Information.
     None.
PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.
     The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to the information provided under the headings ‘‘Election of Directors’’ and ‘‘Executive Officers’’ of our Proxy Statement.
Item 11. Executive Compensation.
     The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference from the information provided under the headings ‘‘Compensation Discussion and Analysis’’ and ‘‘ Executive Compensation’’ of our Proxy Statement.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.
     Information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference from the information provided under the headings, ‘‘Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management’’ and ‘‘Equity Compensation Plan Information’’ of our Proxy Statement.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.
     None.
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services.
     The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference from the information provided under the heading ‘‘Independent Registered Accounting Firm’s Fees and Services’’ of our Proxy Statement.

50


 

PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules.
(1)   The following financial statements of the registrant and reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm are included in Item 8 hereof:
 
    Report of Management’s Assessment of Internal Control over Financial Reporting,
 
    Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm,
 
    Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2007 and 2006,
 
    Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005,
 
    Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005,
 
    Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, and
 
    Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
(2)   Except as provided below, all schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission either have been included in the consolidated financial statements or are not required under the related instructions, or are not applicable and therefore have been omitted.
 
    Schedule II—Valuation and Qualifying Accounts.
 
(3)   The exhibits listed below are filed or incorporated by reference as part of this Form 10-K.

51


 

     
Exhibit    
No.   Description of Exhibit
3.1
  Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.*
 
   
3.2
  Amended and Restated Bylaws.*
 
   
4.1
  Specimen Common Stock Certificate.*
 
   
10.1
  Employment Agreement, dated January 21, 1999, between The Corporate Executive Board Company and James J. McGonigle.*†
 
   
10.2
  Stock Option Agreement Pursuant to The Corporate Advisory Board Company Stock-Based Incentive Compensation Plan, effective as of October 31, 1997, between The Corporate Executive Board Company and James J. McGonigle, as amended on January 21, 1999.*†
 
   
10.3
  Agreement Concerning Exclusive Services, Confidential Information, Business Opportunities, Non-Competition, Non-Solicitation and Work Product, dated January 21, 1999, between The Corporate Executive Board Company and James J. McGonigle.*
 
   
10.4
  Form of Agreement Concerning Exclusive Services, Confidential Information, Business Opportunities, Non-Competition, Non-Solicitation and Work Product.*
 
   
10.5
  The Corporate Executive Board Company Stock-Based Incentive Compensation Plan, adopted on October 31, 1997, as amended and restated in February 1999.*** †
 
   
10.6
  Amended Directors’ Stock Plan and Standard Terms and Conditions for Director Non-qualified Stock Options.*** †
 
   
10.7
  1999 Stock Option Plan and Standard Terms and Conditions for 1999 Stock Option Plan Incentive Stock Options.*** †
 
   
10.8
  Employee Stock Purchase Plan dated June 23, 2000.**
 
   
10.9
  2001 Stock Option Plan. ## †
 
   
10.10
  2002 Non-Executive Stock Incentive Plan. ì
 
   
10.11
  2004 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended June 14, 2007. †
 
   
10.12
  Non-Competition Agreement, effective as of January 1, 1999, as amended effective October 25, 2001, among The Advisory Board Company, The Corporate Executive Board Company and David G. Bradley.* #
 
   
10.13
  Agreement of Lease, dated June 25, 1998, between The Corporate Executive Board Company and The George Washington University.*
 
   
10.14
  License Agreement, effective as of October 31, 1997, between The Corporate Executive Board Company and The Advisory Board Company.*
 
   
10.15
  Form of term sheet for director non-qualified stock options. ### †
 
   
10.16
  Employment Agreement, dated March 20, 2002, between The Corporate Executive Board Company and Michael A. Archer. ±†
 
   
10.17
  The Corporate Executive Board Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended January 1, 2006.****†
 
   
10.18
  Standard Terms and Conditions for Restricted Stock Units under the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan and form of Term Sheet for Restricted Stock Units. ####†
 
   
10.19
  Standard Terms and Conditions for Non-Qualified Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights under the 1999 Stock Option Plan, 2001 Stock Option Plan, 2002 Non-Executive Stock Incentive Plan and the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan and form of Term Sheet for Stock Appreciation Rights. #####†

52


 

     
Exhibit    
No.   Description of Exhibit
 
   
10.20
  Employment Agreement, dated May 19, 2006, between The Corporate Executive Board Company and Thomas L. Monahan III. +†
 
   
10.21
  Agreement Concerning Exclusive Services, Confidential Information, Business Opportunities, Non-Competition, Non-Solicitation and Work Product, dated August 20, 1997, between the Company’s predecessor and Thomas L. Monahan III. ++
 
   
10.22
  Employment Agreement, dated July 25, 2006, between The Corporate Executive Board Company and James J. McGonigle relating to employment, board service, non-competition and related matters. +++†
 
   
10.23
  Amendments to the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan, 2002 Non-Executive Stock Incentive Plan, 2001 Stock Option Plan, 1999 Stock Option Plan, Employee Stock Purchase Plan and Directors’ Stock Plan, adopted December 22, 2006. ++++†
 
   
10.24
  2007 Chief Executive Officer Incentive Plan Summary. +++++†
 
   
10.25
  Executive Committee Incentive Plan Summary. ‡†
 
   
10.26
  Collaboration Agreement, dated February 6, 2007, with The Advisory Board Company (Confidential treatment has been requested for portions of this agreement.) ‡‡
 
   
10.27
  Severance Agreement, dated July 30, 2004, between The Corporate Executive Board and Glenn Tobin. ‡‡‡†
 
   
10.28
  Form of Employer Protection Agreement. ‡‡‡‡
 
   
10.29
  Amendments, adopted February 21, 2007, to the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan. ‡‡‡‡‡†
 
   
10.30
  Form of Indemnity Agreement between The Corporate Executive Board Company and its directors and officers.
 
   
14.1
  Code of Ethics For Directors, Executives and Employees.
 
   
21.1
  List of the Subsidiaries of The Corporate Executive Board Company.
 
   
23.1
  Consent of Ernst and Young LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
 
   
31.1
  Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
 
   
31.2
  Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
 
   
32.1
  Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 USC Section 1350.
 
*   Incorporated by reference to the registrant’s registration statement on Form S-1, declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 22, 1999 (Registration No. 333-5983).
 
**   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 from the Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2000.
 
***   Incorporated by reference to the registrant’s registration statement on Form S-8, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 9, 1999 (Registration No. 333-74145).
 
****   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 from the Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2006.
 
#   Amendments incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 and 10.2 from the Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2001.
 
##   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the registrant’s registration statement on Form S-8 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 10, 2001 (Registration No. 333-67238).

53


 

###   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.43 from the Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the year ended December 31, 2001.
 
####   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 from the Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2006.
 
#####   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 from the Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2006.
 
+   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 from the Current Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 26, 2006.
 
++   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 from the Current Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 26, 2006.
 
+++   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 from the Current Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 26, 2006.
 
++++   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 from the Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the year ended December 31, 2006.
 
+++++   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 from the Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2007.
 
  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25 from the Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2007.
 
‡‡   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.26 from the Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2007.
 
‡‡‡   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.27 from the Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2007.
 
‡‡‡‡   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.28 from the Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2007.
 
‡‡‡‡‡   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.29 from the Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2007.
 
±   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 from the Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2002.
 
ì   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21.3 from the Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the year ended December 31, 2002.
 
  Compensation arrangement.

54


 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
We have audited the consolidated financial statements of The Corporate Executive Board Company as of December 31, 2006 and 2007, and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2007 and have issued our report thereon dated February 28, 2008 (included elsewhere in this Form 10-K). Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in Item 15 (2) of this Form 10-K. This schedule is the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion based on our audits.
In our opinion, the financial statement schedule referred to above, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Baltimore, Maryland
February 28, 2008

55


 

THE CORPORATE EXECUTIVE BOARD COMPANY
Schedule II—Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
(In thousands)
                                         
                    Additions              
                    Charged to              
    Balance at     Additions     Provision     Deductions        
    Beginning     Charged to     for Income     from     Balance at  
    of Year     Revenue     Taxes     Reserve     End of Year  
Year ended December 31, 2005
                                       
Reserve for uncollectible revenue
  $ 1,965     $ 2,960     $     $ 3,890     $ 1,035  
Valuation allowance on deferred tax assets
                3,144             3,144  
 
                             
 
                                       
 
  $ 1,965     $ 2,960     $ 3,144     $ 3,890     $ 4,179  
 
                             
 
                                       
Year ended December 31, 2006
                                       
Reserve for uncollectible revenue
  $ 1,035     $ 5,695     $     $ 5,575     $ 1,155  
Valuation allowance on deferred tax assets
    3,144             2,677             5,821  
 
                             
 
                                       
 
  $ 4,179     $ 5,695     $ 2,677     $ 5,575     $ 6,976  
 
                             
 
                                       
Year ended December 31, 2007
                                       
Reserve for uncollectible revenue
  $ 1,155     $ 8,560     $     $ 7,967     $ 1,748  
Valuation allowance on deferred tax assets
    5,821             2,057             7,878  
 
                             
 
                                       
 
  $ 6,976     $ 8,560     $ 2,057     $ 7,967     $ 9,626  
 
                             

56


 

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 dated as of February 29, 2008.
         
The Corporate Executive Board Company    
 
       
By:
  /s/ Thomas L. Monahan III
 
   
Thomas L. Monahan III    
Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer    
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below on February 29, 2008 by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacity indicated.
     
Signature   Title
 
   
/s/ Thomas L. Monahan III
 
Thomas L. Monahan III
  Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) 
   
 
   
/s/ Timothy R. Yost
 
Timothy R. Yost
  Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) 
 
   
 
   
/s/ Gregor S. Bailar
 
Gregor S. Bailar
  Director 
 
   
 
   
/s/ Stephen M. Carter
 
  Director 
Stephen M. Carter
   
 
   
/s/ Gordon J. Coburn
 
  Director 
Gordon J. Coburn
   
 
   
/s/ Robert C. Hall
  Director
 
Robert C. Hall
   
 
   
 
   
/s/ Nancy J. Karch
 
  Director 
Nancy J. Karch
   
 
   
/s/ David W. Kenny
 
  Director 
David W. Kenny
   
 
   
/s/ Daniel O. Leemon
 
  Director 
Daniel O. Leemon
   

57


 

EXHIBIT INDEX
     
Exhibit    
No.   Description of Exhibit
 
   
10.11
  2004 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended June 14, 2007.
 
   
10.30
  Form of Indemnity Agreement between The Corporate Executive Board Company and its directors and officers.
 
   
21.1
  List of the Subsidiaries of The Corporate Executive Board Company.
 
   
23.1
  Consent of Ernst and Young LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
 
   
31.1
  Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
 
   
31.2
  Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
 
   
32.1
  Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 USC Section 1350.

58

EX-10.11 2 w50404exv10w11.htm EXHIBIT 10.11 exv10w11
 

Exhibit 10.11
THE CORPORATE EXECUTIVE BOARD COMPANY
2004 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
(as amended)
1. Purpose
     The purpose of The Corporate Executive Board Company 2004 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) is to advance the interests of The Corporate Executive Board Company (the “Company”) by stimulating the efforts of employees, officers and, to the extent provided by Section 5(d) and Section 5(e), non-employee directors and other service providers, in each case who are selected to be participants, by heightening the desire of such persons to continue in working toward and contributing to the success and progress of the Company. The Plan supersedes the Company’s 1999 Stock Option Plan, 2001 Stock Option Plan and 2002 Non-Executive Stock Incentive Plan with respect to future awards, and provides for the grant of Incentive and Non-Qualified Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units and Deferred Stock Units, any of which may be performance-based, and for Incentive Bonuses, which may be paid in cash or stock or a combination thereof, as determined by the Administrator.
2. Definitions
     As used in the Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:
     (a) “Administrator” means the Administrator of the Plan in accordance with Section 18.
     (b) “Award” means an Incentive Stock Option, Non-Qualified Stock Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit, Deferred Stock Unit or Incentive Bonus granted to a Participant pursuant to the provisions of the Plan, any of which the Administrator may structure to qualify in whole or in part as a Performance Award.
     (c) “Award Agreement” means a written agreement or other instrument as may be approved from time to time by the Administrator implementing the grant of each Award. An Agreement may be in the form of an agreement to be executed by both the Participant and the Company (or an authorized representative of the Company) or certificates, notices or similar instruments as approved by the Administrator.
     (d) “Board of Directors” or “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.
     (e) “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and the rulings and regulations issues thereunder.
     (f) “Common Stock” means the Company’s common stock, par value $.01, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 12.
     (g) “Company” means The Corporate Executive Board Company, a Delaware corporation.
     (h) “Deferred Stock Unit” or “DSU” means an Award granted pursuant to Section 9 representing the unfunded and unsecured right to receive Common Stock or cash or a combination thereof, as determined by the Administrator, at the end of a specified deferral period.
     (i) “Incentive Bonus” means a bonus opportunity awarded under Section 10 pursuant to which a Participant may become entitled to receive an amount based on satisfaction of such performance criteria as are specified in the Award Agreement.
     (j) “Incentive Stock Option” or “ISO” means a stock option that is intended to qualify as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.
     (k) “Nonemployee Director” means each person who is, or is elected to be, a member of the Board of Directors and who is not an employee of the Company or any Subsidiary.
     (l) “Option” means an ISO and/or a NQSO granted pursuant to Section 6 of the Plan.

59


 

     (m) “Participant” means any individual described in Section 3 to whom Awards have been granted from time to time by the Administrator and any authorized transferee of such individual.
     (n) “Performance Award” means an Award, the grant, issuance, retention, vesting or settlement of which is subject to satisfaction of one or more Qualifying Performance Criteria established pursuant to Section 13.
     (o) “Plan” means The Corporate Executive Board Company 2004 Stock Incentive Plan as set forth herein and as amended from time to time.
     (p) “Prior Plans” mean The Corporate Executive Board Company 1999 Stock Option Plan, The Corporate Executive Board Company 2001 Stock Option Plan and The Corporate Executive Board Company 2002 Non-Executive Stock Incentive Plan.
     (q) “Qualifying Performance Criteria” has the meaning set forth in Section 13(b). As used in Section 13(b), the term “contract value” means the aggregate annualized revenue attributed to all agreements in effect at a given date without regard to the remaining duration of any such agreement, and the term “client renewal rate” means the percentage of member institutions renewed, adjusted to reflect reductions in member institutions resulting from mergers and acquisitions of members.
     (r) “Restricted Stock” means shares of Common Stock granted pursuant to Section 8 of the Plan.
     (s) “Restricted Stock Unit” means an Award granted to a Participant pursuant to Section 8 pursuant to which shares of Common Stock may be issued in the future.
     (t) “Retirement” has the meaning specified by the Administrator in the terms of an Award Agreement or, in the absence of any such term, shall mean, with respect to Participants other than Nonemployee Directors, retirement from active employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries (i) at or after age 55 and with the approval of the Administrator or (ii) at or after age 65. The determination of the Administrator as to an individual’s Retirement shall be conclusive on all parties.
     (u) “Stock Appreciation Right” means a right granted pursuant to Section 7 of the Plan that entitles the Participant to receive, in cash or shares of Common Stock or a combination thereof, as determined by the Administrator, value equal to or otherwise based on the excess of (i) the market price of a specified number of shares of Common Stock at the time of exercise over (ii) the exercise price of the right, as established by the Administrator on the date of grant.
     (v) “Subsidiary” means any corporation (other than the Company) in an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the Company where each of the corporations in the unbroken chain other than the last corporation owns stock possessing at least 50 percent or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in the chain, and if specifically determined by the Administrator in the context other than with respect to Incentive Stock Options, may include an entity in which the Company has a significant ownership interest or that is directly or indirectly controlled by the Company.
     (w) “Termination of employment” means ceasing to serve as a full-time employee of the Company and its Subsidiaries or, with respect to a Non-employee Director or service provider, ceasing to serve as such for the Company, except that (i) subject to Section 6(c), an approved leave of absence or approved employment on a less than full-time basis may constitute employment as determined by the Administrator, (ii) the Administrator may determine that a transition of employment to service with a partnership, joint venture or corporation not meeting the requirements of a Subsidiary in which the Company or a Subsidiary is a party is not considered a “termination of employment,” (iii) service as a member of the Board of Directors shall constitute continued employment with respect to Awards granted to a Participant while he or she served as an employee and (iv) service as an employee of the Company or a Subsidiary shall constitute continued employment with respect to Awards granted to a Participant while he or she served as a member of the Board of Directors. The Administrator shall determine whether any corporate transaction, such as a sale or spin-off of a division or subsidiary that employs a Participant, shall be deemed to result in a termination of employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries for purposes of any affected Participant’s Options, and the Administrator’s decision shall be final and binding.
     (x) “Total and Permanent Disablement” has the meaning specified by the Administrator in the terms of an Award Agreement or, in the absence of any such term or in the case of an Option intending to qualify as an ISO, the inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months. The determination of the Administrator as to an individual’s Total and Permanent Disablement shall be conclusive on all parties.

60


 

3. Eligibility
     Any person who is a current or prospective officer or employee (including any director who is also an employee, in his or her capacity as such) of the Company or of any Subsidiary shall be eligible for selection by the Administrator for the grant of Awards hereunder. To the extent provided by Section 5(e), any Nonemployee Director shall be eligible for selection by the Administrator for the grant of Awards hereunder. In addition, to the extent provided by Section 5(d), any service provider who has been retained to provide consulting, advisory or other services to the Company or to any Subsidiary shall be eligible for selection by the Administrator for the grant of Awards hereunder. Options intending to qualify as ISOs may only be granted to employees of the Company or any Subsidiary within the meaning of the Code, as selected by the Administrator. For purposes of this Plan, the Chairman of the Board’s status as an employee shall be determined by the Administrator.
4. Effective Date and Termination of Plan
     This Plan was adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company as of June 11, 2004, and originally became effective (the “Effective Date”) when it was approved by the Company’s stockholders on July 28, 2004. The first amendment and restatement of the Plan was adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company as of July 18, 2005, which became effective when it is approved by the Company’s stockholders on August 18, 2005. Subsequent amendments and restatements of the Plan were adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company on December 22, 2006 and February 21, 2007. The Plan was further amended and restated by the Board of Directors of the Company, effective upon approval by the Company’s stockholders at the Company’s 2007 Annual Meeting. The Plan shall remain available for the grant of Awards until the tenth (10th) anniversary of the Effective Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Plan may be terminated at such earlier time as the Board of Directors may determine. Termination of the Plan will not affect the rights and obligations of the Participants and the Company arising under Awards theretofore granted and then in effect.
5. Shares Subject to the Plan and to Awards
     (a) Aggregate Limits. The aggregate number of shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to all Awards shall not exceed 6,300,000, plus any shares subject to outstanding awards under the Prior Plans as of June 11, 2004 that on or after such date cease for any reason to be subject to such awards (other than by reason of exercise or settlement of the awards to the extent they are exercised for or settled in vested and nonforfeitable shares), up to an aggregate maximum of 9,400,000 shares. Any shares of Common Stock granted as Options or Stock Appreciation Rights shall be counted against this limit as one (1) share for every one (1) share granted. Any shares of Common Stock granted as Awards other than Options or Stock Appreciation Rights shall be counted against this limit as two and one-half (2.5) shares for every one (1) share granted. The aggregate number of shares of Common Stock available for grant under this Plan and the number of shares of Common Stock subject to outstanding Awards shall be subject to adjustment as provided in Section 12. The shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to Awards granted under this Plan may be shares that are authorized and unissued or shares that were reacquired by the Company, including shares purchased in the open market.
     (b) Issuance of Shares. For purposes of Section 5(a), the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock issued under this Plan at any time shall equal only the number of shares actually issued upon exercise or settlement of an Award and shall not include shares subject to Awards that have been canceled, expired or forfeited. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Shares subject to an Award under the Plan may not again be made available for issuance under Awards if such shares are: (i) shares that were subject to a stock-settled Stock Appreciation Right or Stock Option and that were not issued upon the net settlement or net exercise of such Stock Appreciation Right or Stock Option, or (ii) shares delivered to or retained by the Company to pay the exercise price or withholding taxes related to an Award.
     (c) Tax Code Limits. The aggregate number of shares of Common Stock subject to Options and Stock Appreciation Rights granted under this Plan during any calendar year to any one Participant shall not exceed 500,000, and the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock issued or issuable under all Awards granted under this Plan other than Options or Stock Appreciation Rights during any calendar year to any one Participant shall not exceed 200,000, which numbers shall be calculated and adjusted pursuant to Section 12 only to the extent that such calculation or adjustment will not affect the status of any Award intended to qualify as “performance based compensation” under Code Section 162(m). The aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of ISOs granted under this Plan shall not exceed 4,000,000, which number shall be calculated and adjusted pursuant to Section 12 only to the extent that such calculation or adjustment will not affect the status of any option intended to qualify as an ISO under Code Section 422. The maximum amount payable pursuant to that portion of an Incentive Bonus granted under this Plan for any calendar year to any Participant that is intended to satisfy the requirements for “performance based compensation” under Code Section 162(m) shall not exceed four million dollars ($4,000,000).
     (d) Awards to Service Providers. The aggregate number of shares of Common Stock issued under this Plan pursuant to all Awards granted to service providers shall not exceed 100,000.

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     (e) Director Awards. The aggregate number of shares of Common Stock subject to Options and Stock Appreciation Rights granted under this Plan during any calendar year to any one Nonemployee Director shall not exceed 30,000, and the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock issued or issuable under all Awards granted under this Plan other than Options or Stock Appreciation Rights during any calendar year to any one Nonemployee Director shall not exceed 12,000; provided, however, that in the calendar year in which a Nonemployee Director first joins the Board of Directors, the maximum number of shares subject to Awards granted to the Participant may be up to two hundred percent (200%) of the number of shares set forth in the foregoing limits.
6. Options
     (a) Option Awards. Options may be granted at any time and from time to time prior to the termination of the Plan, to Participants selected by the Administrator. No Participant shall have any rights as a stockholder with respect to any shares of stock subject to Option hereunder until said shares have been issued. Each Option shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement. Options granted pursuant to the Plan need not be identical but each Option must contain and be subject to the terms and conditions set forth below.
     (b) Price. The purchase price under each Option shall be established by the Administrator, provided that in no event will the purchase price be less than the market price of the Common Stock on the date of grant, except for Options that the Participant pays for or as to which the Participant foregoes other compensation equal in value to the amount of such discount. The purchase price of any Option may be paid in Common Stock, cash or a combination thereof, as determined by the Administrator, including an irrevocable commitment by a broker to pay over such amount from a sale of the shares issuable under an Option, the delivery of previously owned Common Stock and withholding of Common Stock deliverable upon exercise.
     (c) No Repricing. Other than in connection with a change in the Company’s capitalization (as described in Section 12) the exercise price of an Option may not be reduced without stockholder approval (including canceling previously awarded Options and regranting them with a lower exercise price).
     (d) Duration and Exercise or Termination of Option. The Administrator shall have the right to make the timing of the ability to exercise any Option subject to continued employment, the passage of time and/or such performance requirements as deemed appropriate by the Administrator, provided that in no event shall any Option become exercisable sooner than one (1) year after the date of grant except in the event of the Participant’s death, Total and Permanent Disablement or, Retirement or, a change of control (as defined in the applicable Award Agreement). Unless the Administrator provides otherwise Options shall become exercisable 25 percent per year beginning one (1) year after the date of the grant. Unless provided otherwise in the applicable Award Agreement, the vesting period and/or exercisability of an Option shall be adjusted by the Administrator during or to reflect the effects of any period during which the Participant is on an approved leave of absence or is employed on a less than full-time basis. Each Option shall expire within a period of not more than seven (7) years from the date of grant.
     (e) Termination of Employment: Unless an Option earlier expires upon the expiration date established pursuant to Section 6(d), upon the termination of the Participant’s employment, his or her rights to exercise an Option then held shall be only as follows, unless the Administrator specifies otherwise:
     (1) Death. Upon the death of a Participant while in the employ of the Company or any Subsidiary or while serving as a member of the Board of Directors, all of the Participant’s Options then held shall be exercisable by his or her estate, heir or beneficiary at any time during the twelve (12) months next succeeding the date of death. Any and all of the deceased Participant’s Options that are not exercised during the twelve (12) months next succeeding the date of death shall terminate as of the end of such twelve (12) month period.
          If a Participant should die within thirty (30) days of his or her termination of employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries, an Option shall be exercisable by his or her estate, heir or beneficiary at any time during the twelve (12) months succeeding the date of termination, but only to the extent of the number of shares as to which such Option was exercisable as of the date of such termination. Any and all of the deceased Participant’s Options that are not exercised during the twelve (12) months succeeding the date of termination shall terminate as of the end of such twelve (12) month period. A Participant’s estate shall mean his or her legal representative or other person who so acquires the right to exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance or by reason of the death of the Participant.
     (2) Total and Permanent Disablement. Upon termination of employment as a result of the Total and Permanent Disablement of any Participant, all of the Participant’s Options then held shall be exercisable for a period of twelve (12) months after termination. Any and all Options that are not exercised during the twelve (12) months succeeding the date of termination shall terminate as of the end of such twelve (12) month period.

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     (3) Retirement. Upon Retirement of a Participant, the Participant’s Options then held shall be exercisable for a period of twelve (12) months after Retirement. The number of shares with respect to which the Options shall be exercisable shall equal the total number of shares that were exercisable under the Participant’s Option on the date of his or her Retirement. Any and all Options that are unexercised during the twelve (12) months succeeding the date of termination shall terminate as of the end of such twelve (12) month period.
     (4) Other Reasons. Upon the date of a termination of a Participant’s employment for any reason other than those stated above in Sections 6(e)(1), (e)(2) and (e)(3) or as described in Section 15, (A) any Option that is unexercisable as of such termination date shall remain unexercisable and shall terminate as of such date, and (B) any Option that is exercisable as of such termination date shall expire the earlier of (i) ninety (90) days following such date or (ii) the expiration date of such Option.
     (f) Incentive Stock Options. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 6, in the case of the grant of an Option intending to qualify as an ISO: (i) if the Participant owns stock possessing more than 10 percent of the combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company (a “10% Stockholder”), the purchase price of such Option must be at least 110 percent of the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of grant and the Option must expire within a period of not more than five (5) years from the date of grant, (ii) termination of employment will occur when the person to whom an Award was granted ceases to be an employee (as determined in accordance with Section 3401(c) of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder) of the Company and its Subsidiaries. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 6 to the contrary, options designated as ISOs shall not be eligible for treatment under the Code as ISOs to the extent that either (iii) the aggregate fair market value of shares of Common Stock (determined as of the time of grant) with respect to which such Options are exercisable for the first time by the Participant during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and any Subsidiary) exceeds $100,000, taking Options into account in the order in which they were granted, and (iv) such Options otherwise remain exercisable but are not exercised within three (3) months of Termination of employment (or such other period of time provided in Section 422 of the Code).
     (g) Other Terms and Conditions: Options may also contain such other provisions, which shall not be inconsistent with any of the terms of this Plan, as the Administrator shall deem appropriate.
7. Stock Appreciation Rights
     Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted to Participants from time to time either in tandem with or as a component of other Awards granted under the Plan (“tandem SARs”) or not in conjunction with other Awards (“freestanding SARs”) and may, but need not, relate to a specific Option granted under Section 6. The provisions of Stock Appreciation Rights need not be the same with respect to each grant or each recipient. Any Stock Appreciation Right granted in tandem with an Option may be granted at the same time such Option is granted or at any time thereafter before exercise or expiration of such Option. All Stock Appreciation Rights under the Plan shall be granted subject to the same terms and conditions applicable to Options as set forth in Section 6; provided, however, that Stock Appreciation Rights granted in tandem with a previously granted Option shall have the terms and conditions of such Option. Subject to the provisions of Section 6, the Administrator may impose such other conditions or restrictions on any Stock Appreciation Right as it shall deem appropriate. Stock Appreciation Rights may be settled in shares of Common Stock, cash or combination thereof, as determined by the Administrator. Other than in connection with a change in the Company’s capitalization (as described in Section 12) the exercise price of a Stock Appreciation Rights may not be reduced without stockholder approval (including canceling previously awarded Stock Appreciation Rights and regranting them with a lower exercise price).
8. Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units
     (a) Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Unit Awards. Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units may be granted at any time and from time to time prior to the termination of the Plan to Participants selected by the Administrator. Restricted Stock is an award or issuance of shares of Common Stock the grant, issuance, retention, vesting and/or transferability of which is subject during specified periods of time to such conditions (including continued employment or performance conditions) and terms as the Administrator deems appropriate. Restricted Stock Units are Awards denominated in units of Common Stock under which the issuance of shares of Common Stock is subject to such conditions (including continued employment or performance conditions) and terms as the Administrator deems appropriate. Each grant of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement. Unless determined otherwise by the Administrator, each Restricted Stock Unit will be equal to one share of Common Stock and will entitle a Participant to either shares of Common Stock or an amount of cash determined with reference to the value of shares of Common Stock. To the extent determined by the Administrator, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units may be satisfied or settled in Common Stock, cash or a combination thereof. Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units granted pursuant to the Plan need not be identical but each grant of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units must contain and be subject to the terms and conditions set forth below.

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     (b) Contents of Agreement. Each Award Agreement shall contain provisions regarding (i) the number of shares of Common Stock or Restricted Stock Units subject to such Award or a formula for determining such number, (ii) the purchase price of the shares, if any, and the means of payment, (iii) the performance criteria, if any, and level of achievement versus these criteria that shall determine the number of shares or units granted, issued, retainable and/or vested, (iv) such terms and conditions on the grant, issuance, vesting and/or forfeiture of the shares or units as may be determined from time to time by the Administrator, (v) restrictions on the transferability of the shares or units and (vi) such further terms and conditions in each case not inconsistent with this Plan as may be determined from time to time by the Administrator. Shares of Common Stock issued under a Restricted Stock Award may be issued in the name of the Participant and held by the Participant or held by the Company, in each case as the Administrator may provide.
     (c) Sales Price. Subject to the requirements of applicable law, the Administrator shall determine the price, if any, at which Awards of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units, or shares of Common Stock issuable under Restricted Stock Unit Awards, shall be sold or awarded to a Participant, which may vary from time to time and among Participants and which may be below the market price of such shares at the date of grant.
     (d) Vesting. The grant, issuance, retention, vesting and/or settlement of shares of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units shall occur at such time and in such installments as determined by the Administrator or under criteria established by the Administrator. The Administrator shall have the right to make the timing of the grant and/or the issuance, ability to retain, vesting and/or settlement of shares of Restricted Stock and under Restricted Stock Units subject to continued employment, passage of time and/or such performance criteria as deemed appropriate by the Administrator; provided that in no event shall the grant, issuance, retention, vesting and/or settlement of shares under Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit Awards that is based on performance criteria and level of achievement versus such criteria be subject to a performance period of less than one year and no condition that is based upon continued employment or the passage of time shall provide for vesting or settlement in full of a Restricted Stock or Stock Unit Award over a period of less than three years from the date the Award is made, in each case except in the event of death, Total and Permanent Disablement or Retirement or a change of control (as defined in the applicable Award Agreement) . as specified in the agreement evidencing such Award. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the performance criteria for any Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit that is intended to satisfy the requirements for “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code shall be a measure based on one or more Qualifying Performance Criteria selected by the Administrator and specified at the time the Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit is granted.
     (e) Discretionary Adjustments and Limits. Subject to the limits imposed under Code Section 162(m) for Awards that are intended to qualify as “performance based compensation,” notwithstanding the satisfaction of any performance goals, the number of shares of Common Stock granted, issued, retainable and/or vested under an Award of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units on account of either financial performance or personal performance evaluations may be reduced by the Administrator on the basis of such further considerations as the Administrator shall determine.
     (f) Voting Rights. Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, Participants holding shares of Restricted Stock granted hereunder may exercise full voting rights with respect to those shares during the period of restriction. Participants shall have no voting rights with respect to shares of Common Stock underlying Restricted Stock Units unless and until such shares are reflected as issued and outstanding shares on the Company’s stock ledger.
     (g) Dividends and Distributions. Participants in whose name Restricted Stock is granted shall be entitled to receive all dividends and other distributions paid with respect to those shares, unless determined otherwise by the Administrator. Any such dividends or distributions will be subject to the same restrictions on transferability as the Restricted Stock with respect to which they were distributed. Shares underlying Restricted Stock Units shall be entitled to dividends or dividend equivalents only to the extent provided by the Administrator.
9. Deferred Stock Units
     The Administrator may establish rules for the deferred delivery of Common Stock upon exercise of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right and upon settlement, vesting or other events with respect to Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units, or in payment or satisfaction of an Incentive Bonus or of any other compensation arrangement maintained by the Company or a Subsidiary, in each case with the deferral evidenced by use of “Stock Units” equal in number to the number of shares of Common Stock whose delivery is so deferred or to the value of the amount being so deferred. A “Stock Unit” is a bookkeeping entry representing an amount equivalent to the fair market value of one share of Common Stock. Unless the Administrator specifies otherwise, Stock Units represent an unfunded and unsecured obligation of the Company. Settlement of Stock Units upon expiration of the deferral period shall be made in Common Stock, cash or a combination thereof, as determined by the Administrator. The amount of Common Stock, or other settlement medium, to be so distributed may be increased by dividend equivalents. Unless determined otherwise by the Administrator, during the deferral period a Participant will not have any rights as a stockholder of the Company, including, without limitation, voting rights and the right to receive dividends or distributions. Until a Stock Unit is so settled, the number of shares of Common Stock represented by a Stock Unit shall be subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 12. Any Stock Units that are settled after the holder’s death shall be distributed to the holder’s designated beneficiary(ies) or, if none was designated, the holder’s estate.

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10. Incentive Bonuses
     (a) General. Each Incentive Bonus Award will confer upon the Participant the opportunity to earn a future payment tied to the level of achievement with respect to one or more performance criteria established for a performance period of not less than one year.
     (b) Incentive Bonus Document. Each Award Agreement evidencing an Incentive Bonus shall contain provisions regarding (i) the target and maximum amount payable to the Participant as an Incentive Bonus, (ii) the performance criteria and level of achievement versus these criteria that shall determine the amount of such payment, (iii) the term of the performance period as to which performance shall be measured for determining the amount of any payment, (iv) the timing of any payment earned by virtue of performance, (v) restrictions on the alienation or transfer of the Incentive Bonus prior to actual payment, (vi) forfeiture provisions and (vii) such further terms and conditions, in each case not inconsistent with this Plan as may be determined from time to time by the Administrator.
     (c) Performance Criteria. The Administrator shall establish the performance criteria and level of achievement versus these criteria that shall determine the target and maximum amount payable under an Incentive Bonus, which criteria may be based on financial performance and/or personal performance evaluations. The Administrator may specify the percentage of the target Incentive Bonus that is intended to satisfy the requirements for “performance-based compensation” under Code Section 162(m). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the performance criteria for any portion of an Incentive Bonus that is intended by the Administrator to satisfy the requirements for “performance-based compensation” under Code Section 162(m) shall be a measure based on one or more Qualifying Performance Criteria (as defined in Section 13(b)) selected by the Administrator and specified at the time the Incentive Bonus is granted. The Administrator shall certify the extent to which any Qualifying Performance Criteria has been satisfied, and the amount payable as a result thereof, prior to payment of any Incentive Bonus that is intended to satisfy the requirements for “performance-based compensation” under Code Section 162(m).
     (d) Timing and Form of Payment. The Administrator shall determine the timing of payment of any Incentive Bonus. Payment of the amount due under an Incentive Bonus may be made in cash or in shares of Common Stock, as determined by the Administrator. The Administrator may provide for or, subject to such terms and conditions as the Administrator may specify, may permit a Participant to elect for the payment of any Incentive Bonus to be deferred to a specified date or event.
     (e) Discretionary Adjustments. Notwithstanding satisfaction of any performance goals, the amount paid under an Incentive Bonus on account of either financial performance or personal performance evaluations may be reduced by the Administrator on the basis of such further considerations as the Administrator shall determine.
11. Conditions and Restrictions Upon Securities Subject to Awards
     The Administrator may provide that the shares of Common Stock issued upon exercise of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right or otherwise subject to or issued under an Award shall be subject to such further agreements, restrictions, conditions or limitations as the Administrator in its discretion may specify prior to the exercise of such Option or Stock Appreciation Right or the grant, vesting or settlement of such Award, including without limitation, conditions on vesting or transferability, forfeiture or repurchase provisions and method of payment for the shares issued upon exercise, vesting or settlement of such Award (including the actual or constructive surrender of Common Stock already owned by the Participant) or payment of taxes arising in connection with an Award. Without limiting the foregoing, such restrictions may address the timing and manner of any resales by the Participant or other subsequent transfers by the Participant of any shares of Common Stock issued under an Award, including without limitation (i) restrictions under an insider trading policy or pursuant to applicable law, (ii) restrictions designed to delay and/or coordinate the timing and manner of sales by Participant and holders of other Company equity compensation arrangements, and (iii) restrictions as to the use of a specified brokerage firm for such resales or other transfers.
12. Adjustment of and Changes in the Stock
     In the event that the number of shares of Common Stock of the Company shall be increased or decreased through a reorganization, reclassification, combination of shares, stock split, reverse stock split, spin-off, dividend (other than regular, quarterly cash dividends), or otherwise in an equity restructuring transaction, as that term is defined in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised), then each share of Common Stock of the Company which has been authorized for issuance under the Plan, whether such share is then currently subject to or may become subject to an Award under the Plan, as well as the per share limits set forth in Section 5 of this Plan, shall be proportionately adjusted by the Administrator to reflect such increase or decrease, unless the Company provides otherwise under the terms of such transaction. The terms of any outstanding Award also shall be equitably adjusted by the Administrator as to price, number of shares of Common Stock subject to such Award and other terms to reflect the foregoing events.

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     In the event there shall be any other change in the number or kind of outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company, or any stock or other securities into which such Common Stock shall have been changed, or for which it shall have been exchanged, whether by reason of a change of control, other merger, consolidation or otherwise in circumstances that do not involve an equity restructuring transaction, as that term is defined in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised), then the Administrator shall, in its sole discretion, determine the appropriate adjustment, if any, to be effected. In addition, in the event of such change described in this paragraph, the Administrator may accelerate the time or times at which any Award may be exercised and may provide for cancellation of such accelerated Awards that are not exercised within a time prescribed by the Administrator in its sole discretion. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, any adjustment to Options granted pursuant to this Plan intended to qualify as ISOs shall comply with the requirements, provisions and restrictions of the Code.
     No right to purchase fractional shares shall result from any adjustment in Awards pursuant to this Section 12. In case of any such adjustment, the shares subject to the Award shall be rounded down to the nearest whole share. Notice of any adjustment shall be given by the Company to each Participant, which shall have been so adjusted and such adjustment (whether or not notice is given) shall be effective and binding for all purposes of the Plan.
13. Qualifying Performance-Based Compensation
     (a) General. The Administrator may establish performance criteria and level of achievement versus such criteria that shall determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be granted, retained, vested, issued or issuable under or in settlement of or the amount payable pursuant to an Award, which criteria may be based on Qualifying Performance Criteria or other standards of financial performance and/or personal performance evaluations. In addition, the Administrator may specify a percentage of an Award that is intended to satisfy the requirements for “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, provided that the performance criteria for any portion of an Award that is intended by the Administrator to satisfy the requirements for “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code shall be a measure based on one or more Qualifying Performance Criteria selected by the Administrator and specified at the time the Award is granted. The Administrator shall certify the extent to which any Qualifying Performance Criteria has been satisfied, and the amount payable as a result thereof, prior to payment, settlement or vesting of any Award that is intended to satisfy the requirements for “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code. Notwithstanding satisfaction of any performance goals, the number of shares issued under or the amount paid under an award may, to the extent specified in the Award Agreement, be reduced by the Administrator on the basis of such further considerations as the Administrator in its sole discretion shall determine.
     (b) Qualifying Performance Criteria. For purposes of this Plan, the term “Qualifying Performance Criteria” shall mean any one or more of the following performance criteria, either individually, alternatively or in any combination, applied to either the Company as a whole or to a business unit or Subsidiary, either individually, alternatively or in any combination, and measured either annually or cumulatively over a period of years, on an absolute basis or relative to a pre-established target, to previous years’ results or to a designated comparison group, in each case as specified by the Administrator: (i) cash flow (before or after dividends), (ii) earnings per share (including earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization), (iii) stock price, (iv) return on equity, (v) total stockholder return, (vi) return on capital (including return on total capital or return on invested capital), (vii) return on assets or net assets, (viii) market capitalization, (ix) economic value added, (x) debt leverage (debt to capital), (xi) revenue, (xii) income or net income, (xiii) operating income, (xiv) operating profit or net operating profit, (xv) operating margin or profit margin, (xvi) return on operating revenue, (xvii) cash from operations, (xviii) operating ratio, (xix) operating revenue, (xx) customer service, (xxi) contract value, or (xxii) client renewal rate. To the extent consistent with Section 162(m) of the Code, the Administrator may appropriately adjust any evaluation of performance under a Qualifying Performance Criteria to exclude any of the following events that occurs during a performance period: (i) asset write-downs, (ii) litigation, claims, judgments or settlements, (iii) the effect of changes in tax law, accounting principles or other such laws or provisions affecting reported results, (iv) accruals for reorganization and restructuring programs and (v) any extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring items as described in Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 30 and/or in management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations appearing in the Company’s Forms 10-K or 10-Q for the applicable year.

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14. Transferability
     Unless the Administrator specifies otherwise, each Award may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated by a Participant other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and each Option or Stock Appreciation Right shall be exercisable only by the Participant during his or her lifetime.
15. Suspension or Termination of Awards
     Except as otherwise provided by the Administrator, if at any time (including after a notice of exercise has been delivered or an award has vested) the Chief Executive Officer or any other person designated by the Administrator (each such person, an “Authorized Officer”) reasonably believes that a Participant may have committed an Act of Misconduct as described in this Section 15, the Authorized Officer, Administrator or Board of Directors may suspend the Participant’s rights to exercise any Option, to vest in an Award, and/or to receive payment for or receive shares of Common Stock in settlement of an Award pending a determination of whether an Act of Misconduct has been committed.
     If the Administrator or an Authorized Officer determines a Participant has committed an act of embezzlement, fraud, dishonesty, nonpayment of any obligation owed to the Company or any Subsidiary, breach of fiduciary duty or deliberate disregard of the Company or Subsidiary rules resulting in loss, damage or injury to the Company or any Subsidiary, or if a Participant makes an unauthorized disclosure of any Company or Subsidiary trade secret or confidential information, engages in any conduct constituting unfair competition, breaches any non-competition agreement, induces any Company or Subsidiary customer to breach a contract with the Company or any Subsidiary, or induces any principal for whom the Company or any Subsidiary acts as agent to terminate such agency relationship (any of the foregoing acts, an “act of misconduct”), then except as otherwise provided by the Administrator, (i) neither the Participant nor his or her estate nor transferee shall be entitled to exercise any Option whatsoever, vest in or have the restrictions on an Award lapse, or otherwise receive payment of an Award, (ii) the Participant will forfeit all outstanding Awards and (iii) the Participant may be required, at the Administrator’s sole discretion, to return and/or repay to the Company any then unvested shares of Common Stock previously issued under the Plan. In making such determination, the Administrator or an Authorized Officer shall give the Participant an opportunity to appear and present evidence on his or her behalf at a hearing before the Administrator or an opportunity to submit written comments, documents, information and arguments to be considered by the Administrator. Any dispute by a Participant or other person as to the determination of the Administrator shall be resolved pursuant to Section 23 of the Plan.
16. Compliance with Laws and Regulations
     This Plan, the grant, issuance, vesting, exercise and settlement of Awards thereunder, and the obligation of the Company to sell, issue or deliver shares under such Awards, shall be subject to all applicable foreign, federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations and to such approvals by any governmental or regulatory agency as may be required. The Company shall not be required to register in a Participant’s name or deliver any shares prior to the completion of any registration or qualification of such shares under any foreign, federal, state or local law or any ruling or regulation of any government body which the Administrator shall determine to be necessary or advisable. To the extent the Company is unable to or the Administrator deems it infeasible to obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company’s counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any shares hereunder, the Company and its Subsidiaries shall be relieved of any liability with respect to the failure to issue or sell such shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained. No Stock Option shall be exercisable and no shares shall be issued and/or transferable under any other Award unless a registration statement with respect to the shares underlying such Stock Option is effective and current or the Company has determined that such registration is unnecessary.
     In the event an Award is granted to or held by a Participant who is employed or providing services outside the United States, the Administrator may, in its sole discretion, modify the provisions of the Plan or of such Award as they pertain to such individual to comply with applicable foreign law or to recognize differences in local law, currency or tax policy. The Administrator may also impose conditions on the grant, issuance, exercise, vesting, settlement or retention of Awards in order to comply with such foreign law and/or to minimize the Company’s obligations with respect to tax equalization for Participants employed outside their home country.
17. Withholding
     To the extent required by applicable federal, state, local or foreign law, a Participant shall be required to satisfy, in a manner satisfactory to the Company, any withholding tax obligations that arise by reason of an Option exercise, disposition of shares issued under an ISO, the vesting of or settlement of deferred units under an Award, an election pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Code or otherwise with respect to an Award. The Company and its Subsidiaries shall not be required to issue shares of Common Stock, make any payment or to recognize the transfer or disposition of shares until such obligations are satisfied. The Administrator may permit these obligations to be satisfied by having the Company withhold a portion of the shares of Common Stock that otherwise would be issued to him or her upon exercise of the Option or the vesting or settlement of an Award, or by tendering shares previously acquired.

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18. Administration of the Plan
     (a) Administrator of the Plan. The Plan shall be administered by the Administrator who shall be the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors or, in the absence of a Compensation Committee, the Board of Directors itself. Any power of the Administrator may also be exercised by the Board of Directors, except to the extent that the grant or exercise of such authority would cause any Award or transaction to become subject to (or lose an exemption under) the short-swing profit recovery provisions of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or cause an Award designated as a Performance Award not to qualify for treatment as performance-based compensation under Code Section 162(m). To the extent that any permitted action taken by the Board conflicts with action taken by the Administrator, the Board action shall control. The Compensation Committee may by resolution authorize one or more officers of the Company to perform any or all things that the Administrator is authorized and empowered to do or perform under the Plan, and for all purposes under this Plan, such officer or officers shall be treated as the Administrator; provided, however, that the resolution so authorizing such officer or officers shall specify the total number of Awards (if any) such officer or officers may award pursuant to such delegated authority, and any such Award shall be subject to the form of Option agreement theretofore approved by the Compensation Committee. No such officer shall designate himself or herself or any Nonemployee Director as a recipient of any Awards granted under authority delegated to such officer. In addition, the Compensation Committee may delegate any or all aspects of the day-to-day administration of the Plan to one or more officers or employees of the Company or any Subsidiary, and/or to one or more agents.
     (b) Powers of Administrator. Subject to the express provisions of this Plan, the Administrator shall be authorized and empowered to do all things that it determines to be necessary or appropriate in connection with the administration of this Plan, including, without limitation: (i) to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to this Plan and to define terms not otherwise defined herein; (ii) to determine which persons are Participants, to which of such Participants, if any, Awards shall be granted hereunder and the timing of any such Awards, and to grant Awards; (iii) to grant Awards to Participants and determine the terms and conditions thereof, including the number of shares subject to Awards and the exercise or purchase price of such shares and the circumstances under which Awards become exercisable or vested or are forfeited or expire, which terms may but need not be conditioned upon the passage of time, continued employment, the satisfaction of performance criteria, the occurrence of certain events (including events which the Board or the Administrator determine constitute a Change of Control), or other factors; (iv) to establish and verify the extent of satisfaction of any performance goals or other conditions applicable to the grant, issuance, exercisability, vesting and/or ability to retain any Award; (v) to prescribe and amend the terms of the agreements or other documents evidencing Awards made under this Plan (which need not be identical) and the terms of or form of any document or notice required to be delivered to the Company by Participants under this Plan; (vi) to establish the terms of adjustments pursuant to Section 12; (vii) to interpret and construe this Plan, any rules and regulations under this Plan and the terms and conditions of any Award granted hereunder, and to make exceptions to any such provisions in good faith and for the benefit of the Company; and (viii) to make all other determinations deemed necessary or advisable for the administration of this Plan.
     (c) Determinations by the Administrator. All decisions, determinations and interpretations by the Administrator regarding the Plan, any rules and regulations under the Plan and the terms and conditions of or operation of any Award granted hereunder, shall be final and binding on all Participants, beneficiaries, heirs, assigns or other persons holding or claiming rights under the Plan or any Award. The Administrator shall consider such factors as it deems relevant, in its sole and absolute discretion, to making such decisions, determinations and interpretations including, without limitation, the recommendations or advice of any officer or other employee of the Company and such attorneys, consultants and accountants as it may select.
     (d) Subsidiary Awards. In the case of a grant of an Award to any Participant employed by a Subsidiary, such grant may, if the Administrator so directs, be implemented by the Company issuing any subject shares to the Subsidiary, for such lawful consideration as the Administrator may determine, upon the condition or understanding that the Subsidiary will transfer the shares to the Participant in accordance with the terms of the Award specified by the Administrator pursuant to the provisions of the Plan. Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, such Award may be issued by and in the name of the Subsidiary and shall be deemed granted on such date as the Administrator shall determine.
19. Amendment of the Plan or Awards
     The Board may amend, alter or discontinue this Plan and the Administrator may amend, or alter any agreement or other document evidencing an Award made under this Plan but, except as provided pursuant to the provisions of Section 12, no such amendment shall, without the approval of the stockholders of the Company:

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  (a)   increase the maximum number of shares for which Awards may be granted under this Plan;
 
  (b)   reduce the price at which Options may be granted below the price provided for in Section 6(a);
 
  (c)   reduce the exercise price of outstanding Options;
 
  (d)   extend the term of this Plan;
 
  (e)   change the class of persons eligible to be Participants;
 
  (f)   otherwise amend the Plan in any manner requiring stockholder approval by law or under the NASDAQ National Market listing requirements; or
 
  (g)   increase the individual maximum limits in Sections 5(c) and (d).
     No amendment or alteration to the Plan or an Award or Award Agreement shall be made which would impair the rights of the holder of an Award, without such holder’s consent, provided that no such consent shall be required if the Administrator determines in its sole discretion and prior to the date of any change of control (as defined in the applicable Award Agreement) that such amendment or alteration either is required or advisable in order for the Company, the Plan or the Award to satisfy any law or regulation or to meet the requirements of or avoid adverse financial accounting consequences under any accounting standard.
20. No Liability of Company
     The Company and any Subsidiary or affiliate which is in existence or hereafter comes into existence shall not be liable to a Participant or any other person as to: (i) the non-issuance or sale of shares of Common Stock as to which the Company has been unable to obtain from any regulatory body having jurisdiction the authority deemed by the Company’s counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any shares hereunder; and (ii) any tax consequence expected, but not realized, by any Participant or other person due to the receipt, exercise or settlement of any Award granted hereunder.
21. Non-Exclusivity of Plan
     Neither the adoption of this Plan by the Board of Directors nor the submission of this Plan to the stockholders of the Company for approval shall be construed as creating any limitations on the power of the Board of Directors or the Administrator to adopt such other incentive arrangements as either may deem desirable, including without limitation, the granting of restricted stock or stock options otherwise than under this Plan, and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases.
22. Governing Law
     This Plan and any agreements or other documents hereunder shall be interpreted and construed in accordance with the laws of the Delaware and applicable federal law. Any reference in this Plan or in the agreement or other document evidencing any Awards to a provision of law or to a rule or regulation shall be deemed to include any successor law, rule or regulation of similar effect or applicability.
23. Arbitration of Disputes
     In the event a Participant or other holder of an Award or person claiming a right under an Award or the Plan believes that a decision by the Administrator with respect to such person or Award was arbitrary or capricious, the person may request arbitration with respect to such decision. The review by the arbitrator shall be limited to determining whether the Participant or other Award holder has proven that the Administrator’s decision was arbitrary or capricious. This arbitration shall be the sole and exclusive review permitted of the Administrator’s decision. Participants, Award holders and persons claiming rights under an Award or the Plan explicitly waive any right to judicial review.

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     Notice of demand for arbitration shall be made in writing to the Administrator within thirty (30) days after the applicable decision by the Administrator. The arbitrator shall be selected by those members of the Board of Directors who are neither members of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors nor employees of the Company or any Subsidiary. If there are no such members of the Board of Directors, the arbitrator shall be selected by the Board of Directors. The arbitrator shall be an individual who is an attorney licensed to practice law in the District of Columbia, Commonwealth of Virginia or State of Delaware. Such arbitrator shall be neutral within the meaning of the Commercial Rules of Dispute Resolution of the American Arbitration Association; provided, however, that the arbitration shall not be administered by the American Arbitration Association. Any challenge to the neutrality of the arbitrator shall be resolved by the arbitrator whose decision shall be final and conclusive. The arbitration shall be administered and conducted by the arbitrator pursuant to the Commercial Rules of Dispute Resolution of the American Arbitration Association. Each side shall bear its own fees and expenses, including its own attorney’s fees, and each side shall bear one half of the arbitrator’s fees and expenses. The decision of the arbitrator on the issue(s) presented for arbitration shall be final and conclusive and may be enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction.
24. No Right to Employment, Reelection or Continued Service
     Nothing in this Plan or an Award Agreement shall interfere with or limit in any way the right of the Company, its Subsidiaries and/or its affiliates to terminate any Participant’s employment, service on the Board or service for the Company at any time or for any reason not prohibited by law, nor confer upon any Participant any right to continue his or her employment or service for any specified period of time. Neither an Award nor any benefits arising under this Plan shall constitute an employment contract with the Company, any Subsidiary and/or its affiliates, accordingly, subject to Sections 4 and 19, this Plan and the benefits hereunder may be terminated at any time in the sole and exclusive discretion of the Board of Directors without giving rise to any liability on the part of the Company, its Subsidiaries and/or its affiliates.

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EX-10.30 3 w50404exv10w30.htm EXHIBIT 10.30 exv10w30
 

Exhibit 10.30
AGREEMENT
     This INDEMNITY AGREEMENT made and entered into this                      day of                     , 2008, by and between The Corporate Executive Board Company, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and                     (the “Indemnitee”). This Agreement supercedes any prior indemnity agreements entered into between the Company and the Indemnitee.
      WHEREAS, the Board of Directors has determined that the ability to attract and retain qualified persons as directors, officers, and designated executives is critical to the best interests of the Company and, accordingly, the Company should act to assure such persons that there will be insurance and indemnification to protect against the tendency of increased litigation and other challenges by stockholders and others against officers, directors, and designated executives of companies; and
      WHEREAS, the Company has adopted provisions in its Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws providing for indemnification of its officers, directors, and designated executives to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, and the Indemnitee has been serving and continues to serve as a director or officer or designated executive of the Company in part in reliance on such provisions; and
      WHEREAS, Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, sets forth certain provisions relating to the mandatory and permissive indemnification of officers, directors, and designated executives (among others) of a Delaware corporation by such corporation is specifically not exclusive of other rights to which those indemnified thereunder may be entitled under any charter, by-law, agreement, contract, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or pursuant to the direction (howsoever embodied) of any court of competent jurisdiction or otherwise; and
      WHEREAS, in order to provide Indemnitee with contractual assurance that the protection set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws will be available to Indemnitee, the Company has determined, after due consideration and investigation of the terms and provisions of this Agreement and the various other options available to the Company and the Indemnitee in lieu hereof, that the following Agreement is not only reasonable and prudent but necessary to promote and ensure the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.
      NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the covenants contained herein, the Company and the Indemnitee do hereby covenant and agree as follows:
      SECTION 1. Service by the Indemnitee. The Indemnitee will serve and/or continue to serve as an officer or director or designated executive or designated executive or designated executive of the Company faithfully and to the best of his ability so long as such Indemnitee is duly elected or qualified in accordance with the provisions of the By-laws of the Company or until such time as such Indemnitee tenders his resignation in writing. The Indemnitee may at any time and for any reason resign from such position (subject to any other contractual obligation or other obligation imposed by operation of law). Nothing in this Agreement shall confer upon the Indemnitee the right to continue in the employ of the Company or affect the right of the Company to terminate the Indemnitee's employment at any time in the sole discretion of the Company, with or without cause.

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      SECTION 2. Indemnification in Proceedings Other than Those by or in the Right of the Company. The Indemnitee shall be entitled to the indemnification rights provided in this Section if Indemnitee is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any Proceeding (other than an action by or in the right of the Company) by reason of the fact that such Indemnitee is or was an officer or director or designated executive of the Company, or is or was an officer or director or designated executive of the Company serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, or by reason of anything done or not done by such Indemnitee in any such capacity. Pursuant to this Section, the Indemnitee shall be indemnified against all Expenses (defined below), judgments, penalties, Fines (defined below), liabilities and losses actually and reasonably incurred by such Indemnitee in connection with such Proceeding, so long as such Indemnitee acted in Good Faith (defined below) and in a manner reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, and with respect to any criminal action or Proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe such Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful.
      SECTION 3. Indemnification in Proceedings by or in the Right of the Company. The Indemnitee shall be entitled to the indemnification rights provided in this Section if such Indemnitee was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any Proceeding brought by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that such Indemnitee is or was an officer of the Company, or is or was an officer of the Company serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, designated executive, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, or by reason of anything done or not done by such Indemnitee in any such capacity. Pursuant to this Section, the Indemnitee shall be indemnified against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by such Indemnitee in connection with the defense or settlement of such Proceeding so long as such Indemnitee acted in Good Faith and in a manner reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company; provided, however, that no such indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue, or matter as to which the Indemnitee has been adjudged to be liable to the Company, unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or the court in which such Proceeding was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, the Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to Indemnification for such Expenses as the court shall deem proper.
      SECTION 4. Prohibited Indemnification. No indemnification pursuant to this Agreement shall be paid by the Company on account of:
      (a) Indemnitee’s conduct that is finally adjudged to have been knowingly fraudulent or to constitute willful misconduct;
      (b) any Proceeding in which judgment is rendered against the Indemnitee for an accounting of profits made from the purchase or sale by the Indemnitee of securities of the Company pursuant to the provisions of Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and amendments thereto or similar provisions of any federal, state or local statutory law;
      (c) conduct for which payment is actually made to the Indemnitee under a valid and collectible insurance policy or under a valid and enforceable indemnity clause, by-law or agreement, except in respect of any indemnity exceeding the payment under such insurance, clause, by-law or agreement;
      (d) if a final decision by a court having jurisdiction in the matter shall determine that such indemnification is not lawful (and, in this respect, both the Company and the Indemnitee have been advised that the Securities and Exchange Commission believes that (i) indemnification for liabilities arising under the federal securities laws is against public policy and is, therefore, unenforceable and (ii) claims for indemnification should be submitted to the appropriate court for adjudication); or

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      (e) any proceeding (or part thereof) by the Indemnitee against the Company or its directors, officers, employees, or other indemnitees, unless (1) such indemnification is expressly required to be made by law, (2) the proceeding was authorized by the Board, (3) such indemnification is provided by the Company, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the Company under applicable law, (4) to establish or enforce a right to indemnify under this Agreement or any other agreement or insurance policy or under the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws now or hereafter in effect or (5) the Proceeding is instituted after a Change in Control (other than a Change in Control approved by a majority of the directors on the Board who were directors immediately prior to such Change in Control).
      SECTION 5. Partial Indemnification. If the Indemnitee is entitled under any provision of this Agreement to indemnification by the Company for some or a portion of the Expenses, judgments, penalties, Fines, liabilities or losses actually and reasonably incurred by such Indemnitee in connection with a Proceeding described in Section 2 or 3, but not, however, for all of the total amount thereof, the Company shall nevertheless indemnify the Indemnitee for the portion of such Expenses, judgments, penalties, Fines, liabilities and losses actually and reasonably incurred by him to which the Indemnitee is entitled.
      SECTION 6. Determination of Entitlement to Indemnification.
      (a) Any indemnification under Sections 2 and 3 of this Agreement (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the Company only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination (in accordance with this Section 6) that indemnification of the Indemnitee is proper in the circumstances because such Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in Section 2 or 3, as the case may be. A determination of entitlement to indemnification shall be made by (i) the Board of Directors of the Company by a majority vote of Disinterested Directors, whether or not such majority constitutes a quorum; (ii) if the Board of Directors by the majority vote of Disinterested Directors so directs or if there are no Disinterested Directors, by Independent Counsel (defined below) in a written opinion to the Board of Directors, a copy of which shall be delivered to the Indemnitee; or (ii) the stockholders of the Company. The Independent Counsel shall be selected by the Board of Directors and approved by the Indemnitee. Upon failure of the Board so to select such Independent Counsel or upon failure of the Indemnitee so to approve, such Independent Counsel shall be selected upon application of Indemnitee by the Chancellor of the State of Delaware or such other person as the Chancellor shall designate to make such selection.
      (b) Notwithstanding anything in the foregoing to the contrary, to the extent that the Indemnitee has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, in defense of any Proceeding referred to in Sections 2 and 3, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, including, without limitation, the dismissal of any action without prejudice, or if it is ultimately determined that the Indemnitee is otherwise entitled to be indemnified against Expenses, the Indemnitee shall be indemnified against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection therewith, without the necessity of authorization in the specific case.
      (c) A determination of entitlement to indemnification shall be made by written request of the Indemnitee. The request shall include documentation or information which is necessary for such determination and which is reasonably available to the Indemnitee, and shall include a statement that the Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in Section 2 or 3 of this Agreement, as the case may be. Promptly upon receipt of the Indemnitee’s request for indemnification, the Secretary of the Company shall advise in writing the Board of Directors or such other person or persons empowered to make the determination of entitlement to indemnification that the Indemnitee has made a written request for indemnification. A determination of entitlement to indemnification shall be made promptly thereafter and not later than 65 days after receipt by the Company of a written request.

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      (d) If it is determined that the Indemnitee is entitled to all or part of the indemnification with respect to which the Indemnitee has made a request, the amount of the indemnification to which the Indemnitee is entitled shall be paid in full within 90 days after receipt by the Company of the written request for indemnification.
      (e) Any Expenses incurred by the Indemnitee in connection with his request for indemnification hereunder shall be borne by the Company. The Company hereby agrees to indemnify the Indemnitee for any such Expense and agrees to hold the Indemnitee harmless therefrom irrespective of the outcome of the determination of the Indemnitee's entitlement to indemnification. If the person making such determination shall determine that the Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification as to part (but not all) of the application for indemnification, such person shall reasonably prorate such partial indemnification among such claims, issues or matters.
      SECTION 7. Presumptions and Effect of Certain Proceedings. Upon making a written request for indemnification, the Indemnitee shall be presumed to be entitled to indemnification hereunder and the Company shall have the burden of proof in the making of any determination contrary to such presumption. The person or persons empowered to make the determination of entitlement to indemnification shall within 65 days after receipt by the Company of the request, specifically determine that the Indemnitee is so entitled, unless it or they make a determination that (i) sufficient evidence exists to rebut the presumption that the Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in Section 2 or 3 hereof, as the case may be or (ii) that the request relates to one of the matters with respect to which Section 2 of this Agreement prohibits indemnification. The termination of any Proceeding described in Section 2 or 3 by judgment, order, settlement conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the Indemnitee did not meet the applicable standard of conduct set forth in Section 2 or 3 or otherwise adversely affect the rights of the Indemnitee to indemnification except as may be provided herein.
      SECTION 8. Advancement of Expenses.
      (a) If so requested by the Inedmnitee, all Expenses incurred by the Indemnitee in defending or investigating a Proceeding shall be paid by the Company, in advance of the final disposition of the Proceeding, provided that if and to the extent the Company determines upon advice of counsel that Indemnitee would not be permitted to be so indemnified under applicable law, the Company shall be entitled to be reimbursed by Indemnitee (who hereby agrees to, and shall, reimburse the Company) for all such amounts theretofore paid in connection with the Proceeding then in question. Such Expenses shall be paid in full within 20 days after the receipt by the Company of a statement or statements from the Indemnitee requesting such advance or advances from time to time. Upon making a request for advancement of expenses, the Indemnitee shall be presumed to be entitled to the advancement hereunder and the Company shall have the burden of proof in the making of any determination contrary to such presumption. The Indemnitee’s entitlement to such Expenses shall include those incurred in connection with any Proceeding by the Indemnitee seeking an adjudication or award in arbitration pursuant to this Agreement. Such statement or statements shall reasonably evidence the Expenses incurred by him in connection therewith and shall include or be accompanied by an undertaking by or on behalf of the Indemnitee to repay such amount if it is ultimately determined that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified against such Expenses by the Company as provided by this Agreement or otherwise. Indemnitee's undertaking to repay any such amounts is not required to be secured.

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      (b) In the case of a suit brought by the Company to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the Company shall have the burden of proof in showing that the Indemnitee is not entitled to such advancement of expenses. The Company shall be entitled to recover such Expenses upon a final adjudication that the Indemnitee (i) has not acted in Good Faith and in a manner such Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, or (ii) with respect to any criminal action or Proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful.
      SECTION 9. Remedies of the Indemnitee in Cases of Determination not to Indemnify or to Advance Expenses.
      (a) In the event that a determination is made under Section 6 of this Agreement that the Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification hereunder, or if a request for indemnification is not paid in full within 90 days after receipt by the Company of a written request for indemnification, or if Expenses have not been paid in full within 20 days after receipt by the Company of a statement requesting an advance of Expenses, the Indemnitee shall be entitled to a final adjudication in any court of competent jurisdiction in the State of Delaware of his entitlement to such indemnification or advance. Alternatively, the Indemnitee at his option may seek an award in arbitration to be conducted by a single arbitrator pursuant to the rules of the American Arbitration Association, such award to be made within 60 days following the filing of the demand for arbitration.
      (b) Notice of any application for indemnification pursuant to this Section 9 shall be given to the Company promptly upon the filing of such application. The Company shall not oppose the Indemnitee's right to seek any such adjudication or award in arbitration. Such judicial proceeding or arbitration shall be made de novo and neither an actual determination by the Board of Directors under Section 6 of this Agreement that the Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct for indemnification set forth in Section 2 or 3 of this Agreement, as the case may be, nor the absence of any determination thereunder, shall be a defense to such application or create a presumption that the Indemnitee has not met any applicable standard of conduct.
      (c) If a determination is made or deemed to have been made pursuant to the terms of Section 6 that the Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Company shall be bound by such determination and is precluded from asserting that such determination has not been made or that the procedure by which such determination was made is not valid, binding and enforceable. The Company further agrees to stipulate in any such court or before any such arbitrator that the Company is bound by all the provisions of this Agreement and is precluded from making any assertions to the contrary.
      (d) If the court or arbitrator shall determine that the Indemnitee is entitled to any indemnification hereunder, the Company shall pay all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by the Indemnitee in connection with such adjudication or award in arbitration (including, but not limited to, any appellate Proceedings).
      SECTION 10. Notification and Defense of Claim. Promptly after receipt by the Indemnitee of notice of any Proceeding, the Indemnitee shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the Company under this Agreement, notify the Company in writing of the commencement thereof; but the omission so to notify the Company will not relieve the Company from any liability that it may have to the Indemnitee. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, with respect to any such Proceeding as to which the Indemnitee notifies the Company:
      (a) The Company shall be entitled to participate therein at its own expense; and

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      (b) Except as otherwise provided in this Section 10(b), to the extent that it may wish, the Company, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified, shall be entitled to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the Indemnitee. After notice from the Company to the Indemnitee of its election so to assume the defense thereof, the Company shall not be liable to the Indemnitee under this Agreement for any Expenses subsequently incurred by the Indemnitee in connection with the defense thereof other than costs of investigation or as otherwise provided below. The Indemnitee shall have the right to employ his own counsel in such Proceeding, but the fees and expenses of such counsel incurred after notice from the Company of its assumption of the defense thereof shall be at the expense of the Indemnitee unless (i) the employment of counsel by the Indemnitee has been authorized by the Company, (ii) the Indemnitee shall have reasonably concluded that there may be a conflict of interest between the Company and the Indemnitee in the conduct of the defense of such action or (iii) the Company shall not in fact have employed counsel to assume the defense of the action, in each of which cases the fees and expenses of Indemnitee’s counsel shall be at the expense of the Company. The Company shall not be entitled to assume the defense of any Proceeding brought by or on behalf of the Company or as to which the Indemnitee shall have made the conclusion provided for in (ii) above.
      (c) The Company shall not be liable to indemnify the Indemnitee under this Agreement for any amounts paid in settlement of any Proceeding effected without its written consent. The Company shall not settle any Proceeding in any manner that would impose any penalty or limitation on or disclosure obligation with respect to the Indemnitee without the Indemnitee’s written consent. Neither the Company nor the Indemnitee will unreasonably withhold its consent to any proposed settlement.
      SECTION 11. Other Rights to Indemnification. The indemnification and advancement of Expenses provided by or granted pursuant to this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which the Indemnitee may now or in the future be entitled under the Certificate of Incorporation or any By-laws, agreement, contract, vote of stockholders or Disinterested Directors, or pursuant to the direction (howsoever embodied) of any court of competent jurisdiction or otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office.
      SECTION 12. Expenses to Enforce Agreement. In the event that the Indemnitee is subject to or intervenes in any Proceeding in which the validity or enforceability of this Agreement is at issue or seeks an adjudication or award in arbitration to enforce his rights under, or to recover damages for breach of, this Agreement, the Indemnitee, if such Indemnitee prevails in whole or in part in such action, shall be entitled to recover from the Company and shall be indemnified by the Company against any actual Expenses incurred by him.
      SECTION 13. Insurance. To the extent the Company maintains liability insurance applicable to directors, officers, employees, control persons, fiduciaries or other agents and affiliates, Indemnitee shall be covered by such policies in such a manner as to provide to the Indemnitee the same rights and benefits as are accorded to the most favorably insured of the Company’s directors, if such Indemnitee is a director; or of the Company’s officers, if such Indemnitee is not a director of the Company but is an officer; or of the Company’s designated executives, if such Indemnitee is a designated executive.

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      SECTION 1. Duration of Agreement. This Agreement shall terminate upon the later of: (a) ten years after the Indemnitee has ceased to occupy any of the positions or have any relationships described in Section 1; and (b) the final termination of all pending or threatened Proceedings to which the Indemnitee may be subject by reason of the fact that such Indemnitee is or was a director or officer or designated executive of the Company or is or was a director or officer or designated executive of the Company serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, or by reason of anything done or not done by him in any such capacity. The indemnification provided under this Agreement shall continue as to the Indemnitee even though such Indemnitee may have ceased to be a director or officer or designated executive of the Company. This Agreement shall be binding upon the Company and its successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of the Indemnitee and his heirs, executors and administrators.
      SECTION 14. Merger, Consolidation, or Sale of Assets. In the event that the Company shall be a constituent corporation in a consolidation or merger, whether the Company is the resulting or surviving corporation or is absorbed, the Indemnitee shall stand in the same position under this Agreement with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as such Indemnitee would have with respect to the Company if its separate existence had continued. For purposes of this Agreement, references to “the Company” shall include, in addition to the resulting or surviving corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, or designated executives.
      SECTION 15. Severability. If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, all portions of any Sections of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that are not themselves invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby, and (b) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, all portions of any Section of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that are not themselves invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifest by the provision held invalid, illegal or unenforceable.
      SECTION 16. Identical Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. Only one such counterpart signed by the party against whom enforceability is sought needs to be produced as evidence of the existence of this Agreement.
      SECTION 17. Headings; References; Pronouns. The headings of the Sections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute part of this Agreement or to affect the construction thereof. References herein to Section numbers are to Sections of this Agreement. All pronouns and any variations thereof shall be deemed to refer to the masculine, feminine, neuter, singular or plural as appropriate.
      SECTION 18. Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement:
      (a) “Change in Control” shall be deemed to have occurred if (i) any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), other than a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company is or becomes the “Beneficial Owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under said Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing twenty percent (20%) or more of the total voting power represented by the Company’s then outstanding voting securities; (ii) during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board and any new director whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute a majority thereof; (iii) the stockholders of the Company approve a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other entity, other than a merger or consolidation that would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) at least eighty percent (80%) of the total voting power represented by the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation.

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      (b) “Disinterested Director” means a director of the Company who is not or was not a party to the Proceeding in respect of which indemnification is being sought by the Indemnitee.
      (c) “Expenses” means any expense, liability or loss, including without limitation attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes and penalties, amounts paid or to be paid in settlement, any interest, assessments, or other charges imposed thereon, and any federal, state, local, or foreign taxes imposed as a result of the actual or deemed receipt of any payments under this Agreement, paid or incurred in connection with investigating, defending, being a witness in, or participating in (including, without limitation and with respect to each of the foregoing, on appeal), or preparing for any of the foregoing, any Proceeding.
      (d) “Fines” includes any excise taxes or penalties assessed on Indemnitee with respect to any employee benefit plan.
      (e) “Good Faith” means the good faith of the Indemnitee for purposes of any determination required under Section 6 of this Agreement as to the Indemnitee’s Good Faith. The Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in good faith and in a manner such Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, or, with respect to any criminal action or Proceeding, to have had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful, if his action is based on the records or books of account of the Company or another enterprise, or on information supplied to him by the officers of the Company or another enterprise in the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for the Company or another enterprise or on information or records given or reports made to the Company or another enterprise by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser or other expert selected with reasonable care by the Company or another enterprise. If the Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner such Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan, such Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the Company” as referred to in this Agreement. The term “another enterprise” as used in this definition means any other corporation or any partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise of which the Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent. This definition shall not be deemed to be exclusive or to limit in any way the circumstances in which the Indemnitee may be deemed to have met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in Sections 2 and 3 of this Agreement.
      (f) “Independent Counsel” means a law firm or a member of a law firm that neither is presently nor in the past five years has been retained to represent (i) the Company or the Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party, or (ii) any other party to the Proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent Counsel” shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or the Indemnitee in an action to determine the Indemnitee' s right to indemnification under this Agreement.

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      (g) “Proceeding” includes any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (including an action by or in the right of the Company), and including, but not limited to, actions, suits or proceedings brought under and/or predicated upon the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and/or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and/or their respective state counterparts and/or any rule or regulation promulgated thereunder, in which Indemnitee may be or may have been involved as a party or otherwise, by reason of the fact that such Indemnitee is or was an officer of the Company, or is or was an officer of the Company serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, or by reason of anything done or not done by him in any such capacity, whether or not such service or action or inaction occurred or is alleged to have occurred prior to or after the date of this Agreement and whether or not such Indemnitee is serving in such capacity at the time any liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification or reimbursement can be provided under this Agreement.
      SECTION 19. Modification and Waiver Subject to Section 12 hereof, this Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and shall supersede all other agreements and understandings, if any, between the parties with respect to the matters contemplated herein. This Agreement may be modified only by an instrument in writing signed by both parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions hereof (whether or not similar) nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver.
      SECTION 20. Notices All notices, requests, demands or other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given and received (i) if delivered by hand, on the date so delivered, or (ii) if sent by overnight courier, on the next business day after being so sent, or (iii) if sent by facsimile, on the day so sent:
             
 
  (a)   If to the Indemnitee, to:    
 
           
 
  (b)   If to the Company, to:   The Corporate Executive Board
 
          1919 North Lynn
 
          Arlington, VA 22209
 
          Attn: Pamela Auerbach
 
          Corporate Counsel and Corporate Secretary
 
           
    with a copy to:   Gibson Dunn
 
          Ron Mueller
 
          1050 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 900
 
          Washington, D.C. 20036
 
          Attn: Securities Lawyer
 
          Facsimile: (202) 530-9569
or to such other address as may be furnished to the Indemnitee by the Company or to the Company by the Indemnitee, as the case may be.
      SECTION 21. Governing Law. The parties hereto agree that this Agreement shall be governed by, construed and enforced in accordance with, the Laws of the State of Delaware.

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     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on the day and year first above written.
             
    THE CORPORATE EXECUTIVE BOARD
COMPANY
   
 
           
 
  By:        
             
 
           
 
  Title:   Corporate Secretary    
 
           
 
           
    INDEMNITEE    
 
           
 
           
         
    Name:    

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EX-21.1 4 w50404exv21w1.htm EXHIBIT 21.1 exv21w1
 

Exhibit 21.1
Subsidiaries of the Registrant
     Active subsidiaries of The Corporate Executive Board Company as of December 31, 2007:
     
Company Name   Jurisdiction of Organization
The Corporate Executive Board Company (UK) Ltd.   United Kingdom
Corporate Executive Board India Private Ltd.   India
CEB International Holdings, Inc.   United States
CEB Toolbox, Inc.   United States

81

EX-23.1 5 w50404exv23w1.htm EXHIBIT 23.1 exv23w1
 

Exhibit 23.1
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the following Registration Statements of The Corporate Executive Board Company of our reports dated February 29, 2008, with respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedule of The Corporate Executive Board Company, and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in this Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2007:
Registration Statements on Form S-3:
     
Registration    
Number   Date Filed
333-55864
  February 20, 2001
333-82642
  February 21, 2002
333-113218
  March 15, 2004
Registration Statements on Form S-8:
         
Name   Registration Number   Date Filed
Amended Directors’ Stock Plan
  333-74145   March 9, 1999
1999 Stock Option Plan
  333-74145   March 9, 1999
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
  333-39832   June 22, 2000
2001 Stock Option Plan
  333-67238   August 10, 2001
2002 Non-Executive Stock Incentive Plan
  333-103538   February 28, 2003
2004 Stock Incentive Plan
  333-117774   July 30, 2004
Deferred Compensation Plan
  333-138685   November 14, 2006
         
     
  /s/ Ernst & Young LLP    
Baltimore, Maryland
February 29, 2008

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EX-31.1 6 w50404exv31w1.htm EXHIBIT 31.1 exv31w1
 

Exhibit 31.1
CERTIFICATION
I, Thomas L. Monahan III, certify that:
1.   I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of The Corporate Executive Board Company;
2.   Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.   Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.   The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15(d)-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
  a)   Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
 
  b)   Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, 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;
 
  c)   Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
 
  d)   Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.   The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
  a)   All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
 
  b)   Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Date: February 29, 2008
     
/s/ Thomas L. Monahan III
 
Thomas L. Monahan III
   
Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer
   

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EX-31.2 7 w50404exv31w2.htm EXHIBIT 31.2 exv31w2
 

Exhibit 31.2
CERTIFICATION
I, Timothy R. Yost, certify that:
1.   I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of The Corporate Executive Board Company;
2.   Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.   Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.   The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15(d)-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
  a)   Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
 
  b)   Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, 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;
 
  c)   Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
 
  d)   Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.   The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
  a)   All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
 
  b)   Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Date: February 29, 2008
     
/s/ Timothy R. Yost
 
Timothy R. Yost
   
Chief Financial Officer
   

84

EX-32.1 8 w50404exv32w1.htm EXHIBIT 32.1 exv32w1
 

Exhibit 32.1
CERTIFICATION
OF
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
AND
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
     I, Thomas L. Monahan III, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to the best of my knowledge the Annual Report on Form 10-K of The Corporate Executive Board Company for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that information contained in such Annual Report on Form 10-K fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of The Corporate Executive Board Company.
Date: February 29, 2008
     
/s/ Thomas L. Monahan III
 
Thomas L. Monahan III
   
Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer
   
     I, Timothy R. Yost, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to the best of my knowledge the Annual Report on Form 10-K of The Corporate Executive Board Company for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that information contained in such Annual Report on Form 10-K fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of The Corporate Executive Board Company.
Date: February 29, 2008
     
/s/ Timothy R. Yost
 
Timothy R. Yost
   
Chief Financial Officer
   

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