-----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, FvoKzQvNsrd60soQWbxHjLIidj5DLEOMJ80wDi1ZV9KxBFSJVh/kbe9Ihvo0tYpO mZcu3SM3sLdc7P3tuA/h/A== 0000898430-02-004529.txt : 20021216 0000898430-02-004529.hdr.sgml : 20021216 20021216162135 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000898430-02-004529 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 11 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20020930 FILED AS OF DATE: 20021216 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: LEARNING TREE INTERNATIONAL INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001002037 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: SERVICES-EDUCATIONAL SERVICES [8200] IRS NUMBER: 953133814 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 0930 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-27248 FILM NUMBER: 02858812 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 6053 W CENTURY BLVD CITY: LOS ANGELES STATE: CA ZIP: 90045 BUSINESS PHONE: 3104179700 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 6053 W CENTURY BLVD CITY: LOS ANGELES STATE: CA ZIP: 90045 10-K 1 d10k.htm FORM 10-K Form 10-K
Table of Contents

 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 

 
FORM 10-K
 
x
 
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
    
 
For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2002
 
¨
 
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
    
 
For the transition period from                      to                     
 

 
Commission File Number: 0-27248
 
LEARNING TREE INTERNATIONAL, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Delaware
 
95-3133814
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
 
6053 West Century Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90045-0028
(310) 417-9700
(Address, including zip code and telephone number, including area code, of
registrant’s principal executive offices)
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: Common Stock
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days:  Yes  x    No  ¨
 
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:  x
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).  Yes  x    No  ¨
 
The aggregate market value of the common stock, $.0001 par value, held by non-affiliates of the registrant, as of December 6, 2002, was $143,444,000. (Excludes 8,268,668 shares held by directors and officers of the Registrant since such persons may be deemed to be affiliates.)
 
The number of shares of common stock, $.0001 par value, outstanding as of December 6, 2002, was 17,619,633 shares.
 
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
 
Portions of the definitive Proxy Statement of the registrant to be delivered to shareholders in connection with the 2003 Annual Meeting of Shareholders are incorporated by reference into Part III, Items 10, 11, 12 and 13 of this Form 10-K.
 


Table of Contents
LEARNING TREE INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
         
Page

Part I
Item 1.
     
3
Item 2.
     
9
Item 3.
     
10
Item 4.
     
10
Part II
Item 5.
     
11
Item 6.
     
12
Item 7.
     
13
Item 8.
     
27
Item 9.
     
44
Part III
Item 10.
     
44
Item 11.
     
46
Item 12.
     
46
Item 13.
     
46
Item 14.
     
46
Part IV
Item 15.
     
48
  
49
  
50

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Except for historical statements and discussions, this discussion consists of “forward-looking statements.” All plans, projections, and future estimates are forward-looking statements which, in some, but not all, cases, are identified by words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project,” “believe,” “expect,” and similar expressions. Please do not put undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on certain factors and assumptions about future risks and uncertainties. Many, but not all, of these factors and assumptions are identified in Exhibit 99, “Risk Factors.” Although Learning Tree International, Inc. (“Learning Tree”) believes that the assumptions are reasonable, it is likely that at least some of the forward-looking statements will not come true. Accordingly, Learning Tree’s actual results will differ from those suggested by any forward-looking statement, and those differences could be material. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, among others, those factors included under “Risk Factors” in Exhibit 99, as well as those discussed in other places in Learning Tree’s filings with the SEC. For example, actual results could differ materially from those projected as a result of Learning Tree’s dependence on the timely development, introduction and customer acceptance of courses and products; risks in technology development and introduction; risks associated with the introduction of e-learning either by Learning Tree or its competitors; the impact of competition and pricing pressures; Learning Tree’s ability to attract and retain key management and other personnel; risks associated with international operations, including currency fluctuations; the effect of changing economic conditions; Learning Tree’s ability to maintain its current operating margins; the effect of adverse weather conditions, strikes, acts of war or terrorism; and other external events. Should one or more of these risks, or any other risk, materialize, or should one or more of the underlying assumptions prove incorrect, Learning Tree’s actual results may vary materially from those anticipated, estimated, expected or projected. In light of the risks and uncertainties, there can be no assurance that any forward-looking information will in fact prove to be correct. Learning Tree does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements.
 
PART I
 
ITEM 1.
  
BUSINESS
 
Overview
 
Learning Tree is a leading worldwide vendor-independent provider of training to information technology (“IT”) professionals working in business and government organizations. Since its founding in 1974, Learning Tree has provided high quality training to over 1.3 million IT professionals. In fiscal 2002, Learning Tree provided training to over 111,000 course participants. Approximately two-thirds of Learning Tree participants come from Fortune 1000-level companies, their international equivalents and government organizations, and approximately one-third come from small and medium-size companies.
 
Learning Tree offers a broad, proprietary library of intensive four- and five-day instructor-led courses, comprising 158 different course titles representing over 4,000 hours of training at September 30, 2002. Learning Tree courses focus on client/server technology, operating systems, programming languages, intranet/Internet/Web applications, computer networks, computer and network security, databases, software engineering, object-oriented technology and IT management.
 
As a vendor-independent provider of IT training, Learning Tree designs its own courses to provide participants an unbiased perspective of software and hardware products and the ability to compare and integrate multiple platforms and technologies from various vendors in a single course. Learning Tree uses a well-defined, systematic approach in developing and updating its course library to provide training that is immediately relevant to course participants working in a broad range of applications and industries. Learning Tree courses are highly interactive and are translated into French, Swedish and Japanese. Learning Tree’s courses are recommended for one to two semester hours of college credit by the American Council on Education, and are accepted for college credit at the University of Phoenix. Learning Tree’s proprietary course development process also allows it to customize its courses for delivery at its customers’ sites.

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Learning Tree had 974 instructors on September 30, 2002, each of whom was an IT professional combining expert knowledge with extensive practical experience. On average, each expert instructor teaches eight to ten Learning Tree course events per year on an “as-needed” basis. During the rest of the year, Learning Tree instructors apply the IT skills they teach as either full-time employees for other companies or as independent consultants.
 
Learning Tree offers its proprietary courses through local operations in the United States, United Kingdom, France, Canada, Sweden, Japan and Hong Kong, and generates approximately half of its revenue internationally. Each Learning Tree operating subsidiary is staffed by local nationals responsible for delivery of Learning Tree courses in that country. Learning Tree’s infrastructure and logistical capabilities allow it to coordinate, plan and deliver its courses at Learning Tree’s education centers, hotel and conference facilities and customer sites worldwide. During fiscal 2002, Learning Tree presented courses in 27 countries.
 
Learning Tree has only one material operating segment which is the design and delivery of advanced technology training courses and related services. See Note 7 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for certain financial data regarding operating segments and geographic regions. Learning Tree also has engaged in limited development and testing of a system for delivering its courses over the Internet (“e-learning”). See “Markets and Competition.”
 
Learning Tree’s Business Strategy
 
The market for IT training is driven by technological change. As the applications of technology evolve and expand, organizations may find it difficult to fully utilize the latest information technologies because their IT professionals lack up-to-date knowledge and skills. Most organizations address this challenge by retraining their existing IT professionals and training new IT professionals as they are hired. Furthermore, since many businesses use hardware and software products provided by a variety of vendors, their IT professionals require training that applies across vendors, platforms and operating systems.
 
Learning Tree’s objective is to strengthen its position as one of the world’s leading providers of high-end training to IT professionals in business and government organizations through the following long-term strategies:
 
Commitment to the Highest Possible Quality Training.    Since its founding in 1974, Learning Tree has considered the quality of its courses to be the most important driver of its long-term success. Based on evaluations from course participants in fiscal 2002, Learning Tree again set new quality records for both the effectiveness of its instructors and the overall value of its courses.
 
High Quality Instructor Team.    At September 30, 2002, Learning Tree had 974 course instructors located around the world, each of whom was an IT professional combining both expert knowledge and extensive “real world” experience. Learning Tree instructors teach an average of eight to ten Learning Tree course events per year on an “as-needed” basis. During the rest of the year they apply the IT skills that they teach, either as full-time employees for other companies or as independent consultants. This “on-demand” structure enables Learning Tree to quickly schedule additional courses anywhere in the world and to respond efficiently to its customers’ needs for IT training. In addition, because Learning Tree instructors spend an average of over 80% of their time working in industry settings, they provide Learning Tree with a unique access to industry experts on technology trends throughout the world.
 
Learning Tree’s success depends on its ability to attract and retain highly skilled instructors. See Exhibit 99, “Risk Factors.” Learning Tree uses a highly systemized program in each of its local operating subsidiaries to recruit, train, coach, manage and evaluate its instructor team.
 
Broad Proprietary Course Library.    Learning Tree offers a broad, proprietary library of 158 instructor-led course titles comprising over 4,000 hours of classroom instruction covering a wide range of IT software and

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hardware technologies. Learning Tree’s instructor-led intensive four- and five-day courses are recommended for one to two semester hours of college credit by the American Council on Education and are accepted for college credit at the University of Phoenix. The following table breaks down the number of Learning Tree course titles by curriculum:
 
Courses by Curriculum at September 30, 2002
 
Curriculum

    
Number of Course Titles

    
Total Hours of
Training

Windows
    
20
    
576
SQL Server
    
11
    
294
Datacomm and Local Area Networks
    
4
    
96
Internetworking
    
9
    
234
WAN and Telecommunications
    
5
    
120
Web Development
    
14
    
342
Internet Security
    
6
    
144
Java Programming
    
7
    
168
UNIX/Linux/Solaris
    
10
    
240
Oracle Database Systems
    
13
    
354
Notes and Domino
    
5
    
126
PC Support
    
2
    
48
Programming
    
10
    
240
Windows Programming
    
18
    
468
Software Development Methods
    
13
    
318
IT Management
    
11
    
258
      
    
Total
    
158
    
4,026
      
    
 
As a vendor-independent provider of IT training, Learning Tree designs its courses to provide participants an unbiased perspective of software and hardware products and the ability to compare and integrate multiple platforms and technologies from various vendors in a single course. Drawing from the expertise of Learning Tree’s international team of instructors, each Learning Tree course presents multiple points of view concerning technology applications as used around the world. Learning Tree courses are designed to be highly interactive; most involve “hands-on” training on networked Pentium-based workstations so that participants can practice and assimilate the skills being taught. Participants spend a significant portion of each hands-on Learning Tree course working on computer-based exercises, participating in group workshops and class interactions, and receive extensive course materials that facilitate learning and serve as a post-course reference tool.
 
Over its 28-year history, Learning Tree has developed and implemented a well-defined, systematic approach to rapidly develop, customize and update its course library and to translate its course content into multiple languages. Learning Tree continuously updates and expands its course content and adds new course titles to keep pace with the introduction of new IT hardware, software and networking technologies and to reflect the evolving IT training needs of its customers. To identify potential new courses for development, Learning Tree incorporates feedback from the development groups of leading IT vendors, Learning Tree’s own worldwide instructor team, course participants, and corporate customers. In fiscal 2002, Learning Tree developed 17 new titles and retired 22 titles. There can be no assurance that Learning Tree will develop more titles than it retires in any period nor that Learning Tree will develop courses that keep pace with the introduction of new hardware, software and networking technologies. See exhibit 99, “Risk Factors.”
 
International Infrastructure and Logistics Capability.    Learning Tree meets customers’ demands for scheduling flexibility by delivering course events frequently and at multiple locations around the world.

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Participants can attend any one of Learning Tree’s 158 courses that, on average, are presented more than once per week around the world. Learning Tree’s sophisticated infrastructure and logistics capability allow it to coordinate, plan and deliver its courses at its education centers, hotel and conference facilities and at its customers’ sites worldwide. Learning Tree can also present standard or customized courses on demand at its customers’ facilities whenever and wherever they desire. By using its large team of instructors, its course development and customization processes, its team of customer support specialists, its logistics team and its hundreds of classroom computer workstations, Learning Tree can rapidly deliver any of its courses to any location in the world.
 
In fiscal 2002, Learning Tree presented 8,218 course events at its education centers and at third-party and customer sites in a total of 27 countries. Learning Tree operates through wholly-owned subsidiaries in the United States (opened in 1974), France (opened in 1977), the United Kingdom (opened in 1978), Canada (opened in 1985), Sweden (opened in 1986), Japan (opened in 1989), and Hong Kong (opened in 1997). Each Learning Tree subsidiary is staffed by local nationals responsible for the sales and delivery of courses in that country. Learning Tree’s international operations produced approximately half of Learning Tree’s revenues in fiscal 2002, as they have throughout Learning Tree’s history. Such international operations face certain risks inherent to international businesses, such as currency fluctuations; potential difficulties in translating course subject matter into foreign languages; varying political and economic conditions; changes in government regulation; trade barriers; difficulty in staffing foreign offices, and in training and retaining foreign instructors; adverse tax consequences; and potential costs associated with expansion into new territories. There can be no assurance that such factors will not have a material adverse effect on Learning Tree in the future. See Exhibit 99, “Risk Factors.”
 
On an ongoing basis, Learning Tree evaluates expanding its operations both within existing education center cities and in new cities or countries. During fiscal 2002, Learning Tree opened a second education center with 12 classrooms in Paris, bringing the total number of classrooms in both Paris Education Centers to 27. Learning Tree must continue to overcome the challenges of managing new education centers. See Exhibit 99, “Risk Factors.” There can be no assurance that Learning Tree will open additional education centers in the future or that such additional education centers will be successful.
 
Long-Term Relationships with Global Customer Base.    Learning Tree has built long-standing relationships with its customer base. Learning Tree focuses on training the employees of Fortune 1000-level companies, their international equivalents and government organizations around the world, and seeks to build continuing relationships both with its individual course participants and its corporate customers. Learning Tree’s customers generally operate in the computer, communications, electronics, systems integration, finance, aerospace, government and military, manufacturing and energy sectors, among others. In fiscal 2002, Learning Tree provided training to over 111,000 course participants and had over 200 customers worldwide that each purchased more than $100,000 of Learning Tree training. Generally, each customer purchased this training throughout the year in individual purchase decisions ranging from $2,000 to $20,000 rather than through a single contract. No customer accounted for 10% or more of Learning Tree’s fiscal 2002 revenues.
 
Sophisticated Multi-Tiered Sales and Marketing Organization.    Learning Tree employs a sophisticated multi-tiered marketing organization that integrates direct mail, telemarketing and field sales to market its course offerings to existing customers and to attract new customers. Since its inception 28 years ago, Learning Tree has created and built a strong brand image for providing high quality training for IT professionals through the frequent and prominent use of its trademarks in direct marketing and course materials. Learning Tree markets its courses primarily through direct mail marketing to its proprietary database of over 2,100,000 IT professionals and managers who have attended, inquired about, or sent a staff member to Learning Tree courses, and also uses direct mail to reach additional IT professionals on rented mailing lists. Learning Tree also utilizes targeted, personalized e-mails through its automated e-mail marketing system to advise prospective course participants of upcoming events. Learning Tree also markets its products and services over the Internet on its Web site (http://www.learningtree.com). (Information contained on Learning Tree’s Web site is not part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.) Learning Tree also advertises in industry trade magazines and periodicals.

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Learning Tree has built a telemarketing sales team which was comprised of approximately 139 telemarketers and related support staff at September 30, 2002. Learning Tree’s telemarketers are responsible for responding to leads generated from direct mailings, Web site inquiries and other Learning Tree sales and marketing programs. In addition, Learning Tree’s sales team follows up on inquiries from customers and potential clients, as well as key personnel at clients with the potential to become major Learning Tree customers. Learning Tree employs a proprietary automated system which provides its telemarketers with online information that facilitates rapid response to inbound callers, provides targeted lists for outbound calling, records the results of calls and automates the sales follow-up process.
 
At September 30, 2002, Learning Tree also employed a field sales team of approximately 42 direct field sales representatives and related support staff. The direct sales force primarily focuses on selling training programs which will be delivered at Learning Tree’s larger customers’ sites.
 
To remain successful, Learning Tree must continue to expand its business with both existing and new customers. See Exhibit 99, “Risk Factors.” Learning Tree offers two different multiple-course discount programs—“Training Passports” and “Training Vouchers”—and also provides Learning Tree Professional Certification Programs to encourage individual IT professionals and their employers to purchase multiple courses. Learning Tree believes that, in addition to increasing revenues directly, these programs foster long-term relationships with participants and encourage participants to recommend Learning Tree’s courses to their colleagues.
 
Training Passports permit an individual Passport holder to attend up to a specified number of courses during a 12-month period. The Passports are generally sold as either four-course or eight-course Passports. The list price for a four-course Passport is approximately equivalent to two individual four-day courses and the list price for an eight-course Passport is approximately equivalent to the list price of three four-day courses.
 
The Training Voucher program allows customers to buy blocks of five or more Vouchers, at a fixed discounted price, for future Learning Tree courses to be taken by any person in the client company over a 12-month period.
 
Under the Learning Tree Professional Certification Program, Learning Tree certifies IT professionals in a variety of functions within the areas of Learning Tree’s focus. The Learning Tree Professional Certification Program is designed to teach all of the skills necessary to master a specific job function rather than to just teach the features of a particular product. A participant who successfully completes the courses and passes the free at-course examinations required for a particular Certification Program receives Learning Tree Professional Certification in that topic at no additional charge. Since the inception of the Learning Tree Professional Certification Program in fiscal 1993, over 243,000 participants have completed one or more certification examinations.
 
Markets and Competition
 
Instructor-Led Training.    The IT training market includes outside third-party providers of IT training as well as in-house training conducted by the IT departments of organizations. Outside providers of IT training can be further segmented into “vendor-dependent providers,” which deliver courses developed by the vendors of software and hardware technologies and which depend heavily on those vendors to market their courses, and “vendor-independent providers,” which independently develop, market and deliver proprietary courses. Some competitors offer course titles and programs similar to those of Learning Tree at lower prices. In addition, some competitors have greater financial and other resources than Learning Tree. See Exhibit 99, “Risk Factors.”
 
Learning Tree’s main competitors are vendor-dependent and include the IT hardware and software vendors themselves. Many hardware and software vendors supply training, sometimes bundled in the prices of their product. Other vendor-dependent providers are “ATEC’s” and “CTEC’s” that deliver these vendors’ proprietary

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courses. In addition, vendor-dependent providers may have or claim greater knowledge of upcoming developments in their products and their certifications are widely recognized. Learning Tree differentiates itself from vendor-dependent providers by maintaining a vendor-independent posture and providing cross-platform training solutions. By being vendor-independent, Learning Tree can address both the strengths and the weaknesses of a product and teach IT professionals how to integrate a product with that of other vendors in a multi-vendor network configuration.
 
Learning Tree believes that the majority of independent training providers are smaller organizations, which often provide training as one of several services or product lines. Learning Tree differentiates itself from these providers based on the breadth and quality of its proprietary course library, its worldwide delivery capability, and the size, quality and experience of its instructor force.
 
Internal IT training departments generally provide companies with the most control over the method and content of training, enabling them to tailor the training to their specific needs. However, Learning Tree believes that since internal trainers find it difficult to keep pace with new technologies, lack the hands-on experience needed to teach the latest technological developments and lack the capacity to meet demand, organizations must supplement their internal IT training resources with externally supplied training.
 
e-learning and CBT.    IT training is primarily delivered by classroom instructors; video; technology-based training, including Internet-based e-learning and CD-ROM; and printed means. Learning Tree believes that instructor-led training will continue to be the largest portion of the market because course participants value the personalized interaction and problem solving with their instructor and fellow participants concerning their specific projects and applications. Further, instructor-led classroom training insulates course participants from workplace interruptions and thus accelerates their learning of new technologies. The use of technology-based IT education and training formats, such as Internet-based e-learning, appears to have gained some acceptance in the IT training market. However, surveys published in 2001 by Training Magazine and the American Society for Training and Development report that the industry-wide total percentage of e-learning has declined in recent years, while that of instructor-led training had increased.
 
Learning Tree has engaged in limited development and testing of the content, packaging and delivery methodology for Internet-based e-learning courses. Learning Tree has yet to find what it believes could be a profitable and sustainable e-learning business model and may or may not be successful developing an e-learning product line. As a result, Learning Tree expects to limit its e-learning investment. See Exhibit 99, “Risk Factors.”
 
Employees
 
Learning Tree’s personnel are critical to its success. See Exhibit 99, “Risk Factors.” The Learning Tree management team has extensive experience in IT training with an average of 20 years of experience with Learning Tree and 24 years of relevant industry experience.
 
On September 30, 2002, Learning Tree had a total of 530 full-time equivalent employees, of whom 239 were employed outside the United States. Learning Tree also utilized the services of 974 expert instructors to teach its courses on an “as-needed” basis. Learning Tree considers its relations with its employees and its instructors to be good.
 
Intellectual Property Rights
 
Learning Tree relies primarily on a combination of statutory and common law copyright, trademark and trade secret laws, customer licensing agreements, employee and third-party nondisclosure agreements and other methods to protect its proprietary rights. Learning Tree’s course materials generally do not include any mechanisms to prohibit or prevent unauthorized use. As a result, a third party or parties could copy or otherwise obtain and use Learning Tree’s course materials without authorization, either for educational use or to develop

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competing courses. In addition, Learning Tree operates in countries that do not provide protection of proprietary rights to the same extent as the United States. If substantial unauthorized use of Learning Tree’s products were to occur, Learning Tree’s business and results of operations could be materially adversely impacted. Learning Tree cannot be certain that its means of protecting its proprietary rights will be adequate or that Learning Tree’s competitors will not independently develop similar course titles or delivery methods.
 
Learning Tree may also have to defend against claims that its current or future courses infringe on the proprietary rights of others. If such a claim succeeded, Learning Tree might have to change or eliminate courses, and could be required to pay damages or royalties. In addition, litigation over intellectual property rights, whether brought by Learning Tree or by someone else, could be time-consuming and expensive, even if Learning Tree were ultimately to succeed. Accordingly, defending and prosecuting these claims could have a material adverse effect on Learning Tree’s operating results. See Exhibit 99, “Risk Factors.”
 
“Learning Tree,” the Learning Tree and Professional Certification logos, “EDUCATION IS OUR BUSINESS,” “EDUCATION YOU CAN TRUST,” “WE BRING EDUCATION TO LIFE,” “PRODUCTIVITY THROUGH EDUCATION,” “FROM THE LEARNING TREE,” “Training Passport,” “Training Advantage,” “Alumni Gold,” “TRAINING YOU CAN TRUST,” “WE BRING LEARNING TO LIFE,” “WE BRING IT TRAINING TO YOU,” “learningtree.com,” and “800-THE-TREE” are among the trademarks and service marks of Learning Tree. In addition to the trademarks and service marks of Learning Tree, this Annual Report on Form 10-K also contains trademarks and trade names of other companies.
 
Regulatory Environment
 
Learning Tree is paid directly by the employers of its course participants and does not receive funding from any government aid or loan programs. As a result, Learning Tree does not depend on government appropriations for those programs and is generally exempt from the governmental regulation of public education providers. In contrast, providers of education to the public must comply with many laws and regulations of Federal, state and international governments. However, Learning Tree’s operations could be affected by current or future licensing or regulatory requirements. See Exhibit 99, “Risk Factors.”
 
Web Site Access to Learning Tree Reports
 
Learning Tree makes available, free of charge, on its Web site (http://www.learningtree.com) its annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and all amendments to those reports as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. (Information contained on Learning Tree’s Web site is not part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.)
 
ITEM 2.
  
PROPERTIES
 
Learning Tree’s headquarters is located at 6053 West Century Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90045. Learning Tree owns a 38,500 square foot office facility which is occupied by the sales, administrative and operations groups of its U.S. subsidiary.
 
Learning Tree leases all of its other offices and education center classroom facilities. The leases expire at various dates over the next 16 years. Learning Tree may lease additional facilities in the foreseeable future. Learning Tree also presents its courses at rented hotel and conference facilities and customer sites. Learning Tree typically provides all of the software, hardware and networking systems required for use in these courses.
 
Learning Tree presents its classroom courses at Learning Tree Education Centers in Atlanta; Boston; Chicago; Los Angeles; New York City; the Washington, D.C. area; Ottawa; Toronto; London; Paris; and Stockholm, as well as in rented hotel or conference centers in those and other cities worldwide. During fiscal 2002, Learning Tree opened a second education center with 12 classrooms in Paris.

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Learning Tree Education Center classrooms have been custom-designed to accommodate the technical demands of its computer-based courses, including electronic projection of computer screens, local area networks within the classroom and multimedia presentation capability.
 
The following table contains certain information regarding Learning Tree’s education centers and offices at September 30, 2002:
 
Location
(Metropolitan Area)

    
No. of
Classrooms

  
Total Area in
Square Feet

 
Atlanta, GA
    
9
  
16,903
 
Boston, MA
    
6
  
13,717
 
Chicago, IL
    
9
  
15,779
 
Los Angeles, CA
    
6
  
57,229
 
New York, NY
    
21
  
44,380
(a)
Washington, DC metropolitan area (4 sites)
    
36
  
119,817
 
Paris, France (2 sites)
    
27
  
58,276
 
London, England (2 sites)
    
41
  
106,394
(b)
Ottawa, Canada
    
6
  
19,965
 
Toronto, Canada
    
10
  
17,207
 
Stockholm, Sweden
    
17
  
32,130
 
Tokyo, Japan
    
N/A
  
1,311
 
Hong Kong
    
N/A
  
574
 
      
  

Total
    
188
  
503,682
 
      
  


(a)
 
Excludes 11,600 square feet which Learning Tree subleases to other tenants.
 
(b)
 
Excludes 36,117 square feet which Learning Tree subleases to other tenants.
 
ITEM 3.
  
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
Learning Tree is not involved in any pending or threatened legal proceedings that it believes could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the financial condition or results of operations of Learning Tree.
 
ITEM 4.
  
SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
 
No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2002 through the solicitation of proxies or otherwise.

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PART II
 
ITEM 5.
  
MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON STOCK AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
 
Price Range of Common Stock
 
Learning Tree’s Common Stock trades on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol LTRE. The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the range of high and low sales prices for the Common Stock on the Nasdaq Stock Market:
 
    
High

  
Low

Fiscal 2001
             
First Quarter
  
$
53.875
  
$
28.50
Second Quarter
  
 
59.75
  
 
14.50
Third Quarter
  
 
27.12
  
 
19.20
Fourth Quarter
  
 
25.84
  
 
19.75
Fiscal 2002
             
First Quarter
  
 
29.49
  
 
19.16
Second Quarter
  
 
28.20
  
 
19.74
Third Quarter
  
 
24.94
  
 
17.40
Fourth Quarter
  
 
18.77
  
 
13.55
 
As of December 6, 2002, there were approximately 2,100 holders of record of the Common Stock.
 
Volatility of Stock Price
 
The price of Learning Tree’s Common Stock has fluctuated significantly and may continue to do so in the future. Learning Tree believes that some of the reasons for past fluctuations in the price of its stock have included: announcements of developments related to Learning Tree’s business; announcements concerning new products or enhancements by Learning Tree or its competitors; developments in relationships with its customers; market perceptions of new means of delivering training, such as CD-ROMs or the Internet; variations in revenues, gross margins, earnings or other financial results from investors’ expectations; fluctuations in results of operations and general conditions in the economy, the market, and the markets served by Learning Tree’s customers; and delays in introducing new technologies by both Learning Tree’s customers and technology vendors. In addition, prices in the stock market, particularly for technology-related stocks, have been volatile in recent years. In many cases, the fluctuations have been unrelated to the operating performance of affected companies. Sales of the Common Stock by officers, directors and employees, especially Learning Tree’s founders could also adversely and unpredictably affect the price of the Common Stock. Additionally, the price could be affected even by the potential for sales by these persons. There can be no assurance that the market price of the Common Stock will not continue to experience significant fluctuations in the future, including fluctuations that are unrelated to Learning Tree’s performance. See Exhibit 99, “Risk Factors.”
 
Dividends
 
To date, Learning Tree has not paid any cash dividends on its Common Stock and does not anticipate doing so in the foreseeable future. The declaration and payment of dividends by Learning Tree are subject to the discretion of its Board of Directors and to compliance with applicable laws. Any determination as to the payment of dividends in the future will depend upon, among other things, general business conditions, the effect such payment would have on Learning Tree’s financial condition and other factors Learning Tree’s Board of Directors may in the future consider to be relevant.

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ITEM 6.
  
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
 
The following selected consolidated financial data of Learning Tree is qualified in its entirety by reference to, and should be read in conjunction with, the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto and other financial data included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The statement of operations data set forth below for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2002, and the balance sheet data as of September 30, 2001 and 2002, are derived from Learning Tree’s consolidated financial statements which are included elsewhere herein. The statement of operations data for each of the two years in the period ended September 30, 1999, and the balance sheet data at September 30, 1998, 1999 and 2000, are derived from audited financial statements of Learning Tree not included herein. The consolidated financial statements for fiscal 2002 have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, Learning Tree’s independent public accountants, and their report thereon is included elsewhere herein. The consolidated statements of operations for each of the two years in the period ended September 30, 2001, and the consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2001, were audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, Learning Tree’s independent public accountants in those periods. These historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected in the future. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
 
    
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,

    
1998

  
1999

  
2000

  
2001

  
2002

    
(In thousands, except per share data)
Statement of Operations Data:
                                  
Revenues
  
$
187,174
  
$
189,321
  
$
224,008
  
$
227,220
  
$
174,161
Cost of revenues
  
 
80,016
  
 
76,598
  
 
80,839
  
 
92,805
  
 
79,392
    

  

  

  

  

Gross profit
  
 
107,158
  
 
112,723
  
 
143,169
  
 
134,415
  
 
94,769
    

  

  

  

  

Operating expenses:
                                  
Course development
  
 
11,942
  
 
19,267
  
 
10,294
  
 
11,323
  
 
9,319
Sales and marketing
  
 
59,422
  
 
54,996
  
 
56,603
  
 
63,957
  
 
50,251
General and administrative
  
 
22,509
  
 
23,720
  
 
25,913
  
 
26,676
  
 
25,426
    

  

  

  

  

Total operating expenses
  
 
93,873
  
 
97,983
  
 
92,810
  
 
101,956
  
 
84,996
    

  

  

  

  

Income from operations
  
 
13,285
  
 
14,740
  
 
50,359
  
 
32,459
  
 
9,773
Other income (expense), net
  
 
2,676
  
 
4,285
  
 
6,709
  
 
6,287
  
 
2,467
    

  

  

  

  

Income before provision for income taxes
  
 
15,961
  
 
19,025
  
 
57,068
  
 
38,746
  
 
12,240
Provision for income taxes
  
 
5,427
  
 
6,611
  
 
19,973
  
 
13,755
  
 
4,345
    

  

  

  

  

Net income
  
$
10,534
  
$
12,414
  
$
37,095
  
$
24,991
  
$
7,895
    

  

  

  

  

Earnings per common share assuming dilution
  
$
0.48
  
$
0.57
  
$
1.65
  
$
1.18
  
$
0.42
    

  

  

  

  

Diluted shares outstanding
  
 
22,015
  
 
21,898
  
 
22,504
  
 
21,156
  
 
18,992
    

  

  

  

  

    
At September 30,

    
1998

  
1999

  
2000

  
2001

  
2002

    
(In thousands)
Balance Sheet Data:
                                  
Cash and cash equivalents
  
$
36,055
  
$
33,059
  
$
116,231
  
$
108,544
  
$
96,897
Short-term interest-bearing investments
  
 
31,136
  
 
58,357
  
 
37,882
  
 
—  
  
 
—  
Total current assets
  
 
90,301
  
 
114,338
  
 
186,652
  
 
137,716
  
 
120,411
Total assets
  
 
137,390
  
 
150,781
  
 
220,353
  
 
174,975
  
 
154,018
Deferred revenue
  
 
33,357
  
 
37,618
  
 
53,327
  
 
61,662
  
 
55,868
Total current liabilities
  
 
59,280
  
 
62,247
  
 
85,159
  
 
88,744
  
 
74,556
Total stockholders’ equity
  
 
76,828
  
 
85,640
  
 
132,795
  
 
84,060
  
 
76,730

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ITEM 7.
  
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
Except for historical statements and discussions, this discussion consists of “forward-looking statements.” The words “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project,” “believe,” “expect,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Please do not put undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on certain factors and assumptions about future risks and uncertainties. Many, but not all, of these factors and assumptions are identified in Exhibit 99, “Risk Factors.” Although Learning Tree International, Inc. (“Learning Tree”) believes that the assumptions are reasonable, it is likely that at least some of the forward-looking statements will not come true. Accordingly, Learning Tree’s actual results will differ from those suggested by any forward-looking statement, and those differences could be material. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, among others, those factors included under “Risk Factors” in Exhibit 99, as well as those discussed in other places in Learning Tree’s filings with the SEC. For example, actual results could differ materially from those projected as a result of Learning Tree’s dependence on the timely development, introduction and customer acceptance of courses and products; risks in technology development and introduction; risks associated with the introduction of e-learning either by Learning Tree or its competitors; the impact of competition and pricing pressures; Learning Tree’s ability to attract and retain key management and other personnel; risks associated with international operations, including currency fluctuations; the effect of changing economic conditions; Learning Tree’s ability to maintain its current operating margins; the effect of adverse weather conditions, strikes, acts of war or terrorism; and other external events. Should one or more of these risks, or any other risk, materialize, or should one or more of the underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, Learning Tree’s actual results may vary materially from those anticipated, estimated, expected or projected. In light of the risks and uncertainties, there can be no assurance that any forward-looking information will in fact prove to be correct. Learning Tree does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements.
 
Overview
 
Learning Tree is a leading worldwide vendor-independent provider of training to information technology (“IT”) professionals working in business and government organizations. Since its founding in 1974, Learning Tree has provided high-quality training to over 1.3 million IT professionals. In fiscal 2002, Learning Tree provided training to over 111,000 course participants. Approximately two-thirds of Learning Tree participants come from Fortune 1000-level companies, their international equivalents and government organizations, and approximately one-third come from small and medium-size companies.
 
Learning Tree offers a broad, proprietary library of intensive four- and five-day instructor-led courses, comprising 158 different course titles representing over 4,000 hours of training at September 30, 2002. Learning Tree courses focus on client/server technology, operating systems, programming languages, intranet/Internet/Web applications, computer networks, computer and network security, databases, software engineering, object-oriented technology and IT management.
 
As a vendor-independent provider of IT training, Learning Tree designs its own courses to provide participants an unbiased perspective of software and hardware products and the ability to compare and integrate multiple platforms and technologies from various vendors in a single course. Learning Tree uses a well-defined, systematic approach in developing and updating its course library to provide training that is immediately relevant to course participants working in a broad range of applications and industries. Learning Tree courses are highly interactive and are translated into French, Swedish and Japanese. Learning Tree’s courses are recommended for one to two semester hours of college credit by the American Council on Education, and are accepted for college credit at the University of Phoenix. Learning Tree’s proprietary course development process also allows it to customize its courses for delivery at its customers’ sites.
 
Learning Tree offers its proprietary courses through local operations in the United States, United Kingdom, France, Canada, Sweden, Japan and Hong Kong, and generates approximately half of its revenue internationally.

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Each Learning Tree operating subsidiary is staffed by local nationals responsible for delivery of Learning Tree courses in that country. Learning Tree’s infrastructure and logistical capabilities allow it to coordinate, plan and deliver its courses at Learning Tree’s education centers, hotel and conference facilities and customer sites worldwide. During fiscal 2002, Learning Tree presented courses in 27 countries.
 
Over the 28 years since its founding, Learning Tree has experienced a number of periods of challenging economic conditions. Learning Tree has generally tried to use those periods to grow its market share, so that it would be able to achieve even stronger growth during the better economic times that followed. Learning Tree is confident in the long-term outlook for the IT industry and the need for IT training, because it believes that the core growth drivers for information technology and for its business remain unchanged. In our knowledge economy, Learning Tree believes that information technology is itself a primary driver for productivity and product improvements that fuel growth. As a result, Learning Tree believes that information technology provides mission-critical resources that can be used by every organization to gain a competitive advantage.
 
Learning Tree believes that its business will continue to be influenced by world events, by the economy, and by spending trends in the corporate marketplace for information technology. The timing of a recovery in spending on technology and IT remains uncertain and Learning Tree has yet to see any discernable improvement in demand from its customers. Therefore, Learning Tree continues to believe that it is prudent to operate its business based on an assumption that revenues (adjusted for seasonal fluctuations) will not increase until both the general economy and the IT industry begin to improve. Accordingly, Learning Tree expects to continue to maintain its reduced level of operating costs in accordance with its revenue expectations. See Exhibit 99, “Risk Factors.”
 
Learning Tree has structured its business so that the majority of its instructor-led course costs are variable and depend primarily upon the number of course events conducted. Learning Tree schedules its course events throughout the year based on its assessment of demand. Since Learning Tree’s instructors typically work full time in the IT industry and teach Learning Tree course events as needed, Learning Tree’s instructor-related costs are largely variable. Learning Tree’s expenses associated with its own education centers are largely fixed. However, Learning Tree can moderate its overall facility expenses to some extent by varying its use of rented hotel and conference facilities. In addition, Learning Tree has the ability to control some of its expenses, based on its expectations of future customer demand and other factors, by adjusting the number of new course titles it develops and the size of its direct mailing campaigns.
 
During fiscal 2002, Learning Tree reduced the number of its worldwide staff, and refined its marketing efforts for improved effectiveness, which allowed it to reduce the magnitude of its sales and marketing expenditures. At the same time, Learning Tree enhanced the quality levels in its core strengths: its expert instructors, its proprietary content library, its state-of-the-art classrooms and its worldwide course delivery systems. Learning Tree believes that this will help it take advantage of the economic improvement when it comes. However, predicting when the recovery will begin is difficult, particularly given the continuing instability of the international situation. Learning Tree intends to continue monitoring business conditions throughout its current markets, as well as potential new markets. If the domestic and/or international economy were to weaken further, many companies may continue to reduce spending on external IT training. If this should happen, it could have a material and adverse impact on Learning Tree.
 
Learning Tree has engaged in limited development and testing of Internet-based e-learning course formats and packages. Learning Tree has yet to find what it believes could be a profitable and sustainable e-learning business model and may or may not be successful developing an e-learning product line. As a result, Learning Tree expects to limit its investment in e-learning research and development. See Exhibit 99, “Risk Factors.”

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Results of Operations
 
The following table summarizes Learning Tree’s consolidated statements of operations for the periods indicated expressed as percentages of revenues:
 
    
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,

 
    
2000

    
2001

    
2002

 
Revenues
  
100
%
  
100
%
  
100
%
Cost of revenues
  
36
 
  
41
 
  
46
 
    

  

  

Gross profit
  
64
 
  
59
 
  
54
 
Operating expenses:
                    
Course development
  
5
 
  
5
 
  
5
 
Sales and marketing
  
25
 
  
28
 
  
29
 
General and administrative
  
11
 
  
12
 
  
14
 
    

  

  

Total operating expenses
  
41
 
  
45
 
  
48
 
    

  

  

Income from operations
  
23
 
  
14
 
  
6
 
Other income (expense), net
  
3
 
  
3
 
  
1
 
    

  

  

Income before provision for income taxes
  
26
 
  
17
 
  
7
 
Provision for income taxes
  
9
 
  
6
 
  
2
 
    

  

  

Net income
  
17
%
  
11
%
  
5
%
    

  

  

 
Fiscal 2002 Compared with Fiscal 2001
 
In fiscal 2002, Learning Tree’s revenues decreased by 23% to $174.2 million from $227.2 million in fiscal 2001. Income from operations for fiscal 2002 was $9.8 million versus $32.5 million in fiscal 2001. Net income for fiscal 2002 was $7.9 million compared to $25.0 million in fiscal 2001.
 
Revenues.    The decrease in revenues in fiscal 2002 compared to fiscal 2001 is primarily due to a decline in the number of instructor-led course participants. During fiscal 2002, Learning Tree trained a total of 111,757 instructor-led course participants, a decrease of 23% from the prior year’s 144,742 participants. Learning Tree believes that the decrease in the number of course participants is primarily the result of the slowdown in the IT industry and the overall economy, which has resulted in more cautious spending by its customers on IT training.
 
For fiscal 2002, revenues reflect a 1% decrease in average revenue per course participant primarily because of a larger portion of course participants attending under multiple-course discount programs compared to the prior fiscal year.
 
About half of Learning Tree’s revenues are denominated in foreign currencies, which are translated into U.S. dollars for financial reporting. Accordingly, exchange rate fluctuations impact Learning Tree’s reported revenues. See Exhibit 99, “Risk Factors.” In fiscal 2002, exchange rate fluctuations did not have a significant effect on revenues because the impact of adverse changes in foreign exchange rates in the first half of the year compared to the same period last year were offset by improvements in foreign exchange rates in the second half of the fiscal year.
 
Cost of Revenues.    Learning Tree’s cost of revenues primarily includes the costs of course instructors and their travel and living expenses, course materials and equipment, freight, classroom facilities and refreshments. The cost of revenues for fiscal 2002 was $79.4 million compared to $92.8 million in fiscal 2001. This decrease reflects a 16% decrease in the number of course events during fiscal 2002, partially offset by a 1% increase in

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cost per event compared to fiscal 2001. During fiscal 2002, Learning Tree presented 8,218 instructor-led course events compared to 9,727 events in fiscal 2001.
 
In fiscal 2002, the cost of revenues increased to 45.6% of revenues compared to 40.8% in fiscal 2001. The change in gross profitability of Learning Tree’s instructor-led courses primarily reflects a 9% decrease in revenue per course event compared to the prior year. Revenue per course event primarily reflects a decrease in the average number of attendees per event. In addition, revenue per course event reflects the aforementioned 1% decrease in average revenue per attendee. Learning Tree believes that the decrease in the average number of attendees per event primarily reflects the impact of current economic conditions, which lowered Learning Tree’s overall attendance rates.
 
The change in Learning Tree’s gross profitability also reflects a 1% increase in Learning Tree’s average cost per course event. The increase in the average cost per course event primarily reflects the impact of the lower utilization of Learning Tree’s education centers arising from the decrease in the number of course events conducted in fiscal 2002, as well as the impact of other fixed costs being spread over fewer events. The increase was partially offset by reduced spending on instructor training and recruiting and a reduction in the use of rented hotel and conference facilities.
 
Course Development Expenses.    Learning Tree maintains a disciplined process to develop new courses and update its existing courses. The costs incurred in that process, principally for internal product development staff and for subject matter experts, are expensed when incurred, and are included in course development expenses. Course development expenses also include all costs of Learning Tree’s e-learning development activities. In fiscal 2002, course development expenses were 5.4% of revenues compared to 5.0% in fiscal 2001. Course development expenses as a percentage of revenues, reflect lower revenues, partly offset by a decline in absolute expenditures on course development. Course development expenses decreased in fiscal 2002 by 18% to $9.3 million from $11.3 million in fiscal 2001. This decrease primarily reflects a decrease in the number of new course titles developed during fiscal 2002 while maintaining the level of expenditures for updating existing courses. During slower economic periods, IT hardware and software vendors typically introduce fewer new products, thus requiring the development of fewer new IT courses. In addition, the reduction in course development expenses reflects a decrease in spending on e-learning development.
 
During fiscal 2002, Learning Tree released additional course titles on topics such as Windows XP and 2000, SQL Server, Oracle9i, XSL, UML, Visual Basic .NET, ASP.NET, ADO.NET, and IT management. At the end of fiscal 2002, Learning Tree offered 158 different course titles, comprising over 4,000 hours of training, compared to 163 titles a year earlier. The decrease in the number of titles in fiscal 2002 reflects the net effect of introducing 17 new titles and retiring 22 titles. In general, titles are retired when the profits they generate are not sufficient to justify the ongoing cost of marketing them and maintaining their technological content.
 
Learning Tree expects to have approximately 152 course titles in the first quarter of fiscal 2003. The actual number of course titles which Learning Tree will produce, and their delivery dates, are subject to the rate of new technological developments and perceived customer demand. Thus Learning Tree may or may not develop more titles than it retires in any period. Course development costs may increase in the future if Learning Tree expands its instructor-led course library or its expenditures on e-learning.
 
Sales and Marketing Expenses.    Sales and marketing expenses include salaries, commissions and travel-related costs for sales and marketing personnel, the costs of designing, producing and distributing direct mail marketing and media advertisements, and the costs of information systems to support these activities.
 
For fiscal 2002, sales and marketing expenses were 28.9% of revenues compared to 28.1% in fiscal 2001. The increase was a result of lower revenues, partly offset by lower sales and marketing expenses. During fiscal 2002, sales and marketing expenses decreased by 21% to $50.3 million from $64.0 million in fiscal 2001. The decrease primarily reflects the results of initiatives to adjust marketing expenditures and sales personnel based on

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current operating levels, as well as a reduction in selling commissions. Learning Tree generally has the ability to adjust its expenditures for sales and marketing depending on its expectations of future customer demand, market conditions, strategic objectives and other factors. However, if the expectations prove to be wrong, any significant revenue shortfall would have a material adverse effect on Learning Tree’s results of operations.
 
General and Administrative Expenses.    As a percentage of revenue, general and administrative expenses were 14.6% in fiscal 2002 compared to 11.7% in fiscal 2001. General and administrative expenses decreased in fiscal 2002 by 5% to $25.4 million from $26.7 million in fiscal 2001. The decrease in general and administrative expenses primarily reflects the effect of Learning Tree’s cost reduction and control measures, partially offset by an increase in IT staff and related expenses, and staff salary adjustments.
 
Other Income (Expense).    Other income (expense) is primarily comprised of interest income and foreign currency transaction gains and losses. In fiscal 2002, other income (expense) decreased to $2.5 million of income from $6.3 million in fiscal 2001 primarily because of $4.2 million lower interest income which was partially offset by lower foreign exchange losses. The decrease in interest income reflects lower interest rates together with the decline in the amount of Learning Tree’s interest-bearing investments because of expenditures for repurchases of its Common Stock.
 
Learning Tree recorded foreign exchange losses of $50,000 in fiscal 2002 compared to foreign exchange losses of $496,000 in fiscal 2001. These losses arose from receivables and payables denominated in currencies other than the functional currencies of Learning Tree’s foreign subsidiaries.
 
Income Taxes.    In fiscal 2002, Learning Tree’s income tax provision decreased to $4.3 million from $13.8 million in fiscal 2001, as a result of lower taxable income. Learning Tree operates as a holding company with operating subsidiaries in several countries. Each subsidiary is taxed based on the laws of the jurisdiction in which it operates. Since taxes are incurred at the subsidiary level, and tax rates vary from country to country and one subsidiary’s tax losses cannot offset the taxable income of subsidiaries in other tax jurisdictions, Learning Tree’s consolidated effective tax rate may vary. See Note 2 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.”
 
Geographic Segments.    Learning Tree has education centers in six countries around the world, and has historically derived approximately half of its revenues from outside the United States. The decrease in revenues in fiscal 2002 reflects decreased revenues in all locations. The United States recorded revenues of approximately $87.8 million in fiscal 2002 compared to revenues of $117.3 million in fiscal 2001. Revenues from Europe were $73.1 million in fiscal 2002 compared to $93.8 million in fiscal 2001, primarily due to declines in the United Kingdom and Sweden. Canada recorded revenues of $11.5 million in fiscal 2002 compared to revenues of $13.5 million in fiscal 2001, and Asia recorded revenues of $1.8 million in fiscal 2002 compared to $2.6 million in fiscal 2001. See Note 7 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.”
 
Although Learning Tree’s consolidated financial statements are stated in U.S. dollars, several of Learning Tree’s subsidiaries have functional currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Gains and losses arising from the translation of the balance sheets of Learning Tree’s subsidiaries from the functional currencies to U.S. dollars are reported as an adjustment to stockholders’ equity. Fluctuations in exchange rates may also have an effect on Learning Tree’s results of operations. Since both revenues and expenses are generally denominated in the subsidiary’s local currency, changes in exchange rates that have an adverse effect on Learning Tree’s foreign revenues are partially offset by a favorable effect on Learning Tree’s foreign expenses. The impact of future exchange rates on Learning Tree’s results of operations cannot be accurately predicted. To date, Learning Tree has not sought to hedge the risks associated with fluctuations in exchange rates and therefore continues to be subject to such risks. In the future, Learning Tree may undertake such transactions. There can be no assurance that any hedging techniques implemented by Learning Tree would be successful in eliminating or reducing the effects of currency fluctuations. See Exhibit 99, “Risk Factors.”
 
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements.    In fiscal 2002, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 145 “Rescission of FASB Statements No. 4,

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44, and 64, Amendment of FASB Statement No. 13, and Technical Corrections,” and SFAS No. 146 “Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities.” Learning Tree believes that these statements will not have a material effect on its consolidated financial position or results of operations.
 
Fiscal 2001 Compared With Fiscal 2000
 
In fiscal 2001, Learning Tree’s revenues increased by 1% to $227.2 million from $224.0 million in fiscal 2000. Income from operations for fiscal 2001 was $32.5 million versus $50.4 million in fiscal 2000. Net income for fiscal 2001 was $25.0 million compared to $37.1 million in fiscal 2000.
 
Revenues.    During fiscal 2001, Learning Tree trained a total of 144,742 instructor-led course participants, an increase of 5% from the prior year’s 137,311 participants. The increase in course participants in fiscal 2001 was primarily the result of better market conditions for IT training during the first half of the year coupled with an increase in expenditures for course development, sales and marketing. During the second half of fiscal 2001, the number of course participants declined from prior year levels. This reflected the economic slowdown in the IT industry, which Learning Tree believes resulted in more cautious spending by its customers. In addition, the disruption of Learning Tree’s courses in the United States due to the attacks of September 11 reduced revenues by approximately $2.3 million.
 
The increase in course participants during fiscal 2001 was largely offset by a 4% adverse change in foreign exchange rates. Excluding the impact of the exchange rate changes, the average revenue per course participant would have increased by 3% compared to fiscal 2000. Overall, had exchange rates in fiscal 2001 remained the same as they had been during fiscal 2000, revenues in fiscal 2001 would have been approximately $237.3 million, or 6% greater than revenues in fiscal 2000.
 
In the past, in addition to its instructor-led courses, the Company has delivered certain of its courses by using a computer-based training method (“CBT”) on CD-ROMs. Since the sales of CBT courses were largely discontinued at the end of fiscal 2000, Learning Tree’s fiscal 2001 revenues also reflect the reduction of CBT revenues.
 
Cost of Revenues.    In fiscal 2001, the cost of revenues increased to 40.8% of revenues compared to 36.1% in fiscal 2000. The change in gross profit in Learning Tree’s instructor-led courses reflected an 8% decrease in revenue per course event and a 2% increase in the average cost per course event. In addition, the cost of revenues increased as a percent of revenues in part because of the reduction in relatively high margin CBT sales during fiscal 2001.
 
Learning Tree’s revenue per course event reflected a decline in the average number of attendees per event and the change in average revenue per attendee. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2001, margins were also adversely affected as a direct result of courses disrupted by the September 11 attacks, since Learning Tree lost much of the revenue from these courses while saving only a small portion of the related course costs.
 
Learning Tree’s average cost per course event increased because of increased instructor training and recruiting activities and increased facilities costs associated with the expansion of the New York, Chicago and Atlanta Education Centers and an increase in lease rates for the Reston Education Center. The increased cost per course event was partially offset by the favorable impact of foreign exchange rates. Excluding the impact of foreign exchange rate changes, the cost per course event would have been 6% higher than for the prior year.
 
The cost of revenues for fiscal 2001 was $92.8 million compared to $80.8 million in fiscal 2000. This increase reflected a 13% increase in the number of course events during fiscal 2001 and the 2% increase in cost per course event compared to fiscal 2000. During fiscal 2001, Learning Tree presented 9,727 instructor-led course events compared to 8,574 events in fiscal 2000.

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Course Development Expenses.    In fiscal 2001, course development expenses were 5.0% of revenue compared to 4.6% in fiscal 2000. Course development expenses increased in fiscal 2001 by 10% to $11.3 million from $10.3 million in fiscal 2000. The increase primarily reflected an increase in the number of new course titles developed during fiscal 2001, as well as a modest increase in Learning Tree’s investment in e-learning.
 
At the end of fiscal 2001, Learning Tree offered 163 different course titles, comprising a total of 4,100 hours of training, compared to 148 titles a year earlier. The increase in the number of titles in fiscal 2001 reflected the net effect of the introduction of 34 new titles and the retirement of 19 titles.
 
Sales and Marketing Expenses.    For fiscal 2001, sales and marketing expenses were 28.1% of revenues compared to 25.3% in fiscal 2000. During fiscal 2001, sales and marketing expenses increased by 13% to $64.0 million from $56.6 million in fiscal 2000. The increase primarily reflected increased marketing activities and marketing costs to support the increased revenues during the first half of the year, and to build market share in the second half.
 
General and Administrative Expenses.    As a percentage of revenue, general and administrative expenses were 11.7% in fiscal 2001 compared to 11.6% in fiscal 2000. General and administrative expenses increased in fiscal 2001 by 3% to $26.7 million from $25.9 million in fiscal 2000. The increase in general and administrative expenses reflected increases in administrative staff and related costs, partly offset by decreases in incentive compensation costs.
 
Other Income (Expense).    In fiscal 2001, other income (expense) decreased to $6.3 million of income from $6.7 million in fiscal 2000 primarily because of lower interest income and foreign exchange losses.
 
During fiscal 2001, Learning Tree used approximately $79.4 million of its cash to repurchase Common Stock. The resulting decline in interest-bearing investments, together with lower interest rates in the marketplace caused interest income to decline by $320,000 in fiscal 2001 compared to fiscal 2000.
 
Learning Tree recorded foreign exchange losses of $496,000 in fiscal 2001 compared to foreign exchange losses of $462,000 in fiscal 2000. These losses arose from receivables and payables denominated in currencies other than the functional currencies of Learning Tree’s foreign subsidiaries.
 
Income Taxes.    In fiscal 2001, Learning Tree’s income tax provision decreased to $13.8 million from $20.0 million in fiscal 2000, as a result of lower taxable income, partially offset by a slight increase in the effective tax rate. See Note 2 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.”
 
Geographic Segments.    The increase in revenues in fiscal 2001 reflected increased revenues in both Europe and the United States. Revenues from Europe were $93.8 million in fiscal 2001 compared to $90.4 million in fiscal 2000, primarily due to growth in the United Kingdom and Sweden. The United States recorded revenues of $117.3 million in fiscal 2001 compared to revenues of $117.1 million in fiscal 2000. See Note 7 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.”

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Quarterly Results of Operations
 
The following tables set forth unaudited quarterly financial data for each of the eight consecutive fiscal quarters ended September 30, 2002, and its percentage of Learning Tree’s revenues. Learning Tree believes that this information includes all adjustments (which consisted solely of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of such quarterly information when read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere herein. The operating results for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of the results for any future period.
 
   
Three Months Ended

 
   
Dec. 31, 2000

    
March 31, 2001

   
June 30, 2001

   
Sept. 30, 2001

   
Dec. 31, 2001

    
March 31, 2002

   
June 30, 2002

   
Sept. 30, 2002

 
   
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
Revenues
 
$
62,104
 
  
$
57,990
 
 
$
57,833
 
 
$
49,293
 
 
$
47,171
 
  
$
40,635
 
 
$
45,034
 
 
$
41,321
 
Cost of revenues
 
 
23,613
 
  
 
24,155
 
 
 
23,933
 
 
 
21,104
 
 
 
20,992
 
  
 
18,468
 
 
 
20,001
 
 
 
19,931
 
   


  


 


 


 


  


 


 


Gross profit
 
 
38,491
 
  
 
33,835
 
 
 
33,900
 
 
 
28,189
 
 
 
26,179
 
  
 
22,167
 
 
 
25,033
 
 
 
21,390
 
Operating expenses:
                                                                 
Course development
 
 
2,820
 
  
 
3,116
 
 
 
2,957
 
 
 
2,430
 
 
 
2,490
 
  
 
2,287
 
 
 
2,319
 
 
 
2,223
 
Sales and marketing
 
 
14,517
 
  
 
17,064
 
 
 
16,095
 
 
 
16,281
 
 
 
13,025
 
  
 
13,064
 
 
 
12,863
 
 
 
11,299
 
General and administrative
 
 
6,537
 
  
 
6,878
 
 
 
6,828
 
 
 
6,433
 
 
 
6,775
 
  
 
6,122
 
 
 
6,381
 
 
 
6,148
 
   


  


 


 


 


  


 


 


Total operating expenses
 
 
23,874
 
  
 
27,058
 
 
 
25,880
 
 
 
25,144
 
 
 
22,290
 
  
 
21,473
 
 
 
21,563
 
 
 
19,670
 
   


  


 


 


 


  


 


 


Income from operations
 
 
14,617
 
  
 
6,777
 
 
 
8,020
 
 
 
3,045
 
 
 
3,889
 
  
 
694
 
 
 
3,470
 
 
 
1,720
 
Other income (expense), net
 
 
2,224
 
  
 
1,615
 
 
 
1,341
 
 
 
1,107
 
 
 
552
 
  
 
465
 
 
 
1,086
 
 
 
364
 
   


  


 


 


 


  


 


 


Income before provision for income taxes
 
 
16,841
 
  
 
8,392
 
 
 
9,361
 
 
 
4,152
 
 
 
4,441
 
  
 
1,159
 
 
 
4,556
 
 
 
2,084
 
Provision for income taxes
 
 
5,979
 
  
 
2,979
 
 
 
3,323
 
 
 
1,474
 
 
 
1,576
 
  
 
412
 
 
 
1,617
 
 
 
740
 
   


  


 


 


 


  


 


 


Net income
 
$
10,862
 
  
$
5,413
 
 
$
6,038
 
 
$
2,678
 
 
$
2,865
 
  
$
747
 
 
$
2,939
 
 
$
1,344
 
   


  


 


 


 


  


 


 


Earnings per common share
 
$
0.49
 
  
$
0.25
 
 
$
0.31
 
 
$
0.14
 
 
$
0.15
 
  
$
0.04
 
 
$
0.16
 
 
$
0.07
 
   


  


 


 


 


  


 


 


Earnings per common share assuming dilution
 
$
0.48
 
  
$
0.24
 
 
$
0.31
 
 
$
0.14
 
 
$
0.15
 
  
$
0.04
 
 
$
0.16
 
 
$
0.07
 
   


  


 


 


 


  


 


 


As a Percentage of Revenues:
                                                                 
Revenues
 
 
100
%
  
 
100
%
 
 
100
%
 
 
100
%
 
 
100
%
  
 
100
%
 
 
100
%
 
 
100
%
Cost of revenues
 
 
38
 
  
 
42
 
 
 
41
 
 
 
43
 
 
 
45
 
  
 
45
 
 
 
44
 
 
 
48
 
   


  


 


 


 


  


 


 


Gross profit
 
 
62
 
  
 
58
 
 
 
59
 
 
 
57
 
 
 
55
 
  
 
55
 
 
 
56
 
 
 
52
 
Operating expenses:
                                                                 
Course development
 
 
4
 
  
 
5
 
 
 
5
 
 
 
5
 
 
 
5
 
  
 
6
 
 
 
5
 
 
 
6
 
Sales and marketing
 
 
23
 
  
 
29
 
 
 
28
 
 
 
33
 
 
 
28
 
  
 
32
 
 
 
29
 
 
 
27
 
General and administrative
 
 
11
 
  
 
12
 
 
 
12
 
 
 
13
 
 
 
14
 
  
 
15
 
 
 
14
 
 
 
15
 
   


  


 


 


 


  


 


 


Total operating expenses
 
 
38
 
  
 
46
 
 
 
45
 
 
 
51
 
 
 
47
 
  
 
53
 
 
 
48
 
 
 
48
 
   


  


 


 


 


  


 


 


Income from operations
 
 
24
 
  
 
12
 
 
 
14
 
 
 
6
 
 
 
8
 
  
 
2
 
 
 
8
 
 
 
4
 
Other income (expense), net
 
 
3
 
  
 
2
 
 
 
2
 
 
 
2
 
 
 
1
 
  
 
1
 
 
 
2
 
 
 
1
 
   


  


 


 


 


  


 


 


Income before provision for income taxes
 
 
27
 
  
 
14
 
 
 
16
 
 
 
8
 
 
 
9
 
  
 
3
 
 
 
10
 
 
 
5
 
Provision for income taxes
 
 
10
 
  
 
5
 
 
 
6
 
 
 
3
 
 
 
3
 
  
 
1
 
 
 
3
 
 
 
2
 
   


  


 


 


 


  


 


 


Net income
 
 
17
%
  
 
9
%
 
 
10
%
 
 
5
%
 
 
6
%
  
 
2
%
 
 
7
%
 
 
3
%
   


  


 


 


 


  


 


 


 
Historically, Learning Tree’s quarterly operating results have fluctuated, and that is expected to continue in the future. The fluctuations may be caused by many factors such as the frequency and availability of course events; the number of weeks in a quarter during which courses can be conducted; the timing, timely delivery, frequency and size of, and response to Learning Tree’s direct mail marketing and advertising campaigns; the timing of the introduction of new course titles; the mix between course events held at customer sites, and course events held in Learning Tree’s education centers and hotels; competitive forces within current and anticipated future markets served by Learning Tree; Learning Tree’s ability to attract customers and meet their expectations;

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currency fluctuations and other risks inherent in international operations; natural disasters, external strikes, acts of war or terrorism, and other external factors; and general economic conditions and industry-specific slowdowns. Fluctuations in quarter-to-quarter results may also occur as a result of differences in the timing of Learning Tree’s spending on development and marketing of its courses and receiving revenues from its customers. See Exhibit 99, “Risk Factors.”
 
Learning Tree’s quarterly revenues and income typically reflect seasonal patterns. Generally, Learning Tree’s revenue and operating income are greater in the second half of its fiscal year (April through September) than in the first half (October through March). This is due in large part to seasonal spending patterns of Learning Tree’s customers, which are affected by matters such as their budgetary considerations; factors specific to their business or industry; and weather, holiday and vacation considerations. However, the effects of periods of rapid acceleration or deceleration of revenues can offset these seasonal effects. There can be no assurance that these seasonal factors or their effects will remain the same in the future. Revenues for the second half of fiscal 2001 reflect the economic slowdown in the IT industry. Further, the results for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2001 reflect the disruption of Learning Tree’s courses in the United States caused by the attacks of September 11.
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
Learning Tree’s cash and cash equivalents decreased to $96.9 million at September 30, 2002, from $108.5 million at September 30, 2001. The decrease in cash and cash equivalents reflects repurchases of Common Stock, asset acquisitions related to Learning Tree’s education center in Paris, and investments in new and upgraded course equipment, partially offset by cash provided by operations and proceeds from the exercise of employee stock options.
 
During fiscal 2002, Learning Tree repurchased approximately 1,104,000 shares of its Common Stock for approximately $21.1 million. In addition, trade accounts payable at the end of fiscal 2001 included $2.7 million required to settle Common Stock repurchases made at the end of fiscal 2001 that were settled during the first few days of fiscal 2002. As a result, during fiscal 2002 Learning Tree paid approximately $23.8 million in cash for Common Stock repurchases. From October 1, 2002, through December 6, 2002, Learning Tree repurchased an additional 513,000 shares of its Common Stock for $7.2 million. Learning Tree may make additional purchases through open-market transactions, but has no commitments to do so.
 
Cash provided by operations for fiscal 2002 was approximately $6.5 million compared to $43.8 million for fiscal 2001. Excluding the effects on current liabilities of the fiscal 2001 stock repurchases which were paid in fiscal 2002, cash provided by operations was approximately $9.2 million compared to $41.1 million during fiscal 2001. This change primarily reflects the changes in profitability, advance payments by customers for future courses and reductions in accounts payable, partially offset by lower income tax payments. At September 30, 2002, Learning Tree had a net working capital balance of $45.9 million.
 
During fiscal 2002, Learning Tree invested $3.8 million in equipment and facilities compared to $14.1 million in fiscal 2001. The investments in the current year primarily relate to purchases of course equipment and the build-out of a second education center in Paris, France, which opened in the third quarter of fiscal 2002. During fiscal 2002, Learning Tree increased the number of its classrooms in Paris from 15 to 27. The higher level of investment during the prior year was primarily related to the build-out of expanded education center facilities in New York City and Stockholm, Sweden, the opening of two new education centers in Chicago and Atlanta, and the purchase of new and upgraded course equipment. Although Learning Tree expects to continue to invest in additional equipment in fiscal 2003, as of September 30, 2002, Learning Tree had no material future purchase obligations, capital commitments or debt. Accordingly, Learning Tree believes its cash and cash equivalents and the cash provided by its operations will be sufficient to meet its cash requirements for the foreseeable future.

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In the future, Learning Tree may use cash for acquisitions. While Learning Tree has no current agreements in place or negotiations underway with respect to any acquisition, Learning Tree may, on occasion, evaluate acquisition opportunities that appear to fit within its overall business strategy. Learning Tree has had no significant experience in executing and implementing acquisitions and no assurance can be given as to the success of Learning Tree in executing and implementing acquisitions in the future. See Exhibit 99, “Risk Factors.”
 
Learning Tree has not paid any cash dividends since its inception and does not anticipate paying cash dividends in the foreseeable future.
 
Critical Accounting Policies
 
Management’s discussion and analysis of Learning Tree’s financial condition and results of operations is based upon Learning Tree’s consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The following list of critical accounting policies is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all of Learning Tree’s accounting policies. Learning Tree’s significant accounting policies are more fully described in Note 1 of “Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.” The following represents a summary of Learning Tree’s critical accounting policies, defined as those policies that Learning Tree believes are the most important to the portrayal of Learning Tree’s financial condition and results of operations, and/or require management’s significant judgments and estimates.
 
Revenue Recognition.    Course events range from three to five days, with an average of approximately four days. For individual course enrollments, it is Learning Tree’s policy to recognize revenues and the related direct costs of course events as courses are delivered on a straight-line basis. However, for administrative purposes, the revenues and the related costs of course events are recorded upon commencement of each course event. The difference between Learning Tree’s revenue recognition policy and recording revenues and related course costs on a straight-line basis is inconsequential.
 
Learning Tree offers its customers a multiple-course sales discount referred to as a Training Passport. A Training Passport allows an individual passport holder to attend up to a specified number of Learning Tree courses over a one-year period for a fixed price. For a Training Passport, the amount of revenue recognized for each attendance in a course is based upon the selling price of the Training Passport, the list price of the course taken and the estimated average number of courses passport holders will actually attend. Upon expiration of a Training Passport, Learning Tree records the difference, if any, between the revenues previously recognized and the Training Passport selling price. The estimated attendance rate is based upon the historical experience of the average actual number of course events that Training Passport holders have been attending. The average actual attendance rate for all expired Training Passports has closely approximated the estimated rate utilized by Learning Tree. If the Training Passport attendance rates change, the revenue recognition rate for all active Training Passports and for all Training Passports sold thereafter is adjusted. Learning Tree believes it is appropriate to recognize revenues on this basis in order to more closely match revenue and related costs, as the substantial majority of its Passport holders do not attend the maximum number of course events permitted under their Training Passport. Learning Tree believes that the use of historical data is reasonable and appropriate because of the relative stability of the average actual number of course events attended by the tens of thousands of Passport holders since the inception of the program in fiscal 1993. Although Learning Tree has seen no material changes in the historical rates as the number of course titles has increased, it monitors such potential effects. In general, determining the estimated average number of course events that will be attended by a Training Passport holder is based on historical trends that may not continue in the future. These estimates could differ in the near term from amounts used in arriving at the reported revenue.

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Learning Tree also offers a multiple-course sales discount referred to as Training Vouchers. Under Learning Tree’s Training Vouchers, the customer buys the right to send a specified number of attendees to Learning Tree courses over a one-year period for a fixed price. Revenue is recognized on a pro rata basis for each attendance. If a Training Voucher expires unused, Learning Tree records the selling price of the expired Training Voucher as revenue.
 
Prepaid Marketing Expenses.    Prepaid marketing expenses are charged to income in the month in which the advertising materials are mailed since the benefit period for such costs is short and the amount of such future benefit is not practically measurable.
 
Course Development Costs.    Course development costs are charged to operations in the period incurred.
 
Foreign Currency.    Learning Tree translates the financial statements of its foreign subsidiaries from the local (functional) currencies to United States dollars in accordance with SFAS No. 52 “Foreign Currency Translation.” The rates of exchange at each fiscal year end are used for translating the balance sheets and the average monthly rates of exchange for each year are used for the statements of operations. Gains or losses arising from the translation of the foreign subsidiaries’ financial statements are included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. Gains or losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are included in the consolidated statements of operations.
 
To date, Learning Tree has not sought to hedge the risk associated with fluctuations in currency exchange rates, and therefore continues to be subject to such risk.
 
Facilities, Intangible and Other Long-Lived Assets.    Equipment, property and leasehold improvements are recorded at cost and depreciated or amortized using the straight-line method over the assets’ estimated useful lives.
 
Learning Tree periodically reviews the carrying value of its facilities, intangible and other long-lived assets to identify and assess any impairment of the carrying value.
 
Facilities Leases.    Learning Tree leases its facilities under various operating lease agreements. Certain provisions of these leases provide for cash incentives, graduated rent payments and other inducements. Learning Tree recognizes rent expense on a straight-line basis, which more closely reflects the benefits received. The value of any lease incentives or inducements, along with the excess of the rent expense recognized over the rentals paid is recorded as deferred facilities rent charges in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
 
Income Taxes.    Learning Tree applies SFAS No. 109 “Accounting for Income Taxes,” in accounting for income taxes. Under SFAS No. 109, deferred income tax assets and liabilities arise from carryforwards and from temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and the book basis of such assets and liabilities as reported in the financial statements. Deferred income tax assets arise from expected reductions in taxes payable in future periods. Deferred tax assets reflect management’s estimate of the amounts that will be realized from future profitability and can be predicted with reasonable certainty. Deferred income tax liabilities represent taxes the Company expects to pay in future periods. See Note 2 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.”
 
Outlook for Fiscal 2003
 
Throughout this document, there have been various forward-looking statements. However, this entire section should be treated as forward-looking and subject to various risks and uncertainties, including those detailed from time to time in Learning Tree’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and in Exhibit 99, “Risk Factors.” As economic and market conditions change during fiscal 2003, Learning Tree’s future revenues, plans and expenditures will vary from the observations below, and these differences may be material.

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Backlog.    At September 30, 2002, Learning Tree had a backlog of orders for instructor-led courses of $32.0 million, which represented a 10% decrease compared to the backlog of $35.6 million at September 30, 2001. At October 31, 2002, Learning Tree had a backlog of orders for instructor-led courses of $30.7 million, which represented a 9% decrease compared to the backlog of $33.8 million at October 31, 2001. Only a portion of Learning Tree’s backlog is funded. There can be no assurance that orders comprising the backlog will be realized as revenue.
 
Recent Trends.    Learning Tree believes that its business will continue to be influenced by world events, the economy and spending trends in the corporate marketplace for information technology. The timing of a recovery in spending on technology and IT remains uncertain and Learning Tree has yet to see any discernable improvement in demand from its customers. Therefore, Learning Tree continues to believe that it is prudent to operate its business based on an assumption that revenues (adjusted for seasonal fluctuations) will not increase until both the general economy and the IT industry begin to improve. Accordingly, Learning Tree expects to continue to maintain its reduced level of operating costs in accordance with its revenue expectations.
 
Effect of Exchange Rates.    Approximately half of Learning Tree’s business is conducted in currencies other than U.S. dollars, and fluctuations in exchange rates will impact future revenues and expenses when translated into dollars. If current exchange rates remain stable through the remainder of fiscal 2003, revenues in the first quarter would be favorably impacted by approximately 5%, and revenues for the fiscal year would be favorably impacted by approximately 4%, compared to the corresponding periods in fiscal 2002. Conversely, foreign currency denominated expenses would be unfavorably impacted by the same percentages in these periods.
 
First Quarter 2003 Revenues.    A number of factors may influence Learning Tree’s revenues in the first quarter of fiscal 2003. These include the following:
 
 
 
At September 30, 2002, Learning Tree’s backlog was 10% lower than at September 30, 2001. A month later, at October 31, 2002, Learning Tree’s overall backlog was 9% lower than at October 31, 2001. Also at October 31, 2002, revenues for October courses plus backlog for courses in November and December was 12% lower than at October 31, 2001.
 
 
 
If exchange rates remain stable through the remainder of the first quarter, revenues would be favorably impacted by approximately 5%. This effect is already partly reflected in Learning Tree’s backlog.
 
 
 
Learning Tree expects to have approximately 152 course titles in the first quarter of fiscal 2003 compared with 166 course titles in the first quarter of the prior year.
 
Based on these factors and Learning Tree’s current assessment of general economic conditions, Learning Tree believes that revenues in the first quarter of fiscal 2003 will be in the range of $41.0 million to $42.0 million. This would be 11% to 13% lower than revenues of $47.2 million in the first quarter last year and would be similar to revenues in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2002.
 
First Quarter Gross Margin.    Learning Tree expects several factors to cause a net decline in gross margin for the first quarter of fiscal 2003 of approximately 1% to 2% compared with the same quarter last year:
 
 
 
Learning Tree has been working to improve its procedures for course scheduling in the current environment, which is intended to increase attendees per event and thereby improve revenue per event. While this remains a challenging goal in the current economic climate, Learning Tree expects to achieve a slightly higher number of attendees per event in the first quarter of fiscal 2003 than it realized in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2002, although slightly lower than in the first quarter of last year.
 
 
 
Learning Tree expects continued low utilization rates of its education centers, which would result in higher fixed costs per event in the first quarter of fiscal 2003 compared to the same period last year, although slightly better than during its fourth quarter of fiscal 2002.

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First Quarter Operating Expenses.    Learning Tree expects overall operating expenses for the first quarter of fiscal 2003 to be equal to or slightly higher than those for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2002. This reflects the effects of pay rate increases received by non-managerial staff, sales commissions, and accruals for incentive compensation which will only be paid to the extent targets are achieved in the coming year. These costs were partially offset by lower marketing costs (reflecting typical seasonal mailing patterns due to the December holidays). Based upon these factors, Learning Tree expects operating expenses to be approximately $19.0 million to $20.0 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2003.
 
First Quarter Interest Income.    Interest income reflects changes in interest rates, as well as changes in cash balances. First quarter interest income is expected to be somewhat lower than it was in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2002 due to the recent interest rate cut.
 
2003 Tax Rate.    It is estimated that the tax rate in fiscal 2003 will be approximately 35.5%.
 
Outlook for Fiscal 2003.    Over the 28 years since its founding in 1974, Learning Tree has experienced a number of periods of challenging economic conditions. Generally, Learning Tree has tried to use those periods to grow market share, so that it would be able to achieve even stronger growth during the better economic times that followed.
 
Predicting macroeconomic and industry-specific trends is inherently difficult, particularly given the instability of the international situation. Therefore, Learning Tree believes it is prudent to manage its business on the assumption that revenues in fiscal 2003 will continue at approximately the same levels as those in fiscal 2002, at least until the economic recovery begins. At the same time, Learning Tree intends to continue focusing on improving both the efficiency and effectiveness of its operations. If fiscal 2003 revenues remain in line with those of fiscal 2002, Learning Tree’s recently achieved improvements in operating efficiency should produce somewhat higher profitability. However, business conditions and the international situation could change for the better or the worse, causing Learning Tree to adjust its expenditures in relation to changing revenue expectations.
 
Other Matters
 
Audit Committee Financial Experts.    Learning Tree’s Board of Directors has determined that Howard A. Bain III, Chairman of Learning Tree’s Audit Committee, is a financial expert because he: (i) understands generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and financial statements, (ii) has experience applying such GAAP in the accounting for estimates, accruals, and reserves that are generally comparable to those used in Learning Tree’s financial statements, (iii) has experience preparing financial statements that present accounting issues that are generally comparable to those raised by Learning Tree’s financial statements, (iv) has experience with internal accounting controls and procedures for financial reporting, and (v) understands Audit Committee functions. In addition, Mr. Bain is independent as that term is used in section 10A(m)(3) of the Exchange Act.
 
Code of Ethics.    On December 4, 2002, Learning Tree’s Board of Directors adopted the “Code of Business Conduct and Ethics” for all Learning Tree employees, including its principal executive officer, principal financial officer, and principal accounting officer.

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Table of Contents
 
ITEM 7A.    QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
 
Learning Tree’s cash equivalents are diversified and consist primarily of investment grade securities of high-quality financial institutions. The fair value of Learning Tree’s portfolio of marketable securities would not be significantly impacted by either a 10 percent (15 basis point) increase or decrease in the rates of interest due primarily to the short-term nature of the portfolio. Learning Tree does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments.
 
Learning Tree’s consolidated financial statements are prepared in U.S. dollars, while the operations of its foreign subsidiaries are conducted in their respective local currencies. Consequently, changes in exchange rates can result in exchange losses. The impact of future exchange rates on Learning Tree’s results of operations cannot be accurately predicted. To date, Learning Tree has not sought to hedge the risks associated with fluctuations in exchange rates and therefore continues to be subject to such risks. In the future, Learning Tree may undertake such transactions. However, any hedging techniques implemented by Learning Tree might not be successful in eliminating or reducing the effects of currency fluctuations. See Exhibit 99, “Risk Factors.”

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ITEM 8.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
 
LEARNING TREE INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
    
Page

Reports of Independent Public Accountants
  
28
Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2001 and 2002
  
30
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2000, 2001 and 2002
  
31
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2000, 2001 and 2002
  
32
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2000, 2001 and 2002
  
33
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
  
34

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REPORT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
Shareholders and Board of Directors
Learning Tree International, Inc.
 
We have audited the consolidated balance sheet of Learning Tree International, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of September 30, 2002, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the year then ended. 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 audit. The consolidated financial statements of the Company as of September 30, 2001, and for each of the two years in the period then ended, were audited by other auditors whose report dated November 8, 2001, expressed an unqualified opinion on those statements.
 
We conducted our audit in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the 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 audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, the 2002 financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Learning Tree International, Inc. and subsidiaries as of September 30, 2002, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for the year then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
 
/s/    Ernst & Young LLP
 
Long Beach, California
November 20, 2002

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
To Learning Tree International, Inc.:
 
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Learning Tree International, Inc. (a Delaware corporation) and subsidiaries as of September 30, 2000 and 2001, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2001. 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 auditing standards generally accepted in the 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 financial position of Learning Tree International, Inc. and subsidiaries as of September 30, 2000 and 2001, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2001, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
 
/s/    ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP      

Arthur Andersen LLP
 
Los Angeles, California
November 8, 2001
 
THIS IS A COPY OF AN ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT PREVIOUSLY ISSUED BY ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP. THIS REPORT HAS NOT BEEN REISSUED BY ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP.
 
WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO OBTAIN THE WRITTEN CONSENT OF ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP AS REQUIRED BY SECTION 7 OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 FOR ANY REGISTRATION STATEMENT WE MAY FILE IN THE FUTURE. ACCORDINGLY, INVESTORS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SUE ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP PURSUANT TO SECTION 11(a)(4) OF THE SECURITIES ACT WITH RESPECT TO ANY SUCH REGISTRATION STATEMENTS AND, THEREFORE, ULTIMATE RECOVERY ON A SUCCESSFUL CLAIM MAY BE LIMITED. THE ABILITY OF INVESTORS TO RECOVER FROM ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP MAY ALSO BE LIMITED AS A RESULT OF ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP’S FINANCIAL CONDITION OR OTHER MATTERS RESULTING FROM THE VARIOUS CIVIL AND CRIMINAL LAWSUITS AGAINST THAT FIRM.

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LEARNING TREE INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
    
September 30,

 
    
2001

    
2002

 
ASSETS
                 
Current assets:
                 
Cash and cash equivalents
  
$
108,544,000
 
  
$
96,897,000
 
Trade accounts receivable, less allowances of $786,000 and $908,000, respectively
  
 
15,990,000
 
  
 
11,522,000
 
Prepaid marketing expenses
  
 
2,212,000
 
  
 
1,648,000
 
Prepaid income taxes
  
 
5,155,000
 
  
 
5,460,000
 
Prepaid expenses and other
  
 
5,815,000
 
  
 
4,884,000
 
    


  


Total current assets
  
 
137,716,000
 
  
 
120,411,000
 
    


  


Equipment, property and leasehold improvements:
                 
Education and office equipment
  
 
44,650,000
 
  
 
43,520,000
 
Transportation equipment
  
 
216,000
 
  
 
175,000
 
Property and leasehold improvements
  
 
18,914,000
 
  
 
20,338,000
 
    


  


    
 
63,780,000
 
  
 
64,033,000
 
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization
  
 
(35,924,000
)
  
 
(40,087,000
)
    


  


    
 
27,856,000
 
  
 
23,946,000
 
Long-term interest-bearing investments
  
 
7,353,000
 
  
 
7,813,000
 
Other assets
  
 
2,050,000
 
  
 
1,848,000
 
    


  


Total assets
  
$
174,975,000
 
  
$
154,018,000
 
    


  


LIABILITIES
                 
Current liabilities:
                 
Trade accounts payable
  
$
17,041,000
 
  
$
12,134,000
 
Deferred revenue
  
 
61,662,000
 
  
 
55,868,000
 
Accrued payroll, benefits and related taxes
  
 
3,616,000
 
  
 
3,196,000
 
Other accrued liabilities
  
 
3,700,000
 
  
 
2,577,000
 
Income taxes payable
  
 
2,725,000
 
  
 
781,000
 
    


  


Total current liabilities
  
 
88,744,000
 
  
 
74,556,000
 
    


  


Deferred income taxes
  
 
178,000
 
  
 
367,000
 
Deferred facilities rent
  
 
1,993,000
 
  
 
2,365,000
 
    


  


Total liabilities
  
 
90,915,000
 
  
 
77,288,000
 
    


  


Commitments and contingencies
                 
Stockholders’ equity:
                 
Common Stock, $.0001 par value, 75,000,000 shares authorized, 18,929,000 and 18,127,000 shares issued and outstanding, respectively
  
 
2,000
 
  
 
2,000
 
Preferred Stock, $.0001 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized, 0 shares issued and outstanding
  
 
—  
 
  
 
—  
 
Additional paid-in capital
  
 
—  
 
  
 
—  
 
Cumulative foreign currency translation
  
 
(4,584,000
)
  
 
(2,887,000
)
Retained earnings
  
 
88,642,000
 
  
 
79,615,000
 
    


  


Total stockholders’ equity
  
 
84,060,000
 
  
 
76,730,000
 
    


  


Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  
$
174,975,000
 
  
$
154,018,000
 
    


  


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

30


Table of Contents
LEARNING TREE INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
    
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,

 
    
2000

    
2001

    
2002

 
Revenues
  
$
224,008,000
 
  
$
227,220,000
 
  
$
174,161,000
 
Cost of revenues
  
 
80,839,000
 
  
 
92,805,000
 
  
 
79,392,000
 
    


  


  


Gross Profit
  
 
143,169,000
 
  
 
134,415,000
 
  
 
94,769,000
 
    


  


  


Operating expenses:
                          
Course development
  
 
10,294,000
 
  
 
11,323,000
 
  
 
9,319,000
 
Sales and marketing
  
 
56,603,000
 
  
 
63,957,000
 
  
 
50,251,000
 
General and administrative
  
 
25,913,000
 
  
 
26,676,000
 
  
 
25,426,000
 
    


  


  


    
 
92,810,000
 
  
 
101,956,000
 
  
 
84,996,000
 
    


  


  


Income from operations
  
 
50,359,000
 
  
 
32,459,000
 
  
 
9,773,000
 
    


  


  


Other income (expense):
                          
Interest expense
  
 
(13,000
)
  
 
(30,000
)
  
 
(30,000
)
Interest income
  
 
7,391,000
 
  
 
7,071,000
 
  
 
2,833,000
 
Foreign exchange
  
 
(462,000
)
  
 
(496,000
)
  
 
(50,000
)
Other
  
 
(207,000
)
  
 
(258,000
)
  
 
(286,000
)
    


  


  


    
 
6,709,000
 
  
 
6,287,000
 
  
 
2,467,000
 
    


  


  


Income before provision for income taxes
  
 
57,068,000
 
  
 
38,746,000
 
  
 
12,240,000
 
Provision for income taxes
  
 
19,973,000
 
  
 
13,755,000
 
  
 
4,345,000
 
    


  


  


Net income
  
$
37,095,000
 
  
$
24,991,000
 
  
$
7,895,000
 
    


  


  


Earnings per common share
  
$
1.70
 
  
$
1.21
 
  
$
0.42
 
    


  


  


Earnings per common share assuming dilution
  
$
1.65
 
  
$
1.18
 
  
$
0.42
 
    


  


  


Weighted average number of shares outstanding
  
 
21,771,000
 
  
 
20,593,000
 
  
 
18,763,000
 
    


  


  


Diluted shares outstanding
  
 
22,504,000
 
  
 
21,156,000
 
  
 
18,992,000
 
    


  


  


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

31


Table of Contents
LEARNING TREE INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
   
Common Stock

 
Additional
Paid-In
Capital

    
Notes Receivable From Stockholders

   
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment

   
Retained Earnings

   
Total
Stockholders’
Equity

 
   
Shares

   
Amount

          
Balance, September 30, 1999
 
21,636,000
 
 
$
2,000
 
$
39,888,000
 
  
$
(6,000
)
 
$
(1,300,000
)
 
$
47,056,000
 
 
$
85,640,000
 
Comprehensive income:
                                                    
    Net income
 
—  
 
 
 
—  
 
 
—  
 
  
 
—  
 
 
 
—  
 
 
 
37,095,000
 
 
 
37,095,000
 
    Foreign currency
        translation
 
—  
 
 
 
—  
 
 
—  
 
  
 
—  
 
 
 
(2,707,000
)
 
 
—  
 
 
 
(2,707,000
)
                                                


Comprehensive income
 
—  
 
 
 
—  
 
 
—  
 
  
 
—  
 
 
 
—  
 
 
 
—  
 
 
 
34,388,000
 
Stock option exercises
 
483,000
 
 
 
—  
 
 
9,647,000
 
  
 
—  
 
 
 
—  
 
 
 
—  
 
 
 
9,647,000
 
Tax benefit related to
    stock option
    exercises
 
—  
 
 
 
—  
 
 
3,114,000
 
  
 
—  
 
 
 
—  
 
 
 
—  
 
 
 
3,114,000
 
Collections on notes
    receivable from
    stockholders
 
—  
 
 
 
—  
 
 
—  
 
  
 
6,000
 
 
 
—  
 
 
 
—  
 
 
 
6,000
 
   

 

 


  


 


 


 


Balance, September 30, 2000
 
22,119,000
 
 
 
2,000
 
 
52,649,000
 
  
 
—  
 
 
 
(4,007,000
)
 
 
84,151,000
 
 
 
132,795,000
 
Comprehensive income:
                                                    
    Net income
 
—  
 
 
 
—  
 
 
—  
 
  
 
—  
 
 
 
—  
 
 
 
24,991,000
 
 
 
24,991,000
 
    Foreign currency
        translation
 
—  
 
 
 
—  
 
 
—  
 
  
 
—  
 
 
 
(577,000
)
 
 
—  
 
 
 
(577,000
)
                                                


Comprehensive income
 
—  
 
 
 
—  
 
 
—  
 
  
 
—  
 
 
 
—  
 
 
 
—  
 
 
 
24,414,000
 
Stock repurchases
 
(3,473,000
)
 
 
—  
 
 
(58,879,000
)
  
 
—  
 
 
 
—  
 
 
 
(20,500,000
)
 
 
(79,379,000
)
Stock option exercises
 
283,000
 
 
 
—  
 
 
4,625,000
 
  
 
—  
 
 
 
—  
 
 
 
—  
 
 
 
4,625,000
 
Tax benefit related to
    stock option
    exercises
 
—  
 
 
 
—  
 
 
1,605,000
 
  
 
—  
 
 
 
—  
 
 
 
—  
 
 
 
1,605,000
 
   

 

 


  


 


 


 


Balance, September 30, 2001
 
18,929,000
 
 
 
2,000
 
 
—  
 
  
 
—  
 
 
 
(4,584,000
)
 
 
88,642,000
 
 
 
84,060,000
 
Comprehensive income:
                                                    
    Net income
 
—  
 
 
 
—  
 
 
—  
 
  
 
—  
 
 
 
—  
 
 
 
7,895,000
 
 
 
7,895,000
 
    Foreign currency
        translation
 
—  
 
 
 
—  
 
 
—  
 
  
 
—  
 
 
 
1,697,000
 
 
 
—  
 
 
 
1,697,000
 
                                                


Comprehensive income
 
—  
 
 
 
—  
 
 
—  
 
  
 
—  
 
 
 
—  
 
 
 
—  
 
 
 
9,592,000
 
Stock options issued for
    services
 
—  
 
 
 
—  
 
 
32,000
 
  
 
—  
 
 
 
—  
 
 
 
—  
 
 
 
32,000
 
Stock repurchases
 
(1,104,000
)
 
 
—  
 
 
(4,212,000
)
  
 
—  
 
 
 
—  
 
 
 
(16,922,000
)
 
 
(21,134,000
)
Stock option exercises
 
302,000
 
 
 
—  
 
 
2,950,000
 
  
 
—  
 
 
 
—  
 
 
 
—  
 
 
 
2,950,000
 
Tax benefit related to
    stock option
    exercises
 
—  
 
 
 
—  
 
 
1,230,000
 
  
 
—  
 
 
 
—  
 
 
 
—  
 
 
 
1,230,000
 
   

 

 


  


 


 


 


Balance, September 30, 2002
 
18,127,000
 
 
$
2,000
 
$
—  
 
  
$
—  
 
 
$
(2,887,000
)
 
$
79,615,000
 
 
$
76,730,000
 
   

 

 


  


 


 


 


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

32


Table of Contents
LEARNING TREE INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
    
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,

 
    
2000

    
2001

    
2002

 
Cash flows—operating activities:
                          
Net income
  
$
37,095,000
 
  
$
24,991,000
 
  
$
7,895,000
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
                          
Depreciation and amortization
  
 
8,402,000
 
  
 
8,347,000
 
  
 
8,215,000
 
Unrealized foreign exchange losses (gains)
  
 
819,000
 
  
 
431,000
 
  
 
(469,000
)
Deferred facilities rent charges
  
 
(307,000
)
  
 
562,000
 
  
 
(406,000
)
Losses on asset disposals
  
 
174,000
 
  
 
200,000
 
  
 
179,000
 
Change in net assets and liabilities:
                          
Trade accounts receivable
  
 
(9,510,000
)
  
 
9,475,000
 
  
 
4,970,000
 
Prepaid marketing expenses
  
 
(138,000
)
  
 
(494,000
)
  
 
613,000
 
Prepaid expenses and other
  
 
(1,531,000
)
  
 
(597,000
)
  
 
1,125,000
 
Income taxes
  
 
4,352,000
 
  
 
(5,376,000
)
  
 
(916,000
)
Trade accounts payable
  
 
2,773,000
 
  
 
1,859,000
 
  
 
(5,407,000
)
Deferred revenue
  
 
18,093,000
 
  
 
8,859,000
 
  
 
(7,423,000
)
Accrued payroll, benefits and related taxes
  
 
2,691,000
 
  
 
(2,583,000
)
  
 
(373,000
)
Other accrued liabilities
  
 
2,441,000
 
  
 
(1,850,000
)
  
 
(1,471,000
)
    


  


  


Net cash provided by operating activities
  
 
65,354,000
 
  
 
43,824,000
 
  
 
6,532,000
 
    


  


  


Cash flows—investing activities:
                          
Purchases of equipment, property and leasehold improvements
  
 
(7,934,000
)
  
 
(14,131,000
)
  
 
(3,832,000
)
Retirements of equipment and leasehold improvements
  
 
845,000
 
  
 
251,000
 
  
 
110,000
 
Proceeds from short-term interest-bearing investments:
                          
Investments held to maturity
  
 
94,106,000
 
  
 
68,615,000
 
  
 
—  
 
Investments held for sale
  
 
81,850,000
 
  
 
—  
 
  
 
—  
 
Purchases of short-term interest-bearing investments:
                          
Investments held to maturity
  
 
(94,781,000
)
  
 
(30,733,000
)
  
 
—  
 
Investments held for sale
  
 
(60,700,000
)
  
 
—  
 
  
 
—  
 
Proceeds from long-term interest-bearing investments held to maturity
  
 
—  
 
  
 
1,462,000
 
  
 
—  
 
Other, net
  
 
(806,000
)
  
 
(867,000
)
  
 
836,000
 
    


  


  


Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
  
 
12,580,000
 
  
 
24,597,000
 
  
 
(2,886,000
)
    


  


  


Cash flows—financing activities:
                          
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
  
 
9,647,000
 
  
 
4,625,000
 
  
 
2,950,000
 
Repurchases of Common Stock
  
 
—  
 
  
 
(79,379,000
)
  
 
(21,134,000
)
Collections of stockholder notes receivable
  
 
6,000
 
  
 
—  
 
  
 
—  
 
    


  


  


Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
  
 
9,653,000
 
  
 
(74,754,000
)
  
 
(18,184,000
)
    


  


  


Effects of exchange rates on cash
  
 
(4,415,000
)
  
 
(1,354,000
)
  
 
2,891,000
 
    


  


  


Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
  
 
83,172,000
 
  
 
(7,687,000
)
  
 
(11,647,000
)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period
  
 
33,059,000
 
  
 
116,231,000
 
  
 
108,544,000
 
    


  


  


Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period
  
$
116,231,000
 
  
$
108,544,000
 
  
$
96,897,000
 
    


  


  


Supplemental disclosures:
                          
Income taxes paid
  
$
14,218,000
 
  
$
16,574,000
 
  
$
7,115,000
 
    


  


  


Interest paid
  
$
7,000
 
  
$
7,000
 
  
$
6,000
 
    


  


  


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

33


Table of Contents
 
LEARNING TREE INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
1.    Nature of the Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies:
 
a.  Nature of the Business:
 
Learning Tree International, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) develop, market and deliver advanced technology training courses covering a broad range of topics which are designed to meet the training needs of information technology (“IT”) professionals worldwide. These courses are delivered primarily at the Company’s leased education centers located in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, France and Sweden. Such course events are also conducted in hotel and conference facilities, and at customer sites throughout the world. The Company provides courses that are regularly presented worldwide and cover such IT topics as client/server technology, operating systems, programming languages, intranet/Internet/Web applications, computer networks, computer and network security, databases, software engineering, object-oriented technology, IT management, and related topics.
 
b.  Principles of Consolidation:
 
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Learning Tree International, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Minority interests in certain subsidiaries are not significant. Following is a summary of the subsidiaries of the Company:
 
Learning Tree International USA, Inc. (U.S.)
 
Learning Tree International, K.K. (Japan)
 
Learning Tree International Ltd. (United Kingdom)
 
Learning Tree International S.A. (France)
 
Learning Tree International AB (Sweden)
 
Learning Tree Publishing AB (Sweden)
 
Learning Tree International Inc. (Canada)
 
Learning Tree International Ltd. (Hong Kong)
 
Advanced Technology Marketing, Inc. (U.S.)
 
Technology for Business and Industry, Inc. (U.S. Virgin Islands)
 
c.  Capital Stock:
 
The Company has 75,000,000 authorized shares of $.0001 par value Common Stock (“Common Stock”). In addition, the Company’s authorized capital stock includes 10,000,000 shares of $.0001 par value preferred stock (“Preferred Stock”). No shares of Preferred Stock have been issued nor have the terms, conditions or preferences for such Preferred Stock been established.
 
d.  Revenue Recognition:
 
The Company’s revenues are received from corporate and governmental agencies for the training of their employees. Course events range from three to five days with an average of approximately four days. For individual course enrollments, it is the Company’s policy to recognize revenues and the related direct costs of course events as courses are delivered on a straight-line basis. However, for administrative purposes, the revenues and the related costs of course events are recorded upon commencement of each course event. The difference between the Company’s revenue recognition policy and recording revenues and related course costs on a straight-line basis is inconsequential.

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Table of Contents

LEARNING TREE INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 
The Company offers its customers a multiple-course sales discount referred to as a “Training Passport.” A Training Passport allows an individual passport holder to attend up to a specified number of the Company’s courses over a one-year period for a fixed price. For a Training Passport, the amount of revenue recognized for each attendance in one of the Company’s courses is based upon the selling price of the Training Passport, the list price of the course taken and the estimated average number of courses passport holders will actually attend. Upon expiration of a Training Passport, the Company records the difference, if any, between the revenues previously recognized and the Training Passport selling price. The estimated attendance rate is based upon the historical experience of the average actual number of course events that Training Passport holders have been attending. The average actual attendance rate for all expired Training Passports has closely approximated the estimated rate utilized by the Company. If the Training Passport attendance rates change, the revenue recognition rate for all active Training Passports and for all Training Passports sold thereafter is adjusted. The Company believes it is appropriate to recognize revenues on this basis in order to more closely match revenue and related costs, as the substantial majority of its Passport holders do not attend the maximum number of course events permitted under their Training Passport. The Company believes that the use of historical data is reasonable and appropriate because of the relative stability of the average actual number of course events attended by the tens of thousands of Passport holders since the inception of the program in fiscal 1993. Although the Company has seen no material changes in the historical rates as the number of course titles has increased, it monitors such potential effects. In general, determining the estimated average number of course events that will be attended by a Training Passport holder is based on historical trends that may not continue in the future. These estimates could differ in the near term from amounts used in arriving at the reported revenue.
 
The Company also offers a multiple-course sales discount referred to as “Training Vouchers.” Under the Company’s Training Vouchers, the customer buys the right to send a specified number of attendees to the Company’s courses over a one-year period for a fixed price. Revenue is recognized on a pro rata basis for each attendance. If a Training Voucher expires unused, the Company records the selling price of the expired Training Voucher as revenue.
 
e.  Deferred Revenues:
 
Deferred revenues primarily relate to unearned revenues associated with Training Passports, Training Vouchers and advance payments received from customers for course events to be held in the future.
 
f.  Prepaid Marketing Expenses:
 
Prepaid marketing expenses primarily include the external costs associated with the design, printing, postage and handling of direct mail advertising materials to be mailed in the future. These costs are charged to income in the month in which the advertising materials are mailed since the benefit period for such costs is short and the amount of such future benefit is not practically measurable. Marketing expenses for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2000, 2001 and 2002, were $34,544,000, $42,942,000 and $34,418,000, respectively.
 
g.  Course Development Costs:
 
Course development costs are charged to operations in the period incurred.
 
h.  Foreign Currency:
 
The Company translates the financial statements of its foreign subsidiaries from the local (functional) currencies to United States dollars in accordance with SFAS No. 52 “Foreign Currency Translation.” The rates of exchange at each fiscal year end are used for translating the balance sheets and the average monthly rates of exchange for each year are used for the statements of operations. Gains or losses arising from the translation of

35


Table of Contents

LEARNING TREE INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

the foreign subsidiaries’ financial statements are included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. Gains or losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are included in the consolidated statements of operations.
 
To date, the Company has not sought to hedge the risk associated with fluctuations in currency exchange rates, and therefore continues to be subject to such risk.
 
i.  Equipment, Property and Leasehold Improvements:
 
Equipment, property and leasehold improvements are recorded at cost and depreciated or amortized using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives:
 
Education and office equipment
  
3 to 5 years
Transportation equipment
  
4 years
Leasehold improvements
  
10 years or the life of the lease, if shorter
Property
  
30 years
 
Costs of normal maintenance and repairs and minor replacements are charged to expense as incurred. The costs of assets sold or retired are eliminated from the accounts along with the related accumulated depreciation or amortization and any resulting gain or loss is included in income.
 
j.  Intangible and Long-Lived Assets:
 
The Company periodically reviews the carrying value of its facilities, intangible and other long-lived assets to identify and assess any impairment of the carrying value.
 
k.  Facilities Leases:
 
The Company leases its facilities under various operating lease agreements. Certain provisions of these leases provide for cash incentives, graduated rent payments and other inducements. The Company recognizes rent expense on a straight-line basis, which more closely reflects the benefits received. The value of any lease incentives or inducements, along with the excess of the rent expense recognized over the rentals paid is recorded as deferred facilities rent charges in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
 
l.  Computation of Earnings per Common Share and Assuming Dilution:
 
Earnings per common share and earnings per common share assuming dilution are computed using the weighted average number of shares of Common Stock outstanding during the period. Earnings per common share assuming dilution are computed by including the dilutive effect, if any, of all outstanding options to purchase Common Stock using the treasury stock method. To calculate the number of diluted shares outstanding, 733,000 shares, 563,000 shares and 229,000 shares were added to the weighted average number of shares outstanding for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2000, 2001 and 2002, respectively. Approximately 802,000 stock options and 1,302,000 stock options were excluded from the calculation of earnings per common share assuming dilution for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2001 and 2002, respectively, because they were antidilutive.
 
m.  Use of Estimates:
 
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

36


Table of Contents

LEARNING TREE INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 
n.  Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements:
 
In fiscal 2002, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 145 “Rescission of FASB Statements No. 4, 44, and 64, Amendment of FASB Statement No. 13, and Technical Corrections,” and SFAS No. 146 “Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities.” Learning Tree believes that these statements will not have a material effect on its consolidated financial position or results of operations.
 
2.    Income Taxes:
 
The Company files a consolidated U.S. Federal income tax return which includes substantially all of its domestic operations. The Company files separate tax returns for each of its foreign subsidiaries in the countries in which they reside.
 
Income before provision for income taxes consists of the following:
 
    
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,

    
2000

  
2001

  
2002

Domestic
  
$
34,185,000
  
$
19,333,000
  
$
8,550,000
Foreign
  
 
22,883,000
  
 
19,413,000
  
 
3,690,000
    

  

  

Total
  
$
57,068,000
  
$
38,746,000
  
$
12,240,000
    

  

  

 
The provision for income taxes is comprised of the following:
 
    
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,

 
    
2000

  
2001

    
2002

 
Current tax provision:
                        
U.S. Federal
  
$
11,451,000
  
$
6,296,000
 
  
$
2,122,000
 
State
  
 
1,020,000
  
 
910,000
 
  
 
471,000
 
Foreign
  
 
7,320,000
  
 
6,453,000
 
  
 
1,563,000
 
    

  


  


    
 
19,791,000
  
 
13,659,000
 
  
 
4,156,000
 
    

  


  


Deferred tax provision:
                        
U.S. Federal
  
 
62,000
  
 
90,000
 
  
 
187,000
 
State
  
 
5,000
  
 
7,000
 
  
 
14,000
 
Foreign
  
 
115,000
  
 
(1,000
)
  
 
(12,000
)
    

  


  


    
 
182,000
  
 
96,000
 
  
 
189,000
 
    

  


  


Total provision for income taxes
  
$
19,973,000
  
$
13,755,000
 
  
$
4,345,000
 
    

  


  


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LEARNING TREE INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 
The following is a reconciliation of the provision for income taxes computed by applying the U.S. Federal statutory rate to the income before taxes, to the reported provision for income taxes:
 
    
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,

 
    
2000

    
2001

    
2002

 
Income taxes at the statutory rate
  
$
19,973,000
 
  
$
13,560,000
 
  
$
4,284,000
 
Permanent differences
  
 
40,000
 
  
 
5,000
 
  
 
21,000
 
Effect of foreign taxes and tax credits
  
 
(710,000
)
  
 
(401,000
)
  
 
(266,000
)
State income taxes
  
 
670,000
 
  
 
591,000
 
  
 
306,000
 
    


  


  


Total provision for income taxes
  
$
19,973,000
 
  
$
13,755,000
 
  
$
4,345,000
 
    


  


  


 
Under SFAS No. 109 “Accounting for Income Taxes,” deferred income tax assets and liabilities arise from carryforwards and from temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and the book basis of such assets and liabilities as reported in the financial statements. Deferred income tax assets arise from expected reductions in taxes payable in future periods. Deferred tax assets reflect management’s estimate of the amounts that will be realized from future profitability and can be predicted with reasonable certainty. Deferred income tax liabilities represent taxes the Company expects to pay in future periods.
 
Deferred income tax liabilities and assets consist of the following:
 
    
As of September 30,

 
    
2001

    
2002

 
Domestic operations:
                 
Deferred tax assets:
                 
Deferred facilities rent charges
  
$
543,000
 
  
$
428,000
 
Other
  
 
287,000
 
  
 
415,000
 
Deferred tax liabilities:
                 
Depreciation and amortization
  
 
(735,000
)
  
 
(949,000
)
Other
  
 
(18,000
)
  
 
(18,000
)
    


  


Net domestic deferred tax assets (liabilities)
  
 
77,000
 
  
 
(124,000
)
    


  


Foreign operations:
                 
Deferred tax assets:
                 
Depreciation and other
  
 
(255,000
)
  
 
(243,000
)
    


  


Net foreign deferred tax liabilities
  
 
(255,000
)
  
 
(243,000
)
    


  


Net deferred tax liabilities
  
$
(178,000
)
  
$
(367,000
)
    


  


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LEARNING TREE INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 
3.    Commitments:
 
The Company leases its facilities and certain equipment under various operating lease agreements which expire at various dates through 2019. The minimum future rental payments for all operating leases are as follows:
 
2003
  
$
13,341,000
2004
  
 
13,308,000
2005
  
 
13,112,000
2006
  
 
12,450,000
2007
  
 
11,979,000
Thereafter
  
 
57,470,000
    

    
$
121,660,000
    

 
The minimum future rental payments have not been reduced by future minimum sublease rentals of $2,802,000 due in the future under noncancelable subleases. For the years ended September 30, 2000, 2001 and 2002, rent expense was $10,238,000, $11,983,000 and $12,714,000, respectively. The agreements generally require the payment of property taxes, insurance and maintenance in addition to the minimum base rent.
 
4.    Stockholders’ Equity:
 
During fiscal 2001, the Company repurchased approximately 3,473,000 shares of its Common Stock on the open market at a total cost of approximately $79,379,000. During fiscal 2002, the Company repurchased approximately 1,104,000 shares at a total cost of approximately $21,134,000.
 
5.    Employee Stock Option Plan:
 
In March 1999, the Company and its shareholders adopted the Learning Tree International, Inc. 1999 Stock Option Plan (the “1999 Plan”). The 1999 Plan permits the grant of options to officers, employees and directors of the Company. It provides for the issuance of incentive stock options within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code and non-qualified stock options. In March 2002, the 1999 Plan was amended to increase the number of shares of Common Stock that may be purchased under the plan from an aggregate of 1,500,000 shares to 3,964,000 shares.
 
In October 1995, the 1995 Stock Option Plan (the “1995 Plan”) had been adopted. The 1995 Plan generally had the same terms and conditions as the 1999 Plan. Effective with the approval of the amendment of the 1999 Plan, the Company will no longer be granting options under the 1995 Plan which had provided for options covering up to an aggregate of 2,250,000 shares of Common Stock.
 
The exercise price of incentive stock options granted will be greater than or equal to their fair market value at the date of grant, and the maximum term of all options may not exceed ten years. The vesting schedule and the period required for full exercisability of the stock options is at the discretion of the Board of Directors, but in no event can it be less than six months.

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LEARNING TREE INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 
In fiscal 2000, 2001 and 2002, options were granted to certain employees under the 1999 Option Plan. The exercise price of all options granted was equal to their fair market value at the dates of the grants and the terms of the options are generally five years. The options are generally subject to a four-year vesting schedule at 25% per year on each anniversary date. Following is a summary of the options granted under the plans:
 
    
Shares

      
Weighted Average
Exercise Price

Outstanding at September 30, 1999
  
2,144,000
 
    
$
16.37
Options Granted
  
448,000
 
    
 
29.19
Exercised during the year
  
(483,000
)
    
 
19.97
Forfeited during the year
  
(145,000
)
    
 
18.01
    

    

Outstanding at September 30, 2000
  
1,964,000
 
    
 
18.28
Options Granted
  
997,000
 
    
 
28.29
Exercised during the year
  
(283,000
)
    
 
16.31
Forfeited during the year
  
(332,000
)
    
 
25.87
    

    

Outstanding at September 30, 2001
  
2,346,000
 
    
 
21.70
Options Granted
  
667,000
 
    
 
22.08
Exercised during the year
  
(302,000
)
    
 
9.75
Forfeited during the year
  
(591,000
)
    
 
22.30
    

    

Outstanding at September 30, 2002
  
2,120,000
 
    
$
23.36
    

    

 
As of September 30, 2002, the Company had 2,393,000 shares of Common Stock available for grant under the 1999 plan.
 
The following table summarizes stock options outstanding and exercisable at September 30, 2002:
 
    
Options Outstanding

  
Options Exercisable

Exercise
Price Ranges

  
Shares

    
Weighted Average Exercise Price

    
Average Remaining Life (Years)

  
Shares

    
Weighted Average Exercise Price

$  6.63–16.56
  
614,000
    
$
12.81
    
1.8
  
449,000
    
$
12.03
  20.92–29.50
  
852,000
    
 
23.20
    
3.9
  
111,000
    
 
23.56
  30.25–48.50
  
654,000
    
 
33.48
    
3.0
  
191,000
    
 
35.19

  
    

    
  
    

$  6.63–48.50
  
2,120,000
    
$
23.36
    
3.0
  
751,000
    
$
19.63

  
    

    
  
    

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LEARNING TREE INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 
The Company applies APB Opinion No. 25 “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” in accounting for the stock option plans. Accordingly, no compensation cost has been recognized for options granted to employees during fiscal 2000, 2001 and 2002. Had compensation cost for the options granted been determined based upon the estimated fair value at the grant dates in accordance with SFAS No. 123 “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” the Company’s net income and earnings per common share would have been reduced to the pro forma amounts below:
 
    
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,

    
2000

  
2001

  
2002

Pro forma net income
  
$
35,741,000
  
$
23,185,000
  
$
5,944,000
Pro forma earnings per common share
  
$
1.64
  
$
1.13
  
$
0.32
Pro forma earnings per common share assuming dilution
  
$
1.59
  
$
1.10
  
$
0.31
 
The preceding pro forma amounts have been calculated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to estimate the fair value of the options granted during the years ended September 30, 2000, 2001 and 2002, with the following assumptions: risk-free interest rates of 6.0%, 5.2% and 3.1%; a dividend yield of zero; an expected life of two and one-half years; and a volatility of 63%, 69% and 55%. Based upon these assumptions, the pro forma weighted average fair value of the options granted during fiscal 2000 was $12.51, during fiscal 2001 was $12.81 and during fiscal 2002 was $8.00.
 
6.    Employee Benefit Plans:
 
The Company has adopted a defined contribution plan for the benefit of its domestic employees who have met the eligibility requirements. The Learning Tree International 401(k) Plan (the “Plan”) is a profit-sharing plan qualifying under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code.
 
Qualified employees may elect to contribute up to 15% of their compensation to the Plan on a pre-tax basis, subject to statutory limitations. The Company makes contributions at a rate of 75% of elective contributions up to 4.5% of the compensation of such contributors. The Company contributed $687,000, $749,000 and $730,000 to the Plan for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2000, 2001 and 2002, respectively.
 
The Company has adopted similar plans for the benefit of its employees in certain of its foreign subsidiaries. Contributions to these plans are subject to various age, length of service and compensation level criteria, as well as certain limitations. For the fiscal years ended September 30, 2000, 2001 and 2002, the cost to the Company of these plans was approximately $303,000, $329,000 and $379,000, respectively.
 
7.    Operating Segment Information:
 
The Company has only one material operating segment, the design and delivery of advanced technology training courses and related services, which is managed on a geographic basis. There were no sales to any individual customers that accounted for 10% or more of revenue in fiscal 2000, 2001 or 2002.

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LEARNING TREE INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 
The table below presents revenues by service:
 
    
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,

    
2000

  
2001

  
2002

Instructor-led training
  
$
219,949,000
  
$
227,025,000
  
$
174,161,000
CBT courses
  
 
4,059,000
  
 
195,000
  
 
—  
    

  

  

Consolidated revenues
  
$
224,008,000
  
$
227,220,000
  
$
174,161,000
    

  

  

 
The table below presents information by geographic location:
 
    
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,

    
2000

  
2001

  
2002

Revenues:
                    
United States
  
$
117,117,000
  
$
117,274,000
  
$
87,748,000
Canada
  
 
14,011,000
  
 
13,519,000
  
 
11,462,000
United Kingdom
  
 
57,507,000
  
 
60,349,000
  
 
46,532,000
Europe—other
  
 
32,914,000
  
 
33,479,000
  
 
26,581,000
Asia
  
 
2,459,000
  
 
2,599,000
  
 
1,838,000
    

  

  

Consolidated revenues
  
$
224,008,000
  
$
227,220,000
  
$
174,161,000
    

  

  

Long-lived assets:
                    
United States
         
$
19,292,000
  
$
15,731,000
Canada
         
 
1,685,000
  
 
1,333,000
United Kingdom
         
 
4,225,000
  
 
3,195,000
Europe—other
         
 
3,476,000
  
 
4,353,000
Asia
         
 
182,000
  
 
148,000
           

  

Consolidated long-lived assets
         
$
28,860,000
  
$
24,760,000
           

  

 
Revenues are attributed to countries based on the location in which the sale originated. Long-lived assets principally consist of net equipment, property and leasehold improvements.
 
8.    Valuation and Qualifying Accounts:
 
Activity with respect to the Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts receivable is summarized as follows:
 
    
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,

 
    
2000

    
2001

    
2002

 
Beginning balance
  
$
743,000
 
  
$
499,000
 
  
$
786,000
 
Charged to expense
  
 
198,000
 
  
 
637,000
 
  
 
411,000
 
Amounts written off
  
 
(442,000
)
  
 
(350,000
)
  
 
(289,000
)
    


  


  


Ending balance
  
$
499,000
 
  
$
786,000
 
  
$
908,000
 
    


  


  


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LEARNING TREE INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 
9.    Cash, Cash Equivalents and Interest-Bearing Investments:
 
Cash Equivalents—
 
The Company considers highly liquid investments with original maturities of 90 days or less to be cash equivalents. Cost approximates market value for the Company’s cash equivalents.
 
Short-Term Interest-Bearing Investments—
 
The Company accounts for its investments in accordance with SFAS 115. Investments held to maturity mature between one and twelve months and are reported at amortized cost. The Company had no short-term interest-bearing investments in fiscal 2002.
 
Long-Term Interest-Bearing Investments—
 
        Included in the balance of long-term interest-bearing investments is $7,813,000 (5,000,000 British Pounds) which has been pledged to secure the Company’s obligation under a lease for certain education center facilities in the United Kingdom. The terms of the lease require the Company to pledge a cash deposit or provide a letter of credit for the same amount as collateral for its obligations thereunder. The investment is carried at cost, which approximates market value. The Company receives interest earned by the cash deposit. The required level of the cash deposit or letter of credit will decline if certain financial ratios have been met.
 
10.    Related Party Transactions:
 
In September 2000, Dr. David Collins, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Eric Garen the Company’s President, and certain of their related entities, sold an aggregate of 3,000,000 shares of Common Stock of the Company. In connection with the transaction, the Company made standard representations and warranties, and agreed to certain covenants (including the filing of a registration statement on Form S-3) which are typical in transactions of this type. The selling shareholders reimbursed the Company for its costs in connection with the transaction or registration statement and agreed to indemnify the Company against any claims based on or related to the transaction or the registration statement.
 
In October 1995, the Company entered into employment agreements with the Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company, each for an initial period of three years. Since October 1995, the agreements have periodically been amended and extended. In October 2001, the Company entered into a new employment agreement with the President of the Company for a period of one year. In September 2002, the employment agreement with the President of the Company was amended and extended until September 30, 2003. In September 2002, the employment agreement with the Chief Executive Officer was amended and extended until September 30, 2004.
 
During fiscal 2000 and 2001, the Company paid $182,000 and $170,000, respectively, for legal services performed by Guth | Christopher LLP, a law firm in which one the firm’s partners was a Director of the Company until June 2001. During fiscal 2000, the Company paid $161,000 for financial consulting services to M. Kane & Company, Inc. The president of M. Kane & Company, Inc. is a Director of the Company.

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ITEM 9.
  
CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES
 
A change in independent auditors from Arthur Andersen LLP to Ernst & Young LLP was reported in a current report dated April 5, 2002.
 
PART III
 
ITEM 10.
  
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
 
The following table provides biographical information regarding the directors and executive officers of Learning Tree as of September 30, 2002. All other information regarding directors and executive officers of Learning Tree required by this item is incorporated by reference to the section entitled “Executive Officers of the Registrant” of Learning Tree’s definitive Proxy Statement to be delivered to shareholders in connection with the 2003 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
 
Name

  
Age

  
Title

David C. Collins
  
61
  
Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer
Eric R. Garen
  
55
  
President and Director
Nicholas R. Schacht
  
43
  
Chief Operating Officer
Gary R. Wright
  
45
  
Chief Financial Officer and Secretary
Mary C. Adams
  
46
  
Vice President Administration and Investor Relations, and Assistant Secretary
W. Mathew Juechter(1)
  
69
  
Director
Michael W. Kane(1)
  
51
  
Director
Howard A. Bain III(2)
  
56
  
Director

(1)
 
Member of the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee.
(2)
 
Member of the Audit Committee.
 
Dr. Collins, a co-founder of Learning Tree, has been Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer since Learning Tree began operations in August, 1974. Dr. Collins has a Bachelor of Science degree (with distinction) in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University, and Masters and Ph.D. degrees in Electrical Engineering from the University of Southern California.
 
Mr. Garen, a co-founder of Learning Tree, has served as President and as Executive Vice President of Learning Tree since Learning Tree’s business began in 1974. Mr. Garen holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the California Institute of Technology and a Masters degree in Computer Science from the University of Southern California, earning both degrees with honors.
 
Mr. Schacht has been Chief Operating Officer of Learning Tree since September 2002. He was president of Global Learning Systems from 1999 to 2002, Group President for the Institute for International Research from 1998 to 1999, and held a variety of positions with ESI International from 1989 to 1998, culminating as its President. From 1987 to 1989, Mr. Schacht was a Research Fellow with Logistics Management Institute, and from 1981 to 1987, he was a U.S. Naval officer. Mr. Schacht holds a B.S. degree with honors from the U.S. Naval Academy, a Master’s degree in General Administration from the University of Maryland, and a Master of Science degree from The George Washington University.
 
Mr. Wright has been Vice President, Chief Financial Officer of Learning Tree since January 1995, and from January 1990 to that time he was Corporate Controller of Learning Tree. From April 1983 to January 1990, Mr. Wright was employed by The Flying Tiger Line, Inc. and its parent company, Tiger International, Inc., a

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publicly-held transportation company, where he held a variety of financial executive positions, including Assistant Controller and Director of Financial Reporting. Prior to April 1983, Mr. Wright worked at the public accounting firm of Arthur Andersen LLP. Mr. Wright is a certified public accountant. Mr. Wright became a Director of Learning Tree in December 1999. Mr. Wright resigned as a Director of Learning Tree in September 2002.
 
Ms. Adams has served as Vice President, Administration and Investor Relations since September 1995. She began her association with Learning Tree in September 1975 and has held a variety of key positions in Learning Tree. Ms. Adams is also the President of Advanced Technology Marketing, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Learning Tree. Ms. Adams became a Director of Learning Tree in December 1999. Ms. Adams resigned as a Director of Learning Tree in September 2002.
 
Mr. Juechter has been a director of Learning Tree since June 1987. He is President and Chief Executive Officer of IRA, Inc., a management consulting company that works primarily in the areas of strategy, structure and executive development. From 1991 to 1999, he was Chief Executive Officer of ARC International Ltd., a management consulting and training company. From 1986 to 1991, Mr. Juechter was Managing Director of IRA, Inc. in St. Paul, Minnesota. Mr. Juechter served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Wilson Learning Corp., a multi-national training organization, from 1977 to 1986. From 1989 to 1997, he also was President of the Board of Governors of the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD). Mr. Juechter is a graduate of Boston University and Harvard Business School.
 
Dr. Kane has served as a director of Learning Tree since February 1995. Since 1991, he has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of M. Kane & Company, Inc., an investment banking firm focusing primarily on technology companies. From 1987 to 1991, he was an investment banker with, respectively, L.F. Rothschild & Co., Inc. and Oppenheimer & Co., Inc. From 1984 to 1987, Dr. Kane practiced corporate and securities law with the law firm of Irell & Manella and, prior to that, he was a Project Leader in the Systems Sciences Department of The Rand Corporation. Dr. Kane also serves on the Board of Directors of Myers Industries, Inc., a NYSE listed company that is an international manufacturer of polymer products for industrial, agricultural, automotive, commercial and consumer markets. Dr. Kane earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Master’s degree in International Relations, a Ph.D. degree in Political Science and a J.D. degree from the University of California, Los Angeles.
 
Mr. Bain has served as a director of Learning Tree since June 2001. He has been Chief Financial Officer of Portal Software (NASDAQ: PRSF), a developer of customer management and billing software for communications and content service providers, since August 2001. Prior to joining Portal, Mr. Bain held CFO positions at Vicinity Corporation (NASDAQ: VCNT) in 2000, Informix (NASDAQ: IFMX) from 1999 to 2000, and Symantec Corporation (NASDAQ: SYMC) from 1991 to 1999. He has additional experience in various technology companies in the areas of semiconductor manufacturing equipment; semiconductor BiCMOS SRAMs; laser-based large screen projection systems; and disk drives. He has also held senior financial and accounting management positions with Fairchild Camera and Instrument Corporation and as a consultant with Arthur Andersen LLP. Mr. Bain is a certified public accountant and holds a B.S. in Business from California Polytechnic University.
 
David C. Collins and Mary C. Adams are married. There are no other family relationships among any of the directors or executive officers of Learning Tree.

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Table of Contents
 
ITEM 11.
  
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
The information regarding compensation of executive officers of Learning Tree required by this item is incorporated by reference to the section entitled “Executive Compensation” of Learning Tree’s definitive Proxy Statement to be delivered to shareholders in connection with the 2003 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
 
ITEM 12.
  
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
 
The information regarding the security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management required by this item is incorporated by reference to the section entitled “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” of Learning Tree’s definitive Proxy Statement to be delivered to shareholders in connection with the 2003 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
 
ITEM 13.
  
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
 
The information regarding certain relationships and related transactions required by this item is incorporated by reference to the section entitled “Certain Transactions” of Learning Tree’s definitive Proxy Statement to be delivered to shareholders in connection with the 2003 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
 
ITEM 14.
  
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
 
Learning Tree International, Inc. (“Learning Tree”) maintains disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that it is able to timely collect the information it is required to disclose in the reports it files with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Within 90 days prior to the date of this report, Learning Tree carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of Learning Tree’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14. The evaluation was conducted under the supervision of, and with the participation of Learning Tree’s management including Learning Tree’s Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”). Based upon that evaluation, subject to the limitations noted below, Learning Tree’s CEO and CFO concluded that Learning Tree’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective in timely alerting them to material information relating to Learning Tree (including its consolidated subsidiaries) required to be included in Learning Tree’s periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
Learning Tree also maintains a system of internal controls designed to provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general and specific authorization; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles and to maintain accountability for assets; (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences. Subject to the limitations noted below, Learning Tree believes that its internal controls are effective to provide reasonable assurance that its financial statements are fairly presented in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
 
Since the most recent evaluation of Learning Tree’s internal controls by Learning Tree’s CEO and CFO, there have been no significant changes in Learning Tree’s internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect these controls, nor were any corrective actions required with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.
 
Learning Tree’s management, including its CEO and CFO, does not expect that its disclosure controls and procedures will prevent all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. In addition, the

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design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within Learning Tree have been detected. These inherent limitations include the reality that judgments and decisions can be wrong, although made in good faith in light of the information available at the time, and that breakdowns can result from inadvertent errors or mistakes or by management override of the controls. Additionally, controls can be disrupted and circumvented by the bad faith acts of one or more persons. The design of any system of controls also 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 circumstances. To maintain adequate and efficient controls, over time, Learning Tree’s CEO and CFO periodically review the Company’s internal and disclosure controls with other members of the Company’s management and update controls and systems as needed.

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PART IV
 
ITEM 15.
  
EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
 
(a)  Financial Statements and Schedules
 
The financial statements of Learning Tree International, Inc. as set forth under item 8 are filed as part of this report.
 
All schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulation of the Securities and Exchange Commission are omitted because such schedules are not required under the related instructions, are not applicable or the required information is given in the financial statements.
 
(b)  Reports on Form 8-K
 
There were no reports on Form 8-K during the three-month period ended September 30, 2002.
 
(c)  Exhibit Index
 
Exhibit No.

  
Description

  3.1
  
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant*
  3.2
  
By-Laws of the Registrant*
  4.1
  
Specimen of Common Stock Certificate**
10.1
  
Amendment to Employment Agreement dated as of October 1, 1995 (previously filed**) between Learning Tree International, Inc. and Dr. David C. Collins
10.2
  
Amendment to Employment Agreement dated as of October 1, 2001 (previously filed*****) between Learning Tree International, Inc. and Eric R. Garen
10.4
  
Employment Agreement dated as of February 1978, as amended, between Learning Tree International, Inc. and Mary C. Adams**
10.6
  
Employment Agreement dated as of January 8, 1990, as amended, between Learning Tree International, Inc. and Gary R. Wright**
10.7
  
Form of Training Advantage Agreement*
10.8
  
1995 Stock Option Plan dated as of September 29, 1995**
10.9
  
Employment Agreement dated as of September 23, 2002, between Learning Tree International, Inc. and Nicholas R. Schacht
10.10
  
1999 Stock Option Plan dated as of January 29, 1999***
10.11
  
Reimbursement and Indemnification Agreement dated as of September 15, 2000, between Learning Tree International, Inc. and David Collins, Eric Garen and related entities****
21.1
  
Subsidiaries of the Registrant
23.1
  
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
23.2
  
Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP (copy of previously issued Consent)
99.1
  
Risk Factors
99.2
  
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
99.3
  
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
99.4
  
Learning Tree International Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

        *
 
Previously filed on October 6, 1995.
      **
 
Previously filed on November 13, 1995.
    ***
 
Previously filed on January 29, 1999.
  ****
 
Previously filed on December 15, 2000.
*****
 
Previously filed on December 21, 2001.

48


Table of Contents
SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant, Learning Tree International, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, has duly caused this Annual Report on Form 10-K to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Los Angeles, State of California, on the 16th day of December, 2002.
 
LEARNING TREE INTERNATIONAL, INC.
By:
 
/s/    DAVID C. COLLINS, PH.D.        

   
Name: David C. Collins, Ph.D.
   
Title:  Chairman of the Board of Directors and
            Chief Executive Officer
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, this annual report on Form 10-K has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
Signature

  
Title

 
Date

/s/    DAVID C. COLLINS, PH.D.        

David C. Collins, Ph.D.
  
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer)
 
December 16, 2002
/s/    ERIC R. GAREN        

Eric R. Garen
  
President and Director
 
December 16, 2002
/s/    GARY R. WRIGHT        

Gary R. Wright
  
Chief Financial Officer and Secretary (principal financial officer and principal accounting officer)
 
December 16, 2002
/s/    W. MATHEW JUECHTER        

W. Mathew Juechter
  
Director
 
December 16, 2002
/s/    MICHAEL W. KANE, PH.D.        

Michael W. Kane, Ph.D.
  
Director
 
December 16, 2002
/s/    HOWARD A. BAIN III        

Howard A. Bain III
  
Director
 
December 16, 2002

49


Table of Contents
 
STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
BY PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER
REGARDING FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES RELATING TO EXCHANGE ACT FILINGS
 
I, David C. Collins, certify that:
 
1.
 
I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Learning Tree International, Inc.;
 
2.
 
Based on my knowledge, this annual report does not contain any untrue statement of 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 annual report;
 
3.
 
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this annual 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 annual 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-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and have:
 
 
a)
 
designed such disclosure controls and procedures 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 annual report is being prepared;
 
 
b)
 
evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this annual report (the “Evaluation Date”); and
 
 
c)
 
presented in this annual report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;
 
5.
 
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors:
 
 
a)
 
all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant’s auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and
 
 
b)
 
any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal controls; and
 
6.
 
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have indicated in this annual report whether there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.
 
Date: December 16, 2002
 
/s/    DAVID C. COLLINS        

David C. Collins
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)

50


Table of Contents
 
STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
BY PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER
REGARDING FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES RELATING TO EXCHANGE ACT FILINGS
 
I, Gary R. Wright, certify that:
 
1.
 
I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Learning Tree International, Inc.;
 
2.
 
Based on my knowledge, this annual report does not contain any untrue statement of 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 annual report;
 
3.
 
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this annual 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 annual 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-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and have:
 
 
a)
 
designed such disclosure controls and procedures 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 annual report is being prepared;
 
 
b)
 
evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this annual report (the “Evaluation Date”); and
 
 
c)
 
presented in this annual report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;
 
5.
 
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors:
 
 
a)
 
all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant’s auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and
 
 
b)
 
any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal controls; and
 
6.
 
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have indicated in this annual report whether there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.
 
Date: December 16, 2002
 
/s/    GARY R. WRIGHT        

Gary R. Wright
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer
and Principal Accounting Officer)

51
EX-10.1 3 dex101.htm EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT Employment Agreement
 
EXHIBIT 10.1
 
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
 
September 23, 2002
 
Dr. David C. Collins
Learning Tree International, Inc.
 
Dear Dr. Collins:
 
This will confirm our agreement to extend, until September 30, 2004, the term of your Employment Agreement dated as of October 1, 1995. All of the other terms of the Employment Agreement will remain as they have been.
 
Very truly yours,
 
Learning Tree International, Inc.
 
By
 
/s/    MARY C. ADAMS

   
Mary C. Adams, Vice President, Administration
 
Accepted and Agreed:
 
By
 
/s/    DAVID C. COLLINS        

   
David C. Collins
 
Dated
 
September 24, 2002

 
EX-10.2 4 dex102.htm EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT Employment Agreement
 
EXHIBIT 10.2
 
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
 
September 25, 2002
 
Eric R. Garen
Learning Tree International, Inc.
 
Dear Mr. Garen:
 
This will confirm our agreement to extend, until September 30, 2003, the term of your Employment Agreement dated as of October 1, 2001. All of the other terms of the Employment Agreement will remain as they have been.
 
Very truly yours,
 
Learning Tree International, Inc.
 
By
 
/s/    MARY C. ADAMS

   
Mary C. Adams, Vice President, Administration
 
Accepted and Agreed:
 
By
 
/s/    ERIC R. GAREN       

   
Eric R. Garen
 
Dated
 
September 25, 2002

 
EX-10.9 5 dex109.htm EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT Employment Agreement
 
EXHIBIT 10.9
 
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
 
WHEREAS, in consideration for Learning Tree International’s employment and continued employment of Nicholas R. Schacht (hereinafter referred to as “Employee”), Learning Tree International, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as “Company”) and Employee desire to enter into this Agreement to set forth the terms and conditions of such employment effective September 23, 2002.
 
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises set forth herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
 
1.
 
STATEMENT OF WORK:  Employee is engaged as a Chief Operating Officer of the Company and agrees to perform the duties described in the attached “Job Description” and such duties as are needed for the proper functioning of the Company, as directed from time to time, at the Company’s Reston, Virginia office and at other geographical locations serviced by the Company. The Company hereby employs Employee or continues his or her employment and Employee hereby accepts employment upon the terms and conditions stated herein.
 
Employee shall do his or her utmost to further enhance and develop the best interests and welfare of the Company. Employee shall perform no acts contrary to the best interests of the Company and the Company shall be entitled to all of the benefits, profits or other results arising from or incident to all work, services and advice of Employee.
 
Employee agrees to fully comply with the rules and procedures as may be promulgated by the Company in the Company’s sole and absolute discretion.
 
2.
 
PAYMENT:  As full consideration for the services rendered by Employee hereunder, the Company agrees to pay Employee the sum of $22,500.00 per month, payable in accordance with the Company’s payroll practices from time to time semi-monthly, subject to withholding and deductions in accordance with all applicable laws. Employee will also be entitled to Incentive Compensation when and as earned under the annual plan provided to him by the Company at the beginning of each fiscal year. For fiscal year 2003, the on-target incentive is set at $90,000.00. See the attached Compensation Summary for further details.
 
 
A.
 
Said compensation is paid (i) for Employee’s advice and availability as advisor to the Company; (ii) for substantially full-time services; and (iii) for the covenants described below.
 
 
B.
 
The Employee Manual, as amended from time to time by the Company and delivered to Employee, is an integral part of the employment relationship, but does not form a contract or contract-based rights, nor does it serve to alter the at-will nature of Employee’s employment. Employee’s initials affixed below signify Employee’s receipt of the Employee Manual, Employee’s understanding that it is his or her responsibility to read the Employee Manual, and to comply fully with the terms set forth therein.


 
(Employee’s Initials)
 
 
C.
 
Employee will have PTO of eighteen days per year (accrued at the rate of 12.00 hours per month), as well as holidays in accordance with the Company’s policies as modified from time to time by the Company. Executive’s PTO will be scheduled at those times most convenient to the Company’s business.
 
3.
 
COPYRIGHTS:  Employee agrees that all writings produced by him or her while employed under this Agreement, whether or not conceived or developed during Employee’s working hours and with respect to which the equipment, supplies, facilities or trade secret information of the Company were used, or that relate to the business of the Company, or that result from any work performed by Employee for the Company, are works done for hire and shall be the sole property of the Company and the Company shall have the exclusive right to copyright such writings in any country or countries. Employee further agrees to assign to the Company all interest in any such writings, whether copyrightable or not, which Employee develops or helps develop during his or her employment with the Company. This assignment does not apply to any copyright that qualifies fully under Section 2870 of the California Labor Code.
 
4.
 
PATENTS:  Employee shall disclose promptly to the Company all ideas, inventions, discoveries, improvements, whether or not patentable, relative to the field of work set forth in the “Job Description”, or otherwise assigned to Employee, and conceived or first reduced to practice by Employee in connection with work under this Agreement with the Company. Employee agrees that all such ideas, inventions, discoveries and improvements including, but not limited to papers, books and publications, shall become the sole and absolute property of the Company and that Employee will at any time, at the request and expense of the Company, execute any and all documents, including, but not limited to, patent applications and assignments to protect the same against infringement by others, and do whatever is reasonably required to be done to insure that the Company shall obtain title to such ideas, inventions, discoveries and improvements. Such services will be without additional compensation if Employee is then employed by the Company and for reasonable compensation and subjected to his reasonable availability if he is not. If the Company cannot, after reasonable effort, secure Employee’s signature on any document or documents needed to apply for or prosecute any patent, copyright, or other right or protection relating to an Invention, whether because of his physical or mental incapacity or for any other reason whatsoever, Employee hereby irrevocably designates and appoints the Company and its duly authorized officers and agents as his agent and attorney-in-fact, to act for and in his behalf and in his name and stead for the purpose of executing and filing any such application or applications and taking all other lawfully permitted actions to further the prosecution and issuance of patents, copyrights, or similar protections thereon, with the same legal force and effect as if executed by him.
 
This assignment does not apply to any patent or invention that qualifies fully under Section 2870 of the California Labor Code that Employee develops entirely on his or her own time, without using the Company’s equipment, supplies, facilities, or trade secret information, except for inventions that either (1) relate, at the time that the invention is conceived or reduced to practice, to the Company’s business or to actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development of the Company, or (2) result from any work performed by Employee for the Company.
 
For purposes of this paragraph, an invention is based on the trade secrets of the Company if the invention incorporates any such secrets in principle or design, and if the invention was conceived or first actually reduced to practice during the period of Employee’s employment with the Company.


 
Employee also agrees that the Company shall have the right to keep any inventions covered by this Agreement as trade secrets and Employee agrees not to disclose any such invention to third parties, except as specifically authorized by the Company.
 
Employee further agrees to assign to the Company all rights in any other inventions made by Employee if the Company is required to grant those rights to the United States Government or any of its agencies. Moreover, Employee agrees to render assistance, advice and counsel to the Company at its request regarding any matter, dispute or controversy with which the Company may become involved and of which Employee has or may have reason to have knowledge, information or expertise. Such services will be without additional compensation if Employee is then employed by the Company and for reasonable compensation and subject to his reasonable availability otherwise.
 
5.
 
SECRECY:
 
SECURITY CLEARANCE:  As to any Company information made available to Employee during the course of his or her employment, Employee agrees to cooperate in establishing and maintaining any security clearance and to execute whatever forms and joint agreements are required by law. Employee agrees to provide and maintain a system of security controls in accordance with the requirements of the U.S. Government or as may be required by law.
 
NON-DISCLOSURE OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION:  Confidential and Proprietary Information (hereinafter Confidential Information) is defined to include, but is not limited to, Company books; records; compilations of information; processes; teaching methods and techniques; secret inventions and specifications; information about computer programs or systems; names; usages and requirements of past, present and prospective customers of the Company; processes or methods by which the Company promotes its services and products and obtains customers; customers’ buying habits and special needs; profits; sales; suppliers; personnel; pricing policies; operational methods; technical processes and other business affairs and methods, and plans for future developments and other information which is not readily available to the public. Confidential Information also includes, but is not limited to, any information and material relating to any customer, vendor, licensor, licensee or other party transacting business with the Company. Confidential Information is developed and will be developed by or for the Company at great expense.
 
Employee agrees, during the term of employment and forever thereafter, to keep confidential all information provided by the Company, excepting only such information as is already known to the public. Employee agrees not to release, use or disclose any Confidential Information or permit any person to examine and/or make copies of any documents, which contain or are derived from Confidential Information, except with the prior written permission of the Company. Employee shall not make use of any Confidential Information for his or her own purposes or the benefit of anyone other than the Company.
 
Employee recognizes and acknowledges that the list of the Company’s customers, as it may exist from time to time, is a valuable, confidential, special, and unique asset of the Company’s business. Employee will not, during or after the term of his or her employment, use or disclose the list of the Company’s customers or any part thereof to any person, firm, corporation, association, or other entity for any reason or purpose whatsoever.
 
RETURN OF PROPERTY:  Employee agrees that upon request by the Company, and in any event upon termination of employment, Employee shall turn over to the Company all documents, papers or


 
other material in Employee’s possession or under his or her control which may contain or be derived from Confidential Information, together with all documents, notes or other work product which is connected with or derived from Employee’s services to the Company whether or not such material is at the date hereof in Employee’s possession.
 
Employee agrees that he or she shall have no proprietary interest in any work product developed or used by Employee arising out of his or her employment by the Company. Employee shall, from time to time as may be requested by the Company, do all things which may be necessary to establish or document the Company’s ownership interest in any such work product, including, but not limited to execution of appropriate copyright applications or assignments.
 
6.
 
EXCLUSIVITY:  While an employee of the Company, Employee will use best efforts to promote the success of the Company’s business and shall not enter the employ of or serve as a consultant to, or in any way perform any services with or without compensation for, any other person, enterprise, business, company, corporation, partnership, firm, association without the prior written consent of the Company and shall not own any interest (other than up to 1% of the voting securities of a publicly traded corporation) in any entity or individual that competes with the Company or that is a material supplier or vendor to the Company.
 
7.
 
SOLICITING:  Employee shall not, either during his or her employment with the Company, or for a period of two (2) years immediately thereafter, either directly or indirectly:
 
 
A.
 
Make known to any person, firm or corporation, the names or addresses of any customers of the Company or any other information pertaining to them;
 
 
B.
 
Call on, solicit, or attempt to take away or do business with any customers of the Company on whom Employee called or with whom Employee became acquainted during the term of this Agreement with the Company, either for Employee or for any other person, firm or corporation in competition with the Company; or
 
 
C.
 
Hire, subcontract, employ, engage, contact or solicit, for the purpose of hiring, any person or entity who is an employee or subcontractor of the Company on the date of Employee’s termination of employment or at any time during the six (6) month period prior to the termination of Employee’s employment.
 
8.
 
TRADE SECRETS:  During the term of this Agreement, Employee will have access to and become acquainted with various trade secrets consisting of items such as books, records, compilations of information, processes, teaching methods and techniques, devices, secret inventions, and specifications, which are owned by the Company and are regularly used in the operation of the business of the Company, which the Company desires to protect and preserve as secrets for its own use. Employee shall not disclose any of the aforesaid secrets, directly or indirectly, or use them in any way, either during the term of this Agreement or at any time thereafter, except as required in the course of his or her employment with the Company. All files, records, documents, drawings, specifications, equipment, products and other items relating to the Company, whether prepared by Employee or otherwise coming into his or her possession, shall remain the exclusive property of the Company and shall not be removed from the premises of the Company under any circumstances whatsoever, without the prior written consent of Employee’s supervisor, specifically setting forth the documents involved, the person receiving the permission, and the location of the items and the period of time for which the permission is granted.
 
9.
 
VIOLATION OF COVENANTS:  Notwithstanding paragraph 12 of this Agreement, if Employee


 
violates or threatens to violate any of the provisions of paragraphs 3 through 8 of this Agreement, the Company shall be entitled (without the need to post any bond) to a restraining order and/or an injunction to be issued by any court of competent jurisdiction, enjoining and restraining Employee, and each and every other person, partnership, corporation, association or other entity concerned therein, from continuing such violations or from rendering any services to any person, firm, corporation, association or other entity to whom such Confidential Information, in whole or in part, has been disclosed or is threatened to be disclosed. Employee recognizes that the violation or threatened violation of the provisions of paragraphs 3 through 8 of the Agreement may give rise to irreparable injury to the Company, which may not be adequately compensated by damages. Nothing herein shall be construed as prohibiting the Company from pursuing any other remedies available to the Company for such breach or threatened breach, including the recovery of damages from Employee. These obligations shall survive the termination of Employee’s employment.
 
10.
 
AT-WILL EMPLOYMENT:  Employee’s employment with the Company is “at-will” and may be terminated at any time, with or without cause, for any or no reason, and with or without notice. In conjunction with this policy of at-will employment, Employee may also be disciplined, demoted or have his or her job responsibilities reassigned by the Company for any reason at the Company’s sole discretion. No individual within the Company can modify this “at-will” status, except in a written agreement signed by the Chief Executive Officer or Vice President, Administration of the Company. No oral or written modifications, express or implied, may alter or vary the terms of this Agreement. Any representations to the contrary are hereby disclaimed. Upon Employee’s termination of employment with the Company for any or no reason, and with or without notice, (a) Employee shall be deemed to have resigned from all offices and directorships then held with the Company or any affiliate and (b) the Company shall pay to Employee all amounts accrued and unpaid as of the date of termination in respect of (i) Employee’s salary for periods through such date, and (ii) PTO (“Paid Time Off”) pay to the extent consistent with the Company’s policies in effect from time to time and (iii) if and only if the termination is by the Company and without “Cause,” then in lieu of any other severance, the Company will also continue to pay Employee’s Base Salary for the following six months in accordance with its normal salary payment schedules. “Cause” shall exist if any one or more of the following should occur: Employee’s (a) material failure to perform his duties under, or material breach of, this Agreement which remains uncured for more than thirty (30) days (which shall be reduced to ten (10) days if (a) there is no reasonable expectation that a cure can be completed during such thirty day period or (b) the Company reasonably believes that such delay could be seriously detrimental to it) after a written warning (except in the case of a willful failure to perform his duties or a willful breach, which shall require no warning), (b) failure to comply with a reasonable direction of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, which remains uncured for more than thirty (30) days (which shall be reduced to ten (10) days if (a) there is no reasonable expectation that a cure can be completed during such thirty day period or (b) the Company reasonably believes that such delay could be seriously detrimental to it) after a written warning, (c) breach of his fiduciary duty to the Company, or (d) indictment (or equivalent) for a felony or other serious crime. Employee agrees that the rights and entitlements set forth in this Section 10 are Employee’s exclusive rights and entitlements from the Company and any affiliated entity upon and as a result of the termination of Employee’s employment with the Company.
 
11.
 
AUTHORSHIP AND OUTSIDE INCOME:  Except as otherwise approved in writing by the Company, while employed under this Agreement, any income earned by Employee in any work of the type performed by the Company shall be deemed earned on behalf of the Company and shall be promptly remitted to the Company. Any articles or other works published by Employee shall be first approved by the Chief Executive Officer or Vice President, Administration of the Company, in writing, and may be published only if approved by the Company. Any approval given under this paragraph shall be deemed valid for only the specific event and time set forth in the approval.


 
12.
 
ARBITRATION:  Any and all disputes between Employee and the Company that arise out of Employee’s employment, including disputes involving the terms of this Agreement, shall be resolved through final and binding arbitration. This shall include, without limitation, disputes relating to this Agreement, Employee’s employment by the Company or the termination thereof, claims for breach of contract or breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing, and any claims of discrimination or other claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans With Disabilities Act, or any other federal, state or local law or regulation now in existence or hereinafter enacted and as amended from time to time concerning in any way the subject of Employee’s employment with the Company or his or her termination. The only claims not covered by this Agreement are claims for benefits under the workers’ compensation or unemployment insurance laws, which will be resolved pursuant to those laws. Notices of requests to arbitrate a covered claim must be made within the applicable statute of limitations. Binding arbitration will be conducted in Fairfax County, Virginia in accordance with the rules and regulations of the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”). Discovery may be carried out under the supervision of the arbitrator appointed pursuant to the rules of the AAA. Employee will be responsible for paying the same fee to initiate the arbitration that he or she would pay to file a civil lawsuit. The Company will pay any remaining cost of the arbitration filing and hearing fees, including the cost of the arbitrator; each side will bear its own attorneys’ fees, that is, the arbitrator will not have authority to award attorneys’ fees unless a statutory section at issue in the dispute authorizes the award of attorneys’ fees to the prevailing party, in which case the arbitrator has authority to make such award as permitted by the statute in question. Employee understands and agrees that the arbitration shall be instead of any civil litigation and that this means that he is waiving his right to a jury trial as to such claims. The parties further understand and agree that the arbitrator will issue a written decision and that the arbitrator’s decision shall be final and binding to the fullest extent permitted by law and enforceable by any court having jurisdiction.
 
This arbitration section does not in any way alter Employee’s at-will status.
 
13.
 
WRITTEN PERMISSION:  Any “written permission” required by this Agreement is only valid if signed by a Company officer.
 
14.
 
WAIVER:  The delay or failure of the Company to insist upon Employee’s punctual performance of any of the provisions of this Agreement, or the failure of the Company to exercise any right or remedy available to it under this Agreement, shall not constitute in any manner a waiver by the Company of any subsequent default or breach by Employee.
 
15.
 
NOTICES:  All notices, requests, demands or other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given on the date of service, if served personally on the party to whom notice is being given, or on the third (3rd) day after mailing, if mailed to the party to whom notice is to be given, by first class mail, postage prepaid, and properly addressed as follows:
 
LEARNING TREE INTERNATIONAL, INC.
  
6053 West Century Boulevard
    
Los Angeles, CA 90045
With Copy To:
  
Peter Holbrook, Esq.
    
McDermott, Will & Emery
    
18191 Von Karman Ave. Suite 500
    
Irvine, CA 92612-0187
 


 
Notice shall be given to Employee at the most recent address reflected in Employee’s employment records.
 
Any party may change its address for purposes of this paragraph by giving the other party a written notice of the new address.
 
16.
 
GOVERNING LAW:  This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with, and governed by, the laws of the state of Virginia.
 
17.
 
ENTIRE AGREEMENT:  This Agreement constitutes the entire Agreement between the parties and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous agreement and statements between the parties, whether written or oral, with respect to the subject matter hereof, and may not be contradicted by evidence of any prior or contemporaneous statements or agreements between Employee and the Company concerning the subject matter hereof. The parties herein represent that no other Agreement, oral or otherwise, exists or binds any of the parties hereto. The parties hereto acknowledge that they have not executed this Agreement in reliance upon any other or further representation or promise of any party. No change, modification, waiver, or amendment of this Agreement shall be of any effect unless in writing signed by Employee and by the Chief Executive Officer or Vice President, Administration of the Company.
 
18.
 
SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS:  This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the successors or assigns of the Company.
 
19.
 
ASSIGNMENT:  This Agreement is not assignable by Employee.
 
20.
 
SEVERABILITY:  The provisions of this Agreement are severable. Should any provision be for any reason unenforceable, the remainder of the provisions shall remain in full force and effect. The provisions of this Agreement shall be interpreted, to the extent possible, to give full effect to the intent of the parties.
 
By signing below, I acknowledge that I have read this Agreement carefully, understand it, and will comply with the provisions set forth herein. I have had the opportunity to seek independent legal advice before signing this Agreement, and enter into this Agreement freely and voluntarily, based on my own judgment and not on any representations or promises other than those contained in this Agreement.
 
EMPLOYEE:
     
EMPLOYER:
Nicholas R. Schacht
     
Learning Tree International, Inc.
/s/    NICHOLAS R. SCHACHT        

     
/s/    MARY C. ADAMS        

Nicholas R. Schacht
     
Mary C. Adams
           
Title: Vice President, Administration
 
September 23, 2002
Date
 
EX-21.1 6 dex211.htm SUBSIDIARIES OF THE REGISTRANT Subsidiaries of the Registrant
 
EXHIBIT 21.1
 
SUBSIDIARIES OF THE REGISTRANT
 
Learning Tree International USA, Inc.
 
(U.S.)
Learning Tree International, K.K.
 
(Japan)
Learning Tree International Ltd.
 
(United Kingdom)
Learning Tree International S.A.
 
(France)
Learning Tree International AB
 
(Sweden)
Learning Tree Publishing AB
 
(Sweden)
Learning Tree International Inc.
 
(Canada)
Learning Tree International Ltd.
 
(Hong Kong)
Advanced Technology Marketing, Inc.
 
(U.S.)
Technology for Business and Industry, Inc.
 
(U.S. Virgin Islands)
 
EX-23.1 7 dex231.htm CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
 
EXHIBIT 23.1
 
CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
We consent to the incorporation by reference in (a) the Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-47554) pertaining to the Common Stock of Learning Tree International, Inc. and in the related Prospectus, (b) the Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-32062) pertaining to the 1999 Stock Option Plan of Learning Tree International, Inc., and (c) the Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-41325) pertaining to the 1995 Stock Option Plan of Learning Tree International, Inc., of our report dated November 20, 2002, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Learning Tree International, Inc. included in the Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended September 30, 2002.
 
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
 
Long Beach, California
December 16, 2002
EX-23.2 8 dex232.htm CONSENT OF ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP
 
EXHIBIT 23.2
 
THE FOLLOWING REPORT IS A COPY OF A PREVIOUSLY ISSUED ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP REPORT AND HAS NOT BEEN REISSUED BY ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP.
 
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation of our report included in this Form 10-K, into the Company’s previously filed Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-47554), filed on October 6, 2000 with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933.
 
/s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
 
Los Angeles, California
December 17, 2001
 
EX-99.1 9 dex991.htm RISK FACTORS Risk Factors
 
EXHIBIT 99.1
 
RISK FACTORS
 
You should carefully consider the following discussion of various risks and uncertainties, keeping in mind that they are not the only ones that affect us. Additional risks which we do not presently consider material, or of which we are not currently aware, may also have an adverse impact on us.
 
Among other things, this exhibit contains forward-looking statements that are based on certain assumptions about future risks and uncertainties. We believe that our assumptions are reasonable. Nonetheless, it is likely that at least some of these assumptions will not come true. Accordingly, our actual results will probably differ from the outcomes contained in any forward-looking statement, and those differences could be material. Factors that could cause or contribute to those differences include the ones discussed below, as well as those discussed elsewhere in this exhibit and in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
Common Stock Price Fluctuations
 
Learning Tree’s common stock price has fluctuated significantly since our initial public offering and may continue to do so in the future.
 
General Factors.    We believe some of the reasons for past fluctuations in the price of our stock have included:
 
 
 
announcements of developments related to our business;
 
 
announcements concerning new products or enhancements by Learning Tree or our competitors;
 
 
developments in our relationships with our customers;
 
 
market perceptions of new means of delivering training, such as CD-ROMs or the Internet;
 
 
variations in Learning Tree’s revenues, gross margins, earnings or other financial results from investors’ expectations;
 
 
fluctuations in results of our operations and general conditions in the economy, our market, and the markets served by our customers; and
 
 
the market reaction to the “Y2K” problem, including delays in introducing new technologies by both our customers and technology vendors.
 
In addition, prices in the stock market, particularly for technology-related stocks, have been volatile in recent years. In many cases, the fluctuations have been unrelated to the operating performance of the affected companies. As a result, the price of our common stock could fluctuate in the future without regard to our operating performance.
 
Future Sales of Learning Tree Common Stock.    Sales of Learning Tree’s common stock by our officers, directors and employees, especially our founders, could adversely and unpredictably affect the price of our shares. Additionally, the price could be affected even by the potential for sales


 
by these persons. In addition to the approximately 17,620,000 shares outstanding as of December 6, 2002, we have registered a total of 4,513,000 shares of common stock for issuance under our Stock Option Plans. We cannot predict the effect which any future sales of our common stock, or the potential for those sales, will have on our share price.
 
Fluctuations in Operating Results
 
Historically, Learning Tree’s operating results have fluctuated, and we expect fluctuations to continue in the future.
 
Fluctuations in our historical operating results have resulted from many factors, some of which are beyond our control. In the future, these or other factors could have a material adverse impact on Learning Tree’s operating results and cause our stock price to decrease. For example:
 
Timing of Course Development, and Sales and Marketing Expenditures.    We try to adjust our expenditures for course development and sales and marketing to maintain our long-term profitability. This may mean accepting reduced margins in poor economic periods, as we seek to use our resources to build market share. However, we must commit to much of our spending before our attendees enroll in our courses. If revenues fall short of our expectations, we may not be able to adjust our expenditures quickly enough to compensate for lower than anticipated revenues. This could compound the impact of any revenue shortfall and further affect our operating results and the price of our stock.
 
Course Scheduling and Marketing Activities.    The timing and content of our courses and our marketing activities can affect the number of participants who attend our courses. Some of the activities that can contribute to fluctuations in our operating results include:
 
 
 
the frequency and availability of our course events;
 
 
the number of weeks in a quarter during which courses can be conducted;
 
 
the timing, timely delivery, frequency and size of, and the response to, our direct mail marketing and advertising campaigns;
 
 
the timing of introduction of new course titles; and
 
 
the mix between course events held at customer-sites and course events held in our education centers and hotels.
 
Seasonal Factors.    Our quarterly revenues and income typically reflect seasonal patterns. Generally, our revenue and operating income are greater in the second half of our fiscal year (April through September) than in the first half (October through March). This is due, in large part, to the seasonal spending patterns of our customers, which are affected by factors such as:
 
 
 
their budgetary considerations;
 
 
factors specific to their business or industry; and
 
 
weather, holiday and vacation considerations.
 
However, the effects of periods of rapid acceleration or deceleration of revenues can offset these seasonal effects. We cannot predict whether these seasonal factors or their effects will change in the future.


 
Use of Accounting Estimates.    The preparation of our financial statements in conformity with “Generally Accepted Accounting Principles” requires us to make estimates and assumptions in calculating our financial results. For example, we currently offer our customers a multiple course sales discount referred to as a “Training Passport.” After purchasing a Passport, a customer may attend up to a specified number of courses over a one-year period for a fixed price. For a Training Passport, we recognize revenue for each attendance in one of our courses based upon the selling price of the Training Passport, the list price of the course taken and our estimate of the average number of courses a Passport holder will actually attend. When a Passport expires, we record any difference between the revenue previously recognized and the Passport selling price. For example, if a Passport holder attends more courses than we had estimated, we make a negative adjustment to revenues. We base our estimate of the average number of course events that a Passport holder will attend on historical trends that may change in the future. If average passport attendance rates were to increase, we would have to make negative adjustments to our revenue, which could be significant.
 
New Accounting Rules or Standards.    The Financial Accounting Standards Board, Securities and Exchange Commission or other accounting rulemaking authorities may issue new accounting rules or standards that are different than those that we presently apply. Such new accounting rules or standards could require significant changes from the way we currently report our financial position, operating results or cash flows. Such changes could be applied on a cumulative or prospective basis. For example, the accounting rules with respect to the accounting for employee stock options is currently under review by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, and may result in changes to our current accounting practice if new rules are promulgated.
 
Introductions and Adoption of New Technology.    Our customers tend to increase their training at times when new technology is being introduced. During periods when no important new technologies are being introduced, demand for our training courses may decrease, and it could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and stock price. For example, during 1998 and 1999 many of our customers deferred new technology installations and training of professionals because of concerns over the potential “Y2K” issue.
 
Other Factors.    Other factors that may affect our operating results include:
 
 
 
competitive forces within our current and anticipated future markets;
 
 
our ability to attract customers and meet their expectations;
 
 
currency fluctuations and other risks of international operations;
 
 
general economic conditions;
 
 
differences in the timing of our spending on development and marketing of courses and receiving revenues from our customers; and
 
 
acts of war or terrorism.
 
All or any of these and similar factors could result in our operating results differing substantially from the expectations of public market analysts and investors, which would likely have a material adverse impact on our stock price.
 
Risks Associated with Technology Changes


 
If we do not adequately anticipate or respond to changes in technology, it could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and stock price.
 
Changes in technology can affect our business in at least two principal ways. First, we must anticipate and keep pace with the introduction of new hardware, software and networking technologies and develop courses that effectively train customers in the technologies which they will be using. Second, we must adapt to changes in the technologies by which we can deliver training to our customers’ employees. As a result of technology developments, we may have to make substantial and unanticipated expenditures to develop new course titles, or buy new equipment or invest in further course development software and processes to deliver them. Further, we may not adequately anticipate or respond successfully to technological changes for many reasons, including misjudging the impact of technological changes, as well as financial, technological or other constraints. If we do not adequately anticipate or respond to changes in computer platforms, customer preferences or software technology, it would likely have a material adverse impact on our operating results and stock price.
 
Risks Associated with the Introduction of Distance Learning
 
If we are unsuccessful in developing and implementing a distance learning strategy, it could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and stock price.
 
Although the worldwide market for IT education and training is now dominated by instructor-led classroom training, the use of technology-based training, such as Internet-based distance learning, appears to have gained some acceptance in the IT training market. Many customers and training providers are exploring distance learning methodologies using the Internet (“e-learning”). However, in some recently published reports, the percentage of training done by the Internet-based distance learning has declined while the percentage of instructor-led training has increased. The market for e-learning for IT professionals is highly fragmented, and we do not know of any established industry model for growth and profitability in the IT training market. A number of e-learning providers offer text or computer based training content over the Internet at low cost or even for free. In contrast, our commitment and investment in the quality and effectiveness of our training programs means that we would likely market any Learning Tree e-learning at a significantly higher price. In order for such a distance learning program to be successful we would need to attract enough customers who would be willing to pay that price.
 
We have engaged in limited development and testing of the content, packaging and delivery methodology for Internet-based “e-learning” courses. However, we have yet to find what we believe could be a profitable and sustainable e-learning business model and we may or may not be successful developing an e-learning product line. As a result, we expect to limit our investment in e-learning research and development. If we cannot successfully implement a distance learning strategy, our operating results and stock price could be adversely affected.
 
Accordingly, our future results of operations may depend upon, among other factors:
 
 
 
the extent to which the market accepts the Internet as a method of delivery for IT


 
training;
 
 
our ability to develop or acquire Internet e-learning technologies and Internet enabled courses for delivery to customers; and
 
 
our ability to market and implement e-learning training and education that compete effectively against the technology-based training offered by our competitors.
 
Competition
 
If our customers decide that they prefer training offered by new or existing competitors, it could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and stock price.
 
The IT education and training market is highly fragmented, with low barriers to entry. No single competitor holds a dominant market share. We face intensifying competition from both established entities and new entries in the market. Our primary competitors include:
 
 
 
internal training departments within our current and potential corporate clients;
 
 
computer hardware and software vendors and their Authorized Training and Education Center partners;
 
 
independent education and training companies; and
 
 
software systems integrators.
 
Some of our competitors offer similar course titles and programs at lower prices. In addition, some competitors have greater financial and other resources than Learning Tree. Recently, we have faced increased competition from companies that offer courses using materials prepared by computer hardware and software vendors. Some of these companies, known as Authorized Training and Education Centers, have been growing in size and expanding the scope of their operations. Additionally, hardware and software vendors, as well as software systems integrators, may combine IT education and training with sales of their products or other services, which could allow them to offer training at lower prices than we do.
 
Although instructor-led classroom training continues to dominate the worldwide IT education and training market, technology-based IT education and training formats, such as Internet-based distance learning, are gaining some acceptance. Accordingly, our future results may also depend on the extent to which the market will continue to accept instructor-led IT training and on our ability to develop and market instructor-led courses that compete effectively against technology-based courses offered by our competitors.
 
Risks Associated with International Operations
 
If we do not adequately anticipate and respond to the risks inherent in international operations, it could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and stock price.
 
Significant portions of our revenues are generated by courses conducted outside the United States.
 
Foreign Currency Fluctuations.    Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in U.S. dollars, while the operations of our foreign subsidiaries are conducted in their respective local


 
currencies. Consequently, changes in exchange rates can unpredictably and adversely affect our consolidated operating results, and could result in exchange losses. We do not hedge against the risks associated with fluctuations in exchange rates. Although we may use hedging techniques in the future, we may not be able to eliminate or reduce the effects of currency fluctuations. Thus, exchange rate fluctuations could have a material adverse impact on our operating results and stock price.
 
Other Risks Associated with International Operations.    Additionally, our financial results may be adversely affected by other international risks, such as:
 
 
 
difficulties in translating our courses into foreign languages;
 
 
international political and economic conditions;
 
 
changes in government regulation in various countries;
 
 
trade barriers;
 
 
difficulty in staffing our foreign offices, and in training and retaining foreign instructors;
 
 
adverse tax consequences; and
 
 
costs associated with expansion into new territories.
 
We expect that international revenues will continue to be a significant portion of our total revenues. If we do not anticipate and respond to the risks associated with international operations, it could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and stock price.
 
Dependence on Key Personnel
 
If we are unable to recruit and retain qualified personnel, it could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and stock price.
 
Our success depends in large part on the continued services of our executive officers, our senior managers and other key personnel. The loss of these people, especially without advance notice, could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations. It is also very important that we attract and retain highly skilled personnel, including course instructors, to accommodate growth, new course titles and to replace personnel who leave. Competition for qualified personnel can be intense, especially in information technology industries, and there are a limited number of people with the requisite knowledge and experience. Under these conditions, we could be unable to recruit, train, and retain instructors and employees. If we cannot attract and retain qualified personnel, it could have a material adverse impact on our operating results and stock price.
 
Risks Associated with Intellectual Property
 
If substantial unauthorized use of Learning Tree’s courses occurs or if we must defend against infringement claims, it could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and stock price.
 
Our success depends in part on our ability to protect our intellectual property and confidential information. Our course development process and course titles are proprietary and we rely primarily on a combination of statutory and common law copyright, trademark and trade secret laws, customer licensing agreements, employee and third-party nondisclosure agreements and other methods to


 
protect those proprietary rights. Our course materials generally do not include any mechanisms to prohibit or prevent unauthorized use. As a result, someone could copy or otherwise obtain and use our course materials without authorization, either for educational use or to develop competing courses. In addition, we operate in countries that do not provide protection of proprietary rights to the same extent as the United States. Finally, our intellectual property rights will not prevent competitors from independently developing similar course titles or delivery methods. If substantial unauthorized use of Learning Tree’s products were to occur, our business and results of operations could be materially adversely impacted.
 
We may also have to defend against claims that our current or future courses infringe on the proprietary rights of others. If such a claim succeeded, we might have to change or eliminate courses, and could be required to pay damages or royalties. In addition, litigation over intellectual property rights, whether brought by us or by someone else, could be time-consuming and expensive, even if we were ultimately to succeed. Accordingly, defending and prosecuting these claims could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and stock price.
 
Risks Associated with Our Historical Financial Statements
 
Arthur Andersen LLP (“Arthur Andersen”) audited certain of Learning Tree’s historical financial statements, and your ability to rely on those statements and recover from Arthur Andersen may be limited.
 
On April 5, 2002, we dismissed Arthur Andersen who had previously acted as Learning Tree’s independent auditor. We engaged Ernst & Young LLP (“Ernst & Young”) as our new independent auditors to audit the financial statements of Learning Tree for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2002, as well as to perform timely reviews of Learning Tree’s fiscal 2002 second and third quarter results. This decision was approved by our Board of Directors upon the recommendation of its Audit Committee. Ernst & Young has audited Learning Tree’s financial statements for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2002 but not any prior fiscal year. Arthur Andersen audited the financial statements for Learning Tree’s prior fiscal years. We will not be able to obtain the written consent of Arthur Andersen as required by Section 7 of the Securities Act for any registration statement we may file. Accordingly, investors will not be able to sue Arthur Andersen pursuant to Section 11(a)(4) of the Securities Act relating to any such future registration statements and, therefore, their ability to recover monetary damages for a claim based on false or misleading financial results reported for historical periods would be limited. The ability of investors to recover from Arthur Andersen may also be limited as a result of that firm’s financial condition or other matters relating to the various civil and criminal lawsuits relating to that firm.
 
Risks Associated with Laws and Regulations
 
Laws and regulations can affect Learning Tree’s operations and may limit our ability to operate in certain states.
 
Providers of educational programs to the public must comply with many laws and regulations of Federal, state and international governments. Generally, Learning Tree is exempt from that type


 
of regulation because we contract with the employer of the participants in our courses, and we do not participate in any Federal or state student aid or loan programs. However, state laws and regulations targeting educational providers could affect Learning Tree’s operations in the future and could limit our ability to obtain authorization to operate in certain states. If Learning Tree had to comply with, or was found in violation of, a state’s current or future licensing or regulatory requirements, we could be subject to civil or criminal sanctions, including monetary penalties, we could also be barred from providing educational services in that state. In addition, laws and regulatory decisions in many areas other than education could also adversely affect our operations. Complying with current or future legal requirements could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and stock price.
 
Control by Management
 
Senior management has significant influence over Learning Tree’s policies and affairs and may be in a position to determine the outcome of corporate actions.
 
Learning Tree’s executive officers and directors collectively own approximately 47% of its outstanding shares of common stock. Dr. Collins, Learning Tree’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, beneficially owns approximately 24% of Learning Tree’s outstanding shares of common stock. Mr. Garen, our President, beneficially owns approximately 22% of Learning Tree’s outstanding shares of common stock. Consequently, senior management, and Dr. Collins and Mr. Garen in particular, have significant influence over Learning Tree’s policies and affairs and may be in a position to determine the outcome of corporate actions requiring stockholder approval. These may include, for example, the election of directors, the adoption of amendments to our corporate documents and the approval of mergers and sales of our assets.
 
Risks Associated with Possible Acquisitions and New Business Ventures
 
If we cannot successfully implement any future acquisitions or new business ventures, it could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and stock price.
 
On occasion we evaluate business opportunities that appear to fit within our overall business strategy. We could decide to pursue one or more of these opportunities by acquisition or internal development. Acquisitions and new business ventures involve many risks, including:
 
 
 
the difficulty of integrating acquired technologies, operations and personnel with our existing operations;
 
 
the difficulty of developing and marketing new products and services;
 
 
the diversion of our management’s attention as a result of evaluating, negotiating and integrating acquisitions or new business ventures;
 
 
our exposure to unforeseen liabilities of acquired companies; and
 
 
the loss of key employees of an acquired operation.
 
In addition, an acquisition or new business venture could adversely impact cash flows and/or operating results, and dilute shareholder interests, for many reasons, including:
 
 
 
charges to our income to reflect the amortization of acquired intangible assets;
 
 
write-offs for the impairment of the carrying value of goodwill or other intangible assets;
 
 
interest costs and debt service requirements for any debt incurred in connection with an acquisition or new business venture; and


 
 
 
any issuance of securities in connection with an acquisition or new business venture which dilutes or lessens the rights of current Learning Tree common stockholders.
 
We have had no significant experience in executing and implementing acquisitions. Although we have implemented new business ventures, those ventures have not always been successful, and we may not succeed in the future. The risks associated with acquisitions and new business ventures could have a material adverse impact on our operating results and stock price.
 
Risks Associated with Changing Economic Conditions
 
General domestic and international economic conditions could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and stock price.
 
Domestic and/or International Economic Downturns.    A significant part of our revenues comes from Fortune 1000-level companies, and their international equivalents, and government organizations. During weak economic conditions, our growth rate generally slows. If the domestic and/or international economy continues to weaken, the demand for our services may not increase as we planned or could even decline further. This could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and stock price.
 
Industry-Specific Slowdowns.    Our customers generally operate in the computer, communications, electronics, systems integration, finance, aerospace, military, manufacturing and energy sectors. If one or more of these industries experiences a slowdown, it could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and stock price.
 
Anti-Takeover Provisions
 
Certain provisions of Learning Tree’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation, our Bylaws and Delaware law could adversely impact the interests of Learning Tree’s stockholders.
 
Certain provisions of Learning Tree’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation, our Bylaws and Delaware law could, together or separately, discourage, delay or prevent a third party from acquiring Learning Tree, even if doing so might benefit our stockholders. These provisions may also affect the price investors would receive for their shares of Learning Tree’s common stock. Some examples of these provisions in Learning Tree’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws are:
 
 
 
the division of our board of directors into three classes;
 
 
the right of our board of directors to issue preferred stock with rights and privileges which are senior to the common stock, without prior stockholder approval;
 
 
certain limitations of the rights of stockholders to call a special meeting of stockholders; and
 
 
the prohibition of stockholder actions by written consent.
 
Natural Disasters, External Strikes, Acts of War or Terrorism and Other External Events
 
Since our founding in 1974, various natural disasters, external labor disruptions, acts of war or terrorism and other adverse external factors have impaired our ability to conduct our business, resulted in the loss of revenue or otherwise affected our operating results. When these or other


 
external events occur in the future, they could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and stock price.
 
Natural Disasters.    Natural disasters can affect our business. For example, severe winter weather has at times prevented our course participants from traveling to our courses. In these situations, we try to transfer the course participants to later courses, but we may still lose some potential revenue. Similarly, both weather and floods have also disrupted the printing and transportation of the catalogs we use in our direct mail campaigns. The resulting delays in our mailings may reduce or delay the revenue we realize from courses listed in those catalogs.
 
External Strikes.    We have had to react to postal, transportation and other strikes in the countries where we operate. Postal strikes delay or reduce the delivery of our direct mail marketing materials, which may result in reduced enrollments in upcoming course events. Transportation strikes can make it difficult for our course participants or our instructors to reach course facilities. Although we try to employ strategies to mitigate the impact of external strikes, these alternative means are rarely completely effective and generally increase our costs.
 
Acts of War or Terrorism.    Acts of war or terrorism can adversely affect our business. The terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11, 2001 and the declaration of war by the United States against terrorism has created significant instability and uncertainty in the world, which many believe continue to have a material adverse effect on world financial markets, including financial markets in the United States. In addition, acts of war or terrorism can cause course participants to be reluctant to, or prevented from, traveling to our course facilities resulting in lower attendance rates. Additionally, our direct mail marketing materials may be delayed or disrupted from reaching our customers; and suppliers and service providers may be unable to provide required services or materials. These impacts could happen after we have committed to all the costs of our course, so that we would be unable to adjust our cost structure to reflect the changes in revenues caused by these events, which could materially and adversely affect our operating results and stock price.
 
Other External Factors.    Other factors outside our control can affect our operations, including those related to our suppliers and service providers. For example, disruptions of telephone networks can prevent customers from enrolling in our courses; disruptions in transportation services can prevent customers from reaching our facilities, and power outages can prevent us from delivering courses. Similarly, if commodities (for example, the paper used in the printing of our catalogs) that we or our customers need become scarce or more expensive, our operations may be adversely affected.
 
EX-99.2 10 dex992.htm CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Certification of Chief Executive Officer
 
EXHIBIT 99.2
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
I, David C. Collins, certify that the periodic report, to which this Statement is attached, fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, and the information contained in the periodic report to which this Statement is attached, fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the registrant at the dates and for the periods indicated.
 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Statement as of the date first written below.
 
Dated December 16, 2002
 
/s/    DAVID C. COLLINS        

David C. Collins
Chief Executive Officer
 
EX-99.3 11 dex993.htm CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Certification of Chief Financial Officer
 
EXHIBIT 99.3
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
I, Gary R. Wright, certify that the periodic report, to which this Statement is attached, fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, and the information contained in the periodic report to which this Statement is attached, fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the registrant at the dates and for the periods indicated.
 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Statement as of the date first written below.
 
Dated December 16, 2002
 
/s/    GARY R. WRIGHT        

Gary R. Wright
Chief Financial Officer
 
EX-99.4 12 dex994.htm CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND ETHICS Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
 
EXHIBIT 99.4
 
Learning Tree International
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
 
Learning Tree has always prided itself on maintaining the highest ethical standards and we have always had certain policies essential to maintaining our high standards. We believe that our employees are aware of our commitment to ethics, and that they have worked and will work hard to meet it. However, to formalize our commitment to certain critical policies cited by the SEC, our Board of Directors has adopted this Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. This Code of Business Conduct and Ethics does not summarize all our policies. You must also comply with our other policies set out in our Policies and Procedures Manual and elsewhere.
 
Please read this statement carefully and then sign it where indicated if you understand and agree to it.
 
 
1.
 
COMPLYING WITH LAWS.    Each of our employees should respect and comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations of the U.S. and other countries, and the states, counties, cities and other jurisdictions in which we conduct business. This is true even if your supervisor or anyone in management has directed you otherwise. If you are ever unsure about the legal course of action, please immediately request assistance from your HR Manager or the Vice President, Administration.
 
The laws with which you must comply include “insider trading laws” relating to transactions in our stock. Some of your specific responsibilities are set out in our Insider Trading Policy. Generally, you are not permitted to buy, sell or otherwise trade in our securities without specific permission from the Vice President, Administration, and then only during specified periods. Please carefully read our Insider Trading Policy in full and contact the Vice President, Administration if you have questions about it.
 
 
2.
 
CONFIDENTIALITY.    You must maintain the confidentiality of all sensitive information entrusted to you, including all non-public information whose disclosure might be of use to our competitors, or harmful to us, our customers or our shareholders. Some of your specific responsibilities are set out in our “Trademarks, Copyrights & Trade Secrets Policy” and your Employment Agreement. Please carefully read our policy in full and contact the Vice President, Administration if you have questions about it.
 
 
3.
 
FOREIGN CORRUPT PRACTICES.    Under the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and our policies, you are strictly prohibited from giving anything of value, directly or indirectly, to foreign government officials or foreign political candidates in order to obtain or retain business. In addition, you are strictly prohibited from giving U.S. government officials business gratuities or gifts. You should be aware that the U.S. government can and has imposed criminal sanctions on individuals and entities that have improperly given gifts to U.S. government personnel, and the promise, offer or delivery to an official or employee of the U.S. government of a gift or other gratuity would not only violate our policies, but might also be a criminal offense. Please contact the Vice President, Administration if you believe improper gifts have been, are being, or will be made by our employees or directors. Examples of a suitable gift for our customers would include a Learning Tree shirt, mouse pad, or a jacket, where we have specifically manufactured the item to give away to our customers.


 
 
4.
 
FAIR DEALING.    We seek to outperform our competition fairly and honestly and seek competitive advantages through superior performance. We do not use unethical or illegal business practices. Stealing proprietary information, possessing trade secret information that was obtained without the owner’s consent, or inducing such disclosures by past or present employees of other companies is prohibited. You should endeavor to deal fairly with our customers, suppliers, competitors, officers and employees. You should never take unfair advantage of anyone through manipulation, concealment, abuse of privileged information, misrepresentation of material facts or any other unfair dealing practice.
 
 
5.
 
PUBLIC COMPANY REPORTING.    As a public company, our filings with the SEC must be full, fair, accurate, timely, and include understandable disclosure. Whether or not you are directly involved in that process, you have several responsibilities:
 
 
 
Depending upon your position, you may be called upon to provide information to assure that our public reports are complete, fair and understandable. We expect you to take this responsibility very seriously and to provide prompt, full and accurate answers to inquiries related to our public disclosure requirements.
 
 
 
Our books, records, accounts and financial statements must be maintained in reasonable detail, must appropriately reflect our transactions and must conform both to applicable legal requirements and to the Company’s system of internal controls. Unrecorded or “off the books” funds or assets should not be maintained unless permitted by applicable law or regulation.
 
 
 
Additionally, records should always be retained or destroyed according to our record retention policies. In accordance with those policies, in the event of litigation or governmental investigation please consult the Vice President, Administration immediately.
 
 
 
Our public reports must fairly, completely, and accurately reflect what is happening at our company. If you believe they do not, you have a responsibility to bring your concerns to our attention.
 
Because of the importance of this issue, the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors has adopted the following provision to its charter, which is binding on everyone at Learning Tree:
 
“Every employee of or consultant to the Company who has, or who hears expressed by another person, any concerns about the manner in which the Company’s financial statements or public reports are prepared, the sufficiency of its internal financial controls, the honesty or competence of its financial management or independent auditors or any other matter within the purview of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors (which is exclusively composed of outside, non-employee directors) is directed and strongly encouraged to report the matter promptly to any member of the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee will attempt to keep the name of the person reporting the potential issue confidential to the extent requested by that person and not inconsistent with the best interests of the Company. The Audit Committee will not tolerate retaliation against any person who reports potential issues to the Audit Committee in good faith.”
 
Accordingly, if you have concerns regarding any accounting or auditing matters, you may (but are not required to) consult with your supervisor or any of our executive officers if you are comfortable doing so. But, unless the issues are fully resolved to your satisfaction, or if you are not comfortable


 
discussing the matter with our management, you are required to submit your concerns or complaints (anonymously, confidentially or otherwise) to the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors. This is true even if your supervisor or anyone in management has directed you not to do so. You may direct your concerns to any member of the Audit Committee, our outside legal counsel, or to a special confidential email box at confidential@learningtree.com. The telephone numbers of our outside legal counsel and the members of our Audit Committee are listed in our Lotus Notes telephone directory. If you ask, we will keep your name confidential unless this would violate applicable law or our responsibilities to others.
 
 
6.
 
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST.    You should avoid actual or apparent conflicts of interest with the Company except under guidelines approved by our Board of Directors or a committee of our Board. If you become aware of a conflict of interest on the part of anyone at Learning Tree, you must report it to your HR Manager or directly to the Vice President, Administration or the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors.
 
A “conflict of interest” exists whenever your private interests interfere or conflict in any way (or even appear to interfere or conflict) with the Company’s interests. A conflict of interest can arise when you take actions or have interests that may make it difficult to perform your work for us objectively and effectively. Conflicts of interest may also arise when you, or members of your family, receives improper personal benefits as a result of your position with us, regardless of from where those benefits are received.
 
Specifically, it is a conflict of interest for you or a member of your immediate family to work simultaneously for one of our competitors, customers or suppliers, even as a consultant or board member, to receive any form of compensation (including loans or “gifts”) from any person with whom we are doing business or to own an undisclosed interest in any supplier to us (other than an interest of less than 1% in a public company). If you or a member of your immediate family receives any payments from Learning Tree or any person or entity connected or doing business with Learning Tree, it must be disclosed and approved by Learning Tree. (This, of course does not include salary and bonus payments made through our payroll, stock option grants under our Employee Stock Option Plan, or normal business expense reimbursements.)
 
Similarly, you owe us a duty to advance our legitimate interests when the opportunity to do so arises. You are prohibited from (a) taking for yourself personally opportunities that properly belong to Learning Tree or are discovered through the use of our property, information or your position with us; (b) using corporate property, information or position for personal gain; or (c) competing with us.
 
Ordinarily, the best policy will be to avoid any direct or indirect business connection with our customers, suppliers or competitors, except on our behalf. However, regardless of how “natural” or “innocent” a conflict may seem, you must report it and can proceed only if the relationship is approved in writing by the Vice President, Administration. If you have any questions about whether a situation is a conflict of interest, you should raise the issue with your HR Manager or directly with the Vice President, Administration.
 
 
7.
 
REPORTING ANY ILLEGAL OR UNETHICAL BEHAVIOR.    If you ever think that anyone connected with the Company may have taken or is about to take any illegal action or be unethical in behavior, or otherwise violated this Code, even if you are not sure, you should promptly bring the matter to the attention of your HR Manager or other appropriate personnel. If you do not believe that talking to your supervisor is appropriate or if it does not result in a response with which you are comfortable, then you should contact any of our executive officers or any member of the Audit Committee of our


 
Board of Directors. You should not accept any direction by your supervisor that contradicts these policies. If you ask, we will keep your name confidential unless this would violate applicable law or our responsibilities to others.
 
 
8.
 
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS.    The Audit Committee of our Board of Directors must approve any consent or waiver with respect to this Code, which involves the Principal Executive Officer, the Principal Financial Officer or the Principal Accounting Officer of the Company.
 
 
9.
 
NO RETALIATION.    We will not tolerate retaliation of any kind against any person who in good faith reports to us potential issues relating to violations of law or this Code.
 
This Code is a binding and important legal document. It can only be amended, modified or waived by our Board of Directors or its authorized committee, subject to the disclosure and other provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the applicable rules of the NASDAQ. As we both agree that damages would be an inadequate remedy for Learning Tree in the event of breach or threatened breach of this policy, we may, either with or without pursuing any potential damage remedies, immediately obtain and enforce an injunction prohibiting you from violating this Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.
 
If you are ever unsure about whether some action would be consistent with this Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, you agree to ask your HR Director or the Vice President, Administration. Similarly, any time you encounter a situation and you are unsure what to do, you agree to tell your HR Director or the Vice President, Administration and ask for help.
 
I certify that I have carefully read Learning Tree International’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and understand its terms and importance and will comply with it.
 
Signature                                                                                          
 
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Learning Tree International’s Mission Statement
 
We are the finest information technology education company in the world.
 
Our mission is to develop and deliver throughout the world a broad range of high-quality educational services in rapidly changing and growing technologies.
 
Our services provide technical professionals and managers with skills and knowledge that significantly enhance their on-the-job productivity.
 
We judge our success through our ability to provide the highest-quality service as perceived by our


 
customers, while achieving a steady growth in revenue and profit, and providing our personnel with the opportunity for individual development and achievement.
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