UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
☒
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Quarterly Period Ended June 30, 2025
☐
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 0-21886
BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Maryland
52-0812977
(State or other jurisdiction ofIncorporation or organization)
(IRS EmployerIdentification No.)
8100 NE Parkway Drive, Suite 200
Vancouver, Washington
98662
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
(360) 828-0700
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Trading Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, Par Value $0.01 Per Share
BBSI
The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC
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 ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
Accelerated filer
Non-accelerated filer
Smaller reporting company
Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
As of July 25, 2025, 25,689,563 shares of the registrant’s common stock ($0.01 par value) were outstanding.
Part I - Financial Information (Unaudited)
Page
Item 1.
Unaudited Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
3
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations - Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2025 and 2024
4
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2025 and 2024
5
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity - Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2025
6
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity - Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2024
7
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Six Months Ended June 30, 2025 and 2024
8
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
9
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
21
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
27
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
Part II - Other Information
Legal Proceedings
28
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
29
Item 6.
Exhibits
30
Signatures
2
Barrett Business Services, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
(In Thousands, Except Par Value)
June 30,
December 31,
2025
2024
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
$
26,348
55,367
Investments
64,097
66,492
Trade accounts receivable, net
264,175
234,533
Income taxes receivable
—
2,662
Prepaid expenses and other
25,769
18,698
Restricted cash and investments
91,042
97,690
Total current assets
471,431
475,442
Property, equipment and software, net
61,695
56,781
Operating lease right-of-use assets
24,343
20,329
99,701
134,454
Goodwill
47,820
Other assets
6,076
6,205
Deferred income taxes
2,562
4,477
Total assets
713,628
745,508
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable
4,933
6,787
Accrued payroll and related benefits
239,444
215,648
Payroll taxes payable
41,026
49,685
Income taxes payable
324
Current operating lease liabilities
6,682
6,231
Current premium payable
39,805
31,134
Other accrued liabilities
11,066
10,330
Workers' compensation claims liabilities
35,368
39,081
Total current liabilities
378,648
358,896
Long-term workers' compensation claims liabilities
78,534
89,365
Long-term premium payable
49,840
Long-term operating lease liabilities
18,828
15,215
Customer deposits and other long-term liabilities
11,801
10,788
Total liabilities
487,811
524,104
Commitments and contingencies (Notes 4 and 6)
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock, $.01 par value; 82,000 shares authorized, 25,497 and 25,784 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively
255
258
Additional paid-in capital
43,093
40,396
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(14,265
)
(19,245
Retained earnings
196,734
199,995
Total stockholders' equity
225,817
221,404
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
Three Months Ended
Six Months Ended
Revenues:
Professional employer services
290,170
259,887
565,096
506,076
Staffing services
17,487
19,764
35,127
39,357
Total revenues
307,657
279,651
600,223
545,433
Cost of revenues:
Direct payroll costs
13,165
14,693
26,471
29,410
Payroll taxes and benefits
173,277
148,810
360,283
310,705
Workers' compensation
47,956
48,251
97,586
97,854
Total cost of revenues
234,398
211,754
484,340
437,969
Gross margin
73,259
67,897
115,883
107,464
Selling, general and administrative expenses
48,188
45,577
93,026
87,991
Depreciation and amortization
2,038
1,912
3,996
3,764
Income from operations
23,033
20,408
18,861
15,709
Other income (expense):
Investment income, net
2,300
3,069
4,920
6,343
Interest expense
(44
(88
Other, net
41
99
93
Other income, net
2,297
3,052
4,931
6,348
Income before income taxes
25,330
23,460
23,792
22,057
Provision for income taxes
6,876
6,759
6,359
5,492
Net income
18,454
16,701
17,433
16,565
Basic income per common share
0.72
0.64
0.68
0.63
Weighted average number of basic common shares outstanding
25,592
26,067
25,700
26,174
Diluted income per common share
0.70
0.62
0.66
Weighted average number of diluted common shares outstanding
26,215
26,765
26,309
26,794
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(In Thousands)
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments, net of tax of $727 and ($16) in 2025 and 2024, respectively
1,872
(43
Comprehensive income
20,326
16,658
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments, net of tax of $1,893 and ($588) in 2025 and 2024, respectively
4,980
(1,539
22,413
15,026
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2025
Accumulated
Additional
Other
Common Stock
Paid-in
Comprehensive
Retained
Shares
Amount
Capital
Loss
Earnings
Total
Balance, December 31, 2024
25,784
Common stock issued on exercise of options, purchase of ESPP shares and vesting of restricted stock units and performance awards
179
691
693
Common stock repurchased on vesting of restricted stock units and performance awards
(56
(1
(2,271
(2,272
Share-based compensation expense
2,658
Company repurchases of common stock
(229
(2
(366
(8,792
(9,160
Cash dividends on common stock ($0.08 per share)
(2,059
Unrealized gain on investments, net of tax
3,108
Net loss
(1,021
Balance, March 31, 2025
25,678
257
41,108
(16,137
188,123
213,351
18
123
(70
2,265
(197
(333
(7,795
(8,130
(2,048
Balance, June 30, 2025
25,497
Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2024
Balance, December 31, 2023
26,290
263
36,743
(20,801
182,935
199,140
140
1
375
376
(50
(1,455
(1,456
2,187
(236
(350
(6,704
(7,056
Cash dividends on common stock ($0.075 per share)
(1,970
Unrealized loss on investments, net of tax
(1,496
(136
Balance, March 31, 2024
26,144
261
37,500
(22,297
174,125
189,589
(13
(397
2,106
(223
(334
(6,711
(7,047
(1,955
Balance, June 30, 2024
25,949
259
38,882
(22,340
182,160
198,961
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Cash flows from operating activities:
Reconciliations of net income to net cash used in operating activities:
Non-cash operating lease expense
3,304
3,308
Net investment amortization (accretion) and losses (gains) recognized
137
(498
Losses recognized on sale of property
16
22
Share-based compensation
4,923
4,293
Changes in certain operating assets and liabilities:
Trade accounts receivable
(29,642
(40,158
Income taxes
2,986
6,803
(7,071
984
(1,854
(2,197
24,232
30,146
(8,659
(13,370
370
(434
Premium payable
(41,169
(29,827
(14,449
(18,265
Operating lease liabilities
(3,254
(3,436
Other assets and liabilities, net
74
(31
Net cash used in operating activities
(48,605
(42,353
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property, equipment and software
(8,926
(7,709
Purchase of investments
(7,669
Proceeds from sales and maturities of investments
13,139
10,607
Purchase of restricted investments
(35,126
(7,650
Proceeds from sales and maturities of restricted investments
64,699
61,758
Net cash provided by investing activities
26,117
57,006
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from credit-line borrowings
4,508
415
Payments on credit-line borrowings
(4,508
(415
Repurchases of common stock
(17,290
(14,103
(2,342
(1,853
Dividends paid
(4,107
(3,925
Proceeds from exercise of stock options and purchase of ESPP shares
816
383
Net cash used in financing activities
(22,923
(19,498
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
(45,411
(4,845
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period
82,588
74,841
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period
37,177
69,996
Note 1 - Basis of Presentation of Interim Period Statements
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited and have been prepared by Barrett Business Services, Inc. (“BBSI”, the “Company”, “our” or “we”), pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Certain information and note disclosures typically included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. In the opinion of management, the condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented. The accompanying condensed financial statements are prepared on a consolidated basis. All intercompany account balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results may differ from such estimates and assumptions. The condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, at pages 2 - 30. The results of operations for an interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for a full year.
Common stock split
On June 4, 2024, we amended our Charter to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock from 20,500,000 shares to 82,000,000 shares, and our Board of Directors declared a four-for-one split of the Company’s common stock effected in the form of a stock dividend (the “2024 Stock Split”). Each stockholder of record at the close of business on June 14, 2024 received a dividend of three additional shares of common stock for each then-held share, distributed after close of trading on June 21, 2024. All share and per share amounts presented herein have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the impact of the 2024 Stock Split. The shares of common stock retain a par value of $0.01 per share. Accordingly, an amount equal to the par value of the additional shares issued due to the stock split was reclassified from additional paid-in capital to common stock.
Reportable segment
BBSI has one operating and reportable segment which provides business management solutions to small and mid-sized companies. The Company’s Chief Executive Officer is the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”). The CODM is provided financial information presented on a consolidated basis, including consolidated gross margin and consolidated net income, to assess the financial performance of the Company and to decide how to allocate resources, including by reinvesting profits into our single operating segment or pursuing other strategic initiatives, such as stock repurchases or acquisitions. The financial information presented to the CODM, including the expense categories, is consistent with the financial information contained in these consolidated financial statements.
The accounting policies of our reportable segment are the same as those of the consolidated entity.
BBSI derives revenue exclusively in the United States and all of the Company’s long-lived assets are located in the United States.
Revenue recognition
Professional employer (“PEO”) services are normally used by organizations to satisfy ongoing needs related to the management of human capital and are governed by the terms of a client services agreement which covers all employees at a particular work site. Staffing revenues relate primarily to short-term staffing, contract staffing and on-site management services. The Company’s performance obligations for PEO and staffing services are satisfied, and the related revenue is recognized, as services are rendered by our workforce.
Our PEO client service agreements have a minimum term of one year, are renewable on an annual basis and typically require 30 days’ written notice to cancel or terminate the contract by either party. In addition, our client service agreements provide for immediate termination upon any payment default of the client regardless of when notice is given. PEO customers are invoiced following the end of each payroll processing cycle, with payment generally due on the invoice date. Staffing customers are generally invoiced weekly based on agreed rates per employee and actual hours worked, typically with payment terms of 30 days. The amount of earned but unbilled revenue is classified as a receivable on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
We report PEO revenues net of direct payroll costs because we are not the primary obligor for these payments to our clients’ employees. Direct payroll costs include salaries, wages, health insurance, and employee out-of-pocket expenses incurred incidental to employment.
Cost of revenues
Our cost of revenues for PEO services includes employer payroll-related taxes, workers’ compensation costs and employee benefits costs. Our cost of revenues for staffing services includes direct payroll costs, employer payroll-related taxes, and workers’ compensation costs. Direct payroll costs represent the gross payroll earned by staffing services employees based on salary or hourly wages. Payroll taxes consist of the employer’s portion of Social Security and Medicare taxes and federal and state unemployment taxes. Benefit costs primarily comprise health insurance premiums paid to third-party carriers as part of our fully insured PEO benefits programs and underwriting and benefit consultant payroll. Workers’ compensation costs consist primarily of premiums paid to third-party insurers, claims reserves, claims administration fees, legal fees, medical cost containment (“MCC”) expense, state administrative agency fees, third-party broker commissions, and risk manager payroll, as well as costs associated with operating our two wholly owned insurance companies, Associated Insurance Company for Excess (“AICE”) and Ecole Insurance Company (“Ecole”).
We consider non-restricted short-term investments that are highly liquid, readily convertible into cash, and have maturities at acquisition of less than three months to be cash equivalents for purposes of the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows and condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Company maintains cash balances in bank accounts that normally exceed FDIC insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses related to its cash concentration.
The Company classifies investments as available-for-sale. The Company’s investments are reported at fair value with unrealized gains and losses, net of taxes, shown as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in stockholders’ equity. Investments are recorded as current on the condensed consolidated balance sheets as the invested funds are available for current operations. Management considers available evidence in evaluating potential impairment of investments, including the extent to which fair value is less than cost and adverse conditions related to the security. In the event of a credit loss, an allowance would be recognized to the extent that the fair value of the security is less than the present value of the expected future cash flows. Realized gains and losses on sales of investments are included in investment income, net in our condensed consolidated statements of operations. Investment income, net in the condensed consolidated statements of operations includes interest income of $2.5 million and $3.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively. Investment income, net in the condensed consolidated statements of operations includes interest income of $4.9 million and $6.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
10
The Company holds restricted cash and investments primarily for the future payment of insurance premiums and workers’ compensation claims. These investments are categorized as available-for-sale. They are reported at fair value with unrealized gains and losses, net of taxes, shown as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in stockholders’ equity. Restricted cash and investments are classified as current and noncurrent on the condensed consolidated balance sheets based on the nature of the restriction. Management considers available evidence in evaluating potential impairment of restricted investments, including the extent to which fair value is less than cost and adverse conditions related to the security. In the event of a credit loss, an allowance would be recognized to the extent that the fair value of the security is less than the present value of the expected future cash flows. Realized gains and losses on sales of restricted investments are included in investment income in our condensed consolidated statements of operations.
Restricted cash and investments also includes investments held as part of the Company’s deferred compensation plan. These investments are classified as trading securities and are recorded at fair value with unrealized gains and losses reported as a component of income (loss) from operations.
PEO customers are invoiced following the end of each payroll processing cycle, with payment generally due on the invoice date, and staffing customers are generally invoiced weekly with payment terms of 30 days. The balance in trade accounts receivable comprises primarily unbilled receivables of $252.2 million and $218.8 million at June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively. The remaining balance of $12.8 million and $16.6 million in trade accounts receivable at June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively, is primarily related to outstanding billings to staffing clients, offset by an allowance for expected credit losses of $0.9 million at both June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024.
Allowance for expected credit losses
The Company had an allowance for expected credit losses of $0.9 million at June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024. We make estimates of the collectability of our accounts receivable for services provided to our customers based on future expected credit losses. Management analyzes historical bad debts, customer concentrations, customer credit-worthiness, current economic trends and changes in customers’ payment trends when evaluating the adequacy of the allowance for expected credit losses. If the financial condition of our customers deteriorates resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required.
Workers’ compensation claims liabilities
Our workers’ compensation claims liabilities do not represent an exact calculation of liability, but rather management’s best estimate of future obligation amounts under workers' compensation programs where the Company retains risk. These estimates utilize actuarial expertise and projection techniques at a given reporting date, and are based on an evaluation of information provided by our third-party administrator for workers’ compensation claims, coupled with an actuarial estimate of future loss development with respect to reported claims and incurred but not reported claims (together, “IBNR”). Workers’ compensation claims liabilities include case reserve estimates for reported losses, plus additional amounts for estimated IBNR claims, MCC and legal costs, unallocated loss adjustment expenses and estimated future recoveries. The estimate of incurred costs expected to be paid within one year is included in current liabilities, while the estimate of incurred costs expected to be paid beyond one year is included in long-term liabilities on our condensed consolidated balance sheets. These estimates are reviewed at least quarterly and adjustments to estimated liabilities are reflected in current operating results as they become known.
11
The process of arriving at an estimate of unpaid claims and claims adjustment expense involves a high degree of judgment and is affected by both internal and external events, including changes in claims handling practices, changes in reserve estimation procedures, inflation, trends in the litigation and settlement of pending claims, and legislative changes.
Our estimates are based on actuarial analysis and informed judgment, derived from individual experience and expertise applied to multiple sets of data and analyses. We consider significant facts and circumstances known both at the time that loss reserves are initially established and as new facts and circumstances become known. Due to the inherent uncertainty underlying loss reserve estimates, the expenses incurred through final resolution of our liability for our workers’ compensation claims will likely vary from the related loss reserves at the reporting date. Therefore, as specific claims are paid out in the future, actual paid losses may be materially different from our current loss reserves.
A basic premise in most actuarial analyses is that historical data and past patterns demonstrated in the incurred and paid historical data form a reasonable basis upon which to project future outcomes, absent a material change. Significant structural changes to the available data can materially impact the reserve estimation process. To the extent a material change affecting the ultimate claim liability becomes known, such change is quantified to the extent possible through an analysis of internal Company data and, if available and when appropriate, external data. Nonetheless, actuaries exercise a considerable degree of judgment in the evaluation of these factors and the need for such actuarial judgment is more pronounced when faced with material uncertainties.
Customer deposits
We require deposits from certain PEO customers to cover a portion of our accounts receivable due from such customers in the event of default of payment.
Comprehensive income (loss)
Comprehensive income (loss) includes all changes in equity during a period except those that resulted from investments by or distributions to the Company’s stockholders.
Other comprehensive income (loss) refers to revenues, expenses, gains and losses that under GAAP are included in comprehensive income (loss), but excluded from net income as these amounts are recorded directly as an adjustment to stockholders’ equity. Our other comprehensive income (loss) comprises unrealized holding gains and losses on our available-for-sale investments.
Statements of cash flows
Interest paid during the six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024 did not materially differ from interest expense. Income taxes paid net of income tax refunds received by the Company during the six months ended June 30, 2025 totaled $3.3 million. Income tax refunds received net of income tax payments made by the Company during the six months ended June 30, 2024 totaled $0.9 million.
Bank deposits and other cash equivalents that are restricted for use are classified as restricted cash. The table below reconciles the cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash balances from our condensed consolidated balance sheets to the amounts reported on the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows (in thousands):
2023
40,348
71,168
Restricted cash, included in restricted cash and investments
10,829
27,221
29,648
3,673
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in the statements of cash flows
12
Basic and diluted earnings per share
Basic earnings per share are computed based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for each year using the treasury method. Diluted earnings per share reflect the potential effects of the issuance of shares in connection with the exercise of outstanding stock options, vesting of outstanding restricted stock units and performance share units, and the Company’s employee stock purchase plan. Basic and diluted shares outstanding adjusted to reflect the 2024 Stock Split are summarized as follows (in thousands):
Weighted average number of basic shares outstanding
Effect of dilutive securities
623
698
609
620
Weighted average number of diluted shares outstanding
Accounting estimates
The preparation of our condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions. These affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Estimates are used for fair value measurement of investments, allowance for expected credit losses, deferred income taxes, carrying values for goodwill and property, equipment and software, and accrued workers’ compensation liabilities. Actual results may or may not differ from such estimates.
Reclassifications
To conform to the current period’s presentation, the prior period net cash inflows from accrued payroll, payroll taxes and related benefits in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows of $16.8 million was disaggregated into net cash inflows from accrued payroll and related benefits of $30.2 million and net cash outflows from payroll taxes payable of $13.4 million.
All share and per share amounts presented herein have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the impact of the 2024 Stock Split. To conform to the current period’s presentation, additional paid-in-capital of approximately $0.2 million was reclassified to common stock in the prior periods' condensed consolidated statements of stockholders' equity.
Recent accounting pronouncements
The following Accounting Standards Updates (ASUs) have been issued recently by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB).
ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, which requires disaggregated information about a reporting entity’s effective tax rate reconciliation as well as information on income taxes paid. The ASU applies to all entities subject to income taxes. The new requirements will be effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. The guidance will be applied on a prospective basis with the option to apply the standard retrospectively. Early adoption is permitted. We plan to adopt this ASU for the annual reporting period of our fiscal year beginning January 1, 2025. We are evaluating the impact of applying this new accounting guidance to our income tax disclosures but do not expect the adoption of this ASU to have any material effects on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.
13
ASU 2024-03, Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income—Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses (“DISE”)
In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03, which requires disclosure of specified information about certain costs and expenses in the notes to interim and annual financial statements. The amendments in this ASU are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2026 and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027. Early adoption is permitted. The amendments in this ASU should be applied either (1) prospectively to financial statements issued for reporting periods after the effective date or (2) retrospectively to any or all prior periods presented in the financial statements. We are evaluating the impact of this new accounting standard but do not expect the adoption of this ASU to have any material effects on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.
Note 2 - Fair Value Measurement
The following table summarizes the Company’s investments at June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024 measured at fair value on a recurring basis (in thousands):
June 30, 2025
December 31, 2024
Gross
Unrealized
Recorded
Cost
Gains
Losses
Basis
Current:
Cash equivalents:
Money market funds
8,314
26,661
Total cash equivalents
Investments:
Corporate bonds
27,901
(1,660
26,246
27,954
(2,365
U.S. treasuries
14,260
(849
13,411
12,460
(1,140
11,320
Mortgage-backed securities
11,663
(2,335
9,328
12,128
(2,592
9,536
U.S. government agency securities
7,687
(89
7,598
12,734
(203
12,531
Asset-backed securities
7,585
(81
7,514
7,610
(109
7,513
Total current investments
69,096
15
(5,014
72,886
(6,409
Restricted cash and investments (1):
81,572
51
(5,123
76,500
100,030
(7,302
92,744
53,054
(4,540
48,525
54,900
(6,348
48,552
39,274
53
(4,737
34,590
40,858
(5,674
35,194
Mutual funds
12,330
10,961
6,686
(455
16,785
(914
15,871
1,527
(3
1,533
1,666
1,671
Emerging markets
199
205
200
201
101
216
Total restricted cash and investments
194,743
130
(14,858
180,015
225,616
33
(20,239
205,410
Total investments
272,153
145
(19,872
252,426
325,163
48
(26,648
298,563
(1) Included in restricted cash and investments within the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024 is restricted cash of $10.7 million and $26.7 million, respectively, which is excluded from the table above. Restricted cash and investments are classified as current and noncurrent on the balance sheet based on the nature of the restriction.
14
The following table summarizes the Company’s investments at June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024 measured at fair value on a recurring basis by fair value hierarchy level (in thousands):
Level 1
Level 2
Other (1)
Restricted cash and investments:
231,681
8,415
260,725
26,877
(1) Investments in money market funds measured at fair value using the net asset value per share practical expedient are not subject to hierarchy level classification disclosure. The Company invests in money market funds that seek to maintain a stable net asset value. These investments include commingled funds that comprise high-quality short-term securities representing liquid debt and monetary instruments where the redemption value is likely to be the fair value. Redemption is permitted daily without written notice.
The following table summarizes the contractual maturities of the Company’s available-for-sale securities at June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to prepay obligations with or without prepayment penalties. The table also includes money market funds, which are classified as cash and cash equivalents on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets.
(In thousands)
Less than1 Year
Between 1 to5 Years
Between 5 to10 Years
After 10 Years
5,031
87,516
10,199
102,746
497
43,580
17,859
61,936
3,060
9,683
1,086
13,829
1,126
151
7,770
9,047
17,003
141,905
29,500
196,178
18,815
76,574
22,947
118,336
42,333
17,042
59,872
8,014
19,333
1,055
28,402
1,228
6,654
1,302
9,184
54,203
139,468
47,899
242,872
The average contractual maturity of mortgage-backed securities, which are excluded from the table above, was 21 years at each of June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024.
The fair values and gross unrealized losses of the Company’s available for sale securities that were in an unrealized loss position as of June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous loss position, were as follows (in thousands):
Less than 12 months
12 months or longer
26,028
9,329
5,262
1,304
55,334
Restricted investments:
397
72,903
(5,122
73,300
1,219
(5
46,592
(4,535
47,811
1,522
(17
28,584
(4,720
30,106
5,507
Total restricted investments
3,395
(26
153,586
(14,832
156,981
Total investments and restricted investments
208,920
(19,846
212,315
20
25,377
25,397
1,301
60,065
60,085
11,142
(15
71,716
(7,287
82,858
1,399
(29
46,656
(6,319
48,055
3,360
(37
29,877
(5,637
33,237
443
16,344
(82
164,120
(20,157
180,464
16,364
224,185
(26,566
240,549
We have determined that the gross unrealized losses on our investments as of June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024 were temporary in nature. The decline in fair value was due to changes in market interest rates, rather than credit losses.
Note 3 – Workers’ Compensation Claims Liabilities
The following table summarizes the aggregate workers’ compensation reserve activity (in thousands):
Beginning balance
121,228
158,054
128,446
167,763
Add: claims expense incurred
Current period
2,697
3,699
6,025
7,299
Prior periods
(3,222
(1,830
(7,004
(4,822
Total claims expense incurred
(525
1,869
(979
2,477
Less: claim payments related to
1,179
1,565
2,357
2,519
5,593
8,734
11,113
18,223
Total claim payments
6,772
10,299
13,470
20,742
Change in claims incurred in excess of retention limits
(95
132
Ending balance
113,902
149,630
Insured program
The Company provides workers’ compensation coverage for client employees primarily through arrangements with fully licensed, third-party insurers (the “insured program”). Under this program, carriers issue policies or afford coverage to the Company’s clients under a program maintained by the Company. Approximately 86% of the Company’s workers’ compensation exposure is covered through the insured program.
Effective July 1, 2021, the Company entered into a fully insured arrangement for its insured program, whereby third-party insurers assume substantially all risk of loss for claims incurred under the program. This fully insured arrangement has been extended annually and covers claims incurred between July 1, 2021 and June 30, 2026.
Each annual fully insured policy allows BBSI to participate in savings if claims develop favorably up to a maximum per policy year ranging from $20.0 million to $30.0 million, depending on the policy period. For the policy period from July 1, 2021 to June 30 2022, BBSI can incur additional premiums up to $7.5 million if claims develop adversely. For all other policy years, no additional premiums can be charged based on claim performance.
Premiums incurred but not paid are recorded as either current or long-term premium payable on the condensed consolidated balance sheets based on the expected timing of the payments.
For claims incurred under the insured program prior to July 1, 2021, the Company retains risk of loss up to the first $3.0 million per occurrence on policies issued after June 30, 2020 and $5.0 million per occurrence on policies issued before that date.
Claim obligations for policies issued under the insured program between February 1, 2014 and June 30, 2018 were removed through loss portfolio transfers in 2020 and 2021.
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The following is a summary of the risk retained by the Company under its insured program after considering the effects of the loss portfolio transfers and current insurance arrangements:
Year
Claims risk retained
2014
No
2015
2016
2017
2018 (1)
2019 (1)
Yes
2020
2021 - Through June 30
2021 - July 1 and after
2022
(1) The loss portfolio transfers excluded approximately 10% of claims from 2018 and included an approximately offsetting amount of claims from 2019.
The Company is required to maintain minimum collateral levels for certain policies issued under the insured program, which is held in a trust account (the “trust account”). The balance in the trust account was $153.9 million and $197.1 million at June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively. The trust account balance is included as a component of the current and long-term restricted cash and investments in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets.
Self-insured programs
The Company is a self-insured employer with respect to workers' compensation coverage for all employees, including employees of PEO clients that elect to participate in our workers’ compensation program, working in Colorado, Maryland, Ohio, and Oregon. In the state of Washington, state law allows only the Company's staffing services and internal management employees to be covered under the Company's self-insured workers' compensation program. The Company also operates a wholly owned, fully licensed insurance company, Ecole, which provides workers’ compensation coverage to client employees working in Arizona and Utah. Approximately 14% of the Company’s workers’ compensation exposure is covered through self-insurance or Ecole (the “self-insured programs”).
For all claims incurred under the Company’s self-insured programs, the Company retains risk of loss up to the first $3.0 million per occurrence, except in Maryland and Colorado, where the Company’s retention per occurrence is $1.0 million and $2.0 million, respectively. For claims incurred under the Company’s self-insured programs prior to July 1, 2020, the Company retains risk of loss up to the first $5.0 million per occurrence, except in Maryland and Colorado, where the retention per occurrence is $1.0 million and $2.0 million, respectively.
The states of California, Maryland, Oregon, Washington, Colorado and Delaware required the Company to maintain collateral totaling $52.1 million and $55.9 million at June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively, to cover potential workers’ compensation claims losses related to the Company’s current and former status as a self-insured employer. At June 30, 2025, the Company provided surety bonds totaling $52.1 million.
Claims liabilities
The Company provided a total of $113.9 million and $128.4 million at June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively, as an estimated future liability for unsettled workers' compensation claims liabilities. Of this amount, $5.9 million and $6.0 million at June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively, represent case reserves and IBNR in excess of the Company’s retention. The accrual for costs incurred in excess of retention is offset by a receivable from insurance carriers of $5.9 million and $6.0 million at June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively, which is included in other assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
Note 4 - Revolving Credit Facility and Long-Term Debt
The Company maintains an agreement (the “Agreement”) with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. (the “Bank”) for a revolving credit line of $50.0 million and a sublimit for standby letters of credit of $25.0 million. Advances under the revolving credit line bear interest, as selected by the Company, of (a) the daily Simple Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) plus 1.75% or (b) one-month Term SOFR plus 1.75%. The Agreement also provides for an unused commitment fee of 0.35% per year on the average daily unused amount of the revolving credit line, as well as a fee of 1.75% of the face amount of each letter of credit reserved under the line of credit. The Company had no outstanding borrowings on its revolving credit line at June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024. The credit facility is collateralized by the Company’s accounts receivable and other rights to receive payment. The revolving credit facility will mature on July 1, 2026, unless extended.
The Agreement requires the satisfaction of certain financial covenants as follows:
The Agreement imposes certain additional restrictions unless the Bank provides its prior written consent as follows:
The Agreement also contains customary events of default and specified cross-defaults under the Company's workers' compensation insurance arrangements. If an event of default under the Agreement occurs and is continuing, the Bank may declare any outstanding obligations under the Agreement to be immediately due and payable. At June 30, 2025, the Company was in compliance with all covenants.
Note 5 – Income Taxes
On July 4, 2025, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act was signed into law, extending key provisions of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act including, but not limited to, federal bonus depreciation and deductions for domestic research and development expenditures. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the new legislation but does not expect it to have a material impact on its results of operations.
Under ASC 740, “Income Taxes,” management evaluates the realizability of the deferred tax assets on a quarterly basis under a “more-likely-than-not” standard. As part of this evaluation, management reviews all evidence both positive and negative to determine if a valuation allowance is needed. One component of this analysis is to determine whether the Company was in a cumulative loss position for the most recent 12 quarters. The Company was in a cumulative income position for the 12 quarters ended June 30, 2025. At June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the Company had not recorded a valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets.
The Company’s realization of a portion of net deferred tax assets is based in part on our estimates of the timing of reversals of certain temporary differences and on the generation of taxable income before such reversals.
The Company is subject to income taxes in U.S. federal and multiple state and local tax jurisdictions. The Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) is examining the Company’s federal tax returns for the years ended December 31, 2017 through 2021. BBSI received notices that the IRS intends to disallow certain wage-based tax credits claimed for the years 2017 through 2021, which could result in estimated total additional taxes of $8.0 million and penalties and interest of $4.8 million. The Company disagrees with the IRS
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determination to disallow certain wage-based credits taken by the Company and has filed U.S. Tax Court petitions challenging these notices. We believe that the Company has the technical merits to defend its position. Based on management’s more-likely-than-not assessment that the Company's position is sustainable, no reserve for the aforementioned IRS notices of disallowance of wage-based tax credits or underpayment penalties has been recorded in the financial statements.
In the major jurisdictions where it operates, the Company is generally no longer subject to income tax examinations by tax authorities for tax years before 2017. As of June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, total gross unrecognized tax benefits, excluding interest and penalties, of $0.5 million, would affect the Company's effective tax rate if recognized in future periods. The Company does not anticipate any material changes to the reserve in the next 12 months.
A portion of the consolidated income the Company generates is not subject to state income tax. Depending on the percentage of this income as compared to total consolidated income, the Company's state effective tax rate could fluctuate from expectations.
At June 30, 2025, the Company had no operating loss carryforwards or tax credit carryforwards.
Note 6 – Litigation
On April 5, 2011, several individual plaintiffs filed a wage and hour class action in the California Superior Court, County of Fresno, which was subsequently removed to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California, naming as defendants their employer, a Merry Maids franchisee; BBSI, which was providing PEO services to the franchisee; and various parties related to the franchisor. Plaintiffs claimed, among other things, that BBSI and the franchisor were their joint employer with the franchisee and therefore jointly responsible for the alleged wage and hour violations. BBSI's position is that it was not the plaintiffs' joint employer. Notwithstanding, the plaintiffs and BBSI reached an agreement to settle the matter, which was filed with the trial court for court approval pursuant to the rules for class action settlements. The settlement was preliminarily approved by the trial court in June 2025 and will be the subject of a future final approval hearing currently scheduled for October 2025.
BBSI is subject to other legal proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary course of our business. There are significant uncertainties surrounding litigation. For the settlement agreement discussed above, as well as other cases, management recorded estimated liabilities totaling $2.1 million and $1.7 million at June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively, in other accrued liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
Note 7 – Subsequent Events
Share Repurchase Program
On August 4, 2025, the Company’s board of directors authorized a share repurchase program to acquire up to $100.0 million of the Company’s common stock over a two-year period beginning August 4, 2025. The new repurchase program replaces the program approved in July 2023, under which a total of 1,919,334 shares of common stock have been purchased.
Purchases under the new program will be made in the open market, including in block trades. Subject to the requirements of applicable federal securities laws, the timing and volume of purchases will be in the discretion of BBSI’s management, except to the extent that the Company elects to enter into one or more Rule 10b5-1 trading plans.
We have evaluated events and transactions occurring after the balance sheet date through our filing date and noted no other events that are subject to recognition or disclosure.
General
Company Background Barrett Business Services, Inc. (“BBSI,” the “Company,” “our” or “we”), is a leading provider of business management solutions for small and mid-sized companies. The Company has developed a management platform that integrates a knowledge-based approach from the management consulting industry with tools from the human resource outsourcing industry. This platform, through the effective leveraging of human capital, helps our business owner clients run their businesses more effectively. We believe this platform, delivered through a decentralized organizational structure, differentiates BBSI from our competitors. BBSI was incorporated in Maryland in 1965.
Business Strategy Our strategy is to align local operations teams with the mission of small and mid-sized business owners, driving value to their business. To do so, BBSI:
Business Organization We operate a decentralized delivery model using operationally focused business teams, typically located within 50 miles of our client companies. These teams are led by experienced business generalists and include senior-level professionals with expertise in human resources, organizational development, risk mitigation and workplace safety, recruiting, employee benefits, and various types of administration, including payroll. These teams are responsible for growth and profitability of their operations, and for providing strategic leadership, guidance and expert consultation to our client companies. The decentralized structure fosters autonomous decision-making in which business teams deliver plans that closely align with the objectives of each business owner client.
Services Overview BBSI’s core purpose is to advocate for business owners, particularly in the small and mid-sized business segment. Our evolution from an entrepreneurially run company to a professionally managed organization has helped to form our view that all businesses experience inflection points at key stages of growth. The insights gained through our own growth, along with the trends we see in working with more than 8,100 companies each day, define our approach to guiding business owners through the challenges associated with being an employer. BBSI’s business teams align with each business owner client through a structured three-tiered progression. In doing so, business teams focus on the objectives of each business owner and deliver planning, guidance and resources in support of those objectives.
Tier 1: Tactical Alignment
The first stage focuses on the mutual setting of expectations and is essential to a successful client relationship. It begins with a process of assessment and discovery in which the business owner’s business objectives, philosophies, and culture are aligned with BBSI’s processes, controls and culture. This stage includes an implementation process, which addresses the administrative components of employment.
Tier 2: Dynamic Relationship
The second stage of the relationship emphasizes organizational development as a means of achieving each client’s business objectives. There is a focus on process improvement, development of best practices, supervisor training and leadership development.
Tier 3: Strategic Counsel
With an emphasis on advocacy on behalf of the business owner, the third stage of the relationship is more strategic and forward-looking with a goal of cultivating an environment in which all efforts are directed by the mission and long-term objectives of the business owner.
In addition to serving as a resource and guide, BBSI can provide workers’ compensation coverage as a means of meeting statutory requirements and protecting our clients from employment-related injury claims. Through our third-party administrators, we provide claims management services for our clients. We work to manage and reduce job injury claims, identify fraudulent claims and structure optimal work programs, including modified duty.
In 2023, BBSI began offering additional employee benefit programs to our clients. The benefit programs available to clients include medical, dental and vision plans, flexible spending accounts and health savings accounts, life insurance and voluntary accident coverage, and critical illness and disability coverage, among others. These additional employee benefit programs are offered through fully insured arrangements with third-party carriers and are designed to provide strategic value to our clients through access to best-in-class plans and service.
Results of Operations
The following table sets forth the percentages of total revenues represented by selected items in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024 ($ in thousands):
Percentage of Total Net Revenues
94.3
%
92.9
94.1
92.8
5.7
7.1
5.9
7.2
100.0
4.3
5.3
4.4
5.4
56.3
53.2
60.0
57.0
Workers’ compensation
15.6
17.3
16.3
17.9
76.2
75.8
80.7
80.3
23.8
24.2
19.3
19.7
15.7
15.5
16.1
0.7
7.5
3.1
2.9
1.1
0.8
1.2
8.2
8.3
3.9
4.1
2.2
2.4
1.0
6.0
2.8
We report PEO revenues net of direct payroll costs because we are not the primary obligor for wage payments to our clients’ employees. However, management believes that gross billings and wages are useful in understanding the volume of our business activity and serve as an important performance metric in managing our operations, including the preparation of internal operating forecasts and establishing executive compensation performance goals. We therefore present for purposes of analysis gross billings and wage information for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024.
(in thousands)
Gross billings
2,234,472
2,029,036
4,323,141
3,936,584
PEO and staffing wages
1,939,966
1,764,182
3,749,434
3,420,626
In monitoring and evaluating the performance of our operations, management also reviews the following ratios, which represent selected amounts as a percentage of gross billings. Management believes these ratios are useful in understanding the efficiency and profitability of our service offerings.
Percentage of Gross Billings
86.8%
86.9%
86.7%
7.8%
7.3%
8.3%
7.9%
2.1%
2.5%
2.3%
3.3%
2.7%
We refer to employees of our PEO clients as worksite employees (“WSEs”). Management reviews average and ending WSE growth to monitor and evaluate the performance of our operations. Average WSEs are calculated by dividing the number of unique individuals paid in each month by the number of months in the period. Ending WSEs represents the number of unique individuals paid in the last month of the period.
Year-over-year % Growth
Year-over-year% Growth
Average WSEs
138,969
8.0%
128,734
3.7%
Ending WSEs
140,671
8.2%
130,046
135,714
125,892
3.4%
Three Months Ended June 30, 2025 and 2024
Net income for the second quarter of 2025 amounted to $18.5 million compared to net income of $16.7 million for the second quarter of 2024. Diluted net income per share for the second quarter of 2025 was $0.70 compared to diluted net income per share of $0.62 for the second quarter of 2024.
Revenue for the second quarter of 2025 totaled $307.7 million, an increase of $28.0 million or 10.0% over the second quarter of 2024, which reflects an increase in the Company’s PEO services revenue of $30.3 million or 11.7% and a decrease in staffing services revenue of $2.3 million or 11.5%.
The increase in PEO services revenue was primarily attributable to an 8.0% increase in the average number of WSEs as well as a 1.7% increase in average billing per WSE per day.
Gross margin for the second quarter of 2025 totaled $73.3 million or 23.8% of revenue compared to $67.9 million or 24.2% of revenue for the second quarter of 2024. The decrease in gross margin as a percentage of revenues is primarily a result of the factors discussed within the separate components of gross margin below.
Direct payroll costs for the second quarter of 2025 totaled $13.2 million or 4.3% of revenue compared to $14.7 million or 5.3% of revenue for the second quarter of 2024. The decrease in direct payroll costs as a percentage of revenues was primarily due to a decrease in staffing services within the mix of our customer base compared to the second quarter of 2024.
Payroll taxes and benefits for the second quarter of 2025 totaled $173.3 million or 56.3% of revenue compared to $148.8 million or 53.2% of revenue for the second quarter of 2024. The increase in payroll taxes and benefits expense as a percentage of revenue was primarily due to expanded adoption of our PEO client benefit programs, resulting in client benefit costs of $17.7 million in the second quarter of 2025 compared to $7.1 million in the second quarter of 2024, as well as higher average payroll tax rates in the second quarter of 2025.
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Workers’ compensation expense for the second quarter of 2025 totaled $48.0 million or 15.6% of revenue compared to $48.3 million or 17.3% of revenue for the second quarter of 2024. The decrease in workers’ compensation expense as a percentage of revenue was primarily due to lower workers' compensation costs in the second quarter of 2025, which included favorable prior year liability and premium adjustments of $8.8 million, compared to favorable prior year liability and premium adjustments of $8.9 million in the second quarter of 2024.
Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses for the second quarter of 2025 totaled $48.2 million or 15.7% of revenue compared to $45.6 million or 16.3% of revenue for the second quarter of 2024. The increase of $2.6 million in SG&A expense was primarily attributable to increased employee-related costs compared to the second quarter of 2024.
Other income, net for the second quarter of 2025 totaled $2.3 million compared to other income, net of $3.1 million for the second quarter of 2024. The decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease in investment income in the second quarter of 2025.
Our effective income tax rate for the second quarter of 2025 was 27.1% compared to 28.8% for the second quarter of 2024. Our income tax rate typically differs from the federal statutory tax rate of 21% primarily due to state taxes as well as federal and state tax credits.
Six Months Ended June 30, 2025 and 2024
Net income for the first six months of 2025 amounted to $17.4 million compared to net income of $16.6 million for the first six months of 2024. Diluted net income per share for the first six months of 2025 was $0.66 compared to diluted net income per share of $0.62 for the first six months of 2024.
Revenue for the first six months of 2025 totaled $600.2 million, an increase of $54.8 million or 10.0% over the first six months of 2024, which reflects an increase in the Company's PEO services revenue of $59.0 million or 11.7% and a decrease in staffing services revenue of $4.2 million or 10.7%.
The increase in PEO services revenue was primarily attributable to a 7.8% increase in the average number of WSEs as well as a 2.3% increase in average billing per WSE per day.
Gross margin for the first six months of 2025 totaled $115.9 million or 19.3% of revenue compared to $107.5 million or 19.7% of revenue for the first six months of 2024. The decrease in gross margin as a percentage of revenues is primarily a result of the factors discussed within the separate components of gross margin below.
Direct payroll costs for the first six months of 2025 totaled $26.5 million or 4.4% of revenue compared to $29.4 million or 5.4% of revenue for the first six months of 2024. The decrease in direct payroll costs as a percentage of revenues was primarily due to a decrease in staffing services within the mix of our customer base compared to the first six months of 2024.
Payroll taxes and benefits for the first six months of 2025 totaled $360.3 million or 60.0% of revenue compared to $310.7 million or 57.0% of revenue for the first six months of 2024. The increase in payroll taxes and benefits expense as a percentage of revenue was primarily due to higher average payroll tax rates in the first six months of 2025 and PEO client benefit costs of $34.7 million in the first six months of 2025 compared to $13.7 million in the first six months of 2024.
Workers' compensation expense for the first six months of 2025 totaled $97.6 million or 16.3% of revenue compared to $97.9 million or 17.9% of revenue for the first six months of 2024. The decrease in workers' compensation expense as a percentage of revenue was primarily due to lower workers' compensation costs in the first six months of 2025, including favorable prior year liability and premium adjustments of $12.6 million in the first six months of 2025 compared to favorable prior year liability and premium adjustments of $11.8 million in the first six months of 2024.
SG&A expense for the first six months of 2025 totaled $93.0 million or 15.5% of revenue compared to $88.0 million or 16.1% of revenue for the first six months of 2024. The increase of $5.0 million in SG&A expense was primarily attributable to increased employee-related costs compared to the first six months of 2024.
Other income, net for the first six months of 2025 totaled $4.9 million compared to other income, net of $6.3 million for the first six months of 2024. The decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease in investment income in the first six months of 2025.
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Our effective income tax rate for the first six months of 2025 was 26.7% compared to 24.9% for the first six months of 2024. Our income tax rate typically differs from the federal statutory tax rate of 21% primarily due to state taxes as well as federal and state tax credits.
Fluctuations in Quarterly Operating Results
We historically have experienced significant fluctuations in our quarterly operating results, including losses or minimal income in the first quarter of each year, and expect such fluctuations to continue in the future. Our operating results may fluctuate due to a number of factors such as seasonality, wage limits on statutory payroll taxes, claims experience for workers’ compensation, demand for our services, and competition. Payroll taxes, as a component of cost of revenues, generally decline throughout a calendar year as the applicable statutory wage bases for federal and state unemployment taxes and Social Security taxes are exceeded on a per employee basis. Our revenue levels may be higher in the third quarter due to the effect of increased business activity of our customers’ businesses in the agriculture, food processing and forest products-related industries. In addition, revenues in the fourth quarter may be reduced by many customers’ practice of operating on holiday-shortened schedules. Workers’ compensation expense varies with both the frequency and severity of workplace injury claims reported during a quarter and the estimated future costs of such claims. Positive or adverse loss development of prior period claims during a subsequent quarter may also contribute to the volatility in the Company’s estimated workers’ compensation expense.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company’s cash balance of $37.2 million, which includes cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, decreased $45.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025, compared to a decrease of $4.8 million for the comparable period of 2024. The decrease in cash at June 30, 2025 as compared to December 31, 2024 was primarily due to the factors discussed below.
Net cash used in operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2025 amounted to $48.6 million, compared to cash used of $42.4 million for the comparable period of 2024. For the six months ended June 30, 2025, net cash used in operating activities was primarily due to decreased premium payable of $41.2 million, increased trade accounts receivable of $29.6 million, decreased workers’ compensation claims liabilities of $14.4 million, decreased payroll taxes payable of $8.7 million, and increased prepaid expenses of $7.1 million, partially offset by increased accrued payroll and related benefits of $24.2 million, net income of $17.4 million, and share-based compensation of $4.9 million.
Net cash provided by investing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2025 totaled $26.1 million, compared to cash provided of $57.0 million for the comparable period of 2024. For the six months ended June 30, 2025, net cash provided by investing activities consisted of proceeds from sales and maturities of investments and restricted investments of $77.8 million, partially offset by purchases of investments and restricted investments of $42.8 million and purchases of property, equipment and software of $8.9 million.
Net cash used in financing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2025 was $22.9 million, compared to cash used of $19.5 million for the comparable period of 2024. For the six months ended June 30, 2025, net cash used in financing activities primarily consisted of repurchases of common stock of $17.3 million and dividend payments of $4.1 million.
See “Note 4 – Revolving Credit Facility and Long-Term Debt” to the condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of Part I of this report for additional information regarding the Company’s credit agreement with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
25
Forward-Looking Information
Statements in this report include forward-looking statements which are not historical in nature and are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, among others, discussion of economic conditions in our market areas, especially in California, and their effect on revenue levels; the competitiveness of our service offerings; the availability of certain fully insured medical and other health and welfare benefits to qualifying worksite employees; our ability to attract and retain clients and to achieve revenue growth; the effect of changes in our mix of services on gross margin; labor market conditions; the adequacy of our workers’ compensation reserves; the effect of changes in estimates of our future claims liabilities on our workers’ compensation reserves, including the effect of changes in our reserving practices and claims management process on our actuarial estimates; expected levels of required surety deposits and letters of credit; the outcome of audits; the effect of our formation and operation of two wholly owned licensed insurance subsidiaries; the risks of operation and cost of our insured program; the financial viability of our excess insurance carriers; the effectiveness of our management information systems; our relationship with our primary bank lender and the availability of financing and working capital to meet our funding requirements; litigation costs; the effect of changes in the interest rate environment on the value of our investment securities; the adequacy of our allowance for expected credit losses; and the potential for and effect of acquisitions.
All our forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors with respect to the Company include: our ability to retain current clients and attract new clients; difficulties associated with integrating clients into our operations; economic trends in our service areas and the potential effects of changing governmental policies, including those related to immigration and tariffs; natural disasters; the potential for material deviations from expected future workers’ compensation claims experience; changes in the workers’ compensation regulatory environment in our primary markets; PEO client benefit costs, particularly with regard to health insurance benefits; security breaches or failures in the Company’s information technology systems; collectability of accounts receivable; changes in executive management; changes in effective payroll tax rates and federal and state income tax rates; the carrying values of deferred income tax assets and goodwill (which may be affected by our future operating results); the effects of inflation on our operating expenses and those of our clients; the impact of and potential changes to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, escalating medical costs, and other health care legislative initiatives on our business; the effect of changing interest rates and conditions in the global capital markets on our investment portfolio; and the availability of capital, borrowing capacity on our revolving credit facility, or letters of credit necessary to meet state-mandated surety deposit requirements for maintaining our status as a qualified self-insured employer for workers’ compensation coverage or our insured program. Additional risk factors affecting our business are discussed in Item 1A of Part I of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, which was filed with the SEC on February 28, 2025. We disclaim any obligation to publicly announce any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect future events or developments.
26
The Company’s exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates primarily relates to its investment portfolio and outstanding borrowings on its line of credit. The Company's investments and restricted investments, which are classified as available-for-sale, consist primarily of fixed-rate debt securities, the fair value of which fluctuates with prevailing interest rates. Our cash equivalents consist primarily of money market funds, which are not meaningfully impacted by interest rate risk. We attempt to limit our investment portfolio's exposure to market risk through low investment turnover and diversification. Based on the Company’s overall interest exposure at June 30, 2025, a 50 basis point increase in market interest rates would have a $3.8 million downward effect on the fair value of the Company’s investment portfolio. Outstanding borrowings on the Company's line of credit bear interest at a variable market rate, which makes the cost of borrowing on the line of credit susceptible to changing interest rates. At June 30, 2025, the Company had no outstanding borrowings on its line of credit.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (“ICFR”) as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Our ICFR is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of our condensed consolidated financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP.
We maintain “disclosure controls and procedures” that are designed with the objective of providing reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in the reports we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our CEO and CFO, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating our disclosure controls and procedures, our management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and our management is required to apply their judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.
Based on their evaluation, the Company’s CEO and CFO have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) were effective as of June 30, 2025.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended June 30, 2025 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Inherent Limitations
Control systems, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the control systems’ objectives are being met. Further, the design of any control systems must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of all controls must be considered relative to their costs. Due to 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 the Company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision making can be faulty and that breakdowns can occur because of simple errors or mistakes. Control systems can also be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the controls. The design of any system of controls is based in part on certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or deterioration in the degree of compliance with policies or procedures.
Refer to “Note 6 - Litigation,” to the condensed consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report for information regarding legal proceedings in which we are involved.
Other than the information below, there have been no material changes in the risk factors that were included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, which was filed with the SEC on February 28, 2025.
Failure to interpret and comply with applicable federal and state payroll tax and unemployment tax laws could materially adversely affect our business, reputation, results of operations and financial condition.
As the administrative employer in our co-employer relationships with our clients, we are subject to a complex and evolving set of federal, state and local payroll tax laws and regulations, including requirements related to withholding, reporting and remitting payroll taxes on behalf of our clients. Compliance with these laws requires significant resources, and failure to comply with payroll tax laws in any jurisdiction in which we operate could subject us to financial penalties, interest charges and other liabilities. Additionally, our clients may be eligible for various legislative and regulatory programs, including those established under the CARES Act and the American Rescue Plan Act, such as the Employee Retention Tax Credit (“ERC”), which use payroll tax credits or deferrals as the mechanism to provide benefits to small businesses and employees. When clients and former clients wish to utilize ERCs and other similar programs, the associated tax forms must be filed through the PEO, and we have made such filings for many of our current and former clients claiming ERCs. These filings are currently under exam by the IRS to assess the eligibility of the ERCs claimed by our PEO clients. Determining eligibility for ERCs and other programs is complex and is based on company-specific data that PEOs do not possess for their clients. Notwithstanding, the IRS has taken positions that certain third-party payors, including PEOs, as well as their clients, are responsible for repaying rejected tax credit claims under the ERC program. While we disagree with the IRS’s position and our clients are contractually and statutorily responsible for repaying any rejected tax credits, this does not guarantee recovery, and any failure to recover rejected tax credits from our clients where the IRS attempts to hold BBSI liable could have a material adverse effect on our business, reputation, results of operations, and financial condition.
Changes in U.S. and foreign trade policies, including tariffs, related retaliatory measures, and other trade restrictions, could adversely affect our clients and our business.
Recent developments in U.S. and foreign trade policies—including the imposition or escalation of tariffs, retaliatory measures by trading partners, and other trade restrictions such as export bans or suspensions of critical raw materials—may materially impact our clients and in turn our business, particularly for those clients that rely on global supply chains. The U.S. executive branch has imposed and threatened tariffs to address trade imbalances, promote domestic manufacturing, and respond to national security concerns. In response, countries such as China have implemented or threatened retaliatory actions, including higher tariffs on U.S. goods and restrictions on the export of strategic resources such as rare earth elements and key industrial inputs.
These measures can significantly raise the cost of raw materials, components, and finished goods, placing considerable financial pressure on our clients in certain industries that rely on imports, such as construction, manufacturing and logistics. To mitigate these impacts, clients may reduce payroll, delay hiring, or implement workforce reductions—all of which could lead to decreased demand for our services, adversely affecting our revenue. In addition, increased costs and supply chain disruptions resulting from these trade policies may strain our clients’ operations, which could result in client business slowdowns or closures, further affecting our ability to attract and retain clients. Clients affected by such trade restrictions may also experience liquidity constraints or broader financial difficulties, which could impair their ability to pay for our services. These factors could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
The following table summarizes information related to stock repurchases during the quarter ended June 30, 2025.
Month
Total Number of Shares Repurchased
Average PricePaid Per Share
Total Numberof SharesRepurchasedas Part ofPubliclyAnnounced Plan (1)
ApproximateDollar Value ofShares thatMay Yet BeRepurchasedUnder the Plan(in thousands) (1)
Apr 1 - Apr 30, 2025
70,200
39.21
17,996
May 1 - May 31, 2025
40,200
41.65
16,322
Jun 1 - Jun 30, 2025
86,800
41.70
12,703
197,200
(1) On July 31, 2023, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $75.0 million of the Company’s common stock over a two-year period beginning July 31, 2023. As of June 30, 2025, the Company had repurchased 1,919,334 shares at an aggregate purchase price of $62.3 million under the repurchase program. On August 4, 2025, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $100.0 million of the Company’s common stock over a two-year period beginning August 4, 2025. The new repurchase program replaces the program approved in July 2023.
31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a).
31.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a).
32*
Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.
101.INS
Inline XBRL Instance Document- the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.
101.SCH
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
104
The cover page from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, has been formatted in Inline XBRL.
*Furnished, not filed.
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Registrant
Date: August 6, 2025
By:
/s/ Anthony J. Harris
Anthony J. Harris
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer