Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, under the supervision and with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, performed an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”)) as of the end of the period covered by this report, December 31, 2021.
In connection with our evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures, we have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of December 31, 2021.
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of our financial reporting and the preparation of our consolidated financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Under the supervision of, and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, management assessed the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021.
Management based its assessment on criteria established in “Internal Control Integrated Framework (2013)” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this evaluation, management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2021.
The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, has been audited by Deloitte & Touche, LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, and Deloitte & Touche, LLP has issued an attestation report on our internal control over financial reporting.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no additional changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the quarter ended December 31, 2021, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of
ACI Worldwide, Inc.
Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of ACI Worldwide, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2021, of the Company and our report dated February 24, 2022, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Omaha, Nebraska
February 24, 2022
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ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The information under the heading “Executive Officers of the Registrant” in Part 1, Item 1 of this Form 10-K is incorporated herein by reference.
The other information required by this Item 10 is incorporated by reference from our Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on June 1, 2022 (the “2022 Proxy Statement“), under the sections entitled “Proposal 1 – Election of Directors,” “Information Regarding Security Ownership – Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance,” Corporate Governance – Code of Business Conduct and Ethics,” and “Corporate Governance – Board Committees.”
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Information included in the sections entitled “Director Compensation,” “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” “Compensation Committee Report,” “Executive Compensation,” and “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation” in our 2022 Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Information included in the sections entitled “Information Regarding Security Ownership” in our 2022 Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.
Information included in the section entitled “Equity Compensation Plan Information” in our 2022 Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
Information included in the section entitled “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” in our 2022 Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.
Information included in the sections entitled “Director Independence” and “Board Committees and Committee Meetings” in the “Corporate Governance” section of our 2022 Proxy Statement is incorporated by reference.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
Information included in the sections entitled “Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Fees” and “Pre-Approval of Audit and Non-Audit Services” under “Proposal 2 – Ratification of Appointment of the Company’s Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” in our 2022 Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.
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PART IV
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
Documents filed as part of this annual report on Form 10-K:
(1) Financial Statements. The following index lists consolidated financial statements and notes thereto filed as part of this annual report on Form 10-K:
Page
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm – Deloitte & Touche LLP (PCAOB ID No. 34 )
44
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2021 and 2020
46
Consolidated Statements of Operations for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2021
47
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2021
48
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2021
49
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2021
50
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
51
(2) Financial Statement Schedules. All schedules have been omitted because they are not applicable or the required information is included in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.
(3) Exhibits. A list of exhibits filed or furnished with this report on Form 10-K (or incorporated by reference to exhibits previously filed by ACI) is provided in the accompanying Exhibit Index.
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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of
ACI Worldwide, Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of ACI Worldwide, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2021, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2021, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 24, 2022, expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current-period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
Revenue Recognition - Refer to Note 2 to the financial statements
Critical Audit Matter Description
The Company recognizes revenue upon transfer of control of promised products and/or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for those products or services. The Company’s software license arrangements provide the customer with the right to use functional intellectual property (as it exists at the point in time at which the license is granted) for the duration of the contract term. Implementation, support, and other services are typically considered distinct performance obligations when sold with a software license.
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Significant judgment is exercised by the Company in determining revenue recognition for these customer arrangements, and includes the following:
• Determination of the term of a software license arrangement when early termination rights are provided to the customer.
• Determination of whether products and/or services are considered distinct performance obligations that should be accounted for separately.
• Determination of whether the financing component in a software licensing arrangement is significant and, if so, the discount rate used in calculating the significant financing component.
• Assessment of whether the extension of payment terms in a software licensing arrangement results in variable consideration and, if so, the amount to be included in the transaction price.
• Determination of the standalone selling price for each performance obligation, the amount allocated to each performance obligation and whether it depicts the amount that the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for the related product and/or service. As the selling prices of the Company’s software licenses are highly variable, the Company estimates standalone selling prices of its software licenses using the residual approach when the software license is sold with other services and observable standalone selling prices exist for the other services.
Given these factors, the related audit effort in evaluating management’s judgments in determining revenue recognition for software license arrangements was extensive and required a high degree of auditor judgment.
How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit
Our audit procedures related to the Company’s accounting for software license arrangements included the following, among others:
• We tested the effectiveness of controls over the review of software license arrangements, including, among others, the determination of the contract term, identification of performance obligations, determination of significant financing component, estimation of variable consideration, and determination of standalone selling prices, including those controls over the determination that software license pricing is highly variable.
• We selected a sample of software license arrangements and performed the following, among others:
• Obtained contract source documents for each selection, including separate contracts or agreements that should be combined with the selected arrangement, and other documents that were part of the arrangement.
• Tested management’s determination of the contract term, identification of performance obligations, determination of significant financing component, estimation of variable consideration, and determination of standalone selling prices.
• Evaluated the reasonableness of the methodology and estimates used by management and the appropriateness of its revenue recognition conclusions for these key judgment areas.
• Tested the mathematical accuracy of management’s calculations of revenue and the associated timing of revenue recognized in the financial statements.
• We evaluated management’s determination that software license pricing is highly variable by obtaining management’s highly variable analysis and performing the following:
• Testing the completeness of management’s analysis by tracing a selection of known data points from an independent internal source into the highly variable analysis.
• Testing the accuracy of management’s analysis by selecting a sample of contracts from the highly variable analysis, obtaining the contract and price detail, and evaluating whether discounts were appropriately included in the analysis.
• Testing the mathematical accuracy of management’s calculations.
/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Omaha, Nebraska
February 24, 2022
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2009.
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ACI WORLDWIDE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
December 31,
2021 2020
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents
$ 122,059 $ 165,374
Receivables, net of allowances of $ 2,861 and $ 3,912 , respectively
320,405 342,879
Settlement assets
452,396 605,008
Prepaid expenses
24,698 24,288
Other current assets
17,876 17,365
Total current assets
937,434 1,154,914
Noncurrent assets
Accrued receivables, net
276,164 215,772
Property and equipment, net
63,050 64,734
Operating lease right-of-use assets
47,825 41,243
Software, net
157,782 196,456
Goodwill
1,280,226 1,280,226
Intangible assets, net
283,004 321,983
Deferred income taxes, net
50,778 57,476
Other noncurrent assets
62,478 54,099
TOTAL ASSETS
$ 3,158,741 $ 3,386,903
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities
Accounts payable
$ 41,312 $ 41,223
Settlement liabilities
451,575 604,096
Employee compensation
51,379 48,560
Current portion of long-term debt
45,870 34,265
Deferred revenue
84,425 95,849
Other current liabilities
79,594 81,612
Total current liabilities
754,155 905,605
Noncurrent liabilities
Deferred revenue
25,925 33,564
Long-term debt
1,019,872 1,120,742
Deferred income taxes, net
36,122 40,504
Operating lease liabilities
43,346 39,958
Other noncurrent liabilities
34,544 39,933
Total liabilities
1,913,964 2,180,306
Commitments and contingencies (Note 13)
Stockholders’ equity
Preferred stock; $ 0.01 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued at December 31, 2021 and 2020
— —
Common stock; $ 0.005 par value; 280,000,000 shares authorized; 140,525,055 shares issued at December 31, 2021 and 2020
702 702
Additional paid-in capital 688,313 682,431
Retained earnings 1,131,281 1,003,490
Treasury stock, at cost, 24,795,009 and 23,412,870 shares at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively
( 475,972 ) ( 387,581 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss ( 99,547 ) ( 92,445 )
Total stockholders’ equity
1,244,777 1,206,597
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
$ 3,158,741 $ 3,386,903
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
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ACI WORLDWIDE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Years Ended December 31,
2021 2020 2019
Revenues
Software as a service and platform as a service
$ 774,342 $ 769,180 $ 677,669
License
319,867 246,896 288,261
Maintenance
210,499 211,697 213,409
Services
65,890 66,549 78,955
Total revenues
1,370,598 1,294,322 1,258,294
Operating expenses
Cost of revenue (1)
638,871 622,459 617,453
Research and development
144,310 139,293 146,573
Selling and marketing
126,539 103,567 123,684
General and administrative
123,801 152,468 135,296
Depreciation and amortization
127,180 131,791 111,532
Total operating expenses
1,160,701 1,149,578 1,134,538
Operating income 209,897 144,744 123,756
Other income (expense)
Interest expense
( 45,060 ) ( 56,630 ) ( 64,033 )
Interest income
11,522 11,628 11,967
Other, net
( 1,294 ) ( 1,116 ) 520
Total other income (expense)
( 34,832 ) ( 46,118 ) ( 51,546 )
Income before income taxes 175,065 98,626 72,210
Income tax expense 47,274 25,966 5,148
Net income $ 127,791 $ 72,660 $ 67,062
Income per common share
Basic
$ 1.09 $ 0.62 $ 0.58
Diluted
$ 1.08 $ 0.62 $ 0.57
Weighted average common shares outstanding
Basic
117,407 116,397 116,175
Diluted
118,647 118,079 118,571
(1) The cost of revenue excludes charges for depreciation but includes amortization of purchased and developed software for resale.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
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ACI WORLDWIDE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(in thousands)
Years Ended December 31,
2021 2020 2019
Net income $ 127,791 $ 72,660 $ 67,062
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments ( 7,102 ) ( 862 ) 1,034
Total other comprehensive income (loss) ( 7,102 ) ( 862 ) 1,034
Comprehensive income $ 120,689 $ 71,798 $ 68,096
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
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ACI WORLDWIDE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(in thousands, except share amounts)
Common Stock Additional
Paid-in Capital Retained Earnings Treasury Stock Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Income (Loss) Total
Balance as of December 31, 2018 $ 702 $ 632,235 $ 863,768 $ ( 355,857 ) $ ( 92,617 ) $ 1,048,231
Net income — — 67,062 — — 67,062
Other comprehensive income — — — — 1,034 1,034
Stock-based compensation — 36,763 — — — 36,763
Shares issued and forfeited, net, under stock plans — ( 1,340 ) — 17,821 — 16,481
Repurchase of 1,228,102 shares of common stock
— — — ( 35,617 ) — ( 35,617 )
Repurchase of stock-based compensation awards for tax withholdings — — — ( 3,986 ) — ( 3,986 )
Balance as of December 31, 2019 702 667,658 930,830 ( 377,639 ) ( 91,583 ) 1,129,968
Net income — — 72,660 — — 72,660
Other comprehensive loss — — — — ( 862 ) ( 862 )
Stock-based compensation — 29,602 — — — 29,602
Shares issued and forfeited, net, under stock plans — ( 14,829 ) — 30,507 — 15,678
Repurchase of 1,000,000 shares of common stock
— — — ( 28,881 ) — ( 28,881 )
Repurchase of stock-based compensation awards for tax withholdings — — — ( 11,568 ) — ( 11,568 )
Balance as of December 31, 2020 702 682,431 1,003,490 ( 387,581 ) ( 92,445 ) 1,206,597
Net income — — 127,791 — — 127,791
Other comprehensive loss — — — — ( 7,102 ) ( 7,102 )
Stock-based compensation — 27,242 — — — 27,242
Shares issued and forfeited, net, under stock plans — ( 21,360 ) — 33,820 — 12,460
Repurchase of 3,000,000 shares of common stock
— — — ( 107,378 ) — ( 107,378 )
Repurchase of stock-based compensation awards for tax withholdings — — — ( 14,833 ) — ( 14,833 )
Balance as of December 31, 2021 $ 702 $ 688,313 $ 1,131,281 $ ( 475,972 ) $ ( 99,547 ) $ 1,244,777
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
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ACI WORLDWIDE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
Years Ended December 31,
2021 2020 2019
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income $ 127,791 $ 72,660 $ 67,062
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation
20,900 24,728 24,092
Amortization
112,493 115,588 98,477
Amortization of operating lease right-of-use assets
10,515 23,448 15,934
Amortization of deferred debt issuance costs
4,685 4,802 4,128
Deferred income taxes
3,733 3,349 ( 22,140 )
Stock-based compensation expense
27,242 29,602 36,763
Other
855 6,017 5,175
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of impact of acquisitions:
Receivables
( 43,830 ) 8,793 ( 19,054 )
Accounts payable
1,408 2,484 ( 7,703 )
Accrued employee compensation
3,674 18,491 ( 10,829 )
Deferred revenue
( 17,332 ) 9,421 ( 37,561 )
Other current and noncurrent assets and liabilities
( 31,661 ) ( 4,488 ) ( 21,739 )
Net cash flows from operating activities
220,473 314,895 132,605
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment
( 20,582 ) ( 17,804 ) ( 23,099 )
Purchases of software and distribution rights
( 24,786 ) ( 28,829 ) ( 24,915 )
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired
— — ( 757,268 )
Other
— 15,934 ( 25,199 )
Net cash flows from investing activities
( 45,368 ) ( 30,699 ) ( 830,481 )
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of common stock
3,440 3,759 3,591
Proceeds from exercises of stock options
8,862 11,924 12,985
Repurchase of stock-based compensation awards for tax withholdings
( 14,833 ) ( 11,568 ) ( 3,986 )
Repurchase of common stock
( 107,378 ) ( 28,881 ) ( 35,617 )
Proceeds from revolving credit facility
35,000 30,000 280,000
Repayments of revolving credit facility
( 90,000 ) ( 214,000 ) ( 41,000 )
Proceeds from term portion of credit agreement
— — 500,000
Repayments of term portion of credit agreement
( 38,950 ) ( 38,950 ) ( 28,900 )
Payment for debt issuance costs
— — ( 12,830 )
Payments on or proceeds from other debt, net
( 15,185 ) ( 13,854 ) ( 7,020 )
Net (decrease) increase in settlement assets and liabilities ( 37,834 ) 101,681 1,127
Net cash flows from financing activities
( 256,878 ) ( 159,889 ) 668,350
Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash
533 ( 57 ) ( 1,495 )
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents ( 81,240 ) 124,250 ( 31,021 )
Cash and cash equivalents, including settlement deposits, beginning of period 265,382 141,132 172,153
Cash and cash equivalents, including settlement deposits, end of period $ 184,142 $ 265,382 $ 141,132
Reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents to the Consolidated Balance Sheets
Cash and cash equivalents $ 122,059 $ 165,374 $ 121,398
Settlement deposits 62,083 100,008 19,734
Total cash and cash equivalents, including settlement deposits $ 184,142 $ 265,382 $ 141,132
Supplemental cash flow information
Income taxes paid, net
$ 46,166 $ 27,760 $ 27,727
Interest paid
$ 40,071 $ 51,991 $ 58,980
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. Nature of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Nature of Business
ACI Worldwide, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as “ACI” or the “Company”) develop, market, install, and support a broad line of software products and services primarily focused on facilitating electronic payments. In addition to its own products, the Company distributes or acts as a sales agent for software developed by third parties. These products and services are used principally by banks and intermediaries, merchants, and billers, both in domestic and international markets.
Consolidated Financial Statements
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.
Capital Stock
The Company’s outstanding capital stock consists of a single class of common stock. Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote for each matter subject to a stockholder’s vote and to dividends, if and when declared by the board of directors (the “board”).
Use of Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The Company’s cash and cash equivalents includes holdings in checking, savings, money market, and overnight sweep accounts, all of which have daily maturities, as well as time deposits with maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase.
Revision of Prior Period Financial Statements
As of December 31, 2021, the Company has revised the previously reported consolidated statements of cash flows to include settlement deposits in total cash and cash equivalents and settlement receivables and settlement liabilities net activity in cash flows from financing activities, both of which were previously included in cash flows from operating activities. This immaterial revision did not have an effect on its previously reported consolidated balance sheets, statements of operations, statements of comprehensive income, or statements of stockholders' equity.
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A summary of the revisions to the previously reported balances are presented in the table below for comparative purposes (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31, 2020
As reported Revision adjustment As revised
Cash flows from operating activities:
Other current and noncurrent assets and liabilities $ 16,919 $ ( 21,407 ) $ ( 4,488 )
Net cash flows from operating activities 336,302 ( 21,407 ) 314,895
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net increase in settlement assets and liabilities $ — $ 101,681 $ 101,681
Net cash flows from financing activities ( 261,570 ) 101,681 ( 159,889 )
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents $ 43,976 $ 80,274 $ 124,250
Cash and cash equivalents, including settlement deposits, beginning of period 121,398 19,734 141,132
Cash and cash equivalents, including settlement deposits, end of period 165,374 100,008 265,382
Year Ended December 31, 2019
As reported Revision adjustment As revised
Cash flows from operating activities:
Other current and noncurrent assets and liabilities $ ( 16,695 ) $ ( 5,044 ) $ ( 21,739 )
Net cash flows from operating activities 137,649 ( 5,044 ) 132,605
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net increase in settlement assets and liabilities $ — $ 1,127 $ 1,127
Net cash flows from financing activities 667,223 1,127 668,350
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents $ ( 27,104 ) $ ( 3,917 ) $ ( 31,021 )
Cash and cash equivalents, including settlement deposits, beginning of period 148,502 23,651 172,153
Cash and cash equivalents, including settlement deposits, end of period 121,398 19,734 141,132
Risks and Uncertainties
The Company is subject to risks and uncertainties as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The extent of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company's business is highly uncertain and difficult to predict, as the response to the pandemic and available information continues to be evolving. The Company has experienced changes in volumes for certain Merchant and Biller customers and has received limited requests for extended payment terms under existing contracts. Furthermore, capital markets and economies worldwide have also been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and it is possible that it could cause a local and/or global economic recession. Such economic disruption could have a material adverse effect on our business as our customers curtail and reduce capital and overall spending. Policymakers around the globe have responded with fiscal policy actions to support the economy as a whole. The magnitude and overall effectiveness of these actions remains uncertain.
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The severity of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company's business will depend on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, the duration and severity of the pandemic and the extent and severity of the impact on the Company's customers, all of which are uncertain and cannot be predicted. The Company's future results of operations and liquidity could be adversely impacted by delays in payments of outstanding receivable amounts beyond normal payment terms, uncertain demand, and the impact of any initiatives or programs that the Company may undertake to address financial and operational challenges faced by its customers. As of the date of issuance of these consolidated financial statements, the extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic may materially impact the Company's financial condition, liquidity, or results of operations is uncertain.
Other Current Liabilities
Other current liabilities include the following (in thousands):
December 31,
2021 2020
Vendor financed licenses $ 12,521 $ 12,901
Operating lease liabilities 11,518 13,438
Accrued interest 8,776 8,745
Royalties payable 4,102 3,959
Other 42,677 42,569
Total other current liabilities $ 79,594 $ 81,612
Settlement Assets and Liabilities
Individuals and businesses settle their obligations to the Company’s various Biller clients using credit or debit cards or via automated clearing house (“ACH”) payments. The Company creates a receivable for the amount due from the credit or debit card processor and an offsetting payable to the client. Upon confirmation that the funds have been received, the Company settles the obligation to the client. Due to timing, in some instances, the Company may (1) receive the funds into bank accounts controlled by and in the Company’s name that are not disbursed to its clients by the end of the day, resulting in a settlement deposit on the Company’s books and (2) disburse funds to its clients in advance of receiving funds from the credit or debit card processor, resulting in a net settlement receivable position.
Off Balance Sheet Settlement Accounts
The Company also enters into agreements with certain Biller clients to process payment funds on their behalf. When an ACH or automated teller machine network payment transaction is processed, a transaction is initiated to withdraw funds from the designated source account and deposit them into a settlement account, which is a trust account maintained for the benefit of the Company’s clients. A simultaneous transaction is initiated to transfer funds from the settlement account to the intended destination account. These “back to back” transactions are designed to settle at the same time, usually overnight, such that the Company receives the funds from the source at the same time as it sends the funds to their destination. However, due to the transactions being with various financial institutions there may be timing differences that result in float balances. These funds are maintained in accounts for the benefit of the client which is separate from the Company’s corporate assets. As the Company does not take ownership of the funds, these settlement accounts are not included in the Company’s balance sheet. The Company is entitled to interest earned on the fund balances. The collection of interest on these settlement accounts is considered in the Company’s determination of its fee structure for clients and represents a portion of the payment for services performed by the Company. The amount of settlement funds as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, were $ 272.8 million and $ 246.8 million, respectively.
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Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation of these assets is generally computed using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives based on asset class. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, net property and equipment consisted of the following (in thousands):
December 31,
Useful Lives 2021 2020
Computer and office equipment
3 - 5 years
$ 127,352 $ 133,346
Leasehold improvements
Lesser of useful life of improvement or remaining life of lease
34,460 29,535
Building and improvements
7 - 30 years
14,853 14,588
Furniture and fixtures
7 years
9,733 8,539
Land
Non-depreciable
1,785 1,785
Property and equipment, gross
188,183 187,793
Less: accumulated depreciation
( 125,133 ) ( 123,059 )
Property and equipment, net
$ 63,050 $ 64,734
Software
Software may be for internal use or for resale. Costs related to certain software, which is for resale, are capitalized in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 985-20, Costs of Software to be Sold, Leased, or Marketed , when the resulting product reaches technological feasibility. The Company generally determines technological feasibility when it has a detailed program design that takes product function, feature and technical requirements to their most detailed, logical form and is ready for coding. The Company does not typically capitalize costs related to software for resale as technological feasibility generally coincides with general availability of the software. The Company capitalizes the costs of software developed or obtained for internal use in accordance with ASC 350-40, Internal Use Software . The Company expenses all costs incurred during the preliminary project stage of its development and capitalizes the costs incurred during the application development stage. Costs incurred relating to upgrades and enhancements to the software are capitalized if it is determined that these upgrades or enhancements add additional functionality to the software. Costs incurred during the application development stage include purchased software licenses, implementation costs, consulting costs, and payroll-related costs for projects that qualify for capitalization. All other costs, primarily related to maintenance and minor software fixes, are expensed as incurred.
Amortization of software for resale is determined on a product-by-product basis and begins when the product is available for licensing to customers. The annual amortization is computed using the greater of (a) the ratio of current gross revenues to the total of current and future gross revenues expected to be derived from the software or (b) the straight-line method over the remaining estimated useful life of generally five to ten years , including the period being reported on. Due to competitive pressures, it may be possible that the estimates of future gross revenue or remaining estimated useful life of the software will be reduced significantly. As a result, the carrying amount of the software may be reduced accordingly. Amortization of internal-use software is generally computed using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives of three to eight years .
Business Combinations
The Company applies the provisions of ASC 805, Business Combinations , in the accounting for its acquisitions. It requires the Company to recognize separately from goodwill the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed at their acquisition date fair values. Goodwill as of the acquisition date is measured as the excess of consideration transferred and the net of the acquisition date fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed. While the Company uses its best estimates and assumptions to accurately value assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date, its estimates are inherently uncertain and subject to refinement. As a result, during the measurement period, which may be up to one year from the acquisition date, it records adjustments to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed with the corresponding offset to goodwill. Upon the conclusion of the measurement period or final determination of the values of assets acquired or liabilities assumed, whichever comes first, any subsequent adjustments are recorded to our consolidated statements of operations.
Critical estimates in valuing certain intangible assets include but are not limited to future expected cash flows from customer relationships, covenants not to compete and acquired developed technologies, brand awareness and market position, as well as assumptions about the period of time the brand will continue to be used in our product portfolio, and discount rates. Management’s estimates of fair value are based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable, but which are inherently uncertain and unpredictable and, as a result, actual results may differ from estimates.
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Other estimates associated with the accounting for acquisitions may change as additional information becomes available regarding the assets acquired and liabilities assumed.
Fair Value
ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures , (“ASC 820”) defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. ASC 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy for valuation inputs that gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs. The fair value hierarchy is as follows:
• Level 1 Inputs – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date.
• Level 2 Inputs – Inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These might include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (such as interest rates, volatilities, prepayment speeds, credit risks, etc.) or inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by market data by correlation or other means.
• Level 3 Inputs – Unobservable inputs for determining the fair values of assets or liabilities that reflect an entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the assets or liabilities.
The fair value of the Company’s Credit Agreement approximates the carrying value due to the floating interest rate (Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy). The Company measures the fair value of its Senior Notes based on Level 2 inputs, which include quoted market prices and interest rate spreads of similar securities. The fair value of the Company’s 5.750 % Senior Notes due 2026 (“2026 Notes”) was $ 419.0 million and $ 424.5 million as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
The fair values of cash and cash equivalents approximate the carrying values due to the short period of time to maturity (Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy).
Goodwill and Other Intangibles
In accordance with ASC 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other , the Company assesses goodwill for impairment annually during the fourth quarter of its fiscal year using October 1 balances or when there is evidence that events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recovered. The Company evaluates goodwill at the reporting unit level, and as discussed in Note 10, Segment Information , in January 2021, it announced a change in organizational structure to better align with the Company’s strategic direction. This change also resulted in a change in reporting units to coincide with the new operating segments—Banks, Merchants, and Billers. The Company allocated goodwill to the new reporting units using a relative fair value approach with total goodwill of $ 1.3 billion allocated $ 725.9 million to Banks, $ 137.3 million to Merchants, and $ 417.0 million to Billers. In addition, the Company performed an assessment of potential goodwill impairment for all reporting units immediately prior to the reallocation and determined that no impairment was indicated.
The key assumptions used in the discounted cash flow valuation model include discount rates, growth rates, cash flow projections and terminal value rates. Discount rates, growth rates, and cash flow projections are the most sensitive and susceptible to change, as they require significant management judgment. Discount rates are determined by using a weighted average cost of capital (“WACC”). The WACC considers market and industry data as well as company-specific risk factors. Operational management, considering industry and company-specific historical and projected data, develops growth rates and cash flow projections for each reporting unit. Terminal value rate determination follows common methodology of capturing the present value of perpetual cash flow estimates beyond the last projected period, assuming a constant WACC and low, long-term growth rates. If the recoverability test indicates potential impairment, the Company calculates an implied fair value of goodwill for the reporting unit. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined in a manner similar to how goodwill is calculated in a business combination. If the implied fair value of goodwill exceeds the carrying value of goodwill assigned to the reporting unit, there is no impairment. If the carrying value of goodwill assigned to the reporting unit exceeds the implied fair value of the goodwill, an impairment charge is recorded to write down the carrying value. The calculated fair value substantially exceeded the current carrying value for all reporting units for all periods.
Other intangible assets, which include customer relationships and trademarks and trade names, are amortized using the straight-line method over periods ranging from four to 20 years. The Company reviews its other intangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.
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Equity Method Investment
In July 2019, the Company invested $ 18.3 million for a 30 % non-controlling financial interest in a payment technology and services company in India. The Company accounted for this investment using the equity method in accordance with ASC 323, Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures . The Company records its share of earnings and losses in the investment on a one-quarter lag basis. Accordingly, the Company recorded an investment of $ 19.3 million, which is included in other noncurrent assets in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2021 and 2020.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
The Company reviews its long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of a long-lived asset group may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recorded if the sum of the future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset (undiscounted and without interest charges) is less than the carrying amount of the asset. The amount of the impairment charge is measured based upon the fair value of the asset group.
Treasury Stock
The Company accounts for shares of its common stock that are repurchased without intent to retire as treasury stock. Such shares are recorded at cost and reflected separately on the consolidated balance sheets as a reduction of stockholders’ equity. The Company issues shares of treasury stock upon exercise of stock options, issuance of restricted share units, payment of earned performance shares, and for issuances of common stock pursuant to the Company’s employee stock purchase plan. For purposes of determining the cost of the treasury shares re-issued, the Company uses the average cost method.
Stock-Based Compensation Plans
In accordance with ASC 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation, ("ASC 718") the Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense for awards that are probable of vesting on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award, which is generally the vesting term. Stock-based compensation expense is recorded in operating expenses depending on where the respective individual’s compensation is recorded. To determine the grant date fair value of total shareholder return awards (“TSRs”), a Monte Carlo simulation model was used. The assumptions utilized in the Monte Carlo simulation models, as well as the description of the plans the stock-based awards are granted under, are described in further detail in Note 6, Stock-Based Compensation Plans .
Translation of Foreign Currencies
The Company’s foreign subsidiaries typically use the local currency of the countries in which they are located as their functional currency. Their assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated at the average exchange rates during the period. Translation gains and losses are reflected in the consolidated financial statements as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Transaction gains and losses, including those related to intercompany accounts, that are not considered to be of a long-term investment nature are included in the determination of net income. Transaction gains and losses, including those related to intercompany accounts, that are considered to be of a long-term investment nature are reflected in the consolidated financial statements as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes is computed using the asset and liability method, under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
The Company periodically assesses its tax exposures and establishes, or adjusts, estimated unrecognized tax benefits for probable assessments by taxing authorities, including the Internal Revenue Service, and various foreign and state authorities. Such unrecognized tax benefits represent the estimated provision for income taxes expected to ultimately be paid.
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New Accounting Standards Recently Adopted
In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes, as part of its initiative to reduce complexity in accounting standards. The amendments in this update simplify the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions within ASC 740, as well as clarify and simplify other aspects of the accounting for income taxes to promote consistency among reporting entities. ASU 2019-12 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2020. The Company adopted ASU 2019-12 as of January 1, 2021. The adoption of ASU 2019-12 did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
2. Revenue
Revenue Recognition
In accordance with ASC 606, Revenue From Contracts With Customers , revenue is recognized upon transfer of control of promised products and/or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for those products and services. Revenue is recognized net of any taxes collected from customers and subsequently remitted to governmental authorities.
Contract Combination. The Company may execute more than one contract or agreement with a single customer at or near the same time. The separate contracts or agreements may be viewed as one combined arrangement or separate agreements for revenue recognition purposes. In order to reach appropriate conclusions regarding whether such agreements should be combined, the Company evaluates whether the agreements were negotiated as a package with a single commercial objective, whether the amount of consideration to be paid in one agreement depends on the price and/or performance of another agreement, or whether the product(s) or services promised in the agreements represent a single performance obligation. The conclusions reached can impact the allocation of the transaction price to each performance obligation and the timing of revenue recognition related to those arrangements.
Software as a Service (“SaaS”) and Platform as a Service (“PaaS”) Arrangements. The Company’s SaaS-based and PaaS-based arrangements, including implementation, support and other services, represent a single promise to provide continuous access (i.e. a stand-ready performance obligation) to its software solutions and their processing capabilities in the form of a service through one of the Company’s data centers. As each day of providing access to the software solution(s) is substantially the same and the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits as access is provided, the Company’s single promise under its SaaS-based and PaaS-based arrangements is comprised of a series of distinct service periods. The Company’s SaaS-based and PaaS-based arrangements may include fixed consideration, variable consideration, or a combination of the two. Fixed consideration is recognized over the term of the arrangement or longer if the fixed consideration relates to a material right. A material right would be a separate performance obligation. The Company estimates the stand-alone selling price for a material right by reference to the services expected to be provided and the corresponding expected consideration. Variable consideration in these arrangements is typically a function of transaction volume or another usage-based measure. Depending upon the structure of a particular arrangement, the Company: (1) allocates the variable amount to each distinct service period within the series and recognizes revenue as each distinct service period is performed, (2) estimates total variable consideration at contract inception (giving consideration to any constraints that may apply and updating the estimates as new information becomes available) and recognizes the total transaction price over the period to which it relates, or (3) applies the ‘right to invoice’ practical expedient and recognizes revenue based on the amount invoiced to the customer during the period.
License Arrangements. The Company’s software license arrangements provide the customer with the right to use functional intellectual property (as it exists at the point in time at which the license is granted) for the duration of the contract term. Implementation, support, and other services are typically considered distinct performance obligations when sold with a software license.
Payment terms for the Company’s software license arrangements generally include fixed license and capacity fees that are payable up front or over time. These arrangements may also include incremental usage-based fees that are payable when the customer exceeds its contracted license capacity limits. The Company accounts for capacity overages as a usage-based royalty that is recognized when the usage occurs.
When a software license arrangement contains payment terms that are extended beyond one year, a significant financing component may exist. The significant financing component is calculated as the difference between the stated value and present value of the software license fees and is recognized as interest income over the extended payment period. The total fixed software license fee net of the significant financing component is recognized as revenue at the point in time when the software is transferred to the customer.
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For those software license arrangements that include customer-specific acceptance provisions, such provisions are generally presumed to be substantive and the Company does not recognize revenue until the earlier of the receipt of a written customer acceptance, objective demonstration that the delivered product meets the customer-specific acceptance criteria, or the expiration of the acceptance period. The Company recognizes revenues on such arrangements upon the earlier of receipt of written acceptance or the first production use of the software by the customer.
For software license arrangements in which the Company acts as a distributor of another company’s product, and in certain circumstances, modifies or enhances the product, revenues are recorded on a gross basis. These include arrangements in which the Company takes control of the products and is responsible for providing the product or service. For software license arrangements in which the Company acts as a sales agent for another company’s product, revenues are recorded on a net basis. These include arrangements in which the Company does not take control of products and is not responsible for providing the product or service.
For software license arrangements in which the Company utilizes a third-party distributor or sales agent, the Company recognizes revenue upon transfer of control of the software license(s) to the third-party distributor or sales agent.
The Company’s software license arrangements typically provide the customer with a standard 90 -day assurance-type warranty. These warranties do not represent an additional performance obligation as services beyond assuring that the software license complies with agreed-upon specifications are not provided.
Software license arrangements typically include an initial post contract customer support (maintenance or “PCS”) term of one year with subsequent renewals for additional years within the initial license period. The Company’s promise to those customers who elect to purchase PCS represents a stand-ready performance obligation that is distinct from the license performance obligation and recognized over the PCS term.
The Company also provides various professional services to customers with software licenses. These include project management, software implementation, and software modification services. Revenues from arrangements to provide professional services are generally distinct from the other promises in the contract(s) and are recognized as the related services are performed. Consideration received under these arrangements is either fixed fee or on a time-and-materials basis, which represents variable consideration that must be estimated using the most likely amount based on the range of hours expected to be incurred in providing the services.
The Company estimates the stand-alone selling price (“SSP”) for maintenance and professional services based on observable stand-alone sales. The Company applies the residual approach to estimate the SSP for software licenses.
Refer to Note 10, Segment Information , for further details, including disaggregation of revenue based on primary solution category and geographic location.
Significant Judgments
The Company applies judgment in determining the customer’s ability and intention to pay, which is based on a variety of factors including the customer’s historical payment experience or, in the case of a new customer, published credit and financial information.
The Company also applies judgment in determining the term of an arrangement when early termination rights are provided to the customer.
The Company’s software license arrangements with its customers often include multiple promises to transfer licensed software products and services. Determining whether the products and/or services are distinct performance obligations that should be accounted for separately may require significant judgment.
The Company’s SaaS and PaaS arrangements may include variable consideration in the form of usage-based fees. If the arrangement that includes variable consideration in the form of usage-based fees does not meet the allocation exception for variable consideration, the Company estimates the amount of variable consideration at the outset of the arrangement using either the expected value or most likely amount method, depending on the specifics of each arrangement. These estimates are constrained to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal of incremental revenue will not occur and are updated each reporting period as additional information becomes available.
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Judgment is used in determining: (1) whether the financing component in a software license agreement is significant and, if so, (2) the discount rate used in calculating the significant financing component. The Company assesses the significance of the financing component based on the ratio of license fees paid over time to total license fees. If determined to be significant, the financing component is calculated using a rate that discounts the license fees to the cash selling price.
Judgment is also used in assessing whether the extension of payment terms in a software license arrangement results in variable consideration and, if so, the amount to be included in the transaction price. The Company applies the portfolio approach to estimate the amount of variable consideration in these arrangements using the most likely amount method that is based on the Company’s historical collection experience under similar arrangements.
Significant judgment is required to determine the SSP for each performance obligation, the amount allocated to each performance obligation and whether it depicts the amount that the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for the related product and/or service. As the selling prices of the Company’s software licenses are highly variable, the Company estimates SSP of its software licenses using the residual approach when the software license is sold with other services and observable SSPs exist for the other services. The Company uses a range of amounts to estimate SSP for maintenance and services. These ranges are based on stand-alone sales and vary based on the type of service and geographic region. If the SSP of a performance obligation is not directly observable, the Company will maximize observable inputs to determine its SSP.
Contract Balances
Timing of revenue recognition may differ from the timing of invoicing to customers. The Company records an accrued receivable when revenue is recognized prior to invoicing and the Company’s right to consideration only requires the passage of time, or deferred revenue when revenue is recognized subsequent to invoicing.
Total receivables represent amounts billed and amounts earned that are to be billed in the future (i.e., accrued receivables). Included in accrued receivables are services and SaaS and PaaS revenues earned in the current period but billed in the following period and amounts due under multi-year software license arrangements with extended payment terms for which the Company has an unconditional right to invoice and receive payment subsequent to invoicing.
Total receivables, net is comprised of the following (in thousands):
December 31,
2021 2020
Billed receivables $ 162,479 $ 179,177
Allowance for doubtful accounts ( 2,861 ) ( 3,912 )
Billed receivables, net 159,618 175,265
Current accrued receivables, net 160,787 167,614
Long-term accrued receivables, net 276,164 215,772
Total accrued receivables, net 436,951 383,386
Total receivables, net $ 596,569 $ 558,651
One customer accounted for 13.8 % of the Company's consolidated receivables balance as of December 31, 2021. No customer accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s consolidated receivables balance as of December 31, 2020.
The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts for expected future credit losses that is calculated based on historical experience, current economic trends, and expectations of near term economic trends. The Company regularly monitors its credit risk exposures in consolidated receivables.
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The following reflects activity in the Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts receivable for the periods indicated (in thousands):
Years Ended December 31,
2021 2020 2019
Balance, beginning of period
$ ( 3,912 ) $ ( 5,149 ) $ ( 3,912 )
Provision (increase) decrease 1,125 374 ( 2,561 )
Amounts written off, net of recoveries
( 82 ) 941 1,368
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other
8 ( 78 ) ( 44 )
Balance, end of period
$ ( 2,861 ) $ ( 3,912 ) $ ( 5,149 )
Provision (increases) decreases recorded in general and administrative expense during the years ended December 31, 2021, December 31, 2020, and 2019, reflect (increases) decreases in the allowance for doubtful accounts based upon collection experience, net of collection of customer-specific receivables that were previously reserved for as doubtful of collection.
Deferred revenue includes amounts due or received from customers for software licenses, maintenance, services, and/or SaaS and PaaS services in advance of recording the related revenue.
Changes in deferred revenue were as follows (in thousands):
Balance, December 31, 2019
$ 118,939
Deferral of revenue
149,363
Recognition of deferred revenue
( 141,313 )
Foreign currency translation
2,424
Balance, December 31, 2020
129,413
Deferral of revenue 154,419
Recognition of deferred revenue ( 171,530 )
Foreign currency translation ( 1,952 )
Balance, December 31, 2021
$ 110,350
Revenue allocated to remaining performance obligations represents contracted revenue that will be recognized in future periods, which is comprised of deferred revenue and amounts that will be invoiced and recognized as revenue in future periods. This does not include:
• Revenue that will be recognized in future periods from capacity overages that are accounted for as a usage-based royalty.
• SaaS and PaaS revenue from variable consideration that will be recognized in accordance with the ‘right to invoice’ practical expedient or meets the allocation objective.
Revenue allocated to remaining performance obligations was $ 818.2 million as of December 31, 2021, of which the Company expects to recognize approximately 48 % over the next 12 months and the remainder thereafter.
During the year ended December 31, 2021, the revenue recognized by the Company from performance obligations satisfied in previous periods was $ 21.0 million.
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Costs to Obtain and Fulfill a Contract
The Company accounts for costs to obtain and fulfill its contracts in accordance with ASC 340-40.
The Company capitalizes certain of its sales commissions that meet the definition of incremental costs of obtaining a contract and for which the amortization period is greater than one year . The costs associated with those sales commissions are capitalized during the period in which the Company becomes obligated to pay the commissions and are amortized over the period in which the related products or services are transferred to the customer. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, $ 3.0 million and $ 1.3 million of these costs are included in other current assets, respectively, and $ 11.0 million and $ 6.2 million of these costs are included in other noncurrent assets, respectively, on the consolidated balance sheets. During the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company recognized $ 5.2 million and $ 4.7 million of sales commission expense, respectively, related to the amortization of these costs, which is included in selling and marketing expense on the consolidated statements of operations.
The Company capitalizes costs incurred to fulfill its contracts that: (1) relate directly to the arrangement, (2) are expected to generate resources that will be used to satisfy the Company’s performance obligation under the arrangement, and (3) are expected to be recovered through revenue generated under the arrangement. Contract fulfillment costs are expensed as the Company transfers the related services to the customer. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, $ 0.2 million and less than $ 0.1 million of these costs are included in other current assets, and $ 10.1 million and $ 9.5 million of these costs are included in other noncurrent assets, respectively, on the consolidated balance sheets. The amounts capitalized primarily relate to direct costs that enhance resources under the Company’s SaaS and PaaS arrangements. During the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company recognized $ 4.5 million and $ 4.4 million of expense, respectively, related to the amortization of these costs, which is included in cost of revenue on the consolidated statements of operations.
3. Acquisition
Speedpay
On May 9, 2019, the Company acquired Speedpay, a subsidiary of The Western Union Company (“Western Union”), for $ 754.1 million in cash, including working capital adjustments, pursuant to a Stock Purchase Agreement, among the Company, Western Union, and ACI Worldwide Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. The Company has included the financial results of Speedpay in the consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition. The combination of the Company and Speedpay bill pay solutions serves more than 4,000 customers across the United States, bringing expanded reach in existing and complementary market segments such as consumer finance, insurance, healthcare, higher education, utilities, government, and mortgage. The acquisition of Speedpay increased the scale of the Company’s Biller business and allows the acceleration of platform innovation through increased research and development and investment in ACI's Biller platform infrastructure.
To fund the acquisition, the Company amended its existing Credit Agreement, dated February 24, 2017, for an additional $ 500.0 million senior secured term loan (“Delayed Draw Term Loan”), in addition to drawing $ 250.0 million on the available Revolving Credit Facility. See Note 4, Debt , for terms of the Credit Agreement. The remaining acquisition consideration was funded with cash on hand.
The Company expensed approximately $ 22.2 million of costs related to the acquisition of Speedpay for the year ended December 31, 2019. These costs, which consist primarily of investment bank, consulting, and legal fees, are included in general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Speedpay contributed approximately $ 227.7 million in total revenue and $ 24.9 million in total operating income for the year ended December 31, 2019.
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In connection with the acquisition, the Company recorded the following amounts based upon the finalized purchase price allocation as follows (in thousands, except weighted average useful lives):
Amount Weighted Average Useful Lives
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 135
Receivables, net of allowances 17,658
Settlement assets 239,604
Prepaid expenses 317
Other current assets 19,585
Total current assets acquired 277,299
Noncurrent assets:
Goodwill 366,508
Software 113,600 7 years
Customer relationships 208,500 15 years
Trade names 10,900 5 years
Other noncurrent assets 3,745
Total assets acquired 980,552
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable 6,623
Settlement liabilities 212,892
Employee compensation 1,959
Other current liabilities 3,802
Total current liabilities acquired 225,276
Noncurrent liabilities:
Other noncurrent liabilities 1,219
Total liabilities acquired 226,495
Net assets acquired $ 754,057
Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information
The pro forma financial information in the table below presents the combined results of operations for ACI and Speedpay as if the acquisition had occurred January 1, 2019. The pro forma information is shown for illustrative purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of future results of operations of the Company or results of operations of the Company that would have actually occurred had the transaction been in effect for the periods presented. This pro forma information is not intended to represent or be indicative of actual results had the acquisition occurred as of the beginning of each period, and does not reflect potential synergies, integration costs, or other such costs or savings.
Certain pro forma adjustments have been made to net income for the year ended December 31, 2019, to give effect to estimated adjustments that remove the amortization expense on eliminated Speedpay historical identifiable intangible assets, add amortization expense for the value of acquired identified intangible assets (primarily acquired software, customer relationships, and trademarks), and add estimated interest expense on the Company’s additional Delayed Draw Term Loan and Revolving Credit Facility borrowings. Additionally, certain transaction expenses that are a direct result of the acquisition have been excluded. The years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, are not presented, as Speedpay is included in the Company's consolidated results for both periods.
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The following is the unaudited summarized pro forma financial information for the year ended December 31, 2019 (in thousands, except per share data):
Year Ended December 31, 2019
Pro forma revenue $ 1,382,957
Pro forma net income $ 82,003
Pro forma income per share:
Basic $ 0.71
Diluted $ 0.69
4. Debt
As of December 31, 2021, the Company had $ 678.2 million and $ 400.0 million outstanding under its Term Loans and Senior Notes, respectively, with up to $ 498.5 million of unused borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility portion of the Credit Agreement, as amended, and up to $ 1.5 million of unused borrowings under the Letter of Credit agreement. The amount of unused borrowings actually available varies in accordance with the terms of the agreement.
Credit Agreement
On April 5, 2019, the Company (and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, ACI Worldwide Corp. and ACI Payments, Inc. entered into the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”), with the lenders, and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent for the lenders, to amend and restate the Company's existing agreement, as amended, dated February 24, 2017. The amended Credit Agreement permitted the Company to borrow up to $ 500.0 million in the form of an additional senior secured term loan; extended the revolver and the existing term loan maturity date from February 24, 2022, to April 5, 2024; increased the maximum consolidated senior secured net leverage ratio covenant from 3.50 :1.00 to 3.75 :1.00; and increased the maximum consolidated total net leverage ratio covenant from 4.25 :1.00 to 5.00 :1.00, with subsequent decreases occurring every three quarters thereafter for a specified period of time; among other things. In connection with amending the Credit Agreement, the Company incurred and paid debt issuance costs of $ 12.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2019.
The Credit Agreement consists of (a) a five-year $ 500.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”), which includes sublimits for (1) the issuance of standby letters of credit and (2) swingline loans, (b) a five-year $ 279.0 million senior secured term loan facility (the “Initial Term Loan”) and (c) a five-year $ 500.0 million Delayed Draw Term Loan (together with the Initial Term Loan, the "Term Loans", and together with the Initial Term Loan and the Revolving Credit Facility, the “Credit Facility”). The Credit Agreement also allows the Company to request optional incremental term loans and increases in the revolving commitment.
At the Company’s option, borrowings under the Credit Facility bear interest at an annual rate equal to either (a) a base rate determined by reference to the highest of (1) the annual interest rate publicly announced by the administrative agent as its Prime Rate, (2) the federal funds effective rate plus 1/2 of 1% or (3) a LIBOR rate determined by reference to the costs of funds for U.S. dollar deposits for a one-month interest period, adjusted for certain additional costs plus 1 % or (b) a LIBOR rate determined by reference to the costs of funds for U.S. dollar deposits for the interest period relevant to such borrowings, adjusted for certain additional costs plus an applicable margin. Based on the calculation of the applicable consolidated total leverage ratio, the applicable margin for borrowings under the Credit Facility is between 0.25 % to 1.25 % with respect to base rate borrowings and between 1.25 % and 2.25 % with respect to LIBOR rate borrowings. Interest is due and payable monthly. The interest rate in effect for the Credit Facility as of December 31, 2021, was 2.10 %.
The Company is also required to pay (a) a commitment fee related to the unutilized commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility, payable quarterly in arrears, (b) letter of credit fees on the maximum amount available to be drawn under all outstanding letters of credit in an amount equal to the applicable margin on LIBOR rate borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility on an annual basis, payable quarterly in arrears, and (c) customary fronting fees for the issuance of letters of credit fees and agency fees.
The Company’s obligations under the Credit Facility and cash management arrangements entered into with lenders under the Credit Facility (or affiliates thereof) and the obligations of the subsidiary guarantors are secured by first-priority security interests in substantially all assets of the Company and any guarantor, including 100 % of the capital stock of ACI Worldwide Corp. and each domestic subsidiary of the Company, each domestic subsidiary of any guarantor, and 65 % of the voting capital stock of each foreign subsidiary of the Company that is directly owned by the Company or a guarantor, in each case subject to
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certain exclusions set forth in the credit documentation governing the Credit Facility. The collateral agreement of the Credit Agreement, as amended, released the lien on certain assets of ACI Payments, Inc., our electronic bill presentment and payment affiliate, to allow ACI Payments, Inc. to comply with certain eligible securities and unencumbered asset requirements related to money transmitter or transfer license rules and regulations.
The Credit Agreement contains a number of covenants that, among other things and subject to certain exceptions, restrict the Company’s and its subsidiaries' ability to: create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any additional indebtedness; create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any liens; enter into agreements and other arrangements that include negative pledge clauses; pay dividends on capital stock or redeem, repurchase or retire capital stock or subordinated indebtedness; create restrictions on the payment of dividends or other distributions by subsidiaries; make investments, loans, advances and acquisitions; merge, consolidate or enter into any similar combination or sell assets, including equity interests of the subsidiaries; enter into sale and leaseback transactions; directly or indirectly engage in transactions with affiliates; alter in any material respect the character or conduct of the business; enter into amendments of or waivers under subordinated indebtedness, organizational documents and certain other material agreements; and hold certain assets and incur certain liabilities.
Letter of Credit
On August 12, 2020, the Company and ACI Payments, Inc. entered into a standby letter of credit (the “Letter of Credit”), under the terms of the Credit Agreement, for $ 1.5 million. The Letter of Credit, currently effective through July 31, 2022, will automatically renew for successive one-year renewal terms unless Bank of America, N.A. provides written notice of its intent to terminate the agreement at least 90 days prior to the end of the remaining renewal term. The Letter of Credit reduces the maximum available borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility to $ 498.5 million. Upon expiration of the Letter of Credit, maximum borrowings would return to $ 500.0 million.
Expected Discontinuation of LIBOR
The administrator of LIBOR has announced it will cease publication of the one-week and two-month LIBOR settings immediately following the LIBOR publication on December 31, 2021, and the remaining U.S. dollar LIBOR settings immediately following the LIBOR publication on June 30, 2023. The Alternative Reference Rates Committee has proposed the Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR") as its recommended alternative to LIBOR, and the first publication of SOFR rates was released in April 2018.
The Company is evaluating the potential impact of the transition from LIBOR as an interest rate benchmark to other potential alternative reference rates, including SOFR. The Company's Credit Agreement is currently indexed to U.S dollar LIBOR and the maturity date of the Credit Agreement extends beyond June 30, 2023. The Credit Agreement contemplates the discontinuation of LIBOR and provides options for the Company in such an event. The Company will continue to actively assess the related opportunities and risks involved in this transition.
Senior Notes
On August 21, 2018, the Company completed a $ 400.0 million offering of the 2026 Notes at an issue price of 100 % of the principal amount in a private placement for resale to qualified institutional buyers. The 2026 Notes bear interest at an annual rate of 5.750 %, payable semi-annually in arrears on February 15 and August 15 of each year, which commenced on February 15, 2019. The 2026 Notes will mature on August 15, 2026.
Maturities on debt outstanding at December 31, 2021, are as follows (in thousands):
Fiscal Year Ending December 31,
2022 $ 50,431
2023 69,906
2024 557,823
2025 —
2026 400,000
Thereafter
—
Total $ 1,078,160
The Revolving Credit Facility and 2026 Notes do not amortize. The Term Loans do amortize, with principal payable in consecutive quarterly installments.
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The Credit Agreement and 2026 Notes contain certain customary affirmative covenants and negative covenants that limit or restrict, subject to certain exceptions, the incurrence of liens, indebtedness of subsidiaries, mergers, advances, investments, acquisitions, transactions with affiliates, change in nature of business, and the sale of the assets. In addition, the Credit Agreement and 2026 Notes contain certain customary mandatory prepayment provisions. The Company is also required to maintain a consolidated leverage ratio at or below a specified amount and an interest coverage ratio at or above a specified amount. As specified in the Credit Agreement and 2026 Notes agreement, if certain events occur and continue, the Company may be required to repay all amounts outstanding under the Credit Facility and 2026 Notes. As of December 31, 2021, and at all times during the period, the Company was in compliance with its financial debt covenants.
Total debt is comprised of the following (in thousands):
December 31,
2021 2020
Term loans
$ 678,160 $ 717,110
Revolving credit facility
— 55,000
5.750 % Senior Notes, due August 2026
400,000 400,000
Debt issuance costs
( 12,418 ) ( 17,103 )
Total debt
1,065,742 1,155,007
Less: current portion of term loans 50,431 38,950
Less: current portion of debt issuance costs ( 4,561 ) ( 4,685 )
Total long-term debt
$ 1,019,872 $ 1,120,742
Overdraft Facility
In 2019, the Company and ACI Payments, Inc. entered in to an uncommitted overdraft facility with Bank of America, N.A. The overdraft facility bears interest at the federal funds effective rate plus 2.25 % based on the Company’s average outstanding balance and the frequency in which overdrafts occur. The overdraft facility acts as a secured loan under the terms of the Credit Agreement to provide an additional funding mechanism for timing differences that can occur in the bill payment settlement process. Amounts outstanding on the overdraft facility are included in other current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet. As of December 31, 2021, there was $ 75.0 million available and no amount outstanding on the overdraft facility. As of December 31, 2020, there was no amount outstanding on the overdraft facility.
Other
The Company finances certain multi-year license agreements for internal-use software. Upon execution, these arrangements are treated as a non-cash investing and financing activity for purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows. As of December 31, 2021, $ 2.9 million was outstanding under license agreements previously entered into, all of which is included in other current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet. As of December 31, 2020, $ 7.8 million was outstanding, of which $ 5.6 million and $ 2.2 million was included in other current liabilities and other noncurrent liabilities, respectively, in the consolidated balance sheet.
5. Software and Other Intangible Assets
The carrying amount and accumulated amortization of the Company's software assets subject to amortization at each balance sheet date are as follows (in thousands):
December 31, 2021 December 31, 2020
Gross Carrying
Amount Accumulated
Amortization
Net
Balance
Gross Carrying
Amount Accumulated
Amortization
Net
Balance
Software for internal use $ 440,242 $ ( 283,109 ) $ 157,133 $ 430,330 $ ( 240,717 ) $ 189,613
Software for resale 127,904 ( 127,255 ) 649 130,261 ( 123,418 ) 6,843
Total software
$ 568,146 $ ( 410,364 ) $ 157,782 $ 560,591 $ ( 364,135 ) $ 196,456
Software for internal use amortization expense recorded during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019, totaled $ 69.3 million, $ 70.0 million, and $ 55.6 million, respectively. These software amortization expense amounts are reflected in depreciation and amortization in the consolidated statements of operations.
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Software for resale amortization expense recorded during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019, totaled $ 6.2 million, $ 8.5 million, and $ 11.0 million, respectively. These software amortization expense amounts are reflected in cost of revenue in the consolidated statements of operations.
The carrying amount and accumulated amortization of the Company’s other intangible assets subject to amortization at each balance sheet date are as follows (in thousands):
December 31, 2021 December 31, 2020
Gross Carrying
Amount Accumulated
Amortization
Net
Balance
Gross Carrying
Amount Accumulated
Amortization
Net
Balance
Customer relationships
$ 507,962 $ ( 230,152 ) $ 277,810 $ 512,389 $ ( 197,787 ) $ 314,602
Trademarks and trade names
23,839 ( 18,645 ) 5,194 24,115 ( 16,734 ) 7,381
Total other intangible assets
$ 531,801 $ ( 248,797 ) $ 283,004 $ 536,504 $ ( 214,521 ) $ 321,983
Other intangible assets amortization expense recorded during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019, totaled $ 37.0 million, $ 37.1 million, and $ 31.9 million, respectively.
Based on capitalized intangible assets as of December 31, 2021, estimated amortization expense amounts in future fiscal years are as follows (in thousands):
Fiscal Year Ending December 31, Software
Amortization Other Intangible
Assets Amortization
2022 $ 61,357 $ 36,639
2023 42,647 36,320
2024 26,081 31,811
2025 19,852 23,237
2026 7,789 23,237
Thereafter
56 131,760
Total
$ 157,782 $ 283,004
6. Stock-Based Compensation Plans
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
On April 6, 2017, the board approved the 2017 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“2017 ESPP”), which was approved by shareholders at the 2017 Annual Shareholder meeting. The 2017 ESPP provides employees with an opportunity to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock. Under the Company’s 2017 ESPP, a total of 3,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock have been reserved for issuance to eligible employees. Participating employees are permitted to designate up to the lesser of $ 25,000 or 10 % of their annual base compensation for the purchase of common stock under the ESPP. Purchases under the ESPP are made one calendar month after the end of each fiscal quarter. The price for shares of common stock purchased under the ESPP is 85 % of the stock’s fair market value on the last business day of the three-month participation period.
Additionally, the discount offered pursuant to the Company’s ESPP discussed above is 15 %, which exceeds the 5% non-compensatory guideline in ASC 718 and exceeds the Company’s estimated cost of raising capital. Consequently, the entire 15 % discount to employees is deemed to be compensatory for purposes of calculating expense using a fair value method. Compensation expense related to the ESPP for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019, was approximately $ 0.6 million, $ 0.7 million, and $ 0.6 million, respectively.
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Stock Incentive Plans – Active Plans
2020 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan
On June 9, 2020, upon recommendation of the board, stockholders approved the ACI Worldwide, Inc. 2020 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan (the “2020 Plan”). The 2020 Plan authorizes the board to provide for equity-based compensation in the form of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares, performance units, dividend equivalents, and certain other awards, including those denominated or payable in, or otherwise based on, the Company’s common stock ("awards"). The purpose of the 2020 Plan is to provide incentives and rewards for service and/or performance by providing awards to non-employee directors, officers, other employees, and certain consultants and other service providers of the Company and its subsidiaries. Following the approval of the 2020 Plan, the 2016 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan (the “2016 Incentive Plan”) was terminated. Termination of the 2016 Incentive Plan did not affect any equity awards outstanding under the 2016 Incentive Plan.
Subject to adjustment and share counting rules as described in the 2020 Plan, a total of 6,658,754 shares of common stock are available for awards granted under the 2020 Plan. Shares underlying certain awards under the 2020 Plan, the Company’s 2005 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan (the "2005 Incentive Plan"), and the 2016 Incentive Plan (each including as amended or amended and restated) that are cancelled or forfeited, expire, are settled for cash, or are unearned after June 9, 2020, will again be available under the 2020 Plan.
The board generally will be able to amend the 2020 Plan, subject to stockholder approval in certain circumstances, as described in the 2020 Plan.
2016 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan
The Company's 2016 Incentive Plan provided for the grant of incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, performance awards, and other awards. The 2016 Incentive Plan was adopted by the stockholders on June 14, 2016. Following the adoption of the 2016 Incentive Plan, the 2005 Incentive Plan was terminated. Subject to adjustment in certain circumstances, the maximum number of shares of common stock that was issued or transferred in connection with awards granted under the 2016 Incentive Plan was the sum of (i) 8,000,000 shares of common stock and (ii) any shares of common stock that were represented by options previously granted under the 2005 Incentive Plan which were subsequently forfeited, expired, or cancelled without delivery of common stock or which resulted in the forfeiture or relinquishment of common stock back to the Company.
2005 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan
The Company's 2005 Incentive Plan, as amended, under which shares of the Company’s common stock were reserved for issuance to eligible employees or non-employee directors of the Company. The 2005 Incentive Plan provided for the grant of incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, performance awards, and other awards. The maximum number of shares of the Company’s common stock that was issued or transferred in connection with awards granted under the 2005 Incentive Plan was the sum of (i) 23,250,000 shares and (ii) any shares represented by outstanding options that had been granted under designated terminated stock option plans that were subsequently forfeited, expired, or are cancelled without delivery of the Company’s common stock.
Stock Options
Stock options granted pursuant to the Company's incentive plans were granted at an exercise price not less than the market value per share of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. The term of the outstanding options may not exceed ten years nor be less than one year . Vesting of options is determined by the compensation committee of the board and the administrator of the respective plan and can vary based upon the individual award agreements. In addition, outstanding options do not have dividend equivalent rights associated with them.
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A summary of stock option activity is as follows:
Number of
Shares
Weighted Average
Exercise Price ($)
Weighted Average
Remaining Contractual
Term (Years)
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
of In-the-Money
Options ($)
Outstanding, December 31, 2020 2,186,511 $ 17.87
Exercised
( 546,192 ) 16.22
Outstanding, December 31, 2021 1,640,319 $ 18.42 3.26 $ 26,697,917
Exercisable, December 31, 2021 1,640,319 $ 18.42 3.26 $ 26,697,917
The Company did not grant stock options during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019. The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019, was $ 11.4 million, $ 19.5 million, and $ 16.0 million, respectively.
Long-term Incentive Program Performance Share Awards
During the year ended December 31, 2017, pursuant to the Company’s 2016 Incentive Plan, the Company granted long-term incentive program performance share awards (“LTIP performance shares”). These LTIP performance shares were earned based upon the achievement, over a specified period that must not be less than one year and is typically a three-year performance period, of performance goals related to (i) the compound annual growth over the performance period in the sales for the Company as determined by the Company, and (ii) the cumulative operating income or EBITDA over the performance period as determined by the Company. Up to 200 % of the LTIP performance shares could be earned upon achievement of performance goals equal to or exceeding the maximum target levels for the performance goals over the performance period. On a quarterly basis, management evaluated the probability that the threshold performance goals would be achieved, if at all, and the anticipated level of attainment to determine the amount of compensation expense to record in the consolidated financial statements.
During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company modified the performance target for the remaining outstanding long-term incentive program performance shares in consideration of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in additional stock-based compensation expense of approximately $ 0.4 million. During the year ended December 31, 2021, a total of 10,457 LTIPs vested. The Company withheld 4,527 of those shares to pay the employees' portion of the minimum payroll withholding taxes.
Total Shareholder Return Awards
During the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019, pursuant to the 2020 Plan and 2016 Incentive Plan, the Company granted total shareholder return awards (“TSRs”). TSRs are performance shares that are earned, if at all, based upon the Company’s total shareholder return as compared to a group of peer companies over a three-year performance period. The award payout can range from 0 % to 200 %. To determine the grant date fair value of the TSRs, a Monte Carlo simulation model is used. The Company recognizes compensation expense for the TSRs over a three-year performance period based on the grant date fair value.
A summary of nonvested TSRs is as follows:
Number of
Shares Weighted Average
Grant Date Fair Value
Nonvested as of December 31, 2020 1,367,728 $ 34.59
Granted 367,317 50.60
Vested ( 782,588 ) 31.31
Forfeited ( 189,030 ) 38.85
Change in payout rate 391,294 31.31
Nonvested as of December 31, 2021 1,154,721 $ 40.10
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During the year ended December 31, 2021, a total of 782,588 TSRs awards granted in fiscal 2018 vested and achieved a payout rate of 200 % based on the Company's total shareholder return as compared to a group of peer companies over a three-year performance period. The Company withheld 205,373 of those shares to pay the employees’ portion of the minimum payroll withholding taxes.
The fair value of TSRs granted during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019, were estimated on the date of grant using the Monte Carlo simulation model, acceptable under ASC 718, using the following weighted-average assumptions:
Years Ended December 31,
2021 2020 2019
Expected life (years) 2.8 2.8 2.8
Risk-free interest rate 0.3 % 0.5 % 2.5 %
Volatility 41.2 % 31.4 % 29.3 %
Expected dividend yield — — —
Restricted Share Units
During the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019, pursuant to the 2020 Plan and the 2016 Incentive Plan, the Company granted restricted share unit awards (“RSUs”). RSUs generally have requisite service periods of three years and vest in increments of 33 % on the anniversary of the grant dates. RSUs granted to the board vest one year from grant or as of the next annual shareholders meeting, whichever is earlier. Under each arrangement, RSUs are issued without direct cost to the employee on the vesting date. The Company estimates the fair value of the RSUs based upon the market price of the Company’s stock on the date of grant. The Company recognizes compensation expense for RSUs on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period.
A summary of nonvested RSUs is as follows:
Number of
Shares Weighted Average
Grant Date Fair Value
Nonvested as of December 31, 2020 1,118,182 $ 27.34
Granted 630,717 38.63
Vested ( 522,618 ) 27.69
Forfeited ( 280,130 ) 31.10
Nonvested as of December 31, 2021 946,151 $ 33.57
During the year ended December 31, 2021, a total of 522,618 RSUs vested. The Company withheld 155,031 of those shares to pay the employees’ portion of the minimum payroll withholding taxes.
As of December 31, 2021, there was unrecognized compensation expense of $ 20.1 million related to RSUs and $ 17.3 million related to TSRs, which the Company expects to recognize over a weighted average period of 1.8 years.
The Company recorded stock-based compensation expense recognized under ASC 718 during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019, of $ 27.2 million, $ 29.6 million, and $ 36.8 million, respectively, with corresponding tax benefits of $ 3.9 million, $ 5.4 million, and $ 5.9 million, respectively.
7. Common Stock and Treasury Stock
In 2005, the board approved a stock repurchase program authorizing the Company, as market and business conditions warrant, to acquire its common stock and periodically authorizes additional funds for the program. In December 2021, the board approved the repurchase of the Company's common stock of up to $ 250.0 million, in place of the remaining purchase amounts previously authorized.
The Company repurchased 3,000,000 shares for $ 107.4 million under the program for the year ended December 31, 2021. Under the program to date, the Company has repurchased 49,357,495 shares for approximately $ 719.7 million. As of December 31, 2021, the maximum remaining amount authorized for purchase under the stock repurchase program was $ 216.3 million.
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Subsequent to December 31, 2021, the Company has repurchased additional shares under the repurchase program.
In 2006, the Company began to issue shares of treasury stock upon exercise of stock options, payment of earned performance shares (LTIP performance shares and TSRs), vesting of RSUs, and for issuances of common stock pursuant to the Company’s ESPP. Treasury shares issued by award type are as follows:
Years Ended December 31,
2021 2020 2019
Stock options 546,192 1,756,471 854,524
LTIP performance shares 10,457 668,240 —
TSRs 782,588 199,413 —
RSUs 522,618 431,504 259,634
ESPP 120,937 151,542 126,983
Total treasury shares issued 1,982,792 3,207,170 1,241,141
8. Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per share is computed in accordance with ASC 260, Earnings per Share, based on weighted average outstanding common shares. Diluted earnings per share is computed based on basic weighted average outstanding common shares adjusted for the dilutive effect of stock options, RSUs, and certain contingently issuable shares for which performance targets have been achieved.
The following table reconciles the weighted average share amounts used to compute both basic and diluted earnings per share (in thousands):
Years Ended December 31,
2021 2020 2019
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic weighted average shares outstanding
117,407 116,397 116,175
Add: Dilutive effect of stock options, RSUs, and contingently issuable shares
1,240 1,682 2,396
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding
118,647 118,079 118,571
The diluted earnings per share computation excludes 1.3 million, 1.5 million, and 1.8 million options to purchase shares, RSUs, and contingently issuable shares during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively, as their effect would be anti-dilutive.
Common stock outstanding as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, was 115,730,046 and 117,112,185 , respectively.
9 . Other, Net
Other, net is primarily comprised of foreign currency transaction gains and losses. Other, net was $ 1.3 million and $ 1.1 million of expense, for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and $ 0.5 million of income for the year ended December 31, 2019.
10. Segment Information
In January 2021, the Company made a change in organizational structure to align with its strategic direction. As a result of this change, the Company reassessed its segment reporting structure due to changes in how the Company's chief operating decision maker ("CODM") assesses the Company's performance and allocates resources. Beginning in the first quarter of 2021, the Company reports financial performance based on its new operating segments, Banks, Merchants, and Billers, and analyzes Segment Adjusted EBITDA as a measure of segment profitability.
The Company’s Chief Executive Officer is also CODM. The CODM, together with other senior management personnel, focus their review on consolidated financial information and the allocation of resources based on operating results, including revenues and Segment Adjusted EBITDA, for each segment, separate from corporate operations. No operating segments have been aggregated to form the reportable segments.
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Banks. ACI provides payment solutions to large and mid-size banks globally for retail banking, real time, digital, and other payment services. These solutions transform banks’ complex payment environments to speed time to market, reduce costs, and deliver a consistent experience to customers across channels while enabling them to prevent and rapidly react to fraudulent activity. In addition, they enable banks to meet the requirements of different real-time payments schemes and to quickly create differentiated products to meet consumer, business, and merchant demands.
Merchants. ACI’s support of merchants globally includes Tier 1 and Tier 2 merchants, online-only merchants and the payment service providers, independent selling organizations, value-added resellers, and acquirers who service them. These customers operate in a variety of verticals, including general merchandise, grocery, hospitality, dining, transportation, and others. The Company's solutions provide merchants with a secure, omni-channel payments platform that gives them independence from third-party payment providers. They also offer secure solutions to online-only merchants that provide consumers with a convenient and seamless way to shop.
Billers. Within the billers segment, ACI provides electronic bill presentment and payment (“EBPP”) services to companies operating in the consumer finance, insurance, healthcare, higher education, utility, government, and mortgage categories. The solutions enable these customers to support a wide range of payment options and provide a convenient consumer payments experience that drives consumer loyalty and increases revenue.
Revenue is attributed to the reportable segments based upon customer. Expenses are attributed to the reportable segments in one of three methods, (1) direct costs of the segment, (2) labor costs that can be attributed based upon time tracking for individual projects, or (3) costs that are allocated. Allocated costs are generally marketing and sales related activities.
Segment Adjusted EBITDA is the measure reported to the CODM for purposes of making decisions on allocating resources and assessing the performance of the Company’s segments, and therefore, Segment Adjusted EBITDA is presented in conformity with ASC 280, Segment Reporting . Segment Adjusted EBITDA is defined as earnings (loss) from operations before interest, income tax expense (benefit), depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) adjusted to exclude net other income (expense).
Corporate and unallocated expenses includes global facilities and information technology costs and long-term product roadmap expenses in addition to corporate overhead costs that are not allocated to reportable segments. The overhead costs relate to human resources, finance, legal, accounting, and merger and acquisition activity. These costs along with depreciation and amortization and stock-based compensation are not considered when management evaluates segment performance.
The following is selected financial data for the Company’s reportable segments for the periods indicated (in thousands):
Years Ended December 31,
2021 2020 2019
Revenues
Banks $ 625,125 $ 558,498 $ 590,961
Merchants 152,988 149,342 156,452
Billers 592,485 586,482 510,881
Total revenue
$ 1,370,598 $ 1,294,322 $ 1,258,294
Segment Adjusted EBITDA
Banks $ 372,949 $ 331,445 $ 343,844
Merchants 54,266 53,383 60,820
Billers 129,048 135,144 77,295
Depreciation and amortization
( 133,393 ) ( 140,316 ) ( 122,569 )
Stock-based compensation expense
( 27,242 ) ( 29,602 ) ( 36,763 )
Corporate and unallocated expenses
( 185,731 ) ( 205,310 ) ( 198,871 )
Interest, net
( 33,538 ) ( 45,002 ) ( 52,066 )
Other, net
( 1,294 ) ( 1,116 ) 520
Income before income taxes $ 175,065 $ 98,626 $ 72,210
Assets are not allocated to segments, and the Company’s CODM does not evaluate operating segments using discrete asset information.
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The following is revenue by primary solution category for the Company’s reportable segments for the periods indicated (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31, 2021
Banks Merchants Billers Total
Primary Solution Categories
Bill Payments $ — $ — $ 592,485 $ 592,485
Digital Business Banking 60,398 — — 60,398
Merchant Payments — 152,988 — 152,988
Fraud Management 43,704 — — 43,704
Real-Time Payments 77,922 — — 77,922
Issuing and Acquiring 443,101 — — 443,101
Total $ 625,125 $ 152,988 $ 592,485 $ 1,370,598
Year Ended December 31, 2020
Banks Merchants Billers Total
Primary Solution Categories
Bill Payments $ — $ — $ 586,482 $ 586,482
Digital Business Banking 75,475 — — 75,475
Merchant Payments — 149,342 — 149,342
Fraud Management 32,942 — — 32,942
Real-Time Payments 80,654 — — 80,654
Issuing and Acquiring 369,427 — — 369,427
Total $ 558,498 $ 149,342 $ 586,482 $ 1,294,322
Year Ended December 31, 2019
Banks Merchants Billers Total
Primary Solution Categories
Bill Payments $ — $ — $ 510,881 $ 510,881
Digital Business Banking 77,319 — — 77,319
Merchant Payments — 156,452 — 156,452
Fraud Management 42,010 — — 42,010
Real-Time Payments 100,599 — — 100,599
Issuing and Acquiring 371,033 — — 371,033
Total $ 590,961 $ 156,452 $ 510,881 $ 1,258,294
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The following is revenue by the Company's reportable segments for the periods indicated (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,
2021 2020 2019
Banks
Software as a service and platform as a service $ 57,339 $ 69,254 $ 65,703
License 310,758 232,143 256,097
Maintenance 193,332 194,400 194,128
Services 63,696 62,701 75,033
Total $ 625,125 $ 558,498 $ 590,961
Merchants
Software as a service and platform as a service $ 124,933 $ 113,854 $ 101,666
License 9,015 14,659 31,936
Maintenance 16,846 16,981 18,968
Services 2,194 3,848 3,882
Total $ 152,988 $ 149,342 $ 156,452
Billers
Software as a service and platform as a service $ 592,070 $ 586,072 $ 510,300
License 94 94 228
Maintenance 321 316 313
Services — — 40
Total $ 592,485 $ 586,482 $ 510,881
The following is the Company's revenue by geographic location for the periods indicated (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,
2021 2020 2019
Revenue
United States $ 869,081 $ 830,511 $ 781,820
Other 501,517 463,811 476,474
Total $ 1,370,598 $ 1,294,322 $ 1,258,294
The following is the Company’s long-lived assets by geographic location for the periods indicated (in thousands):
December 31,
2021 2020
Long-lived Assets
United States
$ 1,425,391 $ 1,423,862
Other
745,138 750,651
Total
$ 2,170,529 $ 2,174,513
No single customer accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s consolidated revenues during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019. No other country outside the United States accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s consolidated revenues during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019.
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11. Income Taxes
For financial reporting purposes, income (loss) before income taxes includes the following components (in thousands):
Years Ended December 31,
2021 2020 2019
United States $ 69,817 $ 19,405 $ ( 16,317 )
Foreign 105,248 79,221 88,527
Total $ 175,065 $ 98,626 $ 72,210
The expense (benefit) for income taxes consists of the following (in thousands):
Years Ended December 31,
2021 2020 2019
Federal
Current $ 3,994 $ ( 2,683 ) $ 3,738
Deferred 6,067 ( 3,477 ) ( 25,150 )
Total 10,061 ( 6,160 ) ( 21,412 )
State
Current 7,592 2,514 590
Deferred ( 1,498 ) ( 1,758 ) 342
Total 6,094 756 932
Foreign
Current 31,955 22,786 22,960
Deferred ( 836 ) 8,584 2,668
Total 31,119 31,370 25,628
Total $ 47,274 $ 25,966 $ 5,148
Differences between the income tax expense computed at the statutory federal income tax rate and per the consolidated statements of operations are summarized as follows (in thousands):
Years Ended December 31,
2021 2020 2019
Tax expense at federal rate of 21% $ 36,764 $ 20,711 $ 15,164
State income taxes, net of federal benefit 4,816 321 1,227
Change in valuation allowance 1,228 2,459 ( 12,760 )
Foreign tax rate differential ( 5,376 ) ( 1,809 ) ( 2,535 )
Unrecognized tax benefit increase (decrease) 858 ( 4,405 ) 898
Tax effect of foreign operations 16,151 11,373 6,698
Tax benefit of research & development ( 4,123 ) ( 2,173 ) ( 2,506 )
Performance-based compensation ( 1,887 ) ( 2,624 ) ( 560 )
Other ( 1,157 ) 2,113 ( 478 )
Income tax provision $ 47,274 $ 25,966 $ 5,148
The countries having the greatest impact on the tax rate adjustment line shown in the above table as “Foreign tax rate differential” are Colombia, Ireland, and Singapore for the year ended December 31, 2021; Ireland, Mexico, Singapore, and the United Kingdom for the year ended December 31, 2020; and Ireland, Luxembourg, and the United Kingdom for the year ended December 31, 2019.
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During the year ended December 31, 2019, following the acquisition of Speedpay, the Company determined it will more likely than not be able to utilize foreign tax credits in future years due to additional income generated by Speedpay; therefore, the Company released the $ 15.5 million valuation allowance that had been established on this deferred tax asset.
The deferred tax assets and liabilities result from differences in the timing of the recognition of certain income and expense items for tax and financial accounting purposes. The sources of these differences at each balance sheet date are as follows (in thousands):
December 31,
2021 2020
Deferred income tax assets:
Net operating loss carryforwards $ 18,826 $ 20,347
Tax credits 19,316 40,188
Compensation 17,133 18,731
Deferred revenue 16,333 19,169
Operating lease 10,236 10,162
Other 9,988 9,051
Gross deferred income tax assets 91,832 117,648
Less: valuation allowance ( 11,324 ) ( 10,112 )
Net deferred income tax assets $ 80,508 $ 107,536
Deferred income tax liabilities:
Depreciation and amortization $ ( 41,465 ) $ ( 48,967 )
Operating lease right-of-use asset ( 8,791 ) ( 7,650 )
Deferred revenue ( 15,596 ) ( 33,947 )
Total deferred income tax liabilities ( 65,852 ) ( 90,564 )
Net deferred income taxes $ 14,656 $ 16,972
Deferred income taxes / liabilities included in the balance sheet are:
Deferred income tax asset – noncurrent $ 50,778 $ 57,476
Deferred income tax liability – noncurrent ( 36,122 ) ( 40,504 )
Net deferred income taxes $ 14,656 $ 16,972
In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, the Company considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. The Company considers projected future taxable income, carryback opportunities, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. Based upon the level of historical taxable income and projections for future taxable income over the periods which the deferred tax assets are deductible, the Company believes it is more likely than not that it will realize the benefits of these deductible differences, net of the valuation allowances recorded.
At December 31, 2021, the Company had domestic federal tax net operating losses (“NOLs”) of $ 58.3 million, of which $ 2.9 million may be utilized over an indefinite life, with the remainder beginning to expire in 2022. The Company had deferred tax assets equal to $ 1.1 million related to domestic state tax NOLs which will begin to expire in 2022. The Company does not have any valuation allowance against the federal tax NOLs but has provided a $ 1.0 million valuation allowance against the deferred tax asset associated with the state NOLs. The Company had foreign tax NOLs of $ 19.4 million, of which $ 19.1 million may be utilized over an indefinite life, with the remainder expiring over the next nine years . The Company has provided a $ 0.1 million valuation allowance against the deferred tax asset associated with the foreign NOLs.
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The Company had U.S. foreign tax credit carryforwards at December 31, 2021, of $ 21.4 million, for which a $ 2.3 million valuation allowance has been provided. The U.S. foreign tax credits will begin to expire in 2027. The Company had foreign tax credit carryforwards in other foreign jurisdictions at December 31, 2021, of $ 2.2 million, of which $ 1.1 million may be utilized over an indefinite life, with the remainder expiring over the next seven years . The Company has provided a $ 1.2 million valuation allowance against the tax benefit associated with these foreign credits. The Company also has domestic federal and state general business tax credit carryforwards at December 31, 2021, of $ 20.6 million and $ 0.8 million, respectively, which will begin to expire in 2022.
Prior to 2018, the Company considered all earnings in foreign subsidiaries to be indefinitely reinvested, and accordingly, recorded no deferred income taxes related to unremitted earnings. As of December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019, the Company considered only the earnings in its Indian subsidiaries to be indefinitely reinvested. The earnings of all other foreign subsidiaries are no longer considered indefinitely reinvested. The Company is also permanently reinvested for outside book/tax basis differences related to foreign subsidiaries.
The unrecognized tax benefit at December 31, 2021 and 2020, was $ 24.5 million and $ 24.3 million, respectively, of which $ 16.9 million and $ 17.7 million, respectively, are included in other noncurrent liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. Of the total unrecognized tax benefit amounts at December 31, 2021 and 2020, $ 23.5 million and $ 23.2 million, respectively, represent the net unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would favorably impact the effective income tax rate in the respective years.
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits for the years ended December 31 is as follows (in thousands):
2021 2020 2019
Balance of unrecognized tax benefits at beginning of year $ 24,310 $ 29,000 $ 28,406
Increases for tax positions of prior years 1,533 4,219 2,784
Decreases for tax positions of prior years ( 65 ) — ( 96 )
Increases for tax positions established for the current period 2,272 3,912 2,542
Decreases for settlements with taxing authorities ( 620 ) ( 285 ) ( 220 )
Reductions resulting from lapse of applicable statute of limitation ( 2,876 ) ( 12,630 ) ( 4,462 )
Adjustment resulting from foreign currency translation ( 44 ) 94 46
Balance of unrecognized tax benefits at end of year $ 24,510 $ 24,310 $ 29,000
The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, various state and local jurisdictions, and many foreign jurisdictions. The United States, India, Ireland, Singapore, and the United Kingdom are the main taxing jurisdictions in which the Company operates. The years open for audit vary depending on the tax jurisdiction. In the United States, the Company’s tax returns for years following 2017 are open for audit. In the foreign jurisdictions, the tax returns open for audit generally vary by jurisdiction between 2004 and 2020.
The Company’s Indian income tax returns covering fiscal years 2005, 2011 through 2014, and 2016 through 2020 are under audit by the Indian tax authority. Other foreign subsidiaries could face challenges from various foreign tax authorities. It is not certain that the local authorities will accept the Company’s tax positions. The Company believes its tax positions comply with applicable tax law and intends to vigorously defend its positions. However, differing positions on certain issues could be upheld by tax authorities, which could adversely affect the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.
The Company believes it is reasonably possible that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits will decrease within the next 12 months by approximately $ 5.8 million due to the settlement of various audits and the expiration of statutes of limitations. The Company accrues interest related to uncertain tax positions in interest expense or interest income and recognizes penalties related to uncertain tax positions in other income or other expense. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, $ 1.1 million and $ 1.2 million, respectively, is accrued for the payment of interest and penalties related to income tax liabilities. The aggregate amount of interest and penalties expense (benefit) recorded in the statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019, was $( 0.1 ) million, less than $ 0.1 million, and $ 0.2 million, respectively.
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12 . Leases
The Company has operating leases primarily for corporate offices and data centers. Excluding office leases, leases with an initial term of 12-months or less that do not include an option to purchase the underlying asset are not recorded on the consolidated balance sheet and are expensed on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
The Company’s leases typically include certain renewal options to extend the leases for up to 25 years, some of which include options to terminate the leases within one year . The exercise of lease renewal options is at the Company’s sole discretion. The Company combines lease and non-lease components of its leases and currently has no leases with options to purchase the leased property. Payments of maintenance and property tax costs paid by the Company are accounted for as variable lease cost, which are expensed as incurred.
The components of lease cost are as follows (in thousands):
Years Ended December 31,
2021 2020 2019
Operating lease cost
$ 12,369 $ 25,148 $ 18,486
Variable lease cost
3,140 3,588 3,756
Sublease income
— ( 134 ) ( 528 )
Total lease cost
$ 15,509 $ 28,602 $ 21,714
Supplemental cash flow information related to leases is as follows (in thousands):
Years Ended December 31,
2021 2020 2019
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows from operating leases
$ 19,623 $ 18,827 $ 19,578
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new lease obligations:
Operating leases
$ 20,944 $ 11,431 $ 10,478
Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases is as follows (in thousands, except lease term and discount rate):
December 31,
2021 2020
Assets:
Operating lease right-of-use assets
$ 47,825 $ 41,243
Liabilities:
Other current liabilities
$ 11,518 $ 13,438
Operating lease liabilities
43,346 39,958
Total operating lease liabilities
$ 54,864 $ 53,396
Weighted average remaining operating lease term (years)
7.04 6.01
Weighted average operating lease discount rate
3.22 % 3.67 %
The Company uses its incremental borrowing rate as the discount rate. As the Company enters into operating leases in multiple jurisdictions and denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, judgment is used to determine the Company’s incremental borrowing rate including (1) conversion of its subordinated borrowing rate (using published yield curves) to an unsubordinated and collateralized rate, (2) adjusting the rate to align with the term of each lease, and (3) adjusting the rate to incorporate the effects of the currency in which the lease is denominated.
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Maturities on lease liabilities as of December 31, 2021, are as follows (in thousands):
Fiscal Year Ending December 31,
2022 $ 13,063
2023 11,599
2024 7,699
2025 6,088
2026 5,113
Thereafter
17,563
Total lease payments
61,125
Less: imputed interest
6,261
Total lease liability
$ 54,864
As of December 31, 2021, the Company has additional operating leases for office facilities that have not yet commenced with minimum lease payments of $ 0.2 million, These operating leases will commence in fiscal year 2022 with lease terms of one year .
13. Commitments and Contingencies
In accordance with ASC 460, Guarantees , the Company recognizes the fair value for guarantee and indemnification arrangements it issues or modifies if these arrangements are within the scope of the interpretation. In addition, the Company must continue to monitor the conditions that are subject to the guarantees and indemnifications, as required under the previously existing generally accepted accounting principles, to identify if a loss has occurred. If the Company determines it is probable a loss has occurred, then any estimable loss would be recognized under those guarantees and indemnifications. Under its customer agreements, the Company may agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless its customers from and against certain losses, damages, and costs arising from claims alleging that the use of its software infringes the intellectual property of a third-party. Historically, the Company has not been required to pay material amounts in connection with claims asserted under these provisions, and accordingly, the Company has not recorded a liability relating to such provisions.
Under its customer agreements, the Company also may represent and warrant to customers that its software will operate substantially in conformance with its documentation, and that the services the Company performs will be performed in a workmanlike manner by personnel reasonably qualified by experience and expertise to perform their assigned tasks. Historically, only minimal costs have been incurred relating to the satisfaction of warranty claims. In addition, from time to time, the Company may guarantee the performance of a contract on behalf of one or more of its subsidiaries, or a subsidiary may guarantee the performance of a contract on behalf of another subsidiary.
Other guarantees include promises to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Company’s executive officers, directors, and certain other key officers. The Company’s certificate of incorporation provides that it will indemnify and advance expenses to its directors and officers to the maximum extent permitted by Delaware law. The indemnification covers any expenses and liabilities reasonably incurred by a person, by reason of the fact that such person is, was, or has agreed to be a director or officer, in connection with the investigation, defense, and settlement of any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, proceeding, or claim. The Company’s certificate of incorporation authorizes the use of indemnification agreements, and the Company enters into such agreements with its directors and certain officers from time to time. These indemnification agreements typically provide for a broader scope of the Company’s obligation to indemnify the directors and officers than set forth in the certificate of incorporation. The Company’s contractual indemnification obligations under these agreements are in addition to the respective directors’ and officers’ rights under the certificate of incorporation or under Delaware law.
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Legal Proceedings
In April 2021, ACH files associated with one of the Company's mortgage servicing customers were inadvertently transmitted to a processing bank during a test of its ACH file production system. Reversal ACH files were promptly issued, restoring affected accounts. The Company has been contacted by the U.S. Consumer Finance Protection Bureau and various state consumer protection and regulatory agencies about this incident and is cooperating in their investigations, which could result in fines or penalties that could be material and injunctive remedies that could be burdensome and costly to implement.
In addition, the Company has been named as a defendant in seven class action lawsuits filed in various federal courts purportedly on behalf of consumers whose mortgage accounts were affected. The complaints vary, but generally allege violations of federal and state consumer protection and other laws and claim that the Company is obligated to pay statutory and other damages. The Company intends to vigorously defend these cases. Defending such cases could be time-consuming and costly, and failure to successfully defend the Company in any or all of these cases could have a material effect.
14. Employee Benefit Plans
The Company offers various defined contribution plans for our U.S. and non-U.S. employees. Total defined contribution plan expense was $ 13.0 million, $ 13.5 million, and $ 13.7 million during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively.
ACI 401(k) Plan
The ACI 401(k) Plan is a defined contribution plan covering all domestic employees of the Company. Participants may contribute up to 75 % of their annual eligible compensation up to a maximum of $ 19,500 (for employees who are under the age of 50 on December 31, 2021) or a maximum of $ 26,000 (for employees aged 50 or older on December 31, 2021). After one year of service, the Company matches 100 % of the first 4 % of eligible participant contributions and 50 % of the next 4 % of eligible participant contributions, not to exceed $ 5,000 per employee annually. Company contributions charged to expense were $ 6.0 million, $ 6.3 million, and $ 6.4 million during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively.
ACI Worldwide EMEA Group Personal Pension Scheme
The ACI Worldwide EMEA Group Personal Pension Scheme is a defined contribution plan covering substantially all ACI Worldwide (EMEA) Limited (“ACI-EMEA”) employees. For those ACI-EMEA employees who elect to participate in the plan, the Company contributes a minimum of 8.5 % of eligible compensation to the plan for employees employed at December 1, 2000 or from 6 % to 10 % of eligible compensation for employees employed subsequent to December 1, 2000. ACI-EMEA contributions charged to expense were $ 1.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2021, and $ 1.5 million during both the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.
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EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No. Description
3.01 (1) 2013 Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company
3.02 (2) Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company
4.01 (3) Form of Common Stock Certificate (P)
4.02 (4) Indenture, dated as of August 21, 2018, among ACI Worldwide, Inc., the guarantors listed therein, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee
4.03 Form of 5.750% Senior Notes due 2026 (Included as Exhibit A to Exhibit 4.02)
4.04 Description of Securities
10.01 (5)* ACI Worldwide, Inc. 2017 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
10.02 (6)* ACI Worldwide, Inc. 2005 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan, as amended
10.03 (7)* Form of Indemnification Agreement between the Company and certain officers, including executive officers
10.04 (8)* ACI Worldwide, Inc. 2013 Executive Management Incentive Compensation Plan
10.05 (9)* Amended and Restated Deferred Compensation Plan
10.06 (10) Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated February 24, 2017, by and among ACI Worldwide, Inc., Bank of America, N.A. and the lenders that are party thereto
10.07 (11)* ACI Worldwide, Inc. 2016 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan
10.08 (12)* Form of 2016 Restricted Share Unit Award Agreement for the Company’s 2016 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan
10.09 (13)* Form of Restricted Share Unit Award Agreement (RSUs)
10.10 (14)* Form of Performance Share Award Agreement (rTSR Performance Share Awards)
10.11 (15) Amendment Agreement to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated April 5, 2019
10.12 (16)* Form of Severance Agreement between ACI Worldwide, Inc. and Odilon Almeida
10.13 (17)* Form of Change in Control Employment Agreement between ACI Worldwide, Inc. and certain officers, including executive officers
10.14 (18)* Form of 2015 Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement - Employee for the Company's 2005 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan, as amended
10.15 (19)* Form of 2016 Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement for the Company’s 2016 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan, as amended
10.16 (20)* ACI Worldwide, Inc. 2020 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan
10.17 (21)* Form of Restricted Share Unit Award Agreement for the Company's 2020 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan
10.18 (22)* Form of Performance Share Award Agreement for the Company's 2020 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan
10.19 (23)* Form of Director Restricted Share Unit Award Agreement for the Company's 2020 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan
21.01 Subsidiaries of the Registrant (filed herewith)
23.01 Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (filed herewith) – Deloitte & Touche LLP
31.01 Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to S.E.C. Rule 13a-14, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith)
31.02 Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to S.E.C. Rule 13a-14, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith)
32.01 ** Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (furnished herewith)
32.02 ** Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (furnished herewith)
101.INS 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 XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
101.CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
101.LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
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101.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase
101.DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)
(1) Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the registrant’s current report on Form 8-K filed August 17, 2017.
(2) Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the registrant’s current report on Form 8-K filed February 27, 2017.
(3) Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.01 to the registrant’s Registration Statement No. 33-88292 on Form S-1.
(4) Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the registrant’s current report on Form 8-K filed August 21, 2018.
(5) Incorporated herein by reference to Annex A to the registrant’s Proxy Statement filed on April 27, 2017.
(6) Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.07 to the registrant’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2014.
(7) Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the registrant’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.
(8) Incorporated herein by reference to Annex A to the registrant’s Proxy Statement for its 2013 Annual Meeting (File No. 000-25346) filed on April 29, 2013.
(9) Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the registrant’s Registration Statement No. 333-169293 on Form S-8 filed September 9, 2010
(10) Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the registrant’s current report on Form 8-K filed February 27, 2017.
(11) Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the registrant’s current report on Form 8-K filed June 20, 2016.
(12) Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.26 to the registrant’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.
(13) Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the registrant’s current report on Form 8-K filed March 8, 2019.
(14) Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the registrant’s current report on Form 8-K filed March 8, 2019.
(15) Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the registrant’s current report on Form 8-K filed April 11, 2019.
(16) Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the registrant’s current report on Form 8-K filed February 20, 2020.
(17) Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the registrant’s current report on Form 8-K filed February 20, 2020.
(18) Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.03 to the registrant's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2020.
(19) Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.04 to the registrant's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2020.
(20) Incorporated herein by reference to Appendix A to the registrant's definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A (Commission File No. 000-25346) filed April 24, 2020.
(21) Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.06 to the registrant's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2020.
(22) Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.07 to the registrant's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2020.
(23) Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.01 to the registrant’s current report on Form 8-K filed June 8, 2021.
__________________
* Denotes exhibit that constitutes a management contract, or compensatory plan or arrangement.
** This certification is not deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section. Such certification will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates it by reference.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
ACI WORLDWIDE, INC.
(Registrant)
Date: February 24, 2022 By: /s/ ODILON ALMEIDA
Odilon Almeida
President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director (Principal Executive Officer)
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Name Title Date
/ S / ODILON ALMEIDA
President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director (Principal Executive Officer)
February 24, 2022
Odilon Almeida
/ S / SCOTT W. BEHRENS
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Financial Officer)
February 24, 2022
Scott W. Behrens
/ S / CHARLES K. BOBRINSKOY
Chairman of the Board and Director February 24, 2022
Charles K. Bobrinskoy
/ S / JANET O. ESTEP
Director February 24, 2022
Janet O. Estep
/ S / JAMES C. HALE
Director February 24, 2022
James C. Hale
/ S / MARY HARMAN
Director February 24, 2022
Mary Harman
/ S / DIDIER R. LAMOUCHE
Director February 24, 2022
Didier R. Lamouche
/ S / CHARLES E. PETERS, JR
Director February 24, 2022
Charles E. Peters, JR
/ S / ADALIO T. SANCHEZ
Director February 24, 2022
Adalio T. Sanchez
/ S / THOMAS W. WARSOP, III
Director February 24, 2022
Thomas W. Warsop, III
/ S / SAMIR ZABANEH
Director February 24, 2022
Samir Zabaneh
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