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

 

 

FORM 10-K

 

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2011

 

Commission file number 0-11330

 

 

Paychex, Inc.

 

911 Panorama Trail South

Rochester, New York 14625-2396

(585) 385-6666

A Delaware Corporation

 

IRS Employer Identification Number: 16-1124166

 

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes þ     No o

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.  Yes o     No þ

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes þ     No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes þ     No o

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

(Do not check if a smaller

     reporting company)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).  Yes o     No þ

 

As of November 30, 2010, the last business day of the most recently completed second fiscal quarter, shares held by non-affiliates of the registrant had an aggregate market value of $9,219,176,824 based on the closing price reported for such date on the NASDAQ Global Select Market.

 

As of June 30, 2011, 362,115,182 shares of the registrant’s common stock, $.01 par value, were outstanding.

 

Documents Incorporated by Reference

 

Portions of the registrant’s definitive proxy statement to be issued in connection with its Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on or about October 11, 2011, to the extent not set forth herein, are incorporated by reference into Part III, Items 10 through 14, inclusive.

 

 

PAYCHEX, INC.

 

INDEX TO FORM 10-K

 

For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2011

 

PART I

 

“SAFE HARBOR” STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995

 

Certain written and oral statements made by management of Paychex, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries (“we,” “our,” “us,” “Paychex,” or the “Company”) may constitute “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “Reform Act”). Forward-looking statements are identified by such words and phrases as “we expect,” “expected to,” “estimates,” “estimated,” “current outlook,” “we look forward to,” “would equate to,” “projects,” “projections,” “projected to be,” “anticipates,” “anticipated,” “we believe,” “could be,” and other similar phrases. All statements addressing operating performance, events, or developments that we expect or anticipate will occur in the future, including statements relating to revenue growth, earnings, earnings-per-share growth, or similar projections, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Reform Act. Because they are forward-looking, they should be evaluated in light of important risk factors. These risk factors include, but are not limited to, the following risks as well as those described in “Risk Factors” under Item 1A and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K (“Form 10-K”):

 

 

Any of these factors could cause our actual results to differ materially from our anticipated results. The information provided in this Form 10-K is based upon the facts and circumstances known at this time. We undertake no obligation to update these forward-looking statements after the date of filing of this Form 10-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC” or “Commission”) to reflect events or circumstances after such date, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

 

 

We are a leading provider of payroll, human resource, and benefits outsourcing solutions for small- to medium-sized businesses. As of May 31, 2011, we serviced approximately 564,000 clients and had approximately 12,400 employees. We maintain our corporate headquarters in Rochester, New York, and have more than 100 offices nationwide.

 

As of May 31, 2011, we serviced approximately 1,900 clients in Germany through four offices.

 

Our company was formed as a Delaware corporation in 1979. We report our results of operations and financial condition as one business segment. Our fiscal year ends May 31.

Company Strategy

 

We are focused on achieving strong, long-term financial performance by:

 

 

Services and Products

 

We offer a comprehensive portfolio of services and products that allow our clients to meet their diverse payroll and human resource needs. These include:

 

 

By offering ancillary services that leverage the information gathered in the base payroll processing service, we are able to provide comprehensive outsourcing services that allow employers to expand their employee benefits offerings at an affordable cost. We mainly earn our revenue through recurring fees for services performed. Service revenue is primarily driven by the number of clients, checks or transactions per client per pay period, and utilization of ancillary services.

 

Payroll

 

Payroll processing is the foundation of our service portfolio. Our payroll service includes the calculation, preparation, and delivery of employee payroll checks; production of internal accounting records and management reports; preparation of federal, state, and local payroll tax returns; and collection and remittance of clients’ payroll obligations. Our payroll services are provided through either our core payroll or Major Market Services (“MMS”) and are made available to clients via traditional or Internet-based methods.

 

Paychex Online is our secure Internet site, which offers core payroll clients a suite of self-service, interactive services and products twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. These include Paychex Online Payroll^®, Internet Time Sheet, Paychex Online Reports, and General Ledger Reporting Service. Using these services, clients can

communicate payroll information, access current and historical payroll information, and transfer payroll information calculated by us to their general ledger accounting software, eliminating manual entries and improving the accuracy of bookkeeping. More than one-half of our clients are currently utilizing some form of Paychex Online payroll service.

 

During the fiscal year ended May 31, 2011 (“fiscal 2011”), we acquired SurePayroll, Inc. (“SurePayroll”), a provider of software-as-a-service payroll processing for small businesses. This acquisition expands our product offering for small business clients to self-service and mobile applications.

 

Major Market Services:  MMS primarily targets companies that have more sophisticated payroll and benefits needs. We currently offer this service in all of our significant markets. Our proprietary MMS software, Preview^®, provides a powerful payroll solution and allows smooth integration with other Paychex service offerings. Preview can be used as an on-site, PC-based system or via a secure web-hosted environment.

 

We offer a software-as-a-service solution to meet the payroll and human resource administrative needs of our MMS clients. This allows Preview to be integrated with various Internet-based services offered to assist clients with their administrative human resource and payroll needs through every step of the employee life cycle. Ancillary services particularly beneficial to our MMS clients include the following:

 

 

MMS clients can select Paychex One-Source Solutions, which seamlessly integrates Preview, Paychex Time and Labor Online, and Paychex HR Online applications through a single, web-based client portal. MMS clients also have the option to select from a number of á la carte payroll and human resource ancillary services or opt for our comprehensive human resource and payroll outsourcing solution, Paychex HR Solutions. This flexibility allows our clients to define the solution that best meets their particular needs.

 

Payroll tax administration services:  As of May 31, 2011, 95% of our clients utilized our payroll tax administration services (including Taxpay^®), which provide accurate preparation and timely filing of quarterly and year-end tax returns, as well as the electronic transfer of funds to the applicable tax or regulatory agencies (federal, state, and local). In connection with these services, we electronically collect payroll taxes from clients’ bank accounts, typically on payday, prepare and file the applicable tax returns, and remit taxes to the applicable tax or regulatory agencies on the respective due dates. These taxes are typically paid between one and 30 days after receipt of collections from clients, with some items extending to 90 days. We handle regulatory correspondence, amendments, and penalty and interest disputes, and we are subject to cash penalties imposed by tax or regulatory agencies for late filings and late or under payment of taxes.

 

Employee payment services:  As of May 31, 2011, 79% of our clients utilized our employee payment services, which provide the employer the option of paying their employees by direct deposit, payroll debit card, a check drawn on a Paychex account (Readychex^®), or a check drawn on the employer’s account and electronically signed by us. For the first three methods, we electronically collect net payroll from the clients’ bank accounts, typically one business day before payday, and provide payment to the employees on payday. Our flexible payment

options provide a cost-effective solution that offers the benefit of convenient, one-step payroll account reconciliation for employers.

 

Regulatory compliance services:  We offer new-hire reporting services, which enable clients to comply with federal and state requirements to report information on newly hired employees. This information aids the government in enforcing child support orders and minimizes fraudulent unemployment and workers’ compensation insurance claims. Our garnishment processing service provides deductions from employees’ pay, forwards payments to third-party agencies, including those that require electronic payments, and tracks the obligations to fulfillment. These services enable employers to comply with legal requirements and reduce the risk of penalties.

 

Human Resource Services

 

Paychex HR Solutions:  We offer comprehensive human resource outsourcing solutions that provide businesses a full-service approach to the outsourcing of employer and employee administrative needs. Our Paychex HR Solutions offering is available as an administrative services organization (“ASO”), previously known as Paychex Premier^® Human Resources, and a professional employer organization (“PEO”). Both options offer businesses a combined package of services that includes payroll, employer compliance, human resource and employee benefits administration, risk management outsourcing, and the on-site availability of a professionally trained human resource representative. These comprehensive bundles of services are designed to make it easier for businesses to manage their payroll and related benefit costs while providing a benefits package equal to that of larger companies. Our PEO differs from the ASO in that we serve as a co-employer of the clients’ employees, assume the risks and rewards of workers’ compensation insurance, and provide health care coverage to PEO client employees. PEO services continue to be sold through our registered and licensed subsidiary, Paychex Business Solutions, Inc. The integration of the sales and service models of the ASO and PEO under Paychex HR Solutions has reduced redundancies and created more flexible options for business owners to find the solution that best meets their needs. In fiscal 2011, we introduced Paychex HR Essentials, which is an ASO product that provides support to our clients over the phone or online to help manage employee-related topics. As of May 31, 2011, Paychex HR Solutions were utilized by 21,000 clients with approximately 567,000 client employees.

 

Retirement services administration:  Our retirement services product line offers a variety of options to clients, including 401(k) plans, 401(k) SIMPLE, SIMPLE IRA, 401(k) plans with safe harbor provisions, profit sharing, and money purchase plans. These services provide plan implementation, ongoing compliance with government regulations, employee and employer reporting, participant and employer online access, electronic funds transfer, and other administrative services. Auto enrollment is an optional plan feature allowing employers to automatically enroll employees in their company’s 401(k) plan and increase overall plan participation. Clients have the ability to choose from a group of pre-defined fund selections or to customize their investment options within their plan. Selling efforts for these services are focused primarily on our existing payroll client base, as the processed payroll information allows for data integration necessary to provide these services efficiently. We are one of the largest 401(k) recordkeepers for small businesses in the U.S. We earn an average fee of slightly less than twenty-five basis points from the external fund managers based on the total asset value of client employee 401(k) funds. In May 2011, we acquired ePlan Services, Inc., a provider of recordkeeping and administrative solutions to the defined contribution marketplace. This acquisition allows us to expand our retirement services to financial advisers. As of May 31, 2011, retirement services were utilized by approximately 57,000 clients and the asset value of client employee 401(k) funds externally managed totaled approximately $15.3 billion.

 

Insurance services:  Our licensed insurance agency, Paychex Insurance Agency, Inc. (“Paychex Insurance Agency”), provides insurance through a variety of carriers. Insurance offerings include property and casualty coverage such as workers’ compensation; business-owner policies; commercial auto; and health and benefits coverage including health, dental, vision, and life. Our insurance services simplify the insurance process to make it easy to find plans with the features and affordability to meet the client’s needs. With access to numerous top national and regional carriers, our professional insurance agents enjoy a wide selection of plans from which to best match the insurance needs of small business. Clients also have the option to integrate with Paychex payroll processing for easy, accurate plan administration. Paychex Insurance Agency has a website, www.paychexinsurance.com, with information and interactive tools to help educate visitors on insurance and aid in making business insurance decisions. As of May 31, 2011, approximately 100,000 clients have appointed Paychex Insurance Agency as their agent for servicing their business insurance needs.

eServices:  We offer online human resource administration software products for employee benefits management and administration and time and attendance solutions. Paychex HR Online offers powerful tools for managing employee benefits, personnel information, and human resource compliance and reporting. Time and Labor Online helps minimize the time spent compiling time sheet information. It allows the employer to handle multiple payroll scenarios and results in improved productivity, accuracy, and reliability in the payroll process.

 

Other human resource services and products:  We offer the outsourcing of plan administration under section 125 of the Internal Revenue Code, allowing employees to use pre-tax dollars to pay for certain health insurance benefits and health and dependent care expenses not covered by insurance. All required implementation, administration, compliance, claims processing and reimbursement, and coverage tests are provided with these services. We offer state unemployment insurance services, which provide clients with prompt processing for all claims, appeals, determinations, change statements, and requests for separation documents. Other Human Resource Services products include employee handbooks, management manuals, and personnel and required regulatory forms. These products are designed to simplify clients’ office processes and enhance their employee benefits programs.

 

Sales and Marketing

 

We market our services primarily through our direct sales force based in the metropolitan markets we serve, with sales representatives specializing within our portfolio of services. For the year ending May 31, 2012 (“fiscal 2012”), our sales force is expected to total approximately 2,400 representatives. Our sales representatives are also supported by marketing, advertising, public relations, trade shows, and telemarketing programs. We have grown and expect to continue to grow our direct sales force. In recent years, we have increased our emphasis on the selling of ancillary services and products to both new clients and our existing client base.

 

In addition to our direct selling and marketing efforts, we utilize relationships with existing clients, certified public accountants (“CPAs”), and banks for new client referrals. More than 60% of our new core payroll clients (excluding acquisitions) come from these referral sources. To further enhance our strong relationship with CPAs, we have partnered with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (“AICPA”) as the preferred payroll provider for its AICPA Business Solutions Partner Program since 2003. This long-standing strategic alliance has been extended to September 2016.

 

Our website at www.paychex.com, which includes online payroll sales presentations and service and product information, is a cost-efficient tool that serves as a source of leads and new sales while complementing the efforts of our direct sales force. This online tool allows us to market to clients in more geographically remote areas. In addition, our insurance services website at www.paychexinsurance.com provides information to help small businesses navigate the insurance industry, and generates leads by allowing interested parties to get in contact with one of our professional insurance agents.

 

In addition, Advantage Payroll Services Inc. (“Advantage”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Paychex, Inc., has license agreements with independently owned associate offices (“Associates”), which are responsible for selling and marketing Advantage payroll services and performing certain operational functions, while Paychex and Advantage provide all centralized back-office payroll processing and payroll tax administration services. The marketing and selling by the Associates is conducted under their own logos.

 

Markets and Competition

 

Industry data indicates there are approximately ten million employers in the geographic markets that we currently serve within the U.S. Of those employers, approximately 99% have fewer than 100 employees and are our primary customers and target market. We remain focused on servicing small- to medium-sized businesses based upon the growth potential that we believe exists in this market segment.

 

We serve a diverse base of small- to medium-sized clients operating in a broad range of industries located throughout the U.S. As of May 31, 2011, we serviced approximately 564,000 clients. We utilize service agreements and arrangements with clients that are generally terminable by the client at any time or upon relatively short notice. For fiscal 2011, client retention was approximately 79% of our beginning client base, up two percentage points from the fiscal year ended May 31, 2010 (“fiscal 2010”). Clients lost in fiscal 2011 decreased 9% compared to fiscal

2010, largely due to fewer clients going out of business or having no employees. No single client has a material impact on total service revenue or results of operations.

 

The composition of the U.S. market and the client base we serve by number of employees is as follows:

 

 

 

 

The market for payroll processing and human resource services is highly competitive and fragmented. Our primary national competitor, ADP^® (“Automatic Data Processing, Inc.”), is the largest U.S. third-party provider of payroll processing and human resource services in terms of revenue. We compete with other national, regional, local, and online service providers, all of which we believe have significantly smaller client bases than us.

 

In addition to traditional payroll processing and human resource service providers, we compete with in-house payroll and human resource systems and departments. Payroll and human resource systems and software are sold by many vendors. Our Human Resource Services also compete with a variety of providers of human resource services, such as retirement services companies, insurance companies, and human resources and benefits consulting firms.

 

Competition in the payroll processing and human resource services industry is primarily based on service responsiveness, product quality and reputation, breadth of service and product offering, and price. We believe we are competitive in each of these areas.

 

Software Maintenance and Development

 

The ever-changing mandates of federal, state, and local tax and regulatory agencies require us to regularly update the proprietary software we utilize to provide payroll and human resource services to our clients. We are continually engaged in developing enhancements to and the maintenance of our various software platforms to meet the changing requirements of our clients and the marketplace.

 

In fiscal 2010, we completed implementation of an enhanced platform for our core processing capability, which allows us to leverage efficiencies in our processes and continue to provide excellent customer service. Over the next few years, we will expand this platform to additional service offerings.

 

Employees

 

As of May 31, 2011, we employed approximately 12,400 people. None of our employees were covered by collective bargaining agreements.

 

Intellectual Property

 

We own or license and use a number of trademarks, trade names, copyrights, service marks, trade secrets, computer programs and software, and other intellectual property rights. Taken as a whole, our intellectual property rights are material to the conduct of our business. Where it is determined to be appropriate, we take measures to protect our intellectual property rights, including, but not limited to, confidentiality/non-disclosure agreements or policies with employees, vendors, and others; license agreements with licensees and licensors of intellectual property; and registration of certain trademarks. We believe that the “Paychex” name, trademark, and logo are of material importance to us.

Seasonality

 

There is no significant seasonality to our business. However, during our third fiscal quarter, which ends in February, the number of new payroll clients, new retirement services clients, and new Paychex HR Solutions worksite employees tends to be higher than during the rest of the fiscal year, primarily because a majority of new clients begin using our services in the beginning of a calendar year. In addition, calendar year-end transaction processing and client funds activity are traditionally higher during our third fiscal quarter due to clients paying year-end bonuses and requesting additional year-end services. Historically, as a result of these factors, our total revenue has been slightly higher in our third fiscal quarter, with greater sales commission expenses also reported in this quarter.

 

Other

 

We are subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Therefore, we file periodic reports, proxy statements, and other information with the SEC. Such reports may be read and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street NE, Washington, D.C. 20549. Information regarding the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at (800) SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains a website (www.sec.gov) that includes our reports, proxy statements, and other information.

 

Information about our services and products, stockholder information, press releases, and filings with the SEC can be found on our website at www.paychex.com. Our Form 10-Ks, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and other SEC filings, and any amendments to such reports and filings, are made available, free of charge, on the Investor Relations section of our website as soon as reasonably practical after such material is filed with, or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act to, the SEC. Also, copies of our Annual Report to Stockholders and Proxy Statement, to be issued in connection with our 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, will be made available, free of charge, upon written request submitted to Paychex, Inc., c/o Corporate Secretary, 911 Panorama Trail South, Rochester, New York 14625-2396.

 

 

Our future results of operations are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from historical and current results and from our projections. Important factors known to us that could cause such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed below and those contained in the “Safe Harbor” statement at the beginning of Part I of this Form 10-K.

 

Our services may be adversely impacted by changes in government regulations and policies:  Many of our services, particularly payroll tax administration services and employee benefit plan administration services, are designed according to government regulations that continually change. Changes in regulations could affect the extent and type of benefits employers are required, or may choose, to provide employees or the amount and type of taxes employers and employees are required to pay. Such changes could reduce or eliminate the need for some of our services and substantially decrease our revenue. Added requirements could also increase our cost of doing business. Failure to educate and assist our clients regarding new or revised legislation that impacts them could have an adverse impact on our reputation. Failure by us to modify our services in a timely fashion in response to regulatory changes could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

 

Our interest earned on funds held for clients may be impacted by changes in government regulations mandating the amount of tax withheld or timing of remittance:  We receive interest income from investing client funds collected but not yet remitted to applicable tax or regulatory agencies or to client employees. A change in regulations either decreasing the amount of taxes to be withheld or allowing less time to remit taxes to applicable tax or regulatory agencies would adversely impact this interest income.

 

We may not be able to keep pace with changes in technology:  To maintain our growth strategy, we must adapt and respond to technological advances and technological requirements of our clients. Our future success will depend on our ability to enhance capabilities and increase the performance of our internal use systems, particularly our systems that meet our clients’ requirements. We continue to make significant investments related to the

development of new technology. If our systems become outdated, we may be at a disadvantage when competing in our industry. There can be no assurance that our efforts to update and integrate systems will be successful. If we do not integrate and update our systems in a timely manner, or if our investments in technology fail to provide the expected results, there could be a material adverse effect to our business and results of operations.

 

Our business and reputation may be affected by our ability to keep clients’ information confidential:  Our business involves the use of significant amounts of private and confidential client information including employees’ identification numbers, bank accounts, and retirement account information. This information is critical to the accurate and timely provision of services to our clients, and certain information may be transmitted via the Internet. There is no guarantee that our systems and processes are adequate to protect against all security breaches. If our systems are disrupted or fail for any reason, or if our systems are infiltrated by unauthorized persons, our clients could experience data loss, financial loss, harm to reputation, or significant business interruption. Such events may expose us to unexpected liability, litigation, regulation investigation and penalties, loss of clients’ business, unfavorable impact to business reputation, and there could be a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

 

We may be adversely impacted by any failure of third-party service providers to perform their functions:  As part of providing services to clients, we rely on a number of third-party service providers. These service providers include, but are not limited to, couriers used to deliver client payroll checks and banks used to electronically transfer funds from clients to their employees. Failure by these service providers, for any reason, to deliver their services in a timely manner could result in material interruptions to our operations, impact client relations, and result in significant penalties or liabilities to us.

 

We may be exposed to additional risks related to our co-employment relationship within our PEO business:  Many federal and state laws that apply to the employer-employee relationship do not specifically address the obligations and responsibilities of the “co-employment” relationship. As a result, there is a possibility that we may be subject to liability for violations of employment or discrimination laws by our clients and acts or omissions of client employees, who may be deemed to be our agents, even if we do not participate in any such acts or violations. Although our agreements with the clients provide that the client will indemnify us for any liability attributable to its own or its employees’ conduct, we may not be able to effectively enforce or collect such contractual obligations. In addition, we could be subject to liabilities with respect to our employee benefit plans if it were determined that we are not the “employer” under any applicable state or federal laws.

 

We may be adversely impacted by volatility in the financial and economic environment:  During periods of weak economic conditions, employment levels tend to decrease and interest rates may become more volatile. These conditions may impact our business due to lower transaction volumes or an increase in the number of clients going out of business. Current or potential clients may decide to reduce their spending on payroll and other outsourcing services. In addition, new business starts may be affected by an inability to obtain credit. The interest we earn on funds held for clients may decrease as a result of a decline in funds available to invest and lower interest rates. In addition, during periods of volatility in the credit markets, certain types of investments may not be available to us or may become too risky for us to invest in, further reducing the interest we may earn on client funds. Constriction in the credit markets may impact the availability of financing, even to borrowers with the highest credit ratings. We historically have not borrowed against available credit arrangements to meet liquidity needs. However, should we require additional short-term liquidity during days of large outflows of client funds, a credit constriction may limit our ability to access those funds or the flexibility to obtain them at interest rates that would be acceptable to us. If all of these financial and economic circumstances were to remain in effect for an extended period of time, there could be a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

 

In the event of a catastrophe, our business continuity plan may fail, which could result in the loss of client data and adversely interrupt operations:  Our operations are dependent on our ability to protect our infrastructure against damage from catastrophe or natural disaster, severe weather including events resulting from climate change, unauthorized security breach, power loss, telecommunications failure, terrorist attack, or other events that could have a significant disruptive effect on our operations. We have a business continuity plan in place in the event of system failure due to any of these events. Our business continuity plan has been tested in the past by circumstances of severe weather, including floods and snowstorms, and has been successful. However, these past successes are not

an indicator of success in the future. If the business continuity plan is unsuccessful in a disaster recovery scenario, we could potentially lose client data or experience material adverse interruptions to our operations or delivery of services to our clients.

 

We may have an adverse outcome of legal matters, which could harm our business:  We are subject to various claims and legal matters that arise in the normal course of business. These include disputes or potential disputes related to breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, employment-related claims, tax claims, and other matters. Refer to Item 3 of this Form 10-K for additional disclosure regarding legal proceedings. Legal matters are subject to inherent uncertainties and there exists the possibility that their ultimate resolution could have a material adverse effect on our financial position and results of operations in the period in which any such effect is recorded.

 

Quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk:  Refer to Item 7A of this Form 10-K for a discussion on Market Risk Factors.

 

 

None.

 

 

We owned and leased the following properties as of May 31, 2011:

 

 

Our facilities in Rochester, New York house various distribution, processing, and technology functions; certain ancillary functions; a telemarketing unit; and other back-office functions. Facilities outside of Rochester, New York are at various locations throughout the U.S. and Germany and house our regional, branch, and sales offices and data processing centers. These locations are concentrated in metropolitan areas. We believe that adequate, suitable lease space will continue to be available to meet our needs.

 

 

We are subject to various claims and legal matters that arise in the normal course of our business. These include disputes or potential disputes related to breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, employment-related claims, tax claims, and other matters.

 

Our management currently believes that resolution of outstanding legal matters will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations. However, legal matters are subject to inherent uncertainties and there exists the possibility that the ultimate resolution of these matters could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial position and the results of operations in the period in which any such effect is recorded.

 

PART II

 

 

Our common stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “PAYX.” Dividends have historically been paid on our common stock in August, November, February, and May. The level and continuation of future dividends are dependent on our future earnings and cash flows, and are subject to the discretion of the Board of Directors.

 

As of June 30, 2011, there were 15,344 holders of record of our common stock, which includes registered holders and participants in the Paychex, Inc. Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan. There were also 7,559 participants in the Paychex, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan and 6,019 participants in the Paychex, Inc. Employee Stock Ownership Plan.

 

The high and low sale prices for our common stock as reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market and dividends for fiscal 2011 and fiscal 2010 are as follows:

 

 

The closing price of our common stock as of May 31, 2011, as reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, was $32.30 per share.

The following graph shows a five-year comparison of the total cumulative returns of investing $100 on May 31, 2006, in Paychex common stock, the S&P 500 Index, and the S&P Data Processing and Outsourced Services (the “S&P S(DP)”) Index. We are a participant in the S&P 500 Index, a market group of companies with a larger than average market capitalization. The S&P S(DP) Index includes a representative peer group of companies, and includes Paychex. All comparisons of stock price performance shown assume reinvestment of dividends.

 

STOCK PRICE PERFORMANCE GRAPH

 

 

 

There can be no assurance that our stock performance will continue into the future with the same or similar trends depicted in the graph above. We will neither make nor endorse any predictions as to future stock performance.

 

 

 

 

 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations reviews the operating results of Paychex, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries (“Paychex,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) for each of the three fiscal years ended May 31, 2011 (“fiscal 2011”), May 31, 2010 (“fiscal 2010”), and May 31, 2009 (“fiscal 2009”), and our financial condition as of May 31, 2011. This review should be read in conjunction with the accompanying consolidated financial statements and the related notes to consolidated financial statements contained in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K (“Form 10-K”) and the “Risk Factors” discussed in Item 1A of this Form 10-K. Forward-looking statements in this review are qualified by the cautionary statement under the heading “Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995” contained at the beginning of Part I of this Form 10-K.

 

Overview

 

We are a leading provider of payroll, human resource, and benefits outsourcing solutions for small- to medium-sized businesses. Our Payroll and Human Resource Services offer a portfolio of services and products that allow our clients to meet their diverse payroll and human resource needs. Our payroll services are the foundation of our service portfolio. They are provided through either our core payroll or Major Market Services (“MMS”), which is utilized by clients that have more sophisticated payroll and benefits needs, and include:

 

 

In addition to the above, our software-as-a-service option through our MMS platform provides human resource management, employee benefits management, time and attendance systems, online expense reporting, and applicant tracking.

Our Human Resource Services primarily include:

 

 

We earn revenue mainly through recurring fees for services performed. Service revenue is primarily driven by the number of clients, checks or transactions per client per pay period, and utilization of ancillary services. We also earn interest on funds held for clients between the time of collection from our clients and remittance to the applicable tax or regulatory agencies or client employees. Our business strategy is focused on achieving strong long-term financial performance by providing high-quality, timely, accurate, and affordable services; growing our client base; increasing utilization of our ancillary services; leveraging our technology and operating infrastructure; and expanding our service offerings.

 

Our financial results for fiscal 2011 reflected year-over-year growth. We continued to see improvement in many of our key business indicators, especially in checks per client. Checks per client increased 2.1% for fiscal 2011, compared to a decline of 2.6% for fiscal 2010. Checks per client began to show year-over-year growth in the three months ending May 31, 2010 with 1.1% growth for that quarter and continued to improve throughout fiscal 2011, reflecting increases of 1.2%, 2.5%, 2.8%, and 2.0% for each of the sequential quarters. Our revenue growth has been modest, as new sales units were relatively flat compared to the prior year, largely due to lack of growth in new business starts.

 

Our financial results continue to be adversely impacted by the interest rate environment. The equity markets hit a low in March 2009, with interest rates available on high quality financial instruments remaining low since that time. The Federal Funds rate has been at a range of zero to 0.25% since December 2008. Our combined funds held for clients and corporate investment portfolios earned an average rate of return of 1.3% for fiscal 2011, compared to 1.5% for fiscal 2010 and 2.1% for fiscal 2009.

 

We continue to manage our headcount and expenses while investing in our business, particularly in areas related to selling and servicing our clients, product development, and the technology required to support these areas. We believe these investments are critical to our success. Looking to the future, we continue to focus on investing in our products, people, and service capabilities, positioning ourselves to capitalize on opportunities for long-term growth.

 

Highlights of our financial results for fiscal 2011 compared to fiscal 2010 are as follows:

 

 

 

During fiscal 2011, we completed the acquisition of two software-as-a-service companies, opening up additional areas of the markets we serve. SurePayroll, Inc. (“SurePayroll”), a provider of payroll processing for small businesses, was acquired on February 8, 2011 for $114.9 million, net of cash acquired. SurePayroll serves small businesses with its easy-to-use, online payroll product and mobile application. This acquisition allows us entry into a new area of the online payroll market, and provides our clients with a mobile self-service alternative. The acquisition of SurePayroll was dilutive to fiscal 2011 by less than $0.01 per share. ePlan Services, Inc. (“ePlan”), a provider of recordkeeping and administrative solutions to the defined contribution marketplace, was acquired on May 3, 2011 for $15.2 million, net of cash acquired. Both entities now operate as wholly owned subsidiaries of Paychex. Our financial results include the results of these entities from their respective dates of acquisition. Neither acquisition is significant to our consolidated financial statements.

 

Non-GAAP Financial Measure

 

In addition to reporting operating income, a United States (“U.S.”) generally accepted accounting principle (“GAAP”) measure, we present operating income, net of certain items, which is a non-GAAP measure. We believe operating income, net of certain items, is an appropriate additional measure, as it is an indicator of our core business operations performance period over period. It is also the basis of the measure used internally for establishing the following year’s targets and measuring management’s performance in connection with certain performance-based compensation payments and awards. Operating income, net of certain items, excludes interest on funds held for clients and the expense charge in fiscal 2010 to increase the litigation reserve. Interest on funds held for clients is an adjustment to operating income due to the volatility of interest rates, which are not within the control of management. The expense charge to increase the litigation reserve is also an adjustment to operating income due to its unusual and infrequent nature. It is outside the normal course of our operations and obscures the comparability of performance period over period. Operating income, net of certain items, is not calculated through the application of GAAP and is not the required form of disclosure by the Securities and Exchange Commission. As such, it should not be considered as a substitute for the GAAP measure of operating income and, therefore, should not be used in isolation, but in conjunction with the GAAP measure. The use of any non-GAAP measure may produce results that vary from the GAAP measure and may not be comparable to a similarly defined non-GAAP measure used by other companies. Operating income, net of certain items, increased 7% to $738.3 million for fiscal 2011, compared to $688.5 million for fiscal 2010 and $729.7 million for fiscal 2009.

 

Business Outlook

 

Our client base was approximately 564,000 clients as of May 31, 2011, compared to approximately 536,000 clients as of May 31, 2010, and approximately 554,000 clients as of May 31, 2009. Our client base increased 5.2% for fiscal 2011, compared to declines of 3.2% for fiscal 2010 and 3.1% for fiscal 2009. Excluding the impact of 33,000 SurePayroll clients, our client base would have declined 0.9% for fiscal 2011. This reduction reflects the impact of lack of growth in new business starts on our client base, as our new sales units were relatively flat compared to fiscal 2010. On a positive note, our sales to clients who previously utilized the services of local and regional competitors improved for fiscal 2011.

 

For fiscal 2011, payroll services client retention was approximately 79% of our beginning client base, a two percentage point improvement over the prior year, as clients lost decreased 9% for fiscal 2011 compared to fiscal 2010. The decrease in client losses was largely attributable to fewer clients going out of business or having no employees for fiscal 2011 compared to fiscal 2010. In addition, we lost fewer clients to local and regional competitors for fiscal 2011. Through our focus on providing high-quality service to our customers to maximize client retention, we received the highest client satisfaction results in the past several years.

 

Ancillary services effectively leverage payroll processing data and, therefore, are beneficial to our operating margin. The following statistics demonstrate the growth in our ancillary service offerings:

 

 

 

 

Continued investment in our business is critical to our success. In fiscal 2011, we made investments in our sales force and product development. Our sales force increased 2% to 2,380 sales representatives for fiscal 2011, and is expected to grow 1% to 2,400 sales representatives for the fiscal year ending May 31, 2012 (“fiscal 2012”). This growth is driven primarily by increases in insurance services and other Human Resource Services offerings.

 

We have continued to expand our enhanced payroll processing platform to include additional service offerings. This new platform allows us to leverage efficiencies in our processes and continue to provide excellent customer service to our clients. Our enhanced platform has led to improved productivity within our operations, contributing to the increase in our operating income, net of certain items, as a percentage of service revenue to 36.3% for fiscal 2011, compared to 35.4% for the prior year.

 

Over the next few years, we will continue to invest in our product development, as we believe it is critical to our success. We have introduced new product offerings to add value for our clients. In fiscal 2011, we introduced Paychex HR Essentials, an ASO offering that provides support to our clients over the phone or online to help manage employee-related topics. We also introduced Paychex SmartTime^tm time clocks for small businesses. This self-contained system offers small businesses an economical, easy-to-use time and attendance solution that automatically collects and calculates employee hours, and integrates with Paychex payroll.

 

We continued the expansion of our insurance services nationwide, simplifying the process required to obtain coverage through our network of national and regional insurers. We now service over 100,000 clients through our subsidiary, Paychex Insurance Agency, Inc. We believe insurance services is an area that continues to offer significant opportunities for future growth.

 

We strengthened our position as an expert in our industry by serving as a source of education and information to clients and other interested parties. We provide free webinars, white papers, and other information on our website to aid existing and prospective clients with the impact of regulatory changes. In addition, the Paychex Insurance Agency, Inc. website, www.paychexinsurance.com, helps small business owners navigate the area of insurance coverage.

 

Financial position and liquidity

 

The volatility in the global financial markets that began in September 2008 continues to curtail available liquidity and limit investment choices. Despite this macroeconomic environment, as of May 31, 2011, our financial position remained strong with cash and total corporate investments of $671.3 million and no debt.

 

Our investment strategy focuses on optimizing liquidity and protecting principal. Yields on high quality financial instruments remain low, negatively impacting our income earned on funds held for clients and corporate investments. We invest predominately in municipal bonds — general obligation bonds; pre-refunded bonds, which are secured by a U.S. government escrow; and essential services revenue bonds. Our primary short-term investment vehicle has been U.S. agency discount notes. Starting in November 2009, we began to invest in select A-1/P-1-rated variable rate demand notes (“VRDNs”) and have gradually increased our investment in VRDNs to $828.3 million as of May 31, 2011. During fiscal 2011, we earned an after-tax rate of approximately 0.23% for VRDNs compared to approximately 0.06% for U.S. agency discount notes.

 

We invest primarily in high credit quality securities with AAA and AA ratings and short-term securities with A-1/P-1 ratings. We limit the amounts that can be invested in any single issuer and invest in short- to intermediate-term instruments whose fair value is less sensitive to interest rate changes. We believe that our investments as of May 31, 2011 were not other-than-temporarily impaired, nor has any event occurred subsequent to that date that would indicate any other-than-temporary impairment. All investments held as of May 31, 2011 were traded in active markets.

 

Our primary source of cash is our ongoing operations. Cash flow from operations was $715.3 million for fiscal 2011. Historically, we have funded our operations, capital purchases, business acquisitions, and dividend payments from our operating activities. Our positive cash flows in fiscal 2011 allowed us to support our business growth and to pay substantial dividends to our stockholders. During fiscal 2011, dividends paid to stockholders were 87% of net income. It is anticipated that cash and total corporate investments as of May 31, 2011, along with projected operating cash flows, will support our normal business operations, capital purchases, and dividend payments for the foreseeable future.

 

For further analysis of our results of operations for fiscal years 2011, 2010, and 2009, and our financial position as of May 31, 2011, refer to the tables and analysis in the “Results of Operations” and “Liquidity and Capital Resources” sections of this Item 7 and the discussion in the “Critical Accounting Policies” section of this Item 7.

 

Outlook

 

Our outlook for fiscal 2012 is based upon current economic and interest rate conditions continuing with no significant changes. Consistent with our policy regarding guidance, our projections do not anticipate or speculate on future changes to interest rates. Our fiscal 2012 guidance reflects anticipated results for SurePayroll and ePlan. The anticipated service revenue impact is approximately 2% and the earnings dilution is expected to be approximately $0.01 per share, mainly due to amortization of acquired intangible assets. Our fiscal 2012 guidance is as follows:

 

 

Operating income, net of certain items, as a percentage of service revenue is expected to range from 35% to 36% for fiscal 2012. The effective income tax rate is expected to approximate 35% for fiscal 2012.

 

Interest on funds held for clients and investment income for fiscal 2012 are expected to be impacted by the continuing low-interest-rate environment. The average rate of return on our combined funds held for clients and corporate investment portfolios is expected to be 1.2% for fiscal 2012. As of May 31, 2011, the long-term investment portfolio had an average yield-to-maturity of 2.6% and an average duration of 2.4 years. In the next twelve months, slightly more than 20% of this portfolio will mature, and it is currently anticipated that these proceeds will be reinvested at a lower average interest rate of approximately 1.0%. Investment income is expected to benefit from ongoing investment of cash generated from operations, though at a lower growth rate as a result of cash outlays in fiscal 2011 for business acquisitions.

 

Under normal financial market conditions, the impact to our earnings from a 25-basis-point increase or decrease in short-term interest rates would be in the range of $3.5 million to $4.0 million, after taxes, for a twelve-month period. Such a basis point change may or may not be tied to changes in the Federal Funds rate.

 

Purchases of property and equipment for fiscal 2012 are expected to be in the range of $90 million to $95 million. This includes costs for internally developed software as we continue to invest in our product development. Fiscal 2012 depreciation expense is projected to be in the range of $75 million to $80 million, and we project amortization of intangible assets for fiscal 2012 to be in the range of $20 million to $25 million. Intangible assets acquired from SurePayroll and ePlan are expected to increase amortization expense for fiscal 2012, partially offset by the impact of fully amortized intangibles.

Results of Operations

 

Summary of Results of Operations for the Fiscal Years Ended May 31:

 

 

We invest in highly liquid, investment-grade fixed income securities and do not utilize derivative instruments to manage interest rate risk. As of May 31, 2011, we had no exposure to high-risk or illiquid investments. Details regarding our combined funds held for clients and corporate investment portfolios are as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

Payroll service revenue:  Payroll service revenue increased 2% to $1.4 billion for fiscal 2011, compared to a 5% decline for fiscal 2010. Fiscal 2011 revenue benefited from an increase in checks per client and revenue per check. Checks per client increased 2.1% for fiscal 2011 compared to fiscal 2010. Revenue per check was positively impacted by lower discounting within our overall client base and price increases. Our client base, excluding the impact of SurePayroll, declined 0.9% during fiscal 2011. This was largely attributable to the adverse impact on the sales of new units from lack of growth in new business starts. Client retention improved for fiscal 2011, with client losses that were 9% lower than for fiscal 2010, largely a result of fewer clients going out of business or having no employees. In addition, fiscal 2011 new sales units and client losses related to local and regional competitors improved compared to the prior year.

 

The decrease in payroll service revenue for fiscal 2010 was as a result of the cumulative adverse effects of weak economic conditions on our client base and check volume. Our client base decreased 3.2% during fiscal 2010 and checks per client decreased 2.6% for fiscal 2010 compared to fiscal 2009.

 

Human Resource Services revenue:  Human Resource Services revenue increased 10% for fiscal 2011 and 3% for fiscal 2010 to $597.4 million and $540.9 million, respectively. Human Resource Services revenue growth for both fiscal 2011 and fiscal 2010 was impacted by the revenue earned from Stromberg time and attendance operations (“Stromberg”), an immaterial component of Paychex, prior to its sale in October 2009. In addition, retirement services revenue growth for fiscal 2010 was impacted by billings in fiscal 2009 related to restatements of clients’ retirement plans required by statute, which are not expected to recur for approximately six years. This favorably impacted retirement services revenue growth for fiscal 2009 by $12.4 million and did not recur in fiscal 2010. Excluding the impact of Stromberg in both fiscal 2011 and fiscal 2010, and the impact of retirement plan restatement billings for fiscal 2010, Human Resource Services revenue growth would have been as follows:

 

This growth was generated from the following:

 

 

 

 

Human Resource Services revenue growth for fiscal 2011 reflects modest improvements in economic conditions, the client growth noted above, and price increases. Paychex HR Solutions revenue for fiscal 2011 was positively impacted by increases in both clients and client employees. Contributing to this growth in clients and client employees is our new product offering, Paychex HR Essentials. Growth in certain products that are primarily beneficial to our MMS clients contributed positively to Human Resource Services revenue growth for both fiscal 2011 and fiscal 2010. Also, insurance services revenue continued to grow as a result of increases in both health and benefits services and workers’ compensation insurance services revenue. Health and benefits services revenue continued its accelerated growth since inception, increasing 29% for fiscal 2011 and 49% for fiscal 2010, driven primarily by the number of applicants.

 

Somewhat offsetting these positive factors, fluctuations in our PEO revenue had an adverse impact on Human Resource Services revenue growth for fiscal 2011. PEO net service revenue is more variable quarter to quarter than our other revenue streams due to fluctuations in adding and retaining client employees as healthcare rates change.

 

For fiscal 2010, client growth as noted above positively impacted Human Resource Services Revenue; however, the rates of growth were adversely affected by the cumulative impact of weak economic conditions on our client base. This particularly affected retirement services, although client growth for retirement services rebounded somewhat late in fiscal 2010 as client losses improved compared to the prior year.

 

In fiscal 2011 and fiscal 2010, the 35% and 33% increases in the asset value of retirement services client employees’ funds were driven by recovery in the financial markets and increased levels of larger plans converting to Paychex. For both fiscal 2011 and fiscal 2010, retirement services revenue growth was adversely impacted by a shift in the mix of assets in the retirement services client employees’ funds to investments earning lower fees from external fund managers.

 

Total service revenue:  Total service revenue increased 5% for fiscal 2011 and declined 3% for fiscal 2010, attributable to the factors previously discussed.

 

Interest on funds held for clients:  The decrease of 13% in interest on funds held for clients for fiscal 2011 compared to fiscal 2010 was the result of lower average interest rates earned, offset somewhat by an increase in average investment balances. The decrease of 27% in interest on funds held for clients for fiscal 2010 compared to fiscal 2009 was the result of lower average interest rates earned and lower average investment balances, offset somewhat by higher net realized gains on sales of available-for-sale securities.

 

Average investment balances for funds held for clients increased 6% for fiscal 2011 and decreased 5% for fiscal 2010. The increase in average investment balances for fiscal 2011 was the result of increases in state unemployment insurance rates for the 2011 calendar year and the increase in checks per client, offset somewhat by the lingering effects of the difficult economic conditions on our client base. The decline in average investment balances for fiscal 2010 was the result of the cumulative adverse effect of weak economic conditions on our client

base and lower tax withholdings for client employees resulting from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the “economic stimulus package”). In the second half of fiscal 2010, the impact of these factors was partially offset by increases in state unemployment insurance rates for the 2010 calendar year. The economic stimulus package went into effect in April 2009, and its impact on year-over-year comparisons of average investment balances had abated in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010. This factor, along with the increases in state unemployment insurance rates, resulted in average investment balances for funds held for clients growing 3% for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010 compared to the same period in fiscal 2009.

 

Refer to the “Market Risk Factors” section, contained in Item 7A of this Form 10-K, for more information on changing interest rates.

 

Combined operating and SG&A expenses:  The following table summarizes total combined operating and selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses for fiscal years:

 

 

During fiscal 2010, we recorded an expense charge of $18.7 million to increase our litigation reserve. Refer to Note M of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, contained in Item 8 of this Form 10-K, for additional information on legal matters.

 

Excluding the aforementioned $18.7 million expense charge, combined operating and SG&A expenses increased 3% for fiscal 2011 and decreased 2% for fiscal 2010. The increase for fiscal 2011 was primarily driven by personnel-related costs, in part due to reinstatement of salary increases and 401(k) match as indicated below. In addition, we continued to invest in our product development and supporting technology. Improvements in productivity with related lower headcount in operations have moderated this increase. Fiscal 2011 compensation-related expenses include one-time costs related to the separation agreement entered into during the three months ended August 31, 2010 with Jonathan J. Judge, our former President and Chief Executive Officer. Expenses of SurePayroll and ePlan, which are included in our results since their respective acquisition dates, further impacted the growth in operating and SG&A expenses.

 

The decline in combined operating and SG&A expenses for fiscal 2010 was generated from cost control measures and lower headcount, offset slightly by costs related to continued investment in our sales force, customer service, and product development and supporting technology. In fiscal 2010, we saved approximately $30.0 million from a freeze on salary increases and providing no matching contributions to our 401(k) plan. We reinstituted salary increases beginning March 1, 2010 and reinstated a 401(k) match effective January 1, 2011.

 

As of May 31, 2011, we had approximately 12,400 employees compared with approximately 12,200 employees as of May 31, 2010 and 12,500 employees as of May 31, 2009.

 

Depreciation expense is primarily related to buildings, furniture and fixtures, data processing equipment, and software. Increases in depreciation expense were due to capital expenditures as we invested in technology and continued to grow our business. Amortization of intangible assets is primarily related to client list acquisitions, which are amortized using either straight-line or accelerated methods. Depreciation and amortization increased in fiscal 2011 due to the acquisitions of SurePayroll and ePlan. Other expenses include items such as delivery, forms and supplies, communications, travel and entertainment, professional services, and other costs incurred to support our business. The increase in other expenses for fiscal 2011 was primarily attributable to the largely fourth quarter impact from our two acquisitions.

Operating income:  Operating income increased 8% for fiscal 2011 and declined 10% for fiscal 2010. The fluctuations in operating income were attributable to the factors previously discussed.

 

Operating income, net of certain items, is as follows for fiscal years:

 

 

Refer to the previous discussion of operating income, net of certain items, in the “Non-GAAP Financial Measure” section on page 14.

 

Investment income, net:  Investment income, net, primarily represents earnings from our cash and cash equivalents and investments in available-for-sale securities. Investment income does not include interest on funds held for clients, which is included in total revenue. The increase of 29% in investment income for fiscal 2011 compared to fiscal 2010 was the result of higher average invested balances and a slight increase in average interest rates earned. The 1% increase in average investment balances for fiscal 2011 was the result of investment of cash generated from operations, partially offset by cash utilized to fund the acquisitions of SurePayroll and ePlan during the second half of fiscal 2011. The increase in average interest rates earned on corporate investments was primarily driven by higher yields on funds invested into our longer-term investment portfolio compared to the prior year. The decrease of 34% in investment income for fiscal 2010 compared to fiscal 2009 was the result of lower average interest rates earned offset somewhat by higher average investment balances resulting from investment of cash generated from operations.

 

Income taxes:  Our effective income tax rate was 35.0% for fiscal 2011, compared to 34.6% for fiscal 2010, and 34.3% for fiscal 2009. The increase in our effective tax rate for fiscal 2011 was primarily attributable to lower tax-exempt income on available-for-sale securities during fiscal 2011 compared to fiscal 2010. The increase in our effective income tax rate for fiscal 2010 was primarily the result of higher state income tax rates from state legislative changes. Refer to Note I of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, contained in Item 8 of this Form 10-K, for additional disclosures on income taxes.

 

Net income and earnings per share:  Net income increased 8% to $515.3 million for fiscal 2011 and decreased 11% to $477.0 million for fiscal 2010. Diluted earnings per share increased 8% to 1.42 per share for fiscal 2011 and decreased 11% to $1.32 per share for fiscal 2010. These fluctuations were attributable to the factors previously discussed. In particular, the $18.7 million expense charge to increase the litigation reserve reduced diluted earnings per share by $0.03 per share for fiscal 2010. Combined interest on funds held for clients and corporate investment income for fiscal 2010 decreased 28% or $22.8 million, reducing diluted earnings per share by $0.04 per share.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

The volatility in the global financial markets that began in September 2008 continues to curtail available liquidity and limit investment choices. Despite this macroeconomic environment, our financial position as of May 31, 2011 remained strong with cash and total corporate investments of $671.3 million and no debt. We also believe that our investments as of May 31, 2011 were not other-than-temporarily impaired, nor has any event occurred subsequent to that date that would indicate any other-than-temporary impairment. We anticipate that cash and total corporate investments as of May 31, 2011, along with projected operating cash flows will support our normal business operations, capital purchases, and dividend payments for the foreseeable future.

Commitments and Contractual Obligations

 

Lines of credit:  As of May 31, 2011, we had unused borrowing capacity available under four uncommitted, secured, short-term lines of credit at market rates of interest with financial institutions as follows:

 

 

Our credit facilities are evidenced by promissory notes and are secured by separate pledge security agreements by and between Paychex and each of the financial institutions (the “Lenders”), pursuant to which we have granted each of the Lenders a security interest in certain of our investment securities accounts. The collateral is maintained in a pooled custody account pursuant to the terms of a control agreement and is to be administered under an intercreditor agreement among the Lenders. Under certain circumstances, individual Lenders may require that collateral be transferred from the pooled account into segregated accounts for the benefit of such individual Lenders.

 

The primary uses of the lines of credit would be to meet short-term funding requirements related to deposit account overdrafts and client fund obligations arising from electronic payment transactions on behalf of our clients in the ordinary course of business, if necessary. No amounts were outstanding against these lines of credit during fiscal 2011 or as of May 31, 2011.

 

JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. and Bank of America, N.A. are also parties to our irrevocable standby letters of credit, which are discussed below.

 

Letters of credit:  As of May 31, 2011, we had irrevocable standby letters of credit outstanding totaling $47.4 million, required to secure commitments for certain of our insurance policies. The letters of credit expire at various dates between July 2011 and December 2011, and are collateralized by securities held in our investment portfolios. No amounts were outstanding on these letters of credit during fiscal 2011 or as of May 31, 2011. Subsequent to May 31, 2011, the letter of credit expiring in July 2011 was renewed and will expire in July 2012.

 

Other commitments:  We have entered into various operating leases and purchase obligations that, under GAAP, are not reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of May 31, 2011. The table below summarizes our estimated annual payment obligations under these commitments as of May 31, 2011:

 

 

 

 

The liability for uncertain tax positions was approximately $34.4 million as of May 31, 2011. Refer to Note I of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, contained in Item 8 of this Form 10-K, for more information on income taxes. We are not able to reasonably estimate the timing of future cash flows related to this liability and have excluded it from the table above. We are currently under a state income tax audit for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2004 through 2009. On July 14, 2010, we received a summary of proposed tax adjustments from the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, which was in excess of the reserve recorded as of May 31, 2011. The outcome

of the audit and the timing of settlement, if any, are subject to significant uncertainty. It is not possible to reasonably estimate the impact, if any, if resolution is ultimately unfavorable to us.

 

Certain deferred compensation plan obligations and other long-term liabilities amounting to $52.1 million are excluded from the table above because the timing of actual payments cannot be specifically or reasonably determined due to the variability in assumptions required to project the timing of future payments.

 

Advantage Payroll Services Inc. (“Advantage”) has license agreements with independently owned associate offices (“Associates”), which are responsible for selling and marketing Advantage payroll services and performing certain operational functions, while Paychex and Advantage provide all centralized back-office payroll processing and payroll tax administration services. Under these arrangements, Advantage pays the Associates commissions based on processing activity for the related clients. When we acquired Advantage, there were fifteen Associates. Over the past few years, some arrangements with various Associates have been discontinued, and there are currently fewer than ten Associates. Since the actual amounts of future payments are uncertain, obligations under these arrangements are not included in the table above. Commission expense for the Associates for fiscal years 2011, 2010, and 2009 was $10.4 million, $9.9 million, and $12.3 million, respectively.

 

In the normal course of business, we make representations and warranties that guarantee the performance of services under service arrangements with clients. Historically, there have been no material losses related to such guarantees. In addition, we have entered into indemnification agreements with our officers and directors, which require us to defend and, if necessary, indemnify these individuals for certain pending or future legal claims as they relate to their services provided to us. We guarantee performance of service on annual maintenance contracts for clients who financed their service contracts through a third party.

 

We currently self-insure the deductible portion of various insured exposures under certain employee benefit plans. Our estimated loss exposure under these insurance arrangements is recorded in other current liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Historically, the amounts accrued have not been material. We also maintain insurance coverage in addition to our purchased primary insurance policies for gap coverage for employment practices liability, errors and omissions, warranty liability, theft and embezzlement, and acts of terrorism; and capacity for deductibles and self-insured retentions through our captive insurance company.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

As part of our ongoing business, we do not participate in transactions with unconsolidated entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other limited purposes. We do maintain investments as a limited partner in low-income housing projects that are not considered part of our ongoing operations. These investments are accounted for under the equity method of accounting and are less than 1% of our total assets as of May 31, 2011.

 

Operating Cash Flow Activities

 

 

The increase in our operating cash flows for fiscal 2011 resulted mainly from an increase in net income and fluctuations in operating assets and liabilities. The decrease in our operating cash flows for fiscal 2010 related primarily to lower net income adjusted for non-cash items and changes in operating assets and liabilities. The increase in non-cash adjustments to net income in fiscal 2010 is primarily due to the $18.7 million expense charge to increase the litigation reserve, partially offset by the related increase in deferred tax benefit. The fluctuations in our operating assets and liabilities between periods for both fiscal 2011 and fiscal 2010 were primarily related to the timing of collections from clients and payments for compensation, PEO payroll, income tax, and other liabilities.

Investing Cash Flow Activities

 

 

Funds held for clients and corporate investments:  Funds held for clients consist of short-term funds and available-for-sale securities. Corporate investments are primarily comprised of available-for-sale securities. The portfolio of funds held for clients and corporate investments is detailed in Note E of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, contained in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.

 

The fluctuations in the net change in funds held for clients and corporate investment activities reflect the changing mix of investments. As a result of volatility in the financial markets, in September 2008 we divested of any VRDN securities held and began to utilize U.S. agency discount notes as our primary short-term investment vehicle. U.S. agency discount notes are cash equivalents. VRDNs, although priced and traded as short-term securities, are classified as available-for-sale securities and the cash paid and proceeds received for these securities are included in investing activities. As a result of the divestiture, the proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities exceeded the purchases of available-for-sale securities in fiscal 2009. Much of these proceeds were held as cash equivalents in the funds held for clients’ portfolio. In November 2009, we began to again invest in select A-1/P-1-rated VRDNs, although at considerably lower levels than in the prior year. We utilized some of our cash equivalents to purchase these VRDNs, and in fiscal 2010 these purchases of available-for-sale securities were in excess of funds received from any sales of available-for-sale securities. Also in fiscal 2010, more corporate funds have been invested in longer-term municipal bonds. In fiscal 2011, we continued to increase our investment in VRDNs and the amounts of purchases and sales for available-for-sale securities increased. However, partially offsetting this impact was the related liquidation of cash equivalents and the impact on cash equivalents from timing within the funds held for clients’ portfolio of remittances versus collections. See further discussion of this timing in the financing cash flows discussion of net change in client fund obligations.

 

In general, fluctuations in net funds held for clients and corporate investment activities primarily relate to timing of purchases, sales, or maturities of investments. The amount of funds held for clients will vary based upon the timing of collection of client funds, and the related remittance of funds to applicable tax or regulatory agencies for payroll tax administration services and to employees of clients utilizing employee payment services. Additional discussion of interest rates and related risks is included in the “Market Risk Factors” section, contained in Item 7A of this Form 10-K.

 

Purchases of long-lived assets:  To support our continued client and ancillary product growth, purchases of property and equipment were made for data processing equipment and software, and for the expansion and upgrade of various operating facilities. During fiscal years 2011, 2010, and 2009, we purchased approximately $5.7 million, $3.2 million, and $4.5 million, respectively, of data processing equipment and software from EMC Corporation. The Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of EMC Corporation is a member of our Board of Directors (the “Board”).

 

During fiscal 2011, we paid $126.4 million for the acquisitions of SurePayroll and ePlan. During fiscal 2010, we received $13.1 million from the sale of Stromberg, an immaterial component of the Company. The purchases of other assets were for customer lists.

Financing Cash Flow Activities

 

 

Net change in client fund obligations:  The client fund obligations liability will vary based on the timing of collecting client funds, and the related required remittance of funds to applicable tax or regulatory agencies for payroll tax administration services and to employees of clients utilizing employee payment services. Collections from clients are typically remitted from one to 30 days after receipt, with some items extending to 90 days. The outflow of funds for fiscal 2011 as compared to fiscal 2010 is the result of timing of collections and remittances surrounding the Federal holiday on May 31, 2010, offset by an increase in client fund obligations for higher withholdings for state unemployment insurance related to rate increases for calendar year 2011. As a result of May 31, 2010 being a Federal holiday, client fund obligations were higher as collections were made on Friday, May 28, 2010 that were not remitted to client employees and tax or regulatory agencies until June 2010. This resulted in a positive cash flow impact for fiscal 2010. Also, for fiscal 2010 there was an increase in client fund obligations as a result of higher withholdings for state unemployment insurance related to rate increases for the 2010 calendar year. May 31, 2011 did not fall on a Federal holiday, so we did not have the same level of client fund holdings at the end of fiscal 2011.

 

Dividends paid:  A quarterly dividend of $0.31 per share was paid to stockholders of record during fiscal years 2011, 2010, and 2009. The dividends paid as a percentage of net income totaled 87%, 94%, and 84% for those respective fiscal years. The payment of future dividends is dependent on our future earnings and cash flow and is subject to the discretion of our Board.

 

Exercise of stock options:  Proceeds from exercise and excess tax benefit related to stock-based awards increased for fiscal 2011 and decreased for fiscal 2010 as compared to the respective prior years. Common shares acquired through exercise of stock options were 0.4 million shares for each of fiscal years 2011, 2010, and 2009. The increase for fiscal 2011 was the result of a higher average exercise price than for fiscal 2010. Refer to Note D of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, contained in Item 8 of this Form 10-K, for additional disclosures on our stock-based compensation incentive plans.

 

Other

 

Recently adopted accounting pronouncements:  Refer to Note A of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, contained in Item 8 of this Form 10-K, for a discussion of recently adopted accounting pronouncements.

 

Recently issued accounting pronouncements:  At this time, we do not anticipate that recently issued accounting guidance that has not yet been adopted will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. Refer to Note A of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, contained in Item 8 of this Form 10-K, for a discussion of recently issued accounting pronouncements.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

Note A of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, contained in Item 8 of this Form 10-K, discusses the significant accounting policies of Paychex. Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates, judgments, and assumptions that affect reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue, and expenses. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate the accounting policies and estimates used to prepare the consolidated financial statements. We base our estimates on

historical experience, future expectations, and assumptions believed to be reasonable under current facts and circumstances. Actual amounts and results could differ from these estimates. Certain accounting policies that are deemed critical to our results of operations or financial position are discussed below.

 

Revenue recognition:  Service revenue is recognized in the period services are rendered and earned under service arrangements with clients where service fees are fixed or determinable and collectibility is reasonably assured. Certain processing services are provided under annual service arrangements with revenue recognized ratably over the annual service period. Our service revenue is largely attributable to payroll-related processing services where the fee is based on a fixed amount per processing period or a fixed amount per processing period plus a fee per employee or transaction processed. The revenue earned from delivery service for the distribution of certain client payroll checks and reports is included in service revenue, and the costs for delivery are included in operating expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Income.

 

PEO revenue is included in service revenue and is reported net of direct costs billed and incurred, which include wages, taxes, benefit premiums, and claims of PEO worksite employees. Direct costs billed and incurred were $3.9 billion for fiscal 2011, $3.1 billion for fiscal 2010, and $2.6 billion for fiscal 2009.

 

Revenue from Stromberg time and attendance solutions was recognized during fiscal 2009 and fiscal 2010 until the date of disposition, when all of the following were present: persuasive evidence that an arrangement existed, typically a non-cancelable sales order; delivery was complete for the software and hardware; the fee was fixed or determinable and free of contingencies; and collectibility was reasonably assured. Maintenance contracts were generally purchased by our clients in conjunction with their purchase of certain time and attendance solutions. Revenue from these maintenance contracts was recognized ratably over the term of the contract.

 

Interest on funds held for clients is earned primarily on funds that are collected from clients before due dates for payroll tax administration services and for employee payment services, and invested until remittance to the applicable tax or regulatory agencies or client employees. These collections from clients are typically remitted from one to 30 days after receipt, with some items extending to 90 days. The interest earned on these funds is included in total revenue on the Consolidated Statements of Income because the collecting, holding, and remitting of these funds are critical components of providing these services. Interest on funds held for clients also includes net realized gains and losses from the sales of available-for-sale securities.

 

PEO workers’ compensation insurance:  Workers’ compensation insurance reserves are established to provide for the estimated costs of paying claims underwritten by us. These reserves include estimates for reported losses, plus amounts for those claims incurred but not reported and estimates of certain expenses associated with processing and settling the claims. In establishing the workers’ compensation insurance reserves, we use an independent actuarial estimate of undiscounted future cash payments that would be made to settle the claims.

 

Estimating the ultimate cost of future claims is an uncertain and complex process based upon historical loss experience and actuarial loss projections, and is subject to change due to multiple factors, including economic trends, changes in legal liability law, and damage awards, all of which could materially impact the reserves as reported in the consolidated financial statements. Accordingly, final claim settlements may vary from our present estimates, particularly when those payments may not occur until well into the future.

 

We regularly review the adequacy of our estimated workers’ compensation insurance reserves. Adjustments to previously established reserves are reflected in our results of operations for the period in which the adjustment is identified. Such adjustments could possibly be significant, reflecting any variety of new and adverse or favorable trends.

 

Our maximum individual claims liability was $1.0 million under both the fiscal 2011 and fiscal 2010 policies. As of May 31, 2011 and May 31, 2010, we had recorded current liabilities of $7.3 million and $5.8 million, respectively, and long-term liabilities of $20.6 million and $20.1 million, respectively, for workers’ compensation claims.

 

Goodwill and other intangible assets:  We have $513.7 million and $421.6 million of goodwill recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of May 31, 2011 and May 31, 2010, respectively, resulting from acquisitions of

businesses. The increase in goodwill was due to the acquisition in fiscal 2011 of two software-as-a-service companies, whose results are immaterial to our consolidated financial statements.

 

Goodwill is not amortized, but instead tested for impairment on an annual basis and between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change in a way to indicate that there has been a potential decline in the fair value of the reporting unit. Impairment is determined by comparing the estimated fair value of the reporting unit to its carrying amount, including goodwill. Our business is largely homogeneous and, as a result, substantially all of the goodwill is associated with one reporting unit. We perform our annual impairment testing in our fiscal fourth quarter. Based on the results of our reviews, no impairment loss was recognized in the results of operations for fiscal year 2011, 2010 or 2009. Subsequent to this review, there have been no events or circumstances that indicate any potential impairment of our goodwill balance.

 

We also test intangible assets for potential impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable.

 

Stock-based compensation costs:  All stock-based awards to employees, including grants of stock options, are recognized as compensation costs in our consolidated financial statements based on their fair values measured as of the date of grant. We estimate the fair value of stock option grants using a Black-Scholes option pricing model. This model requires various assumptions as inputs including expected volatility of the Paychex stock price and expected option life. We estimate volatility based on a combination of historical volatility using weekly stock prices over a period equal to the expected option life and implied market volatility. Expected option life is estimated based on historical exercise behavior.

 

We are required to estimate forfeitures and only record compensation costs for those awards that are expected to vest. Our assumptions for forfeitures were determined based on type of award and historical experience. Forfeiture assumptions are adjusted at the point in time a significant change is identified with any adjustment recorded in the period of change, and the final adjustment at the end of the requisite service period to equal actual forfeitures.

 

The assumptions of volatility, expected option life, and forfeitures all require significant judgment and are subject to change in the future due to factors such as employee exercise behavior, stock price trends, and changes to type or provisions of stock-based awards. Any change in one or more of these assumptions could have a material impact on the estimated fair value of an award and on stock-based compensation costs recognized in our results of operations.

 

We have determined that the Black-Scholes option pricing model, as well as the underlying assumptions used in its application, is appropriate in estimating the fair value of stock option grants. We periodically reassess our assumptions as well as our choice of valuation model, and will reconsider use of this model if additional information becomes available in the future indicating that another model would provide a more accurate estimate of fair value, or if characteristics of future grants would warrant such a change.

 

Income taxes:  We account for deferred taxes by recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the consolidated financial statements or tax returns. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. We record a deferred tax asset related to the stock-based compensation costs recognized for certain stock-based awards. At the time of exercise of non-qualified stock options or vesting of stock awards, we account for the resulting tax deduction by reducing our accrued income tax liability with an offset to the deferred tax asset and any excess tax benefit increasing additional paid-in capital. We currently have a sufficient pool of excess tax benefits in additional paid-in capital to absorb any deficient tax benefits related to stock-based awards.

 

We maintain a reserve for uncertain tax positions. We evaluate tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return for recognition in our consolidated financial statements. Prior to recording the related tax benefit in our consolidated financial statements, we must conclude that tax positions must be more-likely-than-not to be sustained, assuming those positions will be examined by taxing authorities with full knowledge of all relevant information. The benefit recognized in our consolidated financial statements is the amount we expect to realize after

examination by taxing authorities. If a tax position drops below the more-likely-than-not standard, the benefit can no longer be recognized. Assumptions, judgment, and the use of estimates are required in determining if the more-likely-than-not standard has been met when developing the provision for income taxes and in determining the expected benefit. A change in the assessment of the more-likely-than-not standard could materially impact our results of operations or financial position. Our reserve for uncertain tax positions was $34.4 million as of May 31, 2011 and $27.5 million as of May 31, 2010. Refer to Note I of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, contained in Item 8 of this Form 10-K, for further discussion of our reserve for uncertain tax positions.

 

 

Market Risk Factors

 

Changes in interest rates and interest rate risk:  Funds held for clients are primarily comprised of short-term funds and available-for-sale securities. Corporate investments are primarily comprised of available-for-sale securities. As a result of our operating and investing activities, we are exposed to changes in interest rates that may materially affect our results of operations and financial position. Changes in interest rates will impact the earnings potential of future investments and will cause fluctuations in the fair value of our longer-term available-for-sale securities. We follow an investment strategy of optimizing liquidity and protecting principal. We invest primarily in high credit quality securities with AAA and AA ratings and short-term securities with A-1/P-1 ratings, with more than 95% of our portfolio rated AA or better. We invest predominately in municipal bonds — general obligation bonds; pre-refunded bonds, which are secured by a U.S. government escrow; and essential services revenue bonds. We limit the amounts that can be invested in any single issuer and invest in short- to intermediate-term instruments whose fair value is less sensitive to interest rate changes. We manage the available-for-sale securities to a benchmark duration of two and one-half to three years. All investments held as of May 31, 2011 were traded in active markets.

 

Starting in November 2009 we began to invest in select A-1/P-1-rated VRDNs and have gradually increased our investment in VRDNs to $828.3 million as of May 31, 2011, up from $226.3 million as of May 31, 2010. During fiscal 2011, we earned an after-tax rate of approximately 0.23% for VRDNs compared to approximately 0.06% for U.S. agency discount notes, which have been our primary short-term investment vehicle. We have no exposure to high-risk or illiquid investments such as auction rate securities, sub-prime mortgage securities, asset-backed securities or asset-backed commercial paper, collateralized debt obligations, enhanced cash or cash plus mutual funds, or structured investment vehicles (SIVs). We have not and do not utilize derivative financial instruments to manage our interest rate risk.

 

During fiscal 2011, the average interest rate earned on our combined funds held for clients and corporate investment portfolios was 1.3%, compared with 1.5% for fiscal 2010 and 2.1% for fiscal 2009. When interest rates are falling, the full impact of lower interest rates will not immediately be reflected in net income due to the interaction of short- and long-term interest rate changes. During a falling interest rate environment, the decreases in interest rates decrease earnings from our short-term investments, and over time decrease earnings from our longer-term available-for-sale securities. Earnings from the available-for-sale-securities, which as of May 31, 2011 had an average duration of 2.4 years, would not reflect decreases in interest rates until the investments are sold or mature and the proceeds are reinvested at lower rates. In the next twelve months, slightly more than 20% of our available-for-sale portfolio will mature, and it is currently anticipated that these proceeds will be reinvested at a lower average interest rate of approximately 1.0%.

The amortized cost and fair value of available-for-sale securities that had stated maturities as of May 31, 2011 are shown below by contractual maturity. Expected maturities can differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to prepay obligations without prepayment penalties.

 

 

VRDNs are primarily categorized as due after five years in the table above as the contractual maturities on these securities are typically 20 to 30 years. Although these securities are issued as long-term securities, they are priced and traded as short-term instruments because of the liquidity provided through the tender feature.

 

The following table summarizes the changes in the Federal Funds rate over the past three fiscal years:

 

 

 

 

Calculating the future effects of changing interest rates involves many factors. These factors include, but are not limited to:

 

 

Subject to these factors and under normal financial market conditions, a 25-basis-point change in taxable interest rates generally affects our tax-exempt interest rates by approximately 17 basis points.

 

Our total investment portfolio (funds held for clients and corporate investments) averaged approximately $4.0 billion for fiscal 2011. Our anticipated allocation is approximately 50% invested in short-term securities and available-for-sale securities with an average duration of less than 30 days, and 50% invested in available-for-sale securities with an average duration of two and one-half to three years.

The combined funds held for clients and corporate available-for-sale securities reflected a net unrealized gain of $59.3 million as of May 31, 2011, compared with an unrealized gain of $66.6 million as of May 31, 2010. In determining fair value, we utilize the Interactive Data Pricing Service. During fiscal 2011, the net unrealized gain on our investment portfolios ranged from $41.4 million to $86.2 million. During fiscal 2010, the net unrealized gain on our investment portfolios ranged from $55.1 million to $82.4 million. The net unrealized gain of our investment portfolios was approximately $57.5 million as of July 11, 2011.

 

As of May 31, 2011 and May 31, 2010, we had $2.7 billion and $2.2 billion, respectively, invested in available-for-sale securities at fair value. The weighted-average yield-to-maturity was 2.6% and 2.9% as of May 31, 2011 and May 31, 2010, respectively. The weighted-average yield-to-maturity excludes available-for-sale securities tied to short-term interest rates such as the VRDNs held as of May 31, 2011 and May 31, 2010. Assuming a hypothetical decrease in both short-term and longer-term interest rates of 25 basis points, the resulting potential increase in fair value for our portfolio of available-for-sale securities as of May 31, 2011, would be approximately $11.5 million. Conversely, a corresponding increase in interest rates would result in a comparable decrease in fair value. This hypothetical increase or decrease in the fair value of the portfolio would be recorded as an adjustment to the portfolio’s recorded value, with an offsetting amount recorded in stockholders’ equity. These fluctuations in fair value would have no related or immediate impact on the results of operations, unless any declines in fair value were considered to be other-than-temporary and an impairment loss recognized.

 

Credit risk:  We are exposed to credit risk in connection with these investments through the possible inability of borrowers to meet the terms of their bonds. We regularly review our investment portfolios to determine if any investment is other-than-temporarily impaired due to changes in credit risk or other potential valuation concerns. We believe that the investments we held as of May 31, 2011 were not other-than-temporarily impaired. While $51.7 million of our available-for-sale securities had fair values that were below amortized cost, we believe that it is probable that the principal and interest will be collected in accordance with the contractual terms, and that the unrealized loss of $0.1 million was due to changes in interest rates and was not due to increased credit risk or other valuation concerns. All of the securities in an unrealized loss position as of May 31, 2011 and May 31, 2010 held an AA rating or better. We intend to hold these investments until the recovery of their amortized cost basis or maturity, and further believe that it is more-likely-than-not that we will not be required to sell these investments prior to that time. Our assessment that an investment is not other-than-temporarily impaired could change in the future due to new developments or changes in our strategies or assumptions related to any particular investment.

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

Management of Paychex, Inc. (the “Company”) is responsible for establishing and maintaining an adequate system of internal control over financial reporting as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements. Our internal control over financial reporting is supported by a program of internal audits and appropriate reviews by management, written policies and guidelines, and careful selection and training of qualified personnel.

 

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements and even when determined to be effective, can only provide reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. 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.

 

The Audit Committee of our Company’s Board of Directors meets with the independent registered public accounting firm (the “independent accountants”), management, and internal auditors periodically to discuss internal control over financial reporting and auditing and financial reporting matters. The Audit Committee reviews with the independent accountants the scope and results of the audit effort. The Audit Committee also meets periodically with the independent accountants and the chief internal auditor without management present to ensure that the independent accountants and the chief internal auditor have free access to the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee’s Report can be found in the Definitive Proxy Statement to be issued in connection with the Company’s 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

 

Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of May 31, 2011. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in “Internal Control — Integrated Framework.” Based on our assessment, management believes that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of May 31, 2011.

 

The Company’s independent accountants, Ernst & Young LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, are appointed by its Audit Committee. Ernst & Young LLP has audited and reported on the Consolidated Financial Statements of Paychex, Inc. and the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. The reports of the independent accountants are contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

 

The Board of Directors

and Stockholders of Paychex, Inc.

 

We have audited Paychex, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of May 31, 2011, based on criteria established in “Internal Control — Integrated Framework” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria). Paychex, Inc.’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Report on Management’s Assessment of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

 

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

 

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

 

In our opinion, Paychex, Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of May 31, 2011, based on the COSO criteria.

 

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets as of May 31, 2011 and 2010, and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended May 31, 2011 of Paychex, Inc., and our report dated July 15, 2011, expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

 

 

Chicago, Illinois

July 15, 2011

 

The Board of Directors

and Stockholders of Paychex, Inc.

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Paychex, Inc. as of May 31, 2011 and 2010, and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended May 31, 2011. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15(a). These financial statements and schedule are the responsibility of Paychex, Inc.’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedule based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Paychex, Inc. at May 31, 2011 and 2010, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended May 31, 2011, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.

 

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Paychex, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of May 31, 2011, based on criteria established in “Internal Control — Integrated Framework” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated July 15, 2011 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

 

 

Chicago, Illinois

July 15, 2011

PAYCHEX, INC.

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

In millions, except per share amounts

 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

PAYCHEX, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
In millions, except per share amount

 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

PAYCHEX, INC.

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

In millions