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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q/A
(Amendment No. 1)
(Mark One)
 
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2013
or
o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from________________to________________
Commission File Number: 001-34272
___________________________________________________________________________

BRIDGEPOINT EDUCATION, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
____________________________________________________________________________
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
59-3551629
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

13500 Evening Creek Drive North, Suite 600
San Diego, CA 92128
(Address, including zip code, of principal executive offices)

(858) 668-2586
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
____________________________________________________________________________

None
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x    No 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 (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x    No 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.
Large accelerated filer o
Accelerated filer x
Non-accelerated filer o
(Do not check if a
smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o    No x
The total number of shares of common stock outstanding as of October 31, 2013, was 54,576,091.




BRIDGEPOINT EDUCATION, INC.
FORM 10-Q/A
INDEX
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


2


EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Registrant is filing this Amendment No. 1 on Form 10-Q/A (this “Amended Filing”) to its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended September 30, 2013 (“Original Filing”) to: (i) restate management's conclusions disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2013; (ii) add discussion of the risk factors associated with the material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2013; and (iii) reissue the consolidated financial statements for the periods listed below to reflect the changes in revenue recognition and the correct classification of restricted cash resulting from the material weaknesses.
The Registrant is restating its condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2013, and its condensed consolidated statements of income, condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income, condensed consolidated statements of stockholders' equity and condensed consolidated statements of cash flow for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013. The Registrant is also revising its condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2012, and its condensed consolidated statements of income, condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income, condensed consolidated statements of stockholders' equity and condensed consolidated statements of cash flow for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012.
Accordingly, the Registrant hereby amends and replaces in their entirety Items 1, 2, and 4 in Part I, and Items 1A and 6 in Part II in the Original Filing. For the convenience of the reader, this Amended Filing sets forth the Original Filing, as modified where necessary to reflect the restatement and revisions.
The Registrant has concluded that there are two material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting, related to revenue recognition and restricted cash, as the Registrant did not maintain effective controls over the selection and application of accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). Specifically, the members of the Registrant’s management with the requisite level of accounting knowledge, experience and training commensurate with the Registrant’s financial reporting requirements did not analyze certain accounting issues at the level of detail required to ensure the proper application of GAAP in certain circumstances. Accordingly, management has determined that the Registrant's disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of September 30, 2013.
As required by Rule 12b-15, the Registrant's principal executive officer and principal financial officer are providing new currently dated certifications. Accordingly, the Registrant hereby amends Item 6 in Part II in the Original Filing to reflect the filing of the new certifications.
Except as described above, this Amended Filing does not amend, update or change any other items or disclosures in the Original Filing and does not purport to reflect any information or events subsequent to the filing thereof. As such, this Amended Filing speaks only as of the date the Original Filing was filed, and the Registrant has not undertaken herein to amend, supplement or update any information contained in the Original Filing to give effect to any subsequent events. Accordingly, this Amended Filing should be read in conjunction with the Registrant's filings made with the SEC subsequent to the filing of the Original Filing, including any amendment to those filings.


3


PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.    Financial Statements.
BRIDGEPOINT EDUCATION, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except par value)
 
As of
September 30, 2013
 
As of
December 31, 2012
ASSETS
(As restated)
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
392,299

 
$
208,971

Restricted cash
39,463

 
46,994

Investments
35,221

 
136,967

Accounts receivable, net
41,842

 
54,487

Student loans receivable, net
1,682

 
556

Deferred income taxes
15,586

 
15,490

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
19,072

 
20,053

Total current assets
545,165

 
483,518

Property and equipment, net
94,570

 
95,966

Investments
86,279

 
121,738

Student loans receivable, net
11,936

 
14,416

Goodwill and intangibles, net
11,974

 
10,739

Deferred income taxes
13,724

 
13,706

Other long-term assets
1,951

 
2,330

Total assets
$
765,599

 
$
742,413

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts payable
$
9,322

 
$
4,588

Accrued liabilities
48,828

 
44,640

Deferred revenue and student deposits
126,447

 
175,057

Total current liabilities
184,597

 
224,285

Rent liability
26,294

 
25,173

Other long-term liabilities
8,745

 
9,759

Total liabilities
219,636

 
259,217

Commitments and contingencies (see Note 12)

 

Stockholders' equity:
 
 
 
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value:
 
 
 
20,000 shares authorized; zero shares issued and outstanding at both September 30, 2013, and December 31, 2012

 

Common stock, $0.01 par value:
 
 
 
300,000 shares authorized; 61,759 issued and 54,452 outstanding at September 30, 2013; 61,406 issued and 54,099 outstanding at December 31, 2012
618

 
614

Additional paid-in capital
163,674

 
151,709

Retained earnings
517,216

 
466,224

Accumulated other comprehensive income
28

 
222

Treasury stock, 7,307 shares at cost at both September 30, 2013, and December 31, 2012
(135,573
)
 
(135,573
)
Total stockholders' equity
545,963

 
483,196

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
$
765,599

 
$
742,413

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


4


BRIDGEPOINT EDUCATION, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
 
(As restated)
 
 
 
(As restated)
 
 
Revenue
$
182,768

 
$
245,917

 
$
589,224

 
$
736,884

Costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Instructional costs and services
83,562

 
84,666

 
280,193

 
245,587

Admissions advisory and marketing
64,507

 
96,734

 
179,632

 
273,970

General and administrative
15,175

 
16,870

 
51,066

 
56,931

Total costs and expenses
163,244

 
198,270

 
510,891

 
576,488

Operating income
19,524

 
47,647

 
78,333

 
160,396

Other income, net
786

 
996

 
2,371

 
2,619

Income before income taxes
20,310

 
48,643

 
80,704

 
163,015

Income tax expense
6,099

 
18,464

 
29,712

 
61,694

Net income
$
14,211

 
$
30,179

 
$
50,992

 
$
101,321

Earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
0.26

 
$
0.57

 
$
0.94

 
$
1.93

Diluted
0.25

 
0.54

 
0.91

 
1.81

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding used in computing earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
54,336

 
53,184

 
54,201

 
52,576

Diluted
56,431

 
55,756

 
55,795

 
56,089

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


5


BRIDGEPOINT EDUCATION, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)

 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
 
(As restated)
 
 
 
(As restated)
 
 
Net income
$
14,211

 
$
30,179

 
$
50,992

 
$
101,321

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     Unrealized gains (losses) on investments
10

 
308

 
(194
)
 
945

Comprehensive income
$
14,221

 
$
30,487

 
$
50,798

 
$
102,266

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



6


BRIDGEPOINT EDUCATION, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)

 
Common Stock
 
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
 
Retained
Earnings
 
Accumulated Other
Comprehensive
Income
 
Treasury
Stock
 
 
 
Shares
 
Par Value
 
Total
Balance at December 31, 2012
61,406

 
$
614

 
$
151,709

 
$
466,224

 
$
222

 
$
(135,573
)
 
$
483,196

Stock-based compensation

 

 
10,704

 

 

 

 
10,704

Exercise of stock options
169

 
2

 
1,248

 

 

 

 
1,250

Excess tax benefit of option exercises and restricted stock, net of tax shortfall

 

 
483

 

 

 

 
483

Stock issued under employee stock purchase plan
62

 
1

 
603

 

 

 

 
604

Stock issued under restricted stock plan
115

 
1

 
(1,081
)
 

 

 

 
(1,080
)
Exercise of warrants
7

 

 
8

 

 

 

 
8

Net income (as restated)

 

 

 
50,992

 

 

 
50,992

Unrealized losses on investments, net of tax

 

 

 

 
(194
)
 

 
(194
)
Balance at September 30, 2013 (as restated)
61,759

 
$
618

 
$
163,674

 
$
517,216

 
$
28

 
$
(135,573
)
 
$
545,963

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


7


BRIDGEPOINT EDUCATION, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2013
 
2012
 
(As restated)
 
 
Cash flows from operating activities
 
 
 
Net income
$
50,992

 
$
101,321

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Provision for bad debts
31,670

 
36,610

Depreciation and amortization
15,861

 
12,761

Amortization of premium/discount
2,662

 
6,922

Stock-based compensation
10,704

 
9,915

Excess tax benefit of option exercises
(863
)
 
(8,446
)
Loss on impairment of student loans receivable
790

 

Net realized gain on sale of securities
(62
)
 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
Restricted cash
7,531

 
3,639

Accounts receivable
(18,826
)
 
(68,357
)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
(155
)
 
(4,548
)
Student loans receivable
218

 
(6,729
)
Other long-term assets
379

 
1,971

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
8,960

 
17,094

Deferred revenue and student deposits
(48,160
)
 
(13,191
)
Other liabilities
107

 
8,264

Net cash provided by operating activities
61,808

 
97,226

Cash flows from investing activities
 
 
 
Capital expenditures
(11,737
)
 
(20,803
)
Purchases of investments
(26,724
)
 
(173,512
)
Restricted cash

 
25

Capitalized curriculum development costs
(3,518
)
 
(4,130
)
Sales and maturities of investments
161,854

 
151,511

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
119,875

 
(46,909
)
Cash flows from financing activities
 
 
 
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
1,250

 
2,240

Tax withholdings related to net issuance of stock options

 
(10,418
)
Excess tax benefit of option exercises
863

 
8,446

Proceeds from the issuance of stock under employee stock purchase plan
604

 
707

Proceeds from the exercise of warrants
8

 
2

Issuance of restricted stock
(1,080
)
 

Net cash provided by financing activities
1,645

 
977

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
183,328

 
51,294

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
208,971

 
80,207

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
392,299

 
$
131,501

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash transactions:
 
 
 
Purchase of equipment included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities
$
955

 
$
2,076

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


8



BRIDGEPOINT EDUCATION, INC.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)


1. Nature of Business
Bridgepoint Education, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, the “Company”), was incorporated in 1999 and is a provider of postsecondary education services. Its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Ashford University and University of the Rockies, are academic institutions that offer associate's, bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs online, as well as at their traditional campuses located in Iowa and Colorado, respectively.
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Principles of Consolidation
The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Bridgepoint Education, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. Intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Unaudited Interim Financial Information
The condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, these financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2013, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on August 1, 2014. In the opinion of management, these financial statements include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary to present a fair statement of the Company's condensed consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows as of and for the periods presented.
Operating results for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year. The year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet data were derived from audited financial statements, but do not include all disclosures required by GAAP for complete annual financial statements.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts in the condensed consolidated financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Restatement/Revision of Previously Issued Financial Statements
The Company has restated its consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2013, and its consolidated statement of income, consolidated statement of comprehensive income, consolidated statement of stockholders' equity and consolidated statement of cash flow for the year ended December 31, 2013, as well as for the quarterly periods during that fiscal year. The Company has also revised its consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2012, and its consolidated statements of income, consolidated statements of comprehensive income, consolidated statements of stockholders' equity and consolidated statements of cash flow for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, as well as for the quarterly periods during 2012. During the reporting of the first quarter of 2014, the Company had identified misapplications of GAAP as it related to the accounting for revenue recognition and the classification of restricted cash. Specifically on the revenue recognition, the process for analyzing the collectibility assertion was not designed to reassess collectibility, throughout the period revenue was recognized by the Company's institutions on a student-by-student basis. As a result, the Company identified adjustments, relating to revenue, provision for bad debts, accounts receivable and restricted cash balances, which should have been recognized during the prior periods.
The following tables present the impact of the corrections on the previously reported unaudited consolidated quarterly financial information for each of the quarters in the fiscal years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012. The “As Reported” column in the tables below reflects balances previously reported by the Company in its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q or


9



BRIDGEPOINT EDUCATION, INC.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

annual report on Form 10-K for fiscal year 2013, which include revised 2012 balances. The “As Reclassified” column shows the impact of immaterial reclassifications made by the Company to reflect changes in presentation retrospectively, including (i) the reclassification of amortization for capitalized curriculum costs from general and administrative costs to instructional costs and services on its consolidated statements of income and (ii) the reclassification of current net student loans receivable to its own line item on the consolidated balance sheets. The “As Restated” column for 2013 and the “As Revised” column for 2012 reflects final adjusted balances after the related restatement or revision, as well as previously identified immaterial adjustments.
The following tables for fiscal year 2013 are presented in thousands, except per share data:
 
As Reported
As Reclassified
As Restated
 
As Reported
As Reclassified
As Restated
Consolidated balance sheet data:
March 31, 2013
 
June 30, 2013
Cash and cash equivalents
$
316,267

-

$
275,533

 
$
363,121

-

$
322,578

Restricted cash
$

-

$
41,094

 
$

-

$
40,543

Accounts receivable, net
$
69,352

$
68,472

$
51,835

 
$
60,502

$
58,895

$
43,393

Student loans receivable, net, current
$

$
880

$
880

 
$

$
1,607

$
1,607

Deferred income taxes, current
$
10,970

-

$
15,524

 
$
11,020

-

$
15,573

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
$
21,445

-

$
25,245

 
$
20,294

-

$
23,891

Total current assets
$
530,232

-

$
521,949

 
$
541,747

-

$
534,395

Student loans receivable, net, non-current
$
14,524

-

$
13,788

 
-

-

-

Deferred income taxes, non-current
$
13,262

-

$
13,701

 
$
13,306

-

$
13,746

Total assets
$
763,100

-

$
754,520

 
$
761,992

-

$
755,080

Accrued liabilities
$
56,707

-

$
58,801

 
$
45,089

-

$
48,336

Deferred revenue and student deposits
-

-

-

 
$
135,865

-

$
134,634

Total current liabilities
$
204,577

-

$
206,671

 
$
188,315

-

$
190,331

Total liabilities
$
240,985

-

$
243,079

 
$
225,222

-

$
227,238

Retained earnings
$
501,565

-

$
490,891

 
$
511,933

-

$
503,005

Total stockholders’ equity
$
522,115

-

$
511,441

 
$
536,770

-

$
527,842

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
763,100

-

$
754,520

 
$
761,992

-

$
755,080



10



BRIDGEPOINT EDUCATION, INC.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 
As Reported
As Reclassified
As Restated
 
As Reported
As Reclassified
As Restated
Consolidated balance sheet data:
September 30, 2013
 
December 31, 2013
Cash and cash equivalents
$
431,762

-

$
392,299

 
$
249,472

-
$
212,526

Restricted cash
$

-

$
39,463

 
$

-
$
36,946

Accounts receivable, net
$
51,123

$
49,441

$
41,842

 
$
28,565

-
$
22,953

Student loans receivable, net, current
$

$
1,682

$
1,682

 
-

-
-

Deferred income taxes, current
$
11,033

-

$
15,586

 
$
15,232

-
$
16,683

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
$
16,057

-

$
19,072

 
$
21,369

-
$
21,563

Total current assets
$
545,196

-

$
545,165

 
$
381,582

-
$
377,615

Deferred income taxes, non-current
$
13,284

-

$
13,724

 
-

-
-

Total assets
$
765,190

-

$
765,599

 
$
573,979

-
$
570,012

Accrued liabilities
$
43,567

-

$
48,828

 
$
54,756

-
$
54,290

Total current liabilities
$
179,336

-

$
184,597

 
$
192,742

-
$
192,276

Total liabilities
$
214,375

-

$
219,636

 
$
225,940

-
$
225,474

Retained earnings
$
522,068

-

$
517,216

 
$
515,608

-
$
512,107

Total stockholders’ equity
$
550,815

-

$
545,963

 
$
348,039

-
$
344,538

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
765,190

-

$
765,599

 
$
573,979

-
$
570,012

 
As Reported
As Reclassified
As Restated
 
As Reported
As Reclassified
As Restated
 
Three Months Ended
Consolidated statement of income data:
March 31, 2013
 
June 30, 2013
Revenue
$
221,984

-

$
212,986

 
$
197,574

-

$
193,470

Instructional costs and services
$
101,646

$
102,282

$
97,028

 
$
106,045

$
106,812

$
99,603

General and administrative
$
19,375

$
18,739

$
18,739

 
$
17,919

$
17,152

$
17,152

Total costs and expenses
$
178,564

-

$
173,310

 
$
181,546

-

$
174,337

Operating income
$
43,420

-

$
39,676

 
$
16,028

-

$
19,133

Other income, net
$
818

-

$
837

 
$
1,031

-

$
748

Income before income taxes
$
44,238

-

$
40,513

 
$
17,059

-

$
19,881

Income tax expense
$
17,271

-

$
15,846

 
$
6,691

-

$
7,767

Net income
$
26,967

-

$
24,667

 
$
10,368

-

$
12,114

Basic earnings per share
$
0.50

-

$
0.46

 
$
0.19

-

$
0.22

Diluted earnings per share
$
0.49

-

$
0.45

 
$
0.19

-

$
0.22



11



BRIDGEPOINT EDUCATION, INC.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 
As Reported
As Reclassified
As Restated
 
As Reported
As Reclassified
As Restated
 
Three Months Ended
Consolidated statement of income data:
September 30, 2013
 
December 31, 2013
Revenue
$
185,612

-

$
182,768

 
$
163,453

-
$
162,225

Instructional costs and services
$
92,204

$
93,079

$
83,562

 
$
93,755

-
$
90,541

General and administrative
$
16,050

$
15,175

$
15,175

 
-

-
-

Total costs and expenses
$
172,761

-

$
163,244

 
$
175,309

-
$
172,095

Operating income (loss)
$
12,851

-

$
19,524

 
$
(11,856
)
-
$
(9,870
)
Income (loss) before income taxes
$
13,638

-

$
20,310

 
$
(11,146
)
-
$
(9,159
)
Income tax expense (benefit)
$
3,503

-

$
6,099

 
$
(4,686
)
-
$
(4,050
)
Net income (loss)
$
10,135

-

$
14,211

 
$
(6,460
)
-
$
(5,109
)
Basic earnings (loss) per share
$
0.19

-

$
0.26

 
$
(0.12
)
-
$
(0.10
)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share
$
0.18

-

$
0.25

 
$
(0.12
)
-
$
(0.10
)

 
As Reported
As Reclassified
As Restated
 
As Reported
As Reclassified
As Restated
 
Year to Date Period Ended
Consolidated statement of income data:
March 31, 2013
 
June 30, 2013
Revenue
$
221,984

-

$
212,986

 
$
419,558

-

$
406,456

Instructional costs and services
$
101,646

$
102,282

$
97,028

 
$
207,691

$
209,094

$
196,631

General and administrative
$
19,375

$
18,739

$
18,739

 
$
37,294

$
35,891

$
35,891

Total costs and expenses
$
178,564

-

$
173,310

 
$
360,110

-

$
347,647

Operating income
$
43,420

-

$
39,676

 
$
59,448

-

$
58,809

Other income, net
$
818

-

$
837

 
$
1,849

-

$
1,585

Income before income taxes
$
44,238

-

$
40,513

 
$
61,297

-

$
60,394

Income tax expense
$
17,271

-

$
15,846

 
$
23,962

-

$
23,613

Net income
$
26,967

-

$
24,667

 
$
37,335

-

$
36,781

Basic earnings per share
$
0.50

-

$
0.46

 
$
0.69

-

$
0.68

Diluted earnings per share
$
0.49

-

$
0.45

 
$
0.67

-

$
0.66

Consolidated statement of cash flow data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
26,967

-

$
24,667

 
$
37,335

-

$
36,781

Provision for bad debts
$
18,294

-

$
13,040

 
$
36,865

-

$
24,403

Amortization of premium/ discount
$
1,005

-

$
1,407

 
$
3,100

-

$
2,165

Restricted cash
$

-

$
5,900

 
$

-

$
6,451

Accounts receivable
$
(19,381
)
-

$
(10,229
)
 
$
(28,744
)
-

$
(13,222
)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
$
(1,635
)
-

$
(5,656
)
 
$
(96
)
-

$
(4,110
)
Student loans receivable
$
281

-

$
(133
)
 
-

-

-

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
$
14,119

-

$
16,213

 
$
2,153

-

$
5,400

Deferred revenue and student deposits
$
(34,088
)
-

$
(33,747
)
 
$
(39,192
)
-

$
(39,996
)
Cash flows from operating activities
$
15,616

-

$
21,516

 
$
32,273

-

$
38,724



12



BRIDGEPOINT EDUCATION, INC.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 
As Reported
As Reclassified
As Restated
 
As Reported
As Reclassified
As Restated
 
Year to Date Period Ended
Consolidated statement of income data:
September 30, 2013
 
December 31, 2013
Revenue
$
605,170

-

$
589,224

 
$
768,623

-
$
751,449

Instructional costs and services
$
299,895

$
302,173

$
280,193

 
$
395,928

-
$
370,734

General and administrative
$
53,344

$
51,066

$
51,066

 
-

-
-

Total costs and expenses
$
532,871

-

$
510,891

 
$
708,180

-
$
682,986

Operating income
$
72,299

-

$
78,333

 
$
60,443

-
$
68,463

Other income, net
$
2,636

-

$
2,371

 
$
3,346

-
$
3,082

Income before income taxes
$
74,935

-

$
80,704

 
$
63,789

-
$
71,545

Income tax expense
$
27,465

-

$
29,712

 
$
22,779

-
$
25,662

Net income
$
47,470

-

$
50,992

 
$
41,010

-
$
45,883

Basic earnings per share
$
0.88

-

$
0.94

 
$
0.76

-
$
0.85

Diluted earnings per share
$
0.85

-

$
0.91

 
$
0.74

-
$
0.83

Consolidated statement of cash flow data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
47,470

-

$
50,992

 
$
41,010

-
$
45,883

Provision for bad debts
$
53,649

-

$
31,670

 
$
72,313

-
$
47,119

Amortization of premium/discount
$
3,596

-

$
2,662

 
$
3,559

-
$
2,624

Deferred income taxes
-

-

-

 
$
(10,506
)
-
$
(6,962
)
Restricted cash
$

-

$
7,531

 
$

-
$
10,048

Accounts receivable
$
(36,056
)
-

$
(18,826
)
 
$
(34,348
)
-
$
(15,973
)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
$
3,395

-

$
(155
)
 
$
(2,411
)
-
$
(2,607
)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
$
3,699

-

$
8,960

 
$
13,687

-
$
13,220

Deferred revenue and student deposits
$
(48,610
)
-

$
(48,160
)
 
-

-
-

Cash flows from operating activities
$
54,277

-

$
61,808

 
$
75,538

-
$
85,586



13



BRIDGEPOINT EDUCATION, INC.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

The following tables for fiscal year 2012 are presented in thousands, except per share data:
 
As Reported +
As Reclassified
As Revised
 
As Reported +
As Reclassified
As Revised
Consolidated balance sheet data:
March 31, 2012
 
June 30, 2012
Cash and cash equivalents
$
162,148

-

$
103,405

 
$
180,425

-

$
123,901

Restricted cash
$
25

-

$
58,768

 
$

-

$
56,524

Accounts receivable, net
$
91,129

$
90,708

$
75,846

 
$
91,139

$
90,620

$
74,826

Student loan receivables, net, current
$

$
421

$
421

 
$

$
519

$
519

Deferred income taxes, current
$
5,441

-

$
8,235

 
$
5,442

-

$
8,235

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
$
17,864

-

$
18,367

 
22,966

-

25,105

Total current assets
$
441,169

-

$
429,604

 
$
459,764

-

$
448,902

Student loan receivables, net, non-current
$
12,065

-

$
11,035

 
$
14,998

-

$
14,232

Deferred income taxes, non-current
$
10,805

-

$
11,604

 
$
10,810

-

$
11,608

Total assets
$
682,447

-

$
670,651

 
$
723,119

-

$
712,289

Accrued liabilities
$
66,755

-

$
64,595

 
$
54,650

-

$
54,006

Total current liabilities
$
260,575

-

$
258,415

 
$
248,012

-

$
247,368

Total liabilities
$
289,296

-

$
287,136

 
$
279,333

-

$
278,689

Retained earnings
$
383,148

-

$
373,512

 
$
426,406

-

$
416,220

Total stockholders’ equity
$
393,151

-

$
383,515

 
$
443,786

-

$
433,600

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
682,447

-

$
670,651

 
$
723,119

-

$
712,289

 
As Reported +
As Reclassified
As Revised
 
As Reported +
As Reclassified
As Revised
Consolidated balance sheet data:
September 30, 2012
 
December 31, 2012
Cash and cash equivalents
$
181,577

-

$
131,501

 
$
255,965

-
$
208,971

Restricted cash
$

-

$
50,076

 
$

-
$
46,994

Accounts receivable, net
$
99,919

$
99,386

$
84,178

 
$
67,371

-
$
54,487

Student loan receivables, net, current
$

$
533

$
533

 
-

-
-

Deferred income taxes, current
$
5,313

-

$
8,106

 
$
10,936

-
$
15,490

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
$
22,722

-

$
22,944

 
19,810

-
20,053

Total current assets
$
452,515

-

$
440,322

 
$
491,605

-
$
483,518

Student loan receivables, net, non-current
$
14,992

-

$
14,291

 
$
15,143

-
$
14,416

Deferred income taxes, non-current
$
10,752

-

$
11,550

 
$
13,266

-
$
13,706

Total assets
$
736,099

-

$
724,003

 
$
750,787

-
$
742,413

Accrued liabilities
$
52,313

-

$
50,044

 
-

-
-

Total current liabilities
$
231,925

-

$
229,656

 
-

-
-

Total liabilities
$
265,565

-

$
263,296

 
-

-
-

Retained earnings
$
456,226

-

$
446,399

 
$
474,598

-
$
466,224

Total stockholders’ equity
$
470,534

-

$
460,707

 
$
491,570

-
$
483,196

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
736,099

-

$
724,003

 
$
750,787

-
$
742,413



14



BRIDGEPOINT EDUCATION, INC.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 
As Reported +
As Reclassified
As Revised
 
As Reported +
As Reclassified
As Revised
 
Three Months Ended
Consolidated statement of income data:
March 31, 2012
 
June 30, 2012
Revenue
$
250,437

-

$
241,433

 
$
256,302

-

$
249,534

Instructional costs and services
$
84,224

$
84,453

$
81,202

 
$
85,279

$
85,579

$
79,719

General and administrative
$
25,542

$
25,314

$
25,314

 
$
15,047

$
14,747

$
14,747

Total costs and expenses
$
199,808

-

$
196,558

 
$
187,520

-

$
181,660

Operating income
$
50,629

-

$
44,875

 
$
68,782

-

$
67,874

Other income, net
$
683

-

$
740

 
$
854

-

$
883

Income before income taxes
$
51,312

-

$
45,615

 
$
69,636

-

$
68,757

Income tax expense
$
19,341

-

$
17,181

 
$
26,378

-

$
26,049

Net income
$
31,971

-

$
28,434

 
$
43,258

-

$
42,708

Basic earnings per share
$
0.61

-

$
0.55

 
$
0.82

-

$
0.81

Diluted earnings per share
$
0.57

-

$
0.51

 
$
0.77

-

$
0.76

 
As Reported +
As Reclassified
As Revised
 
As Reported +
As Reclassified
As Revised
 
Three Months Ended
Consolidated statement of income data:
September 30, 2012
 
December 31, 2012
Revenue
$
252,076

-

$
245,917

 
$
209,356

-

$
206,521

Instructional costs and services
$
90,986

$
91,362

$
84,666

 
$
102,034

$
102,607

$
97,485

General and administrative
$
17,247

$
16,870

$
16,870

 
$
13,139

$
12,566

$
12,566

Total costs and expenses
$
204,967

-

$
198,270

 
$
180,412

-

$
175,290

Operating income
$
47,109

-

$
47,647

 
$
28,944

-

$
31,231

Other income, net
$
955

-

$
996

 
$
878

-

$
912

Income before income taxes
$
48,064

-

$
48,643

 
$
29,822

-

$
32,143

Income tax expense
$
18,244

-

$
18,464

 
$
11,450

-

$
12,318

Net income
$
29,820

-

$
30,179

 
$
18,372

-

$
19,825

Basic earnings per share
$
0.56

-

$
0.57

 
$
0.34

-

$
0.37

Diluted earnings per share
$
0.53

-

$
0.54

 
$
0.33

-

$
0.36



15



BRIDGEPOINT EDUCATION, INC.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 
As Reported +
As Reclassified
As Revised
 
As Reported +
As Reclassified
As Revised
 
Year to Date Period Ended
Consolidated statement of income data:
March 31, 2012
 
June 30, 2012
Revenue
$
250,437

-

$
241,433

 
$
506,739

-

$
490,967

Instructional costs and services
$
84,224

$
84,453

$
81,202

 
$
169,503

$
170,032

$
160,921

General and administrative
$
25,542

$
25,314

$
25,314

 
$
40,589

$
40,061

$
40,061

Total costs and expenses
$
199,808

-

$
196,558

 
$
387,328

-

$
378,218

Operating income
$
50,629

-

$
44,875

 
$
119,411

-

$
112,749

Other income, net
$
683

-

$
740

 
$
1,537

-

$
1,623

Income before income taxes
$
51,312

-

$
45,615

 
$
120,948

-

$
114,372

Income tax expense
$
19,341

-

$
17,181

 
$
45,719

-

$
43,230

Net income
$
31,971

-

$
28,434

 
$
75,229

-

$
71,142

Basic earnings per share
$
0.61

-

$
0.55

 
$
1.44

-

$
1.36

Diluted earnings per share
$
0.57

-

$
0.51

 
$
1.34

-

$
1.27

Consolidated statement of cash flow data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
31,971

-

$
28,434

 
$
75,229

-

$
71,142

Provision for bad debts
$
16,669

-

$
13,418

 
$
33,401

-

$
24,289

Amortization of premium/discount
$
1,754

-

$
2,125

 
$
3,594

 
$
4,470

Restricted cash
$

-

$
(5,028
)
 
$

-

$
(2,809
)
Accounts receivable
$
(46,053
)
-

$
(37,153
)
 
$
(62,501
)
-

$
(46,772
)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
$
(459
)
-

$
32

 
$
(5,084
)
-

$
(6,806
)
Student loans receivable
$
(2,399
)
 
$
(3,214
)
 
$
(5,626
)
 
$
(6,666
)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
$
26,851

-

$
24,691

 
$
18,492

-

$
17,847

Cash flows from operating activities
$
40,350

-

$
35,321

 
$
76,806

-

$
73,996



16



BRIDGEPOINT EDUCATION, INC.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 
As Reported +
As Reclassified
As Revised
 
As Reported +
As Reclassified
As Revised
 
Year to Date Period Ended
Consolidated statement of income data:
September 30, 2012
 
December 31, 2012
Revenue
$
758,815

-

$
736,884

 
$
968,171

-
$
943,405

Instructional costs and services
$
260,489

$
261,394

$
245,587

 
$
364,001

-
$
343,072

General and administrative
$
57,836

$
56,931

$
56,931

 
-

-
-

Total costs and expenses
$
592,295

-

$
576,488

 
$
772,707

-
$
751,778

Operating income
$
166,520

-

$
160,396

 
$
195,464

-
$
191,627

Other income, net
$
2,492

-

$
2,619

 
$
3,370

-
$
3,531

Income before income taxes
$
169,012

-

$
163,015

 
$
198,834

-
$
195,158

Income tax expense
$
63,963

-

$
61,694

 
$
75,413

-
$
74,012

Net income
$
105,049

-

$
101,321

 
$
123,421

-
$
121,146

Basic earnings per share
$
2.00

-

$
1.93

 
$
2.33

-
$
2.29

Diluted earnings per share
$
1.87

-

$
1.81

 
$
2.21

-
$
2.17

Consolidated statement of cash flow data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
105,049

-

$
101,321

 
$
123,421

-
$
121,146

Provision for bad debts
$
52,418

-

$
36,610

 
$
73,696

-
$
52,767

Deferred income taxes
-

-

-

 
$
(9,972
)
-
$
(11,373
)
Amortization of premium/discount
$
5,384

 
$
6,922

 
$
6,805

 
$
8,992

Restricted cash
$

-

$
3,639

 
$

-
$
6,721

Accounts receivable
$
(90,188
)
-

$
(68,357
)
 
$
(81,577
)
-
$
(62,333
)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
$
(3,982
)
-

$
(4,548
)
 
$
(1,056
)
-
$
(2,387
)
Student loans receivable
$
(5,730
)
 
$
(6,729
)
 
$
(3,778
)
 
$
(5,742
)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
$
19,363

-

$
17,094

 
-

-
-

Deferred revenue and student deposits
-

-

-

 
$
(10,389
)
-
$
(3,921
)
Cash flows from operating activities
$
93,588

-

$
97,226

 
$
143,185

-
$
149,905

+ Tables above reflecting the revision for fiscal year 2012 are after the effects of the pre-existing revision and reclassifications described below in Footnote 2 "2012 Revision of Previously Issued Financial Statements" and in Footnote 3 "Reclassification."
2012 Revision of Previously Issued Financial Statements
During the first quarter of 2013, the Company identified a $7.2 million out of period adjustment for bad debt expense related to the aging of the Company's accounts receivable, which should have been recognized during the year ended December 31, 2012. The Company evaluated the cumulative impact of this item on prior periods and determined to revise its previously issued financial statements to reflect the impact of this correction. Prior periods have been revised in connection with the filing of the Company's Form 10-Q's in 2013.
After the revisions described above, the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements are properly stated. The table below presents the impact of this revision on the Company's consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2012, the consolidated statement of income data and consolidated cash flow data for the year ended December 31, 2012, as well as the impact on the quarterly periods during the year ended December 31, 2012. There was no impact to the cash flows from operating activities in any of the periods presented due to the revision. The following table is presented in thousands, except per share data:


17



BRIDGEPOINT EDUCATION, INC.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 
As Reported
 
As Revised
 
As Reported
 
As Revised
 
As Reported
 
As Revised
 
As Reported
 
As Revised
 
March 31, 2012
 
June 30, 2012
 
September 30, 2012
 
December 31, 2012
Consolidated balance sheet data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts receivable, net
$
92,853

 
$
91,129

 
$
99,617

 
$
91,139

 
$
111,010

 
$
99,919

 
$
75,177

 
$
67,927

Deferred income taxes
-

 
-

 
-

 
-

 
-

 
-

 
$
8,228

 
$
10,936

Total current assets
$
442,893

 
$
441,169

 
$
468,242

 
$
459,764

 
$
463,606

 
$
452,515

 
$
496,147

 
$
491,605

Total assets
$
684,171

 
$
682,447

 
$
731,597

 
$
723,119

 
$
747,190

 
$
736,099

 
$
755,329

 
$
750,787

Accrued liabilities
$
67,409

 
$
66,755

 
$
57,858

 
$
54,650

 
$
56,609

 
$
52,313

 
-

 
-

Total current liabilities
$
261,229

 
$
260,575

 
$
251,220

 
$
248,012

 
$
236,121

 
$
231,925

 
-

 
-

Total liabilities
$
289,950

 
$
289,296

 
$
282,541

 
$
279,333

 
$
269,761

 
$
265,565

 
-

 
-

Retained earnings
$
384,218

 
$
383,148

 
$
431,676

 
$
426,406

 
$
463,121

 
$
456,226

 
$
479,140

 
$
474,598

Total stockholders’ equity
$
394,221

 
$
393,151

 
$
449,056

 
$
443,786

 
$
477,429

 
$
470,534

 
$
496,112

 
$
491,570

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
684,171

 
$
682,447

 
$
731,597

 
$
723,119

 
$
747,190

 
$
736,099

 
$
755,329

 
$
750,787

 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31, 2012
 
June 30, 2012
 
September 30, 2012
 
December 31, 2012
Consolidated statement of income data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Instructional costs and services (1)
$
82,500

 
$
84,224

 
$
78,525

 
$
85,279

 
$
88,373

 
$
90,986

 
$
105,875

 
$
102,034

Total costs and expenses
$
198,084

 
$
199,808

 
$
180,766

 
$
187,520

 
$
202,354

 
$
204,967

 
$
184,253

 
$
180,412

Operating income
$
52,353

 
$
50,629

 
$
75,536

 
$
68,782

 
$
49,722

 
$
47,109

 
$
25,103

 
$
28,944

Income before income taxes
$
53,036

 
$
51,312

 
$
76,390

 
$
69,636

 
$
50,677

 
$
48,064

 
$
25,980

 
$
29,822

Income tax expense
$
19,995

 
$
19,341

 
$
28,932

 
$
26,378

 
$
19,232

 
$
18,244

 
$
9,962

 
$
11,450

Net income
$
33,041

 
$
31,971

 
$
47,458

 
$
43,258

 
$
31,445

 
$
29,820

 
$
16,019

 
$
18,372

Earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Basic
$
0.64

 
$
0.61

 
$
0.90

 
$
0.82

 
$
0.59

 
$
0.56

 
$
0.30

 
$
0.34

   Diluted
$
0.59

 
$
0.57

 
$
0.84

 
$
0.77

 
$
0.56

 
$
0.53

 
$
0.29

 
$
0.33

 
Year to Date Period Ended
 
March 31, 2012
 
June 30, 2012
 
September 30, 2012
 
December 31, 2012
Consolidated statement of income data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Instructional costs and services (1)
$
82,500

 
$
84,224

 
$
161,025

 
$
169,503

 
$
249,398

 
$
260,489

 
$
355,273

 
$
362,523

Total costs and expenses
$
198,084

 
$
199,808

 
$
378,850

 
$
387,328

 
$
581,204

 
$
592,295

 
$
765,457

 
$
772,707

Operating income
$
52,353

 
$
50,629

 
$
127,889

 
$
119,411

 
$
177,611

 
$
166,520

 
$
202,714

 
$
195,464

Income before income taxes
$
53,036

 
$
51,312

 
$
129,426

 
$
120,948

 
$
180,103

 
$
169,012

 
$
206,084

 
$
198,834

Income tax expense
$
19,995

 
$
19,341

 
$
48,927

 
$
45,719

 
$
68,159

 
$
63,963

 
$
78,121

 
$
75,413

Net income
$
33,041

 
$
31,971

 
$
80,499

 
$
75,229

 
$
111,944

 
$
105,049

 
$
127,963

 
$
123,421

Earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Basic
$
0.64

 
$
0.61

 
$
1.54

 
$
1.44

 
$
2.13

 
$
2.00

 
$
2.42

 
$
2.33

   Diluted
$
0.59

 
$
0.57

 
$
1.43

 
$
1.34

 
$
2.00

 
$
1.87

 
$
2.29

 
$
2.21

Consolidated statement of cash flow data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
33,041

 
$
31,971

 
$
80,499

 
$
75,229

 
$
111,944

 
$
105,049

 
$
127,963

 
$
123,421

Provision for bad debts
$
14,945

 
$
16,669

 
$
24,923

 
$
33,401

 
$
41,327

 
$
52,418

 
$
66,446

 
$
73,696

Deferred income taxes
-

 
-

 
-

 
-

 
-

 
-

 
$
(7,264
)
 
$
(9,972
)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
$
27,505

 
$
26,851

 
$
21,700

 
$
18,492

 
$
23,559

 
$
19,363

 
-

 
-

(1) The amounts in the “as reported” column for instructional costs and services above reflect reclassified amounts for each respective period. For additional information, see also Note 3, “Reclassification.”


18



BRIDGEPOINT EDUCATION, INC.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

Restricted Cash
Restricted cash primarily represents funds held for students from Title IV financial aid program funds that result in credit balances on a student’s account. Restricted cash is excluded from cash and cash equivalents on our condensed consolidated balance sheets and statements of cash flows. Changes in restricted cash are included in cash flows from operating activities on our consolidated statements of cash flows, as these restricted funds are closely related to the Company's operational activity. Our restricted cash is primarily held in money market accounts.
Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Accounts receivable consists of student accounts receivable, which represent amounts due for tuition, technology fees and other fees from currently enrolled and former students. Students generally fund their education through grants and/or loans under various Title IV programs, tuition assistance from military and corporate employers or personal funds.
Accounts receivable are stated at the amount management expects to collect from outstanding balances. For accounts receivable, an allowance for doubtful accounts is estimated by management based on (i) an assessment of individual accounts receivable over a specific aging and amount (and all other balances on a pooled basis based on historical collection experience), (ii) consideration of the nature of the receivable accounts and (iii) potential changes in the business or economic environment. The provision for bad debts is recorded within the instructional costs and services line in the condensed consolidated statements of income.
Student Loans Receivable and Loan Loss Reserves
Student loans receivable consist of loans to qualified students and have a repayment period of 10 years from the date of graduation or withdrawal from the Company's institutions. The interest rate charged on student loans is a fixed rate of either 4.5% or 0.0% depending upon the repayment plan selected. If the student selects the rate of 0.0%, the student must pay $50 per month on the loan while enrolled in school and during the six months of grace period (after graduation or withdrawal) before the repayment period begins. On the 0.0% student loans, the Company imputes interest using the rate that would be used in a market transaction with similar terms. Interest income on student loans is recognized using the effective interest method and is recorded within other income in the condensed consolidated statements of income. Revenue recognized related to student loans was immaterial during each of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012, respectively.
Student loans receivable are stated at the amount management expects to collect from outstanding balances. For tuition related student loan receivables, the Company estimates an allowance for doubtful accounts, similar to that of accounts receivable, based on (i) an assessment of individual loans receivable over a specific aging and amount (and all other balances on a pooled basis based on historical collection experience), (ii) consideration of the nature of the receivable accounts, (iii) potential changes in the business or economic environment and (iv) related FICO scores and other industry metrics. The related provision for bad debts is recorded within the instructional costs and services line in the condensed consolidated statements of income.
For non-tuition related student loans, the Company utilizes an impairment methodology. Under this methodology, management determines whether a loan would be impaired if it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due in accordance with the contractual terms of the individual loan agreement. This assessment is based on an analysis of several factors including aging history and delinquency trending, the risk characteristics and loan performance of the specific loans, as well as current economic conditions and industry trends. Based on these factors, the Company considers loans to be impaired when they reach a delinquency status that requires specialized collection efforts. The Company records a loss reserve for the full book value of the impaired loans. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, there was $0.5 million and $0.8 million, respectively, recorded for loan loss reserves. The loan loss reserve is maintained at a level deemed adequate by management based on a periodic analysis of the individual loans and is recorded within the instructional costs and services line in the condensed consolidated statements of income.


19



BRIDGEPOINT EDUCATION, INC.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

Revenue and Deferred Revenue
The Company recognizes revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, services have been rendered or delivery has occurred, our fees or price is fixed or determinable, and collectibility is reasonably assured. The Company's revenue consists of tuition, technology fees, course digital materials and other miscellaneous fees. Tuition revenue is deferred and recognized on a straight-line basis over the applicable period of instruction net of scholarships and expected refunds, with the exception of an online student's first course, per degree level, at Ashford University. Effective in the fourth quarter of 2012, an online student's first course per degree level at Ashford University falls under a three-week conditional admission period in which the revenue is deferred until the student matriculates into the course.
The Company's institutions' online students generally enroll in a program that encompasses a series of five to six-week courses which are taken consecutively over the length of the program. With the exception of those students under conditional admission, the online students are billed on a payment period basis on the first day of class. The Company's institutions' campus-based students enroll in a program that encompasses a series of nine-week or 16-week courses. Campus-based students are billed at the beginning of each term. The Company assesses collectibility at the start of a student’s payment period (generally five courses for undergraduates and four courses for graduates) for the courses in that payment period.
If a student's attendance in a class precedes the receipt of cash from the student's source of funding, the Company establishes an account receivable and corresponding deferred revenue in the amount of the tuition due for that payment period. Cash received either directly from the student or from the student's source of funding reduces the balance of accounts receivable due from the student. Financial aid from sources such as the federal government's Title IV programs pertains to the online student's award year and is generally divided into two disbursement periods. As such, each disbursement period may contain funding for up to four courses. Financial aid disbursements are typically received during the online student's attendance in the first or second course. Since the majority of disbursements cover more courses than for which a student is currently enrolled, the amount received in excess effectively represents a prepayment from the online student for up to four courses. At the end of each accounting period, the deferred revenue and student deposits and related account receivable balances are reduced to present amounts attributable to the current course.
For those students under conditional admission, the student is not obligated for payment until after their conditional admission period has lapsed, so there is no required refund. For all subsequent courses, the Company records a provision for expected refunds and reduces revenue for the amount that is expected to be subsequently refunded. Provisions for expected refunds have not been material to any period presented. If a student withdraws from a program prior to a specified date, a portion of such student's tuition is refunded, subject to certain state requirements which require a pro rata refund. The Company reassess collectibility throughout the period revenue is recognized by the Company's institutions, on a student-by-student basis. The Company reassess collectibility based upon new information and changes in facts and circumstances relevant to a student's ability to pay. For example, the Company reassesses collectibility when a student drops from the institution (i.e., is no longer enrolled) and when a student attends a course that was not included in the initial assessment at the start of a student’s payment period.
The Company records technology fees, which are one-time start up fees charged to each new online student, other than military, scholarship students or certain corporate reimbursement students. Technology fee revenue is recognized ratably over the average expected enrollment of a student. Effective January 1, 2013, Ashford University eliminated the one-time technology fee charged students and replaced it with a per course charge. The per course technology fee revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the applicable period of instruction. Other miscellaneous fees include fees for course content and textbooks and other services, such as commencements, and are recognized upon delivery of the goods or when the related service is performed.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
In July 2012, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2012-02, which amends Accounting Standards Codification Topic 350, Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment. The amended standard reduces the cost and complexity of testing indefinite-lived intangible assets, other than goodwill, for impairment by allowing companies to perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether further impairment testing is necessary, similar in approach to the goodwill impairment test. The guidance provided in ASU 2012-02 is effective


20



BRIDGEPOINT EDUCATION, INC.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

for annual and interim impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012. The Company adopted ASU 2012-02, effective January 1, 2013, and such adoption did not have a material effect on our condensed consolidated financial statements.
In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-02, Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, or AOCI, which amends Accounting Standards Codification Topic 220, Comprehensive Income. Under ASU 2013-02, an entity is required to provide information about the amounts reclassified out of AOCI by component in a single note or on the face of the financial statements. The guidance provided in ASU 2013-02 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012. The Company adopted ASU 2013-02, effective January 1, 2013, and such adoption did not have a material effect on our condensed consolidated financial statements.
3. Reclassification
Effective in the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company made changes in the presentation of its operating expenses. The Company determined that these changes would better reflect industry practices and would provide more meaningful information as well as increased transparency to its operations. The Company believes its expenses as reclassified better represent the operational changes and the business initiatives that have been implemented. The Company has reclassified prior periods to conform to the new presentation. There was no change to the total amount of operating expenses as a result of the reclassification.
The following table depicts the Company's operating expenses as previously reported, as well as currently reclassified, on its condensed consolidated statements of income for each of the three month periods noted below (in thousands):
 
March 31,
2012
 
June 30,
2012
 
September 30,
2012
 
December 31,
2012
Instructional costs and services (as reported)
$
68,475

 
$
65,395

 
$
75,699

 
$
105,875

   Impact of reclassification
14,025

 
13,130

 
12,674

 

Instructional costs and services (as reclassified)
82,500

 
78,525

 
88,373

 
105,875

   Impact of bad debt revision
1,724

 
6,754

 
2,613

 
(3,841
)
Instructional costs and services (as reclassified and revised)
84,224

 
85,279

 
90,986

 
102,034

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Admissions advisory and marketing (as reported)
80,063

 
78,608

 
90,291

 
65,239

   Impact of reclassification
9,979

 
8,586

 
6,443

 

Admissions advisory and marketing (as reclassified)
90,042

 
87,194

 
96,734

 
65,239

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
General and administrative (as reported)
49,546

 
36,763

 
36,364

 
13,139

   Impact of reclassification
(24,004
)
 
(21,716
)
 
(19,117
)
 

General and administrative (as reclassified)
25,542

 
15,047

 
17,247

 
13,139

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     Total costs and expenses (as reclassified and revised)
$
199,808

 
$
187,520

 
$
204,967

 
$
180,412

For additional information, see also Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - 2012 Revision of Previously Issued Financial Statements.”
4. Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income by the sum of (i) the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period and (ii) potentially dilutive securities outstanding during the period, if the effect is dilutive.


21



BRIDGEPOINT EDUCATION, INC.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

Potentially dilutive common shares for each of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012, consisted of incremental shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options and upon the settlement of restricted stock units.
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the periods indicated (in thousands, except per share data):
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
 
(As restated)
 
 
 
(As restated)
 
 
Numerator:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
14,211

 
$
30,179

 
$
50,992

 
$
101,321

Denominator:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding
54,336

 
53,184

 
54,201

 
52,576

Effect of dilutive options and restricted stock units
1,996

 
2,349

 
1,497

 
3,261

Effect of dilutive warrants
99

 
223

 
97

 
252

Diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding
56,431

 
55,756

 
55,795

 
56,089

Earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per share
$
0.26

 
$
0.57

 
$
0.94

 
$
1.93

Diluted earnings per share
$
0.25

 
$
0.54

 
$
0.91

 
$
1.81

For the periods indicated below, the computation of dilutive common shares outstanding excludes certain options and restricted stock units to purchase shares of common stock because their effect was anti-dilutive.
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands)
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
Options
2,564

 
3,405

 
3,493

 
1,364

Restricted stock units

 

 
1

 



22



BRIDGEPOINT EDUCATION, INC.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

5. Significant Balance Sheet Accounts
Receivables, Net
Receivables, net, consist of the following (in thousands):
 
As of
September 30, 2013
 
As of
December 31, 2012
 
(As restated)
 
 
Accounts receivable
$
72,991

 
$
85,953

Less allowance for doubtful accounts
(31,149
)
 
(31,466
)
Accounts receivable, net
$
41,842

 
$
54,487

 
 
 
 
Long term:
 
 
 
Student loans receivable (non-tuition related)
$
7,954

 
$
9,704

Student loans receivable (tuition related)
5,642

 
6,568

Student loans receivable
13,596

 
16,272

Less allowance for doubtful accounts
(1,660
)
 
(1,856
)
Student loans receivable, net
$
11,936

 
$
14,416

Student loans receivable is presented net of any related discount, and the balances approximated fair value at each balance sheet date. The Company estimated the fair value of the student loans receivable by discounting the future cash flows using current rates for similar arrangements. The assumptions used in this estimate are considered unobservable inputs and are therefore categorized as Level 3 measurements under accounting guidance.
The following table presents the changes in the allowance for doubtful accounts for the periods indicated (in thousands):
 
Beginning
Balance
 
Charged to
Expense
 
Deductions(1)
 
Ending
Balance
Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2013
$
(31,466
)
 
$
31,606

 
$
31,923

 
$
(31,149
)
For the nine months ended September 30, 2012
(24,688
)
 
36,737

 
33,263

 
(28,162
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Allowance for long term student loans receivable (tuition related):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2013
$
(1,856
)
 
$
64

 
$
260

 
$
(1,660
)
For the nine months ended September 30, 2012
(2,030
)
 
(127
)
 
6

 
(1,897
)
(1)
Deductions represent accounts written off, net of recoveries.
For the non-tuition related student loans receivable, the Company monitors the credit quality using credit scores, aging history and delinquency trending. The loan reserve methodology is reviewed on a quarterly basis. Delinquency is the main factor of determining if a loan is impaired. If a loan were determined to be impaired, interest would no longer accrue. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, there was $0.5 million and $0.8 million, respectively, of loans that were impaired, and as of September 30, 2013, an immaterial amount of loans had been placed on non-accrual status.


23



BRIDGEPOINT EDUCATION, INC.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets
Prepaid expenses and other current assets consist of the following (in thousands):
 
As of
September 30, 2013
 
As of
December 31, 2012
 
(As restated)
 
 
Prepaid expenses
$
10,254

 
$
9,367

Prepaid licenses
3,061

 
5,864

Prepaid insurance
1,184

 
1,134

Interest receivable
647

 
2,221

Other current assets
3,926

 
1,467

Total prepaid expenses and other current assets
$
19,072

 
$
20,053

Property and Equipment, Net
Property and equipment, net, consist of the following (in thousands):
 
As of
September 30, 2013
 
As of
December 31, 2012
Land
$
7,091

 
$
7,091

Buildings and building improvements
28,520

 
25,430

Furniture, office equipment and software
94,145

 
85,709

Leasehold improvements
24,410

 
23,756

Vehicles
147

 
147

Total property and equipment
154,313

 
142,133

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
(59,743
)
 
(46,167
)
Total property and equipment, net
$
94,570

 
$
95,966

Goodwill and Intangibles, Net
Goodwill and intangibles, net, consist of the following (in thousands):
 
As of
September 30, 2013
 
As of
December 31, 2012
Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles
$
3,424

 
$
3,424

 
 
 
 
Definite-lived intangible assets
$
13,496

 
$
9,978

Less accumulated amortization
(4,946
)
 
(2,663
)
Definite-lived intangible assets, net
8,550

 
7,315

 
 
 
 
Total goodwill and intangibles, net
$
11,974

 
$
10,739

For the three months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012, amortization expense was $0.9 million and $0.4 million, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012, amortization expense was $2.3 million and $1.0 million, respectively. The Company estimates that the remaining amortization expense for those intangibles which have been placed into service as of September 30, 2013, will be approximately $0.9 million, $3.3 million, $2.2 million


24



BRIDGEPOINT EDUCATION, INC.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

and $0.5 million over the remaining fiscal years ending December 31, 2013, December 31, 2014, December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2016, respectively.
Accrued Liabilities
Accrued liabilities consist of the following (in thousands):
 
As of
September 30, 2013
 
As of
December 31, 2012
 
(As restated)
 
 
Accrued salaries and wages
$
12,244

 
$
11,585

Accrued bonus
1,883

 
1,603

Accrued vacation
9,559

 
8,993

Accrued expenses
21,513

 
15,924

Accrued income taxes payable
3,629

 
6,535

Total accrued liabilities
$
48,828

 
$
44,640

There was a reduction in force during the second quarter of 2013 to help better align personnel resources with the impact of previously announced institutional initiatives regarding enrollments. We recognized $5.9 million of severance costs for wages and benefits during the second quarter for this reduction in force. The total severance amount was charged as $4.8 million to instructional costs and services, $0.3 million to admissions advisory and marketing expenses, and $0.8 million to general and administrative expenses. These costs were fully paid during the third quarter of 2013 from existing cash on hand. There were no additional severance costs or other related contract termination costs since that time.
Deferred Revenue and Student Deposits
Deferred revenue and student deposits consist of the following (in thousands):
 
As of
September 30, 2013
 
As of
December 31, 2012
Deferred revenue
$
32,763

 
$
44,967

Student deposits
93,684

 
130,090

Total deferred revenue and student deposits
$
126,447

 
$
175,057

6. Investments
The following tables summarize the fair value information of short and long-term investments as of September 30, 2013, and December 31, 2012, respectively (in thousands):
 
As of September 30, 2013
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Demand notes
$

 
$
652

 
$

 
$
652

Corporate notes and bonds

 
21,359

 

 
21,359

Total
$

 
$
22,011

 
$

 
$
22,011



25



BRIDGEPOINT EDUCATION, INC.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

 
As of December 31, 2012
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Demand notes
$

 
$
415

 
$

 
$
415

Corporate notes and bonds

 
148,801

 

 
148,801

Total
$

 
$
149,216

 
$

 
$
149,216

The above tables do not include amounts related to investments classified as other investments, such as certificates of deposit, which are carried at amortized cost. The amortized cost of such investments approximated fair value at each balance sheet date. The assumptions used in these fair value estimates are considered as other observable inputs and are therefore categorized as Level 2 measurements under the accounting guidance. The balances of such other investments were $99.5 million at September 30, 2013, and $109.5 million as of December 31, 2012. The balances of total combined short-term and long-term investments was $121.5 million and $258.7 million, as of September 30, 2013, and December 31, 2012, respectively.
The Company records the changes in unrealized gains and losses on its investments arising during the period in other comprehensive income. For the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company recorded net unrealized gains of $10,000 and $308,000, respectively, in other comprehensive income which were net of tax expense of $9,000 and $187,000, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company recorded a net unrealized loss of $194,000, and a net unrealized gain of $945,000, respectively, in other comprehensive income which were net of tax benefit of $115,000 and tax expense of $565,000, respectively.
7. Credit Facilities
On April 13, 2012, the Company entered into a $50 million revolving line of credit (“Facility”) pursuant to an Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement (“Revolving Credit Agreement”) with the lenders signatory thereto and Comerica, as administrative agent for the lenders. The Revolving Credit Agreement amended, restated and superseded any prior loan documents. At the Company's option, the Company may increase the size of the Facility up to $100 million, in certain minimum increments, subject to the terms and conditions of the Revolving Credit Agreement. Additionally, the Company may request swing-line advances under the Facility up to $3 million in the aggregate.
Under the Revolving Credit Agreement and the documents executed in connection therewith (collectively, the “Facility Loan Documents”), the lenders have agreed to make loans to the Company and issue letters of credit on the Company's behalf, subject to specific terms and conditions. The Facility has a term of three years and matures on April 13, 2015. Interest and fees accruing under the Facility are payable quarterly in arrears and principal is payable at maturity. The Company may terminate the Facility upon five days notice, without premium or penalty, other than customary breakage fees.
For any advance under the Facility, interest will accrue at either the “Base Rate” or the “Eurodollar-based Rate,” at the Company's option. The Base Rate means, for any day, 0.5% plus the greatest of: (1) the prime rate for such day, (2) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day, plus 1.0%, and (3) the daily adjusting LIBOR rate, plus 1.0%. The Eurodollar-based Rate means, for any day, 1.5% plus the quotient of (1) the LIBOR Rate, divided by (2) a percentage equal to 100% minus the maximum rate on such date at which Comerica is required to maintain reserves on “Eurocurrency Liabilities” as defined in Regulation D of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. For any advance under the swing line, interest will accrue at either the Base Rate or, if made available to the Company by the swing line lender, at the lender's option, a different rate quoted by such lender. For any letter of credit issued on the Company's behalf under the Facility, the Company is required to pay a fee of 1.50% of the undrawn amount of such letter of credit plus a letter of credit facing fee. The Company is also required to pay a facility fee of 0.25% of the aggregate commitment then in effect under the Facility, whether used or unused.
The Facility Loan Documents contain other customary affirmative, negative and financial maintenance covenants, representations and warranties, events of default, and remedies upon an event of default, including the acceleration of debt and the right to foreclose on the collateral securing the Facility. The Company was in compliance with all financial covenants in the Facility Loan Documents as of September 30, 2013.


26



BRIDGEPOINT EDUCATION, INC.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

As security for the performance of the Company's obligations under the Facility Loan Documents, the Company granted the lenders a first priority security interest in substantially all of the Company's assets, including its real property.
As of September 30, 2013, and up to the date of filing, the Company had no borrowings outstanding under the Facility. As of September 30, 2013, the Company used the availability under the line of credit to issue letters of credit aggregating $5.8 million.
Surety Bond Facility
As part of its normal business operations, the Company is required to provide surety bonds in certain states in which the Company does business. In May 2009, the Company entered into a surety bond facility with an insurance company to provide such bonds when applicable. As of September 30, 2013, the total available surety bond facility was $12.0 million and the Company had issued surety bonds totaling $7.0 million.
8. Stock-Based Compensation
The Company recorded $3.3 million and $3.4 million of stock-based compensation expense for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and $10.7 million and $9.9 million of stock-based compensation expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The related income tax benefit was $1.2 million and $1.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and $4.0 million and $3.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
There were 13,060 restricted stock units (“RSUs”) granted during the three months ended September 30, 2013 at a grant date fair value of $16.52. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, approximately 0.2 million RSUs vested and were released.
The Company did not grant any options to purchase shares of common stock during the three months ended September 30, 2013. During the three months ended September 30, 2013, options to purchase 0.2 million shares of common stock were exercised.
As of September 30, 2013, there was unrecognized compensation cost of $15.5 million related to unvested options and RSUs.
9. Warrants
The Company has issued warrants to purchase common stock to various employees, consultants, licensors and lenders with exercise prices ranging from $1.125 to $9.00. Each warrant represents the right to purchase one share of common stock. As of September 30, 2013, warrants to purchase 0.1 million shares of common stock remain outstanding. The Company has not issued any warrants since 2005. During the three months ended September 30, 2013, there were approximately 7,000 warrants to purchase shares of common stock exercised. All outstanding warrants are currently exercisable and expire on December 1, 2013.
10. Income Taxes
The Company's current estimated annual effective income tax rate that has been applied to normal, recurring operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, was 38.9%. The Company's actual effective income tax rate was 36.8% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013. The actual effective rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 differed from the Company's estimated annual effective tax rate due to the impact of discrete items on the Company's income before the provision for income taxes, primarily the recognition of $1.9 million of gross unrecognized tax benefits and the reversal of accrued interest related to the lapse of the statute of limitations, offset by increases to other gross unrecognized tax benefits and related accrued interest.
At September 30, 2013, and December 31, 2012, the Company had $8.1 million and $9.3 million of gross unrecognized tax benefits, respectively, of which $5.3 million and $6.6 million, respectively, would impact the effective income tax rate if recognized.


27



BRIDGEPOINT EDUCATION, INC.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

The Company is subject to U.S. federal income tax and multiple state tax jurisdictions. The 2002 through 2012 tax years remain open to examination by major taxing jurisdictions to which the Company is subject.
The Company's continuing practice is to recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. Accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as of September 30, 2013 and as of December 31, 2012, was $1.8 million and $1.7 million, respectively.
The California Franchise Tax Board commenced an audit of the Company's 2008 and 2009 California income tax returns in October 2011. The Company does not expect any significant adjustments resulting from this audit.
It is reasonably possible that the amount of the unrecognized tax benefit will change during the next 12 months, however the Company does not expect the potential change to have a material effect on the results of operations or financial position in the next year.
11. Regulatory
The Company is subject to extensive regulation by federal and state governmental agencies and accrediting bodies. In particular, the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (“Higher Education Act”), and the regulations promulgated thereunder by the U.S. Department of Education (“Department”) subject the Company to significant regulatory scrutiny on the basis of numerous standards that institutions of higher education must satisfy in order to participate in the various federal student financial assistance programs under Title IV of the Higher Education Act.
Ashford University and University of the Rockies are both currently regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (“HLC”).
WASC Grant of Initial Accreditation of Ashford University. On July 10, 2013, the WASC Senior College and University Commission (“WASC”) granted Initial Accreditation to Ashford University for five years, until July 15, 2018. This WASC action permits Ashford University to designate WASC as its accreditor of record for purposes of eligibility to participate in the Title IV programs, subject to (i) the Department's prior approval, (ii) the university's voluntary withdrawal from HLC, (iii) receipt of acknowledgment by HLC, and (iv) release of HLC's relevant records to WASC. WASC found that the university has responded to its previously expressed concerns, judged that Ashford University is in substantial compliance with WASC standards and established a process for monitoring progress in implementing recommendations in several areas related to growth, infrastructure, student retention and student outcomes. As part of the monitoring process, the university will host WASC in a Special Visit in spring 2015. The university intends to transition from HLC to WASC, name WASC as its accreditor of record for Title IV purposes, and designate its San Diego, California facilities as its main campus and its Clinton, Iowa campus as an additional location, subject to approval by the Department. Ashford University formally submitted its request for such approvals to the Department on July 17, 2013. On November 4, 2013, the Department notified Ashford University that the Department will approve the university’s change in accreditor, recognizing WASC as Ashford University’s accreditor, along with the renewal of certification for continued participation in the Title IV, HEA programs. The Department anticipates completing its review and approval of the university’s application for change in accreditor, and issuing a new Program Participation Agreement, within the next few weeks.
Application for Licensure by California BPPE. To be eligible to participate in Title IV programs, an institution must be legally authorized to offer its educational programs by the states in which it is physically located. Effective July 1, 2011, the Department established new requirements to determine if an institution is considered to be legally authorized by a state. See “Regulation - State Authorization” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, which was filed with the SEC on March 12, 2013, and amended on May 17, 2013. In connection with its transition to WASC accreditation, Ashford University plans to designate its San Diego, California facilities as its main campus for Title IV purposes, subject to approval by the Department. WASC-accredited institutions operating in California are not required to obtain additional approval from the State of California, Department of Consumer Affairs, Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education, or BPPE, in order to operate in the state. Under the Department’s state authorization rule, an institution must be approved or licensed on a basis other than accreditation in instances in which it is not established by name as an educational institution by a state through a charter, statute, constitutional provision, or other action issued by an appropriate state agency or entity. On May 21, 2013, the Department published a notice stating that it would provide an extension of the effective date of


28



BRIDGEPOINT EDUCATION, INC.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

the state authorization rule until July 1, 2014 to qualifying institutions that obtain from a state an explanation of how the extension of time would permit the state to comply with the regulations. The California Department of Consumer Affairs has issued a letter explaining the need for an extension. As it is uncertain how the Department will interpret the state authorization rule or the applicability of the extension of time, the university submitted an Application for Approval to Operate an Accredited Institution to BPPE on September 10, 2013. Once licensed by BPPE, the university will no longer be exempt from certain laws and regulations applicable to private, post-secondary educational institutions. These laws and regulations entail certain California reporting requirements, including but not limited to, employment data, certain changes of ownership and control, faculty and programs, and student refund policies, as well as the triggering of other state and federal student employment data reporting and disclosure requirements.
HLC Accreditation of Ashford University. On July 18, 2013, Ashford University provided a monitoring report to HLC stating that it had been granted Initial Accreditation by WASC for five years and that the university intends to name WASC as its accreditor of record, subject to approval by the Department. However, if the Department does not recognize the change of accreditor or the designation of San Diego, California as its main campus and Clinton, Iowa as an additional location, or if the Department has not yet recognized the change of accreditor or campus designations, the university would be required to host HLC in a focused evaluation on or before December 15, 2013 to examine retention, graduation and the university's progress in resolving the identified issues. Unless the university withdraws from HLC prior to such date, the HLC Board of Trustees will consider information provided in the July 2013 monitoring report and the December 2013 focused evaluation at its meeting in February 2014 and take action as appropriate. Such action could include placing the institution on notice or probation, a show-cause order or withdrawal of accreditation. Loss of accreditation would denigrate the value of our institutions' educational programs and would cause them to lose their eligibility to participate in Title IV programs, which would have a material adverse effect on enrollments, revenues, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.
On September 4, 2013, Ashford University received a letter from HLC, stating that on August 30, 2013, HLC's Board of Trustees removed the university from Notice because the HLC Board determined that the university had resolved the concerns that led to the institution being placed on Notice. The HLC Board maintained the requirement that the university host HLC in a focused evaluation on or before December 15, 2013 to examine retention, graduation and the university's progress in resolving the issues identified in the Notice action. This requirement will remain in effect until the university resigns its status.
Request for information from Ashford University by Iowa College Student Aid Commission. On September 22, 2012, the Iowa College Student Aid Commission requested that Ashford University provide the commission with certain information and documentation related to, among other matters, the denial of Ashford University's application for WASC accreditation, the university's compliance with HLC criteria and policies, a teach-out plan in the event that Ashford University is unsuccessful in obtaining WASC accreditation and is sanctioned by HLC, and information relating to admissions employees, receipt of financial aid, availability of books, credit balance authorizations, and academic and financial support and advisement services to students. The commission requested that Ashford University provide the requested information by November 12, 2012 and make an in-person presentation during the commission's meeting on November 16, 2012. The university made the presentation and continues to work with the commission to ensure they receive timely accreditation-related updates.
Negotiated Rulemaking. The Department held negotiated rulemaking public hearings in May and June 2013 and has indicated that this activity is part of a series of rulemaking efforts to achieve a long-term agenda in higher education focused on access, affordability, academic quality and completion. Recent hearings have focused on topics including, but not limited to, cash management of Title IV program funds, state authorization for programs offering distance or correspondence education, gainful employment, credit and clock hour conversions, changes made to the Clery Act by the Violence Against Women Act of 2013 (P.L. 113-4), and the definition of “adverse credit” for PLUS borrowers.
In June 2013, the Department announced its intention to establish a negotiated rulemaking committee to prepare proposed regulations that would establish standards for programs that prepare students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation, referred to below as the Notice. The Notice sought nominees for the two sessions, the first of which occurred on September 9-11, 2013 and the second of which was scheduled for October 21-23, 2013, but has been delayed because of the partial, temporary government shutdown. In advance of the first negotiated rulemaking session, the Department issued draft regulatory language for discussion purposes. The draft differs from the gainful employment regulations previously promulgated by the Department, which were vacated by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, in several significant


29



BRIDGEPOINT EDUCATION, INC.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

ways, including: (i) tightening the debt-to-earnings ratios that programs must meet in order to be considered passing and establishing a new “zone” alternative for programs with debt-to-earnings ratios that are neither passing nor failing, (ii) decreasing the number of years for which a program may fail to meet the debt-to-earnings ratios before losing Title IV eligibility from three out of four years to two out of three years, and (iii) eliminating the loan repayment rate metric. The repayment rate metric is the component of the current gainful employment rule which was held to be arbitrary and capricious by the court, resulting in invalidation of the entire rule. This rulemaking process is expected to produce new regulations, which, if published in final form after November 1, 2013 and on or before November 1, 2014, would take effect in July 2015.
The Notice stated that the Department plans to establish committees to address the other rulemaking issues in the coming months. Department representatives have advised institutions that committees could be established in February or March 2014. Compliance with additional regulations, and/or regulatory scrutiny that results in the Company's institutions being allegedly out of compliance with these regulations, could result in direct and indirect costs of compliance, fines, liabilities, sanctions or lawsuits, which could have a material adverse effect on enrollments, revenues, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.
Cohort Default Rate. For each federal fiscal year, the Department calculates a rate of student defaults over a two-year measuring period for each educational institution which is known as a “cohort default rate.” An institution may lose its eligibility to participate in the Direct Loan and Pell programs if, for each of the three most recent federal fiscal years for which information is available, 25% or more of its students who became subject to a repayment obligation in that federal fiscal year defaulted on such obligation by the end of the following federal fiscal year. In addition, an institution may lose its eligibility to participate in the Direct Loan program if its cohort default rate exceeds 40% in the most recent federal fiscal year for which default rates have been calculated by the Department. Ashford University's two-year cohort default rates for the 2011, 2010 and 2009 federal fiscal years, were 10.1%, 10.2%, and 15.3%, respectively. The two-year cohort default rates for the University of the Rockies for the 2011, 2010 and 2009 federal fiscal years, were 4.9%, 4.0% and 3.3%, respectively.
12. Commitments and Contingencies
From time to time, the Company is a party to various lawsuits, claims and other legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of business. When the Company becomes aware of a claim or potential claim, it assesses the likelihood of any loss or exposure. If it is probable that a loss will result and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated, the Company records a liability for the loss. If the loss is not probable or the amount of the loss cannot be reasonably estimated, the Company discloses the nature of the specific claim if the likelihood of a potential loss is reasonably possible and the amount involved is material. Below is a list of material legal proceedings to which the Company or its subsidiaries is a party.
Compliance Audit by the Department's Office of the Inspector General (“OIG”)
In January 2011, Ashford University received a final audit report from the OIG regarding the compliance audit commenced in May 2008 and covering the period July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007. The audit covered Ashford University's administration of Title IV program funds, including compliance with regulations governing institutional and student eligibility, awards and disbursements of Title IV program funds, verification of awards and returns of unearned funds during that period, and its compensation of financial aid and recruiting personnel during the period May 10, 2005 through June 30, 2009.
The final audit report contained audit findings, in each case for the period July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007, which are applicable to award year 2006-2007. Each finding was accompanied by one or more recommendations to the Department's Office of Federal Student Aid (“FSA”). Ashford University provided FSA a detailed response to OIG’s final audit report in February 2011. For further details regarding the audit report, please refer the section titled “Regulation - Department Regulation of Title IV Programs - Compliance reviews, audits and reports,” in Part I, Item 1 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, which was filed with the SEC on March 12, 2013, and amended on May 17, 2013. If the FSA were to determine to assess a monetary liability or commence other administrative action, Ashford University would have an opportunity to contest the assessment or proposed action through administrative proceedings, with the right to seek review of any final administrative action in the federal courts.


30



BRIDGEPOINT EDUCATION, INC.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

Iowa Attorney General Civil Investigation of Ashford University
In February 2011, Ashford University received from the Attorney General of the State of Iowa (“Iowa Attorney General”) a Civil Investigative Demand and Notice of Intent to Proceed (“CID”) relating to the Iowa Attorney General's investigation of whether certain of the university's business practices comply with Iowa consumer laws. Pursuant to the CID, the Iowa Attorney General has requested documents and detailed information for the time period January 1, 2008 to present. On June 24, 2013 and October 25, 2013, representatives from the Company and Ashford University met with the Iowa Attorney General to discuss the status of the investigation and a potential resolution involving injunctive relief and a monetary payment. Ashford University is cooperating with the investigation and cannot predict the eventual scope, duration or outcome of the investigation at this time or whether a potential resolution can be reached. As a result, the Company cannot reasonably estimate a range of loss for this action and accordingly has not accrued any liability associated with this action. However, if we are able to resolve this matter, we believe any such resolution would result in material payments and certain non-monetary remedies.
New York Attorney General Investigation of Bridgepoint Education, Inc.
In May 2011, the Company received from the Attorney General of the State of New York (“NY Attorney General”) a Subpoena relating to the NY Attorney General's investigation of whether the Company and its academic institutions have complied with certain New York state consumer protection, securities and finance laws. Pursuant to the Subpoena, the NY Attorney General has requested from the Company and its academic institutions documents and detailed information for the time period March 17, 2005 to present. The Company is cooperating with the investigation and cannot predict the eventual scope, duration or outcome of the investigation at this time.
North Carolina Attorney General Investigation of Ashford University
In September 2011, Ashford University received from the Attorney General of the State of North Carolina (“NC Attorney General”) an Investigative Demand relating to the NC Attorney General's investigation of whether the university's business practices complied with North Carolina consumer protection laws. Pursuant to the Investigative Demand, the NC Attorney General has requested from Ashford University documents and detailed information for the time period January 1, 2008 to present. Ashford University is cooperating with the investigation and cannot predict the eventual scope, duration or outcome of the investigation at this time.
California Attorney General Investigation of For-Profit Educational Institutions
In January 2013, the Company received from the Attorney General of the State of California (“CA Attorney General”) an Investigative Subpoena relating to the CA Attorney General's investigation of for-profit educational institutions. Pursuant to the Investigative Subpoena, the CA Attorney General has requested documents and detailed information for the time period March 1, 2009 to present. On July 24, 2013, the CA Attorney General filed a petition to enforce certain categories of the Subpoena related to recorded calls and electronic marketing data. On September 25, 2013, we reached an agreement with the CA Attorney General to produce certain categories of the documents requested in the petition and stipulated to continue the hearing on the petition to enforce from October 3, 2013 to January 9, 2014. The Company cannot predict the eventual scope, duration or outcome of the investigation at this time. As a result, the Company cannot reasonably estimate a range of loss for this action and accordingly has not accrued any liability associated with this action.
Stevens v. Bridgepoint Education, Inc.
In February 2011, the Company received a copy of a complaint filed as a class action lawsuit naming the Company, Ashford University, LLC, and certain employees as defendants. The complaint was filed in the Superior Court of the State of California in San Diego and was captioned Stevens v. Bridgepoint Education, Inc. In April 2011, the Company received a copy of a complaint filed as a class action lawsuit naming the Company and Ashford University, LLC, as defendants. The complaint was filed in the Superior Court of the State of California in San Diego, and was captioned Moore v. Ashford University, LLC. In May 2011, the Company received a copy of a complaint filed as a class action lawsuit naming the Company as a defendant. The complaint was filed in the Superior Court of the State of California in San Diego on May 6, 2011, and was captioned Sanchez v. Bridgepoint Education, Inc. All three of these complaints generally alleged that the plaintiffs and similarly situated employees were improperly denied certain wage and hour protections under California law.


31



BRIDGEPOINT EDUCATION, INC.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

In October 2011, the above named cases were consolidated because they involved common questions of fact and law, with Stevens v. Bridgepoint Education, Inc. designated as the lead case. In April 2012, the Company entered into a settlement agreement with the plaintiffs of the above named cases to settle the claims on a class-wide basis. Under the terms of the settlement agreement, the Company agreed to pay an amount to settle the plaintiffs' claims, plus any related payroll taxes. The Company accrued a $10.8 million expense in connection with the settlement agreement during the three months ended March 31, 2012. On August 24, 2012, the Court granted final approval of the class action settlement and entered a final judgment in accordance with the terms of the settlement agreement. This settlement was paid out prior to December 31, 2012.
Securities Class Action
On July 13, 2012, a securities class action complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California by Donald K. Franke naming the Company, Andrew Clark, Daniel Devine and Jane McAuliffe as defendants for allegedly making false and materially misleading statements regarding the Company's business and financial results, specifically the concealment of accreditation problems at Ashford University. The complaint asserts a putative class period stemming from May 3, 2011 to July 6, 2012. A substantially similar complaint was also filed in the same court by Luke Sacharczyk on July 17, 2012 making similar allegations against the Company, Andrew Clark and Daniel Devine. The Sacharczyk complaint asserts a putative class period stemming from May 3, 2011 to July 12, 2012. Finally, on July 26, 2012, another purported securities class action complaint was filed in the same court by David Stein against the same defendants based upon the same general set of allegations and class period. The complaints allege violations of Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder and seek unspecified monetary relief, interest, and attorneys’ fees.
On October 22, 2012, the Sacharczyk and Stein actions were consolidated with the Franke action and the Court appointed the City of Atlanta General Employees Pension Fund and the Teamsters Local 677 Health Services & Insurance Plan as lead plaintiffs. A consolidated complaint was filed on December 21, 2012 and the Company filed a motion to dismiss on February 19, 2013. On September 13, 2013, the Court granted the motion to dismiss with leave to amend for alleged misrepresentations relating to Ashford University’s quality of education, the WASC accreditation process, and the Company’s financial forecasts. The Court denied the motion to dismiss for alleged misrepresentations concerning Ashford University’s persistence rates. The plaintiff did not file an amended complaint by the October 31, 2013 deadline and therefore the case will now proceed to discovery.
The Company believes the lawsuit is without merit and intends to vigorously defend against it. However, because of the many questions of fact and law that may arise, the outcome of this legal proceeding is uncertain at this point. Based on the information available to the Company at present, it cannot reasonably estimate a range of loss for this action and accordingly has not accrued any liability associated with this action.
Shareholder Derivative Action
On July 24, 2012, a shareholder derivative complaint was filed in California Superior Court by Alonzo Martinez. In the complaint, the plaintiff asserts a derivative claim on the Company's behalf against certain of its current and former officers and directors. The complaint is entitled Martinez v. Clark, et al., and generally alleges that the individual defendants breached their fiduciary duties of candor, good faith and loyalty, wasted corporate assets and were unjustly enriched. The complaint seeks unspecified monetary relief and disgorgement on behalf of the Company, as well as other equitable relief and attorneys' fees. On September 28, 2012, a substantially similar shareholder derivative complaint was filed in California Superior Court by David Adolph-Laroche. In the complaint, the plaintiff asserts a derivative claim on the Company's behalf against certain of its current and former officers and directors. The complaint is entitled Adolph-Laroche v. Clark, et al., and generally alleges that the individual defendants breached their fiduciary duties of candor, good faith and loyalty, wasted corporate assets and were unjustly enriched.
On October 11, 2012, the Adolph-Laroche action was consolidated with the Clark action and the case is now entitled In re Bridgepoint, Inc. Shareholder Derivative Action. A consolidated complaint was filed on December 18, 2012 and the defendants filed a motion to stay the case while the underlying securities class action is pending. The motion was granted by the Court on April 11, 2013. A status conference was held on October 10, 2013, during which the Court ordered the stay continued but permitted the plaintiff to receive copies of any discovery responses served in the underlying securities class action.


32



BRIDGEPOINT EDUCATION, INC.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

Guzman v. Bridgepoint Education, Inc.
In January 2011, Betty Guzman filed a class action lawsuit against the Company, Ashford University and University of the Rockies in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California. The complaint is entitled Guzman v. Bridgepoint Education, Inc., et al., and alleges that the defendants engaged in misrepresentation and other unlawful behavior in their efforts to recruit and retain students. The complaint asserts a putative class period of March 1, 2005 through the present. In March 2011, the defendants filed a motion to dismiss the complaint, which was granted by the Court with leave to amend in October 2011.
In January 2012, the plaintiff filed a first amended complaint asserting similar claims and the same class period, and the defendants filed another motion to dismiss. In May 2012, the Court granted the University of the Rockies' motion to dismiss and granted in part and denied in part the motion to dismiss filed by the Company and Ashford University. The Court also granted the plaintiff leave to file a second amended complaint. In August 2012, the plaintiff filed a second amended complaint asserting similar claims and the same class period. The second amended complaint seeks unspecified monetary relief, disgorgement of all profits, various other equitable relief, and attorneys' fees. The defendants filed a motion to strike portions of the second amended complaint, which was granted in part and denied in part. On March 14, 2013, the Company filed a motion to deny class certification for students enrolled on or after May 2007 when Ashford University adopted a binding arbitration policy. On August 23, 2013, the Court denied the motion finding that although “some” absent class members in this case may have signed an enforceable arbitration agreement, this does not demonstrate an overbroad or unascertainable class that forecloses certification at this stage of the proceedings. On September 23, 2013, the Court entered an order bifurcating discovery and permitting only class certification discovery to take place until the plaintiff’s motion for class certification, which is due to be filed on or before April 30, 2014, is decided.
The Company believes the lawsuit is without merit and intends to vigorously defend against it. However, because of the many questions of fact and law that may arise, the outcome of this legal proceeding is uncertain at this point. Based on the information available to the Company at present, it cannot reasonably estimate a range of loss for this action and accordingly has not accrued any liability associated with this action.
Qui Tam Complaints
In December 2012, the Company received notice that the U.S. Department of Justice had declined to intervene in a qui tam complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California by Ryan Ferguson and Mark T. Pacheco under the Federal False Claims Act on March 10, 2011 and unsealed on December 26, 2012. The case is entitled United States of America, ex rel., Ryan Ferguson and Mark T. Pacheco v. Bridgepoint Education, Inc., Ashford University and University of the Rockies. The qui tam complaint alleges, among other things, that since March 10, 2005, the Company caused its institutions, Ashford University and University of the Rockies, to violate the Federal False Claims Act by falsely certifying to the U.S. Department of Education that the institutions were in compliance with various regulations governing the Title IV programs, including those that require compliance with federal rules regarding the payment of incentive compensation to enrollment personnel, student disclosures, and misrepresentation in connection with the institutions' participation in the Title IV programs. The complaint seeks significant damages, penalties and other relief. On April 30, 2013, the relators petitioned the Court for voluntary dismissal of the complaint without prejudice. The U.S. Department of Justice filed a notice stipulating to the dismissal and the Court granted the dismissal on June 12, 2013.
In January 2013, the Company received notice that the U.S. Department of Justice had declined to intervene in a qui tam complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California by James Carter and Roger Lengyel under the Federal False Claims Act on July 2, 2010 and unsealed on January 2, 2013. The case is entitled United States of America, ex rel., James Carter and Roger Lengyel v. Bridgepoint Education, Inc., Ashford University. The qui tam complaint alleges, among other things, that since March 2005, the Company and Ashford University have violated the Federal False Claims Act by falsely certifying to the U.S. Department of Education that Ashford University was in compliance with federal rules regarding the payment of incentive compensation to enrollment personnel in connection with the institution's participation in Title IV programs. Pursuant to a stipulation between the parties, the relators filed an amended complaint on May 10, 2013. The amended complaint is substantially similar to the original complaint and seeks significant damages, penalties and other relief. The Company intends to vigorously defend against the allegations set forth in the amended complaint and filed a motion to dismiss on June 24, 2013, which is currently pending.


33



BRIDGEPOINT EDUCATION, INC.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

Employee Class Actions
On October 24, 2012, a class action complaint was filed in California Superior Court by former employee Marla Montano naming the Company and Ashford University as defendants. The case is entitled Marla Montano v. Bridgepoint Education and Ashford University. The complaint asserts a putative class consisting of former employees who were terminated in January 2012 and July 2012 as a result of a mass layoff, relocation or termination and alleges that the defendants failed to comply with the notice and payment provisions of the California WARN Act. A substantially similar complaint, entitled Dilts v. Bridgepoint Education and Ashford University, was also filed in the same court on the same day by Austin Dilts making similar allegations and asserting the same putative class. The complaints seek back pay, the cost of benefits, penalties and interest on behalf of the putative class members, as well as other equitable relief and attorneys' fees.
The Company and Ashford University intend to vigorously defend against these actions. On January 25, 2013, the Company filed motions to compel binding arbitration with the Court, which were granted on May 20, 2013. The parties are in the process of selecting an arbitrator.
13. Subsequent Events
On October 31, 2013, the Company entered into a license agreement (the “Forbes Agreement”) with Forbes Education Holdings LLC (“Forbes”), a subsidiary of Forbes Media LLC, pursuant to which the Company has licensed certain trademarks and print and online content from Forbes, as well as certain intellectual property and other benefits. The Forbes Agreement has an initial term ending on December 31, 2025, with an option to renew for subsequent 12 year terms at the Company's election, subject to certain conditions. Under the agreement, the Company made a one-time payment of $15.0 million and is required to pay royalties based on a percentage of annual revenues attributable to Ashford University’s business-related programs. The Company's royalty payment obligation is subject to a $2.5 million annual minimum and a provision that no annual royalty payment shall be lower than that paid in the preceding year, subject to certain exceptions.


34


Item 2.    Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
The following Management's Discussions and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, or MD&A, should be read in conjunction with our condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes in Part I, Item 1 of this report. For additional context with which to understand our financial condition and results of operations, see the MD&A included in Part II, Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2013, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on August 1, 2014, as well as the consolidated financial statements and related notes contained therein.
Forward-Looking Statements
This MD&A and other sections of this report contain “forward-looking statements” as defined by the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include information relating to future events, future financial performance, strategies, expectations, competitive environment, regulation and availability of financial resources. Such forward-looking statements may generally be identified by words such as “may,” “could,” “would,” “potential,” “continue,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates” and similar expressions, as well as statements in the future tense, although their absence does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Such forward-looking statements are necessarily estimates based upon current information and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Such statements should be viewed with caution. Actual events or results may differ materially from the results anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors. These forward-looking statements may include, without limitation, statements regarding:
Ashford University's plans in response to the grant of initial accreditation by the WASC Senior College and University Commission, or WASC; and the transition of accreditor from the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, or HLC, to WASC;
the acceptance and related impact of Ashford University's Application for Approval to Operate an Accredited Institution submitted to the State of California, Department of Consumer Affairs, Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education;
the effectiveness of improvements in our accounting processes in remediating internal control deficiencies;
our ability to comply with changing regulatory requirements;
expectations regarding financial position, results of operations, liquidity and enrollment at our institutions;
projections, predictions, expectations, estimates or forecasts as to our business, financial and operational results and future economic performance, including, but not limited to, our efforts to enhance our processes and procedures around our accounts receivable and anticipated savings from the second quarter 2013 reduction in force;
new initiatives focused on student success and academic quality;
expectations regarding the adequacy of our cash and cash equivalents and other sources of liquidity for ongoing operations, planned capital expenditures and working capital requirements;
expectations regarding investment in online and other advertising and capital expenditures;
our anticipated seasonal fluctuations in results of operations;
management's goals and objectives; and
other similar matters that are not historical facts.
Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results and will not necessarily be accurate indications of the timing of such performance or results. Forward-looking statements are based on information available at the time those statements are made and management's good faith belief as of that time with respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by the forward-looking statements. See “Risk Factors” in Part II, Item 1A of this report for a discussion of some of these risks and uncertainties.


35


Overview
We are a provider of postsecondary education services. Our academic institutions, Ashford University and University of the Rockies, offer associate's, bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs online as well as at their traditional campuses located in Iowa and Colorado, respectively. As of September 30, 2013, our institutions offered approximately 1,560 courses, 80 degree programs and 140 specializations. We are also focused on developing innovative new technologies to improve the way students learn, such as Constellation, Thuze and Waypoint Outcomes, and the mobile learning platforms for our institutions.
Restatement/Revision of Previously Issued Consolidated Financial Statements
The Company is restating its consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2013, and its consolidated statement of income, consolidated statement of comprehensive income, consolidated statement of stockholders' equity and consolidated statement of cash flow for the year ended December 31, 2013, as well as the quarterly periods during that fiscal year. The Company is also revising its consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2012, and its consolidated statements of income, consolidated statements of comprehensive income, consolidated statements of stockholders' equity and consolidated statements of cash flow for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, as well as for all the quarterly periods included in 2012.
During the reporting of the first quarter of 2014, as part of a comment letter process with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), the Company identified misapplications of GAAP as it related to the accounting for revenue recognition and the classification of restricted cash. Specifically on the revenue recognition, the process for analyzing the collectibility assertion was not designed to reassess collectibility on a student-by-student basis throughout the period revenue was recognized by the Company's institutions. As a result, the Company has changed its revenue recognition policy and has identified adjustments, relating to revenue, provision for bad debts, accounts receivable, which should have been recognized during the prior periods, and restricted cash balances, which should have been presented differently during the prior periods.
Key operating data
In evaluating our operating performance, our management focuses in part on revenue, operating income and period end enrollment at our institutions, both online and campus-based. The following table, which should be read in conjunction with our condensed consolidated financial statements contained elsewhere in this report, presents our key operating data for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands, except for enrollment data):
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
Consolidated Statement of Income Data:
(unaudited)
Revenue
$
182,768

 
$
245,917

 
$
589,224

 
$
736,884

Operating Income
19,524

 
47,647

 
78,333

 
160,396

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Other Data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Period end enrollment (1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Online
67,486

 
90,147

 
67,486

 
90,147

Campus
1,080

 
1,211

 
1,080

 
1,211

Total
68,566

 
91,358

 
68,566

 
91,358

(1)
We define enrollments as the number of active students on the last day of the financial reporting period. A student is considered active if the student attended a class within the prior 15 days or is on an institutionally-approved break not to exceed 45 days, unless the student has graduated or provided a notice of withdrawal.
Key enrollment trends
Enrollment at our academic institutions decreased 16.2% from 81,810 at December 31, 2012, to 68,566 at September 30, 2013. Enrollment decreased 24.9% from 91,358 students at September 30, 2012 to 68,566 at September 30, 2013.


36


For the three months ended September 30, 2013, we had new student enrollments of approximately 12,500, compared with new student enrollments of approximately 20,500 for the same period in 2012, a decrease of 39.0%. The following table presents new student enrollments for the five most recent quarters and compares them to the same periods in the previous year:
 
Q3 2012
 
Q4 2012
 
Q1 2013
 
Q2 2013
 
Q3 2013
Current period
20,500

 
9,260

 
13,300

 
10,600

 
12,500

Prior year period
22,000

 
13,500

 
24,275

 
19,300

 
20,500

Percentage change
(6.8
)%
 
(31.4
)%
 
(45.2
)%
 
(45.1
)%
 
(39.0
)%
In recent quarters, we have generally experienced a decline in new student enrollments. We believe a primary driver for the recent decline is fewer admissions counselors and student inquiry coordinators, as a result of our various operational changes and business initiatives. We also believe that the new student enrollment has been affected by the more stringent student preparedness and performance initiatives we have added.
Trends and uncertainties regarding revenue and continuing operations
Ashford University made changes to its operations and business initiatives as part of its reapplication for initial accreditation from WASC. These initiatives included hiring new leadership, implementing smaller class sizes, expanding minimum age-levels for students, implementing the Ashford Promise (an initiative that allows students a full refund for all tuition and fees through the third week of a student's first class), hiring additional full-time faculty, and implementing new program review models. Many of these initiatives have resulted in higher expense to the organization, primarily in the areas of instructional costs and services, as well as contributed to the recent decline in new enrollment and resulting decline in revenue.
In the prior year, we made changes in the presentation of our operating expenses and have reclassified prior periods to conform to that new presentation. Management determined that these changes would better reflect industry practices and would provide more meaningful information as well as increased transparency to our operations. We believe that the reclassification better represents the operational changes and the business initiatives that have been implemented. These reclassifications had no effect on previously reported total operating expenses or retained earnings.
There was a reduction in force during the second quarter of 2013 to help better align personnel resources with the impact of previously announced institutional initiatives regarding enrollments. We recognized $5.9 million of severance costs for wages and benefits during the second quarter for this reduction in force. The total severance amount was charged as $4.8 million to instructional costs and services, $0.3 million to admissions advisory and marketing expenses, and $0.8 million to general and administrative expenses. These costs were fully paid during the third quarter of 2013 from existing cash on hand. There were no additional severance costs or other related contract termination costs since that time. The savings from this reduction in force is anticipated to be approximately $8.0 million through December 31, 2013.
Although we continue to see a demand for postsecondary education and Title IV funds continue to be available to current and prospective students, our historical results and trends, including enrollments, instructional costs and services, and admissions advisory and marketing expenses may not be indicative of our future results.
Liquidity and capital resources and anticipated capital expenditures
We have financed our operating activities and capital expenditures during 2013 and 2012 primarily through cash provided by operating activities. At September 30, 2013, we had cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and investments totaling $553.3 million and no long-term debt. Based on our current level of operations and anticipated growth in enrollments, we believe that our cash flow from operating activities, our existing cash and cash equivalents and other sources of liquidity will provide adequate funds for ongoing operations, planned capital expenditures and working capital requirements for at least the next 12 months. For the year ending December 31, 2013, we expect capital expenditures to be approximately $18.0 million.
Recent Developments
WASC Grant of Initial Accreditation of Ashford University. On July 10, 2013, WASC granted Initial Accreditation to Ashford University for five years, until July 15, 2018. This WASC action permits Ashford University to designate WASC as its accreditor of record for purposes of eligibility to participate in the Title IV programs, subject to (i) the Department's prior approval, (ii) the university's voluntary withdrawal from HLC, (iii) receipt of acknowledgment by HLC, and (iv) release of


37


HLC's relevant records to WASC. WASC found that the university has responded to its previously expressed concerns, judged that Ashford University is in substantial compliance with WASC standards and established a process for monitoring progress in implementing recommendations in several areas related to growth, infrastructure, student retention and student outcomes. As part of the monitoring process, the university will host WASC in a Special Visit in spring 2015. The university intends to transition from HLC to WASC, name WASC as its accreditor of record for Title IV purposes, and designate its California facilities as its main campus and its Clinton, Iowa campus as an additional location, subject to approval by the Department. Ashford University formally submitted its request for such approvals to the Department on July 17, 2013. On November 4, 2013, the Department notified Ashford University that the Department will approve the university’s change in accreditor, recognizing WASC as Ashford University’s accreditor, along with the renewal of certification for continued participation in the Title IV, HEA programs. The Department anticipates completing its review and approval of the university’s application for change in accreditor, and issuing a new Program Participation Agreement, within the next few weeks.
Application for Licensure by California BPPE. To be eligible to participate in Title IV programs, an institution must be legally authorized to offer its educational programs by the states in which it is physically located. Effective July 1, 2011, the Department established new requirements to determine if an institution is considered to be legally authorized by a state. See “Regulation - State Authorization” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, filed with the SEC on March 12, 2013, and amended on May 17, 2013. In connection with its transition to WASC accreditation, Ashford University plans to designate its San Diego, California facilities as its main campus for Title IV purposes, subject to approval by the Department. WASC-accredited institutions operating in California are not required to obtain additional approval from the State of California, Department of Consumer Affairs, Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education, or BPPE, in order to operate in the state. Under the Department’s state authorization rule, an institution must be approved or licensed on a basis other than accreditation in instances in which it is not established by name as an educational institution by a state through a charter, statute, constitutional provision, or other action issued by an appropriate state agency or entity. On May 21, 2013, the Department published a notice stating that it would provide an extension of the effective date of the state authorization rule until July 1, 2014 to qualifying institutions that obtain from a state an explanation of how the extension of time would permit the state to comply with the regulations. The California Department of Consumer Affairs has issued a letter explaining the need for an extension. As it is uncertain how the Department will interpret the state authorization rule or the applicability of the extension of time, the university submitted an Application for Approval to Operate an Accredited Institution to BPPE on September 10, 2013. Once licensed by BPPE, the university will no longer be exempt from certain laws and regulations applicable to private, post-secondary educational institutions. These laws and regulations entail certain California reporting requirements, including but not limited to, employment data, certain changes of ownership and control, faculty and programs, and student refund policies, as well as the triggering of other state and federal student employment data reporting and disclosure requirements.
HLC Accreditation of Ashford University. On July 18, 2013, Ashford University provided a monitoring report to HLC stating that it had been granted Initial Accreditation by WASC for five years and that the university intends to name WASC as its accreditor of record, subject to approval by the Department. However, if the Department does not recognize the change of accreditor or the designation of San Diego, California as its main campus and Clinton, Iowa as an additional location, or if the Department has not yet recognized the change of accreditor or campus designations, the university would be required to host HLC in a focused evaluation on or before December 15, 2013 to examine retention, graduation and the university's progress in resolving the identified issues. Unless the university withdraws from HLC prior to such date, the HLC Board of Trustees will consider information provided in the July 2013 monitoring report and the December 2013 focused evaluation at its meeting in February 2014 and take action as appropriate. Such action could include placing the institution on notice or probation, a show-cause order or withdrawal of accreditation. Loss of accreditation would denigrate the value of our institutions' educational programs and would cause them to lose their eligibility to participate in Title IV programs, which would have a material adverse effect on enrollments, revenues, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.
On September 4, 2013, Ashford University received a letter from HLC, stating that on August 30, 2013, HLC's Board of Trustees removed the university from Notice because the Board determined that the University had resolved the concerns that led to the institution being placed on Notice. The Board maintained the requirement that the University host HLC in a focused evaluation on or before December 15, 2013 to examine retention, graduation and the University's progress in resolving the issues identified in the Notice action. This requirement will remain in effect until the University resigns its status.
Negotiated Rulemaking. The Department held negotiated rulemaking public hearings in May and June 2013 and has indicated that this activity is part of a series of rulemaking efforts to achieve a long-term agenda in higher education focused on access, affordability, academic quality and completion. Recent hearings have focused on topics including, but not limited to,


38


cash management of Title IV program funds, state authorization for programs offering distance or correspondence education, gainful employment, credit and clock hour conversions, changes made to the Clery Act by the Violence Against Women Act of 2013 (P.L. 113-4), and the definition of “adverse credit” for PLUS borrowers.
In June 2013, the Department announced its intention to establish a negotiated rulemaking committee to prepare proposed regulations that would establish standards for programs that prepare students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation. The Department's Notice sought nominees for the two sessions, the first of which occurred on September 9-11, 2013 and the second of which was scheduled for October 21-23, 2013, but has been delayed because of the partial, temporary government shutdown. In advance of the first negotiated rulemaking session, the Department issued draft regulatory language for discussion purposes. The draft differs from the gainful employment regulations previously promulgated by the Department, which were vacated by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, in several significant ways, including: (i) tightening the debt-to-earnings ratios that programs must meet in order to be considered passing and establishing a new “zone” alternative for programs with debt-to-earnings ratios that are neither passing nor failing, (ii) decreasing the number of years for which a program may fail to meet the debt-to-earnings ratios before losing Title IV eligibility from three out of four years to two out of three years, and (iii) eliminating the loan repayment rate metric. The repayment rate metric is the component of the current gainful employment rule which was held to be arbitrary and capricious by the court, resulting in invalidation of the entire rule. This rulemaking process is expected to produce new regulations, which, if published in final form after November 1, 2013 and on or before November 1, 2014, would take effect in July 2015.
The Notice stated that the Department plans to establish committees to address the other rulemaking issues in the coming months. Compliance with a new gainful employment regulation could result in some of our institutions' programs becoming ineligible for Title IV funding or subject to disclosure or other obligations limiting their attractiveness. Compliance with additional regulations, and/or regulatory scrutiny that results in our institutions being allegedly out of compliance with these regulations, could result in direct and indirect costs of compliance, fines, liabilities, sanctions or lawsuits, which could have a material adverse effect on enrollments, revenues, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.
Cohort Default Rate. For each federal fiscal year, the Department calculates a rate of student defaults over a two-year measuring period for each educational institution which is known as a “cohort default rate.” An institution may lose its eligibility to participate in the Direct Loan and Pell programs if, for each of the three most recent federal fiscal years for which information is available, 25% or more of its students who became subject to a repayment obligation in that federal fiscal year defaulted on such obligation by the end of the following federal fiscal year. In addition, an institution may lose its eligibility to participate in the Direct Loan program if its cohort default rate exceeds 40% in the most recent federal fiscal year for which default rates have been calculated by the Department. Ashford University's two-year cohort default rates for the 2011, 2010 and 2009 federal fiscal years, were 10.1%, 10.2%, and 15.3%, respectively. The two-year cohort default rates for the University of the Rockies for the 2011, 2010 and 2009 federal fiscal years, were 4.9%, 4.0% and 3.3%, respectively.
The August 2008 reauthorization of the Higher Education Act included significant revisions to the requirements concerning cohort default rates. Under the revised law, the period for which students' defaults on their loans are included in the calculation of an institution's cohort default rate was extended by one additional year, which is expected to increase the cohort default rates for most institutions. That change was effective with the calculation of institutions' cohort default rates for the federal fiscal year ending September 30, 2009, which rates were calculated and issued by the Department in September 2012. The Department will not impose sanctions based on rates calculated under this new methodology until three consecutive years of rates have been calculated, which is expected to occur in 2014. Until that time, the Department will continue to calculate rates under the old calculation method and impose sanctions based on those rates. The revised law also increases the threshold for ending an institution's participation in the relevant Title IV programs from 25% to 30%, effective for final three-year cohort default rates published on or after the 2012 federal fiscal year. The revised law changes the threshold for placement on provisional certification to 30% for two of the three most recent fiscal years for which the Department has published official three-year cohort default rates. Ashford University's and University of the Rockies' three-year cohort default rates for the 2010 cohort were 16.3% and 8.0%, respectively. The three-year cohort default rates for the 2009 cohort were 19.8% and 3.3% for Ashford University and University of the Rockies, respectively.


39


Seasonality
Our operations are generally subject to seasonal trends. While we enroll students throughout the year, our fourth quarter revenue generally is lower than other quarters due to the holiday break in December. We generally experience a seasonal increase in new enrollments in August and September of each year when most other colleges and universities begin their fall semesters.
Critical Accounting Policies and Use of Estimates
For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the material changes to the critical accounting policies and estimates discussed in “MD&A-Critical Accounting Policies and Use of Estimates” included in Part II, Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2013, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on August 1, 2014, are discussed below.
Revenue recognition
We recognize revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, services have been rendered or delivery has occurred, our fees or price is fixed or determinable, and collectibility is reasonably assured. The majority of our revenue comes from tuition revenue and is shown net of scholarships and refunds. Tuition revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the applicable period of instruction, with the exception of an online student's first course, per degree level, at Ashford University. Effective in the fourth quarter of 2012, an online student's first course per degree level at Ashford University falls under a three-week conditional admission period in which the revenue is deferred until the student matriculates into the course.
Our institutions' online students generally enroll in a program that encompasses a series of five to six-week courses that are taken consecutively over the length of the program. With the exception of those students under conditional admission, online students are billed on a payment period basis on the first day of a class. Our institutions' traditional campus-based students enroll in a program that encompasses a series of nine-week or 16-week courses. These students are billed at the beginning of each term. We assess collectibility at the start of a student’s payment period (generally five courses for undergraduates and four courses for graduates) for the courses in that payment period.
Deferred revenue and student deposits represents unearned tuition and fees as well as student payments in excess of charges. We record an account receivable and corresponding deferred revenue for the amount of tuition and fees for enrolled courses when a student is billed for a payment period. Payments that are received either directly from the student or from the student's source of funding that exceed amounts billed are recorded as student deposits. At the end of each accounting period, the deferred revenue and student deposits and related account receivable balances are reduced to present amounts attributable to the current course.
If a student withdraws from a program prior to certain dates, the student is entitled to a refund of a portion of tuition, depending on the date the student last attended a class. For those students under conditional admission, the student is not obligated for payment until after their conditional admission period has lapsed, so there is no required refund. For all subsequent courses, if an online student drops a class and the student's last date of attendance was in the first week of class, the student receives a full refund of the tuition for that class. If an online student drops a class and the last date of attendance was in the second week of the class, the student receives a refund of 50% of the tuition for that class. If an online student drops a class and the student's last date of attendance was after the second week of the class, the student is not entitled to a refund. We monitor student attendance in online courses through activity in the online program associated with that course. After two weeks have passed without attendance in a class by the student, the student is presumed to have dropped the course as of the last date of attendance, and the student's tuition is automatically refunded to the extent the student is entitled to a refund based on the refund policy above, subject to certain state requirements which require a pro rata refund. We estimate expected refunds based on historical refund rates and record a provision to reduce revenue for the amount that is expected to be refunded. Refunds issued by us for services that have been provided in a prior period have not historically been material. Future changes in the rate of student withdrawals may result in a change to expected refunds and would be accounted for prospectively as a change in estimate. We reassess collectibility throughout the period revenue is recognized by the Company's institutions, on a student-by-student basis. We reassess collectibility based upon new information and changes in facts and circumstances relevant to a student's ability to pay. For example, we reassess collectibility when a student drops from the institution (i.e., is no longer enrolled) and when a student attends a course that was not included in the initial assessment at the start of a student’s payment period.


40


We also record revenue from technology fees that are one-time start up fees charged to each new online student, other than military, scholarship students or certain corporate reimbursement students. Technology fee revenue is recognized ratably over the average expected enrollment of a student. The average expected enrollment of the student is estimated each quarter based upon historical duration of attendance and qualitative factors as deemed necessary. Effective January 1, 2013, Ashford University eliminated the one-time technology fee and replaced it with a per course charge. The per course technology fee revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the applicable period of instruction.


41


Results of Operations
The following table sets forth the condensed consolidated statements of income data as a percentage of revenue for each of the periods indicated:
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
Revenue
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
Costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Instructional costs and services
45.7

 
34.4

 
47.6

 
33.3

Admissions advisory and marketing
35.3

 
39.3

 
30.5

 
37.2

General and administrative
8.3

 
6.9

 
8.6

 
7.8

Total costs and expenses
89.3

 
80.6

 
86.7

 
78.3

Operating income
10.7

 
19.4

 
13.3

 
21.7

Other income, net
0.4

 
0.4

 
0.4

 
0.4

Income before income taxes
11.1

 
19.8

 
13.7

 
22.1

Income tax expense
3.3

 
7.5

 
5.0

 
8.4

Net income
7.8
%
 
12.3
%
 
8.7
%
 
13.7
%
Three Months Ended September 30, 2013 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2012
Revenue.    Our revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2013, was $182.8 million, representing a decrease of $63.1 million, or 25.7%, as compared to revenue of $245.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012. This decrease was primarily due to the enrollment decline of 24.9%, from 91,358 students at September 30, 2012, to 68,566 students at September 30, 2013. There was also a decline in technology fees between periods due to the decline in new student enrollments between periods, as well as the change in technology fee structure for Ashford University. Effective January 1, 2013, Ashford University eliminated the one-time technology fee of $1,290 it charged online students, and replaced it with a $50 per course charge. We earned technology fees of $1.9 million, or 1.1% of revenue, for the three months ended September 30, 2013, compared to technology fees of $14.8 million, or 6.0% of revenue, for the three months ended September 30, 2012. The decline in revenue was partially offset by a decrease in institutional scholarships of $4.3 million in the aggregate between periods, as well as a 2.75% tuition increase effective April 1, 2013. The offsetting tuition increase accounted for approximately 8.2% of the change in revenue between periods.
Instructional costs and services.    Our instructional costs and services for the three months ended September 30, 2013, were $83.6 million, representing a decrease of $1.1 million, or 1.3%, as compared to instructional costs and services of $84.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012. Specific increases between periods were in corporate support services of $5.6 million, facilities costs of $1.6 million, direct compensation in the areas of academic management, financial aid support and student services of $0.9 million and information technology costs of $0.7 million. These increases were substantially offset by decreases in bad debt expense of $5.1 million, instructor fees of $2.8 million, financial aid processing fees of $1.2 million, and license fees of $0.6 million. Instructional costs and services increased, as a percentage of revenue, to 45.7% for the three months ended September 30, 2013, as compared to 34.4% for the three months ended September 30, 2012. The increase of 11.3%, as a percentage of revenue, included relative increases in direct compensation of 4.0%, corporate support services of 3.7%, facilities of 1.9%, information technology costs of 1.2%, and instructor fees of 0.7%. These increases were offset by a relative decrease in bad debt expense of 1.0%. As a percentage of revenue, bad debt expense was 4.0% for the three months ended September 30, 2013, compared to 5.0% for three months ended September 30, 2012. We continue to focus on enhancing our processes and procedures around our accounts receivable.
Admissions advisory and marketing.    Our admissions advisory and marketing expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2013, were $64.5 million, representing a decrease of $32.2 million, or 33.3%, as compared to admissions advisory and marketing expenses of $96.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012. Specific factors contributing to the overall decrease between periods were decreases in advertising costs of $11.2 million, in related compensation of $11.0 million due to fewer admissions and related personnel, corporate support services of $6.3 million, facilities costs of $2.1


42


million and information technology costs of $1.4 million. Our admissions advisory and marketing expenses, as a percentage of revenue, decreased to 35.3% for the three months ended September 30, 2013, from 39.3% for the three months ended September 30, 2012. The decrease of 4.0% as a percentage of revenue was primarily due to the relative decreases in corporate support services of 2.9%, advertising costs of 0.9% and selling compensation of 0.5%.
General and administrative.    Our general and administrative expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2013, were $15.2 million, representing a decrease of $1.7 million, or 10.0%, as compared to general and administrative expenses of $16.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012. The overall decrease between periods was primarily due to decreases in other administrative of $1.2 million, administrative compensation of $0.9 million, and professional fees of $0.6 million. These decreases were primarily offset by increases in corporate support services of $0.7 million, and depreciation of $0.6 million. Our general and administrative expenses, as a percentage of revenue, increased to 8.3% for the three months ended September 30, 2013, from 6.9% for the three months ended September 30, 2012. The increase of 1.4% as a percentage of revenue was primarily due to increases in administrative compensation of 1.0%, depreciation of 0.9%, information technology costs of 0.3%, facilities of 0.3%, and professional fees of 0.2%. These increases were offset by a decrease in corporate support services of 0.8%.
Other income, net.    Other income, net, was $0.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013, as compared to $1.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012, representing a decrease of $0.2 million. The decrease was primarily due to decreased interest income on lower investment balances during the period.
Income tax expense.    We recognized income tax expense for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, of $6.1 million and $18.5 million, respectively, at effective tax rates of 30.0% and 38.0%, respectively. The decrease in our effective tax rate between periods was primarily due to the expiration of the statute of limitations on a prior tax year which triggered the release of $1.9 million of tax reserve.
Net income.    Net income was $14.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013, compared to net income of $30.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012, a decrease of $16.0 million, as a result of the factors discussed above.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
Revenue.    Our revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, was $589.2 million, representing a decrease of $147.7 million, or 20.0%, as compared to revenue of $736.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. This decrease was primarily due to the enrollment decline of 24.9%, from 91,358 students at September 30, 2012, to 68,566 students at September 30, 2013. There was also a decline in technology fees between periods due to the decline in new student enrollments between periods, as well as the change in technology fee structure for Ashford University. Effective January 1, 2013, Ashford University eliminated the one-time technology fee of $1,290 it charged online students, and replaced it with a per course charge of $50. We earned technology fees of $13.7 million, or 2.3% of revenue, for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, compared to technology fees of $46.5 million, or 6.3% of revenue, for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. The decline in revenue was partially offset by a decrease in institutional scholarships of $8.7 million in the aggregate between periods, as well as a 2.75% tuition increase effective April 1, 2013. The offsetting tuition increase accounted for approximately 11.1% of the change in revenue between periods.
Instructional costs and services.    Our instructional costs and services for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, were $280.2 million, representing an increase of $34.6 million, or 14.1%, as compared to instructional costs and services of $245.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. Specific increases between periods were direct compensation in the areas of academic management, financial aid support and student services of $20.0 million (including $4.8 million of severance charges from the second quarter of 2013), corporate support services of $15.2 million, facilities costs of $6.1 million, and information technology costs of $4.5 million. These increases were partially offset by decreases in instructor fees of $5.5 million, bad debt expense of $5.0 million and financial aid processing fees of $2.5 million. Instructional costs and services, as a percentage of revenue, increased to 47.6% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, as compared to 33.3% for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. The increase of 14.3% included relative increases in direct compensation of 5.8%, corporate support services of 3.2%, facilities costs of 1.7%, information technology costs of 1.4%, and instructor fees of 0.6%. As a percentage of revenue, bad debt expense was 5.4% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, compared to 5.0% for nine months ended September 30, 2012.


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Admissions advisory and marketing.    Our admissions advisory and marketing expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, were $179.6 million, representing a decrease of $94.4 million, or 34.4%, as compared to admissions advisory and marketing expenses of $274.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. Specific factors contributing to the overall decrease between periods were decreases in selling compensation of $38.1 million due to fewer admissions and related personnel, corporate support services of $19.5 million, advertising costs of $23.9 million, information technology costs of $6.2 million, and facilities costs of $6.0 million. Our admissions advisory and marketing expenses, as a percentage of revenue, decreased to 30.5% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, from 37.2% for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. The decrease of 6.7%, as a percentage of revenue, included relative decreases in corporate support services of 2.9%, selling compensation of 2.2%, advertising costs of 1.2%, and information technology costs of 0.5%.
General and administrative.    Our general and administrative expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, were $51.1 million, representing a decrease of $5.8 million, or 10.3%, as compared to general and administrative expenses of $56.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. The overall decrease between periods was due to the $10.8 million legal settlement in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 that did not occur in the same period in 2013, as well as decreases in other administrative costs of $3.4 million, and facilities costs of $0.6 million. These decreases were offset by increases in corporate support services of $4.2 million, professional fees of $1.4 million, depreciation of $1.8 million, and administrative compensation of $0.9 million. Our general and administrative expenses, as a percentage of revenue, increased to 8.6% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, compared to 7.8% for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. The increase of 0.8%, as a percentage of revenue, included increases in administrative compensation of 1.2%, depreciation of 0.7%, and professional fees of 0.5%. These increases were primarily offset by a decrease in legal expense of 1.5%.
Other income, net.    Other income, net, was $2.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, as compared to $2.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, representing a decrease of $0.2 million. The decrease was primarily due to increased interest income on higher average cash balances.
Income tax expense.    We recognized income tax expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, of $29.7 million and $61.7 million, respectively, at effective tax rates of 36.8% and 37.8%, respectively. The decrease in our effective tax rate between periods was primarily due to the expiration of the statute of limitations on a prior tax year which triggered the release of $1.9 million of tax reserve.
Net income.    Net income was $51.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, compared to net income of $101.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, a decrease of $50.3 million, as a result of the factors discussed above.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
We financed our operating activities and capital expenditures during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, primarily through cash provided by operating activities. Our cash and cash equivalents were $392.3 million at September 30, 2013, and $209.0 million at December 31, 2012. At September 30, 2013, and December 31, 2012, we had investments of $121.5 million and $258.7 million, respectively.
We manage our excess cash pursuant to the quantitative and qualitative operational guidelines of our cash investment policy. Our cash investment policy is managed by our chief financial officer and has the following primary objectives: preserving principal, meeting our liquidity needs, minimizing market and credit risk, and providing after-tax returns. Under the policy's guidelines, we invest our excess cash exclusively in high-quality, U.S. dollar-denominated financial instruments. For a discussion of the measures we use to mitigate the exposure of our cash investments to market risk, credit risk and interest rate risk, see Part I, Item 3, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk,” of this report.
There was only a slight decrease in the fair value of our short and long-term investments at September 30, 2013, as compared to December 31, 2012. We believe that any fluctuations we have recently experienced are temporary in nature and we maintain that while some of our securities are classified as available-for-sale, we have the ability and intent to hold them until maturity, if necessary, to recover their full value.
Available borrowing facilities
On April 13, 2012, we entered into a $50 million revolving line of credit, or the Facility, pursuant to an Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement, or the Revolving Credit Agreement, with the lenders signatory thereto and Comerica, as


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administrative agent for the lenders. The Revolving Credit Agreement amended, restated and superseded our prior loan agreements. At our option, we may increase the size of the Facility up to $100 million (in certain minimum increments), subject to the terms and conditions of the Revolving Credit Agreement. Additionally, we may request swing-line advances under the Facility up to $3 million in the aggregate.
Under the Revolving Credit Agreement and the documents executed in connection therewith, collectively referred to as the Facility Loan Documents, the lenders have agreed to make loans to us and issue letters of credit on our behalf, subject to the terms and conditions of the Facility Loan Documents. The Facility has a term of three years and matures on April 13, 2015. Interest and fees accruing under the Facility are payable quarterly in arrears and principal is payable at maturity. We may terminate the Facility upon five days notice, without premium or penalty, other than customary breakage fees.
The Facility Loan Documents contain other customary affirmative, negative and financial maintenance covenants, representations and warranties, events of default, and remedies upon an event of default, including the acceleration of debt and the right to foreclose on the collateral securing the Facility. As security for the performance of our obligations under the Facility Loan Documents, we granted the lenders a first priority security interest in substantially all of our assets, including our real property.
For more information about the Facility Loan Documents, see Note 7, “Credit Facilities,” to our condensed consolidated financial statements which are included elsewhere in this report.
As of September 30, 2013, we had no borrowings outstanding under the Facility. As of September 30, 2013, we used the availability under the Facility to issue letters of credit aggregating $5.8 million.
Title IV funding
Our institutions derive the substantial majority of their respective revenues from various federal student financial assistance programs authorized under Title IV of the Higher Education Act. Our institutions are subject to significant regulatory scrutiny on the basis of numerous standards that the institutions must satisfy in order to participate in Title IV programs. For more information regarding Title IV programs and the regulation thereof, see “Regulation” in Part I, Item 1 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2013, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on August 1, 2014. The balance of revenues derived by our institutions is from military and government reimbursement, payments made in cash by individuals, reimbursement from corporate affiliates, private loans and internal loan programs.
If we were ineligible to receive Title IV funding, our liquidity would be significantly impacted. The timing of disbursements under Title IV programs is based on federal regulations and our ability to successfully and timely arrange financial aid for our students. Title IV funds are generally provided in multiple disbursements before we earn a significant portion of tuition and fees and incur related expenses over the period of instruction. Students must apply for new loans and grants each academic year. These factors, together with the timing of our students beginning their programs, affect our revenues and operating cash flow.
Operating activities
Net cash provided by operating activities was $61.8 million and $97.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The overall decrease of $35.4 million between the two periods was primarily related to the decrease of $50.3 million in net income between periods, as well as the decrease in the change in deferred revenue and student deposits of $35.0 million between periods due to the declining enrollment. These decreases to cash provided by operating activities were offset by an increase to cash provided by operating activities due to the decrease in growth of accounts receivable of $49.5 million between periods. We expect to continue to generate cash from our operating activities for the foreseeable future.
Investing activities
Net cash provided by investing activities was $119.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and net cash used in operating activities was $46.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we had purchases of investments of $26.7 million and sales and maturities of $161.9 million. This compares to purchases of investments of $173.5 million and sales and maturities of $151.5 million in the same period in 2012. Capital expenditures for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, were $11.7 million, compared with $20.8 million for the


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nine months ended September 30, 2012. We will continue to invest in information technology and computer equipment, as well as continuing to invest in infrastructure to support the expansion of our ground campuses. We expect our capital expenditures to be approximately $18.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2013.
Financing activities
Net cash provided by financing activities was $1.6 million and $1.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, and 2012, respectively. During each of the nine months ended September 30, 2013, and September 30, 2012, net cash provided by financing activities includes the cash provided by option exercises, including any related tax benefit of those option exercises, and shares issued through the employee stock purchase plan. The nine months ended September 30, 2013 also includes cash used for issuance of restricted stock, net of any related tax withholdings. The nine months ended September 30, 2012 also includes cash used for the tax withholdings related to net issuance of stock options.
We may utilize commercial financing and lines of credit for the purpose of expansion of our online business infrastructure and to expand and improve our ground campuses in Clinton, Iowa and Colorado Springs, Colorado. Based on our current level of operations and anticipated growth in enrollments, we believe that our cash flow from operations, existing cash and cash equivalents and other sources of liquidity will provide adequate funds for ongoing operations, planned capital expenditures and working capital requirements for at least the next 12 months.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
As part of our normal business operations, we are required to provide surety bonds in certain states where we do business. In May 2009, we entered into a surety bond facility with an insurance company to provide such bonds when required. As of September 30, 2013, our total available surety bond facility was $12.0 million and the surety had issued bonds totaling $7.0 million on our behalf under such facility.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2013-11, “Incomes Taxes (Topic 740): Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists.” ASU 2013-11 addresses the diversity in practice regarding financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. The guidance requires an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of, to be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to the related deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward. To the extent the net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward is not available at the reporting date to settle any additional income taxes that would result from the disallowance of a tax position. The unrecognized tax benefit should be presented in the financial statements as a liability and not as a reduction of the related deferred tax asset. The amendments in this standard are effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2013, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of ASU 2013-11 is not expected to have a material impact on our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Item 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
Market and credit risk
Pursuant to our cash investment policy, we attempt to mitigate the exposure of our cash and investments to market and credit risk by (i) diversifying concentration risk to ensure that we are not overly concentrated in a limited number of financial institutions, (ii) monitoring and managing the risks associated with the national banking and credit markets, (iii) investing in U.S. dollar-denominated assets and instruments only, (iv) diversifying account structures so that we maintain a decentralized account portfolio with numerous stable, highly-rated and liquid financial institutions and (v) ensuring that our investment procedures maintain a defined and specific scope such that we will not invest in higher-risk investment accounts, including financial swaps or derivative and corporate equities. Accordingly, under the guidelines of the policy, we invest our excess cash exclusively in high-quality, U.S. dollar-denominated financial instruments.
Despite the investment risk mitigation strategies we employ, we may incur investment losses as a result of unusual and unpredictable market developments and we may experience reduced investment earnings if the yields on investments deemed to be low risk remain low or decline further in this time of economic uncertainty. In addition, unusual and unpredictable market developments may also create liquidity challenges for certain of the assets in our investment portfolio.


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We have no derivative financial instruments or derivative commodity instruments.
Interest rate risk
To the extent we borrow funds, we would be subject to fluctuations in interest rates. As of September 30, 2013, we had no borrowings under the Facility.
Our future investment income may vary from expectations due to changes in interest rates. At September 30, 2013, a 10% increase or decrease in interest rates would not have a material impact on our future earnings, fair value or cash flows related to interest earned from cash, cash equivalents or investments.
Item 4.    Controls and Procedures.
Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures
Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act”), is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer, we carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, as of the end of the period covered by this report. Our chief executive officer and our chief financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures, were not effective as of December 31, 2012 or September 30, 2013, because of the material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting described below.
Material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting
In connection with the preparation of our condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q/A, we concluded that there were matters that constituted material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting. A material weakness is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the company's annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.
Fiscal 2012 material weakness. We disclosed in Item 9A, Controls and Procedures of our annual report on Form 10-K/A, for the year ended December 31, 2012, that there were matters that constituted a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting (the “2012 material weakness”), as we did not maintain effective internal controls over the accounting for accounts receivable. Specifically, we determined 1) that the process for estimating the allowance for doubtful accounts in 2012 was not designed to appropriately incorporate all relevant qualitative factors and 2) that accounts receivable aging was not correct. These control deficiencies resulted in the revision of the Company's consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2012 and each of the interim periods during fiscal year 2012 related to the accounting for the valuation of the Company's accounts receivable.
Fiscal 2013 material weaknesses. We disclosed in Item 9A, Controls and Procedures of our annual report on Form 10-K/A, for the year ended December 31, 2013, that there were matters that constituted material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting (the “2013 material weaknesses”). Our management has concluded that there are two material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting in 2013, as we did not maintain effective controls over the selection and application of accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) related to revenue recognition and restricted cash. Specifically, the members of our management team with the requisite level of accounting knowledge, experience and training commensurate with our financial reporting requirements did not analyze certain accounting issues at the level of detail required to ensure the proper application of GAAP in certain circumstances. One control deficiency related to our failure to maintain effective internal controls over the accounting for revenue recognition. Specifically, the process for analyzing the collectibility criterion for revenue recognition was not designed to reassess collectibility, on a student-by-student basis, throughout the period revenue was recognized by the Company's institutions. This control deficiency resulted in the


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misstatement of our revenue, bad debt expense, and accounts receivables and related financial disclosures, and resulted in the restatement of the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the year 2013 and each of the quarters of 2013 and revision of the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the years 2012 and 2011 and each of the quarters of 2012 and 2011. The other control deficiency related to our failure to maintain effective internal controls over the presentation of certain funds as restricted cash. This control deficiency resulted in the misstatement of our cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash accounts, cash flow provided by operating activities on the consolidated statement of cash flows, and the related financial disclosures, resulted in the revision of the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the years 2013, 2012 and 2011 and each of the quarters of 2013, 2012 and 2011. Additionally, these control deficiencies could result in misstatements of the aforementioned accounts and disclosures that would result in a material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements that would not be prevented or detected. Accordingly, our management has determined that these control deficiencies constitute individual material weaknesses.
Management's Remediation Plan
We are committed to remediating the control deficiencies that constitute the 2013 material weaknesses by implementing changes to our internal control over financial reporting. Our chief financial officer is responsible for implementing changes and improvements in the internal control over financial reporting and for remediating the control deficiencies that gave rise to the material weaknesses.
We plan to implement measures to remediate the underlying causes of the control deficiencies that gave rise to the material weaknesses. We plan to achieve this primarily through additional training efforts as well as ensuring appropriate review of the related significant accounting policies by the members of management with the requisite level of knowledge, experience and training to appropriately apply GAAP. We plan to undertake additional review processes to ensure the related significant accounting policies are implemented and applied properly on a consistent basis throughout the Company. We believe these measures will remediate the control deficiencies. However, we have not completed all of the corrective processes, procedures and related evaluation or remediation that we believe are necessary. As we continue to evaluate and work to remediate the control deficiencies that gave rise to the material weaknesses, we may determine to take additional measures to address the control deficiencies.
Changes in internal control over financial reporting
There were no changes in internal control over financial reporting during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.


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PART II—OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.    Legal Proceedings.
Refer to Note 12, “Commitments and Contingencies,” to our quarterly consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report, for legal proceedings, which note is incorporated by reference into this Item 1 of Part II.
Item 1A.    Risk Factors.
Investing in our common stock involves risk. In addition to the risk factors set forth below, you should carefully consider the risk factors discussed in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, filed with the SEC on March 12, 2013, and amended on May 17, 2013. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or operating results.
Risks Related to Material Weaknesses In Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
We have identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting which have resulted in material misstatements in our previously issued financial statements. If our remedial measures are insufficient to address the material weaknesses, or if additional material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting are discovered or occur in the future, our consolidated financial statements may contain material misstatements and we could be required to further restate our financial results, which could adversely affect our stock price and result in an inability to maintain compliance with applicable stock exchange listing requirements.
We have concluded that there are material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, as we did not maintain effective controls over the selection and application of accounting principles generally accepted in the United States("GAAP") related to revenue recognition and restricted cash. Specifically, the members of our management team with the requisite level of accounting knowledge, experience and training commensurate with our financial reporting requirements did not analyze certain accounting issues at the level of detail required to ensure the proper application of GAAP in certain circumstances. One material weakness related to our failure to maintain effective internal controls over the accounting for revenue recognition. Specifically, the process for analyzing the collectibility criterion for revenue recognition was not designed to reassess collectibility, on a student-by-student basis, throughout the period revenue was recognized by the Company's institutions. The other material weakness related to our failure to maintain effective internal controls over the presentation of certain funds as restricted cash. These material weaknesses have resulted in the restatement of our financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2013, as well as for the interim periods included in that fiscal year (the “Restated Periods”), and the revision of our financial statements for the the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, as well as for each of the interim periods during 2012 (the “Revised Periods”). Our management concluded that the Company’s previously issued financial statements for the Restated Periods should no longer be relied upon. In light of the errors, management re-evaluated its assessment of our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2013 and concluded each was ineffective as of December 31, 2013. Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q have been amended by an Amendments No. 1 on Forms 10-K/A and 10-Q/A, respectively, to reflect the restatement of our financial statements for the Restated Periods and the change in management’s conclusion regarding the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2013.
Further, during 2012 we did not maintain effective internal controls over the accounting for accounts receivable, which also constituted a material weakness. With respect to this material weakness, we determined 1) that the process for estimating the allowance for doubtful accounts in 2012 was not designed to appropriately incorporate all relevant qualitative factors and 2) that accounts receivable aging was not correct.
Our management has determined that our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting were not effective as of December 31, 2012, March 31, 2013, June 30, 2013, September 30, 2013, December 31, 2013 or March 31, 2014.
A material weakness is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected and corrected on a timely basis. See also “Item 4. Controls and Procedures.” The existence of this issue could adversely affect us, our reputation or investors' perceptions of us. We plan to take additional measures to remediate the


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underlying causes of the material weaknesses. We plan to achieve this primarily through: (i) ensuring appropriate review of accounting policies and procedures related to reassessing the collectibility of funds owed by students during the period of revenue recognition and the definition of restricted cash by the members of management with the requisite level of knowledge, experience and training to appropriately apply GAAP, and (ii) making improvements in the accounting processes, including additional oversight and review, and performing additional analytical procedures. However, we have not completed all of the corrective processes, procedures and related evaluation or remediation that we believe are necessary. As we continue to evaluate and work to remediate the material weaknesses, we may determine to implement measures to address the control deficiencies. The actions that we are taking are subject to ongoing senior management review, as well as audit committee oversight.
Although we plan to complete this remediation process as quickly as possible, we cannot at this time estimate how long it will take, and our measures may not prove to be successful in remediating these material weaknesses. If our remedial measures are insufficient to address the material weaknesses, or if additional material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting are discovered or occur in the future, our consolidated financial statements may contain material misstatements and we could be required to further restate our financial results. In addition, if we are unable to successfully remediate the material weaknesses in our internal controls or if we are unable to produce accurate and timely financial statements, our stock price may be adversely affected and we may be unable to maintain compliance with applicable stock exchange listing requirements.
Risks Related to the Extensive Regulation of Our Business
If the Department of Education does not approve the transfer of Ashford University's accreditation from HLC to WASC, the designation of its San Diego facilities as the university's main campus, and its Clinton campus as an additional location for Title IV purposes, Ashford University will be required to consolidate a significant portion of its educational administration and activity, business operations and executive and administrative leadership in HLC's north central region or the institution could lose its accreditation, which would result in management distraction, business disruption and have a material adverse impact on our financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.
On July 10, 2013, the WASC Senior College and University Commission, or WASC, granted Initial Accreditation to Ashford University for five years, until July 15, 2018. This WASC action permits Ashford University to designate WASC as its accreditor of record for purposes of eligibility to participate in the Title IV programs, subject to (i) the prior approval of the U.S. Department of Education, or the Department, (ii) the university’s voluntary withdrawal from the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, or HLC, (iii) receipt of acknowledgment by HLC, and (iv) release of HLC’s relevant records to WASC. The University intends to transition from HLC to WASC, name WASC as its accreditor of record for Title IV purposes, and designate its California facilities as its main campus and its Clinton, Iowa campus as an additional location, subject to approval by the Department. Ashford University formally submitted its request for such approvals to the Department on July 17, 2013. On November 4, 2013, the Department notified Ashford University that the Department will approve the university’s change in accreditor, recognizing WASC as Ashford University’s accreditor, along with the renewal of certification for continued participation in the Title IV, HEA programs. In its November 4th letter, the Department stated that it anticipates completing its review and approval of the university’s application for change in accreditor, and issuing a new Program Participation Agreement, within the next few weeks, although we cannot predict any action by the Department with certainty.
On July 18, 2013 Ashford University provided a monitoring report to the Higher Learning Commission of HLC stating that it had been granted Initial Accreditation by WASC for five years and that the university intends to name WASC as its accreditor of record, subject to approval by the Department. However, if the Department does not recognize the change of accreditor and the redesignation of the university's main campus in Clinton, Iowa to an additional location and the designation of its San Diego, California facilities as our main campus, the university will be required to complete specific steps, following its implementation plan, to establish presence in HLC's region as required pursuant to HLC's jurisdictional requirements. In addition, if the Department has not yet recognized the change in accreditor and the redesignation of campuses, Ashford University will be required to host HLC in a focused evaluation on or before December 15, 2013 to examine retention, graduation and the university's progress in resolving the identified issues. Unless the university withdraws from HLC prior to such date, the HLC Board of Trustees will consider information provided in the July 2013 monitoring report and the December 2013 focused evaluation at its meeting in February 2014 and take action as appropriate. Such action could include placing the institution on notice or probation, a show-cause order or withdrawal of accreditation.
We cannot predict with certainty any Department decision, or its timing, with respect to Ashford University’s July 17, 2013 submission requesting the Department’s approval of WASC as its primary accreditor, its San Diego, California facilities as


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the location of its main campus, and of Clinton, Iowa as its additional location. If the university does not obtain Department approval of its change in accreditor on the timeline set forth in the Department's November 4, 2013 letter, or designation of campuses, or otherwise is required to comply with HLC's jurisdictional requirements, it would be required to implement a plan to consolidate a significant portion of its educational administration and activity, business operations and executive and administrative leadership in HLC's 19-state north central region, which could result in management distraction, business disruption and have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, cash flows and results of operations. If the institution is required to implement such a plan and is unsuccessful, it could result in a loss of accreditation, which would denigrate the value of the institution’s educational programs and would cause it to lose its eligibility to participate in Title IV programs, which would have a material adverse effect on enrollments, revenues, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.
In connection with its transition to WASC accreditation, Ashford University has submitted an application to the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education. Denial or undue delay of the application could have a material adverse effect on enrollments, Title IV eligibility, revenues, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations. Approval of the application will entail a greater reporting burden on the university and could result in increased regulatory or political scrutiny of the university.
To be eligible to participate in Title IV programs, an institution must be legally authorized to offer its educational programs by the states in which it is physically located. Effective July 1, 2011, the Department established new requirements to determine if an institution is considered to be legally authorized by a state. See “Regulation - State Authorization” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, which was filed with the SEC on March 12, 2013, and amended on May 17, 2013. In connection with its transition to WASC accreditation, Ashford University plans to designate its San Diego, California facilities as its main campus for Title IV purposes, subject to approval by the Department. WASC-accredited institutions operating in California are not required to obtain additional approval from the State of California, Department of Consumer Affairs, Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education, or BPPE, in order to operate in the state. Under the Department’s state authorization rule, an institution must be approved or licensed on a basis other than accreditation in instances in which it is not established by name as an educational institution by a state through a charter, statute, constitutional provision, or other action issued by an appropriate state agency or entity. On May 21, 2013, the Department published a notice stating that it would provide an extension of the effective date of the state authorization rule until July 1, 2014 to qualifying institutions that obtain from a state an explanation of how the extension of time would permit the state to comply with the regulations. The California Department of Consumer Affairs has issued a letter explaining the need for an extension. As it is uncertain how the Department will interpret the state authorization rule or the applicability of the extension of time, the university submitted an Application for Approval to Operate an Accredited Institution to BPPE on September 10, 2013. The university has no reason to believe that its licensing application will be denied or subject to undue delay, but either event could have a material adverse effect on enrollments, revenues, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.
If the application is granted, the university will no longer be exempt from certain laws and regulations applicable to private, post-secondary educational institutions. These laws and regulations entail certain California reporting requirements, including but not limited to, employment data, certain changes of ownership and control, faculty and programs, and student refund policies, as well as the triggering of other state and federal student employment data reporting and disclosure requirements. The additional reporting and disclosure could result in material additional costs to comply with regulatory requirements and increased regulatory or political scrutiny of the university.
Additional regulations or regulatory scrutiny resulting from negotiated rulemaking by the Department of Education could result in increased compliance costs, fines, sanctions or lawsuits, which could have a material adverse effect on enrollments, revenues, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.
The Department held negotiated rulemaking public hearings in May and June 2013 and has indicated that this activity is part of a series of rulemaking efforts to achieve a long-term agenda in higher education focused on access, affordability, academic quality and completion. Recent hearings have focused on topics including, but not limited to, cash management of Title IV program funds, state authorization for programs offering distance or correspondence education, gainful employment, credit and clock hour conversions, changes made to the Clery Act by the Violence Against Women Act of 2013 (P.L. 113-4), and the definition of “adverse credit” for PLUS borrowers.
In June 2013, the Department announced its intention to establish a negotiated rulemaking committee to prepare proposed regulations that would establish standards for programs that prepare students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation. The Department's Notice sought nominees for the two sessions, the first of which occurred on September 9-11, 2013 and the second of which was scheduled for October 21-23, 2013, but has been delayed because of the partial, temporary


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government shutdown. In advance of the first negotiated rulemaking session, the Department issued draft regulatory language for discussion purposes. The draft differs from the gainful employment regulations previously promulgated by the Department, which were vacated by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, in several significant ways, including: (i) tightening the debt-to-earnings ratios that programs must meet in order to be considered passing and establishing a new “zone” alternative for programs with debt-to-earnings ratios that are neither passing nor failing, (ii) decreasing the number of years for which a program may fail to meet the debt-to-earnings ratios before losing Title IV eligibility from three out of four years to two out of three years, and (iii) eliminating the loan repayment rate metric. The repayment rate metric is the component of the current gainful employment rule which was held to be arbitrary and capricious by the court, resulting in invalidation of the entire rule. This rulemaking process is expected to produce new regulations, which, if published in final form after November 1, 2013 and on or before November 1, 2014, would take effect in July 2015.
The Notice stated that the Department plans to establish committees to address the other rulemaking issues in the coming months. Department representatives have advised institutions that committees could be established in February or March 2014. Compliance with a new gainful employment regulation could result in some of our institutions' programs becoming ineligible for Title IV funding or subject to disclosure or other obligations limiting their attractiveness. Compliance with additional regulations, and/or regulatory scrutiny that results in our institutions being allegedly out of compliance with these regulations, could result in direct and indirect costs of compliance, fines, liabilities, sanctions or lawsuits, which could have a material adverse effect on enrollments, revenues, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.
As a result of changes that have been made, or may be required by the accreditors of our institutions, to our operational relationships with our institutions and to their operations and business models, our historical financial and business results may not necessarily be representative of future results.
In connection with the transition of Ashford University to WASC accreditation and our efforts to structure our operations to meet evolving regulatory expectations, our institutions have made operational changes and launched various new business initiatives, and additional changes may be required. These changes and initiatives included hiring new leadership, implementing smaller class sizes, requiring minimum age-levels for students, implementing the Ashford Promise (an initiative that allows students a full refund for all tuition and fees through the third week of a student's first class), hiring additional full-time faculty, and implementing new program review models. Many of these initiatives result in higher expense to the organization, primarily in the areas of instructional costs and services. In addition, we have made changes in our organizational structure and operational relationships with our academic institutions to ensure their academic independence and satisfaction of accreditation-related requirements. Some of these changes and initiatives have contributed to declines in new student enrollments. Accordingly, our historical results and trends, including enrollments, admissions advisory and marketing expenses and instructional costs and services, may not be indicative of our future results and there can no assurance that changes to our operational relationship with our institutions or other changes we have made, or may make in the future, will not have an adverse impact on regulatory compliance, satisfaction of accreditation-related standards, or our financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.
Enrollment and revenues could decrease if government tuition assistance offered to military personnel is suspended, or if such assistance is reduced or eliminated.
As of September 30, 2013, approximately 23.8% of our institutions' students were affiliated with the military, some of whom are eligible to receive tuition assistance from the government, which they may use to pursue postsecondary degrees. From October 1, 2013 until October 16, 2013, the U.S. federal government entered into shutdown resulting in the suspension of military tuition assistance. In response, Ashford University implemented a Military Tuition Assistance Grant that covers the equivalent of tuition assistance payments for impacted students starting courses during that period. Although governmental tuition assistance programs were resumed following the shutdown, if such programs are again suspended or otherwise reduced or eliminated, enrollment could suffer, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, cash flows and results of operations. Reductions in tuition assistance could also negatively affect our compliance with the 90/10 rule. See the risk factor entitled, “Our institutions could lose eligibility to participate in Title IV programs or face other sanctions if they derive more than 90% of their respective revenues from these programs” in Part 1, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, which was filed with the SEC on March 12, 2013, and amended on May 17, 2013. Additionally, if in response to future reductions or suspensions in military tuition assistance, we determine to reinstitute our Military Tuition Assistance Grant or a similar program, our per student revenue from military affiliated personnel would decline.


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Our bad debt expense as a percentage of revenues is high relative to our competitors. If we are unable to remedy the underlying causes our bad debt expense could increase, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.
Our bad debt expense is high relative to our competitors and has increased from 5.0% of revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 to 5.4% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013. We believe our bad debt expense is primarily driven by operational policies, timing of financial aid processing and collection management. If we are unable to make appropriate changes our bad debt expense could increase, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.
Risk Related to Our Common Stock
The price of our common stock has fluctuated significantly and you could lose all or part of your investment.
Volatility in the market price of our common stock may prevent you from being able to sell your shares at or above the price you paid for your shares. The market price of our common stock has fluctuated significantly in the past, and there is no assurance it will not continue to fluctuate significantly for a variety of reasons, including, without limitation:
a failure to remediate the control deficiencies that constitute the material weaknesses in our internal controls discussed in “Item 4. Controls and Procedures”;
developments regarding the accreditation or state licensing of our academic institutions, particularly Ashford University;
our quarterly or annual earnings or those of other companies in our industry;
public reaction to our press releases, corporate communications and SEC filings;
changes in earnings estimates or recommendations by research analysts who track our common stock or the stocks of other companies in our industry;
seasonal variations in our student enrollment;
new laws or regulations or new interpretations of laws or regulations applicable to our industry or business;
negative publicity, including government hearings and other public lawmaker or regulator criticism, regarding our industry or business;
changes in enrollment;
changes in accounting standards, policies, guidance, interpretations or principles;
litigation involving our company or investigations or audits by regulators into the operations of our company or our competitors;
sales of common stock by our directors, executive officers and significant stockholders; and
changes in general conditions in the United States and global economies or financial markets, including those resulting from war, incidents of terrorism or responses to such events.
In addition, in recent years, the stock market has experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations. This volatility has had a significant impact on the market price of securities issued by many companies, including companies in our industry. Changes may occur without regard to the operating performance of these companies. The price of our common stock could fluctuate based upon factors that have little or nothing to do with our company.
If securities or industry analysts change their recommendations regarding our stock adversely or if our operating results do not meet their expectations, our stock price could decline.
The trading market for our common stock is influenced by the research and reports that industry or securities analysts publish about us or our business or industry. If one or more of these analysts ceases coverage of our company or fail to publish reports on us regularly, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which in turn could cause our stock price or trading volume to decline. Moreover, if one or more of the analysts who cover our company downgrades our stock, whether as a result


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of any material weakness in our internal controls or other factors, or if our operating results do not meet their expectations, our stock price could decline.
Item 2.    Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
None.
Item 3.    Defaults Upon Senior Securities.
None.
Item 4.    Not Applicable.
Item 5.    Other Information.
Item 1.01 - Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
On October 31, 2013, Bridgepoint Education, Inc. and Ashford University (collectively, “we” and “our”) entered into a license agreement (the “Forbes Agreement”) with Forbes Education Holdings LLC (“Forbes”), a subsidiary of Forbes Media LLC, pursuant to which we have licensed certain trademarks and print and online content from Forbes, as well as certain intellectual property and other benefits. The Forbes Agreement has an initial term ending on December 31, 2025, with an option to renew for subsequent 12-year terms at our election, subject to certain conditions. Under the agreement, we made a one-time payment of $15 million on October 31, 2013 and are required to pay royalties based on a percentage of annual revenues attributable to Ashford University’s business-related programs. Our royalty payment obligation is subject to a $2.5 million annual minimum and a provision that no annual royalty payment shall be lower than that paid in the preceding year, subject to certain exceptions.
Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
On November 1, 2013, the Company informed its principal accounting officer of its decision to hire a new principal accounting officer.  It is anticipated that the current principal accounting officer will remain in his role until a new principal accounting officer is announced.



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Item 6.    Exhibits.
Exhibit

 
Description
3.1

 
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Form 10-Q filed on May 21, 2009).
3.2

 
Second Amended and Restated Bylaws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to the Form S-1 filed on March 20, 2009).
4.1

 
Specimen of Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Form S-1 filed on March 30, 2009).
4.2

 
Second Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Form S-1 filed on September 4, 2009).
10.1

 
Amended and Restated 2009 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 8-K filed on May 16, 2013).
31.1

 
Certification of Andrew S. Clark, President and Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2

 
Certification of Daniel J. Devine, Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1

 
Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, executed by Andrew S. Clark, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Daniel J. Devine, Chief Financial Officer.
101

 
The following financial information from our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q/A for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2013, filed with the SEC on August 1, 2014, formatted in Extensible Business Reporting Language (“XBRL”): (i) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2013, and December 31, 2012; (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012; (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012; (iv) the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholder's Equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2013; (v) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012; and (vi) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
BRIDGEPOINT EDUCATION, INC.
 
 
August 1, 2014
/s/ DANIEL J. DEVINE
 
Daniel J. Devine
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal financial officer and duly authorized to
sign on behalf of the registrant)


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