Final Results

Accuma Group PLC 20 March 2008 Accuma Group Plc ('Accuma' or 'the Group') FINAL RESULTS FOR THE FIVE MONTH PERIOD TO 31 DECEMBER 2007 Chairman's Statement As was reported to the market in the Group's trading update on 25 February 2008, Accuma has experienced difficult trading conditions throughout the five month period to 31 December 2007* particularly within its Insolvency division. Although this division has been restructured and costs have been significantly cut which has now stabilised its trading performance, the effects of these trading conditions have had a significant impact on these results. This, in conjunction with the well publicised 'credit crunch' affecting the performance of the Loan Broking division, resulted in an EBITDA loss of £2.7 million for the period. Turnover at £5.5 million also reflects the significantly reduced levels of IVA fees and the reduction in Loan Broking business during the period. Gross profit for the period was £944,000, giving a gross profit margin of 17%. The EBITDA loss for the period was £2.7 million and included significant staff restructuring costs, a provision of £625,000 in respect of the lease commitment on leaving one floor of Accuma's Manchester office and other restructuring costs in the Division, and the losses incurred by the Loan Broking division. Cash inflow from operations for the period to 31 December 2007 was £454,000 (31 July 2007: £1.6 million) and our Balance Sheet remained strong with £3.4 million of cash (31 July 2007: £3.3 million), before provision for the imminent expected earn out payments in respect of 2007 for Byrom Keeley and Loan Line. As previously reported to shareholders in the Group's trading update, given the on-going turbulence in the credit markets, the Board has prudently decided to provide £11.8 million for the impairment on the carrying value of the Loan Broking division's goodwill. This will lead to a loss after tax for the period of £14.5 million (July 2007: £1.7 million profit). On a divisional basis, Group revenues are as follows: Turnover - £000s EBITDA - £000s Insolvency division 2,029 (1,885) Debt management 1,423 589 Loan broking 2,025 (375) Referrals / other 70 (321) Group overheads - (751) Total 5,547 (2,743) Operational review The Group continues to provide a full platform of consumer financial solutions from IVAs to informal debt management, consolidation loans and re-mortgaging. Following the significant changes in the sector the Group undertook a full review of the business which resulted in staff numbers reducing from 251 at the end of 2006 to 196 at the end of 2007. Debt management division Byrom Keeley, the informal debt management solutions business, produced an EBITDA of £589,000 in the period to December 2007, despite the seasonal effect of changing the company year end. The division continues to perform well, and as pressure on IVA acceptances continues, and with the consolidation of unsecured debt no longer an option for many consumers, debt management plans are often the only viable alternative to the consumer. Accordingly, the Board is confident of continued growth of this business during the year ahead. Insolvency division As a result of previously reported reduced volumes and a significant reduction in average IVA set-up fees from £2,700 to £1,700 this division has been restructured in the period to 31 December 2007. We incurred significant restructuring costs, as outlined above, and which led to staff reduction and the relocation of new cases to the Group's Blackburn based subsidiary, Wilson Phillips. We have altered our business model for the division, positioning it to take advantage of referrals from newly acquired businesses within the Group rather than relying on costly advertising. I am pleased to say that this radical surgery seems to have stemmed losses: the business is currently trading profitably once again and continues to accept approximately 80 new cases per month. Acceptance rates have also improved to 85% (at one point acceptance rates had fallen to 78%), The business has 5,906 live cases representing future contracted revenue pre delinquency of £16.8 million, a substantial 'book' of business and a major asset of the Group. Loan broking division In the period to 31st December 2007 the sub prime crisis in the USA and the resulting 'credit crunch' impacted the general market for lending in the UK. Loan Line, along with its competitors, was severely affected which resulted in the division incurring an EBITDA loss for the period of £375,000. The business was refocused during the period and has subsequently returned to marginal profitability in January 2008. The Board has taken a prudent view and, in the current circumstances and giving regard to the provisions of International Financial Reporting Standards, provided for full impairment of the goodwill which arose on the acquisition of Loan Line. This has resulted in a provision for impairment charged to the profit & loss account of £11.8 million. The Board continue to monitor the performance of Loan Line closely. Outlook Although these results are extremely disappointing, the Board is confident that the early identification of problems and the radical restructuring will protect the Group in the current financial year. The Group is debt free, cash generative and at the end February had a cash position (net of imminent earn out payments in respect of Byrom Keeley and Loan Line) of £914,000. Current macro economic conditions favour the Group's debt management division, which is performing well, and the Board is confident of its future prospects. As previously stated the Board has received some approaches which may lead to a satisfactory offer for the Insolvency division: with the restructuring of this business now completed, the Board believes that the realisable value of this business alone considerably exceeds our existing market capitalisation. We will continue to review all options to ensure the best outcome for the Group and Shareholders. Charles Taylor Chairman 20 March 2008 *On 13th December 2007 the Group announced its intention to change its year end to 31st December resulting in a 5 month period. The change will smooth the effect of the seasonality of the debt solutions market on our results, which are most active in the period from February to July, in future years. However the effect of reporting a five month period to 31 December would tend to flatter the first half results at the expense of the second half. Enquiries to: Charles Howson Chief Executive Accuma Group Plc Tel: 0845 202 6787 Lindsay Mair Daniel Stewart & Company plc Tel: 0207 776 6550 Simon Rothschild, Oliver Winters Bankside Consultants Tel: 0207 367 8888 CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2007 5 months ended Year ended 31 December 2007 31 July 2007 £ £ REVENUE Existing operations 5,546,953 20,450,479 Cost of sales (4,602,806) (12,278,928) Gross profit 944,147 8,171,551 Administrative expenses (3,687,420) (5,746,716) EARNINGS BEFORE INTEREST, TAX, DEPRECIATION, AMORTISATION AND IMPAIRMENT LOSSES (2,743,273) 2,424,835 Depreciation (202,016) (374,224) Amortisation (4,963) (13,865) Provision for impairment losses (11,774,764) - (LOSS)/PROFIT FROM OPERATIONS - Existing (14,725,016) 2,036,746 operations Finance income 106,814 240,853 Finance costs (165,084) (129,548) (LOSS)/PROFIT BEFORE TAX (14,783,286) 2,148,051 TAXATION 253,186 (435,903) (LOSS)/PROFIT FOR THE PERIOD (14,530,100) 1,712,148 EARNINGS PER SHARE (Loss)/earnings per share - Basic (44.43)p 5.30p All of the activities of the Group are classed as continuing. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2007 Share Share Other Share Retained Total capital premium reserve option earnings reserve £ £ £ £ £ £ Balance at 1 August 2,573,006 11,719,907 (762,595) - 688,555 14,218,873 2006 Prior period - - - 282,387 (282,387) - adjustment At 1 August 2006 as 2,573,006 11,719,907 (762,595) 282,387 406,168 14,218,873 restated Changes in equity for the year ended 31 July 2007 Profit for the year - - - - 1,712,148 1,712,148 Issue of share 696,667 - - - - 696,667 capital Premium on share - 17,342,934 - - - 17,342,934 issue Expenses of share - (654,964) - - - (654,964) issue Share capital to be - - (500,000) - - (500,000) issued Provision for share - - - 84,864 - 84,864 options Balance at 31 July 3,269,673 28,407,877 (1,262,595) 367,251 2,118,316 32,900,522 2007 Changes in equity for the 5 month period ended 31 December 2007 Loss for the period - - - - (14,530,100) (14,530,100) Provision for share - - - 28,977 - 28,977 options Balance at 31 December 2007 3,269,673 28,407,877 (1,262,595) 396,228 (12,411,784) 18,399,399 Other reserve The other reserve is a merger reserve created on the establishment of Accuma Insolvency Practitioners Limited as a subsidiary of Accuma Group PLC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2007 31 December 2007 31 July 2007 ASSETS £ £ £ £ NON-CURRENT ASSETS Intangible assets 15,560,940 27,609,659 Property, plant and equipment 789,630 855,546 Total non-current assets 16,350,570 28,465,205 CURRENT ASSETS Trade and other receivables 6,637,148 8,876,714 Deferred tax asset 309,807 2,421 Cash and cash equivalents 3,367,340 3,331,502 Total current assets 10,314,295 12,210,637 TOTAL ASSETS 26,664,865 40,675,842 EQUITY AND LIABILITIES CURRENT LIABILITIES Trade and other payables 2,271,596 1,492,405 Financial liabilities 2,259,027 2,065,801 Provision for onerous lease 510,687 - commitment Current tax liabilities 246,709 616,220 Total current liabilities 5,288,019 4,174,426 NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES Trade and other payables 2,898,536 3,500,000 Financial liabilities 78,911 100,894 Total non-current liabilities 2,977,447 3,600,894 Total liabilities 8,265,466 7,775,320 CAPITAL AND RESERVES - EQUITY Share capital 3,269,673 3,269,673 Share premium account 28,407,877 28,407,877 Share option reserve 396,228 367,251 Retained earnings (12,411,784) 2,118,316 Other reserve (1,262,595) (1,262,595) Total Equity 18,399,399 32,900,522 TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES 26,664,865 40,675,842 CONSOLIDATED CASHFLOW STATEMENT PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2007 5 months ended Year ended 31 December 31 July 2007 2007 OPERATING ACTIVITIES £ £ (Loss)/profit from operations (14,725,016) 2,036,746 Impairment provision 11,774,764 - Depreciation 202,016 374,224 Amortisation 4,963 13,865 Loss on sale of fixed assets - 6,000 Decrease in trade and other receivables 1,901,165 (494,633) Increase in trade and other payables 1,267,584 (422,416) Provision for share options 28,977 84,864 Cash inflow from operations 454,453 1,598,650 Interest paid (73,216) (129,548) Income taxes paid (110,000) (1,013,719) Interest element of finance leases (8,113) (25,113) Net cash inflow from operating activities 263,124 430,270 Payments to acquire property plant and (136,100) (452,570) equipment Interest received 106,814 240,853 Acquisition of subsidiaries - (16,496,016) Net cash used in investing activitites (29,286) (16,707,733) Cash flow from financing activities Capital element of finance lease agreements (33,040) (20,120) Proceeds from issue of ordinary shares - 18,039,601 Cash deposit in respect of loan notes issued (164,960) (1,941,806) Expenses in connection with share capital - (654,964) Repayment of bank loans - (254,554) Net cash (used in)/received from financing (198,000) 15,168,157 activities Net change in cash equivalents 35,838 (1,109,306) Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of 3,331,502 4,440,808 the year Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the 3,367,340 3,331,502 year CONSOLIDATED CASHFLOW STATEMENT PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2007 RECONCILIATION OF NET CASHFLOW TO MOVEMENT IN NET FUNDS 5 months ended Year ended 31 31 December 2007 July 2007 £ £ Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash 35,838 (1,109,306) equivalents Repayment of lease financing 41,154 45,233 Repayment of loans - 254,554 Movement in net funds/(debt) during the 76,992 (809,519) year Net funds at beginning of the year 3,106,613 3,916,132 Net funds at the end of the year 3,183,605 3,106,613 NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2007 1. TRANSITION TO INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL REPORTING STANDARDS (IFRS) The financial statements for the 5 month period ended 31 December 2007 are presented under IFRS for the first time. The last financial statements under UK GAAP related to the year ended 31 July 2007 and the date of transition to IFRS was therefore 1 August 2006. Key IFRS adjustments and their impact The acquisitions of Byrom & Keeley Limited and LoanLine (Holdings) Limited during the year ended 31 July 2007 were re-considered in order to identify separable intangible assets, according to the criteria of IAS 38 Intangible Assets. Some potential separable assets were identified, however, it was concluded in each case that the asset was intrinsic to the business operation and could not be viewed in isolation to other business components in terms of its commercial impact, and, for the same reason, the asset could not be independently valued. It was therefore concluded that intangibles acquired could only be treated in the context of their combined impact, goodwill associated with each business operation. In accordance with the requirements of IAS 38, amortisation charges relating to goodwill arising on these acquisitions has been reversed, increasing reported profit for the year ended 31 July 2007 by £1,259,513. Detailed reconciliation The following note provides reconciliations and explanatory notes detailing how the transition has impacted upon the reported performance and net assets position previously stated under UK GAAP. Reconciliation of equity at 1 August 2006 (date of transition to IFRS) As reported Effect of As restated under UK transition under IFRS GAAP to IFRS £ £ £ Non current assets Property, plant and 726,450 - 726,450 equipment Goodwill 6,842,053 - 6,842,053 Other intangible assets 97,409 - 97,409 7,665,912 - 7,665,912 Currents assets Trade and other receivables 6,064,689 - 6,064,689 Cash and cash equivalents 4,440,808 - 4,440,808 10,505,497 - 10,505,497 Total assets 18,171,409 - 18,171,409 Current liabilities Trade and other payables 1,075,962 - 1,075,962 Financial liabilities 195,971 - 195,971 Tax liabilities 493,749 - 493,749 Accruals and deferred income 355,227 - 355,227 2,120,909 - 2,120,909 Non current liabilities Financial liabilities 1,828,705 - 1,828,705 Taxation liabilities 2,922 - 2,922 1,831,627 - 1,831,627 Total liabilities 3,952,536 - 3,952,536 Equity Share capital 2,573,006 - 2,573,006 Share premium account 11,719,907 - 11,719,907 Share option reserve 282,387 - 282,387 Retained earnings 406,168 - 406,168 Other reserve (762,595) - (762,595) 14,218,873 - 14,218,873 Total liabilities and equity 18,171,409 - 18,171,409 Reconciliation of equity at 31 July 2007 (date of last UK GAAP financial statements) As reported Effect of As restated under UK GAAP transition to under IFRS £ IFRS £ £ Non current assets Property, plant and 855,546 - 855,546 equipment Goodwill 26,266,602 1,259,513 27,526,115 Other intangible assets 83,544 - 83,544 27,205,692 1,259,513 28,465,205 Currents assets Trade and other 8,876,714 - 8,876,714 receivables Deferred tax asset 2,421 - 2,421 Cash and cash 3,331,502 - 3,331,502 equivalents 12,210,637 - 12,210,637 Total assets 39,416,329 1,259,513 40,675,842 Current liabilities Trade and other payables 1,492,405 - 1,492,405 Financial liabilities 2,065,801 - 2,065,801 Current tax liabilities 616,220 - 616,220 4,174,426 - 4,174,426 Non current liabilities Trade and other payables 3,500,000 - 3,500,000 Financial liabilities 100,894 - 100,894 3,600,894 - 3,600,894 Total liabilities 7,775,320 - 7,775,320 Equity Share capital 3,269,673 - 3,269,673 Share premium account 28,407,877 - 28,407,877 Share option reserve 367,251 - 367,251 Retained earnings 858,803 1,259,513 2,118,316 Other reserve (1,262,595) - (1,262,595) 31,641,009 1,259,513 32,900,522 Total liabilities and 39,416,329 1,259,513 40,675,842 equity Reconciliation of profit for the year ended 31 July 2007 (date of last UK GAAP financial statements) As reported Effect of As restated under UK GAAP transition to under IFRS IFRS £ £ £ Revenue 20,450,479 - 20,450,479 Cost of sales (12,278,928) - (12,278,928) Gross profit 8,171,551 - 8,171,551 Administrative (5,746,716) - (5,746,716) expenses EBITDA 2,424,835 2,424,835 Amortisation & (1,647,602) 1,259,513 (388,089) depreciation Profit from operations 777,233 1,259,513 2,036,746 Net finance income 111,305 111,305 Profit before taxation 888,538 1,259,513 2,148,051 Taxation expense (435,903) - (435,903) Net profit 452,635 1,259,513 1,712,148 Reconciliation of cash flow at 31 July 2007 (date of latest UK GAAP financial statements) As reported Effect of As restated under UK GAAP transition to under IFRS IFRS £ £ £ Profit from 777,233 1,259,513 2,036,746 operations Depreciation 374,224 - 374,224 Amortisation 1,273,378 (1,259,513) 13,865 Loss on sale of 6,000 - 6,000 fixed assets Decrease in trade (494,633) - (494,633) and other receivables Increase in trade (422,416) - (422,416) and other payables Provision for share 84,864 - 84,864 options Cash inflow from 1,598,650 - 1,598,650 operations 2 TAXATION Period ended 31 Year ended 31 December 2007 July 2007 £ Current tax expense UK corporation tax on income for the period (8,739) 340,858 Tax charge relating to prior periods 62,939 (16,371) 54,200 324,487 Deferred tax credit Changes in deferred tax balances arising from: Origination or reversal of timing differences (307,386) 111,416 Income tax (credit)/expense (253,186) 435,903 The charge for the period can be reconciled to the loss per the income statement as follows; Period ended 31 Year ended 31 December 2007 July 2007 £ £ (Loss)/profit before taxation (14,783,286) 2,148,051 (Loss)/profit on ordinary activities multiplied by the rate of corporation tax of 30% (2006: 30%) (4,434,986) 644,415 Adjusted for the effects of; Impairment provision 3,532,429 - Capital allowances in excess of 45,071 5,959 depreciation Expenses not deductible for tax 116,637 43,308 purposes Tax rate differences - (17,401) Other timing differences 222,224 (224,007) Unrelieved tax losses - - Losses of overseas operations not available 202,500 - for relief in UK Adjustment to prior period tax charge 62,939 (16,371) Current tax charge for the year (253,186) 435,903 3 EARNINGS PER SHARE Earnings per share statistics disclosed are calculated by dividing the earnings attributable to ordinary share holders by the weighted average number of shares in issue during the year. Period ended 31 Year ended 31 December July Basic 2007 2007 £ £ (Loss) / profit for the year (14,530,100) 1,712,148 Weighted average number of shares 32,696,734 32,295,911 4 STATUS OF FINANCIAL INFORMATION The financial information set out in this report does not constitute the company's statutory accounts for the period ended 31 December 2007 but is derived from those accounts. Statutory accounts for the period ended 31 December 2007 will be delivered to the Registrar of Companies shortly. The auditors have reported on those accounts; their report was unqualified, did not include reference to any matters to which the auditors drew attention by way of emphasis without qualifying their report and did not contain statements under the Companies Act 2006, s 498(2) or (3). 5 The Report and Financial Statements over the 5 month period ending 31 December 2007 will be sent to shareholders in due course. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange DKPEFE
UK 100

Latest directors dealings