BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES INC
For the period ended Mar 31, 2026. Filed May 7, 2026.
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A company's report for each of its first three quarters. The financial statements are not audited. It shows how the business has moved since the last annual report, and what management says changed.
Mar 31, 2026 · Filed May 7, 2026
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Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 1 - Basis of Presentation of Interim Period Statements
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited and have been prepared by Barrett Business Services, Inc. (“BBSI”, the “Company”, “our” or “we”), pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Certain information and note disclosures typically included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. In the opinion of management, the condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented. The accompanying condensed financial statements are prepared on a consolidated basis. All intercompany account balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results may differ from such estimates and assumptions. The condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s 2025 Annual Report on Form 10-K at pages 35 - 64. The results of operations for an interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for a full year.
Reportable segment
BBSI hasone operating and reportable segment which provides business management solutions to small and mid-sized companies. The Company’s Chief Executive Officer is the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”). The CODM is provided financial information presented on a consolidated basis, including consolidated gross margin and consolidated net income (loss), to assess the financial performance of the Company and to decide how to allocate resources, including by reinvesting profits into our single operating segment or pursuing other strategic initiatives, such as stock repurchases or acquisitions. The financial information presented to the CODM, including the expense categories, is consistent with the financial information contained in these consolidated financial statements.
The accounting policies of our reportable segment are the same as those of the consolidated entity.
BBSI derives revenue exclusively in the United States and all of the Company’s long-lived assets are located in the United States.
Revenue recognition
Professional employer (“PEO”) services are normally used by organizations to satisfy ongoing needs related to the management of human capital and are governed by the terms of a client services agreement which covers all employees at a particular work site. Staffing revenues relate primarily to short-term staffing, contract staffing and on-site management services. The Company’s performance obligations for PEO and staffing services are satisfied, and the related revenue is recognized, as services are rendered by our workforce.
Our PEO client service agreements have a minimum term ofone year, are renewable on an annual basis and typically require 30 days’ written notice to cancel or terminate the contract by either party. In addition, our client service agreements provide for immediate termination upon any payment default of the client regardless of when notice is given. PEO customers are invoiced following the end of each payroll processing cycle, with payment generally due on the invoice date. Staffing customers are typically invoiced weekly based on agreed rates per employee and actual hours worked, generally with payment terms of 30 days. The amount of earned but unbilled revenue is classified as a receivable on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
We report PEO revenues net of direct payroll costs because we are not the primary obligor for these payments to our clients’ employees. Direct payroll costs include salaries and wages, client-provided health insurance, and employee out-of-pocket expenses incurred incidental to employment.
Cost of revenues
Our cost of revenues for PEO services includes employer payroll-related taxes, workers’ compensation costs and employee benefits costs. Our cost of revenues for staffing services includes direct payroll costs, employer payroll-related taxes, and workers’ compensation costs. Direct payroll costs represent the gross payroll earned by staffing services employees based on salary or hourly wages. Payroll taxes consist of the employer’s portion of Social Security and Medicare taxes and federal and state unemployment taxes. Benefit costs primarily comprise health insurance premiums paid to third-party carriers as part of our fully insured PEO benefits programs and underwriting and benefit consultant payroll. Workers’ compensation costs consist primarily of premiums paid to third-party insurers, claims reserves, third-party broker commissions, risk manager payroll, claims administration fees, legal fees, medical cost containment (“MCC”) expense, state administrative agency fees, as well as costs associated with operating ourtwo wholly owned insurance companies, Associated Insurance Company for Excess (“AICE”) and Ecole Insurance Company (“Ecole”).
Cash and cash equivalents
We consider non-restricted short-term investments that are highly liquid, readily convertible into cash, and have maturities at acquisition of less than three months to be cash equivalents for purposes of the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows and condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Company maintains cash balances in bank accounts that normally exceed FDIC insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses related to its cash concentration.
Investments
The Company classifies investments as available-for-sale. The Company’s investments are reported at fair value with unrealized gains and losses, net of taxes, shown as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in stockholders’ equity. Investments are recorded as current on the condensed consolidated balance sheets as the invested funds are available for current operations. Management considers available evidence in evaluating potential impairment of investments, including the extent to which fair value is less than cost and adverse conditions related to the security. In the event of a credit loss, an allowance would be recognized to the extent that the fair value of the security is less than the present value of the expected future cash flows. Realized gains and losses on sales of investments are included in investment income, net in our condensed consolidated statements of operations. Investment income, net in the condensed consolidated statements of operations includes interest income of $1.9 million and $2.4 million for thethree months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, respectively.
Restricted cash and investments
The Company holds restricted cash and investments primarily for the future payment of insurance premiums and workers’ compensation claims. These investments are categorized as available-for-sale. They are reported at fair value with unrealized gains and losses, net of taxes, shown as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in stockholders’ equity. Restricted cash and investments are classified as current and noncurrent on the condensed consolidated balance sheets based on the nature of the restriction. Management considers available evidence in evaluating potential impairment of restricted investments, including the extent to which fair value is less than cost and adverse conditions related to the security. In the event of a credit loss, an allowance would be recognized to the extent that the fair value of the security is less than the present value of the expected future cash flows. Realized gains and losses on sales of restricted investments are included in investment income in our condensed consolidated statements of operations.
Restricted cash and investments also includes investments held as part of the Company’s deferred compensation plan. These investments are classified as trading securities and are recorded at fair value with unrealized gains and losses reported as a component of income (loss) from operations.
Trade accounts receivable
PEO customers are invoiced following the end of each payroll processing cycle, with payment generally due on the invoice date, and staffing customers are generally invoiced weekly with payment terms of 30 days. The balance in trade accounts receivable comprises primarily unbilled receivables of$284.7 million and $241.5 million at March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, respectively. The remaining balance of $9.3 million and $7.5 million in trade accounts receivable at March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, respectively, is primarily related to outstanding billings to staffing and PEO clients, offset by an allowance for expected credit losses of $0.4 million at each of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025.
Allowance for expected credit losses
The Company had an allowance for expected credit losses of $0.4 million at each of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025. We make estimates of the collectability of our accounts receivable for services provided to our customers based on future expected credit losses. Management analyzes historical bad debts, customer concentrations, customer credit-worthiness, current economic trends and changes in customers’ payment trends when evaluating the adequacy of the allowance for expected credit losses. If the financial condition of our customers deteriorates, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required.
Workers’ compensation costs
For all claims incurred under the Company’s self-insured workers’ compensation programs, we record an estimate for the total amount of workers’ compensation costs, which represents the amount necessary to pay claims and related expenses associated with workplace injuries that have occurred under the self-insured program.
In addition to our self-insured program, the Company provides workers' compensation coverage through a fully insured arrangement. The Company's fully insured policies allow for return premiums if claims develop favorably, ranging from $20.0 million to $30.0 million depending on the policy period. For the policy period beginning July 1, 2021, BBSI can incur additional premiums up to $7.5 million if claims develop adversely. For all other policy years, no additional premiums can be charged based on claim performance. Our estimate of the losses associated with workers’ compensation claims directly impacts our estimate of the return premiums we may realize or the additional premiums that we may incur.
When a claim involving a probable loss is reported, our independent third-party administrator for workers’ compensation claims (“TPA”) establishes a case reserve for the estimated amount of ultimate loss. The estimate reflects a judgment based on established case reserving practices and the experience and knowledge of the TPA regarding the nature and expected amount of the claim, as well as the estimated expenses of settling the claim, including legal and other fees and expenses of claims administration. The adequacy of such case reserves depends in part on the professional judgment of the TPA to evaluate the economic consequences of each claim properly and comprehensively.
Our estimate of ultimate losses includes an additional component for potential future increases in the cost to finally resolve open injury claims and claims incurred in prior periods but not reported (together, "IBNR") based on actuarial estimates provided by the Company’s independent actuary. IBNR does not apply to a specific claim but rather applies to the entire population of claims arising from a specific time period. IBNR primarily covers costs relating to:
Future claim payments in excess of case reserves on recorded open claims;
Additional claim payments on closed claims; and
Claims that have occurred but have not yet been reported to us.
The process of estimating claims and claims adjustment expense involves a high degree of judgment and is affected by both internal and external events, including changes in claims handling practices, modifications in reserve estimation procedures, changes in individuals involved in the reserve estimation process, inflation, trends in the litigation and settlement of pending claims, and legislative changes.
Our estimates are based on actuarial analyses and informed judgment, derived from individual experience and expertise applied to multiple sets of data and analyses. We consider significant facts and circumstances known both at the time that loss reserves are initially established and as new facts and circumstances become known. Due to the inherent uncertainty underlying loss estimates, the ultimate expense incurred will likely vary from the related loss estimate at the reporting date. Therefore, as specific claims are paid out in the future, actual paid losses may be materially different from our current loss estimates.
A basic premise in most actuarial analyses is that historical data and past patterns demonstrated in the incurred and paid historical data form a reasonable basis upon which to project future outcomes, absent a material change. Significant structural changes to the available data can materially impact the estimation process. To the extent a material change affecting the ultimate claim amount becomes known, such change is quantified to the extent possible through an analysis of internal company data and, if available and when appropriate, external data. Actuaries exercise a considerable degree of judgment in the evaluation of these factors and the need for such actuarial judgment is more pronounced when faced with material uncertainties.
Customer deposits
We require deposits from certain PEO and staffing customers to cover a portion of our accounts receivable due from such customers in the event of default of payment.
Comprehensive income (loss)
Comprehensive income (loss) includes all changes in equity during a period except those that resulted from transactions with the Company’s stockholders.
Other comprehensive income (loss) comprises unrealized holding gains and losses on our available-for-sale investments, net of tax.
Statements of cash flows
Interest paid during the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025 did not materially differ from interest expense. Income taxes paid net of income tax refunds received by the Company during the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025 were not material.
Bank deposits and other cash equivalents that are restricted for use are classified as restricted cash. The table below reconciles the cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash balances from our condensed consolidated balance sheets to the amounts reported on the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows (in thousands):
| March 31, | December 31, | March 31, | December 31, | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2025 | 2025 | 2024 | |
| Cash and cash equivalents | $36,582 | $95,033 | $31,977 | $55,367 |
| Restricted cash included in restricted cash and investments | 47,973 | 31,301 | 11,046 | 27,221 |
| Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in the statements of cash flows | $84,555 | $126,334 | $43,023 | $82,588 |
Basic and diluted earnings per share
Basic earnings per share are computed based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for each year using the treasury method. Diluted earnings per share reflect the potential effects of the issuance of shares in connection with the exercise of outstanding stock options, vesting of outstanding restricted stock units and performance share units, and the Company’s employee stock purchase plan. Basic and diluted shares outstanding are summarized as follows (in thousands):
| Three Months Ended | ||
|---|---|---|
| March 31, | ||
| 2026 | 2025 | |
| Weighted average number of basic shares outstanding | 25,031 | 25,809 |
| Effect of dilutive securities | — | — |
| Weighted average number of diluted shares outstanding | 25,031 | 25,809 |
For the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025,594,384 and 593,988 potential common shares, respectively, related to stock options, restricted stock units, performance share units, and the employee stock purchase plan have been excluded from the calculation of diluted loss per share because their effect would be anti-dilutive.
Accounting estimates
The preparation of our condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions. These affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Estimates are used for fair value measurement of investments, allowance for expected credit losses, deferred income taxes, carrying values for goodwill and property, equipment and software, and accrued workers’ compensation liabilities. Actual results may or may not differ from such estimates.
Reclassifications
To conform to the current period’s presentation, prior period payroll taxes and benefits on the consolidated statements of operations of $187.0 million was disaggregated into payroll taxes of $169.4 million and benefit costs of $17.6 million.
Recent accounting pronouncements
The following Accounting Standards Updates (ASUs) have been recently issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB).
ASU 2024-03, Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income—Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses (“DISE”)
In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03, which requires disclosure of specified information about certain costs and expenses in the notes to interim and annual financial statements. The amendments in this ASU are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2026 and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027. Early adoption is permitted. The amendments in this ASU should be applied either (1) prospectively to financial statements issued for reporting periods after the effective date or (2) retrospectively to any or all prior periods presented in the financial statements. We are evaluating the impact of this new accounting standard on the Company's consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. We do not expect that the adoption of this ASU will have a material effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.
ASU 2025-06, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other—Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Targeted Improvements to the Accounting for Internal-Use Software
In September 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-06, which amends the capitalization criteria of software development costs. The ASU eliminates the prior project-stage model and implements a probable-to-complete recognition threshold. The amendments in this ASU are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027 and interim reporting periods within those annual reporting periods. Early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of an annual reporting period. The amendments in this ASU should be applied using either a prospective transition approach, modified transition approach, or retrospective transition approach. We are evaluating the impact of this new accounting standard on the Company's consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. We do not expect that the adoption of this ASU will have a material effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.
Note 2 - Fair Value Measurement
The following table summarizes the Company’s investments at March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025 measured at fair value on a recurring basis (in thousands):
| March 31, 2026 · December 31, 2025 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gross · Gross · Gross · Gross | ||||||||
| Unrealized · Unrealized · Recorded · Unrealized · Unrealized · Recorded | ||||||||
| Cost | Gains | Losses | Basis | Cost | Gains | Losses | Basis | |
| Current: | ||||||||
| Cash equivalents: | ||||||||
| Money market funds | $15,338 | $— | $— | $15,338 | $44,394 | $— | $— | $44,394 |
| Total cash equivalents | 15,338 | — | — | 15,338 | 44,394 | — | — | 44,394 |
| Investments: | ||||||||
| Corporate bonds | 21,265 | 2 | (1,255) | 20,012 | 27,827 | 5 | (1,238) | 26,594 |
| U.S. treasuries | 14,260 | — | (639) | 13,621 | 14,261 | — | (634) | 13,627 |
| Mortgage-backed securities | 11,004 | — | (2,075) | 8,929 | 11,174 | — | (2,026) | 9,148 |
| Asset-backed securities | 7,548 | — | (65) | 7,483 | 7,564 | 17 | (63) | 7,518 |
| U.S. government agency securities | 5,287 | — | (42) | 5,245 | 5,309 | — | (42) | 5,267 |
| Total current investments | 59,364 | 2 | (4,076) | 55,290 | 66,135 | 22 | (4,003) | 62,154 |
| Restricted cash and investments (1): | ||||||||
| Corporate bonds | 78,187 | 3 | (3,955) | 74,235 | 79,178 | 8 | (3,876) | 75,310 |
| U.S. treasuries | 51,785 | — | (3,891) | 47,894 | 51,809 | — | (3,767) | 48,042 |
| Mortgage-backed securities | 31,528 | 2 | (4,077) | 27,453 | 32,560 | 10 | (4,000) | 28,570 |
| Mutual funds | 12,956 | — | — | 12,956 | 13,602 | — | — | 13,602 |
| U.S. government agency securities | 5,940 | — | (344) | 5,596 | 5,947 | — | (336) | 5,611 |
| Money market funds | 1,786 | — | — | 1,786 | 486 | — | — | 486 |
| Asset-backed securities | 806 | 7 | — | 813 | 980 | 11 | — | 991 |
| Total restricted cash and investments | 182,988 | 12 | (12,267) | 170,733 | 184,562 | 29 | (11,979) | 172,612 |
| Total investments | $257,690 | $14 | $(16,343) | $241,361 | $295,091 | $51 | $(15,982) | $279,160 |
(1) Included in restricted cash and investments within the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025 is restricted cashof $46.2 million and $30.8 million, respectively, which is excluded from the table above. Restricted cash and investments are classified as current and noncurrent on the balance sheet based on the nature of the restriction.
The following table summarizes the Company’s investments at March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025 measured at fair value on a recurring basis by fair value hierarchy level (in thousands):
| March 31, 2026 · December 31, 2025 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total · Total | ||||||||
| Recorded | Recorded | |||||||
| Basis | Level 1 | Level 2 | Other (1) | Basis | Level 1 | Level 2 | Other (1) | |
| Cash equivalents: | ||||||||
| Money market funds | $15,338 | $— | $— | $15,338 | $44,394 | $— | $— | $44,394 |
| Investments: | ||||||||
| Corporate bonds | 20,012 | — | 20,012 | — | 26,594 | — | 26,594 | — |
| U.S. treasuries | 13,621 | — | 13,621 | — | 13,627 | — | 13,627 | — |
| Mortgage-backed securities | 8,929 | — | 8,929 | — | 9,148 | — | 9,148 | — |
| Asset-backed securities | 7,483 | — | 7,483 | — | 7,518 | — | 7,518 | — |
| U.S. government agency securities | 5,245 | — | 5,245 | — | 5,267 | — | 5,267 | — |
| Restricted cash and investments: | ||||||||
| Corporate bonds | 74,235 | — | 74,235 | — | 75,310 | — | 75,310 | — |
| U.S. treasuries | 47,894 | — | 47,894 | — | 48,042 | — | 48,042 | — |
| Mortgage-backed securities | 27,453 | — | 27,453 | — | 28,570 | — | 28,570 | — |
| Mutual funds | 12,956 | 12,956 | — | — | 13,602 | 13,602 | — | — |
| U.S. government agency securities | 5,596 | — | 5,596 | — | 5,611 | — | 5,611 | — |
| Money market funds | 1,786 | — | — | 1,786 | 486 | — | — | 486 |
| Asset-backed securities | 813 | — | 813 | — | 991 | — | 991 | — |
| Total investments | $241,361 | $12,956 | $211,281 | $17,124 | $279,160 | $13,602 | $220,678 | $44,880 |
(1)Investments in money market funds measured at fair value using the net asset value per share practical expedient are not subject to hierarchy level classification disclosure. The Company invests in money market funds that seek to maintain a stable net asset value. These investments include commingled funds that comprise high-quality short-term securities representing liquid debt and monetary instruments where the redemption value is likely to be the fair value. Redemption is permitted daily without written notice.
The following table summarizes the contractual maturities of the Company’s available-for-sale securities at March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to prepay obligations with or without prepayment penalties. The table also includes money market funds, which are classified as cash and cash equivalents on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets.
| (In thousands) | Less than1 Year | Between 1 to5 Years | Between 5 to10 Years | After 10 Years | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corporate bonds | $15,835 | $74,246 | $4,166 | $— | $94,247 |
| U.S. treasuries | 3,249 | 58,266 | — | — | 61,515 |
| Money market funds | 17,124 | — | — | — | 17,124 |
| U.S. government agency securities | 2,092 | 8,749 | — | — | 10,841 |
| Asset-backed securities | — | 408 | 150 | 7,738 | 8,296 |
| Total | $38,300 | $141,669 | $4,316 | $7,738 | $192,023 |
| (In thousands) | Less than1 Year | Between 1 to5 Years | Between 5 to10 Years | After 10 Years | Total |
| Corporate bonds | $11,486 | $85,088 | $5,330 | $— | $101,904 |
| U.S. treasuries | 3,237 | 49,405 | 9,027 | — | 61,669 |
| Money market funds | 44,880 | — | — | — | 44,880 |
| U.S. government agency securities | 2,096 | 8,782 | — | — | 10,878 |
| Asset-backed securities | — | 578 | 151 | 7,780 | 8,509 |
| Total | $61,699 | $143,853 | $14,508 | $7,780 | $227,840 |
The average contractual maturity of mortgage-backed securities, which are excluded from the table above, was 20 years as of each of March 31,2026 and December 31,2025.
The fair values and gross unrealized losses of the Company’s available for sale securities that were in an unrealized loss position as of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous loss position, were as follows (in thousands):
| Less than 12 months · 12 months or longer · Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gross | Gross | Gross | ||||
| Recorded | Unrealized | Recorded | Unrealized | Recorded | Unrealized | |
| Basis | Losses | Basis | Losses | Basis | Losses | |
| Investments: | ||||||
| Corporate bonds | $885 | $(126) | $18,929 | $(1,129) | $19,814 | $(1,255) |
| U.S. treasuries | — | — | 13,621 | (639) | 13,621 | (639) |
| Mortgage-backed securities | — | — | 8,929 | (2,075) | 8,929 | (2,075) |
| Asset-backed securities | — | — | 7,483 | (65) | 7,483 | (65) |
| U.S. government agency securities | — | — | 5,245 | (42) | 5,245 | (42) |
| Total investments | 885 | (126) | 54,207 | (3,950) | 55,092 | (4,076) |
| Restricted investments: | ||||||
| Corporate bonds | — | — | 73,525 | (3,956) | 73,525 | (3,956) |
| U.S. treasuries | 726 | (6) | 47,168 | (3,885) | 47,894 | (3,891) |
| Mortgage-backed securities | — | — | 27,297 | (4,077) | 27,297 | (4,077) |
| U.S. government agency securities | — | — | 5,596 | (344) | 5,596 | (344) |
| Total restricted investments | 726 | (6) | 153,586 | (12,262) | 154,312 | (12,268) |
| Total investments and restricted investments | $1,611 | $(132) | $207,793 | $(16,212) | $209,404 | $(16,344) |
| Less than 12 months · 12 months or longer · Total | ||||||
| Gross | Gross | Gross | ||||
| Recorded | Unrealized | Recorded | Unrealized | Recorded | Unrealized | |
| Basis | Losses | Basis | Losses | Basis | Losses | |
| Investments: | ||||||
| Corporate bonds | $— | $— | $26,394 | $(1,238) | $26,394 | $(1,238) |
| U.S. treasuries | — | — | 13,627 | (634) | 13,627 | (634) |
| Mortgage-backed securities | — | — | 9,148 | (2,026) | 9,148 | (2,026) |
| U.S. government agency securities | — | — | 5,267 | (42) | 5,267 | (42) |
| Asset-backed securities | — | — | 1,302 | (63) | 1,302 | (63) |
| Total investments | — | — | 55,738 | (4,003) | 55,738 | (4,003) |
| Restricted investments: | ||||||
| Corporate bonds | 100 | — | 73,745 | (3,876) | 73,845 | (3,876) |
| U.S. treasuries | 729 | (1) | 47,313 | (3,766) | 48,042 | (3,767) |
| Mortgage-backed securities | — | — | 26,916 | (4,000) | 26,916 | (4,000) |
| U.S. government agency securities | — | — | 5,611 | (336) | 5,611 | (336) |
| Total restricted investments | 829 | (1) | 153,585 | (11,978) | 154,414 | (11,979) |
| Total investments and restricted investments | $829 | $(1) | $209,323 | $(15,981) | $210,152 | $(15,982) |
We have determined that the gross unrealized losses on our investments as of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025 were temporary in nature. The decline in fair value was due to changes in market interest rates, rather than credit losses.
Note 3 – Workers’ Compensation Claims Costs
Workers’ Compensation Claims Liabilities
The following table summarizes the aggregate workers’ compensation reserve activity (in thousands):
| Three Months Ended | ||
|---|---|---|
| March 31, | ||
| 2026 | 2025 | |
| Beginning balance | ||
| Workers' compensation claims liabilities | $108,584 | $128,446 |
| Add: claims expense incurred | ||
| Current period | 3,700 | 3,328 |
| Prior periods | (1,064) | (3,782) |
| Total claims expense incurred | 2,636 | (454) |
| Less: claim payments related to | ||
| Current period | 2,062 | 1,178 |
| Prior periods | 5,842 | 5,520 |
| Total claim payments | 7,904 | 6,698 |
| Change in claims incurred in excess of retention limits | (1,506) | (66) |
| Ending balance | ||
| Workers' compensation claims liabilities | $101,810 | $121,228 |
The Company provided a total of $101.8 million and $108.6 million at March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, respectively, as the estimated future liability for unsettled workers’ compensation claims liabilities. Of this amount, $8.2 million and $9.7 million at March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, respectively, represent case reserves and IBNR in excess of the Company’s retention. The accrual for costs incurred in excess of retention is offset by a receivable from insurance carriers of $8.2 million and $9.7 million at March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, respectively, which is included in other assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
Insured program
The Company provides workers’ compensation coverage for client employees primarily through arrangements with fully licensed, third-party insurers (the “insured program”). Under this program, carriers issue policies or afford coverage to the Company’s clients under a program maintained by the Company. Approximately 86% of the Company’s workers’ compensation exposure is covered through the insured program.
The Company maintains a fully insured arrangement for its insured program, whereby third-party insurers assume substantially all risk of loss for claims incurred under the program. This fully insured arrangement covers claims incurred between July 1, 2021 and June 30, 2026.
The Company’s fully insured policies allow for return premiums if claims develop favorably, ranging from $20.0 million to $30.0 million, depending on the policy period. For the policy period beginning July 1, 2021, BBSI can incur additional premiums up to $7.5 million if claims develop adversely. For all other policy years, no additional premiums can be charged based on claim performance.
Premiums incurred but not paid are recorded as either current or long-term premium payable on the condensed consolidated balance sheets based on the expected timing of the payments.
For claims incurred under the insured program prior to July 1, 2021, the Company retains risk of loss up to the first $3.0 million per occurrence on policies issued after June 30, 2020 and $5.0 million per occurrence on policies issued before that date.
Claim obligations for policies issued under the insured program between February 1, 2014 and June 30, 2018 were removed through loss portfolio transfers in 2020 and 2021.
The following is a summary of the risk retained by the Company under its insured program after considering the effects of the loss portfolio transfers and current insurance arrangements:
| Year | Claims risk retained |
| 2017 | No |
| 2018 | No |
| 2019 | Yes |
| 2020 | Yes |
| 2021 - Through June 30 | Yes |
| 2021 - July 1 and after | No |
| 2022 | No |
| 2023 | No |
| 2024 | No |
| 2025 | No |
| 2026 | No |
The Company is required to maintain minimum collateral levels for certain policies issued under the insured program, which is held in a trust account (the “trust account”). The balance in the trust account was$189.5 million and $175.3 million at March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, respectively. The trust account balance is included as a component of the current and long-term restricted cash and investments in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets.
Self-insured programs
The Company is a self-insured employer with respect to workers’ compensation coverage for all employees, including employees of PEO clients that elect to participate in our workers’ compensation program, working in Colorado, Maryland, Ohio, and Oregon. In the state of Washington, state law allows only the Company’s staffing services and internal management employees to be covered under the Company’s self-insured workers’ compensation program. The Company also operates a wholly owned, fully licensed insurance company, Ecole, which provides workers’ compensation coverage to client employees working in Arizona and Utah. Approximately 14% of the Company’s workers’ compensation exposure is covered through self-insurance or Ecole (the “self-insured programs”).
For all claims incurred under the Company’s self-insured programs, the Company retains risk of loss up to the first $3.0 million per occurrence, except in Maryland and Colorado, where the Company’s retention per occurrence is $1.0 million and $2.0 million, respectively. For claims incurred under the Company’s self-insured programs prior to July 1, 2020, the Company retains risk of loss up to the first $5.0 million per occurrence, except in Maryland and Colorado, where the retention per occurrence is $1.0 million and $2.0 million, respectively.
The states of California, Maryland, Oregon, Washington, Colorado and Delaware required the Company to maintain collateral totaling $52.1 million at each of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025 to cover potential workers’ compensation claims losses related to the Company’s current and former status as a self-insured employer. At March 31, 2026, the Company provided surety bonds totaling $52.1 million.
Note 4 - Revolving Credit Facility
The Company maintains an agreement (the “Agreement”) with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. (the “Bank”) for a revolving credit line of $50.0 million and a sublimit for standby letters of credit of $25.0 million. Advances under the revolving credit line bear interest, as selected by the Company, of (a)the daily Simple Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) plus 1.75% or (b)one-month Term SOFR plus 1.75%. The Agreement also provides for an unused commitment fee of 0.30% per year on the average daily unused amount of the revolving credit line, as well as a fee of 1.75% of the face amount of each letter of credit reserved under the line of credit. The Company hadno outstanding borrowings on its revolving credit lineat March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025. The credit facility is collateralized by the Company’s accounts receivable and other rights to receive payment. The revolving credit facility will mature on August 1, 2028, unless extended.
The Agreement requires the satisfaction of certain financial covenants as follows:
adjusted free cash flow [net profit after taxes plus interest expense (net of capitalized interest), depreciation expense, and amortization expense, less dividends/distributions] not less than $10 million as of each fiscal quarter end, determined on a rolling 4-quarter basis; and
tangible net worth [aggregate of total stockholders’ equity plus subordinated debt less any intangible assets and less any loans or advances to, or investments in, any related entities or individuals] not less than $50 million at each fiscal quarter end.
The Agreement imposes certain additional restrictions unless the Bank provides its prior written consent as follows:
incurring additional indebtedness is prohibited, other than purchase financing for the acquisition of assets, provided that the aggregate of all purchase financing does not exceed $1 million at any time;
the Company may not terminate or cancel any of the AICE policies; and
if an event of default occurs, and is continuing, including on a pro forma basis, no dividends or distributions would be permitted to be paid and redemptions and repurchases of the Company’s stock would be permitted only up to $15 million in any rolling 12-month period.
The Agreement also contains customary events of default and specified cross-defaults under the Company’s workers’ compensation insurance arrangements. If an event of default under the Agreement occurs and is continuing, the Bank may declare any outstanding obligations under the Agreement to be immediately due and payable. At March 31, 2026, the Company was in compliance with all covenants.
Note 5 – Income Taxes
Under ASC 740, “Income Taxes,” management evaluates the realizability of the deferred tax assets on a quarterly basis under a “more-likely-than-not” standard. As part of this evaluation, management reviews all evidence both positive and negative to determine if a valuation allowance is needed. One component of this analysis is to determine whether the Company was in a cumulative loss position for the most recent 12 quarters. The Company was in a cumulative income position for the 12 quarters ended March 31, 2026. At March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, the Company hadnot recorded a valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets.
The Company is subject to income taxes in U.S. federal and multiple state and local tax jurisdictions. The Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) examined the Company’s federal tax returns for the years ended December 31,2017 through 2021 and issued notices of disallowance for certain wage-based tax credits claimed by the Company. The Company filed petitions in the United States Tax Court (the “Tax Court”) challenging the IRS’s determinations.
On March 30, 2026, the Tax Court issued a decision granting the IRS’s motion for partial summary judgment and denying the Company’s motion for partial summary judgment with respect to the Company’s claims for wage‑based tax credits for tax years 2017 through 2020.
As a result of the Tax Court’s decision, the Company recorded charges of $8.6 million of additional income tax expense and $4.1 million of related interest during the first quarter of 2026. The net impact of these charges, after considering the associated tax benefit on interest, resulted in an $11.6 million increase in net loss. These charges were recorded within provision for (benefit from) income taxes on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations and relate to the tax years addressed by the Tax Court’s decision, as well as tax years 2021 and 2022, which represent the remaining periods of the Company’s potential exposure related to wage‑based tax credits. The Company didnot record penalties related to these matters, which are approximately $1.8 million for the tax years covered by the Tax Court’s decision, as the Company believes that the position involves novel legal issues for which penalties should not apply.
The Company disagrees with the Tax Court’s decision and is continuing to evaluate the available legal options, including any rights to appeal. The Company does not expect the decision to have an effect on its current business operations or services provided to clients.
In the major jurisdictions where it operates, the Company is generally no longer subject to income tax examinations by tax authorities for tax years before 2017. As of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, total gross unrecognized tax benefits, excluding interest and penalties, of $1.0 million and $0.8 million, respectively, would affect the Company’s effective tax rate if recognized in future periods.
A portion of the consolidated income the Company generates is not subject to state income tax. Depending on the percentage of this income as compared to total consolidated income, the Company’s state effective tax rate could fluctuate from expectations.
At March 31, 2026, the Company hadno operating loss carryforwards or tax credit carryforwards.
Note 6 – Litigation
BBSI is subject to legal proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary course of our business. There are significant uncertainties surrounding such litigation. In consideration of these factors, management recorded estimated liabilities totaling $0.3 million and $0.5 million as of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, respectively, within other accrued liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
Note 7 – Subsequent Events
We have evaluated events and transactions occurring after the balance sheet date through our filing date and noted no events that are subject to recognition or disclosure.
The text of this filing, as the company filed it with the SEC, without its images or exhibits. This is not investment advice.